Watching the Jiang brothers’ retreating figures, Tian Mengtong frowned.
If she hadn’t misheard, Jiang Changsheng just said their mother had undergone minimally invasive surgery, and it was successful…
Why is this place different from the previous life too?
Tian Mengtong clearly remembered that in her past life, after the Jiang family was kicked out of CBM Entertainment and Jiang’s father became addicted to gambling, leading to their bankruptcy, the mother, Lin Xilei, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
Moreover, by then, the cancer cells had already metastasized, and the doctor suggested there was no need for treatment.
Although Lin Xilei was hospitalized for treatment thanks to Jiang Changsheng’s insistence, the cancer had already spread, and she passed away shortly after.
This was all too strange? It felt like an invisible hand was slowly altering the predetermined path.
Tian Mengtong silently resolved that she couldn’t let things develop uncontrollably. This life, whether it was career, love, or wealth, she would firmly grasp in her own hands.
—
A modified matte black G63 was driving on Beijing’s North Third Ring Road, heading towards the international department of a well-known hospital.
Jiang Changsheng usually drove himself. But now as an agent, to handle work on the road conveniently, he had asked the family driver to take the wheel.
To prevent the paparazzi from discovering his brother’s schedule, Jiang Changsheng didn’t use Jiang Chang’an’s van.
Young Master Jiang had a laptop on his long legs, a phone in his hand replying to messages, incredibly busy.
“Do you have something you’re hiding from me?”
Jiang Chang’an took the laptop from his brother’s lap and snapped it shut.
“Brother! I was still running data…” Jiang Changsheng, too preoccupied to grab the laptop back, frowned while monitoring public opinion trends on Weibo and various social media on his phone.
Right after filming the trailer, Jiang Changsheng had clearly noticed public opinion leaning towards Chu Xingxing’s side.
But now, the comments under all related tags and trending topics were gradually being overrun by Tian Mengtong’s fans.
Her fans’ “whitewashing” tactics were quite skillful. They even “unearthed” various revelations and anonymous rants from Douban and Zhihu to fit the narrative.
[Chu Xingxing is just trying a different path. She knows “Let’s Travel Together” is full of big names, and even if she gets on, she won’t have much screen time. That’s why she made up this lame excuse to refuse Tongtong and go on “Style Grannies”!]
[cxx is so calculating. She knows it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond. Never mind that “Style Grannies” is less popular, she can latch onto Film Emperor Wen Han’s thigh! Then stir up a CP! I can hear her schemes from outer space!]
[Link to the heavily criticized and deleted Zhihu post “Am I Betraying My Bestie?”]
[Lucky I screenshot it. The anonymous leaker’s situation matches Chu Xingxing’s perfectly! The timeline fits, and the IP is in Beijing. This post disgusted me back then. Never seen such a poisonous, green-tea bestie!]
[There’s also a Douban post that predicted a big scandal: a rising new actress would be backstabbed by her “good bestie” early this year. They’re from the same company, and the new actress, who’s doing well and often helps her bestie, would be the victim of her jealous friend. Isn’t that Tian Mengtong and Chu Xingxing?]
[Tongtong couldn’t have known about the contract problem. She treats cxx with all her heart!]
[cxx gets so many clothes, hats, and shoes from Tongtong. Have we ever seen cxx give Tongtong even a single strand of garlic?]
[Someone dug up Chu Xingxing’s family background. She’s from a poor, rural family, and university classmates called her a “brother-devoted sister.” Our Tongtong is from a wealthy family, a true young lady! Why would a young lady privately send a contract? Even if she did, it would be through the company, and lawyers would review it. What does Tongtong have to do with it? Tongtong must have been unaware!]
As a first-time agent, Jiang Changsheng’s mindset wasn’t steady yet. He called Chu Xingxing several times, wanting to ask if she had any concrete evidence against Tian Mengtong to decide the next step.
But Chu Xingxing’s phone went unanswered, and her WeChat messages were ignored.
With his hot temper, Jiang Changsheng couldn’t stand these internet trolls.
As far as he was concerned, Chen Dong tampering with the contract was a done deal. CBM Entertainment had to punish him accordingly.
