I’m Afraid I’m Now a Salted Fish Chapter 3

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Chapter 3: Shoot a New Drama

　　Chi Song called Sister Li, his agent at the time. He asked if he should go.
　　After hearing what happened, Sister Li was about to burst with excitement.
　　She said, “Stupid boy, dress up a bit more tonight. You have to make yourself shine! Your luck has turned around!”

　　Well, alright. When all is said and done, your uncle is always your uncle, and your boss is always your boss.

　　Chi Song went, and his luck really did turn around.
　　He met Song Zhihuai, which was the luckiest thing that ever happened to him.

　　But a salted fish was still a salted fish, and Chi Song was still Chi Song.
　　In Sister Li’s words, “Mr. Song has so many resources in his hands. Any bit that leaked through his fingers is enough to make even a dog popular. You’ve stayed by Mr. Song’s side for so long. How come you still haven’t become even a bit more popular?”
　　Indeed, Chi Song’s luck had not gone through any big change. Even to this day, he was still earnestly struggling in a sea of trash dramas.
　　Sister Li, who made an analogy between him and a dog, left the position of his agent soon after.

　　After following Sister Li, Chi Song’s life had not been very good. She had a large number of stars under her, from third-rate stars to eighteenth-rate stars. She was particularly partial to the little fresh meats ¹ in the group. Towards Chi Song, this kind of person who, although young in age, was very experienced when it came to the entertainment circle, Sister Li couldn’t muster up any sense of motherhood for him.
　　In her view, towards Chi Song, this kind of capricious person, it was a waste of resources to spend time on planning his career. Nine years ago, he was glorious and eye-catching, but he easily threw away his hard-earned reputation on a whim. In the case that she put in all her sweat, blood, and tears into raising him up, and he decided to leave in order to earn a PhD on a whim, it would be like she had fed her heart’s blood to a dog.
　　Chi Song understood her thoughts, so he always worked and suffered silently, not wanting to create more trouble for her.
　　… Until she was too eager for success, and one day, she actively released the news of Chi Song “seemingly being kept” to a news station. On the one hand, she wanted to create hype for Chi Song. On the other hand, she wanted to get more attention for one of Chi Song’s new dramas.

　　But before this piece of damaging news could make it out, it was sent to Song Zhihuai’s desk.
　　That afternoon, Sister Li resigned.

　　The audition for the TV series about a third-rate star and his gold backer was the last opportunity that Sister Li left him before she left.

　　Chi Song went to the audition venue at Jinbei Building with the script. When he arrived, six or seven people were already waiting at the door.
　　He picked a seat and sat down, ready to enter into the mindset of his role.
　　——A small third-rate star came to see his gold backer and asked him to give him a chance to realize his dreams.
　　——At this kind of time, the gold backer was no longer a simple gold backer. He was the only hope of the little star, not an easily found piece of driftwood floating in the sea of stars. The star wore his best clothes and his most expensive perfume. He was even feared that if his leather shoes had some dust on them, it would stain the first impression of himself.
　　——Maybe this time he would be successful? Maybe this time, he would have a chance to act?

　　Half an hour later, Chi Song was crying like a dead dog as he came out of the audition venue, tears flowing down constantly.
　　While wiping his tears, he called Song Zhihuai. ” …Zhihuai, what should I do if I’m too in character?”

　　Mr. Song, who happened to be at a meeting nearby, gave a quick verdict for the meeting contents and ended the meeting. He rushed to Chi Song and arrived at Chi Song’s side in less than fifteen minutes.
　　Chi Song stood in a corner of the empty underground parking lot, his hoodie pulled over his head as he played on his phone. His head was lowered and his nose was still red.
　　Song Zhihuai got out of the car. Without saying anything, he enveloped Chi Song in a gentle bear hug.
　　Chi Song bowed his head shyly, struggling a little. “Okay, don’t let others see.”
　　As he said so, he hurriedly stuffed his phone into Song Zhihuai’s hands. “I just saved enough for ten consecutive spins, help me spin an SSR ².”

　　Song Zhihuai: “…”
　　Ten consecutive draws, ten Rs.
　　Such bad luck. Chi Song felt even more sad.
　　Then he thought, why worry about this. Just kiss more.

　　After returning home, Song Zhihuai went to cut some fruit, intending to treat Chi Song well and make a fruit platter for him.
　　Chi Song wanted to do it himself, but right after he changed into his pajamas, he received a call from Liu Che.
　　Liu Che was an alumnus of his overseas university. He studied English classical literature. He read the literature everywhere, reading until the belly of several foreign girls grew big. It could be seen from this that his various hardware and software were all in line with the international standards. He could be regarded as a high-quality humanoid self-propelled pile driver.
　　Overseas, the Chinese circle was small and the range of friends was limited. But Liu Che, who could fit in anywhere, liked to play with the honest and clever Chi Song.
　　In truth, it was Liu Che who brought Chi Song into GAY ³ and pushed open the door of a whole new world for him.

