Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 94
On the afternoon when his contract with Dream Without Limits expired, Ran Lin went to the company. The boss wasn’t too enthusiastic, but he still expressed his gratitude and said goodbye to the boss and the entire Dream Without Limits team.
Back in the underground parking lot, locating his car, Wang Xi was still sitting calmly in the passenger seat. She rolled down the window and asked with concern as she watched him walk towards the car, “How did it go?”
“Everything went smoothly,” Ran Lin said, circling around the front of the car to the driver’s side and getting into the driver’s seat.
Ran Lin’s contract with Dream Without Limits had expired, but Wang Xi hadn’t resigned yet. So for such a farewell occasion, as a still-registered company employee, it wasn’t appropriate for her to appear.
However, the company probably foresaw her mindset and hadn’t assigned her any new artists. She was essentially just holding the nominal title of head of the brokerage department.
“Wait another half month.” Wang Xi fastened her seatbelt as she said, “I’ll go and submit my resignation then.”
“Will Dream Without Limits make it difficult for you?” Ran Lin was a bit worried, as he had naturally terminated his contract upon its expiration, but Wang Xi wasn’t.
“Don’t worry,” Wang Xi assured. “They’re waiting for me to take the initiative.”
Ran Lin nodded, started the engine, turned on the air conditioning, drove out of the parking lot, and headed towards their destination.
Wang Xi closed the window as the car’s temperature became cooler. She aimlessly watched the world outside, sighing after a while, “When I left Pentium Times, I thought I’d never dine with Yao Hong again. But not only am I going to eat with her, I’m handing over my most cared-for artist to her. I must have owed her in my last life.”
Ran Lin laughed. “When you and Yao Hong jointly managed the public relations for our rumors, you were quite in sync.”
“Work is work, personal is personal.” Wang Xi pursed her lips. “We just don’t click.”
Ran Lin teasingly asked, “And now?”
Wang Xi turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “Remember, if she treats you badly, report to me immediately.”
Ran Lin: “And then?”
Wang Xi: “Xi Jie will make an international call to reprimand her.”
Ran Lin: “……”
The idea of Wang Xi “scolding Yao Hong” might be akin to “superb acting skills” to himself, Ran Lin thought. It’s a lifelong pursuit.
Forty minutes later, Ran Lin parked the car in front of a restaurant.
It was the last day of June, looking like it might rain, with a hint of moisture in the humid air. There was a breeze, but it wasn’t strong. After exiting the car, the coolness from the air conditioning clashed with the hot air outside, leaving him unsure if he felt cold or hot.
Fortunately, the discomfort was short-lived as he and Wang Xi entered the restaurant, leaving the sweltering heat behind the thick glass doors, returning to a cooler world.
At 4:30 in the afternoon, the restaurant wasn’t crowded. A waiter led them to a private room on the second floor, knocked, and opened the door to reveal Lu Yiyao and Yao Hong, who had been waiting for some time.
Today marked Ran Lin’s contract termination day. Lu Yiyao initially wanted to celebrate for his partner, but after hearing Wang Xi’s future plans from Ran Lin, he decided to have a four-person dinner after discussing with Yao Hong. The dinner was partly to celebrate Ran Lin and partly to honor Wang Xi.
Perhaps, in Wang Xi’s view, she didn’t have much rapport with Lu Yiyao. But for Lu Yiyao, he already considered Wang Xi, someone Ran Lin valued highly, as one of his own. If not for hearing from Ran Lin that she wanted to take a long break and temporarily leave the work circle, Lu Yiyao would have even considered signing her to continue managing Ran Lin.
“President Lu, Hong Jie.” Wang Xi’s address for Lu Yiyao had evolved with the times, and as the soon-to-be boss of the company Ran Lin would sign with, Lu Yiyao deserved the title.
“Come, sit here.” Lu Yiyao stood up, ushering Wang Xi and Ran Lin into their seats.
Yao Hong couldn’t intervene and simply smiled gently in response. “Xiao Wang.”
Wang Xi, newly seated, gave her a look that had been brewing for years, needing to vent. “Hong Jie, I’m forty now. Can you change my nickname?”
Yao Hong acquiesced smoothly, “Lao* Wang?”
