Chapter 198: Pesticide Sis
Bang, bang bang!
The third round of fireworks exploded.
Colorful fireworks continuously changed shapes in the night sky, some forming the character for “fortune,” some spelling out “spring,” and others creating dazzling Chinese knot patterns, symbolizing a new year full of happiness, prosperity, and vibrant spring spirit.
Chi Ye and Sheng Ning both looked up at the same time, as a cascade of golden light poured down instantly, the red flames illuminating their slightly upturned jaws and cheeks.
Multicolored, truly spectacular.
“Do you have something to say?”
Chi Ye watched the fireworks for a while, then lowered his head again, his nose picking up a disliked smoky smell, his brows furrowing slightly: “If you’re going to smoke, go over there to do it.”
Sheng Ning’s phoenix eyes glanced at him, then she suddenly asked: “Have you been ‘possessed’?”
Chi Ye was dumbfounded.
He had always felt that Sheng Ning, this woman, was very strange, with an indescribable awkwardness about her.
In private before, he had asked Keke and several former “acquaintances” more than once, but everyone said they didn’t understand why he was asking.
He had suspected in his heart that he might be overthinking it, but this time, he was sure he wasn’t.
So, he asked directly: “Have we dated or something?”
“……?”
This time, it was Sheng Ning who was dumbfounded for a moment. Fully ten seconds later, she stared at Chi Ye with extremely complicated eyes—angry, but more embarrassed, ashamed, and guilty: “How can you say something like that?! You flaunted Jin Xia in front of me just for this?”
Seeing her expression, Chi Ye instantly started to wonder—this didn’t seem like they had dated, but to say they hadn’t… that didn’t fit either.
What exactly was going on?
He paused, completely ignoring the topic, and gave an ambiguous, all-purpose reply: “You should hate me quite a bit.”
Sheng Ning stared at him for a long time, held back for ages, but still couldn’t hold it in, her tone a mix of mockery and curiosity: “I’m really curious… what kind of mindset were you in… when you came to leech off me?”
Chi Ye’s heart stirred, but he didn’t speak.
Sheng Ning looked at his expression and tilted her head: “Do you think I’ll never harm you, so you can just bully me alone?”
Chi Ye raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, just say it outright, what exactly was our relationship before…
Thinking this, he said it directly: “If there was anything I did wrong before… I’m sorry. Also, I’ve been having some headaches lately, a lot of things from before…”
“No need to explain.”
Sheng Ning waved her hand dismissively, exhaled her last smoke ring, stubbed out the cigarette, turned to leave, and tossed back only one sentence before going: “You didn’t come to the gravesite last Qingming. Go by yourself next time; I’ll only handle my share.”
Chi Ye was dumbfounded.
His mind raced, staring at Sheng Ning’s tall back—gravesite? What gravesite?
Whose gravesite? Parents’?
Could it be… a child?
Huh?
Chi Ye was completely thrown off. Normally, with his personality, he wouldn’t lose composure like this, but now vaguely guessing the “truth,” he was still a bit caught off guard.
No, that’s not right, definitely not a child.
Because when he had researched the original host before, he had also looked into Sheng Ning. Her career development trajectory was very clear: she started hustling before twenty, with no long periods of disappearance in between.
More importantly, with Sheng Ning’s obsessive personality, if there had really been some accident or whatever, the other party wouldn’t just hate Chi Ye now—they might have killed him.
So…
Chi Ye thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered someone—Teacher He.
The original host had few friends before. Besides Keke by his side, it seemed only Teacher He had any real connection with him, and… industry rumors said Teacher He had a good relationship with Sheng Ning, taking care of her a lot before she became famous.
Hmm… standard operation.
Chi Ye pulled out his mobile phone and dialed Teacher He’s number.
The call connected quickly, and Teacher He’s familiar gentle voice came through, with a hint of surprise and unexpectedness: “Chi Chi?”
“Teacher He, Happy New Year.”
Chi Ye smiled and said: “Paying you a New Year’s visit.”
“You child, who pays New Year’s visits on New Year’s Eve?” Teacher He was shrewd, and he really hadn’t expected “Professor Chi now” to call him… Truth be told, after Chi Ye’s rebirth, he hadn’t contacted Teacher He much.
Recently, there had been the Mango TV misjudgment Xing Ni incident.
And now Chi Ye was red hot, Teacher He was an industry veteran—what hadn’t he seen?
So, he thought Chi Ye, like others, might “cut ties” after becoming famous.
“Is there something you need my help with? Tell me, I’ll definitely help if I can.”
Chi Ye felt a pang of guilt inwardly; Teacher He was indeed a good person…
He thought for a moment, then asked as tactfully as possible: “Um… I want to ask about Sheng Ning. You know her temper… She just came to find me again, and I was thinking…”
“Sheng Ning? She found you? What for?”
