Chapter 73: Panic

After the awards ceremony ended, the ranking of topics on the hot search list had gone through several ups and downs. The news of Xu Lingjia being blocked from entering the venue was no longer of much concern to anyone. The most eye-catching topics were this year’s Best Actor and Actress winners. Besides that, the one with the highest attention was #JinyunAwardsOnlyDoubleAwardWinner#.

“—For any other person winning both Best Supporting Actor and Best Newcomer, I would have complained for my own favorite and cursed the judging committee for having a hidden agenda. But Shen Xici… alright, you acted well, you’re awesome!”

“—Ahhh, what lucky girls are Shen Xici’s fans! His first movie, his first red carpet, and then he wins two awards! A triple delight for career fans, acting fans, and face fans!”

“—The ‘old woman’ mentioned in the second acceptance speech should be the cute old woman who was too sick to participate in the Yage Festival’s leaf-blowing contest and had Shen Xici fill in for her. Does anyone know who ‘A’Shao’ is? Accompanied him to the set every day, helped with the script, and was specially thanked by Shen Xici at the awards ceremony. I want all the information on this person in three minutes!”

“—Maybe his agent or assistant? Sounds very responsible and treats Shen Xici well, kudos!”

“—Seeing him go up to receive two awards, he really made us proud! I immediately imagined the scene of the people at Delphi regretting their decision! They really judge people by their appearance, so arrogant!”

A public account published an article, arguing that this year’s Jinyun Awards red carpet was a major public relations blunder for the brand Delphi.

With Xu Lingjia’s current reputation, if he had stood on the red carpet in the latest season’s ready-to-wear, it would have only tarnished the brand’s name, which wasn’t a huge problem. But because Xu Lingjia didn’t have an invitation, attacked an innocent staff member, and was pinned to the ground by security, it was equivalent to Delphi being pinned and ground into the dirt along with him.

Another major blunder was underestimating Shen Xici’s strength, underestimating his fashion and commercial value. Especially with Saherny stepping in, Delphi instantly became the object of ridicule across the internet—poor judgment, no spirit of contract, arrogant, and untrustworthy. The other brand, Saherny, was naturally elevated by its peer’s contrast.

The outrageous act of Delphi delivering an old-season outfit hours before the event, after initially agreeing to a new-season debut, was intentionally leaked by Ge Lanjing. The article was also commissioned at a high price. The effect was excellent. After the article was published, it was reposted by many marketing accounts, and its popularity shot up immediately.

The melon-eating masses never think there’s too much drama. Of course, the juicier the gossip, the more interesting it is. Especially since this involved the hidden figure Cheng Ningyu, it further sparked everyone’s passion for investigation.

In the elevator, Ge Lanjing’s phone was buzzing non-stop. She multitasked, typing with one hand while saying, “I don’t deny that I’m petty. What Delphi did was just too unethical.”

It just so happened that Shen Xici was not the type to swallow insults when bullied. The feud was already established, and future cooperation was impossible, so he just let her do as she pleased.

The elevator doors opened, and Ge Lanjing and Shen Xici walked down the staff corridor together.

“The awards ceremony wasn’t even over, and my phone was already blowing up. My inbox was full too. Scripts, variety shows, endorsements, and all kinds of events. Why else do they say capital chases profit? The moment they see you have potential for profit, they all swarm over.”

Ge Lanjing smiled with deep satisfaction, feeling like she had finally seen the moon after the clouds parted. “Your value has skyrocketed. Endorsement offers have more than doubled or tripled, and two popular variety shows have also reached out. I estimate these people have been watching and waiting for the results of the Jinyun Awards to see what your value is. There were also those who were betting, trying to get a bargain before the awards ceremony, constantly pushing to sign endorsement contracts. I didn’t budge.”

She had always been very confident in Shen Xici. After all, his talent was there for all to see, unless you were blind.

Shen Xici didn’t dwell on it much. “Sister Lanjing, endorsements are fine. Let’s refuse the variety shows for now. Too much exposure for an actor isn’t a good thing for their roles. I’d still rather the audience see me in my works.”

Many actors would participate in various variety shows for exposure and buzz, but every show has a persona. Once that persona is fixed in the audience’s mind, when they go to act again, it’s very easy for the audience to be pulled out of the movie when seeing them on the big screen.

