The director of the theatre called Bai Yuhuai again.
“Kong Xiangqi has returned for rehearsals, we had no choice but to replace Ji Wen'an. We've processed the audience's ticket refunds, and the performance has been pushed to next month. If it’s inconvenient for you, I can find someone else...”
“Oh, and, there haven’t been any accidents in the theatre anymore. Although, there’s one thing — some staff mentioned that they could constantly hear a radio playing backstage...we’re not sure why. It could just be an illusion.”
Jing Jiujiu listened to the voice coming from the phone: "..."
Lin Zhi studied too seriously.
Bai Yuhuai glanced at Jing Jiujiu before replying to the director on the other end, “I have some free time next month. I can ask for leave from my group."
He was the one who wanted to participate. Since he agreed to play the role, he would not back out easily.
The director breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
After all, ever since Bai Yuhuai started rehearsing, they had announced ahead of time about Bai Yuhuai's participation as an Easter egg.
The director thought to himself, no wonder he could achieve so much.
Bai Yuhuai, the film emperor, honored his words. He didn't take them lightly, which is why he won the grand slam for best actor and received great acclaim in the industry!
Jing Jiujiu grabbed Bai Yuhuai's wrist, moved closer, and asked, "Do we have a rehearsal tomorrow?"
The director was surprised to recognize the voice of the kid dressed like a young master.
The director quickly replied, "Yes, we're short on time."
Jing Jiujiu: "I can help check if it's the radio that's malfunctioning tomorrow."
The director blurted, "Did you major in integrated circuits in college?"
Jing Jiujiu was taken aback.
College?
He didn't get a chance to go to college. He died before that.
Bai Yuhuai's eyelid twitched, and he abruptly turned to stare at Jing Jiujiu.
He remembered that too.
Judging by Jing Jiujiu's age at the time of his death, he probably hadn't made it to college.
The director got nervous when no one replied for a while and quickly said, "Even if I dared to have you help, Bai Yuhuai wouldn't let you."
Jing Jiujiu immediately said, "He'll let me."
After saying that, Jing Jiujiu turned to look at Bai Yuhuai, whispering, "Right?"
What else could Bai Yuhuai say?
Bai Yuhuai: "Yes."
The director was first taken aback by Bai Yuhuai's generosity. But then, he was so moved that he was on the verge of tears.
Not only did they help recruit a replacement and catch the ghost, but now they were even going to check the radio. This was a full-package service.
"Thank you, thank you. If you two are coming over tomorrow, let me treat you both to a meal. I'm truly grateful this time..."
The director kept gushing over the phone. Jing Jiujiu had never seen someone so fawning.
Bai Yuhuai eventually hung up on the excuse of needing to review the script.
The director was still bursting with enthusiasm even after the call ended. He vented to his colleagues. When that wasn’t enough, he went to Bai Yuhuai's fan forum to express his sentiments. Only then did he feel that he had properly discharged all his feelings.
Bai Yuhuai's super chat quickly filled with question marks.
Even other gossip forums couldn't resist discussing it.
"[Screenshot] Is this the director's main account? I'm not seeing things, am I? What's he up to? His face seems to scream, 'Start loving Bai Yuhuai right now!'"
"If I recall correctly, he directed the stage play 'Teahouse', which is quite famous and has won many awards."
"In fact, there are plenty of people who praise Bai Yuhuai for his acting, his good looks, having top-tier visuals in the entertainment industry. But have you seen anyone praising Bai Yuhuai for being approachable and helpful? This time it's short of putting a banner on Bai Yuhuai's face, proclaiming 'Charming and Good at Acting' and 'Kind-hearted and a Good Person'…"
"[Previous commenter's] sister, do not understand? Do you?"
"Lately, it's not just Bai Yuhuai who's become strange, other people are pretty strange too…Confused?"
...
Xu Sanyu, the agent who loved to surf forums in his free time, felt honored whenever he saw people praising Bai Yuhuai. Seeing this post, he instantly couldn't resist taking a screenshot for Bai Yuhuai.
"Bai Bro, your popularity has been pretty good lately."
This was the first time Bai Yuhuai had seen someone describe him this way. His mouth twitched as he was about to put his phone away.
Right then, Xu Sanyu's new message came in: "[I just received news that the biggest sponsor fainted and has been hospitalized, everyone else is preparing to visit the hospital. What about you…]"
Jing Jiujiu was sitting at one end of the dining table and said, "It's been days since I've seen Jing Tinghua. Should we go see him again? If he makes a fool of himself again, it'll just confirm his bad luck even more…"
"We don't need to see him in particular." Bai Yuhuai said.
That day at the meeting, it was Jing Jiujiu who made the first move, which resulted in Jing Tinghua experiencing a series of accidents.
