MACRM Chapter 34

Zhong Yao’s brows lifted slightly.

The club wasn’t open to outsiders; privacy and security were more than sufficient. Industry people often came here for gatherings or business talks, so running into a familiar face or two was nothing unusual.

The two sides met head-on, there was no way to pretend otherwise. The Resources Department manager clenched his teeth, quickly switching on a warm smile as he stepped forward:

“Zhong-laoshi! I didn’t expect to see you here. We were just about to send someone to invite you…”

Zhong Yao inclined his head, shifting slightly aside to give way. “A pleasure.”

The manager’s palms were sweating. Unsure whether he should leave or stay, he hesitated, then cautiously asked:

“Are you… busy with your schedule lately?”

Normally, he wouldn’t have felt this guilty. But today there was something that absolutely couldn’t let Zhong Yao catch on too soon.

The last scandal hadn’t yet fully died down. Zheng Yi was still being endlessly mocked by the public.

The PR department had tried its best to control the commentary, but the effect was minimal. That audition video had spread too widely. Zheng Yi’s acting, once promising among the new generation, had been shredded by countless memes, and coupled with the label of “overreaching junior challenging his seniors,” the career path originally planned for him was no longer viable.

If not for Zhong Yao’s contract being just a year away from expiring, and his relationship with the company deteriorating to this extent, Canxing would have long abandoned Zheng Yi and put its resources into re-promoting Zhong Yao.

But clearly, it was too late for that now.

Attempts to mend relations had all fallen flat. The team they sent last time had been ruthlessly turned away. Anyone with sense knew: once the contract expired, Zhong Yao’s termination was inevitable.

Zhong Yao’s strength was undeniable, and Lin Zhu held in his hands the network of contacts he’d built up over the past year. Together, the two complemented each other perfectly. Starting their own studio was only a matter of time.

Canxing knew this too, which was why they were increasingly desperate.

The popular idol market had already started cooling in recent years. Audiences were getting sharper, and popular stars without quality work were being eliminated faster and faster. The trend was clear: Canxing needed at least one pillar who could succeed on the strength route.

But the strength route was hard, and raising even one would take tremendous effort. If Zhong Yao left and Zheng Yi still couldn’t be propped up, the company would soon fall into a precarious position.

The Resources Department Manager clenched his fists, forcing a smile as he went on, “The company has secured a tailor-made opportunity for you. It’s called [Battle of Light and Shadow[mfn]Its Chinese name is 光影之战. Just a fun fact! A film/movie is 电影 (dianying) and 影 can mean shadow. Light here is 光, and in Chinese, “in the spotlight” (theater sense) is 聚光 (juguang). While spotlight (the item) is 追光 (zhuiguang)[/mfn]], a competitive variety show where professional actors pit their skills against each other. It’s doing very well in ratings right now…”

He’d come to the club today precisely to discuss this. Who would’ve thought, stepping out after the meeting, he’d run straight into the very person they’d schemed against.

Zhong Yao wasn’t the difficult one. It was that agent always at his side.

As the manager spoke, he sneaked glances at Lin Zhu, standing next to him, doing his best to paint the offer in glowing colors, hoping Zhong Yao might bypass his agent and agree directly, “You don’t have many new projects right now. If you join a variety show, your popularity will definitely soar! After that, any resource will be at your fingertips…”

Sure, the livestream incident had stirred up a storm, and the internet was buzzing about how close Zhong Yao and his agent were. But that could just be marketing spin.

Plenty of celebrities claimed to be close with their agents. It was only a matter of finding the right price to break that bond.

For Zhong Yao at this stage, [Battle of Light and Shadow] was a one-in-a-hundred opportunity. If Lin Zhu tried to block it, they might even turn against each other…

While the Resources Manager was still comforting himself with this thought, Zhong Yao had already turned slightly, rubbing Lin Zhu’s hair.

The agent asked,  “Do you want to go?”

Manager: “……”

Zhong Yao rarely showed such intimacy in public. Lin Zhu’s eyes widened slightly, warmth flooding his chest, and whatever spark of anger he’d felt from glimpsing the scheme was extinguished completely.

Zhong Yao lowered his head just a little, watching the chill in his agent’s gaze soften, a gentle smile lighting his own eyes. “You decide,” he said.

