The Tool Brother Thinks It’s Not Okay [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

In the rehearsal room, Qin Yunran glanced up and suddenly saw Cheng Kaixin standing outside. He immediately opened the door and stepped out. “Why didn’t you call me? How long have you been waiting?”

“Just got here,” Cheng Kaixin replied. “How’s your audition prep going for tomorrow?”

Qin Yunran walked beside him, showing no signs of nervousness. He said calmly, “It’s going well. I’ll just do my best.”

Cheng Kaixin, confident in Qin Yunran’s abilities, offered no words of encouragement. He simply said, “I’ll drive you there tomorrow.”

“Don’t bother coming,” Qin Yunran unexpectedly refused, smiling. “With you around, my focus will be off.”

“Distracted by me?” Cheng Kaixin teased. “Are you playing a monk who needs to abstain from worldly desires?”

“The protagonist has social anxiety and is a very reserved person,” Qin Yunran explained the plot briefly.

He fixed his gaze on Cheng Kaixin and said earnestly, “If you’re there… it’ll make my heart race.”

Cheng Kaixin hissed, “So cheesy.”

“Should I stop saying things like that then?” Qin Yunran raised an eyebrow.

“Hey, if you’ve got sweet words, keep ’em coming.” In the deserted corridor, Cheng Kaixin hooked his pinky around Qin Yunran’s fingertip. “The cheesiness is appetizing.”

The next day, Qin Yunran arrived at the audition venue early. The waiting room held about thirty people, all vying for the lead role. His number was near the end, so he found a quiet corner to sit and wait.

Some actors emerged from their auditions with confident smiles, clearly pleased with their performances. Most, however, looked tense and anxious. Those who knew each other tried to pry for information, but no one was willing to share details with their competitors, offering only vague replies.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the waiting room grew increasingly tense.

While Qin Yunran was resting with his eyes closed, a friendly voice suddenly spoke beside him. “Teacher Qin, hello. May I sit here?”

Qin Yunran opened his eyes to see a young actor standing beside him, dressed in a white shirt that made him look like the campus heartthrob from a typical school drama. To be honest, his outfit was strikingly similar to the one Qin Yunran had worn in his own drama.

Qin Yunran nodded. “No one’s here. Go ahead and sit.”

The young man sat down and introduced himself as Lin Chong, immediately striking up a conversation with an enthusiastic, almost worshipful tone.

Qin Yunran politely replied, “I’ve seen you in Sunny Day. Your character was very memorable.”

“I’m nowhere near your level, Teacher Qin,” Lin Chong said with an embarrassed smile. “I was going to try my best, but seeing you here, I know there’s no chance for anyone else. I might as well go home now.”

His voice carried easily through the waiting room’s silence, reaching everyone’s ears. Qin Yunran, considered one of the strongest contenders, was already the center of attention. After hearing this remark, even more eyes turned his way, their gazes openly resentful.

Someone muttered under their breath, “He’s got it locked down. Guess we all came for nothing.”

That casual comment was enough to earn him plenty of animosity.

A staff member emerged from the audition room and announced, “Next up: Qin Yunran. Please prepare.”

Qin Yunran stood up.

Behind him, whispers continued: “Judging by his attitude, we probably don’t stand a chance.”

“I heard he’s got something going on with Lingxing’s boss. Wonder if that’s true. He’s sure risen fast.”

“No way. Lingxing’s boss isn’t someone you can just cozy up to. You actually believe those PR puff pieces?”

Someone with a weaker constitution might have been rattled by the gossip and mockery. But Qin Yunran didn’t even glance back.

As he stepped into the audition room, his aura instantly shifted, his expression becoming calm and focused.

The casting team, visually fatigued after a day of watching various actors, perked up at the sight of him. His understated gray attire and reserved demeanor stood out sharply against the crowd.

Cheng Kaixin casually drove up in a car, blending discreetly among the luxury vehicles. Qin Yunran exited the building, passing by without noticing until two sharp honks startled him.

The car window slowly lowered, revealing Cheng Kaixin’s mischievous grin. “Hey handsome, need a ride?”

After the final audition, a staff member announced, “That’s all for today. Please wait for our decision.”

Those still lingering slowly made their way out, exchanging pleasantries and networking. A sudden glance caught someone’s eye, and they paused, hesitating. “Look, Qin Yunran’s talking to someone. Who is that?”

“Doesn’t he look a bit like Lingxing’s boss, Mr. Lu? I saw him at a party once. He’s quite young and handsome.”

The smile froze on Lin Chong’s lips as he stared in disbelief at the figure. “It really is him…”

Along the Way is a road movie. The protagonist, suffering from severe social anxiety, is accidentally taken hostage by robbers and forced to flee to the Yunnan-Myanmar border. Along the way, he faces numerous life-threatening dangers. To protect a fellow victim, the once timid and cowardly man musters the courage to confront the robbers, engaging in a battle of wits and bravery. Amidst the thrilling action, tender and moving moments emerge, ultimately leading to his physical and spiritual self-redemption.

News about the film’s casting spread like wildfire. Netizens speculated endlessly, dragging every possible candidate into the fray. Just as everyone was on the edge of their seats, rumors suddenly surfaced claiming Lin Chong was the frontrunner for the lead role. Not only was he praised as if the part were already his, but Qin Yunran’s name was frequently mentioned alongside his.

