Chapter 423 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Sweet to the Point of Overload (06)
“Sure~” Being able to spend time openly with his boyfriend—there was no reason to push him away. Bai Tang readily agreed, the excitement on his face impossible to hide.
“Me too, I want to team up with Tang Tang.” As the saying goes, it’s better to work with someone you know than a stranger. Liu Lingfan didn’t care about Bai Tang’s reputation in the entertainment industry. She knew what kind of person he was—she understood him well. It would save time compared to getting used to new teammates, and it could also reduce potential conflicts.
Bai Tang hesitated a little. It wasn’t that teaming up with the female lead was a problem—but if the male and female leads stayed together, would they develop feelings for each other?!
Before Bai Tang could speak, Li Manpei had already adjusted her expression and jumped in unwilling to back down. “Sister Fanfan, we should respect first come, first served. I was the one who first said I wanted to team up with the Best Actor Heng~”
“I didn’t want to team up with the Best Actor Heng. I wanted to team up with Tang Tang.” Liu Lingfan spoke very directly. She genuinely didn’t want to team up with Heng Xingjian. She wasn’t particularly ambitious—she had entered the entertainment industry somewhat by chance. The Best Actor Heng had a huge fanbase; if even a slight scandal came out, his fans would tear her apart. Liu Lingfan was also one of Heng Xingjian’s fans, so she understood their mentality. She admired him, but she didn’t want to become a target of online abuse.
Li Manpei seemed angered by Liu Lingfan, her eyes starting to redden. “How can you say that about the Best Actor Heng?”
Liu Lingfan: “???” What did she even do? Why was this girl suddenly crying?
Not only Liu Lingfan, but everyone present was drawn to Li Manpei’s sudden emotional outburst.
“Brother Heng has always been my idol. I entered the entertainment industry just to see Heng Xingjian up close—how can you look down on him like this…!” Li Manpei spoke passionately, as if Liu Lingfan had committed some unforgivable crime.
Liu Lingfan: “I didn’t do anything though…”
“You did! Heng Xingjian is so amazing, and you don’t even want to team up with him—doesn’t that mean you look down on him? I won’t allow you to insult my idol!”
Liu Lingfan: Huh?
Li Manpei was extremely emotional, but the fans in the livestream could understand her. She had publicly expressed her admiration for Heng Xingjian more than once, so Liu Lingfan appearing to “look down on” him naturally triggered such a strong reaction.
[“Peipei, don’t cry—seeing you cry makes my heart ache.”]
[“You made Peipei cry, Liu Lingfan, go die!”]
[“As a passerby, I don’t think Liu Lingfan said anything wrong. The host said teaming up is free choice—what’s wrong with her wanting to team up with Bai Tang?”]
[“Is Li Manpei being too dramatic? Crying over this? No one insulted anyone or laid a hand on her—what is she even crying for?”]
[“Heh, if your idol were ignored and disrespected, wouldn’t you be angry?”]
The argument in the livestream chat was even fiercer than the one on set. The show’s effect had kicked in, and the audience began taking sides.
Li Manpei was beautiful, and once she started crying, several of the men present couldn’t help but step forward to comfort her—except for Heng Xingjian and Bai Tang.
Bai Tang: “Qiu’er, do you think there’s really nothing wrong with this girl’s brain? I honestly can’t see what the female lead did wrong.”
Standing by Bai Tang’s feet, Qiu’er replied through spiritual sense, “Probably? Do you want me to scan her brain?”
Xiao A: “I feel like this is strangely familiar… Found it. In past records, this type of character setting is called a ‘green tea bitch.’”
The scene split into two camps: one group gathered around Li Manpei to comfort her, while the other consisted of Bai Tang and Liu Lingfan exchanging glances. Behind them stood Heng Xingjian, the center of the controversy.
As the supposed culprit of the situation, Heng Xingjian showed absolutely no awareness that he should comfort the girl he had made cry.
