I Became Famous After I Became a Parrot in the Movie Star's House - Chapter 113

The entire morning is spent in the slums.

The heroine’s home is located in a secluded, dimly lit area. Compared to the tattered tents around it, the place is slightly better—at least a few wooden planks provide some coverage.

Nitia sits on the wooden bed that will soon belong to “her” and asks, “Is it sturdy?”

“Of course, young lady,” replies the screenwriter.

The screenwriter takes charge of explaining the entire scene—where the shots will be taken, how the camera will be positioned, how to capture the right angles, and even how the male lead should pose in his dying moments to make it more tragic and emotional.

This is supposed to be the director’s job, but Frank is clearly not in the right state.

The bearded man stares blankly in one direction, his blue eyes filled with obsession and admiration.

He looks like a complete creep.

The screenwriter secretly grumbles, but she is used to cleaning up after Frank when his focus wavers. After all, his sudden inspirations and discoveries always turn out to be worth the trouble.

The subject of Frank’s gaze, Bai Gaoxing, has long noticed the director’s attention. What starts as confusion quickly turns into nervousness. At first, he thinks it might just be his imagination, but every time he turns around, he meets Frank’s intense, burning gaze.

Every. Single. Time.

But it’s not as if he can just march up to Frank and ask what’s wrong.

Bai Gaoxing glances around. The actors and translators are intently listening to the screenwriter’s explanations, the area buzzing with questions and answers. Interrupting that atmosphere feels inappropriate.

“…”

Feeling like he can’t take it anymore, Bai Gaoxing pulls the hood from the back of his neck and tugs it over his head, using it as a physical shield.

From behind him, he hears a distinct sigh.

A chill runs down Bai Gaoxing’s back, prompting him to move closer to Li Pu, who places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Li Pu has also noticed the director’s odd behavior.

He turns to glance at Frank, locking eyes with him, and is met with an exaggerated, suggestive wink from the man.

Li Pu is just as perplexed, but since Frank’s expression radiates expectation and goodwill, he decides to ask about it later when they have free time.

Bai Gaoxing refocuses on the explanations.

The screenwriter, who is from Country F, mostly speaks English for easier communication. However, when discussing scenes specific to the heroine and hero, she switches to French.

She seems to believe that expressing herself in their shared native language will better convey her ideas.

As Bai Gaoxing listens, he slowly translates her words for Li Pu:

“…Although the heroine appears weak, at her core, she has a strong and positive spirit. She has a kind of courage she doesn’t even realize she possesses… Ahem, that’s why she can always summon her strength in critical moments. She also knows exactly what she wants. Once she realizes that the hero has truly changed into someone worthy of trust, she decisively follows him out of this quagmire. The heroine never steps foot in a casino, but her entire life feels like a gamble.”

Although Adonis’s scenes are confined to the casino, Li Pu, as the second male lead, has significant interactions with both the hero and heroine, so Bai Gaoxing translates those parts too.

Other actors, curious about the scenes involving the hero and heroine, can’t help but gather closer.

“Hey, hello.”

One of them, who has been hovering nearby for a while, finally approaches Bai Gaoxing.

“Bai.” He seems a little embarrassed, and his dark skin can’t hide the redness on his cheeks. “Can I listen too?”

Most of the actors in Casino are from Country F, but there are actors of various other nationalities as well. Some speak only French, others only English, and those who know both languages are rare. Not everyone can afford a translator.

As a result, they often rely on others’ translators when possible.

Bai Gaoxing doesn’t mind. Smiling, he replies warmly, “Of course, no problem.”

Li Pu stands nearby, listening as the boy slowly translates the foreign words.

Languages have their own unique rhythms. English often sounds brisk and fluid, while French has a smooth, lyrical quality—like a stream trickling over pebbles.

The actors can’t help but form a good impression of this exceptionally young translator. In a foreign country, finding someone who can speak your language always feels comforting.

Li Pu, however, notices something else—he notices that as soon as Bai Gaoxing starts speaking French, Frank’s eyes light up even more.

Frank looks as if he’s about to rush over, but for some inexplicable reason, he restrains himself.

