YPHC Chapter 50

“Seems like a momentary lapse allowed someone to pry…”

 

“…”

 

Jiang Nan’an fell into a long silence.

 

Perhaps he was wondering if his question was really that tricky, that difficult, that hard to articulate.

 

Otherwise, why would he receive such a hesitant, laboriously worded, yet meaningless response?

 

“Brother Spring! Can we have Peking duck tonight?!”

 

As the two were at an impasse, Jiang Shanshan ran over, blinking her big eyes, breaking the increasingly awkward atmosphere between them:

 

“I want to have authentic Beijing cuisine!”

 

“Sure, sure! Why not! Whatever you want!”

 

Yan Jie fumbled for his phone:

 

“I’ll find a place. Are you all ready? If you’re good to go, let’s head out!”

 

The championship night of “Burning Eternity” was like a grand event, attracting millions of viewers. Even the Weibo hot search list was dominated by show-related topics.

 

Ranking first was “#Makeshift Troupe Wins Championship#,” followed by “#Spring Backdoor#,” “#Spring Universe’s Number One Aurelion Sol#,” “#Jiang Nan’an Siren#”… One topic after another exploded, and the real-time plaza remained lively even late into the night.

 

“Well, our competition is over. Three months have passed in the blink of an eye, and it’s almost New Year. Suddenly being free feels strange, like being released from prison. Brothers and sisters, are you all leaving early tomorrow morning? What are your plans?”

 

In the private dining room, Yan Jie swirled his wine glass, leaning back in his chair and asking.

 

This meal was supposed to be Makeshift Troupe’s celebration feast, but in reality, they had brought along many family members, such as inBlue’s Little Sheep Baa Baa, Chenghua’s girlfriend, Jiang Nan’an’s assistant Xiao Sun, as well as Sheng Yujia, and Fat Fish, who had come to support his good brother in another widely watched finals after many years.

 

Hearing this, Jiang Shanshan answered first: “Yes, I have to leave early tomorrow morning. My schedule was arranged days ago. I need to fly to another variety show, and after the New Year, I’ll prepare to join a production.”

 

Yan Jie raised an eyebrow slightly: “The drama with Teacher Jiang?”

 

Jiang Shanshan nodded.

 

Yan Jie asked again: “What about Star?”

 

North Star: “Preparing for a concert.”

 

North Star came from a singing and dancing background, and after the New Year, she would begin her first tour. She had mentioned this to her teammates before, and Yan Jie was aware of it.

 

“Oh-no need to ask about Blue, we brothers will continue to sell our skills in the livestream room…”

 

Yan Jie took a sip of wine, paused for a moment, and then said:

 

“What about Mr. Hang?”

 

Jiang Nan’an was eating cherry tomatoes from the table when he was suddenly called upon. He thought for a moment: “Probably nothing planned.”

 

He didn’t usually keep track of his own schedule, as Qi Hong and Xiao Sun would arrange everything and then inform him, so when answering, he looked questioningly at Xiao Sun beside him.

 

Xiao Sun had just stuffed a Peking duck wrap into his mouth and nodded rapidly like a pecking chick:

 

“Mm-hmm, Hong-jie was just telling me yesterday, since it’s almost Chinese New Year, she wants to let brother rest well. You’ve worked hard these past few months, so just wait until after the New Year to join the production. There won’t be any work scheduled before that.”

 

Yan Jie acknowledged with a sound and turned to look at Jiang Nan’an:

 

“So you’re going home? Back to Shanghai?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Leaving tomorrow morning?”

 

“Mm, flight at noon tomorrow.”

 

“I see…”

 

Yan Jie took another sip of wine and shifted his gaze.

 

At the dinner table, everyone enthusiastically chatted about other topics. Yan Jie, unusually, didn’t participate. After a long silence, he picked up his glass, gesturing to toast with Jiang Nan’an.

 

Jiang Nan’an didn’t refuse. He raised his wine glass, and the glasses clinked with a crisp sound.

 

The liquor was spicy and bitter upon entering the mouth. Jiang Nan’an didn’t like drinking, but he wasn’t averse to it either.

 

He took a small sip, and then heard Yan Jie lean close and say softly:

 

“Just thinking that in the future I won’t see Mr. Hang when I open my eyes, won’t be able to talk to Mr. Hang, won’t be able to spend all day with Mr. Hang-it makes Little Spring’s heart ache. What should I do, teacher?”

 

“Ache? Why?” Jiang Nan’an picked up a piece of pea cake:

 

“Isn’t this a great joy?”

 

Not having to listen to Yan Jie’s constant chattering in his ear every day-isn’t that something to celebrate?

 

Yan Jie was amused by him: “You’re that eager not to see me?”

 

Jiang Nan’an nodded.

 

“That won’t do.”

 

Yan Jie sighed with an affected manner:

 

“Can I message you on WeChat?”

 

“Does WeChat now respect user wishes so much that it needs my consent to provide you service?”

