TWEHGC Chapter 24

“Lin Qingye, look at him!”

Lin Zhanpeng was so furious his face flushed and his neck bulged, and he was determined to demand an explanation from Mother Ning.

Ning Luo looked surprised: “Why are you still carrying a summon hero card? What’s the point of calling my mom? She’s not your mom. If you call her Mom, will she agree?”

Lin Zhanpeng’s blood pressure shot through the roof. This mama’s boy had never suffered such injustice!

He was so angry that he took off his coat and was about to start hitting people.

Ning Luo shielded his mother behind him, his face cold. “Why are you taking off your clothes? Increase your attack and reduce your defense. Are you preparing to use your ultimate? Uncle, you’re so stingy! I just made a few basic attacks, and you already used up your dodge!”

Lin Zhanpeng’s head was buzzing, and he pointed at Ning Luo, shaking like a maniac. “You! You bastard! Lin Qingye, do you believe I’m going to tell Grandma about what happened today? Then she’ll beat you to death!”

Mother Ning sternly stopped him, “Lin Zhanpeng, you’re forty, not four. Your grandma’s a hundred, and you’re saying this? Do you think she didn’t die early enough?”

Ning Luo sighed sincerely. “You’re so filial! Your grandma’s survival is truly a world mystery. ‘Science Approaches’ should feature her as an episode.”

Mother Ning almost lost her composure.

“Why are you arguing so early in the morning?”

Ning Yang came downstairs, immediately spotted Lin Zhanpeng, and frowned slightly.

Although Lin Zhanpeng bossed Mother Ning around, a habit he’d cultivated since childhood, he was a true bully at heart, who preyed on the weak and was afraid of the strong. He wouldn’t dare say a word in front of Father Ning or Ning Yang.

Mother Ning apologized, “Did I disturb your rest?”

Ning Yang shook his head, somewhat surprised by her calmness. In the past, whenever Lin Zhanpeng showed up, Mother Ning, clumsy with words, couldn’t win an argument with such a rogue, and she would feel miserable for at least three days. Today, the situation was reversed.

When his gaze shifted and landed on Ning Luo standing beside her, Ning Yang immediately understood.

Ning Luo’s mouth was so loud, no one could argue with him and win. He would drive people to death with anger.

Lin Zhanpeng quickly stood up and gave a flattering smile. “Ah-Yang, you’re here too.”

Ning Yang didn’t even glance at him but walked over to the sofa and asked Ning Luo, “What are you arguing about?”

“Not arguing,” Ning Luo grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. “I’m just in a bad mood today, so I’m going to randomly kill a few lucky people.” 

Lucky Lin Zhanpeng, embarrassed by being ignored, spat, “What a jerk! Born by a mother, but not raised by one!”

Before he could finish his words, Ning Yang gave him a cold glare.

Ning Yang’s voice dropped to a chill, “Are you teaching my brother how to do things?”

Ning Luo complained enthusiastically, “Not only that, brother, he even tried to hit me. I was scared to death! Waaaah ¹1 .crying sounds I am so pitiful!”

Lin Zhanpeng couldn’t believe what he was hearing!

How could someone be so shameless? Even more shameless than him!

“You damn brat with that filthy mouth of yours—”

“Enough!”

Mother Ning, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly erupted.

Everyone fell silent, turning to look at her, even Lin Zhanpeng was startled.

Ning Luo quietly tugged at her sleeve, whispering, “Mom, don’t be angry…”

Mother Ning grabbed his hand and held it tightly. “Where’s the housekeeper? Get him out!”

The housekeeper had been planning this for a while, and along with several servants, he dragged Lin Zhanpeng out.

Lin Zhanpeng struggled: “What are you doing? What are you doing! Lin Qingye, you lowly bit—ugh, ugh!”

The housekeeper quickly covered his mouth.

As the noise outside faded, Ning Luo looked at Mother Ning worriedly: “Mom, are you okay?”

Ning Yang also looked over.

Mother Ning squeezed his hand firmly, then paused for a moment before looking up at him: “Luo luo.”

Ning Luo nodded repeatedly, as lively as Xiaoyi ²2. AI assistant similar to Gemini or Siri : “I’m here, I’m here.”

Mother Ning took a deep breath: “For the first time, Mom has felt… that cursing someone can be so satisfying!”

