Chapter 60#
“Devoted” Movie King (14)#
He Xiao posted on Weibo to clarify for Kong Si: The actor Yu Si is very dedicated and respects his seniors. The two of them have a good relationship privately. It’s possible that the show’s editing caused a misunderstanding. Following this, he also @ actor Yu Si, and then posted a picture under this clarifying Weibo, which was an old photo of Kong Si.
In the photo, Kong Si was wearing a white shirt, standing at the podium giving a speech, looking spirited and full of youthful vitality.
Soon, He Xiao’s clarification topic climbed the trending list, quickly overshadowing the earlier #Yu Si throwing a tantrum# trend.
Besides this, there were also topics like Yu Si’s first love face, Yu Si’s youthful looks, and others. Taking advantage of this heat, the trending list was soon flooded with posts about Yu Si and He Xiao.
Of course, there were also neutral netizens questioning whether this was a joint hype stunt by the two artists, or perhaps orchestrated by the variety show. Because after this episode’s guests trended, the show quickly came out to clarify, proving that Yu Si was indeed a good actor and that there was no deliberate throwing-of-tantrums as implied in the trending topics.
Initially, He Xiao’s fans were almost furious. Before He Xiao spoke out, a large wave of fans had flocked to Kong Si’s artist Weibo account to curse and scold.
Fans of actor Yu Si also tried to fight back, but because he was a newcomer and not fond of hype, Yu Si’s fans were less effective, getting dragged through the mud by the opposing side.
But then the celebrity himself came out to clarify, and the fans’ faces were slapped hard. The ringleaders, strong in mental endurance, immediately changed their tune and apologized, shifting the blame onto the production team.
As Kong Si followed the situation, he sneered at the comments under his own Weibo.
His agent originally wanted to log into his main account to respond to He Xiao’s @, creating a false impression of camaraderie, but Kong Si stopped him.
“Respond? If I respond, it proves we’re on good terms? No response.”
Kong Si was thoroughly disgusted by He Xiao. What was the other party trying to do? Use public opinion to create an illusion of a good relationship with him? Or did he think Kong Si would be grateful for his “kindness”?
The agent said awkwardly, “But if we don’t respond, won’t it confirm that you don’t get along with He Xiao, and that you don’t respect your senior?”
Kong Si said without hesitation, “If it’s confirmed, so be it.” He wished he could directly post a Weibo to slap back, saying they weren’t close, and that someone shouldn’t try to cozy up to him.
But given their current rankings in the industry, posting such a Weibo would result in him being the one ridiculed, while He Xiao would reap sympathy from passersby.
Kong Si said, “Let it go for now. There’s no need to give him hype. We’ll handle it coldly. If he later sends out press releases about us being buddy-buddy, you arrange for people to release press releases about us not getting along.”
The agent was quite puzzled: “But if we do that, won’t it harm your image?”
Kong Si’s tone was icy: “I’m just an actor. Can’t I dislike being used for hype? I don’t care whether it’s good or bad. As long as I have roles to act in the future, that’s enough.”
The entertainment industry wasn’t He Xiao’s world. His original goal was simply to act in plays he liked and let more people like him. What did it matter if he and He Xiao didn’t get along? As long as he acted well and had solid achievements, why worry about all this?
Just as he finished speaking, his phone suddenly rang. Hearing the familiar ringtone, Kong Si immediately got up to grab his phone, signaling his agent to stay put: “Just wait in the living room and watch. I’m going to take a call.”
After entering the room, he took a deep breath before answering Lu Yi’s call.
As soon as he answered, Lu Yi’s voice came through: “I saw the trending topics. Don’t take those irrelevant people’s words too seriously.”
While artists receive more flowers and praise than ordinary people, they also often endure more abuse and slander.
Typically, Kong Si’s artist Weibo was filled with loving comments, some playful, but still expressing affection for the artist.
Although it was the agent who usually managed the account, Kong Si often secretly checked his fans’ feedback. He was happy with praise and saddened by negative comments.
Even though after entering the entertainment industry, his first role was in a big production—not the lead, but a very significant supporting male role—and he hadn’t faced hardships in terms of resources, he was still a newcomer with that kind of excitement and anxiety about gains and losses.
