A Popular Idol Changes His Persona Every Day - Chapter 4

I see? Movie Star, what exactly do you “see”?!

An Ya watched in disbelief as Du Cangsheng led Ruan Zhi to the opposite side of their original position—the designated area for confirmed couples.

Since when did the famously aloof Movie Star become this proactive? An Ya rubbed her eyes hard to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.

What is wrong with this world…

Ruan Zhi was equally dazed, letting himself be pulled along like a puppet. His mind was a mess: Wow, Senior Du is actually this gentle?

The heat from Du Cangsheng’s palm traveled through the back of Ruan Zhi’s hand, sending a numbing shiver through his body. Before the heat in Ruan Zhi’s face could subside, the System in his head started screaming hysterically: “AAAAHHH! We’re holding the Movie Star’s hand! I can feel the temperature of his palm! I’m dead! I’m literally deceased!”

Ruan Zhi was silent for two seconds. “…System, are you… actually just a fan of his?”

System: “??? What nonsense are you talking about?”

Ruan Zhi exposed it on the spot: “I heard you screaming. More than once.”

System: “…”

System: “Ahem. The love of beauty is universal.”

“Oh, is that so—” Ruan Zhi’s thoughts shifted. Seeing the other four still choosing partners, he continued talking to the brain-bound AI: “You systems… there must be a lot of you, right?”

The OOC System puffed out its chest immediately: “Of course! We are a huge family!”

Ruan Zhi smiled. “Then you must have a reporting function…”

The moment he finished speaking, a cold, robotic female voice rang in his ear with a Ding!: “Hello, dear Host. Do you wish to access the reporting service? Yes/No.”

The OOC System shrieked: “AAAHHH! What are you doing?!”

Ruan Zhi: “Reporting you for fangirling during work hours.”

System: “!!!”

If the System had a physical body, Ruan Zhi was certain it would be shaking its head like a rattle. “I didn’t!” But the System was quick-witted and realized the situation instantly. “Wooo… what do you want? Let’s talk this out~” It quickly added, “But you can’t cancel the mission! If you cancel our cooperation, I’ll be sent back to the factory for a reboot, but you’ll return to the past and die on the spot!”

Ruan Zhi hadn’t actually intended to report it; he just felt frustrated being forced into embarrassing situations while the System was having the time of its life. Now that his petty revenge was satisfied, he didn’t care much about the result. “Whatever. You figure it out.”

The System thought for a moment. “Then… I’ll gift you a pair of ‘Glistening Peach Blossom Eyes’!”

Ruan Zhi was silent. Is the System actually this generous?

Perhaps his silence made the System think the bribe wasn’t enough, so it added: “I’ll also give you a ‘Radiant Skin’ set! That’s my limit!”

Ruan Zhi suddenly realized something. “System… these rewards, can you just give out as many as you want?”

“Hee hee hee,” the System giggled. “You devil, don’t say it out loud!”

Ruan Zhi: “.”

System: “Also, what did you call me just now?”

Ruan Zhi: “…Xiao Ling (Little Zero).”

While the man and the machine were gossiping, Ruan Zhi felt the hand he was holding move. The Movie Star beside him suddenly started walking forward.

The alarm in Ruan Zhi’s head blared: “Quick, quick, quick! Lines are here!”

Ruan Zhi looked at the air above Du Cangsheng’s shoulder. Sure enough, a familiar row of small text floated there. Without thinking, he yanked the other man’s hand back.

Du Cangsheng stopped instantly and looked back at him silently. Those “sleeping phoenix” eyes, with their upturned corners, were filled entirely with Ruan Zhi’s reflection. His bright pupils seemed to hold scattered starlight.

The Movie Star is so tall.

Standing a full head taller than Ruan Zhi, Du’s figure blocked the scorching sun, casting a shadow over him. Ruan Zhi felt enveloped by the man’s aura, sending another shiver through him.

Once the partners are chosen, specific cameras follow each pair. On the livestream platform, a split-screen appears for each couple, allowing fans to switch to their favorites. Since Ruan Zhi and Du Cangsheng were now a pair, their dedicated cameraman didn’t miss a single second of this interaction.

