LR – Chapter 44

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Chapter 44 – Drunk

Earlier, Wang Cen had mentioned that if any fashion events came up, it would be a good chance to make a public appearance[mfn]刷一刷脸 (shuā yì shuā liǎn) – lit. brush one’s face[/mfn]. Jiang Liusui had assumed they’d have to wait until filming started, so he was surprised when Wang Cen called, saying an opportunity was coming up soon.

By dusk, the Shanjing Art Museum was glowing, its lights casting a warm brilliance over the street. Cars lined up outside, and across the road, fans had already gathered in droves.

The actress from the car ahead held the hem of her dress with both hands and gracefully ascended the red carpet with a smile. When it was Jiang Liusui’s turn, he flexed his fingers, steadied his mood, and stepped out of the car as the attendant opened the door.

In the golden glow of September, the annual charity gala hosted by the elite fashion magazine Sylvie brought together a glittering array of stars. Attendees ranged from top-tier celebrities to brand representatives, film directors, and producers—it was one of the biggest events in the industry. This was exactly the kind of public appearance Wang Cen had lined up for Jiang Liusui.

The previous tumultuous controversy had ultimately concluded with Jiang Liusui transferring to Shengyun. His name had been repeatedly mentioned across various social media platforms, and his popularity had never been higher. Lining both sides of the red carpet, photographers wielded their long and short lenses, snapping furiously the moment he stepped out of the car.

A sharp breeze blew in from the river. Jiang Liusui narrowed his eyes slightly but quickly adjusted.

He wore a slightly loose-cut casual suit, the belt tied lightly around his narrow waist. The matching trousers accentuated his long, straight legs. Compared to the other artists, Jiang Liusui’s attire was relatively simple, but his exceptionally elegant figure made the all-black outfit highlight his advantages, showcasing his tall and slender build.

His face—vividly and strikingly beautiful—outshone even the most lavish jewels and gowns. Even amidst the sea of dazzling stars on the red carpet, he stood out effortlessly.

Wang Cen had gone over the basic flow of the evening with him beforehand, and at the end encouraged Jiang Liusui to relax and joked that his mere appearance would be enough to make an impression, so he didn’t need to overthink every step.

Across the street, fans kept screaming and calling his name, while camera flashes flickered incessantly around him. Attending such a large-scale event for the first time, Jiang Liusui couldn’t help feeling a little nervous. Yet Jiang Liusui carried himself with serene composure as he approached the autograph wall and signed his name.

The host nearby smiled and said, “Teacher Jiang, you look stunning today! I caught sight of you the moment you arrived.”

Jiang Liusui nodded politely in thanks. Noticing his gentle demeanor, the host pressed on, “There should be quite a few friends you know here tonight. For example, Teacher He? Will you be catching up with him?”

At first, Jiang Liusui didn’t show much expression, but upon hearing this, he actually smiled.

“If there’s a chance.”

His voice was soft and gentle, and the host was momentarily stunned, forgetting to continue with the questions.

Seeing the host remain silent, Jiang Liusui quickly nodded, treating it as the end of this part of the interview, and turned to leave before the host could follow up.

The staircase at the entrance of the art museum was exceptionally broad, with the red carpet extending all the way up the white marble steps. On both sides of the handrails were floral wall decorations, intertwining shades of teal and deep pink, with richly colored double-petal roses blooming extravagantly.

As Jiang Liusui stepped onto the staircase, the commotion behind him suddenly intensified. The shutters of countless cameras clicked with double the intensity, reporters whispered and muttered among themselves, and fans across the street let out wave after wave of ecstatic screams. Even several celebrities ahead of him paused, turning to stare at the black sedan parked at the head of the red carpet.

Jiang Liusui turned his head.

An attendant quickly stepped forward to open the car door. The figure inside leaned out slightly, and the surrounding noise doubled the moment he stepped out.

He Yujing wore a sleek black trench coat over a white shirt and black trousers. He wasn’t one to follow conventions strictly—the collar of his shirt was casually unbuttoned, revealing a layered necklace of varying lengths resting against his slender neck.

He Yujing’s attire was strictly black and white, but his accessories were rich and eye-catching—a gemstone-studded watch sparkled brilliantly on his wrist. Everyone around focused their gaze on him—it was undoubtedly a grand finale appearance.

Jiang Liusui watched him just like everyone else. The man, who was the center of all attention, suddenly lifted his eyes and looked directly at Jiang Liusui.

