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Chapter 74 – Appearance Fee
After its release, ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ saw its box office numbers climb steadily. As one of the most widely discussed film and television works of the year, even after its theatrical run ended, the movie continued to be frequently mentioned.
As the year drew to a close, another piece of good news brought ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ back into the public eye: Pei Wen won the Best Director award at an overseas independent film festival, becoming the first domestic director to win a major award at this festival twice.
Three years ago, Pei Wen’s debut film had won a major award at this very festival, quickly establishing his reputation. Due to the subject matter, Pei Wen had initially thought it unlikely for ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ to win an award when it was nominated, attending the festival more for networking purposes. Surprisingly, he ended up receiving one of the most prestigious awards.
When the news reached the domestic audience, it sparked widespread attention. Critics praised Pei Wen’s narrative techniques and visual style, noting that ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ combined delicacy, brilliance, and gloominess—a strong reflection of the director’s personal style.
The creative team congratulated Pei Wen one after another. Meanwhile, domestic film award ceremonies were approaching. When nominations for the most authoritative Jinhang Awards were announced, it ignited another wave of discussion: ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ received four nominations, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Cinematography.
【⟪Eternal Bell⟫ is truly remarkable. Who would have thought a film that wasn’t expected to succeed at all would become this year’s biggest dark horse? It has both box office success and industry recognition, even gaining attention overseas? Pei Wen is truly a deserving genius director.】
【Jiang Liusui is impressive. ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ is his first serious film, right? And he’s only 22, making him one of the youngest nominees in the history of the Jinhang Awards. This year, he’s competing against seasoned actors all over 30.】
【The competition for Best Supporting Actor is fierce this year. If Jiang Liusui manages to stand out… Wow, it would be insane. The last one to achieve such glory was Chi Lianxi six years ago, wasn’t it?】
【Actually, just getting a nomination is already remarkable! Suisui is still young. Winning would be great, but he shouldn’t put too much pressure on himself.】
【This year’s Jinhang Awards are so exciting! Not only is Jiang Liusui nominated, but the contenders for Best Actor are Chi Lianxi and Qin Yi!】
As the awards ceremony drew closer, Jiang Liusui kept it to himself, but inside he was growing increasingly nervous—something even He Yujing could clearly sense.
On New Year’s Eve, they returned to He Yujing’s parents’ home in Gongshan.
Perhaps because both of them had been exceptionally busy this year, time seemed to fly by, and the memories of last year’s New Year’s Eve felt as if they were just yesterday.
He Linshu and her family hadn’t arrived yet. Mother He was arranging flowers in the courtyard, while Father He was upstairs handling work matters.
Noticing Jiang Liusui’s distracted state, He Yujing asked, “Thinking about the film?”
Jiang Liusui nodded. He Yujing pinched his cheek reassuringly and said, “You performed very well. Just wait at ease now.”
Jiang Liusui met his gaze for a moment, then blurted out in one breath without pausing: “Although I really want to win the award, I know it’s not guaranteed, and just being nominated is already really, really good—” He slumped back into his seat and said resignedly, “But I’m still so nervous.”
He Yujing couldn’t help laughing at how Jiang Liusui had rattled off the whole sentence at lightning speed, almost like a tongue twister.
Jiang Liusui shot him a despairing look. “And you’re laughing?”
“I know that feeling. I’m the same every time before an awards ceremony.” He Yujing finished speaking, then abruptly changed the subject. “But think of it this way—even Chi Lianxi isn’t nervous. He’s been laughed at for so many years. If the sky falls, he’ll be there to hold it up for you.”
The year Chi Lianxi debuted, he swept through major awards ceremonies and collected numerous Best Newcomer trophies. At that time, the industry held him in high regard, believing he would become the youngest Best Actor winner. Instead, he turned around and started acting in TV dramas.
Film and television were two entirely different concepts, especially in the eyes of more traditional academic circles. Chi Lianxi’s shift to the small screen purely based on personal preference somewhat diminished his stature as a serious actor. Although he later continued making films and won numerous other awards of varying prestige, the most prestigious Jinhang Awards never granted him the Best Actor trophy.
Jiang Liusui sat up. “Teacher Chi isn’t nervous?”
He Yujing pulled out his phone to show him the chat history.
Chi Lianxi: Let me reserve this in advance.
Chi Lianxi: After the awards ceremony, depending on the results, either I’Il hug my didi[mfn]little brother, referring to JLS[/mfn] while we laugh together, or we’ll hug while crying together. Or maybe one of us will laugh while the other cries.
