Chapter 34.1 – Of course there wouldn’t be a problem sleeping here [at your place].

Editor: SleepyMango123

Proofreader: Lore

The variety show 《Liang Shanbo and Romeo》 was the key project that Orange Satellite TV¹Probably refers to Tianjin’s Orange Image Media? would be focusing on in the second half of the 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 shows²Refers to a type of variety show called “Real Variety Show” that was started in South Korea(?) by the program Infinite Challenge. Essentially an unscripted challenge-based variety show(?) must go through a series of processes, from scene selection to editing then post-production before being submitted to the review board. So after the filming was finished, it might take at least another three weeks before it could actually be broadcasted on TV. However, Xia Rong and everyone had only started recording in early May, then in the blink of an eye, the program was already scheduled for May 20. Strictly speaking, it was rather rushed.

However, 《Liang Eo³The shortened name for the show. In the raws, it’s the first and last characters.》 had been a hot topic starting from when the guests were finalized all the way up until the filming had officially started, gaining wide attention from everyone. Just from the selection of the guests and it could be seen that a lot of consideration had been put in— They had Xia Rong and Ye Mang who were of such popularity that the production would be able to maintain the attention online simply because the large number of fans who would enthusiastically discuss their idols. But they also had a popular young actor like Su Chi, who was not only handsome but could also act well – improving the quality of their program; and some spring chickens⁴Raw: 小鮮肉 [xiǎo xiān ròu] lit. translation: “young fresh meat” which is an internet slang term referring to “teens or young adults who are nice-looking (especially with impeccable skin) and look innocent.” – hahachn.wordpress like Kang Yifan and Zhang Xin, who were known nationally, so the audience could come by to “see what that young boy from back then grew up to be like” – developing an intimacy with the program. Meanwhile, with Gao Junming, as the last confirmed member, the program team was interested in the fact that he brought along his own group of hyped-up fans that had the ability to create their own topics. If he ended up having a sense of existence by the end, then it would be similar to decorating the already perfect, but if he ended 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 in just over ten days after Xia Rong and the others had finished recording. For this, they had even come up with a plan: the original content recorded by the members would be split and edited into two parts, which would then be broadcast over two weeks— While the first half would be broadcasted this week, the second half was still in the studio, being edited under 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 would make everything more pressing, but it 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 video⁵Raw: 清凉一夏 [qīng liáng yī xià] Difficult to really figure out what they mean by it, but “qīng liáng” can be translated as “cool/refreshing/(of clothing) skimpy/revealing” while “yī xià” means “one summer” or “one Xia Rong.” So there’s a lot of possibilities/puns that can be gotten from this. The tame version can be: “a cool refreshing summer [spent watching this variety]” or a more scandalous “a revealing Xia Rong [encouraging people to watch this variety show].”” 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 go 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 annotated their own scripts. So Su Chi couldn’t carelessly 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 disappointed⁶Raw: 泄气 [xiè qì] This could also be translated as “discouraged/frustrated/disheartening.” I have no clue which one, not necessarily enough context clues either, I think. Choose your favorite~ But to me, it’s like “losing a bit of his enthusiasm,” so I went with ‘disappointed’.— 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 was 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. “I better 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? What would actually be troublesome is if you happened 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 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 clearly 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 hand⁷Er Kang was a character (second male lead, I guess) of an old drama, My Fair Princess. This ‘hand’ is essentially that stretched out hand posture that people make when trying to stop another person… In semi-recent years, that specific scene of this character has become a meme/sticker to express this feeling.’ 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!”

YinYue has something to say:

Edit: This chapter is now updated~

Old: Sorry for the wait, everyone! I know I keep on saying things should be stabilizing but… Here’s the new plan. Chapter 34 (this chapter) is already translated, I’ve sent it to editing/proofreading. I will set the second part to be released in 6 days, which should be enough time for it to be finished editing. With expectations that I will have the next chapter out within 12 days, at the very least, there should be a part out by that time. If all goes well, I hope to have the next chapter completely ready (edits and everything) within 12 days, then I’ll be able to release ahead of time.

That being said~ The edited and PR’ed version of Chapter 33 has also been updated! Please check back for a refresher or if you had any confusions, it might be clearer now~

See you in 6 days~

• 1
  Probably refers to Tianjin’s Orange Image Media? ↩︎
• 2
  Refers to a type of variety show called “Real Variety Show” that was started in South Korea(?) by the program Infinite Challenge. Essentially an unscripted challenge-based variety show(?) ↩︎
• 3
  The shortened name for the show. In the raws, it’s the first and last characters. ↩︎
• 4
  Raw: 小鮮肉 [xiǎo xiān ròu] lit. translation: “young fresh meat” which is an internet slang term referring to “teens or young adults who are nice-looking (especially with impeccable skin) and look innocent.” – hahachn.wordpress ↩︎
• 5
  Raw: 清凉一夏 [qīng liáng yī xià] Difficult to really figure out what they mean by it, but “qīng liáng” can be translated as “cool/refreshing/(of clothing) skimpy/revealing” while “yī xià” means “one summer” or “one Xia Rong.” So there’s a lot of possibilities/puns that can be gotten from this. The tame version can be: “a cool refreshing summer [spent watching this variety]” or a more scandalous “a revealing Xia Rong [encouraging people to watch this variety show].” ↩︎
• 6
  Raw: 泄气 [xiè qì] This could also be translated as “discouraged/frustrated/disheartening.” I have no clue which one, not necessarily enough context clues either, I think. Choose your favorite~ But to me, it’s like “losing a bit of his enthusiasm,” so I went with ‘disappointed’. ↩︎
• 7
  Er Kang was a character (second male lead, I guess) of an old drama, My Fair Princess. This ‘hand’ is essentially that stretched out hand posture that people make when trying to stop another person… In semi-recent years, that specific scene of this character has become a meme/sticker to express this feeling. ↩︎