Finally, it’s time for a break.

The actors scatter, looking for places to sit and rest, and the director seizes his chance.

“Wait, who was it that said Noah should only live in memories?” the screenwriter interrupts with a hint of sarcasm.

“That damn Frank,” Frank himself answers without hesitation. “I want him! He’s the Noah I’ve been looking for!”

“He’s a translator. He might not agree with your idea.”

“That’s fine! I’ll convince him!”

“Just don’t scare him off…”

And so, during this moment of free time, everyone on set can see the director waving his arms and shouting as he jogs toward Li Pu and Bai Gaoxing.

“Hey! Young man! And Mr. Li, please wait a moment!”

Here it comes. Both Bai Gaoxing and Li Pu think the same thing.

Frank, a slightly chubby man, runs in a way that’s hard not to laugh at. By the time he reaches the two, he’s already out of breath.

But instead of pausing to catch it, he launches into an incoherent stream of words: “Oh, God! Heaven help me… You’re perfect. Your name is Bai, right? Your look is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of—phew—and your French is fantastic. Haha, don’t be nervous. I just want to say… you’re amazing, like a gift sent straight from heaven…”

To Li Pu, it sounds like the director is rambling a mess of nonsense at the boy.

“What is he saying?” he asks directly.

Bai Gaoxing blinks, a little embarrassed. “He seems to be… complimenting me?”

The other actors, drawn by the director’s sudden behavior, hurriedly ask around. When they hear the word “Noah,” they immediately understand.

They’ve all received the revised script sent by the director in the middle of the night.

Even if they aren’t lead actors, they still feel regretful about the sudden removal of a character’s scenes. The movie only has two heartfelt love stories, and without Noah’s, the plot might feel a bit dull.

Frank’s reputation for being picky about casting is well-known, and now it seems he’s living up to it.

Moreover… Noah…

Everyone turns their attention to the slender and graceful young man standing not far away. They nod in agreement—he truly matches the character’s description in the script.

At this moment, Frank’s eyes are completely fixed on the boy.

A beautiful, innocent-looking face paired with eyes as bright as stars. In Frank’s mind, Noah comes alive, playing out a poignant and unforgettable scene with Adonis from his envisioned story.

Darren and Nitia walk over, amused, and address the director: “Frank, this is exactly what we wanted to tell you.”

They exchange a glance, and Darren finally speaks up. “We think Bai is a great fit for the role of Noah, and we didn’t want you to give up just yet…”

Nitia smiles and turns to Bai Gaoxing. “But we haven’t mentioned it to Bai yet, so we don’t know if he’ll agree.”

“You should’ve told me sooner!” Frank’s heart races as he takes several deep breaths. He then addresses Li Pu: “Where on earth did you find someone like him?!” Then he turns to Bai Gaoxing with sincere enthusiasm. “If only you had auditioned! I wouldn’t have had to waste so much time reviewing other candidates!”

“Actually—” Darren taps Frank’s shoulder. “Bai did go to the audition. Nitia and I both saw him there.”

Nobody from that day forgets the boy. His striking white hair stands out, yet it somehow suits his youthful features. More than that, his clean and gentle aura embodies Noah Benno completely.

Even those who audition for the role feel relieved when they find out he isn’t an actor. Competing with that? They wouldn’t have stood a chance.

And yet, here they are, with the director having found him anyway.

Frank looks at Bai Gaoxing in disbelief, his mouth gaping as if he has just stumbled upon an entire field of watermelons.

Bai Gaoxing nods awkwardly and says with a dry laugh, “I did go… but I was just there as Teacher Li’s translator!”

“Yes, you’re a translator,” Frank says, staring deeply at him, his voice trembling with excitement. “But, young man… the world is full of possibilities. Would you be willing to try something new and give me a chance?”

…

News of Frank inviting Bai Gaoxing to play Noah quickly spreads throughout the crew.

While many of the actors marvel and cheer, eagerly anticipating whether the director can convince this new addition, Park Jiahui, sitting in a corner, isn’t in the best of moods.

