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Chapter 40 – Embrace
He Yujing was slightly taken aback, then calmly replied, “Okay.”
On the other end, Jiang Liusui seemed to realize, a little too late, that something was off. Silence stretched for a long moment. He Yujing could already picture him, trying—and failing—to keep his composure: “…Shall I hang up first?”
He Yujing said “Mm.”
Jiang Liusui hung up without hesitation.
He Yujing put the phone aside. After a moment, he suddenly let out a soft laugh.
He reached out to cover his face, and in the end, couldn’t stop laughing at all.
In just a few days, Lin Chong had seen He Yujing scowl as he held back his anger—and now, genuinely joyful—leaving him a little concerned about He Yujing’s mental state. Silently, he added the “unpredictable” to his mental labels after his previous label “unscrupulous boss” and “mischievous troublemaker.”
He Yujing, in an unusually good mood, chuckled to himself, “Really… so cute.”
Unlike his own relaxed and happy mood, Jiang Liusui stood frozen, dazed after hanging up the phone.
Zhou Xun was equally shocked by his words, thinking Jiang Liusui was truly impressive—usually so effortlessly coquettish, he clearly had the knack for being the perfect lover.hjnm
No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than Jiang Liusui suddenly lost it: “Ah! What did I just say!!”
Thinking back to how he had just been lost in a flood of fantasies, speaking almost like he was acting in a scene, Jiang Liusui felt his ears burn. “He Yujing won’t think I’m an idiot, right?”
Zhou Xun saw his cheeks gradually turning red. It was the first time he had seen Jiang Liusui so embarrassed, and he hurriedly reassured him, “Isn’t this exactly how your relationship is supposed to work? Totally normal.”
Jiang Liusui gave him a doubtful glance. To avoid making him more flustered, Zhou Xun didn’t press further, though in his mind he was certain: He Yujing wouldn’t mock him at all—if anything, he’d probably enjoy it.
Once he calmed down, Jiang Liusui went to add the account He Yujing had given him.
Zhou Xun’s parents would be back home next week. Even though Zhou Xun had assured Jiang Liusui over and over that his parents wouldn’t mind—and would even be glad for him to stay—he had already inconvenienced Zhou Xun for too long. Besides, keeping Snowball on the balcony every day wasn’t a sustainable solution.
The other party quickly accepted his friend request and sent a message: Hello, I’m Shen Jie.
It seemed He Yujing had already given a heads-up. Before Jiang Liusui could even explain why he was contacting them, Shen Jie continued: When are you free? Can you send me the address? I’ll have the driver and assistant pick you up.
Shen Jie…
Why does that name sound familiar?
Jiang Liusui couldn’t place it immediately. Deciding not to dwell on it, he sent the address: The day after tomorrow afternoon then, thank you.
On the appointed day, Shen Jie specifically sent a driver and assistant to help with his belongings.
When Jiang Liusui arrived at Zhou Xun’s house, he was in a hurry and only brought a single suitcase. Both the assistant and driver were a little surprised, with the former thoughtfully asking, “Do you need to go anywhere else, or pack any other luggage?”
Considering there were still many items in his apartment—clothes, computer, scripts—Jiang Liusui figured he wouldn’t be able to pack everything on his own in time. “I’ll have my assistant handle the packing first.”
“Would you mind sharing the address and your assistant’s contact details? I can help them organize everything while you head over by car first.”
That would actually be faster, so Jiang Liusui agreed. Watching the scene unfold, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but whisper, “You… will you still be able to go out freely after this?”
Jiang Liusui paused briefly. “Probably?”
Zhou Xun didn’t know what to say and could only pat his shoulder.
Contrary to expectations, the driver didn’t head toward the remote suburbs but instead drove toward the Metropolitan Park at the heart of the city. Amid the bustling traffic, the park stood like a tranquil, lush oasis, with people strolling about in the daylight. The driver wound his way past the sleek, pure-white gallery and finally entered a private lakeside residence.
Jiang Liusui had heard the property prices in this area—calling them astronomical would be an understatement. He never expected He Yujing to be so extravagant, assigning him a “golden house[mfn]金屋 (jīn wū) – modern slang; a luxurious place to keep a lover or mistress in luxury[/mfn]” of this caliber.
The car came to a stop in the underground garage. The driver walked him to the elevator and handed him his suitcase. “You can go up from here. Someone is waiting for you at home.”
The driver used the word “home.” At first, Jiang Liusui thought it was just a matter of etiquette, but when the elevator doors slowly closed, he suddenly felt that something was off.
He remembered that He Yujing lived in the Metropolitan Park… Could this be He Yujing’s home?
