AN: Hey guys… thank you. For showing interest in my story. I hope you guys like this chap. Thank you everyone.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! XD
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MAIN CHARACTERS:
Gong Xi - Kyoko Mogami
Dun He Lian - Ren Tsuraga
Bu Po Shang- Sho Fuwa
Jiang Nan Qin- Kanae Kotonami
Executive Shen Deyuan - Takenori Sawara
Du Jin- Yashiro Yukihito
Yang Yang- Shoko (Sho's manager)
Luo Li- Lori Takarada, the CEO of LME
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Chapter 1
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Showdown begins!
Mr. Du doesn't understand. Why is Lian suppressing his feelings for her? Isn't he aware of them? That can't be. Then why?
"I don't understand…"
Before he can stop himself, he has said it aloud. He's in the said actor's chambers in the LME; the actor himself sitting in his usual chair, playing with his toy train as he reads a script.
"Hmm?" Lian looks at his ever nosy manager.
"That was…" Du pauses thinking of right words, "you didn't even greet Gong Xi properly while she looked positively excited to see you!"
"Do I have to?" Lian shoots back nonchalantly, an easy smile on his lips. Du knows it's fake. Being with that inscrutable man often put him on edge but he had never been wrong, he just knew him too well.
"Of course you have to! She's… she's your co-actress now!"
"Hmm."
Lian wordlessly returns back to reading his script which Du is sure, is an act to put an end to this conversation.
Just then there's a knock. Speak of the Devil! Du smiles as Gong Xi welcomes herself inside.
"Hello, Mr. Du, " she greets the manager cheerily, "Mr. Lian."
She bows her head and then smiles, "long time no see. How are you both? I'm really sorry for unceremoniously barging inside like this but.. I just had to greet you two properly."
Lian nods, offers her a smile and then is focussing on his script again. Gong Xi's smile falters a bit but then she pulls it up.
Du Jin clears his throat.
"Hey, uh, Gong Xi… nice to see you. You see, Lian… Don't mind him, he's really busy reading the script so... "
Lian gives him a curious glance, then resumes reading.
Gong Xi- "Oh! I see that. I'm sorry."
Mr. Du- "No. come. Here, sit down. I'm free. You can talk to me."
Laughing, Du leads her to the sofa across the room. Gong Xi takes a seat out of courtesy.
Mr. Du- "So, how's everything? Surely many new offers would have come your way these past two months, no?"
Gong Xi- "Ohh… no, not too many. There were a few but the roles weren't that great. Our director sir handling our classes says, as an actor you must always pick up different roles-"
Voice- "That's when you've established yourself in the industry. Don't you think so?"
Their heads jerk at the sudden interruption. Du watches, his jaw almost dropping as Lian continues to advise Gong Xi.
Lian- "You're still growing up as a star. First thing you would need in the entertainment industry is recognition. Don't you know? Or did you forget it?"
Gong Xi shakes her head. It almost looked like he was chiding her but the fact that he was talking to her, even giving out advice was somehow touching. She smiles. She isn't it gonna deny it. She's happy.
Gong Xi- "I didn't forget. I just… they were all negative characters, those of a shady woman… I just… I don't want people to be scared of me."
Lian gives her a pointed look and she drops her head unable to look him back in the eye.
Lian- "Isn't it a good thing? If people are scared of you just because you did a negative role, it means you're an incredible actor. Cease this foolishness. I won't tell you again, Gong Xi- you must capture every offer that comes your way. Give it your best and that's how you rise to fame."
Gong Xi gets up to bow to him, "Yes. I'll keep that in mind. Dubushi! You were always so kind with your guidance and I let you down."
Lian shakes his head. He wants to say she didn't but then he realizes his manager is looking at him with one of his sly smiles. So he promptly closes his mouth and looks away, once again engrossed in the script in his hands.
Du Jin laughs internally. Okay, this guy still does care. He then turns to the lady beside him.
Mr. Du- "What else Gong Xi? How're your classes…."
Lian sighs. He's been reading the same line over and over ever since that girl stepped in. He's tried hard not to focus too much on the friendly conversation going on between his companions but he couldn't. And what's that oaf of a manager doing? Chatting with every other person entering his cabin!
His train of thought breaks as he hears Du taking a certain someone's name-
Mr. Du- "So, you're friends with that Bu Po Shang again, huh?"
Gong Xi's smile drops. Why is everyone behind that issue? The air in the room suddenly feels tight but Du Jin is adamant, grinning from ear to ear. He can feel someone's glare on his back but has chosen to ignore it.
Gong Xi- "Uh... I don't think that's a bad thing… he .. he seemed to have realized his mistake. He regrets it. I just.. Had to forgive him."
Gong Xi bites her lip. Damn, now this is awkward. She doesn't know herself if what she did was right. And all these questions were making her nervous! And Mr. Lian! Why isn't he approving any of these outcomes?
She laughs nervously. Du pats her back cheerily. Lian returns to his reading and the matter ends as she finally takes her leave.
Gong Xi- 'I wish I know what he's thinking… why won't he guide me on this? This sure is personal but why isn't he saying things like- you shouldn't trust people so easily or something?' *sigh * 'Gong Xi… enough… now return to work!'
