PEU Chapter 3

Day 3 of Provoking

On the phone, Wang Chen told Jiang Cheng to wait at home and that he will be coming in a moment to talk about the specifics of the cooperation.

“I will be going for a haircut later. At what time will you come over?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Wang Chen’s hair almost jumped up on the other end of the phone: “What kind of haircut? Where do you want to go to get it cut? What kind of style do you want?”

“I happen to have seen a family barber stop in the area, so I’ll just go there. Cut it short and flat, like a crew cut, so it can feel a bit more comfortable.” Jiang Cheng said.

Wang Chen, “…”

“You stay right there, I’ll come over at once.” Wang Chen was on the verge of going crazy.

The community where Jiang Cheng lived was old and lousy, and all the barber shops there were for husbands and their fathers. How could they possibly handle an artist’s haircut?!

Even if he wanted to use Jiang Cheng to serve as a foil for Jiang Xinghao, he couldn’t just directly drag Jiang Cheng to the ground!

Jiang Cheng was still a bit confused after the call was hung up. Was he not even allowed to cut his hair?

He looked at his own reflection in the mirror and saw the little tuft of hair on the top of his head, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch– it can’t be that he would have to let his hair like this throughout the entirety of the variety show, right?

Unlikely, unlikely…right?

///

Jiang Cheng took advantage of the time when Wang Chen was still on the way to tidy up the rental house.

The original owner’s rental house was less than 40 square metres with clothes and piles of junk scattered all over the place.

Jiang Cheng had some mild OCD as well as an obsession with cleanliness. He even arranged the bedding of the mattress he had just slept on like a block of tofu. When he saw the lack of empty space in front of him, his brows were furrowed so hard there was a small lump on the space in between.

So the former Chief Instructor of Jianghan Special Zone found a bucket of water, rolled up his sleeves, and precisely got to work.

Three hours were spent to make the former old and lousy rental house appear brand new.

– Regardless of what kinds of bottles they were, Jiang Cheng arranged them from the highest to the lowest– while the clothes were all separately sorted in a neat manner. The shirts were ironed nicely and arranged from deep to light colors while the trousers were folded neat and tidy, and they were all placed and hung orderly in the closet.

When Wang Chen walked in after opening the door, he was first stupefied, then went back to the entrance to look at the room number.

Doesn’t seem like he went to the wrong place.

Was this still Jiang Cheng’s little lousy house?

“You’re here. Have a seat.” Jiang Cheng was wiping his hands after coming out of the bathroom when he saw Wang Chen by the entrance still holding a key in his hand. He gave him a knowing greeting.

Wang Chen answered unnaturally, “Ah, you cleaned the house.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s good. The filming of the variety show will start from your house. If it’s chaotic, the audience will have a poor impression.” Wang Chen said.

When Jiang Cheng heard him mention the variety show, he also sat down with a serious expression: “What does the show want me to do? How is the money calculated?”

Wang Chen choked. He could be regarded as an old man in the entertainment circle, but he hadn’t come across such straightforward words for a really long time.

He took out the contract and held the papers together, then explained as he handed them to Jiang Cheng: “The main highlight of the show is to survive in the wilderness, which can be regarded as a pioneering project.”

Jiang Cheng nodded. Wilderness survival, wasn’t this in his scope of duty? This was feasible.

“But the remuneration… will certainly not be a lot. You should have a clear idea of your own situation in your heart.”  The corners of Wang Chen’s mouth pulled down.

Jiang Cheng pricked up his ears.

“Recently went mad and said that he was the lost young master of that Jiang family. Some time later, he tried to drag God Jian by saying he was the other’s fiancé… Let’s just say that on the whole network, except for those who don’t know you, the rest wish they could talk you to death.” Wang Chen felt that Jiang Cheng didn’t have the slightest understanding of his current situation, and he said as he rolled his eyes.

When he was done listening, Jiang Cheng drank a sip of water to keep his embarrassment under control.

Wang Chen flipped through the contract and pointed at a place, “Right now, the film studio is giving you this price.”

Jiang Cheng took a glance and saw that the contract was signed for the first three episodes. Altogether, it was 360,000 yuan with 10% deposit paid before the recording.

The amount in his hands would merely be a few tens of thousands.

Jiang Cheng asked, “Wasn’t it said that it was possible to get 30% in cash?”

“That’s the special condition that Director Liu gave you privately,” Wang Chen faced Jiang Cheng and winked at him. “Nobody else has it. Seems that the ‘cooperation’ talk yesterday went really well.”

Jiang Cheng, “…”

He was too embarrassed to tell Wang Chen that he beat up Director Liu last night.

Jiang Cheng thought that, compared to being beaten up by him, Director Liu was probably more afraid of the ‘backer’ he found last night.

When they were on a mission in Muxie in his previous life, they had done a background check. But before they could investigate deeper, their superiors put a stop to it. They were only told that they could trust them and that they haven’t reached a level where they could get information on Muxie.

Jiang Cheng silently muttered a sincere word of thanks to the strange big shot he had never even met before.⁴

Even though he didn’t see the other party’s appearance clearly, that person was as tall and sturdy as a mountain in his eyes.

