Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The atmosphere subtly turned cold.

A crease formed between Xing Ye’s brows. He didn’t know about the strange dream Pei Chuzhi had, and only took her words as a polite refusal, which suddenly added a bit of gloom to his mood.

When he spoke again, his voice was stiff. “Don’t want to act?”

“How could I not want to.”

Pei Chuzhi pinched a corner of the papers, her fingers trembling slightly. “Any actor with a bit of ambition would want to be in Director Bai’s film, right?”

Xing Ye’s expression softened slightly. “Then read the script first.”

Pei Chuzhi nodded lightly. Seeing him adopt a posture of waiting for her decision, she guessed he meant for her to roughly understand the content right now.

She focused on the script in her hands.

Only after reading did she realize that what Bai Ruxu brought today wasn’t a finished script at all.

The dozens of pages in her hands were all outlines, main character settings, and detailed content for the first thirty scenes.

This script, titled “Half a Lifetime of Splendor,” told the story of a woman’s ups and downs in the first half of her life.

It began when she was sixteen, and continued until she married at forty.

From sixteen to forty.

Spanning twenty-four years in between—definitely a challenging experience for an actor.

Pei Chuzhi looked through a few pages carefully and found that the female lead’s setting in her teenage years leaned toward a pure and sweet type.

This was a style previous directors would never let her try.

Even when Tang Dong selected scripts for her, he would subconsciously avoid roles too far from her appearance.

After thinking for a moment, she asked softly, “Do you think I can play a pure young girl?”

Xing Ye’s gaze fell on her slightly parted red lips. “You can.”

Whether an actor matched a role—appearance was certainly one factor, but not the only criterion.

They had acted opposite each other before, and from then on Xing Ye discovered she had high comprehension, both smart and eager to learn, like an unpolished jade waiting to be developed. With the right person, she would bloom with a brilliance belonging only to her.

Because of this, when Xing Ye heard Bai Ruxu—known for guiding actresses—was preparing a new film, he sought him out immediately.

“You trust me that much?”

Pei Chuzhi smiled. Because of his decisive affirmation, courage gradually filled her heart. “Then I’ll prepare as soon as I get back. Thank you.”

Xing Ye laughed softly. “What’s the rush? Didn’t you see the script isn’t finished?”

He poured tea into an empty glass and handed it over. “At Director Bai’s pace, it’ll take at least three months to finish the rest. The official audition won’t be until summer. You still have several months to prepare.”

That casual sentence stirred huge waves in Pei Chuzhi’s heart.

When she first saw the incomplete script, she had assumed it was just an audition script meant to help actors understand the role. While reading, she even guessed the different age segments might all be scenes required for the audition.

Who knew she had overthought it.

They simply hadn’t finished writing it yet. The copy in her hands was probably for attracting investment.

Having several months to prepare was a good thing…

Pei Chuzhi held the glass and took a sip of tea, feeling troubled.

Her upcoming work still had no direction, and she didn’t know when Tang Dong would find suitable resources.

Before, when she had no fame or backing, she could accept any job that came. Roles like playing an NPC in “Who Is the Murderer,” with short cycles and quick payment, greatly eased her financial pressure.

Now that she had gained a bit of fame, she instead found herself constrained by it.

Xing Ye didn’t know about her anxiety and continued to remind her softly, “Director Bai hasn’t announced casting plans yet, so don’t spread it around. Just report to Tang Dong and have him leave time for your audition when arranging your work.”

“I understand.”

Her voice carried a faint, barely noticeable dejection.

Xing Ye froze for a moment and finally realized he seemed to have missed some detail.

It wasn’t really his fault for being careless. After all, someone like him, who had never lacked resources since debut, had never experienced life as a bottom-tier actor, so he naturally didn’t think that she currently had no suitable work.

He cleared his throat and awkwardly asked, “Have you been… busy lately?”

Pei Chuzhi was stunned. She wasn’t the type to play pitiful in front of others, so she immediately put on a bright smile. “Not busy recently. I just finished filming, so I’m on vacation these days.”

“…”

Xing Ye licked his lips, a wave of irritation rising inside him.

How long had it been since she finished filming, and she was still on vacation.

Did she think the entertainment industry was a retirement resort?

