Superstar Aspirations

Chapter 8

Translator: Vian

Editor: Shem

Rong Xu's line of sight slowly shifted across from this lady, who was emotionally blaming herself again, to look over at Steward Duan that was standing respectfully at the side. It was only at this time did Rong Xu realized that his aunt and uncle were also sitting in the drawing room; the uncle had on a serious face while the aunt turned to avoid his gaze. Finally, he turned to look at that black-dressed man standing not far in front of him.

A month ago, Tang Menglan said that just seeing Qin Cheng's face would be even harder than meeting Xia Muyan.

Since then, Rong Xu went to search for some information from this world to study up on his own knowledge regarding the male actors.

The original owner's memory honestly didn't even have a wisp of their figure concerning male actors, everything was all on famous actresses. The only few male actors he actually remembered wasn't the whatever Film Emperor, but instead Zhong Yi and his few third-rate actor friends.

When Rong Xu saw Qin Cheng's personal data, he suddenly felt that he got an objective.

When Qin Cheng debuted at sixteen, he played in a biographical movie, acting as a rock star who died an untimely death in his prime. The director of that film was the top director from Huaxia Entertainment and after the screening, swept up six billion for the box office, cutting down most of the box office art films. Then, later in the same year, Qin Cheng received China's Golden Phoenix Award, Berlin's Golden Bear Award, and a nomination for Hollywood Oscars' Best Male Lead Actor.

Just like that, a sixteen year old rookie in his first ever movie took the Berlin Academy Award Crown.

Everything afterwards was a dazzling history of rise to fame.

In this world, never was there ever an actor that could make every movie rate as 8 points or above. But Qin Cheng achieved it.

In this world, never was there ever an actor who relied on a suspense film to attain 5 billion and above for the China's box office. But Qin Cheng achieved it.

In this world, never was there ever an actor who was able to get the Berlin Academy Award in successive years. But Qin Cheng achieved it.

These were all achievements he made before his twenties. Till the year when he turned twenty-one, a single shockingly glamorous world of "Evening Sound" let him snatched the Golden Phoenix Award for Best Male Actor and Oscar Academy Award for Best Actor in just one swoop. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to get the Berlin Academy Award, otherwise, he would have been history's one and only grand slam winner with all three big awards.

Qin Cheng's starting point was too high, his whole path was smooth sailing along the wind; never starring in a TV drama series nor ever deigning to lower himself to act in any movies that are invested with less than five hundred million. Whether within the circle or outside, there were rumors all over. It was said that Qin Cheng was from a huge background, but no matter what kind of imaginations were flying around, these were all just chasing the wind and clutching at shadows, forever without any real evidence.

He had big behind the scenes supporters, receiving the awards was also by relying on his own strength.

Long story short, ever since "Evening Sound", Qin Cheng had maintained a "once a year a commercial film, once a year of an art film" pace and leisurely walked through the entertainment circle as he pleased. He was no longer like that model worker when he first debuted five years ago. But to contrary, it was this leisurely that let him get the Best Male Actor Award several times within the next five years and step by step, reached the top summit of the Chinese entertainment industry to become one of the few who stood at the apex.

Rong Xu would be able to recognize this person after the first glance.

However, in the face of this unfamiliar aunt's words, Rong Xu kept silent and slightly hooked his lips into a smile as a reply to the other.

He really didn't know who this lady was, let alone why Qin Cheng would be here.

A smile was the best response. In order to present the best demeanor in his last life, Rong Xu would practice smiling everyday, smiling till his muscles went stiff. The corners of the lip should be raised by 30°, eyes should be supple and soft, eyebrows should be slightly curved, and when looking at the other, the line of sight shouldn't be too low and should be placed on the middle between the other's eyes and nose.

Rong Xu naturally didn't know what kind of image was shown at this moment in other people's eyes.

The last ray of afterglow from the setting sun passed through the clean and bright french windows and reflected into the room as it scattered on parts of the young man's soft hair. The golden sunlight was like a brilliant flame, softening the young man's originally beautiful facial features. And when he smiled, it seemed as if time had stopped; the years still and good, smooth and steady, auspicious and peaceful. That pair of clear, chaste eyes reflected a many radiant and sparkling something, such as the crystalline glittering reflection of waves, or a bright gem-like glistening.

The atmosphere within the drawing room was originally oppressive, but once Rong Xu walked in, everything completely changed.

