Did Assistant Xie Make the Trending Searches Today? - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Cried

In the short two days since Love Signal began airing, it has quickly claimed the top spot on Orange TV’s variety show ratings chart, thanks to its dramatic plot settings, unpredictable pacing, and a cast of high-visual guests.

The fan counts of the celebrity guests are growing exponentially, and the online discussion regarding the “commoner” guests is reaching new heights.

Among these commoners, the one with the most heat is the mysterious Jin Huaifeng, followed by the soft, cute, and obedient Xie He-ting.

Xie He-ting has already trended several times recently. The entire internet is searching for the identity of this boy who caused Shen Ji and Jin Huaifeng to act so jealously.

Onlookers aren’t missing a single detail, frantically digging into Xie He-ting’s true identity.

The production team provided four “blind selection” tags: “Filthy Rich Young Master,” “Ordinary Corporate Slave Assistant,” “Involution King/Straight-A Student,” and “Idol Trainee.”

The tag with the highest public consensus for him is “Idol Trainee.”

High visuals, a strong sense for variety shows, and a perfectly balanced mix of acting cute and playing dumb.

The production team gives him plenty of screen time.

Who would believe he doesn’t have a company backing him!

As for being a “Straight-A Student”? Don’t be ridiculous.

What kind of top student spends all day watching TV and playing with their phone like someone in the late stages of screen addiction? He doesn’t look like an academic at all.

Those following Xie He-ting’s popularity include not just fans, but also professional agents within the industry.

After finishing an important announcement, Jiang Ye habitually prepared to discuss his recent work with his manager, Xia-jie, only to find her staring at her phone watching a video with a relaxed smile on her face.

This caught Jiang Ye by surprise.

Their Xia-jie is a cool, “devil-woman” type who rarely smiles; seeing her so relaxed, he couldn’t help but lean over to peek at her screen: “Xia-jie, what are you watching that’s making you so happy?”

“A variety show.”

“Oh!” He pulled his head back and took out his phone to play a game. During the loading screen, he muttered to himself: “I wonder how Xie He-ting is performing on the show. He used to be quite gloomy and didn’t really know how to get along with people. This is a dating show; I hope he isn’t left without anyone choosing him.”

He put his hands together and gave Zhao Xia a pleading smile: “Xia-jie, aren’t you familiar with the director of that dating show? Could you say something nice to the filming crew to have them look after my friend? In case no one chooses him, maybe they can arrange something.”

Zhao Xia tapped her phone: “This friend of yours… I’m in no position to ‘arrange’ anything for him.”

“Why? Did he cause trouble?” That was Jiang Ye’s first reaction.

Back in university, Xie He-ting had caused some trouble due to his personality.

Zhao Xia remained noncommittal: “If he debuts and is cultivated well, there’s a high probability he will explode.”

Jiang Ye thought his ears were failing him.

Zhao Xia had been a manager for over a decade. Her eye for talent and her experience were beyond comparison; it was because of her sharp judgment that she had indeed propelled many big stars to top-tier status.

Jiang Ye himself had been handpicked by Zhao Xia.

Otherwise, as someone not from a performing arts background, how could he have accidentally stumbled into today’s success?

He remembered that back then, Xia-jie told him that if he followed the plan and worked hard, he could make it to the “small first-tier.”

And now, Xia-jie was saying with her own mouth that Xie He-ting could “explode.”

What does it mean to explode?

Someone like Mu Ying is an explosion.

Someone like Shi Jixing is an explosion.

Fans exceeding ten million across the web, a single call answered by thousands, business deals pouring in until your hands are soft, and never worrying about endorsements—that is called “exploding.”

While Xie He-ting is indeed good-looking, and Jiang Ye admits he has the capital to be famous, aren’t there plenty of good-looking people in the entertainment industry? Why is Xia-jie evaluating him so highly? Is the gap between him and Xie that large?

Jiang Ye felt a small sense of imbalance in his heart. He said awkwardly: “Xia-jie, you might have misjudged this time. Xie He-ting and I were classmates for four years. He’s introverted, eccentric, and quite boring. He has no special talents. I don’t believe he can become a hit.”

Zhao Xia did not believe for a second that the man on the show—the one being frequently approached by Shen Ji, Jin Huaifeng, and Shi Jixing—was the same person Jiang Ye was describing.

Hearing Jiang Ye’s sour tone, how could Zhao Xia not understand his intent?

Zhao Xia put away her phone and spoke earnestly: “Keep your eyes on the long term; don’t be jealous. It’s a good thing for you if he becomes a hit.”

“If Xie He-ting really signs with me, your development paths are different. Since you are classmates, if there are events in the future where you support each other, isn’t that also a good thing?”

Jiang Ye hadn’t considered this angle. Understanding the hint in Zhao Xia’s words, the bit of bitterness in his heart vanished instantly.

“Fine. Once Xie He-ting finishes the first week, I’ll go ask him if he has any interest. If he wants to debut, I’ll definitely have him sign under you, Jie.”

Zhao Xia gave Jiang Ye a meaningful look: “Don’t worry. If we can sign him, there will be plenty of benefits for you.”

“By the way, I’ve been in contact with Heartbeat Signal recently. There’s a chance for you to show your face.” Zhao Xia was an expert at handling people, a master of the “slap followed by a sweet date” tactic.

