Chapter 51 - I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (11)
Chapter 51: I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (11)
His last name was Mu.
The boss behind the scenes mentioned by Fang Kun was also surnamed Mu.
Li Renyi has always been timid and cowardly. It was not surprising for him to be so reverential and respectful; but he had just anxiously intercepted the deputy director’s words and repeatedly called him President Mu. That calm and collected middle-aged man could only be this drama’s investor.
Others might not know, but he has heard Fang Kun vaguely mention that the investor for “The Fall” was that elusive boss behind the scenes. It was also for this reason that Zhou Tong had been able to smoothly get this role. Fang Kun had secretly included him into the cast without even going through a camera test.
His imposing manner from when he’d been threatening the crew member instantly disappeared. Zhou Tong almost couldn’t stand steady on his feet. He pushed his way through the crowd, chasing after the two men. “President Mu — Director Li, Director Li!” It’s not like that…Please let me explain! ”
Zhou Tong’s star status was also big and now that he was calling out to him, Li Renyi didn’t dare to offend him. He stopped and tried to gauge the expression on Mu Jinchu’s face.
Mu Jinchu stopped and looked at him. Still as polite and amiable as before, he asked, “Who are you?”
After making it big, it’s been a long time since he’s been asked this kind of question. Zhou Tong choked and was embarrassed but he didn’t dare do anything rash. He gritted his teeth and bowed his head. “My name is Zhou Tong. I’m an artist under Yikun Entertainment … …I play Ke Meng Yang in this drama. Just now, it was just a misunderstanding, President Mu–”
“Oh.”
Mu Jinchu nodded, calmly and without any stress. He interrupted his explanation and looked towards Li Renyi: “Have the role of Ke Meng Yang changed.”
Zhou Tong’s heart thumped and sank quickly.
Although he had guessed that Mu Jinchu would have him replaced, he hadn’t expected, given how gentle Mu Jinchu seemed that he would do it so straightforwardly without even giving any reason.
Li Renyi was agape and tongue-tied. Without waiting for Li Renyi’s response, Zhou Tong hurried spoke, ” …President Mu! Please let me explain the incident you’d seen just now! That crew member is secretly very bad-tempered. He has no proper breeding. He frequently swears and hits people. We have long wanted to teach him a lesson…”
He was so anxious to explain that he was no longer pronouncing his words correctly. At the same time, he was calculating in his heart how to as soon as possible pull in a few of his co-agency actors to corroborate his statement. He hadn’t noticed Li Renyi desperate gesturing at him to stop nor did he realize that Mu Jinchu’s eyes were gradually darkening.
“I’ve seen the edited samples. Your line delivery is weak. You don’t have enough explosive force. Your acting is unskilled. Given another five years, you still wouldn’t be able to match up to Gu Xi’s acting. The crew can’t wait for you for that long.”
Mu Jinchu’s tone was still mild and calm but every sentence he said, made Zhou Tong’s face go paler and paler.
He suddenly understood why Li Renyi had become uncharacteristically firm. But this realization came too late. He could only listen as each of his fatal defects were pointed out with pinpoint precision.
After this spiel, Mu Jinchu stopped and motioned that he could now explain himself. It took Zhou Tong a while to come back to his senses. He tried to bluff, “But – you may not know. My number of fans is still considerable. Whether it’s making announcements for the cast or for the future ratings, I can be of some help …”
His words were not a joke. These so-called traffic stars could naturally draw in a lot of their fans to watch their shows. A lot of artists were willing to invite their fans even though they knew they had no acting skills. In extreme cases, these popular traffic star, in extreme cases could account for almost 50 to 70 percent of a movie’s ratings.
Originally, “The Fall” was going to follow this route. But now, it seemed that this plan had not gotten the actual endorsement of the investor.
These huge number of fans could transform into ratings but they could also become countless insults and sewage. If he were to be kicked out from here today, the fans would definitely create a ruckus. With a little guidance, they could easily mire the entire crew into trouble.
Listening to his explanation veiled with hidden threats, not only did Mu Jinchu not get angry, he even gave a thin smile. He casually pushed up his glasses and said, “Thank you for reminding me. Maybe I should directly cut off your traffic as well?” ”
Zhou Tong shivered and finally woke up completely.
Although Mu Jinchu showed no interest in the company, he was still, after all, the primary shareholder behind Yikun Entertainment. If the other wanted to end his career, even if Fang Kun would be helpless to protect him.
Not to mention that Fang Kun wouldn’t necessarily protect him in the first place.
Knowing that he hadn’t climbed up using proper means, Zhou Wei knew more than anyone that in this circle, the tea cool when the people leave. If he was shelved, it won’t even take three years before he’s completely forgotten. With no actual skills to rely on, everything will be like a mirage.
It’s just one drama. If he’s taken off from here, then he’s taken off.
