BIAC CH 35

Chapter 35: Ge, what do we do? What’s going to happen to us?

After Su An left carrying a box of cupcakes, Du Jianyou began quietly cleaning up the kitchen. The sweet scent of cake still lingered in the air, while the sink was piled high with sticky baking tools. He washed each one by hand, the sound of running water splashing non-stop.

Usually, moments like these gave him peace of mind. But right now, it felt like the calm before a storm. The air was so still, it made one uneasy.

With that person gone, everything suddenly felt… hollow.

In truth, the moment he saw that magazine, all the fear and anxiety that had been gnawing at him for the past few months suddenly became real. It was like the second shoe had finally dropped. The heart that had been hanging by a thread was now grounded—but only in dread.

It was the kind of “Ah, finally.” that came with a thud—crushing and final.

If the previous fears had just been vague unease, then now, he was completely shattered—scared to the bone.

Just like that, everything between them was forcibly dragged into the light without any warning. Those photos… they had been so simple and sincere. But paired with such vulgar headlines, everything was twisted into something ugly and obscene.

Disgusting.

But really—who was sick? Was it them? Or was it this world? He didn’t know.

Su An had said, “Compared to your entertainment industry, the business world is much more conservative. There might be things you’re used to seeing, but the business world has no tolerance for them.” He gave a weak tug at the corner of his mouth. He wanted to laugh—but he couldn’t.

Yeah. The entertainment industry might’ve seen it all—but it was all kept hidden. Covered by a black cloth, all kinds of dirty hands were reaching in, trying to get a piece. But once something actually got dragged into the open, when had it ever ended well? When had the people involved ever walked away clean? Every time, they were left beaten black and blue by public opinion.

No—forget following public opinion. The media creates public opinion.

Tolerant? If anything, they’re even less tolerant.

This time, strictly speaking, the photos that were taken weren’t even scandalous in nature. If it were a man and a woman involved, they wouldn’t have had any exposure value at all.

But the problem was—they weren’t a man and a woman.

The photos were so clear that anyone with an agenda could see the overflowing affection in them.

Having feelings wasn’t inherently a bad thing.

The real issue was how those with ill intent twisted the narrative.

They used vulgar, filthy language and carnal imagery to wrap up what was actually sincere, heartfelt human emotion. They branded them with beastly, perverse labels.

Those with malicious intent steered the crowd—nosy, gossip-hungry onlookers who had nothing to do with them—into throwing stones of ignorance at them.

All they could do was endure. All they could do was be at the mercy of others. Other than being angry, they were powerless.

The calm he forced himself to maintain in front of Su An had now completely collapsed. The so-called peace and quiet was nothing more than the prelude to a violent storm. His composure was a lie—only the fear was real.

He felt like he couldn’t stay on his feet. He missed him terribly.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, he slid to the floor. His hands still covered in soap suds, the sound of running water loud in the background—but he didn’t care. He just wanted to break down.

But he couldn’t. He still had things to do.

Su An had come earlier—for Tang He, for the Guangsheng Group. He had to act like a boss too. The Dream Advertising Agency needed his protection too.

Du Jianyou forced himself to stand up, washed his hands, and made a call.

“Tiancheng, something’s happened.”

Then, in silence and with restraint, he continued to clean up.

After receiving Du Jianyou’s call, Zhao Tiancheng basically sped like a madman to his place. He didn’t even bother to properly park the car and almost had to wrestle with the security guard to get in.

Thankfully, Du Jianyou had already informed the building staff in advance that a Mr. Zhao would be coming to see him. After confirming his identity, they quickly let him up.

When Du Jianyou opened the door for Zhao Tiancheng, he still had that magazine in his hand—who knew how many times he had gone over it by now.

“Give it to me,” Zhao Tiancheng snapped, snatching the magazine out of his hand. He didn’t even sit down before flipping through it furiously.

“Damn it, this is disgusting. What did Tang He say?” Zhao Tiancheng asked angrily.

“He doesn’t know yet. He’s still on the plane and won’t arrive until tomorrow morning. Su An and I have already discussed what to do.”

Du Jianyou proceeded to tell Zhao Tiancheng about the plan they had just decided on.

“You call that it? You seriously talked to Su An about Tang He and the future of the Guangsheng Group and just ended it like that? You agreed with her? Let her completely cut ties between Tang He and you?” Zhao Tiancheng stared at him in disbelief. “What about you? What about Dream Advertising? Say something!” He was furious that Du Jianyou hadn’t even considered himself in all this.

“Dream Advertising  still has you. As for me, I’ll lay low for a while. I’ve already requested meal deliveries—specifically star-rated meals…” he replied in a calm, breezy tone.

