LOI Chapter 54 — True Identity

The Qianhua Award is a comprehensive TV drama award that balances professional evaluation and public favor, holding a high level of recognition in the Chinese-speaking world.

The “Patchwork Family” drama crew was seated front and center before the stage, which seemed to foreshadow their upcoming harvest.

After the host’s opening remarks, the first performance featured an end credits song from a period drama. As the spotlights focused on the stage, the cameras panned away, allowing the actors a chance to chat.

“Ge!” Qin Sui from a neighboring production swapped seats to sit beside Rong Ke. “I bet you’ll win Best Supporting Actor.”

Rong Ke had heard similar comments countless times that evening. He politely exchanged pleasantries with those he wasn’t familiar with, but since he and Qin Sui had recorded “Actors’ Summer” together, a bond had formed. He teasingly replied, “What if I don’t?”

“I’ll take responsibility,” Qin Sui thumped his chest. “If you lose, I’ll treat you to a feast. If you win, you’re buying.”

“Hey,” Zhou Lin leaned in from nearby, addressing Qin Sui, “Why aren’t you saying I’ll definitely win Best Actor?”

“You?” Qin Sui looked disgusted. “If you win, I’ll livestream myself eating shit.”

Rong Ke: “…” That’s unnecessary.

Zhou Lin chuckled, “You said it, not me. I’ll be waiting for that livestream.”

Qin Sui returned to his seat, visibly annoyed. Rong Ke felt something was wrong and asked Zhou Lin, “Do you two have some kind of grudge?”

“That kid’s got screws loose,” Zhou Lin leaned back, shrugging helplessly. “I never provoked him, but he can’t stand me.”

From what Rong Ke knew about Zhou Lin, he was charming and well-liked in the industry. It wouldn’t make sense for someone as straightforward as Qin Sui to hold a grudge against him.

As he was about to continue asking, the song ended, and the host returned to announce the Best Supporting Actor award.

Several cameras focused on Rong Ke, leaving him no choice but to show a professional smile.

When the two veteran presenters announced Rong Ke’s name, nobody in the audience seemed surprised.

Applause erupted around him as Rong Ke stood up, nodded in acknowledgment, and adjusted his suit before making his way to the stage.

The trophy for the Qianhua Award was a hand with a palm open to reveal blooming flowers, symbolizing limitless potential. Rong Ke accepted the trophy and pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket, reading the pre-prepared speech he had written.

“I must express my gratitude to those who stood by me through my darkest times…”

At first, Rong Ke didn’t bother preparing a speech, thinking that even if he won the award, just saying “thank you” a few more times would be enough.

But Yan Zhi insisted on writing him a heartfelt message—the very paper he now held.

“… Thank you.” After finishing the last line, Rong Ke exhaled in relief and joked, “Mission accomplished.”

The speech had a heavy “Yan Zhi” influence, and anyone could hear the underlying message: it was his partner’s request.

Laughter erupted from the audience, and seeing the good atmosphere, the host seized the opportunity to ask Rong Ke, “Yan Zhi was here earlier. We hear congratulations are in order for you two?”

Rong Ke didn’t like being asked about his private life, but he still smiled slightly and said, “Yeah, soon.”

As other performances began on stage, Rong Ke returned to his seat. Zhou Lin leaned over to ask, “Didn’t you say Yan Zhi was just talking nonsense?”

Earlier, Rong Ke had indeed thought that Yan Zhi was just spouting nonsense, but perhaps due to the atmosphere on stage, he suddenly felt that moving to the next stage with Yan Zhi didn’t seem so bad after all.

“Let’s not talk about me,” Rong Ke redirected the conversation. “I know Qin Sui. He wouldn’t bear a grudge without reason.”

“I told you, that kid’s got screws loose,” Zhou Lin glanced past Rong Ke at Qin Sui, explaining, “We worked on a drama together before. At the wrap party, he got drunk, so I took him back to his room. The next day, he confronted me, saying his ass was on fire and I must have done something to him. I was completely confused.”

An unexpected turn of events.

Rong Ke almost couldn’t keep up. “How did his…?”

“We ate spicy lobster that night. His delicate ass couldn’t handle it, so he blamed me,” Zhou Lin said indignantly. “He didn’t consider that if I, such a fierce top, had actually done something, he wouldn’t be able to walk.”

Rong Ke couldn’t help but laugh. “Isn’t Qin Sui a top? If he really misunderstood, no wonder he hates you.”

Zhou Lin asked curiously, “What makes you think he’s a top?”

“Intuition,” Rong Ke replied.

“You can’t even figure out your own husband’s ‘type,’ don’t talk to me about intuition,” Zhou Lin patted Rong Ke’s shoulder. “You should’ve seen that kid drunk, calling me ‘Ge’ and clinging to me. If I hadn’t had such good self-control that night…”

As they chatted, it was time to announce Best Actor.

Unfortunately for Qin Sui, Zhou Lin walked onto the stage amidst applause.

“First, I’d like to thank…” After delivering a standard acceptance speech, Zhou Lin suddenly fixed his gaze on the production team next to “Patchwork Family.” “Before I came up, someone told me if I won Best Actor, he would dress in drag. Now that I’ve won, shouldn’t you keep your promise?”

As curious onlookers followed Zhou Lin’s gaze, he directly called out, “Hm? Qin Sui.”

Qin Sui was sitting not far away, and Rong Ke could clearly see the foolish boy’s face turn red with anger.

Still, cross-dressing was better than eating shit. Perhaps he should thank Zhou Lin for his “mercy.”

