Chapter 48: The Offer and the Obsession

And then there was that crying emoji pack of He Shuhuan — [I am definitely not the only woman (strikethrough) man in the world whose heart has been moved by two women].

And the CP fans who didn’t dare to say anything, just posting a hundred ‘ahhh’s in the super topic!

There would be many more people commenting under this CP fan’s post.

Opening the comments, Su Xuan could see all sorts of long and short [AHHHHH!!].

Patients who could only say one word were especially common after the update of ‘Nine Streams’ that night.

There were also other symptoms, like [Wuwuwu] and [Wa-wa-wa] and [Eeee—!], which made them look not too bright, and they were extremely noisy. If one woman equals five hundred ducks, then after browsing the super topic for a few hours, Su Xuan felt he might have seen all the duck farms in the world.

Su Xuan felt his eyes were bothered by the noise, but these fans were really funny and cute!

Like a group of kids playing with little toys, holding a small sword, shouting [The Divine Choice CP is number one in the world!], running around like little chicks — quite noisy, but adorable and fun.

And also very lewd.

Su Xuan had never seen such a public display of eroticism; he was horrified, feeling like the super topic was about to be raided for pornography at any moment.

Su Xuan [tired smile]: Every time there’s a raid, you guys are there.jpg

In the [Divine Choice CP] super topic, there were tons of new updates. Scrolling through, eight out of ten new fanfics were about [hairband forced play].

There was one particularly fierce writer who directly wrote Su Xuan as [Spring Peach Young Master], the top male prostitute, and Shen Chao as the chivalrous swordsman who came to save him. The whole story was pure H, filled with suggestive seduction, Shen Chao losing control, tying Su Xuan to a peach tree with a hairband, tree-shaking until Su Xuan bit the hairband with tears at the corners of his eyes, shaking until peach blossoms covered them both…

Damn, it was written quite erotically; it even gave Su Xuan a boner.

Su Xuan’s face turned yellow from reading.

Imagination is… very good. Hope there will be more positions next time.

But this was an image post; before Su Xuan could save it, it was blocked.

That night, Su Xuan wandered in the ocean of AO3 until his kidneys felt weak — these young girls were really terrifying. Why did they have to write Shen Chao so fierce? Hairband tying hands, Su Xuan could understand; tying feet… although it looked like tying a pig, Su Xuan could still understand, after all, it looked very fuckable (a type of plant).

But tying that place? What was that about?!

Su Xuan’s pupils dilated — tying a bow was one thing, but a tight knot?! And tying it tightly, was she performing a vasectomy on him?!

Su Xuan imagined for a moment and felt a phantom pain in his lower limbs.

Then the writer of ‘Obstacle’ didn’t update, and Su Xuan felt a little disappointed.

But this writer posted a message in the midst of the entire internet’s Divine Choice CP fan frenzy: [Something happened at home, ‘Obstacle’ might not be updated for a while. I wish everyone can find the person they like.]

Comments were full of wails. Su Xuan logged into his alt account and seamlessly joined the wailing crowd: [Writer, don’t leave!! 555, without you, my love life is incomplete!]

This was true, actually.

Su Xuan found that the writer of ‘Obstacle’ inferred many things from public information. She wrote seriously, and it was very close to Shen Chao’s real situation, including many treatment methods for psychological patients. Su Xuan felt the writer was quite professional.

The writer replied to him: [I can’t write ‘Obstacle’ anymore, because Shen Chao’s obstacles now seem to have disappeared (smile)]

Su Xuan was momentarily suspicious. Shen Chao had indeed been dating him recently; it could be said his obstacles disappeared… but tonight’s spectacle also didn’t differ much from Shen Chao coming out with him.

This writer’s words felt… a bit suggestive.

Su Xuan replied: [Shen Chao’s obstacles disappeared?]

The writer replied: [Yes, but the disappearance of obstacles isn’t all good.]

Su Xuan was even more confused: [Then what bad things will happen?]

The writer replied: [We’ll only know after Shen Chao does something to Su Xuan (smile)]

Su Xuan: …

I suspect you’re driving but I have no evidence.

I didn’t expect you to look like you only write clean stories, but behind the scenes you’re this kind of writer.

