Chapter 1: Matching Clothes with The Movie Emperor

“Um… do you dare to strip me of my clothes?”

In the confined, narrow space, only the man’s deep, sexy breaths could be heard.

Sudden dizziness hit Chen Chang’an as his hands tugged at the collar of the person in front of him, revealing the exquisite collarbone and firm chest muscles of the other man with each pull.

The top two buttons of the shirt, much like the brotherhoods in the entertainment circle that are often hyped up, could not escape the fate of going solo.

The situation was simple yet a bit complicated: Chen Chang’an lost his balance, and not only did he tug at the other person’s clothes, but he also ripped off a button.

As a small-time celebrity of the new era, Chen Chang’an bowed at a ninety-degree angle without a second thought, speaking as fast as a cross-talk performer:

“I’m sorry, Teacher Jiang! I didn’t mean to occupy the elevator resources for personal reasons; I just didn’t eat breakfast and my blood sugar dropped, and pulling your clothes was just a beautiful accident.”

The refined man, while rescuing his collar, exuded a cold aura: “‘Didn’t eat breakfast’? What a good excuse.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Chang’an’s stomach coincidentally let out a b-box sound.

Feeling embarrassed, Chen Chang’an awkwardly said, “If my stomach offended your ears, I apologize on its behalf.”

Jiang Baiqing stared at him with extreme distrust: “Chen Chang’an, no matter what your intentions are, I warn you not to go crazy towards me again.”

—

Chen Chang’an skipped breakfast to avoid Jiang Baiqing, who was staying in the same hotel.

This morning, when he realized he had crossed into a novel and become a character with the same name, he was devastated.

In this male protagonist novel titled “Asking for Dominance in the Entertainment Circle,” Chen Chang’an played the role of a beautiful male vase who had looks but no brains, known in the circle as a “fourth-rate actor.” “Fourth-rate” meant—first-rate looks, second-rate fame, third-rate acting skills, and a character that was below par.

His only purpose was to be jealous of the movie emperor title of the male lead, Jiang Baiqing, from the first chapter onward due to his poor acting skills, constantly trying to undermine him. After Jiang Baiqing finally couldn’t hold back and retaliated, he was beaten from all sides, ultimately becoming a target of online hate and withdrawing from the industry.

Unfortunately, the point in time Chen Chang’an found himself in was precisely the day when, after countless self-destructive acts, he would be targeted one last time and retaliated against by the male lead, Jiang Baiqing. Prior to this, he had already used his money ability to snatch Jiang Baiqing’s role, alter Jiang Baiqing’s script, and isolate him through a series of foolish actions.

Today was the final step; Jiang Baiqing would inevitably shed his identity as a wage slave movie emperor in the entertainment circle, revealing himself as the president of his own film company, delivering Chen Chang’an a physical exit from the circle.

Realizing all this, Chen Chang’an sat on the hotel toilet, feeling as if he had taken a seat on the guillotine.

Then he received a call from his manager, Xu Chengzi.

“Sister Chengzi, what’s up?”

“You still dare to ask me if I have something? I want to ask you what you plan to do!” The other party’s mood was clearly not good, “The red carpet is in half an hour, the driver has been waiting downstairs for ten minutes, and you’re still in your room. What, do you want him to come up and get you?”

Chen Chang’an was stunned: “…Is there such a car that can come up the wall?”

Xu Chengzi sneered: “Heh, if you invent it, then there will be.”

Chen Chang’an scratched his head: “Hahaha, let’s not trouble Brother Driver, I can walk a couple of steps.”

What could be worse than starting life anew in a different world?

That would be when the elevator doors opened, revealing Jiang Baiqing standing alone inside.

There was a moment of silence in the air.

Jiang Baiqing was looking down at his phone, and with a glance, he noticed the leather shoes outside the elevator: “Aren’t you coming down?”

Chen Chang’an clutched his heart, his words profound: “Caught in a dilemma, neither going up nor down.”

