Superstar Aspirations

Chapter 25

Translator: Vian

Editor: Shem

In the bright and spacious dining room, Rong Xu sat down at the table after quickly getting ready and looked at the lavish breakfast that filled the table.

From porridge and some side dishes, to bread and milk, to pasta and pizza, to sushi and kimchi, this dazzling line-up completely filled the huge dining table all the way to the edge. Rong Xu hesitantly eyed the table that had gathered various breakfasts from different countries. For a moment, he didn't know if he was eating at home, or… at a party?!

The handsome and indifferent-faced man gently passed him a bowl of porridge, and Rong Xu quickly took it.

Qin Cheng lowered his eyes, his expression was impassive as he very casually said: "I just casually bought a few things, you should pay attention and eat well."

Rong Xu: "……"

En, your casually… It's really really casually ah…

While in his heart he had absolutely no idea what the other person was thinking, Rong Xu still quietly ate his breakfast. From beginning to end, he only ate the Chinese foods and didn't touch anything else. Qin Cheng was calmly drinking a coffee the whole time, he didn't make a sound and Rong Xu didn't speak either, thinking that the other had a rule about "not talking when eating".

And so, Rong Xu naturally didn't discover that wherever his chopstick went, a certain man's gaze would follow. Sometimes, he would even mutter to himself in a small voice: "He went to this dish three times… he really likes it?"

But whenever Rong Xu accidentally looked towards him, he would quickly turn his head away as his left hand lightly tapped on the table and his right hand would hold the white porcelain coffee cup, where he would take a sip from time to time.

Even if the breakfast was very delicious, it was impossible for Rong Xu to be able to eat it all. As he looked at everything that was still remaining, Rong Xu didn't see himself as an especially frugal person, he still felt a little distressed.

As if he understood what the youth was thinking, Qin Cheng calmly said: "I'll give it to Xu Jin, he really likes to eat."

Rong Xu was surprised: "This much?"

Qin Cheng replied; "En, this much." His tone was calm, his expression didn't change, and neither didn't his heart skip.

Rong Xu: "……" You really couldn't tell that Huaxia Entertainment's top manager had such a big appetite……

After all since he was living in someone else's home, when you are relying on someone, you can't complain. So at the end of breakfast, Rong Xu took the initiative to clean the dishes and help wrap up the leftovers. He smiled at Qin Cheng and said: "I'll wrap everything up first, then you can immediately bring it to Mister Xu."

Qin Cheng: "…Okay."

The atmosphere turned stiff again.

Rong Xu had already found out early on that Qin Cheng was a person who didn't like to talk much. But today, there were some things that he needed to tell the other, things that he must to tell.

After thinking for a moment, Rong Xu got right to the point and turned to Qin Cheng, saying: "There is a matter that I have to apologize for. I originally had found a condo near the company, but I do not know what happened, and the landlord suddenly sold the condo. So I am unable to move out today, and would have to bother you here for a while longer."

As these words came out, Rong Xu clearly saw Qin Cheng raise his head in surprise with a very astonished gaze.

Seeing the other's surprised expression, Rong Xu felt even more embarrassed. It was him who solemnly vowed to leave last time, but now he suddenly couldn't leave, and still needed to bother the other.

Just as Rong Xu was thinking of "It's still better if I move out first", he suddenly heard Qin Cheng muttering to himself then saying: "Then how about you just rent in my house."

Rong Xu echoed: "Rent in your house?"

"En, this apartment has three bedrooms and is well equipped. I am usually not home all the year round, even this afternoon I have to catch a plane to America. You can stay here with a peace of mind, the security around this neighborhood is very good." He paused briefly, and then Qin Cheng continued: "If mother wants to ask about you, I can also give her a good reply this way…"

Rong Xu didn't find anything unusual with him, but instead seriously thought about it.

Qin Cheng had also mentioned this idea last time. Back then, he thought that he had already found a good place so he didn't consider it. Indeed, this apartment has the best security out of all the other buildings near Huaxia Entertainment along with convenient commune and a nice and quiet environment.

After pondering for a while, Rong Xu decided to accept this suggestion.

As soon as he agreed, Qin Cheng let out a sigh of relief, only to hear Rong Xu say: "Then let's set the rent, I will pay you according to the market price." For Qin Cheng, this rent might only be a drop in the ocean, but Rong Xu must pay it.