Actually, there weren’t many CP fans who said such flirtatious things; even more straightforward comments that made Su Xuan blush could be found everywhere in the super topic. The most memorable flirtatious line he saw today was from ‘Spring Peach Young Master’ — [You can wrap yourself around this tree like you wrap around me, and if you can’t hold on, you can sit on me].

Then your toes only touch the ground, and the only one behind you to sit on is Shen Chao. Tsk, thinking about it gets me bo…

Alright, control yourself, Su Xuan.

But the writer of ‘Obstacle’ usually only wrote clean stories and never said flirtatious things. Unlike the noisy style of other Divine Choice CP fans, she had a sense of [the excitement belongs to others] solitary self-appreciation.

Su Xuan always felt something was off about this writer, but prying into others’ thoughts wasn’t his habit. This time, however, Su Xuan remembered the writer’s name — [A Dream Like Before].

Her signature: [Hidden behind the obstacle, you only like him].

Su Xuan continued on his alt account: [Writer, why do you think Shen Chao’s obstacles disappeared?]

A Dream Like Before: [Probably because he went to see someone I thought he would never go see.]

Su Xuan was confused?]

A Dream Like Before didn’t reply to him.

——————

At work, Su Xuan received a warm welcome from the entire company. This was after Leaf Media’s cooperation with UK.

Leaf Media also had some artists, who all came up to greet Su Xuan.

“Hello, Teacher Su!”

“Teacher Su, your fashion sense has been great lately!”

“Teacher Su, you were really handsome last night!”

“You made me cry! When will season two come out!”

Most of these artists’ compliments were sincere. Their eyes lit up looking at Su Xuan. Last night’s spectacular scene had triggered a nationwide frenzy spreading from outside the industry to inside. Anyone with eyes knew that Su Xuan was about to embark on an unimaginable path to stardom.

And aside from that, having such a powerful and talented artist come from a small company like Leaf Media really honored all the artists in the company. Walking out and saying you were from the same company as Su Xuan was a point of pride. So their admiration for Su Xuan was very real.

Last night, many professional and authoritative insiders had praised Su Xuan as a rare top-notch actor not seen in ten years, predicting he would win many awards within three years. They also predicted that Qian Huai’s collaboration with Su Xuan on ‘The Jewel Thief’ would trigger a wave of awards, raising expectations for the film.

Originally, people’s impression of ‘The Jewel Thief’ was just that it was an award-chasing film by Emperor Wang Muzhe and Qian Huai, a master of literary films. It wasn’t expected to achieve great box office results, nor was there much expectation for Su Xuan’s performance.

But after the [Kill Mother to Prove the Way] episode of the web series ‘Nine Streams’ aired, public opinion reversed completely.

‘The Jewel Thief’ directly transformed from an award-chasing vehicle for Wang Muzhe and Qian Huai into Su Xuan’s literary film debut after four years. Countless people were now paying attention to how Su Xuan, this stunningly talented actor, would perform on the big screen. Many netizens had already left messages on ‘The Jewel Thief’ page.

[Director Qian, can you hurry up!!! Yes, yes, yes!!]

[I’m anxious! I’m anxious! I’ll buy ten movie tickets when it’s released, Director Qian, hurry up!]

[Ah, I fell down. If I don’t get to see new Xuanxuan soon, I won’t get up (plays dead.gif)]

[When will the murderer Su Er Gou appear? I can’t wait to spend money on Su Er Gou!]

[Director Qian, I have a big business deal of forty yuan to discuss with you (lights cigarette)]

[I get so excited just thinking about Su Xuan playing a perverted murderer/rapist soon!!]

[Me too! Me too! Raising hand! I really want to see Su Xuan as a perverted murdering psycho!]

[Ah, thinking about Su Xuan’s dark turn with that naked feeling and evil spirit, I can’t stop kicking my legs in bed from excitement!]

[I’ve seen too many greasy CEO murderers. Su Er Gou, show us a different kind of murderer style!]

[Su Er Gou, hurry up and come kill someone!]

It was the first time Qian Huai had received so many urgent appeals before a film’s release. He called Su Xuan, somewhat amused: “Why are they so looking forward to you playing a murderer?”

Su Xuan was also puzzled: “I don’t know either…” What was wrong with audiences nowadays? Getting this excited over him playing a murderer.

I really don’t understand you audiences.

“I think…” Qian Huai said with a lazy smile, “It’s been a long time since audiences have seen an actor as sincere as you. So they have a very positive expectation for everything you perform.”

