That evening, after having dinner at the Ji Family home, Jing Li received a call from An Jiaming.
An Jiaming was always direct, cutting straight to the point. “Come to the studio tomorrow morning at ten. Cheng Xinghao and his manager will be there—they want to meet you.”
Jing Li paused, caught off guard. “Meet me? Why?”
“For Cheng Xinghao’s new song MV,” An Jiaming replied. “Zhang Xi thinks you’re a perfect fit. Cheng Xinghao hasn’t met you yet and is still undecided. He wants to see you in person.”
Jing Li couldn’t hide his surprise. Every song Cheng Xinghao released became an instant hit—shouldn’t actors be lining up, fighting for the lead role in his music video? Yet here they were, coming to him.
He immediately thought back to his afternoon encounter with Zhang Xi in Central Park. And Zhang Xi knew Mu Ge because of…?
After hanging up, Jing Li opened WeChat and found Mu Ge’s chat.
[Jing Li]: Thanks, Sister Mu.
Mu Ge replied almost immediately.
[Mu Ge]: ?
A second later, she caught on.
[Mu Ge]: Is this about Cheng Xinghao’s MV lead? That wasn’t me—Zhang Xi saw you and thought you were perfect for it.
[Mu Ge]: Good luck.
If that was the case, then it had to come down to his looks.
He really was exceptionally handsome.
After a brief moment of self-indulgent narcissism, Jing Li returned to the small living room. Su Manzhi asked gently, “Work stuff?”
“Yeah, my manager wants me to stop by the studio tomorrow.”
Su Manzhi nodded slightly. Seeing him still standing, she beckoned him over. “Come sit. Have some snacks.”
Jing Li obeyed, settling down and picking up a piece of peach crisp. The chef had made them small for easy, elegant eating—one perfect bite each.
The afternoon chess games hadn’t fully satisfied Grandpa Ji’s itch, so he rose again now, tugging Jing Li into another round. Jing Li didn’t protest.
The butler set up the board and pieces, and the two opponents faced off once more.
They played straight through until ten o’clock.
Su Manzhi reminded Grandpa Ji it was his bedtime, and he stopped reluctantly, still eager for more. He made Jing Li promise a rematch next time, and then a helper escorted him off to bathe.
Su Manzhi watched them enter the elevator before turning her warm gaze back to Jing Li. “Staying the night?”
She smiled fondly. “Yunzhang’s room will be perfect—his clothes should fit you too.”
Jing Li felt a flutter of temptation.
Ji Yunzhang had lived here until he turned eighteen, and the room was filled with traces of his youth.
The first time Jing Li visited as a guest, Ji Yunzhang had given him a tour—including a peek at the room. But back then, he hadn’t yet fallen for him. Out of politeness, he’d only glanced from the doorway without stepping inside.
…He regretted that just a little now.
Still, staying over in Ji Yunzhang’s room meant getting the man’s permission first.
Jing Li dialed Ji Yunzhang.
Once Ji Yunzhang heard him out, amusement laced his voice. “Of course you can.”
His low, gentle timbre traveled through the phone to Jing Li’s ear. He added, “Everything in there is fair game—look, touch, whatever. No need to hold back.”
He was in the middle of work and had only snatched a quick break for the call, so they kept it short. After a few more words, he hung up.
With the green light, Jing Li stayed the night.
Ji Yunzhang’s room was on the third floor—a spacious suite. Beyond the bedroom lay a small study, walk-in closet, bathroom, and private balcony. He must have spent a lot of time relaxing out there; it was fitted out for comfort, complete with an astronomical telescope.
Jing Li wandered the room for a bit, then slid open the balcony door and examined the telescope.
He knew little about astronomy—just a handful of planets and the moon. But through the high-powered eyepiece, Saturn’s rings gleamed sharply, and the moon’s craters stood out in vivid detail, large and small alike.
He tinkered with it for ten or fifteen minutes before setting it aside and resuming his curious exploration of Ji Yunzhang’s traces.
A massive jigsaw puzzle hung on the wall, Lego sets fully assembled in the study, a snowboard and basketball tucked in the corner, a game console stowed in a bin, well-thumbed books lining the shelves, trophies and certificates displayed on the cabinet… Jing Li took it all in, teenage Ji Yunzhang practically materializing before his eyes.
His gaze landed on a photo album atop the desk. Jing Li paused, pulled out the chair, sat down, and began flipping through it.
Ji Yunzhang hadn’t been exaggerating last time—it was all true.
As a little kid, he’d been the undisputed ringleader. Wherever he went, a pack of kids trailed after him like ducklings—boys and girls, eyes shining with adoration.
Jing Li got it completely. At that age, Ji Yunzhang had been irresistibly cute and handsome. He’d have followed a big brother like that too.