What was wrong with Huaxing as a company, letting an artist in her rising phase stay at home like this?

Seeing the faint anger in his brows and eyes, though she didn’t quite understand, Pei Chuzhi subconsciously explained, “Actually, Brother Tang has been checking for suitable variety shows recently. I’ll probably start work soon.”

“How soon is soon? When actors around your age all become successful, then it’ll be your turn to start work, right?”

Xing Ye’s tone carried impatience, and on closer listen, also implied dissatisfaction with Tang Dong’s ability.

Pei Chuzhi: “…”

She hadn’t fallen to that level, had she?

But Xing Ye grew more annoyed the more he thought about it.

He wasn’t someone who liked meddling, nor did he want to interfere in Huaxing’s career planning. But thinking that the audition he helped secure today might be the most high-exposure resource Pei Chuzhi could get in the short term, he felt his so-called “repayment” hadn’t helped her as much as he imagined.

After a moment of silence, Xing Ye’s Adam’s apple bobbed a few times as he suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

He went through the resources Song Shiqing had mentioned in his mind and asked softly, “Didn’t you record ‘Who Is the Murderer’ before? They’re starting a new season soon and are selecting permanent hosts. Didn’t Tang Dong ask for you?”

Pei Chuzhi thought for a moment. “He did. The coordinator is willing to let me record one episode, but being permanent is difficult. Brother Tang thinks recording only one episode won’t maintain my recent exposure, so he’s still considering.”

Xing Ye nodded and didn’t say more, picking up his phone to type.

Pei Chuzhi’s heart jumped. Suddenly recalling Xing Ye’s dedication when hyping CP, she panicked and, without thinking, reached out to stop him.

The moment the girl’s soft palm covered his hand, Xing Ye’s hand trembled, almost sending the half-typed message.

He slowly raised his eyes, his voice a few degrees lower than usual. “What are you doing.”

Pei Chuzhi spoke earnestly. “Don’t act impulsively. Being a permanent host is a good resource for me, but for you it’s…”

Unable to find the right words, she switched into fan mode and advised seriously, “It’s wasting your acting career! Don’t say things like ‘If you choose her as permanent, I’ll join too.’ I—I represent all Wildfire fans in opposing you doing that.”

Xing Ye lowered his gaze and calmly withdrew his hand from her palm.

Perhaps Pei Chuzhi’s “concern” finally gave him a sense of achievement as an idol, and his tone became more patient.

“They’ve invited me many times. This time one of the permanent hosts is a senior I know. He also privately asked me.”

“So I was already planning to record one episode.”

“Now I might consider recording two more, to give you an extra bargaining chip.”

Realizing she had misunderstood, Pei Chuzhi felt touched and embarrassed, unconsciously curling her fingers. “I see… I almost thought you were going to become a permanent host.”

She had underestimated the buzz of Xing Ye’s “variety debut,” not expecting that him recording two more episodes might help her secure a permanent position.

Xing Ye laughed lazily. “Are you silly? Do I look like someone with that much time?”

Pei Chuzhi: “…”

Sorry for bothering you, humble.jpg.

·

This year marked the fourth year since “Who Is the Murderer” began airing.

After gradual improvements over the first three seasons, the production team planned to make bigger changes in both format and content this season.

However, how exactly they would change remained tightly guarded.

With no choice, viewers, like in previous years, focused their speculation on the list of four rotating permanent hosts each season.

First, top-tier actors could be directly excluded.

Those big names were already too busy filming; at most they would record one episode as support.

As for second- and third-tier choices, the range was much broader.

After much guessing, people basically narrowed it down to several young artists who had expressed themselves as loyal viewers of the show.

What they didn’t expect was that when the permanent list was announced in mid-February, the answer was completely beyond their expectations.

The first announced artist was Xie Yiqian, thirty-two this year.

When he debuted, his handsome looks and refined temperament made him the male god in many girls’ hearts.

But in recent years, due to poor health requiring rest, he gradually faded from public view.

