Chapter Twenty-Five: A Life Yearned For

Jiang Yun opened Vertical and Horizontal Chinese Web Novels and uploaded the latest chapter of “Battle Horses Soaring the Heavens.” After a quick wash, still feeling the afterglow from “You’re the Most Talented,” he decided to wear a mask and sunglasses. That morning, he was meeting Li Mengya, and only in the afternoon would he see Yu Qing.

“Beep beep!”

Li Mengya honked the horn, and Jiang Yun got into her yellow Beetle.

“Big star Li, what exactly do you want with me? You wouldn’t say over the phone, acting all mysterious!” Jiang Yun started complaining as soon as he got in.

Listening to his endless chatter, Li Mengya finally lost her patience. “Shut up!”

Jiang Yun zipped his lips, even miming pulling up a zipper.

Li Mengya started the car, the yellow Beetle wobbling as it drove along.

“I’m taking you to meet an important guest today!”

Jiang Yun said nothing.

“This guest wants to see you as well.”

Still no response from Jiang Yun.

Li Mengya turned to look at him. “Why aren’t you talking?”

“Mmm-mmm-mmm—” Jiang Yun gestured, reminding her that she’d told him to zip his lips.

“You’re so annoying!” Li Mengya reached out, miming unzipping his mouth. “You can speak now!” She returned her hand to the wheel, focusing on driving.

“So who’s this guest, anyway? Why all the secrecy?”

“You’ll find out when we arrive!”

Li Mengya drove to the Red Romance Private Club.

Both she and Jiang Yun kept their masks and sunglasses on.

“306!” Li Mengya announced the room number.

A polite female attendant led the way.

At room 306, she knocked, then opened the door with a key card.

Jiang Yun and Li Mengya walked in, and Jiang Yun froze in shock.

“Mr. He—He—He?”

“Mr. Huang Kang is here too? And Ms. Wang Lan?” Yes, they were the very judges from “You’re the Most Talented,” Huang Kang and Wang Lan.

“Big star Li, you’ve really surprised me!” Jiang Yun looked at Li Mengya.

He Ling, Huang Kang, and Wang Lan all stood to greet him.

Jiang Yun and Li Mengya found seats.

“Mr. He, it’s wonderful to meet you in person. I’m your idol, did you know that?” Jiang Yun was excited and at a loss for words.

“No, it’s you who’s my idol. I misspoke!” he quickly corrected himself.

He Ling smiled. “Master Jiang, you’re really hard to get a hold of. I private messaged you on Weibo, but you never replied.”

She was teasing.

Jiang Yun touched his nose. “I don’t log in to Weibo much.”

The group began chatting about all sorts of things.

From time to time, Jiang Yun found himself unable to keep up with the conversation, as it was all about the entertainment industry—a world he knew nothing about.

“Jiang Yun, I’m here because I want to invite you to participate in a show,” He Ling finally came to the point.

“Sure, I’m free anyway!” Jiang Yun agreed.

“Aren’t you going to ask what kind of show it is, or how much you’ll be paid?” Huang Kang joked.

“I trust Mr. He wouldn’t cheat me!” Jiang Yun replied firmly.

He Ling was momentarily taken aback, feeling a warm glow from being trusted. Since Jiang Yun trusted her so much, she resolved not to let him down and to secure him the best deal possible.

“Jiang Yun, here’s the situation. I want to invite you as a regular guest on a show.” He Ling was quietly observing his character.

Jiang Yun listened silently, waiting for her to continue.

“You’re really calm, aren’t you afraid we’ll sell you off?” Wang Lan laughed.

“Come on, even if I didn’t trust you, I’d trust Mengya! We’re friends, and with her as a go-between, I have nothing to worry about.”

They chatted about other things for a while.

“Recently, our Mango TV is planning a new variety show called ‘Yearning for Life,’ and we want you as a regular guest. The pay, per episode…” He Ling paused, then said, “Three hundred thousand per episode! There are twelve episodes in total.”

Jiang Yun was stunned for a moment. Twelve episodes, a total of 3.6 million—given his current status, that was already a high sum.

“Great! Let’s sign the contract!” Jiang Yun agreed.

He Ling hadn’t expected Jiang Yun to accept so easily, but she felt she might be shortchanging him. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Three hundred thousand per episode is the highest I can offer without higher approval. But I can guarantee you a bonus—one percent of the profits per episode.”

Jiang Yun laughed and shook his head. “Mr. He, there’s no need to be so generous. The bonus doesn’t matter.”

“No, absolutely not,” He Ling insisted. “I can’t let you lose out.”

“All right then!” Jiang Yun accepted graciously.

Finally, He Ling took out the contra