Chapter 5: Scummy Methods of Trading the Body for Resources?
Chen Wei only found out about the high-level executive wanting to see him from Han Chi after the advertisement shoot was over.
His first reaction was Zhou Sijin, but then he thought it was unlikely.
Zhou Sijin always kept business and personal matters strictly separate.
He would never publicly acknowledge their relationship at his place of work.
Otherwise, the two wouldn’t meet at a hotel every time.
Speaking of which, the number of times Zhou Sijin had taken him home could be counted on one hand.
Unless Zhou Sijin was in a bad mood, he would take him to his “outside” home.
And every time they went home, Zhou Sijin would inevitably torment him like a madman.
Over time, Chen Wei understood that Zhou Sijin was using lust to vent his anger.
Though he didn’t know why Zhou Sijin was angry, Chen Wei would cooperate and play whatever the man wanted to play.
Until Zhou Sijin’s anger completely dissipated…
Fortunately, though Zhou Sijin occasionally acted up, he knew when to stop.
He would always pay attention to Chen Wei’s expressions, remembering the points that made Chen Wei comfortable.
Then, like a straight-A student, he would constantly study and research.
This was also why Chen Wei dared to play with Zhou Sijin without reservation until now.
Only, Chen Wei couldn’t figure it out.
If the so-called high-level executive the assistant mentioned wasn’t Zhou Sijin, then who could it be?
After being in this industry for so many years, Chen Wei understood the dynamic between brand owners and celebrities all too well.
But this company belonged to Zhou Sijin, and he was sent here by Zhou Sijin’s side. Did the high-level executives not know he was Zhou Sijin’s person?
With questions in mind, after speaking to Han Chi, Chen Wei intended to follow the assistant to see what was going on.
As a result, before he even stepped out of the studio, a sudden argument broke out behind him.
Chen Wei stopped and turned around.
The argument was between the designer who had requested he shoot first and Xin Xing’s manager.
Seeing this, Chen Wei was stunned. He turned a questioning gaze to Han Chi beside him.
Feeling his gaze, Han Chi ran over to him.
“What’s going on?” Chen Wei asked.
Privately, he hoped this didn’t involve him.
Han Chi covered his mouth with one hand and leaned in to whisper his complaints to Chen Wei:
“According to the previous arrangement, your role in this shoot was supposed to be a foil to Xin Xing.”
Saying this, he tilted his chin toward Xin Xing:
“See those clothes on Xin Xing? Originally, that outfit was supposed to be A-L’s main feature for this season.”
He then looked back at Chen Wei:
“But the designer, Finn, is very satisfied with the effect you produced. So he had a sudden idea and wants to swap your outfit to be the main feature of the season.”
The main feature would be made into a large individual poster by the brand and placed in the most prominent spot of A-L’s offline stores to attract customers.
Using the celebrity effect, it would bring profit to the stores.
And through the offline stores, it would bring fame to the celebrity.
This achieved a win-win for both brand and celebrity.
But now that the brand wanted to change people last minute, Xin Xing’s team naturally wouldn’t have it.
Thus, the current standoff occurred.
From the designer’s perspective, Finn felt he hadn’t done anything wrong.
But Chen Wei felt this was a matter of principle.
Finn’s move seemed beneficial to him, but in reality, it pushed him to the opposite side of Xin Xing, placing him in an awkward position.
Chen Wei felt quite innocent.
Because he himself hadn’t intended to overshadow Xin Xing.
Chen Wei put himself in the other person’s shoes: if he were the one being replaced today, would he be angry?
The conclusion he reached was: no.
After following Zhou Sijin for these years, he didn’t know if he had been influenced by him or what, but he had long since developed a non-competitive personality.
Xin Xing hadn’t been in the industry for long and might not understand the rules.
But if this manager was someone who knew how to handle things, they shouldn’t be arguing at a time like this.
After all, they were facing the Party A, who had the final say.
For the brand, who they wanted to change or replace was entirely up to their whim.
If they had a bit of an attitude, they would discuss it with you beforehand like this.
If you met an arrogant brand, they might even replace you before the shoot started without a word.
Chen Wei shook his head. Arguing with the brand was the most unwise choice.
But since this matter involved him, he couldn’t directly offer an opinion.
Chen Wei stood there, his heart hanging in the balance.
For a moment, he didn’t know whether to stay or go.
He prayed in his heart that their argument wouldn’t drag him in.
However, life is sometimes just that dramatic.
The spark between Xin Xing and the brand eventually crashed onto him.
Xin Xing’s manager turned around, his sharp, contemptuous gaze landing on him as he sneered:
“Our Xin Xing isn’t like some people. He wouldn’t use scummy methods like trading his body for resources.”
Suddenly being pointed at and cursed at, Chen Wei was dumbfounded.
Him?
Trading his body for resources??
Scummy methods???
Well, he admitted he had used some methods to get close to Zhou Sijin.
But the part about trading his body for resources…
Chen Wei smacked his lips, and his open mouth closed again.
If one had to interpret it that way, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with what the other person said.
He indeed got resources from Zhou Sijin.
Seeing that he didn’t argue back, the manager grew even more emboldened.
He had just overheard the conversation between the assistant and Han Chi and knew about the company executive wanting to see Chen Wei.
He naturally assumed that Chen Wei must have used some unspeakable means to snatch the main feature from Xin Xing.
While Chen Wei didn’t speak, Han Chi beside him wasn’t so easy-going.
Both being managers, he didn’t need to give the other side any face.
He stepped forward, blocking Chen Wei, and pointed at the other manager, suppressing his anger:
“I’m warning you, you’d better keep your mouth clean.”
However, Han Chi’s warning didn’t make the other person restrain himself. Instead, it made him feel he had hit a sore spot, and his expression became even more smug:
“Did I name anyone? Why are you jumping out so eagerly? Could it be that I hit the nail on the head?”
“You…” Han Chi was successfully infuriated by the other’s unreasonable behavior.
He took out his phone to dial 110, but he was stopped by Chen Wei reaching out.
Translator’s Notes
- White Moonlight (白月光 – Bái Yuè Guāng): A common trope in Chinese web novels referring to an unattainable first love or someone someone holds dear in their heart but cannot be with. It’s usually contrasted with a “Cinnabar Mole” (the current partner).
- Renqi (人妻 – Rén Qī): Literally “someone’s wife.” In this context, it refers to a man who is gentle, caring, and has a “wifely” aura—someone who takes care of the domestic side of things. Zhou Sijin is teasing Chen Wei for being so compliant and “domesticated.”
- Beicheng (北城): Literally “North City.” It’s often used as a fictionalized name for a major city like Beijing in web novels.
- Golden Horse Awards: One of the most prestigious film awards in the Chinese-speaking world.
- 110: The emergency police number in China (similar to 911).
Hey everyone! This is a new story. Chen Wei is such a mood—he’s so chill about the rumors because, technically, he did sleep his way into a relationship (even if it was for love!). But ouch, that manager is being so rude! Let’s see how A-Wei and Han Chi handle this drama in the next chapter. See you there!
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