Chapter 26: Of course I would humor her; we are legally married, after all.

"What's the plan?" Yan Chuanzhou immediately leaned in, listening intently as Qin Si spoke.

"You're the biggest shareholder of this romance reality show. Rigging it from behind the scenes should be a piece of cake."

Hearing this, a plan formed in Yan Chuanzhou's mind. He raised his glass, the gloom from moments ago vanishing. "Good, that's what we'll do! Cheers!"

The three of them downed their drinks.

When Yan Chuanzhou returned to the filming location, he headed straight for the director's studio. As soon as he walked in, the director jumped up from his chair, greeting him with forced politeness. "What brings you here?"

His tone was surprised but tinged with guilt; he had already agreed to Old Lady Yan's demands. If Yan Chuanzhou discovered his actions and put a stop to them now, he wouldn't know how to answer to the old woman. At the thought, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.

"As an investor, am I not allowed to come?" Yan Chuanzhou fixed his gaze on the director, his tone carrying a faint air of authority.

The director panicked, scrambling to respond. "Yes, yes, of course you are." He didn't forget to wipe his sweat as he spoke.

Noticing the director's unusual behavior, Yan Chuanzhou asked suspiciously, "Is it very hot today? You seem nervous."

Suppressing his inner panic, the director feigned composure and quickly explained, "No, no, it's just my constitution—I'm sensitive to the heat."

Yan Chuanzhou didn't press the matter, instead stating his purpose. "Regarding the choice of partners for the next episode, I'd like to adjust the rules slightly. Would that be possible?"

How could he refuse the wealthy benefactor? The director swallowed hard, whispering to himself, "Could he have found out?"

Seeing the director's lips move as if he were muttering, Yan Chuanzhou frowned. "What did you say?"

Pulled back to reality, the director replied with trepidation, "Nothing, nothing at all. What were you saying about changing the rules?"

Yan Chuanzhou pondered for a moment before speaking directly. "How about a lottery system to match partners? You handle the rigging behind the scenes; I want to be paired with Jiang Chiyu."

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing the second half of his sentence, every staff member in the room let out a gasp of shock. They all stood there, mouths agape, faces full of disbelief.

Seeing their reaction, Yan Chuanzhou's expression darkened, and his voice sharpened. "What? Is there a problem?"

The director was the first to react, awkwardly brushing it off. "Absolutely not! It's just... given the history between you and Ms. Jiang, are you sure about this?"

"Of course. Do as I say. As for the rest, I have my own ways."

The director finally felt the heavy stone in his heart lift. No more need for secrecy. He beamed, his inner joy causing him to speak without thinking. "That's great. I always said that when two people live together, there are bound to be small frictions, but if each takes a step back, it passes. No need to take it to heart."

Yan Chuanzhou clearly heard him, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He asked in a low voice, "What do you mean by that?"

The director froze, suddenly remembering that Yan Chuanzhou didn't intend to go public. Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead. "I... I meant that if you and Ms. Jiang are paired up, friction is inevitable, and you can both take a step back."

Yan Chuanzhou frowned, slightly displeased, and dropped a bombshell. "I will naturally yield to her; after all, we've already registered our marriage. As a family, we should be tolerant of each other, don't you think?"

He had outed himself! He had caught everyone off guard.

The director was both thrilled and terrified; the tight string in his mind snapped. The words "registered our marriage" fell clearly into everyone's ears. The entire room gasped, everyone swallowing hard, too afraid to make a sound. The poor director bore the brunt of it, wanting to cry but having no tears, and managed a stiff, "Yes, you're right."

Satisfied with the answer, Yan Chuanzhou's lips curved upward involuntarily. He added a final instruction: "Don't let this get out yet. Chiyu doesn't want to go public."

The shock on the staff's faces turned into delight. Once Yan Chuanzhou left, two young women looked at each other and smiled, suppressing their inner frenzy. "Ahhhhh! I didn't know Actor Yan was so doting. It's too sweet, it just pierced my little heart!"

Lin Qingyue accidentally saw Yan Chuanzhou walking out of the studio, her heart skipping a beat, and she intercepted him in the living room. "Chuanzhou, what were you talking to the director about? Is it about tomorrow's filming schedule?"

Having realized that the person he loved was Jiang Chiyu, Yan Chuanzhou only wanted to keep his distance from Lin Qingyue now. He responded indifferently, "Yes."

Even though Yan Chuanzhou didn't say it outright, Lin Qingyue felt an inexplicable sense of alienation in his tone. She took a tentative step forward, wanting to get closer to him, but Yan Chuanzhou stepped back.

With a look of confusion, Lin Qingyue felt a panic rising within her, but she forced herself to keep up appearances. "Chuanzhou, what are you doing?"

Yan Chuanzhou had no intention of hiding it and spoke coldly to remind her, "You should just call me Actor Yan, like everyone else."

Lin Qingyue's heart went cold at his words. Her eyes welled with moisture, and she let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, Actor Yan, have you achieved your goal, so now you want to discard me?"

Yan Chuanzhou met her gaze and didn't answer, a tacit admission of her words. Seeing this, Lin Qingyue finally realized how cold and heartless Yan Chuanzhou could be. A tear hung at the corner of her eye, refusing to fall.

Clutching her chest, Lin Qingyue sobbed, "Yan Chuanzhou, Actor Yan, I've played along with this act for so long, all for the hope that you'd look at me just once. Is this how you treat me now?"

Seeing the beauty in tears, a flicker of emotion stirred within Yan Chuanzhou. Just as he was about to reach out to comfort her, he saw Jiang Chiyu and Fang Yingying standing on the second-floor balcony, eating pears and taking in the whole scene. He immediately restrained his hand.

Noticing Yan Chuanzhou's movement, Lin Qingyue looked up in the direction of his gaze, and sure enough, she locked eyes with Jiang Chiyu. A surge of resentment rose within her, her eyes dimming instantly, filled with hostility toward Jiang Chiyu.

Changing her expression and attitude, she spoke to Yan Chuanzhou, "Since that's the case, I won't force it anymore. Chuanzhou—allow me to call you that one last time—you will eventually see the love I have for you."

With that, Lin Qingyue turned and walked out. Yan Chuanzhou stood there watching her lonely retreating figure, feeling a momentary sense of melancholy.

Seeing Lin Qingyue run off, Fang Yingying couldn't help but complain, "Sister Chiyu, look at that look she just gave you. She's so scheming and targeting you at every turn. It's just disgusting." Having said her piece, she bit angrily into the pear in her hand, turning her indignation into appetite.

Yan Chuanzhou turned to look at Jiang Chiyu, but she ignored him completely, turning and walking into her room.