Chapter 9 Cheating is definitely out of the question...

Chapter 9

[lhh, give him a hug, I feel like he's about to break]

Looking back at Xiao Chu's emotional journey now, it's so heartbreaking, hahaha.

One second ago: You think I'm someone else's husband? You have good taste. The next second: My identity has been so blatantly revealed? (Lying down)

[(Mouth wide open) Brother Ranzi! Little Chu! Throw the red envelope into my mouth! Don't worry about it killing me!]

Chu Xingli and Luo Xiaoran's happiness was like a relay race.

The dignity that the former tried so hard to maintain was effortlessly taken over by Luo Xiaoran, who then generously sent out sixty-six red envelopes containing 6,666 yuan each to the fans in the live stream who were advising them not to divorce and to live a good life together.

Bao Keming had long ago captured the subtle atmosphere between Chu Xingli and Luo Xiaoran with his superb insight, so he was not surprised at all when the final answer was announced.

He even nudged Qiao Manyun with his elbow and said smugly, "I knew they were a couple a long time ago."

He and Qiao Manyun certainly didn't really want a divorce; they were there for marketing purposes. So, they didn't argue like a typical couple preparing for a divorce.

Seeing that Qiao Manyun didn't react, he cheekily tugged at her again: "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

Qiao Manyun was in no mood to praise him; she was too nervous to speak. Upon hearing this, she turned to look at Bao Keming and glared at him fiercely: "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

Bao Keming: "..."

I might as well just divorce her and save myself from having to put up with this again.

As Chu Xingli sent out red envelopes on his phone, he naturally saw a large number of comments saying "Thank you, President Chu" and "Thank you, Brother Ranzi," but some of them contained negative remarks.

For example, they might slander him and Luo Xiaoran, claiming that they had both been cheating on each other and were each having their own affairs.

"I would never cheat," Chu Xingli said, needing to clarify, and even glancing meaningfully at Qiao Manyun, still smiling. "Xiao Ran and I broke up amicably, and there are no moral or legal issues involved. Everyone is welcome to supervise us."

Chu Xingli's veiled criticism made Qiao Manyun feel inexplicably guilty.

She knew that Chu Xingli was her ex-husband's cousin, but she didn't know how much Chu Xingli knew about her relationship with her ex-husband.

What if Chu Xingli reveals everything to her on this show? How will she ever face anyone again?

Qiao Manyun sat back down on the sofa with a worried look on her face, appearing preoccupied.

Why do I feel that Qiao Manyun is somewhat afraid of Chu Xingli?

[He seems to be making veiled criticisms... There might be some gossip (eavesdropping)]

On a side note, although it's over, I'm still quite shocked that Luo Xiao sent out nearly 500,000 yuan worth of red envelopes.

I'm sorry, sisters, I'm one of the 66 lucky ones.

My own failures are certainly terrible, but the successes of my online friends are even more disheartening.

While Luo Xiaoran and Chu Xingli were interacting with fans in the live stream, the assistant director, checking the time, asked Lu Yunxin to help warm up the atmosphere and stall for time for the chief director who was rushing back from the station.

"Haha, I've seen what the fans call Xiao Ran," Lu Yunxin, clearly an 18G internet savvy, laughed and asked Luo Xiao Ran for confirmation, "Everyone calls you 'Brother Ran,' right?"

Luo Xiaoran smiled and nodded.

Eager to prove his charm, Bao Keming quickly added to Lu Yunxin, "Sister Xin, my employees usually address me this way too, not just as 'Chairman Bao' or 'Chairman Ming' or anything like that."

Before coming to the show, Lu Yunxin had heard that Bao Keming was annoying, but she only truly experienced the power of his annoyingness after meeting him today.

...She felt like her ears would rot if she listened to the other person for even one more second.

As a junior with little experience, Zhao Anyu took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility of keeping the atmosphere from getting cold.

"Brothers and sisters can call me Xiao Zhao, or An Yu."

Fortunately, everyone got along well and they all exchanged names... except for Chu Xingli.

It wasn't that he was withdrawn, but rather that he genuinely felt his nickname was a bit embarrassing.

If people really find out, the elegant image he's built up over the past half of his life will completely crumble, and he'll be utterly humiliated.

But everyone present knew that he and Luo Xiaoran were the heavyweight guests, so how could they let him escape this predicament?

"Where's Young Master Chu? What should we call him?" Lu Yunxin asked Chu Xingli with a smile, but her eyes were fixed on Luo Xiaoran, clearly already swooning. "Why don't you tell us, Xiaoran?"

Luo Xiaoran had noticed Chu Xingli's evasive gaze long ago and guessed what he was thinking, so he took the initiative to defuse the situation: "Don't call him Little President Chu anymore, everyone can just call him Xingli."

Chu Xingli breathed a sigh of relief.

Luo Xiaoran is such a good person.

