Reposting is the best proof.
Sometimes trouble comes out of nowhere.
Yan Qing sat at home, still baffled by how he had unintentionally caused trouble. The trending topic had vanished without a trace. He searched for the photos that people had mentioned in the comments section, but he couldn’t find any.
Just then, Kan Hai called.
With a tone mixed with relief, and a hint of self-satisfaction, he said, “Did you see what happened on Weibo? Thankfully, I promptly contacted the company’s PR team to divert the topic. If this matter had continued to escalate, it would have been troublesome.”
Thanks to Wen Jueli’s help, Yan Qing had successfully bought his way onto Weibo’s trending list. Feeling embarrassed, he quickly offered an apology.
Kan Hai said, “As you’re about to join ‘5+28 Love,’ there shouldn’t be any more issues, especially related to you and Wen Jueli. We can’t afford to be caught.”
Yan Qing patted his chest and said, “You can rest assured, Senior. Wen and I are on good terms now. Nothing will go wrong!”
This was due to Wen Jueli reposting the photo of them having dinner together.
This sparked a frenzy among some users, leading them to discuss whether Wen Jueli had been kidnapped and forced to repost the Weibo post. Nevertheless, they firmly believed that these two were deeply in love.
At noon, another trending topic surfaced: #5+28 Premiere#.
Clearly, the production team of ‘5+28 Love’ decided to capitalize on the current popularity of Yan Qing and Wen Jueli. They announced the castings for the other three couples and declared that the show would be livestreamed on Galaxy Network for three consecutive days.
This approach was even more intense than the previous season. They did not even plan to warp up! A decade of preparation culminated in a swift announcement, in line with the program’s tradition of saying ‘Just do it!’.
This led to comments in the section filled with expressions of anticipation.
For a few hours, netizens leisurely discussed the three couples’ castings until they realized that the final couple announced was the trending husbands. The comments section immediately exploded, like hot oil dropping into a pan.
[We’re doomed!]
[Seriously? Did the production team actually invite these two? Aren’t they afraid of overturning this fake couple?]
[I waited five years for this, and I can’t believe Xiao 33’s reputation will be ruined this season.]
[I really like Mr. Wen, but this couple’s chemistry is just too fake, isn’t it? LOL.]
[Haha. That’s so not true. You just can’t accept Mr. Wen being married to someone else other than you, right? Don’t worry, even if Mr. Wen doesn’t marry our Yan Qing, it won’t be your turn. (Doge)]
[Are we talking about being delusional here? Haha.]
[Oops, we’ve been caught.]
[Did Wen Jueli and Yan Qing get divorced today?]
Even before the show started, there were already many negative comments on the internet.
The comment sections of the other couples were full of camaraderie and positivity, but Yan Qing’s team was the complete opposite, with a rather negative atmosphere.
It could be said that around 80% of netizens were rooting for these two.
It would’ve been nice if Yan Qing did not read the comments. The “5+28 Love” show was just a means to compensate Wen Jueli and pay for the penalty.
Mr. Chen, the CEO, had mentioned that if Yan Qing performed well on the show, they could even write off the compensation owed!
Yan Qing had just graduated from university not too long ago. Around “last year,” he had watched the third season of “5+28 Love.”
The show invited four couples, divided into two groups: married and unmarried. The guests were all well-known figures in the same industry. Due to the wide-ranging audience encompassing the same professional field, the show had gained immense popularity. Yan Qing had been drawn in by his Theatrical Teacher that he particularly liked.
The program’s format and name were quite similar. It lasted for a total of 33 days. Five days were dedicated to setting up cameras in the guests’ homes and live-streaming their daily interactions. Then, the four couples would meet up, followed by 28 days of travelling to four different countries.
Since the guests were responsible for their own teams and the entire journey, accidents were bound to happen along the way. Conflicts, mutual assistance, and various real-life aspects would be revealed during the program. Plus, the almost constant live broadcast format eliminated the possibility of scripted scenarios. This showcased the most authentic aspects of these guests’ private lives, making the show highly anticipated.
