Chapter 11 – A Gimme
On the third day of the escalating incident, Lin Ganzhi was horrified to discover that his Weibo account had gained one hundred thousand followers overnight.
“Did some sucker buy followers for the wrong account?” Lin Ganzhi looked up, stunned.
Yan Shengping, who was still eating his congee, paused with his spoon and gave Lin Ganzhi an indescribable look.
Uncle Yan shuffled over to take a peek and chuckled. “It really looks that way. Kids these days are getting more and more clueless.”
Yan Shengping thought, …The clueless ones are you two.
“Why don’t you consider a more logical explanation?” Yan Shengping asked, speechless.
Lin Ganzhi froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. “There’s no way a hundred thousand people discovered my personal charm overnight.”
Yan Shengping turned his head away. That did seem unlikely.
The man had no personal charm to speak of.
Before Lin Ganzhi could finish laughing, Yan Shengping’s evasive attitude infuriated him. He really wouldn’t give him any face at all, would he? He was furious!
Before he could officially begin his battle of wits with Yan Shengping, Lin Ganzhi’s phone rang. It was his agent, Zhang Dianhuai.
“Hello.” The usually business-like voice on the other end sounded somewhat pleased. “Lin Ganzhi, this time you’ve really had a blessing in disguise.”
Lin Ganzhi’s heart skipped a beat. “Brother Zhang, first tell me, is this ‘blessing’ what I would consider a blessing?”
There was a second of silence on the other end of the line. In that moment, he considered Lin Ganzhi’s current situation. “Overall, it’s a blessing for the company.”
Tsk! He knew it was nothing good for him!
“Here’s what happened. Last night, the person who originally took your photo suddenly posted an apology on Weibo, saying they were just passing by and didn’t see clearly before snapping the picture. They also specifically thanked you for not pursuing the matter. When the statement came out that day, some unbiased netizens already felt it was unfair to you. Although Zhong Jingyi never came forward to apologize, his initial explanation was ambiguous. Coupled with his huge fanbase defending him, some onlookers who couldn’t stand it anymore had to find another way to fight back.”
“So they started following me?” Lin Ganzhi interjected. The enemy of my enemy is my new follower base!
“That’s right. Although their motives weren’t that pure, at least you have some buzz now. So, a director contacted the company and asked if you’d be interested in participating in his new variety show, ‘Wilderness Survival’.”
“Um,” Lin Ganzhi said, “what’s the basis for this show wanting me?”
“Don’t you know how to grow vegetables?” Zhang Dianhuai said, as if it were obvious.
“By that logic, can someone who slaughters sheep go slay a dragon?” Lin Ganzhi asked faintly.
“Theoretically, it’s not impossible. It doesn’t matter who you’re slaughtering!” Zhang Dianhuai concluded after a calm analysis.
Lin Ganzhi had said he would go back to work eventually, but he still wasn’t ready to re-enter the entertainment circle. After all, the various schemes and plots in there had cost him his life in his previous world.
“Brother Zhang, can we turn it down? I want to stay home and accompany Yan Shengping for the next few months.” Lin Ganzhi secretly cast a flirtatious glance at Yan Shengping.
Pfft! Damn Love Brain!
Yan Shengping wiped his mouth, having pretty much guessed Lin Ganzhi’s intentions, and decisively burned the bridge. “I don’t need that.”
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Lin Ganzhi glared resentfully at Yan Shengping.
“Your partner has already agreed. Lin Ganzhi, we worked overtime all night to solve this problem for you. Shouldn’t you repay the company?” Zhang Dianhuai brought up old scores without batting an eye.
A cold sweat broke out on Lin Ganzhi’s forehead, his confidence instantly vanishing.
“One episode is one week, in a live broadcast format. Eighty thousand per episode,” Zhang Dianhuai stated precisely, giving Lin Ganzhi the answer he wanted to hear.
Wait, eighty thousand?
