HOYSE CHAPTER 53

Chapter 53 — Pandora’s Box

Gu Xi did not let himself wallow for long. He had rushed back from the airport because the next set of appointments was already locked. If he bailed irresponsibly, the people scheduled to meet him would pay the price for nothing.

While he waited for a reply from the fashion magazine, he kept an eye on Weibo. Mo Dian was pinging the brand about when tomorrow’s wardrobe would arrive and why there was still no word this late. A reporter texted Gu Xi that they had reached the city and asked him to come downstairs to the hotel entrance for a quick interview. The reporter had not shown up yet, so Gu Xi kept scrolling.

He was mainly watching for any small tricks from Xun Jiarui’s side, so he would hop on and check every so often.

Weibo was a circus today. Several fresh “exposés” were sucking up everyone’s attention.

Gu Xi skimmed first to make sure neither his name nor Rong Jing’s name appeared, then scrolled for real. Of course, no names did not mean it had nothing to do with him. His plan to keep things low profile was not going as planned.

One trending tag: #AnALikeThisAnOLikeThat#, stamped with a blazing “Explode.”

He tapped in and watched a video, likely filmed by a passenger, inside a plane cabin.

Onscreen, a tall Alpha stood up and snarled at a small Omega in the seat. “Ha, what a joke. Omegas are just baby-making machines…”

When the Alpha raised a hand to hit, a figure got up and blocked him.

Netizens were furious.

“Do not pixelate that Alpha’s face. He does not deserve it [doge].”

“That O was super manly. What were the other passengers doing, blind? Thank God an Omega stood up. Those Betas, wake up. You think being an Omega is easy?”

“Do not make this a gender war.”

“That jerk needed an Omega to teach him manners. Watching that was so satisfying.”

What rankled was how biased the uploader was. He typed “[Mosaic]” right over Chu Yang’s face instead of actually blurring it, yet slapped a real blur over the Omega who stood up. The tilt was obvious.

“Anyone notice the build and aura look like a certain someone, and that outfit is exactly like what a certain top star was just wearing?”

“Aaaaah is it Gu Xi [image]!”

“So is it or not, does anyone in the know want to confirm?”

Gu Xi thought of the other passengers that day. They had not scolded him to his face, but this was their way of paying him back. If you do too much bad, you trip yourself. He did not even need to lift a hand. Chu Yang’s clan was big, so his name was well known. After this, that reputation would take a hit. One move, two gains.

Gu Xi felt lighter and wanted to call someone to share the joy.

The first chat that popped up in WeChat was with Rong Jing. He scrolled up and down several times, reading those concise replies over and over, trying to decode what Rong Jing meant. This time he did not linger. The happy mood slipped when he remembered his plan. He reached the tag sitting around number thirty, #AirportThunderGod#, and could not stop himself from saving the clip.

Gu Feng: … Let us see how long you can hold out.

When the reporter knocked, Gu Xi set his phone aside and did the usual quick interview. Then he headed to that evening’s pre-festival cocktail with Director Liu Yu and the team. Midway he refreshed Weibo again and saw #AirportThunderGod# had surged to ninth.

His eyelid jumped. Something was off.

Sure enough, a video interview with Xun Jiarui dropped. He looked to have just finished an event. Several outlets asked for his thoughts on rumors that his role had been replaced. Word online was that some no-name newcomer had snatched it. Was it true?

The moment Gu Xi heard how pointed the questions were, he figured the scoop had been bought. He glanced at the mic flag. Moling Entertainment. Figures. They were known for bottom-feeding gossip as long as you paid. For Xun Jiarui, this was perfect. He could get buzz during his gap period, pose as a victim, and step on Rong Jing before the kid could stand up. The two of them sounded alike, and Rong Jing’s voice was in fact better. Same type. If you did not press him now, did you wait for him to become popular?

Xun Jiarui started with boilerplate, then shifted and gave a bitter little smile. “Maybe my performance did not satisfy Teacher Gu and the director. That newcomer must be exceptional. It is a pity I will not be working with Teacher Gu for now. I hope there is a next time. Also, wishing a big box office for Imperial Power.”

