I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Determined to Win

With a “bang,” the main door closed, leaving Ji Xiuheng alone once again in the cavernous house.

He stood rooted to the spot, rubbing his fingertips as if savoring a lingering aftertaste, seemingly wanting to commit the warmth from moments ago to memory. The floor lamp in the corner of the living room remained silent, wordlessly recording the two heartbeats that had been masked by the sound of the copper bell.

Holding the small box given by Ji Xiuheng, Xie Ci only realized after stepping out that he had forgotten to change his shoes. He was still wearing the pair of kitten slippers Ji Xiuheng had prepared for him.

With a “buzz” interspersed with a faint electrical hum, a small patch of warm yellow light lit up at the entrance.

Xie Ci had just swiped his elevator card to go downstairs. Upon entering the house, he found the living room pitch black. Thinking that Mo Li might already be resting and worried about disturbing his friend’s sleep, he only turned on a small lamp in the foyer for illumination.

The light was dim, shining on the copper bell cradled in his palm. Xie Ci turned the bell over slightly and discovered three extremely tiny letters engraved on the internal clapper.

“J… X… H…” Xie Ci tilted his head, narrowing his eyes to read them out. Then, he tightly gripped the bell and placed it back into the box.

Clack— The originally dark living room suddenly brightened. Stimulated by the light, Xie Ci instinctively closed his eyes.

“Weren’t you going to deliver medicine? Why did he…” Mo Li stared at the small velvet box in Xie Ci’s hand, dumbfounded and filled with disbelief.

Wha-what!

Have the two already progressed to the proposal stage? But he wasn’t prepared to “marry” him off yet!

Mo Li was struck speechless. Wearing his flip-flops, he pitter-pattered over and grabbed Xie Ci, asking with a face full of terror: “You didn’t agree to him, did you?”

Standing on the foyer rug, Xie Ci was completely baffled by Mo Li’s reaction. The tiny flutter in his heart was instantly scattered. His eyes were even moist with physiological tears from the sudden light, making the small red mole on the tip of his nose appear vivid.

“What are you talking about? Whom did I agree to?” Xie Ci grabbed Mo Li’s collar with one hand and unceremoniously pulled his friend off him.

Mo Li’s eyes desperately glanced toward the small velvet box in his hand. “You brought the ring home and you’re still hiding it from me!”

On one hand, he thought about how “a son grown up cannot be kept at home,” and that his Xiao Ci ultimately couldn’t withstand the temptation of a top-tier male specimen like Ji Xiuheng; on the other hand, he was already thinking of the PR strategies for when their relationship eventually goes public.

He was truly worrying himself to death.

Hearing Mo Li’s words, Xie Ci didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. His beautiful cat-like eyes curved into crescents, radiating a vast expanse of charm. He opened the box. “What is all this? This is a commemorative bell from Brother Ji’s filming. Look.”

Mo Li was stunned. Not by the bell, but by the person.

Despite facing Xie Ci day and night, he could never develop an immunity to this peerless face. His straight-man heart was constantly amazed by Xie Ci’s every move.

“And you’re still laughing! The guy is dying to come to our door and declare his sovereignty!” The “eunuch” was more anxious than the “emperor”; Mo Li’s expression was exceptionally haggard.

Whether it’s a bell or a ring, what’s the difference? With Xiao Ci’s charm, it’s only a matter of time before Ji Xiuheng sends a ring.

Xie Ci was stunned. He had studied martial arts in his sect since childhood. For over a decade, he was accompanied almost daily by the breeze, frost, cicadas, and birds. It wasn’t until he left the sect to travel that he had brief contact with the world’s affairs for a few years, learning that his appearance was likely the type that was very popular.

Among the people he had saved in the past, several ladies had subtly expressed the desire to “offer themselves in marriage,” and some men wanted to stay by his side, content even as a servant or attendant. But back then, Xie Ci was intent on roaming the world and had no interest in romance; unable to reject them directly, he played dumb to get by. Later, as such incidents increased and even caused misunderstandings, he specifically bought a veiled hat to block out those “mad bees and wild butterflies.”

But since coming to this world, Xie Ci’s worldview had been greatly impacted, and his perspective on many things had changed. For example, performing love, hate, and resentment under the lens, calmly accepting the love transmitted by fans who liked him, and… allowing someone to approach him, and allowing himself to approach someone else, to taste the flavor of love.

The two didn’t chat long in the foyer before Xie Ci put the bell back in the box. “Alright, go back and rest. Tomorrow I still need the Great Manager Mo to drive for me.”

Xie Ci dodged the topic, yet he could no longer say that old line about Ji Xiuheng just “looking after a junior.”

Mo Li glanced at Xie Ci, whose earlobes were turning red, and returned to his room with heavy steps. He immediately sent a message to Li Yajun.

“To catch a thief, catch the leader first. Our ‘leader’ has been snatched away [crying].”

