Chapter 110

The next day at noon, Ji Wei went with Huang Bo to the cinema to watch the movie for a second time.

He knew his dad was busy with his senior year class and Ms. Ye Zhi was busy with her scientific research, so he just sent them two tickets as a gesture, not really expecting them to go, just to contribute to the box office. Unexpectedly, they actually went. Ms. Ye Zhi concisely said, “Not bad.”

His dad, on the other hand, shared a long reflection on his social media.

[Senior Year Class 2 Teacher Ji] “Sun Eater” is an exceptionally outstanding film. The story takes place in the northwest border region, where it rains constantly and the sun is never seen. The protagonist is, in another sense, the sun. But this sun is not slowly devoured in this remote and ignorant environment. This is excellent material; writing about it in your essays will be your highlight.

It was very much in the style of a language teacher.

After the movie, Huang Bo drove him back to school.

Remembering they were out of tomatoes at home, Huang Bo stopped by the supermarket to buy some vegetables. When he returned to Hua Ting, he saw Meng Hao waiting at the entrance in his school uniform.

“Why didn’t you go inside to wait?” Huang Bo asked kindly.

Meng Hao shook his head and handed Huang Bo the bag he was carrying. “The weather is getting cold. My mom was bored, so she knitted a few scarves and asked me to bring them to you.”

“Your mom’s health isn’t good. She should rest more,” Huang Bo said as he took the bag.

Meng Hao lowered his head and hummed in agreement.

As he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and asked, “Was that diary real?”

He didn’t believe that a cautious person like Lin Yiqiu would have the habit of keeping a diary.

And that he would record his crimes in it.

“The dead can’t argue,” Huang Bo said, neither confirming nor denying. He thought for a moment and added, “Those who can argue aren’t dead.”

Meng Hao understood in an instant.

Besides Lin Yiqiu himself, who would know if it was real or not?

But Lin Yiqiu was already dead and could no longer refute it.

He didn’t ask any more questions and turned to leave.

***

The evening class was canceled at the last minute. After finishing his afternoon classes, Ji Wei was about to go home and rest when he saw a woman in a Chanel suit standing by the classroom door. She had a neat bob, and her features were elegant and dignified, attracting the attention of many.

Chen Yan packed his textbooks and offered his evaluation, “With those looks and that aura, she’s at least an eight out of ten.”

“You’re just a kid in her eyes. She definitely wouldn’t be interested in your type,” Cui Jiu retorted bluntly, then looked at Ji Wei and asked, “Weiwei, don’t you think so?”

Ji Wei hadn’t been listening closely to their conversation and said in a low voice, “Why do I feel like she’s looking at me?”

“You must be mistaken,” Chen Yan said, patting Ji Wei’s shoulder.

However, as the three of them walked out of the classroom, the woman called out Ji Wei’s name and extended her hand. “Hello, Ji Wei.”

Just as Chen Yan was about to extend his hand too, he was dragged away by Cui Jiu.

The woman smiled faintly.

“You are?” Ji Wei didn’t remember ever seeing her before.

“Let me introduce myself, Yu Shuang.” Yu Shuang took a business card from her quilted bag and handed it to him.

—The boss of Azure Talent Agency.

Looking at her appearance, it was hard to imagine she was already thirty-five.

He hadn’t expected Ying Guanxiao to be in a relationship with an older woman.

Ji Wei silently mused to himself.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Yu Shuang asked politely.

Out of consideration for Ying Guanxiao, he agreed.

The two of them walked along the lakeside.

Yu Shuang got straight to the point. “Although I’ve only recently established my company, I’ve been an agent since I graduated from university. Guanxiao was even my junior by three years. I’m the one who made Su Wen, Geng Le, and Chen Runming’s group famous. I’m not trying to brag, I just want you to believe that I have the ability to take you further.”

Ji Wei understood. She wanted to sign him.

But he was very satisfied with his current life and didn’t have such great ambitions.

So he politely refused, “Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”

Yu Shuang seemed to have come prepared to persuade him. She switched to a more intimate form of address and continued, “Being an agent is a process of discovery. Weiwei, you may not have even realized it yourself, but you subconsciously want to be famous. Otherwise, why would you choose to continue on The Forbidden City’s Little Shop?”

“I did some research before coming. The traffic on Bilibili for live streaming isn’t high. Other streaming sites start with a million viewers, while on Bilibili, a million viewers is already a top streamer. In terms of video views, it also doesn’t have as high a ceiling as YouTube. This means the ceiling is low. It’s not just Bilibili; the popularity of influencers is also hard to compare with that of celebrities. Otherwise, why would so many influencers want to enter the entertainment industry?”

Ji Wei stopped walking.

What Yu Shuang said did make sense.

“Do you want to work with me?”

Seeing that Ji Wei’s expression had softened, Yu Shuang immediately asked.

However, she didn’t expect Ji Wei to still shake his head. “My reason for continuing on The Forbidden City’s Little Shop isn’t what you said.”

“Then what is it?” A rare trace of confusion appeared in Yu Shuang’s eyes. “Could it be because of Yancheng Television?”

