The battle for traffic in Chinese entertainment

Chapter 494 Maybe I'm the Ghost

Chapter 494 Maybe I'm the Ghost
"Lim Yoona is coming."

"Let her come if she wants."

"Ok."

"Actually, I feel like we're more like friends now. I no longer feel like she has any idol aura about her, and I basically don't feel like she's chatting with me just for my sake anymore. We chat often and even exchange gifts. Sometimes, it's actually me who's too busy with work and doesn't see her messages, so I reply a long time later and apologize to her. She doesn't mind and even cares about me."

"I think I'm the happiest fan, even though I've lost that fan mentality. Becoming good friends with your idol is definitely happier than sleeping with them, unless they end up as lovers. My relationship with Im Yoona just kept getting closer. Until—"

Sun Man, who was smiling, suddenly stopped.

"what happened?"

Xu Xing asked.

Sun Man sighed.

"One day she asked me if I felt like she was trying to please me. I said of course not, but the fact that she asked that question shows that she does have that mentality. Thanks to you, I'm seen as a very powerful person by outsiders."

Her tone was somewhat self-deprecating.

“Um…” Xu Xing thought for a moment, “The fact that she said that means she’s willing to talk to you about anything.”

"But I also feel that fans might prefer their idols to always be perfect and aloof. The unattainable beauty is the perfect dream."

After Sun Man finished speaking, she shrugged.

"Of course, I'm being a bit Versailles in thinking that way. I've become good friends with my former idol. You're right, our relationship has improved since she asked that question."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Come on, forward, forward, left, right, right, back, left, up, down, up, up—no, raise this arm as high as possible, not the forearm, but the elbow, so it will look more relaxed and better."

Cheng Xiao lifted Pimchanok's arm and raised it up. Once he felt the height was about right, he nodded.

"Okay, let's try again—"

"Brother Xing!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul by the door and exclaimed in surprise.

Cheng Xiao looked up and saw Xu Xing leaning against the door with a smile on her face.

Pimchanok flew over like a light little bird, and Xu Xing picked her up and carried her weightless body to Cheng Xiao, who was standing there dumbfounded.

He first rubbed Cheng Xiao's head with his other hand, then pinched Ping Cai Na's little cheek.

"Xiao Shui can dance, didn't she tell you? Xiao Bao."

Cheng Xiao, who was feeling a little sad, was stunned for a moment.

"without……"

"I didn't have time to say it..."

Pimchanok was extremely embarrassed.

She learned to dance from Cheng Xiao in order to get closer to him, and Xu Xing would probably be happy to see it when she came back.

Pimchanok didn't tell Cheng Xiao that she had studied dance, so she could argue that she had never danced in a girl group, but she did act a bit clumsy on purpose just now.

He never expected that Xu Xing would see it and expose him to his face...

Just as she was thinking about how to explain, she gasped and was turned 90 degrees in Xu Xing's arms, lying nestled in his embrace.

There it was, a slap across the face.

With her cheeks flushed, Pimchanok bit her lip and hummed softly.

"I'll discipline her with a small leather whip later!"

Xu Xing smiled.

Cheng Xiao then grinned and nodded.

"Ok!"

The sadness of being "neglected" by Xu Xing during this period immediately vanished.

After causing such a mess at the beginning of the year, although Cheng Xiao and Chen Dulin had a party in Shanghai and the "Spring Red Envelope" team had a big party in Beijing for a few days after appearing on the Spring Festival Gala, she was then relegated to the "cold palace".

Although there were reasons for the epidemic prevention measures, Sun Man never allowed her to come and see Xu Xing after things were relatively relaxed.

As a result, Li Hua was also banished to the sidelines by Zheng Rong.

The two companies originally had a lot of cooperation, but all of it was put on hold. It is said that General Manager Qu of Zhengrong was very dissatisfied with her causing trouble and also thought that Aunt Du was being unreasonable.

Aunt Du poured her heart out to her again, telling her that she must be self-reliant and strong, just like Li Hua. Li Hua had never relied on Zheng Rong, and no matter how domineering Zheng Rong was, it couldn't affect Li Hua's development. And what about her?
Cheng Xiao had thought a lot about it over the past few months and felt that what Aunt Du said made a lot of sense.

But it's not suitable for her.

