Waaaaah, I have to give Xu Yi more perks! I'll post a few more chapters!
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 17:54:07 on March 4, 2022 and 00:36:43 on March 5, 2022!
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Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 101
Xu Yi began to work busily, rehearsing for the New Year's Eve gala at the TV station and going to various audition locations as planned.
On the day the New Year's Eve party started, Xu Yi got up very early. The TV station had arranged for her to stay on the same floor as Zhang Ya's girl group.
Xu Yi knocked on Zhang Ya's door; she wanted to talk to her about something.
Zheng Wan came out to open the door, and she was quite surprised to see Xu Yi.
"Ah, I just came over for a visit this morning, please don't misunderstand! Please don't misunderstand!" Zheng Wan said anxiously, her face turning red.
Zhang Ya came out of the room in her pajamas, pushed Zheng Wan aside, and muttered, "If you're afraid of being misunderstood, don't come to my room so early in the morning and late at night."
"Xu Yi, is there something you need?" Zhang Ya opened the door and invited her in.
Xu Yi went inside, and Zhang Ya poured her a glass of water, her tone filled with regret.
"Back then, you wanted to participate in the Star Idol Project, and I went along to go through the motions. But look what happened! I debuted as the team leader, and you went solo halfway through." Zhang Ya handed her a water glass. "Here, drink."
Xu Yi took it, sipped it to moisten her throat, and smiled, "Life is unpredictable, everything is preordained. There's no need to worry about it."
Zhang Ya looked at her face. She had known Xu Yi for two or three years, but only now did she realize that Xu Yi's demeanor was becoming more and more lively, and an inexplicable sense of distance was also coming towards her.
"Just tell me what's on your mind."
"It's about the variety show 'Youth Never Ends,' have you decided to participate?" Xu Yi only found out yesterday, and Zhang Ya and the others were still hesitating and had not directly agreed to the program.
Zhang Ya tapped her leg with her fingertips, lost in thought. "You should know that I'm a fan of Gu Yueyue, and a big fan of her girl group. They bullied my goddesses on that show back then. If I go now, wouldn't that be a bit unreasonable?"
"..." Before Xu Yi came, she thought Zhang Ya had some important considerations, but she didn't expect that her thoughts were similar to Yin Yu's, both of them were against this program.
Remembering what Xiao Ye had said, Xu Yi asked Zhang Ya, "You should know how popular this show is. Even if there are conflicts with Teacher Yin Yu and the others, it's more beneficial than harmful for us. Are you really not considering it?"
"To be honest, I haven't made up my mind yet because I'm still considering it. But none of us are ambitious. Traffic and popularity aren't the main thing. We just want to have fun together. Whether it's me, Han Shixue, or Shen Ningjiao, we don't lack money or resources."
"The only one who's bothering me is Zheng Wan. She's a legitimate artist, and she needs these things."
This is also why Zhang Ya hesitated to participate, yet couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Has the captain discussed this with Zheng Wan?
Xu Yi's mood suddenly became gloomy and depressed, with a hint of anger.
Zhang Ya asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so serious?"
"It's not that I'm being serious, but from what perspective are you making this decision for Zheng Wan, Captain?" Xu Yi was disgusted by these self-righteous acts of kindness, which completely disregarded whether the person forced to accept them was willing to accept the other's sacrifices.
"You've already thought things through for Shen Ningjiao and Han Shixue, and you're also analyzing the pros and cons for Zheng Wan. Have you asked Zheng Wan herself? Does she want you to endure your unhappiness and take her with you to participate in the show?"
"You are a team, and as the captain, you certainly have the right to make any decision that benefits your teammates. Have you considered whether your teammates are willing to sacrifice for this benefit?"
"Teammates, friends, family, lovers—there might be another way than sacrificing one for the sake of another: choosing to live and die together. Why must we exclude them?"
What Xu Yi told Zhang Ya was something she had kept to herself and dared not tell Gu Yueyue.
Zhang Ya remained silent for a while, then said, "I understand. I will have a good talk with Zheng Wan."
"Okay. I've made up my mind. I won't participate in this program." Xu Yi had been hesitant before. Participating would make Teacher Gu worry, while not participating would make Teacher Gu feel guilty.
