YPHC Chapter 71

“…” Jiang Nan’an widened his eyes slightly, looking at Director Zhang, then at Yan Jie.

 

The makeup artist beside them was also startled, standing there with a powder compact, unsure whether to touch up his makeup or not.

 

“Right.” Yan Jie smiled at Director Zhang:

 

“We’re really close, good friends!… Right, Teacher Jiang?”

 

Yan Jie was frantically winking at Jiang Nan’an from behind his sunglasses.

 

Jiang Nan’an met his gaze through the sunglasses for a moment, then blinked gently, indicating he understood.

 

Only then did Yan Jie release him.

 

Today’s scene was a turning point in “The Imperial Tutor,” with the camera focusing on Zhuge Wenyu’s anger, grief, regret, and hatred, one scene after another, almost all emotionally draining for the actor.

 

Although he knew it was just acting, Yan Jie still felt heartache watching Jiang Nan’an like this.

 

During the break, he brought a small stool to sit beside Jiang Nan’an, opening a bottle of mineral water and handing it to him:

 

“Drink some, your voice is hoarse from crying.”

 

Jiang Nan’an took the bottle and drank a small sip.

 

Yan Jie sat beside him watching, seeing his eyes red and swollen. He wanted to reach out and stroke his hair, but the gesture was too intimate, and there were too many people around. If he messed up his hairstyle, the stylist would have to fix it, so it wasn’t appropriate. He had to give up the idea.

 

“Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Yan Jie sighed and asked.

 

“What?” Jiang Nan’an raised an eyebrow slightly, not understanding where the question came from.

 

“Crying and shouting all afternoon, do you feel bad inside? I’m watching and feeling terrible, you who are properly immersed in the role must feel even worse.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

After a pause, Jiang Nan’an added:

 

“I can distinguish.”

 

“Distinguish that everything before you is just acting?”

 

Yan Jie became interested, adjusting his posture to look at Jiang Nan’an seriously.

 

But this didn’t quite make sense. Don’t actors at his level rely on empathy and immersion? Jiang Nan’an’s method of “becoming” the character before joining the production also indicated he was an immersive actor. If he could distinguish between being in and out of character so clearly and easily, how could he instantly get into character and move everyone emotionally?

 

“No.”

 

Jiang Nan’an paused for a moment before answering:

 

“I can distinguish between the character and myself.”

 

“Oh-so, Zhuge Wenyu is Zhuge Wenyu, Jiang Nan’an is Jiang Nan’an. Jiang Nan’an knows the difference between himself and Zhuge Wenyu, so he can interpret those stories by personally portraying him, but won’t feel too much sadness for him, nor let him affect himself?”

 

Yan Jie tried to understand Jiang Nan’an’s thinking.

 

“Mm… you could say that.” Jiang Nan’an nodded, then added:

 

“Essentially, I know this is his life, not mine.”

 

Jiang Nan’an’s thought process was different from ordinary people, and he didn’t particularly like discussing these things with others. Yan Jie understood this and didn’t want to burden him, so he stopped there without delving deeper, turning his gaze back to the day’s beautiful sunshine, changing the subject.

 

It was almost evening, and the sunlight had taken on a faint warmth, falling through the bamboo branches and leaves onto the ground, spreading patches of light.

 

Though it looked warm, when an occasional breeze passed by, one could feel a slight coolness.

 

Yan Jie closed his eyes, curved his lips upward, and said:

 

“The weather is really nice today.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Do you know what this little breeze reminds me of?”

 

“What?”

 

“It reminds me of middle school.” Yan Jie chuckled lightly, casually saying:

 

“In the afternoon, during PE class free time, I’d call some friends to play ball or do something else. It was just like this-wind rustling the leaves, cool on the skin, but with beautiful sunshine. In this kind of weather, playing on the basketball court all afternoon didn’t feel tiring, and the breeze made everything refreshing. When the bell rang, we’d pick up our bags to go home, tie our uniforms around our waists, bouncing the ball as we walked out of school. Songs played on the loudspeakers, and the wind in the tree-lined path carried the scent of plants, which smelled really good.”

