Isn’t money good?

Chapter 33

This anonymous forum was often used to discuss various celebrity gossip, where rumors were always a mix of truth and falsehood, impossible to distinguish.

But did netizens care whether it was true or false? Having juicy gossip to consume was enough.

[Ah, this is basically spelling it out clearly. Instead of saying “a certain someone”, you might as well just name names.]

[Actor with surname S – Su Yu; a certain big-budget period drama – “Rivers and Mountains in Chaos”; only the last one about a rising newcomer, who could that be referring to? Fu Yan or Ruan?]

[It’s Yan.]

[Let me break down Yan Shiqiu’s background. His immediate family seems ordinary at first glance. Father deceased, mother just a regular state enterprise management level employee. But don’t forget, on his extended family side, his cousin is the famous ace lawyer. The Wen family is no ordinary household.]

[Stop dragging innocent civilians into this, okay? Why don’t you say Ruan is more likely? Have you forgotten her parents’ identities? They are national first-class actors!]

[Key point: rising star! Among the three newcomers, who fits that description? Only Yan. Fu and Ruan are obviously brand new, don’t believe me? Take their three names and ask random people on the street, see who they know.]

[Let me guess, did Yan cause trouble on set again, Su couldn’t stand it, they got into a fight, and Yan went crying to ( ), too scared to say the name for fear of being silenced by fans.]

[Hilarious, your imagination could write melodramas. It’s such a waste you’re not a screenwriter. If you’re going to throw shade, be bold about it. I’ll say it again. Teacher Ji has nothing to do with Yan Shiqiu!]

[Does it matter what you say? It’s obvious Ji and Yan have an unusual relationship. Stop covering your ears and pretending otherwise. It’s ugly.]

[Maybe Yan’s acting was so bad that Su Yu got angry, but the crew protected Yan since he was carefully selected. Director Chen couldn’t slap his own face.]

[? I mean, Yan doesn’t only act opposite Su. If Yan’s acting was really that bad, why doesn’t he have more scenes than others?]

After arguing for hundreds of floors, someone noticed the original poster had disappeared and never replied again.

[So where’s the gossip?]

[So which rising newcomer is it?]

[Did OP run away?]

[Everyone disperse, OP has ulterior motives. It’s fake news. I just came back from fact-checking. Su Yu did indeed withdraw, but it’s because he’s sick. He posted on Weibo with photos. Not only is his face swollen like a pig’s head, but there’s also a medical diagnosis. It’s acute urticaria.]

…

The incident also made it to trending topics, but before it could blow up, Su Yu’s team quickly posted on Weibo, even posting unfiltered photos of his swollen face without caring about his image.

His fans, who were originally furious and ready for battle, instantly felt only heartache upon seeing his Weibo post, flooding the comments with virtual hugs and kisses.

Not long after the anonymous forum post appeared, Chen Hangsheng received the news. He was already angry about Su Yu’s direct withdrawal attitude, and seeing the post made his blood pressure spike instantly.

Although Chen Hangsheng rarely lost his temper and was quite easygoing, he wasn’t without a temper. Moreover, “Rivers and Mountains in Chaos” was a work he’d prepared for a long time. He indeed had the intention to suppress Su Yu, and the PR statement was already written.

If Su Yu’s clarifying Weibo had been even a minute later, he could basically say goodbye to his acting career.

Since the incident involved Yan Shiqiu, Fang Yuhua also called immediately to ask.

“What happened?”

Yan Shiqiu briefly summarized what Su Yu had just specifically called to explain and apologize to Chen Hangsheng: “It was Su Yu’s assistant who fabricated lies on the anonymous forum to get revenge on him. He also bought the trending topic.”

“Then why drag you into it?”

Fang Yuhua didn’t understand and asked worriedly: “Did you have friction with them on set?”

“No, after I joined the crew, we never spoke except during acting. We never even stayed within three meters of each other. The entire crew can testify to that.

As for why it spread to me, it might be because he knew Su Yu disliked me, or perhaps he had evidence of Su Yu suppressing my trending topics last time, planning to release it later to better guide public opinion and escalate the situation.”

Yan Shiqiu lay on the small table, not sure if it was because the weather was too hot, but he felt his headache getting worse.

“This kind of thing that smears the crew and affects the crew’s reputation, Chen Hangsheng couldn’t possibly ignore it, and Ji Corporation couldn’t possibly ignore it either. Su Yu’s performance on set these past few days has been very poor, unprofessional and careless, everyone witnessed it. As long as evidence is presented, he’ll be hammered to the ground and find it hard to recover.”