Ning Luo & Ning Yang: ?

Huh? Wait? Is this plot a little off?

Lost in her own thoughts, Mother Ning sighed with emotion, “I always couldn’t bring myself to argue with him before. I’m not good at talking, and I’m not good at arguing. This is the first time I’ve won an argument. It turns out it feels so good to curse back. I’ll try to learn that from now on.”

Ning Luo: “…”

His voice trembled. “Mom, you… I suddenly feel sorry for you.”

He seemed to have accidentally deleted his mother’s sense of propriety..

After all that, Ning Luo didn’t go shopping with his mother that day. Instead, he searched online with her on how to curse without using profanity.

At the end of the day, Ning Luo felt like he’d lost ten years of merit, like a criminal who forced a minor to watch pornographic comics, and he was overwhelmed with guilt.

A few days later, Wang Lin’s crew filmed their final wrap-up scene, and Ning Luo, as their financial sponsor, went to watch. Then came the post-production editing, dubbing, music production, recording promotional videos and trailers, and going through the various review and approval processes.

Next door, Ning Xibai’s crew wrapped filming around the same time. Both productions were aiming for the winter holiday season’s popularity, so a collision was inevitable. It all depended on who could outdo the other and who had the most impressive script.

In the days leading up to the release, Wang Lin was incredibly anxious. He kept sending messages to the group chat and even privately messaged Ning Luo, constantly worrying about the film’s disappointing performance and potential flop.

[Ning Luo: “I’m the investor, and I’m not afraid. What are you afraid of? Prenatal anxiety?”]

[Wang Lin: …]

[Wang Lin: “It’s because you invested so much money that I’m anxious. What if I lose money? I’d be hurting you.”] 

[Ning Luo: “I can’t believe that you, Director Wang, are such a kind person with a big conscience.”]

Wang Lin rolled his eyes at the screen.

Soon, “July Is Not Far Away” and Ning Xibai’s “Glass Sea” were released side by side, each premiering with four episodes.

Tang Yuhui had already turned on her computer and was waiting, even preparing snacks.

The roommate on the opposite bunk was curious: “Do you like Ning Luo?”

Tang Yuhui said solemnly: “I admire his mental state.”

Yes, that’s right. Ever since she watched the whole process of Ning Luo going crazy with her roommate on the upper bunk last time, she has been hooked on this potential stock.

Such a beautiful mental state is very suitable for contemporary college students!

So after learning that Ning Luo’s TV series was released, she must be the first to support it.

Roommate: “He is indeed fun, and I have seen his hot searches. But forget about acting. Leave professional matters to professionals. He is more suitable to be a variety show star.”

Tang Yuhui couldn’t refute it.

As a new fan, of course she has studied all of Ning Luo’s previous TV series. That acting skill… is indeed worth washing your eyes with detergent after watching it.

“But it’s not necessarily true,” she argued weakly, “I think Ning Luo’s performance in the magazine photos is quite good. Maybe he has improved during this period.”

As soon as her words left her mouth, Duan Chuyi, who had just walked in and had always been at odds with her, overheard them.

She bluntly said, “What expressiveness? It’s all just a photo-editing trick. And his fans actually have the nerve to brag about it?”

She’d always been at odds with Tang Yuhui, and as a longtime fan of Ning Xibai, the moment she learned that Tang Yuhui liked Ning Luo, she disliked her even more. She felt Tang Yuhui was deliberately targeting her, just as annoying as Ning Luo.

Duan Chuyi glanced at Tang Yuhui with a raised eyebrow and sat down in her seat.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, her roommate quickly tried to smooth things over: “Is the show about to start? Huihui, hurry up and watch it.”

Tang Yuhui, restrained by her roommate, threw a few punches into the air at Duan Chuyi’s retreating figure.

Damn it! Shatter the darkness with thunder!

She turned around and nervously clicked on the first episode, already preparing an 800-word essay to praise Ning Luo’s acting skills.

It was just the normal procedure: a blind heart, blinded by love.

Bai Xi, played by Ning Luo, only appears at the end of the second episode. He’s preparing to go home with his medical records when he sees Yin Zhijing and the male lead, a doctor. This is their reunion after ten years.