So openly? So boldly? Wasn’t he afraid of being caught by the paparazzi?
No, wait… would a lover typically move directly into their benefactor’s home?
The vast living room stretched out before him, bathed in the soft afternoon sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. This building was the tallest in the area, with no obstructions in sight, making the indoor space feel infinitely expansive.
“Hello.” A woman with short hair approached him in heels. She appeared to be in her early thirties, dressed in a tailored suit, exuding elegance and professionalism.
Shen Jie smiled at him. “Good to see you again.”
Only then did Jiang Liusui remember who she was.
Previously, when he went to Shengyun to see He Yujing, he had met Shen Jie once. He knew she was He Yujing’s agent.
“Let’s sit for a bit. What would you like to drink?” Shen Jie took his suitcase and placed it aside, speaking softly. “But the selection of drinks in his home isn’t very extensive—mostly alcohol. In the future, just let the assistant buy whatever you like.”
Hearing this confirmed that it really was He Yujing’s home. Jiang Liusui suppressed his surprise: “Water is fine.”
Noticing Jiang Liusui seemed a bit distracted, Shen Jie thought he might have other needs. “Is something wrong?”
Jiang Liusui shook his head. “I didn’t expect to come to his home.”
Shen Jie couldn’t help but chuckle. “He didn’t tell you?”
Hearing Jiang Liusui’s affirmation, Shen Jie thought to herself that He Yujing, being in his first relationship, clearly lacked experience—he hadn’t even mentioned where they were going. Luckily, Jiang Liusui had a good temper and agreed to come without asking further.
Shen Jie teasingly asked: “So, what’s your relationship now?”
Surely he wasn’t still pursuing him? They were already living together—that wouldn’t make sense.
Facing Zhou Xun, Jiang Liusui could answer without hesitation. But speaking to the female agent he had only met a few times, he paused briefly before whispering, “We’re lovers.”
Shen Jie froze in place, almost wondering if she had misheard.
Back at the airport, He Yujing had spoken ambiguously, and she had sensed something was off, but she never expected him to come up with such a bizarre idea. He Yujing… what exactly is going on in his head?!
As the realization sank in, Shen Jie’s lips twitched involuntarily.
Looking at Jiang Liusui, who didn’t exactly seem like someone experienced in romance, she guessed he probably had no idea what He Yujing was thinking—and maybe didn’t even feel that way about him at all.
No wonder…
In a certain sense, He Yujing was still impressive.
At least he managed to keep the person by his side first, then let the feelings grow slowly afterward—better than not being able to reach him at all.
Although it did carry a hint of bold, take-what-you-want charm… Call it what you will, it really was his style.
Jiang Liusui quietly watched Shen Jie, not urging her to speak when she fell silent, appearing very well-behaved.
Shen Jie couldn’t help but feel a guilty sense of aiding and abetting, and her tone grew even gentler: “So that’s how it is.”
“I’ll go get you some water, just wait a moment.”
She poured a glass of plain water for Jiang Liusui and even brought along a box of frozen coffee milk. She sat at the corner of the sofa and took out the materials she had prepared in advance: “I came to see you today to ask for your opinion on something.”
“Would you be willing to transfer to Shengyun? If you agree, Gallery will voluntarily propose an early termination of your contract, and then you could sign with Shengyun.”
“Sign with Shengyun?” Jiang Liusui looked at Shen Jie in surprise. After politely declining Xingshi Entertainment a few days ago, he hadn’t had the energy to deal with terminating his contract with Gallery, let alone finding a new company. And yet, after all the online speculation, Shengyun really was planning to sign him.
Shen Jie pushed the documents forward. “The specific terms are all here. Take a look first, and if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can discuss it.”
Shengyun, a leading entertainment company in the industry, boasted numerous popular artists across multiple fields. However, most of them were signed to its numerous subsidiaries, which operated largely independently from the main company and covered different business segments. Gallery was the same—technically part of Shengyun, but the treatment there differed dramatically from that of the main company.
Jiang Liusui glanced over the base salary—it had multiplied several times compared to before. The commission rates for different jobs were fair, and the contract lasted only five years.
After five years, whether he wanted to pursue other opportunities or re-sign with Shengyun under new terms, it could all be discussed.
“I don’t have any objections,” he said, setting the folder down. “The terms are already excellent.”
After a brief hesitation, Jiang Liusui couldn’t help but ask: “Is it Shengyun who wants to sign me, or…?”
“You’ve misunderstood,” Shen Jie said with a smile. It has nothing to do with him. This is purely the company’s decision. I just happen to be the one meeting you today, so I’m the one explaining it.”
