Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 88

“Say that again!? What kind of show is it!!??”

“A romance reality show,” Li Wenjing repeated, and began to introduce it: “The name is Is It Only Me Whose Heart Is Fluttering?. It’s currently the most popular dating show. The ratings for the first season were excellent, and the production team is planning the second season. They invited you specifically because of your current popularity.”

“…” Cheng Yixin fell into a speechless silence for several seconds. To put it simply, this was beyond ridiculous.

“I won’t go on this show. If I absolutely have to take a job, I’d rather go on a singing and dancing survival show.”

“You don’t meet the requirements for a singing and dancing survival show,” Li Wenjing stated the cruel reality. “With your age and status, competing for resources as a trainee debutante alongside teenagers just wouldn’t make sense. And for those ‘Older Sister’ type survival shows, you’re still too young.”

After finishing, Li Wenjing heard silence on the other end again. She paused and continued to lobby her: “You don’t need to be so resistant to dating shows. They aren’t as tawdry as you think. The second season has a main featured couple, but the contract offered to you doesn’t arrange a partner. You won’t end up ‘successfully holding hands’ with anyone; it’s basically a ‘Bad Ending’ script.”

“The script basically involves choosing guests you’re ‘interested in’ for dates—eating, drinking, chatting about your ideals. The appearance fee is substantial. Isn’t this your favorite type of work?”

“Given your current reckless behavior, it’s only a matter of time before hard evidence of you and Chi Yi surfaces. If you have this dating show under your belt, even if more rumors about you two come out, netizens will only be half-skeptical. It won’t affect your career.”

At this point, Li Wenjing paused and added: “It also affects President Chi’s career. Let me tell you, the business world is actually a bit superstitious about this. If your relationship is exposed, it will inevitably affect the stock price of Yixin Trade. There will be losses!”

After listening to Li Wenjing’s long-winded explanation, Cheng Yixin looked at Chi Yi for confirmation.

Chi Yi didn’t immediately take a side. In her position in the business world, the general public only cared about the benefits they could obtain; as for whether the boss was male or female or what their sexual orientation was, it wasn’t fundamentally important. Furthermore, Yixin Trade focused on the real economy—Yixin Supermarkets had an extremely stable local customer base. Whatever the internet said was irrelevant to those customers.

Chi Yi thought for a moment and whispered, “Sister Wenjing, the reason you took this show isn’t purely for that, right?”

The room was very quiet, so Chi Yi’s lowered voice still reached Li Wenjing’s ears.

She hurriedly said, “President Chi, you’re there too? Oh right, I’m busy to the point of stupidity—you went for a set visit.” With a sharp-eyed person present, Li Wenjing was more than happy.

“President Chi, the reason for taking it isn’t just that. This television station has sent cooperation invitations to Yixin twice before, and we’ve rejected them both. Things shouldn’t be done a third time; it wouldn’t be appropriate to reject them again, right? In this internet age, the TV channels under their station have massive traffic. If we get blacklisted, it means we won’t be able to get any related cooperation in the future, which would be a huge loss for an actor.”

“This time, the production team is also very sincere. No ‘CP-shipping,’ no messy editing, no malicious creation of topics—this can be written into the contract. In the current environment, that’s very rare.”

Chi Yi thought seriously. After weighing the pros and cons, she said to Cheng Yixin, “It sounds pretty good. Because of the previous live-stream incident, many netizens know your name, but they don’t actually know you as a person. If a reality show can let everyone see the real you, I believe it will help improve your reputation.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Li Wenjing hurriedly chimed in. “As expected of President Chi, you think so clearly!”

Cheng Yixin pressed the microphone mute button on the screen, leaned forward toward Chi Yi, and said in a serious tone: “This is a romance show, you know? What if I take a liking to another guest? Or what if a male guest has indecent intentions toward me?”

“I trust you absolutely,” Chi Yi said. “As for the male guests… if they try something, first of all, that possibility is unlikely to happen. Since it’s in front of the camera, even the worst person will have some scruples. As for anything private…” Chi Yi gave a very cold laugh. “I will teach them how to be a human being.”

True. Some actors with terrible private characters have surprisingly good reputations in front of the camera. Most “scumbag” celebrities, to reduce the probability of their scandals being exposed, rarely target those within the industry. And in recent years, the entertainment circle has seen scandals that destroy one’s worldview one after another, forcing show staff to work overtime overnight to censor them. So, in current casting, character has become part of the consideration for capital.

