I Became Famous After I Became a Parrot in the Movie Star's House - Chapter 142

Unfortunately, for the next few days, he can’t be with Li Pu. The latter has other commitments and can’t stay on set.

So, it’s up to Mei Youshu to assist with the bird’s transportation and care.

“Don’t forget to zip the bag, don’t let it fly around…”

Walking along the mountain path to the set, Mei Youshu looks straight ahead, clutching the bird bag tightly.

— Now that he knows Dabai is human, his inner fear has lessened, but he’s still unnerved by the bird’s appearance. A complicated mix of emotions swirls within him, making things… awkward.

Bai Gaoxing lies inside the bird’s bag, munching on snacks while trying to comfort him. “Don’t worry, am I really the kind of parrot that would fly off?”

Why wouldn’t he be? Mei Youshu thinks to himself, secretly rolling his eyes. He hasn’t missed the trending topic from yesterday.

But this direct, barrier-free communication with a bird feels even stranger. Mei Youshu can’t describe this odd sensation, and can only sigh in admiration—Li Pu really is something else.

When they arrive, Mei Youshu introduces himself as the one to take care of Dabai for the next few days, but his claim is met with skepticism from several people, including Director Sun.

“Teacher Li isn’t here… Do you think Dabai will listen to you? It can fly, you know.”

Mei Youshu feels a bit nervous.

He can’t exactly say that Dabai will listen to anyone, since Dabai understands everything.

So, he just maintains a confident attitude and says, “Don’t worry.”

Director Sun plans to film the scene where the protagonist first encounters the bird in the cage.

At the beginning, from when the door is pushed open to when the bird is discovered, the scene only tests the actor Xia Tian’s performance. Bai Gaoxing just needs to sit in the cage, wait until the person approaches, and then look back when it’s time.

Pretty simple.

However, Director Sun doesn’t think it’s that simple. He’s pondering what method to use to get Dabai to look back at the right moment.

“Actually… you just need to call his name,” Mei Youshu can’t stand hearing all the suggestions and directly speaks up.

Everyone falls silent.

And so, the task is handed to Mei Youshu.

“??? No, I mean…” Mei Youshu starts.

Director Sun stares at him. “What’s the matter?”

He’s terrified of birds!

But, when you’re out and about, you have to maintain your dignity. Mei Youshu swallows and pushes past his fear. “No problem.”

Watching Mei Youshu’s expression, which looks like he’s stepping on landmines, Bai Gaoxing bursts into laughter. To the others, he just seems to be joyfully hopping around and squawking with joy.

Huang Shaqing jabs him playfully. “Assistant Mei, looks like Dabai really likes you!”

“Hmm!?” Mei Youshu is on alert. “You can’t say that, Dabai likes Brother Li the most.”

“…?”

Everyone looks confused. Is there really a need to reject such a harmless compliment?

It seems like Teacher Li really does cherish Dabai a lot.

…

After the experience of filming the bird scene last time, Director Sun is much more relaxed this time. Plus, Bai Gaoxing’s performance is remarkable, so the expected filming time is shortened from three months to just one.

When Director Sun sighs with relief, Bai Gaoxing silently grumbles: Wake up, I only took a week off.

Knowing this film focuses heavily on detail, Bai Gaoxing—now with two full acting credits—aims for perfection. He follows Director Sun’s instructions carefully, times his cues with precision, and even applies his knowledge of advanced mathematics to plan his actions and achieve the desired effect.

Finally, they begin shooting the opening scene.

Director Sun sits in front of the monitor, holding his breath and frowning deeply.

The slow, cautious footsteps echo across the dusty floor, making the surroundings even quieter. The protagonist pushes open the door, and the dry, rasping sound is like a crack splitting the silence in the air.

The youth’s rapid breathing becomes clearer in the quiet space, and the silhouette of the bird in the cage slowly comes into view.