The warmth of that palm was so comforting Lin Zhu couldn’t help but relax, lips curving upward as he nodded. He turned calmly toward the Resources manager.

“So you sold out Zhong-laoshi… just to trade it for sending Zheng Yi on [Battle of Light and Shadow]? That’s all?”

The manager’s heart lurched violently, his face blanching in an instant. “How did you—”

He had barely spoken a few words before realizing he’d given himself away. Cold sweat broke out down his back as he stammered, “N-no, that’s not it, let me explain, it isn’t what it looks like, actually—”

“No need to explain.”

Lin Zhu smiled amiably, eyes narrowing, his tone light and casual. “We’ll take it.”

…

Leaving behind the Resources Department Manager, reeling from his sudden plunge and rise, Lin Zhu accompanied Zhong Yao back into the private room. Dutifully, he played along with Wei Geping’s long-awaited performance, staying until dusk before ferrying the half-drunk director back to the set.

With people around them the whole time, Lin Zhu hadn’t found a chance to explain the details of [Battle of Light and Shadow]. Zhong Yao, unhurried as ever, half-reluctantly joined the crew’s tea party, pulling over a few boxes of spicy crayfish. Slipping on gloves, he skillfully peeled shrimp for Lin Zhu.

Zhong Yao’s hands were elegant, fingers long and well-shaped, refined to the point of looking wholly unsuited to handling crayfish. Lin Zhu, reluctant to see it, tugged at his sleeve. “It’s fine, I’ll do it myself—”

“I’m not hungry. You haven’t eaten much today.”

Zhong Yao chuckled, still patiently peeling shrimp for him, murmuring, “Eat more. Try to bankrupt the production manager before the filming is finished..”

Lin Zhu choked on his juice, guiltily nodding as he glanced toward the murderous-looking production manager in the corner.

After it finished, there’d be no need to keep loose ends for the sake of the act…

Fearless, Zhong Yao carefully filled a small plate with shrimp meat. Watching his agent nibble obediently, bite by bite, his eyes softened into a smile. He ruffled his hair. “Only half a month until wrap. Want to go home for a visit?”

“No, my Dage is going on a business trip then. There won’t be anyone home…” 

Lin Zhu thought for a moment, then shook his head lightly. “I’ll go around to search for some resources. The shorter your downtime, the better.”

The wrap would coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival. In past years, their parents had always returned home to celebrate. This year, busy with overseas business, they’d decided to have Lin Song go back for the reunion instead.

Lin Song had been eager to bring his younger brother along, discussing it with him several times already, even offering to help bankroll Zhong Yao as a condition.

Lin Zhu had been tempted for an entire night, but in the end, he’d resisted. Using the excuse of staying with the crew, he carefully picked out gifts, placed the orders, and entrusted them to his elder brother.

Lin Zhu pressed his lips together, pushing away the thought, bracing himself to speak. But Zhong Yao suddenly said, “Actually—”

Lin Zhu swallowed the crayfish, puzzled as he looked up.

“Actually… my family isn’t around either.”

Catching sight of a bit of sauce at his lips, Zhong Yao smiled, pulling a tissue to wipe it away. “Don’t blame me for being unmotivated at work… Can you spare a day between your resource search day?” 

Lin Zhu: “!!!”

His heart surged with incredulous delight. He blinked rapidly, unable to stop himself from raising his head, wanting to ask again for clarity.

In the private room with its built-in karaoke, everyone else was busy, some trading gossip with exaggerated gestures, some wailing tunelessly into the mic. No one paid attention to their quiet corner.

Amid the din and chaos, Zhong Yao leaned close with a smile, rubbing Lin Zhu’s ear.

“Who will share the lonely moonlight at the Mid-Autumn Festival… Young Master, spend the festival with me.”

Lin Zhu flushed red on the spot, his head blooming with a whole crown of little flowers.

---

After more than ten minutes, Lin Zhu was finally pulled out of his daze by the vibration of a phone call.

It was publicity calling. Lin Zhu glanced at the remark, told Zhong Yao, then hurriedly got up and left the room, stepping into the restroom: “What is it?”

