You Guys Wouldn’t Have Taken My Casual Acting Seriously, Right Chapter 22

【Crown Prince, don’t force me to laugh, seriously.】

【Didn’t you notice D was talking to Shen Fu? He’s always wearing sunglasses so you can’t see his eyes, but this time it was clear. He practically stuck Jiang Xinru under Shen Fu’s eyes.】

【You guys finally noticed? Actually, earlier when he snapped at Chu Wei, it also seemed like it was because Chu Wei* was staring at Shen Fu.】
* spelt chu with a different chu

【Who’s Chu Wei?】

【Chu Wei.】

Chu Wei’s fans wished they could pick up their keyboards and kill the person who typed the wrong name.

It was obvious there had been more people targeting their idol recently, mostly the Film Emperor’s fans acting like jerks.

Audition-show fans were mostly unhinged. Earlier, the ones attacking Shen Fu on the screen were, besides Shen Fu haters, Zuo Mei fans, and some of Gu Qingshuang’s fans, mostly Chu Wei fans.

But now Chu Wei fans were being beaten into tatters by their own idol’s insane behavior. Their arrogance had been cut in half. They were still busy fighting Wen Zhenghan’s fans, barely keeping up with their own mess. How would they have the energy to control the comments?

So, with the Chu Wei fans no longer leading the rhythm, other voices finally surfaced.

【You’re feeling it only now? I already sensed something off with the crown prince toward Shen Fu ever since the hidden-task incident.】

Back then the barrage claimed Jiang Shu was smart and had already discovered the hidden task.

What about everything that happened afterward?

He sent the text messages to Shen Fu too.

As for what happened during the three minutes of darkness, no one knew. But recently he had been way too obvious, right?

【Also, he always turned the seafood around, but I observed carefully. He didn’t eat even one bite. So weird.】

【Sh*t, now that you mention it…】

【But there’s still no definite evidence.】

When Limited-Time Heartbeat first aired, all the rumors about Young Master Jiang and Shen Fu’s past conflict left a deep impression on viewers, so even though some people now felt something was off, they didn’t dare conclude anything.

But their curiosity inevitably grew.

【Is it possible the early rumors were fake?】

【I don’t know, but in the beginning the way they bickered really did look like they couldn’t stand each other. D*mn it, now I really want to know what happened between them before. Isn’t there some god-tier person who can dig it up? Not knowing for one day makes me scratch my head like crazy.】

The barrage was gossiping fiercely when the show announced the end of the gift-selection segment.

Among the eight people present, aside from Wen Zhenghan and Xu Tiaotiao being very satisfied with the result, everyone else was extremely displeased.

Gu Qingshuang had just sold out Chu Wei in the post-interview, though Chu Wei didn’t know yet.

But looking at Chu Wei’s face, she still felt very uncomfortable.

Chu Wei flopped down on the sofa. The dark cloud over his head was almost overflowing.

Shen Fu not being grouped with him was fine, but why did she have to end up with Wen Zhenghan?!

Both were unhappy, and both fandoms were fighting too.

【I’m so pissed. I’d rather my Ge be grouped with Shen Fu than with Gu Qingshuang.】

【Hilarious. As if our idol wants to go on a date with yours? Shen Fu’s simp. You’re not even qualified to hold our girl’s shoes.】

The world is unpredictable indeed.

The two families who were still close just a couple of days ago had now fallen out like this.

Zuo Mei went over to ask the program team about the flying guest, but didn’t get anything out of them.

For the sake of ratings, the program team kept important suspense under very tight wraps.

Zuo Mei felt irritated, glanced at Wen Zhenghan, and simply returned to her room first.

Now Shen Fu and Wen Zhenghan were a group. With Wen Zhenghan’s national popularity, she would surely do very well tomorrow.

Her own national popularity had once been on par with Wen Zhenghan’s, but she hadn’t appeared much in recent years, and indeed lost a lot of casual fans.

If she lost again this time…

No, she would not lose.

Since it was a flying guest, their status shouldn’t be low.

Added together, she and the flying guest would definitely have much better public favorability than Shen Fu.

