"Still not sober?" Song Zhe couldn't believe it.
Lu Ming: "Your dad was never drunk to begin with!"
Song Zhe felt his head buzzing on the other end of the phone. The old Lu Ming had been like a naive pushover, letting himself be manipulated at will. He'd always followed orders without question and never even dared to speak loudly in front of him. But now this guy was completely out of character - actually daring to insult him?
Bold!
Way too bold!
Song Zhe angrily hung up the phone.
"He's lost it. This guy has absolutely lost it - something's definitely wrong with his head!"
"Wait, he's just some nobody I've got by the balls. What am I afraid of him for?"
Song Zhe quickly realized he'd been stunned by the scolding.
As one of the industry's most famous talent agents, if word got out that he'd been cursed at by one of his own artists, who would respect him anymore?
He redialed.
"What the hell do you want now?"
"I don't care if you've had a mental breakdown or not. Right now, immediately post an apology on Weibo. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you." After thinking it over, Song Zhe felt that wasn't enough: "No, that's too half-assed. Record a video instead. Admit your crimes on camera, bow and apologize, and make Wu Qian's side feel your sincerity!"
"How about I kowtow to my phone while I'm at it? That'd show even more sincerity!" Lu Ming said out of nowhere.
Song Zhe froze.
How did this kid suddenly get so clever?
"That's a good attitude. Do exactly what you just said!"
"Are you the product of incest or something? Can't tell the difference between sarcasm and sincerity?" Lu Ming sneered.
Song Zhe: "!!!"
Damn it, he'd never been cursed at this badly in his entire life.
"Lu Ming, I'm warning you - you're the company's artist. The company owns your life. If you don't do what I say, I guarantee I'll blacklist you immediately. You'll never appear in domestic entertainment again, and you'll spend ten lifetimes paying off the breach of contract fees!"
Song Zhe's face turned red as he pulled out his blacklisting threat.
"Oh, thanks for setting me free."
"Go ahead and blacklist me - I'm begging you!"
"..."
The other end of the phone fell into a long silence. In the past, artists would be terrified when they heard the word "blacklist," but this kid acted like he didn't care - it left him completely at a loss.
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"You really aren't scared of dying?"
Beep beep beep.
Hearing the busy tone, Song Zhe's lungs nearly exploded with rage.
He dialed again.
"I'm telling you, the breach fees will bankrupt you!"
Beep beep beep.
"You're finished! Your career is over!"
Beep beep beep.
"Get ready to spend the rest of your life in prison!"
Beep beep beep.
"The number you have dialed is busy. Please try again later..."
"Fine, just fine! This damn little bastard actually dared to block me - this is rebellion, a complete rebellion!" Song Zhe grabbed a vase and smashed it on the ground, completely losing it.
...
In the apartment.
A petite, pretty girl pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing Lu Ming hang up the phone, her small, rosy mouth had already formed an O-shape - she'd heard the entire conversation.
"Morning, Xiao Ya." Lu Ming greeted his little assistant.
"Ming-ge, it's already noon..." Xiao Ya said resentfully, then quickly continued: "The internet's already in complete chaos. Several talent agencies are pressuring us, and Wu Qian, Li Changfeng, Teacher Huang and their side are making the biggest fuss. Are you really not going to apologize?"
"Xiao Ya, do you know why cows work hard their whole lives without complaint, only to end up getting slaughtered for meat?"
Xiao Ya looked puzzled: "Why?"
"Because they're kind!"
Xiao Ya: "..."
That actually made sense - she couldn't think of how to argue with that!
"What does this have to do with our current situation?"
"Of course it's related. The reason your Ming-ge has ended up in this mess is also because of 'kindness.' In this cutthroat industry, kind people don't get good endings."
"But you're right about one thing - the Mushroom House incident does need a response."
"You're going to apologize to them?"
"Right, 'apologize'!"
"I'm not just going to apologize - I'm going to write a 'heartfelt' essay to express my most 'sincere' regret!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ya let out a long sigh of relief and said in a clear voice:
"Ming-ge, you should first check out the stuff about your breakup with Teacher Xiao Zheng. The rival studio dropped another bombshell - obviously because of yesterday's incident, they want to completely cut ties with you. The online buzz has exploded."
Sister Zheng - that top-tier scumbag of domestic entertainment who had the original owner wrapped around her finger!
Although he'd already guessed it, when Lu Ming went online and saw the opposing studio's release of over a hundred chat screenshots, he was still stunned.
...
[Ming]: Baby, I made you a love lunch today. Can I bring it to you at noon?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Better not. The director and everyone will be there. If you specially make it just for me, they'll have opinions.
[Ming]: Then I'll make portions for them too. That way no one will gossip.
...
[Ming]: Baby, why did you block me from your WeChat Moments?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Oh, I usually block family members. It wouldn't look good if they saw.
[Ming]: So I've always been family to you - that's great!
...
[Ming]: Baby, I went to get an IV today. Want to know what kind? Missing you through the night!
