A Star Who Can Do Everything Except Filming (4): 

The Daughter of the World was a transmigrator. Relying on her knowledge of the novel’s plot, and on the status that gave her whatever she wanted after transmigration, she never cared about such trivial details.

Her gaze toward those around her was always full of disdain, aloof and superior, just like the original owner of the body she had taken over. With an indifferent sneer she said, “So what if you’re married? If Chu Feng wants to cast you aside, it’s no different from driving out a dog!”

“Enough!” the adjutant roared, unable to bear the insults directed at Si Qi any longer. He turned to the marquis’s wife and said, “The guest you invited is making such outrageous remarks in public. Are we to believe she has no regard for our general at all?!”

The lady of the house now looked at the Daughter of the World as if at a bringer of misfortune. She did not want this unwelcome guest disturbing the banquet and bringing her trouble, so she forced a smile and said, “This is truly embarrassing. Mr. Si, please go inside and rest. I will handle matters here.”

When the adjutant went to escort Si Qi away, the Daughter of the World stepped forward. “Hey, I was talking to you. Why are you walking away!”

A few girls who were on good terms with the original Zheng Shi sensed something was wrong and anxiously tugged at her sleeve, trying to stop her.

They usually strutted arrogantly outside, bullying commoners without background, but in front of peers of equal status they at least had to put on an air of gentleness and humility. How could she act so brazenly without restraint?

But the Daughter of the World ignored them completely, continuing to posture arrogantly and provoke with an air of superiority. This left them disheartened, unable to understand why their friend’s personality had changed so drastically.

A servant had already rushed off the moment the Daughter of the World began provoking Si Qi to notify the marquis.

Inside, a group of nobles were discussing important matters when news came that the duke’s daughter was publicly humiliating the general’s partner and repeatedly provoking him. The once-friendly atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

Chu Feng’s face darkened as he glared at the duke opposite him. The duke was stunned, quickly waving his hands to explain it had nothing to do with him, that his daughter had acted on her own…

The marquis and several officials looked at the duke with obvious disapproval. Such poor discipline of his daughter!

The duke was bitterly helpless, forced to swallow his grievance. He quickly rose to apologize to Chu Feng, then hurried after the servant toward the banquet hall.

As soon as he entered the doors, he heard his daughter shrieking loudly. The duke’s face turned green with rage. He strode forward, grabbed her arm, and roared, “Shut up!!”

Without waiting for her to recover, he pressed her head down and apologized to Si Qi: “My daughter is young and ignorant, she spoke nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart. I will discipline her properly afterward.”

He then dragged the screaming, struggling Daughter of the World and forced her to bow toward Chu Feng as well: “I will send a gift later as an apology. I hope you can forgive our rudeness.”

But Chu Feng did not even look at the duke. With a cold expression, he walked past him.

This attitude left the duke frantic. He gripped his daughter’s arm tightly and growled under his breath, “Look at the trouble you’ve caused!!”

Forced to bow her head in humiliation, the Daughter of the World was furious and shouted, “What are you doing?! How did I cause trouble for you? Why waste time with Chu Feng—he’s just a useless cripple on the verge of death!!”

A sharp hiss of inhaled breaths sounded around them. Many instinctively stepped back, afraid Chu Feng’s wrath would fall on the father and daughter and drag them down with them.

The duke nearly fainted with rage, bellowing, “Shut up!!!”

Chu Feng walked to Si Qi’s side, studying his expression. Seeing that Si Qi still had the mind to smile at him, he finally eased a little.

“You—”

“I’m fine.” Si Qi lifted his chin proudly. “That kind of person isn’t worth bothering about.”

Chu Feng pressed his lips together. “It was my fault for not protecting you.”

Those eavesdropping around them were stunned to hear the stern, cold general—always seen as iron-faced and unyielding—speak such gentle words. They instantly realized Si Qi’s place in Chu Feng’s heart and felt relieved.

Fortunately, they had not rushed earlier to ingratiate themselves with Zheng Shi or said something unpleasant to Si Qi. Otherwise, they would be the ones now begging for forgiveness!

Si Qi didn’t care about all that. He simply reached up to straighten Chu Feng’s tie.

