Chapter 33 – Drink Plenty of Hot Water

Shen Fubai paused mid-tear-wiping.

Could he let Heng know about such an embarrassing thing?

Absolutely not.

Shen Fubai continued wiping his tears, though this time they were a bit fake: “My eldest cousin’s second aunt-in-law’s third son-in-law passed away. I’ve been so busy with work that I couldn’t even go back for his funeral. I’ve been feeling terrible these past two days.”

Though he didn’t have a cousin at all, he was spinning a yarn from the very beginning.

Jiang Heng tried to understand the relationship between Shen Fubai’s eldest cousin’s second aunt-in-law’s third son-in-law and Shen Fubai, but failed.

It sounded like there was no relation at all.

He thought for a long while about how to phrase it, and in the end could only say, “Please accept my condolences.”

Respect for the deceased made any words pale at such a time. Perhaps that elderly person had been close to Fubai.

Jiang Heng looked at Shen Fubai’s slightly red eyes and felt some heartache. “Come into my room and take a breather. I’ll pour you a glass of water.”

Although this floor had already been booked by the production crew and there were staff members bustling around in the corridor, it wouldn’t be good for anyone to see Shen Fubai crying.

A single tear from Shen Fubai could make nine hundred million girls cry out in sympathy.

Shen Fubai was still immersed in the joy of Jiang Heng not having a love affair, temporarily losing his ability to think straight and unable to find words to decline.

Jiang Heng suddenly grabbed Shen Fubai’s hand and pulled him into Room 608.

The moment Shen Fubai’s hand was enveloped by the warm palm, he froze. That warmth directly transmitted from his hand to his face, making his cheeks feel a bit scorching, as if the tears landing on his cheeks would instantly evaporate.

He wasn’t actually upset anymore, and he even wanted to laugh a little. The tears now were just inertia, impossible to stop immediately.

Jiang Heng had Shen Fubai sit on the bed while he poured him some water. “Here.”

“Thank you.” Shen Fubai cradled the cup and took a sip. The cool water moistened his throat, making his dry voice more comfortable.

A slender hand stopped in front of him.

Jiang Heng handed over a tissue.

Shen Fubai looked up at him.

Shen Fubai’s eyes were extraordinarily beautiful, shaped like peach petals, with curled, long eyelashes and clear irises. His slightly red eye rims made him look like a wet fawn, sitting on the edge of the bed holding the cup of water, looking exceptionally obedient.

Jiang Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

So cute, what… what am I thinking? Can I act like a human being?

Jiang Heng calmed himself down. “Wipe your face.”

Shen Fubai took the tissue and quietly said thanks again before quickly wiping away his tears. Afterward, not knowing what to say, he just sipped the water slowly from the cup.

He still found it humiliating.

Too fucking humiliating.

Shen Fubai was still wearing the internet celebrity bear costume. Sitting next to him, Jiang Heng asked, “This outfit… did you just come back from handing out flyers?”

In general, those dressed in mascot costumes were either filming videos or doing promotions.

Shen Fubai: “Ah, yes. A side job.”

Finding the feeling of childhood or something, this reason seemed too stupid to him; he couldn’t let Heng know.

Jiang Heng’s tone sounded somewhat incredulous. “Are you really short on money?”

A star, especially a top-tier idol, shouldn’t possibly be short on money. Could it be that the black-hearted company had become so heartless as to leave no profit for Fubai?

The daily living expenses for celebrities were also quite high. Many stars appeared bright and glamorous on the surface, but in reality, they couldn’t afford a takeout meal behind closed doors, their gowns were rented.

Of course, this was limited to the struggling C-listers, and Shen Fubai was definitely not in that category.

But in the eyes of the true billionaire tycoon, super-rich second-generation heir Jiang Heng, Shen Fubai, who earned a few hundred million a year and owned only several houses in Beijing, was truly a pitiful soul in need of assistance.

Jiang Heng had acting talent. He initially entered the industry for Shen Fubai, treating acting as a hobby. After truly getting involved, he discovered that he genuinely loved the profession; otherwise, the one million yuan per film fee was less than his allowance in the Jiang family.