He Yujing’s reply was concise and forceful.
E: Who wants to hug you? Get lost.
Jiang Liusui laughed at their chat history and couldn’t help but admire: “He has such a good mindset.”
After this interlude, Jiang Liusui’s mood lightened considerably. Just then, there was movement at the entrance as a figure bundled in a white down jacket charged in like a little cannonball, happily exclaiming: “Uncle! Gege! Happy New Year!”
“Well now,” He Yujing looked Bai Yan up and down. “You’ve grown taller.”
Jiang Liusui responded with a smile: “Happy New Year.”
He stood up and measured Bai Yan’s height against his own, remembering that last year the boy had only reached his waist. He marveled at how quickly children grow: “It’s true, you’ve grown so much taller.”
Receiving compliments from both of them, Bai Yan seemed very pleased, his bright eyes fixed on Jiang Liusui.
“He’s been chattering nonstop the whole way here.” He Linshu entered in high heels, arms crossed over her chest. “He says he’s already decided on his New Year’s wish.”
“Tell us, what’s your wish this year?” He Yujing remained seated on the sofa, his long legs lazily planted on the floor. His casual tone made him sound more like a big brother than an elder.
Every year, He Yujing would grant his little nephew one New Year’s wish. Their mother had once praised it, saying it was the time he looked the most like a responsible elder.
Bai Yan glanced at him, then looked at Jiang Liusui, finally saying somewhat shyly: “Tonight… I want to sleep with gege.”
Jiang Liusui was taken aback. Seeing the little boy blinking his big eyes at him, his face—which bore seventy or eighty percent resemblance to He Yujing’s—-filled with expectation, he almost softened and agreed immediately.
Jiang Liusui couldn’t help wondering if He Yujing was this cute when he was little.
He Yujing remained expressionless. “Choose another one.”
He’d noticed since last year that this little rascal particularly liked Jiang Liusui. Usually extremely temperamental, he’d trail after Jiang Liusui like a curious kitten whenever they met.
Bai Yan stubbornly insisted: “No! I want this one.”
He Yujing showed no intention of humoring the child: “Choose another one. This will determine how much red envelope you get this year.”
Bai Yan hadn’t expected him to use New Year’s money as leverage, momentarily speechless with indignation. He stood frozen in place, locked in a standoff with He Yujing. The adults nearby burst into laughter at the sight.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, He Yujing and Jiang Liusui returned to their room.
His companion had been scrolling through his phone nonstop. With nothing else to amuse himself, Jiang Liusui sat on the sofa and nudged He Yujing’s knee with his own. “What are you doing? You haven’t said a word.”
He Yujing finished the last step and was about to upload a post on Weibo. “Posting a vlog—recorded some daily clips earlier.”
Jiang Liusui, who had been lounging relaxed against a pillow, suddenly sat upright, gripping his phone intently as if ready to pounce.
He Yujing turned his head. “What are you doing?”
“I’m your hired supporter, all set to go,” Jiang Liusui said eagerly. “As soon as the big star posts, I’ll rush in to press ’like’.”
“Then you’d better be quick.” He Yujing chuckled and hit send.
Jiang Liusui kept refreshing and immediately liked the new Weibo post the moment it appeared, yet he still couldn’t outpace the faster fans.
He let out a disappointed sound, then opened the video, enthusiastically pulling He Yujing along. “Let’s watch it together.”
The vlog, which was over ten minutes long, had no caption, but countless viewers flooded in the moment it was posted. Everyone was astonished that He Yujing had unexpectedly shared a vlog, exclaiming delightedly after their initial surprise:
【Am I seeing things?! For the first time in all these years, Yu-ge actually posted a vlog?!】
【My favorite blogger of seven years is posting a vlog for the first time! The very first scene—purely bare-faced, leaning against the car window—is still shockingly handsome. That profile is more polished than my entire life.】
After a brief scenic transition, the scene shifted to a recording studio. He Yujing stood before a condenser microphone, effortlessly hitting high notes. The sound engineer outside the glass gave him a thumbs-up once the segment ended, but He Yujing himself seemed unsatisfied, pausing to suggest adjustments.
After repeating the takes several times, he finally achieved the sound he wanted. Fans watching were captivated by his focus and charm while working, flooding the comment section with excited exclamations:
【Wow, I was dozing off while waiting for the New Year, but this woke me right up. His serious look is just too handsome.】
【Is this for Chi Lianxi’s movie soundtrack? It sounds amazing! The grand, epic style is so powerful!】
【Oh my gosh, so much content! Not just the recording studio but magazine shoots too, even behind-the-scenes clips from last year’s world tour. Getting to see so much of Yu-ge at once is pure bliss! So this is a superstar’s daily life.】
【Alright, I’m taking this vlog to my grave.】
Everyone was engrossed in the vlog when suddenly a wave of question marks scrolled across the comments.
