My Idol Secretly Loves Me: Chapter 3

 Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter

Chapter 3:

The Luo family consisted of four members, each with their own hobbies. His Majesty loved cars. Queen Mother Bai was interested in various limited-edition handbags and haute couture dresses, and Luo Tang herself was fond of watches.

As Luo Cheng got older, his car purchases became increasingly expensive, and Luo Tang often teased him with astronomical figures. But whenever she did this, her brother would lean back and mock her, “Speaking of others? How cheap can your hobby be?”

Luo Tang was left speechless, as he was entirely right. Watches, though small in size, were not lacking in value. The watches she kept in several cabinets at home were mostly custom-made, with many worth over ten million.

Today, pressed for time, Luo Tang simply chose a watch whose dial color somewhat matched her dress before heading out.

It was, after all, like wearing a house on her wrist.

A newcomer wearing such an item indeed seemed abnormal. It might seem like a fake watch to those who only recognized the brand. The real trouble would be if someone knowledgeable recognized it as a custom piece.

Luo Tang hadn't expected Su Yan to be so observant.

After a three-second pause, Luo Tang coughed and quickly removed the watch from her wrist, tossing it into her handbag.

When most of the attendees had arrived, Luo Tang saw the director who had auditioned her and another unfamiliar man taking turns speaking on stage. The media clicked away with their cameras, and then the dinner officially began.

Su Yan, on her left-hand side, never left, and a woman on her right-hand side, with "Liang Zi Yue" written on her name tag, came late and seemed to be the last one to arrive at the venue.

Although Luo Tang couldn't remember the names of the supporting characters, she was very familiar with the name of the female lead. After all, the new drama was about to start filming, and recently, this name had been frequently mentioned in Su Yan's super-topic discussions, so she couldn't help but be impressed.

Luo Tang just sat awkwardly between the male and female protagonists.

Throughout the evening, after greeting several people from the drama crew, Luo Tang focused on her meal, occasionally expressing her dissatisfaction with the food to Cheng Cheng using her phone while trying to lower her presence as much as possible.

Fortunately, both the male lead on her left and the female lead on her right were busy people, and the kick-off banquet ended in a blur.

At the end of the event, Luo Tang glanced at Su Yan, who was surrounded by a crowd and decided to leave first.

After dropping off Cheng Cheng, Luo Tang didn't get home until half an hour later.

"Yo, someone's finally back from work."

"..."

Luo Tang heard the greeting as soon as she opened her front door.

She looked up to see Luo Zhou sprawled on the sofa like a boneless creature. His gaze lazily swept over her.

His tone was full of sarcasm.

Luo Tang handed her bag to the maid, changed her shoes quickly, and walked over to the sofa, looking him up and down. "What's the matter? Do you have a problem with me coming home from work?" she asked, emphasizing her words. "I have to join the crew tomorrow!"

Luo Zhou was speechless as he locked eyes with her.

Luo Tang's makeup was light, and her dress was not too flashy. When she was angry, her eyes and eyebrows were especially expressive.

What was going on with this little girl?

Did she really think this was a good fucking job?

Luo Zhou tightened his jaws and curled his lip. "Luo Tang, you seem quite proud." Before she could respond, he continued, "You can just act, but why pick such trash roles? I've looked at the adapted original work. What, do you like playing the evil supporting female character?"

"..."

"Did a donkey kick your brain?"

"..."

In fact, Luo Tang had argued with Luo Zhou several times over her decision to enter the entertainment industry. The siblings had just recently started to reconcile, but it seemed that tonight the conflict would reignite.

Luo Tang retorted, "Why are you talking so harshly!"

Luo Zhou calmly replied, "I'm just stating the truth."

"You're just a little girl. Why enter the entertainment industry?" Luo Zhou stood up, using his height to overpower her. "If you want to become famous, just have mom and dad promote you on Weibo. You think you can't gain hundreds of thousands of followers overnight?"

Luo Tang scoffed disdainfully. "Who's thinking about becoming famous..."