Su Xuan was confused: “Sincere?”

“Yes. Sincere.” Qian Huai sighed emotionally. “You and Shen Chao—although I personally don’t like Shen Chao—I have to admit you two are both very honest actors to the audience. You don’t fool the audience; you try your best within your ability, and you view their comments, whether praise or criticism, very objectively.”

“To put it more bluntly, you two really have the demeanor of superstar actors. You respect the audience and yourselves, and most importantly, you respect the work. The reason Shen Chao became so popular is that every work he starred in had quality acting, never treating the audience as fools.”

Qian Huai marveled: “Su Xuan, between you and him, you’re only missing the title of Best Actor. I feel you’ll seal that title in the industry before Shen Chao. Among actors your age, you are simply outstanding. You will receive countless scripts from great directors in the future. It will be impossible for me to get you to play the second or third male lead in my films.”

Su Xuan found Qian Huai’s bitter and complex tone both amusing and frustrating.

Qian Huai sounded like a middle-aged mother lamenting that her successful son was now out of her control.

Su Xuan finally laughed. “Director Qian, if there’s ever a role like Su Er Gou again, I’d be happy to take it.”

“You are half my teacher. A swift horse is common, but a discerning master is rare.” Su Xuan’s tone was calm and respectful. “I will always be grateful for the cultivation and recognition you gave me when I hadn’t yet been acknowledged by the outside world. Teacher Qian, without your previous guidance, perhaps my portrayal of Rouge Young Master wouldn’t have moved so many people.”

“After all, before this, I really hadn’t acted in a film for four years.” Su Xuan said softly.

Qian Huai was silent for a long time on the other end, then gave a low laugh and said seriously, “Su Xuan, you will never have another four years like that again.”

“The era of your starlight has arrived.” Qian Huai laughed. “To be honest, I’m very glad I didn’t easily drive you off the set back then. If you had left, I would have lost the chance to work with a top actor, and I would have regretted it later.”

“But it’s precisely because you didn’t leave that you’ve come this far. Su Xuan, you were born to be a dazzling actor.” Qian Huai sighed. “There’s a saying in the industry that you are favored by heaven. That’s nonsense. You’re not favored by heaven. You’re the kind of actor the audience loves. You are favored by the audience. You’ll be popular forever.”

Popular forever… That was a vision from long, long ago.

Su Xuan was silent for a few seconds, then smiled slightly. “Thank you for your kind words.”

When Su Xuan walked into Wang Changhai’s (Chairman Wang’s) office, Wang Changhai looked at him with an encouraging gaze and said, “You are the next Shen Chao! Definitely! You are our company’s proper little Shen Chao!”

After seeing too many messy fanfics last night, Su Xuan couldn’t help but think dirty when he heard the term ‘little Shen Chao’.

Su Xuan was about to say, “Isn’t Fu Mu the little Shen Chao?” but felt something was off.

Su Xuan said, “No, no, I don’t want to be little Shen Chao.”

Wang Changhai was startled, then realized, “Right, right, how could you be little Shen Chao? You have to be big Shen Chao, much bigger than Shen Chao!”

Su Xuan: “……….”

Wang Changhai couldn’t help asking, “Su Xuan, don’t make that face like ‘how is that possible, I can never do it.’ You can do it! How do you know you can’t if you don’t try?”

Su Xuan said darkly, “It’s not like I can make it bigger just because I want to…”

Wang Changhai paused, his expression twisted for a few seconds, then slowly met Su Xuan’s gaze.

I suspect you’re making an innuendo, but he doesn’t… even if there’s evidence… Su Xuan was the company’s last hope. Even with evidence, he couldn’t do anything to Su Xuan.

Wang Changhai glanced at Su Xuan, hesitated for a moment, then took a contract from the sliding drawer of his desk and handed it to Su Xuan.

“You know Du Mu, right?” Wang Changhai asked.

“Yes.” Su Xuan opened the file, quickly skimmed through it, but his expression grew increasingly serious.

After reading, Su Xuan placed the contract on the desk, tapped it with his curled fist twice, and looked up. “What’s the meaning of this film contract? UK-supported project? Have me and Du Mu make a film?”