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Changsheng found a way to get the official Weibo account of CBM Entertainment’s Film & TV division and edited a statement.
[CBM Entertainment Film & TV Official Weibo VIP7 from iPhone client]
[Today, regarding the issue raised by our division’s artist Chu Xingxing about an irregular contract during the “Style Grannies” variety show, we make the following statement:]
[1. Our company will protect the artist’s rights and interests to the fullest extent. We will strictly investigate the incident. The involved agent has been suspended and cannot handle business until the matter is clarified.]
[2. After the investigation, the truth regarding the involved artists will be made public.]
[3. Due to negligence by the management of the Artist Management Department, we sincerely apologize to Ms. Chu Xingxing. In the future, we will pay more attention to contract standardization and accept public supervision.]
Then, to prevent Chen Dong from colluding with other managers to delete the statement, Jiang Changsheng cleverly changed the official account’s login password, along with the phone and email verification, to his own.
It was time to show these old foxes in the company a thing or two.
Any company might have some irregularities during its initial rapid growth phase, which is understandable. But once everything is on track, whether in management or development, you can’t go back to the old ways. Acting with integrity is paramount.
Although young, Jiang Changsheng had his own convictions about this.
Just as he forwarded the announcement to Chu Xingxing, Jiang Changsheng belatedly sensed that his brother, Jiang Chang’an, sitting to his right, seemed enveloped in a low-pressure aura…
—
The atmosphere in the car was noticeably tense.
“I think you owe me an explanation.” Jiang Chang’an’s tone was cold, and he looked at his younger brother with unprecedented severity.
He thought that after he told his brother last time not to get involved in the company’s grassroots artist management, he would obediently listen. After all, his brother, who listened to no one else, listened to him the most since they were kids.
Today, Jiang Chang’an learned that his brother had secretly taken over Chu Xingxing’s artist contract behind his back. And now he was using the company’s official Weibo to support that nobody, slapping CBM Entertainment and the recently promoted Tian Mengtong in the face?!
Jiang Chang’an even wondered if his brother, having missed the rebellious phase at fifteen or sixteen, was experiencing a delayed adolescence now!
“Ah…” Jiang Changsheng scratched his head, softening his tone: “Brother, I just thought it was too trivial. You’ve been so busy lately, and you have to find time to go to the hospital with Mom. No need to bother you. Plus, I asked Dad about managing an artist, and he agreed!”
Seeing his brother still stone-faced, Jiang Changsheng, knowing Jiang Chang’an’s temperament (softens to persuasion, not pressure), put on a pitiful look.
“I was just thinking, since it’s the holidays, I should get more familiar with company business, so I can help you advance your career later, right?”
Jiang Chang’an looked at his brother’s puppy-dog eyes and visibly softened, sighing, “Just go ahead. That Chu Xingxing is no simpleton. You’ll suffer a big loss sooner or later.”
“But I don’t think she’s that calculating. Besides, I’m young. Mom always says suffering a loss is a blessing. It’s okay to lose out a bit. Just wait and see, brother. I’ll definitely bring Chu Xingxing up, make her even more famous than Tian Mengtong!”
Jiang Changsheng said confidently.
Jiang Chang’an pinched the bridge of his nose, patiently trying to persuade his brother: “I saw Chu Xingxing’s fan live stream. Accusing Tian Mengtong of knowing the contract was problematic and forcing her to sign it? There’s no evidence at all, it’s just hearsay. Besides, she admitted herself she initially agreed to go with Tian Mengtong. Even if she later found issues with the contract, she could have discussed it with the company and signed after revisions. As it stands, this person is untrustworthy and has serious character flaws.”
“No, brother, you’ve really misunderstood Chu Xingxing.” Jiang Changsheng anxiously defended her: “I was there when Chen Dong was signing with her. I saw the contract. There were indeed major problems. It’s completely understandable she didn’t sign. For example, if two brothers are close, and the younger one says he’d kill for his brother, it just shows his trust, not that he’d actually commit a crime. You can’t call the younger brother untrustworthy just because he refuses to commit murder when asked, as it’s against the law, right? As for whether Tian Mengtong knew, I’ll keep investigating. That’s why I didn’t say in the statement that she definitely knew.”