Unexpectedly, Teacher He was also dumbfounded for two seconds, then remembered something: “Ah, is she talking to you about going back home for ancestor worship? Makes sense… aren’t your families neighbors? You’re so famous now; going back to worship ancestors is pretty good too.”
Ancestor worship? Neighbors?
Chi Ye’s heartbeat quickened, his tone calm: “Yeah, but I don’t have many familiar people back home now…”
“You’re familiar with each other.”
Teacher He laughed: “Aren’t you and Sheng Ning from the same place? She took good care of you back then… Sigh, actually back then I was just… she asked me to give you some resources… Who would’ve thought you two would get to this point, both redder than ever, hehe…”
Chi Ye was silent for two seconds, probing: “Do you know much about Sheng Ning? Um… you know, we have deep conflicts now, and she’s changed a lot.”
“……Chi Chi, I shouldn’t comment on your conflicts… but Ning Ning has had it tough these years.”
Teacher He on the other end was silent for a moment, then sincerely said: “She went to Hengdian at seventeen or eighteen to run extras. She can’t compare to Jin Xia, Shang Youshu, and them; she clawed her way up step by step… No one knows how much she suffered, so of course her personality changed. Actually… how many people don’t change after entering this industry?”
Chi Ye paused, then continued: “Do you know about her past?”
“Ah?”
Teacher He was puzzled by the question but thought for a moment and said: “I’ve known her for a long time. Her… personality is indeed pretty bad, but it depends on the person. She really took care of you back then; she just… probably never told you.”
“How bad exactly?”
Chi Ye had already pieced together the gist in his mind and relaxed, casually asking: “Does she have any… um… mental…”
“……When she first debuted, she had a close girlfriend, a roommate in Hengdian. They came to me wanting to get on a variety show… Her girlfriend told me that when Ning Ning was in school, she had a conflict with her family and didn’t want to go to school. Her mother forced her, so… she drank a whole bottle of pesticide. Luckily, they rushed her to the hospital for a stomach pump in time, or… she would’ve been gone.”
Chi Ye: “…”
Holy crap, she’s indeed a lunatic!
This reaffirmed his judgment of Sheng Ning—this person was absolutely mentally unstable, the kind abnormal from childhood.
“Chi Chi, even if Ning Ning has ten thousand faults, she’s still your ‘older sister’… I’m not the right one to say it, but if possible, it would be best if you two could get along. Neither of you had it easy getting here.”
Teacher He on the other end was still earnestly advising, clearly having watched Chi Ye and Sheng Ning “grow up,” so he had some elder mentality.
Chi Ye agreed verbally, finally confirming and probing: “Has Sheng Ning… Sister Ning ever been pregnant? Um… what’s her family situation like?”
Teacher He shook his head: “She definitely hasn’t been pregnant; I know about everyone in the industry… cough cough… As for family situation, I really don’t know; she’s never mentioned it… But it seems like… a single-parent family. After all, think about it—someone from that kind of original family wouldn’t drink pesticide in a fit of anger…”
“Too extreme.”
Chi Ye’s mood was a bit complicated. He chatted a few more sentences with Teacher He, promised to eat and join a few of his variety shows next time in Xiangnan, and only then did the other hang up satisfied.
“Sigh.”
Chi Ye stared at his darkened mobile phone screen, his mood inexplicably irritable.
—Sheng Ning ah Sheng Ning, what can I say about you, pesticide god of war, huh?
He inexplicably laughed, but the smile was a bit bitter.
……
At the same time.
Sheng Ning walked back to the venue lounge area in high heels, casually pulling a red envelope from her pocket. The edges were embossed with a circle of gilded cloud patterns, exuding festivity and luxury. The front center read “auspicious and content” in four characters, the back featured a chubby doll holding a big carp, smiling brightly, symbolizing abundance year after year.
In the bottom right corner, it said “To Chi Ye.”
She glanced at it indifferently, expertly tore the red envelope to shreds, folded it, tore it a few more times, and threw it in the trash can.
“Sister Ning, the ones bought last time are all torn up.”
The assistant watched from afar and only came over to remind her after she finished.
“Buy some more at this time next year.”
Sheng Ning paused, her voice drifting: “Don’t tear them this time; burn them.”
“?!’ The assistant was stunned, shocked: “Burn?! Why… why?”
Sheng Ning thought for a moment, a flicker of confusion in her usually dominant phoenix eyes: “He might have already ‘died.'”
“Don’t they say burned things reach the ‘dead’ underground… Starting next year, change to burning.”