*Clarity: It’s more uncommon for women to address each other as Lao, partially because Lao basically means old, so it’s a less flattering term towards women.
“……” Wang Xi teetered between storming off and flipping the table before storming off.
“Just calling by name seems good.” Lu Yiyao tried to mediate, hoping to avoid a premature end to the dinner.
Expecting Yao Hong to take the hint since even Wang Xi seemed to accept the suggestion, she surprisingly shook her head firmly. “I’ve been calling her that for so many years; why change it now? Besides, Xiao Wang is younger than me, and no matter if she’s forty or eighty, in my eyes, she’s still that sprightly young girl from back then.”
Lu Yiyao: “……”
Ran Lin: “……”
Wang Xi paused and then hesitantly said, “I didn’t know you’ve always thought that way. Besides, I’m not that much younger than you…”
“You’re someone I brought up.” Yao Hong looked at her steadily. “I’m not saying this to lord over you. After all, I didn’t mentor you for many years, but even if it was just for a year or a month, our relationship is different from others. They are colleagues, peers, and competitors, but we share a bond.”
Wang Xi’s eyes were downcast, her expression unreadable.
After a long moment, she suddenly stood up.
Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin were startled. Before they could understand what was happening, Wang Xi had already taken a teapot, poured a cup of warm tea, and handed it to Yao Hong. “Let’s forget about the past. It’s all in this cup of tea.”
Traditionally, grudges are washed away with alcohol, and apologies are made with tea.
Yao Hong took the tea, sipped it, and then said, “I’ve also been wrong in some aspects.”
However, at that moment, saying “I’m wrong” was like saying “don’t mind it”, more of a comfort.
Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin exchanged looks, eventually directing their “admiration” towards Yao Hong.
Although the two women had ostensibly buried the hatchet long ago, the deepest point of contention was dissolved just now, in that cup of tea.
With a few words, Yao Hong had secured that cup of tea.
Wang Xi probably understood, yet it touched her deeply, and she willingly let it go.
This was a years-long silent confrontation between two women, and as mere bystanders, Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao could only keep their distance to survive until the end.
Now it was all good, with a perfect ending.
Just like they had timed it, the waiter entered to serve the dishes right then.
Ran Lin was initially surprised but then realized that Lu Yiyao and Yao Hong must have ordered the dishes before they arrived.
With the meal underway, the atmosphere became warm and harmonious. Wang Xi naturally asked the question she was most concerned about. “Hong Jie, will you be leading Ran Lin after he signs?”
“At present, I’ll be leading him,” Yao Hong said. “But as I’m getting older, if I have to manage the entire brokerage department, it might be too much, so we’ll look for a more suitable agent in a couple of years.”
“Don’t worry, Xi Jie,” Lu Yiyao earnestly said. “I will definitely give the best to Ran Lin.”
Wang Xi looked at Lu Yiyao for a while, then remarked, “I always worried, thinking that a brother might not be the best boss, but now I’ve changed my mind. Having a boss who appreciates you is indeed important.”
Lu Yiyao laughed, nodding vigorously. “Yes, I appreciate him a lot.”
Ran Lin kept his head down and continued eating, pretending not to hear anything, then felt like he was the most scheming boy in the world!
Wang Xi discussed Ran Lin’s development over the past six months with Yao Hong and Lu Yiyao, including interested parties and brands, and concluded, “I’ll compile the information and send it to you in a couple of days.” Once finished, she felt somewhat relieved.
The conversation then turned into a real celebration, with Yao Hong and Lu Yiyao asking Wang Xi about her travel plans and the topics meandering all over the place.
By the time they finished eating, it was after 7 p.m.
As night fell and the lights came on, Ran Lin drove Wang Xi home and then headed to Lu Yiyao’s villa.
He’d been running to the villa whenever he had free time and had once encountered a paparazzi following his car. However, using the methods taught by Gu Jie, he managed to lose them within the Fifth Ring Road and returned to the villa, enjoying the peace of the world.
This also strengthened his resolve to become neighbors with Lu Yiyao. After all, living in the same community, it wouldn’t be odd to be seen coming and going.
