Chapter 34.1

“He is in his study…  engrossed in a novel.”

　　Apart from the Hu siblings, there were also three other actors in the break room.

　　The moment the words left Jing Xi’s mouth, a pfft sound broke out from the sidelines, hastily stifled but impossible to ignore. Before Hu Che could even glance in that direction, a boisterous and haughty peal of laughter rang out through the room, drowning out any attempt at subtlety.

　　Hu Xiao laughed uproariously, paying no mind to Hu Che’s expression. His infectious laughter filled the room, as if his entire being was playfully tethered to his second uncle.

　　Hu Che snapped back with a fiery glare, “What’s so funny? Like your name sounds any better! Hu Xiao sounds as though you’ll be gone before you even realize it¹ Hu Xiao’s name 狐萧 (hú xiāo) sounds like 糊消 (hú xiāo). It’s another example of homophones.

In this context, the author further elaborates that 糊消 (hú xiāo) metaphorically means 糊着糊着就消失了(húzhe húzhe jiù xiāoshī le), conveying the idea that Hu Xiao’s job might stick around for a while but would eventually fade away or disappear. !”

　　‘Help! These two are incorrigible!’

　　This time around, not even the usually composed assistants could hold their laughter and ended up joining the three actors’ roars of mirth.

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　　After quickly skimming through the script snippets the production team sent over, he discovered that the third male lead was a second-generation rich kid — eye candy, if you would. Evidently, this role was tailor-made for Hu Che as he only had to act himself.

　　He probed, “What roles did Hu Xiao take on before the storyline officially commenced?”

　　System reported, “In the past six months, he took on supporting roles in two TV series. Although he had limited screen time, the characters he portrayed were very endearing.”
　　Jing Xi inquired further, “Were any of the series aired during that time?”
　　System divulged, “One of them was about to air.”
　　Jing Xi pressed on, “What about the events after those six months? Why was this particular point chosen as the novel’s starting point?”
　　System revealed, “When he took on the role of the third male lead, the actor for the second male lead, who was a rising young actor, behaved haughtily and had a disagreement with the production crew. As a result, he was dismissed, and the director casted Hu Xiao as his replacement.”
　　Jing Xi wondered, “But won’t he face the wrath of the young actor’s disgruntled fans?”
　　System nodded, “Oh, you bet! Hu Che and his lackeys took advantage of this to join the fray, so the novel began with an earnest, aspiring actor facing online backlash from all corners. Meanwhile, the Qin family patriarch fell gravely ill and was hospitalized, exacerbating the power struggles within the family. Thus, things did not look good for the main leads.”
　　Jing Xi pondered, “Did the situation eventually take a positive turn?”

　　System exclaimed, “Absolutely! The production crew had a stash of incredible content that they kept under wraps, waiting for the perfect moment to publish them. Then, Hu Xiao won over the audience with his remarkable acting and gained a massive fan following.”
　　It continued with fervor, “An underdog battling against all odds, clawing their way to stardom! How inspiring!”

　　With that in mind, Jing Xi cast a glance at the underdog by his side.

　　Hu Xiao was a determined go-getter who knew precisely what he wanted. Approaching his craft with serious dedication, he eagerly enrolled in all the training courses the company had to offer. During his debut audition, Hu Xiao exuded a calm confidence that surpassed even the seasoned actors around him. 

　　In terms of acting skills, he might still be relatively unknown, but when it came to his mindset, he possessed the potential to defy all expectations and conquer all challenges.

　　‘That’s great…’ With a chuckle, Jing Xi put a damper on System’s spirits. “Considering he’s set to debut as the third male lead this time, it’s quite unlikely for this plot point to happen. Also, I don’t see him joining that production crew anytime soon either.”

　　System was momentarily stunned before managing to sputter, “Are you sure he will make the cut?” 
　　Jing Xi smirked, “Trust me, he’s leagues ahead of Hu Che.”

　　With only a few lines of dialogue, the audition concluded in record time for the five auditionees.

　　Only after they hopped into the awaiting car did the manager inquire, “How’d it go?”

　　With a confident grin, Hu Xiao proclaimed, “I think I’ve got this!”
　　Turning to his second uncle, he went on, “I followed your advice to the letter, and guess what? The director gave me a smile, so I’m pretty sure he’s pleased with my performance.”

　　Without a second thought, Jing Xi praised, “Well done!”

　　The manager remained silent, casting a thoughtful gaze at the rabbit.

　　With a quizzical tone, he inquired, “You’ve starred in a series or received training?”

　　Jing Xi replied, “Nope.”

　　‘To think that one has the audacity to teach and the other has the guts to actually use it! So, are we certain that the director’s supposed satisfaction isn’t merely a figment of his imagination?’
　　‘Just moments ago in the break room, Hu Xiao not only brushed off a playful jest but also joined in the laughter!’

　　The manager was aware that Hu Xiao was the young master of an affluent family and deliberately brought the rabbit to the contract signing. Dealing with such familial ties was incredibly challenging, especially when a celebrity excessively heeds advice from their relatives and friends.

　　Even so, he had crossed paths with countless individuals, each with their own quirks and charms. With bated breath, he chose to hold off on any decisions until the audition results were announced. If Hu Xiao did not land the role, it would be the perfect chance for him to step into the role of advisor and persuader. 

　　With that, he also brought up another matter and shared a nugget of wisdom — keep a tight rein on their temper, avoid getting into heated debates in public, and exercise some discretion.

　　Hu Xiao shared, “I know, but it’s just that we’ve got some beef with Hu Che, and we’re not exactly best buds.”
　　The manager raised an eyebrow. “Not even putting on a facade?”
　　Hu Xiao retorted, “That’s as likely as winning the lottery.”

　　The manager did not press the issue and reassured, “In that case, I’ll try my best to keep you two from running into each other in the future.”

　　With a swift click, he sent over the schedule and doled out tasks: one to head back to their lessons, while the other to familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of an assistant’s duties. With a grin, he warned, “No slacking off! I’ve got a mountain of work on my plate, so I won’t be babysitting you both anymore.”

　　Hu Xiao and Jing Xi flashed innocent smiles and chorused, “Alright!”

　　Later that evening, a notice from the production crew lit up their screen, delivering the delightful news that Hu Xiao had aced the audition.

　　Before the manager knew it, his plan to guide Hu Xiao went down the drain. Undeterred, he decided to discreetly observe for a few days. To his surprise, Hu Xiao turned out to be an earnest learner, hanging on to every word from the teacher. Meanwhile, the rabbit assistant wowed everyone with impressive multitasking skills, effortlessly breezing through his tasks. What’s more, he even managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule to assist Hu Xiao.

　　As he tuned in for just a few moments, he was blown away to discover that every word uttered made perfect sense.

　　Initially, the manager pegged them for an eccentric duo of inexperienced relatives who intended to dabble in showbiz for kicks before returning to their lives as second-generation rich kids. Little did he know, their commitment ran deep, and their foray into the entertainment industry was anything but a whimsical endeavor.

　　With that, he set aside his preconceptions and personally escorted them to the set on the big day.

　　In an era devoid of customary pre-filming rituals for good luck, they all came together not for prayers, but over a shared meal.

　　After dragging Hu Xiao to have a toast with the entire crew, the manager efficiently took care of all the needed details. Following their dinner, he made it clear to them that he was merely a call away for any challenges they might face. With a sense of satisfaction and peace of mind, he took his leave.

　　As his silhouette faded into the distance, System could not resist the urge to light a candle.

　　‘You are putting your trust in them way too soon. If these two manage to stay out of trouble when they are together, then we can take it as a small triumph.’

　　Rested and recharged after a night of blissful sleep, the group hit the ground running and commenced their filming. 

　　During Jing Xi’s time as an actor, he was in a world that was not exactly interstellar, and the equipment around him was distinctly futuristic, a stark departure from what he was accustomed to. His eyes lit up with intrigue as he ogled the cutting-edge wonders. Just as he was getting lost in the techno-marvels, a friendly face snapped him back to reality, forcing him to tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing gadgets.

　　While the cameras rolled and the actors took center stage up ahead, the assistants wrapped up their duties before gravitating toward engaging in lively conversations and friendly banter.

　　It turned out the ones who sought him out were the assistants of the second and third female leads. After sharing a meal at the same table yesterday, the duo were completely captivated by the rabbit’s unique aura and sharp wit. Now, they wanted nothing more than to forge a friendship with him.

　　Jing Xi showed great courtesy towards them and actively engaged with them in conversation.

　　Surprise painted their faces when the duo discovered he was a bodyguard. “Wait, what? You’re a bodyguard?”
　　Jing Xi chuckled, “Don’t let my looks fool you. I’ve actually worked for a mercenary group.”
　　Their eyes widened further as they fired off in unison, “No way! Have you been on missions?”
　　Jing Xi answered, “Oh, just once before becoming a bodyguard.”
　　At this juncture, the duo could hardly contain their curiosity. “Tell us more! What did you have to do?”
　　Jing Xi revealed, “I was part of the service staff.”