He picked up his bag and placed it in front of the host. “This is the luggage I’m bringing. Please register it.” With his cool and handsome face, it was as if the commotion beside him had nothing to do with him.
The host glanced toward Li Manpei’s side, then began checking Heng Xingjian’s luggage.
“Pinecone snacks, milk, sugar-roasted chestnuts, emmm…” The host looked a bit dumbfounded at the items taken out of the bag. He looked up at Heng Xingjian. “Best Actor Heng, did you take the wrong bag?”
“No. I’m only bringing these three things.” Heng Xingjian’s expression didn’t change at all, offering no explanation despite how mismatched the items were with his usual image.
[“Umm… how should I put this? I’m so used to the Best Actor’s tough-guy image that seeing him bring snacks now feels kind of cute.”]
[“Cute +1. Tough on the outside, little princess on the inside. I’m in love, hahaha…”]
[“Did the Best Actor Heng just break his persona today?”]
No one knew why Heng Xingjian brought those items, but Bai Tang did—they were all his favorite foods.
Bai Tang stepped forward and placed his own bag on the table. “These are my belongings.” After speaking, he bent down and also placed two small dogs on top.
[“Hahaha, no way, is Bai Tang an airheaded sweetheart? Do dogs count as belongings?”]
[“The love of a pet owner—bringing their adorable dogs everywhere. So cute, I want to pet them…”]
[“You guys can have the dogs, I’ll go pet Bai Tang first.”]
The three adorable creatures stared at the host with the same innocent, expectant eyes, making him feel a lot of pressure. Why hadn’t Bai Tang forgotten about this?
The host said there was no precedent for this and that he needed to consult the production team.
The director waved his hand decisively—for the sake of ratings, it was approved. However, dogs are living beings. The two dogs would count as two teammates.
It’s said that dogs are humanity’s most loyal companions, and animals are often more perceptive than humans. Bringing dogs along could be considered a kind of “cheat advantage” for Bai Tang. However, there were downsides too—dogs can’t speak human language. There are things humans can do that dogs simply can’t.
Bai Tang was overjoyed, his clear eyes shining like flawless crystals, making people unable to resist wanting to follow him.
[“I don’t care—official reports already said Bai Tang wasn’t involved in that incident. I trust the authorities, not the haters. I’m definitely becoming his fan.”]
[“I’m definitely becoming a fan + phone number! Tang Tang is mine—you guys can go chase Li Manpei instead.”]
[“No thanks. That crybaby started crying over nothing. I’ll pass.”]
The cheerful smile of the “all-ages-friendly little squirrel” instantly captured the hearts of countless looks-based fans. Protect the cutest Bai Tang in the world—charge!
Bai Tang’s team, counting Heng Xingjian, Qiu’er, and Xiao A, already had four members. There were five guests left, which couldn’t be evenly divided, so Bai Tang’s side needed to add one more person.
If he had to bring in one more teammate, choosing the female lead was better than picking someone else. Without hesitation, Bai Tang agreed to Liu Lingfan joining them. With that, the team was finalized, and the remaining five people were forced to group together.
Li Manpei had just managed to calm down, but when she saw that the team lists were already finalized, it looked like her tears were about to fall again.
Heng Xingjian didn’t even glance sideways. He put the two small dogs into the bag, took Bai Tang’s hand, and led him toward the parking lot.
Liu Lingfan hurried to follow. In order to capture every team member on camera, the back seat was already occupied by Bai Tang, Heng Xingjian, and the cameraman, leaving no extra space. Liu Lingfan could only sit in the front passenger seat.
While waiting for the other team to finish checking their supplies, Heng Xingjian tore open a bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts. “Tang Tang, want some? It’s a two-hour drive to the destination—eat something first to fill your stomach.”
Bai Tang smiled brightly and eagerly opened the bag. He picked up a chestnut and was just about to bite into it when his hand suddenly felt empty—his white teeth bit into nothing.
“???”
“It still has the shell. You can’t eat the shell.”