Ji Wei didn’t respond.

But from Ji Wei’s expression, she could be sure.

Yu Shuang didn’t press any further and politely said her goodbyes.

Watching Yu Shuang’s retreating figure, Ji Wei couldn’t help but feel that she and Ying Guanxiao were two completely different people.

Ying Guanxiao did things as he pleased. When he first entered the industry, he said he would only sign one person and really did only sign one person. Yu Shuang was much more ambitious.

When he got home and finished dinner, he thought about Yu Shuang’s words.

He decided to open a YouTube account.

It should be able to win more overseas fans for The Forbidden City’s Little Shop.

He acted on his thought immediately. However, opening an overseas account wasn’t that easy; it required signing with an overseas agent. After consulting with Ying Guanxiao, he signed the overseas rights to Ying Guanxiao’s agency’s overseas platform, which allowed him to legally open an overseas account.

After reading the online contract, he sent a message to Ying Guanxiao.

[Ji Wei] Isn’t a 90-10 split too unfair to you?

Although he hadn’t seen other copyright contracts, if Ying Guanxiao only took a ten percent share, it might only be enough to cover labor costs.

[Ying Guanxiao] It’s always like this.

Only then did Ji Wei sign the contract.

After dealing with the contract, he went to the study to work on his homework for his Yuan Dynasty landscape painting class.

His grandfather said that traditional Chinese painting cultivates one’s temperament, and it was true. When he painted traditional Chinese paintings, his mind was exceptionally calm.

After he finished painting, he opened his phone, preparing to go to the Super Topic to read reviews of Sun Eater.

He found that he was trending.

The number of comments and likes was very small, but it was the fifth trending topic.

It was clearly a bought topic.

[Entertainment Big Sister] Today, someone photographed Ji Wei meeting with former Sheng Entertainment ace agent Yu Shuang. The meaning behind this signal is already very clear. Ji Wei is probably not satisfied with his current situation and is about to enter the entertainment industry. I wonder what everyone’s thoughts are #JiWeiSuspectedOfSigningWithAzure#

After it started trending, the comments under this Weibo post surged.

[Greedy Blue Moon] What?! Please arrange an idol drama immediately! With Ji Wei’s looks, he’s the only one who can be convincing as the male lead in an idol drama.

[Wanna Cyberlove? I Have a Loli Voice] A BL drama would also be okay, but I don’t think Film Emperor Lu would agree.

[Eating Watermelon and Not Spitting Seeds] Hahahahaha, he’d probably have to delete all the hand-holding scenes. But what’s the deal with this Azure company? It doesn’t feel like a proper agency. If Ji Wei were to sign, he should sign with Ying Guanxiao’s company.

[Fruity Orange] +1, just take what the marketing accounts post with a grain of salt. I checked, and this company was just established by Yu Shuang after she returned to the country. It only has a few artists under its belt. I highly suspect they’re using Ji Wei for hype.

Seeing the hype getting more and more intense, Ji Wei frowned at the Weibo post.

He logged into his own account and posted a clarification.

[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] Thank you for your concern. I have no plans to sign with an agency.

He immediately received over a thousand replies.

[Vitamin] No matter what decision Weiwei makes, I will support it.

[Yao Yao Le] Aww, so that means we won’t get to see an idol drama.

[Wangzai Milk] It’s good to focus on your studies. Weiwei can sell a single painting for a lot of money. There’s no need to mix in the entertainment industry.

Ji Wei’s heart warmed as he read the supportive comments from his fans.

Not long after he posted this, Yu Shuang also posted on Weibo.

Her post went viral, climbing all the way to the number one trending topic.

[Azure Agency Yu Shuang] To clarify, I was the one who approached Ji Wei. He has no intention of signing with our company. He’s a very rare young man, one I’ve seldom seen. He doesn’t have such a strong desire to be famous. His reason for returning to “The Forbidden City’s Little Shop” is also because of Yancheng Television. Everyone, please don’t speculate any further. #JiWeiSuspectedOfSigningWithAzure#

The comments were all shocked.

[Eating Melons and Not Spitting Rinds] Holy crap! So that was the reason? I had almost forgotten about the grudge between Yancheng Television and Ji Wei. It was because of an accident, right?

[Coke with Ice] Here, let me refresh your memory on Yancheng Television’s operations. After the accident, they covered up the assistant director’s corruption and dereliction of duty. When they couldn’t withstand the pressure from netizens, they suspended “National Style,” but immediately launched a carbon-copy variety show, “Great Nation’s Artifacts.” The fact that it’s still number one in ratings really makes me sick.

[McFlurry] How should I put this? Ji Wei is still too young. Even if that’s the reason, he shouldn’t have said it out loud. Doesn’t that make him a thorn in Yancheng Television’s side?

[Grape Sprout] This Azure company’s move is also pretty shameless. Weiwei is young and doesn’t know better, but doesn’t Yu Shuang? She’s just rushing to ride the wave of popularity.

Ji Wei hadn’t expected Yu Shuang to post about this. He silently deleted her contact information. Many fans sent him worried private messages, and the more anxious ones even wrote clarification statements for him. He sat at his desk and thought quietly.

