ATIMFL – Chapter 18

Hu Yi was always efficient and decisive. At the agreed-upon time, he entered Fu Yu Entertainment’s doors alongside Li Chu.

Yu Feiming was quite bewildered by Li Chu’s sudden decision to switch companies.

He had been busy dealing with his wife at home these past few days. He wanted a divorce, but his parents wouldn’t allow it. Consequently, he hadn’t even had time to check on the Omega he hadn’t yet managed to secure. Just as he was about to free up some time, he found out she was being poached.

Even if Yu Feiming was unwilling, an employee wanting to switch companies wasn’t something he could control. Despite his resentment, he could only watch Li Chu’s departing figure.

Li Chu didn’t publicize the company change; she simply updated her Weibo verification and posted a new status.

New appearance fans saw the change and left congratulatory messages under her status update.

Previously, a Weibo post from the original owner would only get about a dozen responses, but now there were dozens, and her follower count had increased by several thousand.

Brother Nan was busy handling the departure procedures. Qian Duoduo’s contract was also re-signed, though not with Black Gold, but as an employee hired directly by Li Chu.

All these potentially tumultuous changes happened quietly. Qian Duoduo was helping Li Chu move. Naturally, she couldn’t stay in the apartment provided by Fu Yu, but Black Gold had arranged new employee housing for Li Chu and even hired a moving company.

This brought Li Chu a sigh of relief because she didn’t have to pay for it.

She was currently strapped for cash and deeply in debt.

She had no source of income at the moment. The variety show appearance was unpaid, done for exposure. She didn’t know if she had passed the audition for Cheese-Flavored Love , and she hadn’t taken on any other jobs. She was utterly broke.

Moreover, to express her gratitude for Ning Manqing saving her life last time, Li Chu had picked out a gift she fell in love with at first sight, spending three thousand yuan. Now, not only was her wallet cleaner than her face, but she also owed Tang Congnan money.

And now that Qian Duoduo was employed by her, she had to pay her salary.

Sob sob sob, why! Why are there so many rich people in the world, why can’t I be one of them! Damn it!

Li Chu wailed internally while moving her luggage.

“Sister Li, the variety show you were on is about to air. Shall we watch it together tonight?”

Seeing Li Chu sweating from the effort, Qian Duoduo wiped her sweat with a wet wipe, her face full of anticipation.

Li Chu smiled and nodded, “Okay, let’s watch it together once we’re done.”

Du Bi was a typical corporate drone, working nine-to-five. Every day she woke up for work, endured a busy day, squeezed onto the subway, and dragged her exhausted body home. Only when eating dinner and watching variety shows in the evening did she feel alive again.

Recently, her go-to dinner companion show was an acting competition program called This Is The Actor . The show had generated quite a buzz early on, but she hadn’t paid much attention despite seeing it. Even when her friend strongly recommended it, she remained indifferent. A few days ago, having run out of things to watch, she finally clicked on it and ended up loving it.

It was clear the production team put a lot of effort into it, both in terms of professional standards and the actors’ skills. They also had a knack for creating buzz and trending topics. The ability to switch roles after drawing lots was particularly mischievously fun. Not only could you watch the actors compete through their performances, but you could also witness their subtle infighting.

Some people drew unsuitable roles they couldn’t switch and had to perform them reluctantly. Some performances turned out uniquely interesting, while others were particularly comical. In the previous episode, an Alpha drew an Omega role and turned a tearjerker into a comedy, making Du Bi laugh until her stomach hurt.

This show had become Du Bi’s true variety love. She had binged all six aired episodes, spontaneously recommended it to others, and eagerly awaited it each week.

This week, five new faces would appear. Du Bi cheered inwardly, excited to see the newcomers.

When Ning Manqing appeared before her, Du Bi excitedly typed a bullet comment on her computer screen.

【Beautiful sister, I’m yours!】

Who wouldn’t fall for such a gentle, cool older sister type! Du Bi saw her representative work listed in the subtitles and suddenly recalled the tears she shed in the cinema over a year ago for The Carrier Pigeon . The beauty was still a beauty, and even more gorgeous now.

Du Bi joined the chorus of “Ahhhhhh” in the bullet comments, happily watching the show. When she saw a sweet-looking girl walk in, Du Bi immediately called her “sweetheart.”

It wasn’t a stunningly beautiful face, but looking at her just made one feel sweet inside. Not the frail, young type, but more like a peach-flavored glutinous rice ball.

【Ahhhhhh, how come I’ve never seen this little sweetheart before!】

【Never seen her +1, such a well-behaved O, this is my dream O!】

【Wow, I just did a quick search. Found out that besides The Carrier Pigeon , her other works aren’t very famous, and her appearances… emmmm, anyway, they don’t look like the same person. But she’s a late differentiator, maybe that’s why.】

【Am I the only one who thinks it’s a pity this face isn’t an idol! As an actress, I feel her range of roles might be narrow.】

【Replying to the above, like a certain idol drama queen?】

【Hands off my idol, don’t associate her with others. Can the newcomer stop trying to ride coattails?】

Du Bi, initially enthusiastic, pouted when she saw the potential for an argument and went back to watching the little beauty.

