Li Zhao knew the middle-aged man who lost his temper. At that time, his posters were posted on every street and alley, countless women were crazy about him, and some media even called him a peerless handsome man.
But beauty will eventually grow old.
Chen Kang, who was once very popular, gradually faded over the years and in recent years he could only play the father of the male and female protagonists in major idol dramas. Whenever a nostalgic editing video comes out, netizens always sigh that Shen Kang was so handsome back then, but time has turned the handsome guy into a middle-aged greasy uncle.
"Hello, Teacher Shen." Li Zhao saw that the dancer who was being scolded was about to cry, so he greeted her.
Chen Kang didn't expect someone to come to the small corner backstage. He turned his head to look at Li Zhao and forced an unnatural smile on his face.
When Chen Kang turned around, Li Zhao discovered that there was a large stain of milk tea on his performance clothes, which was sticky and greasy on his body, making him look a little embarrassed.
"Hello." Chen Kang recalled what he had just said, and fearing that Li Zhao would think too much, he hurriedly explained to Li Zhao: "These two girls poured milk tea all over me, and the staff said that they only had this one set of performance clothes, and if it really didn't work, they would have to cancel my show, so I got a little anxious and angry, sorry to make you laugh."
Li Zhao felt a little uncomfortable having a senior address him as "you", so he said a few polite words to Shen Kang to ease the atmosphere.
When he was a child, he liked to watch "The Swordsman" played by Shen Kang, and often argued with his friends in the welfare home about who was the real Swordsman. Shen Kang's current appearance is far from the suave hero in "The Swordsman", and even his flattering smile is a bit timid.
After the two dancers left, Li Zhao took the initiative to step forward and shake hands with Shen Kang: "I really liked your performance of "The Swordsman" when I was a child. After the performance, please be sure to sign an autograph for me."
Shen Kang was a little flattered, he bowed slightly: “These are plays from many years ago, I didn’t expect that young people like you also watched them when they were young.”
“Classics are always classics and will never go out of style.”
"Teacher Li." The staff of Qingjiao Video saw Li Zhao and greeted him politely. He glanced at Li Zhao and Shen Kang's clasped hands and said, "Teacher Shen is here too."
"Mr. Shen's performance clothes were accidentally splashed with milk tea, so I came over to take a look."
"These are all trivial matters." The staff member said enthusiastically: "Teacher Shen, please follow me. There are spare performance costumes here."
The polite and courteous attitude is a far cry from before.
"Thank you so much for your help." Li Zhao thanked the staff and turned to Shen Kang and bowed slightly: "Teacher Shen, we will meet later. Don't forget my autograph."
Chen Kang saw that Li Zhao was helping him, and his eyes were slightly hot: "I will never forget, I will never forget."
"Teacher Shen, please come this way." The staff took Shen Kang to the dressing room, and the staff on the opposite side said, "Please help Teacher Shen change into a suitable performance costume. Teacher Shen's program is relatively early, so everyone hurry up."
Soon Shen Kang changed his clothes, and even a makeup artist came over to do his hair and makeup again. No one mentioned the cancellation of the show again. He felt mixed emotions, but when he thought of his seriously ill wife at home, he still forced a bright smile so as not to offend anyone.
In the backstage rest room, Dake unscrewed the thermos cup and handed it to Li Zhao: "Zhao Zhao, don't be nervous. Your show is scheduled during prime time, so the traffic will definitely be ranked high."
"I'm not nervous." Li Zhao took a sip from the cup, "I just feel a little uncomfortable."
"Think positively." Zhang Xiaoyuan knew what Li Zhao was thinking and patted him on the shoulder. "This circle is full of ups and downs. Only those people can stay in the limelight forever. As for the others, they must learn to accept the fate of being forgotten by the audience."
"Chen Kang's life was a little easier before, but after he said in front of the media that a popular artist's acting skills were lacking two years ago, he was hated. He hasn't received any scripts in the past two years, and has been relying on going to towns and villages to earn some money. It's probably not a surprise that milk tea was splashed on him tonight."
"He was also unlucky. Not long after he offended this popular artist, his wife fell ill and he spent money like water every day. If it wasn't for his wife's medical treatment, he probably wouldn't have to be so humble to come out and make money."
