Chapter 21

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Chapter 21. Feeling Strange Is Better Than Feeling Sad

Du Xin Ran was Yu Ze’s manager, he began working with Yu Ze not long after his debut.

Even though Yu Ze hid his Omega attribute, even though there’d been some problems due to the health of his body, Du Xin Ran had never once doubted Yu Ze’s professional ethics nor his passion towards the field of acting.

So when Yu Ze needed time to rest – Du Xing Ran being his manager, had never once forced him to continue. When Yu Ze refused the scripts he didn’t like, Du Xin Ran would also never doubt the Film Emperor’s decision.

However, for the past few months, Du Xin Ran had unexpectedly began to harbor a type of worry; he felt that Teacher Yu had lost his concentration. No matter what was the reason, no matter who it was that so distracted Teacher Yu, in any case, Teacher Yu’s behavior was somewhat different from before.

In the past, Yu Ze would often call, even when he wasn’t filming – wanting him to look for a script, wanting to discuss some items of composition. But the Yu Ze of late, did practically nothing at all. While he still had taken some scripts to look at, not once had he proactively sought him out to discuss something with him.

Du Xin Ran was extremely puzzled.

“Teacher Yu, what have you been up to lately”

Song Yan, on the other side, had just woken up, and although he was still somewhat in a daze, he could hear that the manager had some things to say.

He grabbed the watch at the head of the bed, took a look, and said, “You don’t have to call for a meeting with me this early in the morning, do you?”

Du Xing Ran arranged a time with him, wanting to discuss upcoming plans for work.

Song Yan hadn’t been idle throughout this period of time. He didn’t know why, but under the current situation, he’d actually been even more meticulous towards his own company than before; it wasn’t easy to work while hiding behind the scenes.

Moreover, he also had to keep coordinated with Yu Ze.

But as none of this could be explained to Du Xin Ran, Song Yan could only force himself to get to the appointment.

As soon as he met Du Xin Ran, he immediately said, “I still feel like resting for a period of time. I temporarily won’t accept any movies or television dramas. Advertisements can be shot, activities can be attended. But, that’s also the limit.”

Du Xin Ran slowly, deliberately sipped at his coffee, before he replied, “I didn’t come to urge you to pick up a drama. I know you can’t have too much pressure, pressure isn’t anything good for you. But I still think it’s unfortunate you won’t take up ‘Bright’.”

“There’s no need to again bring up matters that have already been set to the side, is there?” Song Yan asked.

Du Xin Ran told him, the production crew of “Bright” still hadn’t found an appropriate male actor, and that it was possible the director would pull out.

Song Yan didn’t find this particularly strange. The director originally had some conflicting views with the producer, then came the earthquake, then the male lead withdrew without a plausible cause. A substitute actor was also hard to find – actors that were on par with Yu Ze were few in numbers, and as their schedules were basically all full, those willing to step in were all far from Yu Ze’s level. On the outside, was the public opinion that came one after the other, while on the inside, was the cast and crew fighting and scheming against each other; it was only too normal that the director would want to withdraw.

Song Yan only felt a tiny glimmer of guilt on this matter. Of course he had to pull out from the crew, if he didn’t do so, wouldn’t he just be waiting to smash Yu Ze’s reputation in front of the camera? If that came to be, the director would then really begin to doubt the meaning of life.

“I will look at scripts….I’ve only been looking at script recently.” Song Yan said, although he sounded suspiciously half-hearted about it.

Du Xin Ran carefully looked at the “Yu Ze” in front of him. He truly did understand Yu Ze, he knew that when Yu Ze faced pressure, he’d often hold it in his heart and struggle it to a resolution by himself. And if he wasn’t able to resolve it, he was quite likely to fall apart. However, the Teacher Yu in front of him didn’t look like he didn’t seem well, and he himself couldn’t say exactly what it was that felt wrong.

Du Xin Ran chatted for a bit more, asked how long Yu Xin would be there, and if admission tickets were needed. All the members of Yu Ze’s team rather doted on Yu Xin, they all spared to efforts to satisfy her.

He ascertained that “Yu Ze’s” condition wasn’t bad, then finally got down to the main point of business.

“Teacher Yu, you ought to go get a physical examination,” Du Xin Ran said.

“That’s fine,” Song Yan replied, “Although I recently had a physical back when I was admitted to the hospital, there’s no harm in getting another one.”

Du Xin Ran simply couldn’t believe that Teacher Yu had agreed so readily.

“Really?” He asked, “Then I’ll arrange to schedule one right away.”

Song Yan was able to hear it; it seemed that getting Yu Ze to do a physical was a big deal.

“What is it that needs the physical?”

Du Xin Ran was a bit confused, but he still replied, “It’s the insurance company that needs it. Did you forget? The insurance company needs you to hand in a detailed medical checkup report every year, especially the psychological assessment. Because…”

“Because I’m an Omega,” Song Yan said.

Du Xin Ran was also somewhat embarrassed. He really did like Teacher Yu, had even thought that if Teacher Yu wasn’t an Omega, if his body was even a bit better, would it be that he’d film more movies, and have an even more eye-catching success than now? But that was all merely just a conjecture.

