Love Contract chapter 1
Nightclub
[Breaking news! Another Lead Actor Confirmed for Liu Jing Drama!] [The TV series Liu Jing, adapted from a highly popular fantasy novel, has had its casting process shrouded in mystery since it was announced. Last week, Li Yicheng was confirmed to play the male lead. However, the role of the second male lead, Qing Zhi, who is the most beloved character after the protagonist, has not been officially announced yet. Rumor has it that the final choice will come from these candidates! Who do you think fits the original character best? Who is your ideal “Qing Zhi”?]Attached to this Weibo post were several photos of male actors, ranging from popular idols and reputable actors to lesser-known ones from the lower tiers. The variety of candidates was clearly intended to stir up debate, but the investors were happy to see the buzz growing. Numerous promotional accounts quickly shared the news, and with the original novel already having a large fanbase and Liu Jing being a highly anticipated big-budget production in recent years, the post quickly shot to the top of trending topics.
Amidst the noisy comment section, there were also curious passersby drawn in by the pictures.
—[Who’s in P8? Recommend him to me!] [Sis, you have great taste. The guy in the eighth photo is our Suisui. Although he’s not well-known yet, he has a promising future!] [Hahaha, the comment above is hilarious! But seriously, let me introduce him properly. The guy in P8 is Jiang Liusui, a young actor with great talent. He’s graduating from the National Academy of Arts this month! He’s previously acted in The Moon at the Valley’s Bottom, Riding the Wind… But his breakout role was as the villainous third male lead in Strategy Guide. Check out his chaotic yet beautiful performance.]
—[Yes, it’s our naturally photogenic Jiang! Besides Strategy Guide, you should also watch Riding the Wind. Our Jiang not only excels at playing villains but can also portray pure-hearted high school boys!]
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“Liu Jing’s second male lead is practically confirmed to be Tang Xiao. Your last audition was probably just a formality,” Jiang Liusui’s agent, Jiang Chuan, said angrily as he watched Jiang Liusui’s expressionless face. “It’s only because he’s got financial backing that he got in, even though he’s nowhere near you in looks or acting skills. I heard the author of Liu Jing was particularly fond of you, but it seems even that couldn’t beat the power of money.”
“But there’s still a chance,” Jiang Chuan hesitated slightly when he saw Jiang Liusui glance at him. “I can get in touch with the chief director. Would you be interested in having dinner with Director Wu?”
“Our audition was sent in as a recording, so maybe if the director meets you in person, he’ll change his mind. Director Wu has a lot of influence on the set, even Tang Xiao can’t bypass him.”
“…” Jiang Liusui understood what Jiang Chuan was implying. He had heard some rumors about Director Wu, who had ambiguous relationships with several artists.
“No, thanks, Jiang Ge,” Jiang Liusui replied calmly. “I don’t want to approach the director.”
Money and sexual favors were not uncommon in the industry, and it usually involved mutual consent. Seeing his refusal, Jiang Chuan felt a bit awkward. “Oh, well, okay… I was just mentioning it. If you’re not interested, we won’t pursue it. Don’t overthink it.”
Jiang Liusui had signed with the company right out of college, and Jiang Chuan had watched him grow in the industry. The kid had no background and had struggled to get good resources, yet various temptations constantly came his way. After witnessing this so many times, even Jiang Chuan couldn’t help but have crooked thoughts now and then: With Jiang Liusui’s looks, if he was willing, would he still be so stuck in mediocrity?
“Got it,” Jiang Liusui replied, giving Jiang Chuan an out. “You’re just worried about me.”
“It’s good that you understand,” Jiang Chuan said, feeling a bit guilty. “But without ‘Liu Jing‘… it’s going to be hard to find a suitable job for you anytime soon. You might have to take a break for the next few months, so prepare yourself mentally.”
By “break,” Jiang Chuan meant having no work at all. For a small-time artist with a bit of fame, a nearly six-month gap could have a significant impact, possibly leading to most of his hard-earned fans disappearing.
Jiang Liusui gripped his phone tightly. Jiang Chuan offered some words of comfort, advising him to use the time to reflect and learn new things.
Jiang Chuan had other artists to manage, including the hottest boy band under Gallery. When things got busy, he often had no time for Jiang Liusui. After giving his instructions, he hurriedly left.
Jiang Liusui stood still, unsure of what to do. Absentmindedly, he unlocked his phone and glanced at the comments under the Weibo post he had just seen.
[Just checked, isn’t Jiang Liusui’s company Shengyun? How did he end up like this?] [No, he’s with Gallery, a subsidiary of Shengyun.] [In the cold palace, huh? Then no wonder, with a face like that, it’s no surprise he’s not famous.”.]Jiang Liusui had signed with Gallery during his university years. Although Shengyun Entertainment backed it, the subsidiary Jiang Liusui was under was worlds apart from the main company. Not only were the artists’ benefits inferior to those at Shengyun, but the company’s resources were also on a completely different level. Gallery was even jokingly referred to as the “cold palace,” as it wasn’t particularly outstanding in the industry.