“I understand. As long as it’s not related to you.” Fang Yuhua felt relieved.

After hanging up, Yan Shiqiu raised the back of his hand to touch his forehead again.

Liu Xi held her cheek with one hand and used a small fan to blow air on him with the other. Seeing his movement, she asked: “Is your temperature higher?”

“Not sure.”

Liu Xi took out her phone: “I’ll have Zhou Yu bring another thermometer back.”

Soon, Zhou Yu returned with fever-reducing patches and a thermometer. Liu Xi handed him tissues and the small fan, taking the bag from him and retrieving the digital thermometer.

“38.5°C, almost a high fever.” Liu Xi frowned. “Are you really not taking leave?”

Yan Shiqiu tore open a fever-reducing patch and stuck it on his forehead, giving Liu Xi a reassuring smile: “Don’t worry, I know my own condition very well. I’m really fine now. If I can’t hold on later, I’ll take leave.”

Liu Xi looked at him for a few moments and stopped trying to persuade him: “Whatever you want.”

With Su Yu’s withdrawal, they needed to find a new actor for the Sixth Prince. Fortunately, filming had just begun and Su Yu hadn’t acted much, so replacing him wouldn’t have too big an impact.

They revised the subsequent filming schedule, moving the Sixth Prince’s scenes to later. Half an hour later, the crew resumed activity and prepared for shooting.

Yan Shiqiu removed the fever-reducing patch and went to change costumes and do makeup.

After coming out, he encountered Liu Lan.

He and Liu Lan played mother and son in the drama. Liu Lan portrayed Noble Consort Chen, Chu Yuexuan’s mother. The scene they were about to film was their confrontation scene.

Liu Lan had a good impression of Yan Shiqiu. She took the initiative to greet him and smiled at him.

Yan Shiqiu politely returned the smile.

After rehearsing the scene with no problems, filming officially began.

After learning of his daughter’s death, Noble Consort Chen became melancholic and lost her appetite. When Chu Yuexuan learned of this, he entered the palace and personally cooked a table full of dishes for Noble Consort Chen.

The mother and son sat together, and Chu Yuexuan accompanied Noble Consort Chen through the entire meal.

After the meal, he stayed with Noble Consort Chen for a long time until the sun was about to set before leaving.

Noble Consort Chen understood her son and guessed what he was going to do. When Chu Yuexuan was about to step out the door, she suddenly called him: “Yuexuan.”

Chu Yuexuan turned back.

Noble Consort Chen gazed deeply at him, her eyes reddening, but the corners of her mouth curved into a gentle smile: “Whatever you want to do, go ahead and do it.”

Chu Yuexuan also smiled softly.

He said quietly: “Please take care of your health.”

With those words, he turned and walked out with firm steps, his figure completely melding into the light.

…

Yan Shiqiu wasn’t feeling well physically and had one NG, but the second take went smoothly.

Liu Lan noticed his discomfort and asked after the scene: “Are you sick?”

He didn’t hide it: “A bit of fever.”

“Have you taken medicine?” Liu Lan said, “I have medicine, let me get it for you.”

“Thank you.” Yan Shiqiu thanked Liu Lan for her kindness, saying: “I’ve taken medicine and bought some too.”

Liu Lan nodded and added: “Being dedicated is good, but if you’re not feeling well, take leave. Your health is more important.”

Yan Shiqiu: “Okay.”

Although Liu Lan appreciated and liked Yan Shiqiu, essentially they weren’t particularly close. After advising him once and seeing that Yan Shiqiu obediently nodded but didn’t plan to take leave, she didn’t press further.

Besides, actors filming while sick was quite common. After all, they often filmed against the seasons, shooting winter scenes in summer and getting heat stroke, shooting summer scenes in winter and catching colds from the cold.

After finishing the scene with Liu Lan, an hour later Yan Shiqiu filmed another outdoor scene, enduring the blazing sun for an hour.

He persisted through the filming, but his head was already aching terribly.

Returning to the rest area and sitting down, Yan Shiqiu took his temperature and found it had gotten higher, spiking to 39°C.

He quickly swallowed two more fever-reducing pills.

Just as he finished taking the medicine and put down his water, a shadow fell over his head.

Yan Shiqiu looked up to see Ji Yunnian standing before him against the light, his gaze enveloping him completely.

“Why are you here?” He pressed his temples and asked hoarsely.

