CH 26

Twin Fish [Translator]13-16 minutes

The electric foot bath machine that Liang Yu bought had arrived two days ago. They just so happened to open the package today. Xu Jingzhe used it that night. Xu Jingzhe was not too keen on soaking his feet. However, Liang Yu insisted, so he had no choice but to play along.

“How’s the temperature?” Liang Yu squatted next to the foot bath and fiddled with the settings. “Is it too hot?” uRYNjG

Xu Jingzhe said, “It’s alright.” He was rearranging his pant legs. He wasn’t very satisfied no matter how he rolled them up, so he was a little irritated.

Liang Yu: “All you need to do is roll them up so they don’t get wet. What more do you want?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Xu Jingzhe: “I wanted to take a photo, but it just doesn’t look good no matter how I do it.”

“…” Liang Yu couldn’t take him anymore. “It’s just a foot bath. Who cares if it looks good or not?” duwSOp

In the end, Xu Jingzhe threw a towel over his knees, covering up the pant legs that would not roll up right. However, after going through all of that, he was no longer in the mood for a photo, so he simply sat on the sofa and began to read through his script.

Liang Yu had been discussing an extension for the holiday film’s screenings for the past few days. If everything went as planned, their box office profits would probably exceed five billion yuan. Xu Jingzhe had actually calculated the distribution. Liang Yu didn’t just take on a value adjustment mechanism. He also invested a lot of his own money into the film. Furthermore, he was named as one of the producers, so he was sure to get a substantial payout in the end.

Frankly, there was always bound to be a bit of rivalry between actors, from popularity to awards to box office returns, and Xu Jingzhe was not immune to it all. He was a little distracted while he was reading the script. His mind was full of money, money, money. He was thinking about just how much money did the other need and why did he like to make money so much.

There were probably a lot of people on the crew who were just as concerned about the holiday film’s box office returns as Xu Jingzhe. On the next day, wherever they ran into someone, the first thing they would do was offer their congratulations to Liang Yu.

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Xiao Luo had been well-prepared for this. She handed out red envelopes to everyone on the set, including the people that delivered their boxed lunches. Jiang Xiao even managed to receive an extra red envelope that night during his practice session with Xu Jingzhe.

Jiang Xiao was now right under Liang Yu’s nose. He was actually more nervous now than he was in front of the camera. As he practiced his lines with Xu Jingzhe, Xu Jingzhe would point out a few problems in his performance from time to time. Jiang Xiao would then look to Liang Yu for his reaction.

“Xiao Jiang.” Xu Jingzhe helplessly reminded him, “Don’t look at Liang Yu. Focus.”

Jiang Xiao awkwardly replied, “Yes. I’m sorry.” sZ5toa

Xu Jingzhe sighed. He felt that Liang Yu’s initial performance had left too much of an impact on Jiang Xiao. Jiang Xiao kept trying to emulate Liang Yu’s image. However, the two of them were different not just in appearance but in temperament as well. Jiang Xiao tried to paint a tiger but was left with a dog. He could only portray a poor imitation.

However, Xu Jingzhe managed to come up with a solution in the end. His solution was to get Liang Yu to help once more. Liang Yu would first go through the lines with Xu Jingzhe. Jiang Xiao would learn from them. Afterwards, Liang Yu would personally pick out any flaws for Jiang Xiao.

By the time they were halfway through their lines, Xu Jingzhe couldn’t help but joke, “I’m going to have to pay you a salary for this, aren’t I?”

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Jiang Xiao had never seen Xu Jingzhe smiling like this before. It was a bit dazzling to be honest.

He’d seen a lot of good-looking boys and girls during his time in school, and there had been many people in his school who were contentious topics of discussion. However, the actor that his teachers and professors brought up the most was almost always Xu Jingzhe.

It was just as Director Liu said. Xu Jingzhe was fragile, solitary. It wasn’t something that he meant to show others. Rather, it was something that he carried in his temperament. dVcLAJ

He didn’t have the youthful feeling of a young boy, and he didn’t have the greasiness of an older man. He was always like the first hop poured from a fermentation of single malt whisky, clean and fragrant.

