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On the other side, He Tao, busy stringing chicken feet at double speed, didn’t hear this statement. After all, he was in the kitchen handling ingredients, and later, he had to move to his rundown pickup truck for the barbecue stall.
The audience got the impression that he was watching the projection.
In reality, he was looking at the phone placed behind him, pretending not to glance at it every now and then.
Fortunately, there were many repeaters in the barrage.
[Not as handsome as your boyfriend?? Yes, yes, not at all!]
[What a pity. I also want to see him in this script with E-God… I feel like E-God won’t act in the future. Missing this opportunity is such a shame.]
[Actually, these two guys aren’t bad either… I’ve followed one of them on Instagram; he’s a film school student.]
Qi Tianda fell silent too.
Of course, he knew that Chi Yizhen was a model and also knew who Chi Yizhen’s boyfriend was.
It was his senior, He Tiao, who looked like he was about to embrace Buddhism.
Qi Tianda just felt that He Tiao had something special with Chi Yizhen, and watching some live broadcasts helped him understand why.
After all, Chi Yizhen’s eyes were exceptionally charming, with peach blossom eyes exuding both charm and innocence, which indeed suited the preferences of certain otakus.
He didn’t expect the real person to be even more exaggerated.
Qi Tianda thought, “Is he acting?”
But did this person have acting skills before?
Chi Yizhen: “But my boyfriend is socially anxious and doesn’t like to talk, so this line of work isn’t suitable for him.”
He even made a distressed expression. If Qi Tianda hadn’t seen He Tiao before, he might have thought this person had some quirks and was just boasting about his simple-minded spouse.
Chi Yizhen: “With my boyfriend’s looks, he could definitely become famous overnight.”
[I believe it.]
[He’s not lying; I believe it too.]
[Looking at E-God right now, he has finished stringing the chicken feet and is now working on the chicken gizzards, still smiling foolishly.]
[I’m going to report him! Is he watching the livestream?]
[He’s using a projector to watch an animated show…]
Qi Tianda, with a numb expression, played along, “Really? Then what job is your boyfriend doing now?”
Chi Yizhen was still in ancient costume, standing on the side without sitting down. Male characters in ancient costumes rarely had elaborate outfits, especially in fantasy settings with no extravagant headpieces.
But the simpler the look, the more it complemented his ethereal temperament. Even though he was himself now, without the aura of a character, there was a subtle hint of flaunting.
“He’s a self-employed worker.”
Qi Tianda: “Owns a business?”
Chi Yizhen: “He sells barbecue at the night market.”
Qi Tianda nodded, thinking that he really wanted to go and see.
Thinking that since we’re already acquainted, it wouldn’t hurt to make a cameo!
Qi Tianda: “How about I come…”
Chi Yizhen shook his head, “You don’t understand. He earns good money like this, but it’s very hard work.”
He seamlessly slipped into the role of a good boyfriend: “So, I want to become famous and support him.”
[Hahaha, damn! This script is not bad!]
[Weren’t you talking about being an 18th-tier celebrity relying on your husband to get rich and support you? What’s going on with you two?]
[Even through the screen, you can feel Boss Qi’s speechlessness.]
Qi Tianda held back for a while before managing to say, “You can do it.”
He felt that, given Chi Yizhen’s current acting skills, with a little packaging, it would be completely fine. And with Senior He, who wasn’t short on money, genuinely supporting Chi Yizhen’s dreams might be possible.
[Chi Chi, quickly become famous! I’m really looking forward to him completely outshining You Yuxing!]
[I’m also looking forward to it…]
He Tiao also saw Chi Yizhen’s words in the barrage.
Even though he knew this was part of the show, just a scripted dialogue for their variety show personas, He Tiao still felt a somewhat inexplicable anticipation.
As if they could really maintain this kind of relationship forever, letting everyone know about it until the end of time.
Chi Yizhen spent the morning at Tianheng Studio discussing the script for this melodramatic fantasy short drama with Qi Tianda and the two “wild dogs” actors.
Qi Tianda, as the crown prince of Qiyi Entertainment, was not short of money. Even though he was currently in the phase of proving himself away from home, his caring mother kept sending him money.
Qi Tianda: “We’re only shooting five episodes as a trial, each lasting ten minutes.”
He put on a pair of glasses as he got into work mode, looking a bit serious at first glance. In reality, he chuckled foolishly while reading the script, “Let’s release a trailer first.”
The offer from the collaborating party this time was quite high, and Chi Yizhen clearly felt like he had made a good deal. He was eager to film more of this kind and had no interest in continuing as an internet model. He was very cooperative.
Chi Yizhen’s experience in the original world and his journey in the entertainment industry were somewhat different from those of actors who had climbed up through the ranks.
Perhaps the hardships he faced during his time as a child model, coupled with the departure of his parents and adoptive parents, were the reasons that had deeply impacted him. The signs of a bitter-sweet turn of events began to show, and after the age of fifteen, everything seemed to go smoothly. He skyrocketed to fame in his career, and subsequent resources also fell into place.