However, even with high remunerations, it was challenging to keep up with housing prices. He figured it would take at least another two or three TV shows or variety shows, or more endorsements, to close the funding gap.
When Lu Yiyao gave him the villa key, he also gave him a gate card, so the security guards were familiar with the owner of the black SUV who was always fully dressed, only showing his eyes. From initially being cautious to now seeing it as commonplace.
Lu Yiyao’s villa used a fingerprint lock. Although there was a key as a backup opening method, Ran Lin always used his finger to press it, waiting for the lock core to open with a click.
Ran Lin liked this way of opening doors, as it felt like a solemn ceremony.
“Did you drop her home?” Lu Yiyao got up from the sofa as he heard the door opening and came over.
“Yeah.” Ran Lin changed into slippers and went over to give him a kiss.
Lu Yiyao hugged Ran Lin, deepening their kiss.
They parted reluctantly only when they felt it might lead to going to bed earlier.
Ran Lin took a quick shower, changed into summer home clothes, and when he came out, Lu Yiyao was sitting on the sofa, seemingly watching the evening news. Ran Lin was skeptical about whether he was really watching since, as soon as he appeared, Lu Yiyao turned to him with a beaming smile.
Ran Lin obediently sat beside him.
They snuggled together, and Ran Lin said, “Xi Jie said you’re even more composed than she imagined.”
Lu Yiyao played with Ran Lin’s hair, half-listening. “She’s also more trustworthy than I expected.”
Ran Lin swatted his hand away, looking seriously at him. “Because of Han Ze’s incident?”
“Not entirely.” Lu Yiyao pondered. “Just a feeling. Remember when she accompanied you on the set of <Sword of Fallen Flowers>? I didn’t quite like the vibe then.”
Although his impression changed later, it was only at this meal that Lu Yiyao felt he truly understood the new Wang Xi. The regret of not being able to continue managing Ran Lin grew.
Upon his partner’s reminder, Ran Lin realized that his manager did seem different from before. Her temper, personality, and methods seemed to have changed, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was different.
“By the way.” Lu Yiyao mentioned Han Ze, sparking curiosity. “What’s Han Ze up to now?”
Since <Chronicles of Winter> the TV series flopped, there hadn’t been much news about Han Ze in the entertainment news. But as a colleague until the day before, Ran Lin still knew a bit. “He’s doing some variety shows and some event appearances, I guess. The incident with Cui Yanyan damaged his image too much; not many dramas are looking for him now.”
Lu Yiyao nodded and didn’t pursue the topic further.
He had no personal feelings towards Han Ze, whether positive or negative, as they barely intersected. The only time they did, Han Ze tried to undermine Ran Lin and ultimately got his just deserts.
Thinking further, Han Ze’s entire career is a reflection of many artists’.
There’s a rise to fame, then while still famous, suddenly not so anymore. Some, like Han Ze, have a clear point of flop, such as a scandal, while many just fade into obscurity without such a point, quietly forgotten by the audience. Then one day, someone mentions them, and the typical response is, “Oh yeah, what happened to them?” and then they are quickly forgotten again.
This is the entertainment industry. As easy as it is to fall in love with someone, it’s just as easy to forget them, with a mercilessly fast pace of generation change.
So someone like his Ran Lin, who doesn’t care about fame or popularity but focuses solely on acting itself, is truly rare…
“Ah, my followers have reached 18 million!”
Lu Yiyao: “…”
Was it his imagination? Ran Lin frowned; why did his lover look so unimpressed?
……
On the first weekend of July, Lu Yiyao’s studio’s official Weibo account announced the signing of Ran Lin. Lu Yiyao’s fans exploded instantly, and the entertainment industry was shocked, leading to a collaboration between the two fan bases to push “Ran Lin Signs with Lu Yiyao’s Studio” to the top of the hot search.
The content of the announcement was overseen by Yao Hong, stating that after Ran Lin’s contract had expired, he signed a normal contract with Lu Yiyao Studio. The reason given for the signing was that both parties had the same philosophy and goals. They were looking forward to a bright future together. The text was very official, yet it radiated an air of “we’re a perfect match”.
Before marketing accounts even got involved, fans from both sides had already turned the comment section into a shocked and devastated battlefield.
