Chapter 94: An Apology from the Chief Director
Faced with questions from fans, Shen Xiu, though feeling ashamed, forced himself to answer: “…Because of the director.”
That day, when the director came to the dorm, Shen Xiu was afraid he would be asked to film a short clip again. If he were seen wearing a T-shirt that exposed his arms, the director might ask him to take it off for better filming “effect.” So, he chose to tightly wrap himself in a long-sleeved tracksuit, cutting off the director’s imagination at the root—no chance to suggest “maybe it’d look better if you took it off.”
The Xiuologists and gossip-hungry viewers in the livestream instantly understood.
The day he met with Kaiser, both directors of Youth Unstoppable were present—clearly to push forward the cooperation with VG. They must’ve specifically styled Shen Xiu to match the ring’s youthful, energetic, and cool vibe.
[Got it!]
[Got it!]
…
Seeing the flood of “got it” in the comments, Shen Xiu let out a breath of relief and moved on to the next question.
“Duan Mingfei? Haven’t seen him, don’t know.”
“Duan Mingfei and Lin Jiashi are in the same company? No idea.”
“Mu Zhenchu is with Qinghe Entertainment—that I know. He mentioned it during the livestream on the day we left the training camp.”
[Hahaha this reply feels so familiar, it’s like we’re back at the training camp!]
[Xiu-baby really has such obvious double standards, I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts]
[Xiu-baby remembers every little thing about his teammates perfectly, but when it comes to strangers, it’s just the triple kill: ‘Haven’t seen, don’t know, no idea’ hahaha]
“I’ll go in a bit—I still have to visit my mom and dad.”
“Don’t worry, we’re doing fine.”
“S—who exactly is Mr. S?”
The only person Shen Xiu could think of with an “S” in their name… was Chief Director Shi Buwen.
Thinking that Shi Buwen probably didn’t want people to know who he was, Shen Xiu apologized, “Sorry, I can’t say for now.”
Shi Buwen, who was watching Shen Xiu’s livestream, saw how earnestly he was answering fans’ questions and satisfying their curiosity. Though his voice was cold and his gaze into the camera seemed equally indifferent, no one would accuse Shen Xiu of being heartless or unkind.
Especially when Shen Xiu mentioned the time they visited Teacher Jiang’s home together—and how he had deliberately dressed that way because of him—Shi Buwen felt a deep sense of admiration for Shen Xiu.
That day, ever since Shen Xiu put on the ring he gave him, he had clearly understood what he wanted to do with him!
And Shen Xiu’s answers today only further confirmed that his outfit that day had been entirely chosen to complement the ring on his hand!
While Shi Buwen admired him, he also felt ashamed.
So much time had passed since he exposed Shen Xiu’s privacy, yet Shen Xiu still protected his secret identity in front of the public—he didn’t reveal that “Mr. S” was him, Shi Buwen, the chief director of Youth Unstoppable. Shen Xiu’s character was truly impeccable!
The more he thought about it, the more guilty Shi Buwen felt.
He decided that before midnight tonight, he would gather his courage and apologize to Shen Xiu for revealing his privacy.
Because the phone hadn’t been charging long, and out of concern for safety, Shen Xiu was afraid it might explode if he continued livestreaming while it charged—so he ended the stream a bit earlier than usual.
After plugging the phone back in, Shen Xiu looked around the empty living room and felt a bit cold.
So he went back to the master bedroom to change clothes, came out wearing a baseball cap and a mask, grabbed his phone—which had charged about 20% by now—and picked up several black bags before heading out.
System: [So early?]
This wasn’t the time Shen Xiu had written in his planner!
Shen Xiu: “…It’s not early anymore.”
Alone in this place, everything felt so empty. Now that he had some downtime, Shen Xiu didn’t know what to do with himself. Teacher Jiang hadn’t contacted him to grade assignments, so he simply decided to go burn offerings for his parents.
While burning them, he could also naturally say a few more words.
Even in front of his own parents’ urns, Shen Xiu was never someone who spoke much.
—
At 3 p.m., after spending three hours with his parents at the cemetery and finishing burning all the paper offerings he had brought in one of the firepits provided by the cemetery, Shen Xiu ate a meal outside, then returned once again to the empty house.
Ever since his parents’ ashes had been temporarily stored at the cemetery, Shen Xiu had started staying there longer and longer each day.
So long, in fact, that even he had noticed the hesitant and conflicted looks from the cemetery staff glancing at him repeatedly.
Because of this, even if he had nothing to do back home, Shen Xiu didn’t dare stay too long at the cemetery.