Cheng Yixin gave a very light huff, sat up straight, unmuted the microphone, and asked, “Who are the other guests?”

“The other guests haven’t been finalized yet. According to the producer, it’s still in the preparation stage and they’re still communicating with guests. But it’s certain that the guests this season have very diverse occupations, not limited to those in the entertainment circle.”

While Cheng Yixin listened to Li Wenjing, Chi Yi leaned her body against her, wrapping both arms around her waist, acting spoiled and endearing. Turning her head, Cheng Yixin saw a certain “Little Deer” blinking her bright, large eyes at her, making her instantly think of a deer wagging its short tail to please its owner. The small annoyance that had just risen in her heart was instantly smoothed over.

Cheng Yixin stroked Chi Yi’s face and nuzzled her.

“From what I know, they’ll probably invite models, athletes, doctors, singers, entrepreneurs… this season is a bit of a hodgepodge, quite a few types.”

“Entrepreneurs, huh?” Cheng Yixin looked at Chi Yi and smiled. “Why didn’t they invite you?”

“Me?” Chi Yi laughed as well. “Should I go and snatch you away from the male guests?”

Since Chi Yi had made a name for herself online, she had received more invitations for talk shows, and even offers for endorsements and live streams, none of which she accepted. So far, Chi Yi’s online activity was limited to paparazzi street snaps, promotional posts on Cheng Yixin’s Weibo, and a very brief accidental appearance in a variety show recording. Many people had only fallen for her because of her “heavenly beauty” in photos.

In reality, they didn’t know Chi Yi’s preferences; to put it bluntly, they were looking at static photos, and their understanding of Chi Yi was mostly imagined. Because she was mysterious, they held beautiful aspirations for her, like a form of emotional sustenance.

And President Chi didn’t care how those netizens evaluated her. She had no interest in appearing on camera to show herself to the world. Even if doing so could attract many fans to achieve traffic monetization, she disdained it.

“Hahaha…” Cheng Yixin burst out laughing and gave her a loud “mwah” on the cheek. “But I suppose you wouldn’t participate even if invited. And even if you did, those male guests would definitely not dare to strike up a conversation with you.”

“Hey… can you two lovebirds respect me a little? We’re still talking about work…”

“Got it,” Cheng Yixin said. “Is there anything else? If not, don’t disturb us; I’m going to have a night-talk with my Baby Chi Yi.”

“…” Li Wenjing silently hung up the phone.

Is being in love that great? Fortunately, she had at least persuaded her little ancestor.

As a member of the working class, Chi Yi stayed in Zhenzhou for the weekend and then returned to her post. After that, she continued to visit her girlfriend on set every weekend.

Whenever Chi Yi was around, Cheng Yixin didn’t work on the needle felting, fearing she would discover the gift being prepared in secret—then there would be no surprise. However, as the intensity of the filming increased, Cheng Yixin had to communicate the script with actors during the day and was so tired she just wanted to sleep when she returned at night. The time for needle felting grew even scarcer.

“Sister Xin, why don’t I help you?” Xiao Yu watched as Cheng Yixin hurriedly finished her lunch during the break and picked up the needle felting again. Her “fighting for every second” attitude was moving.

“I’m giving this to Chi Yi; I should do it myself,” Cheng Yixin said. “It’s fine, I’m almost done.”

As she spoke, she held up the rounded ball in her hand. This was just the deer’s body—the simplest part. The rest, more delicate and complex, hadn’t even been started.

Xiao Yu did not believe this “almost.” Given Cheng Yixin’s “squeezing out toothpaste” daily progress, finishing it by the time the drama wrapped up would be considered fast. But according to the person in question, President Chi’s birthday was less than half a month away.

Difficult. More difficult than ascending to the heavens.

“Eh.” A face suddenly flashed through Cheng Yixin’s mind. She put down the wool ball and asked, “That Grandpa Feng from before—has he come back?”

“No.” Xiao Yu shook her head. “I haven’t seen him since the day of the roasted sweet potatoes. He said he wanted tofu pudding, but when we bought it the next day, he didn’t show up.”

Calculating it, more than half a month had passed since then, and the old man hadn’t appeared again. Had his sense of novelty really passed, so he stopped coming?

Cheng Yixin felt a bit unwilling. She finally had an opportunity to get close to Chi Yi’s family, and before she had earned enough “goodwill points” with her grandfather, he had vanished.

She pulled back the curtains. Outside, the staff were busy setting up the scene again. Her scenes were scheduled for later in the afternoon, so she still had some rest time. After thinking for a moment, she grabbed her coat and got out of the van. “I’ll go down and see how their filming is going.”

