Xiao Yi went back and spoke about this matter, and Lu Zhou replied:, "Forget it, anyway, we're not short of money."

Xiao Yi still felt a little angry. When he went to the company today, he was mocked behind his back by Wu Henggu's agent again. Now that Lu Zhou was back, Wu Henggu's position as the top brother was in jeopardy. Last year, he took on a movie, but the box office was just average, unable to surpass Zheng Xiaocong. This year, Lu Zhou was making a comeback, and Wu Henggu was instantly nervous, afraid that Lu Zhou would snatch his TV series.

Xiao Yi said, "Let me go ask about the situation once more."

The next day, Xiao Yi went to the company again, but there was still no news. Du Mei said, "How about doing a TV series?"

Xiao Yi uttered, "Forget it, forget it."

Wu Henggu came in. Now he also had the authority to directly enter and exit the office. Upon entering and seeing Xiao Yi, he instinctively wanted to leave, but then realized that he was also a top brother now, or a quasi-top brother, so he smiled at Xiao Yi as if basking in the spring breeze.

"Brother Xiao Yi."

"Ah." Xiao Yi smiled, moved over, and said, "Take a seat."

Du Mei said, "You take a look first, Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi took the script of the TV series. Acting in a TV series brings in money quickly. Although Lu Zhou was not short of money for meals, his winery had been draining his funds like a bottomless pit. Every now and then, they called asking for millions. Lu Zhou said he would take Xiao Yi to the winery when he's free, but they never got the chance.

After reading the script for a while, Xiao Yi answered a phone call. It was from a charity fund manager that Lu Zhou and a partner had agreed to meet this year, needing a sum of money.

"Okay, how much?" Xiao Yi got up and went to the corridor to take the call, saying, "Any events coming up soon?"

Lu Zhou had already agreed, and Xiao Yi added, "We need to schedule the charity advertisement, we'll confirm the timing with you later. Yes, we can't go to Sichuan, he's been very busy lately."

Wu Henggu's agent came in. After listening to the phone call, he said, "Lu Zhou has been busy lately?"

That statement was a bit impolite. Xiao Yi smiled and confirmed, "Yes, that's right."

"Take good care of yourself." The agent said, "Don't shoot too strenuous movies, you're getting older and can't afford to tire yourself out."

"Thank you." Xiao Yi replied, "Anything else you'd like to instruct?"

The agent smiled and patted Xiao Yi's shoulder, adding, "The younger generation will surpass the older generation eventually. Go back and tell Lu Zhou to stop when he's doing well, go home, and retire."

"Your family's Wu Henggu." Xiao Yi smiled and approached him, saying, "One day, it will be the same for you. In the future, there will also be junior agents telling you, 'The younger generation surpasses the older one, it's time for Wu Henggu to retire.' When that time comes, make sure to control yourself well and don't slap him."

"We'll see." The agent whispered.

Wu Henggu came out.

Xiao Yi looked at him, then at the agent, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said, "That's just how I am, straightforward. If I've offended you in any way, feel free to hit me."

The agent: "..."

Xiao Yi went back to the office and said, "Director Du, I've thought about it, let's stick with the movie. We'll invest ourselves. I'll go back and discuss with Zhou Ge, and if it doesn't work out, we'll change the investor."

"Lu Zhou's salary is too high." Du Mei had a headache, saying, "A ten million salary, and the problem is that his last hit was a supporting role, which flopped. I hope you won't be angry when I say this..."

"I won't." Xiao Yi smiled and continued, "He's not even angry when you say he flopped. He even called Zheng Xiaocong himself and said he brought him bad luck."

Du Mei burst into laughter and said, "You've really got him figured out."

Xiao Yi thought for a moment and mentioned, "Or let's stick with ten million, five million for the salary, and another five million included in the profit sharing."

Du Mei said, "Let me ask now, wait a moment."

Xiao Yi thought that Lu Zhou's salary was indeed too high. They had discussed this with Lu Zhou yesterday, but the problem was that Lu Zhou wasn't currently producing anything. The two of them lived together now, maintaining a car and a standalone villa, spending millions every year. Watching their assets slowly diminish made Xiao Yi feel a little uneasy.

