Guo Mao thought he must have misheard. If he weren’t in front of Fu Yuqian, he would have even wanted to rub his ears to make sure.
“Teacher Fu, please don’t joke like that,” Guo Mao chuckled nervously. “Just being able to cast your cat is already an incredible stroke of luck.”
Besides, although Fu Yuqian was an A-list celebrity, his acting skills weren’t necessarily better than Zhu Mingkun’s. Of course, Guo Mao wouldn’t dare say this out loud—he only dared to grumble about it in his head.
But Fu Yuqian wasn’t joking. “I’ll personally invest an additional fifty million. After that, I’ll have Huacan evaluate the project. If it passes their review, they’ll also invest. Your role and casting choices won’t change much, but costumes, styling, and set designs will need to be redone.”
Guo Mao stared at Fu Yuqian, dumbfounded. Mom, it feels like a golden opportunity just fell from the sky!
It took him a while to process this unexpected windfall. “Teacher Fu, can I ask why?”
Fu Yuqian had always maintained a rather aloof persona in the industry, largely due to his background and personality. He was known for his independence, but even so, it didn’t make sense for him to take on a web drama with seemingly little potential—especially one with a boys’ love theme. If this news got out, the project’s attention would skyrocket beyond imagination.
Hearing the question, Fu Yuqian paused for a moment, as if suddenly realizing that he had acted on impulse.
But he simply couldn’t stand the thought of Song Yu being held in another man’s arms.
If anyone was going to hold him, it had to be him.
Because this cat was his wife.
The moment the word wife surfaced in Fu Yuqian’s mind, his heart fluttered, and a sweet feeling spread through him. His expression softened significantly, and even his voice carried a hint of a smile. “Yiyi and I are familiar with each other, so we can bring out the desired effect.”
Guo Mao: “…Do you really think I’ll believe that reason?”
Still, he trusted Fu Yuqian’s character, so he went to the studio to call Zhu Mingkun out.
When Zhu Mingkun heard the news, he was also stunned—another person feeling like a windfall had just fallen from the sky. But he reacted faster than Guo Mao. “Teacher Fu, Director Guo, I’m just a third-year student. My acting is still immature. I’m grateful that Director Guo saw potential in me, but if I go to another project and mess up the role, I’d feel terrible for disappointing Teacher Fu. How about this—Director Guo, see if I’m suitable for another role? You can arrange it for me; I don’t necessarily have to play Leng Yunlin.”
Zhu Mingkun had his own considerations. If Fu Yuqian really joined, the show would undoubtedly become a hit. Rather than stepping into unfamiliar territory and owing someone a favor, it was better to seize the opportunity right in front of him. “Director Guo, if it’s too difficult, no worries. I’ll follow Teacher Fu’s arrangement.”
Guo Mao sized up Zhu Mingkun and quickly made a decision. “We originally had to cut a subplot due to budget constraints, but now we can restore it and make the story more complete. You can play that role.”
“No problem, Director Guo. Thank you! And thank you, Teacher Fu.” Zhu Mingkun beamed.
With this new development, the scheduled photoshoot was obviously scrapped—new costumes would have to be prepared. But when Guo Mao informed the cast and crew, no one objected. With Fu Yuqian joining, their exposure would undoubtedly skyrocket. If they performed well, this might be their big break.
Only Song Yu stared at Fu Yuqian like he was an idiot. What is this servant up to now? With his level of acting, what could he possibly bring to the role? And as an A-list idol taking on a boys’ love web drama, his fans would surely explode in outrage.
Fu Yuqian called Yin Lang to inform him about this decision. Yin Lang nearly choked and roared, “I quit! Go find another manager! What the hell are you thinking? Unknown actors take these roles as a shortcut to fame, but you—you’re already at the top, and you’re voluntarily jumping down?!”
“Brother Yin, I don’t want to be just a traffic star forever. That was never my goal. And I don’t want to have a secret relationship. When Xiao Yu and I are together in the future, I intend to make it public. Besides, this script is solid. If performed well, it will be convincing.” Fu Yuqian patiently explained, which was rare for him. “Brother Yin, reputation and money don’t mean much to me.”