The camera begins to move closer. The cameraman, nervous as can be, holds his arm steady, fearing that Dabai might turn its head out of curiosity and ruin the shot.

But it doesn’t happen.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, the snow-white parrot doesn’t turn around at the wrong moment, nor does it move at all.

The camera continues moving closer to the cage. At this point, the shot should have been cut, and the next scene—Dabai turning its head—would be filmed.

— Yes, in order to prevent the parrot from turning its head at the wrong time, Director Sun originally planned to connect the two shots together, which would save the most time and be the safest.

But now, he suddenly changes his mind.

“Continue,” he waves his hand.

The cameraman looks a bit surprised but still steadies the camera according to the director’s instructions, waiting for the next scene.

Everyone nervously focuses on the cage.

Except for Mei Youshu.

In the other camera frame, the young man slowly approaches the birdcage. A few seconds later, he stands in front of the cage, his expression a mix of curiosity and fear.

It’s indeed frightening to see a bird in this kind of setting.

At that moment, Mei Youshu calls out, “Piupiu, turn around!”

As soon as the words are out, the snow-white parrot slowly turns its head. Despite its innocent and cute face, its dark eyes give off an eerie feeling.

The timing is perfect!

Director Sun is surprised—it’s exactly the effect he wants. The slow turn of the head highlights the contrast between darkness and cuteness.

“Cut! Great,” he calls out.

Next, they film the parrot pecking at its perch and making Morse code sounds.

As the tap-tap-tap echoes through the room, a chill spreads among the crew. Goosebumps rise on everyone’s arms.

Turns out, the room is actually too cold—a gust of wind blows in.

“Director Sun,” Huang Shaqing rubs her arms, “are you sure this is your friend’s villa?”

The atmosphere is so fitting that it almost makes everyone forget the disorganized decorations in the villa were specifically arranged by them. It almost feels like a haunted house from the start.

Then, it’s time for the parrot to mimic Huang Shaqing’s crying.

The protagonist of Birdsong often sees hallucinations. He enters the villa after seeing his deceased girlfriend running inside, but once he’s in, there’s no one—just a few corpses.

The parrot’s cry has to sound just like the girlfriend’s voice.

Huang Shaqing prepares herself and asks, “What kind of crying should I do?”

Director Sun replies, “The creepier, the better.”

“Huh? That’s a bit challenging,” Huang Shaqing says.

She’s talking about crying in a ghostly way, not about doubting whether Dabai can mimic it. After all, she’s heard how Dabai can repeat her lines!

A beautiful woman cries in a sorrowful tone, and the parrot, after watching her for a while, coughs and starts crying in a whimpering voice.

At first, it doesn’t sound very similar, but after a few more attempts, the sound gradually becomes nearly identical to Huang Shaqing’s.

This scene is successfully completed, and the success of the filming amazes everyone.

Mei Youshu watches the others, who are in awe, and thinks, as the only person who knows the truth, he can’t quite express what it feels like.

Time passes slowly.

After filming the scene where the parrot leaves a clue and guides the protagonist to uncover the truth, all the parrot’s scenes are finished.

Only six days have passed.

“Dabai, see you next time!” Huang Shaqing carefully pats Bai Gaoxing’s crest. Mei Youshu’s eyelids twitch, but he doesn’t stop her.

“All right! Dabai is officially done with filming!” Director Sun still gives him a red envelope.

A Weibo post announcing Dabai’s completion is soon uploaded. The attached picture shows Mei Youshu descending the mountain, holding a bird bag in one hand and a specially made pet treat cake from the director in the other. His silhouette carries a weary, world-weary aura.

Fans online are completely shocked.

【Ahhhh? It’s wrapped up already?】

【No way, it’s only been a few days, didn’t they say suspense films focus on details?】

【Director Sun didn’t kill off Dabai again, did he? [knife]】

Huang Shaqing posts on Weibo: 【Dabai really finished filming! So efficient! If Dabai were a person, he would definitely be an outstanding actor [cat face]】..