***

It wasn’t just the netizens who were shocked.

As the incident escalated, even Deputy Station Director Wan Ming was woken from his sleep and asked to handle the public relations crisis urgently.

He thought it was something serious, but when he saw it was just the old mess from National Style being dug up again, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The ones clamoring on Weibo were all young netizens. The main audience for Great Nation’s Artifacts wasn’t in their hands. Besides, the heat would die down in a few days; it wouldn’t have much of an impact.

But since Director Zhou had told him to handle it, he couldn’t be lazy. He had the negative trending topics about Yancheng Television removed, and along with them, the topic of Ji Wei being suspected of signing with Azure.

Now the world was quiet.

As for Ji Wei, he didn’t give him much thought.

Compared to the massive Yancheng Television, Ji Wei was just an ant. People don’t care about the thoughts of an ant.

But he never expected that just after removing the trending topics, Yancheng Television would be trending again.

The cause was a Weibo post that Ji Wei had just made.

[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] I did participate in “The Forbidden City’s Little Shop” because of Yancheng Television.

In less than ten minutes, there were nearly five thousand comments.

[Firefly] Holy crap, holy crap, he admitted it directly! I thought it was a clarification. Ji Wei is so bold!

[Moon Over the Willow Branch] I was just educated on the deeds of Yancheng Television. I support you.

[A Good Bowl] Sob sob sob sob, Weiwei is so A-list today, but I’m still a little worried.

[Mango Jerky] !! So A-list!

Wan Ming was getting a headache.

But what gave him an even bigger headache was still to come.

Zhao Yue reposted Ji Wei’s Weibo.

[Actor Zhao Yue] Coincidentally, me too.

Even the usually cautious Xiao Chi reposted it.

[MEX Xiao Chi] Let’s all do our best.

The tone was still normal up to this point, until Ke Zhenyu also posted on Weibo.

[Ke Zhenyu] We will surpass Yancheng Television’s ratings next month.

Wan Ming really didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The concurrent show Great Nation’s Artifacts had an average rating of 1.2, while The Forbidden City’s Little Shop, ever since Lu Shenxing and Ji Wei left, had an average rating of only 0.7, almost half. And he was saying they could surpass it next month.

Netizens also didn’t know what to say.

[Foxtail Grass] ??? What does this have to do with you?

[Goldfish Blowing Bubbles] We’d be thankful if you just didn’t drag them down. If you left the show, the ratings would go up by at least two points.

[Fried Ice Cream] It seems Old Man Ke is attacking the entire map without discrimination.

Bai Ye looked at Weibo, a little panicked.

Everyone was talking bigger than the next.

He thought for a moment and posted on Weibo.

[Bai Ye] Let’s aim to secure second place and strive for third in the ratings.

However, when it came to him, the comments were a string of ellipses.

[Little Sweetie Pie] ……

[Egg Tart Lord] ……

[Tea Egg] ……Xiao Bai, you’ve changed.

Bai Ye was humbled. …I just wanted to fit in.

***

Only after posting on Weibo did Ji Wei belatedly realize, would his actions cause trouble for Lu Shenxing? After all, he was Lu Shenxing’s partner. His dissatisfaction with Yancheng Television could be interpreted by some as Lu Shenxing’s dissatisfaction with Yancheng Television.

Thinking of this, he sent a message to Lu Shenxing.

[Ji Wei] Are you filming?

[Lu Shenxing] Resting at the hotel. I have a night scene later.

He made a video call.

A moment later, Lu Shenxing answered.

He looked at the man in the video, slightly nervous, but still mustered the courage to tell him what had happened tonight, prepared to be criticized.

Lu Shenxing listened quietly. After the young man had stammered through his explanation, he asked, “You seem to really dislike Yancheng Television.”

He had encountered many accidents over his years of filming. If it weren’t for the fact that Ji Wei had almost been injured, he wouldn’t have any strong feelings about Yancheng Television, just that he wouldn’t choose to work with them again.

Ji Wei slowly lowered his head. “But I still remember that you were injured that time, lying in a pool of blood.”

“So I can’t forgive them.”

“I won’t like them.”

He swallowed and asked, “You must think I’m very childish, right?”

Lu Shenxing looked at him. “Do you want to hear the truth?”

Ji Wei was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

“I’m actually quite happy,” the man suddenly smiled.

Ji Wei’s apprehension vanished in an instant. A scalding heat surged through his chest, making him feel incredibly warm. He spoke almost subconsciously, “I wish you were here in front of me.” He remembered that they were currently face to face and added, “The kind where we can touch.”

“Touch, huh?” Lu Shenxing paused, then asked slowly, “What kind of touch?”

Ji Wei’s mind went somewhere, and his face suddenly turned red.

Just as he was about to change the subject, the man suddenly said, “Put your hand on the screen.”

He was stunned for a moment, not knowing why, but he still placed his hand on it.

The next second, Lu Shenxing’s hand was also on the screen.

“We’re touching,” the man said calmly.

Their hands, separated by the screen, had touched.