 

“Well, I just don’t want to disturb Mr. Hang’s rest.”

 

“If you really feared disturbing me, you wouldn’t ask like this.”

 

Jiang Nan’an recalled a case that Qi Hong had once warned him to be wary of:

 

“This kind of speech tactic, officially, should be called ‘green tea bitch.'”

 

Yan Jie, labeled a “green tea bitch” by Teacher Jiang, clutched his heart:

 

“Fine, I’m tea. Then this tea will take it that you’ve agreed. Don’t complain if I message too much later.”

 

“No problem,” Jiang Nan’an said coolly:

 

“I’ll set it to Do Not Disturb.”

 

“.”

 

Everyone was happy tonight, and the lively group didn’t disperse until late at night.

 

The flight back to Shanghai was at noon tomorrow. To have more time in the morning, luggage needed to be packed tonight. So, even though it was very late when they returned to the hotel, Xiao Sun didn’t immediately go back to his room to rest, but first went to Jiang Nan’an’s room to help him pack.

 

“Brother, I’ve put your books in this suitcase… uh, why are there two dumbbells in your suitcase?”

 

Xiao Sun looked at the weight-like objects in the suitcase, falling into contemplation:

 

“Do you want to take these back too?”

 

“Mm, Teacher Sheng gave them to me.”

 

“Oh, then let’s take them. By the way, brother, before you shower, come see which outfit you want to wear tomorrow. I brought three sets. We’ve been wearing program uniforms and team uniforms for over three months, and now that we’re finally out, we need to take tomorrow’s airport outfit seriously. Hong-jie specifically reminded me about this today…”

 

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Jiang Nan’an instinctively wanted to reply “just wear the team uniform,” but then belatedly realized that “Burning Eternity” had officially concluded tonight, and he was no longer a member of Class A or the Makeshift Troupe.

 

Jiang Nan’an lowered his eyes, feeling somewhat strange, and casually said:

 

“You choose.”

 

He wasn’t very good at picking clothes. Ever since a few years ago when he dressed himself for a flight and was mocked for his “ugly outfit” trending on hot searches, Qi Hong had not allowed him to freely exercise his aesthetic judgment. Since then, others had always coordinated outfits for him, and he wore whatever was given to him.

 

“Then let’s go with this beige coat. I think this set is most suitable!”

 

Jiang Nan’an acknowledged with a sound, not paying much attention. He was about to find some pajamas to change out of his alcohol-scented clothes when he noticed his phone screen light up on the bed, with the notification sound of a WeChat message.

 

He picked up the phone and looked, seeing it was a message from Jiang Shanshan.

 

Jiang Shanshan (Actor): Teacher Jiang! Are you asleep?

 

Jiang Nan’an: No, what’s up?

 

Jiang Shanshan (Actor): I just suddenly remembered that I’m almost finished with that “History of Xuan” you lent me. I feel like Teacher Jiang’s notes are so detailed-history class in high school was never this easy! So I wanted to ask if this is part of a set of books, and if you’ve finished reading the others, could you lend them to me too? I want to study intensively before joining the production!

 

Jiang Nan’an: Sure, I’ve finished them.

 

Jiang Shanshan (Actor): Great! Are you available now? I’ll come get them.

 

Jiang Nan’an: Yes, I’m available.

 

The contestants’ hotel rooms were all booked by the production team and were quite close together, just a few steps away.

 

Jiang Shanshan quickly sent a message saying she was outside the door, so Jiang Nan’an carried five thick history books out and handed them to her.

 

“Ah… thank you, Teacher Jiang. I’ll return them to you after I’ve read them and joined the production.” Jiang Shanshan smiled at him.

 

 

“Mm, no rush.”

 

“Then we’ll see each other after the New Year!”

 

“Okay.”

 

Jiang Shanshan left with the five books. Xiao Sun, crouching by the suitcase, heard the sound and looked back:

 

“Was that Teacher Shanshan?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“That’s great! I feel like you’ve made so many friends on this show, brother. Even better, you’ll continue working with Teacher Shanshan in your next drama. Oh, by the way, brother, I was chatting with Teacher Sheng’s assistant today and heard that Teacher Sheng went to audition for ‘Imperial Tutor’ a few days ago, for the Crown Prince role. If Teacher Sheng really gets confirmed, after the New Year, the three of you can hang out together. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Absolutely true!”

 

His phone rang again. Jiang Nan’an looked and saw it was a message in the Makeshift Troupe’s five-person group chat.

 

Jiang Shanshan said she had to leave early tomorrow morning, so she wanted to say goodnight and goodbye to everyone tonight.

 

His teammates were all still awake and responded to her one after another. Jiang Nan’an also added a “goodnight.” Just as he was about to turn off his phone and continue packing, he saw another private message pop up.

 

Yan Xiaochun: Goodnight to you too.

 

Yan Xiaochun: Sleep early.

 

–

 

At a roadside barbecue stall, Yan Jie had several cans of beer in front of him, sitting next to Fat Fish, whose face was flushed from drinking.

