Chapter 2: The Movie Emperor’s Scandal

The urgent task at hand was to get the trending search removed.

To save his own skin, Chen Chang’an had no choice but to visit the story’s biggest antagonist, his uncle Zheng Rongyu, who had no blood relation to him.

In the book, Chen Chang’an was merely a brainless pawn. His ability to linger around Jiang Baiqing for so long was largely due to the financial support from Zheng Rongyu behind the scenes.

Chen Chang’an’s parents had passed away early, and his mother had entrusted him to her neighbor’s younger brother, Zheng Rongyu. Zheng Rongyu took a hands-off approach with Chen Chang’an—providing enough money each month but offering no affection.

Zheng Rongyu himself was Jiang Baiqing’s greatest enemy in the business world. The two had been in a fierce rivalry for over two hundred chapters, and in the end, Jiang Baiqing narrowly triumphed by discovering a financial loophole in Zheng Rongyu’s company, sending him to jail.

Chen Chang’an had already imagined the image of an uncle with a blue dragon and white tiger tattooed arm, but upon meeting him, he found that the man was a handsome and mature workplace elite, calmly sipping tea instead of engaging in any violent confrontation.

“Uncle Rong,” Chen Chang’an called out cautiously, as described in the book.

Zheng Rongyu got straight to the point: “Got into trouble again, or is it a money issue?”

Chen Chang’an thought seriously for a moment: “…Could this question be a multiple-choice one?”

“Go ahead,” Zheng Rongyu replied, clearly not surprised.

“Could you put in a word for me to get the trending search removed?” Chen Chang’an looked at his expression, “You know, the ones about me and Jiang Baiqing in the hotel elevator.”

Upon hearing the name of his rival, Zheng Rongyu paused slightly, raising one eyebrow: “You and Jiang Baiqing were actually in the elevator—”

Chen Chang’an panicked: “It was all a misunderstanding! Nothing happened between us!”

Zheng Rongyu gave him a deep look: “Adults need to take precautions and be responsible for themselves.”

“Just tell me if you can get it removed,” Chen Chang’an gave up on explaining.

“Two million has been transferred to your account. This is a one-time deal; don’t be so impulsive next time,” Zheng Rongyu said while sending a message, lamenting, “Next time, I’ll make sure to ruin Jiang Baiqing so badly he won’t even recognize himself.”

Chen Chang’an silently lit a candle for Zheng Rongyu.

Oh, antagonist, no matter how rich you are, opposing the male lead will not end well!

—

“Thanks,” Chen Chang’an said, feeling a bit guilty. After hesitating, he decided to help Zheng Rongyu a bit, “Uncle Rong, isn’t your company’s Financial Director surnamed Fu?”

Zheng Rongyu put down his phone and looked up at him: “Yes, why?”

“Fire him,” Chen Chang’an wrinkled his nose, “I consulted a fortune teller, and there are two karmas between you and him—one good and one bad. Which one do you want to hear first?”

“Let’s hear the good one first,” Zheng Rongyu said, his expression unchanged.

“The good part is that he will feed you.”

“And the bad part?”

“He feeds you prison food.”

Zheng Rongyu chuckled, then met Chen Chang’an’s gaze and burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face.

Chen Chang’an’s eyelids twitched: “You don’t believe me?”

“I do,” Zheng Rongyu said, his chest vibrating with laughter, slightly out of breath, “Uncle will have him pack his things and get lost tomorrow.”

Belief or disbelief, Chen Chang’an nodded in satisfaction, but out of curiosity, he asked one more question:

“Uncle Rong, why did you agree to take care of me back then?”

“When you were brought into my home, you were only as tall as the vase at the door,” Zheng Rongyu said with a dangerous smile, his expression somewhat nostalgic, “I thought it would look nice to have a child in the spot where the vase was.”

“…Uh.”

“Unfortunately, you were rebellious back then and refused to stand at the door as a vase no matter what.”

Chen Chang’an roared inwardly: Would any normal person want to be a vase?!

“So are you willing now?”

Zheng Rongyu’s hand, adorned with a silver emerald ring, rested on Chen Chang’an’s shoulder, quietly waiting for his answer.

Chen Chang’an straightened his back, afraid that if the other party was displeased, he would dig out his own shoulder blades with bare hands.

He broke into a cold sweat: “Haha, Uncle, you’re really humorous.”

