Everyone in the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Flirty Diva [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 50

Even without speakerphone, Fu Bai’s impassioned voice came through the phone loud and clear.

Chu Xi coughed twice, signaling Fu Bai to drop the whole “dog” topic while cautiously glancing at Gu Mingjing beside her.

But Fu Bai was still vehemently arguing about just how much of a dog Gu Mingjing was—no amount of coughing from Chu Xi could stop him. Just as she was about to hang up, Gu Mingjing suddenly grabbed her hand and demanded in a chilling tone:

“What am I?”

The man’s voice traveled straight through the phone to the other end.

The previously unstoppable voice on the other end fell silent.

Fu Bai held the phone, lips parting slightly.

What had he just said?

That Gu Mingjing was a dog?

And he’d used a colorful array of adjectives to describe said dog?

A shiver ran down Fu Bai’s spine.

Visions of his agency being bought out and turned into a foot massage parlor flashed before his eyes.

At that moment, Chu Xi’s desperate protests came through the phone:

“I didn’t say it!”

“How is this my fault?!”

“Don’t think that way!”

“Who says a manager’s thoughts represent mine… Mmm… You jerk… Mmm!”

Fu Bai listened with bated breath, then glanced at his phone—the call had already ended.

He swallowed hard and tentatively dialed again, hoping to explain the “deeper meaning and profound connotation” behind that “dog” comment. The call went through, but no one answered.

He had no idea what Chu Xi was going through right now.

………………

By the time he saw Chu Xi again in the afternoon, Fu Bai’s confidence had completely deflated.

In the studio, Fu Bai handed a cup of water to Chu Xi with an ingratiating smile. “Heh, heh-heh, heh-heh-heh.”

Chu Xi crossed her arms, her expression thoroughly displeased, and gave him a look from beneath lowered brows.

Fu Bai’s hand trembled, spilling water onto his own wrist—thankfully, it wasn’t hot.

Still grinning nervously, he sat beside Chu Xi. “The joint statement with Yan Zhun’s agency is ready. We can release it anytime.”

He studied her reaction carefully before cautiously adding, “But as for Mr. Gu’s side…”

Chu Xi had denied the dating rumors with Yan Zhun, but the reflection of the man in the photo still needed an explanation. If they admitted it was Gu Mingjing, it would directly confirm their relationship. If they didn’t, they risked angering Gu Mingjing, who might retaliate by turning the studio into a foot massage parlor.

It was a tricky situation.

At the mention of Gu Mingjing, Chu Xi turned to look at him.

Fu Bai immediately fell silent.

Chu Xi’s expression was slightly awkward. “Just say it was you, an assistant, or some other friend. No need to admit it was him.”

“Really?” Fu Bai brightened. “He agreed? How did you get him to agree?”

Chu Xi stared at him silently.

Under her steady gaze, Fu Bai recalled the abrupt end of their call that morning.

As for what happened afterward… well, he didn’t know, and he didn’t dare ask.

“Got it, got it.” He forced a laugh, then sprang to his feet and hurried off to finalize the joint statement with Yan Zhun’s agency.

Soon after, in response to the morning’s trending hashtag #ChuXiYanZhunDatingExposed#, both Chu Xi’s and Yan Zhun’s teams released a joint statement firmly denying any romantic involvement. They clarified that both were currently single and merely friends, dismissing claims of matching outfits, affectionate glances during visits, and even the shared kitchen as baseless rumors and pure coincidence. They urged everyone to stop spreading misinformation.

Netizens were surprised by how quickly both sides denied the rumors, leaving many disappointed—especially those who had been combing through past variety shows for hints of their relationship.

Fans of both Chu Xi and Yan Zhun breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The newly created “Heart Sniper” CP fan page hadn’t even officially launched before being snuffed out by the joint statements. Devastated shippers lamented their dashed hopes.

Attention then shifted back to the mysterious figure reflected in Chu Xi’s photo.

Her statement had explicitly declared she was still single.

If she was single, then who was that person?

Opinions were divided. Some guessed it was a staff member, others a friend, and a few even suggested a distant cousin. But most believed it was Chu Xi’s secret boyfriend.

In response, Chu Xi’s studio released another statement: the man in the reflection was her agent, a certain Mr. Fu, who had simply been cooking and having a casual meal at home after work. They thanked everyone for their concern.

To make the statement more convincing and persuasive, Fu Bai even included a full-body mirror selfie of himself posing next to the announcement.