It was as if he always possessed this uncanny ability—no matter the distance, no matter the crowd, he could find Jiang Liusui with a single look.

Their eye contact was brief, but sharp-eyed photographers didn’t miss a second, capturing every frame. As if amused by the moment, He Yujing’s lips curved into a faint smile.

That tiny smile sent a jolt through Jiang Liusui, and his mind went blank for a second.

Realizing he had lingered on the stairs for too long, Jiang Liusui was the first to look away and walked toward the entrance of the art museum.

Inside, the atmosphere was elegant and vibrant, with lights shining brightly. The evening’s theme was “Celebration.” At the center stood a massive art installation that drew every gaze—thousands of blooming flowers arranged like ceremonial cannons, their petals attached with hundreds of transparent strings, shooting upward like ribbons launched from the cannons themselves.

A band played softly at the side, the piano and violin weaving together in a melody as smooth and flowing as water. Round tables were laden with exquisite dishes, the flickering flames of metal candlesticks casting a warm glow. The floral centerpieces mirrored the outdoor decorations, overflowing with lush, double-petaled roses in deep, vivid pink.

“Guess who I am~” a hand suddenly covered Jiang Liusui’s eyes from behind. He caught a whiff of a sweet, rich floral scent. The voice was deliberately hushed, yet unmistakably familiar and female.

Without hesitation, Jiang Liusui said, “Xu Miao.”

Xu Miao released her hand and said with a playful smile, “Very clever, Suisui.”

She wore a champagne-colored gown threaded with diamond chains, her small heels elevating her even further, emphasizing her striking figure. As a model, Xu Miao already stood at 178 cm; now in heels, she towered a few centimeters over Jiang Liusui.

He had only ever seen her in flats on variety shows before—seeing her from below for the first time felt refreshingly new.

Xu Miao raised her eyebrows: “What, just realized I’m tall?”

“No,” Jiang Liusui said slowly, “just… looking at how beautiful you are.”

Xu Miao beamed with delight. “Ah, you’re so cute!”

Unlike ordinary compliments from the opposite sex, Jiang Liusui’s praise of her felt sly and playful, like being admired by a clever little fox. Concerned, she asked, Xu Miao asked with concern, “You’ve signed with a new company now, right? Shengyun’s not bad, is it?”

When Gallery decided to sideline him, and Jiang Chuan went around in circles saying nonsense, it was Xu Miao who had given him the real news.

Jiang Liusui replied earnestly, “Mm… thank you for that, back then.”

“For what? I didn’t really do anything to help,” Xu Miao laughed brightly, then lowered her voice as if remembering something. “By the way… have you and Yu-ge reconciled yet?”

Unlike the half-true, half-false rumors floating outside, Xu Miao had witnessed it herself the last time they recorded a variety show—both of them had walked out, each gloomier than the other.

Jiang Liusui hesitated for a moment. With He Yujing, their current situation…

“Already reconciled.”

Although their relationship had changed quite a bit compared to before, it could still be considered reconciled, right?

“That’s good,” Xu Miao said, exhaling in relief on their behalf. “You have no idea—the rumors about you two have been spreading like wildfire. Plenty of people in the industry have been keeping an eye on you two.”

“Wasn’t there a staff member from ⟪Fantasy Holiday⟫ who claimed you two didn’t get along?” Xu Miao whispered. “I heard it was leaked by a cameraman who was on-site at the time—and he’s already been fired by the production team.”

Even knowing how well-connected she was, Jiang Liusui couldn’t help but ask, “You even know about things like that?”

“What’s that compared to the rest? There’s more—” Xu Miao stopped herself midway, then felt it wasn’t appropriate to say these things in front of him and said vaguely, “Anyway, they’re all just underground gossip. It’s fine to listen, nothing more.”

Seeing her hesitate, Jiang Liusui guessed it probably had something to do with him and He Yujing.

Unable to resist his curiosity, he asked, “So, what are people saying about me and Yu-ge now?”

Xu Miao hesitated as she looked at him. “Are you sure you want to ask?”

Jiang Liusui had only been mildly curious to begin with—but the way she was acting now made it impossible not to ask. “Just say it.”

“Alright then, I’ll tell you.” Xu Miao set the stage first. “You know, people in the industry gossip even harder than netizens. All kinds of guesses, all mixed together. In short… it’s a bit shocking. Be mentally prepared.”

Jiang Liusui believed he was already fully prepared. “Please, go on.”