【Guys, the video says it’s a “Year in Review,” but am I the only one feeling something’s off?】
He Yujing’s vlog primarily featured snippets of his daily life and work, mostly with him alone or occasionally with staff. However, a few fleeting clips captured another person’s voice. Although never shown on camera, this person clearly shared an intimate relationship with He Yujing.
In one scene, it seemed they were saying goodbye in a car. He Yujing kept the camera focused on himself, but someone could vaguely be seen reaching from the side to wrap an arm around his waist, as if clinging to him.
He Yujing deliberately asked, “So clingy?”
A pair of pale, slender hands emerged from the sleeves of a gray hoodie. The owner let out a soft hum in response, leaning his head over to nuzzle gently. Even through the screen, one could feel his deep reliance on He Yujing.
【Oh my god, is that Jiang Liusui?】
【Damn, I bet Yu-ge is over the moon—check out 8:39, he’s trying so hard not to laugh!】
【I’d be thrilled too! Suisui is so adorable in private, just like a little animal, wuwuwu…!!】
【I’m dying from the sweetness! Did you notice the hoodie A’Jing was wearing in the last shot? Look closely at the cuffs here—Suisui is wearing his clothes, ahhhhh!】
【Got it. On the surface, this is just a daily vlog, but it’s actually full of hidden meanings. Jiang Liusui appears for less than a minute, yet he still manages to show off big time. Impressive, truly impressive.】
The final scene was filmed at He Yujing’s house. Jiang Liusui, who had remained off-camera until then, appeared only from behind as He Yujing followed him with the camera. Jiang Liusui walked barefoot around the house, completely at ease.
【Thanks to Xiao Jiang, today we got a virtual tour of Boss He’s mansion.】
Jiang Liusui seems so comfortable here. Most people would feel pressured being followed around by A’Jing like that—it’s like having a tiger watching your every move, hahahaha!】
“Jiang Liusui.”
“What?” The person called turned his head and immediately broke into a smile. “Filming again? Are you going to pay me for my appearance?”
He Yujing’s soft reply came from behind the camera: “Of course.”
The frame suddenly shifted to focus on a mural on the wall, and faint sounds could be heard off-screen.
【Did they kiss??? Did you two just kiss??? Is the kiss the appearance fee?!】
【Why did you point the camera at the wall?! He Yujing, you’re so cruel! Let us see the kiss!!】
【Don’t end it, don’t end it—!】
Amid the fans’ excited screams, the vlog’s progress bar reached the end.
Jiang Liusui had initially thought it was just a recording of He Yujing’s daily life. For the first half, he’d simply enjoyed watching the handsome man on screen, but by the end, he couldn’t help laughing. “Why am I in it?”
Before He Yujing could respond, Jiang Liusui imitated his own demeanor from the vlog, smiling brightly as he said, “Pay me my appearance fee.”
He leaned closer, fingers tugging at the collar of He Yujing’s sweater, clearly asking for a kiss.
Seeing Jiang Liusui demand a kiss, He Yujing deliberately unlocked his phone, pretending to transfer money. “How much is Teacher Jiang’s appearance fee?”
“……”
The two locked eyes for a moment before Jiang Liusui released his grip.
Just as He Yujing thought he might jump off the couch and kick him, Jiang Liusui pressed his palm back against He Yujing’s collarbone and shifted to kneel on his lap.
His knees pressed into He Yujing’s thighs, his slender calves folding beneath him. His slippers fell to the floor with a soft thud as he moved, revealing the pale, smooth arch of his foot.
Jiang Liusui said in a coaxing tone, “I want you to hold me.”
As if that weren’t enough, he leaned close to He Yujing’s ear and whispered, “You secretly recorded my voice. One kiss isn’t enough.”
A slight sting spread across He Yujing’s earlobe—Jiang Liusui had lightly bitten him.
In one swift motion, He Yujing lifted the person in his arms and strode toward the bed. His large, well-defined hand landed a light smack on Jiang Liusui’s rear. Before Jiang Liusui could even blush, he was tossed onto the mattress.
Jiang Liusui instinctively propped himself up halfway, only to be roughly pressed back down. He Yujing lowered his head and captured his lips, kissing him with intimate closeness.
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