HWMTOTBM Chapter 7

JSS’s reply came quickly. The next morning, Xu Yu was still sleeping when Yun Jie called.

Xu Yu groggily answered the phone and heard Yun Jie say that JSS had already contacted her and that they would meet to sign the contract in three days.

“The week after next, we’ll take some indoor photos,” Yun Jie paused for a second. “The timing works out perfectly. Rent the studio for the weekend, I’ll find someone to design it, and we’ll start next week.”

Xu Yu lazily replied: “Okay.”

Yun Jie’s energetic voice contrasted sharply with Xu Yu’s lack of spirit.

Yun Jie: “What’s going on? This isn’t like you. It’s almost eleven, and you’re still in bed?”

Xu Yu stated, “I was drinking at Zheng Xue’s last night.”

Yun Jie laughed. “Did you get drunk? Do you have a headache?”

Xu Yu: “No, I didn’t drink much.”

Yun Jie: “Alright, I don’t have anything else. You should get up and eat something.”

Xu Yu: “Okay.”

Just as Yun Jie had said, everything seemed to go smoothly after terminating the contract.

Three days later, they went to JSS to sign the contract. During these days, Yun Jie also received several collaboration invitations, including offers for Xu Yu to act in dramas.

Yun Jie knew Xu Yu would not act. It wasn’t his field, and he didn’t have the talent for it. Xu Yu himself wasn’t interested either. But when she received the emails, Yun Jie jokingly mentioned it to Xu Yu, saying, “Why don’t you try acting? I’d love to see that.”

Xu Yu nodded in agreement: “Sure, let’s ruin my reputation before I could even sing.”

The invitations were not urgent, so Yun Jie did not rush and set them aside after discussing them with Xu Yu. Xu Yu’s main focus remained on music, and his studio was set up accordingly. In just over a week, the studio was mostly set up. Xu Yu initially planned to get a haircut, but Yun Jie stopped him.

Xu Yu’s hair wasn’t unbearable, and he would be taking photos and shooting commercials soon. Longer hair would give the stylist more to work with.

A few days later, it was finally time for the appointment with JSS. Xu Yu and Yun Jie went to the JSS building together.

While signing the contract, Manager Chen explained that this was a series of ads that couldn’t be completed in one shoot. Xu Yu was the male lead, and there would be some well-known supporting actors.

Xu Yu had heard of these supporting actors, who were mainly models and actors from commercials. One of them even had more followers on Weibo than he did.

In private discussions, Xu Yu and Yun Jie both wondered why Xu Yu was chosen as the male lead.

JSS has always chosen well-known celebrities for their main roles and endorsements. Xu Yu was relatively unknown, with perhaps one in every hundred people recognizing him.

Their conclusion was summed up by Yun Jie’s remark. “A discerning eye could identify your poor performance.”

Xu Yu did not respond to that.

For years, Yun Jie had been indifferent to all sorts of potential ships involving Xu Yu. But this time, despite how unlikely it seemed, she became engrossed.

Xu Yu made some guesses and concluded that his role as the male lead was most likely due to Su Yuanjiu.

However, it is unclear whether Su Yuanjiu noticed him specifically or whether Manager Chen was drawn to him after Su Yuanjiu exchanged a few more words with him.

When they arrived at the JSS studio, Xu Yu greeted the team politely before proceeding to the makeup room. 

As expected, the team wanted to do something with his hair. After the makeup artist finished applying makeup to his face, they turned their attention to his hair, removing the clip from Xu Yu’s hair.

The makeup artist asked, “Can I trim your hair a bit, Xu Yu? It won’t be much.”

Xu Yu nodded, “Sure.”

The makeup artist acknowledged him with a hum.

Perhaps out of boredom, as soon as Xu Yu closed his eyes, the makeup artist asked, “The clip has ‘XY’ on it. Are those your initials?”

Xu Yu responded with a hum.

The makeup artist continued, “Is it a custom-made clip?”

Xu Yu wanted to shake his head but refrained due to the sound of the scissors.

Xu Yu explained. “No, I just happened to see it with ‘XY’ and bought it.”

Xu Yu often didn’t want to deal with his hair, so when it got too long, he used the clip to hold it back.

The clip was of good quality. It had been more than two years, and it still looked new.

“I just realized you have naturally curly hair,” the makeup artist said, smiling as he handled Xu Yu’s hair. “I thought it was permed.”

Xu Yu opened his eyes and hummed in response.

The makeup artist finished by saying, “All done, very handsome.”

Xu Yu smiled and nodded. “Thank you, and sorry for the trouble.”

The makeup artist shook their head. “No problem at all.”

Yun Jie was outside chatting with Manager Chen. When she saw Xu Yu emerge, she waved him over.

Xu Yu handed the hair clip to Yun Jie, who placed it in her bag.

“Manager Chen,” Xu Yu said, greeting him.

Manager Chen shook hands with Xu Yu, “Hello, go ahead.”

The set was ready, and Yun Jie and Manager Chen moved to the computer area.

Xu Yu had done many promotional photo shoots before, so he wasn’t unfamiliar with the camera and knew how to cooperate well. Of course, this was something he had gradually learned over time.

Yun Jie watched from the side, reminiscing about Xu Yu’s early photo shoots.

Back then, although the process was quick and the quality was good, it was evident that it wasn’t because of his camera presence but due to his flawless looks from every angle.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Xu Yu asked.

Yun Jie straightened Xu Yu’s clothes and smiled. “It’s because you’re too handsome.”

Xu Yu smiled helplessly.

After one set was done, Xu Yu went to change clothes.

In the dressing room, he suddenly heard a slight commotion outside.

He paused, listening intently, but everything seemed normal again.

