After Getting Involved In A Love Triangle With My Mortal Enemy From A Past Life, All I Want To Do Is Lie Down And Relax - Chapter 16

[Am I the only one obsessed with this pairing? They are so perfect together. Whether in the scene or behind the scenes, this tragic romance masterpiece is everything.]

[I am obsessed too! The overbearing Movie King and the cold, elegant newcomer, it is such a great dynamic!]

[Are you all talking about reality? I have always felt that the way Movie King Huo looks at Sang Luo is different. There is this inexplicable sense of doting.]

[Can people stop leeching off him? Is this Sang Luo guy planning to join the industry? Our CEO Huo stays out of trouble; he is not someone to be used for clout.]

[Exactly. I do not see how CEO Huo treats Sang Luo any differently. He treats everyone the same, clearly. This is hilarious.]

[If you cannot see it, where did you leave your eyes? He cooks for Sang Luo every day and even went out of his way to win a plushie for him. He speaks so gently and does not mind Sang Luo’s coldness. Is that “treating everyone the same”? Liu Zhiya would probably throw a fit if that were true.]

[Setting everything else aside, let us just say it: Sang Luo is not on CEO Huo’s level. Understand?]

[How is he not on his level? He just started and has no achievements yet, but based on this acting alone, could he be any worse than your CEO Huo?]

The comments broke into another argument. The popularity of this variety show was already immense, and combined with the fame brought by the guests, few other shows could compete. Naturally, many viewers were fans of the show itself rather than specific celebrities; seeing the screen dominated by bickering, they did not hold back.

[Can you stop spamming? If you want to fight, go elsewhere. The bullet comments are for interaction, not for your squabbles.]

[Agreed. It is toxic in here. Go fight somewhere else; this is not a wasteland!]

The fans of both sides fell silent, as they did not want to bring negative attention to their idols. What followed was unexpected: Sang Luo began trending. Specifically, the complete footage of his performance with Huo Xun went viral.

The recording was comprehensive, showing that Sang Luo was not overshadowed by Huo Xun’s acting at all. Instead, there was a sense of two powerful forces clashing. Considering Huo Xun is a universally recognized Movie King, the fact that Sang Luo could hold his own was truly astonishing. While professionals might notice slight flaws, his acting was occasionally a bit green, the overall flow was smooth, and his talent was undeniable. It was clear that with refinement, he could become impeccable.

The trending topic allowed more people to see Sang Luo and his potential. Beyond the fans, major agents from various entertainment companies were also watching. These veterans, having spent years in the industry, had the keenest eyes. Their consensus was simple: Sang Luo could be a star. They could not guarantee he would reach Huo Xun’s heights, but he would not be far off.

The current issue was that Sang Luo’s fans were scattered and lacked a central hub. This highlighted the importance of social media. Sang Luo did have an account, registered by the original owner, with only a few thousand purchased followers. However, it was unearthed within two hours due to old photos of him.

Initially, a user who did not know Sang Luo posted a candid photo of him from his days as an extra, instantly becoming a fan. She asked who he was, and Sang Luo’s officially verified account was quickly discovered. In no time, his follower count surged by two million. Sang Luo was officially stepping into the public eye.

At night, Huo Xun sat on the balcony wearing a bathrobe with a cigarette between his fingers. He did not have much of a nicotine addiction, but he would smoke one when he felt tired. The phone on the table vibrated, and Huo Xun pressed answer.

“Hello?”

“The task you assigned has been completed. The director was very cooperative.”

“I see.” Huo Xun exhaled a cloud of smoke. Amidst the hazy mist, his eyes appeared as lonely as an abyss, yet as quiet as the stars.

“Do you really plan to promote Sang Luo?”

“Mu Zhiyi, do not ask too much.”

“You think I want to ask? Is the company not yours anymore? You were the one who told me I could be Vice President and not have to worry about anything, and now look,” Mu Zhiyi said, sounding a bit annoyed. “I need to at least understand the situation clearly.”

Huo Xun let out a breath and stubbed out the cigarette. Rubbing his brow, he said, “Sorry, my tone was a bit sharp.”

Mu Zhiyi’s attitude softened; he could never handle it when people took a gentle tone with him. “Fine. Tomorrow I will draft the new contract and send it to you.”

“Good. Thank you.” Huo Xun thanked his friend. He intended to hang up but was stopped.

“I have a few questions for you, and you must answer me truthfully.”

Huo Xun knew what he was going to ask without thinking, but he did not refuse. He never intended to hide it anyway.

“You have taken a serious interest in Sang Luo, haven’t you? If you had not requested it, the director would never have arranged that scene between you two.” Mu Zhiyi had figured it out; Huo Xun had met someone he liked.

It was true: the scene between the assassin and the general was written by someone Huo Xun hired and then placed into the variety show. His goal was to let Sang Luo shine so that he would no longer be unknown. He wanted to prove that Sang Luo’s excellence was incomparable.

“Yes.”

Mu Zhiyi sighed. “Why weren’t you this concerned about him before? Why now?”

“It is different.” Huo Xun’s reply was firm. The current Sang Luo was definitely not the person from before. Huo Xun had discovered this after coming to the variety show. While it was unbelievable at first, he had seen stranger things; there was nothing he could not accept. He took things as they came and did not dwell on them.

Mu Zhiyi did not understand, but he brushed it off. “Whatever. Sang Luo’s trending topic will stay up; I know what I am doing.”

“Thank you.” Huo Xun trusted Mu Zhiyi completely. “I appreciate the hard work.”

“Ugh.” Mu Zhiyi felt goosebumps. “Be normal.”

Huo Xun’s mood lightened slightly, a trace of a smile appearing on his lips. “Mm. Hanging up.”

The call ended, and the room returned to silence. He stayed there for a while before returning to his bed. Sitting down, Huo Xun opened his phone, found Sang Luo’s account, and hit follow.

The trending topic was still there. Huo Xun chuckled; he had originally planned to buy a trending spot for Sang Luo, but the fans were so proactive that it happened before he could act. It was late. He tapped on Sang Luo’s profile and typed two words in the message bar: Good night. He did not send it. Instead, as was his habit, he locked the screen without deleting the message.

He turned off the light, and the room fell dark. Huo Xun thought he might have trouble sleeping, but he drifted off quickly.

In his dream, everything was a piercing white. A harsh wind blew across a frozen landscape. Dead grass was buried under snow, and bare trees were draped in silver. The scene felt incredibly real yet strangely familiar. Huo Xun walked for a long time until he finally saw a figure in the snow.

He strode over, and the person’s face gradually became clear. A young boy was kneeling on the ground with his back straight. He wore thin clothing and looked very frail, yet his small face was exquisitely beautiful.

“Who are you?” Huo Xun asked.

The boy did not speak, only looking at him with a sorrowful expression. Huo Xun stayed with him for a long time, but the boy showed no intention of speaking.

“Stop kneeling. Get up.”

The boy finally reacted, shaking his head. Huo Xun felt helpless but said nothing. The two stayed there for a long time until Huo Xun woke up.

He frowned slightly, finding the dream very eerie. At the very end of the dream, the scenery faded away, and the two people in the snow turned into two tiny black dots before disappearing.

[THE END]