Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 64

Chapter 64

After finishing the live recording of Escape Room, Chen Shu had just changed clothes when he received a call from Yan Jingchuan.

He glanced at his watch as he answered the phone.

It was already past midnight.

Why aren’t you asleep yet?

Hearing this intimate question, the other five guests who had just stepped out of the changing room exchanged glances, surprise evident in their eyes.

Chen Shu nodded slightly to the group and walked ahead.

Yan Jingchuan’s voice soon came through the receiver: I just finished work. What about you?

Same here, Chen Shu said. The program just ended. I’m going to grab a meal before heading back to the hotel.

He needed to stay one more day to film additional shots for the edited version tomorrow.

Having a meal? Yan Jingchuan asked. Alone?

Chen Shu said: No, with the other guests.

The line suddenly fell silent.

Yan Jingchuan tightened his grip.

He stared at the black screen before him, yet scenes from the live broadcast flashed through his mind.

Chen Shu always got along so well with others.

Director Yan?

Yan Jingchuan snapped back to attention.

Chen Shu’s next words came through: If you mind, I can go back to the hotel first.

No need, Yan Jingchuan said. You’ve worked so late—your health comes first.

Chen Shu chuckled: You too.

Only then did Yan Jingchuan ask: When are you coming back?

Chen Shu said: The day after tomorrow?

Yan Jingchuan frowned slightly but didn’t speak.

Hearing the familiar silence through the phone, Chen Shu suppressed a smile: Tomorrow. I’ll rush back by evening at the latest.

The tone that came through the receiver sounded indifferent.

Whatever you decide, Yan Jingchuan said before adding, When you return, I have something to discuss with you.

Chen Shu said: Alright.

The others had been trailing behind Chen Shu. They only approached after he ended the call.

Gu Hongye looked at Chen Shu with curiosity: It’s so rare to see Teacher Chen smile.

Su Yue nodded: That phone call seemed really sweet too!

Except for Duan Xu, the other two shared the same thought.

Having spent most of the day with Chen Shu before and after the live broadcast, they found him outwardly aloof yet actually amiable, though an innate detachment remained that made him somewhat hard to approach.

Hearing Chen Shu speak in such a tone during the call inevitably sparked their curiosity.

Chen Shu neither confirmed nor denied it, simply saying: Let’s go.

Since he showed no intention of elaborating, they didn’t press further.

The entertainment industry was a place with little privacy.

Besides, they weren’t close enough with Chen Shu to discuss such matters. An artist’s relationship status was inherently confidential—Chen Shu had no reason to be completely open with them.

Watching Chen Shu’s retreating figure, Duan Xu felt indescribably conflicted.

Whether it was his inexplicable displeasure at the phone call or his unwarranted secret delight at being the only one who knew this not-so-secret secret—none of it made sense.

Frowning, he followed Chen Shu into the car.

On the way to the restaurant, he asked Chen Shu: What time is your flight the day after tomorrow?

Chen Shu said: I’m leaving tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Duan Xu was startled. You’re leaving right after filming?

Xue Yifan overheard and said: Leaving tomorrow is too rushed, isn’t it? Brother Shu, do you have something urgent to get back for?

Chen Shu said: You could say that.

Seeing the faint, unconscious curve of Chen Shu’s lips, Duan Xu could easily guess his urgent matter was related to that phone call.

In that case, I’ll go back with you tomorrow.

Chen Shu responded indifferently: Mm.

Duan Xu turned to look out the car window.

Chen Shu had returned early—perhaps that person would go to pick him up at the airport.

He wanted to see the true face behind the mystery.

The next day’s footage was completed by the afternoon.

He Qiyu waited outside for Chen Shu. When he emerged, she walked with him toward the exit, smiling as she said, This gives you nearly an entire extra day to rest. Pretty lucky.

Due to Director Yan’s relentless compression of the schedule, the past half-month had been packed to the limit, with only the two days of filming the show offering any real respite.