“I’ll tell you the version that’s circulating the most,” Xu Miao said. “After that whole incident, the industry’s been buzzing. They say Shengyun took advantage of the fact that your contract with Gallery hadn’t expired yet, beat all the other companies trying to poach you, and signed you first. And that once you joined, you realized it had all been a setup.” She paused. They say he’s been hopelessly in love with you for years but couldn’t get you, so he decided to abuse his position for personal gain—just to keep you firmly in his grasp.”

“Now you’re being portrayed as the thorny rose who would rather die than submit, and he’s the power-wielding bully,” Xu Miao added deliberately. “Given the circumstances, you can’t openly tear things apart yet.” Xu Miao added specifically, “Relax—you’re the tragic one in this version. Everyone’s extremely sympathetic toward you.”

“……” Jiang Liusui was,indeed, thoroughly shocked.

Seeing his expression shift repeatedly, Xu Miao covered her mouth. “It can’t be true, right?! Oh my god, this is so thrilling!”

“Of course not!” Jiang Liusui denied it immediately. “You all wouldn’t go so far as to fabricate things about He Yujing like that!”

“You don’t get it—there’s hardly ever any juicy gossip about Yu-ge. Of course people make it as dramatic as possible!” Xu Miao actually sounded a bit regretful. “So it’s not true after all. My friend was so excited when she told me about this. She said if Yu-ge were pining for her, she’d surrender to his handsome face without a second thought—I mean, surrender to his power!”

Jiang Liusui was left speechless. “……Looks like it’s because he’s usually too good-tempered.”

“Don’t worry, there’s also a version where you take the lead,” Xu Miao said. “Although this one’s more tragic and doesn’t spread as widely as the first—but it definitely has a decent audience!”

“……”

“This one is the opposite of the previous version. Now it’s you who failed to win Yu-ge over, and you kept pestering him during the show. Even after that online storm, you still weren’t defeated by the ’evil forces,’ and instead resolutely chased after him into Shengyun!”

Jiang Liusui said numbly, “Not bad, I’m quite the inspiration.”

Xu Miao couldn’t help but let out a laugh. After sharing these far-fetched rumors, her expression sobered slightly as she reminded him, “About seventy to eighty percent of the people here tonight are curious about your relationship. Someone might come ask you about it. Be a bit careful.”

Xu Miao’s warning proved prophetic. After she left, Jiang Liusui took a glass of champagne from a server’s tray, intending to just hold it for appearances. Yet before much time had passed, a male actor he’d met once before approached to strike up a conversation.

They clinked glasses, and Jiang Liusui took a symbolic sip. The other man talked in circles for quite a while before finally steering the conversation toward He Yujing. The question was phrased delicately enough that Jiang Liusui didn’t feel offended—instead, he was somewhat impressed by the man’s ability to beat around the bush.

Just as he was about to brush it off casually, a voice cut in.

“Sorry to interrupt—may I borrow him for a moment?”

Jiang Liusui turned around to find Chi Lianxi in a pristine white suit, tall and elegant, his smiling peach-blossom eyes carrying an easy, flirtatious charm.

The male actor quickly excused himself. Once he was gone, Chi Lianxi turned back to Jiang Liusui with a grin. “It’s no fun staying by yourself, right? Come over and join us.”

With that, he guided Jiang Liusui toward an open spot beside the floral installation.

This was where the heavyweights congregated—celebrated directors, top-tier actors, and several unfamiliar faces Jiang Liusui guessed were senior figures from Sylvie. It was unmistakably the heart of the entire gala.

The man surrounded by the crowd wore a relaxed expression, completely at ease in such settings. Chi Lianxi spoke to him with a hint of triumph, “A’Jing, look who I brought over.”

He Yujing had drifted off more than once over the course of the evening. Knowing exactly who he was looking for, Chi Lianxi decided to go fetch Jiang Liusui himself—though he couldn’t help finding it a bit amusing.

Seriously—was this really necessary?

They saw each other every day. Did he really have to keep such a close eye on him?

When Jiang Liusui approached, the people nearby all tactfully lowered their gazes, suddenly very interested in minding their own business—except for one younger actress who even stopped mid-conversation, staring openly, eager to find out which rumor was the “correct” one.

She personally favored the version where He Yujing yearned but failed, then seized control by force. Just imagining it felt thrilling.

Jiang Liusui had already endured an entire repertoire of wildly fabricated melodrama from Xu Miao. Now, seeing He Yujing in the flesh and recalling what the most popular version claimed he had done to him—

No. Absolutely not. This was getting out of hand. What kind of absurd nonsense was this?!

