Chapter 45

The next day, Jiang Yi left on a business trip.

Yang Yunran saw him off at the airport, accompanied by two colleagues from the lab, a man and a woman.

Because Jiang Yi had taken him to a ball hosted by the academy, Yang Yunran had met both of them before. The man was their boss, and the woman was the one who had danced at the ball, clutching her heart and saying “So sweet” about them.

At the terminal, Yang Yunran only hugged Jiang Yi without kissing his face or chin, knowing Jiang Yi didn’t seem to like such displays of affection, so he restrained himself.

Jiang Yi held him for a moment but didn’t receive a kiss, thinking Yang Yunran was shy because of the crowd.

Jiang Yi stroked his hair, and Yang Yunran said gloomily, “Come back soon. I’ll miss you.”

Jiang Yi murmured, “Mm,” let go of him, and looked down. “I’m boarding the plane now. I’ll call you when I arrive.”

“Okay, call me every day.” Reluctantly, Yang Yunran walked him to the security checkpoint and watched Jiang Yi disappear into the distance.

He returned home with a melancholy expression, knowing that for the next week, he wouldn’t have his boyfriend to cling to, although Jiang Yi himself wasn’t fond of being clung to.

Back home,

“Ye Ye, Professor.” Zhou Kai called for a video conference, introducing a third person in the meeting room to Yang Yunran. “This is our company’s Mr. Lin.”

Seated in the video was a woman in a white suit jacket, looking around thirty but probably in her forties.

“Hello, Mr. Lin, I’m Yang Yunran.”

“Hello, I’m Lin Ye.” Lin remained composed, but her eyes brightened. Yang Yunran was casually dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, with a freshness rarely seen in the entertainment industry.

Compared to Haliyeh wearing a mask in his live broadcasts, his aura was even better!

“Zhou Kai said you look much better in person than in photos and videos. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you! You graduated in June, right? That’s still over a month away. Are you planning to return to China?”

“It depends on the situation,” Yang Yunran replied cautiously. If Jiang Yi returned, he would too; if not, he’d consider where to write songs.

Zhou Kai presented a PowerPoint and said, “Professor, it’s been less than a month since we signed with you. Let me briefly introduce our company’s business scope to you. We have our own film and television department, producing movies and TV dramas. We’ve signed numerous trainees and artists, although we have relatively few singers—only three signed, including you. However, we maintain long-standing friendly cooperation with Universal Music, Sony Music, and several other major record labels. So, you don’t need to worry about the market aspect of album releases.”

Yang Yunran was impressed by their efficiency; they were already working on producing his album.

Zhou Kai continued, “We’ll need you to return to China in July or August to shoot the music video. We’ll discuss the storyline details online in advance, including casting the lead actors. You won’t need to wear a mask; we’ll use special methods during filming to avoid showing your face.”

Yang Yunran responded, “No problem,” and Zhou Kai continued, “The album is just the first step in your career plan.”

Yang Yunran asked, “Anything else?”

“Yes,” Zhou Kai replied. “With the airing of our dramas and movies, your songs have become very popular recently. After the variety show airs in June, it will reach its peak of popularity with your songs. We plan to arrange for you to participate in a masked talent growth variety show in September.”

Yang Yunran politely declined, “I… don’t really want to participate in a variety show. Is it the type where celebrities sing masked and judges guess their true identities?”

Zhou Kai, with his adept business skills, explained succinctly, “Something like that, but with some differences. Since you’re already a masked singer, you won’t need to remove your mask during the reveal; just switch to your original mask. I’ll clarify this with the director in advance and ensure it’s stipulated in the contract. I’ve sent the specific plans to your email.”

Yang Yunran checked, “I’ve seen it.”