[I’m a bit dumbfounded…]
[God Lu’s fans and Burning Noodles haters are saying they can’t live through this day! Sigh—]
[Today is a celebration for the Green Forest Gang, hahaha [WellDone.jpg]]
[So the relationship between these two is real. I always thought it was a plastic friendship 😱]
[I refuse to listen. A dog reciting scripture*!!!]
*Idiom referring to a situation or speech that is unbelievable, nonsensical, or incongruous to the point of being laughable.
[Been shipping these two since the airport incident. I can finally rest in peace…]
[Is God Lu transitioning into a different career? I’m a bit worried…]
[Burning Noodles weeping with joy, finally leaving the dreadful Dream Without Limits. Please let <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> not air. Better to lock it away 😫.]
[Isn’t it just an official collaboration announcement. What’s with this feeling of public romance announcement?]
As the shock settled, some of God Lu’s fans who got a grip sooner weren’t too pleased, with the most representative comment being—[The most successful social climber in history.]
However, whether shocked or sneering, Yao Hong didn’t let the public sentiment ferment for too long. She had already coordinated with numerous marketing accounts to release a unified message—
[Ran Lin signs with Lu Yiyao’s Studio! God Lu becomes Boss Lu!]
The message not only guided the narrative towards a positive “brothers striving together” energy but also revealed that Lu Yiyao was preparing for his first drama as a boss, which would soon start shooting.
Amidst the all-encompassing promotion, public opinion gradually unified into a relatively positive narrative, also giving Lu Yiyao’s new drama a wave of presence. Countless fans were left hanging, clamoring—since it’s announced, at least tell us the name of the drama!
When the name hung side by side on the trending searches, the two involved were shoulder to shoulder on the bed, posting on Weibo together.
Both reposted the studio’s Weibo, neither saying anything but using emojis. Lu Yiyao paired it with a smoking 😎 and Ran Lin with a 👍. At first glance, it looked quite couple-like.
By this time, the public sentiment had turned relatively positive, especially with Lu Yiyao’s clear stance, so the comments under their reposts were mostly blessings, with the occasional off-putting remark quickly being gently guided by others.
By midnight, public opinion had mostly stabilized, and the change in comment direction throughout the evening provided a clear insight into the subtly complex emotional journey of God Lu’s fans—
[Fuck!]
[What’s this!]
[The most successful thigh hug in history 😡.]
[God Lu has posted. We can only wish him well 😭.]
[I really can’t take a liking to Ran Lin, but God Lu surely knows him better than us, so trust in God Lu.]
[Wait, is God Lu planning to change careers?]
[What’s the name of the new drama!]
[Will the new drama feature Ran Lin?]
[Am I the only one who actually thinks Ran Lin is quite good? I’ve watched <Chronicles of Winter> and <Dyeing Fire>. His acting is really solid.]
[Agree, Ran Lin is a promising talent.]
[Ran Lin is already popular, right? Not a Burning Noodle, but a God Lu fan. Do we God Lu fans have a bit of a superiority complex?]
[I’ve been holding it in for two years, finally daring to say I’m both a God Lu fan and a Burning Noodle!]
[Ran Lin is genuinely popular now. My roommate is a hardcore Burning Noodle 😫.]
[If you’re truly a God Lu fan, stop bashing Ran Lin. If Ran Lin flops, how does it benefit God Lu? To be blunt, the company belongs to God Lu, and signing Ran Lin means he’s helping God Lu make money! The more popular Ran Lin gets, the more worthwhile the sign is!]
[Damn, woke up with a revelation! I’m a God Lu fan. I want Boss Lu to make money!]
[I… hell, starting today, I’m a Burning Noodle!!!]
[Count me in for being a Burning Noodle!]
[Burning Noodle 3]
[Here’s to making money together!]
[Make money!]
[Make money!]
[Make money!]
As for the Burning Noodles’ emotional journey, a large Burning Noodle group’s chat record was quite representative—
18:00 Group Admin: [No need to clash with God Lu’s fans. Let’s just focus on our own. The original airport incident was the original sin; nothing can be done.]
20:00 Group Admin: [Dizzy. God Lu’s fans have started to clash internally.]
