Chapter 65 - My Costar And I Are In This Together

Bi Jialu curses under her breath when Yao Shen's face turns pale. 

"Laoshi has seen it already?"

Yao Shen silently hands her the phone. 

"I'm sorry laoshi, I'm sure this is very upsetting," she says, returning the phone to him after only a cursory glance.

"Why the fuck does this keep happening?" Yao Shen hides his face in his palms and lets out a growl. "I mean, who keeps following us?"

Bi Jialu shrugs. "It's a big IP production, it's normal for this kind of drama to attract more paparazzi than usual because there's great online demand for more content."

Yao Shen knows that what she's saying is reasonable, but it doesn't stop him from getting angry at the damn production company, at his own agency, at Xin Hulei's agency.

Aren't they fucking demons? Shouldn't they be able to do something about this.

Of course, since they feed off human 'worship' any kind is probably fine-- from genuine admiration to rabid fan speculation.

"Did the agency say something?" he asks Bi Jialu, finally opening the paper bag and tearing a piece off his youtiao, dispiritedly. For once, the savory, doughy treat doesn't taste like anything when he bites into it, his appetite thoroughly spoiled.

"They're in talks with Xin Hulei's agency to decide on a strategy regarding how to address the online rumors," she says. "From my understanding they want to do some damage control, and explain away the photos as something else, not deny that they happened by remaining silent as they did the first time."

"Is anyone going to talk with me?" Yao Shen asks, feeling a little hopeless.

Bi Jialu shakes her head. "I was only told to tell laoshi to keep his head down and avoid being photographed with Xin laoshi again, or any other actors, until the dust settles."

---

Until the dust settles...Who knows how long will it take for that?

He's in a bad mood all through the drive to set, and through costume and makeup. It might be his impression but he has the impression that everyone falls silent the moment he walks into a room.

Today he's filming some more scenes in which Yan Shuyi's injuries act up, and one in which Xie Huan follows him up to his private quarters, intent on confronting him about why he's acting so differently since the inter-sect conference, and ends up catching sight of the still healing whip marks on his back.

But first, he has a short scene in which Rong Zi brings him food and tries to help him move around his quarters.

Yao Shen is not looking forward to seeing Gao Wu.

He delays as much as he can, but eventually Bi Jialu drags him along to the filming location.

Once again, all conversation seems to die down the moment Yao Shen shows up.

Gao Wu smiles and waves at him, but his smile doesn't reach his eyes.

Yao Shen feels awful. He can imagine what Gao Wu is probably thinking. 

"I don't know if didi has seen the weibo posts," Yao Shen starts, fidgeting with the sleeves of his costume, "but it isn't like what they're implying."

Meaning: he and Xin Hulei didn't go an a date behind Gao Wu's back to a restaurant Gao Wu introduced them to. It's impossible for him to explain the matter with Sun Yi and Gong Tao, but he's sure he can come up with something.

However, Gao Wu doesn't ask. "Gege doesn't need to explain himself, I understand that the gossip accounts make up narratives to generate as much traffic as possible." He pauses, lowering his eyes. "However, I think it would be for the best if our relationship remained professional."

Gao Wu's words don't surprise Yao Shen, but the note of hurt in his voice upsets him.

It's not like he was planning on stringing Gao Wu along after starting whatever it is that he started with Xin Hulei, but he also didn't want him to find out in such a cruel manner.

"I hope-,I hope we can remain friends," Yao Shen says sincerely. "I don't want to be just didi's coworker."

Gao Wu is leaning against the craft table, his long legs crossed at the knees. He gives Yao Shen a lingering look from the corner of his eyes that Yao Shen pretends to ignore, and finally nods.

"I hope so too."

The implication is clear. Right now, Gao Wu is too disappointed for something like that, but he's willing to give it a try in the future.

Yao Shen is glad for that much.

They film their scene together without any issue because Gao Wu is a consummate professional. 

---

By the time lunch comes around, Yao Shen is tired of feeling like everyone, from production crew to fellow actors, is avoiding him like a radioactive spill. He tells Bi Jialu that he's going to eat instant noodles in his trailer and that he would rather be left alone.

He manages to hold off for the entire morning, but now, alone in his trailer, and feeling sorry for himself, he can't help logging in on weibo with one of his dummy accounts to see what people are saying about him.

It's nothing good.

[Poor little mushroom: I can't believe that I gave that nasty Yao Shen the benefit of the doubt! His first major acting opportunity and he's already clinging to the golden thigh of a big name actor? How shameless]

[Bark Bark: Sis, it's not the thigh he's clinging to bigeyes.png]

[LeiLei defense squad #1 brigand: I can't believe he's once again dragging LeiLei into his shameless traffic baiting.]

[Bark Bark: Uh, I think your darling LeiLei had no problem being dragged along. He's the one driving his junior around on his motorbike.]

[LeiLei is in love with me only: That Yao Shen must be using underhanded tactics to persuade LeiLei into going along with whatever this is]

[Dash of ivy: ....like what? being cute and sleeping with him?]

[LeiLei is in love with me only: Exactly!]

[Dash of ivy: you delusional fans are hilarious.]

[LeiLei is in love with me only: Better than you disgusting shippers.]

[Dash of ivy:...who's shipping anyone? Whether you want to believe it or not your idol is clearly in some type of relationship with this other guy. Move on.]

[Liansi our queen: It's so unfair because my jiejie had so much chemistry with Xin Hulei in the period movie they did together last year! And she even praised him to hell and back in all the promo interviews. And what did he do? He got involved with this little fresh meat, instead. Ugh, I'm so angry on my jiejie's behalf.]

[Angry terrier: Does your multimillionaire actress jiejie need you to defend her online against some perceived insult you made up in your mind?]

[Gege collector: Don't you guys remember a week ago or so there was that post where a sister said she saw Gao Wu, Yao Shen and Xin Hulei at this exact same restaurant? (link) Why did Xin Hulei and Yao Shen go alone later? It seems obvious to me there's something going on between them.]

[LeiLei say it ain't so T-T: I'm just so devastated by all this. I haven't been able to eat since the news broke. LeiLei was my ideal man, and now it turns that he's...it's too heartbreaking to even say it. Sisters, I need your help in this trying time]

[Delicious, finally some good melon seeds: ^ what you need is a psychologist, asap]

[Concerned mother: i feel like I should call your parents and let them know their children are wasting time online worrying over the lives of people who don't even know they exist] 

That last comment makes Yao Shen let out a watery chuckle. It helps him put things into perspective, too.

Most of the awful things being said about him online are just young teens voicing their frustrations or letting their imaginations run wild and making up increasingly more sordid scenarios to amuse themselves. 

Yao Shen was virtually anonymous until being cast into the role of Yan Shuyi -- it's to be expected that some people would see the constant reports about him and Xin Hulei as a sign that Yao Shen was trying to gain a foothold in the industry through dishonest means.

But that last comment reminds him that not everyone thinks like that, and more importantly -- that most people don't care.

He logs off weibo and sends Xin Hulei a message.

[Little Ghost: Why are you so quiet? Half of this mess is your fault]

Yao Shen doesn't want to admit it, but it would make him feel a little better to see Xin Hulei before they have to shoot their scenes together. 

A loud gurgle signals that the ancient electric kettle is finished boiling the water for Yao Shen's instant noodles. He turns around to turn it off and almost falls on his ass when he sees a young man sitting on his counter.

"I was willing to be the bigger man and let you have him, but then you went and broke his heart."