“Okay,” Zhou Kai continued, “Let me briefly explain. This show is different from typical celebrity guessing games. It includes an audition process where netizens vote online and receive feedback from mentors. It focuses on judging talent solely based on voice and skill, promoting positive energy. The program will feature established actors, top-tier celebrities, musical theater performers, former stars, as well as some ordinary internet singers and amateurs. It’s a mix of stars and amateurs. We anticipate a strong viewership for the show.”

Because he could keep his mask on, Yang Yunran retained some interest. After Zhou Kai finished, he asked, “What’s the appearance fee? How long is the recording?”

“Since it’s a competition, the total recording period is relatively long, about four months, with occasional breaks. Each rehearsal and recording session lasts only two to three days, totaling about a month. The appearance fee totals approximately 1.2 million. We can ensure you reach the top six.”

“Is that all?” Yang Yunran, experienced as an internet singer, had a basic understanding of these fees. He thought for an unknown singer participating in such a program, a fee of around fifty to sixty thousand would be the maximum

Zhou Kai: “Teacher, perhaps you don’t search yourself often, but you are now highly regarded in the industry as a singer. A hundred and twenty is appropriate, and of course, this is also because Mr. Lin and our station have a good relationship.”

Mr. Lin, who was the background in the video conference, finally spoke up: “So, Ye Ye, are you interested? This looks like a script specially tailored for you!”

Yang Yunran said he needed to consider it. Finally, Zhou Kai brought up the matter of Ye Ye’s assistant: “By the way, Ye Ye, your previous assistant needs to come to our company to sign a contract. Since you are signed with our company, your assistant should also be managed by us.”

Yang Yunran replied, “No need, I don’t have an assistant now.”

Zhou Kai asked, “Why is that?”

“He did something, so I fired him,” Yang Yunran said casually.

Zhou Kai inquired, “May I ask what he did? Did this assistant know your identity?”

“He knew my identity. He took on an advertisement behind my back, collected the money, and only then informed me. It’s nothing. When I asked him to resign, I gave him three months’ extra salary, fair and square. Plus, there’s a confidentiality agreement; he can’t disclose my identity publicly.”

After hearing Yang Yunran’s explanation, Zhou Kai still felt uneasy. After all, once Yang Yunran’s identity was exposed, the confidentiality agreement would be ineffective. He could discreetly make anonymous calls to paparazzi to avoid the agreement.

But actually, exposing Yang Yunran’s identity at the right time would be more beneficial for his singing career.

So Zhou Kai didn’t remind him too much. The nearly three-hour video conference ended, and Jiang Yi’s plane had already landed long ago.

Yang Yunran had been busy with work just now and hadn’t had time to respond.

Seeing that Jiang Yi had called him with a missed call, asking, “Are you asleep?”

“I just landed.”

“Waiting for the car.”

“At the hotel now.”

“Still not awake?”

In two hours, Jiang Yi sent him six messages—not too many, but definitely not few.

Yang Yunran was usually quick to reply. Even in class, when he heard his phone vibrate, he would take it out to see if it was a message from his boyfriend.

This time he didn’t reply immediately, and Jiang Yi seemed a little anxious.

“I was in a meeting just now!” Yang Yunran immediately called back, “Have you arrived? What’s the hotel like?”

“I’m meeting people outside,” Jiang Yi said, “Investment group from the lab.”

“Oh, can you still take calls?”

Jiang Yi’s tone was calm, “Yes, I’m out now, but there’s a cocktail party tonight.” Circles of all sizes were the same; the academic circle was no different—lavish banquets and frequent socializing.

Yang Yunran asked, “The conference starts tomorrow, right?”

“Three days in total. After it’s done, I’ll come back,” Jiang Yi said, leaning against the marble pillar outside the door. His project presentation was the next day.

The two chatted for a while on the phone, and Yang Yunran hung up when Yang Liming called.

Yang Liming’s dialect made Yang Yunran’s head ache: “Dad, can you speak Mandarin? I’m a celebrity, I can’t have a dialect accent infecting me.”

