Chapter 23: Secretly in Love with Me?

Shen Jixing had already arranged the meeting time with the other party. Just before leaving, he seemed to recall something, and retraced his steps upstairs to knock on the master bedroom door.

“Zhou Yili, are you awake?”

The room was silent for a moment before the man's husky, lazy voice sounded.

“The door’s not locked. Come in yourself.”

Shen Jixing pushed open the door.

The white curtains before the floor-to-ceiling windows billowed, fluttering the music scores on the floor with a soft rustle. He stopped by the bed and looked at the little lion sprawled out in a careless sleep.

“Are you using your car today?”

The little lion didn’t even bother to lift his eyelids. Half his face was buried in the pillow, pressing down a few unruly tufts of blue hair. “I have over twenty cars. Which one are you talking about?”

Sometimes, he really had to laugh at his own poverty.

Shen Jixing was silent for two seconds. “Any of them are fine. My car was taken to the event site yesterday just in case. I’ll need to borrow yours for a few days.”

His voice was as cold and indifferent as ever, and he seemed to remember that this young master was always sensitive to his aloof attitude. He paused for two seconds and added three words, “Is that okay?”

Zhou Yili lazily lifted his eyelids and looked at him.

Shen Jixing met his deep, wild eyes and, based on his understanding of Zhou Yili, expected him to sneer:

Running off all day—do you think my place is a hotel you can sleep in whenever you want?

But unexpectedly, there was nothing of the sort.

“All the keys are downstairs. Pick whichever you want.”

He dropped his gaze, uninterested, and pulled a thin blanket over his face. His cold, impatient voice was muffled, “Decide these trivial things yourself in the future. Don’t bother me.”

Shen Jixing’s gaze fell on those few strands of black-blue hair jutting out from under the blanket.

He flexed his fingers, then nodded. “Alright. Go back to sleep.”

…

Shen Jixing drove to the reserved private room.

The director had already arrived in advance. Upon seeing him, he sprang up with excitement, rushing to greet the movie emperor. “Shen, Shen Movie Emperor?!”

“Quick, sit on the tea, I’ll pour you a sofa.”

Shen Jixing politely declined, “No need to trouble yourself.”

He got straight to the point. “Did you bring the contract?”

The director was stunned.

That was direct, indeed.

“Yes, yes.” He took out the prepared contract from behind, but hesitated as he handed it over. “Are you really sure you want to join my variety show?”

He understood.

This was his chance to redeem himself, to shake off the reputation of “the worst director, everything flops.” But for Shen Jixing, it might not be a good thing…

Shen Jixing was much calmer than he had imagined. His wrist, pale as snow, extended from his cuff as he poured tea from a celadon teapot.

He smiled lightly, “Then am I just here for tea?”

The director truly didn’t understand Shen Jixing’s reasons, but he felt there must be some rationale.

“Well, I still have to say the ugly truth up front…”

A mist veiled his cool brows, as if an ink painting was unfurling.

Shen Jixing understood what he meant. His participation would bring immense attention but also stir up a storm of public opinion, possibly even dragging the director into controversy.

“Go ahead,” he replied calmly.

The Forbes-ranked tenth Chinese entrepreneur and rookie director fixed him with a sharp yet sincere gaze, and slowly said:

“I’ll buy trending topics.”

“A lot of trending topics.”

Sometimes, Shen Jixing truly felt that the minds of these wealthy people were a bit off.

His elegant lips moved as if to speak, but he only uttered three words, “Do as you like.”

He signed his name at the end of the contract.

The director’s eyes sparkled as he held up the completed contract, looking happier than when his new software made him ten billion.

Under Shen Jixing’s puzzled gaze, he said, “Actually, I’ve had a dream since I was a child.”

Shen Jixing nodded, interrupting, “I understand. Men are boys until death.”

The director seemed to have found a kindred spirit.

…

White mist curled upward, filling the air with rich tea fragrance.

Shen Jixing didn’t rush to leave, lingering to enjoy the tea.

Suddenly, he heard the director outside the screen divider, excitedly making a phone call. “Honey, our variety show is saved!!!”

Shen Jixing paused, teapot in hand.

He looked up with clear, refined eyes. The director sensed something and peeked around the screen, asking considerately, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Jixing replied, “…Nothing.”

Respect and blessings.

“This time, not only do we have the newly crowned top star Zhou Yili, but also the unrivaled movie emperor Shen Jixing. With both top stars together, if my variety show doesn’t explode, it’s a cosmic injustice.”

The director vowed, “This time, I must reclaim what’s mine… Shen, Shen Movie Emperor?”

Assistant director: “?”

The director looked at the person suddenly appearing behind the screen, nearly scared out of his wits.

Shen Jixing raised his hand and pulled the screen aside, his expression as cold as frost, his tone indifferent as he retorted—

“Who did you just say?”

…

Zhou Yili had also signed on to the variety show.

And before him.

Shen Jixing was completely caught off guard. Ever since his debut, Zhou Yili had mirrored his path, focusing solely on their own fields, never once participating in any reality shows.

Why would he suddenly want to join…

A subtle, incredulous thought surfaced in his mind.

Shen Jixing recalled that notebook Zhou Yili had closed for no reason.

“This bastard couldn’t possibly…”

Shen Jixing narrowed his eyes, pressed the accelerator, and the sea-blue McLaren vanished amid the traffic.

Upstairs, the director held his precious contract, still shaken.

“Close call. I held on, honey.”

Five minutes earlier, Shen the movie emperor had politely probed, “Perhaps, I could attempt a unilateral termination…”

The director clutched the contract in disbelief, retreating as he let out a piercing, soul-wrenching scream, “No! Not allowed! If you tear it, tear me first!!!”

Probably never encountered such a manic director before.

In the end, Shen Jixing left the private room, rubbing his brow in headache.

After a moment of silence, the assistant director spoke coolly, “Youqian, could you stop calling me that?”

The director scratched his head in confusion, “Why not? Isn’t your surname Gong?”

The assistant director hung up, silent. “Do as you like.”

…

Shen Jixing pushed open the apartment door, just as Zhou Yili was eating downstairs.

This young master’s breakfast table was laid out like a state banquet, a few wild tufts of blue hair atop his head as he elegantly wielded knife and fork, slicing… pickled vegetables.

Hearing the sound, he lifted his eyes.

“Yo, you’re back?”

His tone was as cavalier and lazy as ever.

Shen Jixing calmly glanced at the contract on the table, identical to the one in his hand.

“You’re joining Director You’s new variety show too?”

Zhou Yili popped the fork into his mouth, chewing leisurely as he replied with a relaxed drawl, “What a coincidence, you too?”

Shen Jixing took a slow, deep breath.

He walked over, pressing his contract down atop Zhou Yili’s.

His cool, jet-black lashes lifted slightly, his question sharp and direct, “Are you…”

Zhou Yili suddenly leaned back, raised his brows, and interrupted him.

“Secretly in love with me?”