The Beautiful but Obscure Star Is Targeted by a Scheming Movie Star - Chapter 11

It was Ying Chen.

[Ying Chen: Jingran, are you asleep?]

Tang Jingran couldn’t figure out why this man was looking for him so late at night.

[Tang Jingran: Not yet.]

[Ying Chen: Don’t take what happened today to heart. Everyone believes in you.]

[Ying Chen: Don’t let yourself be affected.]

Tang Jingran had seen how everyone defended him. After all, they were just colleagues who hadn’t known each other long; he was already very satisfied that they were willing to step up for him.

[Tang Jingran: Yeah, thanks.]

[Ying Chen: It’s nothing, no need to be polite.]

[Ying Chen: If you want to thank me, you can treat me to a meal. Smile.jpg]

[Tang Jingran: Sure.]

[Ying Chen: I’m joking.]

[Ying Chen: However, if you actually invited me, I’d be very happy.]

Tang Jingran wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt like Ying Chen’s goal wasn’t actually to get a meal with him. Moreover, the conversation topics were jumping around quite a bit.

[Tang Jingran: That’s not what you really want to say, is it?]

[Tang Jingran: What do you want to say?]

The other side was quiet for a while before replying.

[Ying Chen: It’s nothing.]

[Tang Jingran: Then I’m going to rest.]

[Ying Chen: Wait.]

[Tang Jingran: Speak.]

[Ying Chen: You said that you have no relationship with Gong Yingxiao.]

[Ying Chen: Then, can I pursue you?]

[Tang Jingran: No.]

[Tang Jingran: I have no such plans at the moment.]

[Ying Chen: I can wait.]

[Tang Jingran: Don’t.]

[Tang Jingran: I don’t want to lead anyone on.]

[Tang Jingran: I can tell you clearly right now—I won’t “try” things out with you.]

Ying Chen gave a bitter smile on his end.

[Ying Chen: Then, can I ask the reason why?]

Tang Jingran answered with a question of his own.

[Tang Jingran: Why do you want to pursue me? We haven’t interacted much.]

[Ying Chen: I don’t know.]

[Tang Jingran: Therefore, it’s impossible.]

After Tang Jingran replied, there was no response for a long time.

[Ying Chen: Okay, I understand.]

[Ying Chen: Can I ask what your ideal type is?]

[Tang Jingran: I don’t have an ideal type. As long as they are pleasing to my eyes.]

[Ying Chen: Bitter Smile.jpg]

[Ying Chen: Okay.]

[Ying Chen: However, I still want to remind you that families like Gong Yingxiao’s usually arrange marriages. And as far as I know, he should have a fiancée.]

[Tang Jingran: What is the point of telling me this?]

[Ying Chen: Nothing, just wanted you to be aware.]

[Tang Jingran: I’m not interested in other people’s private affairs.]

[Ying Chen: Okay, I’ve disturbed you.]

Tang Jingran didn’t reply again. He stared at the sentence “he should have a fiancée,” thinking back to the “date” Gong Yingxiao had mentioned.

“Fiancée?”

Because a new artist was arriving the next day, everyone woke up a bit early. They were currently sitting together chatting after finishing breakfast.

“I heard that the person coming today is an artist who is currently starring as the second male lead in a hit drama.” Jing Xianmeng, sporting a clean-cut short hairstyle, shared the news while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“It must be Teacher Qin Ze, right?” Jiang Nannan was following that drama and became excited upon hearing this. “I hope it’s Teacher Qin Ze! The second male lead he plays has a great sense of ‘sunny yandere’—the contrast is amazing!”

“I’ve seen his work; his acting is very polished,” Bai Wensheng looked up from his phone. “It’s no wonder he became popular.”

Ying Chen was in low spirits following last night’s conversation and sat in his seat feigning sleep.

“No way, you guys guessed it just like that?” Xu Sheng expressed his shock. “Even though Teacher Qin Ze and I are in the same company, I haven’t heard any news about him joining a production.”

Tang Jingran hadn’t slept well last night either. At this moment, his eyes involuntarily drifted toward Gong Yingxiao’s long, elegant fingers. They were clean, without any accessories.

Gong Yingxiao noticed Tang Jingran’s gaze, turned his head, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Tang Jingran retracted his gaze and gave a light cough. “Nothing, I just thought your hands looked quite nice.”

