Chapter 12

Chapter 12

This time it was Song Shiqing who fell silent.

After a long while, he pushed his glasses, an incomprehending look reflecting behind the lenses.

If it were another artist, Song Shiqing would definitely pressure them as a manager and order them to obey.

But the person on the video call was Xing Ye. Not to mention that the word “obedient” simply didn’t exist in this man’s dictionary, just considering the share proportion the Xing family held in Ya-Ying Media, Song Shiqing wouldn’t foolishly sour the relationship.

“Alright, we can discuss it, but you’d better give me the full picture.”

Song Shiqing spoke calmly, only a few syllables expressing opposition. “Since you plan to delay the announcement date for Pei Chuzhi, you have to give me a sufficient reason.”

Xing Ye was silent for a few seconds, then brought up an old topic. “Remember I told you about my experience of being replaced by the director on my first shoot?”

“…I remember.”

Everyone who had followed Xing Ye knew his debut work was a suspense film, where he played a fierce and gloomy teenage boxer, and won Best Newcomer that year with his superb acting.

Almost everyone said he truly deserved to be the son of film queen Yu Wan, inheriting both her looks and acting talent.

However, few people knew that when Xing Ye was even younger, he had also acted in a film.

And had been embarrassingly kicked out of the crew by the director.

If a little girl hadn’t encouraged him for a long time back then, he probably would never have wanted to stand in front of a camera again.

Thinking back, the grievance and disappointment from those years were gone from Xing Ye’s face. His tone was light, but a faint smile unconsciously curved his lips. “Only today did I realize—she also entered the industry.”

Song Shiqing froze slightly, then quickly reacted. “You’re sure it’s Pei Chuzhi?”

Xing Ye nodded. “The details match.”

Originally, he had always felt Pei Chuzhi resembled the little girl in his memory, which was why he chose her as his contract girlfriend. At first his thought had been that since he had to find someone for publicity, he might as well pick an artist he found pleasing to the eye and give her a little support.

Now that he knew Pei Chuzhi was the little girl who encouraged him back then…

Emotionally and logically, he should take extra care of her.

Song Shiqing was silent for a while, then finally shrugged helplessly. “In that case, I really can’t stop you from repaying a favor.”

He paused half a beat, unable to suppress his curiosity. “Thinking about her all these years… you didn’t fall for her back then, did you?”

Xing Ye glanced at him and hung up the video call with a cold face.

·

At the same time, Pei Chuzhi was sitting upright at the dining table, staring fixedly at her phone screen.

The WeChat interface showed the draft Tang Dong had sent half an hour earlier. Once she posted this text, her “couple” relationship with Xing Ye would be made public.

The lines above were Tang Dong’s explanations:

【This is the new plan proposed by Ya-Ying. They judge now is the best timing to acknowledge the relationship.】

【Xing Ye will post on Weibo first. Remember to repost him and paste this text at the same time.】

【Weibo will probably crash tonight. After that just stay offline. You enter the crew the day after tomorrow—focus on filming and ignore whatever people online say.】

Pei Chuzhi slowly took several deep breaths. The last time she had been this nervous was over four years ago when she took the art entrance exam.

She knew clearly that after the relationship was announced, her private messages would definitely be filled with countless sarcastic remarks.

Just as others said, she didn’t even have a representative work yet. The huge gap between her and Xing Ye would inevitably make people think she wasn’t worthy of him.

As for how to make everyone acknowledge it afterward…

Pei Chuzhi shifted her gaze to the script on the other side of her phone, its edges curled from being flipped too often, and fighting spirit ignited in her heart.

Her phone vibrated at that moment.

Pei Chuzhi glanced at the caller’s name. Thinking Xing Ye was notifying her to prepare, she answered with a voice full of heroic resolve: “Is it starting?”

“…,” Xing Ye seemed to chuckle and sigh. “Nervous?”

“More or less.”

Pei Chuzhi leaned onto the table, propping her chin with her arm, muttering softly, “I originally thought this time it was just hyping some rumors, but suddenly it turned into going public. The script change is too big—I can’t get into character in time.”

After saying that, she reflected and felt her words sounded like complaining.

So she put away her uneasiness and explained, “Uh, I don’t mean to blame you.”

It was just a little grumbling. After all, everything has gains and losses. Since she had gained unprecedented attention and resources from this cooperation, it was only natural to pay some sacrifice in exchange.

The phone was quiet for a moment. Xing Ye asked in a low voice, “If you could choose, when would you want to go public?”

Pei Chuzhi hesitated, a bit embarrassed to say.