“Lin-ge, are we really taking [Battle of Light and Shadow]?”

As soon as the Publicity Department received the notice of negotiations with Light and Shadow Battle, they panicked and called him: “The ratings for [Light and Shadow] are climbing steadily, but the underhanded tricks inside are countless. Who gets boosted and who gets trampled each episode is decided long in advance. They just cover it up with high-level tactics and clever editing so that audiences can’t tell at a glance…”

Everyone knew Zhong Yao’s status at Canxing. Being shoved this kind of resource at this time clearly wasn’t meant to boost him.

Afraid that he and Zhong Yao would fall into the trap, the staff paused briefly before hastily adding: “We’ve already found out that Zheng Yi also accepted this variety show. Isn’t it obvious what they’re trying to do? If Zhong-laoshi’s scores in the competition aren’t high, if his reviews aren’t good, and Zheng Yi shines even a little, their PR will blow it up all over the place. We’ll be the only ones left with the stink…”

“Don’t worry, I know.”

So it really was about this matter.

Lin Zhu understood and was actually quite satisfied with how quickly the team reacted. He smiled lightly. “They wouldn’t dare put Zhong-laoshi and Zheng Yi in the same episode. Most likely, they’ll arrange them in back-to-back episodes.”

The Publicity Department staff had assumed Lin Zhu was too young to understand the shady side of the industry, that was why he agreed to the show. They froze at his words. “But—”

“Zheng Yi is still being mocked, but at least he has attention. With some extra tricks in editing, they’ll make his acting look impressive, while they’ll chop ours into fragments. They’ll make it confusing and directionless, so no standout moments appear.”

Lin Zhu knew exactly how things worked, so he explained further, “[Light and Shadow] is an expert at riding hype while stepping on others. They must have already set their eyes on Zhong-laoshi. This time, in order to promote Zheng Yi, they asked for him. It played right into their hands. They took the chance to demand Zhong Yao as a supporting foil in exchange. Canxing happened to have the same idea, so the two sides hit it off…”

The Publicity staff was stunned. “You… you knew all that? But—”

“Tianxing TV.”

Lin Zhu searched [Light and Shadow]’s information on his phone and confirmed the producer’s name. “They… must have a new planner, right?”

He was confused. “Yes, someone they hired two years ago at a high salary. As soon as he came, he planned two brilliant original variety shows. Tianxing leapt from a second-tier station to a first-tier one. He uses a lot of shady methods, but he really is talented…”

“Two years ago? No wonder.”

Lin Zhu chuckled, casually closing the page. “Don’t worry. I’ve got some history with the TV station’s higher-ups. I even fought with them once.” 

The staff: “……”

The staff member continued, “Lin-ge, is Zhong-laoshi just too embarrassed to reject them? Why don’t we, during negotiations, just sit there cracking melon seeds right in front of them, and then at the end claim it was our fault for failing to negotiate properly? Resource lost! We’ll take the blame!”

Lin Zhu couldn’t hold back a laugh. “You guys have really done that before?”

“Who doesn’t have a first time! It’s only face, isn’t it? If we don’t want it, then that’s it!”

The staff member, brimming with tragic resolve, clutched the phone. “Lin-ge, just say the word. We’ll go buy melon seeds right now! We’ll—”

“Alright, no need to worry so much.”

Seeing they were about to take it seriously, Lin Zhu cleared his throat and stopped scaring them. “I can still get a few words in with their station execs. Don’t worry, it’s no big deal.”

“Tianxing TV… you can get through to them?”

The Publicity Department staff were shocked and delighted, half disbelieving, chasing him with questions. “Can you make sure they don’t sabotage Zhong-laoshi? No shady editing? Zhong-laoshi’s skills are solid. If there’s no black curtain, he’ll crush the field! Even if we can’t count on votes, at least he’d take a single-episode win—”

“Bringing them in is easy, sending them off is hard. Since they’ve already set us up, a single-episode win is too cheap.”

In this circle, news like this could never stay hidden. Sooner or later it would be all over the place.

Lin Zhu lowered his voice slightly, but he didn’t try to cover it up. Calm and open, he said:

“If I can’t at least get them to adjust the rules to be fairer, if I can’t bring back a full championship… then what kind of agent am I?”