What’S Wrong With Just Eating His Majesty’S Soft Rice? Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Two Fools

Dropping that line, Lin Er turned around with his meal and left to harass someone else.

Being an emperor isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You’re locked in the palace all day like a canary, never seeing anything fun. Why not try a different identity? How about pretending to be… uh, a nanny?

Fang Cheng felt a strange sense of responsibility toward Zhou Yinli. He figured this illness had probably lasted a long time, but if he subtly persuaded him every day, maybe there was still hope for a cure.

Zhou Yinli gave Fang Cheng a meaningful look. Indeed, I can no longer be the emperor here.

Fang Cheng was pleasantly surprised. It is good that you have realized that. You still have a chance to change your identity and start over. I believe in you. You can definitely step out from the shadows of the past and begin a new life!

After saying it, he remembered he was a lay-flat slacker himself, yet here he was advising someone else to turn over a new leaf and embrace life with positivity. If anyone heard him, they would probably laugh their heads off. He felt a bit embarrassed after finishing his speech.

Zhou Yinli, however, seemed to actually be considering it. If I am not the emperor, what should I do?

Fang Cheng thought to himself: If you are not the emperor, you are a normal person. What else would you do? But he had to play along. Well, what do you like?

Zhou Yinli shook his head. I have no particular hobbies. Because my Imperial Father favored the martial arts, I spent my youth either studying or practicing martial arts. When I grew older, I joined the army and followed my uncle to guard the borders. I imagine I cannot join the military here. After Zhen—after I ascended the throne, I had even less free time, mostly handling state affairs. If there was a spare moment, I would practice martial arts or read.

Hearing him recount these things with such a straight face gave Fang Cheng a headache.

Just a moment ago, he thought the guy had come to his senses and realized being an emperor wasn’t normal, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was back to being a severe delusional.

He wanted to mock Zhou Yinli like before, but the words would not come out because he had begun to sense that something was off. The scene of Zhou Yinli fighting those thugs flashed through his mind.

Would a simple mental patient with great strength be that fast? And then there were Zhou Yinli’s clothes and that sword. Everything hinted at something eerie.

His non-existent family… it seemed everything was pointing toward a place he had overlooked.

Should these things really exist?

Was Zhou Yinli really just an ordinary mental patient?

Once the seeds of doubt are sown, they quickly take root and sprout. But some things were so contrary to common sense that every time Fang Cheng considered the possibility, he would steer his thoughts away.

In this situation, he could only continue to talk nonsense. Oh, well, you had better find a hobby. Even an emperor has to eat. You need to earn money to support yourself.

How does one earn money? Zhou Yinli asked quite seriously.

Go be a bodyguard. I see you are pretty good at fighting. Fang Cheng actually started giving the matter some serious thought.

Bodyguard? Is that a job similar to an escort master? Zhou Yinli asked.

More or less. You have to protect the boss all the time, wear a suit and sunglasses. It looks pretty cool, Fang Cheng explained.

That is a guard. One must sign a deed of sale to the master’s house. Zhou Yinli spoke seriously, frowning.

You mean a labor contract? Yeah, close enough. It is a bit like a deed of sale, Fang Cheng mused.

Zhou Yinli shook his head. I cannot sign a deed of sale. Nor do I wish to be driven by others at will.

Fang Cheng let out a snort of laughter, thinking to himself that he did not even know if anyone would want him yet, and here he was being picky. He had not intended to say much more, but after a moment’s thought, his heart softened, and he looked at Zhou Yinli seriously to explain:

Any job means working for someone else. You have to sign these contracts and follow orders. Unless you start your own business, but that is risky and requires startup capital. You don’t have any money right now. If you don’t work for others, are you going to go rob someone?

Zhou Yinli fell silent, seemingly digesting Fang Cheng’s words.

Fang Cheng patted his shoulder. Anyway, to survive in society, everyone is constrained by others. A contract is just an agreement between two parties, but it is better than a deed of sale because you can terminate it unilaterally. If you don’t want to do it, you can resign; they can’t force you. As for being driven by others, there is no way around that. No job is completely free. If you want to earn money, you have to be prepared to sell your labor, your time, or your looks. It just depends on the price.

As Fang Cheng spoke, he felt the atmosphere becoming too serious. He quickly shut his mouth. What was the point of repeating these clichés? Everyone knew these truths. Being preachy was not a good habit!

He had already decided that once the filming was over, he would call the police to send Zhou Yinli home or back to the mental hospital. Besides, since his family had provided him with those clothes, maybe they were willing to support his career in mental illness.

Once he was back home or in the hospital, Zhou Yinli would surely have no more interaction with him.

When Lin Er said it was a small role, he meant it. Zhou Yinli followed along for a few more scenes in the afternoon, and by the end of the day, all his parts were finished. To save costs, Lin Er’s filming efficiency was very high.

The reason it went so fast was also because Lin Er had not been able to find a suitable actor for the emperor and had delayed these scenes until today. He had originally planned to just grab any male actor at the last minute.

Although no acting skills were required, it was not a role just anyone could play. At the very least, when it came to that imperial aura, Zhou Yinli blew ordinary actors out of the water. Even with the same stride, he just had more presence. Lin Er felt like he had found a hidden treasure.