Luo Zhou continued, "Then why are you being so stubborn." After a pause, he added. "Don't give me that nonsense about wanting to experience an actor's life."

Luo Tang: "..."

This guy is so annoying!

She looked up defiantly. "I've already told you the reason. Whether you believe it or not is your problem! What do you care?"

After these words, there was a stalemate between the two of them for a few seconds.

After observing her for a while, Luo Zhou leisurely said. "I just checked, and the male lead in your drama crew is that Su Yan, right?"

Luo Tang's heart tightened.

She tried to appear calm: "…What about Su Yan?"

"Su Yan is popular, I know, and I've never doubted it over the years," Luo Zhou suddenly leaned in closer, his eyes probing. "Mom and Dad don't know, but I do know—don't tell me, is this the Su Yan you were desperately searching for all over the city when you were a teenager?"

"…!"

Luo Tang pushed him away, unable to move him, her eyes wide. "What are you blindly guessing at?! How can I...know Su Yan ah! It's just a coincidence of names, not the same person!"

"Oh," Luo Zhou sneered. "Then tell me, why are you so eager to join the entertainment industry as soon as you return to the country."

Luo Tang: "…I've already told you! It's you who doesn’t believe it!"

Luo Zhou looked at her appearance and chuckled.

"Little brat," he turned and went upstairs, leaving a casual warning, "You better hide it well, don't let me find out why."

Luo Tang: "..."

Luo Tang had always envied the gentle and sister-obsessed brothers in other people's families. The novels she read always featured more ideal brothers who, although scheming, were extremely doting.

Only hers was different.

Her heart was still racing from being poked at the core. She gasped for air, glaring fiercely at Luo Zhou's lazy and tall silhouette.

Her brother was probably the devil type.

Luo Tang calmed down and went upstairs to take a shower.

Thinking about starting filming tomorrow, after completing the daily tasks in Su Yan's fan group, checking in on the super-topic, and posting a confession Weibo, she reviewed the script again before finally falling asleep.

The next morning.

After the kick-off ceremony was completed, #OurYouthfulDaysStartedFilming# quickly rose to the fifth spot on the trending searches.

Naturally, Su Yan's fans played a major role in this.

Since his debut, Su Yan had been in several TV dramas with minor roles. But after his breakout role, his subsequent works were all big productions directed by well-known directors. As for his decision to take on this idol drama, many malicious comments emerged, claiming that he felt he was popular enough and was planning to make some brainless youth dramas to earn money based on his face, which was considered a huge downgrade.

But with Su Yan's current status, even if he wanted to continue his previous path, there were too few big productions suitable for his age. An actor relies on acting to make a living. Who can be picky about only doing movies? Where does that kind of arrogance come from?

The Flames argued fiercely, unhesitatingly clapping back.

"Our brother's acting can support a big director's movie, and his looks can carry an idol drama. This idol drama is also a big IP. What's the problem? Can't even come up with a reason to be sour, right?"

Luo Tang, new to the fan circle, often got angry reading the haters' comments and didn't know how to clap back, but she furiously liked these excellent comments.

"Our Youthful Days" is a school-themed TV drama adapted from a novel. It was indeed an idol drama, but the original work itself is a big IP, extremely popular, and highly trending at its peak. For such a naturally popular drama, taking it on is only beneficial for an artist.

Su Yan's own face has a lot of fans, and his amazing acting skills are the root of the fans' bragging rights, but the face value of this thing is the source of love ah.

When the fans heard that their idol was going to play in a relaxed and beautiful school drama, even though the excitement was initially suppressed by Su Yan's birthday event, now that the filming had started, the fans were ecstatic like fireworks, exploding several rounds of joy. The official Weibo was full of praises.

[As a fan of looks, after seeing the preview photos, I think this drama will be my spiritual sustenance for the next year]

[Exactly, fan of looks + ID number, I'm totally into this face]

[Actually, I'm not too satisfied with the female lead, but it doesn't matter, Su Yan's face is enough to carry this drama! Brother, go for it!]

