Big Shot Ch.120

Chapter 120: Wrap Party

“Pet variety show?” Shen Xiu had heard of dating shows, parenting shows, and group variety shows, but this was the first time he’d heard of a pet variety show.

“It’s actually really popular. It gives everyone a chance to show off their little cuties at home and lets the pets make friends on the show. And for us pet parents, it’s also a great way to expand our social circles and make new friends.”

Chatting about how each person feeds their pets, sharing embarrassing moments or quirky habits—those all become opportunities to bond and make connections.

Letting people know he had Lucky?! Wasn’t that basically the same as making it official?

Since Shen Xiu had never posted on social media before and had always hesitated to show off the fact that he had a cat, this really tempted him.

Suppressing his excitement, he asked Fang Chengxing with a composed air, “How do I sign up?”

Fang Chengxing pulled up the registration page on a mini app. “It’s easy. Just fill in your info and your pet’s info in this app, say when you’re available, and if your application is approved, the production team will give you a call. Then you’re in.”

“Thank you.”

Shen Xiu expressed his gratitude, then picked up his phone and started filling out the form seriously.

Even though it was a pet-focused show, the production team cared a lot about popularity and entertainment value. So they usually invited celebrities with trending topics, major industry figures, or controversial personalities.

Shen Xiu definitely qualified. Still, Fang Chengxing decided to play it safe.

“Just filling it out doesn’t guarantee anything. I got in through a friend’s recommendation, but I haven’t heard back from the show yet.”

Shen Xiu nodded. “Thank you, I understand.”

As Shen Xiu focused intently on entering his information, Fang Chengxing and Liang Cheng exchanged glances, the shock still lingering in their eyes.

Even now, they couldn’t get over the fact that the aloof Shen Xiu actually owned a cat—one of those soft, fluffy, adorable creatures.

Shen Xiu had never publicly announced that he had a cat. With the public completely unaware of it, if the pet variety show officially revealed that Shen Xiu would be appearing on a livestream with his kitten, people would definitely think he was putting on a show.

After all, there had never been even a hint.

Trying to connect the cold, ruthless “Demon King Xiu” with a soft, fluffy kitten—especially one that looked like it had barely been weaned—was a serious stretch for anyone’s imagination.

After finishing the registration, Shen Xiu recalled seeing someone share a screenshot in The Galaxy group chat while he was sneakily checking his phone during class. So he shared the mini app link in the group as well.

[Group Chat]

Shen Xiu: I’m signing up for the animal variety show “Fluffballs Heal the World”. Come join me—[link].

After sharing, Shen Xiu tapped into the group chat and noticed the default message that came with the link. Worried that his friends might misunderstand, he quickly clarified:

Shen Xiu: I’m not asking everyone to join, just sharing the link.

Xiang Yueting: ??? Why does this feel like Shen Xiu’s account got hacked?

Zhuang Yi: +1111

Jiang Yanxi: Shen Xiu, is that really you?

Xia Wenhao: Who’d dare hack Shen Xiu’s account? Do they have a death wish?

Song Chengwang: We’ve got a situation. Someone hacked Shen Xiu’s WeChat. Get the lawyer @Lawyer

Although Mu Zhenchu had gone shopping for pet supplies with Shen Xiu before, since Shen Xiu never posted on social media and Mu Zhenchu wasn’t the type to gossip, he kept quiet. Every time someone posted a picture of Shen Xiu buying pet supplies with Qin Mo, it mysteriously got deleted.

So at this point, aside from Mu Zhenchu and Shen Xiu himself, no one in the group had any idea he even had a pet.

Mu Zhenchu saw everything from the sidelines. But since Shen Xiu hadn’t said anything himself, he didn’t dare breathe a word.

Everyone else online in the group chat was absolutely convinced one thing was true: Shen Xiu’s account must have been hacked.

Shen Xiu? Raising a fluffy animal? And even taking it on a pet variety show?

Ha. No way. Absolutely impossible!

Shen Xiu didn’t quite understand why everyone seemed convinced his account had been hacked. Still, their concern was genuine—he couldn’t just let them worry for nothing.

Summoning his courage, Shen Xiu quietly turned on the group video chat.

As the video connected, he only pointed the camera at his own face, carefully avoiding the people next to him—Liang Cheng, Fang Chengxing, and the hairstylists working on his hair from either side.

Xiang Yueting, itching to investigate, was the first to answer: “Let’s see who’s impersonating… huh?! It is Shen Xiu!”

Xia Wenhao joined just in time to hear that and let out a relieved sigh.