"It happened a year or two ago. Even if that popular artist was angry, he should have gotten over it long ago. Why is he still pursuing him?" Li Zhao frowned. No wonder Chen Kang kept calling a newcomer like him "teacher" and "you" every time he spoke. It turned out that he was afraid of being tormented.
"Who knows?" Zhang Xiaoyuan sighed. "This circle is stressful and full of things to do. There are all kinds of people with all kinds of tempers."
He wasn't trying to flatter his own artist. If Li Zhao hadn't been there tonight, Qingjiao Video might have really cancelled Chen Kang's program. After all, for a large-scale evening party live broadcast on the Internet, it was normal to temporarily cancel one or two programs, not to mention that Chen Kang was an old actor who didn't receive much attention.
The party started and Li Zhao went to the guest viewing area. Sitting on his left was Qingjiao Video's own contracted artist. Because of his popularity on the Internet, he could be considered the number one artist on Qingjiao. The person sitting to his right was a B-tier female artist, her jaw was abnormally stiff.
The live camera swept across the guest area from time to time. When the camera swept over again, Li Zhao noticed that the artist on the right suddenly leaned towards him, and he subconsciously moved to the left.
Pear fans saw this scene online.
"The invincible straight man is confirmed."
“I made a don’t touch me emoticon, does anyone need it?”
Li Zhao didn't know that his action made the Pear fans laugh. He watched the performance on the stage seriously, sometimes laughing even happier than the ordinary audience members. He had long forgotten that he still had the burden of being an idol.
The performing guests made jokes on the stage and Li Zhao happily responded to them from the audience.
Liu Jiaojiao felt that Li Zhao, who was sitting next to her, was a weirdo. He was actually more engaged in watching this kind of online evening show than ordinary audiences. It was just like... just like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.
As a small-time celebrity who is becoming popular, can't you be more reserved and dignified?
Which fan can stand such a protagonist?
Li fans open Qingjiao Video just to see their cubs. The cameraman of Qingjiao Video is also quite knowledgeable. He gives Zhaozhao a shot from time to time. In every shot, their Zhaozhao is looking at the stage intently and seems to be very happy.
"I suspect that Zizi has forgotten that he is still a guest performer."
"You look very happy."
"Hahahaha, baby, wake up, it's almost time for your show!"
When Li Zhao's show started, the staff took Li Zhao to the backstage, and the makeup artist re-did his makeup.
"Teacher Li, everything went according to the rehearsal. Keep it up." The staff took Li Zhao to the elevator and high-fived him.
"Thank you." Li Zhao squatted down and gave a bright smile to the staff.
The staff was dazzled by this smile. After Li Zhao came on stage, they covered their chests and said to their colleagues, "I am a woman in my late thirties, and I was actually mesmerized by the smile of a child."
"Calm down, you are not a sister, you are a weird aunt." The colleague exposed her mercilessly.
Li Zhao sang an episode song of "The Domineering Female Boss" on the stage. The song was not difficult and Li Zhao sang it steadily, which drew cheers from the audience.
The host walked onto the stage and said, "Zhao Zhao, the audience here is so enthusiastic, shouldn't you perform another show for us?"
Suddenly, there was a loud shouting at the scene.
"Everyone knows that I don't have any special talents." Li Zhao looked at the audience: "I'm just thick-skinned enough to stay on the stage for a while longer. I will definitely not leave."
"That won't work. If you don't leave, what if the director sees that you're handsome and asks you to be the host of the show? Wouldn't that make me unemployed?" The host took the pan flute from the etiquette lady's tray and put it in Li Zhao's hand: "Leave quickly after the performance. I won't keep you here."
After chatting and joking, Li Zhao performed a song with auspicious meaning on the pan flute and then returned to the backstage.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Li." Several staff members came over and helped him take off his earphones: "Your performance just now was great."
"Thank you, and I wish you all a happy new year and a prosperous new year."
"Thank you, Mr. Li. I also wish you great success and good luck."
After greeting the staff, Li Zhao found Shen Kang, who had already removed his makeup and changed out of his performance clothes, backstage: "Teacher Shen."
"Teacher Li." Shen Kang was a little surprised that Li Zhao actually came to see him.
"You forgot the signature we agreed on just now?"
Shen Kang felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart. In the past two years, this was probably the most popular actor who was most enthusiastic towards him. He took out a still photo of himself when he was young from the bag he brought with him and signed his name on it carefully: "I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten."
