After returning to his room, Wu Yan originally intended to rest, but the moment his head hit the pillow, fragments of thought flashed through his mind. He realized there was still something left undone. He opened a charity platform, edited his nickname, and selected the highest donation amount.
Two seconds later, a notification popped up: Donation Successful.
In his previous life, Wu Yan was used to donating to charity. As the saying goes, “Doing good deeds accumulates virtue.” Back then, he wasn’t wealthy but still donated a few thousand every quarter. Now that he was a rich young master, he figured donating more might help him live a little longer.
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. He set up an automatic deduction, tucked his phone under his pillow, and fell into a deep sleep. Outside, a drizzling rain fell, and the wind rustled the fragile leaves, gathering water into small puddles on the ground.
The next morning, Wu Yan was awoken by the constant vibration of the phone under his pillow. He blearily pulled it out to see thirty messages—all from Gu Yanzhuo.
Frowning, he put on his slippers and walked to the door. Sensing the presence outside, he instinctively stepped back two paces just as Gu Yanzhuo lunged in. The visitor stumbled, nearly falling flat on his face.
Fully armed in a mask and hat, Gu Yanzhuo pulled down his mask and looked at the clearly just-awakened Wu Yan. He swallowed his intended words and slipped into the room.
“Why are you here?” Wu Yan yawned.
Gu Yanzhuo made himself at home on the sofa, picking up an apple-flavored candy from the table. “Just slack-off time,” he explained airily after the candy’s sourness faded into sweetness.
Wu Yan remained silent. Gu Yanzhuo was the “Crown Prince” of Jianghai Entertainment. Although he had a stable temper and got along well with others, he was still the boss’s son. No matter how powerful his manager was, controlling him was an exhausting task.
“Suit yourself. I’m going back to sleep,” Wu Yan said, turning toward the bedroom.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Gu Yanzhuo bounced up, practically jumping in front of him. “Are you not going out today?”
“What does that have to do with you?” Wu Yan raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of him. “And how did you know I was here?”
“I went to your house, but Aunt Wang said you weren’t there. I called Xu Yike, but he didn’t pick up. So, I tried my luck at Pei Jin’s place, and he said you were across the hall,” Gu Yanzhuo explained calmly.
“You went to see Pei Jin?” Wu Yan’s eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah. He looked like he didn’t sleep well last night quite haggard. Yanyan, you didn’t go see him last night, did you?”
Wu Yan paused. “I did go see him, but his lack of sleep… shouldn’t have anything to do with me, right?” He had left immediately after giving the man the cookies. He figured it was just work pressure.
“I think so too. Everyone knows Pei Jin is a workaholic. But if you’re with him, what if he’s never home?” Gu Yanzhuo leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, seemingly deep in thought.
“Why do you care so much about us?” Wu Yan asked. “Aren’t we best bros? I’m just vetting him for you.”
“Don’t!” Wu Yan knew Gu Yanzhuo’s tendency to do strange things. He had finally closed the distance with Pei Jin; if Gu Yanzhuo messed it up, he might as well “receive his bento” (die) immediately.
Gu Yanzhuo took the hint and dropped the subject. “I have a gathering this afternoon. Want to come play?”
Thinking of Gu Yanzhuo’s group of “fair-weather friends,” Wu Yan flatly refused: “I’m not going.”
“You’re not? I heard the female lead for Pei Jin’s next movie will be there.” Gu Yanzhuo’s red “wolf tail” hair swayed as he emphasized the second half of the sentence.
Wu Yan couldn’t interfere with Pei Jin’s work, but he wanted to know more. “Who is it?”
“Me,” Gu Yanzhuo said concisely. “Huh?” Wu Yan then remembered the mall reporter asking about Gu Yanzhuo’s transition into acting.
“Just kidding. Besides me, there’s a woman who has a romantic plotline with Pei Jin’s character.” Gu Yanzhuo turned serious. “I heard her reputation isn’t great. I’m worried your Movie Star might run into trouble.”
