Later, Jian Yang asked Guan Ciyan where they were, but Guan Ciyan didn’t reply.

The address was also Bamboo Weaving Village, but it wasn’t the tourist area they initially pinpointed. Instead, it was a small unnamed shop deep inside the village.

“How is it?” Bai Shun asked calmly.

Jian Yang hesitated for a moment, “Can you change a tire?”

Finally, the aloof, goddess-like image of the top actor Bai Shun showed a hint of change.

Confused, puzzled, and shocked, Bai Shun stared at the tire-changing tool in Jian Yang’s hand.

At that moment, Guan Jingyu came over with a few bottles of water, “What happened?”

Bai Shun remained silent.

Jian Yang said nonchalantly, “Your tire exploded. Let’s change it first.”

Guan Jingyu had a spare tire in the trunk. Using a jack to change the tire, Jian Yang went up to help, but Guan Jingyu told him to go drink some soda, “Your strength is too small. Don’t hurt yourself later.”

Jian Yang coughed twice and walked away.

It had cooled down last night, and when he woke up this morning, he had caught a slight cold.

He didn’t expect that Guan Jingyu could tell. Was this what it meant for the protagonist to be attentive?

“Bai Shun, come help,” Guan Jingyu said, although he was a second-tier star, he didn’t show much respect to the top actor.

After all, the background was different.

The actor was something he didn’t want. It wasn’t something he had to desperately earn money for.

Bai Shun calmly accepted most of the work of changing the tire without complaining about the dirt or exhaustion. He turned to Jian Yang and said, “Let’s go.”

Jian Yang, who was sitting aside, was just lifting his head to drink water and gave Bai Shun a wink.

His opinion of Bai Shun had changed quite a bit. On-screen, Bai Shun looked professional, proper, and unapproachable. Off-screen, he was calm and composed, but with a decisive personality. Jian Yang wasn’t sure what their goal was in looking for Wen Ye today. It didn’t seem like they wanted to collaborate on a good project.

As they continued on their journey, Guan Jingyu became more excited, discussing plans to enter the Re-entertainment Hall and gradually take it over.

These bad ideas, Jian Yang could come up with them himself.

In front of Guan Ciyan, they weren’t worth looking at.

Jian Yang was getting tired of listening and still had to deal with it. On the other hand, Bai Shun, as they got closer to the destination, furrowed his brows tighter and stared out the window with a strange look, as if he wanted to memorize the shape of every tree they passed.

The outskirts of the tourist area had a bamboo-weaving arch and a small fee station. After passing through the gate, the commercialized area became a dirt road. Guan Jingyu’s driving skills weren’t enough for this kind of road.

A hard press on the gas and brakes.

Jian Yang almost threw up.

“I’ll drive,” Bai Shun said, taking the wheel.

Guan Jingyu was about to sit in the back, but Jian Yang immediately took the passenger seat, “I’m carsick, I want to sit in the front.”

Guan Jingyu realized, “Yang Yang, it seems like you’re avoiding me. Are you avoiding me?”

Jian Yang forced a smile, “What, do you want me to have a cold and carsickness? Your driving skills are like this, and you’re blaming others.”

“Yang Yang, don’t be mad, I misunderstood. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Guan Jingyu’s way of speaking had the typical protagonist’s tone, which made Jian Yang shiver.

After half an hour, the car stopped in front of a plain two-story building, a bamboo and wood-style stilt house. The first floor was a shop, and the second floor was likely a bedroom. There was a jujube tree at the entrance, and Guan Ciyan stood under the tree, one shoe resting on a brick, casually playing with a twig.

Guan Jingyu couldn’t hold back anymore and rushed into the building.

Jian Yang was about to get out of the car when he noticed Bai Shun was staring out the window in a daze, his eyes fixed on a string of bamboo-weaved birds hanging from the eaves.

“What’s wrong?” Jian Yang asked.

Bai Shun immediately answered, “Nothing.”

He wiped his face and unbuckled his seatbelt.

Standing at the car door, he looked carefully at the small courtyard, the surrounding forest scenery, and the bamboo rafts in the front yard.