Zhou Tong broke out in a cold sweat but he was now thinking more clearly than before. He bowed repeatedly and stammered out an apology. “I was stupid! President Mu, please don’t lower yourself to my level&#k2026; I wasn’t sensible. I will willingly quit the cast. Please give me another chance&#k2026;”
“That’s good.”
Mu Jinchu nodded and said nothing more.
This Zhou Tong was just a chess piece on the surface. Behind the scenes, there was someone else operating the entire thing. Now that Zhou Tong has been disposed off, he won’t be able to implicate a few others more. It was somewhat of a pity.
But he couldn’t just be let off for this matter.
Mu Jinchu accepted the cigarette that Li Renyi offered but waved away the offer to light it. He played with the cigarette for a while then changed the topic. “About that crew member, you said that he has a bad temper, that he no – that. How did he provoke you?” ”
He seemed to want to repeat what Zhou Qi had just said but couldn’t bring himself to actually utter them. He mumbled over that part and waited for Zhou Tong to answer.
Zhou Tong has long been panicking inwardly. He was just about to brace himself and make something up when Li Renyi quickly cut him off. “That child is very sensible. Good-natured, and obedient. He’s a fast worker and the entire team likes him! ”
Li Renyi also looked at Zhou Wei, trying to hold him back. He then suddenly remembered when that little crew member appeared. He then immediately and wholeheartedly praised him nonstop. Finally seeing, the imposing aura around Mu Jinchu begin to ease, Li Renyi racked his brains for ways to praise the crew member even more.
“That day – that day Teacher Gu fainted from heatstroke, he was the one who took care of him. He fanned him and gave him water. He even rubbed Teacher Gu down with alcohol. He took care of him very well …”
Mu Jinchu’s slight smile suddenly turned stiff. He let out a little sigh. “Fine.”
Li Renyi immediately stopped talking, anxiously waiting for his next words.
“Come on. Let’s get out of the sun. I only have time today. Let’s try to re-finalize the cast list. Calculate for me how much penalty fee I’ll need to pay.”
He didn’t let Li Renyi stay too worried for long. Mu Wei recovered his calm smile in a flash and nodded at him. He then continued to walk towards the resting area.
“I’ll be handing this drama over to my nephew. He’ll come to supervise in a couple of days – No need to be nervous. He’s very sensible, good-natured and obedient. I hear the entire team likes him…
Li Renyi: …”
Zhou Tong’s eyes went black and his heart was thoroughly frozen.
*
Gu Xi left the set and didn’t care at all about any of the matters he left behind.
The hand in his was cold and holding on tightly, using all this strength as though he were afraid he would suddenly disappear.
The sun was shining brightly and he couldn’t see Lu Qingzhou’s eyes that he had buried under the brim of the cap. Gu Xi led him through the shooting site. They bypassed the resting area and headed straight to the car, boarding it and locking the doors. He gathered him in his arms and gently gave him slow comforting pats.
Lu Qingzhou’s reaction hadn’t been too extreme. After leaning quietly against his chest for a while, the tremors gradually dissipated..
It took long enough though that Gu Xi couldn’t help but worry. Just as he was thinking to look down and have a look at his situation, the head on his shoulder finally moved. Lu Qingzhou looked up from his chest. A silent apology could be seen in his sleek black eyes.
The shadows of the sun came in, casting in his soft black eyes. However, they did not reflect their usual warmth. Looking deep into the depth of his eyes, you still couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Gu Xi gently stroked the back of his hand until he gradually relaxed. He carried his little paparazzo to sit in front of him. He looked deep into his eyes. “Lu Qingzhou …”
“I can–”
Lu Qingzhou’s breathing slowed. His Adam’s apple moved slightly. He had to pause for a while before he was able to say, like a pledge, “I can do better.” ”
These past few worlds, he has overcome a lot of obstacles. Sooner or later, he was going to be able to do this thing.
He had just been carried away by happiness from playing these past couple of days and let his guard down. He began to believe that there wouldn’t be anything too difficult for him to deal with. But he still underestimated the influence on him when the other party wasn’t there.
This time, he was faced not with students who would listen to him nor the people in power who he could fight directly but ordinary people who he could hurt if he weren’t careful. That feeling of brambles and thorns on his back from people’s stares, made him almost unable to breath.
He had accumulated countless things he wanted to say in the bottom of his heart but no matter what, he just couldn’t bring himself to say them. Lu Qingzhou felt a rare sensation of anxiousness and he furrowed his brows. He looked away to the side and opened his mouth, wanting to speak. When suddenly, he was kissed by Gu Xi.
The warm kiss swallowed down all the word he couldn’t say. Gu Xi straightened his back, appearing to cover him. One of Gu Xi’s hands still protected him. While, his other empty hand pulled down the curtain. He put the wide leather seat down and embraced him in the suddenly dark spacious and empty car.
The petal of his lips gently ran over his lips and teeth. He pried open a fine seam to probe in, leading him to slowly let go as they carefully kissed.
Gu Xi’s hand cushioned behind his neck. He towered above him as he kissed him, not letting him go for a long time.