…

At that moment, the so-called “award-winning actor” has already returned home.

Having made sure to take time off precisely, Bai Gaoxing, now human again, breathes a sigh of relief after finishing filming in time… He’s now standing in front of the wardrobe, rummaging through clothes.

As soon as he puts on a top, he hears the sound of a door closing in the living room, followed by familiar footsteps. His eyes brighten, and he peeks his head out from the wardrobe door. “You’re back?”

Li Pu’s gaze fixes on him. He sees the young man’s long, fair legs exposed beneath a loose hem, yet the person walks over without realizing it. “All done with work?” Li Pu calculates the days and realizes it has been several days since the last time, so he looks down and asks, “Have you showered?”

Bai Gaoxing blinks, then shakes his head in confusion, “Just got back, not yet.”

Li Pu calmly unbuttons one button of his shirt, then another.

Bai Gaoxing’s eyes are practically glued to him. Since it’s already autumn, Li Pu is wearing two layers, but the weather isn’t cold yet. After taking off his coat at the door, only a thin shirt remains.

Wow… wow wow, wow wow wow…

The next second, Li Pu raises his hand and ruffles the boy’s hair, his hand moving down to wrap around his waist. “Go take a shower.”

“Huh? Wait? What are you taking me for?”

Bai Gaoxing is carried all the way to the bathroom, and his expression slowly changes to realization. Just before entering, he grabs the bathroom doorframe with his fingers, trying to escape, but is easily taken down.

By the time they return to the dormitory, Bai Gaoxing is a tired but satisfied parrot.

Entering the dorm, he doesn’t see the warm welcome he had imagined. Instead, the three roommates are gathered around, seemingly focused on something.

“Yeah, it really does look like him…”
“I told you so…”
“Wait until we compare later…”

The muttering voices reach Bai Gaoxing’s ears. He puts down his backpack and takes a sip of water, asking, “What are you guys talking about?”

The three of them turn to look at him in unison.

Wang Xue holds up a tablet. “Look, this parrot looks like you.”

Bai Gaoxing turns to see the screen—where his own feathery face stares back at him.

“Pfft!” A mouthful of water sprays out.

Wang Xue raises an eyebrow. “Come on, don’t be that surprised. You think so too, right?”

Because Dabai the parrot has trended a few times on the hot search recently, the group of internet-savvy roommates has naturally taken notice.

Yang Juan strokes his chin, a gleam in his eyes. “When I saw this parrot online, I was amazed. It looks so much like Gaoxing. Could it be— that you are the parrot?”

Bai Gaoxing’s heart skips a beat.

“Uh… yeah, well, I guess there’s a resemblance,” he replies as casually as possible while forcing himself to stay calm.

Luckily, no one takes Yang Juan’s joke seriously—not even Yang Juan himself.

Yan Ming goes to grab the meal card from the desk. “Hey, what’s for dinner?”

Wang Xue turns his chair around—he has replaced it with one on wheels. “Let’s just eat whatever~”

Yang Juan sighs. “You guys are so boring!” Then he turns back. “When you were working with Li Pu, did you ever see his bird?”

For a split second, Bai Gaoxing’s brain short-circuits.

Bird? Which bird?!

(Translator’s Notes: Hilarious, yes Dabai has indeed seen Li Pu’s ‘BIRDIE’  haha!!)

But he quickly figures it out. “Oh, Dabai… I haven’t really seen it, I don’t go to his house.”

That’s such an obvious slip-up!

Fortunately, Yang Juan doesn’t think much of it, just nods lightly. “All right, let’s go eat.”

Eat, eat, eat! Bai Gaoxing eagerly follows, clutching his startled heart.

…

University time passes especially quickly, and before he knows it, a whole stage of his life has come to an end.

In December, after taking the Level 4 exam and finishing his finals, Bai Gaoxing welcomes his first winter break as a university student.

That New Year, he officially meets Li Pu’s parents.