Jiang Baiqing raised his head, his brows furrowing, looking at him as if he were a primary school student.

“Are you coming down or not?”

Chen Chang’an didn’t even know if he should go down!

If he didn’t, it would seem a bit deliberate, likely drawing Jiang Baiqing’s attention.

If he did, it could be dangerous, possibly triggering other chain reactions.

In line with his good virtue of passing the ball to others when faced with indecision, Chen Chang’an shamelessly said, “…Teacher Jiang, I have a question I need to consult you about.”

“Mm?”

“Follow your heart, look at me, would you like to ride the same elevator as me?”

—

This brings us to the last foolish thing the book’s Chen Chang’an did: the red carpet press release hyping up the fashion competition.

Upon learning that he would be attending the same event as Jiang Baiqing today, he specially ordered an identical suit to wear, and he had already bought a bunch of press releases, intending to use his looks to overshadow Jiang Baiqing on the red carpet.

To this, Chen Chang’an remarked: My good buddy, aside from looks, you didn’t mention anything about status, fans, height, or temperament!

Sure enough, Jiang Baiqing glanced at the clothes Chen Chang’an was wearing and fell silent for a moment.

“Come up.”

“Okay, thank you, Teacher Jiang.” Chen Chang’an quickly expressed his gratitude, feeling relieved as he stepped into the elevator.

Chen Chang’an thought it was all very nice: whatever Jiang Baiqing said, he would do, just simply riding the elevator together, surely nothing would go wrong, right?

Jiang Baiqing had already politely put away his phone, and the two stood in silence in the elevator, wearing identical suits, ready to cosplay as the twin evil spirits from a horror movie.

As a junior, Chen Chang’an wisely sought to break the silence: “Ahem, Teacher Jiang, you look really good in this outfit today.”

Jiang Baiqing returned a complex look: “Don’t you look in the mirror?”

Chen Chang’an followed his gaze down and realized, oh, they were both wearing the same outfit today.

“Uh, what I meant was, people rely on their clothes, horses rely on their saddles, no, that’s not it, what horse matches what saddle… hey, anyway, you look better in this outfit than I do!” Chen Chang’an scrambled to amend, almost pulling out his elementary school language teacher from his mouth, “You are the fish that sinks like a beauty, the flower that shames the moon!”

Jiang Baiqing’s lips twitched slightly, his tone sincere: “I have a question I want to ask you too.”

“Ask away.”

“Did you finish middle school before becoming a star?”

“Should… I have?”

Chen Chang’an scratched his head, having graduated from nine years of compulsory education and spent nine years playing minor roles in the industry, but he wasn’t sure if the book’s Chen Chang’an had finished school.

At that moment, Jiang Baiqing let out a breath, gazing at the elevator doors in front of him, speaking in a tone like a hermit sage.

“The Master said: A gentleman seeks neither a full stomach nor a comfortable home; he is quick in action and cautious in speech.”

“What does that mean?”

“When you don’t know what to say, you can choose not to say anything.”

Chen Chang’an scratched his head, realizing his topic was a bit awkward.

He gave up on finding a topic and stared at the numbers on the display screen, silently counting in his heart:

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, six, six…

After “six” had been stuck for quite a while, he finally noticed something was off.

Wait, why isn’t this damn elevator moving?!

As if to confirm it could still move, the elevator suddenly shook violently with a loud clang.

Chen Chang’an, who hadn’t eaten breakfast and was already dizzy, lost his footing and accidentally ripped off two buttons from Jiang Baiqing’s collar.

—

After a pale explanation, the always polite Jiang Baiqing finally said without courtesy: “Chen Chang’an, no matter what your intentions are, I warn you not to go crazy towards me again.”

In Jiang Baiqing’s eyes, Chen Chang’an had a history, but the old cadre Jiang usually didn’t like to hold grudges against young people, so he hadn’t taken Chen Chang’an’s constant undermining too seriously.