Rather than doing that, she should judge based on her own situation and choose the best option for herself.
"Why, what's your reason? Why aren't you participating?" Zhang Ya asked, somewhat surprised.
Zheng Wan needs traffic, and so does Xu Yi, so why did Xu Yi refuse so decisively?
"I don't want to go, is that reason enough?"
Xu Yi left after saying those words, leaving Zhang Ya alone in deep thought.
When Ono received the text message from Xu Yi, she almost choked.
Gu Yueyue, who was driving, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Sis, Xu Yi isn't going to participate in 'Youth Never Ends' anymore. Did you say something to her? Why did you suddenly change your mind like that?"
Gu Yueyue breathed a sigh of relief, but then said with concern, "If she doesn't want to participate, then she doesn't have to. See if you can find another suitable one, something a little easier, so she doesn't get too tired."
"..." Ono scratched his almost balding hair. "You two are really my ancestors. No job is not tiring."
"This is such a great show, and you just decide not to go? What a pity, sis... why didn't you try to persuade her?" Xiao Ye kept nagging, "What if you two go public in the future, and Xiao Xu's abilities can't keep up with yours? The fans will be furious. It will be even harder for you in the future."
“There’s another reason I chose ‘Youth’: this show doesn’t go well with us. Zhang Ya is from a wealthy and powerful family, and Xu Yi is going with her girl group, so ‘Youth’ won’t dare to make things too difficult for her. Whether things turn out well or badly, we can distance ourselves from it.”
"It's a good thing to reach a higher level. If you two are exposed in the future, fans won't say that Xu Yi climbed up by sucking your blood. If you hadn't become popular with the help of 'Youth,' this matter could have been used to make a fuss after your relationship became clear, and it might have even made fans jealous."
Why can't you think straight?
Seeing her exasperated look, Gu Yueyue couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright, Xiao Xu has her own ideas, don't worry about it. Besides, it's too early for us to go public with this."
"It's getting late. Sis, do you really want to keep this secret relationship with her forever? Even if you agree, I won't. Sis, you should stand openly in the sunlight and accept blessings. Otherwise, you'll be so wronged."
Gu Yueyue was driving, a smile playing on her lips, and said to Xiaoxiao, "Auntie Xiaoye is angry, Xiaoxiao, quickly give her a piece of candy."
Xiao Xiao took out a piece of candy from her pocket; it was the kind that Xiao Ye was most familiar with.
"Alright, alright, I ate your candy, I'll shut up and not say anything more." Ono immediately wilted, but after finishing the candy, she became indignant again, "Sis, is it because Xu Yi doesn't want to rely on you that she refused to let me arrange a job for her?"
"..."
"You're overthinking it. She's signed with our company; if she doesn't listen to you, whose orders will she listen to?"
Ono pouted, "That's not necessarily true. How could I dare to arrange for the boss's wife?"
"Alright, give your mouth a rest." Gu Yueyue was really afraid of her and said with a wry smile, "Let's talk about any plans next year. There's only half a month left until the New Year. Everyone should be more festive at the end of the year. Don't worry too much about work."
"Sis, Xiao Xu is on the rise, how can I not be anxious?"
“There’s no use in rushing.” Gu Yueyue parked the car, put on a mask, hat, and sunglasses, and continued to dress herself up. “In this industry, being too impetuous is not necessarily a good thing.”
"That's too passive, and nobody will care." Xiao Ye started to tease Gu Yueyue, her words becoming sarcastic.
Gu Yueyue was both amused and exasperated. This child used to be full of ambition for her career, wishing she could send her straight to the Oscar stage. Now that it was Xu Yi, that lofty ambition had not diminished at all.
The new manager is too career-driven; the two artists just want to relax. It must be tough for Ono.
Seeing her anxiety, Gu Yueyue had no choice but to reveal a little information, "Do you remember the first drama that Xiao Xu and I worked on together?"
"A collaboration? You two have actually worked together?" Xiao Ye has been taking over Xu Yi's work for over half a year. Doesn't she know what kind of work Xu Yi has? She has never arranged for Xu Yi and Gu Yueyue to be in the same production team.