He had to take the initiative—show some action—so that people would spin fewer stories about them. At the very least, they could stop circulating the idea that He Yujing was bullying him.

Jiang Liusui spoke before He Yujing could. “I saw you by the stairs earlier. I meant to come find you as soon as I entered.”

He Yujing suddenly smiled, slinging an arm over Jiang Liusui’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you come over sooner?”

Jiang Liusui curved his eyes slightly, his tone gentle. “I was talking to someone just now… didn’t get the chance.”

Seeing his affectionate attitude, He Yujing was a little surprised.

Normally, Jiang Liusui would appear cooperative, letting He Yujing hug and hold him, but he would never actively show affection.

What was going on today?

“EVIN, who’s this?” The editor-in-chief of Sylvie cut in, noticing the easy familiarity between them.

“Jiang Liusui,” He Yujing said, releasing his hand from Jiang Liusui’s shoulder, standing upright, and speaking beside him. “Didn’t you want to meet the lead from the ⟪Fading Colors⟫ music video? This is him.”

Recognition dawned on the editor-in-chief, and she smiled as she tapped her glass lightly against Jiang Liusui’s. “No wonder you seemed familiar. I kept wondering how someone so outstanding could appear out of nowhere.”

People gradually came up to greet Jiang Liusui. Those who knew him brought up the variety shows he’d appeared in, while He Yujing occasionally helped introduce him to those who didn’t.

Every so often, someone would deliberately come over to greet them. Jiang Liusui clinked glasses with one notable industry figure after another. Perhaps due to the occasion, or maybe because He Yujing was by his side, everyone wore polite smiles and spoke to him in soft, courteous tones.

Before he realized it, his champagne glass was empty. A server carrying a red wine tray promptly stepped forward to replace his drink. Taking the fresh glass, Jiang Liusui suddenly remembered—mixing socializing with alcohol tended to make him drunk faster than he expected.

Jiang Liusui’s tolerance for alcohol had never been great. When drunk, not only would he struggle to remember things, but he would also answer any question truthfully. Normally, he avoided drinking at social dinners as much as possible—but in situations like this, some compromise was unavoidable.

He glanced around, but the server had already disappeared. He was about to make his way over to the champagne tower at the round table to exchange his drink when another director approached with a smile. “You must be Xiao Jiang, right? Director Pei mentioned you to me.”

With no time to change his drink, Jiang Liusui smiled in acknowledgment and clinked glasses with the director.

If I drink a little more slowly, it should be fine… right?

All evening, Jiang Liusui had been moving from glass to glass, toasting and chatting, his mind gradually slipping into a hazy fog.

Jiang Chuan wasn’t exactly a great guy, but one thing he said was true. There were too many people trying to get close to He Yujing, and leaving even a slight impression was considered an achievement.

A waiter carrying a tray of champagne passed by and paused. “Your glass is almost empty. Shall I replace it for you?”

“Hmm?” Jiang Liusui murmured, only then realizing that he had sipped his way almost to the bottom of his glass.

He stared blankly at the nearly empty glass. The server, growing uneasy from the lack of response, waited until Jiang Liusui finally replied half a beat later, “Okay, thank you.”

After switching to a fresh drink, Jiang Liusui held the full champagne glass, his mind even more muddled.

Should I keep drinking…?

He Yujing, having not heard him speak for a while, turned to look and saw that Jiang Liusui’s cheeks were faintly flushed.

His skin was pale so even the slightest hint of color stood out vividly, and there seemed to be moisture shimmering in his eyes.

He Yujing sensed something was off. “Jiang Liusui?”

Jiang Liusui didn’t respond when his name was called. Only when He Yujing called his name again did he respond slowly.

“You…” He Yujing had wanted to ask if he was feeling unwell, but suddenly remembered that when they first met, Jiang Liusui had said his alcohol tolerance was very low.

The servers carrying wine and champagne had already come by more than once. Jiang Liusui had probably had two or three mixed drinks. He Yujing leaned close and whispered in his ear, “Are you drunk?”

Jiang Liusui didn’t answer. He Yujing was fairly certain that he wasn’t entirely sober.

Thinking the banquet was nearly over, He Yujing said to Chi Lianxi, “We’ll head out first.”

Chi Lianxi could tell something was off with Jiang Liusui and gave a subtle nod.

He Yujing, concerned that Jiang Liusui might lose his balance, wrapped a firm arm around his shoulders.