However, even a clay figurine has some temper; if Chen Chang’an stubbornly acted without thinking, Jiang Baiqing wouldn’t mind teaching the young man a lesson.

Under Jiang Baiqing’s scrutiny, Chen Chang’an cautiously reached out, crossing over Jiang Baiqing’s shoulder.

Jiang Baiqing spoke sharply: “Chen Chang’an! What are you trying to do again?”

“I’m just pressing the alarm button.” Chen Chang’an said innocently, “If I don’t get out of this elevator soon, my manager will suspect I’m up here inventing something.”

Jiang Baiqing glanced at the rows of buttons behind him, raised his hand to rub his temples: “Do I not have hands, or do you not have a mouth?”

Chen Chang’an shrank back a little: “‘A gentleman is quick in action and cautious in speech,’ Teacher Jiang, you’re a bit fierce.”

For the first time in many years of teaching juniors, Jiang Baiqing found himself at a loss for words.

Chen Chang’an also regretted it; before crossing over, he had been haggling with a vendor in the vegetable market.

Suddenly, the vegetable market had transformed into the entertainment circle, and he couldn’t react in time.

Just then, his phone rang, playing a spicy and explosive DJ version of “Love Trade.”

Chen Chang’an answered, only to hear the fiery and explosive voice of Xiao Wang from PR: “Boss, the marketing account has been bought, just waiting for the images from this side to start operations, this wave will definitely let Jiang…”

Hearing Jiang Baiqing’s name, Chen Chang’an quickly lowered the volume on his phone: “Cough cough cough cough cough!”

“Boss, what’s wrong? Is your throat uncomfortable?” Xiao Wang, unfortunately, had no sense of the situation.

Chen Chang’an’s voice was weak: “My throat is fine, just a bit of toothache, liver pain.”

“Indeed, with that voice, it sounds like you have some kidney deficiency.”

“…Cough.”

Chen Chang’an felt a mouthful of blood rush to his throat; now his throat really hurt.

“Don’t send the original stuff! Change the theme.” He had to hint at it indirectly, “Send something completely different from the original.”

“So, what do you mean—”

He couldn’t say what he meant!

He wanted to perform well and have Jiang Baiqing let him off the hook; could he say that? Could he say that?!

“Are you in PR or am I in PR? Do I need to help you think of a direction?” Chen Chang’an lowered his voice, speaking earnestly, “Look at the images, listen to the voices of the netizens, and write something harmonious and friendly, we are all in the same circle, we see each other often, let’s not be too hostile, got it?”

With a single move, Chen Chang’an purified the situation, and Xiao Wang’s keyboard instantly transformed into a jade bottle, while the office chair beneath him became a lotus seat.

Although he still didn’t understand, he could only pretend to understand.

“Are you trying to hype up ‘brotherhood’?”

“Ah, a child can be taught!”

Chen Chang’an was worried he couldn’t define today’s fashion faux pas.

If he and Jiang Baiqing had a good relationship, wearing the same style wouldn’t be strange, right?

“Brotherhood” sounded like a perfect term for mutual goodwill!

—

He put down his phone, feeling relieved.

At that moment, Jiang Baiqing’s gaze turned towards him.

Chen Chang’an quickly forced out an unnatural smile and asked, “W-what’s wrong, Teacher Jiang?”

“Are you afraid of me?” Jiang Baiqing lowered his eyes, as if he could see through his disguise, “Your cold sweat has soaked your clothes.”

“How could that be? You are kind and approachable; I have nothing but admiration for you, not a hint of fear.” Chen Chang’an’s sense of crisis suddenly rose, “As for my clothes, actually, it’s… designed with a see-through effect; this is my new style.”

Jiang Baiqing stared at Chen Chang’an, realizing that this person seemed a bit different.

“Heh.”

He didn’t say anything else, merely granting Chen Chang’an a tone of acknowledgment.