22:00 Group Admin: [Did Lu Yiyao employ marketing accounts to guide the narrative? The public sentiment is very positive now.]
00:00 Group Admin: [They’ve finally realized Ran Lin is helping their boss make money, *relieved*.]
00:05 Group Admin: [Let’s establish relations with God Lu’s fans! [Today is a good day, all wishes come true.gif]]
In the late night, while God Lu’s fans and Burning Noodles peacefully discuss the future, Ran Lin, perhaps dreaming something delightful, chuckled in his sleep.
Lu Yiyao, who had been unable to sleep and secretly scrolling through Weibo, was startled and broke into a cold sweat.
……
On the second weekend of July, <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> premiered. Ran Lin attended the drama’s promotion in Guangzhou, and it was also the same day that Wang Xi, who had resigned, embarked on her first stop of her global journey to Fiji.
Ran Lin couldn’t see her off, so he timed her wait at the airport and sent a message—[Have a great trip ❤️]
Wang Xi replied—[Nope.]
Ran Lin was puzzled—[?]
Wang Xi—[There’s something unresolved. I can’t let it go.]
Ran Lin—[What is it?]
Wang Xi—[When exactly did you and Lu Yiyao get together? 😠😠😠]
Ran Lin—[……]
Wang Xi—[If you don’t tell me, I won’t be at peace leaving 😭.]]
…Knowing this is a trip, one might think his former manager was battling Death itself! Must she phrase it so fiercely!
Ran Lin sighed—[After <Sword of Fallen Flowers>, okay?]
Wang Xi—[I was just bluffing, but it’s actually true… [QuestioningLife.jpg]]
Ran Lin—[Shouldn’t I be the one sending that meme!!!]
…The longest road Ran Lin ever walked was his agent’s tricks.
While Wang Xi dissipated her last concerns and boarded the plane peacefully, Ran Lin finished his activities and returned to the hotel, catching the second half of the second episode of <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>.
With its high saturation, high contrast, and clashing colors in costumes and sets, the whole picture was vivid enough to make one weep, topped with shoddy special effects and occasionally mismatched dubbing. Only a miraculous plot could save the reputation now.
However, the plot of this drama was the only thing Ran Lin was familiar with, and it couldn’t be considered particularly exciting.
Fortunately, the editing quality was high, ensuring smooth storytelling. So, if viewers could accept the questionable color grading, the slightly rushed post-production, and a somewhat exaggerated acting style, it still provided some entertainment.
Unfortunately for Ran Lin, his last project was the film <Dyeing Fire>, and before that, <Chronicles of Winter>. Compared to these, the new series was difficult to accept. Audiences flocked to his Weibo to inquire about what had happened. Thankfully, fans explained that the drama was a previous commitment with his old company; it was the company’s responsibility, not Ran Lin’s. Now that he had signed with a new company, he would have more autonomy over his future projects.
Ran Lin suspected there were insiders among his fan base. Otherwise, how could they always hit right at his heart?
Though <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> was a disaster, disastrous dramas usually have moderate viewership and discussion levels. Even if there was discussion, it was typically lighthearted teasing rather than deep-seated hatred. After a while of teasing, it just passed by.
After initially helping with the promotion of <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>, Ran Lin stopped following the comments and eventually didn’t check Weibo much. Instead, he devoted all his energy to the script of the drama that Lu Yiyao had finally completed.
The drama Lu Yiyao had been preparing for nearly ten months was <Youths of Wulin>.
It was a modern drama about the growth and love of several young people. The male lead was written specifically for Ran Lin, so as soon as he began reading the script, he became immersed and wished he could start filming the next day.
Before terminating his contract with Dream Without Limits, Ran Lin had found another apartment. So, when Dream Without Limits took back the dormitory, he moved half of his belongings to the newly rented apartment and the other half to Lu Yiyao’s place, essentially creating two homes in Beijing.
Throughout August, Ran Lin spent most of his time with Lu Yiyao, reading scripts and cooking, occasionally checking if any small villas in the neighborhood were for sale—never forgetting his “beautiful vision” of becoming neighbors with his lover.