Zheng Rongyu shook his head seriously.

“Uncle never jokes.”

“It’s me who likes to joke!” Chen Chang’an clasped his hands together, “Just pretend I didn’t ask, please.”

Zheng Rongyu withdrew his hand and quietly sized up Chen Chang’an for a while.

Suddenly, he became interested in his cheap nephew.

—

Chen Chang’an didn’t dare stay at Zheng’s house for dinner.

Having just received two million, he generously rewarded himself with a free employee meal from the company.

Star Entertainment had a cafeteria, but the dishes were basic commuter fare, and since the employees were all stars, usually, no one went.

Having grown accustomed to eating boxed meals as a background actor, the company cafeteria felt like a warm haven to him.

He lowered his head, tears welling up as he bit into a corn cob, and when he looked up again, he met Jiang Baiqing’s distant gaze.

“Teacher Jiang, what are you doing here?”

Did you catch a flight today from far and wide?

“Xiao Chen, no rudeness allowed,” the president uncle beside him reprimanded, putting on a stern face, “President Jiang is a guest here to discuss cooperation. I invited him to experience our cafeteria.”

“Oh, that’s good.” At least he wasn’t here to take his life, Chen Chang’an put on a smile again, “Teacher Jiang, enjoy your meal!”

Jiang Baiqing looked puzzled: “Are you a waiter here?”

“No.”

“Then why are you being so enthusiastic?”

“Haha, because the company is my home, and civility relies on everyone.” Chen Chang’an patted his chest grandly, masking a hint of guilt, “That’s our corporate culture.”

The president uncle smiled in satisfaction: “Well said, I reward you by eating with us!”

Chen Chang’an’s expression changed: “President, I’m full.”

The uncle wrapped an arm around Chen Chang’an’s shoulder and whispered, “What do you know? It’s not about the food; it’s about the connections.”

The president uncle was Zheng Rongyu’s business partner and always took care of Chen Chang’an.

And the one being taken care of only wanted to ask: President, what kind of success guru are you?!

The problem was that Jiang Baiqing had no idea about the relationships and psychological activities behind the scenes.

In his eyes, the scene was: Chen Chang’an looking awkward and resistant, tightly held by a chubby man.

Jiang Baiqing looked again and ultimately said nothing.

—

The three of them didn’t need a large round table. The president uncle found a square table with two seats on one side and sat down first, while Jiang Baiqing naturally took the seat opposite him.

Chen Chang’an wanted to move toward the president uncle, but the latter smiled and called out, “Xiao Chen, go sit with President Jiang. You young people have more topics to discuss.”

“Oh, okay.”

Chen Chang’an moved to Jiang Baiqing’s side, and when he sat down, he accidentally bumped into Jiang Baiqing’s leg.

Jiang Baiqing jumped back as if he had been bitten by a bug, almost writing “avoid suspicion” on his face.

Chen Chang’an was startled: “Uh, maybe I should sit across from you instead.”

Jiang Baiqing pressed his lips together: “No need, just sit here.”

Chen Chang’an gave a thumbs up in his heart: As expected of the male lead, he truly embodies unpredictability!

Thinking of the recently removed Weibo trending search, he could only pray that Jiang Baiqing hadn’t seen it.

So, Chen Chang’an became even more attentive to Jiang Baiqing:

“Teacher Jiang, can I serve you some soup?”

“No, thanks.”

“Teacher Jiang, can I arrange the dishes for you?”

“I can do it myself.”

“Teacher Jiang, can I refill your rice?”

Jiang Baiqing could no longer tolerate it: “Don’t you have your own meal to eat?”

Chen Chang’an innocently replied: “Didn’t I say I was full?”

Jiang Baiqing thought of something and glanced at the president uncle across the table.

The president uncle was wildly blinking at Chen Chang’an: “Xiao Chen, as a guest, be a bit more enthusiastic toward President Jiang.”

Chen Chang’an wanted to be enthusiastic, but unfortunately, Jiang Baiqing was not an ordinary guest; he was a well-prepared assassin.

Under the other party’s strict defense, Chen Chang’an had no way to make a move.

Jiang Baiqing suddenly cleared his throat: “Could you help me pick some beef?”

“Sure!”

Incredible, the assassin has changed careers.

Chen Chang’an thought he had won Jiang Baiqing’s favor: “What else would you like to eat?”