 

After the celebration feast dispersed, the two didn’t go their separate ways but instead went for a second round of drinks.

 

“You’re not going home at this hour? Won’t your wife pull your ears and beat you?” Yan Jie asked with a smile, looking at Fat Fish whose face was covered in chili oil from the skewers.

 

“Well, my wife went to the Maldives with her girlfriends to have fun. She doesn’t even remember me,” Fat Fish wiped his mouth.

 

“Besides, how long has it been since I had a good drink with my buddy? Accompanying my brother for a late-night chat is the right thing to do! She can’t control that!”

 

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Yan Jie applauded for him:

 

“Haven’t seen you in days, and our Fish has become tough.”

 

“Of course!” Fat Fish straightened his back, returning to the main topic:

 

“So what’s up with our Lord Spring? One drink wasn’t enough, and you had to drag someone out for a second round. Do you have something heartfelt to discuss with your brother?”

 

Yan Jie raised his hand to point at him, chuckling lightly:

 

“Ah, I’m troubled.”

 

“Troubled about what? Tell me so your brother can enjoy it.”

 

“Troubled because I seem to have fallen for someone.”

 

“Fallen for what?” Fat Fish looked at him vigilantly.

 

Yan Jie then pointed to the area of his heart:

 

“What else could I fall for? It seems that in a moment of carelessness, someone has pried open my heart.”

 

Hearing this, Fat Fish wasn’t very surprised, just pursed his lips with an ambiguous expression.

 

His reaction was clearly unexpected to Yan Jie:

 

“Hey? You’re not at all concerned about your buddy’s private life? Weren’t you eager to introduce me to someone before? Now that something’s happening, you’ve cooled off. Aren’t you even curious about who this heavenly beauty is?”

 

As it turned out, Fat Fish wasn’t uncurious.

 

He just let out a long, tired sigh:

 

“Do I need to guess? If college entrance exam questions were this simple, the person sitting in front of you now would be a top graduate from Tsinghua or Peking University.”

 

Fat Fish glanced at him and announced the answer for him:

 

“Jiang Nan’an, right?”

 

Yan Jie covered his face and laughed:

 

“You can tell? You’re getting better and better.”

 

“Please, do I need to look?”

 

Fat Fish didn’t even want to criticize him:

 

“We’ve been friends since we were in diapers. Don’t I know what you’re like? Look at how worthless you act in front of him! Whenever I see you, you’re always staring at him. Even when he doesn’t want to talk to you, you still smile and stick to him. Just now at the restaurant door when we were saying goodbye, I saw you practically wanting to glue your eyes to him, watching until he safely returned to his room before coming back! You’re a young master worth billions-can’t you be a bit more dignified and steady?”

 

After scolding Yan Jie, Fat Fish became a bit worried:

 

“But Yan Jie, you’re not serious, are you? No matter how good-looking Jiang Nan’an is, he’s still a man! A man!! Do you really want to be gay? Won’t your parents chase you out of the house with a broom?”

 

“I… don’t know,” he said, becoming melancholic again. Yan Jie took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, pulled one out, and lit it:

 

“Haven’t figured it out, not sure. Tsk, after all, it’s the first time I’ve encountered something like this. I’ve just noticed some signs-how could I understand and distinguish so quickly… Well, we’ll talk about parents later. If I really fall in love, what can I do? I’m thirty years old now. If I get kicked out, then I get kicked out. I’m not a sixteen or seventeen-year-old kid who can’t survive being thrown out of home. Could I let him down?”

 

“But he’s also a public figure. Which platform doesn’t show him with millions of fans? Can he mess around with you?”

 

“Listen to how you talk. Sigh, these are all uncertain matters. I really haven’t thought it through. I called you out just to chat with you, not to hear these cold remarks.”

 

“What can I chat with you about? I’ve never been gay.”

 

Fat Fish pouted:

 

“Really, Yan Jie, I think you’re just attracted to his face. Why don’t I introduce you to some girls prettier than him tomorrow? You’re such a looks-obsessed dog-maybe with someone better-looking, you won’t think about him anymore? Tsk… I’m not questioning your feelings, but to be honest, Jiang Nan’an may be good-looking, but his personality seems too strange. I find it exhausting watching you talk to him. He’s so cold when speaking and occasionally prickly-who can stand that? If it were me, I’d have rolled my eyes and left long ago. Only you can still smile and continue chatting with him.”

 

“Not really, I find it quite fun,”

 

Yan Jie took a drag of his cigarette:

 

“He just doesn’t know how to chat and doesn’t understand social niceties, so he says whatever he thinks. But it’s not that he doesn’t understand anything. If he realizes he’s said something wrong, he’ll seriously apologize. You don’t know, that prickly little manner…”

 

Thinking of something, Yan Jie narrowed his eyes, raised the corner of his lips revealing his canine tooth, and sighed with a hint of a smile:

 

“…especially cute.”

 

#

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)