[It’s over, everyone. I’ve already covered my eyes and don’t want to watch any more.]

The camera cuts in.

Bai Xi stands quietly in the distance, like a ghost, watching the woman from the shadows. His eyes swirl with intense emotion.

But they quickly return to a calm, melancholic state.

He blinks softly, his voice barely audible, “Yin Zhijing, it’s been ten years.”

Bai Xi’s eyelashes trembled, and he remained motionless for a long moment, like a gray-white sculpture.

Tang Yuhui thinks he’s about to cry, but he simply closes his eyes and opens them again. 

Only his tense back and the crumpled medical records betrayed his inner turmoil.

… 

Just a simple sentence, a single shot, yet it weighs heavily on the audience’s hearts. 

With the cause unknown and the outcome unclear, relying solely on the control of his gaze and micro-expressions, he made everyone both pity and love the character Bai Xi.

Tang Yuhui couldn’t wait to find out what had happened to this character. 

After Yin Zhijing and Bai Xi met, a flashback to their school days inevitably followed.

Tang Yuhui watched as Bai Xi’s hair was tightly grasped, his beautiful eyes hollow and numb, unable to struggle. 

The abuser repeatedly pressed his head into the bathroom sink, his hair dripping wet, a few strands messily clinging to his cheeks. 

Water choked his mouth and nose, and he coughed furiously, gasping for air only to be quickly pushed back underwater. Only muffled gasps could escape, and a stream of bubbles gurgled in the pool.

The bubbles dwindled, and his struggles weakened. 

Tang Yuhui hadn’t known when tears began to stream, completely absorbed in Bai Xi’s tragic life. Wiping away tears, she begged for someone to save him. 

Please save him… 

……

It’s common knowledge that TV series promote their releases by buying trending topics. And these two dramas were particularly aggressive, frequently appearing on trending searches during the early stages of promotion. 

But today’s trending search terms are quite unusual. 

#Ning Luo, you dare to play tricks on me# 

[Fuck, Ning Luo, you can actually act?!] 

[Damn it, I was tricked into coming here to get killed. I thought Ning Luo was just a comedian.] 

[@ Ning Luo Can you at least give me a heads-up next time? This contrast is too much for me!] 

[I got killed by Bai Xi’s knife. I have to watch Ning Luo’s funny videos ten times before I can recover.] 

Ning Luo, who was repeatedly tagged by everyone, arrived late, replying to messages while eating melon seeds. 

[I really want to fast forward to tomorrow! I want to see Bai Xi, Bai Xi, Bai Xi!] 

[Ning Luo v: How badly do you want it? Write a document and make a PowerPoint presentation for me.] 

[Ning Luo, your acting is so good! Damn, it’s like you are Bai Xi himself! Go aim for an Oscar!]

[Ning Luo v: I have a bad stomach. I have a little indigestion after eating the cake you painted.] 

[Ning Luo, you’ve changed. You’re not the adorable little rascal I used to know. You’re too serious now, I can’t love you.]

[Ning Luo v: Fine. From now on the main road runs to the sky and we each walk our own side, our perfume won’t offend your toilet cleaner]

[??? Ning Luo, you are so active like a fake account.] 

[Ning Luo v: My agent asked me to do some business. Stop acting like a dead person all day.] 

[…I guess she didn’t ask you to do business like this.] 

Ning Luo completed his KPIs on time, patted the sunflower seed shells on his body, and continued to lie on the sofa to watch TV. 

The TV was playing a large-scale TV series that combined love, power, war, and crime.

“Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf”. 

There was a sound at the door. 

Ning Xibai came in. 

“Yo, third brother, you’re back.” Ning Luo slumped down a bit more like a boneless man, opened a bag of soda crackers, and his mouth was not idle either, “Are you leaving again in a few days? I really envy you for being able to spend the summer in Africa. Remember to take more photos and post them on WeChat Moments.” 

Ning Xibai seemed to be hit hard by what happened at the last dinner. He has been in a trance these days and is scared to death by the slightest movement. Ning Luo’s words passed through his mind for a while before he reacted and frowned: “Ning Luo, let’s talk.” 

Ning Luo refused: “Now? No time. I’m busy.” 

“Busy? What are you busy with?” 

Ning Luo replied sincerely: “I’m busy punching holes in soda crackers. Don’t disturb me.” 