Wu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you suddenly want to act?”
Gu Yanzhuo gave a reckless smile. “Just a sudden interest. Being an idol is a young man’s game, and I’m not getting younger. Plus, maybe I’ll win a Movie Star trophy one day.”
Wu Yan didn’t discourage him. “I’ll wait and see then.” He realized that if Gu Yanzhuo and Pei Jin worked together, he’d have twice as many excuses to visit the set.
“So,” Gu Yanzhuo asked, wrapping an arm around Wu Yan’s shoulder. “Are you going?”
“Going,” Wu Yan replied.
The Gathering
The party was held at a private villa in the south of Yuyang. Despite the winter, the pond in the garden wasn’t frozen. Inside, the decor was lavish—crystal chandeliers, expensive ornaments, and handmade carpets.
Wu Yan followed Gu Yanzhuo, attracting numerous gazes. As the Crown Prince of Jianghai Entertainment, Gu Yanzhuo was always in the spotlight, but Wu Yan’s unique aura and stunning looks were equally eye-catching.
“That woman in the purple dress with the tassel earrings is Ji Lan,” Gu Yanzhuo whispered as they entered.
Wu Yan noted her but didn’t approach. He spoke a few words to Gu Yanzhuo and found a quiet corner to sit. However, she noticed him too. In a room full of people in high fashion, Wu Yan stood out. He was dressed low-key, but the cufflinks on his wrists were worth millions.
Ji Lan had been in the industry long enough to have a keen eye. She didn’t think Wu Yan was just a “little lover.” Gu Yanzhuo treated him with a gentleness that bordered on being fawning.
“Young Master Wu,” a voice called out. Wu Yan looked up to see a pair of smiling eyes. “You know me?” he asked. He rarely attended such crowded events due to his health.
“The friend of Jianghai’s Crown Prince. I’ve heard friends mention you.” Ji Lan sat beside him, striking a graceful pose. “Young Master Gu has many friends, but you’re the only one he treats so tenderly.” She raised her wine glass, the red liquid shimmering.
Wu Yan sneered. “I don’t like drinking.”
Ji Lan’s hand paused, but she laughed it off, her tone becoming slightly less warm. “I just wanted to make a friend. I have no ill intentions.”
Wu Yan knew her “intentions” were likely tied to money and power. He was about to speak when he spotted Pei Jin entering the room. He couldn’t hide his shock. No one told me Pei Jin was coming…
Pei Jin looked incredibly sharp in a well-tailored suit. Ji Lan saw him too and stood up to intercept him. “Brother Pei! Why are you here?”
Pei Jin subtly avoided her, giving a polite nod before walking right past her toward Wu Yan. His voice was deep: “Why are you here too?”
Before Wu Yan could answer, Gu Yanzhuo stood between them, blocking Pei Jin’s view. “Yanyan is my best friend; he’s here as my partner. Brother Pei, didn’t you say you were too busy to come today?”
Gu Yanzhuo called him “Brother” only because Pei Jin was significantly older. In terms of industry experience, they were nearly peers.
Pei Jin frowned, his eyes landing on Wu Yan behind Gu Yanzhuo. Wu Yan coughed, pulled Gu Yanzhuo aside, and stepped close to Pei Jin. He whispered: “Brother, we’re so destined.”
Gu Yanzhuo could only pray for Pei Jin’s patience. Where was the Wu Yan he used to know? Now he was all smiles and “pity” acts.
“So Brother Pei and Young Master Wu know each other,” Ji Lan interjected, raising her glass. “Shall we have a drink?”
Pei Jin’s face remained expressionless. He shook his head, his tone cold and distant. “Sorry, I have business.” He then looked at Wu Yan, his expression softening slightly. “I have something to say to you.”
Wu Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He followed Pei Jin out, leaving a humiliated Ji Lan to fake a smile and talk to others.
Gu Yanzhuo let out a helpless sigh. “Broes before hoes? More like hoes before bros…”