If she hadn't known better, Chu Yueyi would have suspected Shi Guanghua of avoiding answering questions and lazily writing down the name of the female guest he had overheard. However, his statement that their meeting at the lakeside restaurant wasn't their first encounter resolved many past confusions. He had come to record the show specifically for her.
But when exactly had they met before!?
Chu Yueyi racked her brains until they felt like exploding, but she had no recollection whatsoever. Logically, with Shi Guanghua's appearance, it should have been impossible to forget his face.
She had originally planned to rest, but the questionnaire left her feeling anxious. Worried she might not have time to send a message later, she decided to text Shi Guanghua in advance: [When exactly did we meet before?]
Hi wifey: [Go to sleep. Good night.]
Shi Guanghua replied instantly, living up to his reputation as a night owl, but still not revealing anything.
Chu Yueyi had expected a reply only the next day, but it turned out he wasn't asleep either.
CYY: [Good night, don't always stay up late, you'll lose your hair.]
Hi wifey: [I won't.]
CYY: [Last time when you carried me, I saw you were balding.]
Hi wifey: [?]
After a while, Shi Guanghua replied: [No, I just checked.]
Chu Yueyi was amused by his serious tone. She couldn't imagine how he had checked the top of his head, and burst into laughter, feeling content. She finally wished him good night and went to rest.
The next day was a complete whirlwind for Chu Yueyi. After a brief rest, she boarded a plane, arrived at the film set just in time for the opening ceremony, and then immediately filmed for half a day on the new drama.
The new period drama was called "Living with Spring", and the main storyline revolved around the growth of the female protagonist, Song Yingchun. There wasn't a true male lead, but rather numerous male supporting characters with diverse personalities and identities, showcasing Song Yingchun's different stages of growth and status changes from various angles.
Chu Yueyi summarized the script in one sentence: "Sister only wants to make big money, everyone else is just passing through sister's life."
Although the drama centered around the female lead, there was no shortage of male actors, and even Chu Yueyi's company had managed to insert some of their own talents.
During the opening ceremony, the director and actors took turns offering incense, then gathered for a photo op with the media. As the female lead, Chu Yueyi naturally stood in the center next to the director. Suddenly, she felt Dong Yan moving closer to her.
Dong Yan was an artist from the same company as Chu Yueyi. They had met briefly at the company's annual party, where he had once been reprimanded by her for mentioning Bai Yiyang.
Chu Yueyi sensed that Dong Yan's approach was the company's idea, so she slightly made room for him, not wanting to be too close to him in front of the cameras. However, as she moved two steps away, Dong Yan followed, continuing to edge closer.
Chu Yueyi wasn't a fool. She quickly realized the reason behind his actions.
If the company wanted to dissolve the CP, they would gradually release news about Chu Yueyi and the male actors from the new drama, diluting the public's habitual association of her with Shi Guanghua, and then purify her solo fanbase through a new round of marketing.
"Heart-Fluttering Promise" had just concluded yesterday, and the company surely had their considerations, but she had her own thoughts as well. She didn't want to be associated with Dong Yan.
The TV drama "Living with Spring" told a woman's story, and the chief director was also a woman, which was rare in the industry.
Chu Yueyi decided to affectionately put her arm around the director, smiling for photos while pressed close together. The female director didn't resist, friendlily returning the embrace, both of them beaming from ear to ear, standing shoulder to shoulder.
With Chu Yueyi and the female director so close together, it would be impossible for the media to crop photos of her with male actors.
After the opening ceremony, "Living with Spring" officially began filming. Chu Yueyi instantly switched to work mode. On set, her acting was superb, and during breaks, she maintained a professional demeanor, getting along well with everyone but not appearing particularly close to anyone, especially the male actors.
The female director quickly noticed Chu Yueyi's differential treatment and joked, "You really do treat men and women differently, don't you?"
Chu Yueyi calmly replied, "I'm just in character. They're all just passing through, after all."
She didn't want to be taken advantage of or have her popularity exploited unexpectedly, especially since a common method of dissolving CPs was to create new ones.
Life on set was always tense and exhausting, far from a regular 9-to-5 job. With the added time for makeup and hair styling for a period drama, Chu Yueyi often had to start getting ready before she was fully rested, and filming would continue late into the night before wrapping up.
