The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Shen Mingbei played with his phone, silently cursing Qu Lang for not being a human being, yet the longer he used it the more he felt something was wrong… 
En, it all started with someone in the comment section posting: Isn’t Lin Xiang’s role rumoured to have been a certain artist Chen’s by one of his fans?
Then, the trending topics related to Lin Xiang exploded. 

《Feng Yue》had indeed set a male lead, but it hadn’t been made public. 
A few days ago, Qu Lang visited the set; today, Lin Xiang’s makeup and costume photos were released. After further reminders, many people remembered that the《Feng Yue》set had previously released information that’d been put on record; by then, Shen Mingbei had already been @’ed. 

At that time, Shen Mingbei’s brokerage hadn’t stated anything directly, but the CEO President Yu’s personal account clearly revealed his pride – what did he post again? 
-Someone wants to negotiate the slot for a ‘male lead role’.

In the small, shabby company Shen Mingbei had signed himself into, who could possibly become the male lead for such a big-budget production like《Feng Yue》? 
It could only be Brother Sheng Mingbei. 

Although the production team for《Feng Yue》hadn’t posted any makeup or costume photos before shooting, one could still find clues-
Lin Xiang’s makeup and costume for his role had originally been set for Shen Mingbei! 

For example, when the female lead was announced, the crew’s official Weibo account began secretly focusing on Shen Mingbei. 
Another example was, two or three weeks ago, Shen Mingbei had clearly told his fans on Weibo he had to retreat for shooting. Then, not even a few days later, he took out five flower pots; yesterday, he was even involved in a ‘men’s domestic violence’ discussion. This clearly showed he wasn’t part of the cast or crew. 

As the heat on Lin Xiang became hotter, one more topic arose from the discussions on《Feng Yue》’s male lead. 
#《Feng Yue》’s Male Lead Substitution: The Whole Story#

Shen Mingbei’s haters were very happy.
[A rumour is just a rumour; how can something fake be true? A certain person’s fans are too funny – they even pledged it in all sincerity and seriousness! Which production was allocated to《Feng Yue》? Only a certain person would dare think of it.] 

Shen Mingbei’s fans were furious.
[It’s obvious Teacher Shen was robbed of his role – who knows when that dog Yu will become more reliable!]

There were also several ambiguous individuals who took part as onlookers.
[Although dog Yu isn’t a good person, he still protects Teacher Shen.]
[Frankly, it’s hard to say if he started from scratch. Lin Xiang had been abroad for so many years, then he suddenly came back and obtained such a role.  Let that sink in.]

In the end, even a marketing account popped out to spill the tea.
[Inside news: The same day Artist surname-S left the fy crew, he’d made an appointment with a styling teacher at 6 [doge]]

At first, it was just an ordinary ‘licking the screen1 for a gorgeous person’, then it directly turned into a great melee. 
In the end, Weibo suspended many accounts for verbal violence and even removed the trending topic section. 

On the same night, Lin Xiang’s studio released an announcement. 
Their Lin Xiang didn’t steal anyone’s role; everything was decided by their production team. 

The《Feng Yue》official Weibo directly expressed: It hadn’t been finalised at that time. Lin Xiang came back exactly for shooting《Feng Yue》; he was the first choice from start to finish. 

For the team to say it like this – for them to travel in this kind of direction – Shen Mingbei truly found it unexpected. 
When he was in contact with Direction Chen before, the production team hadn’t used this narrative – they’re turning their backs on an old associate. 

And the ‘decided by their production team’ in Lin Xiang’s studio’s announcement was really – en – slightly phony. 
Then he felt maybe he was just being too cowardly; even if Qu Lang liked Lin Xiang a lot, he wouldn’t care so much as to manage his inner thoughts! 

But for Qu Lang to get the crew to post such an announcement, he probably spent a lot of money. 
Shen Mingbei’s heart ached.
Not everyone could enjoy the same happiness as others. 

Average people didn’t have Qu Lang’s superpower to settle issues. 

