Your Ears Are So Red

Yuan Fei was equally stunned.

When Si You had told Yuan Fei that Jiang Tingxu appreciated his acting, Yuan Fei had always treated it as a joke...

At that moment, Yuan Fei actually wanted to charge into the office of Si You's former boss, grab him by the collar, shake him hard, and sincerely ask, "What the hell were you thinking?!"

With acting like Si You's, he clearly had a bright future ahead of him! How had he ended up going down the flashy pretty-boy black-marketing route?

Yuan Fei had previously sighed over Si You turning down several promising newcomers because of him, but he was no longer sighing now. He crossed his arms and leaned against the desk, his mind racing.

Director Zhu strode up to Si You and stared at him as though he were some alien life-form.

Si You grew uneasy under his gaze. Once he stood up, he asked, "Director Zhu, do you think it works?"

Director Zhu turned to Jiang Tingxu. "Do you think it works?"

Jiang Tingxu remained perfectly composed. "It works."

Director Zhu suddenly burst into laughter, looking as delighted as if he had found treasure. He roared at Si You, "I think it works too! Sixth Prince Yun Si—it's you!"

Si You's heart thudded. It felt as though some sleeping, numb part of his soul had suddenly awakened. He was as happy as Director Zhu, and the two of them stood there red-faced, looking slightly ridiculous. "Thank you, Director Zhu! Thank you!"

Director Zhu waved him off. "You earned this yourself. I was wondering why Jiang, the Movie Emperor, refused to start filming and kept dragging things out just to wait for you. So he knew everything all along."

"What did I lie to you about?" Jiang Tingxu's words from the hospital room that day suddenly echoed in Si You's ears. "I was in a hurry too."

If the lead had not been Jiang Tingxu, Director Zhu would have kicked anyone else for delaying the production like this. But because he had worked with Jiang Tingxu before and they understood and appreciated each other, he had tolerated Jiang Tingxu holding up the role of Yun Si for Si You. Director Zhu had felt somewhat resentful before, but Si You's performance had soothed that resentment completely.

A fine horse had met its true judge, and the judge loved the fine horse as well.

Si You officially joined the production. There happened to be a night shoot, so the director had the stylist hurry up and get Si You into costume.

Yuan Fei had never had such a smooth time delivering an artist to a set before, and the director was Zhu Qincheng! Nobody would believe it if he told them.

"Huahua stays. Linzi comes back with me. Jiang, the Movie Emperor, only has one assistant too, so let's not be so fussy," Yuan Fei instructed. "Huahua, take good care of Si You. Make sure he takes his medicine. The doctor said it would be troublesome if he got sick again. Call me anytime if anything happens."

Huahua looked as solemn as though she had been entrusted with a critical mission. "Mm-hmm!"

Yun Si had been the last role finalized, so Si You joined the production later than everyone else. All the dressing rooms were occupied. When the makeup artist saw someone coming out, she immediately asked, "Brother Sun, could you..."

"No!" Sun Wenzhu's assistant replied lazily, glancing at Si You as he spoke. His attitude was far from friendly.

Sun Wenzhu looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. His styling was trendy, and his features were decent enough. There was little expression on his face as he stood silently with one hand in his pocket.

"It's fine. We can do it here," Si You said. "Just bring over a chair..."

"Come to my dressing room." Jiang Tingxu had appeared at some point.

Everyone around them was startled.

Jiang Tingxu did not throw his weight around, but his status and fame were what they were. Even if Sister Chen had said nothing, the crew would have provided him with the best of everything. Jiang Tingxu had a dressing room all to himself, fully equipped.

Si You clearly saw the calm indifference on Sun Wenzhu's face ripple like a disturbed surface of water, exposing surprise and traces of complicated emotion.

But Jiang Tingxu did not spare Sun Wenzhu a single glance. He walked past him and led Si You and the others to his own dressing room.

Si You could feel the concealed gaze resting on his back.

The makeup artist went to prepare a suitable wig first. Si You sat in a chair, facing an oval makeup mirror rimmed with a circle of glowing white lights.

