Spilling the Tea on the Movie Star Who Won't Leave Me Alone - Chapter 11

Not long after Gu Jingxuan’s Weibo post went live, Lu Qing’s manager also released a statement.

“There is nothing going on between our Lu Qing and Xu Chi @XuChi_Xu as rumored. We are very sorry about this incident and will find the person responsible for manufacturing this scandal to clear the names of both Qingqing and Xu Chi.”

Watching this new post, Xu Chi breathed a massive sigh of relief.

It was for the best that they let it drop. In the entertainment industry, many stars get caught in scandals where even after one side clarifies, the other side keeps clinging on for publicity. Xu Chi had been terrified of running into that kind of situation. His time on set with Gu Jingxuan was already limited; he didn’t want to waste it on such troublesome drama or have Brother Gu deduct points from his impression of him.

“Lu Qing and her team are smart enough to clarify after the Movie Star posted. Otherwise, the internet trolls would have flamed them to death, and her acting career would be effectively over.”

On the surface, Lin Tao sounded relieved for Xu Chi, but in reality, he secretly wished Lu Qing would be blacklisted. She acted like a diva on set and tried every trick in the book to annoy Xu Chi whenever she saw him getting close to Gu Jingxuan. This time she manufactured a scandal with Xu Chi, but who knew who she actually had her eye on?

“Xu Chi! Scene 28, Take 1 is about to start. Get over here!” Director Jiang’s voice boomed from across the set. Xu Chi quickly shed his coat and placed it by the heater.

“Brother Lin, keep an eye on my jacket.”

As soon as the coat came off, Xu Chi shivered from the cold. The temperature in the film city had been terrifyingly low lately; nobody wanted to step outside without being fully armed in winter gear.

Lin Tao, clutching a hand warmer and huddled by the heater, was practically shrinking into a ball. He gave a minimal nod at Xu Chi’s request. “Hurry up then. Come straight back once you’re done so you don’t freeze.”

However, not long after Xu Chi left, Lu Qing arrived with her manager in tow.

“Excuse us, make some room. Our Qingqing needs to warm up.”

This specific heater was the best one on set and provided the most warmth. Lu Qing showing up with her manager was a clear attempt to hijack the spot.

“There’s another seat right there. You can sit,” Lin Tao said, not wanting to budge an inch. In this ghostly weather, leaving the heater for even a second made one shake with cold.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Is it appropriate for our Qingqing to sit right next to you?” Lu Qing’s manager looked the part of a sharp-tongued, unreasonable person, picking a fight without any justification.

Lin Tao, with half his face buried in his scarf, looked up at the pair. He thought to himself: Like master, like dog.

“Does this heater belong to your family? Why can’t I sit here?”

Equipment on set was always for general use—first come, first served, or everyone squeezes in. Lin Tao and Xu Chi were there first, yet Lu Qing wanted them to clear out entirely. It made no sense.

“Our Qingqing is the female lead. Why is a Second Male Lead’s team being so arrogant? Does landing a role with Director Jiang make you think you’re something special?”

Lu Qing hadn’t been harshly scolded by Director Jiang yet, so she arrogantly assumed her acting was beyond reproach. She looked down on everyone she met. Lin Tao was just about to lose his temper and fire back when he felt a heavy weight on his shoulder.

“What? Do they want to sit here?” Gu Jingxuan had originally come looking for Xu Chi to chat and tease him, but he walked right into this scene. He spoke up instinctively.

“Go to my dressing room. It’s much warmer there than here. Tell Xu Chi to head over there once he’s finished filming, too. The kid is under my protection.”

After saying that, he walked away without giving Lu Qing so much as a glance.

Lin Tao watched Lu Qing’s face turn from green to white with delight, his tongue remaining sharp. “Since you’re the ‘Distinguished Female Lead,’ please, take a seat. A ‘Second Male Lead’ like our Xu Chi will just have to go bother the Movie Star instead.”

Lu Qing was left speechless by Lin Tao’s retort. She shot him a vicious glare and plopped down by the heater, her heart full of regret.

If I had just acted like there was no room to sit a moment ago, would the person going to the Movie Star’s dressing room have been me?