One thing led to another, and Jiang Baiqing casually mentioned “star anise.”

Chen Chang’an was surprised: “Who eats spices raw?”

Jiang Baiqing took a long time to squeeze out a sentence: “I like it, what’s wrong with that?”

Chen Chang’an quickly replied: “Sure, sure, whatever you want to eat, I’m fine with it.”

Hearing this, Jiang Baiqing looked a bit awkward and scolded: “Don’t say such things at the dining table.”

Chen Chang’an was confused.

“What kind of ‘such things’?”

Why was he making Jiang Baiqing feel uncomfortable just by talking?

—

In the end, Jiang Baiqing did not perform the act of chewing on star anise.

After a satisfying meal, Chen Chang’an politely suggested: “Teacher Jiang, let me take you home?”

Jiang Baiqing slowly withdrew his arm from Chen Chang’an’s hand.

He wore an expression of “as I expected” and glanced at the president uncle.

Chen Chang’an was puzzled.

Clearly, it was me who said I would take you home; why do you keep looking at our president?

Reluctant to part? Like Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai sending each other off?

“No need,” Jiang Baiqing lowered his gaze.

At that moment, the president uncle spoke: “Then Xiao Chen, you can take me. I won’t call the driver for a trip.”

“Wait.” Jiang Baiqing almost instantly changed his mind, “I want to go.”

Chen Chang’an finally understood—Jiang Baiqing was a late-blooming rebel.

What to do with a rebellious male lead? Just pamper him.

Chen Chang’an resignedly invited Jiang Baiqing to get into his sports car.

Jiang Baiqing commented nonchalantly: “Your car is quite nice.”

Chen Chang’an recalled the original plot; this car was a gift from Zheng Rongyu and had some significance in the book.

He vaguely remembered that in the original story, after the red carpet event, the arrogant Chen Chang’an pointed at this car and said to Jiang Baiqing: “Nice, right? Even if you sold everything, you couldn’t afford it.”

Then the next day, he was universally criticized and withdrew from the circle, to the point where even Zheng Rongyu couldn’t save him.

Chen Chang’an shivered and quickly clarified: “It’s not my own money; it’s a gift from my uncle.”

“Your biological uncle?”

“Ah, no, not by blood.”

A look of pity appeared on Jiang Baiqing’s face.

Chen Chang’an was focused on driving and didn’t see it.

“You… don’t think that’s bad?” Jiang Baiqing couldn’t help but ask.

Chen Chang’an thought he was referring to buying a luxury car and quickly agreed: “Yes, it’s bad, very bad, extravagant and wasteful, truly unacceptable.”

Jiang Baiqing found it strange: “Then why didn’t you think that way back then?”

What “back then”?

Chen Chang’an thought for a moment, was he referring to the “back then” when he bought this car?

At that time, “Chen Chang’an” was not him.

He sighed, feeling a sense of weariness: “I wasn’t entirely willing; many things are just hard to explain.”

Anyone who travels from a vegetable market to a grand hotel, from a small role to a big star, would feel apprehensive.

Perhaps infected by his pretentiousness, Jiang Baiqing responded with a heavy “mm,” not pursuing the topic further.

Chen Chang’an had no time to care about Jiang Baiqing’s psychological activities.

His mind was filled with one question: Had Jiang Baiqing seen the trending search?

—

Finally, they arrived at Jiang Baiqing’s home.

Chen Chang’an hesitated: “Teacher Jiang, can I come up for a bit?”

He needed to explain the trending search situation to Jiang Baiqing properly.

Jiang Baiqing looked at him with an inscrutable expression.

“Is this not voluntary? Is there a company arrangement involved?”

Chen Chang’an thought Jiang Baiqing was too peculiar; why did he have to ask if everything was voluntary?

If it wasn’t voluntary to go upstairs, could it be a performance requirement from the president?

They were in the entertainment industry, not selling insurance.

But Chen Chang’an still replied:

“The desire to come up and sit with you is entirely my own idea, unrelated to the company.”

Jiang Baiqing seemed to relax: “Oh, then I refuse.”

Chen Chang’an was even more confused.

What was the issue? Was only a business cooperation representing the company allowed to go upstairs?

Forget it, if he couldn’t go upstairs, then he couldn’t.

He turned his head, leaning forward, and looked sincerely at Jiang Baiqing.