Our Ranran is a true campus heartthrob! This Lin Chong is just… random. Who even knows where he acted in some cheesy school drama? His clout-chasing skills are impressive, though. These days, any Tom, Dick, or Harry thinks they can ride on someone else’s coattails.

Lin Chong’s performance in “Sunny Day” was great! His look is just as good as Qin Yunran’s. Who decided that just because your precious idol played the campus heartthrob, no one else can?

Many paid commenters, posing as ordinary fans, flooded the comments with praise: [“Lin Chong’s acting is amazing! If he gets the role, it’ll be well-deserved.”]

This kind of blatant clout-chasing didn’t even pique Qin Yunran’s interest. A few days later, he received official confirmation from the director: he had secured the lead role.

When the casting announcement came out, the earlier PR blitz spectacularly backfired, turning Lin Chong into a laughingstock. He posted a pitiful Weibo message claiming he had nothing to do with the rumors and even tagged Qin Yunran, hoping for some interaction.

Qin Yunran was already preparing to start filming and had no time for Lin Chong’s antics. Frustrated by the lack of attention, Lin Chong stirred up more trouble, paying for articles that subtly implied Qin Yunran had secured the role through connections with a wealthy backer.

Though the articles remained vague about the backer’s identity, the public easily guessed who it was.

Didn’t Qin Yunran used to be so righteous? He even sent those sleazy producers to jail. Now he’s taking the same shady path? It’s like the dragon-slaying hero becoming the very dragon he swore to destroy.

Hey, stop accusing him without proof. Use your brain! Qin Yunran’s acting skills are undeniable. Why would he need to pull strings? Besides, Lu Jinhua is his boss and a close friend. Why insist on labeling him a “sugar daddy”?

Celebrities may seem glamorous, but they’re just toys for the rich. “Close friends”? That’s nonsense. There’s no equality, no dignity, no genuine connection. It’s all just a transaction of money and sex.

“Why does everyone assume the rich can’t have genuine feelings?” Cheng Kaixin, scrolling through the comments, looked up at Qin Yunran and confessed, “You have to believe me, I’m genuinely attracted to your beauty.”

Qin Yunran: “…Actually, it would be better to remove the last three words.”

The commenter, basking in self-satisfaction for their perceived insight, was stunned to receive a direct reply from Cheng Kaixin himself:

[“Dear student, your idea is quite dangerous. Equality is a fundamental requirement of socialism. Do you have any objections to that?”]

This witty yet sharp response ignited a frenzy among netizens.

[“Holy crap, Mr. Lu actually came down to the comments himself? As expected of the CEO! After this, who would dare disagree?”]

[“Hahaha, Mr. Lu is truly a model socialist successor! You’re playing with fire, kid. Do you want the cyber police to shut you down?”]

A few minutes later, those lurking under Cheng Kaixin’s Weibo post refreshed the page to find a new update:

[“If you insist on calling me a sugar daddy, fine. If you had a ton of money, wouldn’t you want to elevate your idol to the very top?”]

[“No problem with that! I wish I could! But alas, I can only dream. We’re entrusting Ranran’s rise to you, Mr. Big Shot!”]

[“So Ranran is Mr. Lu’s idol? I’m actually a fan of the same person as the CEO?! This strange sense of pride is growing!”]

[Oh my god! Everyone, come look at this! I just discovered something! Remember Ranran’s livestream a few months ago, when a mysterious rich guy gave him two million? The profile picture of that rich guy’s account is the same Persian cat Mr. Lu owns! I have proof! It’s undeniable!]

****

Those who clicked on the image were stunned. It was true! Long before Qin Yunran became famous, Lu Jinhua had already been his devoted fanboy?

The hashtag #TheUltimateLevelOfStanning was trending, with a “Hot” tag added.

[Mom, I’ve witnessed the ultimate level of stanning! A fanboy becoming his idol’s sugar daddy—so inspiring! I think I’ve found my life goal!]

[To the person above: Get real and go to bed. You’re not like Mr. Lu; you don’t have that kind of money.]

Amidst the internet’s roaring laughter, the CP fans were the most excited. They used to pore over every detail with a magnifying glass, searching for crumbs of romance. This revelation would keep them fed for half a year! The #TheQinJinAlliance hashtag saw a massive surge in participation, with fan content flooding the web.

For casual observers, the candid admission actually boosted public goodwill. The more openly they discussed it, the clearer it became that there were no hidden agendas. As for the jokes about a “sugar daddy” relationship—well, Mr. Lu was Lingxing’s boss anyway. What’s wrong with supporting his own artists?

Even before filming began, Along the Way had already generated immense buzz.

The director released footage of Qin Yunran’s audition, praising his acting skills. Meanwhile, Zhu Qian, who had worked with Qin Yunran on Yuelai Inn, also posted a Weibo message praising him. For those who remembered the online backlash Qin Yunran had faced, Zhu Qian’s endorsement carried particular weight.

[Even if we ignore his acting and focus solely on looks, Qin Yunran’s beauty is unmatched. Lin Chong tried to compare himself to him, cherry-picking a few unflattering photos while photoshopping himself into oblivion. That’s the biggest joke I’ve heard all year, hahaha!]

Lin Chong had hoped to use Qin Yunran as a stepping stone to fame, but instead, he became the target of widespread ridicule. His public image plummeted, and he was quickly swallowed by the relentless currents of the entertainment industry.

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