What is your problem? But there was a lot packed in there. His fans and, well, everyone got the hint. “Did not satisfy the director and Gu Xi” meant there was a story. Normally you only say the director. Why tack Gu Xi on. It smelled like a nudge. Hinting that Gu Xi and this newcomer had some unspeakable relationship.

Gu Xi called the water-army company. He had prepared for this, so he stayed fairly calm. Push comments. It was time for his side to step in. Without pausing, he turned to Liu Yu. “Director Liu, can you help?”

Liu Yu glanced at the trending tag, thought, and shook his head. “We save a lot of promo money this way and Rong Jing is a newcomer. It is a small squall. Do not make a mountain out of it. Once the film releases, faces will be slapped, assuming he conquers his issue. The next stretch is the tough one.”

“I know the logic, but it is not right to dump all the pressure and nitpicking on a newbie. Newcomers have flaws. No need to magnify them. Give them room to grow.”

Liu Yu studied him. “You still look after your juniors. You have not changed.”

Gu Xi shrugged. “Who did not climb up inch by inch.”

Liu Yu sighed. “You keep that do-not-approach vibe all day. When will you fix that temper. One more thing. I know you look after juniors, but we cannot joke with the movie. If he cannot adapt to the camera within a week of rolling, I will replace him. No one can talk me out of it. Your role will not be affected. It will just mean more work pairing with someone else.”

Gu Xi’s fingers tightened a little.

“I have two backups. Also newcomers, pretty promising. You saw them at audition and even praised them. I will arrange it.” He pulled out his phone to show the short list. “They will come on the start day to get a feel for the set.”

The director’s bases were covered. Gu Xi said low, “Okay.”

By then they had reached the venue. It was a warmup party before the festival. Most attendees were big names. An Asian face did not usually stand out, but Gu Xi had been the only rookie to make the Global Top 100 Most Beautiful the year he debuted. He broke the taste wall. Even if European and American stars did not know him, they noticed him.

In no time a red-haired, handsome guy came over to chat him up.

Gu Xi’s mind was elsewhere. He gave a few perfunctory lines. He only remembered the other man seemed to be a top-tier Western star. On the way to the restroom, he did not expect the man to follow, and after a few words the guy grabbed his ass. Gu Xi was already irritable from the Weibo mess and had no patience for flirting. He snapped the man’s wrist and the guy shrieked like a stuck pig.

Only when others entered the restroom did he stop.

The redhead cursed him out. “You just wait. You will beg me on your knees.” He had switched to a minor European language. Gu Xi understood a few key words. He pressed his lips together, pointed up at the camera, and left to the man’s gaping face.

Soon enough a gossip account posted that the “newcomer” was the one in #AirportThunderGod#. Not a simple school crush. Not pure at all. With that interview clip, a tag that had started to slide slammed back into the top ten and kept rising.

Back home, Rong Jing went by instinct to the next room to check on Gu Xi and only remembered halfway that Gu Xi was gone. So much for a habit taking twenty-one days. It had been what, days. He shook his head. “Should not. Should not.”

Before bed, he blitzed through the tasks from the pro manager, then focused on the script. Gu Xi had given it to him over breakfast. He had said it was for himself, then realized he would not need it and handed it over. The margins were full of markings, notes that all “took care of” Fu Qianming, and a reflection after each section. Solid gold. He had even taped on a character sheet and drawn a chibi of himself with “Jiayou.”

Rong Jing did not need it, but “Rong Jing,” the persona, did. Getting a packet so full of care, he could not pretend his heart did not go soft. He loved the script and drifted deep into it. When he finally looked up at trending, netizens had already dug up his Weibo. His followers had jumped from a bit over 10,000 to 50,000. Five times over, out of the nobody lane.

He watched Xun Jiarui’s interview and the comments under the new tag.

“I thought he was just a super hot rando. So this is marketing?”

“So many trending tags in one day. I am bored. If he wants to blow up so badly, what is his ‘story.’ Do not tease.”

“If you cannot see it, it means his side has money. Buying this many tags is not cheap.”

“I remember who he is. That campus-god hashtag from years ago, #TheSchoolHunkWhoStoleYourHeart. His face was insane. Then he vanished. I thought he was gone. Now he reappears like this. Do I cry or laugh. My youth died.”

