Chapter 37: Brotherly Love
August 15th. The entire cast of Into the Devil went to the television station to record the premiere launch event. Earlier that day, the official Weibo account announced that the first official trailer for the drama would be released that evening, premiering on the television station. The news sparked widespread anticipation.
[Finally, the day has come!]
[They’re recording the launch event today, when will it air?]
[The day after tomorrow! The launch event airs tomorrow, and the drama officially premieres the day after tomorrow!]
[This drama’s production speed is impressive. They just started filming a few days ago, and it’s already airing. The drama my idol filmed finished over a year ago and still has no release date.]
[Jin Yanliu’s dramas never have trouble selling. His viewership ratings are always good, and the summer vacation period is perfect for Xianxia dramas. I’m optimistic about this one exploding in popularity!]
[Both the production team and the TV station wanted to catch the summer vacation period, right? If it doesn’t air soon, I’ll be back in school. High schooler’s last hurrah, Jin Yanliu’s beauty attack, come on! This summer season has been pretty dull, it’s time for a drama to ignite the summer!]
[Hahaha, everyone in your area is hyping up this drama. Be careful not to jinx it.]
[Is there any reason for this drama to flop? Two top stars, Xianxia genre, prime time slot on a major network, summer vacation, and a danmei adaptation. It looks like a custom-made summer hit!]
Discussions were fervent on various forums. “Willow Leaf Fall” was extremely anxious. He had been frantically sending messages to “Melting Gold Chopping Willow,” but the other party hadn’t responded.
[Are you there, dear! Do you have any new material for me?!]
[Even if you don’t have any scandals about Jin Yanliu, material from the drama would be fine!]
[Dear, you could at least take some behind-the-scenes photos, right? Dear, are you still there?!]
At Nancheng Airport, Jin Yanliu sat in the car and checked the time.
“Brother Yanliu, just stay in the car. You might get recognized again,” Fatty Xiao said. “I’ll go alone.”
Wearing a baseball cap and mask, Jin Yanliu opened the car door. “I’m bundled up like this. If someone still recognizes me, it just means I’m too popular.”
Fatty Xiao quickly followed him. Jin Yanliu turned back. “Don’t follow me. If you do, they might recognize me.”
He had learned from the fan groups that sometimes it was actually hard to recognize Jin Yanliu when he was alone. However, if Fatty Xiao was with him, they could recognize him almost instantly. Fatty’s height and build were more recognizable than his face.
Fatty Xiao said, “Can you manage alone?”
Jin Yanliu waved his hand, already walking briskly into the airport.
Zhou Beiyang had returned a day earlier, unbeknownst to the fans. He only wore a mask, dressed simply in black jeans and a black T-shirt. As soon as he came out, he saw Jin Yanliu.
Jin Yanliu stood among the crowd waiting at arrivals, wearing a black hat, black mask, white T-shirt, and jeans. Even bundled up, his excellent physique and height stood out. A girl holding a phone was talking to him. He saw Jin Yanliu wave his hand, and the girl awkwardly walked away.
Jin Yanliu also spotted him immediately and waved.
“Someone asked for your contact information again?” Zhou Beiyang asked.
Jin Yanliu said, “It can’t be helped. Even covered up like this, I’m still the center of attention.”
He glanced back. “You came back alone? Where’s your assistant?”
“He’s on the next flight. I gave him all the luggage.” Zhou Beiyang put his arm around his shoulder. “Why did you come to pick me up yourself?”
“I promised to pick you up, so of course I had to do it.”
“I thought you’d be waiting in the car.”
They hadn’t seen each other for a week. The first thing Zhou Beiyang did was lean towards Jin Yanliu’s neck and take a sniff.
Jin Yanliu, thinking he was going to kiss him, pushed his face away.
“Did you change your perfume?” Zhou Beiyang asked.
“No, Fatty sprayed it in the car.”
The LED screen in front of them was playing a commercial for Jin Yanliu’s skincare product. For some reason, seeing the commercial and then looking at Jin Yanliu beside him made Zhou Beiyang even happier.
Fatty Xiao watched them through the car window as they came out, one dressed in white, the other in black, both tall and slender. Stars were stars; even with masks on, you could tell they were exceptionally handsome.
He hurried out of the car. “Brother Yang, long time no see.”
Zhou Beiyang nodded, smiling. “You’ve gained weight again.”
“I can’t help it, I gain weight even drinking water,” Fatty Xiao said.
Once in the car, Jin Yanliu gave Zhou Beiyang the schedule for the premiere launch event.
The event was quite grand. The TV station attached great importance to it, inviting many industry giants and numerous celebrities. The red carpet was dazzling with stars.
The highlight of the red carpet was the arrival of Jin Yanliu and Zhou Beiyang. Their combined fan base represented half of the entertainment industry. Jin Yanliu, in a formal suit, waved and smiled amid the screams, bathed in the flashing lights. Zhou Beiyang was right beside him. Life couldn’t get any better.
At the launch event, Zhou Beiyang saw Yan Huihua again.
He noticed that Yan Huihua had changed. He had started to exude a star quality, his gaze more determined and composed. Their eyes met, and Yan Huihua gave him a slight nod, no longer showing the nervousness of a newcomer like their first meeting.
After the recording of the launch event, everyone moved to the production’s celebratory dinner. Jin Yanliu changed clothes in the car, pulling up his pants as he said to Zhou Beiyang, “Stay with me tonight. I have some people to introduce you to.”