Her daily routine consisted of makeup, filming, and sleeping, with only brief moments during meals and breaks to chat with Shi Guanghua. There was no time left for anything else. Without the frequent meetings facilitated by the show, they didn't have many topics to discuss online. Shi Guanghua wasn't skilled at chatting, and Chu Yueyi lacked time.
Although their conversations were rather mundane, both felt stable and happy, which was a novel experience for Chu Yueyi. In the past, she would only focus on work while on set, but now she looked forward to casual chats during breaks. Occasionally, this would remind her to check in with her parents, changing her old habits bit by bit.
Previously, she would forget everything else when working, always assuming her parents were fine at home and didn't need much concern. But now, while working, she would think about the people she wanted to see when she returned, and those who always stood behind her.
She seemed to have found more motivation.
Of course, because she was so busy, after contacting her close ones, she barely had time to go online, missing countless new messages.
The twelfth episode of "Heart-Fluttering Promise" aired after Chu Yueyi had joined the new production. The content of this episode sent viewers into a frenzy, with the online situation spiraling out of control, even disrupting the company's plans.
Typically, after a CP's run on a show ends, they gradually separate, with some even starting to clash towards the end of the program. However, the Moonlight Couple grew sweeter with each episode, and throughout the broadcast, the male and female guests' teams never fought.
Of course, this was a delightful misunderstanding. Shi Guanghua didn't have a team at all, so he naturally lacked the power to engage in conflicts. But to outsiders, it appeared differently.
The twelfth episode contributed numerous popular catchphrases, such as "hitting on handsome guys," "love 'em and leave 'em," "earning 100 million," and so on. It was like wave after wave of sweetness, each step a critical hit, a path paved with sugar.
-- Do you still need to hit on handsome guys? Isn't this your handsome guy right here!
-- I have a suggestion for Teacher Shi. Next time she sticks her tongue out at you, you should do the same to her, face to face, mouth to mouth, you know?
-- How inconsiderate of Xiao Shi. Bosses always drink tea that's already brewed, how could you let the boss reach out to brew it herself?
-- Shi: I've already brewed it myself, why aren't you drinking?
-- Oh my god, what did he change the contact name to? Urgently hiring Leeuwenhoek online!
-- Ravish him! Love him and leave him! How exciting to sleep with him and run!
-- It's a miracle the sister above wasn't reported. Why not run around naked in the streets while you're at it.
-- Production team, you're useless! You couldn't even pick up the audio when they were whispering in each other's ears!
-- And which episode was it about earning 100 million to get married? What hidden plot did I miss?
-- If it weren't for the fear of you two getting arrested for illegal fundraising, you'd definitely be married today!
-- Wuwuwu I get it now, they're not together because they're poor, they only have enough for rings but not for a wedding, so after the show ended they went off to film and sell songs to save up money.
-- No, they're already together, just earning money for the ceremony!
-- Good news, good news, now you don't even need to pay 9 yuan for a marriage certificate, you can get it directly!!
-- I'm sick of this, they'll definitely break up the CP after the show ends. Why doesn't the production team release all the unaired footage for us to enjoy?
-- Could there be something that can't be broadcast?
The "Heart-Fluttering Promise" official Weibo was once again overwhelmed, with countless netizens protesting the excessive content cuts in the show. For example, the "earning 100 million" segment was never aired, seriously affecting viewers' watching experience.
The production team felt deeply wronged, thinking, "We never even recorded that part, how could we have cut it?"
With no other choice, the official Weibo released another short clip of face-touching from the episode where Shi Guanghua had a fever.
Heart-Fluttering Promise: There's nothing left, really nothing, not even a drop.
I Can Do It: Really? I don't believe it! Shake it hard, there must be more!
String Puller: Dear Heart, don't be ungrateful. If you make us happy now, we might support a second season.
Tto: I, an esteemed VIP member, still have money to renew for another year. Release a thousand behind-the-scenes clips right now, understand?
Night's Heart: The variety show has officially concluded. Wishing Actress Chu and Musician Shi successful paths in their respective futures. I also hope everyone will continue to support the guests' works. Looking forward to Chu Yueyi's new drama "Living with Spring".
