MACRM Chapter 26

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Lin Zhu stood there in a daze.

Leaving halfway through a livestream, not cooperating with the host’s guidance, changing the recording flow without discussion… with Zhong Yao coming over like this, there would likely be a long string of follow-up issues to deal with.

But Lin Zhu couldn’t get himself into agent mode at all right now.

His chest began to rise and fall slightly as he met Zhong Yao’s gaze.

Zhong Yao was still looking at him.

Outside, the sky was completely dark, all the light falling into those pitch-black pupils, quiet and warm.

Lin Zhu took a deep breath, hid his slightly trembling hands into his pockets, and walked toward him.

Zhong Yao stepped forward, his arm circling around, wrapping the thin body tightly into his chest.

The cameraman who had chased after them braked just in time, the lens quietly settling on the two embracing at the doorway.

Zhong Yao’s palm slowly rubbed across the manager’s back and shoulders, again and again, his voice low, “I’m sorry…”

Lin Zhu shook his head hard, straightening up to speak, but Zhong Yao pressed him gently back against his shoulder.

Resting on Zhong Yao’s broad shoulder, Lin Zhu’s eyes slowly turned red.

The scrolling comments in the livestream room thinned out.

Only after the body in his arms gradually warmed and relaxed did Zhong Yao slightly loosen his hold, supporting Lin Zhu’s shoulder and asking softly, “Come back with me?”

Just being held for that moment had already made Lin Zhu feel completely satisfied; the coldness in his heart was quietly dispelled. At the words, he drew in a deep breath, lifted the corners of his lips, and shook his head lightly. “No, the show isn’t finished yet. Other actors still need to be interviewed…”

The executive director raised his hand in time: “Doesn’t matter if I don’t go.”

Several supporting actors who had agreed to appear on short notice also reacted, chiming in one after another, “It’s fine if we don’t go, there’ll be another chance.”

After all, getting an interview like this was just riding on someone else’s spotlight. The crew had plenty of interviews lately; everyone would get a turn. With the situation as it was, no one wanted to act inconsiderate.

After everyone had expressed themselves and returned to the doorway, Zheng Lingyang quietly poked his head out, noticing the camera nearly caught him: “…”

Zheng Lingyang: “I—won’t—”

Zhong Yao: “Thank you, I’ll treat everyone to dinner.”

Lowering his head, he looked at the dazed manager in his arms, gently straightened his collar, and said, “My tone earlier wasn’t good. I’ll say it again properly.”

The camera stayed hidden in the corridor, refusing to retreat.

Zhong Yao didn’t flinch, didn’t avoid, and took Lin Zhu’s arm. “Come back with me.”

---

The host was still waiting in the conference hall.

He didn’t show any displeasure at the earlier accident, instead guiding the cameraman back to the fixed position. The shot returned to Zhong Yao, and the host tactfully stepped aside to the corner, leaving the seats to the guest and star.

Though the accident was technically a livestream mishap, it had added an unexpected twist to the show.

Viewers watched as Zhong Yao disappeared off-screen, yet the livestream’s popularity didn’t drop. It rose, quickly surpassing three million.

But the barrage comments were much quieter.

Not only had Zhong Yao’s reaction startled many fans, but the hurried chase-shot that caught up and followed back — revealing Lin Zhu on camera — left viewers facing that overly delicate, handsome face, making it hard for them to keep spewing mindless abuse.

Lin Zhu sneaked a glance at the livestream screen.

This effect was already good enough.

In this industry, many things didn’t need to be explained too clearly. If they tried to clarify, it could easily cause a certain level of fan loss. Zhong Yao was just starting out, and only a steady flow of traffic could ensure longevity.

Lin Zhu tilted his head, tugging lightly at Zhong Yao’s sleeve to remind him. But Zhong Yao had already started speaking to the camera.

“I’m thirty years old.”

Lin Zhu: “…”

He had been worrying that Zhong Yao might be too blunt and expose damaging secrets about Canxing, which could really violate the contract and give that shameless company an excuse to sue for compensation. Unexpectedly, hearing this sentence, Lin Zhu choked into a coughing fit.

