Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 5

The girl lowered her eyes slightly, her fingers twisting together, her expression revealing a hint of grievance, like a child who couldn’t get any affection.

Su Yu had entered the entertainment industry at a young age and had long been accustomed to all kinds of people, yet it was the first time she had met someone so pure and clean.

She curled her lips in a smile, reached out, and rubbed Huo Shu’s little face. Her voice was gentle. “What’s wrong?”

Huo Shu was startled by her sudden affection. Then, with a whoosh, her face turned red, even the tips of her ears blushing lightly.

“N-Nothing…”

Her voice was soft and sticky, carrying a tone of shyness.

“Silly girl.”

Su Yu laughed, reached out to rub her long hair, and patted the spot beside her. “Come sit.”

Huo Shu replied with a soft “Mm,” dragged over a chair, and sat down between Su Yu and Cheng Chen.

Su Yu: ……

Cheng Chen: ……

Su Yu pressed her fingers to her temple and asked Iron Hammer inwardly, “Have Huo Shu and that scumbag Cheng met before?”

Otherwise, how could she explain this scene?

【No, this is their first meeting.】

Su Yu raised an eyebrow. “Love at first sight?”

The male lead aura and female lead aura attracting each other?

This was just their first meeting, and this little girl had already fallen for Cheng Chen at first glance?

Wasn’t that way too fast?

If it were in the past, she might not have cared. But now, she had a good impression of this little girl, and naturally wouldn’t just watch her jump into the fire pit that was Cheng Chen.

【Emmmm, as long as you’re happy, Host.】

Iron Hammer’s normally stern voice wavered a bit, carrying a trace of speechlessness.

Su Yu didn’t mind. “Iron Hammer, we can’t keep going like this. We need to move the plan ahead.”

What if the girl falls too deep?

If she really goes after Cheng Chen, wouldn’t Huo Shu be heartbroken?

【Okay.】

Cheng Chen had taken in all of Huo Shu’s actions. The corners of his mouth curled slightly, carrying a hint of understanding.

After all, in the entertainment industry, was there any girl who didn’t want to use him to rise up?

But…

He paused, glancing at the delicate and shy little face before him, and surprisingly didn’t feel repulsed.

Huo Shu pretended to be relaxed, patting her chest to cover up her nervousness. She looked up innocently. “Su Yu-jie, you two go ahead, don’t mind me.”

Su Yu’s headache worsened. She rubbed her temples. “Film Emperor Cheng, how about… we stop the scene rehearsal for today? I’ll find you again another time.”

Cheng Chen responded lightly, “Alright.”

Huo Shu was secretly pleased and turned her head. “Su Yu-jie, today let’s eat toge—”

Before she could finish, she saw Su Yu smiling with curved brows, gazing at Cheng Chen. “Film Emperor Cheng, how about having dinner together tonight?”

She rested her chin on her hand, her long and beautiful eyes smiling seductively, like an enchanting temptress, every move inviting attention.

Cheng Chen’s eyes darkened slightly.

Truly a temptress!

No wonder so many people in the entertainment industry wanted a taste of her.

But still, she was a poppy.

Beautiful, but with a strong toxicity. A single misstep, and it could cost one their life.

If he accepted this dinner invitation, his traffic and popularity might plummet.

Beautiful, yes—but what a pity.

He pulled his thoughts back and shook his head slightly. “No, I have something tonight. Maybe another time.”

Huo Shu’s mood finally improved a bit.

At least he had some sense!

But still—how dare he refuse Su Yu-jie’s invitation!

Outrageous!

The girl clenched her hands, suddenly feeling a little indignant.

“Film Emperor Cheng, can’t you at least give me a clear answer?”

Su Yu tapped the table with her fingertips, her final syllable drawn out enticingly. “I’ve admired you for so long. Can’t you even give me a chance?”

Her tone was filled with grievance and coquettishness—a beauty like this was hard for anyone to resist.

Cheng Chen’s eyes were dazzled by her charm, and he agreed almost involuntarily. “Alright.”