“What nonsense are you talking about!”
Jiang Chang’an was furious. This was the first time his brother had openly contradicted him since birth.
This was clearly sophistry!
His parents and he had always protected their younger brother well. Whether friends or classmates, he only played with those from similar backgrounds. Recently, the only “outsider” from a different circle his brother had contact with was Chu Xingxing.
How had his brother changed since meeting Chu Xingxing?
It seemed necessary to have someone do a background check on Chu Xingxing…
“How am I talking nonsense…” Jiang Changsheng was getting annoyed too. Feeling he couldn’t reason with his brother, he turned to look out the window. “Forget it.”
Jiang Changsheng simply hugged his phone, reading comments under the company’s official Weibo statement, and stopped talking to his brother.
The official account’s comment section had never been so lively.
[Wow! We get to follow up on this gossip!]
[But still, the statement only proves the company’s contract with Chu Xingxing had issues, so she’s innocent for not signing. It doesn’t say our Tongtong knew about the issues and deliberately made her bestie sign it, right?]
[Support Tongtong. Chu Xingxing is definitely lying on this point!]
There were quite a few comments from Tian Mengtong’s fans trying to defend her.
However, comments from ordinary netizens were obviously more numerous, completely overwhelming the other side.
[Tian Mengtong’s brainless fans, stop defending her here! Are you washing machines? The official account has spoken. Wait for the investigation results and apologize obediently!]
[Amazing! The official account has announced an investigation, and there are still brainless fans defending? Have these kids been brainwashed? Parents, quickly take away your primary school kids’ phones and make them do homework. Stop jumping around online!]
[CBM Entertainment is responding very quickly. U1s1, this incident changes my view of them. It’s rare for a company to proactively admit mistakes.]
[Chu Xingxing is really unlucky. I feel sorry for this beautiful woman. She’s been attacked for years without turning on her bestie, proving she treasures Tian Mengtong as a friend.]
[Honestly, Chu Xingxing has done all she can. Tian Mengtong’s fans slandered her so much, and she didn’t turn on her. If it were me, I’d have started a fight long ago.]
[The malicious editing alone is enough grievance. If she were truly a good bestie, would Tian Mengtong have directed fans to cyberbully Chu Xingxing in her live stream? I’m an old-school fan of domestic idols, everyone knows the fan tactics!]
[Xingbao, look at me! Xingbao, reply to me and let’s be besties! I would never betray a beautiful woman!]
The majority of the comments were on Chu Xingxing’s side.
Jiang Changsheng specifically checked Chu Xingxing’s Weibo follower count. Before recording the trailer this morning, it was 3,005. Now, it had more than doubled to over 6,500 followers.
Half a day and the effect was this good. Must keep up the momentum!
An imperceptible smile curved Jiang Changsheng’s lips, lifting his mood after the argument with his brother.
—
Meanwhile, Chu Xingxing had already returned to her small rented apartment.
Her first task at home was to carefully remove her makeup, thoroughly clean the residual cosmetics from her pores, and then apply a thick sheet mask.
Pulling the curtains closed, Chu Xingxing lay comfortably on the bed and closed her eyes.
She had set all app notifications and calls on her phone to silent mode, not even vibration, and set just one 25-minute alarm.
She had woken up too early today. To avoid the morning rush and not be late, she got up at 4:30 AM and left at 5:00 AM. After a bus, subway, and a shared bike ride, she arrived at the company bright and early.
Later, she found out that Jiang Changsheng had actually arranged a van for her. The van had waited at her door at 6:30 AM, but the driver rang the bell to no avail and had to turn back.
Mainly, Chu Xingxing had never experienced such treatment before. In her memory, she always had to make her own way to the company and filming locations.
And Young Master Jiang thought such trivial details weren’t worth mentioning – doesn’t every artist get picked up by a van?
This ultimately led to the mix-up.
From early morning until afternoon, after filming ended and she was driven home by the van, Chu Xingxing clearly felt her body was tired.
She immediately decided on a 25-minute nap, followed by a trip to the gym.
Her new agent, Jiang Changsheng, kept his word. Right after filming, a staff member delivered a premium black card for a gym near her home.
