Chapter 55 - I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (15)
Chapter 55 I’ve Got this Celebrity’s Back
The original noisy venue suddenly fell into silence after Film Emperor Gu said those two short sentences.
Liang Yuan felt like his head was about to explode. He wanted charge up there and cover this ancestor’s mouth. But the completely serious look Gu Xi directed at him from over the reporters’ heads made him stop in his tracks.
When Gu Xi was showing off to him, the satisfaction and warmth in his eyes was real.
The company was making things difficult for him, public opinion was directed against him, his number of fans was constantly being eroded, the people beside him, his agent and assistant turned out to be turncoats and drama staged by the crew on set was being used to harm his reputation. Just looking at the situation, anyone would think that Gu Xi was under unendurable hardships during this time.
Just thinking about it caused him to feel painful dejectedness in the pit of his stomach. But Gu Xi was clearly happier than before.
It wasn’t feigned happiness. It was a happiness that he couldn’t hide, seeping through his shameless, bragging messages.
Gu Xi was really happy.
He himself has never experienced the joy of being treated so well as to be secretly served two portions of meat in his lunch box.
Looking at those photos already made him envious enough; after all, he could see but not touch that ice cream and black bean noodles; but neither of them made him feel as sorry for himself as that 20 yuan worth lunch box secretly stuffed full with meat.
Thinking of the unconcealable shining light in the child’s eyes, Director Liang, who finally understood that he was an eyesore, felt an even greater depression in his chest. After a long sigh, he turned and strode back to the lounge.
Seeing Liang Yuan washing his hands of the matter, the corners of Gu Xi’s lips ticked up, pulling at his chapped lips, accidentally pulling open a wound. It hurt like it had been pricked with a needle.
Lu Qingzhou instantly noticed. He moved and raised his head worriedly from between his arms.
“It’s nothing.”
Gu Xi smiled and rubbed his head. He raised his head calmly: “Are you finished with your questions?”
He just got off the set. His body was covered with dirt and the military attire made him look more vigorous and powerful. Although he had a smile on his face, his body was already giving off the message for people to keep away.
All that they could ask, they had already asked. Those that they couldn’t ask, because of his intimidation, they could no longer bring themselves to ask. The reporters looked at each other in dismay and were about to end the interview when Gu Xi reached out his hand to the nearest reporter and nodded slightly.
The reporter he pointed to was startled. Belatedly realizing what he wanted, he quickly passed the microphone in his hand.
Gu Xi accepted the microphone and thanked him. His eyes swept across the reporters in the front row. He kept his tone light, “Now that the questions are done, I have something to say.”
His matter was over but Lu Qingzhou’s wasn’t.
Lu Qingzhou felt moved. He raised his head and wanted to speak, but Gu Xi had already spoken directly.
“This morning, I was called by the director to discuss something. When I came back, I heard that Mr. Zhou’s cherished tea set had lost a cup. The entire crew was thrown into confusion searching for it.”
“Just because when I had heat stroke, my assistant took care of me and reached out to help me, this blame was levied upon my assistant.”
“An entire crew stood around and watched as a child who had just began working recently was repeatedly accused of stealing. He was not allowed to explain and was threatened to be subjected to a body searched. When my assistant asked for the person who slandered him to be held accountable in accordance with the law, Mr. Zhou’s assistant panicked and the cup he had hidden away in advance was broken into pieces.”
“Because of this, my assistant was being forced to pay compensation.”
Gu Xi’s delivered his lines very well and he didn’t have the slightest apprehension. Though he told the matter in as few words as possible, his words were powerful and resonating.
“I will pay the compensation for him. No matter how much it is, I will pay it. But since the matter was not explained clearly, I had to clarify.”
……
There was someone speaking up for him.
The heart began to beat faster and Lu Deng felt a choked up sensation in his chest. He gently pursed the corners of his lips. He looked up at him and quietly called out to the system in his mind.
If only it could be recorded.
Recorded to be re-watched, recorded to be engraved in his mind. Then, no matter what he encounters in the future, he will no longer feel anxious, knowing that there was someone who had his back.
The system didn’t respond. He didn’t know what it was busy with. For the first time, Lu Deng regretted not having his camera with him. He could only persistently keep his head raised, placing that figure deep within the depths of his eyes, trace that image bit by bit into his heart.
Gu Xi is still going on, each word clear and distinct.
“We all started out as newcomers and we all know how difficult this period of time is.”
“I know that it even tougher for reporters, having to endure being treated with indifference, be targeted and pushed out. In many cases, you started out unyielding or innocent, but eventually having to push your way through, shoving and bumping, that little bit of perseverance hidden away in your bones gets worn away.”