As for the main company…
With that superstar in their ranks, Shengyun could remain the top entertainment company in the country even if all the other artists stopped working.
Over the years, Jiang Liusui juggled studying and acting. Although he could only land minor roles, he gradually learned to put on a smile in the industry after spending so much time in it.
He only truly relaxed and showed his genuine emotions when meeting friends in private.
The club was playing a catchy rap, with the powerful beat pounding in his ears. The giant LED screen displayed vibrant, jumping flames, and the dance floor was packed with young men and women swaying to the music.
Jiang Liusui sat by the bar, and as soon as Shen Sijia saw him, she couldn’t stop talking. “Suisui, I heard that ‘Liu Jing‘ might cast you as the second male lead. Is it true? I really like Qing Zhi. If you play him, it’ll be perfect!”
Jiang Liusui wasn’t supposed to show up in public like this, but the changing lights in the environment made it hard for people to recognize him. Moreover, this club was run by someone in the industry and offered great privacy, so many celebrities often came here to unwind.
“It’s probably not happening,” Jiang Liusui said. The chatty Shen Sijia suddenly paused, letting out a disappointed “Ah, why?”
“You look perfect for the role,” Zhou Xun commented, resting his chin on his hand. “The casting team has no taste?”
Shen Sijia was Jiang Liusui’s college friend; they met through a general elective course. Zhou Xun was her childhood friend. After a brief pause, Jiang Liusui explained that the production team found someone more suitable, without mentioning that someone with connections had already secured the role from the beginning.
“What a shame,” Shen Sijia said, looking regretful. “I saw the original author following your Weibo recently and thought the second male lead in ‘Liu Jing‘ would be you. But no worries, there’ll definitely be better roles and scripts in the future!”
Zhou Xun looked at Jiang Liusui for a moment, seemingly guessing what had happened, but he just smiled and said, “You never know when an opportunity will pop up unexpectedly. With your looks, you’ll definitely make it big.”
Jiang Liusui couldn’t help but laugh, feeling a bit more at ease. Shen Sijia was about to offer more comfort when a voice came from the side, “Hi, can I get your contact info?”
The girl who struck up a conversation was wearing a fitted camisole dress, her long legs visible beneath the khaki skirt. She lit up her phone and handed it to Jiang Liusui, with her account QR code displayed on the screen.
At first, Shen Sijia looked nervous, but seeing the girl didn’t seem to recognize Jiang Liusui, she subtly signaled to him.
Jiang Liusui gently replied, “Sorry, it’s not convenient.”
The girl was bold and straightforward, asking, “Can I ask why? Do you have a girlfriend, or is it because I’m not your type?”
As she spoke, her gaze unintentionally drifted toward Shen Sijia, observing them for a while and concluding that Shen Sijia didn’t look like his girlfriend.
Jiang Liusui felt a bit awkward and placed his hand on Zhou Xun’s shoulder, apologizing to the girl, “It’s just that… he doesn’t like me giving out my contact info.”
Zhou Xun: “?”
The girl blinked, quickly catching on. “Oh, I see.”
She turned to Zhou Xun, looking apologetic. “Sorry, handsome, I didn’t realize you two were a couple.”
Zhou Xun: “…”
What the hell.
Jiang Liusui stifled his laughter, trying to ease the awkwardness. “No worries, I’m just happy a pretty girl like you wanted my contact.”
The girl blushed and smiled at him, but Zhou Xun, watching her reluctantly leave, felt a pang of frustration. “You really had the nerve to say that. Aren’t you worried she’ll recognize you and post about it online?”
Jiang Liusui wasn’t too concerned. “I didn’t say anything specific. It’s all in her imagination. Besides, people usually don’t post unsubstantiated stuff online, and even if they do, no one would believe it.”
Zhou Xun thought about it and realized he was probably right.
“Don’t worry,” Shen Sijia said to Zhou Xun. “Even though you’re decent-looking, you and Suisui don’t seem like a couple at all. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Decent-looking?” Zhou Xun’s face was expressionless. “Can I just ask, in your eyes, are there any men besides He Yujing who aren’t just ‘decent-looking’?”
Hearing her idol’s name, Shen Sijia suddenly remembered something she’d been worried about for days. Forgetting her banter with Zhou Xun, she turned to Jiang Liusui, “Oh, Suisui, have you heard anything about the rumors between He Yujing and Su Wan lately?”
Shen Sijia’s expression turned anxious. “Are they really in that kind of relationship?”
Shen Sijia’s enrollment at the same school as Jiang Liusui was thanks to her being an avid fan of celebrities. She put all her effort into getting into He Yujing’s alma mater during her senior year of high school. Although her major was different, for Shen Sijia, it was a way to follow in her idol’s footsteps.
