The assistant slowly exhaled and closed his eyes.

His professionalism allowed him to maintain a neutral expression even as he felt utterly defeated inside.

But the one who maintained his composure even better was his boss. Guan Ciyan’s fingertips turned white from gripping his phone, yet his face remained completely expressionless.

Returning the phone to his assistant, Guan Ciyan said, “Summarize this morning’s meeting and CC it to everyone. You can go now.”

“Yes, Chairman Guan.”

The assistant was deeply shaken by Guan Ciyan’s unusually good temper today and rushed off to deal with his adorable meeting notes.

Damn it, if I’d known this would happen, I never would’ve voluntarily shown him the live broadcast.

After the assistant left, Guan Ciyan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

It’s fine. It’s all scripted. Even the variety shows under my company’s banner follow scripts. Without a script, who would watch? This is just a friendship script.

Jian Yang has always been a good actor.

With the mindset of supporting Jian Yang’s work, Guan Ciyan reopened the livestream—only to be greeted by a solo shot of Jian Buqing.

Jian Buqing sat alone on the steps, wearing headphones and staring blankly at a blade of grass.

Guan Ciyan was so frustrated that he swiped left and right on the screen, but he couldn’t fast-forward or switch camera angles.

“Trash.”

An idea formed in Chairman Guan’s mind: his variety show platform must implement a “View Only This Person” feature. Forcing people to watch irrelevant content like this would skyrocket the audience dropout rate.

It was as if the director was deliberately going against him—the camera stayed locked on Jian Buqing. As Guan Ciyan fumbled with the settings, he accidentally opened the live chat.

“Am I the only one who just wants to see Jian Yang?”

Guan Ciyan’s inner thoughts: Nice taste.

Then came the second comment:

“Raising my hand! When Jian Yang called Su Su, it was SO swoon-worthy!!!”

“I’m just gonna say it—husband material.”

“My mom-fan heart is in danger. The way he takes care of Su Su is too dominant.”

Guan Ciyan’s finger hovered over the chat. Su Su? Who’s Su Su?

Suddenly, Jian Yang’s face appeared on the screen.

“Su Su, I got this,” Jian Yang said with a bright smile, tying an apron around his waist in front of a makeshift cooking station. “I’m actually a great cook.”

The actor playing Su Jin appeared next to Jian Yang, leaning in way too close—his lips were practically touching Jian Yang’s cheek!!!

“Jian Yang, this is a live broadcast. If you do everything yourself, I’ll get scolded.”

Jian Yang: “Oh, oh! Then help me tie the apron.”

Jian Yang slipped the apron over his head while Su Jin fastened the ties around his waist.

“Why is Jian Yang calling this actor Su Su?”

“Yang said they’re good friends! ‘Su Su’ is just a nickname~”

“Oh my, just friends? 😏😏”

“They can only be friends, right? Su Su can’t have kids.”

“Am I the only one who noticed their names sound so harmonious together? Such spring vibes~”

Guan Ciyan: ……

This was Jian Yang’s one hundred and ninth CP pairing.

Guan Ciyan got up and immediately drove to the filming location.

At the elevator, his assistant blocked him. “Chairman Guan, the afternoon meeting—”

“Cancel it.”

Guan Ciyan wasn’t thinking about much at all. He just wanted to see Jian Yang.

It’s just work. Just work.

But as he accidentally ran a red light and had to slam on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a full collision, his hands on the steering wheel started to feel numb.

The driver of the car in front stormed out angrily, but upon seeing Guan Ciyan’s luxury car logo, immediately backed down, gently knocking on his window.

“Sir, how would you like to handle this?”

Guan Ciyan called his assistant and had another car sent over.

This time, he drove very slowly.

While on the highway, he questioned himself: Do I really need to go? Can I control myself?

No matter how much he suppressed it, the violent tendencies inherited from the Guan family simmered inside him.

He had to admit it—when he saw Jian Yang smiling at Su Jin, he wanted to take Jian Yang away.

Where to? He didn’t know. But it had been a long time since Jian Yang had smiled at him like that.

Ever since returning from the film set, Jian Yang had been distant. During these two days apart, Guan Ciyan had deliberately avoided contacting him, wanting to test if he was just overthinking things.

Jian Yang hadn’t sent him a single message.

Guan Ciyan had assumed it was because Jian Yang didn’t have his phone, was restricted, or was just too busy.

But today, he saw it for himself—Jian Yang did have his phone. And he had even arranged for Su Jin to join the show.

Guan Ciyan reassured himself: I’m Jian Yang’s boyfriend. Visiting him on set is perfectly normal. Jian Yang likes me so much—he’ll be happy to see me.

When Guan Ciyan suddenly appeared on set, Jian Yang froze on the spot.

The first person to react was Jian Buqing, who laughed and waved at Guan Ciyan before running over. “Chairman Guan, what brings you here?”