“Thank you, Xia-jie, for valuing me. Don’t worry, I’ll work hard to get the matter with Xie He-ting settled.” Jiang Ye didn’t make a total guarantee, but he was quite confident.

There was something he hadn’t told Zhao Xia. He felt that Xie He-ting’s attitude toward him… how should he put it? He had previously suspected that Xie He-ting might have feelings for him.

Otherwise, why was Xie He-ting always responsive to his every request? Especially this time, acting as a last-minute replacement; for someone like Xie who disliked the camera, he had agreed after Jiang Ye simply begged a little.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ye felt a bit smug. Even though he was straight, he was still infinitely charming.

At the same time, he felt a tiny bit of guilt, feeling like a scumbag playing with his “brother’s” feelings, but…

Jiang Ye rubbed his nose. As long as the compensation was sufficient, he wouldn’t be mistreating his friend.

Orange TV was engaging in soft product placement; the TV in the living room played various hit dramas non-stop for eight hours a day.

Originally, the production crew just wanted to run advertisements—it was playing anyway.

They never expected it.

They gained a free promoter—whenever Xie He-ting had nothing to do, he would sit upright on the sofa and watch TV.

He could watch for hours with great interest. Seeing him so serious, many in the bullet chat actually went to search for what he was watching and started following the dramas as well.

During the guests’ free time, the bullet chat had grown accustomed to chatting about Orange TV’s hit dramas.

The production crew gave Xie He-ting more screen time every time, doing free promotion for their own TV series in the process.

Today was the same.

After returning to his room, Xie He-ting was in the small outer living room watching TV.

Hearing footsteps, Xie He-ting turned his head, his eyes rimmed with red.

Jin Huaifeng knit his brows slightly. He originally wanted to say how fragile he was to cry over a TV drama.

Meeting those reddened eyes, the words at his mouth involuntarily changed to: “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

As soon as he said it, Jin Huaifeng wanted to bite his own tongue.

Wake up!

Stay cold, ignore him, and just turn around.

What does his crying have to do with you?

“Nothing… you don’t need to mind me.” Xie He-ting haphazardly wiped the tears from his face.

Jin Huaifeng gave himself a strong psychological pep talk. His gaze darkened slightly. The pace that was originally headed straight for the sofa turned slightly, and then… he leaned over, pulled a few tissues from the coffee table, and stuffed them toward him.

“Wipe.”

“Thank you.” Xie He-ting took the tissues somewhat embarrassedly, wiped his eyes, and stole a glance at Jin Huaifeng.

So embarrassing.

To actually cry over a “story” and be seen by someone else!

Thinking of this, Xie He-ting felt even more ashamed.

“I… I’m going to bathe.”

He “boinged” up from the sofa. Jin Huaifeng was standing on the right side of the sofa; caught off guard, the distance between the two became extremely close.

Jin Huaifeng instinctively turned his head. A droplet of sweat from his short hair traced a beautiful arc in the air and “pa”-ed against Xie He-ting’s fair nape. Startled, Xie felt a jolt as heat seemed to spread from that drop of sweat; his Adam’s apple bobbed rapidly.

Jin Huaifeng’s gaze was deep and intense, almost tangible as it slid from Xie He-ting’s high nose bridge to his crimson lips.

The lip lines were faint; they looked very soft.

“You’ve fallen for He-ting!”

Lan Chi’s tearful accusation suddenly surfaced in his mind.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.

Jin Huaifeng instantly snapped back to reality, straightened his posture, and made space. Xie He-ting, suppressing his heart which was thumping like a drum, squeezed past him like a nimble rabbit.

Before long, the sound of splashing water came from the bathroom.

Jin Huaifeng leaned against the side of the sofa where Xie He-ting had just been sitting, lazily lowering his eyes. His gaze trailed down through his half-closed lids, landing on a small shadow by the bathroom door, lost in thought.

Soon, Xie He-ting came out after his bath. His buttons were still fastened to the very top. His gaze flitted around, too embarrassed to look at Jin Huaifeng.

He thought that since Jin Huaifeng was so wicked, he would surely mock him, but he didn’t expect Jin to say nothing at all, simply grabbing his clothes to go in and bathe.

Xie He-ting, fearing he would come out without clothes again, buried himself early in the sofa.

Fortunately, Jin Huaifeng was much more normal today; when he came out after his bath, his shirt and pants were all worn properly.

Xie He-ting had already moved his pillow and blanket onto the sofa.

“I slept in the bed last night. One person per night; you sleep in the bed tonight,” Xie He-ting explained.

Jin Huaifeng gave an “Mhm,” walking past him without looking back. He got into bed, pulled the quilt, and turned off the light.

Xie He-ting sniffed his nose slightly.

Jin Huaifeng hadn’t closed the bathroom door after his bath, and the fresh scent of water vapor scrambled out. In this humidity, his sensitive nose distinguished a fragrance that was even more comforting.

It seemed to be the scent from Jin Huaifeng’s body.

And so he remembered their eye contact just now; the gaze was too hot, and he couldn’t understand it. He only felt his heartbeat was very chaotic.

Smelling the moist vapor, his eyelids gradually grew heavy. The room became so quiet that only the rhythmic sound of his breathing remained.

The person who was originally lying on the bed opened their eyes in the darkness, sat halfway up, and silently watched Xie He-ting’s direction with deep eyes.

The gentle moonlight was softly sprinkled over him; the boy seemed to be glowing, exceptionally dazzling, exceptionally… beautiful.

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