Chapter 50: The Gentleman Cover and the Talent Show

Su Xuan’s scalp tingled. He could feel the heat of Shen Chao’s words creeping down his neck, making his throat dry and words impossible. The photographer opposite gestured: “Teacher Shen, move a little farther from Su Xuan.”

Shen Chao tightened his grip on Su Xuan’s hand briefly, then slowly let go, lowering his gaze. “Okay.”

They left a fist-sized gap between them, and the hot wind blew through. Su Xuan averted his eyes, not daring to meet Shen Chao’s gaze. The photographer clapped his hands: “Teacher Su, look at Shen Chao.”

“Ah?! Oh, okay.” Su Xuan snapped back to reality and turned his eyes to meet Shen Chao’s. Shen Chao stared back at him without blinking, his voice very soft: “Look at me, Teacher Su.”

Su Xuan: “…”

Ah, he couldn’t take it anymore. Please finish shooting quickly! Shen Chao’s eyes were too seductive!

The theme of this issue of ‘Gentleman’ was [Double Swords].

On the cover, Su Xuan’s face was stunningly fierce. He lowered his eyelids, his long lashes falling upon a glimmering, withered peach blossom makeup motif. His left hand held a fan behind his back, covering the left side of his face. An exquisite peach blossom fan pendant dangled from his pale wrist. His hair fluttered in the wind, and his silk clothes billowed like flowing water and floating light.

Meanwhile, Su Xuan’s right hand held the broken sword Shen Chao thrust at him between two fingers, perpendicular to his nose. Shen Chao’s hair ribbon flailed wildly in the wind, covering the lower half of his face, revealing only the upper half. Shen Chao’s gaze, deep and unfathomable, fixed on Su Xuan’s face. His sword-like brows slanted into his temples, his eyes cold as frost. He thrust the sword at Su Xuan without hesitation, only to have it caught between Su Xuan’s index and middle fingers.

One in motion, one still. One fan, one sword.

On the upper right corner of Shen Chao on the cover, a line of cursive calligraphy read: [Reeds and Rushes Turn to Frost].

On the lower left corner of Su Xuan, a line of delicate ‘hairpin flower’ calligraphy read: [Peerless Peach Blossom].

And in the very center of the cover was the core interview of this issue: [Shen Chao, Su Xuan—An Actor’s Self-Cultivation].

The meaning was clear.

To put it in Qian Huai’s words, it was the difference between a celebrity and a master. Celebrities rely on popularity; if they’re not popular, they’re not celebrities. Masters rely on ability. It doesn’t matter if they’re popular or not. They can be popular if they want, or not. When they want to be popular, they can star in one play, and the whole world will make way for their brilliance.

Simply put, a master represents the most popular star of an era, and that star’s popularity, ultimately recognized by the public through ability, turns into a master.

After ‘Gentleman’ magazine was printed and sold out twice, Su Xuan received a call from Qian Huai. Qian Huai sighed emotionally: “Although I don’t like that kid, he’s the youngest master I’ve ever seen.”

“Only twenty-two years old. Thinking about it makes me angry and also scared,” Qian Huai lamented. “Su Xuan, when you look at him, don’t you feel like you’ll be overshadowed by Shen Chao for a lifetime?”

Su Xuan thought about it and said, “Not really.”

Qian Huai said, “You sure are easygoing.”

“It’s not that I’m easygoing,” Su Xuan said seriously. “I’ve been working hard to catch up to him. Now I’ve finally caught up and am standing by his side. I think I’m not bad either.”

And he had caught up to Shen Chao in every sense of the word, Su Xuan thought happily.

Qian Huai suddenly realized. He remembered that half a year ago, this guy was still struggling in third-rate web dramas, spending three or four years filming only messy shows. Now, only six months later, he was the only one to have graced a dual cover with Shen Chao, and in ‘Gentleman’ no less. Qian Huai recalled that when Su Xuan first joined the ‘Jewel Thief’ crew, he was juggling multiple projects, and Qian Huai had sneered that he couldn’t make movies.

But Su Xuan’s ability, just a few months later, had been recognized by the industry’s most authoritative magazine.

Su Xuan’s learning ability was terrifying. Every time he changed sets, it was like he changed his entire being. That martial arts scene in ‘The Lowly’—Qian Huai was stunned.

This guy, when he was with Qian Huai, was a physical mess who needed a dog to chase him just to run for a street chase scene. Now, just over a month later, he could handle advanced stuff like no-wire fight scenes.

This was no longer ‘look at him with new eyes after three days’; this was that the guy himself was wrong! Su Xuan was too awesome.

Qian Huai finally let out a breath from his chest, a mix of emotions. “You’re also a monster. I must have been kicked in the head by a donkey to tell you how awesome Shen Chao is. You wouldn’t understand a thing!”