"Thank you." Li Zhao took the autographed photo with both hands and smiled happily: "When I was a kid, my friends and I all wanted to be the Sword Master. Am I certified as the real master now?"
Shen Kang's eyes were hot, and he nodded: "Okay."
He had a glorious life, but even now that he has fallen to this point, there are still people who care about the roles he once played, so his time in the entertainment industry has not been in vain.
After getting the autograph, Li Zhao took a photo with Shen Kang before returning to his dressing room to remove his makeup and change his clothes.
"You don't want to wait until the party is over before leaving?" Zhang Xiaoyuan asked, "I saw that you were quite interested in the party just now."
"No, there are people waiting for me to go back for supper." Li Zhao hurried to the elevator: "I went home late last night, so he couldn't sleep until late at night."
"Zhao Zhao, your friend is so good to you." Dake sighed: "Brothers can only be like this at most."
"So we are not brothers, but better than brothers." Li Zhao walked into the elevator and found that the female artist who had just sat with him was also inside.
Without his stage makeup, Li Zhao had fair skin, and he had the sunshine and vitality that are unique to big boys of this age, which made the female artists take a second look.
It's a bit weird, but she looks good without makeup, and her skin is so good that she doesn't look like an actor who often needs to wear makeup.
Dake and Zhang Xiaoyuan stood in the middle, separating Li Zhao from the female artists. Their Zhaozhao is still a child. If he were to have scandals with other actresses, it would affect his commercial value.
The elevator door opened, and the people on both sides said goodbye politely and parted ways, vividly demonstrating what "we are not familiar with each other" meant.
After Li Zhao's show ended, Qingjiao Entertainment found that the traffic of their show began to decline slightly, and even the comments in the barrage section decreased significantly.
The program director shook his head and sighed: "If we can have a few popular artists come and arrange them in different time slots, the traffic for tonight's program will be stable."
After saying this, he laughed first. As the year draws to a close, many young people stay with their families, watching TV or visiting relatives. For celebrities, going to a TV station to attend a party is the best option.
Li Zhao's spot was decided early on, and then as "The Boss" continued to be popular, Li Zhao became Strawberry Entertainment's new star. They thought Li Zhao's team would find an excuse to postpone their live webcast party, but they didn't expect Li Zhao to come despite the pressure of being laughed at by others.
With Strawberry Entertainment's public relations capabilities, it would not be too difficult to help Li Zhao book a program for the next satellite TV Spring Festival Gala, so Li Zhao's choice to come to Qingjiao Video was a pleasant surprise.
Maybe it’s because “The Domineering Female Boss” is a popular drama that was broadcast on Qingjiao Video.
It is rare to be able to cherish the old times.
After Li Zhao's performance, he received a lot of praise from pear fans online. Just when Pear fans were licking the screen happily, their baby finally updated Weibo again!
Li Zhao V: I used to compete with my friends to be the Sword Hero. Today, I am finally the Sword Hero recognized by the real owner. Thank you Mr. Shen for the autograph. I will keep it well and show it off to my friends [picture].
The photo of Li Zhao and Shen Kang quickly evoked childhood memories for countless young people, and they even started a debate about which female hero the Swordsman liked more.
"Zhao Zhao, do you want to help Chen Kang increase his exposure?" Zhang Xiaoyuan saw the Weibo post by Li Zhao.
"Didn't you say that Mr. Shen's wife's illness cost a lot of money?" Li Zhao was messaging Yan Ting, so he didn't look up: "With this exposure, it would be good for Mr. Shen to get more cooperation."
He understood the helpless feeling of waiting for money to save a life. Last year, in order to raise enough money for Sister Xia's surgery, several of his friends from the welfare home worked hard to make money, and almost sold their blood and kidneys.
"You." Zhang Xiaoyuan stroked Li Zhao's hair and said, "Master Swordsman, you are indeed chivalrous and righteous."
"Hey." Li Zhao put his phone in his coat pocket and said, "We've prepared a lot of midnight snacks at home. Eat them before you go back."
"No, no." Zhang Xiaoyuan and Dake shook their heads at the same time, feeling a little...repulsive about staying at Yan Ting's house for dinner.
It’s not that they have any problem with Zhao Zhao’s friends, but they just feel uncomfortable staying in that house. The indescribable feeling of oppression seemed to separate them and the owner of the house into two worlds, making them feel timid unconsciously.