“You’ve hit a lot of walls. You’ve learned to be slick and sly, learned to exercise retrain. You’ve had no choice but to lower your heads. You’ve learned to say one thing but mean another. You’ve had to do things that keep you awake at night but have no choice but to do once again. These are the realities of our industry. It doesn’t matter.”
“I understand.”
His voice gradually eased, but the reporter have grown quiet.
There were some whose rim around their eyes were turning red.
Gu Xi dropped his eyes and squeezed the little paparazzo’s cold hand. He curled the corners of his lips and fixed the bangs that were pressed flat under the brim of his hat.
Lu Qingzhou looked up at him, his dark eyes seemed to conceal words he had yet to finish saying.
Gu Xi carefully gathered it one by one and then he gently stroked the corner of his eye with his fingertip, wiping off the bit of moisture there, finally leaving only the impression of a smile appearing there.
“Being a celebrity, I have received a lot of praise and recognition. But if you accept the benefits of popularity, then you must be prepared to bear the negative comments. I can bear it.”
“But he has clearly done nothing wrong. He is clearly innocent but he is being made to bear this grievance for nothing. This is not okay.”
Gu Xi raised his head, an evident chill in his eyes. “Teacher Ning, let me ask you one more question. You have a good eye and can ascertain. Where did that tea set come from and how much is it worth?”
Ning Feiping had just changed out of his costume. He kept his head low, planning on making a quick escape. Unfortunately, it was like Gu Xi had eyes at the back of his head, he was called out and made to stop. His stopped in his tracks, embarrassed.
In front of others, he has always been maintained the image of being a well-educated rich young master. In front of all these people, Ning Feiping could not attack Gu Xi, so for now, he could only put up with the matter of being struck. Hearing him inciting reporters here, pointing to his own interview statement easier, he had to suppress even more anger.
Gu Xi unexpectedly dared to target him face to face.
That morning, Ning Feiping had just arbitrarily ordered some few media outlets to get moving, setting off waves of total blackening online. Gu Xi’s current popularity has undoubtedly already fallen to the extreme.
Though Gu Xi’s statements today had the capability of moving the hearts of the masses, a little careful editing and some leading captions, can easily turn it into headlines such as #Gu Xi Angrily Condemns Reporters #, #Gu Xi Sneers at the State of the Industry.
Gu Xi could only use those secret dirty tricks to kick and punch him. Given the state of things, the two of them will never have any chance of acting together in the future. If he goes and tries to gain sympathy by accusing Gu Xi of beating him up today, he would even be able to create another wave of scandal against Gu Xi.
Ning Feiping was full of confidence and simply didn’t bother to maintain his image. He raised his head with a sneer and let sarcasm seep into his voice.
“An 800,000 yuan Chinese antique can’t be considered as a very valuable thing but in any case, it was still hand-made by a famous artisan. This, I can see for certain. Teacher Zhou has also kept and maintained it for two or three years. Now that I have enlightened you, how much do you think it’s worth?”
Ning Feiping was not actually familiar with Zhou Tong. He only knew that the other party was one of Fang Kun’s me. Fang Kun had accepted his money and the people under him were trying to make things miserable for Gu Xi. While he could not personally do his dirty work, he could still secretly help step on him.
Taking an antique worth nearly a million yuan to a set, no matter if it’s part of your character persona, anyone with half a brain could see that there was something fishy about the whole thing.
Ning Feiping was cautious and specifically called Fang Kun to confirm that Zhou Tong actually had a proper cultural relic certificate in his hands. Regardless whether it wasn’t that set that was actually broken, when the time comes to prove its authenticity, they could just come out with that certificate and this matter would be in the bag. Thus relieved of his misgivings, Ning Feiping chose to actively attack at this time.
Although 800,000 was not a big sum, it would be enough to humiliate Gu Xi in front of the public. Ning Feiping felt happy and sure of his success. Even the place where he has just been hit during shooting felt a lot less painful.
Things had been going smoothly for Ning Feiping and the few times he had been humiliated had all been at the hands of Gu Xi. Although he had secretly pit after pit for his opponent, no matter how many secret methods he had at his disposal, it just couldn’t compare to being able to deal a blow to the other straight to his face like this.
Happily scheming in his heart, Ning Feiping’s face that had just now been the picture of dejectedness faintly cleared. Just as he was about to execute his smug exit, Gu Xi suddenly chuckled and nodded, “Okay.”
His tone was as calm as before. However, Ning Feiping, who thought himself to be holding the winning ticket, felt faintly uneasy. He frowned and looked over, but Gu Xi had already taken the backpack from Lu Qingzhou and from within it, took out an intact tea cup and put it down.
The news that Gu Xi had bought the tea set on the spot in order to smash it and satisfy his craving had long been spread everywhere. Everyone thought that at the time Gu Xi had been impatient to regain his dignity. No one expected the he had actually silently hidden one away.