Of course, compared to being out in public where he might run into strangers at any time, Shen Xiu would still rather return to this empty home after leaving the cemetery.
Shen Xiu sat on the couch staring blankly into space for a full minute. The system observed that ever since he had left the cemetery, Shen Xiu’s whole demeanor was once again shrouded in low-pressure gloom.
“How about… talking to your little friends?” the system suggested.
It had long noticed that, although Shen Xiu overthought every word out of fear of making mistakes when speaking to them, he always seemed genuinely happier afterward.
Shen Xiu thought of the group chat messages he’d browsed on the bus ride back, while his phone still had a bit of battery, and shook his head.
“They’re either playing or busy. Asking them to chat with me… it wouldn’t be right.”
After saying that, Shen Xiu realized he needed to find something to do—keep himself busy: “I should entertain myself.”
And so—
Shen Xiu asked the system, “Can I use the computer in the study?”
“Just to watch movies. Nothing else.”
System: [!]
Watching movies—what a wonderful way to relax and enjoy oneself! Sure enough, even when he was in a low mood and without anyone else to help lift his spirits, Shen Xiu still managed to find ways to unwind and regulate his emotions.
System: [Go ahead and watch as much as you like!]
“Thank you!”
After thanking the system, Shen Xiu returned to the master bedroom to grab his notebook and pen, then walked into the study.
Two hours later, the system peeked into its database, monitoring the study’s camera feed. It saw Shen Xiu, having finished watching a movie, now scribbling furiously in his notebook writing a film analysis—and began to question its own existence.
System: [……]
What it thought of as entertainment and what Shen Xiu considered entertainment… seemed to be just a tiny bit different.
Was this fun? Even the most diligent “grind gods” couldn’t hold a candle to Shen Xiu!
Shen Xiu stayed in the study until 8 p.m., and by writing the film analysis, his low mood had lifted.
Although his face was still expressionless, the system could tell from the noticeably lighter steps as Shen Xiu headed out for dinner that he was in a better mood than when he entered the study.
Inside the elevator, the system looked at Shen Xiu, who was wearing a baseball cap and a mask, and asked in confusion, “Why do you go out every time? You could just order delivery!”
Every time, he insisted on picking up the food himself, then had to go back downstairs to throw away the containers. The system didn’t get it.
Shen Xiu responded logically and calmly, “Delivery fee is three yuan. Packaging fee is two-fifty. I checked the menu—eating in-store is two yuan cheaper than ordering delivery.”
So going out? Totally worth it!
System: […I-Is that really how it is?!]
It had never paid attention to things like that.
——
At 10 p.m., after dinner, Shen Xiu finished organizing the film analysis he had written that afternoon and sent it to his teacher via email. Just then, the phone on his desk buzzed.
Hearing the phone buzz, Shen Xiu’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly moved his hand away from the mouse, afraid that the sudden vibration might startle him into accidentally clicking something he shouldn’t on the computer.
Ever since leaving the training camp, Shen Xiu only kept his phone on vibrate because he was worried about missing calls from the production team or his friends. Before that, his phone was always on silent—answering calls was purely a matter of fate.
Of course, no one really called him anyway.
After spending time in the training camp, Shen Xiu had gotten used to seeing incoming calls from people like Shang Yu and the others. Though his first instinct was still panic, he could now quickly calm himself down, take a deep breath, and answer.
But when he saw that the call was from the chief director, Shi Buwen, Shen Xiu’s pupils contracted in shock, and goosebumps rose all over his body.
Could it be that the chief director had seen this morning’s livestream and was now calling to reprimand him?
With a nervous heart, Shen Xiu wrestled with himself and braced mentally. Feeling guilty, he finally picked up the phone, forced himself to swipe the green button, and spoke with difficulty: “…Hello.”
Shi Buwen had spent the entire day working up the courage to make this call.
Especially when, after dialing, thirty whole seconds passed and Shen Xiu still hadn’t picked up—Shi Buwen’s hard-earned courage nearly crumbled completely.
Just as his resolve was about to give way, the call finally connected.
Hearing Shen Xiu’s cool and distant voice on the other end, Shi Buwen’s guilt surged, and his palm was damp with sweat as he held the phone.
Shen Xiu: “…”
Why isn’t he saying anything? It’s already been three seconds!
Shen Xiu sat in his chair, body tense as a bowstring.
“That, um…” In the end, it was his fault for exposing Shen Xiu’s privacy. He owed him an apology.
Shi Buwen held the phone in one hand while continuously rolling the prayer beads in the other, summoning the courage to speak: “I watched your livestream this morning.”