Zhong Yao paused, poured him a cup of tea from his own cup, and placed it gently at his side.

Lin Zhu didn’t like tea. Normally, he was often pushed by Zhong Yao to live healthily. Meeting his gaze now, he obediently picked up the cup.

On the table was a full tea set, already messed with earlier. Lin Zhu hadn’t been paying much attention, juggling the process, and hadn’t noticed anything off. Holding the cup, he sipped slowly, pressing down the cough.

Watching him put down the teacup, Zhong Yao waited a moment, then continued.

“I’m not young anymore. I’ve been in the industry for quite a while. To get to where I am now, I’ve been through everything.”

He spoke slowly, as if choosing his words carefully, but each word was still clear.

Fans already knew his past. Seeing the warmth and softness on him fade until only a shadow remained, replaced by that familiar cold detachment, their hearts ached. Whether they had joined in the hype before or not, they all started frantically spamming apologies.

Lin Zhu’s heart hurt even more. Quietly, under the table, he reached out his hand, resting it lightly on Zhong Yao’s knee.

Seeing the young manager’s gaze fixed solely on him, Zhong Yao was momentarily speechless. He gave him a faint smile, and covered that hand with his own.

Cold.

Zhong Yao no longer looked at the camera. His eyes stayed on Lin Zhu.

“My agent isn’t—”

He couldn’t quite say the words, so he simply skipped them.

“My agent is the best… Not because he fought to get me this role, going to the set over and over. Not because he always put me first, even at the expense of himself. Not because he went several nights without good sleep, just to help me sift through interviews and schedules, nearly working himself sick.”

Lin Zhu wasn’t used to such public praise. His face grew faintly hot, and he ducked his head to avoid the camera.

Zhong Yao: “And not because even now, all my makeup and styling is done by him. Or because he went out in the scorching sun to buy me clothes. Or because he lined up half an hour at Xian Yu Xian just to get me a dessert. An agent doubling as assistant, driver, bodyguard. At night—”

Lin Zhu: “!?”

Lin Zhu gave a small cough.

“…Not because he’s done so many things no one else can see, and carried so many burdens he never had to carry.”

Zhong Yao barely stopped himself from going off-topic, paused for a moment, and said, “Even when you’re wronged, slandered… you keep it from me, afraid I’ll be upset if I find out.”

“My agent is the best there is. There’s no reason otherwise.”

Zhong Yao gently let go of his hand.

Lin Zhu gave a faint shiver, hurriedly raised a hand to rub his eyes, but before he could speak, Zhong Yao had already risen to his feet and bowed deeply toward the camera.

“I’m thirty years old now. To have someone like this… it isn’t easy.”

“I ask you all—”

Zhong Yao’s voice faltered, slightly hoarse.

“I ask you… please leave him to me.”

Lin Zhu lifted his head in a daze.

The barrage of comments instantly exploded, the screen nearly flooded with apologies and confessions of error, but the image froze on the young agent’s slightly reddened eyes.

Two seconds later, the program ended.

On the black screen, fans’ frantic questions and apologies poured in. Many stayed stubbornly in the live room for an hour or two before finally giving up and leaving, heavy-hearted.

Outside the hotel, the production team’s vehicle was already waiting to return.

Because of today’s unexpected incident, Zhong Yao didn’t let Lin Zhu come downstairs. He personally saw the production team at the door.

“It was our mistake, we didn’t filter the questions well, and our comment moderation wasn’t timely enough… we’re just glad you don’t blame us.”

The host wasn’t angry at the mishap. On the contrary, he apologized to Zhong Yao several times and smiled sincerely. “What happened today isn’t bad for us at all. On the contrary, it’s a rare chance to draw attention. It turned out to be a win-win, so there’s no reason to hold any grudge over that little accident.”

Zhong Yao already had a general idea of how publicity worked nowadays, so he wasn’t surprised. He shook the host’s hand. “It’s also thanks to the program team for looking after us.”

