Chapter 236: Entertainment Has No Circles

Chapter 236: The Entertainment Industry Has No Circle

"Is Xiao Fan gone?"

Bai Zhi reunited with Su Qingcen at her home. She had learned about the incident where Su Qingcen and Meng Fan encountered the assaulted fan on the road; for a woman, hearing such a story was quite moving.

"Yes, he said he wanted to go back, so I sent a driver to take him straight to Hangzhou to avoid him running into people on the high-speed train."

With the MV shoot finished, the mini-vacation was effectively over. Tomorrow, Su Qingcen would be back to her various schedules, so she decided to stay put at Bai Zhi’s place for the night.

"Sister Bai, isn't your nightgown a bit... extravagant? And the lingerie underneath, too. I feel like it can barely contain you!"

"There are plenty of granny-style nightgowns, who told you to pick this one? Barely contain? What are you showing off for!"

"Just showing off! Though it's a bit empty up top, I can't compare to you!"

In her relaxed state, Su Qingcen was more playful. She giggled, stuck her shapely backside out at Bai Zhi, and then sashayed off toward the home theater.

"Do you have that movie I mentioned last time?"

"I do."

Bai Zhi inexplicably thought back to that day at Meng Caiwei’s house, when she had showered and left her lingerie in the bathroom, only for Meng Fan to walk in and use it. She wondered if he had seen anything, and if so, what he might have thought.

Sigh.

Bai Zhi was suddenly struck by the feeling that she was born at the wrong time. The character traits Meng Fan displayed, combined with his increasingly burly and powerful physique, were exactly the things she found alluring. It was a pity he was so young, and she wasn't the type to have a "younger brother" complex.

She sighed, followed Su Qingcen, and put on a movie that had been a hit recently; she hadn't seen it herself.

There were many films she wanted to watch, but few opportunities to go to the cinema. Thus, Bai Zhi had specially renovated a room into a high-end home theater, with effects that were even better than a standard cinema.

"I forgot to pay him for the MV recording." Remembering this, Bai Zhi asked how much Su Qingcen had paid him last time. Not wanting to overpay or underpay, she transferred five hundred thousand to Meng Fan.

"By the way, have you asked the production team about that voice-acting show?" Su Qingcen asked curiously.

Bai Zhi shook her head. "With all the chaos these past two days, I haven't asked yet. I'll test the waters first; if they’re interested, I’ll ask Meng Fan. I think the chances of Mango TV agreeing are quite high, but the chances of Meng Fan agreeing are very slim."

Su Qingcen didn't doubt that, but she grew more puzzled about one thing: "Sister Bai, tell me, does this guy actually want to be a star or not?"

Bai Zhi was stumped by the question. After thinking for a long time, she said, "Honestly, I really don't know. If he wanted to be famous, he’s had plenty of opportunities—so many show invitations, and he even turned down Director David’s Las Vegas show. Like this time, it was a great opportunity to become a star. As we said this afternoon, if he wanted to debut, he’d be the first person to break into the entertainment industry through this. But then again, if you say he doesn't want to be famous, everything he does seems aimed at it, especially the live streaming."

Su Qingcen thought for a moment and said, "Maybe he does want to be famous, but we’ve limited the definition of fame, thinking that only entering the entertainment industry counts."

Bai Zhi’s eyes lit up. "You’ve hit the nail on the head. If we set aside the idea of entering the entertainment industry, things become much simpler." She slapped her thigh and laughed. "Caiwei used to always say she wasn't part of the entertainment industry, let alone a star; she always insisted she was just an actress. I suppose in that regard, the siblings are the same."

Su Qingcen agreed, but sighed, "The entertainment industry has no circle, but the 'entertainment circle' really does exist. It can't trap actors, but it traps all the stars!"

"Oh, stop it. You’re getting the benefits while complaining. Watch the movie, watch the movie!"

"People are always greedy for more!"

...

"This much?"

Meng Fan was already on the road when he received the transfer from Bai Zhi.

"The same amount as your brother Shan Jin. Didn't you serve as a guest at my concert? Besides, you still owe me a few sand art performances, so no more money for those!"

"Alright, then I’ll accept it."

"Since you're so well-behaved, I'll give you a treat, sister. Take this picture too, hahaha!"

Soon, a photo appeared in Meng Fan’s WeChat. One look, and he was filled with awe!

He silently saved the photo Bai Zhi had taken of Su Qingcen lying down in her extravagant nightgown watching the movie, placing it right next to the photos his sister Meng Caiwei had sent him.

Who said he was a fake fan? He was clearly a leg fan!

Around nine in the evening, Meng Fan arrived near his school. He treated the driver to a meal before letting him go.

Meng Fan didn't go back to school; it wasn't a good time to return.

Zhang Zhouwei and the others had already sent various messages about Meng Fan hitting the Korean star. Naturally, everyone at the Art Academy knew. Before the truth came out, Zhang Zhouwei and the others had messaged to say that everyone at school believed Meng Fan had a reason for hitting him—honestly, that really touched Meng Fan.

Later, when the truth emerged, Zhang Zhouwei messaged to say that reporters had come to the school to interview people and even reached their dorm, but the school administration quickly intervened and chased the reporters away. After all, a school is a place for learning; they couldn't have reporters coming and going constantly.

If Meng Fan returned to school now, he would definitely be mobbed at the gate unless he wore a hat.

Well, even going home required a hat; there were people at the entrance of his residential complex. Reporters were certainly well-informed.

However, this kind of thing would die down in a couple of days once the heat faded.

Back home, he took off his hat, and a WeChat message from Wu Tong popped up.

"Home?"

Meng Fan was stunned. Such a coincidence? "How did you know?"

"I guessed." Wu Tong sent a playful emoji. "How was it? Did you get mobbed by reporters?"

"I almost was, actually."

Meng Fan chatted with Wu Tong, went for a shower, and continued talking afterward. As they chatted, he naturally began drawing his manga, and the conversation ended just as naturally.

The next morning, Meng Fan went out for his usual run. Fortunately, since he wasn't a celebrity being stalked for a major scandal, there were no reporters lurking this early.

From the complex to the West Lake scenic area, pedestrians began to appear on his way back.

"Are you that 'Iron Tower' guy who hit the Korean star?"

"Wow! It really is the Iron Tower guy! Out running so early, no wonder you're so strong!"

"Can I take a picture with you? I really like your... hitting people!"

Meng Fan finally witnessed the power of this incident. Before, even though he had been on the Double Eleven live stream, only the Art Academy students recognized him during his morning runs. Now, he had been recognized at least dozens of times along the way.

Running back to his complex, he saw Director Charlie doing stretches in the garden across the street, huffing and puffing—it was clear he didn't exercise much.

As soon as he saw Meng Fan, Charlie walked over.

"I knew I’d find you here. Sure enough, you went for a run this early." Director Charlie was still stretching; it was cold in the early morning, and he’d freeze without it. "Going to the studio this morning?"

After agreeing on a time, Director Charlie drove Meng Fan to the cultural and creative park. On the way, Director Charlie told Meng Fan about the role he had reserved for him in the animation "Nine Heavens"—it wasn't a small supporting role, but the male lead!