Lu Yiyao, on the other hand, fully immersed himself in the CEO’s rhythm. Aside from handling studio business, he personally oversaw the preparations and setting up of a new TV drama, even leveraging his influence to secure the second male lead—Tang Xiaoyu, who was almost as crucial as Ran Lin in the drama.
Since going public with his relationship, Tang Xiaoyu’s career soared, reaching a status where he could be the leading man. Yet, when Lu Yiyao called, he immediately agreed, saying, “Sure, I’m available.”
Lu Yiyao, surprised by his promptness, asked, “Are you sure you don’t need to discuss it with your agent first?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Xiaoyu revealed, “To tell you the truth, ever since your drama started preparations, my agent’s been nudging me to approach you, hoping to secure a significant role. I was just too embarrassed to do it.”
Lu Yiyao, who had been worried about casting the second male lead, was speechless. “Then why didn’t you contact me?”
Tang Xiaoyu replied, “I thought you’d think of me, so I just waited.”
Lu Yiyao: “……”
Tang Xiaoyu: “And you did! Haha!”
Lu Yiyao, who has few true friends in the entertainment industry, found that those he did make were… quite unique.
……
On the last day of August, Lu Yiyao was in his office reviewing documents when he received a call from his sister.
As soon as he answered, he was greeted with his sister’s jubilant voice. “Brother, congratulations—”
Lu Yiyao moved the phone slightly away from his ear to avoid the loudness and half-jokingly, half-seriously replied, “Congratulations for what? Did our parents get back together?”
“That wish might be a bit difficult…” Lu Yimeng was very aware of her brother’s obsession, though she had a more relaxed view on it, as after all, it was their parents’ relationship. But that wasn’t the main point of her call today!
“You’ve been nominated for the XX Film Festival! For Best Actor!” Lu Yimeng finally remembered the important news.
Lu Yiyao was momentarily stunned, but not entirely surprised.
The XX Film Festival is one of the most important domestic film festivals. Though it’s a national event focusing on domestic films, getting a nomination is a significant recognition within the industry. <Split Moon>, having been nominated for a major competition section in an A-list film festival, was already internationally recognized. Being nominated for a domestic film festival was only logical.
“Brother?” Waiting for a response, Lu Yimeng called out in confusion.
“Uh-huh,” Lu Yiyao acknowledged. “I know.”
“Is that all?” Lu Yimeng’s excitement was dampened. “Brother, you can’t forget the young actor who once ran under the setting sun just because you’re now a domineering CEO.”
Lu Yiyao, holding his forehead, couldn’t even begin to imagine that beautiful scene. “Don’t just randomly assign me a persona…”
Lu Yimeng went silent for a few seconds, then said meaningfully, “Gu Jie got nominated too.”
That caught Lu Yiyao’s attention. “For <Dyeing Fire>? Best Actor?”
“Correct on all accounts!” Lu Yimeng knew this would work, as indeed her brother’s tone lifted.
Just as she was feeling proud, her brother on the other end of the line asked, “There should be five nominees, right? Who are the other three?”
Lu Yimeng hadn’t paid attention to the others. When asked, she only remembered one other person who had a brief encounter with her brother, who also seemed to be on the list. “I think Ran Lin is also nominated. I didn’t notice the other two…”
For Lu Yiyao, that was enough. “Okay, I’ll look up the news.”
Lu Yimeng laughed happily. “Brother, aren’t I great?”
Lu Yiyao smiled, reminded of a compliment Ran Lin had once given him. “Yeah, you’re the harbinger of good news.”
Lu Yimeng ended the call satisfied.
Lu Yiyao immediately looked up the news. Sure enough, just as his sister said, Ran Lin and Gu Jie were both nominated for Best Actor for <Dyeing Fire>, along with Zhang Beichen for his outstanding performance in <Mint Green>, and another veteran actor.
The online news was just a standard announcement of the nominations. But when it came to the microblogs, the topics varied widely. However, the one that made it to the top of the hot list was—Di Jiangtao was not the lead actor.
At first glance at the topic, Lu Yiyao furrowed his brows. Logically, the primary suspect for hyping such a topic would be Gu Jie, as he was the definitive lead actor of the drama and had become a competitor by being nominated alongside Ran Lin. Starting this kind of discussion seemed only natural.