There were pros and cons; it just depended on which side you prioritized.

This was also one of the things Ge Lanjing admired about Shen Xici. Even after his stunning success at the Jinyun Awards, Shen Xici showed no signs of being swept away by fame and fortune.

This circle was very alluring. As soon as you became popular, the pursuit of capital and the praise of fans would rush in like a tide, as if in an instant, you had become the center of the world and the focus of everyone’s attention. As long as you didn’t want to hear a single bad word, everyone around you would only flatter you.

“Okay, I’ll help you turn them down.”

They exited through a side door of the venue that was usually kept closed. It was already past two in the morning. It was so late that the waiting fans and reporters were gone. Shen Xici was wearing a black jacket and trousers, with a hat, blending into the shadows.

Looking out at the road, Shen Xici saw the familiar black Maybach parked by the roadside. He pulled his hat down a bit. “Sister Lanjing, I’ll be going then. Xiaoshan will drive you. Let me know when you get home.”

“Alright, you go get some good rest. It’s been a long day.” Seeing Shen Xici’s eager expression, and how his eyes immediately sparkled with a smile upon seeing the car parked across the street, her agent’s intuition was triggered. She suddenly asked, “The one picking you up, is it that person named ‘A’Shao’?”

Shen Xici was shocked.

Ge Lanjing narrowed her eyes, alarmed. “You’re not in a relationship, are you?”

Shen Xici quickly said, “How could I be? I’m not!”

Ge Lanjing was a little suspicious, but Shen Xici’s denial was very quick. Besides, the other person drove a car worth millions, so they were obviously very rich. A person that rich probably wouldn’t have time to accompany Shen Xici to the set every day and help him with his lines, spending every waking moment together, right?

Could it not be that person named ‘A’Shao’?

Considering that Shen Xici was constantly on the “Fleeting Life” set and she hadn’t heard of anyone around him other than Lan Xiaoshan, and he had only just returned to Ningcheng, Ge Lanjing temporarily put the question aside. “Alright, be safe. I’ll let you know when there’s work.”

Sitting inside the black Maybach, the screen hanging inside was replaying his acceptance speech. When he heard the part where he thanked A’Shao, Shen Xici’s ears burned—at that moment, he hadn’t thought about it at all, just said what was on his mind. Now, seeing Sheng Shaoyan in person, he felt a sense of social death.

Especially when he secretly glanced at Sheng Shaoyan and found that the other seemed to be in a very good mood, the smile in his eyes and on his lips couldn’t be more obvious. He hastily looked away, fiddling with the ring on his finger, and once again regretted it—if he had known, he should have gone back by himself and not let Sheng Shaoyan pick him up!

What kind of social death scene was this?

Just then, Sheng Shaoyan suddenly raised his hand and touched his hair.

Shen Xici’s heart skipped a beat. His lips moved, but he didn’t know what to say.

“Did you get this at the awards ceremony?” Sheng Shaoyan gestured for him to look.

Shen Xici looked down and saw a small piece of colored confetti on the other’s fingertip.

Closing his hand around the confetti, Sheng Shaoyan asked him, “What do you want to eat?”

After the awards ceremony, Shen Xici had done interviews, changed clothes, and signed autographs for fans. Perhaps because his nerves were tense, he hadn’t felt hungry at all. Now that Sheng Shaoyan asked, the hunger pangs emerged.

He knew that no matter what he said he wanted to eat, the person beside him could make it happen. But thinking about his current level of buzz, it wasn’t impossible that paparazzi were following their car. Worried that Sheng Shaoyan would be photographed by reporters, Shen Xici played it safe. “Let’s go back and eat. I’ll just make something simple.”

“Okay, I can help.”

“…”

Shen Xici secretly pouted, really wanting to say, “Could you please be a little self-aware?” The thought is what counts, but it would be better if you didn’t help.

He took both of the trophies he had won out of the bag. “A’Shao, look!”

Although he had won awards in his past life, this was the first time he had won two at once. Shen Xici was a little excited, but then felt that this was too immature and childish. Just as he was about to compose his expression and act nonchalant, Sheng Shaoyan unexpectedly stroked his hair and praised him seriously, “Xici is amazing. You did very well.”

The other was playing along with him, his tone a bit like he was coaxing a child.

