Everyone I Flirted With Says They Won’t Let Me Go (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 21

The next day, Xia Chengxi arrived early on set. The schedule indicated he had scenes all day, but the assistant director informed him that all his scenes had been rescheduled for the evening.

It seemed like a normal occurrence, so Xia Chengxi didn’t think much of it. Evening was fine—he could wait. Sitting in the makeup room, he idly scrolled through Weibo out of boredom.

All the negative comments about him had vanished within a day. The photos had been deleted, and even the marketing accounts that had been relentlessly targeting him had removed their posts, as if the incident had never happened.

After some thought, Xia Chengxi decided to call Chen Yue.

“Hey, Chen Ge, did the company delete the photos and comments online?”

Chen Yue hadn’t slept all night. He had been reprimanded all day over Xia Chengxi’s issue and was then ordered to resolve it with an emergency PR response by the next day.

Emergency PR was usually reserved for A-list stars like Shu Wenjin. For a third-rate idol like Xia Chengxi, such scandals typically only boosted exposure. Even if the reputation took a hit, at least more people would recognize his name.

Chen Yue had worked tirelessly all night on his behalf but couldn’t reveal the truth. He felt utterly helpless. “You’re an employee of the company. When something happens to you, the company naturally has to protect you.”

Xia Chengxi was taken aback. “But didn’t the company say they were going to discipline me?”

How could they discipline someone Mr. Gu specifically instructed to protect? Even if they had to punish someone, it wouldn’t be you, you troublemaker!

Of course, Chen Yue could only scream these words internally. Outwardly, he maintained a calm and reassuring tone. “That was just something I said in the heat of the moment. Why are you still holding onto it? Don’t worry, we won’t freeze you out. After you wrap up this drama, the company has arranged a role for you in a movie—the third male lead. It’s a step toward transitioning your career earlier.”

“A movie? Third male lead?”

Thinking Xia Chengxi was dissatisfied with the role, Chen Yue explained, “This is just the beginning. Starting too high with a transition can attract unwanted attention. But don’t worry—after this movie, you’re definitely going to blow up.”

Xia Chengxi was momentarily stunned. He knew his own worth. Aside from his decent looks, he didn’t have many other strengths.

“Let me give you a little heads-up since you’ll find out after wrapping up anyway. Your co-star in this movie will be none other than the award-winning actor Shu Wenjin.”

Xia Chengxi exclaimed in surprise, “Shu Wenjin?”

“Yes, acting alongside an award-winning actor—make sure to learn from him. Alright, that’s all for now. We’ll discuss the details after you finish filming. Bye.”

After hanging up, Xia Chengxi was still in a daze.

Just yesterday, he had been struggling with how to get close to Shu Wenjin, and today, luck had struck out of the blue. It felt almost too easy.

Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t shake a vague sense of unease.

As Xia Chengxi was lost in thought, Mu Nan—the actor he had coached yesterday—pushed the door open and entered, holding a cup of coffee. With a warm and sincere smile, he handed it over.

“Brother Xia, thank you for your guidance yesterday. I was too young and impulsive. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Xia Chengxi raised an eyebrow. Did the sun rise from the west today?

Several makeup artists were also in the room, watching them closely. To avoid unnecessary gossip, Xia Chengxi accepted the coffee from Mu Nan’s hand.

He didn’t drink it, just left it on the table. Whether Mu Nan’s goodwill was genuine or fake, he saw no need to stir up trouble at this critical moment when filming was nearly wrapped up.

“It’s nothing, just a small favor. I’ve already forgotten about yesterday’s incident. I hope we can cooperate smoothly in the future.”

“Alright, I’ll remember that, Brother Xia. Your scene today is in the evening. Have a cup of coffee to refresh yourself.”

The rich aroma of coffee wafted into his nostrils, and the system spoke coldly: [Detected unknown substance in the coffee. It is not recommended for the host to drink it.]

Xia Chengxi raised an eyebrow. [You can detect this? Is there poison in it?]

[It’s a component that can induce deep sleep.]

[Oh.]

Xia Chengxi picked up the coffee and took a small sip. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll go attend to other matters now.”

As Mu Nan reached the door, he caught a glimpse of Xia Chengxi taking a large gulp of the coffee, and the smile on his lips grew more pronounced.

By evening, when no one was paying attention, Mu Nan returned to the dressing room. The coffee cup was already empty, and Xia Chengxi was lying on his side on a sofa, fast asleep.

After searching Xia Chengxi’s person and finding his phone, Mu Nan turned it off. He opened the door to reveal the two extras who had previously played thugs. Pointing at them, Mu Nan said, “Carry him to the warehouse at the back.”

When Xia Chengxi was nowhere to be found and his phone was unreachable, the director was furious. Sun Jiao searched the entire set but couldn’t find him. It was then that Mu Nan, as if suddenly remembering, said, “Brother Xia said he wasn’t feeling well and went back first.”

“Went back? Without even telling me, he left before such an important evening scene?” The director fumed. “Coming and going as he pleases, does he really think he’s some big shot? Forget it, we’re done for the day. Pack up!”