“Let’s talk shop. Drop the topic of your partner. ‘Jewel Thief’ is in post-production,” Qian Huai said. Su Xuan heard a click on the other end of the line, probably Qian Huai lighting a cigarette. “You’re ridiculously popular now. I’m starting to have some box office ambitions. I’m planning to go for the New Year’s holiday.”

Qian Huai had never had box office ambitions. He was all about ‘I’m the best in the world; if you don’t get it, it’s your loss.’ What Qian Huai pursued was more of a cultural, ethereal realm. In his words: “Move aside, you damned money defiling my work! Move aside!”

“Why the sudden box office ambition?” Su Xuan joked. “Don’t have any unrealistic expectations of my fans. I can’t carry much box office.”

Su Xuan heard Qian Huai exhale, probably blowing out smoke. Qian Huai suddenly asked, “You told me UK and Leaf Media have partnered.”

“You’re still not willing to float a little,” Qian Huai’s voice drifted like smoke, indistinct, carrying a hint of laughter. “Kid, you’re stubborn, just like me.”

Su Xuan felt that Qian Huai was getting serious. He frowned. “Director Qian, are you betting on the release window?”

Betting on the release window meant competing in a hot season. But in every hot season, only one or two movies were big winners; the countless others, like typical New Year’s, summer, and National Day slots, often failed miserably. Movies like Qian Huai’s niche taste were even more likely to lose everything.

“Director Qian, I wouldn’t advise—” Su Xuan started.

“I’m just betting on a release window. I’m not as bold as you,” Qian Huai chuckled. “Besides…”

“The profits from ‘Jewel Thief’ are also part of your earnings. If I release it in a cold slot, I won’t lose money, but your pay during this time will be as low as a migrant worker’s,” Qian Huai said. “Might as well take a gamble.”

Su Xuan’s emotions were complicated. “Thank you, Director Qian.”

“Just repaying a favor,” Qian Huai scoffed. “You called me teacher. This little bit, Teacher Qian can still manage. Act well.”

…

Before entering the new crew, Su Xuan had finished all his ongoing work except for one variety show with Shen Chao. He collapsed exhausted onto Dobby. Dobby had been much better behaved lately, gently licking Su Xuan’s hand.

Su Xuan gave Dobby a vigorous petting, holding the docile cat and saying, “You’ve been so well-behaved lately. No more heat, no missing men…”

Dobby let out a coquettish ‘meow’ and rubbed against Su Xuan’s clothes.

Su Xuan stroked Dobby’s chin gently. “As a reward, Dobby, since I have nothing better to do, let’s go get you spayed!”

Dobby: “…”

The innocent Dobby let out a miserable, piercing meow as the ruthless Su Xuan packed her into a pet carrier and took her to the vet. Ning Xinyang came along; he was supposed to pick up Dobby after the surgery.

Ning Xinyang, despite being so tall, had never seen a female cat being spayed. Dobby’s cries unsettled him, and he looked away, unable to bear it. He turned to look at Su Xuan, who was leisurely petting other cats in the hospital, saying, “Oh, this little cat, you look so much better behaved than Dobby. Sweetheart, let me pet you. I’d love to take you home…”

Ning Xinyang silently watched Dobby, who was being taken into the operating room while still meowing frantically at Su Xuan. He inexplicably felt a sense of scumminess, like a husband sending his wife to the delivery room while flirting with other women outside…

Su Xuan sat on a bench holding a rescued kitten. Ning Xinyang still looked worriedly at the operating room. “Will Dobby be okay?”

Su Xuan said, “Don’t worry, nothing serious will happen.”

Ning Xinyang was tense. “What about something minor?”

Su Xuan thought for a moment. “At most—”

Ning Xinyang’s eyes widened.

“—she’ll lose her ability to reproduce,” Su Xuan said sadly. “Dobby won’t be a complete little female cat anymore.”

Ning Xinyang: “…”

Isn’t that the normal outcome of a spay surgery? Why does Su Ge make it sound like an irreversible postoperative complication?

Su Xuan propped his cheek on his hand and turned to look at Ning Xinyang with a grin. “Nervous about the auditions? Relax a little. You can do it.”

Ning Xinyang’s reaction was a bit slow. He gradually realized that Su Xuan had seen he was too tense and was joking to ease his mood. He started fidgeting with his fingers, his voice barely audible. “…A little nervous. Thank you, Su Ge, for giving me this opportunity.”

Liu Pangpang’s professional skills were still strong. With Su Xuan’s rise, Liu Pangpang had access to many channels and quickly found Ning Xinyang a variety show audition resource.

Because Su Xuan’s starring drama ‘The Lowly’ had brought considerable benefits to the Douhua app, Liu Pangpang connected with Douhua and secured a resource for Ning Xinyang: an idol audition variety show called ‘All-Round ACE’. It was a boy group debut format, now in its second season.