　　Chi Song sat on the sofa with his long legs crossed and answered the phone.
　　The pure white long sweater was extremely loose and comfortable. It softly wrapped around his body, making him look like a large Samoyed dog ⁴.

　　Liu Che opened straightforwardly, “Hey, today I saw someone in the Jinbei Building, and his back looked just like yours.”
　　Chi Song answered, “I went to the audition today.”
　　Liu Che snorted. “You still need to audition? What is Song Zhihuai even doing?”
　　Chi Song: “…”
　　Liu Che said firmly, “I told you that he’s taking advantage of you, but you just wouldn’t believe me! What I told you last time, did you even keep it in mind? You need to sign a contract with him, do you understand? Every year, you should get at least two important male lead roles. Variety shows, movies, and albums; you must not lack any one of these! It isn’t just any passerby position where you just stand on the stage! Within three years, he has to raise you up into a quasi-first-rate actor at least. Or are you just going to let him take advantage of you?”
　　Chi Song smiled. “Actually, I am not being taken advantage of. The food he cooks is delicious.”
　　Liu Che was silent for a long time. “…You’re still a baby. Anything I tell you is as clear as a hammer.”

　　Liu Che was so anxious he was about to explode.
　　In his view, Chi Song was a confused, easily deceived, happy-go-lucky spirit.
　　He knew that Chi Song was a silly actor. He also knew that all the entertainment circles in the world were pretty much the same. That surnamed Song was just playing around, for the same reason that he had played with those foreign girls. They only wanted to make themselves feel happy. Give them a credit card and let them buy a new bag, it wasn’t a problem at all.
　　In the same way, as long as Chi Song made President Song happy, giving Chi Song a few good roles and letting him satisfy his craving for acting, was a perfectly reasonable exchange.
　　Liu Che had always thought so.
　　Until half a year ago, when he asked Chi Song out for dinner. At 8 o’clock in the evening, Chi Song had glanced at his phone and said, “I have to go home. I made an appointment with my husband to watch the “Heartbeat” DVD at home tonight. If I don’t go back now, his freshly popped popcorn will turn cold.”

　　When saying this, Chi Song’s whole body glowed. His peach blossom eyes curved, and his eyes were full of happiness.
　　Only then did Liu Che discover that his friend was in danger of being cheated out of both his roles and his feelings.

　　Of course, not only Liu Che thought so.
　　The people in the circle had always had a keen sense for feelings. Many of his friends in the circle have tried to persuade Chi Song to break off the relationship and cut his losses. It didn’t matter if he had to change jobs, but he had to stop his feelings for his gold backer.
　　… Chi Song found it difficult to explain to them that he and his gold backer were in true love.

　　As someone in true love, how could Song Zhihuai bear to not help Chi Song?
　　When the two met for the first time, Song Zhihuai, who had not been in true love at the time, decided to help Chi Song and let him play the second male lead from the drama “Elegy of Jiangshan.”
　　Not only did he not have to sell himself, Chi Song was unexpectedly overwhelmed with favor and even got the opportunity to act with a good role. Every day, he went home to study the script. After entering the group, he worked hard. Even for the simplest eyebrow lifting action, he would practice repeatedly in front of the mirror until his eyelids spasmed.
　　After acting out a major scene, the pressure he felt was so great that he rushed to the bathroom, vomiting until his whole body became numb.
　　In a short period of time, he completely reversed his clever and gentle temperament, acting out wildness, extravagance, and indifference until this temperament sank into his very bones.

　　But, Chi Song’s life was not good.
　　When the post-production period was nearing its end, reports of the male lead Guan Shan’s casual sex and one night stands exploded everywhere. Because “Elegy of Jiangshan” had too many scenes with Guan Shan, it too was cut off.
　　According to rumors in the industry, the people reporting Guan Shan were actually the rivals of Nebula Entertainment. They had been watching Guan Shan for a long time in order to collect evidence and knock Nebula Entertainment down from their pedestal.
　　In this matter, Chi Song had become cannon fodder.

　　Thinking of the past, Chi Song calmly said to Liu Che, “I might not be able to become popular. I’m not looking for that kind of life.”
　　Liu Che was straightforward. “Popular or not is your business, helping or not is his business! Based on this point, it proves that he doesn’t care about you at all!”
　　Chi Song said, “No, I told him not to help me.”
　　Liu Che was helpless. “… You should defend him less.”
　　Chi Song crossed his legs and said honestly, “What do I want to be popular for? If I’m popular, the paparazzi will chase me after me every day. How can I go out to eat and shop with him? … I’m good with what I have right now, really.”
　　After saying that, Chi Song again smiled happily and contentedly. “Also, I’ll tell you some good news. A small studio invited me to go act in a drama as the second male lead.”

