How Could This Cat Tease Me?

The variety show 《Liang Shanbo and Romeo》 was the key project that Orange Satellite TV1 would be focusing on in the second half of this year. After the premiere was set to be on 5/20, related promotional materials began to be broadcasted the two weeks prior during the prime time slot. They also continuously pushed small advertisements during the 《Evergreen》 variety show, which had the highest ratings on Orange Station. All of which showed just how much importance the station attached to it.

Generally speaking, reality television-type variety shows2 must go through a series of processes, from scene selection to editing then post-production before being submitted for the review board. So after the filming was finished, it might take at least another three weeks before it can actually be broadcasted on TV. However, Xia Rong and everyone had only started recording in early May, then in a blink of an eye, the program was already scheduled for May 20. Strictly speaking, it was rather a rush.

However, 《Liang Eo3》 has been a hot topic starting from when the guests were finalized all the way up until when the filming officially started, gaining wide attention from everyone. Just from the selection of the guest and we can see that a lot of considerations had been put in— As they have Xia Rong and Ye Mang of such popularity, they would be able to maintain the attention online simply because the large number of fans who would enthusiastically discuss their idols. But they also have a popular younger actor like Su Chi, who is not only handsome but can also act well, which can improve the quality of their program; and some spring chicken4 like Kang Yifan and Zhang Xin, who were known nationally and so can allow the audience, who would come by to “see what that young boy from back then grew up to be like,” to feel an intimacy with the program. Meanwhile, Gao Junming, as the last confirmed member, the program team was interested in the fact that he brings along his own group of hyped-up fans and their ability to create their own topics. If he ends up having a sense of existence in the end, then it’ll be like decorating the already perfect, but if he ends up with no sense of existence at all, it still wouldn’t hinder the program as a whole.

Therefore, in order to maintain this enthusiasm towards the show, Orange TV was already prepared to launch the pilot episode on satellite television just a bit over ten days after Xia Rong and they had finished recording. For this, they had even come up with a plan: the original content recorded by the members will be separated and edited into two parts, which will then be broadcast over two weeks— While the first half has already been broadcasted this week, the second half was still in the studio, being edited under the high pressure!

In fact, this method was also learned from South Korea. With this method, they would be able to adjust the editing in time according to the audience feedback and the responses online – which, while it would make everything more pressing, would also allow them to be more flexible.

Xia Rong had to film a diversity of promotional videos beforehand as well, such as “conceptual promotional video”, “character promotional video”, “one-refreshing-Xia promotional video5” and the “ultimate promotional video.” As the members hadn’t been able to coordinate all of their schedules, all of the promotional materials were recorded separately whenever they managed to squeeze some spare time out. Every time one of the videos got released, it would set off a heated wave of research and discussion online.

When Shu Yi had called, it was already 7:30 PM. After the call, Xia Rong put down his phone and turned on the hotel’s TV, changing it to Channel Orange, just in time to see a promotional clip of 《Liang Eo》 playing. The six members of the reality-variety show appeared on the screen in succession, each with their distinctive styles as assigned by the program, inciting a strange yet familiar impression within Xia Rong.

In particular was Su Chi, who took the cold-handsome route in the promotional video, with his hair brushed back showing his clear forehead, his tone smooth and rhythmic, while his narration was organized and well-thought-out. It gave off a particularly peaceful and ascetic feeling.

Compared to now… He couldn’t resist turning his head to look at the person next to him. Su Chi had on light and relaxed casual wear, his black hair fell scattered in front of his forehead. As it blocked his eyes a bit, every so often he would raise his hand to brush it back. The soft-cute of it made him seem quite a few degrees more approachable.

Xia Rong was also wearing a pair of the other’s casual linen pants. Because the legs were a little long, he even had to roll them up a bit.

Su Chi noticed Xia Rong’s gaze that was directed at him, but he obviously misunderstood. “Hungry? Shall we go down to eat or should I call and order?”

“…In your mind, do you think all I know how to do is just eat?” Xia Rong couldn’t help but make such a complaint.

Thinking along the lines of Su Chi’s words and considering whether they should go out or not, Xia Rong suddenly thought of another matter. “Oh right, my clothes and room card are still over at the set! I have to go back and get them!”

…He unexpectedly remembered. Su Chi hid the bit of regret that had emerged in his heart and said, “Why don’t you wait to get it when you’re going in tomorrow? It’s already so late now. If you rush back now, the dressing room might have already locked up. Wouldn’t that be a wasted trip? Why don’t you sleep here tonight?”

“Of course it’s fine sleeping here.” Xia Rong looked at Su Chi and blinked, deliberately pausing for a moment before saying, “But I didn’t bring my script back, I’m afraid I might have trouble with the scenes tomorrow.”

The script of those cast as a main role was different from the one received by those making a guest appearance, moreover, many actors annotate their own scripts. So Su Chi couldn’t just say ‘Can’t you use my script?’ He paused for a bit, then said, “Oh, then I’ll go back with you.”

“No need, I can just go myself.” Xia Rong shifted his eyes away, feeling a bit disappointed6— Su Chi’s expression was just too natural and magnanimous, completely unable to find any clues at all!

…Then that day Su Chi kissed his forehead, just because his cat form was cute and he couldn’t help it? Sometimes even he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to bury himself in the other’s furry cat belly, then what’s more, given that Su Chi had praised him as being “extremely cute” at that time before becoming unable to stop himself from kissing his cat head. It should also be understandable, pardonable?

Such a righteous and reliable person as Su Chi, who has been so nice to himself, before he is certain, he really shouldn’t use the heart of a villain to speculate about him!

Xia Rong shook his head to expel all the extraneous, distracting thoughts from his head, then grabbed his phone that was on the side, preparing to get up.

Su Chi turned off the TV and followed to stand up. “Better I go as well. You have neither your wallet nor your car key and just your phone, if anything happens, I can still help out.”

Xia Rong had already walked to the door, while twisting the door handle, he said very straightforwardly, “How troublesome that would be for you. It’s fine, I’ll take a taxi, it’ll be fast.”

Su Chi had already caught up. “What trouble is it? It would be true troublesome if you happen to change in the middle of the way, requiring me to go save you.”

“How would it be so easy…”

“Not necessarily… Don’t get caught…”

“I’ll be back soon…”

“Let’s… together… it’s too late…”

“…You two?!”

Suddenly, a sharp female voice filled with disbelief inserted itself between the two’s exchange.

When Xia Rong turned to look, he saw Zhang Youying standing right there behind them, just a few steps away.

Then he looked back at themselves over here…

He and Su Chi here at the door, tugging and pulling familiarly all while saying things like “I’ll be back soon” and “Us… Together…”

Xia Rong, who had claimed to be ‘going on a date with his girlfriend’, was standing in front of the door of Su Chi’s room, who had obviously changed into a new set of clothes, which was obviously not in his size with the foot of the trousers and the cuffs dubiously rolled up…

A familiar scene of two people looking at each other in dismay.

Xia Rong, “…”

Zhang Youying, “…”

Su Chi, “…”

Xia Rong had even skillfully raised an ‘Er Kang’s hand7’ while saying that familiar line, “It’s not what you’re thinking, let me explain…”

“I won’t listen!” Zhang Youying turned around and ran off with a face covered in tears, leaving only a sentence filled with the despair from a young girl’s heart being broken echoing in the corridor—

“All men are liars!”