Besides using the gym, she could also access personal training services, the pool, sauna, public baths, tennis courts, badminton courts… and even enjoy free meals at the healthy restaurant inside.
Her first paycheck from “Style Grannies” hadn’t arrived yet. The perpetually poor Chu Xingxing was particularly satisfied with just the free healthy meals.
After a pleasant 25-minute nap, she got up and made herself a cup of refreshing mint green tea. Only then did she see Jiang Changsheng’s missed calls and WeChat messages.
Glancing at Weibo, Chu Xingxing almost choked…
Countless @ mentions and various message notifications.
Had her Weibo… exploded?
—
About fifteen minutes after CBM Entertainment’s official Weibo posted its statement, Tian Mengtong also personally responded on Weibo.
[Tian Mengtong VIP7: First, I want to apologize to my concerned fan babies. Sorry for making you worry.
Secondly, regarding the fan question during today’s “Let’s Travel Together” fan live stream, I admit I was a bit emotional when answering, but I absolutely did not mean to blame or complain about my bestie not accompanying me for the recording.
Finally, regarding Chu Xingxing’s contract issue, I only just found out about it. I’m shocked and feel very sorry for her. We small artists are often passive in many matters. I will do my utmost to urge the company to thoroughly investigate this, and I hope this incident won’t affect our friendship. @CBM Entertainment Film & TV Official Weibo @Chu Xingxing Estrella]
Simultaneously, Tian Mengtong’s top fans compiled screenshots of her various Weibo posts showcasing their friendship, and reminders from Tian Mengtong in fan groups telling fans not to speak ill of Chu Xingxing. This was to prove Tian Mengtong’s kindness and her cherishing of the friendship.
Public opinion now roughly divided into three camps.
One camp believed the company was at fault, and both Chu Xingxing and Tian Mengtong were victims, both screwed over by the company. The beautiful woman and the sweet girl were both pitiful, two big unlucky souls.
Another camp thought the company was wrong, and Tian Mengtong knew about the contract issue but didn’t tell Chu Xingxing. Ultimately, Chu Xingxing nearly signed an unfair contract and got cyberbullied by Tian Mengtong’s fans. Only the beautiful woman, Xingxing, got hurt. The sweet-looking Tian Mengtong was a scheming girl.
The final camp, mainly Tian Mengtong’s fans, believed Chu Xingxing was lying. The company made a mistake, and she was dragging Tian Mengtong into it out of jealousy that her debut-peer bestie was doing better than her.
Tian Mengtong’s fans posted countless chat logs between Tian Mengtong and Chu Xingxing. The logs showed Tian Mengtong often buying matching “bestie” items for Chu Xingxing, and giving her gifts on birthdays and holidays.
In contrast, Chu Xingxing’s Weibo had no content about Tian Mengtong whatsoever. Clearly an ungrateful person!
—
Chu Xingxing spent a few minutes reading Jiang Changsheng’s statement via the company’s official Weibo, combined with Tian Mengtong’s reply, and got a general understanding of the current situation.
She stretched lazily, replied to Jiang Changsheng on WeChat, put down her phone, and hummed “The Drunken Butterfly” while packing her gym bag.
Just as she picked up her yoga pants, Jiang Changsheng called.
Chu Xingxing silently turned on the speakerphone and jumped two meters away from the phone.
Sure enough, Young Master Jiang was furious on the phone: “Chu Xingxing! Where have you been? No more silent mode! As your agent, I need to know where you are at all times.”
“I was just napping, Agent Jiang. What’s up?” Chu Xingxing continued packing, her tone calm.
Jiang Changsheng was shocked: “Napping? Have you entered your golden years early? What young person naps these days???”
Chu Xingxing put her clean towel and washcloth into a storage bag and said seriously: “Studies show that a 15 to 30-minute nap greatly helps restore energy. Short naps can also boost brain cells, improve memory, rest your eyes, and allow the ciliary muscles, tired from a morning’s work, to recover. It also stimulates lymphocytes, enhancing immune cell activity. I suggest you try napping too, Agent Jiang. Your dark circles are quite deep. Lack of sleep is very harmful to the body.”