The way he adjusted his lover’s clothing was practiced and natural, making many hearts skip a beat. They thought: the relationship between Si Qi and General Chu really is close. How had they never caught wind of it before? What a miscalculation!

Chu Feng did not refuse Si Qi’s intimate gesture. His voice was stern: “I will give you an explanation for this.”

Si Qi responded casually, “Mm,” but added, “That woman is just a lunatic. This matter truly has nothing to do with the duke.”

Chu Feng frowned in displeasure, staring into Si Qi’s eyes. Only after a long pause did he compromise: “Very well, then.”

If Si Qi did not want him to make an enemy of the duke, he would listen.

He did not want to make Si Qi unhappy.

The duke had the rampaging Daughter of the World dragged out. The farce had exposed his family’s scandal before everyone, utterly humiliating. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he returned to Chu Feng and apologized to Si Qi: “This matter is truly… ai, please do not take such nonsense to heart. I will discipline that unfilial daughter!”

Si Qi did not answer directly, only saying, “My husband will handle this matter with you appropriately.”

The duke cast a guilty look at Chu Feng. Chu Feng’s mind kept circling around the word “husband.” After a long moment, recalling Si Qi’s reminder, he finally said, “It was a misunderstanding.”

The duke’s eyes widened. He had not expected Chu Feng to suddenly become so easy to talk to. He knew Chu Feng had been truly furious earlier, unwilling to give him even the slightest face. Now that Chu Feng was suddenly willing to let him off the hook, he was deeply grateful, his guilt growing heavier. Embarrassed, he said, “Your magnanimity shames me. This was entirely my fault. Later I will present you with a token of my sincerity.”

Several noble ladies who had witnessed Si Qi persuading Chu Feng to change his mind instantly felt an even stronger desire to befriend Si Qi. Clearly, he held immense weight in the general’s heart. With him, wouldn’t getting along with General Chu become easy?

Once the matter was settled, the duke and the other nobles gathered around Chu Feng and left the banquet hall again.

On Si Qi’s side, things were completely different from earlier. It became lively, with no one daring to judge him with critical eyes anymore. Instead, all wore eager, flattering smiles, hoping to build good relations with him.

Since Chu Feng was notoriously difficult to approach, now that there was suddenly another path to win his favor, of course everyone wanted to shower Si Qi with gifts. Even if they failed to please Chu Feng, pleasing Si Qi would be just as good!

The adjutant, watching Si Qi carry himself so smoothly in the crowd, let out a sigh of relief.

His view of Si Qi shifted from being merely an accessory to the general to someone powerful enough to support the general in return. The surface politeness he once showed now turned into genuine respect.

After the banquet ended, Si Qi and Chu Feng got into the car under the marquis couple’s escort.

Si Qi said, “I need to attend a scheduled event.”

Chu Feng asked, “When?”

“It starts in an hour and a half.”

Chu Feng said, “Adjutant Zhang.”

From the passenger seat, the adjutant quickly responded, “I will move your afternoon appointments to tomorrow.”

As he said this, he was already considering how to coordinate with Mr. Si’s agent. Both men they served were busy people—if their schedules weren’t aligned properly, conflicts would be inevitable.

This time the engagement was just a routine promotional event for a TV drama, and many fans came specifically to see Si Qi.

Some of them noticed Chu Feng, who was deliberately hiding his presence, and looked suspiciously at the face beneath his mask. A few even secretly snapped photos of him and posted them online, happily claiming they had run into someone who looked exactly like General Chu.

But when the director and others at the venue actually saw Chu Feng’s face, they were dumbfounded. Standing backstage, they froze stiffly one by one, glancing at Si Qi and then at Chu Feng, utterly confused about how Si Qi knew such a big figure.

The manager, head pounding, tried to crack jokes and divert the conversation. He thought to himself that this couldn’t be hidden for long anyway. Sure enough, once he returned to the company, the chairman summoned him and asked, “What exactly is the relationship between Si Qi and General Chu?”

The manager had no choice but to brace himself and say, “Well… Si Qi… and General Chu… are m-married…”

For a star at the height of popularity to suddenly be married—this was something difficult to even admit, no matter the industry.