Bai Yuhuai casually said, "The Feng Shui formation in the castle has been completely broken, Jing Tinghua is already in bad luck."
Jing Jiujiu was stunned, "Is that so?"
"Yeah. His Feng Shui formation was not there to directly nourish the Jing family, but to worship the gods."
"Worship gods?"
"In the temple, there are gods and Buddhas, as long as there is incense, they should not be casually worshipped. Those without incense, basically have little divine consciousness remaining in this world. But for those with incense, once you make a vow, you have to fulfil it. The more you ask, the greater the repayment becomes.
"If the gods satisfy your wishes but you do not promptly repay or worship them, the punishment you receive will be far greater than the luck you've gained. Especially for gods who have been worshipped for a long time, once the incense is cut off, they will face a huge backlash. At the very least, one would lose all of their wealth, at the worst, their family could be destroyed."
Jing Jiujiu was silent for a few seconds before quietly asking, "Am I the sacrificial offering for those gods?"
Bai Yuhuai didn't respond.
After a moment.
Bai Yuhuai's phone vibrated again, clearly Xu Sanyu couldn't wait for a reply and anxiously sent another message.
It was only then that Bai Yuhuai's voice came out, almost inaudible, "…Yes."
And at that moment Xu Sanyu directly called.
Jing Jiujiu glanced over, "You go ahead and answer it." There were no intense emotions visible on his face.
Bai Yuhuai picked up the phone, Xu Sanyu cautiously asked from the other end, "Brother Bai, is it alright for you to take a call right now? I was just worried when you didn't reply to my messages, so…"
Bai Yuhuai simply: "Speak up."
“It's about Director Xiang’s film. The biggest investor has been hospitalized. What should we do with this…"
Bai Yuhuai might be indifferent to social manners, but it doesn't mean he doesn't understand them.
He instantly reacted, the other members of the crew must have already been at the hospital.
Jing Jiujiu heard a few words and quietly asked: "Who is hospitalized?" The call seemed urgent, was it Bai Yuhuai's family? Speaking of, he hadn't met any of Bai Yuhuai's close ones yet. Other than colleagues, just colleagues.
Bai Yuhuai responded curtly to the phone: "Not going."
Then met Jing Jiujiu's gaze: "One of the investors of the crew is in hospital." That one, the investor who wanted to bring Ding Hanbing into the group. That was why Director Xiang was hesitant.
Jing Jiujiu seemed to understand a bit.
Investor, is equivalent to the daddy of the producer's side. The entire crew had to listen to him or face the consequences. Even the most famous stars are subject to capital constraints.
Jing Jiujiu quickly: "We have to go then."
Bai Yuhuai: "Hmm?"
Jing Jiujiu: "If everyone goes and you're not there, what if he dislikes you and picks on you later?"
Bai Yuhuai paused, he wanted to say, in this circle, there's no capital that can constrain him anymore.
But observing Jing Jiujiu's serious expression, seeming genuinely concerned and planning for him.
Bai Yuhuai: "Alright. Let’s go then."
Bai Yuhuai texted his manager again, then put his phone aside.
He knew that everything outside represented a world of fascination for the young man. However, he wasn't sure if Jing Jiujiu would decide to accompany him.
What if he joined the crew and Jing Jiujiu stubbornly stayed behind in Jing City, alone against Jing Tinghua? Even if Master Zhou was now embedded with the Jings, Jing Jiujiu still didn't understand all those metaphysical methods...how would he manage?
When he's back in Jing City, would Jing Jiujiu have vanished, forgotten by the world, and forever trapped in darkness, never to see the light of day?
The young ghost was brought back by him personally.
He was the ghost he was fostering now.
Countless thoughts, flashing through Bai Yuhuai's mind at lightning speed.
Seemingly nonchalant, Bai Yuhuai gently asked: "What’s your next step against Jing Tinghua?"
This question contained a hint of cruelty.
Blood ties have always been a great shackle.
Jing Jiujiu slightly puzzled, but then he spoke: "Since you said the formation was broken, the Jing family will naturally perish. I suppose there's no need for me to do anything then."
Upon finishing, a hint of melancholy briefly flickered across Jing Jiujiu's face, leaving no trace.
Bai Yuhuai: "Hmm.” What about afterwards?”
"Afterwards…" Jing Jiujiu hid his nervousness, trying hard not to let Bai Yuhuai see it, he needed to follow him in order to not be dragged back to the old castle. He asked softly: "Can I follow you?"
Bai Yuhuai: "Ok."
Jing Jiujiu gave a small grin.
However, Bai Yuhuai was not sure whether it was his misperception or not, he just felt that he agreed too quickly earlier.
Only then did Bai Yuhuai talk in a convoluted way, "…but even though the formation is already broken, Jing Tinghua will definitely do everything to re-establish it in order to avoid a catastrophe."