Guan Ciyan looked straight at Jian Yang. “I watched the live broadcast.”

Tears immediately welled up in Jian Buqing’s eyes—Guan Ciyan must have seen how everyone had been isolating him and came to support him!

Now let’s see who dares to ignore him!

Jian Yang thought the same thing.

Each group of guests was preparing dinner. While the director and Jian Buqing went to greet Guan Ciyan, Jian Yang turned to Su Jin and said, “Su Su, let’s keep going.”

The camera dared not capture Guan Ciyan, and the program recording continued as usual. Jian Buqing returned to his seat while the director accompanied Guan Ciyan, introducing him to others. The rest of the guests seized every opportunity to approach Guan Ciyan.

After all, he was the real boss of Fuyu Sanctuary. Even if they couldn’t strike up a conversation, just making themselves known was worthwhile.

Guan Ciyan stood at a distance that was neither too far nor too close to Jian Yang, responding to the director’s words while occasionally glancing at him.

He controlled himself well, never letting his gaze linger on Jian Yang for too long. To an outsider, it would seem as if he was merely there to discuss business with the director.

But Su Jin knew better. Back when they were filming, Guan Ciyan had always liked waiting nearby for Jian Yang. The only difference was that their atmosphere back then wasn’t so awkward and cold.

Carrying two plates of food, Su Jin asked Jian Yang, “Did you guys have a fight?”

“How would I dare to fight with him?” Jian Yang smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

“Then what’s wrong? You’re not even looking at him.”

“Su Su, does it make a difference whether I look at him or not? Didn’t you notice who he spoke to first?”

Su Jin hesitated. He wanted to say that Jian Buqing had always been like this. “Jian Buqing just wants to cling to Chairman Guan. It’s not like Chairman Guan actively sought him out. Isn’t this an overreaction?”

Jian Yang sneered, “Do you think he talks to just anyone? Bai Shun wanted to speak to him but got completely ignored.”

Su Jin had no rebuttal for that. Instead, he sighed and changed the topic, “So, do I add the bell peppers first or the meat?”

Su Jin sighed, shaking his head. Jian Yang chuckled, stepping aside. “Add them however you like. No matter what, I can still make it taste great.”

The live chat exploded into excitement again.

Jian Yang and Su Jin’s pairing shot up the trending list, overshadowing the director’s intended twin-theme storyline.

No one could have predicted how popular the show would become.

After cooking, Jian Yang and Su Jin sat at their small table. Guan Ciyan deliberately walked past them, catching the familiar scent of Jian Yang’s cooking. His skills had always been excellent.

The director followed him closely, saying, “This is our first time trying a livestream format. Look, we already have three trending topics—and we didn’t even pay for them.”

Three trending topics.

Jian Yang can cook
Jian Yang and Su Jin cooking together
Jian Yang spoiling Su Jin, No.1 in the world

Guan Ciyan pushed the phone away. “Not bad. New ideas are always good.”

Jian Yang pretended not to hear his sarcastic tone. “Su Su, sit down.”

“Aren’t you going to at least try your own cooking?”

Guan Ciyan let out a quiet scoff, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Jian Buqing saw an opportunity. With an embarrassed expression, he approached Guan Ciyan and said shyly, “Chairman Guan, I… I don’t have a teammate. Eating alone on camera is really awkward. Could you help me? They won’t film your face, just two over-the-shoulder shots.”

Guan Ciyan didn’t refuse but secretly observed Jian Yang.

Still eating. And still serving food to Su Jin.

“Director, what do you think?” Jian Buqing sent the director a look.

“Ah, well… sure.”

The director didn’t want to get involved in any emotional disputes, but if Guan Ciyan’s shoulder made a guest appearance, the audience would surely connect the dots.

Two minutes later, Jian Yang had already finished half a bowl of rice.

Guan Ciyan scowled. “Eat.”

He sat down at Jian Buqing’s table, already feeling full from frustration. Meanwhile, over at Jian Yang’s table, their dishes were wiped clean.

The trending topics kept rising, and another tag appeared: The awkward air between the ‘old couple’.

Sensing the tension among the three, the director wrapped up the dinner segment quickly. After the meal, the variety show recording officially ended.

The director then arranged for a post-recording interview. Most questions were routine, but the real purpose was to corner Jian Yang with, “Are you currently single?”

Jian Yang smiled and glanced at Su Jin. “Other than ‘yes,’ is there any other answer to that?”

“Do you have someone you like? Your fans are calling you the top pick for ‘Most Wanted Boyfriend’ in the industry.”

Jian Yang didn’t even hesitate. “No.”

Guan Ciyan was standing not too far away.

Snap—he broke a fresh twig in his hand.

