Golden Assistant 26

PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD ELSEWHERE. 
If you're reading this anywhere else, it has been stolen from https://daisyktranslations.blogspot.com/

Please let me know if there are any errors!
I will continue to translate till the end, so don't worry that this will be dropped. Do be patient though because this is a one man show, it requires a lot of time and work. 
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Thanks and enjoy the entire Chapter 26! 
Not split into 3 parts because well I find myself surprisingly free today. 

*hint* 😉

  

Chapter 26

Xiao Yi said: "You see Li Changzheng also has no girlfriend, he never had. Everyone also keeps saying he's gay."

Luzhou said: "It's all because of the gay rumors, otherwise his achievements would be higher than now, the entertainment industry still very much rejects gays, understand?"

"En." Xiao Yi said.

Luzhou said: "You are unhappy because I talked about your Li Changzheng? Facts are facts, he is already half out of the closet. Originally no matter how you play privately in the industry, regardless if you want to fool around with a male or female, no one cared. But once you are out of the closet it is very hard to find a good script, no directors want to hire him, and producers just felt that he couldn't act as a straight male, so no one will seek him out."

"This I know." Xiao Yi nodded his head, "Selling rot[1] can increase popularity, but if being gay is true then the future is ruined."

"Good that you know." Luzhou said.

Xiao Yi: "But weren't we talking about dating? How did the topic switch to coming out of the closet....."

Luzhou: "........"

Xiao Yi said: "So what are you doing to do? Wanna meet my younger female cousin?"

Luzhou laughed out loud, just one sentence from Xiao Yi made his mood better. Both of them remembered  when they went to Xiao Yi's house previously, Dad Xiao hurriedly tried to introduce Luzhou to a blind date.

"Your younger cousin." Luzhou said, "Poof, there's already one Tsuki (rabbit), I don't wish to get married to a female Tsuki..... hahahah."

(Note: To refresh your memories, Tsuki is this rabbit ---->  )


PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD ELSEWHERE. 
If you're reading this anywhere else, it has been stolen from https://daisyktranslations.blogspot.com/


Xiao Yi: —_—凸

End April to mid May in Beijing is crowded with loads of people, the entire city was flying with catkins (Note: a type of flower) in the smog, making Xiao Yi feeling like his lungs were gonna mutate. Luckily Luzhou was not accepting any filming, so he could temporarily rest. The air conditioner and purifier were on at home, Xiao Yi only had to call to order groceries, letting the supermarket deliver them straight to the house. 

In the morning Xiao Yi exercises with Luzhou, in the afternoon Luzhou attends fitness sessions, in the evening he uses an hour to engage in facial massages and male skincare routines, at night he cooks a few Hubei dishes with Xiao Yi, and occasionally he even reads up on Shakespeare's playscripts. 

Xiao Yi often heard people saying many artists were strawbags[2], but from what he could see, most of the artists were very hardworking, with some who joked about themselves as an exception. Those with good acting abilities, who could still eat well in their forties, did not depend on their looks, so they all had some talents. Just like Luzhou's lifestyle, just comparing to Xiao Yi, even comparing with many others with the same ages, was more painstaking and healthier. Knowing to learn to improve and also knew to exercise, living life seriously. 

 Ning Yaqing used to learn ballet, although her acting was tender, she usually undergoes rigorous trainings. Zhang Xinran studied folk music, often practicing hard with a pipa and physical trainings. 

Even those like Wu Henggu, Hu Yang and others, they also did not live a life of indulgence. At least when Xiao Yi was following the team, Hu Yang would read the script daily and follow Director Guo around taking notes. Wu Henggu was learning chinese calligraphy, and there were several times when Xiao Yi went to the office and saw him practicing. The kind of artist that clubs everyday, drove sportscars to parties, can casually act very well without hardwork, would only exist in Korean dramas. 