But the chairman, instead of being shocked, slapped the table in excitement, stood up, and said, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

The manager: “……”

The manager asked, “Where did you get this information?”

The chairman lifted his head, gestured toward the sky, and said meaningfully, “It’s already spread like wildfire up above. I only managed to get this news after digging around.”

The manager gave a dry laugh. “Oh… so that’s how it is…”

He had been so intent on keeping the secret, only to realize that in the eyes of the upper class this so-called secret was completely public knowledge.

Seeing his expression, the chairman asked suspiciously, “What’s with your attitude? Keeping things hidden is one thing, but now you still act like this?”

The manager stammered, “I just thought… if word got out, it would really hurt Si Qi’s career development…”

The chairman was blunt and matter-of-fact: “What career? He’s married to the general now, why would he need to keep working? You should contact Si Qi right away, ask if he wants to terminate the contract. Better that than for him to come find me about it, which would be awkward.”

The manager grew anxious. “Wait—that means the company is giving up on Si Qi?”

“Nonsense!” the chairman snapped, quickly distancing himself. “It’s Si Qi who doesn’t need us anymore!”

The manager shook his head. “No, no, Si Qi isn’t that kind of person. He won’t give up his career and willingly become a full-time housewife just because he’s married.”

“Housewife? That’s a noblewoman… no—bah! You’re twisting my words. That’s like a carp leaping over the dragon gate!” The chairman said, “Are you stupid? Si Qi is with the general now, and you’re still worrying that revealing his marriage will hurt his career? He’s just a star—at most he could set up his own studio and be his own boss, but he’d still have to bow his head to those aristocrats. Now, does he need to worry about career anymore? Isn’t this already the peak of his life?”

The manager didn’t know how to respond. He lowered his head and said softly, “But Si Qi…”

“Enough about Si Qi—you’re not thinking straight!” the chairman said impatiently. “Do you really think he cares so much about being a big star? Once he’s familiar with the upper-class circle, he might even feel ashamed to mention his old job! Stop wasting time. Go contact Si Qi right away. As for his engagements and endorsements, even if it means breaking contracts, don’t force him to do them, understood?”

The manager nodded, muttered a low “Oh,” and left the office gloomily.

He truly loved his work, believing it to be a noble career that brought people joy. Yet society always seemed to treat it as cheap and laughable, casually throwing around the word “actor” with scorn…

On the way out, he opened his terminal and searched for news about Si Qi. Rumors about Si Qi and Chu Feng were already beginning to surface, though they were vague and few believed them.

The comments below made the manager frown: “Si Qi’s pulling stunts again, how many rumors this month already?” “Now he’s dragging even General Chu into it—his fans are shameless.” “What kind of actor could ever deserve our hero? Si Qi should get lost and stay away from the general.”

Rubbing his brow, the manager worried that Si Qi really might take a huge hit to his career because of Chu Feng. After all, the internet’s malice toward celebrities was always merciless.

Maybe, he thought, quitting the entertainment industry and staying away from all the gossip wouldn’t be such a bad thing for Si Qi.

With that thought lingering, he once again followed the adjutant into the villa. The adjutant was explaining how Si and Chu would coordinate their work schedules in the future, but the manager barely listened, already entertaining the idea of bowing out.

Before he could suggest, “Maybe we should just drop it,” Si Qi beat him to it and said, “I’ve decided to go public with the relationship.”

The manager hesitated. “Actually, it wouldn’t matter if you didn’t.”

Si Qi raised a brow. “How long do you think this can be kept a secret? Better for me to say it first.”

The manager shook his head. “The chairman thinks you should just terminate your contract, leave the entertainment world, and then you won’t owe fans any explanation—you can just live your own life in peace.”

Si Qi crossed his arms, displeased. “Who said I was leaving the entertainment industry?”

The manager blinked. “Eh? You’re not? But…”

He suddenly felt moved. His hunch had been right: Si Qi truly valued his career and loved his work. He wouldn’t abandon it just because he’d married into wealth—even if his current career was mostly based on his looks.

Si Qi spread his hands. “I haven’t done anything wrong. Why should I leave the industry?”