Zuo Mei’s fans felt bad seeing her so down. They snapped at the barrage still gossiping about Shen Fu and Jiang Shu: 【Shen Fu’s fans are climaxing again, how could D possibly have arrows toward your girl? If he really has arrows, I’ll swallow an arrow live.】

The “Emperor–Empress CP” fans were also furious after being split apart: 【The Film Emperor frowned just now, obviously really doesn’t want to be in a group with Shen Fu.】

【Our discussion has nothing to do with you, annoying.】

Those analyzing the plot were actually just a bunch of passersby, yet they were labeled as Shen Fu fans by Zuo Mei’s fans. Feeling annoyed, they lost interest in discussing and drifted away.

But no matter what, this gift-choice segment had been completely thrown into chaos. Who knew what unpredictable twists would come next? Fans could keep arguing, but barrage viewers were still very much looking forward to it.

Jiang Shu walked over to the program team with a dark face, bringing up the reward segment from last night’s “three minutes of darkness,” which Shen Fu still hadn’t received.

If he hadn’t said it, the director would’ve almost forgotten.

So much happened today, trending eight hundred times in a single day, how could he still remember the ring around Jiang Shu’s neck from yesterday?

The director first instructed the filming crew to stop recording here, then waved for Shen Fu to come over.

“Teacher Shen Fu, you may now make a request to Mr. Jiang that isn’t excessive, and Mr. Jiang must fulfill it.”

After speaking, the director glanced at Jiang Shu’s expression.

D*mn it, he’s wearing sunglasses, can’t read him.

But if it’s too much, he’ll get angry, right?

So the director emphasized again to Shen Fu: “It can’t be too unreasonable.”

Jiang Shu couldn’t help glaring at this stupid director. Why couldn’t it be unreasonable? He liked being forced.

Shen Fu had almost forgotten about this, obviously stunned for a moment: “Mm.”

What should she ask for?

Her first thought was naturally “give money,” but could she say that?

Ask him to fall in love with her? But if he wasn’t truly in love, that wouldn’t count as a successful strategy. She still needed to earn that one billion.

Her mind turned in a circle, then she looked up at Jiang Shu: “Make me a cup of coffee, and bring it over later.”

The director breathed a sigh of relief. Looked like Shen Fu knew her place.

Who would’ve thought Jiang Shu would sound incredulous: “Just that?”

Director: “……”

“That’s it.” Shen Fu looked at him for no reason.

Wouldn’t simple be better? Why raise his brows that high like he wanted to fight?

Jiang Shu clenched his teeth: “You don’t want to ask for something more valuable?”

He’d gone through so much trouble to get that ring around his neck, not for her to only ask for a cup of coffee.

Shen Fu said perfunctorily: “This is already very valuable.”

Jiang Shu’s ears reddened. What the h*ll? What did she mean?

Was it perfunctory? Or was she saying that even him making a cup of coffee was valuable?

He couldn’t figure it out no matter how he thought.

Jiang Shu glared at the director, cursed under his breath, and went to make the coffee.

Director: “……”

They’d covered a lot of segments today, and it was already after ten. Seeing the guests all looking worn out, the director told the filming crew to pack up and remove the cameras early so the guests could rest.

Chu Wei looked around for Shen Fu, but after sending Jiang Shu to make coffee, she had already gone back to her room.

Chu Wei only felt defeated, and started thinking again about Wen Zhenghan.

That scumbag Wen Zhenghan flirted both sides, did Zuo Mei know? Maybe he could start with Zuo Mei, remind her to be wary of Wen Zhenghan, or keep an eye on him?

But Chu Wei was the respectful type by nature. If Wen Zhenghan hadn’t made him angry, he wouldn’t have snapped at all. To go to Zuo Mei, who debuted ten years before him, and say such slanderous things, he couldn’t do it.

He didn’t know where they would film tomorrow.

Maybe he’d get a chance to talk to Shen Fu alone.

Wen Zhenghan gave a cold look at the still-brooding Chu Wei, then also returned to his room.

The two of them were now openly not getting along.

Naturally, their fans in the barrage were fighting even harder.

Chu Wei’s fans: 【The Film Emperor is sleeping so early, huh. Is his waist okay? Heard that last time he PKed with Jiang Shu, he collapsed after carrying a few trees.】

Film Emperor’s fans: 【Surely not as good as your Ge’s balance.】

The two fandoms mocked each other until the very last moment, until the live broadcast shut off completely.