*
Yan Qing had been feeling a bit hungry and thirsty. He had just gotten up to pour himself a drink when he heard the doorbell ring. In a daze, he went to answer the door.
He saw a man in his thirties or forties holding a tablet standing outside the door.
Upon seeing the unfamiliar and handsome face of the person who opened the door, Liu Guosu was momentarily stunned. His eyes widened as he asked, “Are you Yan Qing?”
Yan Qing nodded subconciously.
Liu Guosu had actually seen pictures of Yan Qing on the internet before. Initially, he thought Yan Qing looked good but rather distant. Now, seeing him in person, he couldn’t help but marvel at how exceptionally beautiful Yan Qing was in real life!
Liu Guosu suppressed the urge to ask for an autograph. He handed over his business card, and introduced himself, “Nice to meet you. I’m Liu Guosu, Wen Jueli’s agent. Is Jueli at home right now?”
As he asked this, a question popped into Liu Guosu’s mind. ‘When did these two start living together?’ From Yan Qing’s appearance, it seemed like he just woke up.
Yan Qing muddleheadedly replied, “He’s still asleep.”
‘Still asleep?’
Liu Guosu was well aware of Wen Jueli’s character. He was never late for appointments, even when the agreed-upon time was just five minutes away. Yet, Yan Qing said he was still asleep?
Couldn’t believe his luck to encounter such a rare ‘not-so-punctual’ moment from Wen Jueli in this lifetime!
Liu Guosu realized he was being impolite and coughed awkwardly. He was about to say that he could wait outside when he heard the sound of the door opening from inside the house.
Wen Jueli appeared, well-dressed, with a composed expression.
Yan Qing couldn’t help but be surprised. “It’s only 9 o’clock and you’re already up?”
Wen Jueli maintained a poker face. “Is 9 o’clock considered early?”
Yan Qing responded, “I still want to sleep until noon, though.”
“…” Wen Jueli
Liu Guosu stood there quietly, feeling awkward and complained in his heart. ‘Until what time did you play last night?’
Wen Jueli’s entire demeanor was stern and aloof. No trace of unnaturalness can be seen.
Liu Guosu took the luggage he was holding, and it was only then that Yan Qing noticed and asked, “Are you going on a business trip?”
Wen Jueli paused in his steps as if he just thought of Yan Qing just then. He turned around and let his gaze fall on Yan Qing’s face.
“En.”
‘Huh?’ Liu Guosu, who had been a third wheel throughout this exchange, suddenly understood what Wen Jueli was doing. Yan Qing was clearly concerned, but Wen Jueli was only responding with ‘En’ perfunctorily, as if he didn’t even intend to explain.
Perhaps it was because he very much like Yan Qing’s appearance, but Liu Guosu decided to help with the explanation. He said, “We’re going to a film festival. Jueli is a special guest and a nominee for Best Actor this year. Since the film festival is held in the suburbs, we decided to stay there for a few days.”
“That’s how it is.” Wen Jueli
Impressive! No wonder you’re the man in the Yan Family like.
Yan Qing looked at Wen Jueli and pondered for a while before asking, “What about the show?”
Wen Jueli replied, “I’ve already coordinated with the production team. We’ll be back in three days.”
Yan Qing felt a bit disappointed. “So I’ll be alone at home for three days?”
Wen Jueli glanced at Yan Qing and then nodded. “If you need anything or an auntie who can cook. I can help you arrange it.”
Yan Qing didn’t expect Wen Jueli to be so concerned about him, even though it was for work. He hesitated and said, “No, it’s not like I can’t cook. There’s no need to call for an auntie. If there’s any trouble, I’ll let you know. I can take care of myself.”
Wen Jueli paused for a second, then replied calmly, “We’re leaving then.”
Yan Qing said, “Okay!”