The mixed-race boy, Zhu Ji, was incredibly envious when he saw that everyone had adopted affectionate nicknames for each other.

He thought for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had come up with a good idea.

“Me too, I’ve also given myself a name that’s the same as ‘Brother Ranzi’,” Zhu Ji said confidently. “I was born in the Year of the Ox, so you can call me Ox…”

Upon hearing the word "cow" in Zhu Ji's name, Lin Ning immediately guessed what the ending sound would be. She turned pale instantly, jumped up, covered Zhu Ji's mouth, and exclaimed in panic, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Chu Xingli couldn't help but burst out laughing, giving Zhu Ji a thumbs up: "As expected, it's the foreigners who make the fools of themselves."

[laughs so hard, even foreigners have to make a fool of themselves]

You can call me Bamboo Bro, but you absolutely cannot call me Cow Bro.

[Lin Ning is so petite! It's so cute when she jumps up and covers her husband's mouth, hahaha]

Just as everyone had gotten to know each other and were having a good chat, the director finally arrived.

It wasn't just because he was late due to a meeting at the station, but because Chu Xingli and Luo Xiaoran arrived much earlier than any member of the production team had imagined.

It's perfectly normal for a soon-to-be heir to a wealthy family and a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning actor to have a bit of a spoiled brat attitude or be late or leave early.

In addition, the staff often encounter other artists who act like divas or make a big fuss, so the director expected them to arrive at 5 pm, but it's only 4:30 pm now.

"Welcome everyone to the set of 'Starting Over'", the director said after shaking hands and exchanging greetings with the guests one by one. He then sat back down behind the camera and began his introduction. "Over the years, due to busy work schedules, we have had little time to spend together. But today, thanks to the program team, we have plenty of time to spend with our loved ones."

Upon hearing the director's words, Bao Keming and Qiao Manyun, a couple with clear goals and a well-defined theme, readily took each other's hands, flashed professional smiles at the camera, and worried about whether the production team had enough footage. Then, without being prompted, they skillfully turned to look at each other, trying their best to make their eyes appear exceptionally affectionate.

After announcing their relationship, Lin Ning and Zhu Ji sat together and never separated, leaving people wondering who was actually the one who wanted a divorce.

Zhao Anyu and Chen Xuanqi's singing and dancing were mediocre, and their acting was even worse. They tried to imitate the expressions of Bao Keming and his wife to create a sentimental marketing campaign, but they almost burst out laughing, which scared the director so much that he quickly cut the camera to avoid making the audience feel uncomfortable due to the asynchrony between the sound and the picture.

Lu Yunxin is indeed a film queen, and her powerful performance always leaves people in awe.

When the camera panned to her and Zhou Maidong, she didn't even pretend; she turned her back to Zhou Maidong and rolled her eyes. If it weren't for the limited width of the living room, Lu Yunxin would probably have chosen to sit in the yard and listen to the director speak, afraid of spending even a second longer with Zhou Maidong.

She had completely lost the enthusiasm she had shown just moments before when she was gossiping about the movie star because of her unbridled desire to share.

Unexpectedly, it created a great variety show effect, making the audience laugh and flood the screen with comments.

Chu Xingli sat in the chair, looking like Tang Sanzang eating melon seeds, actively enjoying the show, observing everyone's expressions and guessing their thoughts, completely unaware of the disappointed look on Luo Xiaoran's face.

I think even Little Chu is about to burst out laughing, hahaha!

Why did he choose such a good spot to watch the show?

It's easy to tell who's telling the truth and who's lying; Lin Ning and Zhu Ji don't actually want a divorce.

I feel that Bao Keming is just putting on a show; the two of them can't live without each other.

"The meaning of 'Starting Over' is that we should start over," the director said, firmly controlling the atmosphere. "There's an old saying that goes, 'It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage.' But of course, we respect everyone's right to make their own choices."

The director is very concerned about the consequences of his actions and is afraid that viewers will accuse the production team of moral blackmail.

"The production team will absolutely not interfere excessively in everyone's emotional matters; they will simply give everyone the time and space to express themselves freely."

"All you need to do is show each other your true feelings."

Will they change their minds and continue to work together? Let's wait and see. "Starting Over" officially begins.

The director, his voice strong and sincere, with tears welling in his eyes, declared: "Next, let's shout—"

Chu Xingli had already noticed that the ingredients for tonight's meal included prepared goose and potatoes, and blurted out:

Let's have braised goose in an iron pot tonight!

Director: "???"

[Director: Ber, buddy, I was getting emotional.]

[This can't be blamed on President Chu; anyone who sees a stewed goose in an iron pot can't resist it, it smells so good it's intoxicating.]

[Others: Love as long as two birds flying wing to wing. Young Master Chu: Where is the iron pot goose hidden?]

[Haha, it seems Ranzi has lost all his strength and abilities.]

[Young Master Chu: That was close, I almost starved to death]