“You sure have a lot of reasons…” Since she was showing concern for him, Jiang Changsheng decided to forgive Chu Xingxing. He paused, then continued: “Why are you so calm, acting like nothing happened? Did you see the statement I sent you and Tian Mengtong’s reply? If you’re sad or upset from being attacked, don’t bottle it up. If you have no one to talk to, talk to me.”
“Oh, I saw them…” Chu Xingxing paused in folding her socks, blinked, and asked puzzled: “Why would I be sad or upset? They curse me, they don’t like me – what does that have to do with me? I like myself very much. It’s not like because they curse me, I’m going to start hating myself, right?”
Jiang Changsheng was silent on the other end for a few seconds.
He imagined Chu Xingxing alone in a dim room, hugging herself in a corner, and upon receiving a concerned call, she was just pretending to be strong, saying she was fine.
He also remembered her piercing gaze and the tears at the corner of her eyes during the fan live stream.
She wasn’t indifferent! She just didn’t want others to worry about her!!
This girl was damnably strong, and it was heartbreaking!
Biting his lip, Jiang Changsheng generously said: “Alright, I get it. Don’t force yourself. If you’re really unhappy, I’ll take you out for a drink.”
Chu Xingxing: ?
“No, not forcing myself at all. I don’t want to drink. Alcohol can damage the brain for at least six weeks. Long-term drinking can cause brain atrophy, your brain gets smaller, and people get dumber…” Chu Xingxing said very seriously.
“Fine, no drinking!”
Jiang Changsheng rolled his eyes in frustration and asked urgently: “I’m calling about something serious. During the live stream, you said Tian Mengtong knew the contract was problematic and still asked you to sign, even sending you an email. Do you still have the evidence?”
“Yes.” Chu Xingxing nodded. “I didn’t delete the email. It was sent from her company email address.”
Besides the email, she also kept a recording of Chen Dong. In the recording, Chen Dong clearly said: “Didn’t Tian Mengtong tell you the contract was like this? You agreed with her back then!”
“Good, forward the email to me. I’ll have someone check the IP for the company email.” Jiang Changsheng paused, then continued: “I’ll find a way to fire Chen Dong. Once I’ve verified the IP, I’ll use the company’s official Weibo to warn Tian Mengtong and make her apologize to you.”
After saying that, Jiang Changsheng hung up.
“Apologize…” Chu Xingxing thought silently, then muttered to herself: “Tian Mengtong really owes an apology.”
Whenever she casually recalled any memory from the original owner’s past, Chu Xingxing felt deep sympathy for that girl from the bottom of her heart. The causes of the original owner’s severe depression and people-pleasing personality were all traceable.
Her parents’ preference for sons over daughters made her feel superfluous from a young age, believing that her parents and two younger brothers were the real family.
In school, the original owner was subjected to inappropriate jokes by classmates because of her beauty and figure, ostracized by some girls in the class. Some boys even spread slut-shaming rumors about her just because she rejected their confessions. The school teachers couldn’t find evidence or the source of the rumors, so they simply told the original owner to stay away from those boys. Throughout middle school, “Chu Xingxing” sat alone in the back corner of the classroom, near the trash can, without a desk mate.
When the original owner, unable to bear the constant harassment from those boys, finally sought help from her parents, they scolded her instead.
Their words were harsh and hurtful, one after another.
“A fly doesn’t bite a seamless egg.” “A decent girl wouldn’t associate with those bad students.” “Your school uniform top is too tight, your skirt too short – you’re asking for it.” “Sneaking on that cream, you’re pale as a fox spirit”…
They told the original owner to look for faults within herself, completely ignoring her plight at school.
The original owner was introverted, weak, and had low self-esteem since childhood. How could she have actively provoked those bad students? The uniform top and skirt were small because her parents hadn’t ordered new ones for the new school year to save money. “Chu Xingxing” had naturally fair skin. She had never used face cream, let alone facial cleanser. She washed her hair and face with the leftover soap ends her mother used for laundry.
Because of her “bad reputation,” “Chu Xingxing” had no friends before university.