“I know his black history. It is huge. At DYXY he was the No.1 butt of jokes.”

“Here is the link and the timeline. I am starting to believe Imperial Power’s director must be cursed. Seriously, if he picked him, I would pick him too.”

“From XJR’s tone it sounds like this newcomer is backed by GX’s favor. Is this casting couching (Xi-fans do not attack me, I am honestly asking)?”

“Do not be ridiculous. GX’s partners are always drop-dead Alpha stunners. He would have to be crazy to couch with a no-name newbie during a climb. Charity case?”

“Leave my GX out of your mouth. Hugging my baby.”

Rong Jing had not expected this to splash on Gu Xi. Gu Xi was professional to a fault, and he was being smeared because of him. Rong Jing moved at once.

He called Zhou You. “Got a water-army company you trust? Help me push down the comments.”

Zhou You moved fast. Xie Group had long-term partners. Then he noticed something weird. “Young master, looks like someone else’s water army is already pushing. Looks friendly. Do you still want me to buy?”

Rong Jing blinked. “Huh?”

“And they seem to have hired five agencies. Two active, three on standby. Should I buy others?” The moment he reached out, he got replies like “order accepted” and “no more slots.”

“Uh… hold off.” That was an absurd volume.

Who had that much time and that much money? Could they do anything else with their day? Why five?

Not long after, the official Sovereignty account posted the cast list and tagged all principal actors. The internet nodded that the crew knew how to seize a free ad wave.

Director Liu Yu took a call from Rong Jing, who did not want his mess to splash on the crew or Gu Xi.

Liu Yu was annoyed, truth be told. Not liking Xun Jiarui did not mean he was satisfied with Rong Jing. In fact, there was no one he thought truly fit Fu Qianming yet. Now the newbie had a “black clip” before the slate even clapped. Blessing or curse. Still, after hearing the kid’s tone he decided he was not a white-eyed wolf and maybe worth Gu Xi’s protection. “Enough. What is done is done, and you did not start it. Gu Xi does not care about gossip. The two of you should act unfamiliar outside. It is better for both.”

He then posted a statement. Rong Jing was a newcomer worth affirming. Flaws did not hide the light. Please be patient and tolerant. Actors improve. He had high hopes for Rong Jing’s Fu Qianming.

With that, at least most people stopped gluing Gu Xi and the newcomer together. No matter how Xun Jiarui splashed mud, Gu Xi’s status and profile spoke for themselves. Few fans bought the casting-couch line. Still, seeds of rumor had been sown among casuals.

Then, as if the timing had been calibrated, a marketing account dropped the video of Rong Jing’s onstage incident. At the party, Gu Xi’s mind was not in the room. The other side had prepped. His hired water army was barely holding. There were many ways to bury a tag, but the cleanest was always a bigger bomb.

He suddenly thought of something and called the pheromone-matching center. Matches over 99 percent were normally announced three days later, after both parties signed off.

The center had never met an Omega so eager to announce. They immediately dialed the other party to confirm consent.

The next moment, the official account posted a heavy bulletin: Congratulations to Mr. Rong* and Mr. Gu* on a successful match. This is our 1,000th pair over 99.9999 percent. Thank you for trusting the Pheromone Matching Center. We wish you a shared path.

It was formal and their names were partially hidden. The moment it landed, the entire internet exploded across all six genders. Whatever had been trending a minute ago got pushed down for now.

“Wow, I can live again.”

“Are there really four decimals? Did I misread? Super destined!!!”

“It has been three years since the last god-tier match. Center, your efficiency has been terrible. You have only done a few pairs. Reflect.”

“Oh my god, a god-tier again. And a male A with a male O, my favorite combo. I am crying. Worth it.”

“Crying as a single dog. When will I match.”

“I was mid-melon and just dropped it.”

“Why are there no photos this time? Did they not take one? No interview either. I want to see what they look like. Are they hot or not?”

Gu Xi stared at Weibo all night, too keyed up to sleep. He could not fully suppress the negativity around Rong Jing, and a bunch of commenters were demanding the crew replace him, but at least half the flames were now drawn to the matching-center announcement.