The assistant looked at her like this, goosebumps rising uncontrollably on her skin, a chill down her spine: “……Ning… Sister Ning… calm down, it’s really not that serious…”
Sheng Ning was taken aback, then reacted, laughing: “What are you thinking? Of course I wouldn’t kill anyone… It’s just, ‘dead’ is fine too.”
The assistant fell silent.
She spent all year by Sister Ning’s side and knew many of Sister Ning’s “secrets”… Sister Ning really wasn’t like normal people; she… she was a bit “crazy.”
“Right, Sister Ning, earlier… Sister Xu was looking for you.”
She composed herself and got back to business: “Several big shots from the Beijing Circle are next door.”
“……What do they want?”
“She said to go over.”
Sheng Ning was silent for a moment, then headed next door: “Let’s go.”
The assistant looked at her straight, rigid back, pursed her lips, and hurried to catch up.
……
In the parking lot.
After getting a rough idea, Chi Ye planned to go find Keke and head home to rest, but as soon as he entered the venue, he saw a familiar figure.
—Peng Chen.
Peng Chen seemed to have been looking for him. Seeing Chi Ye, his eyes lit up, and he strode over quickly: “Captain.”
Chi Ye eyed him sideways: “Gutter dog thief.”
Peng Chen: “……No, I have something for you, big good news!”
He dragged Chi Ye to a corner, then said mysteriously: “Don’t say I didn’t think of you for good stuff. Captain, you’re way too hot now, congrats congrats…”
Chi Ye sized him up a few times, stepped back a few paces covering his nose: “Get to the point, skip the formalities.”
Peng Chen: “?!’
Lao Peng was furious, but remembering the “big shots'” mission, he gritted his teeth: “There really is good news!”
“You’ve heard of Director Lu, right? And Director Yang… those big shots from the Beijing Circle. They want you to make a movie with them; the notebook they offered is very sincere.”
“Oh.”
Chi Ye’s expression was calm: “Then why don’t they come say it themselves?”
“…” Peng Chen was awkward: “They’re just short on time… Mainly, Ji Hemming was in their circle before, Yu Yan has a good relationship with them too. You… gotta give the big shots some steps, right?”
“So they made you the messenger eunuch?”
Peng Chen was really angry: “Chi… Captain, how can you say that about me? This is all for your own good! After Xing Ni, your next step is definitely transforming to the film circle. Without connections, without entering this circle, how do you make it?”
“Sheng Ning is bending over to get in now. What about Chu Han Zhou, Shang Youshu… including Jin Xia, Shi Jinwei—do you think they have hope in the film circle? I heard your next drama is cooperating with Shang Youshu… How many movies has she made in the past few years? Flops one after another. This circle is different from the drama circle!”
Peng Chen explained anxiously: “You should get it—want to transform, you gotta build good relationships with them.”
Chi Ye was noncommittal. He felt Peng Chen was speaking pure truth, very reasonable, but…
“Your so-called building relationships means letting them harvest leeks, harvest the first wave of traffic after my Xing Ni?”
Peng Chen was stunned, speechless.
Because Chi Ye had guessed right. The Beijing Circle, even other circles, were all scheming this.
Chi Ye was too hot now!
But his heat was “inflated,” not in star power, but traffic severely inflated. In other words, his first movie after Xing Ni, even if it was thesis defense-level garbage, would have countless fans willingly “tricked.”
So, they wanted to hand him a notebook, one with small investment or seeming high prestige but actually low input—99% chance a bad movie.
Then, have Chi Ye star, using minimal input to earn max profit. Chi Ye gets the film circle “admission ticket” and prestige; they get real cash, even making a current “Asian top streamer” behave submissively.
Psychologically or practically, it was pure bliss, enjoyment, super satisfying.
In fact, Yu Yan, Ji Hemming, and many top streamers who entered had gone through this “business operation,” “paying respects to the mountain.”
Bluntly, it was “mutual benefit”: you want movie prestige and admission ticket, I want profit, to maintain my superior star power and stance.
Very normal.
Just… Chi Ye felt he didn’t need to bow his head now.
He was a bit rebellious, yeah, the kind with confidence.
“Go back. Don’t talk to me until you return the dog.”
Chi Ye waved him off; he already saw Keke walking this way.
Peng Chen: “……You’re really a bit… too cocky. I’m doing this for your good…”
Seeing Chi Ye turn away, he panicked, speeding up: “Also, I’m raising the dog great, don’t worry about it… And… Chi Ye! You think I’m leeching your popularity? In such a hurry to leave?”
“I’m telling you, I, Peng Chen, could jump from here and still not leech a bite of your heat!”
He was furious, watching Chi Ye’s departing back, feeling completely despised by the “old captain” this time.
Very angry, very aggrieved.
But inwardly a bit secretly pleased… Better if you don’t come; then I have a chance to surpass you.
……
On the other side, next door.