Ning Feiping’s heart sank. He said anxiously, “Wait a minute, I—”
“Teacher Ning must have surely learned it from his family and he has a very good eye for these things. If he says that this thing is valuable, then it should really be valuable.”
Gu Xi, tone relax and unhurriedly, interrupted him and pushed the tea cup forward with one hand.
“I don’t dabble in this sort of thing and I can’t tell whether its real of not. I thought it was a Taobao imitation worth few thousand yuan. I rounded it up and compensated him for 10,000. It looks as if my compensation was not enough. If someone is willing to have it appraised, just take it and find an expert to do it. Let me know the result and I’ll just make up the difference.”
The teacup was left on the table. The reporters looked at each other and were silent for a while. Suddenly, someone suddenly reached for it.
“You’re crazy! What are you going to do with this?
The people next to him quickly pulled him back and keeping their voice low, said, “The gods are fighting, don’t go adding trouble…”
“Teacher Gu, I was the reporter who interviewed Teacher Ning before. My name is Duan Zhicheng. I was the one who sent out the write up of that exclusive interview.”
The man ignored the persuasion of the people around him. He bowed to Gu Xi and put the cup away, “I will run back to the crew of “The Fall” again. If what you say is true, I will publicly apologize to your assistant.”
When he was a newbie reporter… What was it like when he was a newbie reporter?
He reported truthfully and was accused of fabricating fake news. He squatted around for an entire day and night trying to sneak a photo but was thrown out by the security guards, even his camera got smashed to the ground. He wrote an honest article and the editor-in-chief slapped it on his face, cursing him and telling him not to appear in public again.
It was nice to be protected by someone.
Duan Zhicheng raised his head and looked at the young assistant who seemed to be in his early twenties. He showed him an enviable yet friendly smile. He bowed his head and crossed out the “Film Emperor Gu Admits to Unspoken Rules and a Possible Coming Out” headline he had drafted.
He’ll have to think of one better.
*
Gu Xi must have probably been holding back for a long time.
He actually began to show off his assistant to this crowd of reporters.
Liang Yuan endured him for entire midday and he finally had had it by the time Gu Xi began boasting about the mini-fan and box of ice cream. Using the excuse that they were to discuss his salary, he stuffed Gu Ying and even his assistant back into the lounge.
“Have your lost your head from happiness? It’s like having never been in a relationship in all your 30 years… No matter what, you shouldn’t be that open and you even admitted to engaging in unspoken rules. What would you do if someone broadcasts the entire thing?”
Liang Yuan was worried and he admonished him endlessly. Film Emperor Gu, who really hadn’t been in a relationship before in all his 30 years, patted his shoulder and stuffed the costume he had changed out of into his hands.
Gu Xi simply took a shower and changed back to his own clothes. As he looked in the mirror and adjusted his collar, he said still as unconcerned as before. “It would be great if someone did broadcast it. If it weren’t for the poor signal here, I would hired a paparazzi myself to have it broadcasted.”
The current viewing public was no longer as hypocritical, forbidding this and that, even if there were still some groups that were very conservative. It was actually the imperceptible boundary that has been drawn in their hearts for many years that stopped people within the industry from speaking out.
No one dared to test the status and prestige that they had already obtained. But he has been exposed to these things for fifteen years and he really didn’t think it was all that rare.
Liang Yuan had nothing to say. He looked at the injuries that he had simply dealt with at the corner of his mouth, he patted his arm and said, meaning purposely vague, “I’ve arranged four scenes for Ning Feiping for this afternoon. He hasn’t finished with the scene this morning. It will probably take half the night before we’re done…If you’ve got something to do, then hurry up.”
Those words that Gu Xi said today were actually very dangerous. As long as they were edited a little bit, their flavor could easily be changed when they’re released. If a very leading headline was added to it, no one could say for certain what kind of result they would bring about.
Everyone belonged within the same industry and had various restrictions placed upon them. It was not all that easy to lend a helping hand to another. Liang Yuan could only do his best to trap the dangerous elements that may cause trouble within this mountainous and forested area where the signal was poor.
Gu Xi gave him an unrestrained smile. “Thank you very much.”
Today, he spared no cost to deal Ning Feiping a slap to the face just to let everyone know his stance, that everyone might as well just reveal all their hidden intentions.
The little paparazzo was with him to be doted on and pampered, not to be used by others as a springboard to be used by other to get to him.
Anything else can be discussed, but this one cannot.
Liang Yuan sighed lightly, waved his hand, and quickly walked out.
The sound of footstep faded away and all around him was quiet.
Gu Xi finally had a chance to turn all his attention back to the little paparazzo who’d been anxious the entire day. With a smile, he open his arms and watched as Lu Qingzhou ran over to him. He encircled him against his chest and lowered his head to kiss his eyes.