Luzhou, all by himself, was trained so hard that he actually wanted to force Xiao Yi to accompany him to the fitness sessions, until finally Xiao Yi threatened him with a resignation letter that Luzhou had no choice but to give up. 

Just like that a month went pass, Dumei called from time to time, the latest call was to tell them a good news, that the people from Juhua said they have sold the drama rights. Although it will not be broadcasted by the four big stations, they still picked a good one, at a prime timing. (Note: this prime timing is from 7pm - 10pm) 


Xiao Yi's heart blossomed, and he told Luzhou. Luzhou with a mask on his face just replied, "Oh." 

"Don't even know about the theme song." Xiao Yi said, "But broadcasting right away, that's great! June ah!" 

Luzhou ripped his mask off to wash his face, said: "Your song was selected to be the theme song, a music god has been requested to sing it." 

Xiao Yi: "........." 

Luzhou subconsciously wanted to avoid Xiao Yi, but Xiao Yi trembled with fear and asked. 

"Which music god? It wouldn't be Wang Feng right." 

Luzhou: "........"

Luzhou almost fell. After saying a name, Xiao Yi screamed once and rushed upstairs. 

Luzhou angrily said: "What are you happy about! If not for me, who would support you!" 

Xiao Yi happily rushed into his room, leaped onto the bed and immediately grabbed a chibi doll of Luzhou, rolled clockwise, cruelly pressed and punched it a few times then proceeded to hug it, kissing and biting it.  

Luzhou walked in, his face convulsing. 

Xiao Yi: "......."

Luzhou: "......."

Xiao Yi immediately loosened his grip on the doll, and with a serious face he said: "It's nothing, well, it's alright!" 

Luzhou barely looked at him, said: "Has Dumei transfer the payment to you yet?"

Xiao Yi: "There's a payment?"

Luzhou made an En sound, and said: "Only twenty thousand (about 2800 USD), people in your industry, hey —— come serve your male god some facial essence......"

Xiao Yi went over to help apply facial essence, fingers touching here and there on Luzhou's face. Luzhou roared: "Are you washing a wall! Circular motions! Circular motions do you understand!" 

Xiao Yi hastily changed directions, still immersed in the joy from the news of the theme song. Luzhou with an itching-for-a-beating expression said: "People in your line of work can just simply starve to death by the roadside in minutes, one song, working till you're half dead, only twenty thousand dollars, it's not even enough for me to have a meal......" 

Xiao Yi leaned up, and fiercely kissed Luzhou on the lips. (Note: What what what WHAT IS GG ON excuse moi i'm just excited) 

Luzhou's eyes widened, his face flushed, and his hands froze. 

Xiao Yi was so happy to the point of madness that he kissed Luzhou, and he turned and ran away.

"Ah ha ha ha ha ha  —— "

"Ah ah ah —— "

"I love you to death Lu Ge[3]! I'm too happy ah ha ha ha ha!" 


PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD ELSEWHERE. 

If you're reading this anywhere else, it has been stolen from https://daisyktranslations.blogspot.com/


Luzhou: "......."

Luzhou sat down, his expressions changing rapidly. Xiao Yi had no idea how to vent his emotions, not even in his dreams did he imagine his own composed song would become a tv drama's theme song, it's also Luzhou's drama, and it's even broadcasted during prime timing! Ah Ah Ah He shouted, his eyes seemingly had a ray of light spinning round and round. He laid on the sofa, lost in thought. 

Five seconds later, Xiao Yi started to daydream, holding a Grammy award, with a serious look towards the light he said: "I thank my assistant Luzhou......"

"Ah ha ha ha......" Xiao Yi had a whole face filled with Tsuki's frivolous, silly expressions.

(Note: i guess this is him now hahahahah ---->   )


Luzhou was already completely ignoring him, he wwas sitting and applying his facial essence, his face still slightly flushed. 

 After a long arduous wait, the end of the month finally came. 

