Sickly Bigshot CH 15 Provocation
Translated by The BL Muse (ko-fi)
Though this year's gala theme was "Charity," at its core, it remained an annual battleground for celebrities to flaunt their glamour on the red carpet. Freezing temperatures couldn’t deter bare shoulders or lightweight spring suits—a contagious trend that even industry titans and executives felt pressured to follow, shedding layers despite the cold.
Shi Zhou rubbed his hands together. The shared dressing room was far from warm, reserved for those not prestigious enough for private suites or makeup trailers. But after all, if a pyramid has a peak, it must have a bottom, and there were still some artists who were not as famous getting their makeup and hair done here.
The original host's face, which could serve as a "stand-in", was already good-looking. In addition, Shi Zhou took the initiative to give up the original host's previous feminine style with heavy makeup, and instead chose a The original owner's face, which could serve as a "stand-in", was already good-looking. In addition, Shi Zhou took the initiative to give up the original owner's previous feminine style with heavy makeup, and instead chose a capable and cool beige trench coat, a solid-color turtleneck sweater, and a high ponytail. His whole person looked chic and sunny. He had a commanding aura when he wasn't smiling, and appeared approachable when he was.
Of course, his secret weapon was thermal underwear, sparing him the facial spasms plaguing others. Like the man who strutted in with three assistants, face frozen stiff from fillers, resembling a disinterred zombie.
But cosmetic enhancements were the industry’s worst-kept secret. Shi Zhou would’ve ignored him if not for the obnoxious superiority vibes. Instead, he focused on teasing Qin Yancheng via text:
—Qin sir, dining alone tonight? Feeling lonely? Missing me terribly?
Outside, crowds thronged behind barricades and neon banners as an unassuming white Alphard parked nearby, curtains drawn.
Inside, Qin Yancheng’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then at the packets of soft cookies beside him—left by Shi Zhou, whose eyes had sparkled like a sea of stars, looking like a mischievous fox as he’d insisted, "Hey, dear Qin sir, I bought you some snacks. If you don't have time to eat and your stomach is empty, just eat some."
Qin Yancheng didn't eat snacks, and he was very reluctant to receive care from others. But before he could say the cold and harsh words of rejection, Shi Zhou had already torn open a bag and handed it to him, "How about you try it?"
The slightly salty sea salt and milky aroma bloomed on the tip of the tongue, and the taste was soft and delicate. Qin Yancheng met Shi Zhou's eyes that were happily waiting for feedback. Perhaps it was against his upbringing to talk with food in his mouth. In short, he swallowed all the cold words along with the cookies, and acknowledged with a "mnn".
So Shi Zhou happily continued playing games on his phone, and said casually as he walked. "I see you don't like sweet things, so I spent a long time looking for sea salt cookies for you."
Shi Zhou’s caregiving skills were oddly polished for a spoiled young master. His brother had been similarly workaholic and would have stomach pain when he didn't eat on time, so he’d made a habit of going through his bag—searching whether his brother had bought interesting knick knacks for him, if his meds were still stocked and stuffing snacks into his bag.
—For Qin Yancheng’s beautiful looks and model-sugar-daddy status, he’ll temporarily rank second in importance in his heart. Performance reviews to follow.
Back in the dressing room, Shi Zhou was engrossed in a mobile game when a voice sneered down at him. "Shi Zhou, you’re outfit-clashing with our Jiang Song. How about you take off the coat."
Shi Zhou removed his headphones. "What?"
He genuinely wondered if he’d misheard. Young Master Shi was domineering wherever he went. This was the first time someone had the audacity to make such an impolite request.
"I said—you and our Jiang Song—are outfit clashing! Either change or take off that coat, thanks!" The assistant eyed Shi Zhou with open disdain, thinking, how does trash like this keep getting invited? No brand deals, no designer labels—just some knockoff ensemble.
Their voice carried, drawing glances from the room. But such scenes were routine, especially when the target was a nobody like Shi Zhou. Most returned to their business, half-watching the drama unfold.
"Who's Jiang Song?" Shi Zhou matched the assistant's contemptuous stare, curious what kind of owner such a poorly trained lapdog might have.
