Chapter 38 – Because of You

The weather was oppressively hot, suffocating even, causing everyone to sweat profusely. The moment Shen Fubai stepped out of the car, he raised his hand instinctively to shield himself from the glaring sunlight.

Before he could raise his hand, a figure moved in front of him, casting a shadow over Shen Fubai.

It was Jiang Heng who had come down.

“Wanna drink?” Jiang Heng took a bottle of chilled mineral water from the car, twisted the cap open, and casually handed it to Shen Fubai.

“Thanks.” Shen Fubai accepted it and took a sip. In this weather, not drinking water would be deadly. He felt like a salted fish.

“The sun is strong outside, let’s get into the shade quickly,” Jiang Heng said, his gaze subtly falling on Shen Fubai’s exposed arms. In the scorching summer, everyone wore only a shirt, and no matter how much sun protection they used, it was impossible to avoid tanning, which had caused Jiang Heng to darken by two shades.

However, his appearance was incredibly adaptable; when fair-skinned, he looked like a refined young master, and after getting tanned, he exuded more masculinity, fitting the image of a general in the later stages of the script.

Shen Fubai was different; his skin remained white as ever, seemingly immune to tanning. No wonder skincare advertisements loved working with him.

Jiang Heng thought that the youth was truly favored by the heavens, like a star shining brightly in the Milky Way, the moon unable to steal its light, and even the sun unable to diminish his beauty.

Wanting to see him radiate from afar, yet also desiring to monopolize his gentle gaze—

Along the way, the staff greeted Shen Fubai, and he nodded in response. There were several plastic benches at the entrance of the studio, but few people were resting there. The crew members were busy setting up equipment and scenery, each engrossed in their tasks.

Shen Fubai noticed a boy, looking like a primary school student, squatting on the ground, writing homework while leaning against a bench with a pencil in hand.

In the bustling crowd, the diligent little boy stood out prominently.

Writing under the blazing sun? Is he planning to ruin his eyes?

Shen Fubai guessed this might be the child of some staff member and approached to ask, “Little friend, what’s your name?”

The boy lifted his head, his eyes lively and bright, quite good-looking.

“Ye Ziran.”

It was a name that immediately made one’s mouth water upon hearing it.

Shen Fubai: “…Why didn’t you call yourself Ye Tomato?”

Heard that cumin powder paired with tomato sauce makes an excellent flavor… Shen Fubai was such a peculiar creature, refusing to eat tomatoes but loving tomato sauce.

Ye Ziran stared at him without blinking, a five-second silence filled with an uncertain expression.

Shen Fubai wasn’t sure if he detected a hint of disdain in those big, watery eyes.

Then he realized he wasn’t mistaken; the child was indeed looking down on him.

“Zi Zi Bu Juan, Ran Di Du Shu.” Ye Ziran sighed, “Don’t think about food every time you hear something. If you’re ugly, you should read more books.”

Shen Fubai: Sorry, my fault. My mind is filled with thoughts of food.

But Shen Fubai still wanted to maintain the last bit of dignity of a mere flower vase: “But I’m not ugly.”

Ye Ziran gave Shen Fubai another look and reluctantly conceded, “Alright, since you’re beautiful, whatever you say is right.”

Shen Fubai was amused. Whose kid is this? He’s quite interesting.

“Where are your parents? I’ll go tell them. Writing under the sun isn’t good for your eyes, come write in my break room. There’s air conditioning and watermelon.” That had been Shen Fubai’s original intention.

At the mention of watermelon, Ye Ziran’s eyes lit up, and he immediately put down his pen. “Let’s go, let’s go.”

He was still a child after all, revealing his true nature the moment food was mentioned. Shen Fubai teased him, “Didn’t you say that if someone’s ugly, they should read more and not think about food all the time? Aren’t you quite greedy too?”

Ye Ziran spoke earnestly, “I’m not ugly either.”

Shen Fubai was left speechless.

This kid is something else—

“Don’t rush to leave yet, where are your parents?” Shen Fubai asked.