“We’ll count on you to look after us too. Let’s work together more in the future.”

The host laughed heartily, then suddenly seemed to remember something and leaned in with interest. “But, what was it you didn’t finish saying back there? At night, what does Agent Lin help you with?”

Zhong Yao: “…”

He answered honestly, “He stays up with me at night helping me clear Candy Crush levels. My weekly total score is already ranked first.”

The host was dumbfounded.

Zhong Yao’s expression was calm, not joking in the slightest. The host studied him for a long moment, then clapped his hands with genuine admiration. “As expected of a film emperor, you made me believe your words. …But that’s nothing bad at all. You two are great together. I wish you happiness.”

Zhong Yao frowned, but before he could reply, the host had already hurriedly said goodbye, grabbed his things, and caught up with the crew’s car.

When Lin Zhu returned to the room, he was still a little dazed. Worried about his agent, Zhong Yao lingered briefly at the door, then quickly went back. On the way, he happened to run into the red-eyed screenwriter, who shoved a deluxe script outline into his arms.

The room was dark. Zhong Yao swiped the key card and entered. Lin Zhu was on the bed, clutching a pillow, rolling back and forth in frustration.

The standard room bed wasn’t big enough, and Zhong Yao was afraid he’d accidentally roll off. He quickly strode over and bent down to catch him. “Careful—”

Unsteady, Lin Zhu toppled straight into his chest. “!”

“The production team already explained it to me. It wasn’t a big mistake. They’re just using it to stir up attention.”

After the live broadcast, Lin Zhu had cooled down from his overripe state, but his energy was low. Wanting to cheer him up, Zhong Yao pulled a bottle of sweet milk from his pocket, freshly bought downstairs, opened it, and handed it to him.

Lin Zhu sipped the milk, while Zhong Yao held him close with one arm, gently ruffling his hair, soothing him in a warm voice. “It’s all fine now…”

“The program team might not care, but you nearly got dragged down with me.”

Lin Zhu was still shaken. Listening to Zhong Yao’s gentle words, his nose stung despite himself. Hugging the milk, he drank in small sips. “This time it was my fault. I shouldn’t have decided on my own to hide it from you. If I hadn’t, you would’ve been prepared when it came out…”

The memory of Zhong Yao bowing so deeply just now made his heart ache unbearably.

As if he’d really run away just because of a few curses?

Even if… even if Zhong Yao had really kicked him out, he still wouldn’t have left…

Looking into those pure, earnest eyes, Zhong Yao felt a lump in his chest, aching and sore.

Clearly it was Lin Zhu who had been slandered and smeared, yet he was still the one apologizing.

The young agent lowered his head meekly, his hair ends catching the light, glowing with a soft golden edge. Zhong Yao couldn’t resist rubbing his head, about to comfort him. But then, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly. “You know you were wrong?”

Lin Zhu nodded. “I know…”

“Since you know, you’ll need a punishment.”

Zhong Yao steadied him into a sitting position, then half-knelt by the bed, tilting his head slightly to look up at him. “What do you want me to punish you with?”

Lin Zhu: “…”

Zhong Yao was actually letting him choose the punishment.

Their positions were all wrong. From this angle, with Zhong Yao looking up at him, even the last trace of his usual cold dignity seemed to melt away, making him unbelievably gentle.

Lin Zhu tried hard to remind himself to keep the proper respect. Clutching the milk tighter, he steeled his nerves. “Whatever you say the punishment is… that’s what it’ll be.”

Zhong Yao smiled. “Good.”

He pulled out the script, set it into Lin Zhu’s arms, and rose to prepare a small hotpot for him, ruffling his hair in passing.

“Your punishment is to play a role with a bit of difficulty… this is the scene we’ll film tomorrow. Study it carefully. If you don’t act it well—”

Zhong Yao looked around the room but couldn’t bear to use anything real to punish him, so in the end he simply flicked Lin Zhu lightly on the forehead.

“If you don’t act it well, then the day after tomorrow you’ll drink two cups of goji berry tea.”