Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Wrap!

At Cui Jiancheng’s announcement, all departments began systematically packing up props.

Chen Shu went to the dressing room to change clothes, then directly took the crew vehicle back to the hotel.

He returned earlier than expected, though it was already nearly eleven o’clock.

Yan Jingchuan was probably already asleep.

With this thought, Chen Shu opened the door. Before he could see clearly, a dark shadow came bounding over.

Woof!

Large breed dogs grow quickly. Wangcai now had considerable weight when standing up to pounce on someone.

Quiet. No longer able to casually hold him like when he was a puppy, Chen Shu just patted his head and led him forward.

In the living room, Zhang Shi was sitting on pins and needles.

Seeing Chen Shu finally return, he sprang to his feet: Mr. Chen!

Chen Shu was somewhat surprised: Assistant Zhang is still here?

Zhang Shi: …Yes.

Never mind that he was still here.

If Chen Shu hadn’t returned soon, his soul would likely have departed for the afterlife ten years early.

Chen Shu had already noticed Yan Jingchuan sitting across from Zhang Shi.

Yan Jingchuan had his back to him. Hearing the commotion, he picked up the coffee beside him and took a small sip, then turned a page of the document in his hand. His movements were unhurried, appearing completely normal.

Chen Shu asked: Why aren’t you asleep yet?

Yan Jingchuan said: Zhang Shi.

Uncomprehending, Zhang Shi stepped forward half a pace: Director Yan?

Without looking up, Yan Jingchuan said: Check what time Mr. Chen has designated as my bedtime.

Zhang Shi: …?

He remained confused for a long moment, unable to process this.

Chen Shu turned to him: Haven’t finished work yet?

Zhang Shi had to improvise: …Yes, there are still some work matters.

Chen Shu looked back at Yan Jingchuan.

Yan Jingchuan sensed his gaze but didn’t look at him, his thin lips pressed together. The document beneath his palm remained unturned.

Woof!

Wangcai circled and jumped at Chen Shu’s feet, pouncing and playing around him, his wagging tail creating afterimages as he sought attention.

Since Yan Jingchuan was still awake, Chen Shu didn’t insist on keeping Wangcai quiet. He said to both men: Then continue with your work. I’ll take Wangcai back to the room.

Yan Jingchuan’s coffee cup landed on the table with a sharp clink.

Zhang Shi’s heart similarly jolted. He hurriedly reached out: Mr. Chen, please wait!

Chen Shu turned back to look at him.

… Maintaining his outstretched hand, Zhang Shi instinctively glanced at Yan Jingchuan.

Yan Jingchuan was also looking at him, as if waiting for him to continue.

Zhang Shi felt like crying but had no tears.

He’d never imagined before that being an employee could carry such high mortality risks.

But with Director Yan right there, he had to rack his brains for nonsense: Well, work matters aren’t urgent. Mr. Chen, you’ve been busy filming all day and finally returned. You should spend more time with Yan—

Yan Jingchuan closed his document.

Catching this in his peripheral vision, Zhang Shi nearly bit his tongue off and immediately changed tack: Sorry, I’m actually very interested in filming and wanted to ask Mr. Chen about it.

Chen Shu turned to Yan Jingchuan again.

Yan Jingchuan still didn’t speak.

Chen Shu smiled and asked Zhang Shi: What would you like to discuss?

Anything is fine. Zhang Shi forced himself to maintain composure and gestured sideways. Please have a seat, Mr. Chen.

Chen Shu brought Wangcai to sit beside Yan Jingchuan, taking the opportunity to refill Wangcai’s dog bowl.

Wangcai lay at Chen Shu’s feet and immediately buried his head in it.

Only after he finished did Zhang Shi, with a stiff expression, forcibly drag out a topic: Mr. Chen, you haven’t formally acted before, right? Are you adjusting well on set?

Chen Shu couldn’t quite figure out what he was up to but replied: Yes, I’m adjusting well.

Zhang Shi glanced at Yan Jingchuan again. Receiving no instructions, he had no choice but to ask further, And what about the people in the crew? Does Mr. Chen find them easy to get along with?

At this, Yan Jingchuan finally turned his gaze to Chen Shu.

Chen Shu countered, What exactly are you trying to say, Assistant Zhang?

I wanted to ask… Zhang Shi was at his wit’s end. Without telling the truth, he truly had nothing more to say.

He wants to ask you, Yan Jingchuan suddenly interjected, Who is this person?

