I’m Afraid I’m Now a Salted Fish Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Game Theory of Acting

　　… Chi Song was already used to it.
　　As an old salted fish, once he returned to China, Chi Song discovered that the environment in the entertainment circle was very different from before.
　　
　　For example, he had never known that the male lead and the female lead could also be torn into by fans.
　　The list of male and female leads of “Brilliant Starlight” had been officially announced a month ago, while the list of supporting actors was only released periodically half a month ago. Before this, the fans of Cai Qingqing and Yu Xu had been tearing into each other for more than ten days.
　　The reason behind this fight was that when the poster of “Brilliant Starlight” was released, the production crew had placed Cai Qingqing’s name in front of Yu Xu’s name.
　　Yu Xu was originally a talented singer, able to both sing and act. His company had originally discussed letting him act in an online BL drama, which attracted a lot of attention online.
　　”Brilliant Starlight” was Yu Xu’s first big debut production, so the fans took it very seriously. When they saw the order of the names on the poster, they were naturally unhappy, saying that the producers were deliberately trying to reduce the popularity of their family’s star.
　　Cai Qingqing’s fans sneered at them, asking where these pheasants rolled out from. Cai Qingqing had acted in so many star TV shows, and was superior in terms of both support and seniority. So what if she was listed first?
　　Yu Xu’s fans retorted, saying that Cai Qingqing only knew how to act out foolish, white, sweet characters and relied on the male leads to get her ranking. It was actually just her face that was ranked first.
　　Just like this, the two fan groups started tearing into each other, insulting each other day to night around the clock.
　　The melon-seed eating audience members expressed that tearing into each other was good, and it would be better if they could tear into each other more loudly.
　　
　　The fans were quarreling heatedly. Sensible fans used facts and reasoning, listing out their star’s achievements, while brainless fans frantically made personal attacks against each other, ridiculing the other side’s star along the way.
　　All kinds of true and false mudslinging were being flung around, enough to cover the sky with mud. The Chi Song who was observing from the sidelines was having fun and watched happily. Occasionally, Song Zhihuai would accompany him to gossip and give him more information for a complete picture.
　　”This information is fake,” Song Zhihuai placed the piece of cut melon in Chi Song’s mouth. “Cai Qingqing has never been kept. Her family is very wealthy. I even ate together with her father last month. The one she’s relying on is not a sugar daddy, but her blood-related father.”
　　He also said, “I don’t understand Yu Xu, so I won’t comment on him. But after you join the film group, don’t associate with Yu Xu too much. This kind of star is always looking for opportunities to hype himself up in order to maintain his popularity… But having said that, don’t be afraid of being included in a post by him. It’s no big deal for your husband to buy an internet water army for you. I won’t let you suffer.”
　　
　　Chi Song now thought of his husband’s words and he felt sweetness in his heart.
　　Backing him was a Song Zhihuai with an internet water army numbering one hundred thousand. He was full of confidence.
　　So he continued to wait patiently for Yu Xu to arrive.
　　
　　However, even if his patience was good, it didn’t mean that Brother Harry’s patience was also good.
　　The scene of the confrontation between Brother Harry and Chi Song had already been filmed. Brother Harry also had scenes with the male lead, but these were considered scenes that although were in the picture, were outside the main scope of focus. To put it bluntly, these scenes were in the background.
　　He looked at his watch with a moody expression. He looked just like someone from a Hong Kong movie who would casually take out a watermelon knife from his suit to hack at people.
　　
　　Cai Qingqing took out her phone and played another two rounds of Honor of Kings. Finally, Yu Xu arrived to the background music of “Victory.”
　　He had obviously made up with his girlfriend. His expression was very pleased as he said, “Sorry. Let’s start now.”
　　Brother Harry asked, “Do you know what time it is now?”
　　Yu Xu swept a glance at Brother Harry and found him unfamiliar. He concluded that this was not a popular actor, so his tone when replying wasn’t very good. “I’ve already apologized.”
　　Brother Harry still wanted to say more, but Chi Song stopped him.
　　
　　Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to use that internet water army that numbered one hundred thousand.
　　… After all, it cost money.
　　
　　The director’s expression didn’t look good either, but he didn’t want to delay the filming any longer.
　　The equipment was still in use. The people in charge of lighting, photography, and the setting were all still waiting. Which one of these didn’t cost money?