‘All-Round ACE’ was highly professional, with many skilled trainees. The boy group that debuted in the first season was also well-received.

Ning Xinyang was participating in the second season, sent by Leaf Media as a trainee. The first selection round was that very evening.

Su Xuan thought it was fun. Ning Xinyang was so nervous about the audition he wanted to stay in the venue all day, yet when Su Xuan called, he obediently came along without any complaint to accompany him to get the cat spayed.

Su Xuan teased him. “Don’t you think accompanying me is wasting your time on something important?”

Ning Xinyang shook his head. “It’s not a waste. Besides, the others are very talented; I might not even make it. I haven’t… sung in a long time. Now I can only DJ.” His voice trailed off, and he started pulling at his fingers until they turned white, his expression still blank, almost as if he had already given up.

Su Xuan sighed inwardly. No wonder Liu Pangpang said Ning Xinyang’s psychological state might be problematic for the competition.

This didn’t look like someone going to compete; it looked like someone going to surrender.

Su Xuan said, “Then go up on stage and DJ.”

Ning Xinyang lifted his head in a daze. Su Xuan rubbed his head with a smile. “Show what you can do. Is there a song you want to sing? If not, we can try another resource. Just give it a shot.”

Ning Xinyang thought seriously, then slowly said, “…There is one, but it’s not really suitable for DJing…”

Su Xuan asked, “Then do you want to switch songs?”

Ning Xinyang slowly shook his head. He seemed to have become resolute. “I have to sing this one.”

Su Xuan’s lips curled up. “Go for it! I’ll take you there.”

Ning Xinyang was stunned, his face flushed slightly, like a kindergarten kid being taken to a Children’s Day performance by a parent, trying to hide a little excitement but not very successfully. His eyes shone as he looked at Su Xuan. “…Is that okay? Su Ge, are you free?”

Su Xuan waved his hand magnanimously. “Today, my only business is dealing with Dobby and you!”

Ning Xinyang: “…”

Something felt off somehow.

Dobby’s surgery was done around three in the afternoon. Su Xuan waited until Dobby woke from anesthesia. Dobby lay listlessly in the cage, casting a very mournful look at Su Xuan, her tongue still sticking out slightly from the anesthesia, whimpering. She looked like a little ghost that had died from spaying.

The vet said the surgery was successful, but the cat seemed to want to struggle post-op, so he recommended observation to prevent self-harm.

Su Xuan thought, let’s observe. Dobby probably wanted to harm him, the heartless man who had stripped her of her ability to be a mother.

Su Xuan told the vet, “I’ll go drop off my little friend at a song-and-dance show, then come back to pick up the cat.” The vet joked, “You look so young, and you already have a little friend?”

Su Xuan was wearing a mask. The vet was an older doctor with reading glasses; he had no idea who Su Xuan was.

The vet seemed to have an obvious liking for this cat owner who was so gentle with cats. “Where is your little friend? I have a little toy I can give her; maybe she can use it in her show.”

The old vet had mistaken Su Xuan’s ‘little friend’ for a child going to a Children’s Day party. He tremblingly and kindly pulled out a little bowtie cat toy from under the desk.

Just then, the 1.88-meter Ning Xinyang pushed aside the white curtain and walked in. He was a full two heads taller than the vet, with long arms and legs, like a basketball player. He looked at Su Xuan with eager eyes. “When are we leaving?”

Su Xuan pointed at Ning Xinyang. “He’s my little friend.”

Ning Xinyang looked down at the old doctor, who only reached his shoulder, and blinked in confusion.

The old vet silently put away his bowtie cat toy, controlled his expression, and gave Su Xuan a complicated smile. “…Sir, please take care.”

Su Xuan, only twenty-six, felt offended, but he didn’t say anything on the spot. Instead, while driving, he complained indignantly to Ning Xinyang in the back seat. “He called me ‘sir’! Do I look that old!”

As he parked, Su Xuan slammed the steering wheel. “Ning Xinyang, do you know! My boyfriend is only twenty-two! How dare he call me ‘sir’!”

Ning Xinyang: “…”

Su, Su Ge is dating?!

His mind was blown by this huge piece of gossip. He really couldn’t feel nervous anymore.

Ning Xinyang said slowly, “…Su Ge, is it okay for you to just tell me this?”

…And a twenty-two-year-old boyfriend—could it be the person he was thinking of?

Su Xuan didn’t catch on. “Aren’t you my personal assistant? You’ll eventually see Shen Chao living with me anyway.”

Ning Xinyang: “…”

The sheer volume of information.

No wonder Liu Pangpang said the most important thing about being Su Ge’s assistant was keeping both ends sealed.

Ning Xinyang opened his mouth to say something, but then he thought about the amount of information Su Xuan had just dropped. He worried that if he learned any more, his mind would go blank from the shock, and he wouldn’t be able to attend the audition that evening. So he curled up into a ball in the back seat and shut his mouth.