By his teenage years, the crowds around him had only grown, and so had his adventures.
Equestrian sports, archery, skiing, skydiving, surfing, swimming, sailing… Every time Jing Li flipped to a new page in the photo album, he saw Ji Yunzhang trying out some new activity in a different country, at a different spot. It was like flipping through Miracle Yunzhang’s World Tour.
Of course, amid all the travel photos, there were plenty of shots from his everyday school life.
Ji Yunzhang really didn’t like wearing his school uniform—six out of every ten photos showed him without it. Sometimes he was scribbling away on an exam paper, sometimes slumped over his desk asleep, sometimes lounging lazily in the presiding chair on stage…
Jing Li couldn’t stop smiling. The grin spread all the way to the corners of his eyes as he propped his cheek on one hand, utterly absorbed.
The final photo showed Ji Yunzhang in a university classroom.
In the picture, his features were relaxed and distant, a faint smile curving his lips. Morning sunlight streamed in through the clear glass windows, bathing him in a layer of pale gold.
Jing Li’s breath caught.
He hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end, he gave in to impulse. He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the photo.
Right then, a knock sounded at the door—tap tap tap. Jing Li closed the album, put it back where he’d found it, and got up to answer.
It was Ji Huahong and Qin Zhiyun, just back from the birthday banquet for one of the company directors.
They exchanged greetings with Jing Li and asked after him briefly before heading off together, hand in hand.
Jing Li shut the door again and realized it was nearly midnight without him noticing. He went into the walk-in closet and pulled a set of Ji Yunzhang’s pajamas from the wardrobe, then headed to freshen up.
When he emerged, his phone buzzed once.
He picked it up. It was a WeChat message from Ji Yunzhang.
[Ji Yunzhang]: Asleep yet?
Jing Li didn’t reply right away. Instead, he climbed into bed, propped himself up against the headboard in a comfortable position, and video-called him back.
It rang three times before Ji Yunzhang picked up.
He’d wrapped up filming for the day and was back at his hotel, lounging on the sofa. Exhaustion from the long hours lingered in his expression, but his voice was as gentle as ever. “Not asleep?”
“Just got out of the shower. About to head to bed.” Jing Li studied him. “You look beat.”
“It’s not too bad. Just haven’t been sleeping well the past couple nights.”
“Still adjusting to the time difference?”
“Probably.”
Ji Yunzhang shifted position, propping his elbow on the sofa arm and resting his forehead lazily against his hand. A clear smile curved his lips. “Did you look at the photo album?”
Jing Li answered honestly. “Yeah.”
He chuckled. “Teacher Ji, you were so cute as a kid.”
“You’re cute too.” Ji Yunzhang picked up his tablet from nearby, tapped a few times to pull up Jing Li’s Weibo, and scrolled through the photo album to one of Jing Li’s old selfies.
He held the picture up to the camera, smiling lightly. “But you’re even cuter.”
Jing Li glanced at his younger self. “I was twelve in that one. Just started junior high.”
“What about this?” Ji Yunzhang switched to another.
“Twelve too.”
He flipped to the next.
“Thirteen.”
Ji Yunzhang set the tablet down and smiled. “You really were little.”
“Not that little. Teens are practically young men.” Jing Li drew up his knees, grabbed a pillow to rest them on, and propped his chin atop it, settling in comfortably. With a sigh, he added, “Teacher Ji, your life has been so exciting.”
Such a fun childhood. Such a wild youth.
Ji Yunzhang watched him quietly, his tender gaze reaching across the screen to envelop Jing Li. “Your life will be exciting too.”
Jing Li nodded vigorously. “You bet!”
His tone bright and eager, he shared his dreams for retirement. “I want to travel all over the country, then buy a house somewhere scenic with mountains and clear water. I’ll fill the garden with flowers and plants, spend my days reading books, watching movies, maybe hiking or fishing now and then…”
Ji Yunzhang listened patiently until he finished. “Sounds peaceful and wonderful.”
“I think so too.”
A few seconds passed. Jing Li looked up. “Teacher Ji.”
Ji Yunzhang’s eyes stayed fixed on him. “Hm?”
Across the screen, their gazes met.
In the soft light, the faint glow in Ji Yunzhang’s eyes was incredibly gentle.
Jing Li’s fingers curled at his side. “Would you come with me?” The words nearly tumbled out, but reason clamped down on them at the last second.
It was as good as a confession.
Not yet.
Jing Li stayed silent for a long moment. Ji Yunzhang prompted him. “What’s up?”
Jing Li snapped back to himself. “Want to hear some piano music?”
“?” Ji Yunzhang looked puzzled.
“I’ll record it for you tomorrow. Play it when you’re tired—pure instrumentals are great for relaxing.”