“Oh, it’s really Captain Xiu? All right, false alarm then.”

One by one, the rest of the online group members joined the call. Seeing Shen Xiu’s deadpan expression on screen, they finally relaxed.

After everyone had spoken over one another in a chaotic mess, Shen Xiu finally responded: “Mn. It’s really me.”

Even so, no one looked convinced.

Xiang Yueting asked, “Fluffy pet? What is it—a lion? A tiger? A cheetah, maybe?”

As far as he was concerned, those were the only kinds of “fluffy” animals Shen Xiu could possibly raise.

Shen Xiu gave him a cool, piercing look.

“…”

Song Chengwang jumped in, “So it’s none of those? Then what is it?”

“Yeah, what kind of animal?”

“None of those are legal to raise here, but I’ve seen people overseas keep them. They even post on foreign social platforms. Shen Xiu, are you raising it abroad or something?”

Shen Xiu: “?”

How did things get this out of hand? He wasn’t—don’t just start throwing wild guesses!

Terrified they’d keep going and he’d actually end up being reported to the police, Shen Xiu finally muttered: “Stop. You’re scaring me.”

Off to the side, eavesdropping, Fang Chengxing and Liang Cheng were speechless: “…?”

Ha. Fake. It was all fake!

Who looks that calm when they’re scared? Not even a trace of nervousness in his expression or voice?

Everyone in The Galaxy group—and the two bystanders nearby—had the same thought.

After his comment, Shen Xiu saw everyone in the video call staring silently at him. He awkwardly repeated his explanation: “I haven’t raised any of the animals you mentioned.”

Zhuang Yi: “Then what do you have, Captain Xiu?”

Besides tigers, lions, cheetahs, and other powerful, dangerous animals, they truly couldn’t imagine what kind of pet someone like Shen Xiu would raise.

“A kitten. Its name is Lucky.”

Just mentioning Lucky made Shen Xiu unconsciously sit up straighter.

Not that anyone could tell—his posture was already impeccable to begin with.

As soon as those words left his mouth, the entire video call went dead silent.

The reason was simple: there was just no way to associate Shen Xiu with anything even remotely “cute.”

Shen Xiu… raising a kitten? The mental image was too much. None of them could picture it. Wouldn’t the poor thing be terrified of him?

As everyone once again fell silent because of something he said, Shen Xiu grew a little uneasy. He replayed his words in his head, found nothing wrong, and finally asked: “What’s wrong?”

“No–nothing!”

“Hahaha yeah, just… surprised, that’s all.”

Xiang Yueting, a bit slow on the uptake, quietly mumbled, “So… does this mean I win?”

His snakes were cool and intimidating—compared to a kitten, they definitely had the edge in fierceness!

Xia Wenhao thought of Xiang Yueting’s snakes—all big-eyed, dopey-looking creatures with piggy noses—and couldn’t help but deadpan: “Let’s call it even, okay?”

Ning Sinian finally stopped tapping at his screen, looked up with a grin, and said, “Smart me has already signed up to join the show with Captain Xiu~”

Zhuang Yi: “…Does a hamster… count as a fluffball too?”

Jiang Yanxi: “How could it not count? I’ve already signed up my big brother Goose.”

Ning Sinian: “Exactly! My little chicken got accepted too!”

Xiang Yueting: “…Is it too late to make my babies grow fur?”

Shen Xiu: “……”

Compared to everyone else, his little kitten suddenly felt completely out of place.

But with so many of his friends signing up, there was a good chance they’d all end up on the show together. Most of the cast would be familiar faces—he wouldn’t have to worry about awkward silences or feeling out of place.

That thought settled him.

With his hair and makeup now finished, the makeup artist gave him a nudge. Shen Xiu ended the video call and turned his focus to the Saturday shoot.

Having seen it with their own eyes and heard it with their own ears—the relaxed, playful group chat between The Galaxy’s team captain and his teammates—Liang Cheng couldn’t resist gossiping with Fang Chengxing after Shen Xiu left.

“Who the hell spread the rumor that The Galaxy’s captain and his members don’t get along?”

Fang Chengxing replied, “Given Shen Xiu’s personality, the fact that he interacts with them like that means those people hold an irreplaceable place in his heart. Saying they’re just putting on a front? That’s absolute nonsense.”

Liang Cheng nodded. “With bonds like that, even if Shen Xiu leaves the entertainment industry one day to take over the family business, I doubt he’d ever lose touch with them.”

Fang Chengxing stared after Shen Xiu’s retreating figure, his eyes filled with envy.

