A Good-for-Nothing

211. A Weird Call Sheet (I)

Translator: Dragon Rider

In fact, Chen Xi was rather scornful of Feng Ma. Previously, when he’d first started receiving coaching in this agency, he had had some dealings with Wang Jian and had heard from him several times about the conduct of this pal of his. In Chen Xi’s eyes, Wang Jian was the kind of person who would die for his friends, but Feng Ma, his pal, was the complete opposite – not only wouldn’t he die for any of his friends, he had actually stabbed Wang Jian in the back.

Of course, this was none of Chen Xi’s business. Starlight Entertainment Company was larger and more famous than Starry Talent Agency, and had been the making of several celebrities. It was only too obvious which one Chen Xi should choose if he was to pursue a career in show business.

Therefore, a trifle guilty as he was, Chen Xi still secretly contacted Feng Ma.

Most of the subsequent events were rather procedural. In order to leave some room for maneuver, Chen Xi didn’t directly tell the agency that he wanted to jump ship, but said that his parents didn’t like the idea of him entering the show business at such a young age. Wang Jian was a kind-hearted man and didn’t suspect anything. Though rather reluctant, he still let Chen Xi leave Starry Talent Agency after he paid the penalty charge stipulated in the contract.

Naturally, Feng Ma covered the penalty charge. Chen Xi believed that Feng Ma would definitely make every effort to lick him into shape, given that Feng Ma had gone to such great lengths to poach him from Wang Jian.

After hopping to Starlight Entertainment Company, Chen Xi began to receive coaching the same way he had in Starry Talent Agency. Feng Ma promised him that he would groom him as a future star. The only thing Chen Xi was requested to do was keep it back from his family that he was working as a trainee in Starlight Entertainment Company.

Feng Ma’s explanation for it was that he was one of the most promising trainees of this batch, so the company wanted to keep it secret until the time was ripe for him to make his first public appearance.

While Chen Xi was a student of a drama school, he had never really been in the show business, so he did what Feng Ma asked him to do, suspecting nothing.

There were over twenty newly recruited trainees, and each and every single one of them had the makings of a star, but Chen Xi was pretty good with people and soon became friends with them.

The accommodation provided by the company was excellent. They were divided into pairs, and each pair was assigned a small apartment in which there was a living room, a kitchen, a bath room and two 1.5-meter-wide beds. Almost everybody got along well with their roommate.

Chen Xi’s roommate’s name was Jiang Shuanglin, a student of the acting department of the Lin City Film School. He was also a local in Coastal City and on friendly terms with Chen Xi.

On this day, when the last coaching session was over, Chen Xi went back to his trainee apartment, took a bath and was lying on his bed to give himself a face mask when he heard someone open the door. Without turning his head back, he said, “Shuanglin, you may go and have a shower. Remember to wash the clothes after you’re done.”

Jiang Shuanglin was a pushover, and Chen Xi always asked him to do this and that, but he’d never got angry.

Not having heard any replies, Chen Xi was somewhat surprised. Jiang Shuanglin had a very good temper and would never ignore anybody when spoken to. Puzzled, Chen Xi twisted his head aside and saw that Jiang Shuanglin was sitting on his own bed, his fingers interlocked tightly together, his face clouding over with fear.

Chen Xi was never an interfering busybody, but he really liked being friends with Jiang Shuanglin pretty much. At the sight of Jiang Shuanglin’s expression, he hurriedly ripped off his face mask, walked up to Jiang Shuanglin and gave him a gentle push. “What’s wrong, Shuanglin?”

Jiang Shuanglin’s eyes were full of distress. On hearing Chen Xi’s words, he shook his head and said in a heavy voice, “Xiao Xi, I–I’m going home.”

Chen Xi was taken aback. Jiang Shuanglin was baby-faced and had exquisite features. His appearance was typical of the most popular young A-list stars. Also, he was performing well during the coaching and stood a very good chance of shooting to stardom overnight. “What are you talking about, Shuanglin?! Pony said that next month he would get you packaged and have you make your debut in a publicity campaign, remember? You’ll soon become a celebrity!”

Jiang Shuanglin held back the words on the tip of his tongue, tossing Chen Xi a glance, a fairly apprehensive look on his face.

“What happened exactly? Tell me.” Chen Xi and his fellow trainees had been taught how to interpret people’s micro-expressions. He had originally wanted to console Jiang Shuanglin, but after seeing this look in his eyes, Chen Xi gradually collected himself.

Jiang Shuanglin must be keeping something from him.

“I’m not sure whether or not I should tell you this, Xiao Xi.”

Chen Xi said, “Chen Xi, if you feel this matter concerns me, don’t keep it back from me, no matter what it is.”

While Chen Xi was saying this, his hands at his back involuntarily balled into fists. Although he had put it this way, he was secretly worried. Feng Ma had once told them that the best performer would be the first to make their debut. Had Jiang Shuanglin got the spot, by any chance? No, if that was the case, why was Jiang Shuanglin leaving?

As though swayed by Chen Xi’s words, Jiang Shuanglin took a deep breath, a somewhat awkward expression on his face. “Xiao Xi, I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me.”

Chen Xi inclined his head.

Jiang Shuanglin gazed at him earnestly. “To gain entry into showbiz, are you willing to sacrifice everything, including your… body?”

Chen Xi was stunned for a brief moment and then lapsed into silence. He had a girlfriend and wasn’t ready to make that kind of sacrifice to get publicity. Although it was not uncommon for would-be stars to resort to that, Chen Xi didn’t want to be one of them.

He shook his head and then was on the alert. “What happened, Shuanglin? Did Feng Ma…”

Face crumpling up as if he was about to be reduced to tears, Jiang Shuanglin bobbed his head with a heavy heart. “I found out about it by accident. Earlier this day, when I was in the washroom, Feng Ma was making a phone call in the stall next to mine. I heard him say…”

Jiang Shuanglin took a deep breath and continued, “I heard him say ‘That kid is the best trainee of this batch in every respect. If he doesn’t take your fancy, I’ll get you another one.'”