The Third Star
Jiang Chuyi returned to the hotel room. As soon as she pushed open the door and entered, she saw Gao Ning was sitting on the sofa cursing at someone.
Seeing Jiang Chuyi come in, Gao Ning stopped mid-sentence. “How did the audition go?”
Jiang Chuyi nodded. “Not bad.”
“Do you think you got it?”
“More or less.” Jiang Chuyi closed the door behind her and changed the subject, “What’s up? Who pissed you off this time?”
The little assistant leaned in with a mysterious air and whispered to her, “Ms. Jiang, this time Hua Rui’s Xin He is also here.”
She casually responded, “I know.”
Gao Ning leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, continuing to watch the drama unfold on her phone. “Hua Rui is so low this time. Before even collaborating with BloodxGentle, they already bought puff pieces for Xin He. Desperate to ride the coattails, huh?”
Hua Rui’s commonly used publicity stunts were well known in the industry. No matter if their artists had any decent works to show, they all had rumors flying everywhere, frequently appearing in the public eye with real or fake relationships. When the fans made a fuss, the studio would come out and clarify things in a pretentious manner.
This tactic of playing both sides never failed, forcibly refreshing their presence quite a bit.
“Damn, all the men in the industry are in love with Xin He in the puff pieces. This time they even set her up with Zong Ye.” Gao Ning was gleeful. “Look how badly they’re getting barraged. Shameless!”
Jiang Chuyi quietly sat on the side without a word.
Gao Ning suddenly tutted, “I must say though, Hua Rui’s move is quite shrewd. Young girls these days love to see handsome men and beautiful women shipped together.”
Jiang Chuyi didn’t respond.
Gao Ning called out to her, “What are you doing? Can’t you hear me talking to you?”
Jiang Chuyi let out an “ah” sound. “What?”
“I said, any random guy from BloodxGentle could beat Bu Xiangchen, no?” Gao Ning got angry as she thought of it. “At first it was their team overtly and covertly releasing puff pieces, wanting to tie you together in some kind of on-screen CP. Then later when they got lucky and blew up on TikTok, they immediately distanced themselves. Disgusting.”
Jiang Chuyi comforted her, “This kind of thing is very normal.”
“So I’m saying, be a bit more ambitious. If we’re gonna pick a CP, let’s go for a big one. When the time comes, after sucking them dry, we can dump them mercilessly. No worries about becoming popular again. Even black popularity is still popularity. Better than sitting at home picking your toes.”
Jiang Chuyi retorted, “Who would I leech off of?”
Gao Ning laughed, “What do you think about Zong Ye? I heard you worked with him today?”
She thought for a bit and gave an objective evaluation. “Not bad.”
Gao Ning side-eyed her and suggestively sighed, “Out of the BloodxGentle guys, his temper is the most normal. He’s no stranger to being tied together with people. A surefire cash cow.”
“Forget it.”
“Why forget it?”
Jiang Chuyi looked over at her, quite calmly asking, “Do you think I’m worthy of him?”
Let alone whether she’s worthy, at this point it’s unknown if she’s offended anyone.
Gao Ning’s expression changed a few times as she gritted her teeth, “Can’t you have some ambition? Even if things haven’t gone well the past two years, have you forgotten how popular you were before?”
What’s the use of being popular before? It’s been so long, not many people remember anymore.
The two of them.
One is a has-been who can barely scrape by in the 18th tier after mixing for many years. One is a hot commodity who skyrocketed to fame as soon as he debuted.
Zong Ye would have to be crazy to fake a relationship with her.
*
A few months later, IM Company’s assistant contacted Gao Ning to notify them that Jiang Chuyi had passed the audition. Someone would come to go over the contract process with them in the next couple days.
At that time, Jiang Chuyi had just finished work in Changsha and was lying in the back seat of the company car, chatting with industry friends on WeChat.
Gao Ning put down her phone, her expression serious. “Good news, and bad news.”
“Good news first.”
“You passed the audition for that movie.”
Jiang Chuyi’s eyes crinkled. “What’s the bad news?”
“They set Xin He as the female lead.”
Jiang Chuyi pondered for a moment. “Oh…it’s her.”
Gao Ning commented in a biased tone, “Hua Rui really went all out this time, stuffing Xin He in there for real. With her acting skills, what qualifications does she have?”
Jiang Chuyi thought to herself, she probably doesn’t have the qualifications to be mentioned in the same breath as Xin He now either. To put it bluntly, she’s being thoroughly overshadowed by her in every aspect. Gao Ning made it sound like she was Xin He’s rival or something.
