I Was Forced into the Limelight After Pairing with a Top Star - Chapter 3

Lin Wang slept fitfully until evening, jolted awake by the violent, rhythmic banging on his front door. For a moment, he thought he was back in his previous life. He stumbled out of bed in a daze, only coming to his senses when he slammed his head into a metal ornament by the bedroom door. The sharp pain cleared the fog: he was dead, and this was not “his” home.

Thinking about the knocking now, something felt wrong. Who would contact Lin Wang like this? His parents and Shi Yu had his number; they would not just pound on the door. Was it Chi Yuan? Or was it the loan sharks?

Lin Wang stood frozen by the bedroom door. Outside, the banging and shouting lasted for over ten minutes, but he did not make a sound. In all his years of struggling to survive, he had encountered this before. There was only one trick: no matter if they threatened to cut off your arms or break your legs, you simply do not open the door and pretend you are not home. That way, the thugs could report back to their boss that the target was not there.

He did not stay idle, either. He sent a message to the property management office, reporting a group of people causing a disturbance.

By the time the security guards arrived, the noise outside had completely vanished. An hour later, Lin Wang finally took his phone into the bathroom to call Shi Yu.

The phone did not even ring; the line was busy. He adjusted his wording and sent her a text message instead, reporting that he was still alive and breathing.

The curtains were drawn tight. Lin Wang peeked through a small gap and saw that it was pitch black outside. He had not eaten since that morning encounter, and his stomach was growling with hunger.

On WeChat, Shi Yu had transferred five hundred yuan to him with a note telling him not to starve to death. Lin Wang was immensely grateful.

In his past life, he had suffered so much that even after he became wealthy and stable, he could never let go of his appetite for good food. If the apartment had a stove, he would have bought groceries and cooked for himself.

Though he did not look the part, Lin Wang was actually an excellent cook. Back in the day, his group of fair-weather friends never stopped praising him. “Brother Lin is a man who knows how to live a proper life,” they would say; it was a phrase that had grown old to his ears, yet he had never ended up sharing that life with anyone.

The cuisine in North City was heavy on salt and spice, which suited Lin Wang’s palate perfectly. He finished two dishes and a soup, leaving the plates clean.

While walking around the room to aid digestion, Lin Wang received a call back from Shi Yu. The moment he picked up, she bombarded him with questions, asking if he was okay. When Lin Wang rubbed his ear and mentioned he had not opened the door, her tone jumped an octave higher.

“You had better open the door for me soon. I will be there in half an hour!”

“What is wrong, Sis?”

“You are asking me? Lin Wang, you are actually asking me?” Shi Yu repeated twice, clearly furious. “Check the trending searches yourself. When are you ever going to let your parents have some peace of mind!”

She hung up abruptly, leaving Lin Wang standing confused in front of the empty TV wall in the living room.

The trending searches were indeed spectacular. The top spot had shifted from “Chi Yuan’s Suspected Romance” in the morning to #Lu Jinhe and Zhan Lingxi Officially Announce Engagement#. The second spot was #Chi Yuan Oolong#, and the third was #Chi Yuan Single#.

Lin Wang clicked through them one by one. After finishing, he truly admired the PR team behind Chi Yuan.

Chi Yuan’s studio clarified that Chi Yuan had indeed checked into that hotel and booked the last presidential suite, but the people actually staying there were his close friends within the industry: singer Lu Jinhe and actress Zhan Lingxi. Chi Yuan had swapped rooms with Lu Jinhe because Chi Yuan’s room was oceanfront with a better view, which Lu Jinhe wanted for his proposal.

Lu Jinhe subsequently posted his hotel check-in records. Zhan Lingxi even tagged Chi Yuan in a post, generously expressing her gratitude and joking that the sea view and the ring were beautiful, while only Lu Jinhe was redundant.

The young couple were both talented artists with massive fan bases. Their fans were busy congratulating them and managing the comments, successfully diverting the heat. Even if anyone still suspected Chi Yuan, they could not stir up any trouble now.

“Buddy, I really went all out for you this time,” Lu Jinhe said, sitting in a rocking chair with his legs crossed, peeling peanuts for his fiancée. “You are going to have to work like a horse for me now.”

The man being teased was lying on the sofa. Hearing this, he opened his eyes slightly and heartlessly tossed a pistachio from the coffee table toward him. He then turned to give a plate of cherries, each larger than a coin, to Zhan Lingxi, who had been giggling for a while.