After Xiao Yi had his meal, he threw his bowl into the sink, and went to on the tv to wait for the drama to start. Luzhou didn't know to cry or to laugh, and said: "Why did you off the lights! It's a drama and you're treating it like a movie!"

Luzhou helplessly washed the dishes, normally he does not allow the housekeeping aunty to touch his personal bowl and chopsticks, so after every meal Xiao Yi would wash the dishes. Today Xiao Yi ran off to watch the tv, and left Luzhou with no choice but to don the apron and wash the dishes himself. 

Xiao Yi held his breath and looked at the screen, and Luzhou walked past him holding a glass. Xiao Yi said: "Zhou Ge you're not watching?" 

"Not watching." Luzhou said, "Too shocking."

"Don't be like this —— " Xiao Yi screamed, hugging his waist and dragging him over to the sofa. 

Luzhou had to sit down, waiting blankly for his own drama to start. In the first minute of the opening, the melody started, Xiao Yi stared in concentration, raising his eyebrows slightly and started to sing along in a low voice. 

In the dark, light and shadows began to change. Xiao Yi stared at the screen motionlessly, but Luzhou turned to glance at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi laughed, looking sideways at Luzhou, his eyebrows moving, the words that their eyes held, both could not comprehend, but that atmosphere and feeling could be understood.

 They stared into each other's eyes and after a few seconds, both felt that their breathing were a little abnormal. Xiao Yi then closed his eyes, let out a few grunts and said: "The music god sings too well, he can even grasp all the feelings."

Luzhou unnaturally intended to leave, and said: "Che[4], he's already outdated." 

"Don't go —— " Xiao Yi said. 

Luzhou resignedly dragged a stool over, placed both feet up and proceeded to accompany Xiao Yi to watch his own drama. When Xiao Yi saw a funny moment in the drama, he would wahahaha laugh out. 

Luzhou numbly ate snacks, and got shocked for two whole episodes. 

From that day onwards, Xiao Yi would watch the drama everyday without fail, and Luzhou would be next to him chirping - this is not good, that is too draggy. Until he watched to the middle did Xiao Yi realize. 

The entire drama was full of fillers, after the first few episodes it began to get draggy, sometimes to the point where he would get impatient. The pace was too slow, only when Luzhou was in the scenes did Xiao Yi feel that it was good to watch, once Luzhou was not on screen he wanted to change channels. 

"Wu Henggu's acting is not bad." Luzhou commented, "He suits this genre." 

"En." Xiao Yi nodded his head, and said, "He is suitable to act as a noble young master." 

A majority of Wu Henggu's historical drama roles comprised of kings and second generation rich young masters, but if he had to be like Luzhou, to show the majestic aura of a king, to control the lowest of the commoners and slowly evolve to a villainous traitor.... that will not work. 

In this drama Wu Henggu had garnered the highest popularity, perhaps verifying Dumei's words previously that male leads were used to carry the story lines, second male leads were to be loved. Wu Henggu became popular, and not many people who watched the drama discussed about Luzhou. Maybe everyone did not quite prefer a 35 year old with no car or house, and only earning a five thousand salary kind of virgin man. 

The general public loved the chic, young, handsome and rich Wu Henggu. 

But Xiao Yi felt, the character Kou Bin played by Luzhou, carried a more unique character and humbling emotions than the urban men. They owed money on both sides, and with a old horse pulling a broken cart full of village relatives, a rural man went to the city intending to strike gold. Who would know that the rural men would drift in Beijing with no goals, no plans, no Beijing account, with only one wish to succeed through one's own hard work and change to become a full fledged urban man, to firmly stand on both feet in the city and change the fates of oneself, the future children and grandchildren.  

 Luzhou told him, the male lead is used to carry the plot the second male lead is to be loved, it's because the screenwriters' skills were not good enough, the script was not written well. This response was expected, they wanted to fully encompass the topic, but in reality they could not, so they had to comprise with a script that was half idealistic, half realistic, in order to satisfy the investors' demands. 

