I Was Forced into the Limelight After Pairing with a Top Star - Chapter 8

Lin Wang considered himself a disciplined person; he was not one to fall apart after a single lapse, and he maintained an attitude of moderation toward desire.

Furthermore, the memories Chi Yuan had left him were truly embarrassing. Lin Wang’s pride could not quite handle dwelling on them for the time being.

“Are you not cold?” He looked away, pretending not to feel the threat. He pressed the air conditioner remote twice, and after a few beeps, the temperature settled at 24°C.

Chi Yuan glanced at the display. Seeing the specific number, he closed his eyes and lay back down on Lin Wang’s lap. He did not complain that it was not cool enough. He let out a low yawn and murmured, “Not cold.”

Lin Wang stayed with Chi Yuan on the sofa until after 9:00 PM before waking him up to send him upstairs. Yu Qi had told him that Chi Yuan always went to sleep by 10:00 PM.

Lin Wang truly did not understand what kind of constitution allowed someone to sleep all day and still sleep at night. Perhaps it was just the vitality of youth.

Speaking of youth, Lin Wang’s current body was only twenty-five. Logically, it was an age for peak energy; yet when he lay down in bed that night, his muscles ached as if he had spent the day working on a construction site.

It was unacceptable for a grown man to be in this state. Before falling asleep, Lin Wang added exercise to his schedule.

Summer in this region was rainy. After a dreamless night, Lin Wang woke to the sound of raindrops pattering against the glass.

He stood by the window and looked down. Rose petals littered the ground; the soft pinks had been hammered into dark pink by the rain, possessing a different kind of beauty when mixed with the mud.

After washing up, Lin Wang went downstairs before 7:00 AM. The dining room window was shielded from the rain. He pushed it open and inhaled the scent of damp earth, which cleared his mind significantly.

The housekeeper responsible for their meals was named Zhou Fen. She had short, permed hair and a round, kind face. She smiled when she saw Lin Wang. “Mr. Lin, you are up so early.”

“Yes, I am used to it.” Seeing her carrying vegetables and fish, Lin Wang naturally walked over and took them from her. “Let me carry those for you.”

Zhou Fen tried to decline, but she could not resist Lin Wang’s enthusiasm. Looking a bit embarrassed, she walked into the kitchen with him. “This is too much trouble for you.”

If Lin Wang truly wanted to, he could get along with anyone. He was charming, proactive, quick-witted, and handsome; the exact type elders loved.

He pulled up a stool and sat down to help clean the vegetables, smiling as he spoke. “Do not say that. I would just be idling anyway.”

“I do not know if yesterday’s meals suited your taste. I usually cook what Mr. Chi likes. Tell me what you prefer, and I will prepare it separately,” Zhou Fen said, deep wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes as she smiled. She was quite elderly.

Lin Wang did not stand on ceremony. He laughed and honestly listed his preferences. “I love spicy food and strong flavors. If you add ‘extra spicy’ to any dish, I will definitely love it.”

Zhou Fen nodded. “Perfect. I will make an extra serving of poached fish in chili oil.”

“Thank you. I love that dish.” Lin Wang placed the cleaned vegetables in the sink to wash.

He had noticed from yesterday’s meals that Chi Yuan preferred light, sweet flavors. There was very little vinegar or salt, and absolutely no spice; even the stir-fry was sweet.

While they cooked, Lin Wang chatted casually with Auntie Zhou. He learned that Chi Yuan had been living in the villa alone for many years.

There were certain taboos in the villa that even Auntie Zhou did not fully understand. For example, one could not use a phone or flashlight for illumination at night, the air conditioning had to stay on all summer, there could be no smell of smoke or alcohol, and loud shouting was forbidden.

Lin Wang did not pry further. It was the owner’s privacy, after all, and asking too much would put Auntie Zhou in a difficult position. However, he noticed she never mentioned Chi Yuan’s father.

Zhou Fen set aside a separate portion for Lin Wang and sighed. “He does not like to eat when it gets hot. I keep his food warm, but reheated food is never as good as fresh, and it does not suit his appetite. He always loses weight in the summer.”

“Auntie Zhou, wait a moment.” Lin Wang stopped her from putting the food in the warmer. Recalling Chi Yuan’s behavior yesterday, he did not think the man was anorexic; it was more likely that he was simply too lazy to move.