“But I feel like they’re missing something.”

“Missing what?” Gong Yingxiao asked humbly.

“Accessories, or something like that.”

Gong Yingxiao didn’t understand at first. Based on his knowledge of Tang Jingran, the man wouldn’t ask nonsensical questions for no reason. Moreover, Tang Jingran’s mood had been low all morning. Gong Yingxiao could only think of one reason: Someone had said something to him. And it was related to him.

“For now, there isn’t anyone I can wear ‘accessories’ for,” Gong Yingxiao observed his expression. “Maybe…”

“Maybe what?” Tang Jingran met Gong Yingxiao’s eyes.

Gong Yingxiao smiled softly. “Maybe there will be in the future.”

Tang Jingran’s mood relaxed quite a bit because of those words, though he didn’t realize it himself.

“Then you’d better work hard at it.”

While everyone was chatting heatedly, the director, Zhang Song, walked into the room with a smile. “Everyone, let’s welcome our new member.”

“Hello everyone, I am Qin Ze.” The man who walked in had a gentle and handsome face with a tall, lean build. “I am very happy to spend the upcoming time with all of you.”

Jiang Nannan excitedly shook Jing Xianmeng’s arm, lowering her voice: “Ahhh, it really is Teacher Qin Ze!”

Jing Xianmeng patted Jiang Nannan’s arm to signal her to calm down. “I see him, I see him. Wipe your drool.”

Qin Ze shook hands with everyone present individually.

“I am Qin Ze,” he said, reaching out to Tang Jingran.

“Hello, I’m Tang Jingran.”

“I know you.” Qin Ze looked Tang Jingran over carefully. “The Film Emperor’s current CP partner.”

Tang Jingran had sensed an air of unfriendliness from this man from the very beginning. He was certain he had never met this person before. However, Tang Jingran was not one to let himself be bullied.

“I know you, too, Teacher—the second male lead from the drama.”

Although Tang Jingran didn’t usually browse Weibo, he still knew a fair amount about what went on in the industry. He had seen the trending topics about Qin Ze’s dissatisfaction with the production’s role assignments more than once.

Sure enough, upon hearing Tang Jingran’s words, a vein popped on Qin Ze’s temple, though he quickly suppressed it.

“Quite the temper. Keep it up.”

Qin Ze quickly switched to a different expression to greet Gong Yingxiao, but despite his own talkative nature, the other man’s expression remained indifferent, offering only a few “Mm-hm’s.”

He had clearly seen how harmoniously Gong Yingxiao and Tang Jingran were communicating when he first walked in.

Qin Ze took a deep breath to comfort himself: No rush, there’s plenty of time.

[Cat Cafe Variety Show Broadcasting Now]

As soon as the broadcast started, the bullet comments filled the entire screen.

【Ahhh, it’s finally starting!】

【Ahhh! Looking forward to today’s guests!】

【Teacher Tang and Teacher Gong must be locked together!】

【A must-watch daily program!】

【Teacher Tang and Teacher Gong are so sweet, I ship it!】

【But wait, has anyone noticed Teacher Gong’s eyes look different when he looks at Teacher Tang?】

【Where, where? Give me the timestamp!】

【When did the two of them get so close?】

【Watching the show, it feels like they don’t interact much.】

【Then it must be happening off-camera!】

【+1, after all, there are too many people putting on a show for the cameras in the entertainment industry!】

【But Teacher Tang and Teacher Gong are definitely real!】

【Definitely real!】

【By the way, Teacher Gong is so handsome today too!】

【Teacher Tang is also very handsome, both are so handsome!】

【Teacher Jingran and the Film Emperor look so good standing together!】

【Sister, you have great taste!】

“Thank you all for coming. Next, let’s welcome our new guest!”

As the words fell, Qin Ze walked out from the back.

“Hello everyone, I am Qin Ze.”

The bullet comments were flooded once again.

【Oh, it really is Teacher Qin Ze!】

【Teacher Qin Ze is so handsome!】

【It’s actually Teacher Qin!!】

【Teacher, I really love the character you played!】

【The production team is doing great, all the guests are so good!】

“Alright, let’s continue with our game for this session.”

“The rules for this game require you to build a friendly relationship with a cat and complete the corresponding commands.”