Shen Xici’s gaze trembled slightly, and he looked down at the buttons on Sheng Shaoyan’s shirt in a bit of a fluster.

Yet a happy emotion quietly bubbled up like golden syrup.

No one had ever spoken to him in such a tone, said such words to him.

The car moved through the late-night traffic, and the cabin gradually grew quiet. Because he had won the awards, people he knew and didn’t know were all sending him messages of congratulations. The message list was a long string of unread red dots.

Shen Xici was tired and sleepy. Leaning back against the leather seat, he forced his eyes open and replied to the messages one by one on his phone.

Beside him, Sheng Shaoyan was dealing with some urgent business. The sound of his typing was like white noise, making him drowsy.

Worried that if he slept now, he wouldn’t be able to sleep when he got back, Shen Xici drowsily lifted his head and casually glanced out the car window. The streetlights outside were not bright, and there were very few cars. There were no tall buildings on either side, only some low-rise structures.

Looking at a passing road sign, it was a place name he didn’t recognize.

His drowsiness was immediately dispelled. Shen Xici’s heart grew alert. He discreetly sent his location to Butler Laisen, then covertly gripped Sheng Shaoyan’s wrist and said to the driver in his usual tone, “Excuse me, please pull over at the intersection ahead. I want to drink some water. It looks like there’s a convenience store there.”

The driver said apologetically, “Young Master Shen, we can’t park there.”

The man’s tone and expression seemed flawless, but from a young age, observing the micro-expressions and reactions of those around him had been ingrained in Shen Xici’s instincts. After he started acting, he became even more sensitive to the tone of lines.

This driver’s tone and the way he looked at him in the rearview mirror were not right.

Shen Xici put on an annoyed expression as if he had been refused. “Does A’Shao care about a little fine? Just stop where I tell you to stop. I said I’m thirsty, don’t you understand? Stop!”

The driver still looked troubled. “Young Master Shen, we really can’t stop there.”

Shen Xici grew even more impatient. “Do you still want this job or not?” He turned to Sheng Shaoyan. “A’Shao, what do you say?”

In the dim light, Sheng Shaoyan’s gaze was deep. “Mm, we’ll do as you say.”

Their eyes met, and Shen Xici was certain that Sheng Shaoyan understood what he meant.

He continued to command, “Did you hear me? My patience is very limited right now. Stop the car up ahead immediately. You get out and buy me water.”

He actually wasn’t sure if he was just being overly suspicious and overthinking it. But what if? What if this person meant to harm Sheng Shaoyan?

Moreover, it was uncertain whether this car would drive back to Jiezhou Garden or to some other place, whether it would stop in half an hour or in one minute.

There was simply no time to think of a perfect plan. Making the driver stop immediately was the best solution he could think of at the moment.

If the driver got out to buy water, they could at least drive the car away directly. No, what if there was a time bomb in the car?

Just as all sorts of thoughts were flashing through Shen Xici’s mind, the screeching sound of tires scraping against the road surface suddenly rang out, exceptionally harsh. The black Maybach came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the road. At the same time, a gun was pointed at Sheng Shaoyan.

“Mr. Sheng, your little lover is quite sharp. Unfortunately, it’s too late.”

Sheng Shaoyan had more than one driver, and they rotated frequently. Shen Xici had only seen this thick-set, honest-looking driver a few times. The other was clearly on edge; any slight disturbance and he wouldn’t dare take the risk.

Sheng Shaoyan’s expression was as calm as the deep sea, as if he didn’t even see the dark muzzle of the gun. His tone had no obvious fluctuation. “Sheng Junhong told you to do this?”

“Of course. I’ve been driving for you dutifully for two or three years. You always have bodyguards clearing the way, surrounded like an iron bucket. I thought I’d never find a chance to make a move. Don’t blame me. If you have to blame someone, blame this little lover of yours!”

He had been Sheng Junhong’s mole from the beginning, having gone to great lengths to get close to Sheng Shaoyan. After seeing Sheng Shaoyan return after disappearing for a month with even more ruthless methods, and watching the other moles get pulled out one by one, he knew he was also at risk of being exposed.

This time, with the right time and place, it was the best opportunity. If he missed it, who knows how many years he would have to wait.

