The mountain road opens up, the streetlights are bright, and the surrounding scenery is clearly visible, giving a sense of security. The few stars in the sky are completely hidden by the city lights.

Zhang Bo had been waiting at the gate early. “Sir, Young Master, you’re back.”

Guan Ciyan glanced at Zhang Bo, who then turned to give Jian Yang a cup of hot milk. “Young Master, you must be cold, right?”

Jian Yang didn’t seem to notice anything. “Zhang Bo, you knew? It’s freezing up on the mountain.”

“Sir,” Jian Yang said to Guan Ciyan, “Would you like some?”

Guan Ciyan ignored Jian Yang and said, “Dinner.”

“Uh…” Jian Yang froze at the door.

At dinner, Guan Jingyu talked non-stop, and Jian Yang, too lazy to respond, just kept eating. He was still holding on, “Sir, I’ve eaten.”

Jian Yang rubbed his nose.

Guan Ciyan chuckled lightly and went to the dining room.

Jian Yang, already feeling guilty, swallowed nervously from that laugh. He complained of being exhausted and went to the living room to rest.

After a while, a professional animal trainer arrived to take Summer. Jian Yang also brought over Little Sun. “Could you take care of my cat too?”

The trainer told him, “Young Master, this cat’s claws are already very sharp.”

“Oh.” Jian Yang sighed. “Wow, really rich, even the dog’s paws are so precious.”

The trainer replied, “The city roads aren’t suitable for dogs to run on. Mr. Guan bought a mountain for Summer; it will be better. After every training session, grooming is required, otherwise, it’s bad for their claws.”

Jian Yang had a vague feeling that Guan Ciyan was the kind of person who was protective of those he cared about.

Whether it was Summer or… him.

Although comparing himself to the dog might not be appropriate.

But whatever Summer had, he had too.

Actually, he might even have more than Summer.

After dinner, Guan Ciyan lingered in the living room for a long time, leisurely making tea. Jian Yang didn’t act like usual, rushing upstairs to sleep as soon as dinner was over, but instead, he played around with Little Sun.

He laid back on the couch, his hair messy, while Little Sun kneaded his chest.

Jian Yang moved closer to Guan Ciyan, propped his head up, and said, “Sir, I’d like some too.”

Guan Ciyan placed a cup beside him.

Jian Yang sat on a small stool, shorter than Guan Ciyan by half, sitting obediently with his knees together, watching the tea pour into his cup.

Guan Ciyan looked down at him, observing his little performance. Usually, Jian Yang would only drink juice and eat half full, but now, he was trying to act refined, awkwardly tapping two fingers on the tea tray, a sign of clumsy imitation.

“Is it good?” Guan Ciyan asked.

“Mm…” Jian Yang waited for two seconds before replying, “It’s smooth.”

Jian Yang sniffed the tea, then continued, “The fragrance lasts long, with a nice aftertaste.”

Guan Ciyan hummed. “You have a good eye. I’ll let you try something even better.”

After switching the tea, Guan Ciyan went through the full process again, pouring Jian Yang another cup. “How about this?”

Jian Yang: “Hmm, this one’s better. The aroma has more layers, with a slight floral fragrance? Or is it fruity? Anyway, it’s very enjoyable.”

Jian Yang cleared his throat and, under Guan Ciyan’s gaze, turned his head away.

Strangely, his acting skills seemed to fail with Guan Ciyan. He couldn’t keep up the performance.

He heard a suppressed laugh. Jian Yang looked up, seeing Guan Ciyan’s shoulders trembling with laughter, his dark eyes lighting up. It was a smile that was entirely different from the usual superficial ones he showed.

Guan Ciyan wasn’t cold or serious, most of the time he smiled. But Jian Yang, a professional actor, could tell that this smile was genuine, not fake.

This real smile was something Jian Yang had never seen before.

Guan Ciyan had a strong face, with sharp features admired by many. With his prominent brow ridge, strong nose, narrow eyes, and sharp corners, he would look like a young general if dressed in ancient clothes—dignified and clear.

