Everyone I Flirted With Says They Won’t Let Me Go (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 20

Xia Chengxi experienced the terror of public opinion on set for the first time.

In just one night, he had gone from an inspirational idol who could have relied on his looks but chose to prove himself through acting skills, to a shameless third-rate star climbing his way up by clinging to an award-winning actor.

When he pushed open the door to the set’s makeup room, the makeup artists who had been happily gossiping immediately fell silent. Those who used to greet Xia Chengxi most enthusiastically now kept their heads down, focusing on their own tasks.

Xia Chengxi wasn’t surprised—this was typical behavior in the entertainment industry, where people fawn over the successful and dismiss the failing. If he weren’t the male lead of this TV drama, he probably wouldn’t even be allowed through the makeup room door.

But so what? He was the male lead.

When a makeup artist approached to do his makeup, Xia Chengxi waved them off. Since this was a modern idol drama, he didn’t need makeup.

Not long after, the door opened again, and two or three people escorted in a blond young man, chatting and laughing. The quiet makeup room instantly became lively.

This was the drama’s second male lead, Mu Nan. With his lively personality and smooth talking, he often had girls laughing happily. Few in the entertainment industry lacked good looks, and Mu Nan, who also had a knack for understanding people’s minds, had steadily risen from a newcomer who joined midway to the second male lead in just a year and a half.

If not for Xia Chengxi, Mu Nan would likely have been the male lead.

“Morning, Brother Xia.”

Though Xia Chengxi didn’t particularly like him, since Mu Nan was being polite in public, there was no need to embarrass him.

“Morning.”

Mu Nan moved closer. “Brother Xia, I heard you were with Actor Shu yesterday. I’m so envious. I dream of meeting him, but alas, no such opportunity.”

When it came to sharp-tongued retorts, Xia Chengxi believed he was second to none. During his time working with Mu Nan, he had observed that aside from being somewhat cunning, deceitful, two-faced, and engaging in petty behavior, Mu Nan wasn’t all that bad.

After all, in just one month since joining the crew, Mu Nan had won over everyone from the director and producers down to the kitchen staff. He was quite talented.

“Yes, you’ve missed your chance. So, you should keep dreaming. Maybe in your dreams, you can act alongside the award-winning actor and polish your skills. That way, you won’t hold back the entire crew, right?”

Mu Nan was taken aback, his stunned expression written all over his face. Though he tried to hide his displeasure and anger, adopting a humble and yielding demeanor, the resentment lurking in his eyes was almost comical.

“Brother Xia is right. I definitely need to work on my acting skills. How about giving me some pointers during our scene together later?”

Xia Chengxi stood up, a flicker of gentleness in his smiling eyes. “Sure, I’ll teach you later.”

How arrogant! Mu Nan thought disdainfully.

The assistant director knocked and came to notify them, “Chengxi, Mu Nan, are you two ready?”

Xia Chengxi replied with his usual respectful politeness, “Ready.”

Mu Nan also responded with a smile, “Ready.”

This was an idol drama about a sweet, naive female lead and a handsome, wealthy male lead who, after numerous emotional entanglements and misunderstandings, eventually reconcile and reunite.

Mu Nan played Ye Nan, the female lead’s childhood friend who grew up with her, while Xia Chengxi played Chen Moyan, a wealthy young man who loses his memory and is taken in by the female lead.

The morning scene was a confrontation between Xia Chengxi and Mu Nan. In the scene, Mu Nan’s character, Ye Nan, was unable to repay his loan shark debts, and the thugs tracked him down to the female lead Qiao Qiao’s home. A conflict broke out between Ye Nan and the thugs, during which Chen Moyan, trying to protect Qiao Qiao, sustained a head injury. A key moment that triggered his memory recovery.

In romance dramas, the clichés are predictable: a car crash leads to amnesia, and a beating brings back the memories.

This was an idol drama, low-budget, where the director’s professionalism hardly mattered. What really counted was whether the male leads were handsome.

The director, a former actor who had switched careers midstream, called for everyone to get into position. After reminding Xia Chengxi to look cool, he yelled, “Action!”

The thugs, fierce and menacing, each brandishing iron rods, kicked the door open and stormed into the living room.

The leader wore a vicious expression, though it came off as somewhat comical. Qiao Qiao trembled, her voice choked with sobs, as Chen Moyan pulled her behind him.

After exchanging a few harsh words with Ye Nan about the debt, the thugs grew impatient when Ye Nan insisted he had no money. They charged forward with their iron rods.

The living room instantly descended into chaos. Chen Moyan and Ye Nan were no match for the armed thugs, holding out for barely a minute before they were overwhelmed. Chen Moyan shielded Qiao Qiao beneath him, taking the brunt of the blows and kicks from the thugs.

Thud—

An iron rod struck his head, and crimson blood trickled down his cheek. Chen Moyan collapsed to the ground.

According to the script, once Chen Moyan lost consciousness, Ye Nan only needed to shout, “Stop! I’ll pay back the money, I’ll pay it back!” But for some reason, when it was time for Mu Nan to deliver the line, he burst out laughing.

That meant the entire scene had to be reshot.

Mu Nan apologized awkwardly, “Sorry, sorry, my fault. Director, give me another chance. I’ll do it right this time.”

The director didn’t say much. They reset for another take.