Taking advantage of the fact that the other party was still willing to listen to him, Chen Chang’an quickly tried to make amends for his past foolish actions: “Teacher Jiang, I know I have done some very unproductive, irrational, and incorrect things before, but I truly recognize my mistakes now and sincerely want to correct them. Please trust me this once and give me a chance, okay?”

Jiang Baiqing’s eyes revealed pure confusion: “You made a mistake; why should I give you a chance?”

Chen Chang’an slapped his own head: Right, he hadn’t yet done the last thing that would truly anger Jiang Baiqing, and Jiang Baiqing hadn’t even looked at him properly yet.

This brings us to Jiang Baiqing’s character as the male lead—seemingly a laid-back old cadre who doesn’t compete with others and doesn’t regard anyone highly, kind-hearted and averse to conflict; yet he has clear boundaries. Once someone crosses the line in his heart, even just a little, he will decisively strike back, not giving the other party a chance to recover.

From another perspective, he is also a formidable person.

Chen Chang’an’s current mindset was like having only a pair of threes left in a game of Dou Dizhu, hoping the other party would dismantle a few bombs to play, losing a little less would be good, and just being able to go home with his pants would be enough.

“Because I care about your opinion, Teacher Jiang.” Chen Chang’an organized his emotions and looked at Jiang Baiqing, sincere to the core, “Teacher Jiang is my king, my god!”

What king—King Yama.

What god—God of Death.

Then he saw the purest expression of disgust on Jiang Baiqing’s face.

The movie emperor Jiang, for the first time, looked somewhat flustered: “In the remaining time, I hope we do not communicate.”

Chen Chang’an’s desire to build a good relationship with him instantly shattered, and his mind was simultaneously playing a little drama.

The little person representing Chen Chang’an: Please turn on the microphone to communicate.

The little person representing Jiang Baiqing: I hope we do not communicate.

What kind of situation is this?!

—

Chen Chang’an dared not provoke Jiang Baiqing, and this silence lasted for nearly two hours.

Rescue personnel arrived in fifteen minutes, pried open the elevator doors in an hour, and the elevator was stuck between the fifth and sixth floors, more than a meter above the sixth floor. Chen Chang’an had been climbing for half an hour and still hadn’t made it up.

“I’m sorry, everyone! Please give me another chance!” Chen Chang’an gritted his teeth.

He didn’t want to persist, but being carried out from such a height would be a disaster!

Jiang Baiqing stood by with his arms crossed: “Don’t you usually exercise?”

Chen Chang’an strained to climb up, glancing at the camera outside the elevator: “Teacher Jiang, this is a critical time; let’s not bring up topics that are not conducive to unity.”

Jiang Baiqing glanced at his watch, thought for a moment, and stepped forward to give Chen Chang’an a push.

Chen Chang’an clung to the wall like a monkey, and Jiang Baiqing’s point of leverage could only be Chen Chang’an’s thigh.

Through a thin layer of suit pants, Jiang Baiqing could directly touch the soft flesh on the other man’s leg.

The sensation was too good; he almost instinctively rubbed it.

Before any romantic feelings could arise, Chen Chang’an’s “Hahaha” broke the moment.

Along with it came his complaint: “Teacher Jiang, if you won’t help, at least don’t tickle me.”

Jiang Baiqing’s forehead twitched, and with one hand, he lifted Chen Chang’an up.

By the time Jiang Baiqing climbed out of the elevator, the original red carpet event had long been missed. The only footage of the two came from the local television station’s social news segment—”Two Men Trapped in Elevator for Two Hours, When Will the Old Elevator Maintenance Issues Stop?”

The reporter responsible for taking pictures was very excited, stating: “I’ve been doing social news for twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve interviewed a star who didn’t end up in prison for sewing machines.”

Chen Chang’an internally complained: …That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all, does it?!

At the same time, he raised his hand with a smile, requesting: “Sister, please choose some good-looking photos to send.”

Jiang Baiqing glanced at him.

Chen Chang’an, feeling uneasy, added: “—Make sure they look good.”

Jiang Baiqing looked at him again.