By the next morning, Rong Jing called on cue. “Have you seen the trending? I dragged you into this. Now people think you are couching someone.”

Gu Xi ignored the uneven beat in his chest and teased like a friend. “If you think about it, I am couching. Dragging you in to be my tool man.”

“Even a tool man has to agree.”

“Didn’t you disagree? You declined the match.”

“Are you bringing up old debts?”

The mood loosened. Even the strangeness that had flashed through Rong Jing last night felt like a mistake. They chatted about nothing and tacitly avoided last night’s very awkward hotel three-way-encounter. Gu Xi did not want to pry into Rong Jing’s private life. Rong Jing found it too embarrassing. Being tangled by an A and an O and letting Gu Xi see. Explaining felt fussy. Not explaining felt suffocating.

“Gu Xi, I have a favor. Do you know anyone? Ideally someone who understands shooting a little.”

You fall where you fell. The first attack had happened on stage and to the camera. He had to fix it in front of a camera.

He knew the Weibo incident had blown up. The fuss would not really stop. People were waiting for the next act. No one would give him time to adjust. He had to kill his fear before the slate.

Gu Xi rattled off a string of names. “Will these do?”

The speed made it feel like he had prepped.

“Aren’t these… too good? They will have to clear schedules.”

“They happen to be free.” Gu Xi did not mention the messages he had already sent and the doors he had knocked.

Happen to be free, sure. The names rang with industry weight, whether cinematographers, actors, gaffers, script doctors. These people were usually slammed, booked months out. A few were infamous for being impossible to get. Even he might not be able to summon them quickly in Xie Group’s name.

As they were about to hang up, Gu Xi slipped into senior mode. “I hope you set your other achievements aside for now. When you choose to act anew, you are only an actor. There are flowers and applause, and there are bricks. Do not get discouraged easily. Believe in yourself. Believe in my eye. I did not choose you because I know you.”

Rong Jing loved this sunlight in Gu Xi’s tone. Who would guess Gu Xi was under pressure himself. “Fine. Even if I do not believe myself, I will believe you.”

“This time we have to beat the clock. You only have a few days. At the opening ceremony there may be entertainment reporters and gossip accounts onsite. Who knows what they will write. I spoke with Director Liu. To restore the crew’s reputation, they will not be clearing people for now. This might be your only shot.”

“If I fail, they will swap me.”

“Maybe.”

Rong Jing’s smile warmed. “You do not talk to me like that often. It sounds very, um, teacherly.”

Gu Xi’s stern face cracked a little. “I am not kidding. And do not call me teacher.” He was only a year older. Do not remind him.

After the call, Rong Jing stared at the screen. Gu Xi sounded the same as usual, maybe a touch warmer, even teasing once. Still, something felt off. Like a cat’s paw scratching the tip of his heart.

Gu Xi’s smile faded. It could be like this. Friendly, with no trace of ambiguity. Given Rong Jing’s stance, he would not want him to ask about last night anyway. He had played the move correctly.

He had to prep for the red carpet, but the outfit still had not arrived. Yesterday they had politely promised it would be sent at once. Starting this morning, the brand alternated reasons. Wrong style. Courier snag. Everything except the truth.

Mo Dian rushed in, frantic. “Gu Xi, the brand just pulled the plug. They canceled the delivery.”

Normally there would be a heads-up. Who flips on the day of the opening? Gu Xi called himself. They refused the call at first. The difference in attitude between Asian and Western stars could not be more obvious. Eventually they hinted that if Gu Xi apologized to a certain person, they could continue.

He heard the name and knew it was the red-haired star who had tried to molest him. On the international stage, one sentence from a man at that level and a brand would choose. They knew how to weigh. Gu Xi hung up. Ask him to bow to a molester. Absolutely not.

Mo Dian spun in circles. “What do we do? I can try other brands, but there is no time. Even if they could, who would have the right fit. We are the only Chinese-language film in competition this year. We have to show face. Even if it arrives, it might not fit.”

They had ordered to his measurements for the other one. Designers usually tailored details for the wearer. A layman would not see it, but the pros would spot a mismatch at a glance.

Gu Xi looked maddeningly calm. Mo Dian was going to pop. “Why are you not reacting? The emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is… cough.”