Compared to the sky-high salaries of tens of millions that some other popular young actors demanded, Jiang Heng’s studio only charged one million yuan, considering his acting skills and status. This was equivalent to working for free, almost like charity.

It was truly a labor of love.

Shen Fubai: “I’m not exactly short on money…” Was it to experience life or something?

He was pondering what kind of reason would sound more credible, but he couldn’t continue the fabrication.

Seeing Shen Fubai’s hesitant appearance, Jiang Heng believed that there was indeed some hidden hardship.

How could this be allowed? How could he let Fubai endure the pain of poverty? To have to earn a living by handing out flyers on the streets after each day’s shooting ended, how heart-wrenching was that?

Jiang Heng immediately opened his phone to provide financial support.

WeChat’s daily transfer limit was 200,000 yuan. Jiang Heng transferred 200,000 yuan without hesitation, inputting the six-digit password ‘529913,’ and the payment went through successfully.

Hearing the WeChat notification, Shen Fubai picked up his phone for a glance, nearly dropping it in shock.

“What are you doing?” Shen Fubai didn’t accept it, turning off the phone screen. “For no reason, why are you giving me so much money?”

“Advance salary.” Jiang Heng simply wanted to help Shen Fubai overcome his current difficulties. “If it’s not enough, give me your bank card, and I’ll add three zeros.”

Adding three zeros would be two hundred million yuan. Shen Fubai could earn that much in a year.

“I don’t need it, I haven’t done anything yet, you’re giving me so much, I can’t accept it in good conscience.” Shen Fubai hastily refused.

Jiang Heng furrowed his brows, looking very worried. “But you’re short on money.”

Shen Fubai: “…I have a row of houses in Beijing.” Did Heng have some misunderstanding about him? Moreover, if he was truly short on money, selling one house would replenish his funds, right? If selling a house couldn’t replenish his funds, what good would handing out flyers do?

Anyone with common sense would know that it was impossible.

Unfortunately, Jiang Heng had no brain when it came to Shen Fubai.

After listening, Jiang Heng became even more worried. “Only a row of houses… when you join my studio, I’ll give you one of the private islands under my name.”

At the end, he added to cover his tracks, “Consider it a gift for the new employee.”

Shen Fubai was stunned. “Do you live in a mine?”

What background did Heng have? To be able to establish a personal studio in his second year in the industry, he certainly couldn’t be poor.

But this was too rich. Two hundred million yuan, given without a second thought? A private island, given away as if it was nothing?

Shen Fubai wanted to bring over several fresh meat idols who pretended to be rich second-generation heirs in the circle to broaden their horizons: Look, look, look, this is the real life of the wealthy, something you can’t even imagine.

Jiang Heng was rather bashful. “My family lives on the Loess Plateau.”

The Loess Plateau contained abundant minerals and various natural resources.

Oh, they really lived in a place with a mine.

No, they lived IN a mine.

In the end, Shen Fubai didn’t accept Jiang Heng’s money.

He didn’t know what gave Jiang Heng the wrong impression that he was very poor.

Perhaps this was the world of the strong, where those below a billion were mere ants.

Shen Fubai spent quite a bit of effort convincing Jiang Heng to retract the idea of supporting him.

His throat felt a bit dry from talking so much, so he finished drinking the water he had been sipping on, leaving an empty cup.

Jiang Heng asked, “Do you want a refill?”

A refill?

Shen Fubai felt as if he was in a bar.

He hesitated. “Then, another one?”

Heng’s suggestion, he never refused.

That was water poured by his idol! Drink, drink as much as possible, as long as it doesn’t kill you, drink until you die! Cry as you drink.

Jiang Heng poured another cup for Shen Fubai.

Shen Fubai drank it in one gulp.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng assumed Shen Fubai hadn’t had enough and poured another cup.

When he was in a bad mood, he wanted to eat. But after becoming an actor, he had to control his diet, so he turned to drinking lots of water when he was upset.

However, Jiang Heng gained weight easily even from drinking water, so it didn’t make a difference; he’d gain weight anyway.