If it weren’t for fear that the reporters would be abused too badly and thus hold a grudge and become turncoats, he would not have been able to bear it today.
The dark and smooth eyes closed under his kiss. The fine, thick eyelashes quivered slightly. He was as desperately beautiful as he was this morning.
Lu Qingzhou quietly leaned on his chest and obediently tilted his head up. He held Gu Xi tight with his arms.
His heartbeat was pressed to his chest, arching quickly, rumbling. Gu Xi was reluctant to guess what was hidden under those closed eyes. He kissed him carefully and placed one hand on the top of his head, softly placating the other. “No need to be afraid…”
The little paparazzo has been fine when he hadn’t said anything. When he opened his mouth, the body in his arms stiffened and he tightened his arms around him even more. Tears that he couldn’t stop poured out from under his closed eyes.
It seems that the little paparazzo has not learned how to cry in front of others at ease. He was so key-ed he was starting to let out choked gasps. Despite all this, he still tried hard to hold back his sobs and he instinctively burrowed against his chest.
“I know I know……”
Lu Qingzhou said nothing and yet Gu Xi heard it clearly.
The barrier of clothing suddenly became a hindrance. Gu Xi simply separated one hand and unbuttoned his shirt, wrapping the person in his arms and letting the little paparazzo stick directly to his chest. He lowered his head to kiss the salty tears off his face.
Lu Qingzhou shuddered in his arms, raised his hand and wiped his tears. He raised his head and looked up at him. “I won’t be afraid anymore.”
He still let out a shiver.
Gu Xi smiled, kissed his forehead lightly and nodded patiently. “Okay.”
His thin back was still tense and he hugged Gu Xi’s arms tightly. “I can help bully people.”
Gu Xi let out a hoarse chuckle and let him hold him tightly. He gently patted the person in his arms. “Okay, let’s bully people together. Especially that Ning Feiping, we’ll bully him a lot…”
The hand inside his pocked moved and Gu Xi placed his phone in his pocket. He lowered his head and kissed him gently, until the body in his arms completely relaxed.
It didn’t matter if there was no live broadcast. He had recorded all the entire thing in advance and the channels Lu Qingzhou had in his hands appeared to be quite powerful. If Ning Feiping dares to maliciously edit and twist it, it won’t be Gu Xi who winds up in trouble.
The side effects of today’s online blackening had yet to pass. He had left a few gaps for Ning Feiping to drill into. If Ning Feiping dares to move, the tumbles he would get in the future won’t be as friendly as the one he got today.
He doesn’t like these. Its not that one couldn’t learn what one hears and sees.
Gu Xi coaxed him softly. Palms gently patted the back of the youth in his arms. Looking at the terribly good-looking little paparazzo in his arms, some regrets were born in him.
If only there could have been a live broadcast.
Nowadays, netizens’ abilities to make mental associations was very strong. It would be impossible for them not to see their relationship. It would almost be tantamount to them coming out and settling down.
Lu Qingzhou snuggled in his arms. Tears were still falling on his face but the soft arc of his brows had already been coaxed to reappear.
Gu Xi smiled and bowed his head and kissed him. He unbuttoned Lu Qingzhou’s clothes too to let him breathe well: “Are you still uncomfortable? Just cry if you are. No one will come here…”
Lu Qingzhou pursed the corners of his lips and shook his head. His eyes fell on the wound he had just hastily treated. He reached for his backpack and pulled the medicine box they had received from the hot spring villa.
“It’s just a scratch. It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”
Lu Qingzhou’s hands were steady and light. He carefully rubbed the alcohol soaked cotton ball against his wound that was already starting to scab. It wasn’t the least bit painful.
Gu Xi couldn’t help but raise the corners of his lips, wanting to tease him again. While Lu Qingzhou went to get the band-aids, he grasped his hand and said in a low voice, “I have already made you my partner in these unspoken rules, so you have to blow… …kiss this wound away. Otherwise—”
He was only halfway through when there was suddenly a knock on the door before it was pushed open.
Everyone has gone to film. There shouldn’t be anyone coming in at this time. Gu Xi’s heart jumped, he instinctively sat up straight and pulled the little paparazzo in his arms. “Who is it?”
Lu Qingzhou was holding a band-aid in his hand when he has suddenly seized into Gu Xi’s arms. He accidentally pulled out the entire string of band-aids. Doing so seemed to trigger some mechanism in the box and suddenly a few weird condom packs covered in foreign language popped out.
President Mu, who specially rushed to see his nephew, paused. His gaze fell on the tear-stained, disheveled youth. After a moment of silence, he turned his gaze to those few unopened packs.
Translator’s note: This probably has a ton of grammatical errors but I have a low grade fever and I’m just gonna crawl to bed now…