Qin Cheng lightly said: "Whatever you decide is fine." As soon as he finished speaking, his face turned a little stiff again.

Soon after, Rong Xu went back to his room to change, planning to immediately leave for the company. When he entered his bedroom, Qin Cheng slowly sat back down on the sofa. He lifted his left hand and kneaded his temple as his face sank.

——Actually, you don't have to always have your mother hanging off your lips.

——Actually, you could also not accept rent.

For the first time, a certain Film Emperor hated that he had such good acting skills, not letting the youth discover any abnormalities with him.

On the other side, Rong Xu quickly went downstairs and never thought that behind him was a certain man who had became depressed and feeling extremely remorseful.

There were some people who were just naturally born as a duck whose beak was still reluctant when dead, their mouths stubborn to a fault; their mouth lying, but their body still honest. They clearly just bought two suites for a high price a few days ago—— coincidentally, the sellers were precisely the same two that Luo Zhentao was in contact with—— and now to have such an astonished and surprised look……

Later on, when Rong Xu discovers that there were two very familiar apartment places under his family's lover's name… that scene must have been very beautiful.

***

After getting in the car, Luo Zhentao drove to Huaxia Entertainment.

Once he got on, Rong Xu told him about the renting matter. Upon hearing this, Luo Zhentao's first reaction was: "Living together with Qin Cheng… will it be okay?"

Rong Xu lightly smiled: "We only have a landlord and tenant relationship, is there any problem?"

Luo Zhentao thought for a moment: "True, in that case I don't need to continue looking for a new place now. The places near the company are expensive and few, most being business districts. This neighborhood around here is already the best. You also don't have to worry about the paparazzi if you live here. After you buy your own place, you can move out."

Rong Rong nodded in agreement.

Soon, Luo Zhentao mentioned the 'buying the water army to vote' incident.

Many weekly drama crew would often start a popularity poll during the airing of the drama series. It could be for favorite character, or it could be a favorite scene in the drama. The audience all knew that these kind of polls often have an impact on the drama's development and ending, so the votes were extremely important.

Moreover, "Ambush" most popular actor was undoubtedly Han Yanghao who used to be popular, and the rest were all newcomers who had just entered the circle.

So in this case, being both the male lead and the most popular, Han Yanghao getting first place was a matter of course. That was why when Han Yanghao's fans saw that their family's Ah Hao was ahead of Rong Xu by more than three thousand votes in the last hour, they lowered their guard and didn't fuss.

They have more people, and Rong Xu only has a few fans. No matter how much they re-register, could they re-register for more accounts than them? They could easily pinch those fans to death with just their fingers!

However at the last moment, Rong Xu's fans' plans succeeded, and Han Yanghao's fans watched in shock as Rong Xu's number of votes gradually rose and placed him at first. At this time, the water army came out to vote, and it was even using machine to registered and vote.

Currently online, Rong Xu's fans were strongly cursing Han Yanghao's fans as shameless and grandiosely going to Alimama to buy the water army! The result was unfair, must redo it! Let anyone who has the ability come, who wins and who loses was still uncertain!

What cause people to be surprised was that Han Yanghao's fans were even more arrogant!

【You say it's the water army, so it's the water army? The Little Ghost doesn't want any face, to dare scheme against my family’s Ah Hao!】

【My family is the male lead, your family is the second male lead, don't think too much, you all withdraw.】

【The one the female lead likes is my family's Ah Hao, the number of Ah Hao's scene in the past four episodes far surpass that of Rong whatever. Isn't it just a pretty boy? His acting skills are so poor that I can't even bare to watch. Showing off every single time, does he still want any face?】

The evidence was already placed in front of them, yet this group of fans still dares to pretend to be blind?

The majority of Rong Xu's fans were originally fairly cool headed and too lazy to argue with this group of brainless fans. Either way, even if they bought the water army to help win first place, 'Huo Xi' was beating 'Bai Mingde' by more than one third on the trending list. This was what was called tangible achievements. Rong Xu indeed performed well and was handsome. Many passersby viewers all expressed when they voted——

【"Ambush" is pretty good, that Marshal Huo's acting is very good as well, I would always feel a bit scared whenever he appears.】

In this drama "Ambush", Huo Xi was a right and proper villain. To be able to make the audience feel 'fear', it could be seen that he represented this role very well. The Huo Family's Marshal's hands were originally covered in blood, treating human life as a grass. Even when he faced his beloved woman, he never took off his indifferent and cruel mask.