With such a bright smile, his appearance rose several ranks in Jian Yang’s mind.

Jian Yang was still admiring his appearance.

Guan Ciyan restrained his smile and teased, “Good memory.”

Jian Yang was confused. “What?”

Guan Ciyan opened the teapot to show him. “There’s only one kind of tea in there.”

Jian Yang: … Dog, dog, always playing tricks on him.

Guan Ciyan, with concern, said, “You must’ve remembered it for a long time. You did well.”

Jian Yang had actually memorized the lines during the ride back just to please Guan Ciyan, but now that it was exposed, he gave up and proudly said, “I’m good at memorizing lines. I remembered it in two minutes.”

Guan Ciyan: “What do you want? Hurry up and say it.”

Jian Yang felt it was a bit too much, but tried to ask in a more polite tone, “Can you stop riding the motorcycle?”

Guan Ciyan glanced at him, not quite pleased with his response. “I’ll give you a chance to say it again.”

Jian Yang: “Since you insist, I’ll say it.”

Guan Ciyan paused with the teacup in his hand, closed his eyes, then opened them again. “Say it.”

“If you really must ride the bike, can you not bring Summer? Last time I ran him, I almost died. His stamina is insane, I really couldn’t keep up.” Jian Yang remembered how he had cramped his calf last time and couldn’t help complaining.

Who has a dog that can walk that much and pretends to be deaf, not returning home when called?

Guan Ciyan picked up the teacup again, then set it down. “Done?”

Jian Yang nodded twice.

Guan Ciyan smiled again. Jian Yang couldn’t tell what his mood was but heard him say, “Go ahead. I understand.”

Thinking about Guan Ciyan’s reckless attitude tonight made Jian Yang feel uneasy. Saying it out loud didn’t make him feel much better, but for now, it was all he could do. He walked to the stairs, suddenly turning back. “Sir, if I do something, would you trust me?”

Guan Ciyan’s gaze deepened. “It depends on what you do.”

Jian Yang had the strange feeling that Guan Ciyan knew everything.

He didn’t continue the conversation but asked, “Does what you said before still stand? If I want to find Wen Ye, would you help me?”

This time, Guan Ciyan was satisfied and waved at him.

Jian Yang went over and sat down.

It felt strange, like Guan Ciyan called both him and Summer in the same way.

“Do you think I’m a dog?” Jian Yang asked.

“Not exactly.”

Guan Ciyan said, “Summer is much smarter than you.”

Jian Yang thought to himself: I shouldn’t have asked!

“Do you know why Wen Ye retired?” Guan Ciyan asked.

“Wasn’t it because he achieved his goals and just wanted to enjoy life?”

Guan Ciyan: “That kind of talk only fools you. Even Guan Jingyu doesn’t believe it.”

Jian Yang pouted.

“Wen Ye’s achievements in film and TV will be unmatched in the next fifty years in the entertainment industry. Even he himself can’t surpass them. He didn’t retire because he wanted to, but because he can’t create anymore. He’s at such a high level that he has forgotten what life feels like. After winning all the awards, he has fame, power, and reputation, but he doesn’t have the ability to make something that surpasses his past work.”

Jian Yang’s first reaction was to deny it. “How do you know that? Is it true?”

In his world, someone who has succeeded, is wealthy and free, with works and money, it made perfect sense to retire and seek freedom.

How could someone as talented as Wen Ye retire because of a bottleneck?

Jian Yang felt it didn’t make sense, it was totally unreasonable. “So, he’s… avoiding…”

A collapse. A huge collapse.

Jian Yang didn’t think of himself as particularly talented or gifted, but that didn’t stop him from admiring and adoring those with foresight and insight in the arts. Wen Ye, who could write, shoot, and act, was his ultimate idol.

How could his idol quit because of evasion?

He would never do that.

“This news…” Jian Yang mumbled, “Where did you hear this gossip?”

His questioning was the best feedback for Guan Ciyan, “Don’t worry about where I heard it, I’ll say it again, Jian Yang, you need to make your own judgment.”