Lu Jinhe had to concede. He uncrossed his legs and struggled to peel a shell with his long fingers. “I see you have already figured out who is the boss in our house.”

Chi Yuan’s family was close to Lu Jinhe and Zhan Lingxi’s families; they had grown up together. Having known each other for over twenty years, they knew exactly who was who, and their jokes never caused real offense. When Zhan Lingxi received the call from Yu Qi, she had not hesitated for a second to wake Lu Jinhe. They coordinated with the studio to quickly suppress the matter.

Being such good friends was not always a benefit; they knew exactly where your sore spots were. When they started teasing, they aimed straight for the sensitive areas until you were thoroughly embarrassed. In private, the Film Queen and Song God titles vanished, replaced by colorful banter.

The couple shared a look, and Lu Jinhe instinctively acted as the frontman. “Hey! Chi Yuan, why don’t you confess to the family? Who were you with last night?”

Chi Yuan rested his arm over his eyes. After lying down all day, he no longer felt unwell; he was simply too lazy to get up. After Lu Jinhe finished speaking, he let out a scoffing laugh. “Since you are so curious, why did you not hide under my bed and listen?”

“Damn,” Lu Jinhe said, dissatisfied. “You are keeping it a secret? If I did not have serious business to attend to last night!”

Zhan Lingxi bit into a cherry, her words a sharp contrast to her sweet face. “If we had known you were doing that last night, Xiao He and I would have definitely proposed under your bed.”

Lu Jinhe followed his fiancée’s lead, tossing a peanut shell at Chi Yuan with a mischievous grin. “A whole box of condoms was used up. You did not finish the person off, did you? How thirsty were you?”

Chi Yuan did not even blush at their suggestive remarks. With his eyes closed, his voice trailed off lazily. “I lasted longer than you.”

It took a moment for Lu Jinhe to process that. He pointed at Chi Yuan in mock outrage. “Chi Yuan, I am warning you, that is slander! How long I can last is between me and my Lingxi. Your comments are nothing but slander.”

He was not actually angry; he started laughing first. Their jokes often went much further than this.

Zhan Lingxi patted Lu Jinhe’s head like she was comforting a puppy, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

A phone chimed. Chi Yuan reached for it, read a message, and typed a few words that were meant to sting. “Are you not a virgin?”

A person really changes after losing their virginity; they talk with a lot more confidence. Lu Jinhe had asked for a long time and still did not know if the person was a man or a woman. He collapsed into Zhan Lingxi’s arms seeking comfort. “Wife, this kid is damn ungrateful.”

Lin Wang had not messaged Shi Yu for no reason; he wanted to borrow money.

Loan sharks were a threat to his life. He was not afraid of owing people money; he could pay back any amount step by step. That was how he had survived before. But casino loan sharks were different. Setting aside the principal, the daily interest alone could grind Lin Wang down to nothing.

Shi Yu entered the room and immediately gave Lin Wang a slap. Smack. It was quite loud.

She was not particularly beautiful, and her face without makeup showed traces of exhaustion, but her back was straight and her aura was powerful. When she scolded Lin Wang, it reminded him of his own mother.

“Do you just not understand human speech!”

Lin Wang did not get angry. He wiped the corner of his mouth, smiled, and said, “Sis, I know I was wrong.” He invited her in, poured a glass of mineral water, and handed it to her. From start to finish, he showed no trace of resentment, only respect and apology.

As a shrewd man who had truly struggled in society, he was nothing like the original spoiled young master who was born with a silver spoon. He did not offer empty words; every move and look was practical. He made people feel like he was offering his sincere heart. Someone with less experience would have already been won over by Brother Lin.

On her way over, Shi Yu had planned at least a dozen ways to lecture him. But seeing him smile and offer the water, the harsh words got stuck in her throat. She studied him for a moment before saying, “Chi Yuan’s manager contacted me.”

Lin Wang went to the window to open it wider. When he turned back, he looked surprised. “That fast?”

Shi Yu took a sip of water and looked at him, clearly still annoyed. “Fast? Wait until he is standing right in front of you, then tell me if it is fast.”

Lin Wang laughed but did not reply, sitting on the sofa’s chaise lounge to watch her.

The fact that Shi Yu was here meant she already had a plan. She was only pausing now to wait for an opening to lecture him so he would learn his lesson. But since Lin Wang did not bite, she continued on her own.