He Yujing became famous at a young age, writing hit after hit with his astonishing creative talent. He was now a pillar of Shengyun Entertainment, an unattainable existence for countless people.
Aside from his massive fanbase, he was also highly recognized within the industry. At every music award ceremony, as long as He Yujing released a song, he won awards effortlessly.
Jiang Liusui recalled, “He Yujing collaborated on a new song with Su Wan, right? I overheard the staff chatting, and it seems they get along well. I don’t know if the rumors are true or not.”
Since his debut, the media has been keenly observing He Yujing’s life, blowing any small event out of proportion. Various true and false rumors had been constantly circulating.
“No! Even though Su Wan is beautiful and has a lovely voice, I don’t want my idol to date her!” Shen Sijia, having read a lot of messy gossip recently, let her imagination run wild and spoke irrationally, “Wuwuwuwu, my idol! How could Su Wan be so lucky? What good deed did she do in her past life to be with my idol??”
Zhou Xun laughed, “How old are you, still treating He Yujing as your boyfriend? He’s already 25, it’s only a matter of time before he falls in love and gets married.”
“You don’t understand, he’s my youth, my belief, and there will never be another love like this in my lifetime.” Shen Sijia, having let her imagination run wild, looked increasingly distressed, and finally grabbed Jiang Liusui’s hand. “Suisui, how about you get together with my idol? I thought about it, and if he’s exposed in a relationship, you’re the only one I can accept.”
Jiang Liusui was amused, “That doesn’t seem right.”
He propped up his face and smiled, “Neither your idol nor I could accept such an absurd romance.”
—
“Yu Ge, do we have to continue recording tomorrow?”
On the second floor of the club, the pink and red spotlights flickered. The man surrounded by the crowd answered.
“Had fun today, but we need to get back to work tomorrow.” He Yujing took his last sip of alcohol and casually placed the empty bottle aside, “It’s been half a year of busy work, I’m exhausted.”
The second floor had been reserved early on. With the clever lighting setup, one could see the entire hall from the second floor, while the first floor couldn’t see the upper floor.
Someone joked, “I heard that when news about your album release came out, Shengyun’s stock price jumped significantly.”
“Yeah, it went crazy. Boss Song personally came to find Yu Ge, saying he could do whatever he wanted this time. For the MV shooting, spend as much as needed, and if Yu Ge liked any Shengyun artist, he could call them to shoot immediately.”
The boss of Shengyun Entertainment was named Song, and had business dealings with the He family. When He Yujing first debuted, there were malicious media accusations about him buying other people’s work and grabbing resources from other company artists. He managed to come through all thanks to his family’s support, and later had to face the repercussions of those rumors, nearly leading to financial ruin.
“He’s very strict as soon as he enters the recording studio, I don’t even dare to speak much,” Su Wan continued. She had recently helped He Yujing with a new song and couldn’t help but vent about him to their mutual friends, “Luckily, today’s recording is over. I never want to see his dark face again. You don’t know how scary he can be.”
He Yujing chuckled softly, “So I’m so unpleasant after all.”
His face was completely bare, and under the dazzling neon lights, he still looked exceptionally handsome, standing out in the crowd.
He Yujing’s eyes were slightly upturned, with narrow shallow creases on his eyelids, but his lower eyelid was very prominent. These eyes softened the sharpness of his features, and a smile could close the distance, exuding an indescribable bad boy charm that was very attractive.
Even knowing he was joking, Su Wan’s cheeks warmed up, “Not at all. I was hoping to ride on your coattails and get a collaboration award by the end of the year.”
She paused and asked softly, “By the way, how is your MV preparation going? Have you chosen the cast?”
“Several. Which one are you referring to?”
“Of course, the lead track.”
“I’ve seen the script for that one.” A friend interjected, “It’s quite interesting, but casting is difficult. After all, it’s about Yu Ge’s love at first sight. It’s not easy for an ordinary person to capture the feeling he wants.”
Su Wan suddenly said, “I’ve seen a particularly good-looking kid before. He played a supporting role in a novel adaptation drama…”
“A male?” He Yujing was taken aback, “A male is fine too. What’s his name?”
“I’m trying to remember,” Su Wan thought for a long time, and although the name was on the tip of her tongue, she couldn’t say it. She gave up, “My sister used to follow that drama every day. I’ll ask her later. I think he’s an artist from Shengyun.”
“Alright.” He Yujing casually nodded. Others could tell from his demeanor that he hadn’t taken Su Wan’s words to heart and they joked, “Yujing, are you trying to find a celestial being for your MV?”
The DJ changed the song from a slow groove to an energetic dance track, and the people around started to sway to the powerful electronic music. The atmosphere immediately became lively.
In the midst of the revelry, He Yujing held a cigarette with one hand and flicked the lighter.
“Not really,” he lit the cigarette and lazily replied, “Just don’t know where I might find an attractive person who makes me fall in love at first sight.”