“Lay low my ass! Tang He gets to fall in love, have his fun, then walk away like nothing happened—and you’re seriously going to hide for him? Are you his kept man or something? Can’t you have a little self-respect…?” Du Jianyou turned his head away, avoiding eye contact.

“…Sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Zhao Tiancheng had let his anger run wild, but when he saw the hurt in Du Jianyou’s eyes, he immediately shut up and looked at him with guilt.

“I should be the one apologizing—for dragging all of you into this mess,” Du Jianyou said, his voice steady.

“Don’t say that. I—we’re all on your side,” Zhao Tiancheng replied quickly, trying to comfort him.

“I know. That’s why I asked you to come here. I need you to take care of something right away. Starting tomorrow, remove me from my position in the company, and temporarily transfer my shares to you. If I’m cutting ties with Guangsheng Group, then I have to do the same with our company. If the attacks come hard, you may even have to publicly fire me, the company’s star director.”

“You’re insane! That company is your blood and sweat, and you want to just walk away from it? Without you, it wouldn’t even exist!” Zhao Tiancheng, who had just calmed down, was once again triggered by Du Jianyou’s collected tone and shouted in frustration.

The advertising company First Dream Advertising Agency  was co-owned and co-managed by Du Jianyou and Zhao Tiancheng. Du Jianyou held the majority of the shares and led the production and creative work, while Zhao Tiancheng handled administrative affairs. For Du Jianyou to ask him to remove him and transfer the shares essentially meant giving up ownership of the company. How could Zhao Tiancheng accept that? He knew how much it meant to him. There was no way he could bring himself to do something so heartless.

“Yes, I know it wouldn’t exist without me. But after tomorrow, no one knows how things will unfold. Maybe it won’t affect Dream Advertising, but it’s better to prepare ahead. And just because I step down as the responsible person, do you really think you’d kick me out of the company?”

“Of course not!”

“Exactly. Over the years, I’ve given you every official stamp and seal, even for the company. That proves I trust you. So now, I need you to trust me. If I step back temporarily, it’s for everyone’s protection. Zhao Tiancheng, we still have clients to deal with, and our staff rely on this company for their livelihood…”

Du Jianyou calmly laid out the facts, with no visible emotion in his eyes.

“Of course, if this fire spreads uncontrollably and the company suffers because of it, I’ll take full responsibility. I still have some savings—and this apartment. If necessary, I can sell it.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried about you… Are you really okay?” Zhao Tiancheng asked, genuinely concerned.

“You don’t have to worry. Old Tang will be back tomorrow. He’ll be with me, and I’ll be with him. We’ll face it together. There’s nothing to be afraid of. As long as he’s here, I’m not afraid of anything.” Du Jianyou’s firm tone was meant to comfort Zhao Tiancheng—and himself.

“That’s true. I trust Tang He will find a way through this crisis. As for how he treats you… well, that puts my mind at ease,” Zhao Tiancheng said, thinking back to how doting President Tang usually was toward Jianyou. Compared to Su An’s earlier plan to wash his hands of the situation, Zhao Tiancheng understood clearly that this was the best temporary solution they had—for now. Even if it meant Du Jianyou would have to suffer a little. But that was Tang He’s burden to care about, not his. He had no right to interfere.

With that realization, he could only stay silent and wait to see how things played out.

Zhao Tiancheng and Du Jianyou continued discussing what remaining resources they could use, listing out any media contacts they had good relationships with—just in case Guangsheng Group would need them later.

By the time Zhao Tiancheng was about to leave, dawn had already broken. Today, Du Jianyou had cleared his schedule for Tang He’s birthday and return from abroad, so there was no urgent company business. He urged Zhao Tiancheng to go home and get some sleep, assuring him he’d call if anything came up. Before he left, Du Jianyou even shoved a box of homemade cupcakes into his hands, proudly announcing: I made these. Try them.”

“You made these? Are they ruined or something? That frosting looks awful,” Zhao Tiancheng said, frowning at the messy piping.

“Oh come on, you should be grateful I’m even giving you one. If the piping hadn’t gone wrong, you think you’d even get one? Take it or leave it! Don’t want it? Fine—give it back!” Du Jianyou reached out to snatch the cupcake back.

“No, no, I want it, I want it! But seriously, do you have to be so fierce?” Zhao Tiancheng clutched the cupcake protectively and muttered as he walked out.

Du Jianyou slammed the door shut in mock annoyance. He hadn’t slept a wink all night and was utterly exhausted. But knowing he’d be seeing the person he missed dearly in just a few hours lifted his spirits so much he couldn’t fall asleep. So he gave up on resting and instead got ready to go out and meet his boyfriend.

After all, who knew how long they’d have to stay hidden again after this? No matter—right now, he just wanted to be happy while he still could.

(To be continued…)