Hearing his voice, Zhang Shi felt a chill run down his spine.

Sensing that a silent war was about to erupt, he shot to his feet.

Director Yan, I just remembered there’s something I haven’t taken care of…

Even an impartial official would struggle to settle family disputes.

As a mere assistant, how could he dare meddle in his superior’s personal affairs?

Yan Jingchuan paid no mind to his departure. Go ahead.

Right away. Zhang Shi grabbed his briefcase, hastily bid farewell to Chen Shu, and hurried away, afraid that lingering even a moment longer would draw him into the crossfire.

As soon as Chen Shu turned back, Yan Jingchuan tossed a tablet into his lap.

Flipping it over, Chen Shu saw the displayed photo.

Duan Xu?

Lifting his eyes to meet Yan Jingchuan’s gaze, Chen Shu offered a brief explanation, He’s an actor I’m filming with. Why?

Observing Chen Shu’s unruffled expression, Yan Jingchuan pressed further, What is your relationship with him?

Chen Shu replied, You could say he’s my colleague.

Yan Jingchuan said coldly, That’s not what I asked.

Hearing this, Chen Shu raised an eyebrow. Then what do you think our relationship is?

Yan Jingchuan frowned. I’m the one asking you.

Chen Shu chuckled. Fine, go ahead.

Yan Jingchuan said, Why are there rumors about you and this so-called colleague of yours?

Rumors? Chen Shu laughed. How could there be rumors between two men?

A man could be kept by another man—why wouldn’t there be rumors?

But Yan Jingchuan kept that thought to himself.

He simply watched Chen Shu closely, not missing any shift in his expression. You weren’t aware?

Hmm. Chen Shu paused briefly after responding.

He recalled what He Qiyu had said back on set.

She mentioned that Duan Xu might try to stir up publicity.

Was this what she meant?

He glanced at Yan Jingchuan, then pulled out his phone and dialed directly.

He Qiyu had ridden back with him and had just arrived as well.

The call connected quickly.

Hello, Chen Shu?

Chen Shu put the call on speakerphone. Yan Jingchuan recognized the voice as his agent’s.

Chen Shu got straight to the point. What do you know about Duan Xu’s situation?

Uh, He Qiyu probed cautiously, What exactly do you want to know?

Chen Shu said, What’s the deal with the rumors?

He Qiyu had no choice but to explain, It’s a publicity stunt by Duan Xu’s team. Don’t worry, I’ve already suppressed it, and I’ll keep an eye on any follow-up.

She hadn’t gone into detail with Chen Shu earlier because she didn’t want to distract him or affect his performance.

She planned to explain everything once she had a solution in place, so Chen Shu wouldn’t have to worry.

But since he was asking now, there was no need to hold back.

Here’s what happened: Duan Xu kept inviting you to rehearse scripts together before. I suspect he was trying to get closer to you and lower your guard.

He Qiyu started from the beginning. During the opening ceremony, they probably bribed some media outlet to take a few misleading photos and post them online. It spread a little, but we caught it in time, so it didn’t cause much trouble.

Chen Shu looked at the photo on the screen.

It was indeed a misleading angle.

During the opening ceremony, the distance between him and Duan Xu wasn’t as close as it appeared in the picture.

He Qiyu said, By the way, since you already know about this, I’ve come up with a plan. Would you like to hear whether it’s feasible?

Chen Shu said, Go ahead.

Duan Xu’s team wants to create a CP buzz with you, He Qiyu explained, CP refers to marketing a recently popular on-screen relationship—not a real couple, more like a collaboration. But since Duan Xu’s team did this without consulting us first, they’re essentially trying to ride on your popularity. So I thought, instead of letting them take advantage, we might as well collaborate with Mu Qingxue. What do you think?

Yan Jingchuan looked at Chen Shu.

Chen Shu said, Come up with another plan.

He Qiyu was taken aback but carefully analyzed it for him: Chen Shu, collaborating with Mu Qingxue has two advantages. First, it benefits the drama’s promotion since you’re the male and female leads with natural chemistry. Second, having a mainstream CP would suppress any potential buzz between you and Duan Xu—even if we can’t eliminate it completely, it won’t gain much traction. It’s killing two birds with one stone.

There was another point she didn’t voice but believed Chen Shu would understand.

If Chen Shu was a rising star among new-generation singers, then Mu Qingxue was a steadily growing, well-regarded new-generation actress.

