Chapter 55 — Returning Home
“Did Gu Xi just smile? My HP bar is about to hit zero!”
“I swear he was looking at me!”
“That is the standard polite smile at the camera. Where do you all get faces that big? Obviously, he was looking at me.”
By the time Rong Jing snapped out of it, the camera had already moved on to other stars entering.
Gu Xi’s collar was slightly open. You could see a strip of black leather cord. That had to be the one he gave him.
Gu Xi definitely knew what it meant for an Alpha to give that kind of thing. He did not suspect any bad intention at all. That simple trust made Rong Jing a little moved and firmed his resolve to help Gu Xi break free of the plot’s shackles.
The trainees who had jostled Rong Jing earlier finally realized who he was. Someone had already briefed them before. He was the boss’s baby brother and also professionally trained. They bowed and apologized in a rush. The one who had pushed him went pale and apologized over and over, afraid he would get kicked like when Xie Jisheng directly erased names from the roster. That kind of thing had happened before. Xie Entertainment being what it was now had plenty to do with that man’s iron hand.
Rong Jing said it was fine. The smiling department manager spotted him and half bowed to ask, “You came so early.”
“I just left my brother and dropped by to check on things.”
The trainees watched them disappear inside and clicked their tongues.
“Manager Ge changes face like flipping pages. He is like the King of Hell to us.”
“If you stood in front of a golden mountain that can change your fate anytime, you would bow lower than he does.”
“Do you think the Golden Mountain will join the idol survival show?”
“Unlikely. Golden Mountain reads like the governing-the-country type. I heard from Manager Ge he only cares about acting. Like an interest hobby. He acts when he wants to act.”
“Acting by carving out time. I heard Young Master Xie manages several companies at the same time. Truly busy. True love of the craft.”
““Ugh, so jealous. Other people’s twenties versus my twenties. Not the same era.”
“When can I be like that too? Being kept like that would be fine.”
“First, you need a brother worth a hundred billion. Also he has to be a rabid little-brother simp.”
“President Xie is so cold. He does not look like the type to spoil a brother.”
“You really do not get it.”
This time Rong Jing had come mainly to see the follow-up on Absolute Idol. He had spent a lot of money recently, including investing in his own film, and finally hit his planned target of one hundred million.
Besides acquisitions, he had also bought some overseas rights.
One of them was Absolute Idol, similar to a mega-popular boy group variety from his past life. A hundred trainees competing in all kinds of challenges, the top nine debuting as a team. Rong Jing himself was not going the idol route. He would not participate, but he would follow closely and discuss localized adaptation with the show’s producers.
Back when Shengteng Entertainment had not been fully acquired, the rights had gone through twists and turns. Rong Jing grabbed them early for Xie before anyone else could.
In the original track, this was the first format Wu Fuyu bought after he took over the entertainment arm. Now that golden finger was firmly taken. Rong Jing felt no guilt, especially after Wu Fuyu’s gaze at him had become stranger by the day.
After the last banquet, Rong Jing had met a number of big names. He was recruiting for the show now, determined to make a splash with the very first episode.
This was Xie Entertainment’s chance to turn the tables. Since Xie Ling had entrusted part of the authority to him, Rong Jing intended to go all in. He did not know other lines of business, but he knew the entertainment circle. The past few years had been a deep winter for the industry and for Xie Entertainment. Many projects had stalled, many artists had left, investments had not paid back, losses every year, barely hanging on with the parent group bottle-feeding it.
Xie’s entertainment company was called Xietian Entertainment, meaning “Thank Heaven.” Because of its name, some peers and fans jokingly called it the God Company.
Mostly jokes. Xietian could indeed provide top-tier shooting locations and the most advanced equipment, a money-built god when it came to hardware. But its soft power lagged behind: no standout artists, no headline-making hits.
It had been quiet for too long. The ones who stayed were veterans. Everyone had a breath in the chest, waiting to make something good.
After the meeting, Manager Zhou took Rong Jing to watch the trainees practice. They would pick the best batch for the first Absolute Idol.
Rong Jing did not know the idol industry like the pros did. After a while, his attention drifted. He listened while also multitasking.
He opened WeChat and went straight to Gu Xi’s chat. He hesitated.
A read and then silence. It was obvious he had seen it and deleted what he meant to say.
Rong Jing had thought he would say his piece in one go when they had time. Given their recent interactions, that should not be hard. But Gu Xi had gone radio silent. Rong Jing opened the app’s backend and used the device-locator function. Sure enough, he got real-time positioning.
He decided to stick to the original plan. Being honest mattered to both sides. He typed: About your recent incidents, including the things found at home, I think I have the full picture. I will not check when it is not needed. Do not worry.
He had thought it would take a while. Gu Xi should be busy.
But a reply came quickly. Look if you want.
Rong Jing could almost picture Gu Xi’s teasing smile. He covered his face. Big sis had not been wrong.
Invisible flirting is the deadliest.
His group chat buzzed with life. Most messages were asking when Rong Jing would pick them up.
These were the seniors Gu Xi had mentioned. He had already exchanged contact information with them. They had cleared schedules and were waiting at Xietian’s gate. Many of them knew each other and said hello in surprise, wondering what kind of newcomer could make Gu Xi call in so many favors and gather everyone here.