Lin Ganzhi immediately perked up. Eighty thousand… that didn’t seem so hard to accept anymore.
“For someone of my celebrity status, isn’t eighty thousand per episode a bit much?” Lin Ganzhi asked humbly, but the joy of getting a huge bargain was hard to hide in his tone.
Oh, so that’s what he’s focused on. A calculating glint flashed across Zhang Dianhuai’s rimless glasses. He decided not to tell him that the other guests were getting paid four times as much; it wouldn’t be good if the kid refused to go.
“It’s normal. After all, a lot of big-name stars aren’t willing to go on this type of show. The director will also donate ten percent of the show’s proceeds as a charitable fund for children in mountainous regions. Even if you just slack off on the show, your reputation won’t get too bad. People will even add a few more positive comments about you, like, ‘CEO Yan’s partner isn’t afraid of hardship, participating in a charity variety show to donate to disaster areas.'”
Lin Ganzhi’s eyes lit up. “Brother Zhang, say no more. I’ll take it!”
After ending the call in high spirits, Lin Ganzhi didn’t even realize he’d been sold out.
Wait, that’s not right. “Why were the people who secretly photographed me suddenly willing to come out and apologize?”
Yan Shengping looked up and suddenly smiled. “Maybe it was your personal charm?”
Lin Ganzhi thought, I have sufficient evidence to suspect you’re being sarcastic!
Lin Ganzhi pondered this for a while, and even as Uncle Yan was clearing the table and taking the dishes to be washed, he still couldn’t figure it out. It didn’t make sense. Given his social connections, no one should have been willing to help him.
A tall figure walked past Lin Ganzhi. Watching Yan Shengping go upstairs, a bold idea formed in his mind. “Yan Shengping, was it you who helped me?”
Yan Shengping paused with one foot on the next step, looking down at Lin Ganzhi. His eyes were deep and mysterious, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, instantly bringing a good deal of color back to his sickly complexion. “Aren’t you happy that your ‘one day’ has come a little sooner?”
He admitted it, but not directly, just to annoy Lin Ganzhi.
Lin Ganzhi’s chubby cheeks nearly puffed up into a pufferfish on the spot.
In a rare good mood, Yan Shengping went to his study to work.
Since he had agreed to do the variety show, he had to go to the company to sign the contract the next day. An artist of Lin Ganzhi’s status naturally didn’t have an assistant, so he had to get himself ready and go to the company on his own.
The original owner’s clothes left Lin Ganzhi at a loss for words. To put it nicely, they were avant-garde cyberpunk style; to put it bluntly, they were gaudy. Lin Ganzhi managed to find a white shirt and a black-and-white graffiti-print sweater vest in the closet. It seemed he would have to buy some new clothes before coming back today.
When Lin Ganzhi went downstairs, he found that Yan Shengping and Uncle Yan hadn’t started breakfast yet. They only said “let’s eat” when they saw him.
Lin Ganzhi immediately sat down obediently, slurping the noodles he had cooked himself. Sometimes he really had to admire his own cooking skills; opening a small restaurant in the future wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Uncle Yan ate quickly and went out to get the car from the garage.
Lin Ganzhi finished the last mouthful of noodle soup from his bowl and pattered into the kitchen to drop off the bowl, with Yan Shengping following close behind.
Seeing Yan Shengping follow him, Lin Ganzhi had a sudden thought. “Are you going to give me a ride?”
Yan Shengping’s steps faltered, and the bowl in his hand nearly slipped.
The two of them stared at each other in the narrow hallway for three seconds. Looking at Yan Shengping’s lips pressed into a thin line, Lin Ganzhi finally realized what he had said. He blushed, turned his head, and coughed.
“Oh, come on, I was just kidding.” As Lin Ganzhi spoke, he tried to squeeze past Yan Shengping, but Yan Shengping grabbed him by the back of his collar. The back of his index finger gently brushed against Lin Ganzhi’s spine, making him flinch. It tickled a little.