At the director’s words, the crew was more than happy to wrap up quickly and head back to the hotel.

Mu Nan and the two extras waited until everyone had left before emerging. They made their way to the warehouse, which was pitch black. As soon as the door closed and the lights turned on, they were stunned to find the warehouse completely empty.

“Where is he?!”

One of them circled around. “That’s impossible. He was just here a moment ago.”

Click—

The sound of a lock echoed sharply in the warehouse.

The group froze for a moment before rushing to the door and pushing it, but it was firmly locked and wouldn’t budge.

Leaning against the door from the outside, Xia Chengxi smiled. With the night’s lowest temperature at three degrees Celsius, they could huddle together for warmth.

He let out a cold laugh, ignoring the frantic banging from inside the warehouse, and walked away yawning.

Early the next morning, the set crew arrived and opened the warehouse door. They were startled to find three people huddled together, shivering from the cold. The trio had been unable to sleep all night, with no way to call for help, and had no choice but to cling to each other for warmth.

Mu Nan racked his brains and could only conclude that Xia Chengxi had woken up after the drug wore off. As for who locked the door, it must have been Xia Chengxi!

Shivering, the three stumbled out of the warehouse, only to run into Xia Chengxi, who looked refreshed and radiant from a good night’s sleep. In contrast, Mu Nan’s face was pale and bloodless, with dark circles under his eyes, making him look utterly haggard.

Xia Chengxi smiled faintly. “You’re here so early. How diligent.”

Mu Nan forced out a few words through gritted teeth, “Not as diligent as you!”

Xia Chengxi smiled again. “Hurry and get ready. We have a scene together later. Do your best.”

Mu Nan stormed off, his face ashen.

Of course, for the next scene, Mu Nan was completely out of sorts. After countless retakes, the director had no choice but to settle for a barely acceptable take and moved on.

The filming of the idol drama was nearing its end. Xia Chengxi spent the final half-month on set without any incidents until the wrap-up.

On the day of the wrap-up, Chen Yue personally came to pick him up. As soon as Xia Chengxi got into the car, Chen Yue handed him the script for the movie.

“This is a big-budget production, directed by Wang Zheng, and even features the acclaimed actor Xia. The company managed to secure the role of the third male lead for you. This is a rare opportunity, so you must make the most of it.”

Xia Chengxi casually flipped through the script before setting it aside and asked, “Where are we heading now?”

“To have a meal.”

Soon, the car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel. After getting out, Xia Chengxi stared at the opulent star-rated hotel, puzzled.

Did they really need to come to such a high-end place just for a meal?

“Let’s go, why are you standing there?”

Xia Chengxi followed closely behind him, still confused. “We’re eating here?”

Chen Yue had acted first and reported later. If he had told Xia Chengxi from the start that Gu Cheng wanted to see him, the young man probably wouldn’t have even gotten into the car.

“It’s just a dinner meeting. Mr. Gu, as the investor of this film, wants to discuss the details. Of course, the acclaimed actor Shu is also here, so there’s no need to worry.”

Perhaps everything had been arranged in advance. The hotel had very few guests, and a waiter led them to a secluded private room. The emptier the corridor became, the more uneasy Xia Chengxi felt.

The waiter opened the door. Inside the room, it wasn’t the boisterous scene Xia Chengxi had imagined—no nouveau riche types with gold chains and watches, no cigar smoke filling the air.

On the contrary, it was very quiet.

Everyone sat around the dining table, conversing in low voices.

Xia Chengxi scanned the room. All the faces were people he would never encounter in his daily life. The only ones he could talk to were Chen Yue and Shu Wenjin. There was only one empty seat left. After a moment’s thought, he sat between Chen Yue and Shu Wenjin.

As soon as he sat down, he felt an intense gaze fixed on him. He looked up and saw a man sitting directly across from him, raising his glass with a smile and toasting him from afar. After the man slowly finished his drink and placed the glass on the table, everyone in the room turned their eyes to him.

“Mr. Xia, you’re truly hard to invite.”

The man leaned back, his narrowed eyes fixed on Xia Chengxi, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, and his authoritative demeanor made it almost impossible for Xia Chengxi to lift his head.

Yet, it felt somewhat familiar.

Chen Yue tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “This is Gu Cheng, Mr. Gu.”

Whoever he was, he was someone Xia Chengxi couldn’t afford to offend. Steeling himself, Xia Chengxi picked up a glass of wine in front of him, stood up, and raised it in apology to the man. “Mr. Gu, I was in the wrong before. I’ll punish myself with this drink as an apology.”

With that, he was about to down the wine.

“Wait.”

Xia Chengxi looked at him, bewildered. Gu Cheng quietly instructed the person standing beside him, who then approached. Xia Chengxi braced himself as if facing a formidable enemy.

Gu Cheng swirled his glass and smiled. “Don’t be afraid. I just asked someone to get you a glass of water. That wine is too strong. It’s not good for your stomach.”

The bodyguard indeed handed him a glass of water—plain water.