ABOES 56: On-Screen CP

The internet hadn’t even recovered from the production team’s official statement when Duan Zhiyan’s new Weibo post dropped. It completely stunning everyone.

【??? Got hacked?】

【Wait… damn, it’s really Duan Zhiyan!!!】

【I don’t get it… what’s this supposed to mean?】

【What else could it mean? Duan Zhiyan is gonna act in a web drama.】

【So confusing. Is this a joke or what?】

It wasn’t just fans and netizens, even Duan Zhiyan’s haters assumed at first that he was joking.

After all, he’s Duan Zhiyan.

He’s been in the industry for almost ten years and only taken on major film roles. Whether the lead or a key supporting character, he’s never done a web drama or even a regular TV drama.

It’s not that he hasn’t been invited to act in them, he just always turned them down.

His haters even used this to mock him constantly.

So why would Duan Zhiyan suddenly agree to act in a web drama now?

Nobody could figure it out.

Chi Yunxing had just seen the post himself and hadn’t even gotten around to posting his own Weibo update before immediately messaging Duan Zhiyan.

[Chi Yunxing: Zhiyan Ge]

Before he could even type the rest, Duan Zhiyan replied.

[Duan Zhiyan: Hmm? You want to ask if I’m joking?]

Chi Yunxing paused. Then typed.

[Chi Yunxing: You’re not joking?]

Duan Zhiyan was just about to reply when Chi Xiwen’s call came through.

He hesitated for two seconds before picking up.

“Hello?”

“Are you insane?” Chi Xiwen didn’t hold back. “Why are you getting involved in this? It’s not like I can’t handle it. Why are you messing with your fans like this—”

“I’m not joking,” Duan Zhiyan interrupted. “I’m genuinely interested in the role of Xu Li.”

Chi Xiwen was silent for a long moment. “…You’re serious?”

Duan Zhiyan answered, “Yeah. I’m not going to fake a CP with Yunxing either. Don’t you think that makes me a great fit?”

Chi Xiwen: “…”

Fit your ass.

But he didn’t say it out loud. After a pause, he asked, “…Are you still seeing your therapist?”

“Not recently,” Duan Zhiyan said.

Chi Xiwen frowned. “Then—”

“No need to worry. I’m much better now,” Duan Zhiyan said. After a slight pause, he added, “And I can’t keep having those episodes. I’ve never tried doing a light romance before so this could be a good change of pace.”

“You really mean that?”

“Mhm.”

Chi Xiwen let out a long sigh. “Fine. Do whatever you want. It’s not like I can stop you. If you want to take the role, go ahead.”

Duan Zhiyan chuckled.

Chi Xiwen added, “Actually, maybe it’s a good thing. If you’re on set, I’ll feel better knowing Yunxing has you watching over him.”

“Yunxing is my brother too,” Duan Zhiyan said.

“Alright then. Just have your agent talk to the director. Honestly, I doubt there’ll be much to negotiate. The second your agent shows up, they’ll probably throw the contract at you.”

He laughed. “Have you told Yunxing yet?”

Duan Zhiyan smiled and shook his head. “He literally messaged me the second before you called, asking if I was joking.”

Chi Xiwen laughed too. “Well, go explain it to him. I’ll hang up now.”

After the call ended, Duan Zhiyan saw that Chi Yunxing had sent two more messages.

[Chi Yunxing: Zhiyan-ge, you don’t have to go this far just for me…]

[Chi Yunxing: And I really do understand Ning Chu’s character now—I think I can handle the role on my own.]

Duan Zhiyan smiled and replied.

[Duan Zhiyan: Of course I know you can handle playing Ning Chu.]

[Duan Zhiyan: And I want to join the drama, not because of you…]

He hovered over the send button, hesitated, then revised the message.

[Duan Zhiyan: And I want to join the drama—not entirely because of you.]

Chi Yunxing replied almost instantly.

[Chi Yunxing: Huh?]

Duan Zhiyan could practically picture his stunned expression.

When he was confused or didn’t understand something, his delicate brows would furrow slightly as he looked up, those dark, watery eyes fixed on Duan Zhiyan like he was waiting for answers.

And every time that happened, Duan Zhiyan would always lose control and mess up his neatly combed hair.

[Duan Zhiyan: I’ve never done a web drama. I just want to give it a try, and change things up a bit.]

[Duan Zhiyan: Don’t worry, like I said, I won’t hype a fake CP with you.]

[Duan Zhiyan: #playful]

Chi Yunxing hadn’t expected Duan Zhiyan to be serious about it. Knowing him, it had to be a carefully thought-out decision.

He stared at the screen for a long time before finally smiling.

[Chi Yunxing: Then… I guess I’ll say, looking forward to working with you?]

Duan Zhiyan replied. 

[Duan Zhiyan: Looking forward to working with you.]

While the two of them were chatting, the internet had already exploded.

No one had expected a simple CP marketing attempt to unravel this much drama.

