Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

From 12 AM to before 8 AM, the search term “Z.X Duo Y Network” was repeatedly trending on hot searches.

At precisely 8 AM, Y Network’s official Weibo, “under pressure from public opinion,” issued an apology letter clarifying the reason for not broadcasting according to the original schedule.

“Recently, Y Network has had internal personnel changes, causing delays in many films and TV dramas. We apologize to all netizens for this. Furthermore, episodes one and two of I Think I Love You will be uploaded at 9 AM this morning. Subsequent episodes will be uploaded on time. We ask for your understanding.”

The Weibo post did not mention whether Y Network had any dispute with Z.X, but this reason did not satisfy netizens. After all, the letter mentioned that “many films and TV dramas have been delayed,” yet there had been no news of other film or TV delays recently. Most netizens felt the stated reason was extremely perfunctory and only served to make them more suspicious.

Zuo Qiu finished reading the latest report and said to Xiao Baijun, “Are they planning to release a big move later?”

Holding back information, saying ambiguous and insincere things to deliberately make netizens guess—this suggested they were preparing to release a major scoop at a more opportune moment.

Xiao Baijun: “Don’t worry about it. Just focus on filming. Leave everything else to me.”

There was a lot of hidden dirt in the entertainment industry, and their current situation was just a small microcosm of it. Xiao Baijun didn’t want Zuo Qiu to know too much or worry about this matter. As long as Zuo Qiu wanted to stay in this industry, he would always protect him from the storm.

Zuo Qiu guessed that the underlying issues were complicated, so he stopped asking questions.

…

Later that day, Z Channel’s official Weibo announced the premiere ratings for I Think I Love You. The ratings surpassed 2. Among all national TV stations in the same period, it was slightly behind the number one show, temporarily securing the second spot. Zuo Qiu was quite satisfied with this ranking. He knew the number one spot was held by a major IP fantasy story, starring popular young actors. He wasn’t too disappointed to lose to a veteran production.

However, as the plot progressed, I Think I Love You finally defeated the fantasy drama on the fourth day, climbing to the top of the ratings chart due to the sparks that flew between the male lead and the second male lead upon their first meeting. Online clicks also far surpassed TV dramas aired during the same period.

One thing surprised both Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun: before Xiao Baijun’s team could even release the fan-edited CP videos they had arranged, many fan-edited clips created by netizens themselves had already appeared online, and they were all very loving.

“The female lead is too pretentious. What is wrong with me wanting Xuduo and You Yi to be together?”

“The way You Yi looks at Xuduo is not like how he looks at a regular friend or a love rival! Quick, tell me, am I overthinking this?”

“Can I say that when I first read the book, I already shipped Xuduo and You Yi? Ahhh, it finally came true!”

Even more surprising to Zuo Qiu was that the original author even shared the edited video. Although she didn’t say anything, the three hearts on the Weibo post were enough to make Zuo Qiu happy.

With the original author now on Zuo Qiu’s side, the book fans who previously supported Cheng Bo as the male lead also switched sides. The situation was excellent.

Zuo Qiu was particularly concerned about all the data for his first TV drama. His daily routine, besides filming during the day, occasionally cooking, and “talking sweet nothings” in the evening, now included scrolling through Weibo.

…

Time can feel slow or fast, and before he knew it, it was the end of November, marking the day of his final scene.

Considering the acceptance level of the domestic audience, and to avoid failing the review process, Ou Sheng adjusted the final plot. The ending only depicted scenes of He Lang and Cheng Cheng getting along in college, minimizing the interactions between lovers. At the very end of the film, Ou Sheng and Cheng Ye, as themselves, performed the wedding vows scene in a church. Only two figures in suits were shown from the back, but the names Ou Sheng and Cheng Ye were clearly written on the marriage certificate.

Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun’s last scene was Cheng Cheng pulling He Lang, who was now his boyfriend, to a class reunion. He Lang was uninterested; he didn’t know Cheng Cheng’s friends well and wouldn’t know who to talk to if he went. But seeing Cheng Cheng’s good intention of introducing him to new friends, He Lang nodded and agreed.

However, as soon as they arrived at the club’s lobby, He Lang encountered someone he thought he would never meet again: Shen Rui.

“He Lang, long time no see.” Shen Rui initiated the greeting.

He Lang looked at Shen Rui, who was noticeably more mature than in high school, feeling a sense of temporal displacement. After a few seconds, he also smiled and said, “Long time no see.”

Shen Rui stared intently at He Lang. His features had matured but were still exquisite, like a meticulously crafted piece of art by God. He had been following him for years, watching him gradually become famous and increasingly dazzling. While he felt relieved, there was also a huge sense of loss. If he had understood his orientation back then, would he not have missed him?

Since He Lang transferred to S City in his first year of high school, they had never faced each other at such a close distance again. Shen Rui knew that a large portion of their former classmates had kept in touch with He Lang. He occasionally heard things about He Lang in S City, but when he went to university, he finally lost track of him. Several times, he summoned the courage to put aside his pride and ask former classmates for He Lang’s contact information, but then he would recall the condemning looks of everyone after He Lang left, and eventually, he gave up.

Shen Rui took a deep breath and dug his fingernails into his palm, pulling himself out of the painful memories. He told himself that this was finally not a dream; their meeting today must be an arrangement by fate.

“Quite a coincidence. How about we exchange numbers so we can keep in touch later?” As he said this, Shen Rui broke out in a sweat. He was afraid He Lang would cut off his last thread of hope.