Su Xuan waited for Ning Xinyang to respond, but when he didn’t, he couldn’t help glancing in the rearview mirror. “Don’t you want to ask anything?”

“Like how my boyfriend and I got together!” Su Xuan said coyly. “I can tell you. You must be curious about such a poignant love story!”

Ning Xinyang shrank back pitifully. “But… Su Ge, I don’t want to know.”

Su Xuan: “…”

Ning Xinyang hugged his small guitar carefully. “I, I have a competition later. Can I not listen?”

Su Xuan took a deep breath, then forced a smile. “It’s fine. After Shen Chao moves in with me, I’ll tell you in front of him.”

Ning Xinyang: “…”

Su Xuan dropped Ning Xinyang off outside the venue. Leaning against the car, he waved at Ning Xinyang, who was clutching his guitar, and said good luck. Ning Xinyang glanced back at Su Xuan a few times, then looked back again before entering the venue. He felt a little disappointed to find Su Xuan and the car already gone.

…Su Ge left so quickly.

Ning Xinyang took a deep breath, hoisted his guitar higher on his back, and looked back one last time. His hands clenched into fists. Then he turned and walked into the venue.

How could Su Xuan not leave quickly? The audience for the audition was about to enter. Su Xuan had bought a ticket for the first round. He scrambled to pick up a giant LED light board from a parcel drop-off point. It was almost twice his size in length and width.

He balanced it on his head while queuing in the audience area. The shadow from the light board nearly covered five people in front and behind. When Su Xuan, with the board on his head, turned slightly, ten people in a row had to squat down to avoid being hit. Su Xuan had to apologize and thank each one.

Carrying the light board, he looked like a large-scale lethal weapon. People around tried to avoid him, watching in stunned disbelief.

This was an audition. The contestants were all undebuted trainees. Whose cheering squad had such presence?!

Su Xuan, with the light board on his head, nervously adjusted his mask and baseball cap like a thief. Luckily, the crowd’s attention was on the light board; few noticed who was carrying it.

Su Xuan managed to enter—though not very smoothly. The light board was too big, and he got stuck at the entrance. In the end, with the help of staff, he had to ride the light board in like a horse.

The entrance was arched, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. Carrying it in was impossible. Finally, with great embarrassment, Su Xuan had to ask five people in front and behind to spread their legs and straddle the light board that said ‘Ning Xinyang’ like riding a horse, just to get inside.

The most awkward moment came when, during the ‘riding’, someone accidentally hit the switch on the light board. The blinding LED light instantly illuminated the crotches of the ten people, flashing in colorful brilliance: [Ning Xinyang Sets Sail! Sing Loud!]

Su Xuan had recently come into money, so he had ordered the top-tier version for Ning Xinyang’s light board. When turned on, it even played a BGM—the stirring ‘Dreamer’s Heart’.

Su Xuan realized for the first time that being rich wasn’t always a good thing.

The ten people, expressionless, rode in on the ‘Ning Xinyang Sets Sail’ light board, their butts illuminated by multicolored lights. Su Xuan’s face was about to crack. He was riding on the character ‘Ning’, but the switch was on the ‘Sing’ character. The person riding on ‘Sing’ couldn’t find the switch, so they were forced to ride in on a colorful dragon that emitted rainbow light and sang ‘Dreamer’s Heart’, desperately maintaining composure as they passed through the audience queue, who all stared at them with strange looks.

The light board sang hoarsely: “Run forward!! Facing cold stares and ridicule!!”

“Keep running, with the pride of a child, the brilliance of life, if you don’t persist to the end, how can you see!”

Su Xuan couldn’t help covering his face and lowering his head.

The faces of the onlookers were like: [ … ]

Many people looked as if they had suffered mental pollution, shocked into blankness.

Su Xuan’s butt emitted colorful light. He felt like a mutant firefly. With his head down and not a word, he entered, then silently turned off the light board’s switch amidst the numb expressions of the other ‘riders’.

The music of ‘Dreamer’s Heart’ stopped.

Su Xuan vowed never to cheer for anyone again.

He had let down the audience members who had ridden the ‘Ning Xinyang’ light board, and Ning Xinyang himself.

This was definitely a very bad live experience.

He thought that all the audience at this audition should now know Ning Xinyang—but Ning Xinyang probably wouldn’t want to be known this way.

Su Xuan felt he should apologize to Ning Xinyang. No idol had suffered such humiliation before even debuting.

Sigh, Su Xuan felt like an incompetent father cheering for his own child.

He had cheered for Shen Chao before, but he wasn’t as rich back then. He had no idea that the most expensive light board sold at the store was this kind.

Indeed, the most expensive isn’t always the best. Careless. Next time he’d buy the cheapest.

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