He needed to inform the parents before taking the child away, so they wouldn’t worry that their child was missing.

Ye Ziran pointed behind Shen Fubai, “Him.”

Shen Fubai was taken aback and turned around to see Jiang Heng approaching with two popsicles.

Shen Fubai pondered for a moment. Heng Heng was 24 years old this year, and the child seemed no younger than 12, ruling out the possibility of him being Heng Heng’s illegitimate child.

Shen Fubai calmed down, “Your cousin?”

They didn’t share the same surname, so it must be a relative’s child.

Jiang Heng handed the watermelon-flavored popsicle to Shen Fubai and kept a mango-flavored one for himself, “Ye Lin’s younger brother.”

Ye Lin was the owner of the couple restaurant who loved pink, Jiang Heng’s high school buddy.

Ye Ziran stared longingly at the popsicle in Shen Fubai’s hand.

Being stared at so pitifully, Shen Fubai would have usually softened and given the popsicle to the child. But this one was from Heng Heng, and Shen Fubai couldn’t bear to part with it.

So he viciously tore open the wrapper in front of Ye Ziran and popped the entire thing into his mouth.

Ye Ziran’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, a look of grievance, a gaze of endurance, an expression of accusation.

Shen Fubai felt a twinge of guilt, thinking he was being too unsportsmanlike bullying a little kid like this.

Jiang Heng said coldly, “Stop acting. I’ll give you money later to buy one yourself.”

Ye Ziran stopped crying in a second, grinning, “Okay then.”

That quick change of expression amazed Shen Fubai.

“This kid is pretty suitable for acting,” Shen Fubai whispered to Jiang Heng.

“He is indeed suitable,” Jiang Heng glanced at Ye Ziran, “He’s playing young Yu Tang.”

Shen Fubai was impressed.

“Your friend runs hotels and restaurants, and it doesn’t seem like they lack money. Why let such a young child act?” Shen Fubai was curious.

“Interest, talent,” Jiang Heng said, “Letting him play around isn’t bad as long as it doesn’t affect his studies.”

Shen Fubai understood. The power of capitalism.

Some did it for a living, others for fun. The nature was different.

“What about you?” Shen Fubai asked Jiang Heng, “Also because of interest and talent?”

Heng Heng’s family was also very wealthy, unlikely to enter the entertainment circle just for money. Everyone knew that Jiang Heng Studio’s prices were almost charitable.

Jiang Heng paused, “No.”

Because of you.

Shen Fubai wanted to hear more from Jiang Heng, but he didn’t continue.

He didn’t press further, thinking it wasn’t necessary for him to reveal more.

Talking outside was inconvenient and hot. The three of them quickly changed positions and moved into the break room.

Both Jiang Heng and Shen Fubai held a popsicle each, watching Ye Ziran do his homework.

Ye Ziran felt bitter inside.

“Brother Jiang, I also want…” to eat a popsicle.

“Finish this page, then I’ll give you one,” Jiang Heng pointed at Ye Ziran’s blank workbook.

Ye Ziran was in agony.

Perhaps it was because they were too comfortable in the air-conditioned room, completely different from the harsh environment outside, that he couldn’t help but daydream, unable to concentrate on writing properly.

Ye Ziran gnawed on his pen, spreading his hands out. “This question is too hard, I don’t know how to solve it.”

Struck by a sudden whim, Shen Fubai stepped forward. “Let me see if I can teach you.”

Shen Fubai took a look.

Find the area of the shaded part.

“Alright, goodbye.”

He didn’t know how.

Was today’s elementary school math homework so terrifying?

Shen Fubai didn’t know the area of the shaded part, but he felt his own psychological shadow area was quite large. His IQ was inferior to that of an elementary school student.

Jiang Heng came over, glanced at it, and explained the solution to Ye Ziran.

Ye Ziran nodded, listening attentively. After a brief exchange, Ye Ziran exclaimed, “I got it! Brother Jiang, you’re so amazing,” and picked up his pen to start writing.