If fans knew Gao Ning was secretly comparing her to Xin He, a comment saying she’s shamelessly trying to latch on would be completely justified.
Gao Ning resented her lack of ambition and sighed, “Can’t I be a bit sour? If we had her backing, I guarantee I would make you a million times more popular than her.”
But Gao Ning was just casually complaining. Someone with Xin He’s level of resources couldn’t impact her good mood at all.
After all, IM’s positioning of BloodxGentle had always been very precise. From the moment they debuted, they were in a league of their own. Up until now, the aloof boy group BloodxGentle rejected all joint activities, single-mindedly focused on the stage from beginning to end.
Although many people coveted their popularity and extended olive branches, IM’s team gatekept extremely strictly, never letting the members take on random variety shows or TV dramas.
This was the first time they chose to work with artists in the industry, likely because they had reached a transitional period. First testing the waters, and paving the way for the members’ solo activities later.
Jiang Chuyi being able to collaborate with them was already the best opportunity she could get in the past few years.
And furthermore, Gao Ning could finally go disgust Bu Xiangchen’s manager a bit.
*
BloodxGentle’s plan was to release an album in the second half of next year. Several of the movie’s filming locations were set overseas. Taking into account post-production, the schedule was tight, requiring Jiang Chuyi to free up over a month to cooperate.
Gao Ning agreed right away.
In the spirit of professionalism, Jiang Chuyi did quite a bit of homework during this time. After familiarizing herself with each member’s information, she searched for BloodxGentle’s clips with higher view counts on video sites, downloaded them, and watched in her spare time.
After the visa was approved, the night before departure, Jiang Chuyi packed her luggage and arrived in Beijing.
The flight was in the early morning of the next day. She and Xin He were to go to Italy together with BloodxGentle.
Beijing had just entered winter, large-scale temperature drops had begun, but Jiang Chuyi wore a thin sweater.
As they were about to reach the airport, Gao Ning instructed her again, “IM’s manager has been chatting with me recently, saying you’re the easiest to work with. Choosing you this time, on one hand it’s because you used to act in movies and can hold your own in front of the camera. And also, let’s be mindful in private, don’t get photographed by paparazzi or anything. I said don’t worry, in all her years since debut, Chuyi basically never had relationship rumors with male celebrities. Even if there were any, they were just slander. She’s squeaky clean.”
Jiang Chuyi smiled, “Is this them warning you?”
“Of course. I heard there was originally a kissing scene in the script, but IM didn’t agree to it so it got scrapped. Even if your popularity can’t compare, you were still brought up by Qin Tong after all. Your prestige is there for all to see. No need for you to throw yourself at them. That manager acted like he was afraid we’d take advantage of them or something.”
“Got it.” Jiang Chuyi pointed outside. “I’ll head out first?”
“Go on.”
After putting on her mask, Jiang Chuyi pushed open the car door.
It was almost midnight, a gust of cold wind blew by. She shrank back a little and tightened the coat around her.
Little Zhong pulled the suitcase and followed beside her, whispering gossip, “It’s so late but there are still so many BloodxGentle fans here.”
Jiang Chuyi glanced back. “Will they be able to see them here? IM’s people should be taking a separate passage right.”
“They must have released the information in advance. This time they’ll probably go through normal security to see the fans.”
Jiang Chuyi let out an “oh”.
Entering the airport lobby while picking up their boarding passes, Little Zhong suddenly tugged on Jiang Chuyi’s sleeve. “Ms. Jiang, look.”
Jiang Chuyi turned her head in the direction she pointed. She immediately spotted the BloodxGentle members.
Despite being dozens of meters away, they were still easy to find, not even needing to intentionally look. The grand spectacle, the center of focus in the entire airport. Security guards stretched out their arms forming a circle, fans in support attire crowded all around.
The few in the middle all had great looks, naturally eye-catching, their height an advantage too. Even thrown into a crowd, their presence would be the strongest.
But the fans were quite organized and disciplined. Although excited, they didn’t make a ruckus, just huddling together in small groups, holding up phones, closely following beside them.
As they passed, curious onlookers would occasionally stop and stare too.
Jiang Chuyi suddenly understood how BloodxGentle rose to fame so quickly.
Although dressed similarly, they each had their own brand of handsomeness. The online hype was not exaggerated in the least. The few of them, just standing there, were a sight for sore eyes.
