The Most Popular Comedian

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Ying Xian wasn’t actually drunk. She was just very excited. However, she was completely sober now after being startled like this.

“Damn, is this a live broadcast accident? How did the camera coincidentally turn to Wen Zhecheng and them?” The only person on the table who could be considered “drunk” was Rong Yuheng. At the moment, he was still rubbing Wen Zhecheng’s face, attempting to make his pet owner look a bit more handsome.

Wen Zhecheng’s eyelashes drooped, concealing hidden emotions in his eyes. Whether it was due to the effects of alcohol or some other reason, his voice was slightly hoarse. “…Check what goods?”

Rong Yuheng was about to speak when several actors beside them suddenly made frantic gestures at the two of them—first pointing at them, then at Ying Xian’s phone, and finally at their own ears. Wen Zhecheng glanced at them and immediately understood.

He furrowed his brows slightly, restraining Rong Yuheng, who was still rubbing against his face. In a low voice, he said, “Little one, don’t move for a while. Be quiet. I’ll let you check later.”

Rong Yuheng was smoothly incorporated into the “main pet script.” Upon hearing Wen Zhecheng’s words, he curled up into a hamster ball, obediently lying in Wen Zhecheng’s arms.

At this moment, Ying Xian was still facing the camera. Although she was internally panicked, she had to maintain a calm expression on her face to avoid giving anything away.

The fans in the live broadcast room were going crazy. The barrage of comments scrolled rapidly:

“What just happened! Teacher Wen and Rong Rong???”

“D*mn, it feels like they’re about to kiss! And what’s with ‘liking’ and ‘checking goods’… Is it what I’m thinking?”

“Ahhh, why did they stop recording? I’ve taken off my pants; you owe me! Sister Ying, continue the broadcast! I want to see the encounter of Zhecheng, wuwuwu…”

“They’re for real, right??? I swear, this has to be real. Even if they’re just friends, this is too ambiguous!”

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Ying Xian forced herself to speak, “Today is the wrap-up banquet. Rong Rong had a bit to drink, got a little tipsy, and Teacher Wen was just comforting him.”

The barrage immediately followed:

“Rong Rong does look a bit tipsy, so cute!”

“Comfort! Can you be clear about what kind of comfort?”

“My ship has come true!! It must be true; damn, I’m crying!”

“…Don’t make random speculations, they haven’t kissed or hugged. My friends and I often joke like this.”

Ying Xian quickly added, “Yes, Teacher Wen and Rong Rong have a very good relationship. They have great personalities, and our crew gets along very well.”

After Ying Xian spoke, she looked across at Wen Zhecheng and, receiving a nod of acknowledgment, shouted, “Hey, Teacher Wen, has Rong Rong calmed down? Do you need any help from us?”

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The fans in the barrage immediately became attentive, all listening for sounds outside the camera.

The surrounding environment was a bit noisy—sizzling sounds from the barbecue, the clinking of glasses, and even the conversations of other actors were audible.

Wen Zhecheng’s voice came faintly from amid the noise, “It’s okay, he’s not causing trouble anymore. You continue with the broadcast.”

Ying Xian made an OK gesture and continued to focus on her live stream. “Teacher Wen has already comforted Rong Rong. Thank you all for your concern.”

By now, the barrage had calmed down considerably. Although some fans still firmly believed in the authenticity of “Ze Cheng Yi Yu,” others were trying hard to convince themselves to believe Ying Xian’s explanation—Rong Rong got drunk, and Teacher Wen was just consoling him!

Moreover, the entire crew was present, and the two were doing these things openly, which indicated a brotherly relationship. Some behaviors were like that—seemingly affectionate, but the bolder the guys, the more daring their actions!

…

Ying Xian’s live broadcast was only open for half an hour before it was closed. The live broadcast of the wrap-up banquet was advantageous for the publicity of the crew, but its duration should not be too long, considering official roadshows, interviews, and other activities in the later stages.

After the meal, everyone headed outside. Wen Zhecheng held two bouquets of flowers in one hand and embraced the drunken hamster in the other. Taking advantage of Rong Yuheng’s drunken state, he demonstrated a demeanor of asserting dominance. Nodding politely to the actors on both sides, he said, “Sorry, he’s like this when he’s drunk. I apologize for the embarrassment.”