Jian Yang subconsciously followed behind him, thinking: What is he looking at? Is it beautiful? Is this how the actor observes life?

Guan Ciyan snapped his fingers and waved at Jian Yang.

Jian Yang ran over, and Guan Ciyan pinched his cheek, “What are you following him for?”

“Uh, I was just seeing what he was doing.” Jian Yang swatted Guan Ciyan’s hand away, “That hurts. Can you not pinch me next time, sir?”

“Sir, why did you bring us here?”

Guan Ciyan answered generously, “Wen Ye is inside.”

“Huh??” Jian Yang immediately ran inside.

Guan Ciyan grabbed him back, “There are a lot of people now, we’ll go in later.”

Jian Yang felt an itch in his heart, “But…”

Guan Ciyan reluctantly let go of him, looking at him like a child, “Look outside, the air inside isn’t good. You already have a cold, don’t make it worse.”

How do you know, Jian Yang wanted to ask. You’ve been looking at me all day, how would you know I’m sick?

Then he realized it must have been Zhang Bo who told him, and he wasn’t sure how Zhang Bo knew such a small thing, so he didn’t ask.

Jian Yang’s heart raced. This was a director with a Grand Slam career, and working with him might change his future in the industry.

He leaned against the door, looking inside. He saw a man about 168 cm tall, his hair covered in bamboo dust, sticking to his scalp. His glasses were as thick as the bottom of a glass bottle, and he was pushing a calculator with one hand while pressing the buttons with the other.

Twenty-six dollars and seventy-eight cents.

The cold electronic voice of the calculator rang out ruthlessly.

Jian Yang froze at the door, “Is this Wen Ye?”

“Yes,” Bai Shun answered, standing at the door, replying to Jian Yang. “When he focuses on something, he forgets everything else. He’s usually timid, but sometimes does things that will surprise you. He’s like a ticking time bomb.”

Jian Yang swallowed, continuing to peer inside. This was the first time he had heard Bai Shun say so much, and it made him feel a bit uneasy.

It didn’t seem like something he would hear.

Jian Yang secretly glanced at Bai Shun. His gaze was soft, like when he looked at the bamboo rafts earlier, as if he wanted to clearly see Wen Ye’s appearance and remember it for life.

“Director Wen Ye, hello.” After being shocked, Guan Jingyu rushed up, pushing aside the person who was paying, and reached out to Wen Ye.

Wen Ye paused and looked up at Guan Jingyu, “Wait in line to buy things.”

“Director Wen Ye, I’m Guan Jingyu. I want to seek a collaboration with you. I hope you can give us a chance to talk.” Guan Jingyu didn’t leave, and the villagers behind him began to stare at him.

“You’ve mistaken me. Go buy your things, or leave if you’re not buying.”

Guan Jingyu was about to speak when a villager grabbed the back of his collar, “Go on, tourists go play in the front area. Don’t act like you’re crazy.”

The villagers here were all strong men doing farming work, and Guan Jingyu had no power to resist. One villager spat at him, saying, “Still pretending to be from the city, can’t even wait in line.”

“Hurry up, we’re busy cooking for the kids.”

…

Guan Jingyu was still trying to push forward, but a strong man held him by the collar, still chatting with others, occasionally turning back to curse at Guan Jingyu, “Behave, or you won’t be able to leave this village later.”

Jian Yang couldn’t help but feel nervous for him.

In this ancient village, when the villagers say you won’t leave, the police often arrive too late.

Wen Ye had managed his small shop quite well, and people kept coming in to buy things.

Kitchen supplies, labor tools, and even some ornaments loaded onto big trucks.

Jian Yang suddenly thought that if it were him, he might not return to the entertainment industry.

This life was so comfortable.

Looking at the increasing number of people buying things, the sky darkened, and Guan Jingyu yelled, “Put it on my tab!!! Today, all expenses are on me.”

The room was in chaos, and no one paid attention to him.

He changed his tone, “I’ll pay. Take whatever you want, everything in the shop, I’ll buy it all for everyone today.”

The noise settled for five seconds.

The burly man holding Guan Jingyu by the collar was the first to leave the store, carrying his purchases.