Shen Jie, afraid he would overthink, explained in detail: “I only learned later that even before the Xie Chen incident, you were already being observed by Shengyun. After that livestream, many companies were inquiring about you. If we didn’t act quickly, you probably would’ve signed with another company.” Shen Jie teased, “I’m guessing other companies have already contacted you?”
Jiang Liusui hesitated, then nodded.
“Since you’re with Gallery, the main company can request your transfer, and the subsidiary has to release you—there’s no breach-of-contract penalty involved, which gives Shengyun an advantage over other companies. In fact, over the past few days, several entertainment companies quietly asked about you, seeing whether you might sign with Shengyun.”
Jiang Liusui made a sound of acknowledgement. He knew the situation had caused a stir, but he hadn’t realized so many companies were keeping an eye on his movements.
Shen Jie still wanted to speak up for He Yujing: “However, there is one thing that does involve him.”
“Your livestream that day… actually had both advantages and disadvantages.” Shen Jie paused briefly. “Some executives think you have trending potential and promise; others feel you’re too headstrong, which could complicate management, and believe you need further observation.”
“As a shareholder, he chose to support the former.”
“If it weren’t for him, you’d eventually pass the observation period and land this contract,” Shen Jie said with a smile. “But it wouldn’t be nearly as good as what you have now, right?”
The answer was obvious.
Although Shen Jie phrased it tactfully, Jiang Liusui understood it wasn’t that simple. Popularity could only carry him so far—if He Yujing hadn’t stepped in to mediate, Shengyun wouldn’t have signed him into the main branch so easily.
“If you’re willing, you can sign a power of attorney, and I’ll handle all matters regarding terminating your old contract and signing the new one. Of course, you’ll review all the contracts yourself,” Shen Jie continued explaining. “After transferring to Shengyun, the company will assign you a new agent. Your previous agent’s working style had some issues…”
From what she knew, part of the reason Gallery had decided to let Jiang Liusui go involved Jiang Chuan. He was now leading Gallery’s hottest group and had caused plenty of chaos on the job.
Shen Jie said casually, “He’ll be moved to a position that better suits his abilities.”
Jiang Liusui had previously considered changing agents but the situation had forced him to put the idea on hold. After the recent events, he had frequent conflicts with Jiang Chuan. From Shen Jie’s tone, it seemed Jiang Chuan would be sidelined just as he had been before.
“Alright, I appreciate your help,” Jiang Liusui said, thinking of all the contracts she’d be handling for him. “Thank you.”
When Shen Jie caught him smiling at her with those eyes, she suddenly understood a bit why He Yujing had hurried back to China, busying himself so much on his behalf. Still, she had no intention of taking credit for it.
“The one truly taking care of all this isn’t me. If you want to say thank you, go to him,” Shen Jie said gently. “He will be happy to hear it.”
“Mm! I’ll thank Yu-ge properly when he returns.”
“Good.” Seeing the sparkle in his eyes, Shen Jie couldn’t help but smile. “Now, sign the power of attorney. I’ll head to Gallery today to take care of the procedures.”
Jiang Liusui had no objections. As he signed, Shen Jie’s gaze unconsciously lingered on him.
With the company and agent sorted, the situation was mostly resolved—leaving just one driving force behind it all.
Although the online focus had been aimed at Xie Chen, that was only a minor fuss. Any matters involving Xie Chen would be handled gradually, through other means, in due time.
There was no need for Jiang Liusui to know about this part yet, so Shen Jie hadn’t brought it up.
After Shen Jie left, the housekeeper showed him the rooms. He chose the innermost secondary bedroom, whose window framed the sparkling lake outside.
His assistant came by once to deliver luggage from his apartment. Jiang Liusui declined assistance and stayed in his room to organize his belongings alone.
As evening approached, a gentle knock came at the door. “What would you like for dinner tonight?” the housekeeper asked.
Jiang Liusui paused mid-task.
Just yesterday, he had argued with Zhou Xun over who would cook dinner, and in the end, both gave up and ordered takeout. And now—today—he was living this life where meals were simply provided.
Jiang Liusui felt momentarily dazed. Maybe too much had happened in just one day—he hadn’t even realized he was hungry.
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Then why not have some cordyceps chicken soup later?” the housekeeper offered, recalling He Yujing’s insistence that he eat well. “It’s been simmering for two hours—very fresh and flavorful.”
Jiang Liusui nodded.
The housekeeper left him undisturbed. After roughly organizing his belongings and placing the script for ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ on the desk, Jiang Liusui’s phone vibrated with a new message.
It was his former roommate, Zhou Xun, checking in: How’s the new place?
Jiang Liusui zoomed the camera toward the lake with the best view from his window and snapped a photo.