In the chat, Du Cangsheng’s fans were baffled. “It was already a miracle the Movie Star didn’t get angry. Is Ruan Zhi crazy? Why is he still provoking him?”

Ruan Zhi’s fans were clenching their hands in anxiety: “Ruan Ruan, stop talking! Shut your mouth!” Although they didn’t understand what was wrong with him today, the industry knew well that the Movie Star’s attitude toward people who latched onto him was ice-cold. They didn’t want Ruan Ruan to get hurt.

But then, Ruan Zhi spoke. His tone was stiff and direct: “Man, where are you going?”

That domineering tone…

The “Jellybeans” (Ruan’s fans) were reaching for their heart medication.

Even Du Cangsheng’s fans were conflicted: “No way, is Ruan Zhi… intentionally seeking death?”

On camera, Du Cangsheng seemed too lazy to speak and simply pointed toward the other four. The other groups had finished, and they were supposed to take a group photo. Du Cangsheng had simply been trying to lead Ruan Zhi over there.

Ruan Zhi understood the situation immediately. But his lines weren’t finished. He had to suppress his nerves and keep reading. Due to extreme tension, his youthful “milky” voice sounded cold and sharp:

“You cannot escape the palm of my hand, little wildcat. Do not try to test my limits.”

“…It’s over.” The Jellybeans clutched their chests. It seemed the Ruan-Du CP was going to be declared dead on the first day.

Du Cangsheng’s fans were even more shocked: “Li-Little wildcat?! I never noticed before, but is this Ruan Zhi guy this wild?”

As hardcore fans, they had honestly simulated this kind of dialogue in their heads countless times, but Ruan Zhi was the only one who had actually said it out loud. They felt a weird sense of excitement and anticipation.

The trolls in the chat were already preparing their insults: “Lol! What an idiot. I can’t wait to see the Movie Star slap him down!”

Then, the Movie Star moved.

He slowly lifted his foot, and then—

He took a step back.

He stood back by Ruan Zhi’s side, looked down at the younger man—who was actually trembling slightly from fear—and said softly: “Okay.”

He was as obedient as a Golden Retriever.

“???” The Jellybeans’ hearts, which had leaped into their throats, suddenly stopped. “What is happening?”

Du Cangsheng’s fans were stunned too; the chat was a string of empty spaces.

Not just them—even Ruan Zhi, facing Du Cangsheng, was stunned. This isn’t what I expected! This Movie Star… is way too gentle!

But there was one last line. Ruan Zhi’s lips trembled as he said coldly: “Hmph. Interesting.”

Then, with a stiff face, he grabbed the Movie Star’s hand and led him to the photo spot.

Du Fans: “…”

Ruan Fans: “…Ahem. Our Ruan Ruan… he’s not usually like this. Really.”

Some viewers caught a different detail: “Wait, did anyone notice? The Movie Star looks… happy??”

Du Cangsheng’s fans refused to admit it. They glared at the screen, and then: “…Actually, he really does.”

The much-taller Movie Star followed Ruan Zhi into the group like a docile sheep. His beautiful eyes were slightly narrowed, and a hint of a smile lingered on his lips.

Du Fans: “I don’t believe it!!”

The rest of the crew, having not heard the dialogue, arranged the six guests’ positions normally. Following the “ladies first” principle, Ruan Zhi and Du Cangsheng—the only pair without a woman—were placed on the far right.

Then, the viewers saw it: Du Cangsheng, who was originally on Ruan Zhi’s left, suddenly took a step to the right. He placed himself on Ruan’s right side, perfectly blocking the harsh morning sun for him.

By this point, both fanbases and the general audience finally admitted they smelled something unusual.

Du Fans: “Why do I feel like… they’ve known each other for a long time?”

Ruan Fans: “I have the same feeling.”

Some Du Fans were confused: “Then why use such aggressive, domineering lines?”

Viewer: “To show off their love, obviously!”