Her dramas were invested in by Xu Xing, her songs were written by Xu Xing, and most of her endorsements were also related to Xu Xing. She was supported by Xu Xing and was originally Xu Xing's person. Xu Xing also liked her very much. What's the point of being self-reliant?

More importantly, she also really liked Xu Xing, for being self-reliant and strong.
Meng Meiqi, who debuted from "Produce 101" and was incredibly popular back then, is now struggling. Wu Xuanyi is obsessed with gaining Xu Xing's approval.

In the entertainment industry, artists need someone to support them in order to have a long career.

She has simply made a mistake and needs time to reflect on it.

Therefore, Cheng Xiao, in the cold palace, did not complain; she only felt regret, sadness, and panic.

She worried that Xu Xing might no longer like her.

Fortunately, Xu Xing finally agreed to see her, and upon meeting her, he immediately helped her "vent her anger"...

As Xu Xing pulled him into her arms, Cheng Xiao's eyes finally welled up with tears, even though Xu Xing was also embracing another woman on the other side.

Xu Xing quickly picked her up and praised her with a smile.

"Not bad, you haven't lost weight!"

Cheng Xiao felt a sweet warmth in her heart once again.

Actually, she had lost some weight since February. During her time in the cold palace, Cheng Xiao had told herself countless times that she couldn't give up on managing her figure.

Of course, it's managed according to Xingba's requirements, not Duma's.

That's what we did.

Cheng Xiao's thigh and calf circumferences have decreased, her body fat percentage has dropped, but her hip and bust circumferences have increased slightly, and the muscles in other areas are more toned.

She had already adjusted herself to her best condition and was just waiting for Xu Xing's inspection.

Xu Xing naturally liked it very much.

Although I have no idea what Cheng Xiao was thinking.

Actually, if Cheng Xiao had just told Xu Xing that she wanted to see her, Xu Xing would definitely have asked her to come. But she hadn't mentioned it on WeChat, so it was Xu Xing who took the initiative to ask her to come this time.

It started with punishing Pimchanok, but Cheng Xiao didn't take advantage of her favor. Instead, he always protected Pimchanok, like a gentle older sister. On the contrary, Pimchanok was trying hard to make a good impression, like a naughty younger sister.

In fact, Pimchanok is six years older than her.

Cheng Xiao's teamwork was more harmonious than ever before.

Da is truly righteous, and looks so good wearing that glittering gold chain!

After not seeing each other for so long, Xiao Bao was so excited that she almost lost consciousness.

Then Xu Xing remembered another person, Nazha, who was in the cold palace.

After Nazha was confirmed to have revealed the details of the "Spring Red Envelope" party to Yu Murong, Xu Xing had no choice but to punish her.

Unlike Cheng Xiao, who quietly worked hard to improve herself in private, Nazha would post on WeChat every day, "Waaaaah~ Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please have mercy!"

Once Gulnazar finishes filming her current drama, "One Life, One Love," it will be time to bring her out of the cold palace.

After all, what bad intentions could Nazha possibly have?

She just really wanted to fit into Xu Xing's family.

The next day, while Xiao Bao was serving her breakfast, Xu Xing received a call from Du Hua.

Where is Xiaoxiao?

She asked in a panic.

"She didn't tell you?"

Xu Xing was somewhat surprised.

Du Hua remained silent for a while.

"Xu Xing, you should treat her better from now on."

"Wasn't everything fine before?"

Xu Xing countered with a question.

Du Hua remained silent for a while.

"Maybe she thinks so too. Sigh, Xu Xing, I really raised Xiao Xiao like a daughter."

“I know, Xiaoxiao often tells me how grateful she is to you.”

As Xu Xing was speaking, he saw Cheng Xiao, who must have recognized Du Hua's voice on the phone, raise his head, blink, and extend his hand to indicate that he wanted to answer the call.

Xu Xing then handed her the phone.

Then I watched her return the phone with a sweet smile, apologize to Du Hua for running away, and reassure Du Hua not to worry, all while being incredibly attentive to her needs.

At first, Cheng Xiao was still smiling, but in the end, she became a little sad because of something Du Hua said.

However, the smile she showed when she looked up after hanging up the phone was incredibly cute.

“Du Ma said I’m 22 years old today. If I were a normal person going to school normally, I would have just graduated from university. She said I’ve graduated.”

