TSSRWAB Chapter 30

“Wow, really, Doubao? You have two daddies.”

 

Doubao nodded his little head and puffed out his small chest. “Of course. You can ask my didi.”

 

Dougao hesitated for a second, then nodded.

 

“I’ve seen your daddy, that beautiful, smiley uncle. What about the other one?”

 

“Yeah, haven’t seen him yet.”

 

“Is he very busy? Is he away on a business trip?”

 

The children chattered away. Doubao, with his chubby face, paused for a second to think, then he said, “My other daddy is as tall as a giant, really, really tall. He can carry me and didi together, and he can even fly-“

 

Doubao covered his mouth, or the secret would be revealed.

 

“He takes us to eat ice cream and plays with us.” Dougao continued calmly.

 

The children’s attention quickly shifted to the ice cream. They were so envious.

 

“Your big daddy buys you ice cream too, Doubao and Dougao, you’re so lucky.”

 

“One from Daddy, one from Big Daddy, wow, you get to eat two ice creams every day.”

 

The children were good at math.

 

One child complained, “My mom only buys me a small one and won’t let my dad buy me any.”

 

“You are so lucky.”

 

Doubao showed a happy smile. Through the crowd of children, Dougao’s cool and calm face suddenly became uneasy. He secretly tugged on his older brother’s sleeve. With the twins’ telepathy, Doubao looked over, and then his entire chubby little body froze.

 

Oh no.

 

What to do.

 

Xie Zhuhan heard about the two children’s mothers passing away, and also heard the two little ones talk about having two daddies.

 

Naturally, he thought of what Lu Xi had said before: that there were plenty of people willing to be the other father to his children. Thinking of this, Xie Zhuhan frowned, and then he heard the twins’ description.

 

They thought of him as their father.

 

For some reason, the displeasure in Xie Zhuhan’s heart dissipated, his frown relaxed, and he walked over.

 

Xie Zhuhan, who was over 1.9 meters tall, was so tall that he cast a shadow over a group of little kids.

 

The chattering children exclaimed, “Wow, where did the sun go?” and looked up, exclaiming, “Wow, that uncle is so tall!”

 

Doubao is standing so straight that his little belly is sticking out.

 

He was a bit shy, not knowing whether Uncle Xie had heard what he said about his big daddy just now.

 

Xie Zhuhan approached the two children and noticed Doubao and Dougao’s nervousness. He recalled his only experience with caring for younger ones—raising a young man. So he raised his hand and gently patted both their heads.

 

The children started chattering again.

 

“Wow, Doubao, is this your Big Daddy? He really is so tall.”

 

“Dougao really looks like your Big Daddy,” a little girl said.

 

Both had cold faces and didn’t like to talk. The tall uncle must be Dougao’s daddy!

 

“Big Daddy?” Xie Zhuhan asked the two.

 

Doubao’s face was flushed, and he didn’t know what to say. He puffed out his cheeks, took a deep breath, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

 

“That’s me,” Xie Zhuhan said to the group of little ones.

 

Doubao’s eyes lit up instantly. A bit shy yet excited, he whispered, “Big Daddy.”

 

Xie Zhuhan scooped up Doubao directly, then glanced at Dougao, and picked him up too.

 

The children let out sounds of admiration.

 

“Doubao and Dougao’s Big Daddy really can carry them both at once!”

 

“So amazing!”

 

One child criticized his own father: “My dad can’t even carry just me.”

 

“You’re too heavy,” a little girl said to the little fatty.

 

The little fatty grunted. “No way, it’s because my dad can’t lift me. Doubao and Dougao’s daddy can carry two. When I go home, I’m definitely going to train my dad to carry me!”

 

“Then you should cheer for your dad,” Doubao happily encouraged his friend.

 

Xie Zhuhan stayed with the two on the playground for about ten minutes. As he was leaving, Doubao tugged at Xie Zhuhan’s clothes and asked shyly, “When will you come again?”

 

“Not calling me Big Daddy anymore?” Xie Zhuhan asked.

 

“Daddy will get angry if he hears,” Dougao said.

 

Doubao puffed out his cheeks, looking troubled.

 

“…Call me that when Daddy isn’t around,” Xie Zhuhan said, looking at the two. For some reason, he thought of the young man. The first time they met, sitting in the airport lobby, curled up in a ball, looking pitiful and wronged.

 

His heart instantly softened.

 

He couldn’t even get angry at the two pieces of evidence in front of him that originally represented Lu Xi’s betrayal.

 

They are Lu Xi’s children.