【Oh my god, Xie Yiqian actually came back! I remember he performed really well on variety shows before—super smart and quick-witted!】

【Wuwuwu he’s my original entertainment industry crush! Husband, shall we remarry now?】

【I feel a bit sad. Teacher Xie really couldn’t bear to leave, but because of health reasons he can’t stay with a crew long-term.】

【It’s okay, it’s good enough for Teacher Xie to record variety shows. As long as he shows his face I’m satisfied!】

Xie Yiqian, who led the announcements, clearly whetted everyone’s appetite. The production team didn’t delay and quickly revealed the second and third.

They were the atmosphere-boosting comedic host Ding Yang, and former child star actress Tong Yang.

Everyone was already familiar with these two. After expressing expectations, they kept refreshing Weibo, waiting for the final permanent host.

When the three characters “Pei Chuzhi” appeared, everyone was stunned for a long time. Their first reaction was that in terms of qualifications or status, she didn’t seem quite qualified.

But soon someone reasoned it out: 【Pei Chuzhi recorded “Who Is the Murderer” before. She must be familiar with the production process. Having someone experienced lead should be good.】

But others mocked: 【Does that count as recording? She was just an NPC showing up for a few minutes each episode. I could do that too.】

As time passed, more people joined the discussion:

【Help, why are people arguing again. Honestly I think this lineup is good—two female guests, one quirky, one femme fatale. Isn’t that perfect?】

【Honestly I watch “Who Murdered” mainly for the content. I hope there isn’t another vase like Sun Yuxin from last season who only screams.】

【People dragging my Yuxin little sister into this are sick?】

【Spare me, I don’t want to recall Sun Yuxin’s ear-piercing screams.】

【Speaking of Sun Yuxin and Pei Chuzhi, I suddenly remember… Didn’t the production team hint that the first episode’s celebrity guest would be a long-awaited big name?】

【Xing Ye? Haha, how is that possible!】

To maintain mystery, the official “Who Is the Murderer” account didn’t immediately announce the celebrity guest list, instead giving keywords for everyone to guess.

The first celebrity guest’s keywords were: 【Best Actor, boxing, chasing the culprit】.

Instantly, the comments exploded. Everyone said, “Do we even need to guess? This is basically a free point question!”

Although there were many Best Actor winners in the industry, linking them with boxing eliminated most of them.

And Xing Ye’s first classic big-screen role happened to be a young boxer. The scene where he wrapped boxing bandages in a dim basement was still one of the best “screen-licking” moments.

As for chasing the culprit, that went without saying.

His movie about chasing his girlfriend’s killer for ten years hadn’t even left theaters yet.

Netizens who had just joked the guest wouldn’t be Xing Ye quickly commented: 【My face hurts, but I’ve never been happier to be slapped.】

Fans who had been uninvolved immediately reposted the Weibo, expressing excitement for their brother’s variety debut.

Of course, among the onlookers there were also some sharp-eyed people who keenly noticed something unusual.

【Is it just my illusion? Recently, wherever there’s Pei Chuzhi, Xing Ye will definitely appear.】

【Once or twice could be coincidence, but this is already the third collaboration at work… emmmm, let me ask first, does this pair have a lot of sugar? If it’s good to ship, can someone give a rundown?】

【There’s a coconut-juice sister in my dorm who’s already gone crazy for three minutes, saying her long-held wish to see the two of them play a scumbag man and scumbag woman loving and killing each other finally has hope.】

【Quietly saying I also really want to see that.】

【I haven’t shipped such a thrilling CP in ages. Production team, look at our wish, please QAQ】

The online discussion didn’t stop until late at night.

At this very moment, Pei Chuzhi sat in her small living room, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.

When she signed the contract with the production team last week, they hadn’t told her the exact partner list.

So like the netizens, she only found out tonight who the permanent hosts were.

She opened the screen again, and in the light that lit up instantly, after repeatedly confirming that Xie Yiqian was indeed on the permanent list, she fell into a state of both excitement and confusion.

Th-this wasn’t her, during her girlhood…

the only idol she had?

Author’s note: Zhizhi is about to expose her fake-fan identity (.

–Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution between 2019-11-30 20:11:47 and 2019-12-01 21:08:51~

Thanks to the little angel who threw a landmine: Man Sha Hua Other Shore Flower 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: -95-37- 10 bottles; Little Sesame 5 bottles; Grapefruit Is Not Rare 1 bottle;

Thank you very much for everyone’s support, I will continue to work hard!