Xiao Bao and Shui Bao got along very well. The next day, the two practiced "Trouble Maker". Xu Xing recorded the video of them after returning to the villa, and it can be released to fans next year to show off this cross-border friendship.

Pimchanok came here secretly, so it's best not to expose herself.

Actually, it's also about helping Baifern Pimchanok gain popularity in China and Cheng Xiao gain popularity in Thailand.

With Xiao Bao's acting skills, it will be difficult for her to gain popularity in China. However, Southeast Asia has a higher acceptance of Chinese idol dramas. When the drama airs next year, she can help promote it at a fan meeting in Thailand.

The Chinese drama craze sparked by Xu Xing still has a significant impact.

While other Chinese dramas may not have reached the explosive popularity of Xu Xing's dramas, they are still significantly better than those of the same period in her previous life, and their overall influence in Southeast Asia is now comparable to that of Korean dramas.

Many film and television companies are no longer simply throwing their shows onto overseas streaming platforms, but are instead producing subtitles in at least several Southeast Asian languages.

Starting with Xu Xing's first drama, "The Beginning," subtitle groups and voice actors specializing in overseas promotion, with the further boost from "Someday or One Day" and "Joy of Life" last year, have finally become an integral part of the domestic film and television industry.

The domestic entertainment industry places greater emphasis on overseas development than in its previous life, although for now it mainly focuses on Southeast Asia.

Several of the lead actors of dramas that were released on international streaming platforms in the second half of last year and gained some popularity in Southeast Asia have scheduled fan meetings in Southeast Asia this year, which is essentially a way to cash in on the audience.

It was only because the pandemic struck suddenly that it had to be canceled.

Chinese dramas performed better in Southeast Asia this year than last year.

Leaving aside Xu Xing's "Signal," the recently premiered "Reunion: The Sound of the Providence," the earlier-of-the-year dramas "Under the Power," "Eternal Love of Dream," "Love and Redemption," "Love is Sweet," and Huang Xiaoming's "Winter Begonia," all have been quite popular in Southeast Asia.

Including Zheng Rong, industry insiders are already planning a Southeast Asia meet-and-greet next year.

Most celebrities have opened Instagram or Twitter accounts, and users from Southeast Asia are also starting to flock to domestic social media platforms such as Weibo and Xiaohongshu.

This also gives artists who rely on popularity an earlier opportunity to boast about their international influence even if they fail domestically.

For example, "Dear Myself," which premiered last month and starred top actor Zhu Yilong and actress Liu Shishi, was a disastrous flop.

CVB's viewership ratings can't be faked, but its online viewership is skyrocketing. The topic of how popular it is in Southeast Asia is trending every day. Weibo users who claim to be from Southeast Asia are giving various reasons in the public square to prove that it is indeed that popular in their local areas. They are ridiculed by Zhu Yilong and Liu Shishi's rivals every day.

Many dramas operate this way; some are real, but most are fake. It's already planned that when Weibo starts displaying IP addresses, there will be a special "fan circle grave-digging carnival" targeting this kind of marketing.

This year, Zhu Yilong's "The Lost Tomb" aired, which gave fans some room to save face in the face of Bai Yu's "The Silent Truth".

The mainland Chinese dramas "Happiness Will Knock on Your Door" and "Pretty Scholar," which were heavily criticized by content creators, and the recently premiered "The Legend of Ruyi," are also heavily promoting their popularity in Southeast Asia.

"Happiness Will Knock on Your Door" is barely considered a hit, because the male and female leads, Nie Yuan and Wu Jinyan, were promoted by Netflix and some fans of Southeast Asian dramas thought it was pretty good.

Ju Jingyi in the other two parts is quite humorous.

Yan Yongyi, the C-C of the Chinese national idol group SNH48, has gained recognition from people in Southeast Asia!
This is how the fans praise it.

Of course, Xiao Bao also hyped up her "The Road to Awakening" this year in the same way, and she will hype up her "Spirit Realm" and "You Are Beautiful When You Smile" in the same way next year.

These dramas were unavoidable for Xiao Bao to realize her own shortcomings in acting skills, and also made her realize Li Hua's lack of ability.

For example, Xu Xing helped her get "Detective Chinatown" and "The Lost Tomb".

The five prodigies in the TV series "Detective Chinatown" were ridiculed and mocked by the entire internet.