Wang Chen continued, “Although Director Liu gave you this resource, I still have to be blunt and tell you some unpleasant things.”

“You should also know that the person the company strongly supports is Jiang Xinghao, so your personality in the show has already been arranged.” Wang Chen got to the point.

Jiang Cheng sat upright, just like he was listening to a briefing meeting before carrying out a mission.

“First of all, the most important point is that you can’t grab the limelight from Jiang Xinghao in the variety show.”

“According to the script, you need to set off Jiang Xinghao’s [cool and capable] all-round player persona.”

Wang Chen was sizing up Jiang Cheng’s expression as he spoke, fearing that Jiang Cheng would disagree. After all, Jiang Cheng was now considered as being handpicked by Director Liu.

As expected, Jiang Cheng frowned when he heard what was said. “What do you mean?”

Wang Chen deliberated for a moment before explaining the most basic requirement first, “For example, after Jiang Xinghao completes a scripted task, you can act as his brainless younger brother fan and blow some rainbow farts for the purpose of creating a suitable atmosphere for him to get more fans.” [T/N: give excessive praise]

“Oh.” Jiang Cheng nodded. It didn’t seem hard.

He currently had a shortage of money. A worker should behave like a worker, abandon their individual element, and correct their work attitude.

Wang Chen saw that Jiang Cheng was adapting well, so he continued: “For example, when Jiang Xinghao needs some assistance to complete a task, then you can act as his tool-man. What you may need to do includes but is not limited to: climbing trees, digging pits, making fires, and other manual labor.”

“Okay.”

“And if there are any tasks that will be harmful to Jiang Xinghao’s personal image, the company expects that you will be able to step forward bravely. If the need arises, you can play the part of a fool to serve as his foil.” Wang Chen was unsure whether Jiang Cheng would agree to this or not.

Jiang Cheng asked, “That’s all?”

“…That’s about it? Do you think that you can accept it?” Wang Chen was surprised.

“It’s all right,” Jiang Cheng answered, then proceeded to shift the topic. “But I would like to request that you guys agree to my one condition.”

Wang Chen didn’t expect that a blockhead like Jiang Cheng could even take the initiative to propose a quid pro quo. He said, “Tell me the condition first.”

“If public opinion distorts, misinterprets, or slanders me on purpose, the company has the obligation to help me clarify the truth.” Jiang Cheng said.

Wang Chen raised his brows. This seemed to be the escape plan Jiang Cheng left for himself. Wang Chen thought of the company’s subsequent arrangements to hype up Jiang Xinghao for a moment. There wouldn’t be much interaction with Jiang Cheng, so he nodded and replied, “All right.”

“But don’t you think you’re thinking too much?” Wang Chen laughed. “Those things currently said about you on the internet are all from what you have done yourself. Which one isn’t in line with your image?”

Jiang Cheng, “…”

“Oh, right, didn’t you also say you plan to cut your hair?” Wang Chen looked at Jiang Cheng a few times as he recalled.

“Mhm,” Jiang Cheng gestured at the length of his hair. “Don’t you think it’s too long?”

Wang Chen looked at it before saying, “I will discuss it with the stylist. We will also do an adjustment to your image management before the recording of the variety show starts, so we will see when the time comes.”

When he was done speaking, he thought of how Jiang Cheng had been talking to himself these past two days and added a warning: “Your contract includes the company’s power and control over your image. Even if you give yourself a short trim of one centimetre, it will still be a breach of contract and you will have to pay a penalty. Do you hear me clearly?”

Jiang Cheng, “…Okay.” Become a slave to money.

Wang Chen was satisfied: “Then if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. The deposit will be given to you within three working days.”

He planned to get in touch with Director Liu again to see if it would be possible to arrange some more shots for their family’s Xinghao.

Jiang Cheng sent the person off, then sat back on the sofa to carefully examine the attachments behind the contract that had a detailed explanation of the specific situation of this variety show–

Simply put, five stars will form a team that will be led by a reputable professional and go on a journey in the wild to survive for three to five days with no assistance from outside tools. The main purpose will be to connect with nature and promote the protection of the natural environment, and so on and forth.

The show will be adopting the current most popular format of half live broadcast and half post-production. Even though there will be a script, it was still a live broadcast. Unexpected things or situations that nobody could predict might happen. This could also be regarded as a model with high expectations.

All of these were very new to Jiang Cheng, but what was actually more important at the moment was that he was hungry and that he needed to fill his stomach.

Jiang Cheng changed his clothes and went out. He chose to go to the vegetable market with the mere amount of money he had and bargained with the aunties and uncles there, and ‘replenished his stock’.

On the other side of Lin City, in a privately owned flower garden that covered a thousand square metres, the Jian family was in the process of celebrating and enjoying a rare private banquet.

The Jian family’s legitimate heir had finally come back.

Jiang Xingce had been a ‘rebel’ for 12 years. Now, after a successful retirement from the military, he took over the family business. It was worthy of celebration.