Shen Fubai felt like he was listening to a foreign language.

How painful it was to be a poor student—

After Jiang Heng finished explaining the problem to Ye Ziran, Shen Fubai couldn’t help but say, “Impressive, impressive.”

Jiang Heng chuckled lightly, “Actually, it’s not difficult. It’s just that most people forget elementary school knowledge after a long time without contact.”

Heng Heng was really nice, giving people steps to save face.

Shen Fubai was still admiring him, “Still, it’s impressive that you remember. Unlike me, a complete dud, the knowledge taught by teachers has long been returned to them.”

Jiang Heng shook his head gently, “How so. You’re also amazing, being top of your major isn’t something anyone can achieve.”

Shen Fubai took the artistic route, and back then, he was always number one in his major. Actually, his academic performance wasn’t bad; if he had studied diligently, he could have achieved good results and established a scholar persona, avoiding ridicule for the low educational level in the entertainment industry.

But after signing with the agency, he couldn’t balance his studies, eventually only attending a second-rate dance academy for university.

And it was purely in name; for those few years, he was basically at the mercy of the company’s schedule—He once wanted to propose going back to school, but the company didn’t allow it. It was no wonder Shen Fubai later harbored resentment towards the heartless company.

But there was no choice; he was desperately short of money back then.

His teachers in middle school all said it was a pity. He could have gone straight to Beijing Dance Academy with a brilliant resume.

The most regrettable thing in the world wasn’t almost making it; it was what could have been.

But now, Shen Fubai didn’t feel much regret. If he hadn’t entered this circle so early, he wouldn’t have achieved his current status at this point in time, nor would he have the opportunity to stand on equal footing with Heng Heng.

Heng Heng was so amazing, he could only work harder to catch up—

“A hero doesn’t boast about past glories, my college entrance exam scores were terrible. Stop praising me,” Shen Fubai said, “You, on the other hand, are the real scholar, entering Central Drama as number one, must have scored over 600 on the college entrance exam, right?”

Jiang Heng had always been low-key, not even broadcasting his college entrance exam scores, only known to be number one at Central Drama. With his strong family background, no media dared to dig deep, making him a mysterious force in the circle.

Jiang Heng didn’t say anything, but Ye Ziran interjected, “Brother Jiang didn’t score 600, it was higher by one.”

Shen Fubai: “601?”

Ye Ziran: “700.”

Shen Fubai: “…”

Are you a god?

With that score, which university couldn’t you attend? Why would someone, a pillar of the nation, choose to study art?!

Not that studying art was bad, but Jiang Heng clearly had many better choices. In this field, the prejudice of the Chinese people was quite severe.

If this was revealed, those in the circle who pretended to be scholars would probably be embarrassed to show off in front of Jiang Heng. This was too low-key; who wouldn’t broadcast such scores far and wide for three to four years? Jiang Heng didn’t even make a ripple.

Shen Fubai once again deeply felt the gap between him and Heng Heng, an insurmountable chasm in terms of intelligence alone.

Such an idol, he had to work hard as well.

“Why…did you choose Central Drama?” Shen Fubai asked.

Jiang Heng merely looked at him.

Looking until the atmosphere grew tense, Shen Fubai felt embarrassed, “If it’s inconvenient to reveal, I won’t ask anymore…”

“This answer,” Jiang Heng laughed softly, “I’ll tell you later.”

He hoped they would have many more tomorrows, not just this one collaboration.

Why did he make this choice?

Why?

When Jiang Heng chose Central Drama over numerous prestigious universities at home and abroad, his family didn’t understand either.

Only Jiang Heng knew that he did it to be closer to a certain person, even though he later confirmed that it was indeed the career he loved. He didn’t regret this decision; on the contrary, it was the most correct choice he had ever made.

He wanted to reach the summit together with someone, wanted to hold the trophy under the spotlight and thank the person in front of the whole world, declaring his original intention.

Wine, I started because of you.

And ultimately, I hope to reach the peak with your witness.

You are born to reign in my heart.

I am your subject.