Jiang Xiao found that Liang Yu’s eyes were almost always on Xu Jingzhe. The two of them had been idly chatting with each other. Frankly, the content of their conversation wasn’t anything of note, and they spoke as though no one else was in the room. Still, Xu Jingzhe would laugh, very relaxed and at ease, which was rare for him if he wasn’t filming. Jiang Xiao observed them for a while and suddenly found himself feeling a little envious. He sighed. “You two have such a good relationship.”

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Liang Yu was currently writing something in Xu Jingzhe’s script. When he heard this, he raised his head. Xu Jingzhe’s head was very close to his. When they leaned into each other like this, they appeared very intimate.

Jiang Xiao looked as though he’d finally seen the light. “When it was announced that the two of you have been dating for more than three years, a lot of us didn’t believe it. Now, it seems that the paparazzi must have lost their edge.” 3DOWVj

“…” Xu Jingzhe could only keep silent and continue to smile.

Liang Yu’s focus was on something else. He frowned and unhappily asked, “Why do so many people not believe it?”

Jiang Xiao: “Well, the timing was a little too coincidental. The two of you suddenly announced your relationship after that scandal. The two of you clearly hadn’t had anything to do with each other before…” He seemed a little embarrassed as he said this. He hurriedly explained, “I don’t think like that now of course! You guys clearly have a very strong relationship! In my opinion, the two of you make a really good match! You’re like an old bickering couple!”

As if to prove what Jiang Xiao had said was true, Zhang Man suddenly called Xu Jingzhe two days before his birthday. She typically didn’t call him while he was working unless there was an important decision that needed to be made or something major had occurred. As an agent, she naturally needed to ask after her cash cow first. She asked him how he was, how the food was, how the accommodations were. It was only once he had finished speaking that she finally got to the point. oYWjQK

“I think the engagement can be moved up the schedule. What do you think?”

Xu Jingzhe thought of what Jiang Xiao had said. He was silent for a while before asking, “Is something wrong?”

Zhang Man: “Not exactly. Things have pretty much settled by now. Those that need to be caught have been caught, and those that need to be banned have been banned. However, I’m sure you’re also aware of this, but you two were not the only celebrities to whitewash yourselves in this way. It looks like the other couples are going to make a move. Should we make a move as well?”

Xu Jingzhe felt a little uncomfortable. “We’re not whitewashing ourselves. We didn’t do anything wrong to begin with. What would we need to whitewash ourselves for?” vNm921

Zhang Man reassured him, “In that case, wouldn’t it make even more sense to get the engagement over with sooner so as to prevent people from talking?”

Xu Jingzhe wasn’t actually opposed to the engagement. He was more worried about Liang Yu’s side of things. “Have you discussed it with Yang Jierui?”

Zhang Man: “I’ll only be able to discuss it with them once you agree. I’ve already thought about it a bit. Your birthday just so happens to be the day after tomorrow. Liang Yu will propose to you then and there. When the time comes, we can vlog it. Wouldn’t it be a happy occasion?”

Zhang Man said that it was a happy occasion. As for whether it was actually a happy occasion or not, Xu Jingzhe couldn’t say. Liang Yu didn’t express having any plans even up until the day of his birthday. He didn’t say anything, and Xu Jingzhe was too embarrassed to just ask him. It would seem as though he was the only one in a rush to get married. OlDmpn

During filming that morning, Xu Jingzhe was clearly a little distracted. While he was resting, he couldn’t help but let his mind run wild. He thought that Yang Jierui’s team hadn’t agreed to the engagement and Zhang Man was too embarrassed to call him. This made him a little more awkward when he faced Liang Yu.

Fortunately, the entire film crew was very active in celebrating his birthday.

Director Liu ordered a cake for Xu Jingzhe. Luo Yaoye also ordered a cake for Xu Jingzhe. After filming that evening, everyone gathered at the homestay, turned off the lights, lit the candles, and even sang happy birthday.