Once in the car, He Qiyu asked, Where would you like to go? Back to the hotel?

Chen Shu replied, To the airport.

He Qiyu was stunned.

She knew Chen Shu was always professional, but being so dedicated without a break would take a toll on his health.

She was about to advise against it—

Book the earliest flight back.

He Qiyu: …

She was speechless for a long moment before managing a dry, Back where?

Chen Shu glanced at her. Hengtai Residential Area.

…Alright. He Qiyu sighed inwardly and pulled out her phone to book the tickets.

She should have known.

What motivated Chen Shu to take initiative was never work commitments—it was always Director Yan.

On the way, Chen Shu, as usual, called Yan Jingchuan to inform him of his plans. After arriving at the airport, he met up with Duan Xu, and they boarded the flight together.

Once the plane landed, Chen Shu turned off airplane mode, and his phone rang almost immediately.

Duan Xu listened as Chen Shu confirmed their location with the person on the other end, then accompanied him to the parking lot.

Yan Jingchuan spotted Chen Shu from a distance and stepped out of the car, only then noticing Duan Xu beside him.

Zhang Shi, who had followed him out, was still mentally on holiday, but one look at his boss’s expression snapped him back to reality.

He quickly shifted focus. Ah, Mr. Chen, you’ve finally arrived!

Yan Jingchuan, leaning on his cane, withdrew the half-step he had taken.

Zhang Shi promptly sealed his lips.

Nearby, Chen Shu and Duan Xu had already approached.

Noticing someone getting out of the car, Duan Xu immediately looked over.

Recognizing who it was, he halted in surprise, standing frozen for a moment.

Yan Jingchuan?

Had Chen Shu’s girlfriend not come again?

The thought flashed through his mind but was quickly dismissed.

He couldn’t mistake the tone Chen Shu had used on the phone earlier.

Watching Chen Shu’s back as he continued forward, Duan Xu looked again at Yan Jingchuan, and an absurd suspicion rose unbidden in his heart.

It was Yan Jingchuan again.

Always Yan Jingchuan.

Visiting the set, attending dinners, picking people up—it was always him.

From the very beginning, it had only ever been Yan Jingchuan.

Could it be that there was no girlfriend at all?

Did Chen Shu… like men?

The idea startled Duan Xu, but he couldn’t find a single reason to refute it. In fact, the more he thought about it, the clearer it became.

To avoid giving anything away, he lowered his head and continued walking.

Thinking back, Chen Shu had indeed treated Yan Jingchuan differently.

He had once assumed it was just the closeness between friends, but now it seemed more like a unique, exclusive favor.

Unable to resist, Duan Xu lifted his gaze.

Just then, he saw Chen Shu stop in front of Yan Jingchuan.

The two exchanged a few words, and Yan Jingchuan glanced over.

Duan Xu had long heard of Yan Jingchuan, the Director of Yan Corporation. Even after meeting him a few times, he still found it difficult to meet those stern, piercing eyes.

That profound, dark gaze seemed to see right through a person, leaving no room for pretense.

Was this the kind of person Chen Shu was drawn to?

Pressing his lips together, Duan Xu walked up behind Chen Shu, his heartbeat drowned in a growing tide of complexity.

Chen Shu asked, Has your car not arrived yet?

It’s here, Duan Xu said. Just over there. I came over to say hello to you—and to Director Yan.
He knew that staying here any longer would only lead to a loss of composure, so after exchanging greetings, he turned and left.

As soon as he was gone, He Qiyu swallowed hard and steeled herself to say, Oh, right, I just remembered there’s something I need to handle at the company. I’ll take a taxi back!

She would rather walk back than get into this car!

Zhang Shi shot her a resentful look before returning to the car after Yan Jingchuan and Chen Shu got in.

The car soon started up.

Chen Shu asked, You mentioned on the phone yesterday that you had something to discuss with me. What is it?

Yan Jingchuan got straight to the point: My mother would like to invite you to join us for a vacation.