Little Prism: Baby, I don't want separate paths, I want to walk the sugar path with you, mwah!
Big Dudu: Oh my god, what do I see? It's actually a solo fan, quick, let sister give you a kiss!!
Reader: I've lived to see it, which family's solo fan is this? Our Moonlight actually has solo fans, wuwuwu, mama is so touched.
Your Muse: It's definitely from Teacher Chu's family, no need to be overly enthusiastic. It might be a company's secondary account. Chu Yueyi's true fans are particularly zen, totally in the old artist style, only focusing on her acting.
Mickey Princess: Fun fact: Shi Guanghua has no dedicated fans.
You're Always Right: I was his fan when he was on music shows, but he was ridiculously inactive, so I became a shipper instead.
Little Chang'an: Fun fact: Shi Guanghua sang more on dating shows than on music shows.
8294: No way, that's impossible. After the finale, they'll definitely unbind and purify. How could the male side have no dedicated fans?
Panda Bamboo Shoot Stolen: If you don't believe it, you can go fishing. Take his full name to the plaza and criticize him for being clingy. That'll test if he has real fans. Last time we fished out some Moonlight Scientists anyway.
Circle Bubble: You bamboo shoot thief!!
Copy Vine: That's nothing? I've even seen a dedicated fan say "Take away Chu Yueyi," and someone replied with a meme of Teacher Shi carrying her, captioned "Carrying away Chu Yueyi." Now that's truly ruthless.
Golden Shiny: I won't let you bully the dedicated fans! Protect the endangered species, okay?
Little Soul: Sigh, sometimes it's hard to even find someone to scold you as a dedicated fan. Someone who was clearly a dedicated fan a few days ago will greet me with "Of course, it's always been like this" a couple days later.
The management company considered unbinding the CP after the finale, but the awkward part is that Shi Guanghua has no dedicated fans, so there's no need to deliberately separate or purify. He hasn't transitioned into being a singer, nor has he taken on new activities or commercial deals. He's only been on two shows in total, one as a music producer and the other was "Heart-Fluttering Promise."
In reality, Shi Guanghua's image and talent are quite appealing, but this guy just doesn't show his face or engage with fans. After getting popular on the music show, he went on the dating show and lost fans, and after the dating show finale, he completely returned to being a musician.
The Moonlight Scientists commented on Teacher Shi's behavior: "Half a lifetime on hot searches, yet still returns as an ordinary person," "Entertainment circle: It seems he only loved me very briefly," "The outsider who's super strong but excessively low-key."
Logically, CP fans would be fiercely torn apart by dedicated fans, but due to the direct absence of one side's dedicated fans, the Moonlight Science Club didn't face much pressure after the finale. Considering the feelings of the remaining dedicated fans, they usually don't act out in public, generally behaving themselves.
This is high-level CP fan etiquette. It's indeed a bit inappropriate to keep mentioning the dating show finale everywhere.
Everyone should just enjoy the show and wish both parties a bright future, but without putting too much pressure on them.
However, while the CP fans were keeping to themselves, the main characters came out and stirred things up, which was unexpected by everyone.
Shi Guanghua followed a Chu Yueyi fan account on Weibo called "Only Moonlight," which posts daily photos of her going to work. These "work photos" are pictures of Chu Yueyi on her way to the film set in Hengdian, showing her daily spirit and appearance.
Shi Guanghua's sudden follow instantly shocked everyone!
Countless people frantically refreshed their phones, waiting for Shi Guanghua to unfollow after a slip of the hand, but he stubbornly didn't cancel the follow, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Finally, the "Only Moonlight" account admin couldn't sit still. She directly removed Shi Guanghua from her followers.
Not long after, Shi Guanghua noticed he was removed and followed back again.
Account Admin: !!?
The "Only Moonlight" account admin collapsed on the spot. She couldn't just block Shi Guanghua outright, but it was also strange for a personal fan account to be followed by someone who used to be in a promotional CP. In the end, she could only weakly speak out.
Only Moonlight_Chu Yueyi Personal Account: I still hope celebrities can stay away from fans' lives.