He Lang felt a little conflicted hearing Shen Rui’s request. The incident back then not only caused him great humiliation at school, but his father was also dragged through the mud by Shen Rui’s mother. It was impossible not to care. When someone cruelly throws your purest feelings underfoot and shuns you like a viper, anyone would feel heartbroken. But that incident happened during their ignorant youth. Now, several years later, the person is proactively trying to connect. It seemed rude not to accept without a good reason.

Just as He Lang was struggling to find an excuse, Cheng Cheng reached out his right hand and gently patted Ou Sheng’s shoulder with moderate force, reminding him to focus. His hand naturally rested on his shoulder without moving. He said to He Lang, “Langlang, who is this? Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

He Lang was jolted back to his senses by the shoulder pat. He told Cheng Cheng, “This is my high school classmate.” Then he said to Shen Rui, “This is my… friend.” Zuo Qiu felt a little embarrassed to say “boyfriend” to his former classmates, so he paused for a second and dropped the “boy.”

Friend? Hearing these two words, both men beside him felt uncomfortable. Shen Rui’s disappointment was almost overflowing. Although He Lang didn’t say “boyfriend,” the way they were together clearly suggested they were more than just ordinary friends.

On the other hand, Cheng Cheng felt that in front of this love rival, who clearly had “I’m very interested in you” written on his face, He Lang should have called him boyfriend, not the ambiguous word friend!

Distracted by Cheng Cheng, He Lang conveniently suffered temporary amnesia and completely filtered out Shen Rui’s request for contact information. After greeting Shen Rui, he walked into the club, intent on escaping the awkward situation. He didn’t notice Shen Rui staring at his retreating back for a long time, nor did he see the fierce glare in Cheng Cheng’s eyes as he looked back.

“CUT! That shot is a take!”

When the director called the take, the entire crew couldn’t help but cheer. This final shot was not only Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun’s last scene but also the final scene for the entire crew. Finishing this meant that the two-month-long filming process was finally over.

“After we wrap, everyone goes out to eat. My treat!” Ou Sheng announced to the excited crowd.

“Yeah~” There was another burst of cheers, and the set was buzzing.

…

Infected by everyone’s enthusiasm, Zuo Qiu was happy too, but after a few rounds of drinks in the private room at the hotel, Zuo Qiu couldn’t help but feel a little sad about the farewell. He and Xiao Baijun had received so much help from Brother Sheng and Brother Ye during this time, and the four of them often ate and barbecued together. Thinking about having to separate tomorrow, Zuo Qiu felt very reluctant.

Seeing Zuo Qiu’s eyes turning red, Ou Sheng smiled and comforted him, “I’ll be permanently based in B City in the future. If you miss me, come find me anytime.” He paused for a moment and then added, “If anyone bullies you, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ve been in this industry for over ten years, so I still have some connections.”

As he said this, Ou Sheng gave Xiao Baijun a warning look. The meaning was clear: the “anyone” who might bully him included Xiao Baijun. From today on, I am Zuo Qiu’s support system. If you let Zuo Qiu suffer any grievance, watch me take you down!

Come to think of it, Ou Sheng shared the same concern as Zhao Zhixian. There were too many temptations in the entertainment industry, and Xiao Baijun’s future position was bound to face too many tests. No one could guarantee Xiao Baijun’s constancy. Therefore, the necessary precautions had to be taken seriously. They absolutely could not let Xiao Baijun think that Zuo Qiu, with no background, could be easily bullied!

Xiao Baijun felt confused by Ou Sheng’s stare. Was he the kind of person who was fickle? Was he someone who couldn’t resist temptation? Ahem, although he was a bit of a jerk before getting together with Zuo Qiu, that didn’t mean he would be like that in the future!

Zuo Qiu’s eyes turned even redder hearing these words. He didn’t catch the deeper meaning in Ou Sheng’s words, only thinking Ou Sheng was talking about the difficulties he might encounter. Ou Sheng’s willingness to help him deal with those with malicious intentions was deeply moving to Zuo Qiu.

“Thank you, Brother Sheng. You and Brother Ye are both good people.” Zuo Qiu said earnestly.

Being suddenly given a “Good Person Card” made both Ou Sheng and Cheng Ye a little amused and tearful. In a way, they weren’t as good as Zuo Qiu described. Ou Sheng was only willing to continue interacting with Zuo Qiu because he found him appealing. Speaking of appeal, Ou Sheng believed Zuo Qiu would be exceptionally popular in the future. He hadn’t been famous for long and hadn’t participated in many shows or films, yet people who interacted with him generally liked him—like Liu Min, Deng Chong, Daisy, Zhu Mao, and even Director Gong, who all offered them help during this incident.

Ou Sheng rubbed Zuo Qiu’s hair. “You, you’re probably what they call a fool’s blessing.”

Most people in this industry were quite restless and overly ambitious. Zuo Qiu’s ability to win the affection of most people was inseparable from his pure personality. He only hoped Zuo Qiu could remain this innocent.

Zuo Qiu, who was in the middle of a touching moment, was suddenly called a fool by Ou Sheng. He froze, his red eyes staring at Ou Sheng. Where was he foolish?

Everyone present laughed at his expression.

And Xiao Baijun, looking at Zuo Qiu’s appearance, had already started mentally undressing him and planning Zuo Qiu’s outfit for tonight…

That night, the slightly tipsy Zuo Qiu once again put on the bunny outfit. Wearing the bunny ears, with his eyes red-rimmed and moist, he looked just like a mischievous bunny spirit. After admiring him for a few minutes, Xiao Baijun, who had transformed into a wolf, finally pressed the bunny spirit into his arms and had his way with him.