Ji Yunzhang blinked.
A moment later, rich amusement bloomed in his eyes, his gaze growing even softer.
~~~
The next day, after breakfast, Jing Li said goodbye to Su Manzhi and Grandpa Ji, then left with Qin Zhiyun and Ji Huahong. Ji Huahong headed to the office, while Qin Zhiyun was off on a business trip—the driver took her to the airport.
During the morning rush hour, Jing Li was stuck on the elevated bridge for nearly twenty minutes, but since he had left early, he wasn’t late.
When he arrived at the studio, people started greeting him right from the entrance, and he returned their greetings all the way inside.
He ducked into Le Xiaoxiao’s office. Le Xiaoxiao set aside what he was doing and teased, “With that attitude, it’s like the landlady’s doing an inspection.”
Jing Li touched his chin. “In a way, you’re not wrong?”
Le Xiaoxiao chuckled twice and covered his eyes with his hand. “Can’t look.”
“No problem, you can just listen.” Jing Li said deadpan.
The two bantered back and forth for a bit. When Jing Li noticed the time was about right, he waved to Le Xiaoxiao and left the office to find An Jiaming.
An Jiaming was just about to call him when he arrived. He pocketed his phone and pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat first. Zhang Xi and the others are parking and will be here soon.”
Jing Li nodded and sat down.
An Jiaming’s gaze swept over his clothes, and he raised an eyebrow. “Yunzhang’s?”
Jing Li’s own clothes had just gone into the wash that morning; he hadn’t had time to wait for them to dry, so he’d borrowed Ji Yunzhang’s. They were quite a bit big on him, but Ji Yunzhang’s wardrobe was all simple styles. With a little styling, they passed as an oversize look—not ugly or strange at all, but rather giving off a casual, laid-back vibe.
“So obvious?” Jing Li was surprised. He thought he’d nailed the outfit.
“I’ve seen him wear it,” An Jiaming said.
Jing Li let out a couple of “ohs” and explained. “I stayed over at the Ji Family last night.”
An Jiaming hummed in acknowledgment and said no more. He wasn’t dwelling on whether their relationship might evolve from fake to real anymore—after all, becoming actual husbands wouldn’t be a bad thing.
He pulled out two packs of tea leaves and set water to boil for brewing. Just as it came to a boil, his assistant led Zhang Xi and Cheng Xinghao to the door and knocked.
“Come in,” he said.
The half-open door swung inward, and Zhang Xi and Cheng Xinghao entered one after the other. An Jiaming stood, shaking hands with Zhang Xi first. “President Zhang.” Then he extended his hand to Cheng Xinghao. “Teacher Cheng.”
Cheng Xinghao had shot to fame at a young age and was now practically the cornerstone of Ninghai Entertainment. Everyone there, from top to bottom, fawned over him, which had made his personality a touch arrogant.
After shaking An Jiaming’s hand, Cheng Xinghao’s gaze shifted to Jing Li nearby and fixed on him intently for a long moment. Jing Li didn’t mind in the slightest, maintaining his easy smile and poise as Cheng Xinghao sized him up—his eyes full of nothing but scrutiny and assessment.
At length, Cheng Xinghao looked away, inwardly quite pleased: He really was good-looking, with a temperament, build, and image that perfectly fit the heartthrob role in his MV script.
In a rare show of initiative, he extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Cheng Xinghao.”
Jing Li clasped it and introduced himself. “Jing Li. Hello, Teacher Cheng.”
Cheng Xinghao pulled back his hand and, quite naturally, proposed a time. “The day after tomorrow work for you?”
Jing Li blinked in brief surprise, then caught on to his meaning. Realizing he’d passed the audition, he felt a surge of delight.
“Perfect,” he said, beaming.
Zhang Xi overheard and knew Cheng Xinghao was thoroughly impressed with Jing Li. Her red lips curved into a smile as her gaze returned to An Jiaming. “President An, shall we discuss the contract?”
An Jiaming finished brewing the tea and set a cup in front of each of them—Zhang Xi, Cheng Xinghao, and Jing Li—before smiling back. “Just a moment. I’ll have my assistant come in to take notes.”
…
By noon, the contract was signed, and Zhang Xi took Cheng Xinghao with her when she left.
After two hours together, Cheng Xinghao and Jing Li had warmed up to each other. Jing Li played piano and guqin, making him something of a musician himself. Even though he didn’t produce music, they had plenty in common to chat about.
Cheng Xinghao didn’t just approve of him—he even gave Jing Li his personal WeChat before leaving.
He was treating him like a friend.
“Pleasant collaboration,” he said, his smile carrying real warmth.
Jing Li smiled back. “Pleasant collaboration.”