The original owner had memories of Sun Wenzhu. He was a moderately well-known actor.

"Just avoid Sun Wenzhu when you see him from now on," Jiang Tingxu suddenly said.

Si You blinked and cautiously replied, "I don't think I have a grudge against him."

Jiang Tingxu said, "Sun Wenzhu originally wanted the role of Sixth Prince Yun Si."

With that explanation, Si You understood.

Si You pressed his lips together and looked up at Jiang Tingxu. "Thank you."

Jiang Tingxu could clearly see his own reflection in Si You's pupils. "What are you thanking me for?"

"I only just found out that you'd been saving the role of Yun Si for me all along..." Si You spoke softly and slowly, as though carefully weighing every word. "With Director Zhu's temperament, he must have urged you many times. Back when I was in the hospital..."

Before Si You could finish, Jiang Tingxu gently shook his head.

"You've misunderstood the essence of it," Jiang Tingxu said. "Every script I take on has to be as perfect as possible. I saw your Yun Si with my own eyes. Since there was no actor who could surpass you, I waited for you. I extended the invitation, and you accepted it. That means we can work together happily. So, Si You, we gave each other an opportunity. Don't think I was secretly helping you."

Si You smiled. "But you really did help me a great deal."

Jiang Tingxu said, "Then perform well."

"Mm!"

Si You spent an hour and a half getting his makeup done. His features were simply too stunning and refined, and the final result fully lived up to the description of peerlessly gorgeous. That alone made Jiang Tingxu rejecting Sun Wenzhu entirely reasonable. Yun Si was not merely scheming and calculating—he was also the most beautiful decorative vase. Sun Wenzhu's face could not carry it.

"Can I take pictures?" Huahua bounced over to Si You.

Si You nodded. "Go ahead, but don't leak them."

"I know!" Huahua was thrilled.

Wuwuwu, that slim waist, that figure... How had Lu Tu in the drama managed not to fall for Yun Si? When he smiled, he was like spring winds stirring rippling emerald waters; when he did not, he was cool and distant yet richly beautiful. It made one want to tear apart his clothes and fill that face with expressions of humiliation or unbearable desire...

Si You could not take it anymore. He looked at Huahua. "Please stop your meaningless fantasies!"

Huahua asked, "How did you know?!"

Si You's expression was complicated. "You're supposed to be taking pictures, but you're practically twisting yourself into a pretzel."

Huahua giggled. "Hehe!"

It was just about nighttime, and they were filming an action scene where Yun Si was assassinated.

This part of the plot was already in the middle stages. Yun Si had earned the emperor's trust and become a new force in the battle for the throne.

Si You sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, his sword-like brows tilted upward. When he opened his eyes, they were dark and heavy with the oppressive presence unique to someone in power, churning with ambition and desire that had never seen the light of day.

The shot passed in one take. Director Zhu unscrewed a bottle of water, his gaze still fixed on Si You. He truly was too pleasantly surprised.

As for the fight scene, Director Zhu's plan was to let Si You try it first. If he could not manage it, they would use a stunt double.

Si You had no complaints. He cherished this opportunity, and besides, Jiang Tingxu was watching...

Whether out of gratitude or something else, Si You did not want to disappoint him.

In his previous life, wire work had been commonplace for Si You when filming. Although the original owner had never done it, his limbs were intact, and certain memories had already left a deep impression in Si You's mind. So as long as the martial arts instructor explained an action once, Si You could reproduce it as closely as possible through instinct. Any movements that were not quite standard only needed a few more rounds of practice.

His forehead was drenched in sweat, but there was not the slightest trace of fatigue on his face. He tilted his head, listening intently to the martial arts instructor.

Director Zhu was shocked. "He can endure hardship like that?"

Jiang Tingxu replied blandly, "Why do you think I chose him?"

Director Zhu said, "Excellent choice!"

Before long, the crew brought over late-night snacks.

They were simple boxed meals with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, and they smelled delicious. Director Zhu now thought highly of Si You, so he called Si You and Huahua over to eat.

