Chapter 244 Can You Be Any More Double-Standard Than This?

Gu Jinzhou immediately realized he had said the wrong thing. He turned to look at Yan Huaijin, his arrogant expression instantly softening into one of appeasement.

Even his voice dropped several tones, turning gentle. “Ah Jin, that’s not what I meant. I just spoke without thinking—you know how I am. Don’t be mad… I know I was wrong…”

As he spoke, he cautiously tugged at Yan Huaijin’s sleeve, blinking his eyes like a large dog that had done something wrong.

Yan Huaijin glanced at him without speaking, but his expression softened slightly.

Watching this, Lu Er couldn’t help rolling his eyes. “Gu Jinzhou, can you be any more double-standard than this?”

“Teacher Yan gave up his Best Actor status for you and willingly became your manager, following you around every day cleaning up your mess. What does that count as—the ultimate form of love-brain?”

Gu Jinzhou was left speechless. He opened his mouth to argue, but felt guilty and couldn’t find the words.

In the end, he could only glare at Lu Er. “That’s different.”

“How is it different?” Lu Er raised an eyebrow. “And I’m not giving up my career—I’m going back to be capital. I’m done working for others. From now on, please call me President Lu, thank you.”

The sudden turn caught Gu Jinzhou off guard. “What do you mean, capital?”

“Going back to work at my family company, of course,” Lu Er said matter-of-factly. “I’m going to be a domineering CEO. Isn’t that better than struggling in this industry like you?”

Ye Qingge couldn’t help laughing. “So you’re not retiring to be a househusband—you’re going back to be the boss?”

“Of course.” Lu Er lifted his chin. “I’m going to make lots of money and raise Doctor Song into a pampered noble.”

Gu Jinzhou: “…”

Yan Huaijin took a sip of tea and said calmly, “Actually, I’ve never really agreed with how the internet uses ‘love-brain’ as a derogatory term.”

Ye Qingge grew interested.

Yan Huaijin’s voice was steady. “In my view, only people who are truly sincere and passionate will express their love without reservation when they deeply love someone.”

“That’s not naivety or irrationality—it’s the deepest and most serious expression of emotion. It’s a kind of unwavering romance.”

Halfway through, he looked at Gu Jinzhou. “Compared to those who don’t dare to love, who fear that taking it seriously means losing, I will always applaud those who are brave in love.”

Lu Er nodded. “True. The ability to love with passion like that is incredibly rare in this day and age.”

Ye Qingge took a sip of tea. “Maybe love-brains get hurt, feel pain. But no matter the outcome, it’s still better than being timid and never truly loving at all.”

There was a kind of understanding and blessing in Yan Huaijin’s eyes. “So I don’t think your decision to leave the industry is because of being a love-brain.”

“You simply know what matters most to you. So don’t be affected by online opinions.”

“You dared to give up the halo you already had to pursue a more genuine life and love—that itself requires immense courage.”

“So, I toast to you. To your courage, to your sincerity, and to your determination to live for yourself.”

Lu Er raised his glass and clinked it with Yan Huaijin’s. The crisp sound of glass echoed. “Thank you, Teacher Yan.”

There were countless people online criticizing him as a “love-brain,” so hearing such comforting words from Yan Huaijin made it hard not to feel moved.

Yan Huaijin smiled and downed his drink.

Gu Jinzhou bit his lip and also raised his glass. “I just think it’s a pity you’re leaving the industry. But if this makes you happier, then go for it.”

Lu Er raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Learned to speak like a human now?”

“Hmph!” Gu Jinzhou clung to Yan Huaijin’s arm, acting spoiled, still sharp-tongued. “I’m only saying it for Ah Jin’s sake.”

Ye Qingge raised her glass too. “Whether you’re an actor or a CEO, I wish you all the best. If you start signing artists someday, remember me.”

Gu Jinzhou chimed in, “Since I’ll be working for someone anyway, count me in if you need people.”

The four clinked glasses and drank.

After setting down his glass, Lu Er looked at the three of them, warmth welling up in his heart.

In this industry, it wasn’t easy to find genuine friends.

He was lucky to have met these few.

Though one of them had a particularly sharp tongue.

“Thanks. Even if we’re no longer in the same industry, I’ll always remember this friendship. If I really start an entertainment company, I’ll definitely sign you.”

Ye Qingge smiled. “No need to thank us—it’s mutually beneficial. You wouldn’t treat me unfairly, right?”

“No problem.” Lu Er was generous. “I’ll definitely give you the highest profit share.”

“Don’t go back on your word, President Lu, or I’ll expose you on Weibo.”

“You’re really childish.”

Gu Jinzhou leaned against Yan Huaijin like a docile little wolfdog. “I’m just a 300-month-old baby.”

Lu Er thought: Shameless people really are invincible.

Yan Huaijin felt embarrassed and helplessly pushed him away. “You’re a 300-month-old baby, not a three-year-old one.”

Gu Jinzhou sat up, looking aggrieved. “You always call me baby. Why do you change the moment you see Lu Er?”

“…Do you still like him?”

Lu Er: “…”

Yan Huaijin’s face flushed red as he restrained the urge to hit him. “Can you think before you speak in public?”

Gu Jinzhou looked even more wronged. “I didn’t say… when exactly you like to call me baby…”

Lu Er: “…”

Ye Qingge was laughing so hard she couldn’t stand straight. “I get it—you don’t need to show off anymore…”

When it was time to leave, Ye Qingge left first since she had an early shoot the next morning.

Yan Huaijin and Gu Jinzhou stayed until the end.

Lu Er asked, “Do you need a ride?”

Yan Huaijin shook his head. “No, the driver is waiting by the road. What about you?”

“Doctor Song is coming to pick me up—he’s already on the way.”

Gu Jinzhou started nagging again. “Doctor Song this, Doctor Song that—can’t you live without him?”

Lu Er shot back, glancing at the person clinging to Yan Huaijin. “And you, 300-month-old baby—can you even walk without Teacher Yan?”

Yan Huaijin felt a headache coming on. “The two of you together don’t even add up to three years old…”

Gu Jinzhou suddenly stood straight and looked at Lu Er seriously. “About what happened before… I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize…”

Lu Er was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “Teacher Yan already apologized on your behalf, and I didn’t take it to heart anyway.”

Yan Huaijin held Gu Jinzhou’s hand. “If anything comes up, contact us anytime. Even if you’re not in the industry anymore, friends are still friends.”

“Thank you, Teacher Yan.”

After seeing them off, Lu Er looked out at the city night.

The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, brushing against his face—clear and real.

He took out his phone and opened WeChat.

At the top of his pinned chat, the latest message had been sent five minutes ago.

Song Jingmo: 【Finished? I’ve arrived.】

Lu Er smiled and typed back: 【I see the car. Miss you.】

Song Jingmo replied almost instantly: 【Miss you too. Be careful, no rush.】

In the car, Lu Er leaned back in his seat, feeling completely at peace.

Song Jingmo handed him a thermos cup. “It’s hangover soup. Even though you didn’t drink much, have some so you won’t feel bad tomorrow.”

Lu Er smiled. “My Doctor Song is really thoughtful.”

Song Jingmo gently scraped his nose affectionately. “Only for you.”