Yin Lang’s head buzzed, but he had to admit that Fu Yuqian was telling the truth. This man had willingly spent the past three years in the idol industry just to stay close to Song Yu.
He had simply gotten used to this lifestyle and forgotten Fu Yuqian’s original intention—to hone his acting skills, something he had worked hard at from the start.
Thinking this through, Yin Lang calmed down. “Then you could just take on a big-screen project. With your fame and ability, no one would turn you down. Why get involved in a web drama?”
“Because Yiyi is in it.”
Fu Yuqian briefly mentioned that he would bring the script to Huacan later with Guo Mao and asked Yin Lang to notify them in advance before hanging up.
Yin Lang sat in stunned silence.
His artist was definitely poisoned.
A poison called Yiyi the orange cat.
Zhu Mingkun, eager to get closer to Fu Yuqian, saw that he had finished his call and approached with a friendly smile. “Teacher Fu, I saw your ‘TOS’ photoshoot with Yiyi before. Yiyi’s expressiveness is incredible! Unlike my cat, Xiaohua—she’s useless at everything except eating.”
Fu Yuqian took Song Yu from Liu Le’s arms, his response lukewarm. “Thanks.”
“Yiyi is a male cat, right? I just saw his little bell.” Zhu Mingkun pressed on. “My Xiaohua is a one-year-old female. Maybe they could meet? Who knows, maybe they’d hit it off?”
Zhu Mingkun was already scheming—if his cat managed to win Yiyi’s favor and have kittens, wouldn’t that make him in-laws with Fu Yuqian? Besides, his Xiaohua was a show cat, and mating with a domestic orange tabby was more than enough of a match.
But before he even finished speaking, Fu Yuqian’s sharp gaze slashed over like a blade.
Zhu Mingkun instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
Why did it feel like Fu Yuqian was about to silence him for good…?
“Zhu Mingkun, a little cleverness is harmless,” Fu Yuqian said, his face dark. “But if you overstep and annoy the wrong person, climbing back up won’t be so easy.”
“I—I’m sorry!” Zhu Mingkun stammered, his eyes reddening with fear. “Teacher Fu, I won’t say anything like that again. Please forgive me!”
Song Yu also let out an angry meow!
This Zhu Mingkun dared to look at his cat bell?!
Fu Yuqian didn’t spare Zhu Mingkun another glance, turning and leaving with Song Yu in his arms.
At Huacan, Guo Mao and screenwriter Old Wang presented the script and shooting plan. After evaluation, Huacan decided the project was worth investing in, adding another twenty million to the budget and covering part of the set costs. Overjoyed, Guo Mao and Old Wang hugged each other—it all felt surreal. But they were determined to produce a quality drama; they couldn’t afford to let Fu Yuqian down. After all, having a top-tier idol take interest in their work was an honor.
When Fu Yuqian returned home, he was still fuming.
He wished he could just hide Song Yu away where no one else could see him.
But he restrained himself.
Because he loved Song Yu.
Liking is indulgence.
Love is restraint.
From childhood to adulthood, he had never been particularly fixated on anything—except acting and Song Yu. Song Yu’s looks, personality, and character all perfectly aligned with his heart. And after learning about Song Yu’s past, what started as fondness had deepened into love.
Thinking about the fifty million fans vying for Song Yu’s attention, Fu Yuqian felt a headache coming on.
He had to win Song Yu over.
“Teacher Yiyi, we’ll be acting opposite each other from now on. Please guide me well.”
Fu Yuqian reached out with a serious expression.
Song Yu shot him a look.
Idiot.
However, Fu Yuqian didn’t withdraw his hand, waiting for a response. Song Yu had no choice but to extend his paw and give his palm a light tap—only to have it caught and kissed, as expected.
Song Yu couldn’t even be bothered to struggle anymore.