After sending it, he didn’t care if she saw it or not. He grabbed his pillow and muffled his head tightly, trying to crawl into a dream to heal his “old father’s heart.”

Ding-dong. The doorbell rang.

Almost instantly, Ji Xiuheng appeared at the door and opened it with a spring-breeze-like expression.

Zhou Mo was carrying a bag of medicine, drenched in sweat. He had run all the way to Ji Xiuheng’s door. Seeing the “resplendent” Ji Xiuheng who had even specifically put on glasses standing inside, his eyes almost fell to the floor.

“Xiao Ci. Why are you…” The deep, magnetic voice stopped abruptly. “Oh, it’s you.”

Zhou Mo was originally puzzled by how fast the door opened, but was then shocked by Ji Xiuheng’s face-changing skill.

What’s “it’s you”? What’s “it’s you”!

He was going to complain to Sister Tian about the boss abusing his assistant! While the little person in Zhou Mo’s heart performed eighteen sets of military boxing, he didn’t dare speak his anger. He obediently carried the items into Ji Xiuheng’s house.

“Boss, someone tried a ‘scam’ on the road, and I was taken to give a statement. It delayed me, which is why I’m late.” As Zhou Mo spoke, he placed the bag of medicine on the table. Looking at Ji Xiuheng’s restored, handsome face, he asked tentatively, “Did Teacher Xie come just now? I thought since he lived nearby, I’d trouble him to come check the situation.”

Zhou Mo was a bit nervous, worried Xie Ci hadn’t seen the message or had seen it but didn’t come. He had been driven dizzy by that pestering old man, and considering Ji Xiuheng’s extreme emphasis on privacy, he had thought of Xie Ci and hurriedly messaged him, hoping he could help check on his boss.

“Boss, how are you feeling now…” Halfway through his concern, Zhou Mo’s words were choked in his throat by the man’s smile on the sofa.

He blinked rapidly, looking incredulously at Ji Xiuheng, who was smiling like melting ice. The satisfaction and predatory nature in his eyes were almost completely unmasked.

“I’m fine, you can go back now.” Ji Xiuheng lifted his eyelids and spoke to the stunned Zhou Mo.

Zhou Mo floated downstairs, his shock self-evident. It really was like “an old house on fire”—unstoppable. In these years as Ji Xiuheng’s assistant, it was the first time he had seen the boss reveal such strong predatory and “determined-to-win” possessive eyes. Zhou Mo had no doubt: if Xie Ci really had no interest in their boss, given Ji Xiuheng’s style, if he couldn’t win the beauty, he would surely turn the world upside down.

With a long sigh, Zhou Mo leaned lazily against the driver’s seat.

“Alipay received 10,000 yuan.” The phone’s notification sounded. The crisp clinking of gold coins was absolutely beautiful. Zhou Mo’s body snapped straight. Looking at the “Well done” note in the details, he was instantly filled with drive. He stepped on the gas and drove off humming a song.

“Teacher Xie? Teacher Xie? The makeup is finished.” The crew’s makeup artist gently held Xie Ci’s face and whispered to wake him up.

In the bright dressing room, the clock hands had just pointed to the number “6.” In winter, the sun rises late; the sky outside was still a dark velvet blue. The crew’s staff had already begun arranging the filming site.

Xie Ci was awakened by the makeup artist’s voice. His expression was still a bit dazed, his eyes innocent, not yet fully recovered from the dream he just had.

A cat-paw hand warmer was stuffed into his hand, and Xiao Ya handed over a cup of warm honey water. “Drink some warm water to soothe your stomach. They’re still setting up outside; you can sleep in the car for a while later.”

Mo Li was also standing nearby, holding a thick stack of hand warmers, preparing to stick them under Xie Ci’s costume later. The weather was getting colder, and the actors’ costumes had to fit the drama’s timeline, which were somewhat thin. Thus, Mo Li had specifically bought a large box of hand warmers to keep in the car; he could also distribute them to other small actors without assistants, as a favor.

“Okay. You guys should dress warmly too. We’ll go to the car together later.” Xie Ci took a sip of honey water. The lingering sweet taste dissolved in his mouth, warming his body. His once-red earlobes gradually returned to their fair color.

Seeing Xie Ci squinting with satisfaction, Xiao Ya’s urge to “pet” him was stirring. Just as she was about to act, Mo Li suddenly pulled her aside.

The two stared at each other. Mo Li glanced at Xie Ci, who was scrolling through the comment section, and whispered: “What should we do?”

“What do you mean ‘what should we do’?” Xiao Ya didn’t catch on.

“What do you mean ‘what do you mean’! Do you even care about Xie Ci?” Mo Li got anxious and took out his phone to show Xiao Ya the message he sent last night.

“…Bro, can you confirm the message was sent next time?” Xiao Ya looked at the “failed to send” notification on Mo Li’s phone and rolled her eyes.