In the lounge.
Xu Yingying, Ling Bingbing, Director Lu, Director Yang, and other Beijing Circle big shots were sitting and chatting.
Sheng Ning stood.
“Little Ning, how’d the talk with Chi Ye go? Did he agree?”
Xu Yingying looked at Sheng Ning, smiling: “Still saying you’re not close; you went to find him specially.”
Sheng Ning’s expression unchanged, she shook her head: “Sister Xu, you misunderstood. I was feeling stuffy and wanted to go downstairs for some air.”
“…”
Everyone’s faces changed. Director Yang frowned discontentedly: “You didn’t talk to him?”
“Talk about what?”
Sheng Ning also frowned: “I said we’re not close.”
“……Little Ning, close or not, is saying a word that hard? Even if you’re not close, but… my assistant just saw you talking to him. What’s the point of this?”
Xu Yingying’s face looked a bit bad. The Beijing Circle was a whole, but there were many cliques. Sheng Ning was her “little sister” below, one she “brought into the circle.”
So, in front of so many big shots, Sheng Ning’s attitude and “lying to her face” made her lose face.
Sheng Ning’s mood wasn’t great to begin with—she had indeed considered talking to Chi Ye about the Beijing Circle’s “entrusted” matter when she went to find him.
But in the end, she unhesitatingly gave it up, not mentioning it at all.
First, because she was an “old fried dough stick” in the circle and knew what scheme the Beijing Circle, or rather the film circle folks, were playing, how dirty their ideas were.
Second… she didn’t want Chi Ye to get smug, not even a little.
Perhaps deep down, she herself wouldn’t admit… she really didn’t want to actively “harm” Chi Ye.
She’d never actively helped him, but couldn’t bring herself to sabotage him to death either.
“That’s it then. I’ll head back if nothing else.”
Sheng Ning raised her hand to rub her brow: “Not feeling great today; next time…”
“Next time what.” Director Lu crossed his legs: “Not to nag you, Sheng Ning, you’re an ‘old timer’ in the circle—how can you not read the room?”
“We ask you to pass a message, we’re helping you enter the circle. Chi Ye’s movie makes money, you don’t get a cut? We all know what your relationship is—you both wish the other dead. Why act like a good person?”
Sheng Ning’s face turned cold, her phoenix eyes fixed on Director Lu, silent.
“……Alright alright, leave it for now. I had Xiao Peng go ask too. He wants to make a name in the film circle; he definitely won’t refuse.”
Xu Yingying sensed the atmosphere and smoothed things over, waving at Sheng Ning: “Go on, head back first. Contact later.”
Sheng Ning stood silently for a moment, then said: “Okay, I’ll go first.”
“…”
Sheng Ning walked out of the private room.
As soon as she left, Director Lu cursed loudly, his voice “just right” for Sheng Ning to hear: “Fuck her, acting all high and mighty? Acted in some mountain city whatever… Old Zhang carried the box office. Look, now she dares glare at me!”
“What was that look?! She’s really something!”
“Enough, respect women, okay?”
Ling Bingbing, who hadn’t spoken, was displeased: “Such a dirty mouth.”
“See, you’re mad at me now. I… sigh, forget it. To me, this circle needs tightening up on them. These traffic stars below are getting too cocky. Don’t manage them, who’ll listen to you later?”
“Listen listen, all listen to you. If not, your whatever bureau, find someone else to act.”
“Fuck, done with it!”
……
January 26.
First Day of Lunar New Year.
Favorable: Wear red, ancestor worship and prayers for blessings, say auspicious words.
Avoid: Using needles or scissors, using brooms, lending or collecting debts.
But Chi Ye received messages early in the morning from various young actors and traffic stars in the industry “making moves.”
First, Lao Peng, who was all iron-willed before, started shamelessly binding.
#Rise Twin Stars# shot up the hot search list first—the so-called “twin stars” referring to Chi Ye and Peng Chen.
Then #New Four Top Streamers#, finally #Yu Yan Chi Ye Double Disparity#, #Lin Yang Qianrui Chi Ye Spring Festival Gala Twin Stars Absolute Absolute# and other related hot words.
Even Chu Han Zhou marketed a #Chi Ye Chu Han Zhou “Brotherly Bond”#.
Chi Ye was very confused, very dumbfounded, very puzzled.
Where did he and Zhang Yu have any “brotherly bond”?
This was even more outrageous than Lao Peng’s “Rise Twin Stars”—at least Peng Chen’s team had “legitimate origins” for binding.
You, Zhang Yu, this was pure fabricated brothers!!
Finally, Chi Ye welcomed the day of being crazily peng ci-ed.
New year, new start; Internal Entertainment Circle’s top streamer landscape shifted again, with all sides crazily vying, beginning.