When she went to university in Beijing, she thought she had finally found a true bestie in Tian Mengtong, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to being good to Tian Mengtong.
But Tian Mengtong, besides using her as a tool and taking her care for granted, clearly didn’t truly consider her a friend.
Later, “Chu Xingxing” faced wave after wave of cyberbullying. She even tried to explain herself using a burner account, but as soon as she spoke, she was attacked by Tian Mengtong’s fans.
Already suffering from severe depression, “Chu Xingxing” couldn’t help but tell her parents she wanted to see a psychologist. They scolded her, saying she was just too idle and thought she had a mental illness, and that she should go out and work more odd jobs to save money for her brothers.
“Chu Xingxing” thought about ending her life countless times. The final straw was during the recording of “Let’s Travel Together,” when the original owner was isolated and given the cold shoulder by all the guests.
This time, her good bestie Tian Mengtong was part of it, even letting her fans cyberbully her.
“Chu Xingxing” privately begged Tian Mengtong not to isolate her.
Tian Mengtong just flippantly said: “This is all acting. Your contract requires you to play a difficult persona; mine requires me to play a certain role too. The difficult one is meant to be disliked. If you want to earn this money, you have to endure the criticism.”
A devastated “Chu Xingxing” withdrew from the show early and ended her own life. At the moment of death, “Chu Xingxing” finally felt relieved.
Chu Xingxing thanked the original owner for giving her another life. She would live it well for her.
Having been born and raised in the apocalypse, the word “saint” wasn’t in Chu Xingxing’s vocabulary. She was someone who repaid kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance.
She would make those who had harmed the original owner pay the price they deserved.
—
After packing her gym bag, Chu Xingxing used a map app to check the route to the gym.
“Agent Jiang is reliable!” Chu Xingxing rarely praised the young master.
The gym was only 400 meters from her home, a five-minute walk.
Just then, Chu Xingxing received a new WeChat message.
Tapping on it, it was from Wen Han, another “porter” she had just added today.
[Wen Han: The gyms below are all co-founded by my childhood friend and me. I’ve helped you register in the system. You’ll get VIP treatment at any of them. Feel free to contact me for anything.]
Then, Wen Han sent a long list of gym names and addresses.
Chu Xingxing subconsciously read the gym’s name aloud: “Go Fit Center???”
This familiar name, and the address she had just checked…
Well, the gym the company found was the one Wen Han owned!
Full circle, back again…
What a coincidence! As soon as Chu Xingxing arrived at Go Fit Center, changed, and was led into the VIP equipment room by a smiling receptionist, she saw Wen Han with his back to her, doing chest presses by the floor-to-ceiling window.
This was Go Fit Center’s equipment room serving only high-end clients, with tight security, inaccessible to regular members. It was rumored that many celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, and idols who disliked being disturbed trained here.
Besides Wen Han, there was a cute-looking young mixed-race girl on the bench press machine nearest the door.
Adding Chu Xingxing, there were only three people in the room.
Chu Xingxing thought she should at least go over and greet Wen Han, thank him.
Just as she took a step, she noticed the mixed-race girl’s arms were trembling quite a bit while doing bench presses, her breathing becoming rapid, and her doll-like fair face flushed red.
Oh my!
This was clearly a novice with little experience. Choosing weights that were too heavy and forcing it? And doing it without a spotter!
Fearless as a newborn calf.
Chu Xingxing dropped her towel and water bottle, strode behind the girl, lifted the barbell the girl was clearly struggling with, and easily racked it.
The mixed-race girl, wearing a cute spotted headband, jumped up, clutching her chest, startled. The freckles on her face were flushed; she looked like a frightened rabbit.
“Thanks!” the girl thanked her, but upon seeing Chu Xingxing, widened her eyes in disbelief and asked, “Are you Chu Xingxing?”
“You… know me?” Chu Xingxing was a bit stunned.
The girl reached out her hand, struggling to speak in not-so-fluent Chinese: “Yes! Hello, I’m Cookie from JAM. I’m in the same company as you.”
Chu Xingxing had heard of the JAM girl group, currently CBM Entertainment’s most popular young female group. Although they were in the same company, they had never crossed paths. The trainees and the film & TV division were in different buildings.