After the filming crew left with their cameras, only Chu Wei, frustrated and tugging at his hair, and Jiang Shu, wearing an apron and clumsily making coffee, remained in the living room.

They glanced at each other, each thinking the other was an idiot.

Making coffee, and the coffee grounds were scattered all over the counter.

And trying to pretend he was the one who sent the racing model? What an amateur, couldn’t even pick the right type. Who would want a children’s racing toy?

Branded with Jiang Shu’s “idiot” gaze, Chu Wei returned to his room in frustration.

The living room quieted. Jiang Shu fussed around for a long time, finally finishing a messy cup of coffee. The heart on top looked like a triangle, basically unrecognizable. He poured out a little, tasted it, frowned at the bitterness, then added another packet of sugar.

He poured out a little more to taste, and it was sweet to death.

Jiang Shu: “……”

By the time he fiddled with it until all the surrounding lights were turned off, leaving only the floor lights in the hallway still on, Jiang Shu finally carried the coffee over and knocked on Shen Fu’s door.

The door was quickly opened. Shen Fu was wearing a bathrobe and looked at him: “So fast?”

Jiang Shu was very displeased and raised his eyebrows: “A trivial matter. You thought I’d have to work on it until tomorrow?”

“Then give it to me.” Shen Fu held out her hand.

Jiang Shu paused before handing the coffee to her.

He had a belly full of things he wanted to say, but as soon as Shen Fu took the coffee, the door closed right in front of him.

Jiang Shu: “……”

She just closed the door like that?? Jiang Shu felt like a dog suddenly kicked.

He remembered that on the first day, when Chu Wei came knocking, Shen Fu had also closed the door right away.

Jiang Shu’s face darkened. He couldn’t help raising his hand to knock again.

But once he lifted his hand, it slowly curled into a fist. He hesitated, then lowered it.

He turned and walked away.

After a few steps, the more he thought about it the more furious he became, aggrieved and annoyed. He couldn’t help but walk back again.

Just as he was about to raise his hand to knock again, 

This time, before he could knock, the door opened.

Shen Fu opened the door, with a faint circle of coffee stain around her mouth, like a fuzzy, hazy ring.

Jiang Shu: ?

She went to taste the coffee? Jiang Shu’s mood finally brightened a little.

“So bitter.” Shen Fu said, “Why are you still out here? Is there something else?”

Jiang Shu stuffed his hands into his pockets and acted cool with a cold snort: “Can’t I stand outside if I have nothing to do? The hallway is public.”

Shen Fu cut him off: “Getting the watch was pure accident. Tomorrow I’ll just focus on earning points. Nothing else will happen.”

Jiang Shu froze.

Shen Fu continued, “Do you have anything else?”

Jiang Shu: “No, nothing.”

The door slowly closed in front of him again.

But Jiang Shu stood there for a long time. When he finally turned around to walk back to his room, the tips of his ears were red, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help rising, higher and higher.

Jiang Shu returned to his room and flopped onto the bed. He threw aside his sunglasses, stretched out his long legs, and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

The phone tossed aside suddenly rang.

Jiang Shu reached over and pressed the button to answer.

Wang Xuanheng, that idiot, was yelling on the other end: “Holy sh*t, do you know how much the ratings and stock price jumped today? I put together a meetup today, and several people said they want to follow up with more investment…”

Halfway through, Wang Xuanheng felt Jiang Shu wasn’t listening at all: “Are you listening? Don’t tell me you answered the phone just to go back to sleep and screw me over?”

“She explained to me.” Jiang Shu suddenly said this inexplicable sentence.

Wang Xuanheng was confused: “Your intermittent insanity is acting up again?”

Jiang Shu said nothing.

Thinking he was listening, Wang Xuanheng continued: “Back to the meetup I organized this afternoon, a few said they want to follow up with more investment, hundreds of millions, guess what—”

Jiang Shu suddenly slapped his own face, red seeping through his fingers.

“But she explained to me first!”

Wang Xuanheng: “……”

D*mn it. An idiot.