Zhang Shi, sitting in the front seat, was already accustomed to openly eavesdropping. Hearing this, he instinctively glanced at Yan Jingchuan in the rearview mirror.

Wait, wasn’t Director Yan just back from a vacation?

Yan Jingchuan seemed to sense his gaze and looked up at him.

Zhang Shi flinched as if shocked, burying his head in his chest and resolving to stay silent.

Chen Shu asked, When?

Yan Jingchuan turned his face back. Whenever is convenient for you.

Chen Shu thought for a moment. How about two weeks from now?

Then he added, But I have to record a show every weekend. It would be best if it were on a weekday. Will that affect your work schedule?

Zhang Shi grumbled inwardly.

After following you on filming trips for months, does Director Yan even care about weekends or weekdays anymore?

Yan Corporation was no longer Director Yan’s precious darling.

Just as this rebellious thought crossed his mind, Yan Jingchuan’s voice rang out.

No problem, Yan Jingchuan said. Zhang Shi will handle company matters.

Zhang Shi: …………

Out of nowhere, he suddenly felt dizzy.

So, the time off Director Yan gave him wasn’t a vacation.

It was the last meal before execution!

But his internal screams were useless against the already decided outcome.

Back at Hengtai Community, Yan Jingchuan quickly confirmed the date after a call with Wen Jiao.

Chen Shu relayed the date to He Qiyu to avoid scheduling conflicts and reminded her to wrap up her work before then.

Over the next two weeks, he flew to various locations to complete all his confirmed engagements.

With enough startup funds and Chen Shu’s earlier reminder, He Qiyu didn’t accept any new gigs for him after that.

With less than a month and a half until Nameless began filming, and Chen Shu also needing to shoot Escape Room—possibly even requiring early training with the crew—time was already tight.

Back at Hengtai Community, Chen Shu instructed He Qiyu to schedule a meeting with Han Shan to discuss investments before getting out of the car and heading upstairs.

As he opened the door and stepped inside, before he could even close it, Wangcai shot out from the bedroom like an arrow and threw himself at his feet.

Woof!

The night was already late. Chen Shu patted his head. Don’t make noise.

No sooner had he spoken than Yan Jingchuan appeared at the bedroom door.

Still awake? Chen Shu looked at him. Or did I wake you?

Yan Jingchuan said, I just finished a meeting.

Chen Shu casually closed the door. You have to get up early tomorrow. You should get some rest.

Mentioning this, Yan Jingchuan’s gaze shifted slightly. I never asked—why did you agree to go on vacation with me? If you don’t want to, I can decline the invitation for you.

Chen Shu’s hand, resting on Wangcai’s head, paused briefly.

He hadn’t thought about it before.

But for Yan Jingchuan’s question, he had a foolproof, time-tested answer: No matter what you ask, as long as I can do it, I’ll agree.

Yan Jingchuan’s breath hitched almost imperceptibly.

He gazed into Chen Shu’s eyes, driven by an inexplicable emotion, and pressed further: Why?

Chen Shu chuckled lightly: Has Director Yan forgotten? The one-year term isn’t over yet. I’m obligated to follow your arrangements as my sugar daddy.

Upon hearing this, Yan Jingchuan tightened his grip on his cane.

The blazing heat that had been surging through his chest instantly cooled and vanished, faster than it had come, leaving no trace behind.

He looked at Chen Shu and said coldly: From now on, you are forbidden to mention the words ‘sugar daddy’ again.

This time it was Chen Shu’s turn to ask: Why?

Yan Jingchuan’s face darkened: No reason. And from now on, you’re also forbidden to ask why.

His occasional bans often made no logical sense. Chen Shu didn’t press further: Alright.

Hearing this word and recalling what he had just said, Yan Jingchuan’s expression turned even darker. He turned and strode back to the bedroom alone.

Chen Shu remained where he was until he heard Yan Jingchuan’s cool reminder from inside the room.

We need to wake up early tomorrow. You should go to sleep.

A faint smile touched Chen Shu’s lips.

Coming.