To make Wen Jueli not worry too much, Yan Qing showed his perfect smile, the same one he used to pretend to be a well-behaved child in front of his elders. He watched Wen Jueli leave.
As Wen Jueli got into the car, he seemed to sense something and turned back to look. He saw Yan Qing standing by the window on their floor. Yan Qing also noticed him, bathed in sunlight, and waved with a smile.
Wen Jueli pursed his lips.
Once Wen Jueli’s nanny car had completely left his sight, Yan Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was almost discovered. Yan Qing turned his head, intending to look at the bookshelf with childhood photos of Wen Jueli.
With his hands behind his back, he leaned in for a closer look. This was the only photo in Wen Jueli’s home, and it was a childhood picture.
It seemed to be a photo from his junior high school graduation.
Wen Jueli was wearing a dark-blue and white-collar vest school uniform.. His face still childish, looking calmly at the camera with a faint smile. The man next to him, who was taking the photo, had a much broader and brighter smile.
He looked quite handsome.
This must be the foster father of Wen Jueli.
It was the first time Yan Qing had seen him.
He didn’t hear much about the rumors of Wen Jueli’s foster father, but Yan Qing had heard that he was once a young genius in Nancheng City and was expected to take over the Wen family’s business empire.
The whole family had been eagerly awaiting the day he returned from abroad. However, during his time studying overseas, he married a foreign woman and only returned to China with Wen Jueli after his beloved wife’s death. Sadly, he had also passed away due to an illness not long after.
*
As the car drove away, Liu Guosu took a deep breath and finally asked, “When did you two meet?”
Wen Jueli replied, “Hasn’t the internet said it all?”
Liu Guosu knew well, saying, “You might not have agreed if it were just a Contractual Marriage, right?”
But Wen Jueli just smiled.
After all, it was a dying old man’s wish. Why wouldn’t he agree?
After a long pause, Wen Jueli looked out the window at the towering skyscrapers and said in a low voice, “I can’t seem to remember that much but we met shortly after I returned to China.”
***
Yan Qing had developed an unusual appetite and had been very tired recently.
He consulted a doctor online, and the doctor attributed it to the aftereffects of his previous concussion. He said he just need to pay more attention to his rest.
When Wen Jueli was at home, things were fine. They would have their meals together, and Yan Qing would rest in his room the rest of the time. But now that Wen Jueli was away, it made Yan Qing realized something important – what was the atmosphere of the entertainment circle like for the past five years?
Kan Hai had mentioned that he signed with ZS because he hadn’t been getting any film and television projects. He had been working with a theatre troupe for the past few years.
Yan Qing was very familiar with theatre troupes.
He had been interested in performing from a young age and frequently participated in activities like skits and theatrical performances in junior high. He also participated on their school’s drama club. In the summer after graduating from high school, Yan Qing had auditioned for Nancheng’s Theater Troupe behind his parent’s back and had even succeeded. He even performed on stage after his birthday ‘Last month’.
Yan Qing scrolled through WeChat and found a group for the theatre troupe at the bottom of his chat list.
However, they hadn’t been chatting in the group for the past few days. Yan Qing checked the chat history to understand why. It turned out that his theatre troupe buddies, had gone on a tour in Europe since last week.
At that moment, a contact with the name “Brother Wu” sent him a message.
The name seemed familiar to Yan Qing.
Back when he had just joined the theatre troupe, it was this Brother Wu who had helped him out. Yan Qing also remembered that this Brother Wu and the guy in the photo was the same person whom Wen Jueli was jealous of, that was mentioned on ‘Love History’.
Brother Wu: [The play just ended. Yan Qing, are you doing okay?]
Yan Qing pondered for a moment, treating it as if nothing had happened, and replied respectfully: [Thank you for your concern, Brother Wu. I’m doing well. What’s going on?]
Brother Wu: [Nothing much. I just finished performing, and I wanted to take a photo of the stage in the theatre here. Then, I saw the news on Weibo about your marriage?]
You could feel the surprise in his words even if it’s through WeChat.