Standing among the crowd of people that was coming and going with his height of 1.9 metres, he was simply the most conspicuous one among them.

Not to mention the aura that he brought back from the army, his concealed expression after a long period of time made the thumb-thick scar that followed the corner of his eye until it reached the side of his forehead appear even more compelling. Presumably, all the people who wanted to go to his side to strike up a conversation would be hesitating again and again until a capable person would be brave enough to approach.

Jian Xingce hadn’t slept well the night before and had a headache at the moment. He pinched the bridge of his nose and twisted his brows slightly. Without saying anything, he made those who wanted to come up to talk immediately shut their mouth and retreat five metres.

“Hi~ Little uncle!” A handsome and tall young man came over and greeted in a lively voice.

Jian Xingce nodded slightly, “Suizhi.”

“Look at those people, you scared them terribly.” The corners of Jian Suizhi’s mouth curved as he said teasingly.

Compared to Jian Xingce’s oppressive aura, he was the other extremity. Wherever he went, there would be countless flowers as well as fans screaming for him.

Jian Xingce didn’t express an opinion on his nephew’s comment.

“If only I could be half as good as you, at least that guy wouldn’t dare be so shameless and act so sticky.” Jian Suizhi sighed and stroked his forehead in an exaggerated manner. But it still set off the many young girls on the side, causing them to scream in a low voice.

Jian Xingce’s glance swept over him. “Is that the person who claims to be your fiancé?”

He had also heard a little about Jian Suizhi’s recent troubles.

Jian Suizhi nodded. “Not only does he regard me as his fiancé, but everyone now suspects whether he has delusions of a wealthy family.”

“Hm?” Jian Xingce raised his brows slightly. “What do you mean?”

“That guy also said that he’s the Jiang family’s lost child,” Jian Suizhi’s brows raised. He was in glowing spirits when gossip was brought up, like a wild animal in a melon field.

“But I heard Jiang Chi say that, not long ago, they caught sight of a young man wearing the necklace that his younger brother originally wore before he got lost on his hand. It is very likely that it is his biological younger brother. As for that guy, he probably just wants to get into a wealthy family.” Jian Suizhi added his first-hand information.

The Jian family and the Jiang family could be regarded as old friends, so there was even the thought of arranging a marriage for their children originally. Like for the matter of the necklace, only those who were close to the Jiang family were aware of it. The outside world merely knew a bit about the child that the Jiang family lost, like the age, gender, and where the child had been lost.

In recent years, there have inevitably been more people making false claims in order to enter a wealthy family, but the Jiang family exposed all of them and sent them away.

Jian Xingce heard what was said and replied with an “oh”. He wasn’t very interested.

Jian Suizhi and his little uncle were actually only four years apart, but there was still a big chunk of difference in the order of seniority. Moreover, the other party has been active in the army for years on end and was a senior military officer in rank. He unconsciously had an imposing temperament.

Jian Suizhi had always had a somewhat natural admiration and respect towards him.

When he saw that his little uncle had no interest in continuing to chat, he tactfully planned to leave.

However, he had just lifted his foot when he received a message from his agent.

He opened it to take a look, then immediately made a wailing sound. “It can’t be, that guy is also coming…”

“Hm?” Jian Xingce glanced at his nephew with a trace of confusion in his eyes.

“It’s that person I just told you about, the one who has delusions of a rich family, and also the guy who’s always pestering me.” Jian Suizhi’s mouth twitched. “I just heard that he will also be taking part in the same variety show as me as a permanent guest.”

“I’m keeping an eye on this pioneering show. If the audience response isn’t bad, I even plan to invest in it.” Jian Suizhi frowned. He didn’t want this variety show project to be ruined by that clingy person.

When Jian Xingce heard this, he asked, “Who is it? Do you need a hand?”

As a direct descendant of the Jian family, when Jian Suizhi would encounter trouble, especially if it concerned his reputation, he would naturally use his connections to settle the matter appropriately.

“I’ll give you a picture from Baidu…”

“Here, this is him, Jiang Cheng.” Jian Suizhi raised the phone until it was in front of Jian Xingce’s eyes. “He doesn’t need you to lift a hand. I’m guessing that if he jumps a few more times, the audience won’t be able to tolerate him any longer.”

Jian Xingce took the phone and looked at it, then he suddenly paused– it’s him?

The image of the man whose eyes were red from anxiety last night automatically appeared in his mind– he was slightly close to him, and he rushed to bare his teeth and claws at the guy across the room, acting intimidating by borrowing his power, like a sly little fox.

Jian Xingce hadn’t expected that not only the young man he ran into by coincidence last night had some entanglement with him, but he also even actually pestered his nephew from beginning to end?

He didn’t know why he felt a bit upset, and he pursed his lips hard.

So this man was deliberately targeting their Jian family?

—

T/N for “wild animal in a melon field”: 

Originates from Lu Xun’s short story “My Old Home”. The ‘Cha’ refers to a wild animal that often goes to the melon field at night to steal melons, so it’s synonymous to people who love to eat melons. It now refers to netizens who love to brush gossip and read the lastest gossip (also known as ‘eating melons’)