The manager nodded reflexively and asked, “Then how do you plan to go public with the relationship?”

Si Qi said, “I heard Director Lin is planning a romance reality show. I can go on it with Chu Feng.”

He had three reasons: first, to use the platform to naturally announce the relationship; second, because his work required exposure and Chu Feng had to stay by his side anyway, so why not involve him; and third, because he wanted to use the show’s activities to build intimacy with Chu Feng and help break down his defenses for treatment…

Since he had to work anyway, why not pick a job that benefited his career, his relationship, and public opinion all at once?

Three birds with one stone.

The manager panicked. “No, that’s too risky!”

He had thought Si Qi would take things step by step. Who would have guessed his first move would be a bombshell? If it went wrong, there would be no turning back!

He pleaded, “General Chu’s popularity is enormous. No matter who he marries, his partner will be subjected to endless scrutiny about whether they deserve him. Now if you suddenly announce that the general is married to you, do you realize what the reaction will be? The hostility you’ll face will be unprecedented, because you’re a high-profile star! If you were a kindergarten teacher, it would be easier for the public to accept than as a celebrity. Normally, if you were attacked online, your fans would rush to protect you. But this time, your fans might cause an even bigger uproar than outsiders. You’ll be under fire from both sides!”

Si Qi raised his eyebrows. “So if I do nothing, when those people see me with Chu Feng all the time, they won’t scold me anymore?”

The manager: “…………”

No, it actually seemed they would only scold harsher, saying Si Qi was clinging to Chu Feng in hopes of turning from a sparrow into a phoenix or something like that…

The manager was helpless. Scratching his head, he asked, “Then what does General Chu think? Is he willing to participate in the show with you?”

Si Qi crossed his arms and replied carelessly, “Of course he’s willing.”

That meant he hadn’t even asked? The manager glanced at the adjutant, only to find that the man didn’t look troubled at all—instead, he smiled. “It’s just participating in a show. This much time can still be arranged.”

The manager explained, “This show isn’t as simple as just one interview. It’ll take at least ten days to half a month…”

The adjutant thought for a moment, then still said, “Ten days to half a month is fine.”

The general’s condition was so bad that he had basically stopped all outside work, focusing completely on recovering in the Imperial Capital. Taking advantage of this chance to spend more time with Mr. Si and deepen their relationship was a good thing, nothing to hesitate over.

The manager opened his mouth, then said dispiritedly, “Is that so…”

Why did it feel like everyone was happy about this, while he alone was worrying himself sick?

The manager sighed. “Then I’ll go discuss this with Director Lin. He’ll probably be so happy he’ll go crazy when he finds out.”

A top trending idol suddenly announcing a relationship and joining a show was already a hot topic in itself. And the other half of the couple wasn’t from the entertainment circle at all but the universally known General Chu. Just putting those two names together could guarantee the ratings for an entire season.

As expected, when the manager called Director Lin and said Si Qi wanted to join the show, the director on the other end instantly nodded like crazy. “Yes yes yes!” he said impatiently, eager to lock it down, even gloating a little. “Who’s the poor soul dating Si Qi?”

Why be so reckless, making their relationship public on a show? Weren’t they just waiting to be torn apart by Si Qi’s fans?

The manager: “…It’s General Chu.”

The other side fell silent for a long while before saying, “I didn’t quite catch that. Who did you say?”

“General Chu Feng.”

“………………” The director took a deep breath, speaking earnestly. “Old Li, you haven’t been drinking, have you? It’s not even evening yet.” How could he be daydreaming like this?

“It’s true,” the manager said wearily. “Anyway, just make the arrangements first. We’ll discuss the details later.”

Director Lin went quiet for a bit, probably weighing whether the show could bear the weight of such massive public attention. Finally, he clenched his teeth and thought to himself, “Fortune favors the bold,” and decisively said, “Alright! It’s settled then!”

If he pulled this off, he would become famous throughout the industry. This was the kind of major event that might not come once in ten years! Whether he could seize the opportunity depended entirely on him now.

He moved fast, urging the production team to quickly add Si Qi’s name to the guest list and post it on the show’s official account, even tagging Si Qi directly.