"Zhao." Zhang Xiaoyuan hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you used to living at your friend's house? If not, why don't you stay at my house for a few days?"
"Brother Xiaoyuan, you've asked this question several times." Li Zhao said happily, "I live very comfortably in Tingting's house. The bed is very soft, the food is delicious, and even the housekeeper takes special care of me."
"Just get used to it, just get used to it." Zhang Xiaoyuan thought that his inner feeling of discomfort was probably caused by the fact that he was too poor.
"Brother Xiaoyuan, when I went home last night, the house was brightly lit and Tingting was waiting for me to come home." Li Zhao smiled so hard that his eyes curved into crescents: "I've lived for twenty years, and this is the first time someone has waited for me so seriously to come back..."
The corners of Zhang Xiaoyuan's lips twitched, but he didn't know what to say.
Yes, for a child who was abused by adoptive parents after birth, found out he was not his biological parent until he was ten years old, and was sent to an orphanage to be raised, even having someone waiting for him when he returns home is a luxury.
The car drove into the gate of the villa, and Li Zhao once again warmly invited the two to come in: "Are you really not going to eat before you leave? Tingting's chef is an excellent cook."
The two shook their heads again.
"Okay then." Li Zhao shook his head regretfully: "Then we'll see you after the New Year."
"Mr. Li." When the housekeeper heard the sound of a car, he knew that Li Zhao had returned. He walked over to Li Zhao and took out two red envelopes: "Thank you both for taking care of Mr. Li. I wish you a happy new year. This is a gift from our Mr. Li."
Zhang Xiaoyuan and Dake shook their heads repeatedly. How could they have the nerve to accept this red envelope?
"It's just for good luck. It's not much money." The housekeeper persuaded with a smile and quickly let the two accept the red envelopes.
After leaving Yan Ting's house, Zhang Xiaoyuan and Dake vaguely realized why they had accepted the red envelope.
This is unscientific. Are they such shameless and greedy people?
How come they have the audacity to accept red envelopes just because someone says a few words to them?
"Are you back?" Yan Ting was sitting on the sofa with a tablet in front of him. When he saw Li Zhao come in, he turned off the tablet.
"Are you watching the live broadcast of the evening party on Qingjiao Video?" Li Zhao put on his slippers and quickly walked to Yan Ting's side: "Did you watch my performance?"
Li Zhao was so close that Yan Ting could even feel the heat from his body.
"Just take a look."
"How did I perform?" Li Zhao sat down: "Am I very handsome and calm?"
"Hmm..." Yan Ting remained silent.
"Isn't it good?" The smile on Li Zhao's face began to collapse.
"Very good." Yan Ting didn't see Li Zhao getting depressed, so he stood up and walked to the dining table and sat down: "Take off your coat and come over to eat."
"Tingting, I didn't expect you to be so funny." Li Zhao took off his coat, walked to the dining table, and dragged his chair closer to Yan Ting: "Actually, I was quite nervous when I went on stage, but when I thought about how many fans might be watching, I mustered up my courage. If I lose my temper, those girls who are my fans will lose face."
"Also, I got the signature of the Swordsman." Li Zhao said, "When I was little, I really wanted to be able to fly over rooftops and walls like the Swordsman, but I was relatively young in the courtyard, so most of the time I could only play the role of the Swordsman's friend or villain."
Listening to Li Zhao's mumbling, Yan Ting ate half a bowl of wontons. Before going to bed at night, his mind was full of Li Zhao's chattering.
In the middle of the night, Yan Ting woke up again.
His mother stood by the bed, looking at him sadly. Suddenly, she turned and walked out the door. From the corridor came the sound of a woman crying and a man's impatient cursing.
Yan Ting walked out.
He saw a man in a suit lying in a pool of blood, twitching all over.
Bang!
Turning around, he saw the woman in red lying on the cold floor. She had jumped down from the top of the stairs.
The man was twitching all over, and the woman in the red dress was falling with her limbs twisted.
The cold wind came in through the gaps in the window, bringing with it gusts of chill.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested on the back of his hand.
"Tingting, what are you doing standing here barefoot?"
"Why don't you turn on the light?"
The dark room suddenly became bright.
"Put on your coat."
I put on a thick coat.
He turned around and saw a pair of bright eyes full of concern.
The author has something to say: Zhao Baobao held Ting Baobao's hand and said seriously: Children must not run around, or bad people will come and take you away.
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