YPHC Chapter 55

“So sudden, is this an important person?…”

 

Jiang Nan’an had never imagined that someone would say such things to him, let alone that the person saying these things would be Yan Jie.

 

Love, like-he knew these things objectively existed in the world, but he couldn’t understand them, couldn’t feel them, and never thought he would encounter such a predicament one day.

 

Every species in nature has mating behaviors, and humans are no exception.

 

Faced with someone’s advances, Jiang Nan’an would only reject them, and not in the kindest way. Most people would know to back off, but unfortunately, the person he encountered was Yan Jie.

 

For some reason, he felt a heaviness in his heart, not knowing where the discomfort was coming from or why he was feeling this way.

 

White, translucent mist carrying the faint scent of bath salts covered the entire bathroom. Jiang Nan’an leaned back in the bathtub, letting out a long breath, but the heaviness in his heart wasn’t reduced in the slightest.

 

He reached for his phone, opened a Q&A app, and aimlessly browsed for a while before typing a few keywords into the search box.

 

It seemed that love and romance were indeed among the most troubling issues for humanity; with just a few keywords, all kinds of related questions flooded the screen.

 

Jiang Nan’an browsed the questions aimlessly for a moment, then his gaze stopped on one particular question:

 

[How do you view unexpected confessions from people around you?]

 

Clicking on it, the top-voted answer was:

 

[Thanks for the invite. I’ve experienced this-I took it seriously, but then they told me they lost at Truth or Dare.]

 

[If you’re referring to a regular friend who suddenly confesses to you out of nowhere, either they have low emotional intelligence, or you’re oblivious. Of course, there’s another possibility: they want to hook up but don’t have a way to meet someone they’re attracted to, so they chose you based on proximity. Or maybe they think you’re easy to pursue, so they’re giving it a try. In any case, sister, remember to demystify men. Men are driven by their lower bodies. If you feel there’s no reason for him to like you and the confession seems out of nowhere, trust your instincts-he’s either after your money or your body. To put it bluntly, he either wants to be a kept man or wants to sleep with you. Just match accordingly.]

 

[What else is dating about? Either they feel a connection with your soul, or they’re lusting after your body. Take your pick.]

 

[When you’re liked or loved, you can feel it. Either they’re hiding it too well, or they don’t like you, or sister, you’re just not paying attention~]

 

“…”

 

There were all kinds of answers, leaving Jiang Nan’an completely confused.

 

Some of the answers were quite harsh, but he didn’t think Yan Jie would be like that. After all, Yan Jie didn’t lack money, was surrounded by all kinds of people, and was quite popular.

 

But why would someone like that like him?

 

There’s no such thing as kindness without reason or ulterior motive in this world, but he really couldn’t think of what value he had besides his face.

 

The more he thought about it, the more confused and frustrated he became.

 

Jiang Nan’an grabbed his wet hair, put his phone aside, then took a deep breath and submerged himself completely in the bathtub.

 

He heard the “glug-glug” sound of water flowing, and then the water isolated his hearing from the outside world, leaving only the slight muffled sound of water pressure at his ears.

 

How troublesome.

 

–

 

Yan Jie really did stay in Shanghai.

 

Jiang Nan’an didn’t know where he was staying and didn’t ask, just saw him coming and going in a red Ferrari every day.

 

At first, when Yan Jie came to the community, the security guards would call Jiang Nan’an to confirm before letting him in. But he came so often that within a few days, he became familiar to the security staff and could come and go as freely as a resident.

 

Yan Jie came to Jiang Nan’an’s home almost every day, not doing anything special-just cooking for him, making tea or coffee, being a quiet decoration while he read… things like that.

 

Jiang Nan’an thought no one would be foolish enough to be someone’s free housekeeper, and figured Yan Jie wouldn’t last more than a few days before getting bored and leaving, so he didn’t express any opinion on the matter.

 

Who would have thought that Yan Jie seemed determined to show his resolve and attitude, staying from the first day of the Lunar New Year until the end of the Spring Festival holiday. After getting his door code, he would arrive punctually every day to wake him up, make lunch and dinner, occasionally prepare some desserts, and then leave for his own home at night, never doing or saying anything unnecessary.

 

Jiang Nan’an almost wanted to pay him a salary, not understanding the purpose of his actions-it was as if he had found himself a job. But Yan Jie himself seemed to enjoy it.

 

After the Spring Festival holiday, the city returned to order. Citizens went back to work or school, and life became indistinguishable from any other ordinary day.

 

Jiang Nan’an woke up early that day. While washing up, his phone suddenly rang-it was a message from Yan Jie.