He kept up with the changes.
So, for Chi Yizhen, many actors’ experiences of early roles in mediocre films seemed a bit distant. Later, when he wanted to change his path and take on different roles, he found that he couldn’t even land any mediocre films. Most of the characters he played had substantial depth in the script.
Now, roles like this… the stereotyped cold and aloof mentor unexpectedly piqued Chi Yizhen’s interest.
The livestream showed the scene in Qi Tianda’s meeting room. He was a casual person, and since these short dramas couldn’t compete with the high-budget idol dramas, he had the actors do makeup tests to get a feel for their characters before going through the lines together.
This approach left many viewers feeling after a whole morning:
Aren’t you guys being too hasty?
The thing is, Xianggua’s variety shows had this kind of charm. In the past, edited recordings could create a climax within minutes, and now, with ordinary live broadcasts, they used handsome guys with top-notch looks to capture people’s attention.
Just like Chi Yizhen’s styling, even without exaggerated soft light filters, could still outshine the currently hyped characters. As a result, in just one morning, his character’s appearance in the livestream was shared countless times, sparking massive discussions.
What’s even funnier is that there were cases of mistaken identity in the reposts, with people thinking it was a drama featuring You Yuxing. These were automatically reshared by bots, and they ended up tagged with You Yuxing’s name.
And then…
As expected, it triggered a wave of ridicule.
On this side, Chi Yizhen entered the state of shooting the short drama and was taken by Qi Tianda to the prepared indoor set in the afternoon.
This stress-free, fully staged short drama piqued the curiosity of many viewers. After all, the entertainment industry has always appeared glamorous, and even though the public knows about the behind-the-scenes grit and grime of filming, they remain curious about the production process. Moreover, this was their first time seeing Chi Yizhen act.
Somehow, a persistent critic took every opportunity to jump up and down in the official announcement of the live broadcast for “My Days in the Apartment Building”:
– Waiting for Chi Yizhen’s bad acting skills!
– He’s just a block of wood. What can he act in a live broadcast?
– Is his face really natural? Can anyone prove it?
– Isn’t this part from Xianggua just a copycat move? There are thousands of ancient idols, so why did they have to collide with “Thousand Miles of Moonlight and Heart Bay” in terms of styling?
…
“The Moonlit Heart Bay” is the recent ancient idol drama that You Yuxing starred in, hyped to the heavens. It was described as a phenomenal hit, with massive national popularity, a production budget in the billions, and fans recommending it all the way. Relying on his status as a top-tier star and being the boss lady of Tianti Xin Entertainment, no one dared to confront him directly.
However, You Yuxing’s popularity with the general public has never been that great. Although his grassroots background provided a good opportunity to capture the favor of the general public, he didn’t seem interested in staying down-to-earth. In his early years, his wealthy family background facade completely collapsed, and he was exposed for having a fake educational background due to being unable to solve a middle school math problem on a variety show.
Nevertheless, Tianxin Entertainment’s PR team managed to continuously polish his image, and over time, these controversies were gradually forgotten.
Now, this group of fans was flaunting their dominance under the official account, and many fans who kept an eye on these matters were instantly angered, propelling “My Days in the Apartment Building” back into the trending topics.
You Yuxing paid close attention to all of this.
He regretted even more now that he turned down Zhang Miya’s variety show. Although he was no longer the laborer from the countryside, and money was not an issue, he still desired a good reputation and enjoyed the feeling of being liked by people.
During the break from recording the variety show at noon, he finally brought it up with Sheng Xin.
They had been recording variety shows outside for quite some time, and the variety show team had clearly noticed that the relationship between this couple was a bit tense.
You Yuxing’s attempts to please were too obvious, and Sheng Xin’s aloofness was equally apparent.
The two even sleep in separate rooms, completely different from the passionate scenes captured by the paparazzi, where they were in and out of the apartment, entwined for two nights.
“Brother Xin, lately… mine…”
You Yuxing exudes a gentle demeanor, and even though he may resemble Chi Yizhen, certain things are hard to change.
For instance, his accent when speaking; when nervous, it takes on a bit of his hometown flavor.
In reality, this kind of accent could be considered cute on a variety show, serving as a charming point. Unfortunately, it sounds particularly grating to Sheng Xin.
Without even looking at You Yuxing, Sheng Xin plans to head to rest.
During this period, many people have sent him messages about Chi Yizhen, including some former classmates. However, upon learning that he and You Yuxing have officially registered their marriage, there’s a sense of regret.
They think, “You’ve already gone that far, why not go all the way?”
Look, now they’re addressing each other as husband and wife. Little Sheng, you’ve fallen short.
Look at this, now they’re openly calling each other husband and wife. Little Sheng Zong, you’ve fallen short.
However, except for a few individuals, most people won’t openly mock them. After all, Sheng Xin is the boss of Tianxin Entertainment, and if he has the means, it’s his own capability.
You Yuxing grabs Sheng Xin’s arm, not caring that there are still many people around. From behind, he embraces Sheng Xin and calls him “Brother Xin” again.