After getting used to a lifestyle of earning millions annually for a year, it was impossible to downgrade. Although Lu Zhou said he didn't care, he couldn't just sell his car for hundreds of thousands, otherwise, the media would find out. Lu Zhou himself hoped to shoot more movies, killing two birds with one stone.

‘Marriage proposal’ was currently the most suitable for him, and it fited the transition route that Du Mei had designed for him.

Du Mei made the call and said, "They accepted, are you still investing?"

"Five million funds." Xiao Yi confirmed, "Including his salary share, a total of ten million."

Du Mei nodded happily and told him, "Lu Zhou is indeed more generous than me. I was still hesitating yesterday."

Xiao Yi said, "I'll go back and talk to him, let's sign the contract in a few days."

Du Mei thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Yi, this... if it were Lu Zhou, I wouldn't mention it. This is just between you and me. Yesterday, Wu Henggu's agent fought hard with me for this role."

Xiao Yi: "..."

Xiao Yi thought to himself, no wonder everyone is pushing this onto me. The male lead is very good indeed, both tender and gentlemanly, full of courtesy. Actually, if we're talking about the first choice, Li Changzheng is the first choice, because Li Changzheng is the 'uke'... Lu Zhou is the 'seme', well, the 'seme' will do.

But if Lu Zhou performed well in this role, when it would air next Valentine's Day, he should be able to overshadow everyone. With a good director plus a famous scriptwriter, it was impossible for it to flop.

"I understand," Xiao Yi nodded.

Xiao Yi went back and told Lu Zhou about the plan to invest funds and asked him to wait a few days for further notice to sign the contract. Xiao Yi was now very familiar with this process. Lu Zhou's money went through him. It had been over two years since Lu Zhou slipped from the pinnacle of entertainment. During these two years, their daily expenses have not been high, but various investments had caused a significant deficit. Including the investment in this movie, as well as investments in the winery and charity projects, they had almost spent twenty million of Lu Zhou's assets. The only income they had was the over two million salary from leading roles.

Twenty million is not a small amount of money. Although Lu Zhou had planned an exit strategy, if he still couldn't make it big at the box office next year, he would pack up and prepare to rely on Xiao Yi to make a living.

Recently, there had been many people asking Xiao Yi to write songs. Even Du Ma, who hadn't been in contact for a long time, called him.

"I was afraid you'd cause some conflict again," Du Ma said. "I didn't dare to call you."

Xiao Yi had apologized to Du Ma several times for rejecting Li Changzheng before. Every time Du Ma smiled and said it was okay, business is business, and they can still cooperate in the future.

Until Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou left the company and set up their own business, and now they had returned, Du Ma said, "It's good that you're back. Does Lu Zhou have any plans recently? Li Changzheng mentioned the impact last time. He's still very regretful about missing out on this movie."

Xiao Yi said, "It flopped, alas, good movies aren't being watched."

Du Ma answered, "I guess the producers and supervisors don't care either."

"Indeed, they don't care," Xiao Yi said with a wry smile.

Du Ma added, "Li Changzheng has a movie and wants to hire someone reliable to write some songs. Are you interested?"

Xiao Yi replied, "I'll consider it."

"By the way," Du Ma continued, "there's something I need to remind you of."

"What?" Xiao Yi asked. He had a premonition that Du Ma must have something to say when he called, but it seemed like Du Ma was considering something on his end.

"Wu Henggu's agent," Du Ma said, "and Zhang Xinran's agent, want to join forces to deal with you two."

"No way," Xiao Yi instinctively thought of that 'See you on Monday'. Du Ma explained, "You snatched Wu Henggu's role, and he hates you now. Be careful when you and Lu Zhou are together, don't let anyone expose it."

"Okay," Xiao Yi considered how to tell Lu Zhou about this, and replied, "Thank you, thank you."