　　The director could only wave it off and say, “Be more aware next time… Let’s start now.”
　　
　　As everything was ready except for Yu Xu, once Yu Xu arrived, it didn’t even take twenty minutes before the filming for the day was completed.
　　After the incident, Brother Harry told Chi Song, “Thank you. If it weren’t for you stopping me, I’m afraid I would’ve beaten him up.”
　　Chi Song knew Brother Harry had high standards for work. When it came to working with someone as unprincipled as Yu Xu, it was normal for him to feel uncomfortable.
　　But he was too embarrassed to tell Brother Harry that this type of person was quite common in the filming group nowadays. The crew would mess around a bit, the actors would mess around a bit, and the scriptwriters would mess around a bit. All the work was done perfunctorily and irresponsibly.
　　This was still a second-rate filming crew. A third-rate crew would make people want to get away even more. From the director to the make-up artists, all of them valued money over anything else.
　　Chi Song had seen those kinds of people before, but he was embarrassed to say it, so he could only weakly say, “No problem.”
　　
　　The filming of “Brilliant Starlight” took five months. It had already been crowned with the titles “Gold Medal Production” and “Conscientious Production” among the same types of dramas.
　　Brother Harry didn’t have too many scenes, so he finished quickly. Before he returned to Hong Kong, he accepted a magazine interview.
　　Brother Harry was quite detached from the entertainment circle and he was notorious for daring to state his true thoughts in public. Therefore, in the interview, he did not shy away from mentioning the fact that there was an actor in the group who was frequently late. He also mentioned that actor’s frequent problems with scheduling and ethics when trying to act in multiple productions at the same time.
　　
　　Chi Song sweated upon seeing the interview.
　　… This was clearly directed at Yu Xu, and rightly so.
　　He had just become popular, so his company tried its best to make the most use out of him. It accepted a variety show in addition to another movie for him. These days, he had to fly back and forth between three film sites all day long, so his acting would inevitably show a few hints of exhaustion. In addition, when he filmed a dinner scene with Brother Harry, he had unprofessionally said a line from another movie.
　　
　　Of course, Brother Harry didn’t reveal all the details. He also didn’t reveal who he was referring to in his report, either.
　　… Of course, it was also possible that the editor had wanted to leave a feeling of suspense in order to attract attention.
　　
　　As expected, as soon as the report was posted online, it immediately entered the hot search.
　　”Brother Harry Criticized Yan Yan’s Lack of Dedication.”
　　
　　——Yan Yan was the second male lead in “Brilliant Starlight.”
　　
　　Because Brother Harry didn’t have a Weibo account, there was no way to ask him for clarification on who he was criticizing. And so, the fans of the stars once again started dissing each other in a prelude to a big fight.
　　Yu Xu’s fans mocked Yan Yan for lacking professional ethics. Yan Yan’s fans discovered that Brother Harry didn’t mention the name of the true culprit in his report and immediately decided that this hot search must’ve been bought by Yu Xu without a doubt. It must have been that Yu Xu had a guilty conscience, so he tried to seem stronger by acting first.
　　Both sides passed around the guilt, desperately smashing it on the other side’s heads.
　　
　　… Regarding the third male lead Chi Song…
　　Clearly, it was a movie about three people, but his name still wasn’t even mentioned.
　　Although some people brought up Chi Song as a potential suspect, others immediately stood up and retorted, “How good is the relationship between Chi Song and Brother Harry? They’re very straightforward with each other. Brother Harry would never use this kind of tone to criticize his friends in an interview.”
　　Brother Harry’s company keenly sensed something going on and immediately contacted Brother Harry. They bought a hot search spot and released some photos of the gifts sent to Brother Harry from Chi Song over the years, as well as some screenshots of well-wishes.
　　Brother Harry was very sentimental, so he had kept all these things in good condition.
　　One of the photos was of the year the two had just finished filming their joint movie together.
　　In the picture, the twenty-five year old Brother Harry was hugging the twelve year old Chi Song. Chi Song held a bunch of candied haws in his hand. Both his eyes were curved into crescents as he smiled. Brother Harry lifted him up high, treating him as gently as he would his own younger brother.
　　
　　The hot search topic “The Long-Term Friendship Between the Adult and Child Bai Yao” was close behind the topic “Yu Xu and Yan Yan,” which was particularly ironic.