“Teacher Jiang, if we can’t go upstairs, can we talk in the car?”

Jiang Baiqing choked on his own saliva: “Cough, cough, in the car?”

“Yes, it’s a bit stuffy. But the privacy is quite good; we can keep our voices down, and I guarantee no one will hear us.” Chen Chang’an objectively assessed the conditions for conversation in the car, “What do you think, can we do that?”

It must be said that Chen Chang’an’s face was quite advantageous.

At least when Jiang Baiqing looked at his face, paired with the sincere invitation, he momentarily couldn’t bring himself to say “no.”

But after a moment of daze, Jiang Baiqing still held his ground and sternly scolded: “Chen Chang’an, that’s enough!”

“What do you mean ‘enough’?” Chen Chang’an couldn’t hold back, “I just want to talk to you about the trending search; why is it so complicated?!”

Jiang Baiqing was taken aback; he had been busy catching a flight for cooperation and hadn’t had time to pay attention to what the trending search was about.

“The trending search?”

“Yes, it’s about the number one trending topic.” Chen Chang’an nodded, “If it weren’t for this, why would you be angry with me?”

Jiang Baiqing maintained a stern face, taking a long time to respond: “…If we’re talking business, sit up straight. Why are you leaning in so close?”

Chen Chang’an was speechless: Did you think you were some dual-role movie emperor? You might as well change your name to Jiang the Etiquette Teacher.

—

Under the eaves, one must bow their head; in the end, Chen Chang’an didn’t dare to voice his true feelings.

While cursing himself inwardly, he put on a smile and straightened his back: “Alright, Teacher Jiang, do you think I’m straight enough now?”

“How would I know if you’re straight or not?” Jiang Baiqing still looked displeased, “You should know in your heart; why are you asking me?”

Chen Chang’an thought he was sitting straight enough, but hearing Jiang Baiqing was still angry, he felt a bit uncertain: “Uh… I should be straight enough?”

Jiang Baiqing snorted coldly: “You know in your heart—what’s wrong with being ‘number one trending’?”

“‘Number one trending’ just… mentioned a bit about me and you.”

Jiang Baiqing was still too naive, not taking it to heart: “What could there be between you and me?”

“To put it simply, I feel like they are praising our brotherhood.”

Upon hearing the last three words, the man’s expression turned serious: “Objectively.”

Chen Chang’an shrank his neck: “Objectively speaking, we have a bit of a scandal.”

When Jiang Baiqing heard the word “scandal,” he was surprisingly not shocked; instead, he revealed an expression of “I knew it,” and said lightly: “Are there reporters tonight? Where are they hiding?”

“…What ‘reporters’? I don’t know.” Chen Chang’an’s face was pure confusion.

Jiang Baiqing looked at Chen Chang’an’s face, which seemed to say “Don’t ask me; my IQ is really low,” and became less concerned, mentally categorizing Chen Chang’an as a “naive vase being used by the company.”

Thinking that his company and Chen Chang’an’s would have future collaborations, he had to figure out the other party’s intentions, even if it meant being stabbed in the back; he needed to know where the knife was coming from.

Different strategies were needed for different personalities. Jiang Baiqing changed to a more amiable senior demeanor and began to probe: “Chang’an, can I call you that?”

Chen Chang’an felt a chill run down his spine at being called that, feeling uncomfortable all over: “Um, um, I guess that’s fine.”

“Since we’ve had a scandal, we can consider ourselves acquainted.” Jiang Baiqing saw no flaw in his logic, “You don’t have to call me Teacher Jiang anymore; how about calling me Brother Bai?”

Jiang Baiqing’s deliberately lowered voice was too charming, and Chen Chang’an found it hard to resist: “Oh, oh, Brother Bai.”

“Then shall we chat?” Yet Jiang Baiqing remained oblivious.

“Chat, chat, let’s chat.”

“…Are you stuttering?” Jiang Baiqing couldn’t hold back.

Chen Chang’an, scolded, suddenly stopped stuttering: “Haha, Brother Bai, how could I stutter? Why don’t you record a segment for me to listen to? You’re joking with me, right? So humorous.”

Jiang Baiqing: …I actually want to record, but how did this person suddenly stop stuttering?

—

Jiang Baiqing finally managed to maintain his composure and decided to check on Chen Chang’an’s background: “Ahem, just casually chatting, how many people are in your family?”