The Rong uncle and aunt who were sitting at the sofa felt rather apprehensive and restless.

The lady who was kindly looking at Rong Xu didn't seem to realize that Rong Xu didn't answer her question at all, such to where Rong Xu never even once opened his mouth. She unconsciously felt that this smile was precisely the answer. Hence she continued saying: "Since Rong Rong came back, we can continue discussing the matter from before."

For the first half of the sentence, the lady was still looking at Rong Xu. But for the second half, she turned around to look at the Rong Uncle and Aunt. Her voice also turned a bit cold.

The Rong husband and wife's face suddenly changed. The two were silent for a moment then Rong Heng first got up and said: "Madame Qin, the Old Master's will had always been with the lawyers, we never did anything to change it. Xiao Xu's car crash was an accident, this is something you should've already known. Although our Rong family can't be said to be extremely powerful and influential, but if you insist on giving me, Rong Heng, this hat of "mistreating the nephew", then I, Rong Heng, would definitely not agree!"

Hearing this phase "Madame Qin", Rong Xu confirmed his speculations: Sure enough, could she be Qin Cheng's mother?

Having heard what was said, Madame Qin sneered: "You're treating Rong Rong well? If you're treating him well, would you not even leave any dinner for him and eat by yourselves first?!"

"That……" Rong Heng had never considered any countermeasures for a little matter of eating dinner. In his mind, how could this be considered as anything big. He thought for a moment and said: "We also didn't expect that Xiao Xu would be coming back today. Madame Qin, he's no longer young and he never discussed the filming matter with us, neither could we just sent people to investigate his whereabouts. How did you know he was coming back today?"

Madame Qin immediately held onto his words as a pretext to ridicule him: "You're concerned about Rong Rong, yet you surprisingly didn't have the time to even make a phone call and ask?"

Rong Heng: "……Madame Qin, can you please not twist words and force logic."

Madame Qin pulled Rong Xu's hand and in the surprised eyes of the young boy, this beautiful Madame's eyes went teary and sorrowfully said: "Su Hua has left early and only has this son, just this little darling yet he still has to be this coldly disregarded by you. How can you be so heartless in front of such a cute Rong Rong! Didn't you freeze his credit cards? Then what does he eat? What does he wear? What does he buy? And there's still you……"

Madame Qin turned to look at the aunt that was at the side, and in a cold tone: "Although you don't have any children, but you're someone who watched Rong Rong growing up. Yet you actually left his food in the kitchen! Who do you think Rong Rong is? Could he be an outsider that you can dismiss whenever you want? And even if he's an outsider, he's not a shameful thing like you! How do you have the heart to make to your own nephew squat down on the kitchen floor and eat those unpalatable leftovers!"

Rong Xu: "……"

Actually, Aunt Wang's food really isn't unpalatable. He had also never squatted on the floor to eat, at the very least she could have said standing……

Madame Qin talked and talked, and even went as far as to talk herself into where her eyes started brimming with tears. She turned her head back to look at Rong Xu again, firmly holding onto his hands with her face full of guilt as she said: "This is auntie’s fault, auntie thought you were just in your rebellious stage as a teen and that your livelihood was still very good. Auntie never would've thought that you were actually living under this kind of horrible suffering. They actually wouldn't even give you something to eat, they simply want to starve you to death!"

Rong Xu: "……"

"We did not!" Rong aunt finally couldn't take it anymore and got up to refute.

Who knew that once these words fell, Madame Qin would abruptly turn around and shout: "Shut up!"

In that moment, the grandeur and imposing manner belonging to those at the top burst out causing the Rong Aunt to suddenly freeze. This kind of extravagant aura that didn't come from anger, but from one's prestige and power, was something someone of the Rong Uncle and Aunt level couldn't be compared to. They stared at Madame Qin with a stupefied expression, not daring to even say a word.

Madam Qin stroked Rong Xu's small hands, gently rubbing his soft and tender little face. In front of Rong Xu's helpless smile, Madame Qin finally seemed to had dispelled a bit of her aura. She turned around to sit back on the sofa and began her negotiations with Rong Uncle and Aunt.

The content of the negotiations were very simple. First, it was to get part of the Old Master's will that belongs to Rong Xu. Second, it was to let Rong Xu leave the Rong Mansion. Madame Qin wanted to bring Rong Xu with her to live together, to watch him get married and have children, and to help him find a good wife.

Listening to these words, Rong Xu slightly frowned and quietly uttered his first sentence today: "Go abroad?"