Most were here because they owed Gu Xi.
Rong Jing did not want to waste Gu Xi’s goodwill. Learning they had arrived, he went to receive them personally, asked Manager Ge to free the main stage, and after setting the scene, they started rehearsal on the spot. Like Gu Xi said, race the clock.
To clear the original owner’s name and to continue his own vocation in this different world, Rong Jing put in twelve parts effort.
He had printed the script of the original owner’s failure and started from recreating the stage accident.
Even after the cameras and lights were in position, Rong Jing’s performance was still barely passable. People on site, including trainees who had come to watch the excitement, all frowned.
He could manage as long as there was no camera. Once the lens was on him, sweat poured. He looked like a fish flopping out of water.
Everyone could see his effort and will, but his phobia was that serious, maybe worse than the rumors online.
At first, hopes were low. Later they noticed that every time he improved a little.
The process of breaking through was painful. Sometimes he forced his body not to react so hard he nearly fainted.
Every day was high-intensity training, then work, then back again. Even his calls with Gu Xi were short.
Sometimes Gu Xi sent a good night and Rong Jing would not see it until the next day. Sometimes Rong Jing’s reply was met by a quick voice note from Gu Xi during a bite of food.
Both of them were busy. Both seemed to be moving toward their own goals.
Even the industry heavyweights who had come only because of Gu Xi were moved.
They went from advising and comforting to admiration, like they were watching Rong Jing grow up in front of them.
They messaged Gu Xi.
[Thumbs up] [Thumbs up] Where did you find him. Say nothing else, his willpower is something.
That condition of his looks quite serious. Did not expect this. You should see him on site.
Never seen such a stubborn kid. Sky is the limit.
Reading those, Gu Xi felt more proud than if he had won an award.
This was the friend he was proudest of. None other.
#Gu Xi, white suit#, #Opening Ceremony# and similar tags blasted onto the hot search.
In all his years, Gu Xi had never worn a white suit. He had always favored mature shades like black and gray.
The sudden change worked better than expected. No way the cameras could resist.
Domestic reporters on site pressed shutters like crazy and asked which brand had made the suit. If Gu Xi wore it, it might sell out overnight.
No one got an answer. The question grew into a firestorm.
Xie also got orders from upstairs. Letting this clean wave of traffic slip away would be a pity. Low profile did not mean leaving money on the table.
Gu Xi hit trending several times in a row, gradually squashing the earlier “Xun Jiarui replaced” scandal down.
Being pushed down did not mean fans forgot. Somewhere along the line, some fans started muttering that the newcomer must have taken shady routes.
Otherwise why had Xun Jiarui mentioned Gu Xi by name.
Xi-fans had a reputation for being proud and polite. They usually did not even look at gossip.
This time some could not hold it in. In the support group someone brought it up.
“I am so mad. I watched the original video. It was terrifying. I feel bad for the classmates who took the stage seriously. RJ ruined how many people’s dreams. If he can wreck a stage play, will he wreck this film too. Gu Xi is the victim here and he still has to be dragged along.”
“I am starting to think the director is under a curse. Link here, go watch.”
“That XJR is such a dumb***. Could not handle a newbie and had the nerve to drag our Gu Xi down.”
“What kills me is this bundling. These newbies get tied on with no restraint. It happens a dozen times a year. I have PTSD when I see newbies now.”
“Do not feed the topic. Do not go to those tags. Do not pump their heat.”
“Let the tag cool. I want to see how they hype without fuel.”
“Did you hear? Reporters will be on set on day one. I want to see if that newcomer dares to show his face.”
By the time Gu Xi noticed, most of the day had passed.
As Rong Jing’s fanclub head, he got tagged a lot, including screenshots from Xi-fan group chats.
By chance, among the earliest elders who had followed Rong Jing, some also had Gu Xi as their top pick.
They saw those Xi-fan comments and almost cried with anger. They went into the comments to argue back, but Xi-fans, usually Buddha-like, did not yield an inch in a real fight. No matter how many they sent, they got flattened. They felt small and weak and decided to stop stanning Gu Xi altogether.
Gu Xi had a headache. Anything he said now would invite wild speculation and would not help Rong Jing.
Most importantly, Rong Jing had no finished work yet to prove himself, and that black history was a fact.
It was obvious Rong Jing’s supporters now had a poor impression of Xi-fans.
Rong Jing’s fans thought, your idol is so high up he looks down on us. We do not want to climb. Thank you. From now on, we keep our rivers separate.
Xi-fans went cold. They ignored it. In a circle where trends replace trends every week, can your idol ride for a whole month? Do not inflate yourselves. We will not waste time punching down.
Before a single scene was filmed, the two fandoms had already clashed several times from afar and could not stand the sight of each other.
For now Rong Jing’s fanbase was much smaller and got steamrolled.
If one day his numbers rise above a threshold, the scale will multiply.
Rumors began to spread that in the new film, Gu Xi and the other newcomer male lead had a conflict. There had been no interaction before filming. The newcomer might be replaced.
Day after day went by. When Lota lifted glory and took a prize the country had not been nominated for in thirteen years, the industry exploded.
That was also the day Gu Xi flew home.
On the plane, Director Liu Yu sat beside Gu Xi and said, “Off screen this time, you and Rong Jing should keep your distance and act like strangers.”
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