Bai Haotian, who played a minor role in "The Lost Tomb," was criticized for having extra screen time. Her clumsy acting, particularly that of Xiao Bao, led to further ridicule and even criticism of Xu Xing. Fans (Zhu Yilong) felt that Xu Xing's forced inclusion of Cheng Xiao in the cast tarnished Zhu Yilong's painstakingly crafted artistic work.

Of course, the king oyster mushrooms helped Xu Xing shut up the mouth of the audacious xiaolongbao.

It's clearly Xiao who's a useless bum, so what does that have to do with Da Shisheng, who provides resources for his girlfriend?

When the first season of "The Lost Tomb" aired in July, Xu Xing also showed concern for Xiao Bao, who was staying in the Cold Palace, during a chat on WeChat.

After Xu Xing's relationship, and with the web series "Detective Chinatown," "The Road to Awakening," and "The Lost Tomb," Xiao Bao has been labeled as a love-obsessed, overly pampered good-for-nothing.

Xu Xing was worried that Xiao Bao might not be able to withstand the online criticism.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Bao optimistically claimed that after being relentlessly criticized by Xingbaogu for two years, she had completely matured. She also expressed her special thanks to Xu Xing.

The previous film, "The Road to Awakening," flopped so badly that Xiao Bao still feels lingering fear.

The web series "Detective Chinatown" and the TV series "The Lost Tomb" have allowed Xiao Bao to "reap the rewards of her hard work".

She said it herself with a laugh.

Between a low-key flop and high viewership ridiculed by the world, Xiao Bao says she will always choose the latter.

Xu Xing felt that Xiao Bao had been somewhat alienated.

However, she also said that she was very sorry to Xu Xing, and that she would definitely, absolutely, absolutely try her best to improve her acting skills in the future, so that at least next time her acting skills would not implicate the school.

Xiao Bao came over this time and made another promise in person, so Xu Xing had absolutely no reason not to believe Xiao Bao.

In addition to preparing for the dance, Xiao Bao also learned some Thai acting skills from Shui Bao, which made Xu Xing nervous, because Shui Bao's acting skills were just so-so.

But with respect.

Shui Bao didn't stay long. In November, on the day the world's hottest reality show started in the United States, she reluctantly returned to Thailand.

After that, Yoona finally came to China.

After a long-awaited reunion and wild celebration, Yoona quietly held Heo Haeng and chatted with her.

“I met Irene before I came, and we chatted for a while. She was so envious of me. So I decided I had to come see you. If she could come at a time like this, why couldn't I? I started thinking about it when I found out she was coming to China. I was thinking about it in August, July, June, May... February. I'm sure you're thinking about me too.”

"of course."

I also heard Irene say that you introduced her to a lot of new friends—

"Why does she tell you everything?"

"I asked her, don't blame Irene."

"Ok."

"Take me to meet some friends too."

"……why?"

“I asked Sun Man about her situation with you, and she said that maybe it’s because of me that she’s special to you? It seems like I’m special too. Let me not be special for now.”

Yoona pressed her cheek against Xu Xing's chest, her voice carrying a faint smile.

"What does it matter?"

Xu Xing's situation was somewhat complicated.

She got it backwards; it's because Sun Man is a bit special.

"It was her who kept going—"

"Please, please~ If it's okay, then let it be okay for me~"

Yoona gently swayed her body and pleaded sweetly.

So the next day, Yoona met Xiaobao.

On the third day, they met Qiongbao together.

They were all juniors who had worked in South Korea. Yoona got along well with them, and the three-person girl group developed a strong sense of teamwork in just two days.

On November 8, the results of the American reality TV show were announced, and James Harden was selected.

After finishing work that evening, Xu Xing returned to the villa with Sun Man. Just as they were about to leave, Sun Man, caught off guard, kissed him for quite a while.

"...Are you really that happy to be on stage all the time?"

Pushing Xu Xing away, Sun Man complained listlessly.

"I'm so happy that all the other women are finally gone!"

Xu Xing smiled.

"Yoona is leaving?"

Sun Man asked.

“No,” Xu Xing shook her head, “but she said she hoped that she would be gone by now.”

"……so what?"

Sun Man asked again.

"Then it's just you left, Manman! It's tonight! It'll just be the two of us in the villa."

Xu Xing pulled her into his arms again and playfully lifted her chin.

