Chapter 4: You Ill-Intentioned Man

DECEMBER 10, 2021 / KINKYTRANSLATIONS

Your Rival in Love Gets Prettier Every Day

Author: 公子于歌 / Gong Zi Yu Ge

Translator: Kinky

The onlookers were all stunned. Everyone knew Shen Jintai had filmed before retiring. The idol route was fast to rise but quickly to fall. With each new batch, very few would insist on just singing and dancing. They all eventually turn to the road of acting, and Shen Jintai was no exception.

After he and Bai Qingquan debuted in the talent show “Pick Me” together, they competed for the same film and television resources. Shen Jintai was able to supress Bai Qingquan and successfully starred as the male number one lead.

As a result, everyone saw that Shen Jintai contributed several classic funny memes. Too wooden was his evaluation by insiders of the industry.

But the Shen Jintai in front of them now was completely reborn. It’s not that he acted more shockingly, rather he felt much stronger than expected.

Guo Rui only asked him to audition for the role was first to give Bai Qingquan face, and second was to save on publicity cost. The topic between Bai Qingquan and Shen Jintai acting together would set off a frenzy. However, he was worried about Shin Jintai’s acting skills. Now he was rest assured. Seeing him acting like this now he was 100% satisfied to let him have the role.

While his image fitted well, the beauty was a bit lacking. However, Shen Jintai’s own quirks could make up for this shortcoming.

Guo Rui asked him to try on various makeup until he found that best match. He had a lot of say in this drama, so he directly called the producer.

Shen Jintai’s face was still flushed as he pressed a tissue to the end of his red eyes and looked at Li Meilan calmly. Li Meilan suppressed her excitement and said flatly: “Leave it to me.”

The contract still had to be negotiated. Li Meilan originally wanted to go to the temple and pray to Buddha for it but seeing as Guo Rui was so satisfied and decided so quickly, and this was Shen Jintai’s comeback, she thought there were still a lot of chips on the table and had ample room to negotiate.

The sincerity of the cooperation between the two sides was great, and the contract was quickly accepted. After signing the contract, Shen Jintai received the script for the first 20 episodes.

“Next Monday, all of our main actors will come for a script reading.” The staff reminded him.

Shen Jintai nodded: “Okay.”

It is very important a script run-through before shooting. Everyone would sit together to discuss, and further improve and adjust the script.

“Then we’ll see you the day after tomorrow.” Bai Qingquan said with a smile: “I have to go. The photographer over there is urging.”

Shen Jintai took the initiative to reach out and the two shook hands.

Bai Qingquan: “I was a bit strong just now. Please forgive me. I haven’t slapped anyone before, so I haven’t mastered controlling my strength.”

“It’s okay. Think of it as just practice.” Shen Jintai let go of his hand. The white sunlight from the entrance of the corridor peeked in shining on him giving him a glow up effect. Bai Qingquan was a bit unaccustomed to such a Shen Jintai.

His bone was thin. His form upright. It seemed his temperament has… changed? What were the meanings of those gentle eyes that were particularly focused when you look at him?

Looking at him like so caused a flurry in Bai Qingquan’s heart.

Bai Qingquan returned to his room, closed the door, clenched his fists and stomped his feet: “Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!”

His agent, Wei Ge, saw it and immediately said, “It’s not your own home. You should restrain yourself. If you are seen like this, your reputation will collapse!”

“I’m so angry!” Bai Qingquan looked like a different person: “Did you see it just now? Did you see it just now?!”

“I saw it.” Brother Wei said lightly.

Bai Qingquan stomped: “How can he act so well?!”

Lines, breath, bite, emotions, rhythm. He could even produce quickly falling tears!

Wei Ge: “It’s a good thing that you become stronger when you meet the strong.” Wei Ge said.

Bai Qingquan: “But I invited him over to humiliate him! What if I was ruthlessly crushed?!”

Wei Ge: “Have a little confidence in yourself.”

Bai Qingquan: “But my acting skills are just like that. Like the last actor, wasn’t it you who worked behind the scenes…*”

*“可我演技也就那样，上一个视帝，不还都是你幕后操作来的……” No idea what he’s trying to say. I was getting mixed translations from different MTLs.

Brother Wei held his forehead: “Then… let’s talk to the director again and replace him?”

Bai Qingquan pursed his lips and thought for a long time: “Forget it. I like him as a supporting role for me.” No matter how good his acting is, it was only a supporting role of a “beautiful little eunuch”. Shen Jintai was more beautiful than him?! How amusing! He could easily crush him!

Moreover, it’s not like he just met Shen Jintai for a few days. At Shen Jintai’s level, the part just now must have been extraordinary for him. His acting skills were notoriously wooden. After two years of neglecting his skills, he has become an old actor.