 

Doubao perked up but didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he looked at his didi. Dougao nodded, and only then did Doubao happily agree, calling out with a hint of shyness, “Big Daddy.”

 

“Big Daddy,” Dougao called out as well.

 

Xie Zhuhan patted both their heads. As his hand brushed past their foreheads, a faint black mark appeared.

 

It was the Demon King’s mark.

 

All unclean things would respectfully steer clear of the two, and if there were any danger, he would know immediately.

 

–

 

Beijing XX Hotel, 16th floor, audition hall.

 

Lu Xi and Pete arrived just in time. They’d taken a flight straight here, but who knew there would be a traffic jam.

 

The waiting room was already full. Agents and assistants were waiting in the adjacent room or outside. Pete picked up the form and Lu Xi filled it out quickly. His acting experience and works were zero, so it was very fast.

 

Little Male Fox hadn’t aired yet, so it doesn’t count as a representative work.

 

On the way there, Pete had gathered inside information and was briefing Lu Xi on how impressive Director Yuan’s new movie, Phoenix Seeking Phoenix, was. In short: big, big, big — big investment, big production, big names.

 

Best Actors and Best Actresses were practically a dime a dozen here. Unlike Jian Huai’s Best Actor status, the male lead and second male lead here are both deeply experienced actors who have truly honed their skills. The female lead, moreover, has won all four major domestic awards and is a top-tier international Best Actress.

 

These are real actors.

 

It wasn’t that Jian Huai was bad; it was just that Jian Huai was still relatively new to acting and still had a bit of a ‘traffic[mfn]’Traffic’ (liúliàng – 流量) refers to the data traffic on the internet, which can be used to measure the popularity of a star. (uhlibraries) ‘Traffic star’ (liúliàng míngxīng – 流量明星) refers to actors or idols with a massive, often fiercely loyal, fanbase who generate significant online engagement and commercial value[/mfn] star’ tinge to him.

 

The male lead, the second male lead, and the female lead were all internally decided. Director Yuan preferred working with familiar faces, actors with strong skills and high visibility.

 

The remaining roles: third male lead, fourth male lead, and second female lead, are all vying for the part.

 

“Director Yuan called you himself. We have a foundation. Don’t be nervous,” Pete said, looking at the room full of stars. He’s unsure whether he was comforting Lu Xi or himself.

 

Lu Xi glanced over. “Director Yuan isn’t the type to pull strings for me.” He was well aware of his standing.

 

He only appeared in one episode of the variety show Actors, but he made an impression on Director Yuan. However, with one role set in modern times and another in ancient times, and with such different character portrayals, who knew whether Lu Xi’s performance back then was a fluke or his consistent level?

 

Director Yuan had called and asked Lu Xi if he wanted to audition. That’s all it was, just giving him an audition opportunity.

 

If he was good enough, he’d stay. If not, get lost. No hard feelings.

 

Upon hearing this, Pete, not wanting to lose heart at this crucial moment of the audition, said optimistically, “You can do it. I believe in you. You’re Xi-ge, jiayou, jiayou!” But then, seeing the few so-called “talented” young heartthrobs sitting inside, he felt a pang of anxiety and was at a loss.

 

They have more fame than Lu Xi. In terms of acting skills, Pete doesn’t even know how deep Lu Xi’s acting pool is.

 

Lu Xi calmly told Pete to wait outside. He picked an empty chair and sat down.

 

People were chatting idly. Those without much fame would state their company. Those with fame exchanged polite pleasantries. Everyone was distracted, waiting for things to start. Soon, more people arrived.

 

Zhao Yu arrived. As soon as he entered, he scanned the room, saw Lu Xi, and a complex look appeared in his eyes.

 

They really are fated.

 

They ran into each other everywhere.

 

Zhao Yu knew how he’d become famous. Back then, Lu Xi’s fans had called him a ‘copycat,’ so his feelings toward Lu Xi were complicated. He wanted to prove himself, that he was Zhao Yu, not some copycat, and certainly not ‘Little Lu Xi.’

 

But the last time on Actors, Zhao Yu’s ambitions had been crushed by Lu Xi into dust.

 

Seeing Lu Xi now, his heart felt half-frozen already.

 

He doesn’t have any powerful backers, and his company was average and nothing special. This audition is going to be a flop.

 

“Since Yu was born, why did Liang have to be born as well?[mfn]既生瑜，何生亮 (jì shēng Yú, hé shēng Liàng) – lit. Since Yu has already been born, so why was Liang ever born? – used to lament the fact that there is someone better than you who is outshining you at every turn; to bemoan a new contender (wiktionary)[/mfn]” Zhao Yu sighed mournfully about his ill-fated path.