Madame Qin nodded her head and said: "Rong Rong, auntie has been living abroad these past few years, that's why I haven't been able to take care of you. Auntie had thought it over, there would be no one to take care of you if you stay in the country. That brat of mine had always been outwardly obedient while inwardly defiant and never listen to me. He certainly wouldn't take care of you. You should just come with auntie, auntie will definitely take good care of my family's Rong Rong darling and absolutely won't let anyone bully you." Saying this, Madame Qin ferociously glared at Rong Aunt.

Standing behind Madame Qin, the beautiful young boy awkwardly dropped his gaze and sighed: "Auntie, I don't want to go abroad right now."

Upon hearing this, Madame Qin was surprised for a moment and contrarily, Rong Aunt's eyes brightened.

Rong Xu continued: "I want to develop my career in the country first, I currently don't have any plans to go abroad."

Madame Qin was suddenly anxious: "But if you're staying in the country, auntie is also busy, there'll be no way for me to take care of you ah!"

The young boy slightly smiled: "I can take good care of myself, thank you for your concern."

Madame Qin looked at Rong Xu's face, and with her face full of distress, she lamented: "Ohh, my family's Rong Rong is so considerate, so sensible, and doesn't want to make others worry. But you look at yourself, you're so skinny, how can you take care of yourself ah."

Rong Xu who recently gained a pound: "……"

After a long time, Rong Xu sighed: "Auntie, I'm no longer little kid and will be an adult in a few more months. If I'm like this but still need to be taken care of by others to properly grow up, then I'm really too……" He unwittingly raised his pair of phoenix eyes and suddenly collided with another pair of deep abstruse eyes, Rong Xu's voice slightly paused, then continued: "Then I'm really too useless. Not to mention, I just happened to be thinking of taking up a film before. If I were to go abroad, then I would have no way to continue my career."

The young boy didn't move or say anything, but instead looked at the man beside him with his peripheral vision. For some unknown reason, he kept on seeing this man looking at him and was unable to make heads or tails of it.

Rong Xu thought about it for a moment and came to a conclusion: It was probably be because he felt like Rong Xu took away his mother's love, and was now eating vinegar?

However, even if Rong Xu said it like this, Madame Qin still refused to leave him alone in the country.

It was only when Madame Qin had thoroughly investigated that Rong Xu would be returning today, that she chose this day to come to the Rong family mansion. She didn't expect that once she came, what she saw was actually the scene of the aunt and uncle eating! Rong Xu obviously was about to come back yet these two couldn't even wait for half an hour and even had the nerve to stuffed some leftovers into a used bowl and just left it in the kitchen!

You called this "We didn't know Rong Xu is coming back today?"

You called this "Treat him well?"

Complete nonsense!

The more she thought, the more she felt that this aunt and uncle pair definitely mistreated her family's darling everyday, and Madame Qin's heart would feel painful and anxious. Just as she thought of trying to persuade the little darling again to go abroad with her, who would've expected a slim and familiar hand to extend out and blocked in front of her.

Madame Qin was startled, then looked up to only see her family's handsome and noble son lowering his head to look at her.

The indifferent and calm face was perfect to flawlessness; thin lips, and long narrow sharp eyes. Madame Qin inexplicably felt that her son was a bit strange today. He didn't look at her even though she kept on saying to "cut" her son over and over again, once it really came to it, she was still rather afraid to this son of hers who had always been an ice block.

Madame Qin reluctantly backtracked on herself: "What? You've never looked after Rong Rong darling before, you still have the nerve to look at me right now?"

"I'm in the country." The deep cold voice seemed like the most mellow and rich red wine that was slowly brewing.

Madame Qin couldn't react at once, while Rong Xu widened his eyes and turned his head over to look at the other. This one look just happened to fit into the other's line of sight. Rong Xu only saw the man's steady eyes, carefully looking at Rong Xu as if he wanted to see through him as he said word by word: "I'm often in the country the whole year……at the very least seven or eight months."

The moment the voice fell, that person stepped forward with his long legs and pulled at Rong Xu's hand, seriously placing something inside his palm.

Rong Xu was slightly surprised, and lowered his head to look. He saw a key reflecting off a cold metallic luster in the light. He was inwardly startled and suddenly came up with a guess, however, without waiting for him to overthink it, the other straightforwardly told him the answer: "This is the key to my apartment that's in B-City's third ring road and is close to Huaxia Entertainment. Since you want to enter the entertainment circle, I can have someone give you a contract tonight to sign under Huaxia Entertainment and into my studio."