[As a fan of the book...When I was reading the novel, I actually imagined Su Yan's face, sob sob sob! I didn't expect it to really be him filming]

…

The haters' comments about lowering standards were instantly drowned out.

The filming location was set at Mingxi Middle School, the winner of the C City Campus Beauty Contest. The high school students were already on holiday, so an entire teaching building was vacated, providing ample space for filming.

Standing at the familiar school gate, Luo Tang sighed.

Mingxi Middle School has both junior and senior high sections. She spent four years here and had deep memories of this campus.

Because it was not only her alma mater, but also Su Yan's.

"Our Youthful Days" would be the first domestic drama to adopt the shoot-and-broadcast model. Two episodes would be broadcast each week, and the plot may be slightly adjusted based on audience feedback, which is also for the sake of the quality of the drama.

For various reasons, the little romantic ambiguities of school life can only stay at "little ambiguities" and must not cross the line. Therefore, the original novel's name was also changed to something more positive, "Our Youthful Days"—our beautiful time in high school, striving for our dreams.

The overall storyline is actually quite simple, with the male and female leads having mutual affection and each having a male and female secondary lead as divine helpers.

Luo Tang, playing Shi Yin, is the classic "seemingly causing trouble for the female lead but actually advancing the male and female leads' relationship" tool.

Shi Yin was set as a spoiled and arrogant rich girl, pampered by her family and adored by a group of friends at school. She had always gotten whatever she wanted since she was young.

— A textbook supporting female character.

Luo Tang had quite a few scenes in the first and second episodes, such as when the male and female leads unexpectedly become desk mates, and Shi Yin was the one to shamelessly and unscrupulously demand that the heroine give up her seat, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Before starting to shoot, the first step was to change costumes and do makeup.

After reviewing the script again, Luo Tang followed Cheng Cheng into the makeup room arranged by the drama crew.

There were already quite a few people inside. Luo Tang greeted those she had met the previous night, then sat down at an empty spot led by a smiling makeup artist.

The makeup artist laid out her tools and lifted Luo Tang's face, slightly surprised. "Oh."

Luo Tang was startled: "…What's wrong?"

"No, no…Sorry," the makeup artist was somewhat embarrassed, "I didn't take a good look just now…You're really beautiful, are you…a newcomer?"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's my first time acting," Luo Tang smiled at her, her eyes slightly curved. "Thank you, sister."

"No trouble at all." The makeup artist couldn't help chatting with her, seeing how down-to-earth she was.

Cheng Cheng stood by, occasionally joining in the conversation while keeping an eye on the door.

Liang Ziyue arrived at the makeup room led by her assistant.

She sat down in front of the makeup mirror, and while the makeup artist was fetching something, she looked around, finally resting her eyes on the nearest table.

"Xiao Ji," she called her assistant, asking in a low voice: "Who is that girl sitting at the table next to me?"

"Eh?" Xiao Ji was surprised. "Ziyue, don't you know? Didn't you have dinner with her last night? She's the actress playing Shi Yin, I remember her name is… Oh! Luo Xiao Tang!"

Liang Ziyue: "……"

F*ck, that's the actress playing Shi Yin?

Is that the female supporting character in the script who makes her look like a pure and innocent flower, the arrogant and domineering rich girl?

She was late last night, and it was dark at the banquet. She only greeted her briefly and didn't pay much attention.

Previously, Liang Zi Yue had specifically searched online for this Luo Xiao Tang but found nothing. She even thought the director's team didn't take supporting roles seriously, worrying that casting a newcomer could lead to a disaster.

She watched the stunning girl on the other side, her eyes closed and smiling, yet unable to hide her dazzling beauty, and bit her teeth.

What a joke?

Why would they cast someone so beautiful for such a role?!

In the novel, the female lead was described as being pure and on the soft side of looks, while the female supporting character was very flamboyant and uniquely beautiful. Regarding face alone, without considering temperament, the supporting female should look better than the female lead.