Towards the end of the drama Xiao Yi looked at the ratings. Only 0.89%, and there was no one discussing about Kou Bin in the last ten episodes. Everyone was either talking about Wu Henggu and Luzhou's CP, or fervently talking about Wu Henggu. 

Xiao Yi felt a little bothered by this sort of discussion, feeling like Luzhou had made wedding clothes for someone else to wear (Note: he felt that Luzhou worked hard for other people to gain the benefits instead). However, Dumei should be very happy, since this drama was not only maintaining exposure for Luzhou, but was also raising Wu Henggu up. Following this, Wu Henggu's future remuneration should have a sharp increase. 

Luzhou didn't care much about the ratings, everyday after the show he would go on Taobao and then sleep. One day, Xiao Yi received a call from a classmate, who said: "Hero[5], did you write the theme song?" 

Xiao Yi had a fluttery feeling, and said: "Yes ah, hey, the writing is so-so, you've unexpectedly seen it." 

"You are capable you!" The other was shockingly surprised and said: "You have mixed well! Wrote for a music god too? You should have earned quite a bit right!" 

Xiao Yi in immediate modesty said: "No no, actually I was only helping a friend to write, ah yes, It's Luzhou, ah ha ha, our friendship is solid, this couldn't be rejected, ha ha ha, quite well, how are you doing recently ah —— " 

That night, after Xiao Yi hung up, he immediately went to search his song online and realized it could be found in the top recommendations in the media library. Seems like his classmate was right, this song was really played everywhere in public! 

 Xiao Yi had his own channel for those who engaged in pop music, and he also looked for friends who used to worked in media platforms to have him check. 

"Is this considered popular yet?" Xiao Yi asked Luzhou. 

"Popular." Luzhou looked at the statistics and said: "Very popular, even that movie theme song by Li Changzheng is not as highly rated as yours." 

"Oh —— " Xiao Yi said. 

"Ha ha ha President Xiao where do you intend to march to next ah —— " Luzhou patted Xiao Yi on the shoulder with a flattering smile and said, "When the time comes don't forget about me this Xiao Lu ha ha ha ha." 

"I won't I wont." Xiao Yi modestly smiled. 

Luzhou angrily said: "You are really daydreaming ah!" Go wash up and sleep!"

Xiao Yi: "........"

Xiao Yi said: "It's also useless, the pay for writing a song is not even comparable to being an assistant, and....." 

"And what?" Luzhou's face sank and said, "And signed a three years contract, even if you wanted to run you can't?" 

Xiao Yi said: "And I feel in this lifetime, at best only these two songs can be popular, you don't know how I wrote them. Anyways, I feel like I will never have this opportunity again, and this inspiration..... Right, do you want a flesh light?  It's on sale." 

Xiao Yi flipped back a page on the Taobao specials section that was displayed on the Ipad, and the entire page was filled with all kinds of flesh lights.

Luzhou did not answer and then said, "Flip."

Xiao Yi: "A flesh light is actually quite good, Zhou Ge you don't have a girlfriend, if you don't do it yourself, the prostate is easily....."

Luzhou growled: "None of your business!" 

Xiao Yi had no choice but to flip the page. Luzhou said: "I suddenly remembered, everytime I buy something do you think I don't want it? So you take it for your own use? For the sake of your own safety, just buy me one flesh light, then you take it for your own usage, lest you buy twenty of them and make yourself die from exhaustion....." 

Xiao Yi immediately said: "How about we look at something else today, what about the number 1 store?" 



PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD ELSEWHERE. 

If you're reading this anywhere else, it has been stolen from https://daisyktranslations.blogspot.com/

 A month had not passed, the drama had not finished broadcasting either, but Xiao Yi saw that the ratings were not high. Luzhou was not hyped by anyone, and no one had interest in chasing the drama either. Thus, the drama thoroughly died out. 

