Chapter 62: Rewarded with a Small Car!
Yan Shisan's handsomeness did not merely captivate men; women, naturally, were left completely spellbound by him.
Unlike modern times, ladies in ancient eras might have had a particular fondness for someone like the Third Master.
However, modern girls would definitely prefer Yan Shisan!
Huo Siyan had practically become Ji Yu's fangirl, her pretty face blushing and turning bashful the moment she laid eyes on him, eagerly coming over to greet him.
The look Yu Feihong gave Ji Yu also carried a few more shades of appreciative fondness.
Yet, unfortunately, Ji Yu was far too immersed in the world of Yan Shisan to extricate himself.
His mind was entirely occupied by how he could possibly look even more handsome!
Women were trivial; the sword was of the utmost importance!
With Jin Demao's backing, Ji Yu's performances were no longer restricted. His acting grew increasingly flawless, and his state of mind reached new heights.
He had completely lost himself in the character.
The scenes for Yan Shisan, originally scheduled for fifteen days, were wrapped up by Ji Yu in a mere eight days.
Tomorrow, the crew would pack up and head home for the Lunar New Year, as all of Yan Shisan's scenes were now fully completed.
Only the final showdown against the Third Master in the desert remained!
Since that final sequence was unfilmed, the mission could not be considered entirely accomplished; they would have to wait until next year to shoot the remaining portions.
A lingering sense of reluctance tugged at Ji Yu's heart—he hadn't had his fill of looking handsome yet!
*Aha! Take my sword!*
Ji Yu swiftly reached out and snatched a small cookie right out of Jin Demao's hands.
In all martial arts under heaven, speed is unbreakable!
Gazing up at the heavens and letting out a long, helpless sigh, Jin Demao pulled another pack of small cookies from his pocket.
*Crunch... crunch...*
Accustomed to being raided by Ji Yu, what else could he possibly do?
Devoid of any sense of guilt, Ji Yu finished his own share and then reached into Jin Demao's bag for more.
Jin Demao said nothing, merely accelerating the speed at which he ate.
Watching from the side, Yu Feihong couldn't help but chuckle.
Director, you just spoil him endlessly.
He's practically become the crown prince of the production crew!
Crunching on a cookie, Ji Yu asked, "Today is the wrap day, huh? Are there any gifts?"
Jin Demao cast a side-eye at him and retorted, "Do you want a slap across the mouth?"
"You wouldn't have the heart. After all, I'm your best actor."
"I..." Jin Demao was almost angry enough to laugh, though upon reflection, it was entirely true.
He had formerly been an actor himself, making his debut as the Yellow River Swordsman before transitioning to directing last year, having co-directed three previous productions with others.
This was his first time directing entirely solo, and Ji Yu was truly the most harmonious actor he had ever encountered.
The kid possessed a lovable personality, and he genuinely liked him.
After a brief pause for thought, Jin Demao said, "I'll treat you to dinner tonight. That's generous enough, right?"
"You said it yourself, alright."
Ji Yu flashed a cheeky grin, arched an eyebrow at Yu Feihong, and called out, "Join us tonight! Let's borrow flowers to present to the Buddha and thoroughly bleed the director dry!"
Seeing his mischievous demeanor, Yu Feihong couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead.
So aloof and cold on screen, how could he be such a rascal off screen?
Off screen, he was truly the practitioner of the Thirteen Deadly Rascal Moves!
At dinner that evening, Ji Yu truly cast aside all politeness, immediately ordering a mountain of dishes.
The corners of Jin Demao's eyes twitched violently at the sight.
"That's quite enough out of you, kid! Do you expect us to finish all this?"
Ji Yu pouted slightly and muttered, "Such a stingy old miser."
Jin Demao instantly felt the urge to march over and throttle this brat; did the boy really think he was too old to fight back?
Did he understand the prowess of someone who had been shooting martial arts films since the 1980s?
Back then, he was a formidable expert who could go toe-to-toe with the Double-Sword Master Yu Chenghui!
Just a puny Yan Shisan—watch me skewer you with a single sword!
With a hearty laugh, Ji Yu dodged away and darted out to use the restroom.
Yet when he returned, his expression was one of absolute agony.
He had ordered too much; he really shouldn't have been playing the rascal earlier.
Noticing his expression, the corners of Yu Feihong's lips curved upward slightly.
He must have gone to pay the bill. At least he had a sense of propriety; things done quietly behind the scenes carried real weight.