When she saw the role the little beauty drew, she thought it was quite good. The name Han Tao seemed to fit the sweetheart’s image well. But seeing the bullet comments, she felt something was off.

【Ah this… switch roles, okay? The contrast is too huge.】

【As someone who’s seen this movie, I can say the character contrast is really big. It really doesn’t seem suitable.】

【I think Ning Manqing’s contrast is big too. She looks so gentle, can she play such a rough female lead?】

【Passing by Teacher Ning’s acting fan here. Please don’t underestimate my sister, okay? Teacher Ning’s acting is superb, she becomes whatever character she plays!】

When Du Bi saw the film clip, she understood why the earlier bullet comments said Li Chu wasn’t suitable.

The character was a charming, seductive beauty. Although her trembling and crying appearance was also delicate and lovely like pear blossoms in the rain, looking at Li Chu, who looked so innocent she could play a high school girl, Du Bi couldn’t help but feel nervous.

An episode of the show lasted two to three hours. With limited time, the editing was tight to ensure everyone got screen time, though the amount varied.

Du Bi saw Ning Manqing, Li Chu, and Chen Ying practicing hard. She was impressed by Ning Manqing getting into character in a second, but when she saw Li Chu’s attempt at a flirtatious glance, she shared Chen Ying’s horrified reaction.

A stream of “Hahahaha” flooded the bullet comments.

【Sister, forget it! I promise I’ll watch properly even if this turns into a comedy!】

【Just became an appearance fan, is it too late to leave now?】

【Fan sighs. Sister, maybe we should switch to being an idol instead? Don’t waste your face.】

When the camera focused on Ning Manqing approaching Li Chu, practicing eye contact in the mirror, the bullet comments went blank for a moment.

【Damn damn damn… Am I the only one who thinks the mirror reflection is super hot?】

【You’re not alone! Teacher Ning didn’t even get close, but it’s really kind of hot. Damn it, no audio, can’t hear what they’re saying!】

【Don’t know why, but watching this makes my face flush a little.】

【When the camera turned to Chen Ying, I thought I was watching two different shows…】

【Two different shows +1. Ying-zi shouldn’t be in the car, he should be under it.】

【Ying-zi hahahaahahahahaha dying of laughter.】

Du Bi couldn’t help but clutch her pillow tighter. She also felt the reflection of the two in the mirror was a bit sensual. They hadn’t even touched, yet in the mirror, their faces seemed pressed close together.

With a strange sense of excitement, Du Bi waited for The Female Overlord to begin. When the door on the boat was pushed open, and light and shadow fell upon the girl in pink, she couldn’t help but hold her breath.

Radiant as spring blossoms , perhaps that described it.

It wasn’t overt seduction, but a kind of soft, charming allure that seemed to emanate from her very bones, blending with the mist by the boat’s edge into the green waves. Like a flower bud on a branch, shyly blooming just a little, both pure and tempting.

She spoke with affectation, leaning delicately like a willow in the wind against the person beside her. Her smiling delivery of belittling words wasn’t annoying; one only focused on how soft and captivating her tone was, how her fair skin seemed to glow.

【Damn damn damn, I’m drooling! Ahhhhhh, Mom, is this a little vixen!】

【Is it just me whose feelings are hard to describe right now? Anyway, even as an Omega, my heart feels all sweet, you know?】

【I really didn’t expect Sweetheart to portray it like this. Not dissing the original actress, but she played a completely different Han Tao. Not flashy at all, not even overtly sensual, but it fits the character!】

【Reminds me of the poem Du Mu wrote for the young courtesan.】

Du Bi saw this bullet comment and strongly agreed.

Graceful and slender, just past thirteen, a cardamom bud in early February. On Yangzhou Road, through ten li of spring breeze, none compare when the beaded curtain rolls up.

No offense intended, just saying Sweetheart is the prettiest girl on this street!

Later in the performance, when the matriarch pinched the courtesan’s face, watching her tremble, the bullet comments exploded with shipping.

【Domineering female bandit x delicate famous courtesan, I’m satisfied.】

【To the person above, if your fanfic isn’t in the bookstore within ten seconds, I’m smashing it.】

【Hahahaha, doesn’t anyone feel sorry for Chen Ying dying off to the side? I think his acting was very faithful to the original, hahaha.】

【Speaking of which, these two have great chemistry off-screen too. Dignified and abstinent A and delicate sweetheart O. Invest now, friends, you won’t regret it!】

【How the hell are there CP fans already? Hands off Teacher Ning, not interested.】

【Li Chu’s acting has improved so quickly! She was still stumbling during practice. I think she’ll definitely shine in the future. As a newly converted career fan, CP stuff? Hands off Li Chu, not interested!】

Du Bi turned off the bullet comments, savored the scene again, ignored Chen Ying, and started looking for sweet moments between the two leads. Satisfied, she turned the comments back on and calmly typed four words.