Then, everyone smiled and happily grabbed their things and headed out. A few kind-hearted people even thanked Guan Jingyu.

The crowd surged out, and at the door, Jian Yang and Bai Shun were pushed backward.

Jian Yang stumbled, his left foot stepping on his right, losing balance and falling backward.

Oh no, I should have never come.

Jian Yang closed his eyes, waiting. A strong arm wrapped around his back, steadying him. The familiar scent surrounded him, and Jian Yang opened one eye. He saw Guan Ciyan smiling brightly. “I told you not to come, but you didn’t listen.”

His dark pupils seemed to light up.

Jian Yang’s heart skipped a beat, his chest trembling.

“Ah—”

He didn’t know who kicked his foot, causing him to lose all strength and slide down to the floor.

Guan Ciyan reached out with the other hand, holding his waist and gently pulling him up. Jian Yang, unbalanced, tried to steady himself but fell straight into Guan Ciyan’s arms. His nose bumped into his shoulder, and the softener scent on Guan Ciyan’s clothes smelled even better.

Instinctively, his arm hooked around Guan Ciyan’s neck, and Guan Ciyan wrapped both hands around his waist. “Are you stable now?”

Jian Yang stood up, stepped back, and rubbed his nose. “Yeah.”

“Are you okay?” Guan Ciyan lifted his chin, inspecting his nose.

“I’m fine.” Jian Yang felt his face burning, turning away.

Really, I wasn’t even falling, yet I was this scared.

Jian Yang pressed his chest, “I am a bit pathetic.”

Bai Shun was also knocked over, his black jacket covered in dust. He stood up, brushed himself off, and glared at the rude crowd, furrowing his brows.

Because of Guan Jingyu’s words, everything from the shelves in the store was quickly emptied. Wen Ye chased to the door, yelling, “No payment! No payment!”

Of course, no one was caught.

Guan Jingyu ran out and handed Wen Ye the small video he and Bai Shun had already prepared on his phone. “Director Wen Ye, I’m the heir of the Guan family. Please take a look at my work.”

Before Wen Ye retired, the Guan family’s business had already become well-known.

Wen Ye glared at Guan Jingyu with a fierce look. “Pay up!!!”

Guan Jingyu took out a bank card. “Alright, alright, I’ll pay by card, Director.”

Wen Ye, annoyed, knocked Guan Jingyu on the head with a bamboo ruler. “Where are you going to swipe? There’s no POS machine here.”

How could there possibly be a POS machine in the village?

Guan Jingyu was quick-witted. “Director Wen Ye, add me on WeChat. I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Wen Ye silently brought up his WeChat payment code.

Guan Jingyu kept inviting Wen Ye to watch his video.

“Is he so confident in his work?” Jian Yang asked Bai Shun, confused.

Bai Shun replied casually, “Four acting coaches were there with him.”

“Oh—” Jian Yang understood.

The teacher coached each expression.

Wen Ye, speechless, stopped and watched Guan Jingyu’s short video, giving a harsh critique: “You’re not good enough, no cooperation, please leave.”

Guan Jingyu was chased out with the bamboo ruler, as if being chased like a duck.

The sound of the slap made Jian Yang wince, quietly stepping behind Guan Ciyan.

The rumors that Wen Ye had a bad temper were clearly false.

This wasn’t just bad—he was about to eat people.

As they reached the door, Wen Ye faced Bai Shun, his previously fiery and impatient demeanor deflated like a punctured balloon.

He hid the bamboo ruler behind his back, and his small stature seemed even shorter in front of Bai Shun. His shoulders were narrow, and he didn’t dare look up at Bai Shun.

Bai Shun gently asked, “Can I come in?”

Wen Ye mumbled, “Come in.”

Wen Ye entered first, and Bai Shun followed. Guan Ciyan, pulling Jian Yang, also tried to enter.

Jian Yang grabbed Guan Ciyan’s arm and stepped back. “They didn’t call for us.”

Guan Jingyu still hadn’t stopped jumping around after being slapped.

“Don’t be so pathetic,” Guan Ciyan tapped his shoe on the ground. “This land is owned by the Guan family.”