Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch.19
3/5
“Either perform for me now, or wait for the day I’m exposed to be in a relationship with someone else, you can choose.”
Xin Nuo playfully extended her finger and counted, saying with a smile, “Hey, it seems that not getting eliminated might actually be easier, right?”
Xu Heran shook her head, her hands on her hips, gave Xin Nuo a stern look, then immediately looked at Lin Weining.
“Sister Weining, are there many opportunities for live broadcast vote gathering? How is it divided?” she asked.
Lin Weining smiled and said, “Feifei will guide you when the time comes, the rest depends on your own improvisation. I’m not really sure about the specific effect.”
She hadn’t gathered votes for herself in this segment yet; her vote count was already high, so competing for the camera might not be a good idea.
Thinking about Xu Heran losing 420,000 votes, sinking to fifty-ninth place while she remained in the first, saying more might give rise to more speculation, she quickly changed the subject, “By the way, I heard from my manager that there’s a wealthy sponsor here at the venue who wants to pick a spokesperson for their own products. I guess the director will test the waters during the live broadcast.”
“But isn’t this show always sponsored?” Xin Nuo glanced at Xu Heran, but Xu Heran was completely immersed in her own thoughts, standing with her hands on her hips, not knowing what she was thinking, her eyes staring at the floor, her expression serious as if solving a math problem.
Lin Weining whispered, “I don’t know about this kind of thing.”
The show was so popular, and there were definitely many sponsors eyeing the advertising slots. However, from the airing of the program until now, besides the Universal Entertainment logo alongside 《Starlight Girls》 there hadn’t been any other advertisements in the show. Many viewers found it comfortable to watch without awkward voiceovers and various inserted ads.
Xin Nuo nodded and smiled, but in her heart, she had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
She had just emerged from the shadow of a nightmare, repeatedly telling herself she was overthinking things. The initial disgusting thing had ambitious desires and would do whatever it took to directly intervene in the program by investing as a sponsor to gain maximum benefits. They were just trainees, essentially amateurs; it was impossible for endorsements involving them to have good results.
As she thought this, she saw the production team bringing in crates of beverages and placing them in front.
The pink packaging depicted cherry blossoms, with the words “LoveShangla Cherry Blossom Flavored Sports Drink.”
Xin Nuo’s eyes suddenly darkened.
The nightmare became a reality—
Xing Yujin, you really dare to appear!
Last night’s dream seemed like a warning, dragging her into an unguarded dream, attempting to crush her through the vulnerability of the night. But her current rationality was clear; last night’s events would absolutely not happen a second time.
She wouldn’t allow another person to pry into her weakness.
Thinking this, Xin Nuo licked her lips, raised her hand to pat Xu Heran’s arm, and with a casual tone, said with a smile, “Heran, you see, we’re going to do an advertisement later. This is my first time doing a voiceover, feeling a bit nervous.”
Advertisement?
Xu Heran immediately snapped back to attention. While wondering if doing an advertisement could help her gather votes, she glanced ahead and her eyes, caught off guard, landed on rows of beverage crates.
???
LoveShangla?
Isn’t this the brand under that damn thing’s ownership?
Well, I didn’t go looking for you, yet you’ve come knocking on my door!
Xu Heran rolled up her sleeves, pointing at the beverages while questioning the program team that was preparing, “What’s going on here? How come I didn’t know the program had other sponsors?”
Facing her inquiry, the director looked awkwardly to the side, and a middle-aged man walked out. He was an assistant director of the program. He hurriedly explained, “It’s not sponsorship; we just wanted to use this opportunity to promote the brand, only this one time.”
“Not even once!” Xu Heran, amidst the watchful gazes of everyone, stood with hands on hips and said, “The entire program is sponsored by our Xu family, and who allowed this damn—this brand to appear? Are they using our Xu family as a stepping stone?”
The assistant director’s expression immediately turned sour. The Young Master of the Xing family knew him, and this live broadcast was also requested by the Young Master of the Xing family. He took a gamble by doing this.
Liu He, the main director, didn’t agree with this matter either, but he had been tricked into a trap by himself last night, being plied with alcohol at the dinner table, and he still hadn’t woken up.
Now that everything was set up, the Xing family people were also present. Once the live broadcast started, whether this advertisement was done or not, it had to be done. Not doing it would offend the Xing family, and doing it might not necessarily offend the Xu family.
The Xu family hadn’t risen to prominence domestically yet, so what could they be afraid of? The Young Master Xing was behind him!
This was the assistant director’s thinking. He had made his calculations, thinking he could handle this, but he hadn’t expected to be questioned by the Xu family’s little miss even before the start.
The assistant director put on a fake smile and said, “It’s just a small advertisement, increasing everyone’s exposure, and it can also earn some extra endorsement fees. Isn’t that a good thing? Isn’t it, ladies?”
He raised his voice, but most people looked puzzled, glancing between Xu Heran and the assistant director, not quite understanding what was happening.
“Heh heh.” Xu Heran sneered coldly, “Is it earning endorsement fees for everyone, or for your own side income? Where’s Director Liu? I want to talk to Director Liu.”
The assistant director’s face immediately turned sour, and he coldly said, “Director Liu isn’t feeling well. I’ll be responsible for today’s live broadcast.”
“You?” Xu Heran tilted her head, her gaze shifting towards the side, searching for Cui Qi’s figure. “From the start of the program until now, not a single cent of funding has been cut from you guys. Does the program team have no contractual integrity, daring to accept non-Xu family advertisements without authorization? I’d like to ask, can you handle the penalty for breach of contract?”