Zhou Xun: Really a villa in the middle of nowhere with a lake view? Your benefactor’s arrangement is just too textbook.
Jiang Liusui: This is the artificial lake in Metropolis Park.
Zhou Xun: ……
Zhou Xun expressed genuine admiration: Incredible. He Yujing is truly fearless——I’m going to see both your names trending on social media sooner or later.
Shen Jie worked with remarkable efficiency. In less than three days, she had handled all the necessary work arrangements and successfully got Jiang Liusui signed with Shengyun.
In the meantime, Jiang Liusui had been poring over the ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ script and the original novel, reading them again and again. Meanwhile, news from Pei Wen’s side finally arrived.
When Jiang Liusui had faced trouble earlier, Tianguang Media persistently pressured the production team. It was only thanks to Pei Wen refusing to replace him that the situation was delayed until a turning point appeared. Now, with Qin Yi’s new film wrapped, Pei Wen actually had a plan.
Jiang Liusui heard from the crew that the director, leveraging his personal connection with Qin Yi, intended to appeal to him emotionally and see if he could recruit him and save the production.
He had thought Pei Wen was the kind of director with very strong principles, but at a critical moment, his mind was surprisingly nimble.
Jiang Liusui, too, wanted a second collaboration with Qin Yi, and silently hoped for Pei Wen’s success. If it weren’t for the awkwardness of “playing the victim” together, he might have approached Qin Yi himself.
Before he knew it, September 7th arrived. He Yujing had wrapped up his Japan tour and would be back in the country late that night.
Due to the urgency of the situation before, and after Jiang Liusui had talked things over with He Yujing, they hadn’t met again. Counting it all up, tonight would actually be the first time Jiang Liusui spent time with He Yujing as a lover in any formal sense.
Although the “lover” relationship sounded ambiguous, ultimately it could also be considered work.
The closer it got to the time of He Yuing’s return, the more Jiang Liusui felt the nervousness of someone starting work for the first time.
He Yujing’s flight would arrive in the capital late at night, and he likely wouldn’t reach home until two or three in the morning. Jiang Liusui went out in the early hours to fetch water. Unexpectedly, the elevator opened and he saw the man he hadn’t seen for a week step out.
He Yujing pulled his small suitcase behind him. Even in a simple sweatshirt and sweatpants, he somehow looked impossibly attractive. Unusually, he wore no jewelry except for an exquisite, gleaming wristwatch. Their eyes met, and both froze mid-motion.
After wrapping up work, He Yujing had deliberately changed his flight, wanting to come home a little earlier.
Although he had imagined Jiang Liusui waiting for him at home countless times on the way back, seeing it in person still made his eyes gleam.
“You’re back.” Jiang Liusui felt nothing like He Yujing’s calm. At that moment, he was caught entirely off guard, as if under sudden inspection. “Do you want some water? I’ll get it for you.”
“No need. Come here.” He Yujing remained where he was, his tone unhurried and lazy.
Jiang Liusui walked toward him step by step. When they were barely an arm’s length apart, He Yujing suddenly lost patience. He reached out, gripped Jiang Liusui, and pulled hard, yanking the unprepared man directly into his embrace.
The person in his embrace instinctively struggled once, then quickly went still.
Cradling the treasure he had worked so hard to claim, He Yujing recalled the sweet promise Jiang Liusui had made over the phone earlier. He smiled meaningfully and said, “This,” he said, “is what I call waiting properly for me to come home.”
Perhaps because his schedule had been overwhelmingly busy, a faint trace of makeup still clung to him.
Jiang Liusui felt somewhat embarrassed by his teasing remark. Seeing that he remained silent, He Yujing lifted a hand and rested it against the back of his fair and slender, stroking it slowly, almost absentmindedly.
The touch was light and unhurried, yet it left Jiang Liusui with the distinct feeling that there was nowhere to escape.
Something suddenly occurred to He Yujing.
He’d been too busy lately to ask about the specifics, only reminding the housekeeper to take proper care of Jiang Liusui’s meals and daily routine. “Where have you been staying these last few days?”
Jiang Liusui answered obediently, “The innermost room.”
He Yujing frowned. “Why didn’t you ask me first?”
“I…” Jiang Liusui hesitated, suddenly worried that his own casual decision had upset him.
“Shouldn’t you be staying in the master bedroom?” He Yujing withdrew his hand, clearly displeased with Jiang Liusui’s choice. As if delivering a mild punishment, he gave the back of his neck a firm but controlled squeeze. “Why did you go hide yourself away in some forgotten corner[mfn]犄角旮旯 (jī jiǎo gā lá) – lit. horns and corners[/mfn]?”
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