Heng Xingjian squeezed the chestnut, and with a “crack,” the shell split open. In a few quick motions, he removed the shell. “Ah—open your mouth.”
“Ah—”
For the male lead, feeding his little squirrel was a daily routine, so Bai Tang didn’t find it strange at all. But the others didn’t know that. The cameraman was stunned, and this warm, intimate moment was broadcast through the lens, causing an uproar in the livestream.
[“Oh my god—if you say the Best Actor Heng and Bai Tang don’t have something going on, I absolutely don’t believe it.”]
[“So doting! I’m calling my boyfriend right now.”]
[“Did you see that? The Best Actor Heng only has eyes for Bai Tang, and Bai Tang’s gaze toward him is full of light.”]
[“I think the “light” in Bai Tang’s eyes is for the sugar-roasted chestnuts.”]
[“Oh… poor Best Actor…”]
Bai Tang popped the chestnut into his mouth, feeling his cheeks puff up with satisfaction—he was content.
“Want more, Tang Tang? There’s plenty.” Heng Xingjian’s entire backpack was filled with Bai Tang’s snacks—more than enough to keep him full.
“You eat too~” As Heng Xingjian handed one over, Bai Tang instead brought it to his mouth. “Isn’t it sweet?”
“Very sweet.”
If Bai Tang liked something, Heng Xingjian would be happy.
He reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. The latter took the initiative to nuzzle into his palm, making the livestream audience collectively squeal at how adorable it was.
If Liu Lingfan still couldn’t see Heng Xingjian’s special treatment toward Bai Tang at this point, then she’d truly be an idiot.
“Tang Tang, are you hungry? I still have some bread here—want some?” Liu Lingfan took out a square loaf of bread. With her idol filter gone, she no longer felt as infatuated with Heng Xingjian as before.
Tang Tang was so innocent—Heng Xingjian’s behavior was practically shameless. He was clearly trying to lure Tang Tang.
“Woof~” Tang Tang, I want some too.
Right on cue, Qiu’er poked its head out of the bag, staring longingly at the chestnuts.
Bai Tang fed a few to Qiu’er and Xiao A. The two little dogs, completely satisfied, curled back into the bag—there were no dogs more human-like than them.
“I remember Tang Tang gets carsick. Tang Tang, you should sit in the front—the passenger seat is less likely to make you sick.” Looking at the pretty and innocent Tang Tang, Liu Lingfan felt it was her duty to protect her childhood friend. She couldn’t let some casting couch scheme fail only for Heng Xingjian to succeed instead.
After entering the entertainment industry, Liu Lingfan had learned a lot more about its hidden side. She had every reason to suspect that Heng Xingjian had taken a fancy to Tang Tang’s looks and was trying to take advantage of him.
Hearing Liu Lingfan’s words, Bai Tang froze for a moment, alarm bells ringing in his head. He waved his hand. “It’s fine—Sister Xiao Fan gets carsick easily too. Ladies first, I’ll just sit in the back.”
The fist Heng Xingjian had clenched loosened quietly. He still looked at Bai Tang with a doting expression. “If you fall asleep, you won’t get carsick. Tang Tang, lean on me and take a nap.”
He patted his shoulder and gently pulled the boy against him.
Bai Tang found the most comfortable position and leaned on him, wrapping his arms around Heng Xingjian’s waist. “A-Jian is the best~”
The corners of Heng Xingjian’s lips lifted slightly. Sensing the probing gaze from the front, he raised his head—his eyes instantly turning cold.
When Liu Lingfan met his gaze, she shivered. But when she looked again, he had already lowered his head, adjusting Bai Tang’s collar.
She glanced at the cameraman beside her. In public, he probably wouldn’t dare do anything inappropriate.
Just as she thought that, the other team finished preparing. The convoy slowly started moving forward.
Fans: [This is so sweet it’s overwhelming!]
Author’s Note:
Good news—I managed to snag a new keyboard!
There will be extra updates—once the keyboard arrives, I’ll start posting more right away. Muah~