Ji Yunnian’s scenes today were all night shoots, so what was he doing at the set at this time?

Ji Yunnian didn’t answer, looking down at him with pressed lips and an unpleasant expression: “Are you really a child? Don’t know to see a doctor when you’re sick.”

“Come with me to the hospital.” He said sternly.

??

Yan Shiqiu looked up at him in confusion, hesitating for two seconds: “So, you came specifically to take me to see a doctor?”

“What else?”

Ji Yunnian found him too slow and simply reached out to grab his wrist, directly pulling him up from the chair and dragging him away.

Caught off guard by being pulled up, Yan Shiqiu felt severely dizzy for a moment. He dazedly followed for a distance before reacting and stopping. Ji Yunnian was also forced to stop.

“I just took fever-reducing medicine.”

Ji Yunnian turned around and stared into his eyes: “Be obedient.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

“I haven’t asked Director Chen for leave yet.” His voice grew smaller.

Ji Yunnian tugged him again, continuing to drag him forward: “I already asked for you.”

The car stopped at the hospital entrance forty minutes later.

After handing Yan Shiqiu a mask and waiting for him to put it on, Ji Yunnian got out of the car, went around to the passenger side to open the door for him, and tried to help him out.

After staring at Ji Yunnian’s outstretched hand for two seconds, Yan Shiqiu declined: “…No need.”

Ji Yunnian didn’t bother with him and helped anyway.

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

Entering the hospital, they went straight to emergency. Emergency was quick. It was Yan Shiqiu’s turn in just a few minutes.

The doctor asked about symptoms and handed him a thermometer to take his temperature first.

Yan Shiqiu obediently held the thermometer, looking listless. He licked his lips, feeling his mouth was a bit dry and wanting water.

“Want to drink water?” Ji Yunnian’s inquiry suddenly came from beside his ear.

He instinctively nodded: “Mm.”

“Wait a moment.” Ji Yunnian left the examination room after speaking and returned shortly with a cup of water.

The water was warm and at the perfect temperature. After Yan Shiqiu finished drinking, he smiled at him: “Thank you.”

Ji Yunnian glanced at him: “No need.”

After five minutes, the doctor took the thermometer and looked at it: “38.8°C, high fever. Go get blood drawn first.”

So Ji Yunnian again ignored Yan Shiqiu’s protests and supported him to get blood drawn.

With the results in hand, they returned to the examination room. The doctor took them and looked: “Just a common cold, nothing serious. Medicine will do.

Avoid certain foods recently, drink more water and rest more. A few days of recovery and you’ll be fine.”

Yan Shiqiu wanted to recover from his fever quickly and asked the doctor for an IV drip.

The doctor refused.

So carrying a bunch of medicine out of the hospital, Yan Shiqiu was still quite dejected.

Back at the hotel, Yan Shiqiu opened the door and entered his room, only to find Ji Yunnian following him in. He blinked in confusion: “Is there something else?”

Ji Yunnian calmly walked to the living room sofa and sat down: “I’ll leave after your fever breaks.”

—

Yan Shiqiu originally thought that with Ji Yunnian there, he wouldn’t be able to sleep. But the cold medicine he took had sedative components, and combined with being tired all morning, as soon as his body touched the bed, drowsiness hit him in waves, and he drifted off to sleep in a daze.

When he woke up again, it was already dark.

The room had no lights on. He fumbled for the bedside lamp, turned it on, and sat up.

What time was it?

Had Ji Yunnian left?

He got out of bed, shuffled in his slippers out of the bedroom. The sound of opening the door startled Ji Yunnian, who was sitting on the living room sofa. He turned to look over.

“Awake?” Ji Yunnian put down his phone and quickly walked over, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead.

After a while, he withdrew his hand: “The fever’s broken.”

Yan Shiqiu was stunned: “You haven’t left yet?”

“I was going to leave, but my agent told me something related to this morning’s anonymous leak, so I stayed to tell you when you woke up.”

Ji Yunnian crossed his arms: “What, do you really want me to leave?”

Meeting Ji Yunnian’s gaze, Yan Shiqiu pondered for a moment, then followed his heart and honestly shook his head.

When sick, one always hoped to have someone by their side.

He was no exception.

“Thank you.” Yan Shiqiu looked at him and said seriously.

The white fluorescent light fell down, illuminating Yan Shiqiu and reflecting in his eyes like scattered stars, a brilliant galaxy. Ji Yunnian quietly gazed back at him, suddenly wanting very much to touch his eyes.