Luzhou kept saying that he did not care about the ratings, but he was still a little concerned. Everyday he needed to check if anyone was discussing about him, when no one mentioned him he was unsatisfied, when people talked bad about him he was irritable. To add on, he was eating at home everyday, even though his physical appearance was not affected, he had in fact gained 4kgs. Poor Xiao Yi had to prepare for him to lose weight. 

"This is of course your fault." Luzhou said while carrying bowls to the dining table, "Don't you know nutrition?"

"Okay." Xiao Yi said, "Later let us lose weight together."

Xiao Yi was the kind to never get fat, but he still had to accompany him to eat bland foods everyday. Luzhou had a gloomy face, he disliked everything he saw. Xiao Yi said: "Lu Ge, actually about the ratings.... don't be too concerned, I think once the broadcasts start, the ratings will definitely rise."

Xiao Yi actually thought that ratings were quite concerning, but these few days he saw that Luzhou was in  a bad mood and hence could only use promises of the future to comfort him.

"You don't understand." Luzhou waved his hand impatiently, saying: "Go fry some meat, I don't want to eat vegetarian anymore, my mouth is already tasteless."

Xiao Yi helplessly got up to cut some bacon to stir fry it for him. When he sat down, Luzhou sighed and pondering, saying: "It's not about the popularity, it's about switching image. This issue, I have long spoken about it with Dumei."

"You're not old ah." Xiao Yi said, "You can still act the role of a 20+ year old male, but I prefer when you act more mature roles."

"You like mature men?" Luzhou asked.

"En." Xiao Yi thought Why does this sound like I am some pervert who likes old men....

Luzhou said: "Once entertainers reach my age, they must switch image. They can't be like that someone, almost forty yet still acting a role as a seventeen eighteen year old little girl, understand?"

"Ok ok." Xiao Yi answered.

Xiao Yi finished cooking the bacon and placed it in front of Luzhou, vaguely understanding and asked: "So you're not going to accept any idol dramas?"

"Not exactly." Luzhou said, "It must be as little as possible. To develop in historical dramas, 1900s dramas, this is the main point. It helps to improve on popularity rankings and also helps to improve oneself. Those messy youth dramas, idol dramas and fashion dramas, it's better to accept less, the best would be just once a year."

Xiao Yi said: "Actually I the movies you acted in even more, how come you don't accept more movies?"

Luzhou helplessly said: "I also want them, but no directors cast me."

Xiao Yi: "......"

Luzhou said: "Initially, there were people looking for me to act in movies, and only allowed me to act in movies. But when you have no money what choice do you have, Director Guo asked me to act in a drama I will go, I haven't reached the point where I can not care about money and just act in anything I like. They think they acting in more tv shows will make the value of an actor low, the actor will not be able to engage the movie loving masters, if he can engage, within a few days that actor will still have to go and film tv shows, and will be unhappy to continue engaging."

Luzhou moved his chopsticks, earnestly eating the vegetables, once the bacon arrived, he was satisfied. It seems like he had been starved these past few days due to the bland vegetarian foods. Xiao Yi said: "But President Du will not let you be too picky, she still wants you to hold on for a few years,you are her money tree."

Luzhou was slightly surprised that Xiao Yi would say so, and he nodded his head. Xiao Yi thought even the successful Luzhou would meet difficulties in his career, and have a fear of not being able to improve further.

"Just like us music composers......" Xiao Yi said.

"You are a little assistant." Luzhou mocked, "What music composer?"

Xiao Yi: "Well, in the past when I was studying music, I would constantly doubt if I was even the creative sort. After much difficulty I finally wrote a song, the next song much be better than the previous, if not I will be dead. Sometimes, the hurdles you give yourself are the hardest to conquer, I can understand your feelings."

Luzhou said nothing, and Xiao Yi continued to sprout nonsense: "In conclusion being a waste is the best, there is not pressure at all."

Luzhou made a Pfft sound and spit out some rice.

