Chapter 14: The Fallen Child Star (14) Part 2

After just a few days away, the grapes in the courtyard had ripened.

Following a good night’s rest, Yao Rong, Xu Weiheng, and Zhang Qingyi picked all the ripe grapes to prevent birds from ruining them.

They filled a large bamboo basket, far more than they could eat themselves. Yao Rong asked Xu Weiheng to distribute some to their neighbors.

Having often walked the dog around the neighborhood, Xu Weiheng was familiar with several neighbors. He easily handed out the grapes and received various snacks as gifts in return.

After setting down the snacks, he picked up a freshly washed grape. Just as he was about to eat it, Yao Rong suddenly said, “Dear Family wants to invite both of us to participate in their variety show recording.”

Xu Weiheng’s face immediately scrunched up.

…From the sourness of the grape.

“This bunch isn’t ripe enough,” he said, removing the entire bunch from the fruit bowl to prevent others from accidentally eating them.

Yao Rong smiled and followed his lead, changing the subject. “Spray some white wine on them, seal them in a plastic bag, and leave them for a couple of days. They’ll be fine.”

“Oh, okay,” Xu Weiheng quickly responded but didn’t get up immediately. Instead, he brought the topic back, “Why are they suddenly inviting us?”

“The Xu family are regular guests for the third season. The production team invited us because of the recent buzz. If we mother and son appear on the same stage with the Xu family, it will definitely attract many viewers who don’t usually follow the show.”

A variety show’s lifespan is limited. The first season of Dear Family was a phenomenal hit, but the second season couldn’t maintain that momentum. Now, with the third season about to start recording, the production team naturally wanted to find ways to increase interest and expand their audience.

Xu Weiheng’s expression darkened dramatically. “No way, we can’t participate in this show! You haven’t agreed to them, have you?”

“Why can’t we participate?”

Thinking Yao Rong hadn’t fully considered the pros and cons, Xu Weiheng anxiously explained, “The production team isn’t inviting us out of charity, but to create buzz. This way, they’ll definitely arrange for us to confront the Xu family.”

Although reluctant to admit he wasn’t as good as Xu Yiyuan, Xu Weiheng gritted his teeth and said, to make Yao Rong understand the situation, “Xu Yiyuan has always been great on variety shows. He’s participated in quite a few over the past two years, and he’s both quick-witted and entertaining. When he first debuted, he… he stepped on me to get ahead…”

At this point, Xu Weiheng extended his long, pale fingers and began to list the facts for Yao Rong.

“I still have some money saved up, and living expenses in a small county town aren’t high. As long as we work hard in the future, our lives will keep getting better.”

“But what about the Xu family? Their reputation has started to decline, and now they’re the ones eager to restore it. If we participate in the show and appear on stage with them, if they perform well and we perform poorly, they’ll use us as stepping stones.”

“Then they’ll rise even higher, while our newly peaceful lives will be disrupted. We can’t let the Xu family have their way!”

Yao Rong listened quietly to Xu Weiheng’s analysis.

His thoughts were clear, and each point was well-articulated.

However—

Yao Rong said, “Your assumptions are based on one premise: that we two will be inferior to the Xu family.”

Xu Weiheng’s body stiffened slightly, his lips moved, but he couldn’t find any way to refute.

He had to admit that what Yao Rong said was true.

Yao Rong placed her palm gently over Xu Weiheng’s hand, her voice soft and soothing.

“I know what the production team is planning, and I also know what dreams the Xu family is having. Those aren’t what I’m focusing on. What I really care about is—Weiheng, did you enjoy last night’s stage?”

“…I did.”

“Why did you choose to enter the entertainment industry in the first place?”

“Because…”

Xu Weiheng suddenly found it hard to continue.

His initial choice to enter the entertainment industry was partly related to Yao Rong, but a large part was also because he wanted to be praised, recognized, and loved.

Once you’ve tasted being praised, recognized, and loved, it becomes addictive.

Yao Rong said, “Don’t worry about the Xu family, and don’t consider whether they’ll use you to get ahead. Face your heart and listen closely to your true inner needs.”

Xu Weiheng lowered his eyes, the hand held by Yao Rong unconsciously clenching into a fist. “The first time I stood in front of a camera at six years old, I actually enjoyed it. But I don’t know what happened to me, how I… how I started to fear the camera.”

He placed his hand on his chest, his voice choking up and a self-mocking smile on his face: “I don’t know why I always manage to mess up my life. Is it because my personality is terrible?”

Yao Rong tapped his forehead lightly, both amused and exasperated: “Of course not. If you don’t believe me, go ask your Aunt Zhang, Grandpa Zhang, and all the neighbors who know you, see if they like you. You lost before because you were alone, but Xu Yiyuan had his parents plotting for him. But now it’s different. You have me.”

Xu Weiheng tightly closed his eyes and asked, “If we participate in the variety show, what should I do?”

“Be yourself.”

Don’t try to please the audience.

Just be yourself, and the recognition you gain will be genuine.

“If I still don’t want to participate in the variety show, will you be disappointed in me?”

“No, I’ll respect your choice,” Yao Rong sighed. This child always asked such silly questions. “Your willingness to return to the spotlight is because you’re brave. If you’re not willing, it’s because you need a little more time.”**

Xu Weiheng suddenly felt like laughing.

Ms. Yao’s words meant: No matter what, it wasn’t his fault.

The afternoon breeze was gentle, sunlight filtering through the trees fell on half of Yao Rong’s face, softening her features and making her gaze at him seem even more tender.

Being looked at with such eyes truly could give birth to endless courage, making one feel they had the strength and solitary bravery to fight against the world’s malice.

“Actually, I really hate the Xu family. I don’t want them to think I’m afraid of them,” Xu Weiheng’s eyebrows slightly raised, adding a touch of youthful spirit. “Let’s participate in the variety show and take back what the Xu family owes us, with interest.”

The Xu family owed him a lot, but they owed Ms. Yao even more.

If Ms. Yao was willing to respect all his choices, why couldn’t he be brave once for her?

He had said he would protect her well in the future.