“The command actions will be handed out to each teacher in a moment. The group that completes the most command actions within the specified time will be the winner, and vice versa~”

“Good luck to all the teachers~.”

The cats given to each member by the production team were the same as in the previous episode. After all, it is easier to work with cats you have collaborated with before. Since the Siamese cat Tang Jingran worked with previously was injured, the production team gave him a Ragdoll cat this time.

This Ragdoll was very beautiful, with round eyes and a pink nose; it looked very gentle. Tang Jingran took the cat and gently stroked its back, trying to establish a friendly bond.

On the other side, because Gong Yingxiao had already worked with the Tabby cat once, the cat trusted him deeply and proactively rubbed against his palm.

Each “poop scooper” who received a cat began taking out the commands and directing them.

Tang Jingran looked at the “Sit” command in his hand and started communicating with the Ragdoll. However, to his surprise, the gentle-looking Ragdoll turned out to be a stubborn one. No matter what Tang Jingran did, it remained unmoved. It even flicked its tail and walked away after one of his attempts.

Tang Jingran: I underestimated you.

Thus, Tang Jingran had no choice but to put down the command and go find the Ragdoll.

【Hahaha, it looks exactly like my rebellious son at home. Crying and Laughing.jpg】

【Don’t even mention it, the Ragdoll’s expression just now was hilarious.】

【Teacher Tang, hang in there!】

【This cat looks so hard to handle!】

【Yeah!】

【Teacher Tang, how about trying a different command?】

【Cat: Don’t you dare think you can boss me around!】

【+1, Teacher Tang is so pitiful, hahaha!】

As the comments drifted by, Tang Jingran watched the Ragdoll walk further and further away. He took a deep breath and decided to change commands. This time, he chose “Shake Hands.”

After quite an effort, Tang Jingran finally caught the Ragdoll again.

“You’re quite lively, aren’t you?”

Due to the physical exertion, beads of sweat appeared on Tang Jingran’s temples. Wearing the pinkish-blue clothes prepared by the production team, he looked very youthful.

Tang Jingran extended his hand and shook it gently at the Ragdoll, giving the “Shake Hands” command. Surprisingly, the Ragdoll actually cooperated this time, placing its small paw on Tang Jingran’s hand.

Tang Jingran felt a surge of joy and was about to offer some praise, only to see the Ragdoll quickly retract its paw, looking at him with an expression that said, “Don’t you dare think you can trick me again.”

Tang Jingran: “…”

Helplessly, he rubbed his temples and looked over at Gong Yingxiao.

The Tabby cat on Gong Yingxiao’s side was extremely cooperative. It had already completed several commands and was now sitting by Gong Yingxiao’s feet, looking up at him with an expression that begged for praise.

Tang Jingran: “…”

Having given up hope that the Ragdoll would finish the commands, Tang Jingran carried the cat over to Gong Yingxiao and spoke somewhat sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, Teacher Gong. It looks like we should prepare for the punishment.”

Gong Yingxiao was also wearing the clothes provided by the team, though his were mostly blue.

“It’s fine. It’s just a game; enjoying the process is what matters.”

At that moment, Gong Yingxiao was sitting on the steps, stroking the Tabby cat beside him with a gentle expression. Tang Jingran was squatting below him, holding the Ragdoll.

【Omg, this scene is so beautiful.】

【This looks like a scene from an idol drama.】

【I can’t take it, I’m going to say something thirsty, I’ll see myself out.】

【Sister upstairs, tell us the details.】

Time was up, and Tang Jingran and Gong Yingxiao were indeed in last place.

“Alright, time’s up! The winners of this round are our Teachers Qin Ze and Xu Sheng!

“Teacher Qin Ze managed to take the championship on his very first day. Let’s congratulate Teacher Qin Ze and Teacher Xu Sheng!

“The prize for this round is our extra-large cat-themed water bottle.”

“Now, Teacher Tang and Teacher Gong have no choice but to accept the punishment.”

“The punishment is: The two must face each other and pop a balloon by squeezing it between them.”

【Whether it’s a punishment or a reward, we can judge for ourselves!】

【Is this a punishment? This is a reward!】

【Although Teacher Tang and Teacher Gong are so pitiful, it’s so cute!】

【Exactly, how is this a punishment? This is basically handing out candy!】