Sheng Xin: “What are you doing?”
His tone is naturally cold. Without struggling or turning his head, he merely glances at the onlookers around them.
“Is it interesting for you to act provocatively in public?”
You Yuxing: “You promised to finish recording this variety show.”
Sheng Xin: “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll leave?”
You Yuxing: “Little Zhang said he booked a flight ticket back to S City for you.”
Sheng Xin: “You’ve even reached out to my assistant?”
He turns around, firmly gripping You Yuxing’s wrist. The pain makes You Yuxing grit his teeth, tears welling up in his eyes but refusing to fall.
You Yuxing knows Sheng Xin’s triggers too well.
Lowering his eyes and adopting an angle that resembles Chi Yizhen’s the most, he says, “It hurts.”
Sheng Xin sneers, “You’re so good at crawling into beds, why not crawl into his?”
Then he nods, “I’ve arranged for the program team to add interactions between the surprise guests and you. I’m going back to S City.”
You Yuxing: “You’re going to see him, aren’t you? You clearly said you don’t love him anymore!”
Sheng Xin doesn’t hide it, admitting bluntly, “Yes, I do like him. This time, I must have him.”
The people around have been wisely cleared out by the assistant. You Yuxing is trembling with anger, “You clearly said you only love me.”
He extends his hand, the dazzling diamond ring on his ring finger serves as evidence of Sheng Xin’s love in the eyes of the audience.
“Sheng Xin, you shouldn’t be too…”
A hand reaches over, appearing to be a lover’s caress at first glance, with the palm pressing against the warm neck of You Yuxing.
You Yuxing is aware of Sheng Xin’s preferences, swallows hard, and instinctively pleads for mercy.
Sheng Xin smiles, “I don’t know how you managed to make me willingly marry you.”
“But, You Yuxing,” he pauses, “others may not know, but you know how much I desire to have You Yizhen, right?”
This is a blatant insult. You Yuxing bites his lip, nodding in humiliation.
Because no one knows better that every time he and Sheng Xin engage in such activities, he remains a substitute.
In the eyes of outsiders, the substitute’s elevation, at such times, he still cannot become You Yuxing, just a substitute.
“At least.”
You Yuxing looks up, “You can’t divorce me.”
Sheng Xin sneered and, almost affectionately, touched You Yuxing’s face, planting a chilly kiss on the corner of his lips.
“Don’t worry.”
“You Yizhen rejected me so many times, and now he’s getting intimate with other men.”
Sheng Xin lowered his eyes, his tone chilling, causing You Yuxing to tremble.
“If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have forced him back then.”
As the evening approached, He Tiao, having been repeatedly declined a ride by You Yuxing, had to go to the food stall himself.
Due to the popularity of the show, there were always viewers who came for a visit, following the rules and treating it as an opportunity to appreciate the handsome guy at the stall.
There were also regular customers asking He Tiao, “Is your boyfriend not here today?”
He Tiao was usually silent, but when Chi Yizhen was around, he engaged with customers and chatted. If there was something interesting, he would broadcast it to He Tiao.
This made the audience in the livestream room find him quite gossip-prone.
Now that Chi Yizhen was absent for just one night, the viewers felt uneasy, not to mention the regular customers who came for barbecue every day.
While working, He Tiao replied, “He hasn’t finished work yet.”
The slightly plump aunt exclaimed, unaware of the ongoing TV recording, simply liking the cheerful young man.
“I heard the girl at the next table say he used to be an actor. Is that true? How impressive!”
He Tiao nodded, “He’s shooting a video today.”
The aunt exclaimed, “Oh, then I must support little Chi. What’s the video about?”
He Tiao remained silent for a while, then said, “It’s… a short drama.”
[Haha, I’m dying at He Tiao’s reaction. Does he also find the hot-mouthed mentor awkward?]
[If I were him, I’d be awkward too!]
The aunt looked expectant, and He Tiao sighed, “I’ll tell you when it airs. He doesn’t tell me either.”
Auntie said, “Alright! You two are so handsome; why don’t you act together?”
He Tiao, who had always avoided such chit-chat since childhood, would run away when relatives gathered, but now he couldn’t escape.
[Social anxiety and PTSD are kicking in for the socially awkward guy.]
[Seeing despair on this handsome face.]
He Tiao: “He… he’s more likable, I can’t compare.”
Auntie: “You’re not bad either; this little face is handsome.”
[Why do I feel like E-God is being flirted with?]
[Haha, quick, Chi Chi, come save the day!]
At this moment, a woman’s voice chimed in, asking, “Boss, how much for a skewer of beef tendon?”
He Tiao quickly turned around but saw a face clearly not fitting the appearance of a typical night market customer.
Wen Chanjuan was also stunned.
[A Surprisse guest??]
[Isn’t this Teacher Wen?? Wow! She’s Sheng Xin’s biological mom!]
[Melon beef!]
[Sheng Xin is You Yuxing’s husband, right? Why do I feel like this sister looks like E God!!]
Note: It’s getting exciting