Du Ma replied, "You're welcome. It was Li Changzheng who asked me to tell you. I didn't know about this at first. Qizhen and Chang Shiqing also wanted to persuade Li Ge to deal with Lu Zhou, but he laughed it off and avoided it."

Xiao Yi repeatedly thanked him, hung up the phone, and thought it was close. After telling Lu Zhou, Lu Zhou sneered, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't.

Xiao Yi said, " Should I write songs for Li Changzheng?"

"No," Lu Zhou said without thinking, "It's a matter of giving a heads up. This is what he should do. He owes us big time."

Xiao Yi made a sound of acknowledgment and said, "Then let's try to stay indoors as much as possible during this time to avoid being photographed by paparazzi. I don't want to be on the headlines of entertainment news every Monday."

Lu Zhou mentioned, "Du Mei can handle it. Don't worry. Li Changzheng's side also needs someone to suppress us. Going to Xinguang Tian Di in broad daylight won't reveal anything. What are you afraid of? I saved his life once and almost sacrificed myself."

"Okay," Xiao Yi answered.

"By the way," Lu Zhou glanced at Xiao Yi sideways.

"What?" Xiao Yi asked.

Lu Zhou: "Forget it."

Xiao Yi: "???"

Lu Zhou hummed and sang while focusing on his iPad.

Xiao Yi: "What is it! Come on, man! I'm dying of curiosity! Mwah mwah!"

Lu Zhou: "............"

"If you say those words again," Lu Zhou said, "I'll... I'll..."

"Leave me," Xiao Yi said earnestly.

Lu Zhou replied, "Right! Yes."

"Is there any good news?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Not really," Lu Zhou said. "Seeing how eager you are to know, I'll tell you. It's about getting married. I've made the arrangements."

Xiao Yi asked, "Are we emigrating?"

"No need, just a destination wedding, it doesn't matter," Lu Zhou explained.

Xiao Yi's heart immediately blossomed with joy. Lu Zhou continued, "But it's not certain. I'll tell you, try to perform better."

Xiao Yi: "Yes, yes, I will definitely strive to perform well! When?"

Lu Zhou told him, "There's another event to attend. Let's go after the meeting in Hangzhou."

"What?" Xiao Yi said, still not reacting, and added, "What event? There haven't been any recent activities."

"It may not go smoothly," Lu Zhou answered, "If it doesn't go well, we won't get married."

Xiao Yi: "???"

Lu Zhou, focused on his iPad, casually said, "The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival." (NT: an annual film festival)

Xiao Yi: "............"

Lu Zhou: "Hey, I've already said I don't want to go, but they insisted on nominating me."

"Nominating you for what?" Xiao Yi's heart almost stopped beating.

Lu Zhou threw the iPad aside and said, "It's for the Best Actor award and Best Music award. The rest isn't our concern... Hey! Wife! Don't scare me!"

Xiao Yi fainted.

*

After recovering, Xiao Yi checked the nominations: Li Changzheng ‘Son of Huainan’, Hu Yang ‘Flying Eagle’, Zheng Xiaocong ‘Too Late to Say Goodbye ‘ and Lu Zhou's  ‘Qin Mountains’. Zheng Xiaocong  and Li Changzheng were the two big actors competing, and Hu Yang was the most pitiful. However, it was very likely that Hu Yang would also win because of the box office performance of ‘Qin Mountains’.

Lu Zhou accepted the nomination and joined the crew for the shoot. This film had a relatively short production cycle and was filmed in Tianjin, featuring the former concessions and docks, which had a unique charm. After Xiao Yi joined the crew, he spent his days eating and drinking comfortably, with no hardships.

Compared to before, Lu Zhou now seemed more masculine. His eyes were deep, no longer like the handsome young idol. This transformation marked his transition from idol-level celebrity to a fully-fledged actor. This time, Xiao Yi chose the harmonica, which best suited the protagonist, Huang Dawei.