And thus she heads to see executive Shen to find out if there are any new tasks for the Love Me. Department.
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Bu Po Shang sits humbly on the hot seat offered to him. Glittering lights around him keep shifting shapes and colours until a spotlight is focussed on him and the host.
"So yeahhh….! Say welcome! Here's our superstar of the week, the amazing singer, songwriter- Bu Po Shang himself!"
The host announces causing the audience to break into cheers. She then claps signalling them to stop.
"So, as a fan myself. I'm super excited to have you here, Mr. Shang."
Shang bows his head from his spot once towards the host and then towards the audience as thank you gesture.
"And dear fans," the host continues, her voice rising with every syllable she utters, "are you excITED? Because… Bu Po Shang is gonna reveal some of his secrets…. SECRETS WHICH HE NEVER TOLD ANYONE BEFORE!"
Cheers fill the hall again. Shang smiles awkwardly then his face twists into a painful expression.
"Mr. Shang… if you would… what's this thing that you said you'd share with your fans?"
"I…" Shang trails off, "I just wanted to share something…. I just wanted everyone to know what truly brought me here. The Bu Po Shang you know- what he's made of…."
Everyone in the studio was silent. The cameramen exchange glances. The audience biting their nails, and countless watching TV's on the edge of their seats.
'What's he gonna reveal?' whispers one of the crew to another, 'his fans would be thrilled. Our ratings will go up. Pretty soon. Because this is a live show!'
'Yeah.'
"I wasn't here on my own. Someone lead me here. Her hard work, her dedication, she gave it all for my sake. She wanted me to become an idol. And she succeeded. I think now's finally the time the world knows… I had a wonderful friend like her. I still do, hopefully."
The audience gasps. Some of the ladies wailing out of sheer agony. Bu Po Shang has a female best friend whom he adores! I'm jealous!
Some of them flabbergasted, didn't he say earlier he made it hear on his own?
The chaos die down as the host finally regains her senses and claps asking everyone to calm down.
"Mr. Shang, could you explain some more?"
"I should have told this years ago. Perhaps shared this stage with her…"
"Who's she?"
Shang sighs, then he throws his head back, brushing his bangs. He then gives a small smile, "I think.. That should be enough for now. I can't go spilling beans without her permission-"
Shang smiles, a tinge of sadness in his eyes.
"Aww… looks like our singer here regrets that he's actually kept this from the world for so long…. It's adorable isn't it? I like men who learn their mistakes. And is that him defending his girl in the end? From the wrath of his fans? What a gentleman he is…!"
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Shang sighs as the show ends. A few more questions about his upcoming album. And it all ended on a positive note. His manager, Yang Yang looks worried as she runs to greet him as he steps down from the stage.
"Do you think it was a good idea? Telling the world all about her? What if it does damage than good? That wasn't a good gamble."
"It wasn't a gamble." Shang corrects her, " those were my true feelings."
His manager looks taken aback, "Shang… you… you really do... so you want her back, huh?"
Shang lets out another sigh recalling what he said back in his interview and how the host had called him to be a gentleman and a great friend- he wished, oh how he wished he was any of that!
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Gong Xi dropped the plate in her hands. It lay shattered on the floor of the kitchen. She has been at her Boss's place, paying them a visit as she had nothing to do at the academy. It was only by chance that she came across Shang's interview live on some channel.
She didn't know why she watched him talk… or why he would reveal all that… on a TV show no less…. Or how she should take it.
"Hey, Xiao Xi… earth to! Are you okay… I didn't know you liked this guy that much… I mean weren't you into that guy from your drama?"
Her boss's daughter teases her bringing her back to her surroundings. Gonxi doesn't answer. She just slumps into a nearby sofa, still in a daze.
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Lian frowns. He's just finished listening to that rotten person speak on the television.
He thinks- Just.. what was he thinking? And… why now.. What does he want from her?
Du clears his throat and Lian realizes he's been staring at the screen even as the live show ended.
"Strange…" Du comments, "you didn't even ask me to change the channel. Looks like this shang isn't entirely bad person. So, Lian… Did you watch it? Or were you reading the script?"
Lian gets to his feet, the script still in his hand. "Do I have anything to do today?"
Du shakes his head, "no.. nothing."
"Then I'll go home and read this. Good day to you, Du."
"Hey! Lian!"
But Lian is gone, his long legs swiftly leading him out.
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FIN!
(Will proofread soon)
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NEXT- Gong Xi's new task. Participating in a new audition going on at LME, for a lead role opposite…. MR. LIAN!? And WHY! Why is this scene super romantic… and she hated romance. She still does… but with Mr. Lian… well….
Later-
Gong Xi: Is Mr. Lian mad because I'm friends with Shang again?
Lian- ( Am I angry? Of course I am… is it because of him?)
Shang- ( Just wait Xi…. I'll have you back. The strength of my true feelings will melt your heart.)
Those were exact words Shang said in the drama… so yeah… the show should have went on with a few more epis… okay.. So the plot of this story is basically what I pictured would happen next in the show. As in a sequel. The story is just shaping up and there's really so much to come. So stick with me. Thank you! :D