Shen Xici’s heart pounded against his eardrums. It was true. Because he was coming to the awards ceremony venue, to avoid attracting attention, Sheng Shaoyan had only used this one car to pick him up, without bringing bodyguards, which gave Sheng Junhong’s man an opportunity.

Sheng Shaoyan spoke, “Sheng Junhong wouldn’t kill me directly. What did he tell you to do?”

The driver sneered, “You crippled one of Second Master’s legs, made him lose all face, and have to be a cripple for the rest of his life. Of course, he wouldn’t kill you easily.”

With that, he took out a small syringe. “This is a new drug. At regular intervals, it will cause unbearable pain. Only a specific drug can alleviate it. After a year or two, the internal organs will slowly fail, and the person will die. Interesting, isn’t it?”

Sheng Shaoyan sat motionless. “That really is Sheng Junhong’s style. What did he offer you to do this for him?”

“You’re trying to bribe me? No way!” The driver held the loaded gun steadily and urged, “Extend your arm, Mr. Sheng. Otherwise, I can’t say when this gun might go off.”

The tip of the needle glinted coldly. Sheng Shaoyan took off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeve. Under the cool, pale skin, the blue veins were very prominent.

The driver gripped the gun, holding the syringe in his other hand and bringing it closer. In the 0.1 second his gaze shifted downward, Sheng Shaoyan seized the opportunity and moved like lightning! He firmly clamped down on the driver’s wrist, gave it a hard twist, and the muzzle of the gun instantly turned. With a muffled “thump,” the trigger of the silenced pistol was pulled!

All of Sheng Shaoyan’s vehicles were bulletproofed. The bullet shot out and embedded itself in the car’s interior ceiling.

It was impossible to see how Sheng Shaoyan did it, but with a crisp crack accompanied by a miserable scream, the driver’s right hand was twisted into an extremely distorted state.

Immediately after, the gun fell onto the carpet.

The driver lunged to try and pick it up. Sheng Shaoyan bent down to stop him at the same time. From Shen Xici’s angle, the driver’s expression was vicious. In Sheng Shaoyan’s blind spot, he raised the syringe and stabbed viciously towards Sheng Shaoyan!

Whether it was the gunshot, the breaking of the wrist bone, or seizing the gun, everything happened in a flash, taking no more than a dozen seconds.

The space inside the car was too narrow to maneuver. Without thinking, Shen Xici instinctively moved to block it.

The next second, Sheng Shaoyan extended his arm, wrapped it around him, and pressed him firmly against his chest. He spun his body to shield him with his back, then fired three consecutive shots. One hit the driver’s left arm, and the other two hit his right shoulder and thigh.

The “thud” of bullets piercing flesh.

The car door was opened. The driver, covered in blood, burst out of the door trying to escape, but he missed his step. The gunshot wounds caused him to roll directly onto the concrete road, crying out hoarsely in pain.

Ignoring the need to get out and catch the man, Sheng Shaoyan frantically unbuttoned Shen Xici’s jacket, wanting to confirm, “Did it go in? Where did he get you? I’ll take you to the hospital, I’ll find a doctor right away…”

This was the first time Shen Xici had ever seen such a panicked expression on Sheng Shaoyan’s face. Even his fingertips were trembling. He didn’t resist, quietly letting Sheng Shaoyan pull open his buttons, and for the first time, he spoke the words, “A’Shao, I can’t feel it.”

He said it very softly, but Sheng Shaoyan seemed to have been put on pause, frozen.

Shen Xici thought, to be reborn was already extremely fortunate. Besides, in this life, he had the chance to save Sheng Shaoyan right from the beginning.

And even if he started over this time, his life would most likely be extremely short.

“That drug, for me, is just turning the bomb in my body into a time bomb ahead of schedule.” He tried to smile, deliberately speaking in a light tone. “You know, I can’t feel it. So, even if the needle really went in, it doesn’t matter. I won’t feel pain anyway, it won’t be very painful—”

The cramped space was filled with the thick smell of blood and the lingering scent of gunpowder.

It was too quiet all around. No pedestrians, no cars.

This car was like a floating fortress, isolating them.

Sheng Shaoyan lifted his eyes, looking at him, his trembling fingertips gently cupping his face.

Outside the car, the autumn night’s rain began to fall, a soft patter, wetting the leaves and blades of grass.

Sheng Shaoyan suddenly lowered his head and kissed him hard.