Early in the morning, Gu Jiaming came to pick up Mu Ye.
Mu Ye usually protects Song Jianchu’s private life and had invited Gu Jiaming to their new home.
While Song Jianchu helped Mu Ye pack their luggage, Gu Jiaming waited in the living room, playing with Denglu.
Denglu, a lively and affectionate family member, was the most excited to have guests at home. On the other hand, Gu Jiaming’s old friend, Peppermint, lazily sprawled on the cat tree and ignored him.
Mu Ye was still busy in the bedroom, and it was unclear what he was doing.
“Teacher Mu, hurry up,” Gu Jiaming urged as he looked at his watch. He held some pet snacks in his hand and commanded Denglu, “Sit.”
Denglu eagerly stared at the meaty snack in Gu Jiaming’s hand and obediently sat down.
“Good boy.” Gu Jiaming fed the snack to Denglu and then looked upstairs, urging, “Teacher Mu, are you ready? We need to leave soon.”
In fact, the luggage had been packed the previous night. Mu Ye held onto Song Jianchu in the room and refused to let go. Song Jianchu comforted him for a while but continued to soothe him.
Hearing Gu Jiaming’s voice, Song Jianchu patted Mu Ye’s back and said, “Teacher Mu, it’s time for you to go.”
“Let’s go together,” Mu Ye hesitated at the last moment. “I can’t bear not seeing you. I’m worried.”
“But we can video call,” Song Jianchu suggested.
“But I miss you.”
Before leaving, Mu Ye stopped pretending and acknowledged the fact that he couldn’t be without his boyfriend.
Song Jianchu patiently consoled him, saying, “After your performance, I’ll come to pick you up.”
“No need,” Mu Ye didn’t want him to go through the trouble. Finally, he took a few deep breaths and said, “I’ll send you a video, you must answer.”
“I’ll keep my phone with me,” Song Jianchu assured.
“Okay.” Mu Ye’s voice sounded a bit hoarse.
This is getting irritating.
Song Jianchu was concerned about Mu Ye’s state before the performance. He said, “Drink more water. I put some throat-protecting tea in your luggage. Let the assistant help you make it.”
“You really won’t come with me?” Mu Ye asked one last time.
Song Jianchu smiled, feeling reluctant as well. He patted Mu Ye’s shoulder and said, “Teacher Mu, there are many fans waiting for you. Good luck.”
Suddenly, Mu Ye remembered the words he heard last night.
The boy’s voice was filled with a sleepy, dreamlike tone, calling him gently and obediently…
Mu Ye took a deep breath without showing any emotions and let go of him. “Shall I go now?”
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Song Jianchu helped him push the luggage.
Mu Ye leaned on his back again and walked with him.
After playing with Denglu for more than ten minutes, Gu Jiaming grumbled, “Why isn’t he coming down yet?”
Time was running out, and there were still many rehearsals to be done.
Gu Jiaming was about to go upstairs and knock on the door when he saw his boss, like a slime, clinging to his boyfriend’s back. His boyfriend struggled to push the luggage and finally made it out of the room, but his steps were difficult.
Gu Jiaming stared blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Using the home elevator, Song Jianchu ‘carried’ the big star down the stairs and handed the luggage to Gu Jiaming, entrusting him like a parent handing over a child. “Please take care of it, thank you for your hard work.”
Gu Jiaming, like a kindergarten teacher receiving a child from a parent, took the luggage, nodded with a sense of responsibility, and said, “You can trust me. I have experience.”
Song Jianchu peeled Mu Ye, who was reluctant to let go, off his back and handed him over to the ‘kindergarten teacher.’ Then, he accompanied them to the door.
Mu Ye got into the car with a melancholic look. “Chu Chu, I’m leaving.”
Song Jianchu Waving his hand, “Stay safe.”
Mu Ye softly said, “Give me a kiss.”
Song Jianchu’s ears turned slightly red as he glanced at the assistant driver in the car. Everyone tactfully looked elsewhere, carefully studying a few clouds in the sky. Gu Jiaming focused on his phone, using WeChat to discuss rehearsal matters.
Song Jianchu leaned closer, supported himself on the car window, and quickly kissed Mu Ye on the face before blushing and pulling away.
Mu Ye’s expression softened a bit. “I’ll send you a video when we arrive. Don’t go to the company.”
“Okay.”
After the faint sound of the kiss ended, Gu Jiaming turned his head. “Can we depart now?”
Song Jianchu handed a pack of Meiji
Mu Ye smiled faintly. “Okay.”
Gu Jiaming felt that this scene was especially familiar. He often witnessed the interaction between his wife and child at home.
…Taking the child to school?
Standing in the yard, watching the nanny’s car drive away, Song Jianchu let out a sigh of relief. He rubbed his sore shoulder in the morning light. Despite seeing them off, he felt mentally and physically exhausted, as if he had gone through a big battle.
It felt like sending a first-grader to school.
It wasn’t until the nanny’s car disappeared at the end of the road that Song Jianchu went inside to prepare breakfast for his own children. Since Mu Ye wasn’t there, he casually made a cup of milk oatmeal for himself, sat at the dining table, and absentmindedly scrolled through Weibo, not fully engaged as he skimmed through several posts.
Half of his mind was with Mu Ye, and the other half was contemplating his future choices.
Lately, Song Jianchu had been pondering his career choices.
Although his assets were enough to last him several lifetimes and were steadily increasing under his management, he didn’t plan to live a leisurely life forever.
While being a social media influencer making videos could be considered a hobby, he needed to choose a lifelong career to continue enriching himself.
After finishing a cup of milk oatmeal, Song Jianchu was about to wash the cup when Yin Chi called him.