Yang Liming adjusted his tone and coughed before speaking in Mandarin, “Miss Xu has been in Boston for over a month. We’re having dinner tomorrow night. You should behave properly.”

“Miss Xu??” Yang Yunran was puzzled, “Who’s that? Why am I having dinner with her?”

Yang Liming said, “You agreed two months ago! A few days ago, I asked if the end of the month was convenient to meet, and you said yes.”

“…I forgot.” He hadn’t really listened, just responded casually. Yang Yunran rubbed his forehead, “Is this a blind date?”

Yang Liming raised his voice, “How come you’re gay again? Aren’t you bisexual, liking both girls and boys? No, you clearly promised Dad to come back and get married and have children. Why the sudden change?”

Yang Yunran almost blurted out, “I’m not your son.”

He swallowed and suppressed any outburst.

It’s easy to sabotage a blind date, and there’s no need to provoke Yang Liming’s anger. After all, he would soon have a new son.

Yang Yuran: “Let’s talk about this later. I’ll go for dinner.”

The next evening, Jiang Yi still attended the dinner party, while Yang Yuran went out to eat.

They could only communicate via text. Jiang Yi asked what he was eating, and Yang Yuran replied, “Western food.”

Jiang Yi: “With Jimmy?”

Yang Yuran: “No.”

Jiang Yi: “Then with whom?”

Yang Yuran: “Someone you don’t know.”

To sabotage the blind date, he hadn’t dressed formally, which made him stand out awkwardly in the restaurant.

The woman didn’t seem particularly interested in him either. She had looked up Yang Yuran online and found his reputation wasn’t great. But after watching his academic appeal video, she was curious enough to agree to meet him.

So they quickly agreed to keep things simple: have a meal, please the parents, and just be friends on social media.

There was no need to tell Jiang Yi about this.

But Jiang Yi cared and asked him, “Is it a guy or a girl?”

Yang Yuran: “You’re meddling a lot.”

Jiang Yi replied, “I’m your boyfriend. Tell me what you’re eating and send me a photo.”

Yang Yuran did as asked. At the dinner party, Jiang Yi held a wine glass, enlarged the photo with one hand, and used the reflections off the tableware to judge: “You’re having dinner with a girl.”

Yang Yuran: “…”

Just then, Yang Yuran saw Paul. He was there with his wife for dinner, and they greeted Yang Yuran: “Roy, nice to see you again.”

Paul was Jiang Yi’s colleague from the lab. Yang Yuran casually introduced the girl opposite as a friend.

They were seated not too far apart, and Yang Yuran felt Paul might be watching him.

Westerners loved gossip, it was instinctive. Yang Yuran wondered if Paul would tell Jiang Yi.

So Yang Yuran took the initiative to explain to Jiang Yi: “I’m on a blind date.”

Before he could elaborate, his phone rang while typing. It was Jiang Yi calling—

Yang Yuran excused himself temporarily: “Excuse me.”

He went to the restroom to take the call.

Unable to see him now, Jiang Yi decided to call and ask what was going on.

Yang Yuran explained, “It’s arranged by my family. I couldn’t refuse. We just met, but I made it clear I like guys, I already have someone, and she’s not interested in me either. It’s just for show.”

Jiang Yi asked, “Just a meal? What happens after dinner?”

“I’m going home,” Yang Yuran said.

“You’re going home alone?”

“Of course, maybe I’ll bring someone back,” Yang Yuran said.

That worried Jiang Yi. He could feel Yang Yuran’s liking for him, but that might not stop him from sleeping with others.

Jiang Yi said, “Don’t play games for real. Keep your distance. Have you been drinking?”

“A little, I’m not driving,” Yang Yuran stood by the bathroom window. “And you? You’re allergic to alcohol, don’t drink at the dinner party.”

“A little is fine,” Jiang Yi still worried about him. He asked every now and then:

“Have you finished eating?”

“Are you going home now?”

“Send me your location.”