 

As he spoke, Yan Jie stretched lazily:

 

“I also remember how teachers always told us to cherish the present, but back then we didn’t think about anything, just wanted to grow up quickly. After growing up and looking back, I realized the teachers were right. Like now, sitting here feeling the breeze makes me nostalgic for my youth. Ah… how sentimental.”

 

After Yan Jie finished reminiscing, he glanced to the side and found Jiang Nan’an staring at him intently, as if listening very carefully.

 

“What is it?” He couldn’t help but smile, curving his eyes:

 

“Why are you looking at me?”

 

“Curious,” Jiang Nan’an answered.

 

 

“Curious about what?”

 

“What did you do when you were in school?”

 

“What did I do in school? Just attended classes, of course. Joked around with my buddies, played some ball, occasionally skipped class, snuck out over the wall to play video games, or went to the snack street behind the school to buy some tasty food. Wasn’t it the same for you?”

 

After a pause, Yan Jie suddenly had a look of realization:

 

“Oh-I get it, our little Teacher Jiang must have been the teachers’ pet in school, the kind of model student who sat in the first row. You probably didn’t play much ball, and definitely never skipped class, right? Your life was probably just studying and homework, so you’re especially curious about how mischievous troublemakers like us went through school, am I right?”

 

“…” Jiang Nan’an slightly lowered his eyes, not saying whether Yan Jie was right or wrong, only shifting his gaze and saying:

 

“I didn’t sit in the first row.”

 

“Oh? Then where did you sit?”

 

“In the back, in the corner.”

 

Yan Jie thought about this:

 

“Come to think of it, you were quite similar to that character you played when you were a teenager, I remember he also always sat in the corner, what was his name again, Fang Xiaoqi, right? But you’re not exactly like him. That kid was a bit gloomy, you’re much better than him.”

 

Jiang Nan’an very lightly pressed his lips together: “Is that so?”

 

“Yes.” Yan Jie looked at Jiang Nan’an’s profile and sighed softly:

 

“I feel like I met you a bit too late.”

 

“Hmm?” Jiang Nan’an raised an eyebrow slightly: “Why do you say that?”

 

“Because I want to see what you were like earlier, when you were seventeen or eighteen, not Fang Xiaoqi from the TV drama or any other character, just you, just Jiang Nan’an.”

 

“Forget it.”

 

Hearing this, Jiang Nan’an gave a light laugh, was silent for a moment, then said in a voice so faint Yan Jie could barely hear:

 

“…You wouldn’t want to see.”

 

–

 

[My CP is Real!: Sisters, sisters, latest news!! Old Spring visited the production set!! The two of them are so clingy and ambiguous 5555 If “Boating at Guazhou” isn’t real, what is?!!!]

 

The “Boating at Guazhou” super topic had a mini celebration because of Yan Jie’s set visit Weibo post, but two days later, this post was screenshot and reposted, somehow appearing on the main square, attracting many passersby to join the discussion.

 

[Seven-Eight: CP fans have really gone crazy… Isn’t Spring obviously visiting his teammate? How did it become visiting just one person? The three main actors just came from the same show, it’s normal for friends to visit each other’s sets. The actual people involved have all posted group photos and interactions, it’s all out in the open, and you can still find “sugar” in this?]

 

[My CP is Real!: This was just CP fans enjoying themselves in their own space, don’t know how you passersby saw it, but even so, there’s no need to remind me that my CP is fake. What’s wrong with me finding my own “sugar” to enjoy with my sisters?]

 

[Spring and Shan Together Forever: What business is it of yours if CP fans enjoy some “sugar”? Nyah nyah nyah, my leopard and kitty will be good together forever-]

 

[In Xiao Shan’s Arms: Oh, so friends visiting each other’s sets is worth a hot search? Don’t argue, since you’re all here, please pay attention to Xiao Shan baby’s upcoming drama “Twelve Hours,” soon-to-be-released movie “Sky Blue,” and the currently filming “The Imperial Tutor” which is also worth looking forward to, great team and big production, investing won’t disappoint! What? You want to see Xiao Shan baby in person? You’re in luck! At the beginning of next month, you can see fresh Xiao Shan baby on the red carpet at the Personality Gala. If others knew who your idol is, they’d think you’re lucky too-]

 

To avoid unnecessary rumors and controversy, Yan Jie deliberately took a group photo with Sheng Yujia, Jiang Shanshan, and Jiang Nan’an and posted it on Weibo, indicating he was visiting friends on set. The three of them also each took photos and interacted with him on Weibo. He carefully designed his interactions with each person to be perfectly balanced, but fans still argued fiercely on the hot search.