Because Shi Guanghua hadn't opened his private messages, the admin hinted subtly. She thought it would be fine after posting this and removed Shi Guanghua again, but he continued to follow back.
Admin: Good grief, do I have to call you out by name?!
The admin didn't dare to be too harsh with Shi Guanghua, but she had truly never encountered such a situation. She could only secretly mention him in the original post's comment section and remove him from the follower list again.
Only Moonlight_Chu Yueyi Personal Account: Bro, please let me go @Shi Guanghua
Shi Guanghua replied to Only Moonlight_Chu Yueyi Personal Account: I'm not a celebrity, and you're not my fan.
The implication was that those words weren't meant for him, so he didn't need to stay away.
Only Moonlight_Chu Yueyi Personal Account: ???
The admin never imagined she'd see the day when she'd be reminded of her fan status by the former CP partner of her idol!
If she were facing Shi Guanghua's dedicated fans, the admin might have cursed them out, but this was Shi Guanghua himself. She lost her temper in a second, wanting to ask if this guy wasn't afraid of being called clingy? Didn't he worry about hurting his own dedicated fans' feelings? Wasn't he concerned about his future work in the entertainment industry?
Oh right, he's not afraid. He has no dedicated fans, and he's almost retired from the industry now.
No one can defeat a stubborn rock; they'll only hurt their hands trying. Even Chu Yueyi can't do anything about Shi Guanghua, let alone fans surfing the internet.
Shi Guanghua's "I'm not a celebrity" comment defeated the admin, but the Moonlight Scientists were extremely anxious.
Moonlight Still: Sis, I'm sorry, he's ignorant and doesn't know the rules, don't be angry! If you're really upset, scold him a bit, he really doesn't know the unwritten rules after the finale!!
Yeye: He's not being sarcastic, he's just socially inept, your photos are super nice, sweetie! You're the best personal account, I bow down to your skills!
Rub Hands Press: You can scold him, don't scold me, I didn't act out.
Lili Duck: If you're really angry, just block him. I can't stand it on your behalf. Don't be afraid of being scolded by his dedicated fans, I guarantee he has no dedicated fans across the entire internet!
Countless CP fans apologized and kowtowed under the personal account's post, looking a bit like an online version of manager Xiao Cheng, frantically cleaning up the mess for the clueless Shi Guanghua.
The "Only Moonlight" admin finally chose to turn a blind eye. She pretended not to notice this incident, and didn't even have the energy to angrily argue with anyone online, mainly because she didn't know who to argue with, everyone was just lying flat and accepting the situation!
Shi Guanghua didn't think his behavior was excessive. If others could follow, why couldn't he?
Since he followed the "Only Moonlight" personal account to see work photos, he went ahead and followed Chu Yueyi's official fan club as well. The CP fans' apologies couldn't keep up with the speed of his troublemaking.
The person behind the official fan club account painfully held their head: "It's over, it's over, sure enough it's our turn, I knew we couldn't escape this day..."
"Should we find someone to ask the company how to deal with him? Are there any future collaborations?"
"No, even if there are collaborations, the main character wouldn't follow the other's official fan club, right!"
They hoped Shi's dedicated fans would step in to stop him, but now they couldn't discuss something that doesn't exist.
Shi Guanghua's unconventional actions also caused chaos among CP fans.
Chuan'er: He's finally shown his true colors. I always felt he was pretending to be an insider, now he's completely revealed himself and doesn't even bother to pretend. It turns out the insider who said he came for her was telling the truth.
Almond Candy: How can such fake fan service become real? Even I, with my CP-oriented mind, didn't dare to ship them. What about those street encounter stories of the two, shouldn't they be ridiculously fake rumors!?
Flora: I'm getting fed, I'm getting fed, wuwuwu, the main characters are feeding us sugar and making me fat!
Six Kills: Stop shipping, stop shipping, save the dedicated fans! At least leave some seedlings!!
Tone: Dedicated fans, in danger.
Sakamoto: Now I don't know how to explain to the dedicated fan sisters, it's harder than comforting a boyfriend. Can't he just behave?
Flower Picture: Seeing his reckless attitude towards dedicated fans, I wouldn't be surprised if he's disliked by his future in-laws. This young man is still too green!