The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 9

At 8:00 PM on the night the poster shoot concluded, the production crew released the rush-edited promotional photos.

“Pei Yuan! You better give me a damn good explanation for what’s happening on the trending searches right now!!!”

Pei Yuan swiped through his phone nonchalantly, his tone flat. “Seeing is believing.”

“Believing my ass! Bai Chao, your bonus is gone!” Xu Hui was fuming, pointing a finger directly at Pei Yuan’s nose. “I won’t even mention your past antics, but now you’ve gone and accepted a TV drama! And as the second lead!”

“Do you want to be cursed to death by the internet?!”

The news of Pei Yuan playing a second lead spread like wildfire. Countless people swarmed social media (VB), flooding the comments with question marks.

[Pei Yuan? Second lead? Has he had enough of being a Best Actor and decided to experience how the other half lives?]

[From the director to the cast, there isn’t a single big name in this production. How can a small-budget drama even afford a Film King?]

[If you ask me, Pei Yuan isn’t that impressive anymore. He’s fallen so far, he’s playing second fiddle to a newcomer. What a joke.]

Opinions were split. Some claimed Pei Yuan’s resources had been “downgraded,” while others suggested he had been kicked out of the film industry. Some even theorized that Qiao Zhiyu must have a powerful background to force a Best Actor into a supporting role.

While most of Pei Yuan’s fans were rational, the sheer size of his fandom meant that a vocal minority of “irrational fans” began causing a scene. They attacked the company’s social media, demanding to know why they accepted such a project for their “Big Brother.”

Worst of all, they turned their vitriol toward Qiao Zhiyu, claiming he was “kept” and had used his “backdoor” (slang for sexual favors) to get the lead role.

[This Qiao Zhiyu looks so fair and delicate. Who knows how he actually got the part? Only he knows if his butt hurts!]

[What use is a pretty face if your heart is filthy? Disgusting!!!]

[Stay away from our Film King! You damn sissy!!!]

Because Qiao Zhiyu’s female-disguise photos were hauntingly beautiful, some trolls even started rumors that he was a transgender person from Thailand.

The drama was trending across multiple hashtags simultaneously, with marketing accounts scrambling to post their “analytical” critiques.

Pei Yuan didn’t bother responding to the noise. He set his phone down and asked, “Did Bai Chao’s bonus get sent out yet?”

The “pure” male college student in question, currently huddled in the corner of the sofa, gave a small, timid nod.

In reality, Xu Hui was only using the bonus as a threat to scare Bai Chao. Pei Yuan had only kept the contract a secret to ensure it wouldn’t be blocked. “Stop being angry,” he told her. “I think this drama has potential. Besides, out of all the dramas I’ve snuck behind your back to film, which one didn’t become a hit?”

Xu Hui was momentarily speechless. She couldn’t argue with that. With a sigh, she massaged her temples and pulled out her phone to put the PR team on standby.

The “Lady” Speaks

The “transgender person from Thailand” in question was currently curled up on his bed, scrolling through social media.

Qiao Zhiyu had expected a backlash, but seeing himself called an “intersex person” still caused his mental defenses to crack slightly. However, many users were genuinely captivated by the photos.

[You can call him whatever you want, but he is undeniably beautiful. I can’t see a trace of masculinity in that look.]

[No matter how you belittle the drama, it doesn’t change the fact that Pei Yuan is in it. And being cursed just because he’s too pretty?]

[Who else understands the sheer beauty of this look? If the actor were female, I’d say she’s pretty. But since he’s a man… I’m officially a ‘simp’.]

Gu Jiao had instructed him to observe the situation and not reply to anything. Aside from reposting the official photos, Qiao Zhiyu remained silent. His fans, on the other hand, were ecstatic; having their idol act alongside a Film King was a win no matter how they looked at it.

A notification chimed on his phone a message from Pei Yuan.

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [The comments online are crossing the line. I apologize on their behalf.]

Zz: [It’s not your fault. I was the one who invited you.]

Qiao Zhiyu had taken the initiative to contact him. Even if this drama didn’t explode like it did in his last life, he wouldn’t blame the man for a second.

Zz: [I’m very happy that you’ve graced this production with your presence. No need to apologize.]

On the other end, the corners of Pei Yuan’s mouth curled into a slight arc.

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [We officially join the crew tomorrow. What about your cats?]

Zz: [I’m leaving them with my manager. She’ll be staying at my place to look after them.]

Don’t Mess with Me, My Butt’s on Fire: [Shall we go together tomorrow?]

Zz: [No need. Sister Jiao isn’t comfortable with me going alone; she’s personally taking me there tomorrow.]

In truth, with the trending searches being so heated, Gu Jiao had insisted on escorting him personally to avoid any further “scandals.”

Arrival at the Hotel

The next morning, Gu Jiao’s car arrived at the apartment complex. As they drove, they discussed the trending topics.

“At midnight last night, Bei Qianqing posted a status. You can check it; she probably hasn’t deleted it yet.”

Curious, Qiao Zhiyu searched for her name. Her latest post was from 3:00 AM.

Bei Qianqing V: [Sometimes, I feel like the Heavens are truly unfair.]

“Is she standing up for herself?” Qiao Zhiyu asked.

“For herself?” Gu Jiao’s voice rang out from beside him. “If she had kept quiet, this would have passed. But posting this late at night, in the middle of this mess, it’s very suspicious. Everyone online is guessing she’s implying Pei Yuan was forced into the second lead role by his agency.”

Gu Jiao grew more irritated as she spoke. “They don’t know Film King Pei’s true status, so they’re talking nonsense! Some are even naming you directly, saying you have a ‘sugar daddy’ background!”

“And that I’m an intersex person,” Qiao Zhiyu added helpfully.

Gu Jiao: “…”

“Anyway, all the mud is being thrown at you! She’s busy painting herself as someone ‘daring to speak the truth,’ and some people are even calling her a ‘heroine fighting for love’!”

“I was so angry last night I almost had a health crisis! Thankfully, Film King Pei stepped in to solve it, or I would have been hospitalized.”

Pei Yuan stepped in…

Qiao Zhiyu clicked on the man’s profile. A pinned post met his eyes:

Pei Yuan V: [I was not forced, and I was not pressured. As long as I don’t want to do something, no one in this world and no amount of ‘capital’ can force me. I act because I want to act. Calling my resources ‘downgraded’ is a joke. Some people shouldn’t think they’re special just because they like to poke their noses into other people’s business.]

Pei Yuan had even replied to the comments.

Troll: [Why are you being so arrogant?! You think you’re so great? If you’re so great, why are you playing second lead?] Pei Yuan: [Lawyer’s letter warning.]

Fan: [Oh my god… so cool! Waaaah, please slap me hard!!!] Pei Yuan: [Take that ‘SM’ stuff elsewhere.]

Lover: [I don’t care what Pei Yuan acts in. I only like him. I’ll watch whatever he’s in. Support forever!!!] Pei Yuan: [Moved, family.]

Qiao Zhiyu smiled and put his phone in his pocket. The comments were a mess, but that statement had clarified everything.

The car came to a halt outside the hotel near the Film City, the place he would call home for the next few months. Gu Jiao gave him a few final instructions before leaving for other work commitments.

Qiao Zhiyu checked in alone and dragged his suitcase up to his room. Due to the limited budget, he was staying in a double room. When he arrived, the room was empty.

Looks like I’m the first one here, he thought.