Jian Yang still found it hard to accept, his finger tapping on the teacup as he absentmindedly put it to his mouth, “But…”

“Enough, let’s go,” Guan Ciyan snatched the teacup away. “I don’t waste my tea like this.”

Jian Yang sighed deeply, punching the cushion on the couch, “This is so troublesome, I need to pee.”

He had spent five rounds of tea with Guan Ciyan for this bit of gossip, and it was suffocating.

Jian Yang didn’t think Guan Ciyan had any reason to lie to him, on serious matters, Guan Ciyan had always been helpful to him. But this was hard to accept. Jian Yang opened the computer room that Zhang Bo set up for him in the room and pulled up all of Wen Ye’s works.

He lay down, feeling dejected on the bed.

Guan Ciyan didn’t lie.

Wen Ye’s works each had their own merits—box-office hits, award-winners, and various styles and types—but their core was the growth of ordinary people. His last work before quitting the industry was about a forest ranger helping a geologist uncover alien secrets. The strength of that piece lay in its suspense and mystery. The forest ranger was the central character, but the character arc had weakened considerably compared to his earlier works.

Wen Ye wasn’t born into a privileged family, didn’t have systematic education or training, and fought his way out by unconventional methods. After earning money and gaining fame, he wasn’t the same person anymore. He had lost the ability to empathize with people from the lower social classes.

Jian Yang could imagine how people would evaluate his next work: “Worn out.”

Rather than losing the aura of genius, it would be better to keep that peak impression in the public mind.

No matter how Guan Ciyan knew this, he wasn’t lying.

Jian Yang thought for a while and then jumped up from the bed.

Even if Wen Ye couldn’t surpass his past self, he wouldn’t just give up. Jian Yang believed Wen Ye’s relentless pursuit of perfection in film and television might be the key to him breaking through this bottleneck.

Jian Yang sifted through information until three in the morning, watching all of Wen Ye’s interviews.

If he were Wen Ye, he would be searching for inspiration right now.

Wen Ye probably wouldn’t go traveling or visit some forbidden places, or else all the paparazzi and the public would uncover his whereabouts.

Based on Wen Ye’s preferences, he would likely expand in directions he was familiar with. Perhaps he was experiencing life in a village, but where could he go? There were so many poor places in the world.

Maybe he should directly ask Guan Ciyan?

Guan Ciyan seemed to know.

But now, if he asked, he’d probably just get scolded.

Jian Yang opened the map and started looking around the places that Guan Ciyan frequently visited. Since he knew such private information, it was clear that Guan Ciyan had some connection with Wen Ye, but Guan Ciyan lived a routine life and didn’t have time to travel far.

This meant that Wen Ye was probably not far from him.

Looking further into it, Jian Yang’s understanding of Guan Ciyan’s financial power was greatly refreshed. The Rebirth Entertainment Hall only accounted for 50% of Guan Ciyan’s wealth, and his extended industrial chain included cultural commerce, cultural tourism, film investment, and light asset-high-profit industries. Money probably didn’t have much of an impact on him.

However, all of this had been built during the economic boom. Money came fast and went fast, and liquidity was high. The Guan family’s real estate and department stores were in the hands of Guan Jingyu’s father, who was also Guan Ciyan’s half-brother.

The old man’s distribution was clearly deliberate. He wanted to target Guan Ciyan. With a little effort, he could take back control.

Let Guan Ciyan make money to support his older brother’s development, and when the time was right, kick him out.

How ruthless.

Jian Yang became increasingly angry as he continued searching, eventually finding a village known for bamboo weaving in the tourism routes of Guan Ciyan’s cultural and tourism company.

What a coincidence.

Wen Ye had mentioned in an interview that his only hobby was bamboo weaving.

Jian Yang let out a sigh of relief, collapsing on the couch, and shouted, “I’m just too excellent, it’s almost enviable!”

The second half of his career slowly unfolded on a dim autumn morning.

In a rush, he sent a message to Guan Jingyu and collapsed into bed, falling into a deep sleep.