“Patchwork Family” won Best TV Drama of the Year. The production team booked the banquet hall of a nearby five-star hotel for their celebration party.

As one of the main stars tonight, Rong Ke shouldn’t have left early, but Yan Zhi kept sending him seductive selfies on WeChat—temptingly beautiful images that made Rong Ke itch with desire. Seizing the opportunity when no one was paying attention, he slipped away.

After taking a taxi back to Tianxi Yunwan, Rong Ke hurried to his building.

Strangely, after pressing the up button, the elevator remained stuck on the sixth floor.

After waiting two more minutes with no movement, Rong Ke decided to take the stairs to the seventh floor.

As he passed the sixth floor, he heard a commotion from the elevator area. Rong Ke stopped to take a look and saw that the elevator was indeed occupied – Jiang Si was moving out.

As luck would have it, Jiang Si was directing workers moving a sofa near the stairwell. He spotted Rong Ke and paused. He then approached and offered a cigarette. “Congratulations, Best Supporting Actor.”

Rong Ke didn’t accept, asking instead, “You’re moving out?”

Jiang Si laughed self-deprecatingly, putting the cigarette in his mouth, and retorted, “You’ve cut off all my options. How can I afford to live here anymore?”

——He was referring to Rong Ke blocking him from “The Tempest.”

In retrospect, Jiang Si had moved into Tianxi Yunwan after becoming a top star with a rising income. At that time, he even ambitiously told Rong Ke that he would buy the apartment one day.

But two years later, he was leaving in defeat… a full circle, in a way.

“The rent here is expensive. Moving isn’t a bad idea,” Rong Ke said.

“Yes, too expensive,” Jiang Si replied expressionlessly, smoking. “Cherish your time living here.”

Although Jiang Si appeared to have an “it’s all in the past” attitude, his words still carried a sting, revealing he wasn’t as open-minded as he seemed.

“I will,” Rong Ke said, turning to leave. But Jiang Si’s next words stopped him.

“I’m a little curious,” Jiang Si said, “When did you learn Yan Zhi’s true identity? From the beginning?”

The abrupt topic change caught Rong Ke off guard. He asked, “What true identity?”

The reaction to genuine ignorance is different from feigned innocence, with subtle distinctions in the conversation.

Clearly, Rong Ke’s response wasn’t an act. Realizing this, Jiang Si’s previously lifeless expression suddenly became animated. “No way, you don’t know?”

Rong Ke didn’t respond, just slightly frowned.

His silence confirmed he really didn’t understand what Jiang Si was talking about.

Jiang Si let out a laugh, his tone suddenly excited. “His mother secretly married the CEO of Fashion Group. He’s one of the heirs to Fashion Group. You didn’t know this?”

Rong Ke was inwardly shocked but maintained his composure, asking, “What does this have to do with me?”

“So you really didn’t know,” Jiang Si extinguished his cigarette, hands in pockets, and continued leisurely, “You thought he came to China just to be MQ’s consultant? Let me tell you, that’s not it. Fashion Group’s market share in China has been hit by local brands. Their sales are declining yearly. He came to turn that around.”

“The magazine is just an entry point. To change people’s consumption habits, you first need to change their mindset. During his tenure, brands like CVV, BEJ, and SPL have been selling extremely well. You think that’s just coincidence?”

“He also had SPL sponsor ‘Patchwork Family’ and ‘Actor’s Summer,’ and now Fashion Group is investing in ‘The Tempest.’ When have you ever seen luxury brands do things like this? Simply put, it’s all for advertising.”

“I first became suspicious when he pulled my CVV endorsement. I always thought he just had connections in the fashion world. I never imagined he could influence brand operations. The incident with Liu Qing basically confirmed it. By the way, he hasn’t appeared recently because Director Wen has locked him up. Yan Zhi definitely has another identity or backing. So I asked some European friends to inquire, and sure enough, he’s actually a prince of Fashion Group.”

At this point, Rong Ke didn’t feel any of this concerned him.

He never interfered with Yan Zhi’s career. Even if what Jiang Si said was true and Yan Zhi had other motives for being MQ’s consultant, Rong Ke didn’t see any conflict between them.

“What are you trying to say?” Rong Ke asked.

“Haven’t you realized yet?” Jiang Si said with a smirk, “You’re his tool to impress his old man.”

“He needed a fresh face to cultivate into China’s local fashion icon—or, more accurately, an influencer. Obviously, he has a good eye. He chose you, and you didn’t disappoint him. Your first MQ cover for the New Year caused BEJ’s new jewelry line to sell out. Now you’re endorsing SPL. Do you know how much SPL’s sales have increased?”

Rong Ke finally understood. Jiang Si was implying that Yan Zhi had used him.

Honestly, although learning this information from Jiang Si was unpleasant, Rong Ke wasn’t foolish enough to believe his instigation.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Rong Ke composed himself and replied calmly, “It shows I have good influence on sales.”

“Mm, yes, not bad,” Jiang Si said amusedly, as if appreciating Rong Ke’s stubbornness. “When I first heard this news, I thought you already knew and were riding on Yan Zhi’s coattails. But then I realized that’s not like you. Running into you now, I thought I’d ask, and it turns out you knew nothing.”

“So I guess you haven’t realized that ‘The Tempest’ is actually a large-scale advertisement for Fashion Group? Yan Zhi certainly didn’t tell you, otherwise you definitely wouldn’t have acted in it.”

Well.

That statement successfully struck a nerve with Rong Ke.

Because he, indeed, didn’t notice.