Jing Jiujiu nodded and said, "It's perfect that Master Zhou can be hired by him, it is precisely as he wished."
Bai Yuhuai: "Yes." He said, "I will find a way."
As Bai Yuhuai had been living in the human society several years longer than him, Jing Jiujiu naturally had no doubt.
He couldn’t help but smile at Bai Yuhuai again.
Ah, sticking with this living human was definitely the right decision!
For a moment, one human and one ghost had both reached their respective goals, and their moods lifted accordingly.
"Shall we go to the hospital now?"
"Mm, let's go."
The manager heard that Bai Yuhuai was going to visit the investor in the hospital, hurriedly drove the car over to wait for them.
The two of them got in the car and simultaneously reached for the button to lower the partition.
The partition lowered.
Bai Yuhuai: "You go first."
Jing Jiujiu: "This investor... is it a guy or a girl?"
"A man."
"Then we should bring him gifts like ties, cufflinks, pens, briefcases, and a bouquet of flowers. Although it's not very practical, patients will feel cheered up when they see them." Jing Jiujiu confidently explained, obviously he had a lot of experience.
Bai Yuhuai silently responded.
Who had the boy given a tie to before? Who had he given cufflinks to? What about a pen and a briefcase and flowers?
Jing Jiujiu added on the side: "Use my money, use my money!"
He wanted to make some efforts for Bai Yuhuai.
Listening to this, Bai Yuhuai looked even more expressionless.
It was not easy for the boy to retrieve his money, does that investor even deserve it?
Being brought gifts? What nonsense.
Just at this moment Jing Jiujiu happened to see an old lady selling flowers by the roadside. He immediately asked the manager to stop the car and bought up all her flowers.
"Take out my wallet." Jing Jiujiu turned to Bai Yuhuai.
Jing Jiujiu could not touch the money.
But Bai Yuhuai had bought a small backpack for him, which he was wearing today. It was filled with a pocketful of money. All of which Jing Jiujiu had planned to spend on Bai Yuhuai.
Bai Yuhuai wanted to decline.
But Jing Jiujiu turned his head to look at him. Given that he was a ghost it was surprising how it seemed as if there was light underneath his gaze.
By the time Bai Yuhuai came back to his senses, he had already taken the money out.
The old lady hurriedly took the money, repeating "thank you, thank you" over and over. Even the manager in the front seat couldn't help but stick his head out of the window, taking a serious look at Bai Yuhuai, confirming he was still the same old Bai Yuhuai.
When he turned his head back, the manager mused, "He's almost doing good things every day…"
The flowers were bought.
However, they couldn't find suitable other gifts.
The items Jing had used when he was alive were all quite valuable. Ordinary items really didn't catch his eye.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the hospital.
Bai Yuhuai's hands were empty, but Jing Jiujiu was holding a heap of flowers. Just as they stepped out of the car, despite the evening time, under the dim light, they instantly attracted many eyes.
Large red roses were mixed with cornflowers and baby's breath. Jing Jiujiu was somewhat struggling to hold them, so he ended up resting his chin on top of them.
His small face, nestled amongst the flowers, was striking in beauty that not even the brilliant colors of the flowers could hide.
Jing Jiujiu also thought, it was a bit too conspicuous for a ghost.
He abandoned Bai Yuhuai and ran ahead to an area under the shade of the trees, where a street light had broken, and the shade completely obscured any light.
Upon standing there, Jing Jiujiu's figure was entirely hidden.
When Bai Yuhuai walked past him,
There was a large bunch of flowers swirling beneath the trees.
Bai Yuhuai: "..."
Transparent Jing Jiujiu smacked his lips: "Alright, we can go now. This way, no one can see us."
"Speaking of which," Jing Jiujiu suddenly remembered, "In the car earlier, you pressed the dashboard button with me. Did you want to say something to me?"
Bai Yuhuai: "...Don't turn into a ghost halfway through."
Jing Jiujiu: "..."
Bai Yuhuai: "..."
Jing Jiujiu asked quietly, "Should I turn back now?"
Bai Yuhuai seemed to sigh softly, grabbed the bunch of floating flowers and said, "No need. Come with me."
A human and a ghost emerged from under the shade of the trees.
To the passersby, the young boy had disappeared and the one with the flowers became Bai Yuhuai. The young lad with the sunglasses and mask has quite the arm strength! He caught the flowers single-handedly! His arm muscles must be quite strong, no doubt!
The reality was that -
Jing Jiujiu was still holding the flowers, only Bai Yuhuai had inserted his hand into the bunch of flowers, touching the back of Jing Jiujiu's hand.
They were very close, like conjoined twins.
This had given the passersby the illusion that the flowers weren't floating.
While heading towards the hospital with Bai Yuhuai, Jing Jiujiu couldn't help but ask, "Are your arm muscles strong?"