Everyone: “………………”

[What kind of bizarre agent is this?]

[Speak properly—no selfies allowed!]

—

The storm had passed, and Chu Xi could now focus wholeheartedly on her acting classes.

She was attending a performance course offered by the Film Academy, taught by its acting instructors. Her classmates included several idol singers and dancers preparing to venture into the film and television industry.

Compared to the on-the-spot guidance from Li Yuanxin and Director Chen on the set of The Peach Blossom Promise, the Film Academy’s teaching was more theoretical and systematic, progressing step by step with many enlightening moments.

Chu Xi’s acting notebook was soon filled to the brim.

After class, Chu Xi slung her bag over her shoulder and headed to the school gate.

The other idol trainees had already left, either by car or taxi.

The Film Academy was no stranger to celebrities—countless award-winning actors and actresses, as well as popular young stars, were alumni. No one paid her any attention.

Chu Xi checked the time on her phone and glanced around the entrance, as if searching for something.

A black sedan parked by the roadside flashed its lights at her.

Chu Xi wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about cars, but even among the luxury vehicles frequently seen outside the Film Academy, this one stood out.

She winced, glancing left and right to make sure no one was watching her.

The car flashed its lights again.

Chu Xi pulled a baseball cap and face mask from her bag, put them on, and hurried over with her head down. She opened the car door and slipped inside as quickly and discreetly as possible.

As soon as she got in, Gu Mingjing, sitting in the driver’s seat, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chu Xi removed her mask and cap, shooting him an exasperated look. “Couldn’t you have driven something less flashy?”

“Do you want to attract attention?”

“What if we get photographed?”

Gu Mingjing: “A Rolls-Royce Cullinan is low-key.”

Chu Xi: “I don’t care if it’s a Cullinan or whatever—anything with a little golden statue on the hood is the opposite of low-key!”

Gu Mingjing rubbed his nose. “Fine, I’ll switch cars next time.”

As the car started moving, Gu Mingjing stole a glance at Chu Xi, who was now focused on her phone.

He wanted to tell her that it didn’t matter if they were photographed—why worry? They’d been snapped together plenty of times before, and he could always buy the photos. But then he remembered the seriousness in her expression when she asked him to change cars, the way she’d scurried into the vehicle like a thief, and he chuckled to himself before letting it go.

This was indeed something worth celebrating—her fan boyfriend had finally leveled up to become an actual boyfriend, and even earned the honor of picking up his girlfriend after school.

The only regret was that, at Chu Xi’s request, this boyfriend had to remain an underground one—no official status, unseen by the light of day, and absolutely not to be made public.

So on the surface, he could only maintain his identity as a fan boyfriend.

Chu Xi put down her phone and glanced out the car window. “Is this the way to my home?”

Gu Mingjing gripped the steering wheel. “Yes.”

“Good.” She puffed her cheeks slightly as she looked at the man in the driver’s seat.

She never should have agreed to Assistant Gao’s suggestion to go to his place in the first place. If she hadn’t gone, she wouldn’t have cooked for him; if she hadn’t cooked, she wouldn’t have posted on Weibo; if she hadn’t posted, the scandal with Yan Zhun wouldn’t have blown up; if the scandal hadn’t happened, Fu Bai wouldn’t have accused her of having a “dog”; and if Fu Bai hadn’t said that…

Then Gu Mingjing wouldn’t have gotten his way.

That day, she had somehow muddle-headedly agreed.

By the time she came to her senses, it was too late to take it back. She could only add conditions: Fine, the fan boyfriend could be promoted, but it had to stay underground—no official status, no letting others know, unseen by the light of day. On the surface, he was still just her fan boyfriend.

Gu Mingjing took one look at her expression—as if she’d bite her tongue off if he refused—and agreed.

Who could have imagined that from being her sugar daddy, he had now become a pitiful, nameless, secret little boyfriend, forced into an underground relationship?

Yet, aside from agreeing, he had no other choice.

The car finally stopped at the entrance of Chu Xi’s residential complex.

After being photographed with Gu Mingjing downstairs last time, she had no choice but to move. This complex was more expensive, but the security was strict—no paparazzi could get in.

Chu Xi unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’m leaving.”

“Wait.” Gu Mingjing stopped her.

She turned. “Hmm?”

He looked at her. “An underground boyfriend is still a boyfriend. Can I get a kiss before you go?”