Ch 14: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

If you asked what’s been trending online the most this past week, most netizens would probably answer: a certain ultra-wealthy heir hosting a century wedding in a castle, top-tier award-winning actress Zhuo Wenxuan’s new period drama premiering, and… Mu Xing livestreaming to sell persimmons.

Compared to the first two, the last one was downright down-to-earth and completely out of place.

Yet somehow, that’s the one that blew up — and blew up big.

Through this livestream, Mu Xing gained countless fans and goodwill, successfully turning his image around, even reducing the number of haters.

These days, Mu Xing was busy — busy turning people down.

Although he’d stressed multiple times in his streams that he had no plans to return to the entertainment industry… who would believe that?

With a face like his and such massive popularity, not going back into showbiz would be a “waste,” in many people’s eyes.

Not good at performing on stage? Can’t sing or dance? No problem — who said you have to be an idol forever?

These days in the entertainment industry, few idols aim to remain idols for life. Most reel in some fans, build a bit of name recognition, and then pivot to acting.

Even if Mu Xing was stiff in front of the camera, it didn’t matter — with his face and current popularity, a drama’s viewership would already be half-secured.

After hanging up yet another call from an entertainment company, Mu Xing wondered if he should change his phone number.

Right then, another call came in.

Since he had also given his contact info to the farmers he’d agreed to help promote in his livestreams, he couldn’t just hang up randomly for fear of missing something important.

He answered. “Hello?”

From the other end came Li Xin’s cheerful voice. “It’s me, Mu Xing.”

Mu Xing: “?”

Puzzled, he asked, “Why are you calling me?” Surely it wasn’t what he thought…

It was.

Li Xin’s tone was warm, as if their relationship had always been great and the past two years had never happened.

He said, “Mu Xing, after careful consideration, the company would like to extend a sincere invitation. We’ve prepared extremely favorable terms, and we hope you’ll consider re-signing with us.”

On this point, he wasn’t lying — the new contract terms were indeed excellent, worlds apart from the “stepmother treatment” of Mu Xing’s previous one.

This was because Mu Xing’s popularity had recently exploded. The industry grapevine had spread the word that he was in high demand, with many big companies offering him olive branches.

Without putting some serious money on the table, they’d have no chance.

Mu Xing just found it funny. Not bothering with pleasantries, he said directly, “What gives you the confidence to think I’d sign with you again?”

Li Xin faltered, then forced a smile. “Everything before was just a misunderstanding. You debuted with our company, and the fact that you’ve come this far owes something to our nurturing. At least take a look at the contract before deciding — I guarantee our sincerity is unmatched.”

Mu Xing refused coldly. “No need. First of all, I have no intention of returning to entertainment. Even if I did, it would never be with you guys.”

Li Xin pressed on, “Don’t be rash, don’t reject us just yet. Let me send over the docum—”

Mu Xing cut him off. “I’m starting to think I didn’t hit you hard enough when we parted ways.”

Li Xin: “…”

Mu Xing: “Since you clearly didn’t get how much I despise you.”

Li Xin: “…”

He took a deep breath, trying to hold back his temper. Two seconds later, realizing he couldn’t, he was about to raise his voice — when the sound of “beep… beep… beep…” came from the phone.

Mu Xing had hung up — and blocked him in one go.

Li Xin: “… F***! You just wait!”

—

Mu Xing changed into a long-sleeved shirt. Outside, Liu Xue was already waiting.

“Let’s go.”

The usually quiet Liu Xue glanced at him, looking hesitant.

Mu Xing paused. “Something wrong?”

Liu Xue cleared his throat. “Uh… shouldn’t you put on some sunscreen?”

Mu Xing: “?”

He looked at Liu Xue in confusion.

Under Mu Xing’s gaze, Liu Xue felt ridiculous for reminding another man to use sunscreen — borderline creepy, even.

But remembering his wife’s orders, he blurted it out anyway. “My wife heard you’ve been streaming outside every day without sunscreen. She’s really worried, and told me to remind you.”

In reality, his wife’s actual words were much more dramatic — she’d nearly fainted when she learned Mu Xing didn’t wear sunscreen. We can’t let Xingxing’s beauty go to waste! The sun will damage his delicate skin! I have to protect it on behalf of all the sisters! I’m buying him sunscreen! … It was enough to make Liu Xue’s teeth ache.

He’d said, “I’m running around the mountains with him every day too. How about you buy me one as well?”

His wife had instantly gone cold. “Sunscreen is expensive. Why waste it on you?”

Liu Xue: “?”

Thinking of this, Liu Xue felt deeply bitter. He couldn’t help but look at Mu Xing with a trace of sourness.

Mu Xing, uncomfortable under the look, flinched before saying, “What’s a grown man doing wearing sunscreen? Let’s just get to work!”

At nine o’clock, the viewers who had been waiting in his livestream room finally saw the man they were there for.

“Hello, everyone.” Mu Xing greeted them and gestured behind him. “We’re starting to pick persimmons today. I’ll be livestreaming the picking.”

He smiled and said, “The persimmons we pick today will be packed quickly and shipped to every customer in the order they placed. I know you’ve all been looking forward to this day for a long time.”

Today, Mu Xing was wearing a plain gray long-sleeved shirt for work and a straw hat. He looked no different from the uncles working beside him. Yet his skin was so fair it almost glowed, making him stand out completely from both the outfit and the setting.

[Today’s Xingxing is still the impossibly beautiful Xingxing.]

[Honestly, I’m not that excited for the persimmons. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing you.]

[Tsk, with that delicate skin and tender looks, you’re telling me you grew up poor in the mountains?]

[He doesn’t even look like he’s here to work. Is this just for show?]

[Damn, how many layers of powder did he put on? Looks so fake.]

[With that skinny frame, I could take on ten of him — and I really did grow up in the mountains!]

[Disgusting. Even doing farm work he has to put on elaborate makeup. Who’s he trying to impress?]

Suddenly, a wave of negative comments flooded the livestream, filling the chat almost instantly.

The room was full of question marks.

[What the hell, did the haters organize a raid?]

[Must be paid trolls again.]

[I’ve heard Mu Xing attracts hate like a magnet, but wow — he’s already quit the industry to be a streamer, and people still spend money to organize a hate flood? That’s insane.]

[Respect, respect. There’s probably no other streamer on Yunduo whose haters would pay to dominate the chat with insults.]

[Brothers, spam “Streamer Respect” in the chat.]

In an instant, the screen was flooded with “Streamer Respect” and “Xingxing is awesome,” completely burying the haters’ comments until they disappeared entirely.

Haters: ???

Something’s not right here!

When fans see us insulting their idol like this, shouldn’t they get angry, start a fight, and trigger a full-blown flame war?

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