Sun Man immediately rolled her eyes and turned her head away from Xu Xing's fingers.

"So you ended up with such a lame excuse? You—"

She couldn't finish speaking because Xu Xing kissed her again.

After a long while, they separated again. Looking at Sun Man, who was trying to force a hint of disdain into her eyes, Xu Xing laughed for a long time.

"I've finally realized that it wasn't me hiding, it was you hiding. I'm available anytime, but you're afraid that one day I won't have other women by my side, so every time I try to create some kind of atmosphere, it gets ruined by other women. I am indeed a jerk, and I should have a very, very thick skin, but you always make me feel thin-skinned in your presence."

"You're turning the tables on me?!"

Sun Man was also impressed.

"You gave yourself away when you rushed to see Sister Rong in Thailand that night. I should have made up my mind then, but you fooled me again."

Xu Xing said regretfully.

"Weren't you and Yuan Quan getting along really well?" Sun Man frowned. "You like how she seems so aloof on the outside, but she's a total flirt in front of you—"

"You're getting impatient, and you're starting to talk nonsense."

Xu Xinghao laughed.

Sun Man scoffed.

"You're the one who's in a hurry, at least let me finish! Ugh—"

After a long while, she finally vented her frustration, panting.

"You are shameless!"

“Manman, you would never have scolded me like this before. You know I’m adamant today, and you’re getting angry.”

Xu Xing chuckled and kissed Sun Man's parted lips again.

"Okay, okay, I'm getting desperate. Anyway, I'll work for you, so whatever you say goes."

Sun Man sneered.

But the next second, his expression changed.

Because Xu Xing kissed him again.

Xu Xing was utterly shameless, moving around again and again until he finally pinned her down on the sofa, leaving her no chance to escape...

They separated again.

"...Give me a reason~"

Sun Man, weak and powerless, made her last struggle.

Xu Xing nodded with a smile.

"Today is the day we first slept together in our past life. That day I worked overtime, and you left late. There were only the two of us left in the company. We talked about the soap opera about Old Deng's election, and then went downstairs to buy alcohol to celebrate how the Americans have become a mess. After drinking too much, you, who had long coveted my beauty, first hooked my leg with your long legs in black stockings, and then kissed me. Today is actually the last deadline I set for myself."

"..."

Sun Manda was speechless, her eyes filled with utter contempt.

She was struggling to resist the whirlpool she had already fallen into when Xu Xing suddenly fabricated such a perfunctory story.

Even Xu Xingyao claimed in the story that she seduced him...

Xu Xing laughed like a thug who bullies men and women.

"Do not believe?"

"Who would believe that?"

"You're not a ghost, it's normal that you don't believe me."

"..."

"Do you have any last words? Once you say them, you'll be a ghost."

"..."

"You think that as long as you don't speak, you won't have any last words? You won't become a ghost? But that's just your own way of thinking. It doesn't count if you don't speak."

"..."

"Alright, I'll let Yoona come and watch!"

"You're so mean! You could have just assumed I agreed!!!!"

"You're admitting it?"

"..."

"Default?"

"..."

"Default?"

"You've gone too far! I've already given my last words and tacitly agreed. What else do you want to do to me—"

When they separated again, Sun Man felt completely exhausted, as if her brain was lacking oxygen and she felt dizzy.

Xu Xing picked her up from the sofa and carried her upstairs in a princess-like manner.

Xu Xing kept looking into her eyes.

He blocked the brilliant lights from the ceiling, but his eyes should have been filled with affection and sweetness, and seemed to be a little sentimental. However, Sun Man felt that his eyes were inexplicably heavy.

It should be the emphasis on importance...

Upon entering the bedroom, I was greeted by the fragrance of flowers filling the room.

When I was gently placed on the soft bed, I confirmed that it was a bed full of flower petals.

To be honest, Sun Man felt it was a bit cheesy and corny.

I'm so incredibly bored.

After throwing her onto the bed, Xu Xing disappeared without a trace.

Sun Man guessed that he went to get the wine.

That's even more boring.

It wasn't until I heard the music coming from the bedroom that I realized this was the most boring thing.

Hsu Hsing brought over a record player and played the vinyl record of "Unchained Melody".

This is the theme song of "Ghost".

Oh, my love, my darling~
Amidst this singing, Xu Xing embraced her again.