Her parents had always taught her to be content. If she still wanted more benefits now, it would seem too greedy.

Seeing her silent for a long time, Xing Ye urged, “Speak. I want to hear your real thoughts.”

His tone was rather domineering, full of a threatening sense of “if you don’t tell the truth tonight, I’ll blacklist you.”

Pei Chuzhi bit her rosy lips tightly and finally steeled herself. “For me, definitely not now. In everyone’s eyes I’m an unknown artist. After going public, my identity will become ‘Xing Ye’s girlfriend.’ When they mention me, they still won’t care what I’ve acted in—they’ll just treat me as your…”

Xing Ye let out a light hum. “Accessory?”

“…Mm.”

“So you hope to wait at least until the new drama airs before going public?”

“Yes. I’m confident I can play Jiang Nanyan well.”

Pei Chuzhi’s tone was calm yet sincere. “So my truest thought is that I hope people first remember me as an actress, and only then as your girlfriend.”

Rather than having the girlfriend identity, a subordinate label, completely overshadow her own light.

After finally saying what was in her heart, Pei Chuzhi silently broke into a sweat.

The person she was speaking to was Xing Ye, high above on a pedestal. Would revealing the feelings of an eighteenth-tier nobody in front of him seem overestimating herself?

However, unexpectedly, Xing Ye didn’t laugh at her.

He just chuckled softly and said slowly, “Okay. I’ll listen to you.”

Pei Chuzhi: “???”

Wait, was she so nervous she started hallucinating?

“…Th-then…”

Pei Chuzhi was so surprised her speech became halting. After a long moment she finally asked coherently, “Then… how should we respond to today’s video? The draft from before can’t be used, right?”

Xing Ye: “You don’t need to worry. Focus on preparing for filming.”

Pei Chuzhi froze. It felt like someone had deliberately turned up the heating in the room; the warmth made her earlobes burn.

She lowered her eyes, her curled eyelashes covering the unexpected emotion in her gaze.

The temperature in the room seemed to keep rising, warming a certain place in her chest as well.

Xing Ye’s voice sounded beside her ear through the phone in a reassuring tone.

“Leave it to me.”

·

At ten that night, Weibo gossip watchers were waiting eagerly.

“Stone-Hammer Exposé” even posted several Weibo posts tagging Xing Ye and Pei Chuzhi. In summary they were basically provocations like “Have you discussed it yet?” “Hurry up, everyone’s waiting.” “Admit it or not, at least give us an explanation.”

Seeing the paparazzi’s attitude grow more and more arrogant, Xing Ye finally logged on and posted a Weibo.

There was no extra text—just a screenshot from a movie he had starred in.

In the picture, Xing Ye’s gaze was rebellious, lips slightly curved, chin raised, forming a disdainful expression.

And below the image were the original subtitles from the film.

【None of your damn business.】

Almost instantly, the comments exploded.

【Holy shit, Brother Ye’s “defying heaven and earth” persona isn’t broken.】

【Hahaha I said it—what are some paparazzi acting so arrogant for? Who are you? Why should he give you an explanation?】

【Although… but… gege, you’re not allowed to swear.】

【? What did he say? He just posted a screenshot (playing dumb.jpg)】

【Weakly saying, although it’s none of my business, I also really want to know the truth.】

【Is the person above dumb? He clearly finds it ridiculous and can’t even be bothered to respond, okay?】

【Uh… why do I feel a little regretful (whispering)】

【Same here. I watched sports car ads and ribbon-cutting videos all night and successfully brainwashed myself… give my happiness back!】

【Friends, want a recommendation? Link: 【Wildfire Spreads Across the Plains – Xing Ye / Work Edit / Timed Sensual Cut】, check it out?】

【Where did this CP dog come from? Get lost!】

The most irreconcilable groups in this world were solo fans and CP fans of celebrities.

For a moment, the flames of war spread everywhere.

Just when both sides were drifting off-topic arguing, a well-known fan-editing UP host on Weibo suddenly spoke without warning.

【I’m so miserable. I only wanted to follow the trend and eat gossip, but after casually watching some works, I think I’ve been converted into a fan.】

This UP host was a very open-minded girl. Nearly all the videos she edited had over a million views. Many fandom girls liked recommending their idols to her, hoping she’d pick them and make a promotional edit.

Someone quickly replied below: 【Eating gossip at this time… could it be Xing Ye? My goddess is finally going to edit my male god’s video?! Mom, my wish has come true!】

A few minutes later, the blogger replied apologetically: 【Cutie guessed wrong, the person I mean is Pei Chuzhi.】