Mu Qingxue had a sweet appearance and solid acting skills. Unlike Duan Xu, she enjoyed great audience appeal. Collaborating with her would be a true powerhouse alliance and a significant boost for Chen Shu’s entry into the television drama circle.

But the next moment, He Qiyu heard Chen Shu’s unchanged tone in her ear.

Aside from normal promotions, no additional marketing is needed.

His decisions always represented the final answer.

He Qiyu sighed, Alright, I’ll think of another approach.

Chen Shu said, Thank you for your trouble.

It’s my job, He Qiyu replied briefly before preparing to end the call.

But before disconnecting, Chen Shu’s voice came through the receiver again.

Are you satisfied now?

His tone held a slight difference from usual, carrying a faint yet detectable smile and what seemed like a touch of tenderness.

He Qiyu was stunned once more.

When had Chen Shu ever used such a tone with her?

No.

When had Chen Shu ever used such a tone with anyone?

And…

Satisfied?

What did that mean?

A thought flashed through her mind as He Qiyu was about to ask, but then she heard two beep sounds.

The call had ended.

A question mark popped up in He Qiyu’s mind.

It seemed Chen Shu hadn’t been speaking to her?

Before the question mark could fade,

A massive exclamation point shoved its way forward.

Chen Shu’s mysterious lover!

He Qiyu couldn’t help but grip her phone tightly, clenching her wrist in frustration.

How could she have forgotten about this!

No wonder Chen Shu had learned about the scandal so quickly.

No wonder he had unusually initiated contact just to ask about something he normally wouldn’t bother with.

This lover probably clung to Chen Shu every day, unwilling to be separated even during filming—following him to live together. Seeing such news, their jealousy must be overwhelming.

Thinking this, He Qiyu shook her head.

Who would have thought this was the type of personality Chen Shu preferred.

Meanwhile,

Chen Shu had already put away his phone.

The sharp lines of Yan Jingchuan’s profile had unknowingly softened.

He avoided Chen Shu’s gaze and picked up his coffee again, his expression unchanged. Don’t misunderstand. I simply don’t want people around me to have messy private lives.

Chen Shu smiled. I understand.

As Yan Jingchuan’s kept lover—though Yan Jingchuan had never demanded he fulfill any related duties—Chen Shu felt it was part of his professional responsibility to remain single and avoid any emotional entanglements with others.

Since Yan Jingchuan couldn’t even tolerate rumors about him, he would eliminate those rumors altogether.

He made a promise to Yan Jingchuan: For the duration of our contract, my private life will definitely meet Director Yan’s standards.

For the duration of the contract?

Yan Jingchuan’s hand gripping the porcelain cup tightened abruptly.

He looked at Chen Shu, his barely softened expression darkening once more. Very well. Remember what you said today.

With that, before Chen Shu could respond, he grabbed the cane beside him and stood up directly.

The folder forgotten on his lap instantly fell to the floor.

Yan Jingchuan’s face was stern as he bent to pick it up, only then noticing the coffee cup in his hand. The coffee had splashed from his movement, leaving brown stains spreading across his cuffs and front.

Seeing this, Chen Shu frowned slightly and stood up. Let me help you.

No need for your concern, Mr. Chen. Yan Jingchuan sidestepped the tissue Chen Shu offered and placed the porcelain cup back on the table.

Chen Shu grasped his wrist. Don’t push yourself. Are you feeling unwell?

Yan Jingchuan said, I’m fine.

Chen Shu said, I’ll take you back to your room.

Unnecessary. Yan Jingchuan repeated coldly, I’m fine.

Having long witnessed his stubbornness, Chen Shu simply tightened his grip and pulled him back, pressing him down to sit. Then rest a while longer.

You—! The sudden loss of balance made Yan Jingchuan instinctively grab Chen Shu’s arm.

Caught off guard, Chen Shu was pulled down by his momentum.

Yan Jingchuan fell back onto the sofa, his expression dark and furious. As he looked up, he saw a heavy shadow already looming over him.

Chen Shu’s face was rapidly approaching—

With no room to retreat, Yan Jingchuan instinctively raised his hand, the one holding the cane barely managing to wrap around Chen Shu’s waist.

Shoulder collided with shoulder, chest pressed against chest.

At his cheek, a soft sensation brushed lingeringly past, stopping near his ear.

Yan Jingchuan froze in place.

The warm breath against his sensitive ear gradually grew scorching in such excessively intimate proximity.