Because of this matter, Shen Mingbei’s Weibo continuously received private messaging inquiries. However, his company’s intentions were to let them do as they wish; even the trending topic had been removed – how could they possibly cause a disturbance? Moreover, anyone who knew of this issue knew Shen Mingbei had been wronged. 
Oh, when Cai Feng was advising Shen Mingbei, he said, “The production team sent the compensation money – it’d been doubled! They relented after all…”

Shen Mingbei checked his card’s balance and decided to accept the money. 

The protagonist White Moonlight had come to ascend to the top of the entertainment circle; it was normal for the cannon fodder to be crushed. Besides, he earned himself a bonus. 
After this entire incident was over, Shen Mingbei put his phone away and recuperated with relief. 

Speaking of this, his sickness wasn’t too severe but Xiao Zhang pushed him to stay in the hospital for two days; after he was discharged from the hospital, Shen Mingbei’s brief holiday was declared over. 
Although he still returned to Qingtan Bay, Shen Mingbei would leave early and return; occasionally he’d even stay out all night. 

Actually, Shen Mingbei’s working state was the same as before; the only difference was probably since Lin Xiang returned, he hadn’t sent Qu Lang a single message. 

Shen Mingbei was busy for a while before he and Cai Feng finalised a new script – this time, it wasn’t a drama script but a movie one. 
The director was new; this new director was the disciple of a renowned director from the last generation, Gong Yi. It was said this script was personally written by Gong Yi. Logically speaking, Shen Mingbei would often appear in drama circles, unable to receive many large-production film projects for the big screen.
This was a good opportunity! 

Who knew from where President Yu had obtained this script; he’d handed it to Shen Mingbei as if it was a treasure. 
“Teacher Shen, cherish this opportunity well!”

In the past, Shen Mingbei never really caught sight of President Yu. He just knew President Yu would always hand out some strange resources. 

Before, Shen Mingbei had still felt sceptical, but when arriving at the audition, he really did see Gong Yi. 

Since seeing Gong Yi, Shen Mingbei decided to seize this opportunity; even if he was just a novel’s cannon fodder, feelings can be let go but not one’s career. He needed a good resource – he’d entered this industry for a decade and had accompany-ran2 for ten years. 

Countless people remembered the breathtaking moment he debuted on-screen, but after so many years, he’d never asked for too much. 
No matter if it was for himself or his fans, the movie before him was an opportunity. 

After the audition was over, Gong Yi was quite satisfied with Shen Mingbei’s performing skills, but Gong Yi’s disciple said, “This character, Qin Jiao, is like a willow branch trembling in the wind. Teacher Shen is also slim, but not to a meagre point; if he appears on the widescreen… The person I recommended to you yesterday is actually more suitable.”

His unfinished words were very clear – Shen Mingbei’s appearance lacked a bit of flavour and they had other options. 

Hearing his disciple’s words, Gong Yi looked at Shen Mingbei again and nodded; he was about to send him off before Shen Mingbei took the initiative to speak: “I can lose weight. Aren’t there still a few months left before shooting? I can definitely slim down more.” 

Gong Yi wanted to say it wasn’t necessary. Although it was the norm for artists to stay fat or thin for a short-term period, it was too tormenting. 

“Teacher, in the script, Qin Jiao is in a lot of fight scenes. I previously specifically studied them and can act out all the scenes myself. If my figure is the only issue, then it’s not a major problem.” When Shen Mingbei spoke, his eyes were steady, but Gong Yi was silent for too long, causing him to not have much hope… 

Shen Mingbei was just about to leave before Gong Yi revealed a smile and said to Shen Mingbei, “Then it’s decided.”
After confirming he hadn’t heard wrong, Shen Mingbei was delighted. He raised the corners of his mouth and reassured Gong Yi he’d definitely lose weight – it’s just 20 jin3!

Although the new director still believed yesterday’s recommendation was better since Gong Yi nodded then the matter was settled. 

After the role was finalised, the production team and his company drew up a contract and signed the agreement. 

Shen Mingbei happily celebrated with Cai Feng, Xiao Zhang, and the people allocated to him by the company; he ordered an entire table of food. 

It’d been more than a half a month since the《Feng Yue》production team issue; a happy occasion finally came along. 
He could also feel slightly more relaxed. 