“This is UK’s sincerity. They gave us a film project, this one, and specified you as the male lead.” Wang Changhai’s defensive voice gradually weakened under Su Xuan’s gaze. He rubbed his hands together like flies and showed a somewhat ingratiating smile. “Big production, big director, good project. We have no reason to refuse, right?”

Su Xuan stared at Wang Changhai for a moment and said, “I do.”

His attitude was restrained and calm as he crossed his legs and looked at Wang Changhai. “Chairman Wang, do you think I lack scripts from big productions and big directors right now?”

Wang Changhai: “…”

Indeed, he didn’t lack them. After last night’s explosion, directors offering scripts to Su Xuan could line up ten blocks away.

Wang Changhai anxiously stood up, pushing the contract hard toward Su Xuan, and said, “Hey! Don’t rush to refuse! Su Xuan, can you get a better project than this?”

“Chairman Wang, do you think the movie of ‘Nine Streams 2’,” Su Xuan looked up at the stunned Wang Changhai, pointing at the contract with a light tone, his eyes fixed on Wang Changhai, “counts as a better project than this?”

Wang Changhai slowly sat down in disbelief. He gripped the armrests of the sofa chair and questioned Su Xuan, still in shock, “They’re preparing to have you take on the ‘Nine Streams’ movie?! Rouge Young Master?!”

Su Xuan nodded.

Wang Changhai completely collapsed into the sofa. He stared blankly at the UK film contract on the table and muttered to himself, “Su Xuan… it’s over. UK is dead set on you doing this… What are we going to do… Your schedule won’t allow it…”

“You can only pick one…”

Wang Changhai stared at Su Xuan for a while, then slowly clutched his head in pain and sobbed, “What do we do?! I never thought this day would come — that you’d be pressured by two big directors! Wuwuwu, I am definitely not the only man in the world to be tempted by two scripts!”

Su Xuan: “……”

Su Xuan took the contract, now smeared with Wang Changhai’s tears and snot, and returned to his own office. As soon as he entered, he saw Liu Pangpang also collapsed on the sofa, in a similar posture and tone as Wang Changhai, holding a contract, looking completely dazed: “Su Xuan… it’s over. Done for. UK is dead set on you doing this… What are we going to do…”

Su Xuan: “……”

Was this Leaf Media’s corporate culture? When something happens, first yell that the artist is doomed.

Su Xuan dragged a chair over, sat down on it, feeling speechless but also amused by Liu Pangpang’s lifeless look. He tilted his head back and said, “Hey.”

Liu Pangpang’s despairing eyes turned to him. “Su Xuan, pick one of two. You choose which to act in: ‘Nine Streams’ or the one UK specifically wants you for…”

“Spring Clean Cloud.” Liu Pangpang waved the film details in his hand.

Although it was said to let Su Xuan choose, in reality, Su Xuan had little choice. UK was always aggressive; if you didn’t accept their script, the consequences would be severe.

Su Xuan leisurely rested his chin on his hand and smiled. “Children make choices; adults want everything.”

“Isn’t juggling multiple shoots my specialty? Since UK has forced this on us, just say we’ve already accepted ‘Nine Streams 2’.” Su Xuan said. “They insist I shoot it? Fine, but they’ll have to wait. Let me juggle.”

Liu Pangpang’s dead expression suddenly brightened. He sat up, but still hesitated. “…It’s hard to say with ‘Spring Clean Cloud’, but will ‘Nine Streams’ allow you to juggle shoots? This is a high-investment film, unlike a web series… Will they let you?”

Su Xuan showed no emotion. “I won’t juggle ‘Nine Streams 2’. Only this ‘Spring Clean Cloud’.”

Liu Pangpang jolted. “You mean… go along with their wishes and accept it, then mainly shoot ‘Nine Streams 2’, and fill in ‘Spring Clean Cloud’ during gaps in the ‘Nine Streams’ schedule…”

“Wouldn’t that be bad?” Liu Pangpang fell into hesitation. “This is a serious…”

He didn’t finish. What Su Xuan proposed was pure malicious scheduling juggling — different from the previous work-style juggling that had clear paths with both crews. If exposed, it would be…

“Playing the diva, right?” Su Xuan smiled ambiguously. He stretched and yawned, his eyes falling on the script of ‘Spring Clean Cloud’. “I’ve finally become a big star. Someone specifically asks for me to play the male lead. If I don’t play the diva a little, wouldn’t that be unfair to my efforts?”