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Back off!
[Ming]: Why aren't you asking why I went to the hospital?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Let's break up!
[Ming]: Wah wah wah, fine then, this servant will retreat.
[Ming]: May the princess take care of herself. This retreat might be for life!
[Ming]: This servant's first crime: meeting you; second crime: knowing you; third crime: befriending you; fourth crime: pleasing you; fifth crime: missing you; sixth crime: caring for you; seventh crime: protecting you; eighth crime: guarding you; ninth crime: loving you; tenth crime: adoring you.
[Ming]: All ten crimes complete - this servant deserves death ten thousand times over. This servant... retreats!
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Where are you right now?
[Ming]: Do you miss me?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: No, I want to hire someone local to slap you!
...
"Great, just great." Lu Ming desperately covered his forehead, cringing at his predecessor's simp messages.
He didn't even have the courage to keep scrolling.
Just thinking that Sister Zheng's studio had released over a hundred screenshots like this made Lu Ming feel a heart attack coming on - he barely recovered.
Xiao Ya beside him was struggling to keep it together.
Anyone would have trouble keeping a straight face seeing content like this. That's exactly why even yesterday's explosive #Mushroom House Incident# trending topic had its thunder stolen.
"Xiao Ya, do you believe me? Your Ming-ge isn't usually like this!" Lu Ming tried to seek comfort from his little assistant.
Xiao Ya: "Ming-ge, when you were filming on set before, you'd just stare at your phone screen in a daze. You wouldn't even put your phone down while eating - either staring blankly at the chat window or instantly replying when chatting with Sister Zheng. I got used to it..."
Lu Ming finally despaired and closed his eyes, lying flat on the bed with his mind blank.
Don't let his breathing fool you - his heart had been dead for a while now.
After Xiao Ya confirmed that Lu Ming was going to "apologize," she quietly closed the door, giving Lu Ming space to be alone.
Soon after, he shot up like a carp jumping out of water.
"Something's wrong - very wrong!"
The mental damage from the screen had made him overlook the real issue. Sure, Sister Zheng's chat screenshots looked pretty embarrassing, but actually, they were all taken out of context - only capturing selective "highlights."
The online rumors that he was a kept man who climbed up through Sister Zheng were completely twisting who he really was. In reality, when the idol craze started taking off in domestic entertainment, his predecessor had used his godlike looks and outstanding physique to basically dominate other idols - it was like a dimensional reduction attack. Right after debuting, he caused a sensation in fan circles.
Seeing the potential in him, Huayue started investing heavily in his resources. Lu Ming's status shot up like a rocket. During a variety show, Sister Zheng, who had her finger on the pulse of domestic entertainment trends, started flirting with him. That was actually during Sister Zheng's career low point.
Rather than him riding Sister Zheng's coattails, it was more like Sister Zheng - who was facing a career crisis - rode his.
Lu Ming pulled out his phone, opened the avatar from his blacklist, and scrolled for ages but couldn't reach the beginning. He had to open the calendar and jump to the first day they became friends, then scroll down.
Looking at content that made him physically sick, he started screenshotting like crazy!
Want to eat up my bad press?
Then let's mutually destroy each other!
Half an hour later, Lu Ming uploaded over a dozen chat screenshots and posted: @#Not Chu Yuxun#.
[Since we broke up, please pay back all the money you owe me!]
#Picture##Picture##Picture#
Because of the #Big Sausage Incident#, Lu Ming had gained a million followers overnight. Though the fanbase was extremely mixed - mostly angry haters cursing in his comments - Lu Ming didn't care. As long as people were watching, that was enough.
Countless netizens who followed Lu Ming's Weibo saw the update notification and flocked over like sharks smelling blood.
[Owes money? What money?]
People curiously clicked on the screenshots. When they saw the content, even some "Bees" and "Magnies" who had sworn to seek justice for their girl stopped typing.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Baby, I found a house I like, but I'm short a thousand. Can you lend it to me first?
[Ming]: The company still hasn't settled my appearance fees from a year ago. I don't have that much money right now.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Baby, don't you love me? I read online that people who truly love you won't refuse any of your requests.
[Ming]: But I really don't have that much money.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: You can get a loan! The interest isn't that high, and with your status, this amount is nothing, right? Just help me out - I can pay you back next month when I get my acting fees.
[Ming]: Okay then, I have about three hundred in my account. I'll borrow seven hundred from a lending company to make up what you need.
[Ming]: You have to pay me back promptly when you get your acting fees next month.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Don't worry, baby.
...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Baby, have you eaten?
[Ming]: Not yet, I've been busy running around to different gigs all day, didn't have time.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Dummy, what time is it? How can you still not eat?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: I'll worry if you starve yourself...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Your punishment is to transfer 520,000 to my Alipay!
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Let's see if you dare skip meals again!
[Ming]: Stop joking around. I lent you all my money, and now I don't even have enough for daily expenses.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Baby, you don't love me anymore, do you? And here I was worried about you not eating!
