TSBDRA 28: That’s All

None of the people present expected Yan Yushan to just grab Xu Xishuang and leave in such an obviously protective manner. Even a fool could tell there was something unusual between the two of them.

The staff all stopped in their tracks and silently stepped aside, giving them a wide path to exit.

The director clutched at what little hair he had left again, worrying whether this episode could even be aired. The others quietly packed their things, occasionally sneaking glances at Tang Min, exchanging excited, gossipy looks with each other, Tang Min had clearly messed with someone close to Yan Yushan, and now he was definitely in trouble.

Under all those stares, Tang Min couldn’t keep standing there. He forced a stiff smile, hurriedly gathered his things, grabbed his assistant, and fled the studio.

As he left, he couldn’t stop thinking how was he going to plead with his backer to step in and cover up what he’d done? Tang Min clenched his teeth, genuinely hoping that the relationship between Yan Yushan and Xu Xishuang wasn’t what he feared it was, hoping that Yan Yushan wouldn’t retaliate over the incident that made Xu Xishuang cough up blood. Because if Yan Yushan got involved, his career in the entertainment industry would be over.

Meanwhile, after half-carrying Xu Xishuang down the hallway, Yan Yushan ran into Liang Feng, who had just come back from a smoke break in the restroom. Liang Feng had been about to ask if Yan Yushan wanted to hit the bar tonight, but when he saw the anxious look on Yan Yushan’s face, he swallowed his words and gave him a meaningful smile.

Yan Yushan caught that smile and immediately knew Liang Feng had misunderstood. He was in a rush to get Xu Xishuang checked by Dr. Xu and didn’t have time to explain. He simply nodded at Liang Feng and walked past him quickly.

Inside the elevator, Yan Yushan immediately let go of Xu Xishuang. Looking down at Xu Xishuang’s still pale face, he said softly, “Sorry.”

Even though he knew Xu Xishuang disliked him, he had touched him without permission. The situation had been urgent and he just wanted to get Xu Xishuang out quickly.

He hoped Xu Xishuang would understand the apology and not hate him even more.

Xu Xishuang had no idea why Yan Yushan was apologizing. Guiltily avoiding his gaze, he muttered, “It’s fine.”

Xu Xishuang pulled out his phone and updated Dr. Xu on his current condition. Honestly, he didn’t feel unwell. In fact, after coughing up blood, he felt refreshed but seeing the worry on Yan Yushan’s face, he obediently got into Yan Yushan’s car.

Yan Yushan sat in the backseat with him. Xu Xishuang took a bottle of water from him, rinsed his mouth, and threw the trash into a bag. He meant to throw the bag away himself, but Yan Yushan wouldn’t let him move.

As Yan Yushan returned from tossing the trash, Xu Xishuang felt like he’d forgotten something.

A few seconds later, it hit him. He quickly pulled out his phone again and sent a message to Xiao Wang, telling him to head back first.

After getting the message, Xiao Wang climbed into the van and replied, looking very worried: “Xishuang, Yan Yushan didn’t hit you, right?”

Just now, when Best Actor Yan left, his expression was terrifying—like he was about to eat Xu Xishuang alive. Xiao Wang shuddered, recalling the nickname “Big Bad Wolf” and all the rumors about the things Yan Yushan had done.

Xu Xishuang: ?

Why does everyone always think Yan Yushan is going to hit him?

Xu Xishuang replied to Xiao Wang: “No, really, he didn’t.”

After sending the message, Xu Xishuang couldn’t help but glance at Yan Yushan. His face no longer looked so grim. He was typing seriously on his phone, probably discussing work.

Yan Yushan was admittedly a little scary when he got mad, mostly because of his intimidating presence. He had the kind of perfect physique that didn’t need gym time, never used a stunt double in fight scenes, and stood out among the many scrawny male celebrities. He’d topped the “Top” list in the entertainment industry for years.

Xu Xishuang understood why the original novel described Yan Yushan as the “Big Bad Wolf.” His principles and way of doing things didn’t fit in with the dirty, rule-bending entertainment world. He often broke the unspoken rules and dragged hidden filth into the spotlight, and no one could do anything about it—they could only steer clear of him.

Back when he was reading the original novel, Xu Xishuang had really liked the character of Yan Yushan. The only reason he finished the book was because of him.

Admiration for a fictional character wasn’t the same as liking someone in real life especially when that person already had a canon partner.

His gaze lingered a little too long on Yan Yushan’s profile. Sensing it, Yan Yushan paused his typing and turned to ask, “What is it?”

Xu Xishuang snapped back to reality. “Going on that show without telling you was my fault. I’m sorry but I don’t want to give up my work just because I’m pregnant. I hope you can understand.”

“That’s not what we agreed on,” Yan Yushan said with a bit of a headache. “We said I’d help find you gigs, keep the workload light so you wouldn’t get hurt but you—”

Xu Xishuang followed his gaze and saw the bloodstain on his off-white hoodie. He awkwardly covered it with his hand and said, “How about this—from now on, I’ll show you any offers I get from my agent, and we’ll decide together. That way you’ll always know where I am, okay?”