　　
　　Salted Fish Chi Song not only escaped the storm of public opinion, but also accidentally brushed up his presence a bit. It could be said that he had gotten a good return for his money.
　　He could also squeeze out some energy to work on his official business.
　　
　　Chi Song had taken a lot of notes for the role of Xue Yunyang.
　　He not only designed some micro-expressions and small actions for himself, he also set up a history for “Xue Yunyang” in the aspects that the screenwriter left out, such as where he came from, what his family environment was like, and what kind of people his parents were. He also designed his relationships with his family and friends.
　　Especially for the respected gold backer, Chi Song wrote detailed settings for him, including his preferences and life experiences. He also gave a good explanation for why he admired Xue Yunyang.
　　Chi Song didn’t know why, but whenever he wrote about the respected gold backer, Song Zhihuai’s face always flashed across Chi Song’s mind. Whenever he wrote about him, he would feel more and more sweet. The more he wrote about the gay relationship, the more gay aura there was around him.
　　
　　Song Zhihuai was very busy on his side. It stood to reason that if there was no Chi Song or Handsome Song at home, he should be more relaxed. At the very least, he wouldn’t have to rush home in a hurry after getting off work every day.
　　But after socializing outside, when he walked into the Song family villa that lacked any trace of human presence, his heart would feel very empty.
　　As soon as Chi Song left, it was like he had suddenly been cut in half.
　　Song Zhihuai, who couldn’t sleep at night, wrapped himself in a blanket and thought, it’s over. He’s really grown on me.
　　
　　Song Zhihuai had come to explore Chi Song’s workplace many times, but he never entered the filming site. He simply stayed in a nice room and waited for Chi Song to sneak away, right into his net.
　　Considering that Chi Song was busy right now, Song Zhihuai couldn’t bear to exhaust Chi Song’s energy during his break. The first time he came to visit, he hadn’t even bought a condom.
　　Chi Song stealthily snuck into Song Zhihuai’s room, carrying a big bag on his back. After he entered the room, he asked to take a shower.
　　Song Zhihuai didn’t think too much and while Chi Song entered the bathroom, he repeatedly reminded himself that he must stay strong and control himself. To live was already very good. Right now, he needed to stab the word “lust” through with a knife. Lust was emptiness, emptiness was lust.
　　
　　After a while, Chi Song shyly exited the bathroom. He wore a white, fluffy rabbit outfit with long ears and a short, furry tail. He looked very wonderful.
　　He walked out with clumsy hands and feet, pulling at the edges of his clothes, and looked at Song Zhihuai with reddened eyes.
　　Song Zhihuai: “…” F*ck.
　　
　　Chi Song’s face was very red. He looked very much like a long-legged rabbit. He explained to Song Zhihuai the origin of his outfit, “The crew next door is filming a children’s show… I know the host and he let me borrow some extra costumes.”
　　Song Zhihuai asked tentatively, “… Do you want to do it today?”
　　Chi Song asked back with disappointment, “Ah? We’re not doing it?”
　　Since things have already reached this point, Song Zhihuai wouldn’t be polite.
　　The little white rabbit was taken just like that by the frenzied demon.
　　
　　After the deed, Song Zhihuai washed Chi Song thoroughly along with the rabbit costume.
　　Chi Song was exhausted. He turned over on his belly as he laid on the bed.
　　Song Zhihuai thought that Chi Song had fallen asleep so he washed the clothes quietly. It wasn’t until he left the bathroom that he found Chi Song was studying his acting notes, struggling to keep his eyes open.
　　Song Zhihuai felt both angry and amused. He snatched away the notebook and said, “Don’t read anymore. Go to sleep.”
　　Chi Song struggled to stay awake and mumbled unclearly, “… I can still read another page. Tomorrow night I have a scene… “
　　After he said this, he fell asleep.
　　
　　Song Zhihuai nudged him a little and discovered that he was really sound asleep. Then, he hugged and kissed him, dried the clothes, and fell asleep with him.
　　… His long-legged rabbit was so obedient.

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Translator’s Note: LOL what the heck just happened. The ending caught me off guard haha. The school semester is starting this Monday… by that I mean sports season, not actual school. But yeah… hope I still have time to translate lol. Oh and yes! I’ll be taking down the poll from the last update, “Should I change ‘gold backer’ to ‘financial backer’?”… an overwhelming number of nos, so I will just keep “gold backer”~ Thank you to all who answered!

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