【I ship this so hard.】

Then she quickly went to Weibo, followed the individuals, followed the super topic, and also followed the CP super topic quickly created by resourceful fans, adding the tag and boosting posts.

“Hahahaha, Sister Li, we gained so many followers! Sister Li, you were amazing!”

Qian Duoduo sat on the sofa, grinning from ear to ear, watching Li Chu’s follower count jump from forty thousand to ninety thousand and still climbing rapidly. She couldn’t help but praise Li Chu profusely.

The TV in the new apartment was huge. When the camera zoomed in, that beautiful face suddenly appeared, genuinely making Qian Duoduo’s heart tremble, her phantom limb stiffening.

Then she turned to see Li Chu in pajamas, cross-legged, eating duck necks. Good grief, reality hit hard, and the feeling instantly wilted.

“I think it went pretty well too.”

Li Chu stroked her chin with satisfaction. However, she knew who deserved the credit for all this. Wiping her hands clean, she lowered her head and typed a message on her phone.

【Xiao Chu】: Teacher Ning, what time will you arrive tomorrow?

【Teacher Ning】: Around three.

【Xiao Chu】: I’ll be a bit earlier than you. See you then!

【Teacher Ning】: Okay.

Li Chu originally wanted to tell Ning Manqing about the thank-you gift she had prepared, but then felt that revealing it beforehand would spoil the surprise. So she held back, looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.

“Ah, Sister Li, you’re trending on the hot search!”

“Further down, right?”

Li Chu guessed it was probably around rank 20 or 30 and didn’t pay much mind.

“No, it’s quite high up! The popularity is rising!”

Li Chu leaned over to look and saw a message from Hu Yi, telling her the company bought the hot search topic and reminding her not to be late for the This Is The Actor recording tomorrow. After the recording, he planned for her to take on an endorsement deal.

“The company bought it, no need to make a fuss. Go to bed early.”

It was getting late. Li Chu planned to wash her face, do her skincare routine, and get some beauty sleep. She had barely taken two steps away from the sofa when her sharp ears caught Qian Duoduo muttering Ning Manqing’s name.

Li Chu dashed back in a single bound, leaning down to ask, “What about Teacher Ning?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

Qian Duoduo jumped, startled, and quickly shook her head.

“Quick, tell me what’s wrong?”

Li Chu was anxious. Ning Manqing was the female lead, and female leads always encountered some twists and turns. She urged Qian Duoduo to speak.

“It’s just… I saw someone created a CP super topic for you two. But it also means you have buzz now, Sister Li.”

“Is that all? I thought it was something serious. Go to bed early.”

Hearing it wasn’t anything bad happening to Ning Manqing, Li Chu breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand.

She didn’t really care about CPs. Anyway, neither she nor Ning Manqing would resort to hyping a CP to gain popularity. Besides, she and Teacher Ning were completely innocent!

Li Chu returned to her room and looked up at the underwear she had washed that morning hanging in the closet.

Well… maybe not that innocent.

Ahem, ahem.

Tang Congnan’s departure procedures weren’t finalized quickly, so he couldn’t come over yet. Hu Yi was a busy agent, managing an idol group besides Li Chu, so he didn’t have time to come either. He just booked a first-class ticket for Li Chu, letting her go with Qian Duoduo to record the new episode of This Is The Actor .

Li Chu first went to the booked hotel to drop off her luggage, then headed to the recording studio.

Since there were no newcomers this episode, many people were already seated inside when she arrived.

Li Chu greeted everyone one by one, adopting the posture of a junior perfectly. She looked innocent and spoke sweetly, so most people were friendly. She didn’t mind the few who were indifferent, focusing on doing her part well.

She sat near the entrance, occasionally glancing towards it while pretending to look at her phone.

After waiting for quite a while, she finally saw the person she was waiting for enter.

Ning Manqing’s eyes were extremely dark, carrying a hint of coolness in the light. When her gaze met Li Chu’s, it suddenly softened.

Looking at her, Li Chu somehow felt that she seemed much more tired.

Ning Manqing sat down not too far from Li Chu, waiting for the lottery draw to begin.

Li Chu naturally hoped to be grouped with Ning Manqing again, but the odds weren’t in her favor this time.

They went to different practice rooms. Li Chu couldn’t even find an easy opportunity to give her the gift, so she had to wait until evening.

The neon lights shifted between bright and dim. Li Chu told Qian Duoduo to leave first, put on a mask, and got into Ning Manqing’s car.

Ning Manqing was driving herself; no staff were around. The car’s interior light was off, her profile indistinct in the darkness.

Li Chu closed the door and met Ning Manqing’s eyes, which reflected the dim, obscure light. For some reason, she suddenly had the disorienting feeling that they were having a secret rendezvous.

She again smelled that cloud mist tea fragrance, faint and light, like mist floating around her.

Then it seemed to solidify, creeping up her ankles and collarbone, seeping into the hem of her skirt and her neckline.