Zhou Beiyang asked, “Who?”
“A group,” Jin Yanliu said.
In the entertainment industry, connections were crucial, an actor’s invisible resource. Jin Yanliu was generous and had a bold personality. Over the years, he had made many friends in the entertainment industry, including celebrities and industry giants.
He wanted to take this opportunity to hand over all his connections to Zhou Beiyang.
Time was running out; it was time to pave the way for Zhou Beiyang.
He wanted to leave everything he had to Zhou Beiyang.
“This is Mr. Zhang from Menghua Entertainment, this is Mr. Zhao from Changhong Media,” Jin Yanliu introduced Zhou Beiyang one by one. “And this is the renowned designer, Liu Fangyuan.”
Zhou Beiyang was used to grand occasions. As long as he was willing to put on a facade, he could appear incredibly calm and humble.
Lu Yao watched from the side, realizing he could no longer feel envious or jealous.
The longer he spent with these two brothers, the more he felt they were a perfect match, both exceptional. Standing together, they were truly like jade trees, equally noble, handsome, and radiant. Back in school, they were just students, and the difference in their status wasn’t so apparent. After a few years of struggling in the entertainment industry and facing the realities of society, he understood that there was always a world of difference between him and Jin Yanliu.
The gap was so wide that he couldn’t even feel resentment. He could now appreciate Jin Yanliu’s brilliance and occasionally even admire his beauty.
As for Zhou Beiyang, he had never liked him, and he never would. The more he interacted with him, the clearer and deeper this realization became. Now, dressed in a formal suit, standing calmly and respectfully behind Jin Yanliu, exuding an air of nobility, occasionally turning to look at Jin Yanliu with a gentle smile and tender eyes… that was a look only Jin Yanliu could enjoy. He, as before, couldn’t distinguish whether it was brotherly affection or deep love.
Yan Huihua envied Zhou Beiyang.
Zhou Beiyang was a top idol and one of the main draws of their drama. It was perfectly reasonable for Jin Yanliu to take him around and socialize. Yan Huihua thought that if he became popular, a star as popular as Zhou Beiyang, perhaps he would be the one accompanying Jin Yanliu tonight.
Yan Huihua had never desired fame as much as he did recently.
He wanted to be famous, he needed to be famous. He no longer wanted to look up at Jin Yanliu from below, but hoped to stand shoulder to shoulder with him as a fellow male star. Even if they could never be together in this lifetime, even just as friends, as people in the same industry, he hoped to be on the same level as Jin Yanliu.
“You drank a lot and talked so much tonight. Are you tired?” In the car, Zhou Beiyang draped his jacket over Jin Yanliu.
Jin Yanliu, slightly tipsy, leaned back in his seat. “Contact all the people I introduced you to tonight. They might be useful in the future in the entertainment industry.”
Zhou Beiyang said, “I know.”
He had been attending social events with his grandfather and Jin Weinan since he was young. He was already well-versed in how to interact with these industry giants.
“Anyway, since you’re already in the entertainment industry, I hope you can reach the top. When I can’t do it anymore, I’ll let you take the position of the top star. You have to strive for it,” Jin Yanliu said with a smile, half-joking, half-serious.
Zhou Beiyang said, “I’ll honestly stay behind you and be number two. Even that is thanks to you.”
“Me…” Jin Yanliu said, “I probably won’t be popular for much longer. Into the Devil is my last…” He didn’t continue, feeling that he’d had a couple of drinks too many, and his sentimental mood was returning. He didn’t like this feeling, so he pulled the jacket higher, closing his eyes.
Tonight, Jin Yanliu was paving the way for him. How could Zhou Beiyang not see it?
His heart was filled with warmth and happiness. In Jin Yanliu’s heart, he was ultimately irreplaceable. Their past brotherly affection was both a barrier and a bond, tying them together, setting them apart from any other lovers or brothers in the world. Their feelings were long-lasting, profound, and more stable than any romantic love.
He reached out and held Jin Yanliu’s right hand, his thumb rubbing the back of his hand.
The warmth of his fingers reached his heart, but Jin Yanliu felt even more sentimental. His fingers curled slightly, gripping Zhou Beiyang’s hand. Zhou Beiyang leaned closer, and he nestled against his shoulder.
The car was quiet, but the internet was exploding. The TV station released the trailer, and the official Weibo account followed up. Into the Devil‘s first official trailer was online.
The TV version of the trailer was short, less than a minute.
The sound of a pipa, clear and melodious, played as ink strokes gradually formed a city: a tall watchtower, straight streets, and a bright yellow full moon illuminating the ancient city. As the sound of a flute joined in, the outline of a handsome man in red appeared on a high eave. His red robes suddenly billowed, and the ink painting gradually transformed into a real scene. Jin Yanliu, as Mu Huaying, stood facing sideways to the camera, alone in the wind. The night wind blew through his hair and robes, making him seem as ethereal as the ink painting. Then he suddenly turned his head, as if someone was calling him. The camera focused on his incredibly beautiful face, a wound on his cheek, his eyes filled with intense sorrow and passion, as he cried out, “Brother.”
His figure dispersed into a flurry of red as the final sound faded, forming the title: Into the Devil.
This single word, “Brother,” set the internet ablaze.