Recalling the stumbles that Shen Jintai once caused him, the sins he had suffered, and the tears he shed, he resolved to bury Shen Jintai into the ground.

—

“Ah, ah, ah, ah!” Li Meilan stomped.

Shen Jintai asked, “Was my acting okay?”

“It’s not a question of whether it’s okay or not. It was great.” Xiao Tang said while holding his glasses.

“Did you really have an epiphany?” Li Meilan restrained her excitement: “Why did you suddenly act so well?!”

“Perhaps I have suffered a lot from Yan Qiuchi and understood the various states of life! “Shen Jintai said.

“Well done!” Li Meilan said: ” As long as you are willing to work hard, have money and beauty, and is young, you won’t have trouble finding a good man in the future. It’s not like Yan Qiuchi is the only quality man out there!”

“I think so too,” Shen Jintai put two hands in his trouser pockets: “I think Bai Qingquan is much better than Yan Qiuchi!”

He had never seen such a soft and temperamental person! He must capture Bai Qingquan!

Li Meilan and Xiao Tang: “…”

With a “pop” nearby, the two of them turned their heads to look, and saw that the Starbucks in the hands of a young man at the door fell to the ground and splashing coffee everywhere.

After the elevator closed, the young man immediately picked up the cup and hurried to the lobby. Gao Qiao ran fast and took the elevator directly to the tenth floor.

“Boss! There’s something I think I need to tell you!”

Yan Qiuchi sat at the other end of the desk and raised his head, looking at him blankly.

Their President Yan was handsomer than the average celebrity, but he was so cold. Gao Qiao was a bit frightened: “I just ran into Shen Jintai by the elevator and heard him say…”

He mustered up the courage: “I think I know what he’s up to!”

“I think you might want to look into this more,” Xiao Yang, who was tilted on the sofa, sat up, took out his mobile phone and said, “Hot search No. 8. Take a look.”

Yan Qiuchi picked up the mobile phone on the table and slowly opened Weibo. When he saw the content on the hot search, his brows slightly frowned.

Gao Qiao also quickly took out his phone and saw the eighth hot search: “Shen Jintai Tattoo”.

When Shen Jintai fell in love with Yan Qiuchi, he did countless acts in the name of love. The most famous of them was to tattoo Yan Qiuchi’s name on his collarbone. The position of the tattoo was very clever. With the dance movements, it would be half-visible half-concealed. When it was first tattooed, many people tried guessing what the complete pattern was, and they attempted to find out several times. However, at Shen Jintai’s last public performance, after performing his routine, he tore open his shirt and showed the name on his chest in front of everyone.

The words “Yan Qiuchi” was facing front and centered in the spotlight.

It not only shocked the entire network but even the fans were left speechless.

And the eighth hot search that Gao Qiao was currently lookin at as a blogger who posted: “Shocking news! Shen Jintai washes off the tattoo of love!”

—

The weather was gloomy today. Originally there were dark clouds, but they had dissipated allowing the sun to come out letting the sky glow clear and brilliant.

Before Shen Jintai got into the car, he paused when he saw his reflection on the car glass.

He just met a handsome guy like Bai Qingquan but looking at his reflection, he couldn’t help but felt muddle. With his current appearance, his qualifications can only be regarded as ordinary in the entertainment industry. But it didn’t matter. As long as he can successfully complete the tasks, one day, he would become the most dazzling star.

Shen Jintai: “Hello, Xiao Ai.”

Xiao Ai: “Ding Dong. Dear, how can Xiao Ai help you?”

Shin Jintai: “Can I know in advance the specifics of the rich prizes?”

Xiao Ai: “Too many, dear. What do you want for yourself? Xiao Ai can help you determine it now.”

Shin Jintai: “Wide shoulders, slender waist, long legs. A good proportion of the head-to-body and head-to-shoulder ratio. A face that could be appreciated by everyone*. “

*二次元的头身比头肩比，祖师爷赏饭的电影脸. I’ve taken some liberties here as I have no idea what the translation was.

“You can have all of it!” Xiao Ai said: “I can only tell you that as long as you can think of it, there’s nothing we can’t give, so dear, come on!”

Hearing Xiao ai words, Shen Jintai became excited. Though it seems Xiao Ai was more excited than he was!

He sensed that someone was looking at him from upstairs, so he turned to look back, only to see the light reflected from the glass of the building, which was very dazzling.

The author has something to say:

The praying mantis hunts the cicada, unaware of the oriole is behind him*.

*Proverb that means people who pursue immediate gains while neglecting the greater danger from behind.

Kinky thoughts: Well, seems like Bai Qingquan wasn’t all that we thought he was probably to… nobody’s surprise. But whether he’s really a white lotus or not… you’ll have to keep reading to find out! (Honestly I don’t even know as I’m reading it as I translate).