Chapter 77 – The Endorsement Withdrawn

So, that woman had thought she’d found herself a more dependable benefactor, and thus became disdainful of the Si family’s wealth and power. Well, it made sense. Compared to the slim chance of returning to the Si family, living as the widow of the family’s eldest son and raising his child might guarantee a life of comfort and security. But how could that possibly compare to fame, fortune, and a young, handsome boyfriend? She ridiculed herself for being so easily deceived by that woman’s feigned frailty and helplessness.

Si Nan stood up, dusting off imaginary creases from his clothes, and said calmly, “Perhaps the old master would be quite pleased to see the child, after all, he is the blood of the Si family… I'll leave this matter to you.” His words were light and casual, but Xia Bin’s heart raced with anxiety. Yet it was Si Nan’s next words that truly shook him.

“Oh, and as for that woman surnamed Lin, don’t get involved with her any further. Give her a check, the amount should match the current highest-paid nanny’s salary—six years’ worth… She won’t be left empty-handed, considering she was once my elder brother’s woman. Deliver the child straight to my father, there’s no need to ask me again… And replace that so-called celebrity as the jewelry ambassador immediately…”

After rattling off these instructions in one breath, Si Nan exhaled heavily, catching sight of Xia Bin’s incredulous expression. In the end, he asked, “Any other business arrangements?”

“Wha… what?” Xia Bin was baffled by Si Nan’s question, staring at him in confusion.

Si Nan sighed. Passing by Xia Bin, he patted his shoulder so forcefully that Xia Bin’s posture dipped to one side. Behind him, the sound of heavy leather shoes echoed on the floor, followed by the door being pulled open with force, and a voice devoid of emotion: “Cancel all collaborations, no exceptions.”

Inside Tianjiang Apartments—

Chen Kai was running about, while Cheng Yishu lounged in delight. With filming about to wrap up, Cheng Yishu’s heart was ready to leap from his chest, yet he forced himself to keep a straight face. Still, that smug, joyful energy couldn’t be easily concealed, and before he knew it, he was humming an unfamiliar little tune.

Chen Kai had just hung up the phone, his face creased in bitter worry, while the person concerned sat nonchalantly, legs crossed, absorbed in a mobile game—truly a case of the eunuch being more anxious than the emperor himself!

“I’m telling you, Yishu, I’m going to ask you one last time. You have to answer honestly, no hiding anything!” Chen Kai leaned in, his eyes sharp.

“Ask,” Cheng Yishu replied, not even glancing up, as direct as ever.

Chen Kai considered his words, licking his lips. “Are you sure you haven’t offended anyone? Not even with a look, a word, nothing?”

Chen Kai had asked this question more times than he could count, but Cheng Yishu insisted he’d never had any unpleasant encounters with anyone. Chen Kai believed him, for after all this time together, he knew Cheng Yishu was not the type to act rashly and then deny it. True, sometimes Cheng Yishu could be headstrong or cold, perhaps even disregardful of others’ feelings, but when it came to truly important situations, he always knew where to draw the line. Serious conflict with others? That just wasn’t his style.

“Really, I haven’t! How many times do you want me to say it?” Cheng Yishu tossed his phone aside after losing a game, got up and called out as he headed for the kitchen, “It’s just a few endorsements. If they want to replace me, let them. I didn’t want to do them anyway… it’s not like the money was great.”

“Listen to yourself! Is that something a top idol should be saying?” Chen Kai frowned in frustration.

Cheng Yishu returned with two cans of beer, wearing a rare smile, tossing one to Chen Kai. “Relax. The shoot is almost over, and I can finally take a short break. Don’t spoil the mood, okay?”

“A break? If we don’t get a handle on this soon, you might be taking a break for the rest of your life!” Chen Kai snapped, glaring at him.

“Really?” Cheng Yishu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “So if I lose all my endorsements, the company will give up on me and put me on ice?”

“What are you getting at?” Chen Kai looked at Cheng Yishu’s oddly elated expression and grew more bewildered, wondering if the kid had been pushed too far…

“Well, not quite. At worst, you’ll be stuck with minor roles… they won’t waste their investment in you. But don’t worry, as long as I’m around, I won’t let you stoop to that level.” Chen Kai comforted him, clinking their cans together and taking a swig.

The light faded from Cheng Yishu’s eyes. He sat beside Chen Kai, quietly sipping his beer, secretly thinking, “Looks like this path is a dead end. I’d better make a graceful exit from the industry…”

Suddenly, Chen Kai sighed and said softly, “It’s only a matter of time. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this soon. After all the years I’ve spent in this business, if I can’t solve something this minor, what was the point?”

Cheng Yishu said nothing—he wasn’t concerned about any of that. He was far more interested in planning where to take Xiaowen and Ranran for a vacation once filming wrapped.

When Cheng Yishu didn’t respond, Chen Kai cleared his throat and continued, “Don’t worry about work. I’ve already lined up a lead role for you in a film. If all goes well, you’ll move straight into the next project. The contract details are being negotiated these days, and the director is—”

“Straight into the next project?” Cheng Yishu nearly jumped to his feet.

“That’s right!” Chen Kai beamed with satisfaction. “See? I told you, as long as I’m here, nothing goes wrong. Just focus on your performance…”

“Wait, who told you to accept it for me? I’m not even done with this one and you’ve already got me the next? Do you have any humanity left?” Cheng Yishu glared at Chen Kai, who was looking quite pleased with himself.

“Hey, Cheng Yishu, get real, will you? What artist in their right mind wants their schedule empty? Only you could be so unambitious! Do you know how many people are eyeing this role? I went through a lot to get you a shot… Whether you land it depends on whether they like you, and whether you have the luck. A supporting role in Director Chen’s film is worth more than ten idol dramas you’ve done…”

Chen Kai raised his voice, feeling more and more that he must have been out of his mind to take on headstrong, contrary Cheng Yishu as his artist.

But Cheng Yishu’s eyes lit up again. He grabbed Chen Kai’s hand, his voice trembling with excitement. “Which director? Director Chen? Chen Dan? The internationally renowned director famous for Chinese military films?”

Chen Kai snorted, freeing his hand from Cheng Yishu’s grip and shaking it out. “Who else would be worth that much trouble?”

Cheng Yishu opened his mouth, staring at Chen Kai’s proud expression in a daze. So he really had a chance to work with a great director? His very first theatrical film would be with such an internationally acclaimed director?

“Damn… that’s awesome!”

“Pfft…” Chen Kai nearly choked on his beer at Cheng Yishu’s heartfelt exclamation. So the famously reserved Cheng Yishu did know how to swear after all!