【So the trending tag today was bought by Xiang Che’s team?】

【The “Unrequited Love” production already released a statement, that pretty much confirms it.】

【Tsk. His team never learns. Anyone who collaborates with him ends up being used for clout. Poor Chi Yunxing!】

【Before the statement dropped, his fans were acting so smug, like they couldn’t wait to stomp Chi Yunxing into the dirt.】

【They still are.】

Which… wasn’t exactly wrong.

Xiang Che’s fans were furious when the statement came out and flooded the official Weibo comment section.

【? What’s the meaning of this?】

【Care to explain what “recasting” means?!】

【What did Che Ge do wrong?!】

【Can’t you investigate before making a decision?! We’ll sue you for slander!】

Some netizens couldn’t help but laugh.

【I think some of these fangirls didn’t graduate elementary school. Can’t even understand a basic statement. Embarrassing.】

【+1】

【Honestly, I don’t think they didn’t understand. They just don’t want to understand.】

【Facts.】

One post quickly became a top-liked comment.

【Let me explain: the “Secret Crush” official Weibo only posted twice before today—once to announce the adaptation, and once for the boot ceremony. Xiang Che’s team released set photos and casting info before anything was made public. That’s a clear breach of contract.】

But Xiang Che’s fans ignored it.

Everyone else gave up trying to reason.

【Whatever. Let them go cuddle their Che Ge somewhere else.】

【Exactly.】

【Let them scream all they want. It only makes things worse for Xiang Che. I wonder which director will still want to work with him after this.】

…

At that same moment, Xiang Che was on the phone with his agent, Zhu Fang.

She had just informed him that the production had officially terminated his contract.

Xiang Che’s head was buzzing.

“Wait… what do you mean the production wants to drop me? What did I do? I just bought a PR post, everybody does that! It’s a free promo! Why the hell are they cutting me?!”

Zhu Fang’s expression wasn’t much better.

Truthfully, this mess was partly her fault.

She hadn’t been paying attention to Xiang Che lately since  most of her focus had been on Li Yuan, a newer artist.

And just his luck, Li Yuan had gotten injured during a shoot that day. So when Xiang Che called to run his idea by her, she gave it a quick yes without thinking.

She hadn’t even realized the set photos hadn’t been released yet.

If she had, she never would’ve let it happen.

Still, Zhu Fang tried to remain calm. She stepped away from Li Yuan’s bedside and lowered her voice. “Just calm down. Yes, we messed up but the production only terminated your contract, they’re not suing. We actually got off easy.”

“And honestly, it’s just a male supporting role. I’ll get you a new one…”

“You’ll get me one?” Xiang Che sneered. “We’ve been working together for two months. What decent role have you gotten me? This supporting role you’re trashing, I earned it by drinking with the investors for half a month! Who are you to look down on it?”

Zhu Fang was speechless.

After a long pause, she said, “Xiang Che, don’t get mad. I didn’t mean it like that, let me explain—”

“Explain what?” His voice turned cold. “Explain why all your good resources go to Li Yuan? That’s easy. Give me half of what you’re giving him, and I’ll shut up.”

Zhu Fang clenched her teeth.

She took a deep breath. “Xiang Che, be reasonable. I already told you, those resources aren’t mine to give. Li Yuan—”

“Enough!”

He was done. She had clearly given up on him.

Why not just say it instead of pretending?

His voice dropped to ice: “Let’s be real, Zhu Fang, you’re not half the agent Xie Yi was.”

And with that, he hung up.

Cold air blasted through the hallway. Zhu Fang’s face twisted in rage.

“Xiang Che,” she muttered, “I’ll make sure you regret this.”

At that moment, Xiang Che was full of regret but not for what he’d just said.

He regretted ever trusting Zhu Fang and terminating his contract with Xie Yi.

If he’d stayed, he would be playing the male second lead in “Secret Crush.” There would be no room for Chi Yunxing.

The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to fix things.

Maybe… if he apologized sincerely enough, Xie Yi would take him back?

After all, she only had two talents now, Chi Yunxing and Chu Wen. With his fame, she’d surely prioritize him again…

Just as he reached for his phone to call her, his assistant burst into the room.

“Xiang Ge! Something happened!”

Xiang Che nearly dropped his phone. His right eyelid twitched and an ominous feeling washed over him.

“What happened?”

The assistant’s voice trembled slightly. “Xie Yi, she just posted a recording on her Weibo…”

Chi Yunxing’s heart began pounding uncontrollably.

He tried to calm himself. It’s probably nothing.

Then the assistant pulled out their phone and played the recording aloud.

A familiar voice echoed out.

“Yes, I strung you along while I signed with Zhu Fang. But Xie Jie, I did it for your own good.”

A cold snort came from Xie Yi. “For my own good? You mean you strung me along to avoid losing your regular gig on Let’s Travel Together?”

“You got me…”

Xiang Che’s voice laughed in the recording.

“Fine, I’ll be honest. Xie Jie, give me your resources and I promise—if I get the contract, I’ll help promote Chu Wen too. With my popularity, one appearance will get him noticed…”

“Enough,” came Xie Yi’s icy voice. “You disgust me.”