As New Year’s approached, the streets gradually filled with red decorations. When Song Yu’s fans saw this, they were overwhelmed with emotion because red was Song Yu’s support color. Fortunately, Fu Yuqian had taken on the role of a pet blogger, frequently updating videos and photos, allowing them to “absorb” their beloved cat.
Being someone who cherished his fans, Song Yu, upon secretly observing that they enjoyed his cat photos, actively sought out Fu Yuqian to take pictures of him. Whether it was winking, seductively licking his little paws, or making a heart shape with his paws, every time Fu Yuqian posted these, it would cause an uproar among his fans.
—This cat is way too cute! I want to steal him!
What his fans didn’t know was how much Song Yu had to sacrifice to satisfy them.
Like now, for instance, when Song Yu subtly hinted that it was time for Fu Yuqian to post content. Fu Yuqian, of course, wanted something in return.
“Yiyi, do you want to take pictures again today?”
“Meow~” Hurry up! I’ve already planned my poses for today.
Fu Yuqian crouched down. “I’m really tired today. I’ll only have the energy to take pictures if Yiyi gives me a kiss.” He even turned his face to the side, positioning himself to be kissed.
For the sake of his fans, Song Yu endured it. Sitting upright, he quickly touched Fu Yuqian’s cheek with his nose.
“Yiyi is so obedient.”
A few days passed like this, and soon, Fu Yuqian received the revised script from screenwriter Lao Wang. He needed to memorize his lines since filming was expected to start right after the New Year.
With Huacan backing the production, everything was progressing rapidly.
Fu Yuqian spent half a day reviewing the script. The revisions made the story more complete and layered, and his character, Leng Yunlin, became even more three-dimensional.
Leng Yunlin was a prince raised in the Cold Palace. He was insecure, sensitive, quick to anger, and vengeful. Yet deep down, he had a soft spot—he loved animals, adored children, and wished for everyone in the world to have enough to eat and live well. Unfortunately, though he had noble ideals, he lacked the ability to realize them because no one had ever taught him how.
When the court opposed him, his instinct was to kill. When faced with official documents, he wanted to govern properly but would grow frustrated because he couldn’t understand them.
Thankfully, he had Fu Qingyu, the prime minister’s son, who had transmigrated into a cat, to assist him.
After thoroughly reading the script, Fu Yuqian closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them, his entire demeanor had changed.
Though still dressed in casual homewear, his presence suddenly became so sharp that it was intimidating. His previously gentle gaze turned icy and violent. He picked up the script in front of him, treating it as an imperial decree, and slammed it onto the table with a loud “PA!”
“What kind of nonsense is this? They’re probably mocking me! I can barely recognize a few characters, yet they dare to fill this with classical references and literary jargon. Tomorrow, I’ll issue a decree—if anyone dares submit a report I can’t understand, I’ll have their heads!”
With just one line, Fu Yuqian vividly brought Leng Yunlin’s emotional turmoil to life.
Song Yu stared at him in a daze.
How was this person so good at acting?
Just now, Fu Yuqian had fully immersed himself in the role. His line delivery was exceptional—his tone, rhythm, and pauses were all perfectly executed, brimming with classical elegance.
Even though Song Yu himself wasn’t great at acting, he still had a good sense of aesthetics. And right now, he had to admit—Fu Yuqian’s performance was stunning.
…He looked kind of handsome.
Song Yu’s heart pounded.
Author’s Note:
Song Yu: Holy crap, did my arch-nemesis just activate some kind of cheat?!
————
Special thanks to:
🚀 Rocket Launcher: Tuan’er (1)
💣 Grenades: Hardworking Office Worker, Bai Bai (1 each)
💥 Landmines: Many Years of Being Broke, Who’s the Best at Burning Through Savings, Shen Wei (1 each)
💧 Nutrient Solution Donations:
- Many Years of Being Broke (20 bottles)
- Fleeting Years (10 bottles)
- Jiang Yuanzhe (9 bottles)
- Xingyu (2 bottles)
- West Tower Xie Yu, Jiu Xi (1 bottle each)
Thank you all for your support! I’ll keep working hard!
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! -TL: YSIAD[/mfn]