Fang Cheng did not know this and was quite surprised that Zhou Yinli could earn five thousand in such a short time.

Was it just because his face was decent?

In the dressing room, Fang Cheng spent a long time making faces at himself in the mirror, still thinking he was quite handsome.

While he was looking in the mirror, Zhang Yi caught him and teased him for a while. Are you swooning over yourself?

Fang Cheng flared up in embarrassment. What’s wrong with that? Can’t I swoon over myself?

Zhang Yi paused. Don’t laugh. Don’t grin like that, pull it back. Open your eyes, don’t frown. Just like that.

Fang Cheng endured it and held the expression as she requested. Zhang Yi was quick and snapped a photo.

Fang Cheng leaned in to take a look and felt the person in the photo was a bit of a stranger. He did not even recognize his own face when it was serious.

Still very handsome, Fang Cheng commented.

Zhang Yi huffed, but surprisingly did not argue. You’re passable when you’re being serious.

Are we going back now? A voice as cold as ice shards rang out in his ear.

Fang Cheng and Zhang Yi looked up together to see Zhou Yinli standing beside them, though they had not noticed when he arrived.

It gave them both a fright. Fang Cheng rubbed his nose, wondering why he detected a hint of anger in Zhou Yinli’s eyes. It must be an illusion.

He had not provoked the guy.

Wait a second, I still have something to do.

He ran over to Lin Er, who was currently notifying the crew that they would have a wrap party tomorrow. Everyone had to be there, including Zhou Yinli. Fang Cheng thought Lin Er was being too demanding—what was the big deal if someone didn’t go? But looking at Zhou Yinli, he had clearly already agreed to attend. Fang Cheng thought, I’ll tolerate you for one more day as a favor to Lin Er.

Once Lin Er finished speaking, Fang Cheng immediately looked at him expectantly, waiting for the money.

Lin Er stared at him suspiciously. What money? Why would I give you the acting fee? Haven’t I already given you your referral fee?

Fang Cheng froze, only then remembering.

Logically, this money was Zhou Yinli’s acting fee and should not be given to him. But Fang Cheng had subconsciously assumed that since he introduced Zhou Yinli, and since Zhou Yinli was a mental patient with no ability to manage money, the acting fee would naturally go to him.

Plus, he had been running around diligently throughout the process, working hard and being dedicated. He felt he deserved the money for his professionalism.

But Lin Er did not see it that way. He thought: Zhou Yinli acts, Zhou Yinli gets the fee. Fang Cheng introduced him, so Fang Cheng gets a referral fee.

One thing had nothing to do with the other. Fang Cheng was not Zhou Yinli’s manager. He had even wondered why Fang Cheng had been so busy following him around these past few days; usually, Fang Cheng had no interest in his filming and certainly would not stay for the whole day.

Fang Cheng was at his wit’s end. Lin Er was not as easy to fool as Zhou Yinli. If he insisted that Zhou Yinli was a mental patient, Lin Er still would not give him the money. Instead, he would give it to Zhou Yinli’s guardian or even put out a missing person’s notice to find his family.

Then he would have absolutely no hope of getting the money.

Fang Cheng squeezed out a smile. He doesn’t have a phone. You can’t transfer the money to him. Give it to me first, and I’ll give it to him later.

Lin Er frowned. How can someone not have a phone? It’s not like he’s a caveman.

Fang Cheng snorted. Why don’t you believe me? Have you seen him take out a phone once these past few days?

Lin Er still would not believe it. I’ll call him over and ask.

When Zhou Yinli’s phone was produced, Lin Er was a bit shocked. He felt it was impossible for a young, strong modern man to still be using such a device.

What about a bank card? You must have a bank card, Lin Er asked. If you don’t have one, you should at least have an ID card to go open an account.

Zhou Yinli was smart enough not to ask what those things were, simply glancing over at Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng blinked. He doesn’t have those either. I told you, he’s been living in the mountains.

Lin Er still refused to give the money to Fang Cheng. He said to Zhou Yinli, How about this, I’ll go withdraw some cash for you.

Fang Cheng’s face turned green instantly. He could not find another excuse. Zhou Yinli did not say anything, just nodded indifferently.

Fang Cheng rolled his eyes in frustration. He grabbed a bottle of water and gulped it down. Since it was the crew’s water, it would be a waste not to drink it. After finishing one bottle, he decided to take a few more with him.

Lin Er went to get the money.

Fang Cheng was heartbroken, sitting there questioning his life choices.

Before long, the cash was brought over. Lin Er handed it to Zhou Yinli with a smile. Let’s work together again if there’s a chance.

Fang Cheng watched the money change hands with longing eyes. His heart bled. Hadn’t he just worked for nothing like a fool? After putting in so much effort and taking such big risks, he had only earned two hundred and fifty. Oh, wait, there was the final payment too—that made it two two-hundred-and-fifties.

Double. He felt like a total two-hundred-and-fifty himself.

Just as Fang Cheng was grieving, Zhou Yinli, having received the money, gave the five thousand yuan a casual glance. With an indifferent expression, he turned around and handed the money straight to Fang Cheng.

Lin Er: ??????