Chapter 49

"I..." Jiang Chi didn't quite dare to look Ye Lan in the eye. His gaze shifted, looking down and to the sides, and he stammered, "I just had a bit of friction with the company, so I'm too embarrassed to stay in their house anymore. My own place has too many people, so I can't go back, and I don't really want to go to my dad's, so..."

Jiang Chi didn't have such an explosive temper. He went to the company originally wanting to make things clear, to solve whatever problems there were. As long as he could suppress the malicious hype and not involve Ye Lan, Jiang Chi wasn't unwilling to make some sacrifices and give in a little.

Unfortunately, the higher-ups at Century Entertainment were non-violently uncooperative. Perhaps they were too confident in Jiang Chi's good temper, or perhaps they were certain that Jiang Chi had no way out, so they were full of confidence. They beat around the bush on the matter of buying PR, neither admitting nor denying it. They only hinted for Jiang Chi not to destroy his own future, throwing one favorable contract after another at him, forcing him to accept defeat.

If Jiang Chi could truly be tripped up by the words 'fame and fortune,' he wouldn't have ended up being controlled by others now.

A higher-up from the company handed a thick contract to Jiang Chi, saying meaningfully, "It's not your first day in the industry. Don't be difficult. This isn't bad for you. Don't listen to others' nonsense. We want a long-term partnership, how could we possibly harm you? In the early stages, there might be some conflict between your and Ye Lan's fans, and Film Emperor Ye values his reputation, so he might refuse to share a stage with you to avoid controversy, but that has no real impact! You don't quite understand. Nowadays, as long as the marketing is good, ambiguous topics between male artists can become an independent commercial value. Besides, what's so special about Ye Lan? Is he really superior to others? As long as you cooperate, we can use him as a stepping stone to make you even more famous than him in the future! He's just used to being praised, really thinks he's some crown prince. Starlight isn't his, after all. No one really takes him seriously..."

Jiang Chi took the thick stack of contracts, stood up, walked around the round conference table to the higher-up who was still talking big, and slammed it viciously into his face.

Jiang Chi's lips moved slightly as he cursed in his heart, 'How dare you fucking badmouth him in front of me.'

A4 contract pages scattered like snowflakes in the conference room. The other higher-ups stared blankly for several seconds before remembering to break up the fight.

Although there were many higher-ups, most of them were weaklings with bodies debauched by wine and women, lacking even the strength to truss a chicken. Ganging up, they were no match for Jiang Chi, who was in his prime. Jiang Chi knew that his hopes of signing with Starlight were likely dashed. Since there were no surveillance cameras in the small conference room anyway, he decided he had nothing left to lose and grabbed a person to beat up. All decorum was lost as they scuffled in the conference room for a full ten minutes. It wasn't until the security guards downstairs heard the commotion and rushed up that Jiang Chi was pulled away.

The higher-ups, beaten by Jiang Chi, were exasperated and flew into a rage.

Jiang Chi was held down on the conference table by two security guards, one on each arm. His hair was disheveled, and while panting heavily, he didn't forget to threaten them coldly, "There's nothing more to discuss... I can't stop you from issuing a press release, but you can't stop me from holding a press conference. If you really want to go for mutual destruction, then let's try it... We'll see who can make a bigger scene."

The face of one higher-up, who had been kicked hard by Jiang Chi a few times, turned livid with anger. Hearing this, he trembled and demanded, "What do you want?!"

Jiang Chi struggled to break free from the security guards. Several higher-ups immediately took a few steps back, cautiously guarding against Jiang Chi suddenly starting to hit people again.

Jiang Chi had been with Century Entertainment for many years, so he knew a thing or two about some of the higher-ups' secrets that couldn't be told to outsiders. What they didn't know was that Jiang Chi could also make things up.

Jiang Chi casually made up a story about being subjected to the 'unspoken rules' by people from top to bottom over the years, making the faces of the higher-ups and the people who had just rushed in to break up the fight turn pale with anger.

Those with something to lose can't help but fear those with nothing to lose.

No matter how meticulous and comprehensive the plan, it couldn't control such an explosive, uncertain factor.

With a flurry of wild punches, Jiang Chi had beaten a roomful of old masters.

No one in the conference room dared to speak... The incident from half a year ago, where Jiang Chi risked paying a huge breach of contract fee to take on a role, was still fresh in their minds. Everyone knew that if Jiang Chi said it, he would really do it.

This was already the worst-case scenario, but it was also the most effective method. Jiang Chi had already said the ugliest things. There was no room left for negotiation, and nothing more to care about. Jiang Chi pushed everyone aside and left on his own.

Naturally, he could no longer live in the house the company provided. Jiang Chi hurriedly packed up his essential belongings into two large suitcases and got in his car.

After driving around the city twice, just as the city lights were coming on, Jiang Chi acted on impulse and drove his car to Ye Lan's place.

Jiang Chi had actually only intended to drive around the area a couple of times; he didn't expect to see the lights on in Ye Lan's building.

In the unseen world, it seemed there was truly such a thing as destiny.

Jiang Chi didn't understand why Ye Lan hadn't returned to the film crew. As if driven by some unseen force, like he had seen a guiding light, he just drove over.

He didn't know what he was doing here either.

There were many things he could no longer explain clearly. He didn't know if Ye Lan had heard, nor did he know what Ye Lan thought of him now.

But he just wanted to see him.

Jiang Chi looked at the car keys in Ye Lan's hand and understood that he was about to go out. Jiang Chi subconsciously smoothed his messy hair, awkwardly trying to find a way out of the situation, "I forgot you only have one bed here. I was muddled from being busy. You... you should rest."