 

Lu Xi: ??? He looked over. This guy was pretty funny.

 

The two of them were the last to arrive. Lu Xi was number 23, and Zhao Yu was number 24. They began calling out the numbers.

 

Morning auditions is for male actors and afternoon for actresses.

 

Some were in for as short as five minutes, others for as long as ten minutes. Those who came out quickly looked dejected. Some left with darkened faces and were sulking. Some had pale faces and were reflecting on their actions, and some had red faces and were so ashamed that their eyes were red and they were about to cry.

 

“Director Yuan can make you cry with his scolding,” Zhao Yu worried even more about himself.

 

Lu Xi glanced at him, and Zhao Yu’s mouth started explaining uncontrollably: “Director Yuan is very strict when filming. He’ll yell at people. Didn’t you watch Actors afterward?”

 

“No. I joined a film crew after, so I was quite busy.” Lu Xi smiled and said, “Not ignoring me now?”

 

Earlier, when Zhao Yu first came in, he acted like he didn’t see Lu Xi.

 

Zhao Yu’s face flushed for no reason. He tried to act cool, propping his face on his hand, and said, “I wasn’t ignoring you.”

 

“Since Yu was born–“

 

Zhao Yu: !!!

 

Lu Xi laughed heartily and stopped teasing Zhao Yu.

 

“We’re not alike at all,” Lu Xi said seriously.

 

Perhaps because he suffered the bitterness of being a substitute, he disliked it when people said he looked like someone else, or that someone else looked like him. When a complete stranger is treated as a substitute and reduced to a mere shadow, they lose all sense of their own worth.

 

They were just replacements.

 

That feeling was awful.

 

Lu Xi didn’t like it.

 

The two didn’t look alike. Back then, Zhao Yu leaned towards a sunny, soft, sweet type. When Lu Xi first debuted at eighteen, he was the soft, cute, sweet type, so Zhao Yu had found a path to imitate. But now, four years had passed, and their auras were truly distinct and easy to tell apart.

 

Zhao Yu is now going for a sunny, straightforward image.

 

Lu Xi was more refined and beautiful on the surface. Just sitting there without speaking, he exuded a kind of cool, aloof elegance.

 

But on the inside, he was a goofball.

 

“I used to imitate you on stage, but I’ve changed now,” Zhao Yu said, not knowing why he was exposing his own shortcomings. His mind just went blank. Maybe it was because the person being imitated had said they weren’t alike.

 

Lu Xi smiled and gave a soft “Mm.”

 

Zhao Yu felt a wave of relief.

 

The two continued sitting on the bench, though they didn’t talk much afterward. They weren’t really close to begin with.

 

By noon, it was their turn. The person before Lu Xi had taken a long time. They came out looking relaxed and confident, seemingly sure of success. They have no idea which role they were going for.

 

Pete couldn’t sit still next door anymore. He came out to wait by Lu Xi.

 

“Jiayou, jiayou, don’t be nervous. Boss Xi, you’re the best.”

 

Lu Xi raised an eyebrow. “Do I look nervous to you?”

 

Pete looked. His Boss Xi was still smiling warmly, his expression unchanged and as calm as could be. His heart steadied immediately. Boss Xi, are you 100% sure?”

 

“No. I forgot to tell you. If I don’t pass, the worst case is I go back and inherit my title of Little Prince,” Lu Xi teased Pete, playing off the fact that he was the Succubus clan’s Little Prince.

 

Pete: ??? Little Prince? Boss Xi, you have noble blood?

 

Wait, hold on. The Qing Dynasty fell ages ago. Playing up the ‘decadent feudal noble’ persona now goes against the people, it’s not acceptable, it won’t work!!!

 

We are all equal successors to the socialist cause![mfn]The phrase “socialist successor” (社会主义接班人) is a specific term often used in educational and political contexts in China to describe the younger generation’s role in continuing national development.[/mfn]

 

Lu Xi had already gone in.

 

Phoenix Seeking Phoenix was a fictional love story set against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty’s golden age.

 

Lu Xi hadn’t read the script and didn’t know what it was about.

 

“Give him the audition scene for the third male lead,” Yuan Tang said as Lu Xi entered. No small talk, he simply waved his hand, signaling his assistant to hand over the materials.

 

Lu Xi didn’t stand on ceremony and nodded to take the script.

 

The screenwriter didn’t know who this person was, but he was quite arrogant. Everyone else who had come in for the audition had been cautious, bowing their heads and greeting first.

 

“After you’ve read it, let me know when you’re ready.”