“Where did you go to study these past few days? You have become so sharp,” Shi Yu said, letting out a sigh as her furrowed brows relaxed. “The word from Chi Yuan’s side is that as long as you keep your mouth shut and do not leak anything, they will not pursue it.”

“I definitely will not leak it,” Lin Wang nodded.

“Also,” Shi Yu said, “he made a suggestion.”

“What suggestion?”

“Chi Yuan is preparing a new album and needs an assistant to help him find inspiration.”

Lin Wang’s eyelid twitched as he heard Shi Yu continue. “He specifically asked for you.”

This was not an assistant; this was a hostage. Lin Wang never expected things to develop this way. He racked his brain but could not understand why the protagonist’s task had landed on his head.

Shi Yu did not know Chi Yuan’s background. She thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would not come again even if their ancestors’ graves started smoking with luck. She felt he should seize it. Her only concern was Lin Wang’s stubborn temper. What was a golden ticket for others might be a disaster in his hands.

So, she had come to personally instruct him. “Chi Yuan’s manager promised that if you follow Chi Yuan for a year, unconditionally cooperating with his creative process, Chi Yuan’s studio will give you major roles in two hit dramas. If there are variety shows, Chi Yuan will personally bring you along to help wash away your previous scandals.”

Lin Wang did not agree immediately. “I will think about it.”

“What is there to think about?” Shi Yu’s temper flared again. This was the chance for her younger brother to finally turn his life around. “Do not get stubborn with me on this!”

Lin Wang frowned. Taking advantage of his twenty-five-year-old face, he looked as aggrieved as a young man could, lowering his head and voice. “Giving all that just for a night’s sleep, it sounds like I am being asked to sell my body for a hidden transaction.”

He was handsome. His eyes were large with slightly drooping corners, which might look gloomy on others, but on Lin Wang, it made him look approachable. When he straightened his face, he could look fierce and intimidating.

“You!” Shi Yu’s anger vanished, replaced by a pang of sympathy. Lin Wang’s move was ruthless, playing the family card to poke at her softest spot.

Shi Yu was silent for a few seconds. She still felt some unfairness on Lin Wang’s behalf, but her tone was no longer forceful. “The manager did not imply anything of that sort.”

“Sis, let me think about it more.” Lin Wang was still getting used to acting young, looking into Shi Yu’s eyes like he was playing a prank.

Who could resist being stared at like that? Shi Yu ultimately could not find the heart to push him. They talked for a while longer before Lin Wang saw her out to the entrance of the complex and watched her get into her car.

As she started the engine, Shi Yu gave Lin Wang a complicated look. “If only you could always be as sensible as you are today. Your father got sick again from anger after hearing from the front desk that you had caused trouble.”

Lin Wang shielded her from the cold night wind, acting the part of the filial son. “I understand, Sis. I will go and apologize.”

He had slept too much during the day. At eleven at night, Lin Wang lay in bed, unable to sleep.

The conditions Chi Yuan offered were indeed good. Acting was a fast way to make money, but he was not sure if this was a one-way ticket to hell.

What Lin Wang knew about Chi Yuan, besides what was in the book, was limited to the night they had shared. To be honest, Chi Yuan’s actions and preferences were quite excessive; most people would not have lasted until morning before passing out.

Living a second life, Lin Wang was very cautious. If a one-night stand was like that, would he not be played to death during the creative process?

His phone chimed twice in succession. In the pitch-black bedroom, the sound seemed magnified a thousand times.

Lin Wang frowned deeply as he read the first text message. The loan sharks had not seen him in person and were threatening to harm those close to him if he did not pay the interest.

His greatest fear had arrived. Lin Wang used to have no attachments; he could do anything and rush into things alone. But people like him valued relationships the most. The parents had raised the original owner for over twenty years; Lin Wang could not let this matter affect them.

He sighed and clicked the second message.

“Want to be my Muse? The reward will satisfy you. — Chi Yuan”

The word Muse was far too elegant. Lin Wang knew exactly what his fate would be if he went. Chi Yuan simply wanted to torture him, watch him go crazy, and watch him cry, using him as fuel for his creation.

The more he thought about it, the more tragic it seemed. After living for thirty years, Lin Wang was now being tormented by a young man six years his junior.

Tsk.

Lin Wang typed back, disgruntled.

“Hello, it would truly be my honor!”