This is simply a blatant, perfunctory response. 

Ning Xibai was furious, it took a lot of effort to hold back his anger. “Then I’ll come find you tonight.” 

“Tonight?” Ning Luo, triggered by the keywords, looked at the sleazy man before him with a strange expression, clutching his collar. “No, I have to pump gas into my Coke tonight.” 

He tried to smother Ning Xibai’s thoughts, saying righteously, “I’m busy every day, unlike you, who’s idle.” 

He was met with the clatter of Ning Xibai stomping up the stairs. 

“Making such a racket…” 

Ning Luo muttered under his breath, poking his head out and discovered it was Cui Xiangyang who had brought Ning Xibai back. 

The villa had floor-to-ceiling windows, and Cui Xiangyang saw his actions and glared at him fiercely. 

Ning Luo tutted, “Ning Xibai’s been cheating on you for so long, and you didn’t even notice? I glanced at you, and you’ve been trying to nitpick me for so long. How boring.” 

Meanwhile, Cui Xiangyang rolled his eyes at Ning Luo and got back in the car. He thought about Ning Xibai’s comments in the car about netizens thinking Ning Luo’s acting was better than his, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. 

“What ability does Ning Luo have to be capable of acting better than Xi Bai? He must have hired some trolls!” 

Cui Xiangyang clicked on the studio he’d previously added. [How much does one negative trending search for Ning Luo cost? What’s the maximum number of trolls I can hire?] 

The response was incredibly quick. 

[Dingdang Studio: 500,000 per search, 1 million for a package. Darling, which one would you like to inquire about?] 

[1 million for a package deal, just ruin Ning Luo.] 

The owner of Dingdang Studio nearly spit out his soda when he saw this request.

No, there’s no black material, no explosive material, no critique, so how does he destroy someone? 

Let the online trolls drown him in their spit?

The boss thought the other person was probably joking, so he grabbed his keyboard and started typing away, ready to diss him.

Just before he sent the message, he heard the crisp, sweet sound of Alipay transferring money.

“Alipay received 1,000,000 yuan.”

[The money has been transferred, get it done quickly.]

[Dingdang Studio: Okay, dear~ You made the right choice by choosing us~ We guarantee you’ll be satisfied with our service~]

[Dingdang Studio: [Blowing kiss][Blowing kiss]]

[Dingdang Studio: Dear, are there any designated trending search terms?]

Without a second thought, Cui Xiangyang said, “Just write # Ning Luo’s acting is rubbish# and have the online trolls bash him to death.” 

The boss replied, “Okay, got it,” and clapped his hands. “Brothers, let’s get to work.”

Upon seeing this request, the employees laughed: “Is Ning Luo’s team trying to hype him up? This is such a ridiculous attempt to smear him.”

Another said, “Does anyone saying this know how many millions of followers Ning Luo has gained in the first four episodes? I see netizens are sympathizing with Bai Xi. Even the male and female leads can’t keep up with his popularity.” 

“It must be Ning Luo’s team. They want everyone to criticize him. The harsher the criticism, the more people will feel sorry for him. This is helping him cleanse and solidify his fan base.”

“Exactly! This will put Ning Luo in the spotlight and generate a huge traffic boost!”

“Alright,” the boss said. “Never mind their intentions. We’re paid.”

“Boss, you’re right. It’s one million!”

After Cui Xiangyang finished his work, he finally felt relieved and sneered at his phone.

Ning Luo, you are finished!

Xi Bai is kind, innocent, and of high moral character, which is why he’s being pushed so hard. I have to stand up for him.

Cui Xiangyang was about to log off, but Dingdang Studio sent him a new message.

[Dear, as a bonus, we have the latest news for you. I guarantee you will be very happy to read it [Rose]]

What the hell?

Cui Xiangyang clicked on the link forwarded by the other party and jumped to a certain group.

[Let’s expose a certain artist named N who played two men at the same time, had sex with the director in the bathroom while reading a luminous script, but was caught by the sponsor. There is a video, please watch it!]

N? Isn’t that Ning Luo?

Cui Xiangyang clicked on it happily.

Author’s Note:

Ning Luo: Thank you for nature’s gifts.

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  1 .crying sounds
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  2. AI assistant similar to Gemini or Siri