IM’s staff went to check the baggage while the rest waited in place.
Someone suddenly shouted, “Zong Ye–”
Almost instantaneously, the forcibly suppressed calm atmosphere shattered.
With that start, shouts erupted one after another. The crowd began to visibly stir. No matter how the security tried to maintain order, it was useless.
Jiang Chuyi’s gaze also lingered, observing them.
Wang Tan was unrestrained as always, blowing a few kisses to the screaming crowd.
And Fu Cheng beside him, hands stuffed in pockets; he wore a sullen expression from start to finish. Walking five steps, he seemed to put on ten times the airs. His facial features and hairstyle were sharp, single eyelids, looking quite arrogant, even his gaze was fierce, making people take a step back.
Zong Ye was neither warm nor distant, body slightly angled, unhurriedly signing autographs, occasionally turning his head to smile, responding to the enthusiastic fans, always maintaining grace.
Even at the height of popularity, he didn’t act aloof. He didn’t have that kind of overbearing aura, speaking and acting extremely gently.
A far cry from the first impression he left on her that day in the hotel hallway.
Jiang Chuyi’s mind wandered aimlessly.
Although Zong Ye appeared quite polite on the surface, in reality, he might not be as proper as the public thought.
After all, crafting a fake persona was the trend now.
Until a certain gaze also stared straight back at her, Jiang Chuyi’s train of thought was interrupted.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Seems like she looked at him for too long…
Zong Ye clearly noticed her. His signing paused, expression seemingly inquiring if something was the matter.
Jiang Chuyi showed no signs of the fluster of being caught, eyes continuing to shift elsewhere, pretending she was just spacing out earlier.
Even without Gao Ning’s instructions, Jiang Chuyi didn’t plan on having any extra interactions with them.
In others’ eyes, it would probably turn into iron-clad evidence of her ill intentions.
*
After Little Zhong finished checking the bags and they passed security, entering the VIP lounge, Jiang Chuyi found a seat and put down her backpack.
This bag contained the fuzzy little blanket and bunny scarf she was accustomed to sleeping with. It shouldn’t get lost here.
She planned to first find a place to eat dinner.
Jiang Chuyi usually started controlling her weight before filming, no fried foods, no soft drinks. She only ordered a salad.
After eating, she walked around a bit to help digestion before returning to the lounge, finding that the IM members had also arrived.
Ji Kai sat at the very edge, headphones on, playing a game. He didn’t even lift an eyelid.
Wang Tan remembered her at least, letting out an “ayo”. Accurately saying her name, “Jiang Chuyi, it’s you?”
Jiang Chuyi put on a smile, responding in a soft voice, “Hello.”
Fu Cheng heard the commotion and also glanced at her. But he probably couldn’t be bothered to speak, just tugging the corner of his mouth in acknowledgment.
Jiang Chuyi walked past them and stopped at her own seat.
Someone was sitting beside it too.
Zong Ye wore a black hoodie, arms crossed over his chest, legs lazily stretched out. The hoodie’s hood was wide, framing his head, nearly covering his entire face.
Based on the subtle rise and fall of his breathing, she judged that he seemed to be asleep.
Jiang Chuyi quietly moved her bag and sat down.
The VIP lounge seats all had built-in massage functions. She played on her phone for a while, eyes catching the QR code on the armrest.
Jiang Chuyi checked the flight info. There was still an hour before takeoff.
Her shoulder was acting up recently. She could use a massage now that she had nothing to do.
Leaning over to study it for a moment, she opened WeChat and scanned that QR code.
A few seconds later, her phone dinged, showing payment was successful.
Accompanied by cheerful music, a mechanical female voice sounded, “Welcome to using the Yixiu shared massage chair. This massage session is fifteen minutes. Please enjoy~”
Zong Ye was awakened by this notification and shifted his body.
He had a look of not being fully awake, head leaning on his shoulder, soft bangs falling over his forehead, groggily opening his eyes.
Jiang Chuyi smiled at him apologetically.
Putting on headphones, she adjusted her position and lay back, quietly waiting for the massage to begin.
After waiting a while, not knowing what malfunction occurred, she wondered why there was no reaction at all.
Jiang Chuyi sat up slightly, quizzically turning her head, about to check, when out of the corner of her eye she noticed the person next to her also straightening up.
She suddenly froze.
Just like that, she watched wide-eyed as Zong Ye lowered his head, looking at his own chair–
that had inexplicably started vibrating.