In the evening, when there was no filming, Lu Zhou and Xiao Yi would stroll on the dock. Xiao Yi would sit on a bench and watch the sunset while playing the harmonica for Lu Zhou. Lu Zhou, like a gentle giant, would lean on Xiao Yi's shoulder on a summer evening, wearing sunglasses, lost in thought, experiencing the character's mood.

In late October, when the autumn colours were in full swing, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival opened in Hangzhou for four days. Due to filming, Lu Zhou had to rearrange his schedule. Xiao Yi left his assistants on the set and booked tickets that day, flying to Hangzhou with Lu Zhou.

Until the last moment before boarding the plane, they still didn't know who would win the awards. The awards ceremony was tightly managed, and the committee experts were reluctant to disclose any information. After inquiring multiple times, Du Mei finally received a vague answer: Lu Zhou's presence would suffice.

Du Mei inquired further, and the committee said the same thing about the other three nominees. She was furious. Wu Henggu also had a supporting role nominated, but supporting roles didn't have much impact.

Regardless of winning or not, with such a gathering of stars, producers, and big bosses from all over, Lu Zhou needed to socialize with them if he wanted to make it in the film industry. Even if they ended up sitting on the backburner throughout the awards ceremony, they accepted it.

After getting off the plane, Xiao Yi went to pick up the car, and the receptionist handed the car keys to Xiao Yi, as they waited at the airport for Wu Henggu.

"We still have four hours," Lu Zhou said, "plenty of time, don't panic."

"We still need to do makeup!" Xiao Yi cried out, "And change clothes!"

"Just one hour is enough..." Lu Zhou reassured.

However, Xiao Yi's car got stuck in traffic on the highway into Hangzhou.

Xiao Yi: "......"

Lu Zhou: "......"

"How much longer?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Two and a half hours," Xiao Yi replied.

They had been stuck in traffic for almost an hour and a half. Lu Zhou said, "Forget it, let's turn back. Let's not go. I'll take you to Lingyin Temple to pray." (NT: or temple of the Soul’s retreat, one of the largest Buddhist temples in China)

"But we can't turn back now," Xiao Yi glanced back.

Lu Zhou had no choice but to wait. Xiao Yi opened his phone, placed it on the car charger, and Lu Zhou scrolled through it a few times, seeing that Hu Yang had the highest votes and the most vocal support for the Best Actor award.

"I'm not going," Lu Zhou said, "Filming should make me happy. Box office and awards, it's not that meaningful."

"You'll definitely make it," Xiao Yi said.

"No." Lu Zhou glanced at him and said, "Do you know why there's such a high demand for Hu Yang?"

Xiao Yi said, "Why?"

Lu Zhou replied, "His agent already got inside information. Hu Yang will definitely win the Best Actor award this time. Look at the recent online discussions and promotions. It's all orchestrated by his agency to hype him up."

"It's not for sure," Xiao Yi said. "The results haven't been announced yet, and Du Ma hasn't said anything. What if Hu Yang's side misunderstood?"

"His dad is in the government," Lu Zhou said. "What's so difficult about finding out about an award?"

Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou were stuck in the car, both silent. Xiao Yi said, "I remember watching you when you were first nominated for the Hundred Flowers Awards. Back then, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards hadn't merged yet."

Lu Zhou thought for a moment and said, "This is the second time I've been nominated for Best Actor in a film."

"Yeah," Xiao Yi said, "I remember last time you thought you'd win, but you didn't. You just stormed off without letting the journalists take pictures."

"Someone's out to get me," Lu Zhou said. "Back then, I really thought it was me. During that time, I was arrogant and thought I was invincible. I flattered Zheng Xiaocong and belittled Li Changzheng, had no friends around me. And not you."

Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou looked at each other. Lu Zhou thought for a moment and added, "But now, it doesn't really matter. We've finally come to Hangzhou. Let's just go eat and have some fun."

Lu Zhou smiled, and Xiao Yi said, "Actually, I don't really care whether I win the Best Music award or not, but I want to go. It's been so long since I've seen Sister Yaqing and Brother Xiaocong. And Du Ma will be there too."