So when they saw Han Yanghao's fans shamelessly ignoring the evidence of the water army accounts voting, Rong Xu's fans all exploded.

【Excuse me?! The person who bought the data this year is actually playing thief calling thief?!】

【Really someone who doesn't want face, your shamelessness is unequalled in the world. One really don't know who is it that doesn't want any face, it's not like there wasn't any dramas that had supporting roles who were more popular than the lead before. A role is played by a person, just because your acting isn't as good as someone else, you still blame them? Still pretending to be smart, brainless fans indeed never bring along their brains when going out… Oh wait! You probably don't even know what a brain even is.】

【Wow, you're the MC, then you must be great oh! ^_^】

【Darling, shake your little heads a bit, can you hear the sound of the sea yet? ^_^】

【How come you have nothing else to say now? How weird ^_^】

……

China has an old saying, it's called one cannot hit a smiling person.

Later on, every time Rong Xu's fans make a comment, they would add a '^_^' emoji at the end. Generally speaking, this face was supposed to be friendly, but in the eyes of Han Yanghao's fans, it felt extremely sarcastic. Against reason, it was them who couldn't argue over this group of fans(RX's), so they could only continue to curse out in the streets, cursing Rong Xu as a good-for-nothing, shameless Little Ghost, cursing that his acting skills were so rotten that the only reason he probably got casted was through the unspoken rules.

These days, the hashtag #Ambushvoting was hanging on the 20th place on Weibo's trending list.

Numerous passersby netizens dropped by to watch Rong Xu's fans' 'smile' and Han Yanghao's fans' mad cursing that had no lower limit. Many passersby frowned, and there were also some passersby that speechlessly said: 【Isn't Han Yanghao being too unreasonable? To step on a newcomer like this, he couldn't be blacken Rong Xu, right?】

Blacken. That was to prevent a newcomer from becoming famous.

There were only so many fans in the entertainment circle, the total population in the world was also only this much. For someone to be popular, they must steal other people's resources, and absorbed their fans. It was possible that some stars originally could have been popular for a period, or that their career was reaching the peak, but because of another star suddenly becoming popular, they receded to the background and could only longer be seen.

Therefore, some stars' fans' would deliberately blacken some promising newcomers, saying that they have plastic surgery, have horrible acting skills, went through the unspoken rules, and so on to prevent them from becoming popular.

Some people really did have a dark history, and some don't, but the fans would still pull one out of thin air either way.

With the addition of passersby, the scope of this war spread wider and wider, to where even Zhang Tongtong's and Yi Lan's fans would occasionally stepped in to say something.

Waiting until evening, "Ambush" crew's official Weibo finally step out to speak: 【The popularity poll was purely just a voting. Congratulations to Rong Xu and Yi Lan for finishing, and there are only two more scenes left before we can say congratulations to Zhang Tongtong for also finishing!】

This sentence was said very cleverly. They all already finished filming, so what's the use of the voting results? Could it still affect the plot?

Looking at this post, Rong Xu curled his lips, and forwarded it.

【Rong Xu: You guys have to be good now~ ^_^ // "Ambush" crew: The popularity poll was purely…】

Immediately, countless fans all flooded in.

【233333 We have always been very good yo, ^_^】

【I'll jump up and give Marshal a muah =3=~ Oh, that's wrong, the ending emoji should be this~ ^_^】

【Amazing, Rongrong made another post! Requesting for a beautiful photo, requesting for a selfie! I also want to be fashionable… ^_^】

And at the Capital Airport, a cold and indifferent man was sitting in the VIP waiting room, waiting for boarding. Qin Cheng was slightly dazed when the special notification suddenly popped up on his phone screen, then hurriedly opened it to see.

When he saw that it wasn't a selfie, a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

But as he read the post, he silently raised the corner of his lips, and softly whispered: "I have been… very good." As soon as these words fell, he opened up his account and forwarded a comment.

【Lotus Seed Paste and Orange Stuffing: I have been very good! Tee~hee =3= //Rong Xu: You guys have to be good now~ ^_^ //"Ambush" crew:……】

It was easier for a female fan to mix into the fan circle and get accurate information on their idols.