“What’s the hurry? Is it your habit not to let people finish speaking?” Yan Shengping said in a deep voice, nodding slightly. “I happen to have some business to attend to. Let’s go together.”
***
Uncle Yan looked in the rearview mirror at the two of them, each sitting by a window with a chasm-like distance between them, and still smiled. Yan Shengping noticed Uncle Yan’s gaze and felt as if his thoughts had been exposed. “Uncle Yan, what are you smiling about?”
Uncle Yan’s smile didn’t fade as he was about to answer.
“He’s probably happy for our love. Elders are all like that,” Lin Ganzhi said, his true colors showing. Since Yan Shengping had broken the silence, he had also recovered from the shock of Yan Shengping giving him a ride.
Uncle Yan was already used to this side of Lin Ganzhi and nodded. Seeing Yan Shengping’s extremely displeased look, he reined it in a bit, but he was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart. After all, since coming here, Yan Shengping had not gone out at all.
“Lin Ganzhi,” Yan Shengping began.
“Here! Darling~” Lin Ganzhi was at his beck and call, his eyes sparkling. This was the first time a family member had taken him to work. The wonderful feeling put him in a particularly good mood for the entire ride.
Yan Shengping stared at the smile that hadn’t left Lin Ganzhi’s lips since he got in the car and ultimately chose to give up on what he was about to say. “How long will it take for you to sign the contract at the company?”
“I don’t know. If Brother Zhang wants to chat with me, it might take an hour or two. By the way, I want to go shopping nearby later. I don’t have any autumn clothes.”
Yan Shengping pondered for a moment, estimating the time. “My business will take about two or three hours. Call me when you’re done.”
Lin Ganzhi nodded obediently.
The company he worked for was located on a bustling commercial street, so he could go shopping right after leaving. Two or three hours would be enough for him.
When they arrived at the company, Lin Ganzhi was about to open the car door when Yan Shengping called out to him.
Yan Shengping gestured to Uncle Yan, who handed over a face mask.
“You have a hundred and ten thousand followers now, after all. Be careful when you’re out shopping. If you don’t have enough money, give me a call,” Yan Shengping said, his teasing tone laced with a boss’s concern.
Lin Ganzhi was touched and said, “Darling, in the future, even if it’s just for the sake of convenience, it wouldn’t be hard to say two hundred thousand!”
A hint of mischief appeared in Yan Shengping’s eyes. “It’s fine. I’m not one to shy away from trouble in certain matters.”
Lin Ganzhi boisterously slammed the door and left.
Uncle Yan still wore a smiling expression, which made Yan Shengping, who had just been in a good mood, darken his gaze. “Has something happy happened, Uncle Yan?”
Uncle Yan replied, “I’ve encountered something that makes you rather happy, sir.”
Yan Shengping’s fingers curled slightly. Truth be told, he was no match for the elder who had been with him since he was a child, so he subconsciously chose to remain silent. Before the car started, he glanced out the window. Lin Ganzhi was walking with his head down, looking at his phone. As if sensing something, he suddenly turned back and looked. Yan Shengping didn’t even have time to look away, but Lin Ganzhi didn’t seem to notice him watching. Instead, he waved with a cheerful, carefree smile.
What a little fool.
A flicker of amusement passed through Yan Shengping’s eyes.
The company entrance had a revolving door. Lin Ganzhi stepped into one of the sections, but someone else squeezed into the same compartment with him, making the originally spacious area instantly crowded.
Lin Ganzhi finally deigned to look up from his phone. Did people have to fight for precedence even with this? Let him see which weirdo it was!
Before he could see the person, he heard their voice. “Well, if it isn’t Lin Ganzhi? I thought you’d never come back to the company. So, are you happy being married to Yan Shengping?”
Wasn’t this a gimme?
Lin Ganzhi shyly covered his face. “It’s the honor of a lifetime~”