Unable to see Yang Yuran, his concern was more apparent than usual.

Yang Yuran chatted with Paul and his wife outside the restaurant for a while before heading home.

He naturally left earlier than Jiang Yi, who was attending the academic banquet.

Jiang Yi almost messaged or called whenever he had free time.

But he didn’t have much free time. William had introduced him to many people, and everyone was surprised to hear his name: “Evan Jiang, so young.”

So Jiang Yi was just as busy with the banquet. Soon, Yang Yuran stopped receiving messages from him.

Around eleven o’clock that night, Jiang Yi returned to the hotel.

Yang Yuran was soaking in the bathtub, meditating and humming an unknown tune.

Yang Yuran said he wanted to see his room, so he turned on the video.

Jiang Yi’s screen unexpectedly showed Yang Yuran in the bathtub, revealing his collarbones and shoulders above the water, his damp face and hair.

Jiang Yi was briefly stunned. Yang Yuran’s face looked flushed, perhaps from the steam or maybe from drinking.

His eyes were as beautiful as obsidian, staring intensely at Jiang Yi with strong affection. Jiang Yi turned on the rear camera to show him his room.

Yang Yuran: “Wow, it’s huge! Such luxury, is it a suite? The conference organizer is quite generous.”

“Yeah,” Jiang Yi stared at him in the water and said, “When you’re bathing in the future, you can’t video call with anyone else.”

“Haha,” Yang Yuran found it funny, tilted the screen down, and whispered, “Do you want to see more? Shall I take a video for you?”

Jiang Yi’s heart raced wildly, but seeing most of the bathtub obscured by bubbles, he calmed down.

Half an hour later, Jiang Yi finished his shower and lay down on the bed. He glanced at tomorrow’s speech materials, knowing them by heart and not needing to read them, just going through the motions.

They had been dating for half a month and had been together for two months.

They had known each other for half a year, and their relationship was gradually warming up and becoming stable.

Perhaps when he returned from New York, they could take the next step, like kissing a few days earlier, without waiting for two whole months.

Jiang Yi found himself missing Yang Yuran more when he wasn’t around.

It was a strange feeling, scratching at his heart. Overcome with control, Jiang Yi looked at his photos for two minutes and couldn’t resist sending him a message.

Due to Professor Chen’s incessant “baby, baby” on the phone, Jiang Yi inadvertently typed those two words but quickly deleted them, asking Yang Yunran, “Are you writing your thesis?”

Yang Yunran replied, “Yes, but I’m also planning to sleep. I was just wondering if you finished washing up, and you replied.”

Jiang Yi: “I’m done.”

Yang Yunran shut down his computer and messaged, “Brother, start a video call.”

As soon as the message was sent, he initiated the video call.

Jiang Yi quickly answered. The hotel’s intricate lighting design cast just the right amount of wattage, illuminating his stern face like a sculpted masterpiece. His pajama collar was slightly open, revealing a hint of chest muscle contours. Yang Yunran was ecstatic and began taking screenshots.

He said, “Didn’t the doctor tell you to sleep naked? Let me check if you’re wearing clothes… Jiang Yi, why are you still wearing pajamas?”

Jiang Yi calmly replied, “What the doctor said doesn’t make sense.”

Yang Yunran disagreed, “It’s been over a month of treatment and you’re still not better, all because you don’t follow the doctor’s advice! If you had listened, you would have recovered by now.”

“My body is fine,” Jiang Yi emphasized. “There’s nothing wrong, it’s obvious.”

“… I know it’s a psychological issue, your physiology is fine,” Yang Yunran leaned closer to the camera, his voice gentle, “Listen to the psychologist… I want to be with you.”

Even though the last few words were not clear, Jiang Yi still understood. He felt like claws scratching at his heart and sighed helplessly, “I’ll take them off before going to bed.”

Yang Yunran shook his head, insisting, “Not later, now. I want to supervise you.”