But who doesn’t like a cute, lively girl?
Chu Xingxing greeted her in fluent English.
As a child, sold by her parents into the hands of bottom layer human traffickers in the apocalypse, Chu Xingxing and her companions were forced to learn multiple languages to fetch a better price. Later, when she joined the suicide squad, she had teammates from other countries and was used to communicating in English.
“You speak English!” Cookie’s face lit up with surprise.
Cookie’s father was Chinese, a diplomat; her mother was a Korean chaebol heiress. She had grown up traveling the world with her parents. Last year, at eighteen, Cookie returned to China to join JAM.
Cookie could understand Chinese but wasn’t fluent in speaking it. As the youngest in the group, her older teammates were kind, but there was still a language barrier. So Cookie desperately wanted to make friends her age without language issues.
However, her first attempt was off to a bad start. During the first recording of “Let’s Travel Together” today, Cookie was immediately snubbed by Tian Mengtong. Her friend-making plan had failed.
But Cookie was glad she hadn’t become friends with Tian Mengtong. When the two WE members showed her Chu Xingxing’s video earlier, Cookie had immediately felt favorable towards her, sided with her, and felt sorry for her.
“Yes, I can speak English with you. But I think since you’re in China, you should still practice your Chinese more.” Chu Xingxing asked patiently, “Is this your first time trying bench presses?”
Cookie nodded and explained why she was trying weight training.
She had studied dance since childhood, had decent stamina, but lacked muscle strength. Her agent had arranged for her to audition for a supporting role – a boxing girl villain in a campus drama. She felt she was unsuitable, thinking she’d be better as the boxing girl’s hip-hop dancing friend. But her agent forced her, saying it was the only audition opportunity they got. The hip-hop girl role, with more screen time and prettier styling, had already been picked by Chen Dong for Tian Mengtong.
Cookie’s agent forced her to come to Go Fit Center to work out every day this week. Why? Because the agent had heard somewhere that the audition director for that campus drama often worked out here and was good friends with the gym owner. To increase Cookie’s audition chances, the agent sent an assistant daily to supervise her gym (loafing) sessions.
Chu Xingxing looked at the adorable girl, whose very freckles seemed to be troubled along with her, and couldn’t help but laugh: “You think muscles are that easy to build? Trying to build muscle in a few days is a pipe dream. But if you really want to start weight training, I can teach you how to use the equipment correctly.”
Taking off her jacket, Chu Xingxing prepared to demonstrate. She wore a light blue sports top underneath, her incredibly long legs encased in matching yoga pants, revealing a firm, flat stomach. Just standing there, she was a pleasing sight.
“Wow!” Cookie exclaimed, looking enviously at Chu Xingxing’s perfect shoulders and arm lines like works of art, and asked weakly, “Can I touch?”
“You can,” Chu Xingxing nodded, joking, “One touch, one hundred bucks.”
“Can I prepay? One touch might not be enough!” Cookie’s eyes sparkled. This pretty lady is so funny, I love her!
Chu Xingxing was amused by the cheerful girl.
Chu Xingxing laid down on the equipment, placing a towel under it, and explained the movements step by step: “After lifting the barbell, align the barbell with your glenohumeral joint. Lower it to the contact point, then push it back up. Remember, never lower the barbell vertically; it’s easy to get injured. Your elbows should be in front of the barbell…”
Cookie watched adoringly: “Oh my god…”
However, Cookie’s attention wasn’t on Chu Xingxing’s instructional movements at all, but on her perfect figure and impressive strength, exclaiming non-stop.
“I think the equipment might be too difficult for you right now.”
Chu Xingxing stopped, seeing this, and shook her head helplessly: “How about I take you through some aeroboxing? Since the role you’re auditioning for is a boxer, wouldn’t it fit the casting requirements better to make your moves look good?”
Cookie’s eyes lit up: “Yes, yes! As long as Xingxing trains with me, I’ll train at anything.”
“Then I’ll take you through an aeroboxing session. I need to warm up anyway. Later, you can stretch on your own, and I’ll go do equipment. OK?”
Chu Xingxing spoke slowly, as if coaxing a child.
