Chapter Forty-Two: Truly Famous, Thanks to Contrast

The production team’s response to “Only Waiting for You” was straightforward. Their publicity strategy showed no sign of change. From the audience’s perspective, the plot of “Only Waiting for You” was riddled with holes, and even the romantic storyline between Mei Lei and Du Wei failed to win much favor. But all of this was nothing more than the audience’s complaints.

Then, the production team stepped forward and urged everyone to focus on the professional storyline, the plot itself, and the energy of positivity. This was nothing short of adding fuel to the fire. Originally, people were only criticizing the show, at most commenting that Chu Chen and Li Jingjing’s acting skills left much to be desired. But now, the production team had come out with their own statements.

Before the public could say more, Kong Yi, the director and scriptwriter of “Only Waiting for You,” personally answered questions from netizens. He said, “The show has only just begun. As the story unfolds, everyone will come to love Mei Lei and Du Wei for their zest for life. They represent the ordinary people—kind, loving, positive, and striving to live well. That was my original intention in making this series. I just hope everyone won’t worship money and power, or measure everything by wealth…”

Now things had gotten even more heated. The production’s response was already inflammatory, and now the director himself had stepped into the fray to explain, making everyone even more amused.

What on earth was this about?

You can’t even portray romance properly, and you want to lecture us about values?

Are you serious?

The following episodes unfolded just as everyone had anticipated: whether about pilots or lawyers, the so-called professional drama was full of flaws. In the end, the show relied entirely on the leads’ performances, while the Du family appeared to be the only normal part of the series.

As for Lin Xing, his shining moment was in a scene with Li Jingjing. In that scene, Du Fei finally broke through the unspoken barrier. Lin Xing brought all of Du Fei’s emotions to life. According to a popular reviewer, at that moment, Du Fei was not only afraid that Gu Wei would cut ties with her family for Mei Lei and abandon him, but he was also jealous—if she could do that for Mei Lei, why not for him?

Du Fei’s gaze in that scene was truly heartbreaking, and the audience finally understood. No wonder Du Fei always looked at his sister with such restraint and forbearance.

“I just want to say Lin Xing completely captured that restrained and suppressed love for his sister.”

“Who wouldn’t agree? Most importantly, Du Fei is honestly deserving of our sympathy. His sister isn’t worthy of him.”

“Lin Xing’s Du Fei isn’t greasy at all, he’s exactly the president I imagine. As for Chu Chen, let’s not even go there.”

“It’s hilarious, I even saw a behind-the-scenes clip of Chu Chen teaching Lin Xing how to play the domineering CEO. Thank goodness Lin Xing didn’t follow his advice, or we’d have another overlord of cringe.”

…

Half a month later, Lin Xing’s popularity on the trending lists showed no sign of waning. Dominating CEO, suited brute, heartbreakingly beautiful Du Fei, sharp-tongued and cunning Du Fei—every keyword was under lively discussion.

Most notably, these discussions came from genuine outsiders—people who weren’t fans. Many of them were genuinely surprised by Lin Xing, recalling that the last time he’d been widely known was ten years ago, when he was considered barely literate.

But ten years have passed, and Lin Xing is no longer the person he was. He’s not only literate now—he can act, too.

Good heavens.

Many were incredulous.

Even Old Zhong couldn’t help posting, “I admit that even though I already thought Lin Xing was quite good, I still underestimated him. I thought his variety sense in ‘Farming with the Stars’ was impressive enough, but I never expected that he’d transform so completely in ‘Only Waiting for You.’ This just proves one thing: his acting skills are truly formidable. He’s clearly put in the work over the years.”

Previously, Old Zhong had promoted “Farming with the Stars.” Later, when Dima Electric Cars chose Lin Xing as their spokesperson, many questioned why. Old Zhong spoke up for him again, simply because he found Lin Xing genuine and reliable.

At the time, he never imagined that, within less than a month, Lin Xing would explode in popularity thanks to his role as Du Fei.

As a result, the official Dima Electric Cars social media was flooded with apologies.

“Sorry, little Di, I admit I was a bit harsh with my words before.”

“I used to wonder why you picked Lin Xing as your spokesperson. Now I see I was wrong.”

“Little Di, you’re amazing.”

…

In short, over the course of half a month, Lin Xing reaped all the rewards of his sudden fame. Consequently, “Farming with the Stars” also saw a modest rise in popularity.

This was only natural.

When a character goes viral, the actor’s influence rebounds sharply. At least in the short term, the numbers surge, and everything related to them gets a boost.

Of course, there are downsides. The downside is that people start digging into every detail of the actor’s past—comments, experiences, everything gets unearthed again.

Just like what has happened to others, now it was Lin Xing’s turn.

Luckily, he had nothing to fear.

Ten years ago, when his teammate Chu Hai’s scandal broke, Lin Xing was scrutinized. Last month, when his former teammate Wu Yao fell from grace, Lin Xing was dug up again. Now, once more, people were digging into his past.

Yet most people’s reaction was exactly the same as last month: all they could do was admire him.

Apart from the “barely literate” label, he had almost no scandals at all.

And after ten years, Lin Xing was no longer the person he used to be.

In fact, many were saying, “Please stop calling Lin Xing barely literate—call him President Lin.”

Right now, Lin Xing was the epitome of the abstinent CEO in 2023.

Many even suggested that anyone who wanted to play a CEO should learn from Lin Xing how to portray a charismatic, non-cringeworthy boss.

In the capital city,

“Xingxing, take a look at this,” Sister Dao said with a smile. “In just a few days, I’ve received seven or eight scripts, all for the male lead.”

“All for me to play the domineering CEO?” Lin Xing asked.

“That’s right,” Sister Dao nodded. “Six scripts have you as the domineering CEO, and one isn’t exactly a CEO, but rather a wealthy young master from the Republican era…”

At this, Sister Dao looked at Lin Xing, shaking her head with a wry smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve already turned them all down for you.”

Lin Xing laughed. “I knew you’d know how to choose. Besides, these scripts are probably just following the trend. There’s a world of difference between a cameo and the expectations for a lead role.”

“Exactly. I’ll keep looking, and try to get you a script with some real quality,” Sister Dao replied, sounding confident. “After all, we’re truly back in the spotlight now.”

…

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