“Then… I’ll be waiting for your word.”

The admiration in Su Yu’s eyes didn’t seem fake. Even someone as composed as Cheng Chen couldn’t help but feel slightly giddy.

Such a beautiful but dangerous woman—who wouldn’t want her?

But Su Yu’s personality was flamboyant, and she looked down on everyone. Many had failed and retreated in defeat.

Now, such a beauty was gazing at him tenderly, offering herself for the taking.

Cheng Chen steadied himself, suppressing the stirring in his heart, and gave a soft “Mm.”

Seeing him agree, Huo Shu suddenly felt a little down again.

“Su Yu-jie…”

Su Yu turned her head. “Hm?”

The little girl looked at her pitifully and complained in a soft voice, “Su Yu-jie, you promised to have dinner with me last time, but when I contacted you, you didn’t reply.”

Su Yu suddenly remembered, smiled apologetically. “I forgot to check my phone, sorry.”

Those days, she had been busy working with Iron Hammer to find Cheng Chen’s enemies, completely occupied and hadn’t looked at her phone at all.

“It’s okay.”

Huo Shu blushed and looked up at her, asking cautiously, “Su Yu-jie, can we have dinner together tonight?”

“Sure…”

Just as she said that, a crew member came running in from outside, announcing cheerfully:

“I just got word that Director Wang is treating everyone to dinner tonight—hurray!”

Cheers erupted in the dressing room.

“Director Wang is so generous!”

“Yay! Long live Director Wang! I heard there are tons of great restaurants nearby—we’ll eat well tonight.”

“Long live! Woohoo!”

Huo Shu’s eyes immediately welled up with tears.

She just wanted to have dinner with Su Yu-jie. Why did it feel like the whole world was against her?

Su Yu turned around and smiled helplessly. “Next time, alright? Director Wang is treating today—if we don’t go, it wouldn’t look good.”

Huo Shu lowered her head in frustration and responded weakly with a soft “Mm.”

After the announcement, the crew member walked over and asked politely, “Film Emperor Cheng, Teacher Su, Teacher Huo, is your makeup done? Director Wang is urging.”

“Just about, I only need to change.”

Su Yu got up and went into the changing room.

Huo Shu had already changed. She was currently playing the newly entered palace maid Wei Zifu, so her costume was simple and didn’t need much decoration—very convenient.

Over there, Cheng Chen had also changed and was walking toward her.

He wore a pitch-black robe, his figure like jade, his features handsome and elegant, and his smile warm.

At this point, Emperor Wu of Han was still a radiant youth, not yet the domineering ruler he would become.

“What are you thinking about?”

Huo Shu looked up, her expression changing slightly. “Nothing.”

Cheng Chen assumed this was just girlish shyness and didn’t think much of it. His eyes fell on the script in her hand, and he smiled. “Reading the script?”

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me. I can explain it to you.”

Huo Shu felt annoyed, answering half-heartedly, “Mm.”

Just like a buzzing fly—so annoying.

“Ah! Su—Su Yu’s out!”

“Damn! Am I seeing things? I’m Su Yu’s anti-fan, but why do I suddenly think she’s stunning?”

“Ahhh her face is too much—I’ve decided to stop being a hater for one minute. She’s so beautiful, sob sob sob.”

Huo Shu looked up.

A beauty in a red dress walked in gracefully. She wore a plain red cloud-smoke gown embroidered with silver and gold phoenixes, with a blue-enamelled peony and jade flower headdress, and dangling gold-silk peony hair ornaments that jingled as she walked.

Her skin was luminous and fair, her features dazzling. Her lips curled slightly with a faint blush, and her every move exuded alluring charm.

This look… she really did resemble the kind of woman Emperor Wu of Han might build a golden house for—Chen Ajiao.

(Golden house for Chen Ajiao (金屋藏娇): A famous historical reference from Emperor Wu of Han who once promised to build a golden house for the beautiful Chen Ajiao. It has become a cultural idiom symbolizing deep affection or extravagant favor.)