Xu Jingzhe was pushed to the middle. He wore a “crown” on his head and was waiting for the cake to be pushed to him. RBlgvd

There was also an abundance of flowers at the scene. Xu Jingzhe couldn’t even hold them all in his arms. He said with a smile: “Isn’t this a bit much?”

Luo Yaoye: “Is this too much for you already? We haven’t even gotten you your presents yet.”

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Xu Jingzhe was a little surprised. “You guys got me gifts?”

Luo Yaoye mysteriously responded, “We didn’t just get you a birthday present.” z2EixW

Xu Jingzhe: “?”

Zhu Xiaoxiao kept in mind the task that Zhang Man had assigned to her. She needed to film Xu Jingzhe’s birthday vlog. She raised her cell phone and slowly swept the camera across each and every person’s face. The first two cakes were brought in by the staff, but the last cake was personally carried in by Liang Yu. Xu Jingzhe just so happened to look up the moment Liang Yu was in front of him.

Zhu Xiaoxiao captured the two of them looking at each other on camera. She suddenly became nervous for some reason, and the camera also began to shake.

Liang Yu held the cake in one hand, and he helped light the candles with the other. He said in a low voice, “Make a wish.” Fkjai8

Xu Jingzhe was clearly going to perform his best in this sort of professional setting. He smiled at Liang Yu. Then, he clasped his hands together and earnestly made a wish.

Luo Yaoye stood next to him with her hands clasped across her heart. She seemed even more excited than the two involved parties, who knows what she was excited about.

Xu Jingzhe blew out the candles. Then, he took the cake from Liang Yu’s hands and set it aside. He was just about to jokingly ask how they were going to divide three cakes among them when he suddenly caught sight of Liang Yu pulling a ring box from his pocket.

Xu Jingzhe: “?!” 6H2bGy

Liang Yu didn’t do any foreshadowing, and he didn’t perform any gimmicks. He opened the box like he would a carbonated drink. He just popped it open without a single shake. Sitting inside was a blinding pigeon egg.

“Happy birthday.” Liang Yu spoke calmly and reached his hand out towards Xu Jingzhe. He didn’t actually say the second half of the proposal. The cheering in the room could no longer be suppressed. Frankly, Xu Jingzhe probably wouldn’t have been able to hear anything he said anyways. He could only dazedly give his hand to Liang Yu. He watched as that huge pigeon egg of a ring was placed on his left ring finger.

The people around them were taking pictures and recording videos. For the first time, Xu Jingzhe didn’t have the energy to care about whether he looked good in the photos or not. His attention was focused entirely on the pigeon egg. His mind was full of questions. How many carats is this? When did Liang Yu buy this? How much would a ring like this cost?!

“Xu Jingzhe.” Liang Yu leaned into his ear and called his name. aOKnJB

Xu Jingzhe slowly looked up, and Liang Yu took the opportunity to cup his chin.

“Your left side looks beautiful. You don’t need to worry at all.” Liang Yu’s voice carried a bit of helplessness and amusement as he said this. He pressed a thumb against Xu Jingzhe’s lips. Then, he leaned down and kissed him.

It was completely different from the strictly professional kiss from before. Liang Yu pressed down so hard that Xu Jingzhe had to lean back slightly. Liang Yu had probably taken a mint before this. Right now, Xu Jingzhe’s mouth was full of a cool and sweet taste. It felt as though that taste was being pushed down his throat.

In order to deepen the kiss, Liang Yu adjusted their posture. He stuck his hand in Xu Jingzhe’s hair and slightly rubbed the back of Xu Jingzhe’s head. ujN08w

It wasn’t clear just how long they were kissing for. Liang Yu eventually let him go, and he wiped the saliva left on the other party’s lips while he was at it. He seemed to be in a good mood, but his words weren’t particularly courteous. “Xu Jingzhe, you kiss like someone who’s never filmed a kiss scene before.”

Xu Jingzhe: “…”

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Translator’s Note:

Happy Birthday! It’s his birthday both in the novel and in real life! Super good timing. zsmvrP