Chapter Sixty-Two: What a Coincidence—So Many Enemies Already?

After the post-interview for “Comedy Must Make You Laugh,” Lin Xing went to the rehearsal room and offered a few words of encouragement to each of the eight members of the “Go, Go, Go” troupe. In his view, all eight had solid acting skills.

“Xing, would you like to record another episode?” Xie Ning, accompanying Lin Xing as he left, smiled and extended the invitation. “I think the effect was great—last night we had a meeting and Old Ding praised you to the skies. Hao Meng from the director’s team also thinks you’re particularly suited for variety shows…”

To be honest, Xie Ning hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t had much contact with Lin Xing before; back when Lin Xing was at the peak of his fame, Xie Ning was still hosting at the TV station. Later, when Xie Ning went solo, “Starshine Sea” had already disbanded, and Lin Xing was fading from public view.

Xie Ning’s impression of Lin Xing had always lingered on those five years when Lin Xing was branded as illiterate.

So, last night during the meeting, as he listened to Ding Bai, Sitou Hui, Hao Meng, and the others discuss, he sighed and said, “So, even though Lin Xing’s been out of the limelight for ten years, he’s really never stopped working.”

It was precisely this—after reviewing all the video material of Lin Xing since he joined “Comedy Must Make You Laugh,” Xie Ning realized everyone was right.

At this moment, Xie Ning’s thoughts mirrored those of Zu Ming, director of “Sweeping the Dark Waves.”

How could this man possibly be illiterate?

What are those people on Weibo thinking, still shouting that Lin Xing is illiterate?

What nonsense!

The original invitation to Lin Xing was simply because he’d become popular through his role as Du Fei; no one had expected much from him.

But now, it seemed Lin Xing could bring unexpected delight.

Given this, Xie Ning naturally wanted to invite Lin Xing for another episode.

“Ning, I’m about to join a production team—I really don’t have time to take part as a supporting actor again,” Lin Xing explained.

“No, you don’t need to act as a supporting guest, just come as a guest. You’d only need to be a guest commentator for one episode,” Xie Ning said with a smile.

Lin Xing was taken aback, then smiled wryly. “Ning, I’m afraid I can’t. For ‘Sweeping the Dark Waves,’ I join the cast on the twentieth, but filming starts on the fifteenth. I need to attend the opening ceremony, and shooting is in Tan Province. After the ceremony, I have another variety show with Tan Province Television…”

Originally, before joining the production, Lin Xing only had the variety show for “Sweeping the Dark Waves.” But as luck would have it, Tan Province Television launched a program this year called “Following Stars to Alleviate Poverty.”

The show’s main purpose was to have celebrities help sell local specialties or explore village features. After a few episodes, it had earned a good reputation, most importantly because the celebrities weren’t using “poverty alleviation” as a PR stunt.

As always, the audience could tell whether the effort was genuine or just for show.

And why was it such a coincidence?

The next episode was set in Dafen Mountain, a place Lin Xing knew inside out—he stayed there every year.

So when the production team invited Lin Xing to record “Following Stars to Alleviate Poverty” on the seventeenth and eighteenth, Sister Dao didn’t even ask him before agreeing.

There was simply no reason to refuse.

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Frankly, with Tan Province Television’s temperament, it was inevitable that they’d occasionally steer the conversation toward Lin Xing during the show, or even take a jab at him afterward.

Who could object?

Besides, Sister Dao knew Lin Xing’s personality—he would definitely go.

So Lin Xing had no choice but to politely decline Xie Ning’s invitation.

“It’s fine, there will be plenty of opportunities to work together in the future,” Xie Ning smiled. “Let’s talk after you finish filming ‘Sweeping the Dark Waves.’”

Lin Xing nodded, smiling. “Alright.”

He didn’t dwell on it; in his mind, by the time he finished “Sweeping the Dark Waves,” “Comedy Must Make You Laugh” would probably have wrapped up.