With the prayer beads that Shang Yu had prayed over specifically for him in hand, he believed his luck would be overflowing. With the buff of “Buddha’s compassion,” Shen Xiu would definitely forgive him!
Shen Xiu: “!”
The moment he heard that, Shen Xiu’s scalp went numb. So he was right—Director Shi had seen his livestream and was now calling specifically to scold him!
Shen Xiu was dazed: “I…”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that!” Before Shen Xiu could finish his first word, Shi Buwen rushed to apologize.
Shen Xiu: “!”
So the director did realize that making him pose shirtless back then was inappropriate?
That had to be it. Why else would he call and apologize right after seeing the livestream? The director must have realized how wrong that was.
So then… just now, thinking the director was calling to get angry with him… wasn’t that completely judging a gentleman with a petty heart?
Shen Xiu: “…”
How small-minded of him!
After apologizing, Shi Buwen was met with silence, which made the atmosphere so awkward it was suffocating.
Shen Xiu’s silence… was he thinking that this apology had come too late?
Okay, maybe it was a bit late. But back then, Shi Buwen really hadn’t had the courage!
Feeling pitiful, Shi Buwen said, “I know it’s a bit late, but I really do—”
Shen Xiu snapped out of his overthinking as he heard the emotion in Shi Buwen’s voice, and he didn’t hesitate to speak up: “It’s okay!”
Hearing the firm emphasis in Shen Xiu’s voice, Shi Buwen’s eyes lit up: “Great! Then let’s put this behind us completely. No one brings it up again, okay?”
Shen Xiu nodded in response. After nodding, he realized Shi Buwen wasn’t in front of him and couldn’t see the gesture, so he said aloud, “Okay.”
Having finally resolved the matter he had been worrying about for some time, Shi Buwen relaxed back onto his bed, looking up at the ceiling with an excited tone: “Little junior brother, you’re really good! Good night, see you!”
After speaking, Shi Buwen hung up the phone, eager to share the joyful news with Shang Yu.
Looking at the screen that showed the call had ended, Shen Xiu was puzzled: “Little junior brother… what does that mean?”
Great, he had taken a call again and still couldn’t figure out the director’s thought process.
But… at least the call was finally over!
Shen Xiu loosened his body and leaned back in his chair.
Answering calls—especially from people he was a bit afraid of—really drained his courage and energy!
—
“Shang Yu, as expected of you—I really lucked out. The process was tough; Shen Xiu paused several times during the call, but in the end, it went perfectly. Shen Xiu forgave me, and we agreed never to bring it up again!”
“Where did you get these prayer beads from? They’re really effective, even if a little bumpy.”
“Hurry up and tell me—I need to go make a vow of thanks.”
The moment Shang Yu answered the phone, he was bombarded with Shi Buwen’s words at a frequency rivaling Xiang Yueting’s.
After patiently waiting for Shi Buwen to finish, Shang Yu finally spoke up.
“Congratulations.”
“It wasn’t me who got them, I lied to you.”
“Don’t bother making a vow of thanks then. Don’t you think these beads look a little familiar?”
Shi Buwen: “Hmm?”
Shang Yu: “These are the beads you made me take with you to the fake antique market when you were thirteen and going through your chuunibyou phase, imagining yourself praying to Buddha while killing without blinking.”
Shi Buwen: “Hmm??”
Shang Yu: “The reason the beads are all bumpy and worn is because every time you prayed, your grandpa chased you with a baseball bat and beat you until you fell and chipped them.”
After finishing, Shang Yu didn’t hear a response from Shi Buwen, so he smiled and thoughtfully asked, “Anything else you want to ask? Feel free to ask—I may not be good at much, but I have a good memory. Also, I even made a high-definition video of you back then being all chuunibyou, want to see it?”
Shi Buwen, reminded of his embarrassing past, awkwardly started picking at the bed with his toes.
From the bedroom came Shi Buwen’s embarrassed shout: “What good does embarrassing myself do for you?! Thanks, but no thanks!”
After yelling, Shi Buwen humbly asked, “Since these beads are mine, why do you have them?”
“Heh.” Shang Yu sneered, “Because when you turned fourteen, you got obsessed with tattoo stickers and gave up praying, saying you wanted to pass them on to me.”
If it weren’t for fearing Shi Buwen would cry, Shang Yu wouldn’t have held back the urge to knock some sense into him back then.
Shang Yu hadn’t expected these beads would still be useful today to mess with Shi Buwen.
Shi Buwen: “…”
Those memories are unbearable to recall!
Shang Yu, not hearing anything from Shi Buwen, guessed he was sulking and, concerned, asked, “Did you tell Shen Xiu about the livestream at 9 tomorrow at his place to decide the group name?”