Chen Chang’an instinctively raised his hand to touch his face.

What’s wrong? Can I really make my face look better just by saying it?

After the reporter left, Jiang Baiqing casually said:

“If you really care that much, you could just tell her to put a mosaic over your face.”

Chen Chang’an exclaimed: “Wouldn’t that make me look even more like a criminal?”

Jiang Baiqing was momentarily speechless, once again experiencing Chen Chang’an’s fluctuating emotional intelligence.

—

At that time, Chen Chang’an still had no idea of the seriousness of the situation.

Until he sat on the plane back to the capital city, and after arriving home, he saw the top trending search with a bright red headline:

#Jiang Baiqing and Chen Chang’an Stand Each Other Up on the Red Carpet Wearing Couple Outfits#

Wait, he recognized those characters, but why did they sound so strange when put together?

The situation was clearly: Chen Chang’an and Jiang Baiqing were trapped in the elevator wearing the same outfit, which caused them to miss the red carpet.

Yet now the karma had turned into: Chen Chang’an and Jiang Baiqing missed the red carpet to wear the same outfit, leading to them being trapped in the elevator.

—Could it be that the trending searches on Weibo are written by the old tailor at the village entrance? Mixing and matching is the name of the game?

Chen Chang’an closed his eyes and opened them again, trembling as he clicked on that line.

V Entertainment Baji: “Today, two male stars from Tianhua’s red carpet confirmed their attendance but didn’t show up. I saw the news that they were rescued from the same elevator wearing identical outfits. Apparently, they spent two hours alone in the elevator. In that case, standing up the organizers doesn’t count as ruining a date, right? [sly smile.JPG]”

In response, various factions quickly entered the fray, expressing different opinions.

Jiang Baiqing’s acting fans: “Do not spread rumors or believe them, refuse to hype up the porcelain king, the movie emperor’s new drama is online.”

Chen Chang’an’s beauty fans: “Do not spread rumors or believe them, refuse to rely on age to sell, brother’s stunning beauty is unmatched.”

A large number of suddenly appearing CP fans: “Aww, you said you wanted to wear couple outfits, and I really canceled the red carpet to elope with you, how sweet!”

Both fanbases: “…Did something strange just mix in here that disrupted the formation and didn’t follow the rules?”

Immediately after, the marketing accounts posted two images from the news:

One showed rescue personnel pulling Chen Chang’an, who was unable to climb up, while Jiang Baiqing helplessly supported his thigh to help him up; the other showed Jiang Baiqing climbing up, with the already rescued Chen Chang’an watching him from the side.

V Quan Zai: “Chen Chang’an, in those twenty seconds you watched Jiang Baiqing climb up, were you thinking about the missed red carpet resources or about eloping with Jiang Baiqing to the ends of the earth?”

Chen Chang’an replied: I think… I don’t want to.

He quickly called Xiao Wang, “Didn’t we agree to promote brotherhood? Hurry up and get off the stage!”

“We’re already off the stage.”

“Where? I didn’t see it.”

“Yu Ba Po, Quan Zai, and the others…” Xiao Wang looked at the account, “Anyway, if you open the first trending search, the most liked bloggers are all our people.”

“You guys in the circle call this brotherhood?!”

“Of course.” Xiao Wang said matter-of-factly, “Brotherhood in the circle is always promoted this way.”

Chen Chang’an trembled, “Is there any money left for you? Stop promoting it and return it.”

“Not a single cent left.” Xiao Wang replied cheerfully, “The last remaining funds were used to arrange for ten thousand CP fans for you.”

Chen Chang’an was so angry that it felt like his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were all in pain.

Wearing the same style turned into couple outfits, and the glamorous transformation became a complete flop.

At this rate, tomorrow Jiang Baiqing would definitely come knocking on his door to personally take his head.

Author’s Note:

The radio drama of the same name, in collaboration with the Manbo APP, will be launched in June 2024. I hope everyone will support it! Enjoy the drama!