Si Qi’s fans, who constantly monitored news about him, went wild the instant they saw the announcement. Comments exploded under the post: some cursed, some screamed in denial, all of them emotionally charged.

The manager nervously opened his terminal to check the comment section. After only a couple of glances, his heart pounded so hard that he shut it, feeling like reading too much might shorten his life.

Unlike Si Qi, who could still calmly sip his coffee at a time like this. Seeing Si Qi’s composed expression, the manager snapped, “Fine, fine, I’m just the eunuch worrying when the emperor doesn’t care. When the netizens all start scolding you, what are you going to do?”

In just that short span, brand sponsors and film directors currently working with Si Qi had already called the manager, questioning him with less-than-friendly tones about what exactly was going on.

After all, if a celebrity damaged their image and provoked public outrage, it could be considered a breach of contract. In such cases, sponsors had the right to unilaterally terminate contracts or even demand compensation, since their products would be negatively affected. Continuing cooperation would only drag them down further.

The production teams were even more anxious. They had hired Si Qi precisely for his popularity. Now, with him suddenly in a relationship and angering his fans, who would still watch his dramas? Spending so much on an actor with no skills and no longer any fan appeal—he was worthless. Directors were more panicked than the manager himself.

The manager was frantic, juggling calls, trying to placate everyone with forced smiles and endless explanations. In the end, he had no choice but to bring up Chu Feng’s name to shut them up.

As time passed with no response from Si Qi, fans began digging frantically into who his lover might be. Celebrities previously linked to him by rumors suffered for it, all of them lying low, not daring to seize the moment for clout—only courting disaster.

Eventually, some fans noticed that whenever Si Qi went out lately, there was always a tall man in a mask by his side, whose brows and eyes resembled General Chu. They began digging into Si Qi and Chu Feng’s connection to see if Chu was really the one.

This obsessive frenzy surprised many onlookers. Chu Feng’s fans were furious, clashing directly with Si Qi’s fans, saying they were shamelessly clinging to Chu Feng. Did they even know their worth? How could General Chu possibly fall for a superficial pretty face like Si Qi?

Si Qi’s fans were angry too. They might insult him themselves, but why should outsiders get to? They immediately rolled up their sleeves and started fighting back, declaring that their Qiqi’s looks were unmatched, the most beautiful boy in the world, with enough admirers to circle the Empire hundreds of times. Chu Feng was just a stone-faced brute with no sense of romance—who would even want him, blah blah blah…

As a result, the internet was flooded with trending topics about Si Qi and Chu Feng. Even those who normally ignored entertainment news now knew that Si Qi, the recently super-popular star, was in a relationship—and fans even suspected his partner was General Chu. It was hilarious.

Suddenly, everyone knew about this dating show. It went viral even before airing. The director’s company had high hopes for him, and the once underfunded show instantly received massive investment. Famous screenwriters and planners flocked in, elevating the show from ordinary to polished and high-end.

Others heard the news too, including Fang Huai and Zheng Shi, the “Daughter of the World.” After losing face at the banquet hall last time, Zheng Shi hated Si Qi to the core. Hearing he would join a dating show and gain so much attention made her seethe with rage.

“We’re joining the show too!” Zheng Shi ordered Fang Huai. “Si Qi is nothing but a shameless social climber! I’ll expose his true nature in front of the entire nation!”

And she also wanted everyone to see that Fang Huai was hers—only hers—and had nothing to do with that wretch Si Qi! She would see if Si Qi still dared to cling to Fang Huai in public. If he showed even the slightest sign, she’d make sure he regretted it!

Fang Huai frowned as he read the news online. Seeing so many people speculate about Si Qi’s lover without mentioning his name at all, his heart throbbed painfully.

He was clearly the one who had been with Si Qi, his partner of over four years. Si Qi’s true love was him…

Hearing Zheng Shi’s words, Fang Huai fell silent for a moment, then hoarsely said, “Alright.”

He hadn’t been able to reach Si Qi in so long. This time, he would confront him in person. He would ask if Chu Feng had forced him into this, and he swore he would rescue Si Qi from those clutches!