Lin Wang took off his apron and set it aside. “I will go up and call him. He might be hungry.”

Zhou Fen had worked there for nearly ten years. Not disturbing Chi Yuan unless there was an emergency was the unspoken rule. By the time she processed her surprise, Lin Wang had already headed upstairs. She wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

Zhou Fen did not know exactly why Lin Wang was there or what his relationship with Chi Yuan was. Worried that this enthusiastic young man might offend Chi Yuan, she nervously rubbed her hands on her apron and looked up from the bottom of the stairs.

Ten minutes passed. Just as Zhou Fen was anxiously debating whether to reheat the food, Lin Wang led a sleepy-looking Chi Yuan downstairs. They did not look like they had argued.

Chi Yuan did not speak throughout the meal. Lin Wang assumed he had good table manners and followed suit, keeping the meal silent. The atmosphere was unexpectedly harmonious as they shared their first meal together.

This harmony lasted for half a month.

During those two weeks, Chi Yuan continued to stay indoors day and night. His most frequent words were “Mhm” and “Sleepy.” If Lin Wang did not call him, he would lie in his studio all day in the cold air. His listless state reminded Lin Wang of a hibernating animal.

Lin Wang also spent those two weeks in a bit of a daze. He asked Shi Yu for the contact information of a performing arts teacher and paid for “online classes.” He also called the original host’s father, who was now his father, to apologize. Lin Hanchuan did not answer, so Lin Wang sent a long text message that also went unacknowledged.

A frozen river does not melt in a day. Lin Wang knew he could not rush this. The original host had hurt them too deeply for a single apology to fix everything.

Compared to his previous life, where he woke up to a pile of issues and meetings, his current life was as peaceful as a dream. If not for the fact that the name he called every day was “Chi Yuan,” Lin Wang would have thought he had transmigrated into the wrong book.

The madman in his memory who had driven the other protagonist insane did not seem like the same person currently unable to open his eyes while resting on his lap.

Perhaps because Chi Yuan had not tortured him once since that first phone call, Lin Wang began to feel that this money was coming too easily. Upon reflection, he quickly dismissed that thought.

Good things rarely withstand too much scrutiny.

When Yu Qi arrived, Lin Wang was running downstairs. He had started at 6:00 AM and had been running for an hour, sweat dripping from his temples.

When they met, both felt the other was quite early.

“Are you settling in well?” Yu Qi walked over and patted Lin Wang’s arm like an older brother. “You look much more spirited. Do you run every day?”

Lin Wang nodded. Walking toward the courtyard with Yu Qi, he smiled. “Auntie Zhou’s cooking is so good; of course I am settled. I run occasionally. Do actors not need to stay in shape?”

Yu Qi laughed. “If you keep this up, Shi Yu can release a press release about your fitness. I actually found something for you and Chi Yuan to do. Staying in shape will only bring you benefits.”

Seven o’clock was a mystical hour. It was a good day, as Chi Yuan actually came downstairs of his own accord.

Lin Wang stopped him a second before he could enter the studio and led him to the dining table to sit with Yu Qi. They chatted while they ate.

Yu Qi looked at Chi Yuan with undisguised shock, teasing him. “I thought I was still dreaming. It is the middle of summer, and Chi Yuan is actually eating breakfast.”

Chi Yuan took a sip of seafood porridge. With his eyes downcast, he lazily uttered two words: “Not going.”

“Oh, do not be like that. I misspoke; just pretend you did not hear me,” Yu Qi said, unable to win against this ancestor. He quickly turned to Lin Wang. “An outdoor variety show contacted me asking if Chi Yuan could go. I mentioned you, and they agreed to let you both go together. The pay is standard and will be transferred directly to your account.”

Lin Wang tore a piece of scallion pancake and dipped it into the spicy soup. He had a very clear understanding of his own standing. He looked up and sighed. “Thank you for the hard work. Even someone like me can be part of a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal.”

Yu Qi was amused. Compared to their first meeting where they were strangers, Lin Wang and Chi Yuan had lived together for half a month and Lin Wang was still in good spirits. This meant Chi Yuan did not plan to use Lin Wang until he broke; for now, it seemed he valued him.

Since the boss, Chi Yuan, had not excluded Lin Wang, Yu Qi naturally stopped treating Lin Wang as an outsider.

