"Fuck off with that narrative. Your mouth's flapping like a damn propeller. Xu Chun didn't pick the elimination list; he just read it out. Throw shade at him again and your mom dies first."
"Sorry, not sorry. If your idol really thinks it's unfair, tell him to climb to Xu Chun's current position and decide whether others live or die. Otherwise, he'll just have to be an irrelevant fucking loser for the rest of his life."
"Just a passerby here, but that contestant really made a bad impression by throwing something onstage. He showed no respect for the judges at all."
"Try rehearsing your ass off only to get sabotaged when you go onstage. Easy for you to say."
Public opinion online was divided into two camps, and the argument raged. Xu Chun didn't pay much attention to it; something on this scale was insignificant to him.
Su Li, however, worried even about such minor matters. Ever since Lu Xian's downfall, the slightest sign of trouble involving Xu Chun put her on edge. She repeatedly urged him to watch what he said and did on the show lately and make sure he didn't break character.
Xu Chun paused, then asked instinctively, "Right, what was my persona again?"
Su Li was also taken aback. The marketing team had originally planned to give Xu Chun an appealing contrast, making him seem aloof on the surface but down-to-earth underneath, bringing him closer to the audience.
But before anyone realized it, Xu Chun had already gone too far down the road of breaking character to turn back.
Wherever he went, he was mild and composed, with an expression that said, "I don't mind. Whatever you want is fine." He had already strayed from what the team had originally intended.
"Forget it." Xu Li felt a headache coming on.
They might as well let things develop naturally and see how far he could go. It was only the beginning, and Xu Chun still had some way to go before he could truly establish himself.
When they filmed the new drama at the end of the month, quite a few actors' relatives came to visit the set. It was the holiday season, after all, the peak time for such visits.
Xu Chun's parents were getting on in years, and he couldn't bear to have them travel so far. Besides, Xu Jin was still shut away practicing on the talent show, so he couldn't come see him either.
Seeing the other actors' families come to visit, he still felt a little lonely.
"Brother, what do you want for your birthday?"
Xu Chun looked over and saw a young girl beside Xie Jianyuan. If he remembered correctly, she was his younger cousin. Presumably, she had come to visit the set too.
When Xie Qianqian saw that Xie Jianyuan wasn't answering, she grew a little anxious. "Come on, tell me. I've been saving my allowance for ages, waiting for your birthday."
Xie Jianyuan patted her on the head and smiled. "I don't need anything. Keep it and buy yourself a few more outfits."
With that, he walked over to Xu Chun. Once he stopped in front of him, the first thing he said was, "Brother Chun, the day after tomorrow is my birthday. Are you free?"
Xu Chun looked at the utterly shocked girl behind him, then back at Xie Jianyuan. Finally, he asked cautiously, "What is it?"
Xie Jianyuan smiled. "My mother heard you were my senior in the industry and wanted to invite you to dinner."
Xu Chun hesitated. It was bound to be a Xie Household family dinner, and it wouldn't be quite appropriate for an outsider like him to attend.
But then he thought about how much Xie Jianyuan had helped him in the past. He had finally made a request of him, and it would hardly be right to refuse.
After thinking it over, he nodded.
Seeing him agree, Xie Jianyuan's lips gradually curved upward. He pressed them together, revealing a smile.
Xie Qianqian jumped in front of Xu Chun then and said excitedly, "If I remember right, you're Xu Chun, aren't you? That drama you and Shen Zhu starred in made me cry my eyes out. I wanted to jump into the show and punch the female lead a few times."
The girl wore a hooded sweatshirt and looked up at him with admiration in her big eyes. Xu Chun couldn't help softening a little, so he chose to ignore the "if I remember right" at the beginning.
"Yeah, that drama came out many years ago. I thought kids these days wouldn't remember it."
"Of course we do," Xie Qianqian said hurriedly. "That drama is still really good even now."
Xu Chun couldn't help smiling. He said to Xie Jianyuan, "Your sister sure knows how to flatter people."
Xie Jianyuan smiled too, but said nothing.
The Xie Household had chosen a peaceful, elegant Chinese garden restaurant for the family dinner. Before entering, Xu Chun saw two bright red carved sandalwood lanterns hanging at the garden gate.
Led by a server in a qipao, Xu Chun followed her through a winding covered walkway and then through a moon gate, arriving at the door of a private room.
"Please come in."
Xu Chun nodded, pushed open the door, and saw that the table was already full.
His gaze swept around the table and landed on Xie Jianyuan. He couldn't help smiling.
"Brother Chun." Xie Jianyuan rose calmly and pulled out the seat beside him.
"Thank you." After sitting down, Xu Chun first greeted Xie Jianyuan's mother and father.
He had met his mother before, but this was indeed his first time meeting his father. Mr. Xie looked to be in his forties, with a composed expression and an imposing air even without showing anger.
Xie Qianqian sat on the left, with what appeared to be her friend beside her, who looked about the same age. On the right sat several young men he didn't recognize, though judging by their features, they were also members of the Xie Household.
"Why isn't Xiuyan here yet?" Mrs. Xie complained, her tone mildly reproachful.
Hearing that, Xu Chun paused slightly in the act of drinking his tea and frowned without showing it.
Xie Qianqian said, "He's probably stuck in traffic."
"Honestly, that boy could at least call." Mrs. Xie complained a little more before her gaze fell on Xu Chun, and she gave a little exclamation.
"You're the senior Yuanyuan mentioned, aren't you? We met last time. Do you remember?"
Xu Chun smiled and nodded. "Of course."
Mr. Xie's gaze also fell on Xu Chun. As soon as Xie Qianqian heard Mrs. Xie speak, she hurriedly began showering Xu Chun with praise at the table, making Mrs. Xie laugh.
After a while, Jiang Xiuyan finally arrived. When he saw that Xu Chun was there too, he paused in surprise. He only came back to his senses when Mrs. Xie called him.
"Sorry, I got stuck in traffic and was delayed for a while."