Everyone else, “…”

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If Rong Yuheng was aware in his intoxicated state, he struggled a bit and twisted out of Wen Zhecheng’s arms, demanding independence.

Wen Zhecheng couldn’t resist and could only walk ahead, holding two bouquets of flowers.

It was already 10 p.m. now, and winter had not yet ended. The sky was pitch black, and there was a slight chill in the nighttime air. As people chatted, white mist could be seen coming out of their mouths.

The asphalt road was neat and clean, with a few trees planted along the distant streets. The bare branches looked somewhat desolate.

Watching the lively group walking together in this chilly background, Xun Guang suddenly felt that the scene had gained a touch of festivity. After a moment of thought, she took out her phone and took a few pictures of them.

While taking the pictures, Rong Yuheng suddenly called her, “Xun Guang, I’m about to take off, capture me!”

Xun Guang, “…”

Had she been ignorant? How did she not know that a hamster could take off after drinking?

Xun Guang simply switched to video mode, intending to capture the entire process of Rong Yuheng taking off, savoring it later when he sobered up.

Xun Guang raised her phone, “Go ahead, I’m recording.”

Imitating Qian Xinlei’s tone, Rong Yuheng directed her, “Adjust the camera, zoom out a bit, don’t capture me yet, film in front of me!”

Xun Guang generously didn’t argue with the tipsy hamster, slightly zooming out the camera, turning it to the front of Rong Yuheng, and coincidentally capturing Wen Zhecheng.

In the frame, Wen Zhecheng was originally standing alone in the open space, occasionally capturing three or four noisy crew members at the corners.

Then, Rong Yuheng’s voice came from outside the camera, “I’m taking off!”

The next second, a figure suddenly rushed into the frame, arms wide open, and crashed onto Wen Zhecheng’s back, bursting into a series of exuberant laughter.

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Wen Zhecheng was pushed forward a couple of steps by the force, then stood still, helplessly holding the bouquets and using his hands to support the backside of the intruder.

The background was a desolate street with barren trees. When Wen Zhecheng turned his head to laugh, their faces were close, and with two lush bouquets in the frame, it suddenly became full of tender and sacred love.

Xun Guang held up her phone and suddenly had the thought, “They should get married right here.”

After a while, she shook her head, ended the recording on her phone, saved the clip, planning to send it to Wen Zhecheng later.

The group arrived at the parking lot, where their managers and assistants were waiting to pick them up.

Ying Xian’s “Wrap-up Banquet” live broadcast that night had made it to the trending topics. Although it wasn’t at the top, there was no denying that the attention of netizens had once again shifted to “Ze Cheng Yi Yu.”

Seeing her artist, who was sleeping soundly on Wen Zhecheng’s back, Shi Qiu’s manager was frustrated. She had no choice but to help Wen Zhecheng take the person back to the hotel first, and then properly question him the next day.

…

The first ray of sunlight in the early morning fell on Rong Yuheng’s eyelids, and he sleepily rubbed his head against the pillow.

Shi Qiu stood solemnly at the head of his bed, eyes downcast, staring at him without blinking, not uttering a single sound.

The whole scene looked very eerie, giving off a vibe as if a grim reaper had come to claim a soul.

—This was the scene the moment Rong Yuheng opened his eyes.

He woke up in an instant, completely alert, not a trace of sleepiness left. Even his hair was standing on end. “Autumn, Autumn sister, what’s going on?”

Shi Qiu’s tone was cold, like frozen ice. “What do you think?”

Rong Yuheng peeked, “A brand-new wake-up method?”

Shi Qiu chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, “Do you remember what you did last night?”

Just by listening to this conversation, it sounded like a cheesy plot of a dog-blood drama where a scumbag guy and a resentful girl, after a night of drinking, woke up with amnesia on the second day.

But Rong Yuheng knew very well that such a possibility did not exist in his script. Shi Qiu’s expression most likely indicated that there was some movement again in “Ze Cheng Yi Yu.”

Rong Yuheng sat dumbfounded at the bedside, sinking into a playback mode—

Barbecue, rice wine, live broadcast, checking goods, taking off…

After a while, Rong Yuheng slowly pulled back into bed, covered himself with the quilt, and said in a muffled voice, “Just push me and get me cremated.”