The recording ended.

The assistant sighed. “At first someone commented that you and Chi Yunxing were both Xie Yi’s clients. Then some PR accounts picked it up, saying how odd it was that two of Xie Yi’s artists were clashing publicly…”

He didn’t finish. Everyone in the business knew what was coming next.

Xie Yi had simply used Xiang Che’s tactics against him.

He tried to drag down Chi Yunxing? Then she would expose everything.

Her statement clarified that she’d terminated Xiang Che long ago and then she posted the recording.

It wasn’t long, but it was enough to ruin his career.

Xiang Che’s phone slipped from his hand.

His eyes widened in panic. “Call Zhu Fang. Ask if there’s still anything we can do, I—”

Then he froze.

He remembered what he’d just said to Zhu Fang.

It was over. Completely over.

He slumped onto the couch, stunned.

Why had he said all that to her? Now neither Zhu Fang nor Xie Yi would help him.

His vision darkened. A bitter taste rose in his throat.

It was over. His whole career was over.

…

The hashtag #XiangCheTraitor stayed on Weibo’s trending list the entire night. By the time Chi Yunxing woke up the next morning, it was still near the top.

He’d been planning to post something to calm his fans but before he could, Xie Yi dropped the recording.

The internet’s attention shifted immediately.

Even his fans stopped worrying about him and started flaming Xiang Che instead.

Some of his most active followers were now top comments on Xie Yi’s post.

Turns out… his fans were stronger than he thought.

So Chi Yunxing gave up on posting anything.

After breakfast, Xie Yi and the driver came to pick him up. Chi Yunxing noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

“Did you not sleep well last night? You didn’t have to come, I could’ve gone to the set by myself.”

Xie Yi waved him off. “No no, I’m fine. I wasn’t tired. I was too hyped reading all those comments roasting Xiang Che. I accidentally pulled an all-nighter.”

Chi Yunxing couldn’t help laughing. Well, that eased his worries.

“You sure you don’t want to rest?”

“I’m good. Let’s get in the car.”

Once they were seated, she leaned over excitedly, “Yunxing! Did you see Duan Zhiyan’s Weibo last night?!”

Chi Yunxing nodded. “Yeah, I saw.”

Xie Yi’s expression grew more animated, “So… he’s really joining our cast?!”

Even Liu Ran up front turned around, eyes full of gossip.

Chi Yunxing chuckled. “Mhm, that’s what he told me…”

“OH MY GOD!!!!!” Xie Yi screamed, “YUNXING!!!”

“Your very first variety show was with Duan Zhiyan even though it didn’t finish. Now your first drama is ALSO with him?!”

“AHHH I’M TOO EXCITED!!!”

Chi Yunxing barely covered his ears in time.

Looking at her beaming face, he asked, “Is it… that exciting?”

“Of course it is! Did he say when he’s joining the crew?”

Chi Yunxing thought about it, then shook his head. “I didn’t ask.”

“I’ll ask him now.”

“Yes!! Ask him!!”

Xie Yi’s annoyance over Xiang Che was already long forgotten.

To be honest, Chi Yunxing hadn’t been that worked up yesterday but maybe Xie Yi’s excitement was contagious. His heart was racing too now.

He took a deep breath and typed a message to Duan Zhiyan.

[Chi Yunxing: Zhiyan Ge, when are you coming to set?]

Duan Zhiyan replied quickly. 

[Duan Zhiyan: Why? Can’t wait to see me?]

Chi Yunxing stared at the screen, his cheeks flushing pink.

[Chi Yunxing: No!]

Then he added another message. 

[Chi Yunxing: I just want to know when my on-screen CP is coming to rehearse with me QUQ]

Duan Zhiyan chuckled when he saw the words “on-screen CP.”

He You, who’s in front of him, confusedly turned around. “What’s so funny?”

Duan Zhiyan handed him the script. “Go on ahead. Check if the contract’s okay. I’m going to pick someone up.”

Before He You could ask who, Duan Zhiyan turned and left.

Watching him walk away, He You suddenly realized—Who else would Duan Zhiyan personally go pick up besides Chi Yunxing?

He thought of last night’s Weibo post and couldn’t help sighing again.

He wondered how Duan Zhiyan’s fans would react when they realized he was really filming a web drama.

Honestly… he’s kind of looking forward to it.

But the thought seemed dangerous, so he quickly brushed it aside.

…

Duan Zhiyan arrived at the studio gate, wearing a hat and mask. He looked to the left.

Soon, a familiar car came into view.

He smiled faintly and finally replied to Chi Yunxing’s message.

[Duan Zhiyan: Look ahead.]

Chi Yunxing blinked in confusion. Then he snapped his head up and looked out front.

The studio entrance was bustling, but he spotted Duan Zhiyan instantly.

Wearing a cap, a mask, and a casual outfit. He was tall and striking, with a unique aura.

Their eyes met.

Chi Yunxing’s breath caught.

A new message came in.

[Duan Zhiyan: Your on-screen CP is here.]