When his first TV drama aired, he obsessively stared at his phone and computer to read netizens’ comments. If he saw a long, heartfelt one, he’d read it several times and smile with satisfaction.
If he encountered a hater, even a mindless one, he’d be upset for a long time. Often, one negative comment had a greater impact than ten positive ones.
As Kong Si’s bedmate, Lu Yi had witnessed his partner’s emotional fluctuations during that time. This time, Kong Si’s Weibo was flooded with insults.
A large wave of He Xiao’s fans and meddling keyboard warriors had swarmed in, spewing filth, inflicting the same verbal violence on Kong Si as they had on Lu Xingchen.
But back then, Lu Xingchen had already suffered physical harm, and the people around him had added enormous pressure, making him unable to bear the strange looks.
He knew Kong Si was a very emotional person—someone who cared more about others’ opinions. When insulted, he would definitely feel worse than those thick-skinned, carefree types.
Lu Yi never wanted to see Kong Si become like the original Lu Xingchen.
Hearing Lu Yi’s voice, Kong Si’s chaotic thoughts gradually calmed. He softly hummed in acknowledgment and said, “I know. After choosing to become an artist, I prepared myself mentally.”
Even the renminbi has its critics. Even universally acclaimed stars get haters. He was just a little star with only two works to his name.
Lu Yi’s voice was steady and powerful, very reassuring: “It’s good that you think that way. Anyway, remember this: no matter what outsiders say, I know who you are, and I love the you that you are. That won’t change because of outside chatter.”
His words were like a calming pill, a shot of confidence. Kong Si felt much better, a smile appearing on his face: “I know.”
No matter how harsh outsiders’ words were, they were still just on a screen. What he feared was the distrust of those close to him.
The two husbands talked a bit more. Lu Yi could sense Kong Si’s voice lightening, his mood improving. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Now, open the door to the room.”
Kong Si realized something at these words. He rushed to the door and opened it, finding the tall, handsome young man standing at the entrance.
He didn’t care about whether his actions looked undignified. He excitedly threw himself into a bear hug, tightly wrapping his arms around his man’s strong, slim waist.
Lu Yi let him hold on for a while, then reached out and stroked the top of Kong Si’s jet-black hair. Although he was male, Kong Si’s hair was very soft. People with soft hair have soft hearts, and Lu Yi didn’t want this soft-hearted Kong Si to be hurt.
After burying his face long enough, Kong Si looked up. Remembering the agent in the living room, he felt a bit embarrassed: “I forgot there was an outsider here.”
A grown man making such a move was definitely embarrassing in front of others.
Lu Yi reassured him: “When I came in, I told him to leave.”
He had no desire to show off his relationship in front of others. He didn’t want outsiders to see the side of Kong Si that only he knew.
Kong Si felt relieved, stood up straight, and resumed his usual demeanor.
He looked at his lover and asked, “Why did you suddenly come over? Don’t you have work?”
Lu Yi said in a very matter-of-fact tone, “Because you are more important than work.”
His daily work was very heavy, and he couldn’t always keep an eye on Kong Si’s activities. But when hiring an agent for Lu Yi back then, he had instructed that if something like this happened, they should inform him immediately. He didn’t want to find out what happened only after everyone else already knew.
Kong Si looked at Lu Yi, his eyes sparkling as if reflecting starlight: “You really are…”
How could someone’s words be so sweet? And it wasn’t the kind of deliberate coaxing sweetness—it was just a very ordinary tone, yet it made him feel all the more content.
Lu Yi turned and sat down on the sofa in the living room, then beckoned to Kong Si: “Come here. I have something to show you.”
Kong Si strode over and saw Lu Yi bend down to take a file folder from the drawer under the glass coffee table: “I was going to tell you after work today, but work ended early, so now is a good time.”
Kong Si leaned in, sitting close to Lu Yi: “What is it?”
Lu Yi opened the folder and spilled out a stack of photos: “Take a look. Do these people look familiar?”
Kong Si’s sharp eyes caught sight of He Xiao, and standing next to He Xiao, a somewhat plump, short, fat man.