He offered what he thought was a thoughtful consolation. “It is hard for you. The entertainment industry is tough to navigate; it is too difficult for a normal person to become famous.”

Lin Wang had just taken a bite of the pancake and nearly choked. He waved his hand quickly, feeling quite helpless about how abnormal he used to be.

While Chi Yuan remained silent, Yu Qi, who usually talked to himself, finally had another living soul to talk to. He addressed Lin Wang. “The variety show director is Lu Ming-sheng. He is a good friend of ours. Even if Chi Yuan does not want to go, it is hard to refuse him directly. Director Lu’s shows always have great ratings, though he loves dramatic stunts. But then again, it is the entertainment industry; it has to be entertaining.”

Yu Qi took a sip of soup and continued. “The specific content is still a secret, but he gave me a few hints. They plan to find talented singers and actors along with several popular idols to ‘get close to nature and find art.’ In simpler terms, they give you starting funds and let you live on your own for a few days. They will manufacture some conflict topics and create some ‘CP’ shipping. It is the usual routine.”

“Who are the guests?” Chi Yuan leaned against his chair and took a piece of pancake soaked in spicy soup from Lin Wang’s plate. He looked at it for two seconds before putting it in his mouth.

“The more famous ones are actress Su Xi, singer Song Min-qin, idol Miao Qing-he, popular starlet Tao Yun-qing, and Best New Actor Liu Lin-jia. The list is mostly confirmed, though there might be minor adjustments before filming starts.”

Lin Wang’s brow twitched. He ignored the fact that Chi Yuan had taken his untouched soy milk and checked with Yu Qi. “Did you say Liu Lin-jia?”

The other protagonist in the original novel was named Liu Lin-jia. He and Chi Yuan met on a variety show, leading to a story of pursuit and obsession. Lin Wang tapped the table. Could it really be such a coincidence?

Lin Wang’s reaction was a bit strong, but Yu Qi understood. “The two of you did have a nasty falling out back then, but you cannot let a grudge get in the way of money, right?”

The two of who? The original host and Liu Lin-jia? What happened between them?

Lin Wang had a million questions. He wanted to find the original novel and read it all over again. However, his face showed nothing. He maintained a calm smile. “Yes, it is all in the past.”

Lin Wang himself did not know what was in the past. He shook his head inwardly. There were only two protagonists in the book, and the original host had been gifted enough to offend both of them. It was no wonder he ended up paralyzed.

Yu Qi, a veteran manager, was skilled at mental preparation for artists. He told Lin Wang. “Do not be nervous. It is just a small variety show. If you are afraid of things going wrong, just stay with Chi Yuan the whole time. The director will not maliciously edit your scenes.”

Lin Wang was not worried about that now. Without anyone else making things difficult, the original host’s existing scandals were enough to keep him busy for a while. He was wondering if the original plot would be triggered as soon as Chi Yuan and Liu Lin-jia met.

After a moment of thought, Lin Wang relaxed.

The original plot had little to do with a minor supporting character like him. No matter how much the future couple struggled with their love and hate, his contract with Chi Yuan was already in effect. It would not stop Lin Wang from making money to pay off his debts.

As a former reader, Lin Wang offered them his respect and blessings.

The conversation went unexpectedly smoothly. Yu Qi clapped his hands to summarize the meeting. “Filming for the variety show is tentatively scheduled to start in two weeks. In these two weeks, Chi Yuan has a jewelry endorsement and a fashion magazine shoot. After resting for so long, things are finally getting busy.”

Lin Wang paused while eating. It had been too long, and he could not remember clearly, but in the original book, Chi Yuan seemed to have met Liu Lin-jia once at an event before the variety show. He had taken an interest at first sight and intentionally approached him during the show.

He wondered if it was during the jewelry endorsement or the magazine shoot.

After finishing the soy milk, a faint flush appeared on Chi Yuan’s cold, pale face. He rested his chin on the back of his hand and looked at Lin Wang with a lazy, almost well-behaved expression.

“What are you thinking about, Big Brother?”

Lin Wang snapped back to reality. He could not exactly say he was thinking about Chi Yuan and his future boyfriend. He looked at the empty space beside Chi Yuan’s hand and said, “I was wondering where my soy milk went.”

Chi Yuan curled his lips. He lowered his head to stab a piece of apple. “It is in my stomach.”