After the meal, Xiao Yi was washing the dishes when Duma called, asking if he could come out to play at night. Xiao Yi asked Luzhou, to which a displeased Luzhou said: "It's Duma again?"

Xiao Yi asked: "Can I go out?"

Luzhou: "No."

Xiao Yi had no choice but to call Duma back, said he couldn't go, while Luzhou listened with his ears raised, waiting for Xiao Yi to say he couldn't go before saying: "Forget it, you can go."

Xiao Yi could only give Duma another call to say he could meet.

Luzhou: "If you go, don't come back."

Xiao Yi gave Duma another call to say he was not meeting anymore.

Luzhou: "Duma's temper is so good?"

Xiao Yi: "I am only pretending to call."

Luzhou: "......."


10pm, in a restaurant's private room.

This restaurant is where rich people love to come for supper, previously Luzhou brought Xiao Yi here once, quite a few celebrities love coming here to eat as well. Xiao Yi saw Duma and someone else sitting in a private room on the second floor. Duma raised his hand to wave at him, while the other man wearing a suit was leisurely listening to a song.

When Xiao Yi walked over, the other man turned and Xiao Yi almost fell one floor down from the private room.

The man's hair was a little long, and he carried a melancholic temperament. In the dim lights his eyebrows were clearly defined. When compared to the manly Luzhou who had thick eyebrows and big eyes, this person's features were softer, his aura gentler, while facing Xiao Yi without a word, he made him feel like he was a spring breeze.

Li...... Chang..... Zheng......

If Xiao Yi saw this person on the streets, he might not be able to recognize him. But in the restaurant, with Duma right beside, it must be him!

 "Come, let me do the introductions. This is Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, your male god, please don't tell me you can't recognize him." Duma said.

Li Changzheng smiled saying: "I've seen you before, in Qin Palace last time."

"Yes." Xiao Yi smiled, shook hands with Li Changzheng, and said: "You are my idol."

"You are also my idol." Li Changzheng said with a smile.

Li Changzheng said: "After listening to your song, I begged Duma for days before he agreed to ask you out for us to meet. I have nothing much to say, just wanted to thank you for writing such a great song, reminding me of the past times when I was struggling in Beijing.

"Your..... movie." Xiao Yi said, "Um, also.... accompanied me though my university days, I am serious. Throughout my first love, every time your movie was showing I would ask my girlfriend out to watch and make it a date."

Li Changzheng laughed and thought for a while, and said: "Well, at that time the movie had just debuted."




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Personal thoughts:

LOL. This chapter really threw quite a few bombs at me. I didn't know the chinese words for flesh light and so I went to google the words and BAM. Xiao Yi ah Xiao Yi why are you buying sex toys for Luzhou.....  and would a totally straight guy kiss another guy on the lips? Please be less oblivious I am waiting for some real action. Also the author is very confusing... I am not sure if they are just mistakes but there's not a proper flow in the novel? I don't know how to explain. At times i think that a particular thing has already ended but a few paragraphs later it hasn't started???? If you are also confused I am sorry - so am I. 

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Notes: 

1. 卖卖腐, pronounced as 'mai mai fu', means selling rot - using gay contexts to promote oneself because hey fujoshis are aplenty (that market is big) 😝

2. 草包, pronounced as 'cao bao', can be directly translated as strawbags. It's a China Chinese saying used to describe a useless person or a person with no abilities.  

3. Same thing again. 哥, pronounced as 'Ge', is a chinese word used to describe an older brother, or someone who is generally an older male that is close to you. I wonder if I have to put this note every time?

4. 切, pronounced as 'che', is a sound of anger or frustration. 

5. 大侠, pronounced as 'da xia', means hero. It's another China Chinese thing, when you call someone else a daxia, this person knows something better than you do, or is an expert and you are seeking for guidance. 

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My dear readers, if you would like to please refuel me. I'm a major coffee addict hehe....

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