Xu Yu thought he had misheard and went out after changing clothes. Walking past the set, he saw more people in the studio and realized what the commotion was about.

Xu Yu raised his hand to touch his eyebrow, remembered he had makeup on, and lowered it.

Su Yuanjiu stood by the computer, looking down at Xu Yu’s photos.

“You’re ready?” The photographer noticed Xu Yu first and then turned to the person beside him, “President Su.”

Su Yuanjiu nodded. “Continue.”

With Su Yuanjiu’s presence, not many dared to crowd around the computer to look at the photos. Yun Jie and Manager Chen stood at a distance.

Xu Yu’s next few sets were shot very well. The large company’s photography team was certainly unique, capturing excellent angles and proportions. The camera frequently zoomed in on Xu Yu’s face to highlight his features.

The way Xu Yu’s eyes lifted and lowered under his long eyelashes was almost too much for Yun Jie to handle after watching for a while.

However, one minor detail became clear: the further they went, the more unnatural Xu Yu appeared.

It was difficult to pinpoint what was unnatural because the photos themselves appeared normal. 

After a few minutes, Yun Jie realized what was off. Whenever Xu Yu’s gaze shifted towards the computer, his expression became evasive. It was probably because of Su Yuanjiu. Having such a big figure watching could easily distract someone.

Yun Jie glanced at Su Yuanjiu and quickly looked away.

“Okay.” The photographer made a gesture, saying to Xu Yu, “Good job.”

Xu Yu jumped down from the arranged chair and said, “Thanks.”

Approaching the computer, Su Yuanjiu made way for Xu Yu. Xu Yu quietly thanked Su Yuanjiu and then reviewed the photos with the photographer. There were no major issues. After a quick review and exchanging a few polite words, the day’s work was done.

After changing back into his own clothes, Xu Yu and Yun Jie said their goodbyes. As they were about to leave, someone called out to them.

“Mr. Xu.”

Xu Yu and Yun Jie turned around.

“President Su,” Xu Yu spoke first, “What is it?”

Su Yuanjiu asked, “Are you heading home?”

Xu Yu replied, “Yes.”

Su Yuanjiu suggested, “Let’s go together. I’m going downstairs too.”

Xu Yu pretended not to notice Yun Jie lowering her head and nodded, “Sure.”

Not only Yun Jie, but everyone in the studio seemed the same, looking busy with their own tasks but actually focusing on the door.

Yun Jie opened the door for them, and Xu Yu let Su Yuanjiu go out first.

“Where are you headed?” Su Yuanjiu asked after they exited. “I need to go out as well. Did you drive here?”

Xu Yu glanced at Yun Jie and replied, “No need; we don’t want to trouble you.”

Su Yuanjiu shook his head, “It’s no trouble. Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

Xu Yu could only graciously accept, “Thank you.”

However, instead of going to the elevator they had come up in, Su Yuanjiu led them in another direction to the rumored private elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Xu Yu realized why Su Yuanjiu’s secretary and Manager Chen were surprised when he mentioned going down together the last time.

Xu Yu swallowed and told himself in his heart to immediately stop having delusional thoughts.

“Where do you live?” Su Yuanjiu’s question interrupted Xu Yu’s thoughts just in time.

Xu Yu replied, “Yunhe Lake.”

Su Yuanjiu then asked Yun Jie, “What about you? Where are you going?”

Yun Jie responded, “I’ll get off at Yunhe Lake too. Haha, thanks, President Su.”

Su Yuanjiu sounded unconvinced. “No problem, I’ll drop you off as well. Where are you headed?”

Yun Jie stopped insisting, “Qiaofeng Road Roundabout.”

Su Yuanjiu nodded and said to Xu Yu, “We’ll drop her off first, then you.”

As he finished speaking, the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival on the first floor.

They exited through another door of the JSS building, where a car was parked outside.

As soon as Su Yuanjiu stepped out of the elevator, someone approached to open the main door and then the car door for him. Yun Jie chose the front passenger seat. Once in the car, it made a turn and drove onto the main road.

Yun Jie’s destination was not on the way to Xu Yu’s home but was very close to the JSS building. Within five minutes, Yun Jie had arrived.

She said, “Take care on the road,” and “Thank you, President Su,” before quickly exiting the car.

Xu Yu felt even more awkward now that Yun Jie had left.

Playing with his phone would be impolite, but without it, he had no idea what to do, so he just looked around aimlessly and fiddled with his hands.

Meanwhile, Su Yuanjiu was busy working on his laptop.

The car drove for another ten minutes before Su Yuanjiu finally finished his work and put his laptop away.

Xu Yu’s home was also approaching.

“I just heard you terminated your contract with the company,” Su Yuanjiu said.

Xu Yu nodded, “Yes.”

Su Yuanjiu congratulated him, “Congratulations, you’re free now.”

Xu Yu nodded again. “Yes, thank you.”

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of Xu Yu’s residential area.

Similarly, Xu Yu said, “Take care on the road,” and “Thank you,” before getting out of the car.

After the door closed, the car didn’t leave immediately. It waited until Xu Yu was inside the community and out of sight before driving away.

Su Yuanjiu took out his laptop again and said, “Back to the office.”

The driver acknowledged with an “Alright.”

As the car turned around, Su Yuanjiu suddenly spoke again.

“Do you know who was sitting next to me just now?”

There were only two people in the car.

Old Zhao, hearing Su Yuanjiu’s tone as if the person beside him was someone significant, became instantly nervous.

He thought for a moment and then cautiously asked, “Who?”

Su Yuanjiu replied, “Xu Yu, a singer.”

Old Zhao quickly nodded. “Oh, oh, oh.”