Leaving Guan Jingyu to anxiously scratch his head.

What did Jian Yang mean?

What did he mean by knowing where Wen Ye was?

Jian Yang didn’t wake up until noon, and Wei Wei called twenty times without waking him.

His sleep quality was the perfect example for young people today.

Before going to sleep, he had purposely sent that message to Guan Jingyu, just to tease him. His phone was probably monitored by Guan Ciyan, so calls from Guan Jingyu and Jian Yang’s family couldn’t get through. He hadn’t expected that Guan Ciyan would completely trust him.

He was upright and transparent, let Guan Ciyan investigate.

At least Jian Yang wouldn’t be disturbed by his family or Guan Jingyu, and he enjoyed the peace and quiet.

The weather was cold today, but the sunlight was bright. Jian Yang lay on the big bed, used his phone to remotely open the curtains, and let the light fill the room. He stretched lazily, thinking about Zhang Bo’s delicious dumplings.

He picked up his phone to call Zhang Bo, but saw twenty missed calls from Wei Wei and eight from Director Xu. He immediately closed his eyes.

“This isn’t me, this is a dream. Director Xu wouldn’t call me directly.” Jian Yang reassured himself with some useless comfort.

“Yeah, it’s just a dream.”

“Now, I’ll open my phone again, and there will be no messages.”

Oh no!!!

Director Xu really did call him eight times!!!

Jian Yang immediately replied to Wei Wei, “What happened? What’s going on? Director Xu isn’t changing people, right?”

It seemed like Wei Wei had already started working, cursing while holding back his voice, “The contract hasn’t been signed, how can you sleep?”

Jian Yang: “?? How do you know I’m sleeping?”

“I called your driver, your driver asked the housekeeper, and the housekeeper said you weren’t supposed to be disturbed. Nice one, little young master,” Wei Wei mocked.

“Really.” Jian Yang quickly asked, “Let’s get down to business first. Did Director Xu ask you to find me?”

“He’s handling your contract, asking if your company is using Rebirth Entertainment Hall’s information. He couldn’t find you, so he asked me. I told him no. Which company are you going to sign with? Tell your senior, he knows how to go through the process. Also, he still wants to give you that role from your last audition. He thinks you’re perfect for it. It’s a supporting role, but he’s adjusted the script, and your part is almost as big as the lead. He thinks that role could get you more attention.”

Jian Yang bit his lip and whispered, “I also want to tell Director Xu that I want to play that role. That’s fine, but… could the contract be signed under your company first?”

Wei Wei: “Are you pretending to be a rich second-generation and experience life in secret?”

“No,” Jian Yang couldn’t explain it properly.

Everything between Guan Jingyu and Guan Ciyan revolved around Rebirth Entertainment Hall. These two were ruthless and scheming, and if he became one of Rebirth’s artists, he would be stuck in their power struggle until one of them succeeded.

Moreover, now that Guan Jingyu viewed him as a breakthrough against Guan Ciyan, it was unclear whether he would even be able to leave alive.

“My company only has some equipment and manpower. If something goes wrong, I won’t be able to back you up,” Wei Wei was very understanding. Seeing Jian Yang’s hesitation and silence, he didn’t insist on anything further.

“Thanks, bro.”

“Stop with the ‘bro’ thing. Little young master, if you say you’re the young master, I won’t worry about filming. Hurry up and figure out how to get me the money.” Wei Wei shouted, hanging up. “No more talking. Get to work. Call your senior and apologize. He knows the information of my company.”

“By the way, you need to get your assistant and manager team together. There’s a lot to do for the promotion when you get on set. You don’t want to go solo, do you?”

“Oh.”

His career seems to be on track now. But the troubles ahead aren’t going to be just one or two.

It’s impossible to sign with Fuyu Sheng Hall, not even a dog would sign.

Jian Yang was thinking whether to build his own team and how to recruit people. Should he convince someone to angel invest? But he can’t afford salaries.

However, as long as he can hang on until the first movie is finished and he gets paid, he can talk about the next two projects, and the problem will be solved!