"I... I have something important to do. I'll call you back later." Ye Lan's fingertips trembled. He had to press the screen several times before he finally ended the call with An Ya.

Jiang Chi looked at Ye Lan anxiously. What important business?

Ye Lan stuffed his phone and car keys into his pocket, strode towards Jiang Chi, and pulled his only "important business" right now directly into his arms.

Ye Lan hugged Jiang Chi tightly, as if still in a dream.

He had only been out of touch for half a day. How did it feel as if he had almost lost this person forever?

Seeing him now was like seeing a lover who was lost and now found.

Ye Lan had always thought he had just recently fallen for Jiang Chi, but thinking about it carefully now, he felt as if he had liked him for a very long time, and had simply missed many years.

For the first time, Ye Lan believed something people always said about him: Ye Lan has good fortune.

That's why he was able to meet Jiang Chi.

"Jiang Chi, are you..." Ye Lan's voice caught in his throat, and he swallowed the latter half of the sentence, "do you like me?", back down.

Asking such a question after the fact, was he an idiot?

Hasn't Jiang Chi's behavior been obvious enough?

Ye Lan silently asked himself, are you blind?

A cold wind clung to Jiang Chi. Suddenly embraced by Ye Lan, a warmth flooded his chest and mind, leaving him completely stunned. His thoughts were in a whirl, guessing what and how much Ye Lan knew, his heart filled with apprehension. From the very beginning, his greatest fear was that Ye Lan would also misunderstand him.

Ye Lan buried his face in the crook of Jiang Chi's neck. After a moment of silence, he didn't continue his previous question, instead saying, "Jiang Chi, can I pursue you?"

Jiang Chi's eyes flew wide open.

His lips moved, and after a long moment, he said hoarsely, "What... did you say?"

"I like you very much." Ye Lan hugged Jiang Chi tightly, asking with rare gentlemanliness, "Can I pursue you?"

Jiang Chi felt he must have been dazed from anger, or maybe he'd hit his head during the fight. He found it incredibly difficult to comprehend Ye Lan's few short words.

"You..." Jiang Chi felt he must be going crazy. "Do you mean... that kind of meaning?"

"The 'like' that means I want to sleep with you, the 'pursuit' that has the goal of being able to go to bed with you every day. Have I made myself clear enough?"

Ye Lan loosened his hold on Jiang Chi slightly. He took a deep breath, and before Jiang Chi could speak, he said, "Don't answer me yet... I have some other important business to discuss with you."

Ye Lan forced himself to calm down first. He picked up one of Jiang Chi's suitcases and pulled both the man and the luggage into the house.

The front door had been open the whole time. Cen Wen, standing in the entryway, felt utterly superfluous after her initial shock. She looked at the two of them in embarrassment and said, "I... I'll leave first. Call me if you need anything. I probably won't be sleeping tonight."

After saying that, she quickly grabbed her phone and bag and scurried away.

Ye Lan brought over a laptop he didn't use often, turned it on, and stared quietly at the screen.

Jiang Chi watched Ye Lan in a daze. Ye Lan's words, "Can I pursue you?" were still replaying over and over in his mind. Looking at the man intently focused on the computer in front of him, Jiang Chi's heart was a mix of wild joy and bewilderment.

After waiting for a moment, Ye Lan grew impatient and started typing quickly. Jiang Chi subconsciously glanced over. It seemed Ye Lan was asking for something from people in some kind of group chat.

"When Starlight contacted you before, what was the profit-sharing ratio they offered you?" Ye Lan asked while typing. "Tell me the number they gave you the last time they contacted you."

Jiang Chi answered honestly, "I get seventy-five percent."

Ye Lan asked again, "And Century?"

"Eighty percent..." Jiang Chi was confused. "What's wrong?"

Jiang Chi reckoned he wouldn't be able to go to either of those two companies now.

"It's nothing." Ye Lan received a file, opened it, changed a few numbers, and then turned the computer screen towards Jiang Chi. "Take a look at this contract. It's a first draft, a bit rough. You can have your lawyer look at it later, and we can refine the details gradually."

Jiang Chi stared blankly at the document's header: "Ye Lan's Studio? You..."

"The plan has changed." Ye Lan pushed the entire laptop towards Jiang Chi. "I think it's better if I sign you myself."

Jiang Chi: "..."

What kind of dream was he having?

Jiang Chi looked at the contract. On the commercial film remuneration sharing ratio that Ye Lan had just modified, it was starkly written: Studio's share, one percent; Artist Jiang Chi's share, ninety-nine percent.

Ye Lan gently rubbed the corner of the table and said softly, "I know everything now."

Ye Lan didn't say much more, but Jiang Chi understood everything.

The rims of Jiang Chi's eyes suddenly turned red.

This seed that had been buried in his heart nine years ago, after many years of cultivation, had it finally broken through the soil and sprouted this spring?

"I already confessed just now. Although you might not have believed it, my sincerity, and..." Ye Lan pointed at the contract details on the computer screen, "my promise, it's right here, in the detailed clauses of the profit-sharing, laid out for you to see."

"All you have to do now is nod your head and sign your name." Ye Lan looked at Jiang Chi, his expression focused and earnest, his voice slightly hoarse. "And our matter will be legally binding."

Jiang Chi stared intently at Ye Lan, his fingers clenching and unclenching. Tears instantly streamed down his face.

This road... no matter how difficult the previous nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine steps had been, at the other end of the long road, his Ye Lan had finally taken one step.

Jiang Chi's drifting, uncertain heart finally settled at this moment.

By Ye Lan's side, it sent out shoots and sprouted, taking root.