But that was Gu Jie. If he would resort to demeaning a friend to promote himself, then it would be an absurdity.
Clicking on the topic, a wave of marketing accounts eagerly stirring the pot became apparent—
[Lonely Entertainment Brother: Gu Jie and Ran Lin both receive XX Film Festival Best Actor nominations. Does <Dyeing Fire> actually have double male leads?…[View full text]]
[Eight Empresses: Gu Jie’s fans are dissatisfied with Ran Lin’s nomination, claiming <Dyeing Fire> has only one male lead…[View full text]]
[Net Entertainment Fishing Studio: Ran Lin and Gu Jie both nominated, <Dyeing Fire> occupies two Best Actor nominations causing controversy…[View full text]]
Lu Yiyao’s expression darkened.
Some marketing accounts’ sole purpose is to chase trending topics, create them if none exist, and desperately seek attention.
Exiting the microblog, Lu Yiyao called Yao Hong.
The phone was quickly answered, almost as if telepathically, with a direct question. “Di Jiangtao?”
Lu Yiyao’s frustration dissipated somewhat, leaving him a bit sheepish. “Yeah.”
“Don’t worry.” Yao Hong’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Director He’s side has already communicated well, and he will speak on behalf of the crew soon.”
Lu Yiyao: “What about Gu Jie?”
“Haven’t you seen his microblog?” Yao Hong chuckled. “He’s personally taking it to the field to tear it apart.”
Not using fans as a weapon and speaking directly when angered is Gu Jie’s usual style. But upon visiting Gu Jie’s microblog, Lu Yiyao felt Yao Hong might have exaggerated a bit. What Gu Jie did could be considered more of a firm stand rather than tearing into someone, coming off as a direct challenge—
[Di Jiangtao being the male lead or not, everyone who has seen <Dyeing Fire> can freely make their own judgment. But if you really want to ask me, then my answer is one, yes, and very much so. 💪]
Gu Jie’s words were actually aimed at those who were there for the drama, as he has never shied away from his brotherly relationship with Ran Lin. So Gu Jie’s fans have always had a good impression of Ran Lin. Before this post, Gu Jie’s fans were already schooling troublemakers under his old posts.
Once Gu Jie made his post, his fans felt utterly reassured—
[I knew my idol would post. It’s not in vain I’ve been defending Ran Lin for so long. 🙌]
[That hot comment there—you still need to defend Ran Lin? Gu Ge alone is enough! 💪]
[A real man. Always clear and firm in his stance during key moments. No need for reading between the lines. 👌]
[If I remember correctly, when Gu Ge was wronged, Ran Lin also didn’t hesitate to repost and support him. I envy this kind of friendship…]
[Have you guys checked @Xia Xinran’s microblog? The friendship boat of the Drifting Team is rocking… 🫣]
Lu Yiyao read down the comments, chuckling until he saw the guiding comment and clicked out of curiosity, finding that Xia Xinran had just updated a post—
[#Sad Radish Squat# Gu Jie’s nomination followed by Ran Lin’s, then Lu Yiyao’s, followed by Zhang Beichen’s, and then Xia Xinran…where is Xia Xinran!! 😭 😭 😭]
[Fans of Xia Forever: Damn, I read it out loud, my heart is broken 🫂🫢]]
[Little Rice of the North Country: My heart aches for Xiaxia. 💔]
[Don’t Call Me to Sell Finance Anymore: Hold tight my Xia!]
[eeeeee: Xiaxia don’t cry, we love you!]
[A Lonely City: Heart aches for Xiaxia. But isn’t the premise for nomination to have a film work this year? If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Xiaxia only act in TV dramas this year…]
[Scenery Doesn’t Change with the Seasons: Reply to @A Lonely City: What are you talking about the harsh truth for! Just give a strong hug!]
[A Lonely City: Reply to @Scenery Doesn’t Change with the Seasons: I was wrong! Heartaches for Xiaxia x100 times!]
Sometimes, fans and their idols share a certain temperament, Lu Yiyao thought. For instance, Gu Jie’s fans, at a glance, always seem straightforward and decisive, and then there are Xia Xinran’s fans, who all seem to… shine with a mischievous brilliance.
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