The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 7

[Zhiyu, is the role you mentioned a few days ago confirmed?] [peek.jpg]

Zz: [It’s confirmed.]

[I see. I’m so jealous that the company values you so much. I wonder when I’ll finally be noticed] [By the way, is the actor they cast also a newcomer?]

Zz: [Not too sure.]

Qiao Zhiyu wasn’t in the mood for small talk. He ended the conversation by claiming he was busy. He also sent a quick message to Gu Jiao, telling her that the second lead was set and she could stop worrying. He didn’t explicitly mention it was Pei Yuan, not because he wanted to keep secrets from her, but because the man himself intended to keep it low-profile, and Qiao Zhiyu didn’t want to be a blabbermouth.

Over the next few days, Qiao Zhiyu stayed in his small apartment, bonding with the two kittens. The Silver Shaded Shorthair was clingy, while the Dragon Li preferred its own space. Even in his previous life, after nearly twenty years, the Dragon Li had maintained that same aloof personality.

Well, cats don’t understand human speech anyway; as long as they grow up healthy, that’s enough, he thought. He didn’t expect them to ask after his well-being or cook him a four-course meal. If that happened, he’d probably die of fright.

There was, however, one thing the two kittens had in common: they were both incredibly greedy. Just now, as he pulled a can of food from the fridge, both had lunged at him. He placed the can in hot water to warm it up, and the Silver Shaded Shorthair meowed frantically in protest.

“Potato (Tudou), be quiet. It’ll be ready in a second.”

The kitten didn’t care; it just wanted its treats. Unable to withstand the double assault, Qiao Zhiyu pulled the food out halfway through heating. Once they started eating, the room finally went silent. He crouched beside them, recording their mealtime on his phone.

He opened his chat interface and instinctively hit send.

Zz:

[image] [image]

Qiao Zhiyu felt a surge of embarrassment. The message wasn’t replied to immediately; the recipient was likely busy. After cleaning up the empty cans and wiping the floor, his phone finally chimed.

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Mwah mwah mwah~] Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [My cat won’t eat. Can you take a look for me?]

A cat? Qiao Zhiyu didn’t know Pei Yuan had kept a pet when he was younger. Although he was no expert, he replied with a curious [Sure].

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [image] Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Take a look quickly. I gave it some water, and now it’s all shriveled up?]

The image showed a “kitten” made out of cardboard. It was soaking wet and crumpled, its facial features literally melting away.

Qiao Zhiyu: “…”

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Can you tell? Is it sick?]

With a smile playing on his lips, Qiao Zhiyu typed back: [It’s beyond saving. Cardboard cats are deathly allergic to water.] [RestInPeace.jpg]

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Amitabha.] Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Poster shoot is tomorrow. I’ll pick you up on the way.]

Qiao Zhiyu tilted his head in confusion. Zz: [I didn’t get a notification. Did the director tell you?]

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Yes. You can check with your manager.]

He figured Gu Jiao might have forgotten to tell him in her haste. In his last life, the production had moved extremely quickly once the cast was set; the investors were pushy, so every second counted.

Arrival at the Studio

The next morning, Gu Jiao’s call came right on time. “Are you sure you don’t need me to pick you up?”

“No need,” Qiao Zhiyu said, pulling on his jacket as he balanced the phone on the shoe cabinet. “It would be a huge detour for you.”

Gu Jiao sighed. “Fine. Once this drama blows up, the company will arrange an assistant and a car for you. Just hang in there.”

His phone flashed a notification. Qiao Zhiyu smiled. “Who knows what the future holds? I’m heading out now. Drive safe, Sister Jiao.”

At the entrance of the complex, he spotted the familiar black Bentley. He hopped in with practiced ease, stealing a glance at the man beside him and thinking to himself: Still as handsome as ever.

“Good morning.”

Pei Yuan watched him buckle his seatbelt. “Morning,” he replied casually.

By the time they arrived at the studio, Gu Jiao and the other actors had been there for a while. Gu Jiao was waiting anxiously at the entrance. She didn’t react when she saw the Bentley, until her own artist stepped out of it.

She was frantic. Others had already changed through two sets of costumes. Gu Jiao didn’t want Qiao Zhiyu to be labeled as “acting like a big shot” or “lazy” on his first day. While the traffic jam wasn’t his fault, critics wouldn’t care about excuses.

At least the second lead isn’t here yet, she thought. She was about to rush over and scold him when a tall man in sunglasses stepped out of the car next to Qiao Zhiyu. The two exchanged a few words, Qiao Zhiyu smiled, and then they walked toward her together.

Gu Jiao’s eyes went wide.

“Sorry for the wait, Sister Jiao,” Qiao Zhiyu said apologetically as they reached her.

Gu Jiao grabbed his arm, her eyes fixed on the man beside him. “Is, is Film King Pei here to film too?” she asked tentatively.

“I’m here for the second lead,” Pei Yuan stated.

Gu Jiao’s face froze. The horror joke just became a reality…

In the Dressing Room

Gu Jiao’s expression remained dazed all the way to the dressing room. She couldn’t wrap her head around why a superstar would “downgrade” himself for this role and why her own artist hadn’t told her! They got out of the same car; clearly, he’d known.

Wait… she remembered their conversation from a few days ago. Did Zhiyu actually pull this off?

The dressing room was a chaotic mess of costumes and props. Director Deng Gaofeng was overseeing everything personally. Even with a limited budget, he wanted the best results possible. He knew that good “look and feel” could often compensate for other shortcomings.

The moment the duo entered, the director spotted them. “You’re finally here! Get into makeup and costumes! Every second is money! Money! Money!!!”

Pei Yuan and Qiao Zhiyu: “…”

The director’s shout drew everyone’s attention. Disciples of the industry stared in shock, their eyes screaming: Did this handsome god walk into the wrong room?

“Ah! Film King Pei!” Liu Yiran, the actor playing the Crown Prince, was the first to react. “I never imagined I’d be in the same crew as you! It’s an honor to learn from you!”

“Hello,” Pei Yuan replied with a polite but distant chill.

A flurry of networking followed photos, autographs, and greetings. While Pei Yuan was swarmed, Qiao Zhiyu was dragged away by the director. By the time Pei Yuan managed to take a seat, Qiao Zhiyu was already finishing his base makeup and starting on his eyebrows.

Pei Yuan took off his sunglasses and let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Why the sudden sigh?” Qiao Zhiyu asked, keeping his eyes closed for the makeup artist.

The man beside him leaned in closer and whispered, “Someone just stepped on my foot… I estimate they weighed at least 130 pounds…”

Qiao Zhiyu opened his eyes and glanced under the table. Sure enough, there was half a footprint on Pei Yuan’s shoe.

“…” He bit his lip hard, his fingers digging into his lap to keep from laughing out loud.