Bai Yuhuai halted in an instant.
The question was subtly provocative.
Bai Yuhuai managed to squeeze out a low voice from his throat, "…fine."
Jing Jiujiu: "On top of the bed, you..."
Bai Yuhuai was frozen.
Jing Jiujiu suddenly realized his sentence didn’t sound right, "Oh, what I meant was… I overheard someone talking about it earlier…"
Bai Yuhuai: "…"
He was eavesdropping.
Bai Yuhuai regretted he couldn’t plug this brat's ears.
At that moment, Xu Sanyu caught up and exclaimed, "Brother Bai, where did the young master go?"
Bai Yuhuai spun a tale: “…He went through the back door. He's upstairs now."
Xu Sanyu: "Really? He disappeared in the blink of an eye… that was... That was fast, hahaha."
“I have to use the restroom, you go to the sickroom first.” Bai Yuhuai led the little ghost next to him away after he said this.
"Huh!" Xu Sanyu responded. Carrying flowers into the bathroom… wouldn’t they pick up the odor?
A few minutes later, both of them walked out side by side.
Xu Sanyu immediately beckoned them over: "Brother Bai, over here. Almost everyone's inside."
Bai Yuhuai pushed the door open in agreement.
For a moment, everyone was shocked.
In all their lives, seeing the film emperor Bai Yuhuai visiting a patient?
Everyone thought he was going to be alone, with no family, friends, living out his life in solitude!
…
Yin Mo experienced a pain as if his heart and brain were being drilled into at the same time.
He didn’t remember what he said before blacking out.
"Get drunk while there's wine to drink today."
This phrase flashed through Yin Mo's mind.
Did I say that?
Am I still reciting poetry?
Yin Mo frowned, feeling that something was off.
"Manager Yin?"
"It seems like Manager Yin is awake."
The noise flooded into his ears, and Yin Mo finally opened his eyes.
Everyone in the room gathered around him: "Manager Yin!"
Yin Mo met the joyful faces that seemed to say, "Congratulations on your newborn son, mother and child are safe."
Yin Mo: "Who let them in?"
Assistant: "I called everyone to inform them that you might not be able to join the crew the day after tomorrow. Then everyone came... Manager Yin, are you okay? The doctor said you have hysterics."
The assistant looked somewhat panicked.
A fine boss suffers from hysterics? Is the pressure of assets worth billions too much? In fact, I'm willing to share the load for my boss..
Hysterics?
Yin Mo frowned and vehemently denied: "You're talking nonsense. I don't have it. Stop saying things without proof."
At that moment, even a ghost would feel a bit tired holding flowers outside. Jing Jiujiu, who wanted to lean on Bai Yuhuai, softly said, "It seems like he is awake, let's go there."
Bai Yuhuai: "Mhm."
After all, the bouquet already reeks of the toilet, giving it to him is okay.
Bai Yuhuai walked forward, and naturally, others made way for him.
Who dares to block his path?
In the entertainment circle, his status is supreme.
Although his origins are unclear, wherever he goes, big shots bow to him. They can't afford not to be cautious, right?
At this moment, they just stopped short of saying, "You wish to visit the patient, please go ahead."
Yin Mo noticed the commotion and glanced over.
He too, was taken aback,
"The renowned actor Bai?"
In his lifetime, seeing Bai Yuhuai visiting a patient?
Wasn't he doomed to live a lonely, friendless life, growing old alone?
Bai Yuhuai simply replied, "Mhm."
Jing Jiujiu: "The flowers Mr. Bai brought for you. …Huh?"
Yin Mo's attention was abruptly riveted.
He firmly grabbed the flowers, his mind flooded with countless images, deeply embedded in his brain.
Yin Mo's face paled, contorted in struggle as he forced out a few words, "…I don’t want to be a monk, I don’t want to be a monk. I want to remember, Jing…Jiu…"
See, isn't this hysterics?
He started rambling about not wanting to be a monk! When was he one?
He finds even one line of poetry so challenging to recall!
The assistant was crestfallen, muttering, "Will buying a book of poems for Manager Yin be better?"
Jing Jiujiu: ?
Jing Jiujiu: "Ah, I remembered. He used to be bald and was hardly recognizable after growing his hair long."
Assistant: ?
Everyone: ?
Bai Yuhuai: "……"
Who the hell is this?
Yin Mo was still trapped in those chaotic memories, with reality tugging at the other end of his thoughts.
Yin Mo clutched the bundle of flowers tightly to his chest, finally mustering the strength to speak through great pain. "Jiu Jiu gave me flowers, Jing...I'm not going to be a monk anymore. No, actually, I haven't been a monk for a long time now." His mind was crowded with disarrayed memories. After he finished speaking, he buried his head in the flowers, taking a deep inhale. "They smell wonderful."