“There have been rumors that you’re dating the chairman of Fuyu Sanctuary, and that he even hosted a debut party for you. Is that true?”

“That wasn’t my debut party; it was a comeback celebration for Director Wen Ye. I wasn’t the main focus. As for Chairman Guan, we don’t have any special relationship. I’m still single. If I ever start dating, I’ll let my fans know immediately.”

…

Guan Ciyan heard every single word.

He waited as the director’s team packed up their equipment. He waited as the guests left. He waited as Jian Yang prepared to leave with his luggage.

Then, he drove up to him and spoke calmly, “Come home. I’ll take you back.”

Su Jin was supposed to ride with Jian Yang, but seeing this, he pushed him forward. “Go on, talk it out properly.”

With too many people around, Jian Yang didn’t want to argue here. He simply told Dongdong to make sure Su Jin got home safely.

Inside the car, Jian Yang broke the silence first. “Not busy today?”

His tone was steady, his expression calm—like nothing had happened earlier.

Guan Ciyan didn’t respond. Jian Yang didn’t press further, leaning against the seat and closing his eyes to sleep.

The drive was long—long enough that Jian Yang took two naps and still hadn’t arrived. Eventually, he just pretended to be asleep.

The car finally pulled into the underground parking lot of the villa. Jian Yang stretched as if just waking up. “Oh, we’re here.”

He reached for the door handle.

Click—

The car door was locked from the control panel in the driver’s seat.

Guan Ciyan’s voice was indifferent. “Jian Yang, shouldn’t our relationship change?”

He didn’t want to take things slow anymore. The moment Jian Yang denied their relationship in front of the cameras, Guan Ciyan abandoned all thoughts of patience. He wanted to get married—right now, he wanted to marry Jian Yang.

“I know, bringing this up now is rushed, and we’re not prepared, but… there are some things I want to make clear. Whether in front of the cameras or—”

“Sure, I agree.” Jian Yang smiled brilliantly. “I understand, sir. The days I’ve spent with you have been wonderful.”

“You—” Guan Ciyan was caught completely off guard. Just this afternoon, Jian Yang refused to acknowledge their relationship, and now, before he could even finish his proposal, Jian Yang had already agreed?

“Really.” Jian Yang maintained his smile. “And you? Will being with me make you happy?”

As long as Guan Ciyan had ever felt happiness because of him, he would accept their past.

Feelings change—it’s normal.

Even he couldn’t guarantee that he would only ever love one person in his lifetime.

“Of course.” Guan Ciyan gripped the steering wheel, watching Jian Yang’s eyes intently, searching for something. “It was true before, and in the future, it will also—”

“Good.” Jian Yang lowered his gaze.

There was no need to say things too bluntly. From now on, he would have enough self-awareness.

Whether they were friends with benefits or lovers, everything was over.

“You agree?” Guan Ciyan asked.

“Why wouldn’t I? We both have very, very bright futures and brand-new lives ahead of us.”

From the moment they met, Jian Yang had been preparing for this day. That was why he could say it so calmly and sincerely.

His words, “bright future” and “brand-new life,” sounded so wonderful that Guan Ciyan felt dizzy. The proposal speech he had planned got stuck in his throat, and he repeated uncertainly, “We?”

“Yes.” Jian Yang repeated, “We.”

“You agree?”

Jian Yang raised his hand as if swearing an oath. “I won’t go back on my word.”

“Because… why?” Guan Ciyan’s voice tightened, as if his very soul was trembling.

“Because I like you.” Jian Yang didn’t lie. Stripping away all the circumstances—the drama, the protection—he did like Guan Ciyan.

Who wouldn’t be moved by a handsome man constantly by their side?

Not to mention, Guan Ciyan was the first person with whom he had ever shared true intimacy.

The first person who had extended a helping hand to him in this world.

Liking Guan Ciyan was only natural.

But that bit of affection was only enough to last until now. He still had friends, a future ahead of him.

Breaking up now was the most dignified choice for both of them.

“Jian Yang… thank you.” Guan Ciyan pulled him into an embrace inside the car, holding him tightly. “I’m glad it was you.”

Yes, Jian Yang thought to himself, it was good that it was him—someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat.

If they wanted to sleep together, they did. If it was time to leave, they left.

Now it was his turn to leave. And the timing was even better than he had expected.

He and Guan Ciyan sat calmly in the car, rationally reaching an agreement.

He was free now, and he no longer had to worry about Guan Ciyan coming back to bother him.

The next morning, he knocked on Guan Ciyan’s door. “Sir, I’m heading out now. Goodbye.”

Guan Ciyan received Jian Yang’s farewell, walked to the doorway, and gently hugged him, resting his chin against his forehead. He murmured softly, “Why are you still calling me ‘sir’?”

Jian Yang returned a faint, fleeting hug. “Guan Ciyan, I’m leaving.”