Liu Pangpang opened the plan for ‘Spring Clean Cloud’, sighed, and said, “But this is also a good project. Su Xuan, do you know who the director of this film is?”

Liu Pangpang pointed at the name on the plan: “Ma Hedong. You should know him. He’s a big director.”

Su Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, “I know him.”

“He also directed Wang Muzhe’s award-winning ‘Gray Dynasty’.”

Liu Pangpang nodded. He continued flipping through the synopsis of ‘Spring Clean Cloud’, his eyes growing more complicated as he read. “Hey… you haven’t done something like this before, but actually, this film has quite a gimmick. It’s very likely to win awards. ‘Spring Clean Cloud’ tells the turbulent life of that great actress Yun Jieying, who committed suicide. It’s a biographical film, but shot from a memory perspective.”

Liu Pangpang looked up at Su Xuan, sighing with deep emotion. “You play Yun Jieying’s son, Du Mu. Through his perspective, we remember Yun Jieying’s life.”

Su Xuan paused. He pulled the plan in front of Liu Pangpang, flipped it open, and asked, “I’m playing Du Mu. Du Mu is also starring in this film. Who does he play?”

Liu Pangpang helped Su Xuan turn to the page with confirmed cast and pointed. “Here, Du Mu plays Du Long.”

“Du Mu plays his own father, Yun Jieying’s husband.”

Su Xuan’s expression slowly changed.

Du Long, that major shareholder of UK.

Su Xuan finished reading all the material about ‘Spring Clean Cloud’ sent by UK.

The script only had a summary. The biographical film script Su Xuan received was similar to what could be found about Yun Jieying on Wikipedia — no deeper information.

Su Xuan fanned the script in his hand idly and fell into thought.

So this was the tumultuous life of this actress who married into a wealthy family.

Yun Jieying debuted early, at 16, through a talent show. Though she wasn’t the champion that year, on the blurry footage of those old shows, Yun Jieying still appeared stunning — with a beautiful and lively charm. The passage of time had not dimmed her beauty.

Many of Yun Jieying’s early TV dramas were hits, belonging to Su Xuan’s childhood. They were the kind of shows that played all summer break — mostly martial arts dramas. Yun Jieying played various mischievous female characters, naturally beautiful, with lively eyes, two small dimples by her mouth when she smiled. She had a slightly sweet appearance, with a smile like a lotus emerging from water. Even for Su Xuan, a naturally gay man, Yun Jieying was breathtakingly beautiful, like a flower or jade.

Yun Jieying was the goddess of countless people in that era. Even now, many [ancient costume beauty compilations] feature her charming smile. A single glance from Yun Jieying as she played with her hair, full of allure, could make countless people fall for this long-dead actress and lament the tragedy of her beauty.

Recently, on the anniversary of Yun Jieying’s death, Su Xuan saw fans holding a charity event in her memory, with the slogan — [Forever the white and warm cloud, Yun Jieying].

Speaking of which — Su Xuan frowned. He had looked up the date of Yun Jieying’s death; it turned out they were filming on that day.

He remembered that Shen Chao had taken leave on that day.

Shen Chao rarely took leave for anything, so Su Xuan remembered, but when he asked Song Xiao, Hua Na, and others, no one knew what Shen Chao had done — it was quite mysterious.

Now it coincided with Yun Jieying’s death anniversary… he didn’t know if it was a coincidence.

Previously, because of Du Mu, Su Xuan had checked some of his personal information, and in passing, some information about his mother Yun Jieying.

Du Mu and Yun Jieying seemed to have a good relationship while she was alive, but his father Du Long and Yun Jieying had a very strained relationship. Whether it was normal or an inevitable awkwardness for actresses marrying into rich families, Du Long had constant scandals with various actresses at UK towards the end. Many photos showed Du Long parting with actresses outside hotels, solid evidence of his infidelity.

But Yun Jieying never spoke out. Some said her suicide was inextricably linked to Du Long’s chronic infidelity. Of course, there were also arrogant men jokingly commenting about this deceased actress, saying that since Yun Jieying chose to marry a rich man, she shouldn’t act like a saint after being a whore. Men having money and affairs was normal. If she couldn’t bear it and killed herself, she was just too weak. If she couldn’t handle it, she shouldn’t have married a rich man.

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