Once again, Xia Chengxi was beaten down like a dog, looking utterly disheveled.

On the second take, Mu Nan forgot his lines.

NG, reset.

On the third take, the female lead got too into character and broke into hysterical sobs.

NG, reset.

On the fourth take, Mu Nan’s phone rang.

…

It took a full ten NGs before the scene was finally completed. Although the thugs were extras and had been pulling their punches, Xia Chengxi had endured being pushed, thrown, and kicked over and over again. His assistant, Sun Jiao, brought him water and a towel. Mu Nan approached with a smile and apologized, “Brother Xia, you know my acting isn’t great. It’s my fault we had so many NGs today. I hope you can teach me how to act better in the future.”

In front of everyone, it’s hard to hit a smiling face. Xia Chengxi took a big gulp of water and mumbled vaguely, “Sure, I’ll teach you carefully.”

Mu Nan was taken aback but quickly smiled again. “Great, thank you, Brother Xia.”

“No problem, it’s my pleasure.”

After Mu Nan left, Sun Jiao looked at Xia Chengxi and asked, “Brother Xia, I have some medicated oil. Do you want to rub some on?”

Rolling up his sleeve, Xia Chengxi revealed bruises on his arm but shrugged it off. “A man needs a few scars to be manly enough.”

Everyone on set was sharp enough to see that Mu Nan’s repeated NGs were intentional. Yet they all watched with amusement, knowing that fortunes change—the next scene was bound to be even more interesting.

After a hasty tidying up, the scene was still set in the female lead Qiao Qiao’s home. The plot, however, had progressed to the point where Chen Moyan had regained his memory, and Qiao Qiao had learned his true identity. Believing he had been toying with her all this time, she was about to accept Ye Nan’s marriage proposal when Chen Moyan appeared, leaving Qiao Qiao—who had been ready to say yes—torn and conflicted.

As for the confrontation scene, Mu Nan wasn’t the least bit intimidated. His face twisted with grief and fury, his eyes blazing as if they could shoot fire at Chen Moyan, he roared hoarsely, “You say I can’t make Qiao Qiao happy? And you can? Don’t joke around, Young Master Chen! Just yesterday, your mother threw money right in Qiao Qiao’s face!”

“This was an accident, and I have nothing to do with the Chen family now. Qiao Qiao, I apologize on behalf of my mother. Please believe me. No matter what, I am still Chen Moyan, not some young master of the Chen family. I don’t need their money. I can use my own two hands to make you happy.”

As the lines ended, the director called “Cut!” and praised the performance as quite good.

But Xia Chengxi walked over to the director, stared at the screen, and frowned. “Director, I don’t think it works.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Xia Chengxi looked at Mu Nan. “Mu Nan’s expression is overacted. At this point in the story, he knows deep down that Chen Moyan can offer Qiao Qiao a better life, but he’s unwilling to accept it and afraid she might end up with him. Mu Nan should convey that inner conflict—the mix of reluctance, resentment, and fear—not just scream his lungs out with no emotional depth.”

Hearing this, the director also found it reasonable and waved his hand, calling for an NG retake.

Mu Nan put on a humble, teachable expression and began his performance again.

Xia Chengxi repeatedly pointed out flaws, and the director called for retake after retake. Everyone could see that Xia Chengxi was genuinely guiding Mu Nan on how to portray the character’s emotions and psychology—not deliberately giving him a hard time.

In contrast, Mu Nan’s previous behavior began to seem rather petty.

It took ten NG takes before the scene was finally approved exactly the same number as the previous one.

Xia Chengxi patted Mu Nan on the shoulder. “Not bad.”

Mu Nan gritted his teeth and forced a smile. “All thanks to Brother Xia’s guidance.”

“No need to thank me. I’ll teach you again next time.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Xia Chengxi turned and walked away, with Sun Jiao following behind, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“Brother Xia, you should’ve seen Mu Nan’s face. His foundation couldn’t even hide it!”

Xia Chengxi stretched his neck. “That’s just how he is—a hopeless case. Arguing with him is pointless anyway. We’re not on the same path, so let’s keep our distance from now on. Let’s head back to the hotel.”

“Alright.”

Mu Nan stared daggers at Xia Chengxi’s retreating figure, then viciously kicked a nearby trash can.

Late at night, in the hallway of the Shenghua Hotel where the actors were staying, Mu Nan glanced around furtively before quietly knocking on a room door. Moments later, the door opened, and Mu Nan slipped inside.

As soon as he entered, someone grabbed him tightly, groping and kissing him wildly.

Suppressing his disgust, Mu Nan allowed the person to have their way with him. Only after the other had finished and lay beside him, dazed and spent, did Mu Nan begin whispering in their ear.

“Director, Xia Chengxi made me lose face today by putting me through all that. You have to get back at him for me tomorrow.”

“I don’t think he was really targeting you. He taught you a lot, didn’t he?”

Mu Nan teased him provocatively. “I don’t care. You have to get revenge for me. Otherwise, where will I put my face?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll get revenge for you, okay?”

Mu Nan smiled contentedly and asked again, “Director, have you finalized the male lead for your next film?”

The director, holding him close, grew interested again. “You little minx, it depends on your performance.”

Mu Nan knew this meant there was a chance. He swung a leg over the man’s waist and began moving on his own.