He kept his movements gentle and patient until the body in his arms gradually relaxed. The tremors hidden between the ridges of his back gradually calmed. He raised his head slightly, trying to match the gentleness
……
Gu Xi’s sight began to turn dark.
He couldn’t outlast him in kissing.
Actors practice lines, practice breathing, practice their endurance. His professional skills were more than enough but the little paparazzo’s ability to hold his breath was actually longer than his.
Since he was the one who instigated this, Film Emperor Gu felt that he couldn’t be the one to retreat. He gritted his teeth and persisted until finally couldn’t bear the wave after wave of chest pains. He backed away, leaning to the side, gasping for breath.
Frightened by his sudden movement, Lu Qingzhou pounced at him with concern, pressed down the anger he felt at being embarrassed.
The body between his arms quieted for a moment and then suddenly Gu Xi opened his arms to embrace him tightly. He buried his warm and soft head of hair against his neck and then lay motionless.
Worried that his reaction had been too over the top, Gu Xi’s heart tightened. He held him and then flipped them over.
Lu Qingzhou was pillowed between his arms. His eyes were filled with the clear and bright smiling image. Probably because he’s been enduring so arduously, Gu Xi’s body was slightly shaking. A few crystal-like droplets could be found at the corner of his eyes.
Gu Xi: …”
The script was still wrong.
Film Emperor Gu, who had failed for the second time, took a deep breath. While thinking of what he could say to make him appear dignified, the little paparazzo took the initiative to raise his arms and wind them around his neck. He leaned forward and closed in, nuzzling against his neck.
Facing the pair of black eyes whose haziness had been driven away by his smile, Gu Xi still couldn’t help but curve his lips along with him. Caressing his hair, he dropped a string of fine and gentle kisses between his brows and onto the bridge of his nose.
The extraordinarily gentle touch caused him to completely relax. Lu Qingzhou quietly leaned between his arms. He closed his eyes and let him kiss carefully, his heart being filled bit by bit.
As long as he remembers this next time, he’ll be fine.
Remember it well.
The car was plenty spacious and Gu Xi had kissed enough. Holding the other in his arms, he changed their position. He rubbed his forehead and began softly, “Qingzhou, I’m in need of an assistant … …In dire need. ”
Lu Qingzhou looked up from between his arms. It was dim inside the car but the heat in Gu Xi’s eyes made his heart seize.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered being Gu Xi’s assistant for a few days but if he were to do so, then there would be too little that he could help Gu Xi with.
A paparazzo operated in shadows but it also meant that they had no restraints. He could use his own methods to protect Gu Xi. He could help him secretly take photos. He could help him control the hot topics. Although it meant that they couldn’t see each other all any time, he could secretly take care of him. What others have, Gu Xi will never lack.
Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, it was impossible for Gu Xi not to know these things.
But if he were to be his assistant, he could stay with him.
Always be with him.
The allure of this possibility was too great. So great that Lu Deng simply bring himself to open his mouth and rationally refuse. He can always be together with Gu Xi; during the day when filming, sleeping together at night. He can give him delicious food at any time and at any place without needing to hide. He could watch Gu Xi and he could be watched in turn.
Lu Deng’s chest suddenly began to palpitate slightly. His mind, which he’d already managed to calm was suddenly easily shaken once again by what he said. He wrapped his fingers tightly around his clothes but no matter what, he could not bring himself to give that, in his view, overly-willful reply.
If he were to become Gu Xi’s assistant, he wouldn’t be able to help Gu Xi secretly take photos. He wouldn’t be able to help him reverse the comments. He wouldn’t be able to help him secretly vent his anger.
The little paparazzo curled up tightly against his chest, boring deep into his arms. Gu Xi’s heart ached so much, he couldn’t breathe. Nevertheless, he still gritted his teeth and carefully held the other. Placing kisses on his lightly shut lids, “Qingzhou, there’s no need to think so much about it. Just tell me. Do you want to or not…”
“I want to!”
Lu Qingzhou blurted out. He said it so hurriedly, it almost came out hoarse. But because he’d blurted it out so quickly, he was short of breath and he broke off. His tone quieted once again, “But – ”
Gu Xi didn’t wait for him to finish his ‘but’. He deftly turned on the overhead light and took out several sheets of contract from under the car seat. He stuffed a pen into Lu Qingzhou’s hand and holding his hand, naturally and spontaneously, signed his name.
Lu Qingzhou: …”
System: “…”
System: “Beast!!! ”
Listening to the mechanical sound issue out an endless string of exclamation marks, Lu Qingzhou didn’t bother to respond to the system. His eyes fell on the name Gu Xi had signed while holding his hand. A flush rose to his ear, turning them red.
……
The host was happy.
The system ceased its exclamation points and gentled its data that were now as tangled as a fried dough twist. It dug from out its own pockets to buy the host two packs of latex safety gear then quietly returned to standby state.