After realizing this, Jiang Heng decided to indulge in binge eating and drinking when he was in a bad mood, then rely on his strong willpower to lose the weight afterward.

There was no food here, only water. Shen Fubai was also in a bad mood, so Jiang Heng empathized and kept pouring him water as a way to release emotions.

Feeling bad? No problem.

Drink plenty of hot water.

Shen Fubai had drunk two cups and, combined with the substantial dinner, had a slight feeling of fullness. However, seeing Jiang Heng pour him more water, he still drained the cup.

Jiang Heng poured again.

Shen Fubai drank again.

Jiang Heng poured again.

Shen Fubai drank again.

Jiang Heng started to worry as he kept pouring. Why couldn’t Fubai get enough? He must be truly upset.

Shen Fubai began to feel desperate as he kept drinking. Why couldn’t Heng finish pouring? He was really about to burst.

Sorry, he took back his previous words. Even if it was water poured by his idol, he couldn’t force himself to cry as he drank.

He even thought about smashing the cup.

After finishing the eighth cup of water, Shen Fubai shakily placed the cup on the nightstand and said, “Sorry, I need to use the restroom.”

Jiang Heng understood.

When Shen Fubai came out of the bathroom, Jiang Heng was sitting on the spot where he had just been, holding the cup Shen Fubai had just finished drinking from, his fingertips caressing the spot where Shen Fubai’s lips had touched.

Shen Fubai called out, “Jiang Heng?”

Jiang Heng snapped out of his daze and quickly hid the cup behind his back.

Shen Fubai: …I saw it.

Jiang Heng hurriedly put the cup back on the nightstand. “You’re pretty quick.”

Shen Fubai: I don’t have incontinence.

Embarrassed, Shen Fubai said, “You’ve seen me at my worst, taking up your space… Am I disturbing your rest?”

It was nighttime, and after returning to his room, Jiang Heng should have finished washing up and gone to bed. Due to Shen Fubai’s presence, Jiang Heng hadn’t even changed his clothes.

Jiang Heng immediately said, “Not at all, staying a little longer is fine.”

Shen Fubai really stayed a little longer.

He didn’t want to leave.

“I didn’t expect you to have a twin brother.” Shen Fubai was genuinely surprised. Jiang Heng’s appearance was extremely outstanding, almost unparalleled in the world.

Now, he had to remove the ‘unparalleled in the world’ part.

But in Shen Fubai’s heart, Jiang Heng was still his one and only, irreplaceable by anyone else.

As for the embarrassing history of mistaking him for someone else, let’s just forget about it. Who would have thought it was twins?

“Mm, he’s an outsider to the circle.” Jiang Heng said, “So I didn’t reveal it before.”

Shen Fubai understood. Who among ordinary people wanted a life surrounded by the spotlight? It sounded glamorous, but experiencing the feeling of being watched twenty-four hours a day would drive a person crazy.

“But still, have your brother be careful. If he dates someone in the circle and gets photographed by the media.” Thinking about a photo from two years ago, Shen Fubai sincerely said, “It’ll affect you.”

“It’s fine, even if they take photos, no one would dare to release them.” Jiang Heng said, “If they dare to release them, they’ll be acquired by him the next day.” Like that blind newspaper company two years ago.

Shen Fubai suddenly felt a sense of respect. “Could it be that your brother is the legendary domineering CEO Long Aotian?”

It had the aura of ‘when Wang breaks, it’s cold.’

“Just a fool,” Jiang Heng scoffed, “He’s acquired countless trash companies, sooner or later, he’ll bankrupt himself.”

Actually, that wasn’t the case. Jiang Yuan’s business acumen was solid; many companies on the brink of bankruptcy could be revived in his hands. But this didn’t prevent Jiang Heng from ridiculing him.

Just like Jiang Yuan, who acknowledged Jiang Heng’s excellent acting skills in his heart but still criticized the crap Jiang Heng acted in on the surface.

Shen Fubai sensed a dramatic story of a wealthy family’s grudges and sibling rivalry.

Wait, isn’t Heng’s refined, elegant, and noble persona somewhat collapsing?