He watches the crowd in the distance with a cold expression, glancing briefly at the dealer’s uniform he has just received.

Black.

During the audition, the role the director assigns him isn’t the deep, meaningful character he had hoped for but instead a thoroughly negative role—sinister, treacherous, and thoroughly unlikeable.

When he musters a forced smile and asks why he is given such a role, the director simply replies that he thinks the role suits him.

How could that be?

Park Jiahui clenches the unopened costume tightly, trying to suppress the bitterness rising in his chest. He has heard that between him and Li Pu, one would be cast as Adonis, and the other as Black.

And now… he is left with Li Pu’s discarded role.

Park Jiahui plasters on the usual polite smile he uses to mask himself, greeting those around him. But the moment he turns away, his expression darkens.

He looks at the man he considers his rival, who is smiling warmly at that boy, seemingly unaware of the faint bitterness pooling in Jiahui’s heart.

He has always believed that Li Pu is the same as him. People like them are destined to live in darkness and suffering, aren’t they? So why can Li Pu smile so brightly and have someone he loves?

It must have started… with that parrot.

Park Jiahui’s thumb rubs against his forefinger before pressing down hard.

Smiling faintly, he regrets not having the chance to strangle that parrot quietly during the red-carpet awards ceremony.

A mere parrot, yet it occupies such an important place in Li Pu’s heart.

If it were gone…

What kind of expression would Li Pu make then?

Would he even be able to continue as an actor?

Park Jiahui’s eyes narrow slightly, the curve of his lips widening. It’s a pity Li Pu hasn’t brought the parrot, but he has discovered something even more worth exploring.

“Hui, what’s wrong with you?” A sudden pat on his shoulder snaps him out of his thoughts.

Park Jiahui, ever the picture of gentleness in the public eye, quickly erases the expression that had momentarily slipped through.

Smiling, he looks up. “Nothing. Just a little tired.”

…

By evening, Frank finds Bai Gaoxing and Li Pu.

“Hello, I mean, I’d like to have an official chat with you two.”

On set, Bai Gaoxing doesn’t agree to Frank’s offer immediately. Instead, he says he wants to discuss it with Li Pu first.

When Li Pu brings it up with Lei Li, she has no objections, saying it’s their decision to make.

Li Pu leaves the choice to Bai Gaoxing.

“I think… maybe I should give it a try?” Bai Gaoxing says, a little excited. “I never thought I’d get to personally participate in something like this while traveling.”

But they haven’t informed the director of their decision yet.

Frank doesn’t give them a chance to speak, reassuring Bai Gaoxing before he can respond. “Don’t worry. Even if you don’t have screen experience, it’s totally fine. The crew is full of helpful people, and everyone will support you!”

Bai Gaoxing remains silent.

How could he explain? He did have experience.

And he was hugely popular! A massive hit!

Though… not as a human.

Bai Gaoxing’s silence makes Frank think he’s still hesitant, so the director’s voice takes on a pleading tone. “Please! Oh my God, you’re really…”

To stop the director from continuing his tearful appeal, Bai Gaoxing quickly says, “No, no, no! I mean—I’ll give it a try.”

“Really?!”

“Really,” Bai Gaoxing nods. “But… if it doesn’t work out…”

“Don’t worry, it’ll be perfect!” Frank exudes confidence as if his word is law.

“It’s fine,” Li Pu says softly. “When Frank sets his sights on someone, even a street beggar will get cast.” This is a well-known legend in F Country’s entertainment circle.

With the decision made, the next step is the script and character.

“No need to rush the script,” Frank says, eager to calm any nerves. “Your role isn’t big, and you can memorize the lines in two days.” He sounds like he’s afraid Bai Gaoxing will run away. “What’s most important right now is the costume fitting.”

All the actors’ looks have already been finalized—except Noah’s.

“Thankfully, I brought the custom-made costumes I prepared earlier.” Frank carefully pulls a piece of clothing from his bag, cradling it as if it were a treasure.

Under the lights, the buttons on the uniform reflect a mesmerizing glow.

“Noah’s uniform. Want to try it on?”