 

Yan Xiaochun: Mr. Hang, are you awake?

 

Jiang Nan’an glanced at it and casually replied with a “1.”

 

Then he heard his doorbell ring.

 

Yan Xiaochun: Please help me open the door.

 

“?” Jiang Nan’an frowned.

 

Didn’t Yan Jie have his house code? What was he up to now?

 

Puzzled, Jiang Nan’an walked to the door with his toothbrush in his mouth and opened it.

 

To his surprise, waiting outside the door wasn’t just Yan Jie.

 

There was also a white mop-like little dog in his arms.

 

Jiang Nan’an hesitantly examined this person and dog who had appeared out of nowhere:

 

“You…”

 

“Didn’t you say you liked it before? Look, I brought it here. Do you like it? If you like it, let it stay at your home to keep you company for a few days. If not, I’ll take it back.”

 

Yan Jie held the scruffy little dog in his arms, waving its paw at Jiang Nan’an:

 

“Come on, say hello to the big brother.”

 

The dog’s fur looked fluffy and soft, clearly well-groomed. Its eyes and nose were like three black beans, and it looked as perfect as a plush toy.

 

Jiang Nan’an let the man and dog enter first, then went to rinse his mouth and wash his face. Afterward, he sat on the sofa and stared at the little dog for a long time:

 

“Is this the one you keep at home?”

 

The little dog seemed to like him a lot, wagging its tail and trying to lie on his leg.

 

“Yes, it’s called Dunbu. Oh… that means ‘mop.'”

 

“…” The name was surprisingly fitting.

 

“Isn’t it at your home?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Beijing is so far from Shanghai, how did you bring it here?”

 

“Is it far? It’s okay. I had Fat Fish-my childhood friend, you’ve met him-escort it here.”

 

“By car?”

 

“By plane.”

 

“As cargo…?”

 

“No, it’s my mom’s beloved pet, how could we mistreat it? Private jet, it sat on the sofa, treated to good food and drink all the way.”

 

“.”

 

Jiang Nan’an felt something wasn’t simple, so he re-examined the little dog:

 

“What breed of dog is it?”

 

“Coton de Tulear.”

 

“?”

 

Jiang Nan’an silently moved his leg, letting Dunbu’s front paws fall to the ground:

 

“Take it back.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I can’t afford to replace it if something goes wrong.” Jiang Nan’an averted his gaze.

 

“It won’t come to that.” Yan Jie laughed:

 

“It’s quite robust, and its regular food and meat were sent along too. I’ll feed it and walk it. Its job is to keep you company and play with you. You just need to be happy.”

 

Jiang Nan’an’s eyes moved slightly as he looked at Yan Jie, then at little Dunbu sitting obediently at his feet, watching him.

 

After a long while, he struggled internally and tried to tentatively touch Dunbu. The dog got excited, recognizing the human’s friendly gesture, and eagerly wagged its tail, bringing its mouth closer.

 

He flinched instinctively and withdrew his hand.

 

“It doesn’t bite, it just wants to kiss you,” Yan Jie observed his movements:

 

“Try petting it boldly?”

 

Hearing Yan Jie say this, Jiang Nan’an curled his fingers, hesitated for a moment, then reached out to Dunbu again.

 

Dunbu brought its wet nose close again, and this time, Jiang Nan’an didn’t shy away.

 

He tentatively touched Dunbu’s soft fur, and the little dog affectionately licked his wrist with its tongue.

 

It was warm.

 

Jiang Nan’an and Dunbu quickly established a friendship. By the afternoon, Jiang Nan’an was reading on the lounge chair when Dunbu came over and sat beside him. Seeing how well-behaved it was, Jiang Nan’an simply picked it up and held it while reading.

 

Yan Jie sat to the side, watching the heartwarming scene, feeling that his decision to bring Dunbu in an attempt to gain favor through his “son” was truly the most correct decision of the century, bar none.

 

He held his coffee, feeling warm inside, then put down the cup and walked over to Jiang Nan’an, kneeling on one knee beside his lounge chair, reaching out to scratch Dunbu’s chin while asking:

 

“What would you like to eat tonight?”

 

“Anything, I’m not picky.”

 

“How about I stew some ribs? It’s cold today, eating some meat and drinking some soup will warm you up.”

 

“…No need to go to that trouble.”

 

“I want to, I enjoy the trouble.”

 

Yan Jie stood up:

 

“I don’t think we have ribs at home. I’ll go buy some and walk the dog while I’m at it. Come on, Dunbu, let’s go, dad will take you out to poop.”