 

The main forces in this argument were the “Boating at Guazhou” CP fans and the solo fans of Jiang Nan’an and Yan Jie, with a small portion of Spring and Jiang Shanshan CP fans, and even some omnivorous fans of Sheng Yujia and Spring, making it a CP fan battle royale.

 

However, this storm didn’t last long and was soon overshadowed by Jiang Nan’an’s studio’s official announcement of his upcoming red carpet appearance.

 

Jiang Nan’an didn’t like participating in activities outside of filming, rarely accepted endorsements, and seldom attended red carpets, so whenever such an event was announced, fans celebrated as if it were a major holiday.

 

The Personality Gala was being held in Beijing. The preparatory work for the fashion event was quite complicated, so Jiang Nan’an took leave from the production and arrived in Beijing a few days early to prepare.

 

Beijing was Yan Jie’s territory, and while he couldn’t accompany Jiang Nan’an the entire time during this period, he could at least ensure he was there every night. However, having a big star as a partner came with some pressure-he had to worry every day about being photographed by paparazzi, even entering a hotel required them to move separately, one after the other, making them feel like secret agents.

 

“Are you clear on the event flow, baby? If not, I’ll go through it with you again.”

 

In the individual makeup room, Qi Hong had a pencil clipped to her ear and was holding a schedule, explaining the specific flow of tonight’s event to Jiang Nan’an.

 

Jiang Nan’an’s makeup, hair, and outfit were all ready, with three stylists making final adjustments around him.

 

“No need, I understand already,” Jiang Nan’an answered.

 

“Good, then let’s get ready to leave. Give me your phone.” Qi Hong reached out to take his phone and put it in her pocket:

 

“Xiao Sun, ask the staff how long until they’re ready for us. We can head over as soon as we’re ready here.”

 

“Okay!” Xiao Sun responded, about to go find the staff, but before he could open the door, someone pushed it open and walked in.

 

When he saw who it was, Xiao Sun was startled: “Eh???”

 

Jiang Nan’an heard the commotion and instinctively looked back.

 

In the next moment, his eyes met Yan Jie’s at the doorway.

 

Yan Jie’s family had some connections, so getting an invitation to this kind of fashion gala was easy, but accessing the backstage required some effort. Fortunately, one of the event organizers was an old friend of his. In the afternoon, he had come to have a meal with this person, chatted for a while, and when the time was right, he casually asked for a backstage pass. Now he was strolling with his hands in his pockets to Jiang Nan’an’s dressing room.

 

He hadn’t told Jiang Nan’an about this, originally wanting to give his baby a surprise, but when he pushed open the door and saw Jiang Nan’an, he was the one who froze.

 

The theme of this red carpet was “Contrast.”

 

Jiang Nan’an’s usual image could be summarized in eight words-“cold and distant, a flower on a high peak.” With this “contrast” theme for the runway, his styling team was very bold, directly giving him a style he had never tried before.

 

Jiang Nan’an rarely wore heavy makeup, but today, the makeup artist had drawn very heavy under-eye liner for him, creating an effect as if tears had smudged it after crying, weakening his cold aura and infinitely magnifying the subtle gloominess and melancholy in him. Paired with his half-tied curly hair, at first glance he looked like a vampire prince living in an ancient castle.

 

He wore a black shirt, loose in cut but cinched at the waist, outlining his slender waistline. Looking at the front design might seem ordinary, but the back revealed a pair of large, butterfly-wing cutouts, with intricate and delicate patterns. The cutout parts were replaced with black gauze, beneath which his fair skin was faintly visible. Looking carefully, one could even see the small mole on his shoulder blade.

 

“I…”

 

The impact of Jiang Nan’an’s glance over his shoulder in this outfit was too powerful. Yan Jie was stunned and couldn’t find his brain for a moment.

 

After being dumbfounded for quite a while, he rarely uttered a curse in front of Jiang Nan’an:

 

“…Holy shit.”

 

#

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)