Other people enjoyed the exotic delicacies whilst Shen Mingbei held a salad bowl, eating grass. 
Xiao Zhang felt sorry for his Brother Shen. “How about you start losing weight tomorrow? Everyone’s eating so well today!” 
Shen Mingbei didn’t mind that much, so he lightly said, “This opportunity didn’t come easily. There’s not much time, so I must work hard.”

Since Shen Mingbei said so, then everyone else suggested Brother Shen go home first. Otherwise, seeing them eat and drink, Brother Shen would definitely feel uncomfortable. After considering it for a moment, Shen Mingbei agreed – what the eyes don’t see, the heart won’t grieve over. 

He still liked food. When disaster struck the Shen family, the deposit was taken away by his second uncle, so he had no opportunity to eat much.
Now he was rich but had to manage his body and control himself from eating too much. 
He could only eat some grass now… 

Shen Mingbei didn’t want to disturb everyone’s mood, so he came out directly from the private room and took a taxi back to Qingtan Bay. 
It was quiet inside the villa. Shen Mingbei drank a glass of water before going upstairs and saw an unexpected person in the bedroom. 

“President Qu?” At this time, why was Qu Lang at home? 
To be honest, ever since he knew of Qu Lang’s past, shattered his illusion of him, and understood he was a tool – a cannon fodder – to help advance the protagonist’s relationship, Shen Mingbei was quite afraid of seeing Qu Lang, whether it be in bed or during other times. 
Qu Lang was too cold – as if he had no emotions… 
If he didn’t know Qu Lang had the White Moonlight Lin Xiang in his heart and had loved him to the point of madness, Shen Mingbei might’ve suspected Qu Lang was a stone. 

Qu Lang was at the desk filing documents; hearing movement he turned his head. 
Seeing it was Shen Mingbei, he coldly said, “I’m hungry.”

Shen Mingbei nodded and responded, “I’ll get auntie to cook.”
After speaking, he turned around to leave, but Qu Lang opened his mouth again and spoke only two words. “You cook.”

Shen Mingbei: “…”
When the two had just gotten married, he indeed liked cooking for Qu Lang. But later, he found out his craftsmanship didn’t quite suit Qu Lang’s liking; each time he cooked, the other wouldn’t eat much. When he forcibly swallowed the food, he looked as if he was chewing wax, so Shen Mingbei stopped cooking to prevent him from disliking him. 

Now Qu Lang was requesting him to do it. 
Forget it. Rather than staying in the bedroom alone with Qu Lang, he’d be better off staying in the kitchen. 

Shen Mingbei smiled and said, “Alright. What do you want to eat?”
Qu Lang’s reply was very quick. “Anything.”

“Alright.” Shen Mingbei went downstairs and opened the refrigerator; he boiled a bowl of tomato and egg noodles for Qu Lang and placed a yellow-red spoon into it. Shen Mingbei swallowed, wanting to eat… 
Then he shook his head – absolutely not!
He had to resist the temptation! 

Just as Shen Mingbei came out from the kitchen with the bowl in his hands, Qu Lang came downstairs. 
Seeing the ‘perfunctory’ bowl of noodles in Shen Mingbei’s hands, his complexion didn’t seem so good; however, he didn’t say anything. He still sat in front of the dining table and took a pair of chopsticks. 
Qu Lang smelt it and was just about to eat before realising straight after Shen Mingbei put down the bowl he turned around and went upstairs. He suddenly spoke.
“You’re not eating?”

Shen Mingbei’s footsteps paused. He replied, “I’ve already eaten.” 
Although he wasn’t full, he indeed ate before; moreover, he felt suffocated when around Qu Lang.

Footnotes

‘Licking the screen’ – means to drool over gorgeous people or foods online.‘Accompany-ran’ (‘陪跑’ – pei pao) – used to describe one’s failure to succeed (e.g. someone who’s been nominated for a Nobel prize every year, yet never won one before has been accompany-running). Can also mean that even if someone had achieved a goal after ceaseless hard work and reaped their honour, they realise they actually have nothing, and thus have been ‘accompany-running’.Jin – English equivalent is ‘catty’; each catty is equal to 0.5kg