But who really casts like that? Isn't it usually "although we praise you like in the novel, you're actually not that good-looking"?

This is ridiculous.

Liang Zi Yue watched her putting on light eyeshadow.

Her small face and already eye-catching features became even more outstanding.

…

Luo Tang had just finished applying eyeshadow, and it wasn't long before she opened her eyes and saw another silhouette reflected in the mirror.

Ah… Liang Zi Yue.

She had seen Liang Zi Yue's photos on Weibo before, and in person, she looked not much different from her pictures—a beauty with an elegant demeanor, fitting the image of the female lead.

Liang Ziyue's voice was as soft and pleasant as when she greeted her last night. She seemed to know the makeup artist, exchanging a few pleasantries before the topic shifted to Luo Tang.

"Eh? Sister, is this applying Xiao Tang's makeup for the shoot we're going to do later?"

"Yes, this girl's base is really good."

Luo Tang was stunned to hear this.

Xiao Tang ......?

When did they become so familiar?

Before she could react, she heard the woman standing behind her laugh and say, "Oh, isn't this a bit too heavy?"

"..."

Luo Tang paused for a second, then felt the makeup artist freeze as well.

After a moment of silence, Cheng Cheng was the first to react: "Um... They haven't really done much yet, as you saw. Just eyeliner and eyeshadow doesn't seem too heavy, right?"

This makeup is considered heavy? Might as well go bare-faced.

Doesn't Cheng Cheng know what this woman is thinking? She's just afraid of being overshadowed.

As if she hadn't heard, Liang Zi Yue continued to the makeup artist, "I don’t think this makeup suits a student. It would be better if you removed the heavy makeup on her."

It sounded like a suggestion, but her tone was ambiguously forceful.

"..."

Luo Tang, smiling, said to the makeup artist, "She's right, it doesn't matter. Sister, please remove the eyeliner. We've only just started."

Luo Tang genuinely wanted to laugh.

She really didn't care, it didn't matter to her. What would it matter if she appeared on camera bare-faced?

The makeup artist, somewhat reluctantly, took out the makeup remover.

Liang Ziyue, a new-generation actress with considerable talent, had reached the second tier at the age of twenty-three. It wasn't hard to imagine her rising to fame as the female lead in this drama, possibly even breaking into the top tier.

Liang Ziyue, playing the female lead and familiar with the director, certainly had more influence than Luo Xiao Tang.

Cheng Cheng watched Liang Ziyue return to her seat and start her makeup with a fake smile. After ten minutes, he chuckled.

Oh, so your makeup isn't heavy?

You're even wearing colored contact lenses, yet our simple eyeliner isn't suitable for a student?

Everyone knows that camera filters absorb makeup. No matter the scene or character, base makeup before going on camera is a necessary step.

Although Cheng Cheng had planned not to stand out, she was increasingly frustrated as she watched.

...

Half an hour later, everyone was ready.

Since it was the first makeup trial, future looks would largely follow this standard. The stylist finally came to Luo Tang and Liang Zi Yue, then suddenly paused.

The stylist asked sharply, "What's going on here?"

Both makeup artists were confused. "…What?"

Frowning at Liang Ziyue's makeup, she said, "Have the roles been reversed? Liang Ziyue plays the innocent student. What is this look? Remove the eyeliner and lipstick and redo it."

"..."

Oh? What a divine intervention?

Cheng Cheng almost burst out laughing.

"And this one," the stylist pointed at Luo Tang, "why is there nothing on her face? The novel says Shi Yin wears makeup to school every day. Don't you read it? Don't you know?"

Luo Tang blinked.

"Quick, redo this one too. Finish in ten minutes. Remember to use bright red lipstick, it’s clearly written in the book." The stylist then loosened Luo Tang's ponytail, tousling her hair a bit. "Let her hair down. Curl the ends a bit to look prettier."

"......"

Luo Tang suddenly felt...

This evil female supporting role, seems to be a little bit cool?

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter