Chapter 77 Resource Exchange
In contrast to Wang Chen, Yin Chang and Shao Junling were probably the guests who were least excited about Mi Xiu.
Mi Xiu choosing them, however, greatly surprised Yin Chang.
After all, the fans of the two main characters were still tearing each other apart online. Was Mi Xiu fearless or simply indifferent?
No, to be precise, Mi Xiu chose Shao Junling...
Yin Chang glanced at Shao Junling, thinking about what he had just said about "forcing him to say the passphrase" and Mi Xiu's comment about "pulled his beard". What did this little guy do to him?
But since Mi Xiu had chosen them, Yin Chang couldn't refuse and could only keep smiling. He pretended to be cordial, "Welcome, welcome."
After dinner, Mi Xiu followed them back.
On the way, Mi Xiu asked, "Where are you staying?"
Yin Chang: "The branch of the Kong Family Mansion."
According to the show's introduction, the Kong Family Mansion was a building from the late Qing Dynasty. The Kong family was the wealthiest family in the area for a long time, but fell out of favor during the Cultural Revolution. Fortunately, the house was preserved and was now the most valuable cultural heritage site in the area.
They were not staying in the protected ancient architecture of the main mansion, but in a neighboring branch. Although it was built to mimic ancient times, it seemed to have always been used as a homestay, with new facilities and furnishings. The room even had electricity and air conditioning.
Mi Xiu entered the courtyard and exclaimed, "Looks good."
Yin Chang turned on the air conditioning and nodded in agreement, "Yes, you have a good eye. This is the best house guests can choose this season."
Mi Xiu asked, "Why can you choose the best one?"
Yin Chang: "Because Junling and I won first place in a competition last season and received priority selection."
Mi Xiu: "You two are good?"
Yin Chang: "Not bad."
After entering the room, Mi Xiu looked at the interior layout, "There is only one bed, how do we sleep?"
Yin Chang: "That's a good question."
The two of them looked at the staff who followed them, and the staff said, "The bed is quite big, you can squeeze in and sleep together."
The room fell into a strange silence...
Mi Xiu suddenly said, "This show is so damn vicious!"
Yin Chang sighed, "You just realized it?"
However, Mi Xiu quickly adjusted his mood, "Let's just sleep together."
Yin Chang: "???"
Later, the three of them ate together around a small square table in the living room. Yin Chang had some concerns in his heart and couldn't relax, but fortunately Mi Xiu behaved casually and didn't make the atmosphere awkward.
After dinner, when the cameraman was about to leave, Yin Chang took off his recorder and spoke frankly with Mi Xiu, "You know about the drama online, right?"
Although Yao Manhuai didn't allow him to be involved and even asked him to stay out of it, Yin Chang couldn't pretend to know nothing now that he had met the other party.
Mi Xiu was stunned for a moment, but immediately sheathed his gentle and harmless expression and sneered, "I know."
Yin Chang: "..." As expected.
But seeing Mi Xiu's contrasting expression from a few minutes ago, Yin Chang was confused. Did Mi Xiu really fake his indifference earlier? It seemed too natural...
Frowning, Yin Chang clarified, "Did I mess up?"
Mi Xiu looked at him in silence for a moment, "No, do you really not know why this happened?"
Yin Chang was confused by Mi Xiu's retort, "So I did mess up?"
Mi Xiu's expression became complicated, "They said you were a naive idiot, and it turns out you really are a naive idiot..."
Yin Chang: "???" Who are they? Why do they say he's naive?
Mi Xiu returned to his relaxed expression and sighed, "You don't need to apologize to me. This was a transaction approved by my agency."
Yin Chang became more confused when Mi Xiu mentioned "transaction."
Mi Xiu said, "Your fans dragged me down, and my fans insulted you. It's all someone deliberately stirring up trouble."
Yin Chang exclaimed, "What? Who directed it?"
Mi Xiu looked at Yin Chang. "Do you really not know anything?"
Yin Chang was shocked and confused. He didn't seem to be faking it.
Mi Xiu felt both envious and sympathetic, but soon his eyes became clear and calm. "To be honest, when you first appeared on the scene, I was quite unconvinced because, like the rumors said, you relied on your father and didn't have any real ability... But the entertainment industry is just an unfair place. After you appeared in last year's issue of 'New People' magazine, my agency team already could predict your future development. Earlier this year, when you endorsed the BG watch, our agencies contacted each other and reached an agreement."
"What agreement?" Yin Chang asked.
"An opportunity exchange agreement."
"What does that mean?"
"You should know my background, right?" Mi Xiu smiled. "I was able to enter this circle on my own. Three years ago, when I participated in 'Absolute Idol,' I didn't even have a manager, let alone a company. It was my fans who voted for me and helped me change my fate. But don't think that just because I was so popular, I had everything. I only had fans, no background."