"Ma Youcai," Gu Yueyue reminded her.
Ono suddenly realized, "That fantasy drama, what's wrong? You two were supporting roles, right? And you were both wearing masks."
Ono grew increasingly angry. "Just thinking about this makes me furious. That wicked Chu Man'er, look at what she did, making you all wear masks to perform."
"If Xu Yi hadn't worn a mask back then, she might have been quite successful now thanks to that drama."
Xu Yi had a lot of action scenes in that drama, but because she wore a mask that covered her face completely, many people suspected that she was a stunt double. Since they couldn't see her face, the audience felt less immersed in the role and the actor.
Xu Yi didn't gain much popularity from this drama, which made Xiao Ye feel very sorry for her.
“Some people discovered that it was me and Xu Yi who starred in the show, and that we were both wearing masks in the drama. Fans started shipping us as a couple, and Xu Yi also benefited from it.”
Gu Yueyue took it all in stride.
Ono took out his phone to check the news online. "It really is true. He gained 40,000 to 50,000 more fans. I thought it was because of the pre-New Year's Eve gala, but I didn't expect that Director Ma also contributed to it."
"Ma Youcai is planning to make a movie," Gu Yueyue revealed to her.
Ono excitedly leaned against the back of the chair and poked her head over from the back seat, "Sis, is it because of the popularity of your two-person couple?"
"Yes, from Fanxing to Yin Yu's Choice, in both variety shows, Xiao Xu and I were always linked together. After this TV series came out, the popularity of the two minor supporting actors was no less than that of the main actors. Ma Youcai thinks we can explore further."
"Moreover..." Gu Yueyue paused, hesitated for a moment, and continued, "It's not quite right to say that this drama is being adapted into a movie. The original author has published a novel in the same series, and if nothing unexpected happens, we can secure the lead role."
"Ah! Ahhh—"
Gu Yueyue couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her daughter get as excited as a monkey that had just emerged from Flower Fruit Mountain. She reached out and patted her head. "Can you relax a little now?"
"Sister, I knew it... Although you're usually unlucky, when it comes to important things, you're like God's favorite. You get whatever you want, your luck turns around and the heavens protect you! Thank God!"
Gu Yueyue felt embarrassed by what she said, "Thank you again, Director Ma, and all the fans who support us. So Xu Yi can take a good rest during this time, and once her schedule is clear, we'll wait for Ma Youcai to make the arrangements."
They all trust Ma Youcai, so while it's not a done deal, it's pretty much a done deal.
Gu Yueyue had already put away her disguise and went to the back seat to take Xiaoxiao out.
"Put your mask on properly, and I'll take you to see Aunt Xu, okay?" Gu Yueyue blushed unexpectedly as she said this to Xiaoxiao.
She's just been hearing Xiaoxiao call her that at home all this time, so she's just accepted it.
Ono was still grinning foolishly in the car when she saw them all get off. Ono quickly grabbed two umbrellas.
"I heard it's going to drizzle today, take your umbrella." Xiao Ye got out of the car with an umbrella. She saw Gu Yueyue and Xiao Xiao looking up at the sky, so she looked up too. The sky was full of white clouds and the sky was clear and blue.
"..." Ono threw the umbrella back into the car, grumbling, "The weather forecast in our seaside area is never accurate."
Chapter 102
Gu Yueyue sent a message to Xu Yi as soon as she got out of the car.
Xu Yi was putting on makeup, with Zheng Wan and Zhang Ya sitting next to her. Zheng Wan's eyes looked red, as if she had been crying.
Zhang Ya's expression was also not good; she remained silent and dozed off with her eyes closed.
It seems that what Xu Yi said to Zhang Ya before has now had an effect.
Xu Yi's phone vibrated.
Seeing the pop-up window, Xu Yi's lips curved into a smile. She clicked on it, read the contents, and chuckled softly.
The makeup artist who did her makeup was from Gu Yueyue's studio and they were quite familiar with each other. Seeing that she had been looking listless, she suddenly smiled, and the makeup artist breathed a sigh of relief.