“Did Teacher Mu leave?” Yin Chi asked.
Song Jianchu put the phone on speaker and placed it next to the sink. “Yes.”
“This is just the first stop of the world tour. It will definitely get busier later,” Yin Chi said. “You’re alone at home. Don’t you plan on doing something?”
Song Jianchu lowered his eyes and placed the cup in the running water. “I’m thinking.”
“Brother, are you interested in becoming a producer?” Yin Chi asked.
Song Jianchu paused for a moment. “A producer?”
“Yes, I think you should give it a try,” Yin Chi said. “Start with our own company’s projects. Since you’re also an investor, being your own producer would be convenient, and it can help pass the time.”
“We happen to have a project in development that can serve as a transition for Pei Shinian, allowing him to enter the film industry. You can also mentor some newcomers in our company. What do you think? Are you interested?”
Song Jianchu hung the washed cup on the rack and leaned on the sink, contemplating for a few seconds before quickly making a decision. “Okay.”
“Alright, it’s settled then. You’ll be in charge of this project,” Yin Chi said. “I’ll arrange for you to have dinner with some influential producers in the industry. You can learn from them. With your strong learning ability, I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“Sounds good.”
After ending the call, Song Jianchu didn’t procrastinate. He immediately began his preparations.
He searched for over a dozen e-books related to film production and ordered a large number of physical books. He brewed a cup of coffee and entered his study, wearing glasses, ready to immerse himself in studying the theory of film production.
Being a top student with exceptional learning abilities, accepting new knowledge was not difficult for Song Jianchu. After briefly browsing through the reference books, he felt that the content was too basic.
He thought for a moment and then opened his computer.
The film program at the prestigious foreign university where Song Jianchu had previously studied was world-class. He contacted a professor specializing in film production via email, politely inquiring if online courses were available.
During his university years, Song Jianchu had excelled academically, and many professors had heard of him. The renowned professor in the film program offered him one-on-one professional courses, but he hoped for face-to-face communication.
Song Jianchu hesitated as he stared at the email.
If he were still single, he could easily book a private plane and attend the classes.
However, before Mu Ye left, he repeatedly instructed Song Jianchu not to ‘run around.’ It seemed that going abroad would be different.
Song Jianchu picked up his phone, opened WeChat, and repeatedly typed and deleted messages.
[Mu Ye, I want to go abroad for a few days…]
Deleted.
[Mu Ye, is it okay if I…]
Deleted.
[Mu Ye…]
Deleted.
Resting his head on the desk, Song Jianchu was troubled by how to reassure Mu Ye. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his hand.
[Mu Ye: Are you writing me a love letter?]
[Mu Ye: When will you finish writing it? I want to see [blushing emoji]]
Song Jianchu: “…”
Leaning back with his phone, Song Jianchu started typing, his head lowered.
[Song Jianchu: Have you arrived?]
[Mu Ye: Just landed.]
The next second, Mu Ye initiated a video call.
Song Jianchu took off his glasses, accepted the video call, and inexplicably felt a bit nervous.
Mu Ye was still in the car, looking down at him. “Did you take a nap?”
“Not sleepy.”
“Did you have lunch?”
Song Jianchu had been engrossed in researching and forgot to eat. He replied, “I had lunch.”
“What did you eat?” Mu Ye asked.
“I cooked steak.”
Still not completely reassured, Mu Ye said, “Take a photo of it later and send it to me for inspection.”
“Okay.”
After hesitating for a few seconds, Song Jianchu spoke up. “Mu Ye, I…”
“We’ve arrived,” Gu Jiaming’s voice interrupted. “Let’s go check the venue first.”
Mu Ye smiled sadly. “I’ll be busy. I’ll send you a video later tonight.”
“…Okay.”
“Remember to send me photos of your dinner.”
“Sure.”
In less than two minutes, the video call ended.
Song Jianchu sighed.
The film production professor sent an email asking if he preferred remote teaching or face-to-face instruction. If face-to-face, the professor was available in the coming days.
To ensure the quality of his learning, Song Jianchu considered it again, replied to the email, and stated that he would attend classes in person the next day.
Closing his computer, Song Jianchu booked a private plane for the evening and started packing his luggage.
He packed a few clothes and, before leaving, entrusted his children to Uncle Pei’s care.
Pei Shinnian had just finished filming and noticed Song Jianchu dragging his suitcase, ready to depart. Curious, he asked, “You’re going out so late? Where to?”
“I’m going abroad to study for a few days,” Song Jianchu said. “I’ll trouble you to take care of the children. Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve been looking forward to it,” Pei Shinnian said, taking the pet carrier from Song Jianchu. “By the way, Mr. Yin mentioned that you’ll be in charge of producing the film for me?”
“Yes,” Song Jianchu nodded. “I want to give it a try.”
“That’s great.” Pei Shinian was very reassured. “I’m counting on you, the future big producer, to lead the way. I’ll study acting diligently and won’t embarrass you.”
“Good luck.” Song Jianchu glanced at his watch. “I have to go.”
“Go ahead, future big shot producer. Keep up the good work!” Pei Shinnian waved his hand.
At nine in the evening, Mu Ye arrived at the hotel.
After taking a shower, as he was about to video call his boyfriend, Mu Ye noticed an unread message. It was sent at 6 p.m., but he had been preoccupied with Gu Jiaming discussing something and hadn’t checked his phone.
After reading the text message, Mu Ye’s lips slowly sank. His brows twitched, and he took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
[Song Jianchu: Mu Ye, I’ve taken on a job and want to study abroad for a few days. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself.]
After the calm message notification, there was a familiar emoji often sent by Mu Ye.
It carried a hint of guilt.
[Song Jianchu: [Hug]]