 

Yuan Tang had been doing the auditions all morning. He was tired and annoyed. What a bunch of blockheads. Those who fit the role had no talent, and those who could act were hard to look at.

 

He was so annoyed.

 

Are there no fresh, talented new actors in the entertainment industry anymore?

 

Lu Xi was auditioning for the third male lead. A beautiful, romantic, bold, unrestrained poet-swordsman. Don’t think I don’t know who he is based on!

 

It was the great poet Li Bai![mfn]Li Bai (李白) (701-762), courtesy name Taibai, also known as Qinglian Jushi, was a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty in China[/mfn]

 

He felt a little bit of excitement.

 

Lu Xixi was so excited that he wanted to recite a poem by Li Bai right then and there. But if he forcefully inserted Wu Ji, this swordsman, into the mold of Li Bai, it would be hard to express the character and would constrain his thinking. Wu Ji was very young, a genius of innate talent. At nineteen, he wrote a masterpiece that caused a sensation in Chang’an City. With a sword in one hand and a jug of wine in the other, he was bold and uninhibited, yet still possessed the vibrant energy of youth.

 

His brilliance was unmatched.

 

So, Lu Xi had to combine aspects of Li Bai while also separating them.

 

No wonder all those before had failed.

 

As everyone knew, in an audition, without costumes or props, performing too freely would be awkward, but being too reserved would fail to convey the character.

 

He had to strike a balance.

 

Lu Xi thought for a moment, then closed the script.

 

“I’m ready.”

 

Yuan Tang acknowledged with a grunt, signaling him to begin. Then, within two seconds, he sat up straight, and a gleam lit up his tired eyes.

 

…

 

“Why so fast?” Pete had timed it. His Boss Xi had only been inside for twelve minutes.

 

The previous person had taken almost twenty minutes.

 

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Didn’t you say you were going to inherit being a Little Prince? I can compete for the job and be your Grand Eunuch,” Pete said, making fun of himself, afraid Lu Xi would be disappointed. “Every month, I’ll just need to look at the handsome men in your harem, that’s all.”

 

Lu Xi said, “Well, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. Go sign the contract.”

 

“!!!” Pete realized what was happening, jumped for joy, then quickly regained his composure. “As expected of my Boss Xi.”

 

Lu Xi smiled warmly. “Not my Grand Eunuch anymore?”

 

“That ‘Little Prince’ persona really won’t work. We can’t go back in history and indulge in that kind of nonsense,” Grand Eunuch Pete declared righteously in protest.

 

Lu Xi took the hint and nodded seriously. “Got it. I was just teasing. It’s just that my da-ge has two castles, a diamond mines, a few oil fields…”

 

“???” Pete couldn’t hold on any longer.

 

Was this bragging, or was it real?

 

When Lu Xi talked now, which of his words could he believe?!

 

Oil fields, diamond mines… that’s made up, right? It’s not like this is a TV drama.

 

Pete muttered to himself as he hurried over to sign a contract with the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix production team.

 

Phoenix Seeking Phoenix was set to start filming a week later.

 

The salary offered to Lu Xi was slightly higher than the market rate for third-tier actors. Pete had negotiated well, and Director Yuan and the screenwriter were impressed with Lu Xi, so they agreed to it without hesitation.

 

They didn’t stay in Beijing. After the audition and contract signing, they left. Director Yuan was busy and didn’t have time to have a meal with a third male lead, so everyone went their separate ways. See you at the start of filming.

 

By the time Lu Xi arrived back in Jinjiang City, it was almost time for Doubao and Dougao to get out of school.

 

He called Dahl to say he would pick up the two.

 

As soon as the kindergarten gate opened, Lu Xi spotted his two little ones right away. They were round and chubby, with bright, happy smiles. This comforted the old father. After being away for a day, the two had behaved well and hadn’t been sad.

 

As a father, all he wanted was for his sons to be happy every day. He absolutely did not want them to be so sad with longing that they couldn’t eat!

 

“Dougao, it’s your other daddy!” Xiao Hua said when she spotted him.

 

The two brothers saw their daddy outside the gate and happily hopped around, waving their paws at him.

 

Lu Xi took them, one hand holding each.

 

Then he heard a chubby, fair-skinned boy say, “Oh, so this daddy can’t carry you both either! I guess you really do have to eat to grow tall. Only big dads can do that. When I get home, I’ll make my dad eat and grow tall!”

 

Lu Xi: ???

 

What did that mean?

 

In less than a day, he was being discriminated against?

 

Daddy Xiao Lu was very unhappy.