He said, “It’s not entirely because of being an Omega…..before when you filmed ‘Pursuing A Murderer’, you had to stop working for nearly a month due to your asthma. There’s also that time you withdrew from the film crew after signing the contract, of course that was that film crew’s fault, arbitrarily changing the script and the division of lines. But this time for ‘Bright’, you’ve again made an excuse and withdrew. The insurance company is extremely worried on their end….if this continues on, they might not be able to continue covering you, and you won’t be enter a production team if you don’t have insurance. So therefore, Teacher Yu, the one matter you recently need to deal with the most, is the physical examination along with the psychological assessment.”

Song Yan gave a small smile, “Of course I can deal with it, who do you think I am?”

After some days had passed, Song Yan took his younger sister Yu Xin, and went to the new theater. Although the renovation had only recently began, Yu Ze had already interviewed and recruited a batch of young actors and actresses, and they’d already began to do some simple rehearsals in the practice room.

The Film Emperor’s visit made these young kids exceptionally excited; they all desperately wished that “Teacher Yu” would give some on-the-spot guidance.

But Song Yan just smiled, posed for photos, and sent over a lot of high-quality catering, with nary a hint of guidance.

Yu Ze allowed these actors and actresses to leave first, while he himself stayed to chat with Song Yan.

Due to Yu Xin having studied art, she was somewhat fascinated by the new theater. And so, she couldn’t help but pick up the bottle of spray paint, and begin to scrawl on the wall. As she also knew of the relationship between her “Eldest brother” and “Second Young Master Song”, she purposefully stood a bit further away, and didn’t go listen to what the two were whispering about.

“I had Fang Yuan make some discreet inquiries,” Yu Ze told Song Yan, “Doctor Zhou is preparing to leave the country, it seems that he’s unable to continue living in the country. In addition, your mother hired a very impressive lawyer, and brought a lawsuit against several tabloids and self-medias*.”

* 自媒體 self-media; the social accounts of civilians that take on the role of “reporters” and produce their own news; there’s fascinating related reads about the ethics behind it, as well as the thought process of “illusory truth” (in case anyone’s interested XD)

The Song Family’s circumstances had more or less calmed down. Shen Xi Jia really didn’t again mention the matter of divorce, at least she wasn’t going to bring it up again before Song Yan’s great-grandfather’s birthday.

Yu Ze had once attended these sorts of luxurious banquets/birthday gatherings*, but it was his first time being part of the host’s own family.

* author left the slash there

“It’s hard to say if this is the calm before the storm,” Yu Ze concluded.

Song Yang glanced at the Yu Xin drawing on the wall in the distance, before he said, “There’s a matter that concerns Yu Xin….she told me, she doesn’t plan to return to the country after she graduates.”

Yu Ze was startled; it had always been him paying for Yu Xin’s studies. Yu Xin being in a foreign land, the conditions for her living and studying were all made extremely comfortable. As long as she didn’t touch the bottom limit, Yu Ze would never ask her about too much, lest she feel that he was intruding into her life. Thankfully, Yu Xin could be considered to be rather sensible, her grades were quite good, and Yu Ze had also seen some of her assignments before; she truly was gifted.

But he hadn’t even thought very far yet, and in the blink of an eye, Yu Xin had already reached the age of planning out her future career and marriage. And her decision to stay outside the country – he even had to hear this piece of news from some other person’s mouth.

“Oh….” he said.

Song Yan could sense that Yu Ze was clearly caught in disappointment.

He said, “I was also rather sad when she said it. Might really be the effect of the pheromones.”

“To be honest, it’s also not very surprising,” Yu Ze finally replied, “I have two younger brothers that originally wanted to emigrate. Therefore, the thought that ‘Yu Xin has been influenced by them’ is not very strange.”

This time it was Song Yan who let out an “oh”. He strenuously organized his thoughts; he wanted to comfort Yu Ze, he really wanted to, but at the same time he’d an intense sort of urge to criticize Yu Ze’s younger siblings.

Their excellent circumstances were basically all due to Yu Ze. Now that each of them were one by one finding success in their careers – success in their studies – they were all prepared to just walk away from the problem?*

* 一走了之 idiom; to avoid a problem by walking away from it

“How about a quick hug?” Song Yan suddenly asked.

“?”

Yu Ze gave him a look of ‘What are you talking about?’.

“Aren’t we pretending to be lovers in front of Yu Xin?” Song Yan replied, “I’m feeling pain right now due to her decision to live overseas, and need your comfort.”

Yu Ze wanted to say that there wasn’t any need, but Song Yan just kept looking at him. He slowly opened his arms. Song Yan caught him in his embrace.

“Don’t be sad, Teacher Yu,” Song Yan whispered, “At least the two of us are tied together for now.”

Yu Ze shushed him, “Want me to say the truth? This hug makes me feel very strange, because we’re just hugging our own body.”

But Song Yan didn’t let go of him, “Isn’t feeling strange better than feeling sad? You, just admit that this hug still has its use.”

The Yu Xin that stood a distance away, turned her head, saw the pair’s gentle, clean and honest hug, and immediately mumbled, “Too sickening!”

Only after they released each other, did Song Yan nonchalantly say, “Ah that’s right, I’m going as you for a psychological assessment. You have any suggestions?”

Yu Ze all of the sudden, really didn’t feel sad anymore. This was the first time he’d this experience of cheating on a test, and Song Yan was precisely his method of cheating.

Translator has something to say: Hug ~ ♡

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