[Ming]: It's not that - it's just that my pockets are emptier than my face.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: You can get a loan!
[Ming]: Stop messing around.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: If you don't love me anymore, just say so. I didn't realize our relationship was so fragile that it couldn't stand this test...
[Ming]: I transferred the money to you!
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Love you. Remember to eat properly next time - this is all for your own good.
[Ming]: I really want a McDonald's burger. Can you order delivery for me? I had twenty thousand for living expenses, but I just took out a loan for 500,000 and gave it all to you.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Junk food isn't healthy. You know how to cook, right? Make something yourself and deal with it. I'm going to shower now!
...
[Ming]: Baby, the lending company is pressuring me to repay. Haven't you gotten your acting fees yet?
[Ming]: Baby, say something.
[Ming]: The other party declined your voice call.
[Ming]: Baby, please say something. I'm really desperate - the company refuses to settle my appearance fees, and I have no money to repay the loan.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Baby, I haven't gotten my acting fees yet. I'll pay you back the moment the money comes in, okay?
[Ming]: Okay.
...
One week later:
[Ming]: Baby, have you gotten your acting fees?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: No.
Another week later:
[Ming]: Baby...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: No.
A month later:
[Ming]: Baby, I heard your acting fees came in early last month. Can you pay me back now?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Wait, you investigated me? You're so scary!
[Ming]: I really didn't! The lending company contacted my assistant, and her friend works with an artist from your same crew - she just mentioned it in passing.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: I have some cash flow problems. The money's urgently needed.
[Ming]: Can't you pay me back first...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: What about my problems then? You know about this year's Four Little Actresses selection. I've worked so hard for so many years, and I'm finally about to level up. This is such an important matter - won't you help me?
[Ming]: Okay then, I'll try pushing the company to release my appearance fees and see if I can fill this hole.
Three days later:
[Ming]: The company won't pay wages. My agent said if I keep making trouble, they'll freeze me. Baby, can you please pay me back first? I can't possibly repay this much money.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Aren't you annoying? I'm at a critical point in my career. I know you don't have money right now, which is exactly why I haven't asked you for more. I'm already being very considerate, okay? When will you ever think about me for once?
[Not Chu Yuxun]: If you can't help me, fine, but now you're holding me back instead. Don't you love me anymore?
[Ming]: It's really not that, baby. If I can't repay the money, they'll take my house.
[Ming]: Please help me out!
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Why don't you mortgage your house to the bank and borrow some money to fill the hole first?
[Ming]: I'm scared...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed in you.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Other people's boyfriends casually give their girlfriends houses worth tens of millions. Dating you, I don't ask for mansions or luxury cars, but instead of being grateful, you're hesitating over a measly thousand...
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Feel like I chose wrong.
[Ming]: Stop, I'll get the loan, okay?
A month later:
[Ming]: Baby, the company suddenly canceled all my endorsements and gigs. When I argued with my agent, he said my singing sucks, my acting is terrible, and that this era of domestic entertainment is about competing with actual work. I have nothing but looks, so the company's going to promote other male group idols who came back from abroad. I'm finished!
[Ming]: Baby, I defaulted on the loan - save me!
[Ming]: Baby, my house got auctioned off, and the company still won't release my appearance fees. I don't know what to do.
[Ming]: I'm so hungry right now. Can you order me some McDonald's? I've been craving it for so long, baby.
[Not Chu Yuxun]: Can you not bother me with such trivial things? I'm filming - every minute costs tens of thousands!
[Ming]: But baby, Xiao Ya isn't here, and I don't even have money to eat...
...
Holy shit!
After reading the screenshot content, the melon-eating masses were truly eye-opened. Even some fans who had been criticizing Lu Ming over the simp incident had their jaws drop.
The comments section exploded!
[The Zheng-Ming breakup actually has a plot twist.]
[Bro, at first I thought she was borrowing a thousand, and I was thinking celebrities' private lives aren't that different from ours. Then I saw later it was actually ten million!]
[How is Sister Zheng such a scumbag, constantly threatening Lu Ming with 'you don't love me'?]
[What decent person would force their boyfriend to take out loans for them?]
[I'm eating this drama up!]
[She said she'd pay back in a month, but got her acting fees just days after getting the money and kept quiet. If Lu Ming hadn't asked, would she never have mentioned it?]
[So female celebrities also borrow money and don't pay it back?]
[I can't take it anymore - I'm getting secondhand rage through the screen!]
[My scalp is tingling. When she asked Lu Ming if he'd eaten with that caring tone, I was almost shipping them, then boom - 'your punishment is to transfer me 520,000' and my brain crashed.]
[Isn't this just a pure scumbag?]
[Lu Ming was treated like an ATM.]
[This is a talking ATM - gold diggers are drooling just looking at this.]
[This tone is exactly like my ex-girlfriend!]
[Bro, you fell for it too?]
[Suddenly feeling some sympathy for Lu Ming - he's the biggest victim in this relationship.]