[Quick Transmigration] The Clingy Spirit of the Blackened Male Supporting Character - Chapter 99

As for why his gaze was evasive and he looked so exhausted, Ye Xingzhou had a hunch. It was likely because he had rejected Luo Ning’s olive branch the last night and clearly expressed his lack of interest. Luo Ning might have been upset and stayed up all night, resulting in those dark circles under his eyes.

Ye Xingzhou’s expression turned complicated for a moment. He had initially thought Luo Ning was trying to seduce him for personal gain, but now it seemed that Luo Ning’s feelings ran deeper than he had imagined.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t reciprocate those feelings.

In Ye Xingzhou’s eyes, there was no possibility between him and Luo Ning. Besides, Luo Ning was a promising young actor with a bright future ahead of him. There was no need to give him false hope. A clear rejection was the best way to handle it.

Luo Ning yawned. He had fewer scenes today and didn’t feel too tired. He lazily lounged in his chair, nibbling on a small cake while scrolling through his Weibo.

His Weibo certainly didn’t hold any true fans. Aside from the black fans, there were only a few loyal fans and some zombie accounts that had been bought.

Looking at the Weibo post promoting his new drama, he found no support, just a flood of insults.

Not only were there people attacking him, but also keyboard warriors venting their anger online. The comment section was lively.

“Luo Niangniang, can you have a bit of self-awareness? Do you not know how to write self-awareness? Oh, right, your education level isn’t high.”

“Hey, are you going to recite your numbers again this time, acting all high and mighty on set? What a ridiculous director to cast you in this drama. The entertainment industry is really unfair.”

“Maybe you crawled into the director’s bed last night. After all, Luo Ning is as disgusting as a lump of dung. That face is somewhat presentable, but he’s got the capital to make a deal.”

“Who knows how many sugar daddies you’ve hooked up with? Disgusting! Ugh! One rotten apple ruins the whole barrel.”

“Ruining the original work! I absolutely refuse to watch any drama with this kind of ** in it.”

“Why hasn’t someone slapped this kind of garbage out of the industry? Can’t you just leave the entertainment industry already?”

“Honestly, although this Luo Ning is somewhat alright-looking, he’s really not pleasing to the eye. The more you look at him, the more sleazy he seems.”

“Haha, let me show you some meme-worthy expressions of Luo Ning from the last drama. It’s just too funny. He brought us so much joy.”

“Film Emperor Yi and Jian Xi are both my idols. To think they’re in the same production as this person is just unlucky. If it were me, I’d be so disgusted that I wouldn’t even be able to eat.”

“Better change his name to Luo Jianjian.”

…

Luo Ning scrolled through the comments. Many accounts weren’t just mocking and complaining but cursing happily. He didn’t feel angered. He had faced much worse online harassment before. Arguing with these people was useless, only strength could silence them.

Luo Ning casually switched pages to check on the stocks he had just bought. He had gritted his teeth and scraped together some money to invest. In this world, his cheat code lay in financial investments. It gave him a keen instinct for economics and finance.

Luo Ning currently was in a tight spot financially. He hadn’t received his acting pay yet, only a meager fixed salary from the company. This cheat code gave Luo Ning a lofty impression directly linked to money. Imagining himself lying down and collecting cash without effort, he decisively bought stocks.

Watching the stock line rise steadily, Luo Ning felt very happy.

Before he knew it, work was already done. Luo Ning quickly packed his things, planning to grab a meal and then catch up on sleep. This life of having food, drink, and a career while enjoying the free hotel stay was truly comfortable.

As he watched the door slam shut, Ye Xingzhou sighed softly. He noticed Luo Ning avoiding him. Usually, Luo Ning would come over to discuss the script with him, but today he hadn’t even glanced his way.

Perhaps he felt hurt and embarrassed. His eyes were still a bit red. When they met, Luo Ning rushed into his room without a word of greeting.

Ye Xingzhou hadn’t expected Luo Ning to be so fragile, visibly affected by just a couple of rejections.

But the image of Luo Ning’s slightly reddened eyes and his pitifully wronged expression lingered in his mind. He was indeed delicate.

This kind of vulnerability strangely did not annoy Ye Xingzhou. Rather, it stirred something in him.

He frowned, realizing he shouldn’t invest too much energy in someone he barely knew. He decided to let it be, hoping Luo Ning would soon give up.

Luo Ning was unaware of Ye Xingzhou’s exaggerated thoughts. He was catching up on sleep and focusing on filming, occasionally taking the script to discuss with Ye Xingzhou.

However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Ye Xingzhou’s gaze was somewhat strange, often with a hint of helplessness.

This made Luo Ning uneasy. Was he overthinking things?

His mind was filled with questions when he heard his phone ring. It was his usual inconspicuous manager calling again.

“Brother Wang, what’s up?” Luo Ning asked quietly.

Wang Heng replied, “There’s a lipstick advertisement from Lanman this Friday. Do you want to audition?”

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow. Logically speaking, the company’s resources had long stopped favoring him. He wouldn’t have a chance at any advertisement.