Some people usually don't open their mouths, but once they do, it can really shock people!

Once these succession of words came out, don't mention Rong Xu who it was directed to, even the Rong Uncle and Aunt, and Madame Qin all stared at Qin Cheng. They were all stupefied, not knowing how they should react.

Probably because she had been with her son the longest, Madame Qin was the first to react and opened her mouth to ask: "Qin Cheng, what are you doing, you……"

"Didn't you leave him in my care, mother?" The man raised his slender phoenix eyes, and looked at Madame Qin.

Madame Qin was temporary at a loss for words: "……Eh, yes, I left him in your care." But how come you're suddenly taking care of him so much in this short amount of time ah! And that's the key to your apartment ah, didn't you not even give me, this mother of yours, a key?!

Madame Qin was naturally on the scene and understood her son the most; her son was good-looking, background was good, the person was also intelligent. As an actor, he could also be considered at top, and was the dream lover of many girls around the world. Despite that, Madame Qin felt that she would never be able to find her daughter-in-law. Don't blame her, blame her son who was too fierce!

And this kind of person would take care of someone, and would even be this considerate and meticulous?

Even if you said it out loud, Madame Qin wouldn't believe it!

As long as you stay with this brat for a few days, I guarantee you that no girls would be able to stand it! Rong Rong darling would definitely be bullied by him!

As her thoughts settled there, Madame Qin suddenly got anxious: "No! I urged you almost ten thousand times before already to take care of Rong Rong, but you wouldn't even met him once! When I said I was going to bring you over to the Rong family when you were younger, you kept on refusing to come and you only met him for the first time today! You simply never put Rong Rong darling in your heart at all! What do I do if you were to bully Rong Rong?!"

Qin Cheng slightly raised his thin lips, the corners holding onto an arc that was like a smile yet not a smile. Didn't know why, but Qin Cheng's hand were still holding onto Rong Xu's hand and didn't let go, but he turned his gaze to his mother and seriously said: "Didn't you say that if I bullied him, you would cut me?"

Rong Uncle and Aunt: "……"

Rong Xu: "……"

Madame Qin: "……"

Who dares to cut you ah!!!

***

An hour later, Madame Qin finally took her son with her and left.

After Qin Cheng opened his mouth, he and Rong Heng settled on an agreement of "when Rong Xu turns eighteen, he can come and take what belongs to him" within a short ten minutes. Then why would they go back an hour after?

Because in the next fifty minutes, Madame Qin forcefully requested Aunt Wang to cook another meal to let Rong Xu sit at the table to eat, to slowly eat, to eat for his aunt to see!

When it was time for them to leave, Rong Xu personally sent off Madame Qin and Qin Cheng. The cool summer night breeze blew across the hair on young boy's forehead and lifted up the black hair to reveal a full fair forehead. He was wearing a simple white shirt and stood at the door as he smiled to bid Madame Qin and Qin Cheng goodbye.

The cool, clear moonlight spilled onto the the young man's body, lining his exquisite and fine skin that appeared like white porcelain.

Only after sending Madame Qin, did Rong Xu turned to look at this unfamiliar man.

Qin Cheng slightly lowered his head and fixed his eyes on Rong Xu. He was taller than Rong Xu by half a head, however, this sort of overlooking gaze didn't have any feel of contempt or belittling. Instead, it seemed extremely solemn and serious. In his last life, Rong Xu received the attention of fans around the world, he should have been used to this kind of gaze long ago, however, he somehow felt uncomfortable for some reason today.

But either way, all the sudden events that happened today were finally coming to an end.

Up till now, it seemed that he never properly greeted the other. So Rong Xu slowly extended his right hand, smiled and said: "Hello, I'm Rong Xu. This would be our first time meeting, I would appreciate your guidance."

The response Rong Xu got was a long silence.

This silence lasted somewhat too long, causing Rong Xu to slightly knit his brows and raised his head to look at the other.

The moonlight shone from behind that man, creating a faint layer of clear splendor glow. Even this kind of night scene was unable to hide the other's handsome appearance and cold temperament. He diligently stared at Rong Xu for a long time before reaching out to hold that soft hand, and replied in a low voice: "Qin Cheng."

Just like this, Qin Cheng and Rong Xu had their first exchange.