　　… Liu Che thought, it’s just getting the role of a second male lead and you’re so happy. But you still aren’t the male lead.
　　But Chi Song was happy, and Liu Che didn’t want to splash cold water on his head.
　　After asking which company, Liu Che reminded him, “It’s getting cold, you have to pay attention to your legs.”
　　When they were in England, every student in the acting department had to act in a performance in order to graduate. During Chi Song’s graduation performance, he stumbled and fell off the stage. His meniscus ⁵ tore, but Chi Song insisted on finishing the whole scene.
　　However, since then, his knee wasn’t as good as before and couldn’t withstand the cold.

　　After listening to Liu Che’s rough words of concern, Chi Song was very happy. “Thank you. Now, even at home, Zhihuai insists on making me wear pants.”
　　Liu Che, who was caught off guard by a mouthful of dog food ⁶, said, “… Scram scram scram. I’m hanging up.”

　　”Who’s calling?”
　　Song Zhihuai had been carrying the platter of cut fruits of all sizes, listening for a long time by the side. Who had just been calling, he knew clearly.
　　But he was unhappy. Every time Liu Che called, his dog mouth wouldn’t spit out any ivory. ⁷
　　Chi Song answered obediently, “Liu Che.”
　　Song Zhihuai felt soft when he met Chi Song’s wet eyes, and even forgot to blame him. He put down the fruit platter and said, “… How long have your legs been bare? Put on your pants.”

　　Chi Song blocked his knees with the long sweater and refused to get down.

　　Song Zhihuai felt something was off in his heart. He stepped forward and lifted up the sweater.
　　… Obviously, Chi Song knelt again today, and the kneeling was very up to standards, so the bruises on his knee cracked open again.

　　Before meeting Chi Song, Song Zhihuai had alway prided himself on his training standards, but seeing how harsh Chi Song was on himself for the sake of practicing, he felt pained enough to bleed to the heavens.
　　He cursed silently the entire way to the back room. Then, he took out the iodine and stomped back viciously. With gentle hands and feet, he treated Chi Song like a soft piece of tofu and carefully applied the medicine.
　　After straightening up, Song Zhihuai immediately changed from a caring wife to a tough guy. “Put on your pants!”

　　Chi Song grabbed his pants and stepped his feet through. Song Zhihuai felt uneasy, so he took the pants, grabbed Chi Song’s ankle, and carefully put his foot in, without letting the wound rub against the pants.
　　Chi Song looked at Song Zhihuai and reached out to push his gold-rimmed glasses up.
　　He squeezed the end pieces and kissed Song Zhihuai’s lips bit by bit. One time, two times, three times, four times, moving gently and carefully, as if kissing a cloud.

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Translator’s Note: So sweet!

Hm… I used to put “investor,” but in Chinese it was “金主” and so I changed it to “gold backer”- just to make it clear, it’s like someone you’re in a relationship with, but they’re investing in you? I thought “investor” didn’t express the relationship part clearly enough. Should I change it back? Or if you have any other word suggestions, feel free to tell me!

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Footnotes:

[1]: little fresh meat (小鲜肉, xiǎo xiān ròu)- refers to teens or young adults, typically males, who are innocent and good-looking. ↩

[2]: SSR- Specially Super Rare. Basically a gacha spin game, where you can draw cards (?). R = rare, SR = super rare, SSR = specially super rare. R is probably the lowest rank here, especially since it’s 10 consecutive spins (costs more, so better minimum rank). ↩

[3]: GAY- written in all-caps English in the raws. ↩

[4]: Samoyed dog- below is a picture of one. Really fluffy and white! ↩

[5]: meniscus- a thin fibrous cartilage between the surfaces of some joints. In this case, it’s Chi Song’s knee. ↩

[6]: a mouthful of dog food (一嘴狗粮, yī zuǐ gǒu liáng)- slang for PDA (food thrown out by loving, affectionate couples for the single dogs) ↩

[7]: his dog mouth wouldn’t spit out any ivory (狗嘴里都吐不出什么象牙, gǒu zuǐ lǐ dōu tǔ bu chū shén me xiàng yá)- Basically insulting Liu Che, saying that his foul mouth can’t be expected to say anything good. Zhihuai isn’t happy that Liu Che is always badmouthing him and trying to convince Chi Song to break up with him lol. ↩