Noticing how compliant Jiang Liusui was—even nuzzling affectionately against He Yujing’s shoulder—Chi Lianxi’s expression shifted slightly.

Was this how they usually act around each other?

No wonder He Yujing was willing to act like a beast to keep him by his side.

The young actress, who had been keeping an eye on them from the very beginning, caught sight of that small, intimate movement.

She reflected quietly to herself, “So it wasn’t the “forceful, domineering” version after all.”

But somehow, mutual affection seemed even better! Watching them, they looked utterly adorable—like an older brother and a younger brother.

He Yujing guided Jiang Liusui out of the main hall. Glances followed them at every step, but he didn’t pay them any mind, leading him straight toward the side entrance of the museum.

Jiang Liusui was quite well-behaved when drunk. He didn’t argue, didn’t stumble—he just let himself be guided forward.

The driver, following He Yujing’s instructions, was already waiting by the door. He Yujing opened the rear door, gently settled Jiang Liusui inside, then went around to the other side.

Lin Chong, sitting in the passenger seat, noticed the situation and cleverly handed over a bottle of mineral water.

The car glided forward smoothly. He Yujing reached out and gently brushed aside the few strands of hair that had fallen across Jiang Liusui’s face. “Feeling uncomfortable? Dizzy?”

Jiang Liusui shook his head… and then nodded.

Noticing how unusually quiet he was, He Yujing pressed his palm against his flushed cheek: “Really drunk? Can’t even speak now?”

He had thought he wouldn’t get a response this time either, but unexpectedly, Jiang Liusui quietly murmured, “Drunk.”

Usually, when people were drunk, they’d stubbornly refuse to admit it. But He Yujing had never seen anyone so obedient and honest. Seeing that Jiang Liusui didn’t seem uncomfortable, he relaxed—and a mischievous thought crossed his mind.

His slender fingers slowly traced the blush on Jiang Liusui’s face as He Yujing joked, “Do you go wild when you’re drunk?”

Jiang Liusui stared at him blankly. Another gentle brush across his face made him steady himself with both hands on the car seat, then leaned close to He Yujing’s ear.

He Yujing felt Jiang Liusui’s hair brush against his ear as he whispered in a hushed tone, “No, but I… answer whatever I’m asked.”

He seemed a little puzzled. “Does that count as going wild?”

Knowing that Jiang Liusui had no reason to pretend to be drunk in front of him, He Yujing followed up: “Answer whatever is asked? Impressive.”

He found it amusing and casually asked a few questions. Jiang Liusui, although selective in his answers, still answered properly whenever he did speak.

He Yujing’s heart skipped a beat.

The playful glint in his eyes slowly shifted as he gazed at Jiang Liusui. “The next question I ask… will you answer truthfully too?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiang Liusui mumbled, then stubbornly asked again after a moment, “You still haven’t said—does this count as going wild when drunk? …He Yujing!”

By the end, Jiang Liusui seemed dissatisfied with his evasion and slapped him lightly on the chest.

Such a little force, like a cat scratching. He Yujing pressed the button on the side, and the slowly rising partition completely separated the front and rear space.

Jiang Liusui, not satisfied, slapped him again. He Yujing grabbed his hand: “Tell me, in your eyes, is there any difference between me and those who liked you before?”

In the Turin Desert, Jiang Liusui had responded with silence. He Yujing increased the pressure in his hand: “I want to hear you say it with your own mouth.”

Jiang Liusui didn’t answer for a long time, and He Yujing’s expression gradually darkened.

Then, unexpectedly, Jiang Liusui murmured, “It hurts.”

Jiang Liusui’s fingers were long and delicate and his skin thin. Being gripped so tightly, He Yujing’s hand left faint red marks without him realizing.

He Yujing immediately let go.

He had thought Jiang Liusui wouldn’t answer while drunk, and, in a moment of venting, had pinched the reddened little face in front of him. This time, however, he kept his strength in check, careful not to hurt him.

“Then I’ll ask a different question,” He Yujing said after a short pause, his tone carrying a quiet insistence. “This one—you answer me properly.”

Contrary to his outwardly strong demeanor, he actually felt a little uneasy in his heart—yet he couldn’t resist asking Jiang Liusui for clarity.

He Yujing said slowly, “If back then someone else had helped you, and asked you to be their lover, would you have agreed?”

But this time, Jiang Liusui answered quickly, “It’s different.”

He looked up at him, eyes clear and steady, as if speaking to this question—and the one before it: “Only you.”

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