The assistant gaped as if hearing the joke of the century. "You don't know Jiang Song? Should we have his fans flood your Weibo tomorrow to educate you?"
The aggression was disproportionate for a mere outfit coincidence. Shi Zhou scanned the room—and there, of course, was the alleged "Jiang Song", the frozen-faced peacock from earlier, now pretending not to eavesdrop while his minions barked.
The zombie-faced man seemed to be playing with his mobile phone at the moment, but he would glance at Shi Zhou from the corner of his eye in the mirror from time to time. It was obvious that he had instigated the provocation and came to watch the fun.
Shi Zhou was amused and angry at the same time. "Jiang Song? Is he wearing the emperor's dragon robes? Can others not wear it if he wears it?”
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the entire dressing room to hear.
Jiang Song heard it clearly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. The Shi Zhou he knew was a timid, cowardly guy who didn't dare to say a word and would even cry if he was slightly frightened.
But it was just such a flower vase who, by means of shameless and despicable methods, snatched away the role that could have belonged to him.
The grudge ran deep. Back then, Jiang Song had slept with that greasy and disgusting old man for three consecutive nights. He still wanted to vomit when he thought of the fat rolls and smell of sweat. But in the end, it was all for nothing because Shi Zhou snagged it effortlessly via Zheng Qi’s connections.
Whenever he thought about how he was sexually exploited but didn't get what he wanted, he hated Shi Zhou to the core, as if all the nights he couldn't bear to recall were caused by Shi Zhou.
But now the situation had changed. Now, with Shi Zhou allegedly discarded by Zheng Qi and Jiang Song himself becoming famous quickly by chance with a seemingly hopeless web drama, revenge was overdue.
Shi Zhou spread his hands and said, "Either you bear it, or you can sew some clothes on the spot to change into, or you can have your Majesty take off his dragon robe and wear just a sweater.”
Another assistant chimed in. "Shi Zhou, don't blame us for not informing you. Our Brother Jiang’s outfit is current-season haute couture. Yours is a knockoff. You're only embarrassing yourself."
Shi Zhou's outfit was indeed not from any brand, but he believed that since Qin Yancheng had someone custom-make it for him, he would definitely not let him down. It seemed that the name of a designer was mentioned at the time, but it was too confusing so he didn't pay attention to it.
Shi Zhou shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I believe that apart from the trolls, no brand would think that someone wearing a black turtleneck sweater and a cream trench coat means they are being imitated. Oh, by the way, let me tell you one more thing. It's not scary to wear the same clothes as others. It's only embarrassing for the ugly one. I hope that after comparing, your brand owners will still have the nerve to claim their own clothes.”
With that, Shi Zhou left, too lazy to engage in an endless argument. After all, being bitten by a dog was indeed unlucky, but it would be too embarrassing to lean down and bite the dog back in public.
Unbeknownst to him, Qin Yancheng was one of tonight’s special guests. Shi Zhou’s texts about dinner went unanswered, and he was still wondering whether this guy had read his text messages and eaten well. It was rare that the two of them didn't have dinner together these days, and Shi Zhou couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable like an old father worried about his silly child.
Jiang Song heard Shi Zhou slam the door and leave. Though he knew that he lost in that confrontation, he still deceived himself into thinking that Shi Zhou must have been scared and that was why he "ran away".
Who would have expected that Shi Zhou, who had always been a coward, had already lost Zheng Qi, his only backer, would have the guts to keep talking back throughout the whole process, while everyone watched this bad show that ended with him being ridiculed and mocked.
Putting all these new and old grudges together made Jiang Song feel so angry that his teeth grinded. He felt even more angry now. It would be difficult to calm his hatred unless he did something.
After a moment, a "good idea" was quickly constructed in his mind, and Jiang Song couldn't help laughing.
.
.
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AN: Unreliable Behind-the-Scenes Comedy Skit~
Author: President Qin, rumor says you never attend these events. Is this gala special?
Qin Yancheng: No, it's… in any case, these kinds of events are the most tedious waste of time.
Author: Ah, but everyone knows what—or who—makes it "special" for you.
Qin Yancheng: (Suddenly icy.jpg) Who permitted you to speculate?
Author: ...Are you blushing, President Qin?
Qin Yancheng: ...From rage!