There was not a trace of news online about Lin Xing joining “Comedy Must Make You Laugh.”

Over the past two days, however, the online chatter about Lin Xing hadn’t abated in the slightest.

It was remarkable. In less than two months, Lin Xing had gone from faded star to renewed fame, and from renewed fame to widespread public goodwill. It all happened so quickly that even his longtime fans felt as if it were a dream.

But Lin Xing’s resurgence inevitably ruffled many feathers.

Especially since his comeback was triggered by Wu Yao’s fans’ meltdown, so Wu Yao’s fans now hated Lin Xing with a passion.

Wu Yao had become a legal pariah; his social media accounts and fan forums had imploded. Yet he still had a handful of loyal fans.

These fans hated Wu Yao’s wife most of all, believing she was a vicious woman out to destroy Wu Yao. Next, their hatred was directed at Lin Xing.

That’s right. In the eyes of Wu Yao’s fans, it was possible that Lin Xing orchestrated everything.

Then there were Chu Chen’s fans. Lin Xing had skyrocketed to popularity thanks to his role as Du Fei in “Just to Wait for You,” while Chu Chen was being relentlessly criticized by the public.

Chu Chen’s fans believed Lin Xing’s backers were responsible for ruining their idol.

Not to mention Li Xingchi’s fans.

And recently, thanks to the pre-release buzz for “Fashion Men’s Style,” the fan circles of Hao Zhi and Xu Han were fiercely feuding and cursing Lin Xing as well.

Good heavens.

And that’s not even counting Qi Bing, who failed his audition.

So over the past two days, it was impossible for Lin Xing’s name to drop from the trending lists.

“These people are really annoying,” said Xiao Nan, his assistant, angrily from the car. “It’s been two days, and they’re still cursing you. Especially Hao Zhi and Xu Han’s fans—they act as if they didn’t make the cover because of us.”

“Xiao Nan, I’m not even upset—why are you?” Lin Xing looked at Xiao Nan’s dark circles with amusement. “Don’t tell me you’ve been staying up late to manage the comments on my behalf?”

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“Ah? Xing, how did you know?” Xiao Nan was startled, then explained, “I just can’t stand them slandering you, as if you’d killed their whole family…”

“What did Sister Dao say?” Lin Xing asked, smiling.

“Sister Dao said fan circles need a target—they can only gain cohesion through fighting. She told me not to pay them any mind…” Xiao Nan paused. “But I just can’t help it…”

Having worked closely with Lin Xing for almost three years, Xiao Nan felt she understood him better than anyone.

But just because Lin Xing suddenly made a comeback, a swarm of people began to hurl abuse.

The worst part was, the accusations were utterly absurd.

“Some things are pointless to respond to. Tell me, does fighting back or explaining actually help?” Lin Xing shook his head gently. “Doing so only drains your energy and does nothing for your work. So tonight, go offline and sleep well. I’ll tell Sister Dao, and tomorrow you can take a day off to rest—we’re about to head to Tan Province on business…”

“Xing, don’t worry—I won’t let it affect my work…” Xiao Nan replied hurriedly.

“Listen to me—when you’re young and don’t value your health, you’ll regret it later…” Lin Xing said, dialing Sister Dao to explain Xiao Nan’s situation, though he mainly talked about Xie Ning.

“Alright, Xiao Nan can take a day off tomorrow. Xing, you should rest tomorrow too,” Sister Dao said, delighted to hear Xie Ning wanted to invite Lin Xing again.

What did I say?

Lin Xing’s professional skills have long surpassed what they were ten years ago.

After hanging up, Lin Xing turned to Xiao Nan, “You heard her. It’s settled.”

However, the next day, Lin Xing didn’t rest—he went to Kong Tian’s studio.

“Oh, you don’t know yet? Sitou Hui’s son has joined the ‘Sweeping the Dark Waves’ cast as well,” Kong Tian said, smiling mysteriously. “But I don’t have much faith in her son.”

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