“Wait, what do you mean by those words?” Xiao Ya’s eyes rounded.

“I mean that. Did you forget about you-know-who?” Mo Li winked.

“Ow! Ahem!” Xiao Ya’s mouth dropped open; unable to suppress her voice, she hurriedly coughed. “He moved so fast!”

Mo Li glanced toward Xie Ci and whispered gloomily: “Slow hands get nothing.”

The two stared at each other for a long while, falling into silence. The opposite party, Ji Xiuheng, had the looks, the money, and the status; moreover, he was clean-living with an excellent reputation, and he clearly liked their Xie Ci. Aside from being a man, he could practically be called a 100% perfect partner.

Unlike the single dog Mo Li, who had only seen “pigs run,” Xiao Ya, as a non-single person who had “eaten meat,” saw the spark between Ji Xiuheng and Xie Ci at a glance. She looked at Xie Ci, who was smiling radiantly at his phone, and silently lit a candle for the haggard Mo Li next to her.

Mo Li, oh Mo Li, don’t try to be the Queen Mother; hitting a pair of mandarin ducks is not the way to go!

“Ahhh, it’s so cold, so cold! It’s getting even colder today. What if it affects my photos of my male god later!” A girl in grey holding a camera paced back and forth, stomping her feet from the cold.

“I have an extra hand warmer here, take it for now.” A girl in yellow took a hand warmer from her pocket and handed it over.

A girl in black wearing thick clothes nearby was clearly more experienced. “Haven’t you two chased a crew in B City before? It gets cold fast here; you need to prepare several types of warmth gear.” Having said that, she handed over a small hand warmer from her backpack. “Are you here for Xie Ci’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ too? My sisters told me his temper is exceptionally good, but he’s too professional he comes early and leaves late, making him huge-ly difficult to photograph.”

The girl in black had fan-made Xie Ci merch hanging from her backpack. When she spoke of her idol, her face was full of happiness. “I was lucky last time and caught him clocking out. Hearing the fans call his name, he even made a ‘cheek heart’ for everyone, so cute. Here, this is the photo I took!”

The girl in black took out her phone, and several girls gathered around in a small huddle.

“Wow, he’s so cute I’m getting a nosebleed…”

“Does our baby only know this one fan-service move? He did the same one in the last set of photos.”

“But this move is so cute. The male god makes a heart like a kitten.”

“I’m so jealous. I can never catch him when I come. My eyes are tearing up.”

The young girls chattered away. The satisfaction of mentioning their idol diluted the winter cold and made the wait less lonely.

The filming base where the Han River Crossing crew was located was large. Not many crews were still filming at the end of the year, yet many fans were still waiting offline near the base. Xie Ci had just become famous, and Han River Crossing was so viral that it overshadowed several other dramas airing at the same time, drawing dissatisfaction from some fanbases.

Online, these people knew they were in the wrong; after all, their own idol’s drama wasn’t good enough and couldn’t win the “battle” against Han River Crossing, so they didn’t dare be too arrogant, at most venting in their own “Super Topics.” But offline, hearing several groups of people discussing the actors of the Han River Crossing crew—especially Xie Ci, for whom nearly half the people had come made some people’s hearts turn as sour as lemons.

“Tch, what’s the big deal? The character he plays is so ‘weak’ [suffering/passive], it’s nauseating to watch!” The girl who said this was named Xiao Ye. Her voice was low, and she held a fan-made Wu Xinyue keychain in her hand. She had become a fan after watching an idol drama Wu Xinyue starred in. Not long after joining the fan group, she frequently saw people implying that the second male lead of a certain hit drama had snatched the role, causing Wu Xinyue to lose an important opportunity.

“Exactly. Does no one see his true face?” The best friend beside Xiao Ye echoed; she was also a fan of Wu Xinyue. Xiao Ye hated “resource-driven” celebrities the most. Seeing her favorite have a role snatched away, she naturally could not develop any good feelings for the “instigator,” Xie Ci.

Hearing the lively discussion of the girls nearby, she felt stifled. She was determined that after Wu Xinyue finished filming today, she and her friend would loudly cheer for their idol to make him feel the love from his fans. Xiao Ye and her friend had even meticulously written a ten-page “protest letter,” heavily condemning Xie Ci’s unethical behavior of snatching someone’s role, planning to find an opportunity to stuff it into Xie Ci’s hands later.

The two gripped the letters and gift bags they had prepared, shivering from the cold as they huddled together. Someone nearby saw them shivering and kindly handed over two hand warmers. “You’re wearing way too little. Take these to warm your hands, don’t catch a cold.”

“Thank you.” Xiao Ye reached out her red, frozen hand, took them, and gave one to her friend. She was just about to say more words of thanks when she saw the Xie Ci merch on the person’s backpack. The unspoken thanks instantly got stuck in her throat.

Stuck right in the middle.

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