As the meal concluded, Jin Demao prepared to pay, only to discover that Ji Yu had already settled the bill. Unbidden, a surge of even greater fondness for the young man welled up in his heart.
The boy actually knew how to conduct himself!
Stepping out of the restaurant, a slightly tipsy Jin Demao threw an arm around Ji Yu's shoulders and declared, "Whenever I direct a project in the future, I'm casting you! You have to promise me, no rejections allowed!"
"Is it the male lead?"
"I can't make the call on the male lead, but the role will definitely be a standout. As long as you come, you can play whatever you want!"
"No problem at all. We're brothers, aren't we?"
Grinning mischievously, Ji Yu glanced back at Yu Feihong and Huo Siyan trailing behind them, then whispered into Jin Demao's ear, "Shall I treat you to a foot massage?"
"Hey? I'm not that kind of man!"
"Then are you going or not?"
"Let's go, let's go, let's go."
Twenty minutes later, Ji Yu and Jin Demao returned to the hotel shivering from the freezing cold.
The day after tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and the foot massage parlors were already closed!
Had they no awareness of holiday price surges!
Early the next morning, the crew packed their belongings in preparation for departure, and Ji Yu also picked up his duffel bag, ready to head home for the Lunar New Year.
"Are you heading to Beijing? We're taking the same route. Let me give you a ride to the airport."
Sitting inside the car, Yu Feihong looked at Ji Yu and asked, with Huo Siyan seated in the back row.
Shaking his head, Ji Yu replied, "I need to go to Shanghai first, then to Beijing tomorrow."
"Alright then. See you next year, and happy New Year in advance."
"Happy New Year."
Ji Yu hoisted his bag and headed off to brave the crowds for a long-distance bus.
What kind of logic was this!
Clearly a star now, yet without an assistant and not even a car of his own!
After several hours on the bus back to Shanghai, Ji Yu headed straight to the company office.
The company was already on holiday leave, with only Lao Cai and her assistant remaining.
Seeing Ji Yu return, a smile immediately broke out across Lao Cai's face.
"Well, well, if it isn't our big star returning."
"Sister, please spare me the jokes. Look at how crushed I got on the coach—my hairstyle is completely ruined."
Lao Cai shot him a sidelong glance, pulled a set of car keys from her desk drawer, and tossed them over. "Company car. It's yours to drive from now on."
Catching them in surprise, Ji Yu glanced at the keys and immediately beamed.
Though merely a Ford Focus, it looked to be a brand-new car!
"Did the company strike it rich?" Ji Yu asked with lingering curiosity. K-L-S-O-B-I-N
Lao Cai smiled and said, "It's all thanks to you. *The New Adventures of Detective Kolan* has sold all three rounds of broadcast rights, making at least this much!"
Looking at the three fingers Lao Cai held up, Ji Yu felt it didn't seem like all that much.
Was three million really a lot?
Oh right, this was the year 2000.
In that case, it was indeed a massive sum.
Lao Cai was rewarding Ji Yu with a car for another very important reason: Jin Demao had personally called her to shower the young man with effusive praise.
The compliments were so glowing that even Lao Cai felt a tinge of disbelief.
For this rascal of a kid, simply managing not to offend people was already a minor miracle.
Only after verifying that Jin Demao wasn't exaggerating did Lao Cai decide to reward Ji Yu with a vehicle.
She was afraid he might run off!
With *The New Adventures of Detective Kolan* achieving success while Li Yapeng was relegated to the background, Li was clearly unhappy, and his desire to leave the agency was growing increasingly evident.
Lao Cai was simply planning ahead just in case; if Li Yapeng did bolt, someone in the company needed to be able to step into his shoes.
As things stood, Ji Yu was the most suitable candidate for the job!
Although Gallen Lo had also signed with Tangren, his contract only covered the mainland market, and his primary career development remained in Hong Kong.
With numerous calculations running through her mind, Lao Cai looked at Ji Yu and asked, "Where are you planning to spend the New Year?"
"I'll head to Beijing. Tonight I'll go home, paste some Spring Festival couplets, and then I'm off."
"Care to come with me to Hong Kong for the New Year? I'll show you around, and then you can fly straight to Taiwan after the holiday!"
"Huh? Really?!"
Ji Yu looked at Lao Cai in genuine astonishment; to be honest, he had never actually been to Hong Kong!
In truth, he really wanted to go and see it for himself!
"Of course it's real. Are you coming or not?"
"I am! Most definitely am!"
Only a fool would pass up an opportunity like this!
He would just have to apologize to Teacher Li and go find her in Beijing after returning from Taiwan!