Xin Nuo stood behind Xu Heran, her expression indifferent as she looked at the assistant director. Seeing him rendered speechless by Xu Heran’s retort, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
The assistant director’s expression grew rigid. With a determined look, he clapped his hands and said, “Let’s start the live broadcast first. It’s almost time, and the fans are waiting.”
“Heran, can we discuss this after the live broadcast?” The assistant director spoke to Xu Heran in a comforting tone. “Everyone is tired from daily training. Think about everyone’s well-being. Let’s finish filming quickly and let everyone rest.”
“Don’t waste everyone’s time,” the assistant director said with a stern voice.
Who’s causing trouble and wasting time here? Xu Heran sneered.
“It’s okay,” Xin Nuo suddenly spoke up. “We understand. We can wait until the issue is resolved before recording.”
Xin Nuo turned her head suddenly and asked, “What do you all think?”
Most of the trainees didn’t dare to offend the program team. They dryly watched the argument unfold. However, they also had a sense of balance in their hearts. After all, the Xu family was an investor. If the investors were displeased with the program team and withdrew their funding, could their program even continue?
Hesitating, a clear and resonant response came from the last row.
“I’m not tired. I can sit and wait. Let’s clarify the situation first,” Haya, wearing light makeup, rested her arm on Laurel’s shoulder and said with a smile.
Jiang Qiong nodded, “I have no objections.”
“We can go back first and come back to film after the matter is resolved,” Jian Yueyin politely said, “Rest assured, we don’t mind spending a bit more time.”
“Right,” Song Fenghua nodded.
With someone taking the lead, the other trainees echoed in agreement.
The assistant director’s face immediately darkened, cursing inwardly at these young kids who seemed to lack common sense. Were they foolish enough to offend the Xing family?
He repeatedly reminded, “The audience is waiting. Is it fair to the fans if we didn’t start the broadcast on time? Fans will be disappointed, and reputation is crucial.”
“This could be your good opportunity. Maybe you’ll become spokespeople for LoveShine after all?” He continued to persuade, “As trainees, you don’t usually have an income, right? Sasa, you’ve been a trainee for five years. Don’t you want to earn some money to buy gifts for your parents?”
Many of the naive trainees frowned in distress.
“Yes, reputation is crucial,” Xu Heran smiled, mimicking his words with a strange tone. “You really value reputation, don’t you? Violating a contract to promote another brand.”
The assistant director’s retort was choked back by Xu Heran, and he glared at her in anger.
Well, he dared to glare at me!
Xu Heran put her hands on her hips. After all, I’m your investor’s dad!
At that moment, a soft hand rested on Xu Heran’s shoulder, and Xin Nuo smiled and said, “Because the program team mishandled things and couldn’t start the broadcast on time, I believe the audience will understand.”
“We haven’t officially debuted yet, and our fan base is weak. Where could we find endorsement opportunities for products?” Xin Nuo’s voice was gentle, and her words made the initially eager trainees suddenly realize.
Right, endorsements—do we really match the criteria now?
Cutting remarks.
The assistant director cursed inwardly.
Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, at this moment, a slight commotion emerged from the corridor. A sharply dressed man with a smile walked over, “Why wouldn’t you match? I think everyone’s image is excellent and well-suited for the LoveShine brand image.”
As the man spoke, he gazed at Xin Nuo with affectionate eyes.
The slender girl paused for a moment, slowly lifted her head. Xin Nuo’s eyes were dark and deep, not as shyly smiling at him as he had imagined. Instead, she glanced at him coldly and then averted her gaze.
Xing Yujin froze, feeling a chill run down his spine from the look in her eyes. For some reason, he felt a sense of disdain and contempt from Xin Nuo’s gaze… Must be a mistake, right? They hadn’t met before, had they?
Moreover, the pretty girl who seemed delicate on screen possessed such a strong presence in reality?
However, he had a different purpose today. He wasn’t in a hurry to play with these little cuties. After all, there was plenty of time in the future.
Suppressing the negative emotions bubbling up inside him, the handsome man raised his hand and flashed a gentle smile at the young girls. “Good morning, girls. I’ve watched every episode of 《Starlight Girls》 and you all are even more beautiful than the screen!”
The trainees covered their mouths in surprise, excitedly exclaiming, “I know him! I’ve seen him in commercials, and he’s been on variety shows!”
“He’s the Vice President of the Xing Group! Wow, he’s so handsome!”
Xu Heran’s mouth almost dropped to the floor, and she rolled her eyes dramatically at the camera.
Cameraman: “…”
Xu Heran, this is a live broadcast!
Two cameras followed Xing Yujin, one in front and one behind, an assistant held a notebook, and the screen displayed an already active live stream. Ning Yunfei walked in slowly.
“What’s going on?” Ning Yunfei signaled to the director with her eyes, silently inquiring.
She was still in the rest area, reading the script, when someone knocked on her door. This Xing Yujin, the so-called Xing family prince, suddenly appeared outside her room with cameras, and the program team started the live broadcast ahead of time?
When did the script ever mention this?
Xing Yujin.
Xin Nuo’s eyes turned dark and deep, devoid of any glimmer, as she looked at him with a cold and artificial expression.
Damned dog.
Xu Heran gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly. If it weren’t against the law to hit someone, she’d be up there slapping him silly right now!
You’re the fucking piece of shit who deceived my Nuo Nuo’s feelings, tricked her into signing an unequal contract, and wanted to play with her emotions? If it weren’t for a few more fucking assholes stepping in later to challenge you, Nuo Nuo would have been devoured by you, leaving nothing but scraps!
Garbage, a plague!
And you dare to show off in front of me?
Xu Heran gave a cold smile and rolled up her sleeves.
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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