 

Yan Jie took the little dog for a walk, bought some ribs and corn, planning to make a pot of rib and corn soup for Jiang Nan’an that evening.

 

But when he returned home with the groceries and the dog, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Jiang Nan’an dressed neatly, looking ready to go out.

 

“Oh,” Yan Jie looked at him, noting how good he looked:

 

“Going out, are you?”

 

“Yes, I’m sorry, I won’t be having dinner. Sorry for the trouble.” Jiang Nan’an said, putting on a beige coat.

 

“Do you have something to do? Where are you going? I can take you?”

 

“Mm, meeting someone. No need, Xiao Sun will pick me up soon.”

 

“Oh…” Yan Jie nodded, noting Jiang Nan’an’s hurried manner, feeling a bit sour inside:

 

“So sudden, is it someone important?”

 

Jiang Nan’an nodded, about to say something when his phone rang-it was Xiao Sun arriving.

 

He answered the phone, responded a few times, then put on his shoes and left, almost forgetting to say “goodbye” to Yan Jie.

 

Yan Jie looked at the door that had been mercilessly closed in front of him, and had to swallow the “who is it?” that he hadn’t managed to ask. He sighed, put the groceries aside, bent down to pick up Dunbu, and rubbed its head:

 

“Look, what a heartless person, in the blink of an eye it’s just the two of us left-”

 

Meanwhile, Xiao Sun was already waiting downstairs. Seeing Jiang Nan’an, he hurriedly opened the car door for him:

 

“Sorry, brother, for the sudden arrangement without telling you in advance. Mainly, Director Zhang suddenly had the idea of inviting us to dinner. It seems that Teacher Sheng and Teacher Shanshan are both in Shanghai right now, and since the project is about to start, he wants to gather the main cast to talk…”

 

“It’s fine.” Jiang Nan’an got into the car, accepting the hot coffee Xiao Sun handed him:

 

“Is Hong-jie not here?”

 

“Hong-jie is off today, coming from home. We’ll meet her at the restaurant.”

 

“Good.”

 

The cast of “Imperial Tutor” had finally been officially confirmed before the Spring Festival. The three main actors were set: Jiang Nan’an as Zhuge Wenyun, Sheng Yujia as Crown Prince Ying Shi, and Jiang Shanshan as Princess Shen Yue.

 

Today’s dinner was indeed a sudden idea from Director Zhang. He happened to be in Shanghai handling some business, and upon asking, discovered that all the young lead actors for his next drama were in town. So he invited everyone out for a casual meal to discuss the script and upcoming arrangements.

 

Director Zhang had reserved a table at a famous local Shanghai cuisine restaurant. Jiang Nan’an and Qi Hong were the last to arrive. After entering, he adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses he hadn’t worn in a long time, and following Qi Hong’s lead, shook hands with the other guests in turn:

 

“I’m sorry we’re late.”

 

“Not at all, not at all, we just arrived ourselves.”

 

Director Zhang smiled and gestured for him to take a seat.

 

There weren’t many people in the private room, just Director Zhang, “Imperial Tutor” producer Teacher Fang, Jiang Shanshan, Sheng Yujia, and their respective agents.

 

“I was just chatting with Old Fang today, saying that the casting for our drama is ideal. I originally called everyone here to get acquainted and familiar with each other, but Old Fang just reminded me that the three of you recently came from the same variety show and already have a good relationship?” Director Zhang asked kindly.

 

“Yes, I was teammates with Teacher Jiang, and Teacher Sheng was Jiang’s roommate. As for our relationship, Director, you don’t need to worry-we get along extremely well!” Jiang Shanshan answered with a smile.

 

“That’s wonderful, it’s fate indeed.” Director Zhang nodded with satisfaction:

 

“I have complete confidence in the professional abilities of you three. I can say with my hand on my heart that among the new generation of good actors, after careful selection, the three of you stand out in all aspects. The role of Ying Shi is particularly suitable for Xiao Sheng, I’m also very confident in Shanshan’s Princess Shen Yue, and Nan’an needs no mention, but there is one issue…”

 

As the topic suddenly turned to him, Jiang Nan’an was taken aback: “What is it?”

 

“Don’t be nervous.” Director Zhang couldn’t help but smile:

 

“Your acting is excellent, everyone knows that. But when we first discussed this drama last year, I mentioned that the character of Zhuge Wenyun might be a new challenge for you, such as an important subplot in the drama-his romantic storyline with Ying Shen Yue. So I’m curious, Nan’an, have you ever been in a relationship?”

 

After a pause, Director Zhang continued:

 

“Or… have you ever liked someone?”

 

#

---

 

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)