Lu Zhou didn't say anything. Xiao Yi continued, "If you really don't care, then you should go. If Hu Yang wins, congratulate him. Isn't that good? Besides, I have a feeling that maybe, just maybe, you might win Best Actor."

"Okay," Lu Zhou nodded. "Let's go."

"We can't," Xiao Yi said helplessly. "Traffic jam."

Lu Zhou: "..."

Suddenly, they burst into laughter. Xiao Yi wiped his tears as he laughed, and Lu Zhou hugged him, leaning over to kiss his lips.

"Life is like a drama," Lu Zhou smiled. "And a drama is like life. You never know what will happen next. Just like twelve years ago, when I was first nominated, I never imagined that now, I'd be nominated for the second time, sitting here, stuck in traffic with my lover."

"Let's go," Xiao Yi shifted gears. "We can move now."

The traffic crawled like turtles, and they had been on the road for two hours. Finally, they arrived at their destination. Xiao Yi parked the car outside the back door and said, "You go first, I'll park the car in the garage and find Du Ma. I'll meet you later."

"Are you hungry?" Lu Zhou asked. "If you are, go find something to eat first and bring some snacks."

It's not advisable to eat after putting on makeup, but they had only eaten a little on the plane. Xiao Yi drove into the garage, but the security said it was full inside and gave him a ticket to park in a nearby building.

Xiao Yi had to find his way using the map. It was already dark, and everyone had crowded outside the main venue in Hangzhou. He drove into the garage, noticing many people coming down from the emergency exits, so he avoided them.

As he thought about Lu Zhou, he suddenly felt less eager to go. When he imagined Lu Zhou sitting at his seat, feeling upset when Hu Yang won the award, he didn't want to put him through that.

When he got out of the car, a person walked towards him. Xiao Yi held the car keys and froze for three seconds.

The person raised his hand and punched Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi shouted, hit by the blow and stumbled against the car door. Then, five or six people rushed over. Before Xiao Yi could realize what was happening, he was kicked again. The kick landed in his stomach, causing him to convulse in pain.

Betrayed! Damn it! Xiao Yi's first thought was to run. In just two seconds, he took a step forward, only to be kicked again from behind. He crashed to the ground.

"Ahh!" Xiao Yi roared with anger, turned around, and fiercely attacked the person who rushed at him with a water pipe. He punched the person relentlessly, not knowing how many punches he threw. He just kept hitting the person's face. Then, he felt a hit on the back of his head. He felt like he was going to be beaten to death. He vomited, then turned and started to flee.

"Lu Zhou! Lu Zhou!" Xiao Yi yelled frantically. The group caught up from behind. In less than half a minute, Xiao Yi ran solely on willpower. He knew that as long as he ran out of the building, he would survive. Otherwise, with the beating from these people, he would surely be killed.

If he died here, Lu Zhou would go insane!

Xiao Yi ran with all his might, his whole body in pain. As he approached the entrance of the garage, a car came in. The headlights shone on Xiao Yi's face. Xiao Yi immediately covered his eyes and dodged to the side. The group caught up, and Xiao Yi thought it was all over.

But the car door was pushed open, and a furious roar sounded. Lu Zhou was here!

Xiao Yi didn't have time to wonder how Lu Zhou found them here. The person behind him was about to smash Xiao Yi's head with a steel pipe when Lu Zhou roared angrily. He grabbed the person's waist and rammed him with his shoulder, sending him crashing into another car, causing a loud noise.

Car alarms blared everywhere. Lu Zhou dragged Xiao Yi with one hand and pulled him into the car. With a click, Lu Zhou locked the car door. Xiao Yi leaned against the window, gasping for air. He saw another man getting out of the car, putting away a remote control, taking off his sunglasses and tossing them aside. It was Zheng Xiaocong in a suit. With consecutive kicks, he sent the attacker flying.

Lu Zhou's sunglasses were nowhere to be found. He rushed forward, picked up a water pipe, and let out a roar, hitting the approaching man in the face, causing blood to splatter.

"Let's go!" Zheng Xiaocong stepped forward to drag Lu Zhou back.