Only these two short words. After that, Qin Cheng turned around and entered the car, he and his mother disappeared into the dark night.

The heat on the palm still remained as Rong Xu watched the car slowly disappear at the corner of the road, then he turned around to enter the house. Although he didn't want to accept Qin Cheng's good intentions, Madame Qin had stubbornly stuffed that key into his pocket and even told him that he could just live in that apartment as he pleased later on. Qin Cheng had to film all day long and basically didn't live there.

He secretly knew that this was rather inappropriate but for the current Rong Xu right now, he really didn't want to stay in this house any longer. He originally intended to slowly take over the properties stated in the will later on in the future, but since there was someone willing to take this step for him, then he didn't mind continuing on with the next step; to fully develop his own wings and set his next move.

However……to sign under Qin Chang's studio?

Rong Xu thought for a moment, then took out his phone and found Luo Zhentao's name before sending over a text message. 【Luo ge, I looked through the information. There was data on a TV drama series I thought was quite good. Do you have time to discuss over this in the next two days?】

After a minute later, Rong Xu already received a reply from Luo Zhentao: 【Yes! I will be at Huaxia Entertainment after nine tomorrow morning. I'll wait for you. 】

Rong Xu gave a helpless smile. The reply was so fast, could he have been holding onto his phone this whole time?

Rong Xu naturally didn't know, Luo Zhentao really had been holding onto his phone while waiting for his message. Nor that there was a man who had been holding onto his right hand this whole time, his lowered eyes seriously looking at it, no one knew what he was currently thinking.

That hand was slender and slim, with distinct joints; the nails were trimmed to be completely round and smooth, extremely beautiful, and absolutely no different from the past. Qin Cheng had been continuously hanging his head as he stared at his hand, but probably because he had been looking for too long, Madame Qin who sat at the side couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong with your hand?"

Qin Cheng slowly shifted his gaze and gently placed his right hand inside his coat pocket, then he softly said: "Nothing."

The night quickly went.

That night, the Rong Uncle and aunt completely ignored Rong Xu and acted as if he didn't exist. Rong Xu thoughtlessly packed his luggage, only taking some simple things and waited for Steward Duan to help him sent it over to Qin Cheng's apartment tomorrow.

He intended to temporarily live there for awhile until he finds a suitable house and use the money from "Vie for Supremacy" to rent it. He estimated that two days should be enough to find a house. This kind of thing could be handed over to Luo Zhentao to do. Finding a residence for their artists was also a manager's responsibility.

The next day, Rong Xu gave his luggage to Steward Duan and went to Huaxia Entertainment alone.

Luo Zhentao gave him three rather good choices in the contract as his bargaining chip to intrince him into signing with them. It was a movie and two TV drama series, the one Rong Xu settled on was a weekly drama.

Chasing the wind and clutching at shadow – idiom which means groundless accusations or to act on hearsay evidence

Golden Phoenix Award – China’s equivalent to the Screen Actors Guild Awards(accolades given to recognize outstanding performances in film and prime time television), is a bi-annual accolade given by the China Film Performance Art Academy to recognize outstanding performances in film.

Berlin's Golden Bear Award – Highest prize awarded for the best film at the Berlin International Film Festival

8 points – Movie rating base on users vote on a scale of 1-10. Probably refering to IMDb rating

Model Worker – Communist Chinese political term referring to an exemplary worker who exhibits some or all of the traits appropriate to the ideal of the socialist worker

Eating Vinegar – It means being jealous.

Fierce – Really just means that he’s too amazing is all aspects

I Ι

Translator's corner

*Sees Rong Rong*

Qin Cheng [indifferent]:……!!! (Kyaaaa!!!)

____

Rong Xu [Smile]: Hello, I'm Rong Xu. This would be our first time meeting, I would appreciate your guidance.

Qin Cheng [indifferent]:……(Aahhh, He's so cute! I really want to sleep with him!)

Vian: (^Yep, the same scene from the summary owo)

Qin Cheng [indifferent]:…Qin Cheng *shakes hand*

Qin Cheng [indifferent]: *secretly blushes and flees* (!!! I touch Rong Rong's hand!!! Twice!!!)

Vian:……I'm not doing much for your image am I? *secretly laughs*

Aren’t these two nice chapters for Valentines Day?

Happy Birthday to Koi and Ai again! (They’re the reason the extra chapters are here~) *Goes off to play TsukiPara*