“I hate that I debuted so early. Why couldn’t I have been lucky enough to join that boy group show with Shen Xiu?”

Relationships formed before fame, untainted by the give-and-take of fame and fortune, were always different from the ones formed after.

—

Meanwhile…

Back at the production team for Fluffballs Heal the World, the staff in charge of reviewing the application forms stared at their screen, utterly bewildered.

Shen Xiu… that Shen Xiu… applied?

They were seriously questioning their entire reality.

With the show’s focus on hype, traffic, and buzz, one of the staffers hesitantly contacted the assistant director:

Staffer: “Director, do chickens, geese, and hamsters count as ‘fluffy’? Can they be on our show?”

Assistant Director: “What? That’s so random. Are the owners of those animals big-name stars?”

Staffer: “Not really…”

Assistant Director: “Then why are you even asking? Just reject—”

Staffer (cutting in): “Director, Shen Xiu signed up too. Those pets—chicken, goose, and hamster—belong to the members of The Galaxy. He’s their team captain.”

Assistant Director: “…Still reject?! Hell no! Get them scheduled ASAP—make sure they all appear in the same episode!”

Given how explosive Shen Xiu’s popularity was, the production team didn’t even dare to dream what kind of attention the episode would draw. But now?

They could practically see themselves dominating the trending charts.

This was their golden goose moment—finally, their program was going to hit the jackpot!

—

After wrapping up the Saturday and Sunday shoot, Shen Xiu returned fully to his studies.

On Monday afternoon, he only had one class.

Right after class, without hesitation, he headed straight to the driving school. He trained until 6:30 p.m.

By the end of his session, with his coach’s assurance, Shen Xiu signed up for the Subject Two exam.

Since Subject Two doesn’t require public road driving, he’d be taking it right at the training center where he’d been practicing.

On Friday morning, Shen Xiu took the morning off from school. Wearing a face mask, he arrived early at the test site to line up.

Familiar with the course, and not one to get nervous during tests, Shen Xiu calmly followed the car’s system prompts and completed each section of the Subject Two exam.

After getting out of the car, he followed the instructions to print his score sheet and sign off on the results. Then, he went to find his coach and handed it over.

Shen Xiu passed the Subject Two exam with a perfect score—not a single point deducted. While his coach wasn’t exactly surprised, he still instinctively offered praise when Shen Xiu walked up to him:

Coach: “Nice job!”

Shen Xiu, a little embarrassed by the compliment, modestly replied, “Thank you. It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching.”

Coach: “…”

Excellent teaching? He hadn’t taught the kid anything, really!

Still, the internet wasn’t wrong—Shen Xiu’s politeness always carried a trace of quiet detachment.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, the coach, feeling guilty for accepting credit he didn’t earn, offered a suggestion:

Coach: “Ahem… So, how about signing up for Subject Three right away?”

Shen Xiu assumed he was joking and refused righteously, “I can’t. I don’t know how to do it yet. Coach, do you just not want to teach me?”

Having seen it once already, the coach was absolutely convinced: Shen Xiu’s version of ‘don’t know’ was nothing like a normal person’s.

But with Shen Xiu’s cold tone pressing in, the coach panicked, “No, no! Of course not!”

Only then did Shen Xiu finally relax. “Don’t worry, I’ll study hard. I promise not to let you down.”

Coach: “…”

He really couldn’t understand—was all this intensity necessary?!

Coach: “…Alright.”

When dealing with a perfectionist like this, what else could he even say?

With Subject Two now complete, Shen Xiu officially began training for Subject Three.

Recalling his previous experience, the coach still went through each exam requirement as Shen Xiu climbed into the training car:

Coach: “You’ll need to practice: passing other vehicles, overtaking, lane changes, straight driving, night driving, pulling over…”

After the list was finished, Shen Xiu nodded calmly. “Thank you. I’ll remember all that.”

Coach: “…”

He clearly knew how to do everything, yet still pretended to be clueless while the coach was explaining.

Was that his way of preserving what little dignity the coach had left?

Thinking about it that way, the coach suddenly felt much better.

At the very least, Shen Xiu really did have high emotional intelligence—he even knew how to take care of his coach’s feelings.

Just like with Subject Two, Shen Xiu didn’t take long to pass Subject Three either, just as the coach had expected.

When the passing score came through, Shen Xiu—who’d been nervously bouncing between hope and panic as he navigated crowded roads during his first real driving test—finally felt his heart settle back into place.

Coach: “Congratulations!”

Shen Xiu: “Thank you.”