The group of five or six people, beaten by Lu Zhou, lay on the ground. Lu Zhou retreated to the front of the car. Zheng Xiaocong used the remote control to open the car door, and the two quickly got in. Lu Zhou gripped the steering wheel, stepped on the gas pedal, and the car emitted a piercing sound as it charged towards the group of people.

Zheng Xiaocong angrily shouted, "Stop!"

The group, along with their injured companion, fled along the emergency exit. Lu Zhou was furious. He gasped as he gripped the steering wheel, then punched the front seat.

"Let's go!" Zheng Xiaocong ordered. "What are you freaking out about!"

Lu Zhou had no choice but to turn around. Zheng Xiaocong leaned from the backseat to look at Xiao Yi, who had swollen eyes, scratches on his face, and blood under his ears.

"I'm fine," Xiao Yi said.

"Did you get hit in the head?" Zheng Xiaocong asked coldly.

"No," Xiao Yi replied.

"Go back and put a warm egg on it," Zheng Xiaocong leaned back in his seat, adopting a big brother demeanour. "A real man eats when he's hurt. Once you're used to getting beaten up, it'll be fine."

Tears welled up in Lu Zhou's eyes as he looked at Xiao Yi, resembling a saddened child.

"Don't cry," Zheng Xiaocong said. "Are you even a man?"

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi burst into laughter and said, "How did you guys find me?"

Zheng Xiaocong said, "We've been looking for you forever. I thought you might have stopped here."

Lu Zhou said, "Let's go to the hospital."

"To the hospital!" Xiao Yi and Zheng Xiaocong said in unison.

Xiao Yi burst into laughter again. Zheng Xiaocong said, "Let's go to the venue! After the award ceremony, I'll call Qizhong and your company's Chang Shiqing out and have a talk. Let's see if they dare!"

Lu Zhou drove the car to the venue entrance. Zheng Xiaocong's assistant was still waiting there. A group of reporters noticed them and approached to take photos. Zheng Xiaocong threw a hat to Xiao Yi, saying, "Put on the hat, Xiao Yi, don't say anything. Cover your face a bit and just walk in."

Xiao Yi wiped his face with a wet tissue, lowered the brim of the hat, leaned against Lu Zhou's shoulder, and turned his face slightly. Under Lu Zhou's cover, he smiled at the reporters.

The flashlights went crazy as they entered the venue. Du Ma hurried over to escort them to the dressing room.

"I just heard the news," Du Mei said. "Hu Yang won the Best Actor, and Ning Yaqing won the Best Actress. But there's some good news. We won the Best Music award, and after discussing with Director Chai, we decided to let Xiao Yi represent the music team..."

Lu Zhou didn't say a word, his face extremely ugly. Du Mei was startled and asked, "What happened? What's going on?!"

Another guy came over and said, "Let me take a look."

Xiao Yi let him see. Recognizing the voice as Di Le, he fetched some medicine and applied it to Xiao Yi's wounds. After a while, everyone left the company's lounge, leaving only Di Le behind. Di Le handed the medicine to Lu Zhou.

With tears in his eyes, Lu Zhou carefully applied the medicine to Xiao Yi's face.

"I was so careless," Xiao Yi said apologetically. "I'm sorry..."

Lu Zhou hugged Xiao Yi, choked up, and then hugged him tightly, stroking his hair. Xiao Yi smiled and said, "The Best Music award, huh."

"Liyuan told me," Lu Zhou choked up. "When I heard the news, I was ecstatic, so I... couldn't stay still. I wanted to find you, make you happy. I didn't expect... I didn't expect..."

"You go up and accept it for me," Xiao Yi said softly. "I won't attend. You go."

There was a knock on the door. Du Mei came in, followed by Director Chai.

Neither of them said anything. Director Chai thought for a moment and said, "How about Little Lu goes up on stage?"

Du Mei said, " Di Le has prepared a script for you. When the time comes, Lu Zhou, you'll go up and accept the award on Xiao Yi's behalf."

 

Translator : DarNan