“Yes, yes!” Cookie nodded frantically.
Waaaaah, my sister is beautiful and kind-hearted, I love her even more!
Chu Xingxing patted Cookie’s shoulder and instructed: “Don’t touch the equipment. Wait for me, I’ll be right back.”
Cookie obediently nodded and even held Chu Xingxing’s towel and water bottle in her arms, as if afraid she wouldn’t come back.
Chu Xingxing first went to greet Wen Han, thanking him, and also mentioned the coincidence that the gym the company found for her was this very one.
Wen Han was as gentle as ever, smiling as he said: “Great, we can work out and eat together from now on. You can tell me your dietary restrictions and any food allergies. We have dedicated nutritionists to help you prepare healthy meals.”
Chu Xingxing teased: “Restrictions: lobster, abalone, and king crab. No food allergies.”
She meant her wallet had “restrictions” against expensive food, joking around.
Unexpectedly, Wen Han took it seriously: “I’ll remember that. But from what you’re saying, it might be a seafood allergy? Our gym has a partner hospital; I can help you make an appointment to get tested for allergens?”
“No, no, I was joking.” Chu Xingxing smiled awkwardly.
“I see…” Wen Han finally caught on. After realizing what he meant, he laughed heartily: “I just lack a sense of humor, so I’m not as cute as you.”
“No, you’re cute too.”
Chu Xingxing made a polite remark, then waved to Cookie, who was staring at her longingly from a distance like a “faithful wife watching her husband return”: “I’ll first take our junior colleague from the same company to do an aeroboxing session. I’ll be back for equipment later.”
“Okay, I’ll have the staff adjust the sound system in the group exercise room.” Wen Han picked up his phone and made a call.
“Thanks, boss.” Chu Xingxing nodded politely and took Cookie to the adjacent glass-walled group class room.
The staff adjusted the sound system.
Intense, pumping music filled the room.
Chu Xingxing started warming up with Cookie, using a set of her own rhythmic combinations of straight punches, hooks, and elbow strikes.
—
Ten-plus minutes later, the automatic door of the VIP equipment room opened.
A young man in a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a blue-black tracksuit walked in with a water bottle and towel, heading for the treadmill.
The man took off his sunglasses, glanced back at Wen Han who was working on his legs, smiled, and walked over with open arms: “Brother Han! Long time no see!”
Wen Han finished his set: “Director Wang, long time no see.”
Smiling, he stood up from the equipment and fist-bumped the man.
“Finally back to training?” Wen Han teased him.
Wang Yang smiled and shook his head, patting his belly: “I’m ashamed, really. I was actually afraid of running into you. You’re busier than me, yet so disciplined. You look even fitter than in college. I haven’t been to the gym for at least three months. I’ve gotten soft.”
Wen Han and Wang Yang were old acquaintances, both graduates of the Film Academy. Different majors – one acting, one directing – but that didn’t stop them from playing basketball and working out together in school.
However, after entering the industry, because Wen Han focused on the big screen, they rarely had the chance to collaborate. Mainly because Wang Yang’s productions were mostly sweet pet love stories, urban romance, idol dramas, and pure campus love.
Wang Yang had an excellent reputation in the industry. As a young director, the genres he filmed were often looked down upon by those making serious dramas, period pieces, or historical epics. But that didn’t stop Director Wang, through his skillful guidance of actors and strict script control, from turning scripts others overlooked into critically acclaimed hits.
“How have you been lately? What are you working on?” Wen Han casually asked his old classmate.
Wang Yang started talking: “Hey, it’s the same old thing, just busy doing nothing! Lately, it’s all about auditions and casting. Have you heard of ‘Shining Flowers,’ the youth campus IP that Sunshine Pictures and our company are collaborating on?”
“No.” Wen Han was honest.
“Pfft, you’re still so straightforward. Other people would pretend they’ve heard of it even if they haven’t.”
Wang Yang laughed and patted Wen Han’s shoulder. He liked that his friend was this unflappable.
Wang Yang continued complaining: “Although it’s a campus drama, most of the roles are young girls. It’s an ensemble piece about girls growing up, each with unique talents. A few key supporting roles are giving me a headache. CBM Entertainment