However, lipstick ads were different from others. As far as he remembered, Lanman’s lipsticks leaned towards bold colors, requiring young and attractive models to pull them off.

Aside from those with average looks, many of the newcomers in the company had gone to participate in popular talent shows, and their schedules were packed.

Moreover, many people in the company were reluctant to take the lipstick ads because the current trend favored rugged or clean-cut handsome men. If someone didn’t fit the image and temperament for Lanman and shoot the ads, they might even be labeled as effeminate.

Luo Ning currently lacked resources. He confirmed the details with his manager and agreed to the audition. After all, his reputation was poor now, and he had little choice.

After getting leave permission from the director, he attended the audition, and the person in charge had a good impression of him. Despite the public backlash against Luo Ning online, Lanman was a mid-tier brand that couldn’t afford top-tier celebrities. Plus, Luo Ning had enough buzz around him to catch their interest.

Luo Ning’s current energy and spirit were excellent. He exuded elegance and had a refined appearance that perfectly matched their requirements, making it hard for them to resist giving him a chance.

To be honest, this brand’s lipstick wasn’t a trendy luxury label, but it had a pleasant fragrance and good moisture. He could faintly smell a delicate, refreshing scent made from real flower extracts.

Luo Ning was quite satisfied, which made him even more serious about the shoot. The newly developed series featured a cherry-red shade.

Luo Ning applied only a light layer of makeup, and his hair shone with a warm hue. Wearing a pink floral shirt, the stylist initially thought this look would be hard to pull off and might come off as gaudy.

However, when he stepped out, everyone was taken aback. Luo Ning’s pale, radiant face and slightly tousled hair, along with his slender figure and beautiful peach blossom eyes, gave off a vibrant and spring-like energy as he wore the lipstick. He resembled newly blooming flower buds, stunning from the first glance.

The lipstick color made his petal-like lips glisten with a cherry-like sheen. The deep color carried a unique allure, much like poppy. It was a temptation that one knew was dangerous yet couldn’t resist reaching out to pluck it.

The slight arch of Luo Ning’s brows added to his brilliance.

The photographer was thrilled, snapping photos nonstop. He felt as though this person was practically glowing. Some people were simply born to be in front of the camera, and he was pleasantly surprised by Luo Ning’s performance.

Thanks to Luo Ning’s every move, he found himself bursting with inspiration, and their collaboration felt incredibly harmonious.

There was nothing wrong with Luo Ning’s face. It was no wonder he could maintain popularity online despite the negative comments.

Luo Ning was in great shape, and they wrapped up the shoot in just a few hours. The final product would be ready for editing soon.

He happily returned to the set, knowing that more money would soon be in his account.

The shooting for the drama was nearing its end this month.

Although the fifth male lead was despicable, he was also a tragic figure. Luo Ning wanted to portray him as a thorny rose, cruel to everyone but softening quietly in front of his beloved.

He aimed to downplay the character’s malice while emphasizing his deep feelings and the charm of his appearance and demeanor. When the drama aired, he hoped it wouldn’t receive too much backlash.

The filming progress was quick, and everyone was working hard, so the director generously granted a few days off for everyone to relax.

Luo Ning moved back to his small rental apartment. He didn’t like the noisy environment here, and the security was practically nonexistent. It was a rather old community, which had a strong smell of cooking fires in the evenings.

Luo Ning checked his gradually increasing balance. His “golden finger” wasn’t just for show. The two stocks he had bought had both turned a profit. He didn’t need to live in a luxurious place, but the neighborhood was too chaotic. He wasn’t famous yet, but he attracted a lot of negative attention.

What if some particularly obsessed hater tracked him down and did something crazy? There were also unscrupulous paparazzi who could fabricate anything for the sake of attention.

Thinking of these scenarios, Luo Ning started looking for apartments online, wanting to rent in a relatively quiet neighborhood.

Feeling bored during the day off, he remembered he had said he would invite Ye Xingzhou out for a meal. He sent Ye Xingzhou a message, using the number he had painstakingly obtained.

A busy person like him, not only a film emperor but also a domineering CEO, probably wouldn’t have the time to go out for dinner.

In a discreet luxury car parked by the roadside, Ye Xingzhou frowned, his expression gloomy. He lightly tapped his knee, then pressed his temples.

He wanted to ask Jian Xi out, but Jian Xi had again refused, saying he was too busy. Yet he had seen Jian Xi walk into a hotel with another man.

Ye Xingzhou tiredly looked out the car window, his serious face showing a rare hint of confusion.

If Jian Xi didn’t like him, why did he always give him a glimmer of hope, making him cling to it for three years?

When had he started liking Jian Xi?

Ye Xingzhou recalled his first impression of Jian Xi when he had just entered the entertainment industry. Jian Xi was a young and innocent boy. When Ye Xingzhou went to a show as a mentor, he noticed how genuine Jian Xi’s smile was, unlike the coldness he had now. He was like clear water.

Having spent years in the entertainment industry, he realized that seeing Jian Xi made him feel comfortable. Jian Xi’s passion for acting and his fighting spirit drew Ye Xingzhou in, and he eventually discovered that he had developed deeper feelings for him.