With this thought, Jian Yang felt that the problem wasn’t so big.

Off he goes, heading downstairs to eat some dumplings.

After contacting Director Xu, he had a full stomach. Summer lay on the first-floor terrace, sleeping, while Jian Yang, in his home clothes, lay beside him with his head on Summer’s belly, and a small sun lay on Jian Yang’s belly.

A new type of stacking.

The animal trainer and Guan Ciyan said that Summer’s wild nature was too strong, and after running in the mountains, they needed to observe him more to prevent him from getting depressed after being confined at home.

Guan Ciyan found time to open the camera, and saw a person, a dog, and a cat stacked up, sleeping.

None of these three seemed like they would be depressed.

Guan Ciyan opened the camera and shook his head helplessly.

A good person living like a dog.

Jian Yang’s behavior made him feel that his previous suspicion of Jian Yang being an undercover was foolish.

Because there wouldn’t be such a foolish undercover.

Guan Ciyan threw his second personal phone onto the table, and the screen showed the three little creatures enjoying the air conditioning and life. Jian Yang, feeling hot, was playing with his phone and unbuttoning his collar.

Guan Ciyan couldn’t help but wonder: Has he ever enjoyed like this?

Wasn’t the money earned by him?

Jian Yang wasn’t not working, it was just that the timing wasn’t right. At 2 PM, he yawned and slowly dialed Guan Jingyu, “Guan Jingyu, are you ready? I’m coming out now. Did you get in touch with Bai Shun? We’ll go together.”

“Yang Yang…”

Beep—

Jian Yang spoke like a machine gun, finished a string of words, and immediately hung up the phone.

Let Guan Jingyu figure it out on his own.

Then, he added a WeChat message: Wait for me at the sports hall entrance.

Half an hour later, Jian Yang called again, not giving Guan Jingyu a chance to speak, directly asking, “Is Bai Shun with you?”

“He’s here, we’re at the sports hall.”

Jian Yang felt pleased.

Guan Jingyu, this fool, still wants to use him to fulfill his big dream.

Bai Shun was the actor mentioned by Guan Jingyu yesterday, a film emperor. His debut work was a movie by Wen Ye. It was said that the two were close back then, and they had a very good private relationship. He won the Best Actor award at the Hundred Silver Branches two years ago, a type of actor with few works but deeply influential representative pieces.

When Guan Jingyu said Wen Ye’s name card came from Bai Shun, it was somewhat credible.

Moreover, bringing along an acquaintance, if Wen Ye doesn’t agree to cooperate with them, he should at least meet them.

Bai Shun was still the male lead under Wen Ye, so who knows? Perhaps the sparks of their inspiration would lead to them wanting to collaborate on a new project.

Jian Yang had the driver take him to the sports hall and quietly found Guan Jingyu. He wore a mask when he got in the car and sent Guan Jingyu the address of Bamboo Weaving Village while urging, “Hurry up, quickly.”

Guan Jingyu had a big blister on the corner of his mouth, “Yang Yang, what’s going on? Since last night, you haven’t explained a thing.”

“Ah, still need an explanation?” Jian Yang said naturally, “I thought you trusted me.”

Guan Jingyu waved his hand, “No, of course, I trust you, but you have to tell me what happened. I need to understand.”

“If you don’t trust me, then forget it, I’ll get out.”

Guan Jingyu got out of the car and stopped him, “Yang Yang, Yang Yang, sit in the front seat.”

Jian Yang pretended to be angry, “No.”

He opened the back seat door and sat beside Bai Shun.

Guan Jingyu squeezed in, “What’s the meaning of the address you sent me?”

“Of course, Wen Ye may be here, aren’t you going?”

“How do you know?”

Jian Yang told him the information he found online, claiming it was from Guan Ciyan, but kept the real reason for Wen Ye’s retreat hidden, instructing Guan Jingyu to happily drive to Bamboo Weaving Village.

While they were talking, Bai Shun kept looking out the window. He only glanced at Jian Yang when he mentioned the information.