Huahua beamed. "I get a share too?"

Si You raised a brow. "Would I let you go hungry?"

Huahua immediately turned away. "Don't talk to me with that face!"

Si You said, "...Sorry. Then you'll have to get used to it."

Jiang Tingxu's dining table was right beside Si You's. He had finished filming for the day, but as the lead, his workload tomorrow would only be heavier. Jiang Tingxu had stayed on set because he wanted to discuss the plot and character settings with Director Zhu.

When it came to filming, he had the meticulous dedication of a craftsman.

Si You was hungry too, but he had little appetite. Huahua, on the other hand, ate heartily and with great enthusiasm.

Si You let out a breath and set his lunchbox back on the table. He had only eaten three bites of rice and some vegetables.

Sun Wenzhu, who had come over for the late-night meal, saw this scene. A chill flashed through his eyes as he suddenly asked Si You, "Does the food not suit your taste?"

Si You was a little surprised, then answered, "No. I ate before I came."

Huahua asked, "You did?"

Si You said, "..." The girl was good in every way except that her brain occasionally failed to work.

Sun Wenzhu leaned back and asked again, "You're not used to the food?"

"There's nothing he can't get used to," Jiang Tingxu said. "He adapts well."

Director Zhu made a questioning sound. "How do you know?"

"We were partners on Spring Action. How could I not know?" Jiang Tingxu asked in return.

"Partners?" Director Zhu rarely watched variety shows. He was older and did not understand them, but he was curious now. "Partners in what?"

Si You's heart suddenly began racing.

Then he heard Jiang Tingxu say, "Partners as a CP, like lovers. We gave the audience sweet moments."

"Ah???" Director Zhu reacted intensely.

No matter how out of touch he was, he knew what "CP" and "lovers" meant. Pretending to be a couple, right? That was not uncommon in the entertainment industry nowadays. Some people even hated each other but still went all out marketing their relationship in public for publicity. But Jiang Tingxu being involved made it utterly unbelievable!

Jiang Tingxu was not afraid of trouble, nor was he particularly chaste. Based on Director Zhu's understanding of him over the years, Jiang Tingxu simply found people irritating—he hated being touched and hated people getting close. Once a rumor surfaced, his studio would clarify it immediately, sparing no one's feelings.

It was as if he had drawn boundaries between himself and everyone else from the very beginning. There was a kind of cold, rebellious detachment from the world in him, hidden beneath a gentle, cool exterior.

Jiang Tingxu sincerely advised Director Zhu, "You should watch more variety shows."

Director Zhu said, "..."

Si You did not say a word. He was about to catch fire.

"Si You, are you feeling unwell?" Huahua asked seriously. "Your ears are so red."

Si You said, "..."

Si You sighed heavily. Maybe I should talk to Brother Yuan and get a different assistant.

Jiang Tingxu glanced at him, the corners of his lips lifting.

Huahua pulled over her backpack and took out three bottles of medicine. "Two pills each."

Then a slender hand reached over. Jiang Tingxu picked up the medicine bottles and inspected them one by one: heart tonic, liver protection, and vitamin supplements.

Jiang Tingxu said, "Have two more bites of rice. There aren't any food stalls around here at night."

Director Zhu watched Si You's rebellious demeanor truly soften. He no longer glared at his assistant. Told to take two bites, he took two bites, then finally stuffed a chopstickful of stir-fried cabbage into his mouth and shook his head at Jiang Tingxu.

Jiang Tingxu hummed, then, in full view of everyone, took Si You's lunchbox and mixed the remaining meat and rice together before pouring it into his own lunchbox.

Everyone: "..."

Director Zhu leaned closer. "We're not filming a variety show right now..."

Jiang Tingxu remained unruffled. "Don't waste food."

Director Zhu pushed his own meal box forward. "My portion..."

Jiang Tingxu said, "I'll be full after I finish this. You can deal with yours yourself."

Director Zhu said, "..."

Si You said, "..."

I want to... run... five thousand meters...