Chen Chang’an instinctively planned to count on his fingers, but then remembered he had crossed over.

—Zheng Rongyu certainly couldn’t be counted as family; otherwise, what if Jiang Baiqing implicated him and wiped out his entire clan?

Dead uncle, living nephew, Chen Chang’an firmly believed in that.

So he abruptly raised his head and answered: “One.”

Jiang Baiqing was taken aback: “One?”

“Yes.” Chen Chang’an nodded, “My family has been left with just me for a long time.”

Jiang Baiqing felt awkward to ask more and solemnly said: “My condolences.”

“Now that you mention it, I feel a bit uncomfortable.” Chen Chang’an wasn’t the original person, so he didn’t have much emotional connection, but he found it awkward.

Strangely, he seemed to have forgotten many things from before he crossed over; he couldn’t recall his previous family and friends, as if there was a layer of bubble wrap separating him from those memories.

Chen Chang’an thought hard but couldn’t remember, while Jiang Baiqing assumed he had touched on Chen Chang’an’s sorrowful topic and spoke more gently, showing more tolerance toward this small-time celebrity: “Did you start working in the entertainment circle at a young age?”

“I entered the industry around fifteen or sixteen, but after all these years, I still haven’t made much progress.” The former Chen Chang’an, who only remembered being a background actor, expressed his true feelings, “My acting skills are poor, my mind isn’t sharp, I don’t know any big shots, and I often offend people.”

Jiang Baiqing comforted him understandingly: “With your… pure heart, it’s indeed easy to be used.”

“Does that mean he thinks I’m stupid?” For the first time, Chen Chang’an understood Jiang Baiqing’s meaning and earnestly defended himself, “…I’m not stupid; I’m quite shrewd.”

Jiang Baiqing revealed a sympathetic smile, “The only thing about you that’s truly round is your head.”

Chen Chang’an weakly protested, “Brother Bai, that’s a personal attack.”

—

After circling around, Jiang Baiqing finally got to the point, “Since you’re so shrewd, do you know what your President meant by sending you to deliver me?”

“I know.” The President is a master of success, hoping to leverage his relationship with Jiang Baiqing.

But then Chen Chang’an thought it over and realized something was off. The reason the President brought him along for success training was because he was Zheng Rongyu’s nephew, right?

How could he say such a thing to Jiang Baiqing!

He quickly changed his tune, “No, that’s not right. How could a small employee like me possibly know what our President means?”

His little thoughts were completely transparent in front of Jiang Baiqing. Jiang Baiqing’s expression darkened as he asserted, “You clearly know, but you’re unwilling to tell me.”

Hearing his tone, Chen Chang’an began to tremble, stammering, “Brother Bai, I do know, but I can’t say. Life inevitably has regrets; today, either you regret or I regret. Please don’t make it difficult for me.”

“Two drama resources, can you say?” Jiang Baiqing, seeing that he was getting nowhere, dropped the smile and started bargaining.

Chen Chang’an shook his head.

“Add another variety show.”

Chen Chang’an shook his head again.

Jiang Baiqing scoffed, “Are you a fan? Is shaking your head your only skill?”

Chen Chang’an replied earnestly, “If you need, I can also adjust the speed of my speech and the angle of my head shake.”

“Even with this question, you won’t speak up? You’re quite loyal.”

Jiang Baiqing gave a half-hearted compliment and began to suspect that Chen Chang’an was playing dumb.

Chen Chang’an felt genuinely proud, “Brother Bai, don’t challenge my livelihood with your curiosity.”

Having failed to extract any information, Jiang Baiqing felt a bit weary. He placed his right hand lightly on his forehead, “Alright, the person has been delivered; you can go now.”

Chen Chang’an was taken aback, “…Brother Bai, this is my car.”

The atmosphere became slightly awkward.

“Don’t call me Brother Bai; call me Teacher Jiang.” The man got out of the car, leaving him with a somewhat disheveled back, “We’re not familiar.”

Chen Chang’an sat in the sports car, unable to react for a long time.

…Wasn’t it Jiang Baiqing who just said to call him Brother Bai?

What’s wrong with him? Getting out of the car and pretending not to know him?

Could a sudden change of expression also be a form of emotional management?

---

Author’s Note:

Fill in the blank: What (kind of) person doesn’t recognize others?

Having already gotten in the car, how far can it be to get (out)?