With people watching, Shen Xiu was too embarrassed to place a hand over his chest to calm his slightly racing heart.

During the road test, the streets had been full of cars and pedestrians, forcing Shen Xiu to stay hyper-aware, eyes scanning in all directions, ears tuned to every sound—he’d managed to return safely to the test center without a single mistake.

Now that he’d passed Subject Three, the hardest of all the driving exams, only Subject Four remained. And since that was mostly theory, the coach was sure Shen Xiu would pass in no time.

Shen Xiu had officially become the fastest student to graduate in the coach’s career, and that thought left the man feeling a little wistful.

Once Shen Xiu left, another coach who had also brought students to take the exam finally approached him.

“Why the long sigh? Weren’t you always complaining about the pressure of being around Shen Xiu? Now he’s gone and you’re still not happy?”

“It’s just… a bit melancholy. Sure, he was intense, but I never once had to worry whether he’d pass. Now that he’s gone, I’m dreading going back to students who’ll be nothing but trouble.”

“Tell me about it. One of mine already failed Subject Two twice—I’m terrified he’ll have to pay again and come back looking for me.”

“Same here! I’ve got a student who just cannot pass Subject Three—he’s driving me crazy!”

The more they talked, the more they realized—being a perfectionist was actually a blessing.

—

As the coach had predicted, Subject Four was a breeze for Shen Xiu.

At the same time that Shen Xiu successfully completed Subject Four, filming for his character Li Yang in Immortal Path also wrapped up.

On the night of the wrap, the production team prepared a red envelope, flowers, and a wrap party for Shen Xiu.

The party was held on set, with Xuan Ji arranging for food from a five-star restaurant to be delivered to the crew.

To avoid affecting the next day’s shoot, Xuan Ji didn’t order any alcohol—everything was replaced with juice or tea.

Although Shen Xiu wasn’t on set for very long and remained as distant as he was during the boy group talent show, his acting skills won everyone over.

What’s more, Shen Xiu patiently coached the two lead actors during his spare time and also took the time to kindly answer questions from other cast members.

Besides, although the investors all treated Shen Xiu like a VIP, he didn’t act high and mighty like some others who had been placed in the cast through connections.

He never acted delicate during filming, refused to use a stunt double, did all his scenes himself, and even generously treated everyone when filming ran late on Sundays.

People are made of flesh and blood—though the Immortal Path crew still didn’t dare get too close to Shen Xiu, it didn’t stop them from genuinely liking him.

So, during the wrap party, many came to toast Shen Xiu with tea in place of wine, thinking it might be their last time seeing him.

Shen Xiu had never imagined that so many people from the Immortal Path crew would be reluctant to see him go.

When they came up to talk to him, Shen Xiu felt nervous, but more than anything, he felt happy.

At ten that night, the crew car dropped Shen Xiu off at Yulin Banxia.

Back home, after closing the door behind him, Shen Xiu looked down and picked up Lucky, who had come to greet him, rubbing against his feet with soft meows.

Holding Lucky in his arms, Shen Xiu could no longer contain the excitement he had been bottling up the whole way home.

“Lucky, do you know? It turns out… people actually like me!”

As soon as he said it, Shen Xiu suddenly realized how shameless that sounded and looked a little embarrassed.

But then he remembered—it was just him and Lucky here—so he relaxed.

“Meow~” Lucky seemed to sense Shen Xiu’s joy and rubbed his little dark head affectionately against him.

“Lucky, are you trying to…”

Bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz…

Before Shen Xiu could finish his sentence, his phone started vibrating.

Still holding Lucky, he walked over to the sofa and carefully placed the little ball of fur on his lap. One hand gently stroked Lucky’s fluffy head while the other picked up the call.

“Hello?”

He glanced at the screen as he answered. The caller ID was just a string of unfamiliar numbers—he had no idea who it might be.

“Is this Mr. Shen Xiu?” a voice asked.

“This is,” Shen Xiu replied.

“Hello, Mr. Shen. I’m a staff member from the program Fluffballs Heal the World. Congratulations! You and your beloved pet have been selected to participate in the 26th episode of the show. Would you like to confirm your participation?”

Shen Xiu hadn’t expected to be this lucky. Glancing down at the little black fluffball pawing at his clothes, he realized—this would be Lucky’s official debut.

Without hesitation, he replied, “I confirm.”

Hearing Shen Xiu’s calm voice through the phone, the staff member let out a relieved sigh.

“The program’s vehicle will pick you up at the gate of Yulin Banxia next Saturday at 8 a.m. Please be ready and bring your pet to the show.”

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