"Of course, if I wanted to, I could exchange for some opportunities that weren't related to talent...," Mi Xiu paused meaningfully, "but I wouldn't stoop that low. So for the past few years, I've had fame but lacked top opportunities. But you're different. Even though you don’t have abilities yet, I can see that you don't even know how much of a legacy your father has left you. The opportunities you have are enviable to everyone!"
"...," Yin Chang understood now. No wonder Yao Manhuai told him not to worry about it and not to clarify anything.
Mi Xiu continued, "Last year, my agency planned for me to switch to acting in movies, but all they could find for me were second or third-rate scripts, and they were all those insignificant youth and romance dramas. But ever since we reached an opportunity exchange agreement, President Yao connected me with some first-rate movie directors, and I got better opportunities. This is my first time on the big screen, and President Yao gave me a lot of resources, but in exchange, I have to be prepared to generate hype with you at any time. We already predicted that these recent controversies would happen."
"...," Yin Chang finally understood. This was why Yao Manhuai told him to not apologize and not to clarify anything.
"Oh, and inviting me as a special guest on this show was planned by President Yao and the producer of this show, Xu Zong. I didn't even know if this show was going to be popular, but I accepted anyway. In other words, I came for you," Mi Xiu said frankly. "Even if there weren't any controversies between our fans over the past few days, they were planning on stirring up some trouble after this episode. But I didn't expect that this show would be so popular, and my appearance also pushed my own popularity. This is a win-win situation for both of us. So, like I said, you don't need to apologize to me. I volunteered to be bound to you. Being bound to you is better than being kept by some rich older woman or sleazy CEO, don't you think?"
Yin Chang couldn't digest so much information at once, and was stunned.
Mi Xiu thought of something, "Although I'm enjoying your resources now, don't think that you'll lose them just because I'm taking them. President Yao was blunt and said that with your current abilities, you don't need those resources yet."
"..." Yin Chang shook his head, not understanding.
Mi Xiu looked at Yin Chang's bewildered expression and couldn't help but think that his manager was sheltering him too much.
He patted Yin Chang's shoulder, "Come on, little brother, keep up the good work."
"..." Yin Chang didn't know what to say.
Mi Xiu was 22 years old this year, three years older than Yin Chang. But his attitude was that of an elder sibling teasing a younger one, which made Yin Chang's eye twitch.
Yin Chang remembered what Mi Xiu had said before and guessed, "So was it intentional when you pointed at Shao Junling and said you wanted to live with us?"
"Of course," Mi Xiu said. "My fans are still fighting with yours online, and if I came up to you and asked to live with you, wouldn't that be slapping their faces? Making them feel cold? Let them fight, they're really naive. They think their idol is the greatest and can do anything... But this world isn't that simple."
"..." Yin Chang had no words.
"But don't worry about this kind of thing. I've been through a lot of dragging through mud, being trampled, and fighting over the years. In fact, my fans would also drag and trample other people. They mock other idols for not having any ability, and they vilify them... At the most extreme, there was a period of time when fans of over ten celebrities took turns insulting me for a month on my Weibo! Am I not amazing?" Mi Xiu said.
"..." Yin Chang couldn't believe it. Wasn't that terrible?
Mi Xiu consoled Yin Chang and then turned to Shao Junling with great interest. "However, I was really interested in your little brother from watching your first episode... especially when he went to the villager's house. I thought the show gave you the script in advance. But just now on the ship, he told me that the show had 87 people, and he remembers what each person looks like. It was really surprising to me... Does he really have such a good memory?"
"Uh-huh." Seeing that Mi Xiu was talking about Shao Junling, Yin Chang asked him about the passphrase incident.
After hearing what happened, Yin Chang burst into laughter. Shao Junling was really unpredictable.
Mi Xiu looked at Shao Junling and said in a surprised tone. "Your little brother gives me the feeling of... a kind of animal."
"Which animal?" Yin Chang asked.
"The kind that hasn't matured fully yet," Mi Xiu gestured with his hands, "a German Shepherd puppy?"
Yin Chang followed Mi Xiu's gaze and almost couldn't hold back his laughter... It was true. Both the appearance and temperament were really similar.
"He's been staring at me," Mi Xiu observed. "I'm a little nervous... He wouldn’t … bite me, right?"
"Well..." Yin Chang remembered that Shao Junling used to have a history of biting people, so he carefully considered his answer. "He probably won't now."
"What?" Mi Xiu was surprised to hear that he really used to bite people. He then looked at Shao Junling and made a gesture that he might use on a puppy. "Hahaha, come come!”
Yin Chang: “... …”
Shao Junling: “... … … …”