After acting as a cutesy female fan, Qin Cheng expressionlessly put away his phone and boarded the plane.

Rong Xu who just returned to the apartment after leaving the company suddenly broke out into a cold shudder, and inexplicably felt a bit cold. He quickly rushed into the warm room, and only then did he sighed in relief.

The episode aired this evening would be "Ambush" fifth episode, which was about to start.

In the empty living room, the slender and pretty youth was hugging his legs as he sat on the sofa, silently watching "Ambush". After watching for a while, he switched to a variety channel and continued to watch.

This condo was very big, when one was alone here… it felt a bit cold.

Did not know why, but Rong Xu suddenly felt that it was quite lonely by himself. Renting this apartment may actually be a good thing.

These thoughts didn't stay in Rong Xu's mind for so long as he continued to watch the variety show. He attentively watched the show because three days later, he would be leaving B-City again to another city along with the "Vie for Supremacy" crew and cast to start promoting for this big drama production that would start airing next month.

The author has something to say:

Lotus Seed Paste and Orange Stuffing: Baby is so good, Baby should act cute =3=~ Cute~Cute~

Rongrong: ……Can I apply for a change in gong?

Fuwa: 0v0 Let me think about it, this gong indeed is really losing his image…

Qin Orangeorange: Baby save me, I promise to change!!!

Translator's Addition:

Vian: I was looking up the meaning of cutesy[萌萌噠 – Méng méng dā] when I came across this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJYSildVyGo

(#^.^#) Felt much better after listening to it~

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When you are relying on someone, you can't complain – [又吃人嘴短 – Yòu chī rén zuǐ duǎn]

The full saying is this [吃人嘴软，拿人手短 – Chī rén zuǐruǎn, ná rén shǒuduǎn]

Means one should repay what others have done to us in equal fashion.

But there's also: since you accepted any favors from someone else, if any shortcomings are revealed, you should close your mouth and turn a blind eye.

A duck whose beak was still reluctant when dead – [死鴨子嘴硬 – Sǐ yāzi zuǐyìng]

When a duck is dies, their beaks remain hard. Means that the person is very stubborn. For example, if he was wrong and everyone says that he is wrong, but he still refuse to admit that he is wrong.

Little Ghost – [小透明 – Xiǎo tòu míng]

Refers to people who have a low or no sense of presence on social networks.

The word appearantly came from Canada in Hetalia because he has a ‘low sense of existence’ among the other countries.

The extended meaning of the word though would be people who are actually high-spec but are low-key and most people wouldn’t know or care much about them.

Can you hear the sound of the sea yet –

You actually don’t hear the sound of the ocean. It’s actually the sound of the blood that flows in the blood vessels, but because the sound is too inaudible, we usually can’t hear. So when a conch shell is placed near your ear, the spiral structure of the conch shell and the small mouth and small tail shape acts like a loudspeaker and amplifies the sound of blood flowing, which sounds like the sea is surging.

So the fan is asking if they’re getting enough blood flow for their brain to start working yet.

Curse out in the streets – Cursing anyone and anything

Lotus Seed Paste and Orange Stuffing – [蓮蓉橙子餡 – Lián róng chéng zi xiàn]

Need more be said

Tee~hee – [啾咪 – Jiū mī] The lit. trans. of [啾咪 – Jiū mī] is something of Chirp meow but it’s… just a cute expression, something like this:

I have a build in sound effect of Teehee~ when I see this pose so I just used that, but I will also use cute

Save me – It’s using [啾咪 – Jiū mī] but it sounds like save me [救命 – Jiùmìng]

There’s actually a story for this, short version: In a rare peace period in China’s history, a rich Young Master decided to enjoy himself and boarded a pleasure house boat. He got drunk and started harassing the girls. The girls refused and ran out into the deck, attracting the attention of the help on the shore. But because they were in a peaceful period, they people didn’t think much of it and only thought it was another Young Master messing around with a servant girl. The girls saw this and shouted “Help me~Help me~” [救命 – Jiùmìng] but since the boat was some distant away from the shore, the people didn’t hear clearly. Someone then suddenlt shouted “Ah!! They are saying “[啾咪 – Jiū mī] “, they’re greeting use!!” Everyone then ‘realized’ and waved back to the girls saying “[啾咪 – Jiū mī] “.

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