Shi Qiu, who was initially angry, almost burst into laughter when she saw his appearance.

She helplessly flipped the blanket off, revealing a face ashen as death underneath.

“Do you know you’re prone to flipping over when you’re drunk? Be more careful.”

Rong Yuheng looked at the white ceiling, his soul slowly ascending to the heavens. “It’s not something I can control… How is it on Weibo now? What did Teacher Wen say?”

Shi Qiu, “You two are just a step away from exposing the real deal, the cabinet door is half open.”

Rong Yuheng brought back his wandering soul, turned around, “How is the half that’s still closed being held together?”

Shi Qiu, “The stubbornness of the fans.”

Rong Yuheng, “…” Might as well not have it.

–

After Rong Yuheng woke up, Shi Qiu brought Qu Youhe and Wen Zhecheng together to discuss PR. In fact, with Rong Yuheng’s current popularity, he could withstand the impact of going public, but his career was still in the rising stage, and avoiding unnecessary exposure was preferable.

Inside the hotel room, Rong Yuheng and Wen Zhecheng sat on the sofa, their hands placed obediently on their thighs. Shi Qiu and Qu Youhe were on the opposite side, looking stressed.

“There are two options now. One is to firmly stick to the brotherly relationship, but it might be difficult to go public later. The other is to openly show everything and let people interpret it however they want, but this option is more risky.”

Wen Zhecheng carefully presented his own theory, “Actually, we can gradually reveal it to everyone. Step by step, gradually, like boiling a frog in warm water…”

Shi Qiu, “What’s the gradual method?”

Wen Zhecheng, “For example, at first, just touch the head in front of the public. Once they accept that, then maybe put an arm around, and later hug, hold hands…”

While Shi Qiu and Qu Youhe were contemplating the feasibility of this theory, Rong Yuheng, on the side, suddenly frowned—a strong sense of déjà vu.

It seemed that back then, Wen Zhecheng had also used this step-by-step approach on him.

Thinking about this, his gaze deepened…

The two managers had already discussed the result. They decided to try Wen Zhecheng’s “gradual” approach first.

“Right now, ‘Plain Robes’ is still popular, and the company probably won’t ask you to avoid suspicion. You can take this opportunity to get a joint endorsement, creating more chances to be seen together.”

Wen Zhecheng’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, immediately looking at Rong Yuheng with a touch of joy on his face.

This was the first time he and Rong Rong collaborated on an endorsement. He wondered what product they would endorse. It would be perfect if it had some significance; it could be a romantic memory for them in the future!

Wen Zhecheng immersed himself in his sweet fantasy, completely unaware that from a while ago, Rong Yuheng’s eyes had started to look odd.

At this moment, he happily nudged Rong Yuheng, leaned over, “It’s our first collaboration, any thoughts?”

Rong Yuheng glanced at him, thinking: What a subtle way to boil a frog. After being boiled for so long, he only realized it now.

“We can portray an exciting brotherly relationship.”

Wen Zhecheng’s heart skipped a beat, “What… What kind of exciting?”

Rong Yuheng, “The kind where we don’t wear clothes.”

The other three simultaneously had shocked expressions!

Wen Zhecheng’s throat moved, and with anticipation in his eyes, he leaned closer, “You mean… an underwear ad? Or men’s swimwear? Either is fine!”

Rong Yuheng said lightly, “Haier Brothers.”1In the context provided, this phrase is a humorous response from Rong Yuheng to Wen Zhecheng’s anticipation of an exciting and possibly revealing endorsement. Rong Yuheng’s mention of “Haier Brothers” is a playful way of defusing the tension, suggesting a more conservative and unexpected choice for their joint endorsement, as Haier is a well-known brand, particularly for household appliances.

The author’s note: Wen Zhecheng: It’s indeed an exciting, no-clothes brotherly relationship. [Numb.jpg] Rong Yuheng: Hehe. [Harboring-a-grudge.jpg

1In the context provided, this phrase is a humorous response from Rong Yuheng to Wen Zhecheng’s anticipation of an exciting and possibly revealing endorsement. Rong Yuheng’s mention of “Haier Brothers” is a playful way of defusing the tension, suggesting a more conservative and unexpected choice for their joint endorsement, as Haier is a well-known brand, particularly for household appliances.