She had only walked a few steps when Xiao Yu chased after her, saying, “Sister Xin, you didn’t take your phone. There’s a call.”

Cheng Yixin checked; it was her mother calling. Finding a spot with no people in the background, she answered.

“Yixin, I heard from Chi Yi that you’re filming in Zhenzhou?”

“Yeah, why?” After speaking, she paused and added: “I’m filming, I can’t exactly find the time to go home for dinner.”

Zhenzhou wasn’t far from the Cheng family home; it was about an hour’s drive. Compared to Jingning, it was quite close.

“I haven’t even said anything yet,” Mother Cheng chided. “You aren’t a child anymore, and your grandparents are getting on in years. Since you’re so close, find some time to go visit them!”

Cheng Yixin pondered. “Let me check the map.”

She opened the map and realized that starting from here, her grandparents’ house was incredibly close—an estimated thirty-minute drive, roughly the same as starting from her own home.

“It’s close, right?” Mother Cheng said. “You used to go often when you were little. Every time, your grandfather would take you on his motorcycle. Now that you’re grown and capable, you should show more filial piety to the elderly.”

“Okay,” Cheng Yixin said. “I’ll go over after we wrap up. I’ve been filming every day lately and I’m very busy.”

Mother Cheng gave an “mm.” “You need to pay attention to your health. Rest when you should. If anything happens, tell Mom and Dad.”

After a few more intimate words, the call ended. Cheng Yixin let out a light breath. Speaking of which, her first meeting with Chi Yi could be traced back to the small riverbank near her grandfather’s house. Although her memories of that time were still just fragments, it didn’t hinder her from reminiscing about the past. She planned to ask for Chi Yi’s opinion later and take her to revisit the old place.

“Everyone, get ready! We start filming in ten minutes! If you need to touch up your makeup, hurry!” The director’s voice pulled her thoughts back.

Cheng Yixin steadied her mind. The director was looking at the script, and everyone else was busy.

“Director Ma.” She walked over to greet him.

“Yixin is here. Your scene is in the one after next. After we finish this, it’ll be your turn. Have a seat first.”

“Alright.”

Cheng Yixin took a small folding stool and sat next to Ma Zhou. She wanted to ask indirectly first, but her thoughts were spinning and she hadn’t decided how to open. She simply went straight to the point: “Director, when is that old gentleman I recommended—the one playing the wicked grandfather of my first love—coming back? Looking at the schedule, it’s about time to film that, right?”

Ma Zhou was drinking water and nearly choked. “Cough… no rush, no rush.” If the old man didn’t come, he’d actually be more relaxed. He had already decided that once the old man’s novelty completely vanished and he forgot about it, he would find another actor to play the wicked grandfather.

“How can there be no rush?” Cheng Yixin said. “The old man’s acting isn’t quite there yet. Last time, he ran off halfway through our rehearsal. You should call him in; I’ll give him some good guidance during this time so we can finish in one take when we start filming.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” The director waved his hand hurriedly. “I’m in no hurry to film that part! If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll just change actors.”

“It’s already decided; how can you just change people? Otherwise, you shouldn’t have agreed before. This is a matter of integrity. Think about it—how much an empty-nester must be looking forward to this filming? Then the person arrives, and you say they aren’t acting anymore. Isn’t that giving someone hope just to let them down? It’s not right, not right!”

Cheng Yixin’s arguments came one after another. This “pot” felt extremely heavy on the director’s back. If the old man hadn’t forbidden him from speaking, he would have wanted to pull Cheng Yixin’s ear and tell her: That man is a billionaire; stop worrying about a capitalist’s affairs.

Far away in Jingning, the old man suddenly let out a loud sneeze, startling Feng Siqi awake from her nap.

The old man grabbed the head of a broom, tapped on a small blackboard, and said: “Listen carefully while Grandpa sets the question. Answer seriously.”

“Assume you go out to play and lose your wallet and ID. You’re penniless on a strange street and can’t contact any friends. Just when you’re most helpless… a young, capable, handsome guy appears. He offers to help you find a place to stay and even lends you money…”

“Stinking man! He must have intentions toward me!” Feng Siqi slammed the table and rose, saying indignantly: “If there’s a difficulty, find the police! He doesn’t help me report it to 110 but helps me find a place to stay? I bet he wants to trick me into going home with him! Drop dead!”

The old man nodded with satisfaction.

“Not bad. You’re almost ready to graduate.”