Gu Xi was not calm. He was too anxious, so he kept still. He was counting who he could still call. Who might help. Even an out-of-season piece would do. Just do not embarrass on the carpet.

A call flashed. Caller ID: Kiri Official. Gu Xi answered. The other side said the raw ruby would take longer to source and the shipment would be delayed. Would he wait?

Maybe because the blows had come back-to-back, Gu Xi sounded level. “Okay. No rush. Send it when you have it.” Even a little imagined hope had to be pushed back.

Mo Dian slapped his head and almost leapt. “Wait, Gu Xi.” He remembered. When Rong Jing told him to grab something from the shuttle, besides the luggage there had been a beautifully wrapped box. Rong Jing had said if anything happened on Gu Xi’s side, it might be useful.

The box had been too big, so he had stuffed it in his spare suitcase. With the jet lag, he had never opened the spare and then forgot.

He sprinted back, cracked the case, stripped the ribbon. Inside was a freshly pressed suit, a watch box, cufflinks, a brooch.

Rong Jing was no prophet, but he knew a protagonist attracted “accidents.” The plot would keep trying. Because he had interfered, the world might add scenes. So he had simply prepped a backup for everything he could think of.

With a squeak, Mo Dian slid to the floor. The sudden release after the peak of panic made his legs give. He did not believe Rong Jing had known. This was not predictable.

That terrifying Alpha understood too well. No wonder Gu Xi treated him differently. Of course he was special. A person like that should stay special.

Cradling the treasure, Mo Dian hurried back. Gu Xi was on the balcony, phoning a designer he knew. He was trying to borrow something in three hours. By the fifth call he was getting the same answer. Too tight. They would ask around.

“No problem. Let me know,” Gu Xi said in smooth American English, then turned back inside with a tight face. Mo Dian looked like he had hit the jackpot. A complete flip from earlier.

“What are you holding?” Gu Xi asked.

“Come look. Quickly.” Even his words were tripping. Gu Xi walked over. He lifted the lid and froze.

It was rare to see unflappable Gu Xi’s expression management crack. He must be shocked. Mo Dian had been.

Gu Xi ran a hand over the white suit, the fabric and stitching top-notch. Matching diamond accessories had been paired by a stylist’s eye.

The brand was Xie. That Xie. A first-tier haute house. Their history could be traced back generations. Though the brand belonged to the Xie family, its headquarters were in France. An ancestor had bought a luxury production line and renamed it Xie. The current heir, Xie Ling, had kept the old-world style. No spokespeople. That only raised the mystique and the level.

Xie Ling had once said in public that every Xie piece was entirely handmade. If they had a spokesperson, the brand would lose its soul. The line was so anti-trend that it became legend. He was low-key, but his popularity at home and abroad was not small. His diamond-noble aura drew all ages.

Gu Xi’s fashion sense told him this set had never been released. The website confirmed it. Not in the season’s lookbook. It was bespoke. With Xie’s name, it was no lesser than the canceled brand. Since Xie used no ambassadors and clung to mystery, it was actually a tier higher in tone.

There was a carrot buried in the ground, very deep. He had found it and brushed the leaves, watered and sunbathed it, raising it in secret. He kept saying enough, do not go further, be satisfied. But this carrot never sensed danger. It always popped out when he least expected and thumped his heart again.

Gu Xi changed. The white suit fit him perfectly. He had never tried a color this clean. He had always thought he could not wear it. When he stepped out, Mo Dian’s mouth fell open. No words came.

“Does it work?” Gu Xi asked, a touch uneasy.

“It… works.” It works too well. My eyes are blinded.

He finally understood. That Alpha had a ruthless taste level. White was exactly right for Gu Xi.

Voices sounded at the door urging the cast to go. It was time to head out.

“Then we will—”

Gu Xi paused and turned toward a bag. Inside was a Pandora’s box. If he opened it, he would be cursed.

He moved toward that box on instinct. For an instant he did not think of anything. A fierce wanting surged out of his chest and licked at his reason. He needed to do something before the fire ate him.

He yanked the zipper, found his Pandora, and lifted the lid.

“Ah!”

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