Jian Yang took the initiative to speak, “Hello, Bai Film Emperor, I’m Jian Yang, preparing to debut and about to join the crew.”

Bai Shun was indifferent, “Hello, Bai Shun.”

There was no desire for conversation.

Jian Yang leaned his head against the front seat and looked at Bai Shun, pretending to be unaware, “Film Emperor Bai, do you want to collaborate with Wen Ye again?”

Bai Shun didn’t answer immediately, as if he suddenly thought of something and smiled faintly. The changing light outside the window made the smile very noticeable, “Pretty much.”

With Jian Yang’s years of experience in idol dramas, he asked again, “Everyone wants to work with Wen Ye, but it’s very hard. What do you think of Wen Ye as a person?”

Bai Shun kept looking out the window, “He’s… very timid.”

There’s a story there.

Jian Yang thought.

When ordinary people mention Wen Ye, either they admire him like Jian Yang, or they’re like Guan Jingyu, full of ambition for fame and fortune.

Only Bai Shun was almost unchanged.

No expectation, no unease.

Jian Yang was a bit confused. If there really was a story, after so long, why was he able to remain so calm?

Could this be the acting skill of the Film Emperor? No traces of acting at all.

Jian Yang pondered to himself, glancing at Bai Shun like a little sparrow.

Guan Jingyu in the front seat was doing his job as the driver, constantly checking the rearview mirror at Jian Yang, “Yang Yang, come up front and chat with me for a bit.”

You should know, the original character wouldn’t miss any chance to talk to Guan Jingyu.

Jian Yang: “Stop at the service area in front, I need to use the restroom.”

Guan Jingyu repeatedly hit roadblocks, frustrated but too cautious to say anything.

Jian Yang’s subtle arrogance made his heart itch. It was all his fault for hastily pushing the person towards his uncle, causing him to get upset.

But honestly, he looked kind of cute when he was angry.

“Actor Bai, do you need to go to the bathroom?” Jian Yang asked.

“No, thank you.”

“Yangyang, I’ll go with you,” Guan Jingyu eagerly wanted an opportunity to be alone with Jian Yang.

Jian Yang shot him a glance. “You’re going on a long trip, and you didn’t even prepare water in your car. Are you trying to make me die of thirst?!”

Guan Jingyu felt wronged. He was a young master, and when had he ever needed to drive himself? If this trip wasn’t supposed to be secretive, he would’ve made sure three cars followed them.

But with Jian Yang’s request, he had to go buy water.

Jian Yang stopped pretending and directly asked Actor Bai, “Bai Shun, do you want to meet Wen Ye? If you sign with Fu Yu Sheng Tang, I guarantee you’ll be able to find him.”

“Aren’t we heading there now?”

“We can’t go there. I came here today to see you. If you want to meet Wen Ye, I’ll help you, but you can’t work with Guan Jingyu anymore. Signing with Fu Yu Sheng Tang isn’t a bad idea either. If you don’t agree, we won’t go to the village today.”

For the first time today, Bai Shun turned around to look at Jian Yang. Jian Yang took out the prepared tool and sshh punctured the car tire.

“Okay.” Bai Shun agreed right away.

“Huh?” Jian Yang said, surprised.

“I can sign, but how do you guarantee you can find Wen Ye?”

This persuasion was too easy…

Jian Yang’s confidence wavered slightly as he stretched out his hand like a child. “Give me the small clip you shot for Guan Jingyu, and I’ll tell you where Wen Ye is within three days.”

Without hesitation, Bai Shun sent it over.

Jian Yang blinked his almond-shaped eyes, looking so stunned it was almost comical.

He immediately sent the clip and the address of Bamboo Weaving Village to Guan Ciyan.

“This is Wen Ye’s old friend. You need to take the clip to find Wen Ye. There’s a high chance he’ll meet us. I’m stopping Guan Jingyu on the way, so you must get there first, Mr.”

Guan Ciyan replied with the address of a detailed handcrafted bamboo weaving shop and one word: “Coming.”