Yan Yushan paused for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

Neither of them wanted to argue, so the matter was dropped for now. Seeing that Yan Yushan still looked unhappy, Xu Xishuang decided to proactively explain the situation with Tang Min.

Of course, he couldn’t tell Yan Yushan that he was a transmigrator who knew the original plot and all of Tang Min’s misdeeds. Nor could he use the “I have a friend” excuse, because the original Xu Xishuang had no friends, and it’d be obvious he was making things up.

So he said, “I was scrolling through Weibo on my alt account and saw a post by someone whose tone seemed pretty down, like they weren’t in a good place mentally. I reached out and found out she was one of Tang Min’s victims.”

“Once I confirmed the story was real, I helped her gather evidence and file a report,” Xu Xishuang told him. “I didn’t act on impulse—I was well-prepared. The coughing up blood… that really wasn’t something I could control.”

Hearing that Xu Xishuang had prepared in advance, the frown on Yan Yushan’s face finally eased.

“I’ll consult you next time,” Xu Xishuang promised seriously.

Judging by Yan Yushan’s current attitude, he would probably watch him like a hawk from now on. Rather than constantly trying to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf and still getting caught, it was better to cooperate for now, negotiate terms later, and test boundaries gradually. That way, everyone could stay a little happier.

Sure enough, Yan Yushan was appeased. He didn’t press the issue any further and led Xu Xishuang into Dr. Xu’s private hospital.

Dr. Xu showed them a newly renovated examination room reserved just for Xu Xishuang. He could undergo checkups here without anyone disturbing him or risking any leaks.

After the door closed, Yan Yushan stood there for a moment, then went downstairs to the hospital’s private garden.

Inside the room, Xu Xishuang rolled up his sleeve with practiced ease. As Dr. Xu drew a vial of blood, he asked, “How have you been feeling lately? Any discomfort in your stomach?”

“I’m alright,” Xu Xishuang replied. “Honestly, I don’t feel much of anything.”

“Your coughing fits have been happening more often lately, haven’t they?” Dr. Xu placed the blood sample into a machine and returned to Xu Xishuang’s side. “Has something been upsetting you? Mr. Yan’s very worried—he even called me to ask about you.”

Xu Xishuang was taken aback.

“You told him?” he asked, suddenly tense. “About my random bleeding condition?”

Dr. Xu looked surprised. “Of course. Didn’t you say earlier that I could share your medical condition with him?”

Xu Xishuang blinked slowly. He remembered now—back when he told Yan Yushan about the pregnancy, he did say Dr. Xu could share everything about his health.

“When did you tell him?” he asked.

“Just a few days ago,” Dr. Xu said. “And I only shared my own observations. Your condition likely relates to your overall health and emotional state.”

Xu Xishuang did the math. That meant after he coughed up blood at Yan Yushan’s place, Yan must’ve called Dr. Xu to confirm the diagnosis and realized his whole “coughing clears toxins” excuse was a lie.

He covered his eyes with one hand and sighed, deciding he’d explain it to Yan Yushan later. He didn’t want any lingering misunderstandings that made him look like a compulsive liar.

Dr. Xu picked up on something in his reaction and asked, confused, “You told him about the pregnancy, so why hide this illness?”

“It’s not really hiding…” Xu Xishuang struggled to collect his thoughts. “I just didn’t think it was necessary for him to know.”

He had confessed the pregnancy to break the plot and avoid a fatal ending, and because the child was also Yan Yushan’s. The bleeding condition was his own—it had nothing to do with anyone else. He didn’t feel that his relationship with Yan Yushan was close enough to share that kind of secret.

Eventually, Yan Yushan would fall in love with someone else—Chi Siyuan. They’d become the closest couple in the world. As for him and Yan Yushan, they were just temporarily bound together by a child. That’s all.

Dr. Xu gave him a long look. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held back.

After all, matters of the heart had to be figured out by the person themselves. Until that happened, no amount of advice from others would help. The person involved would be like someone standing in a fog, unable to see the other clearly—let alone themselves.

Yan Yushan sat on a bench and answered a call from his manager downstairs.

“Xiao Yan,” Kong-jie said urgently, “you not only went to the broadcasting building today for a variety show rehearsal, but you also showed up for a surprise shoot of that dating show, Can I Like You? Right?”

“Yes,” Yan Yushan replied. “Sorry, Kong-jie. It was a last-minute decision so I didn’t get a chance to tell you.”

“No problem,” she said. “It’s your studio—you take whatever jobs you want but that’s not the issue. Someone snapped a photo of you and Xu Xishuang leaving in the same car. Now the two of you are trending. Do you want me to suppress it? Or just go public?”

“Suppress it,” Yan Yushan said, rubbing his temples. “There’s really nothing going on between me and Xu Xishuang.”

Kong-jie: “Got it. I’ll have them write the PR draft. Just tell me why the two of you left together?”

“He wasn’t feeling well. I took him to the hospital,” Yan Yushan replied quietly, leaning back on the bench. “That’s all.”