Chapter 19

Song Linchuan was going out this time to take a magazine cover photo, a job that had been scheduled ahead of time, and he had also notified the show crew in advance.

The photo shoot location was at a photography studio on the outskirts of the city, about an hour's drive from here.

After picking up Song Linchuan, Jiang Han drove the van straight out of the village.

To facilitate the shooting for the show crew, they had specially come in a passenger van.

After getting in the car, Song Anan and Song Linchuan sat together, while the camera guy set up his equipment with several people sitting in the front row, and Jiang Han sat in the copilot position.

Song Anan got carsick easily. For trips over an hour, she would typically put on headphones as soon as she got in the car, listening to music and sleeping.

The livestream viewers and Jiang Han all understood this, so no one found it odd.

Song Linchuan, on the other hand, hadn't said a word since getting in the car, just kept his head down typing away on his phone.

He would occasionally frown, with a solemn expression on his face.

This aroused endless curiosity among the livestream viewers, and the bullet screen was filled with people guessing who he was messaging.

Many even speculated that from the way he was hitting the keyboard so intensely, it looked like he must be arguing with his girlfriend.

Jiang Han's brows furrowed.

Did Song Linchuan have a girlfriend? He would know if that was the case.

Putting aside anything else, when it came to relationships, Jiang Han felt this artist of his was truly low-maintenance.

When Jiang Han had first started managing Song Linchuan, what he worried about most was him screwing things up in romance.

After all, since he was going the idol route, if a scandal exposed a relationship before he had firmly established himself in the industry, it would inevitably affect his career path.

But later, Jiang Han gradually realized his concern was completely unnecessary.

Whether in crews or at events, apart from work, Song Linchuan always maintained an 'avoid me' attitude toward his female co-stars.

And he had a sharp tongue. He had directly told an actress who came on to him that she was making trouble because she was ugly, and should go look in the mirror. That actress had ended up leaving in tears.

For a time, Jiang Han had even wondered about his sexual orientation.

Of course, the facts proved he had no interest in men either.

Jiang Han hesitated, then turned to Song Linchuan and asked, "What are you busy with?"

Without even lifting his head, Song Linchuan replied, "Writing character profiles."

"What character profiles?" Jiang Han was puzzled. "For your next role?"

Song Linchuan lightly hmm-ed in affirmation.

He knew Jiang Han wasn't making small talk for no reason. Something must be happening in the livestream.

So he stopped what he was doing and explained, "Teacher Shi asked me to write a complete character profile based on my own understanding, and said it would help me better portray the role."

Shi Qing had also specifically explained some methods for analyzing characters to him, as well as personal tips and experience with performing.

Song Linchuan felt he had gained a lot, so of course he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and absorb it himself.

That was why he had started typing away as soon as he got in the car.

【I always thought Song Linchuan was an idol star, didn't expect him to take acting so seriously】

【I wanted to say before, during this time on the live show, whenever Little Auntie reads, Song Linchuan seems to always be next to her reading a script and taking notes. It looks like he's really working hard as an actor】

【Right, handsome and hard-working, and good to his family too, boys like this really are charming】

【Waa, my brother has always worked very hard, whether it's singing or acting, he really does treat every job seriously】

......

Now that the 'girlfriend' misunderstanding was cleared up, Jiang Han naturally didn't disturb Song Linchuan anymore.

Seeing his artist working so hard, he was of course happy to oblige.

With nothing to do, Jiang Han casually opened Weibo.

The hashtag #LearningAlongWithLittleAuntie# was prominently ranked near the top of trending searches.

Seeing this trending topic, Jiang Han was not surprised at all.

On the drive over earlier, he had also been watching the livestream, including the viewer interactions in the bullet screen.

Clicking into the tag, the first Weibo was a video clip edited together by an entertainment marketing account.

The video wasn't long, edited together fragments contrasting a segment of Shi Qing tutoring Qi MuShi with Qi MuShi's state later when studying together with Song Anan.

The video started with Shi Qing having Qi MuShi sit at a desk and work on test papers for half an hour, but Qi MuShi couldn't sit still, fidgeting nonstop, constantly checking the time, and finally laying collapsed on the desk wailing, "Ahhh...how is it not half an hour yet!!"

In the second clip, Qi MuShi sat next to Song Anan doing problems, completely focused, working through ones he knew and setting aside ones he didn't to ask Song Anan about later.

The video ended freeze-framed on Jiang Han appearing in the yard, Qi MuShi reluctantly saying, "Ah~ time went by so fast, I didn't even feel it..."

The caption on the video was: The only difference between top students and failing students is whether they have a Little Auntie!

The comments exploded in 'wtf'.

【Is this for real? Not just staged hype, right? How could it be so miraculous?】

【I'm goin! What's going on, I didn't watch the stream for one day at work, and my little MuShi has become so motivated?】

【For real for real! I was there in the livestream learning along, eyewitness】

【Livestream learning beneficiary here, no exaggeration, I even feel like Qi MuShi was acting out me】 【Hehe, learning together with top students, in a way that makes me a top student too】

The heated discussion blazed on, with many viewers even suggesting Song Anan start a separate learning stream.

Just have her quietly study on camera without doing anything else.

After browsing through Weibo, Jiang Han exited with a satisfied expression.

Speaking of which, Song Anan really was Song Linchuan's lucky star.

No!

She was his lucky star too!

Ever since she had accompanied Song Linchuan on that variety show, Song Linchuan's popularity hadn't waned during this time.

His reputation online kept improving, and his popularity with audiences grew steadily too. The quality collaboration opportunities coming his way were also increasing.

If these could still be considered within expectations, then becoming friends with Shi Qing was completely unexpected.

In their circle, nothing needed to be said about how important connections were.

To a certain extent, connections meant resources, especially for accessing upper level resources. Even if you were very popular, it didn't mean you could necessarily access them.

Before coming for this collective recording, Jiang Han had considered having Song Linchuan befriend Shi Qing.

If the senior Shi Qing could take Song Linchuan under her wing, it would only benefit Song Linchuan's future career.

But he also knew his artist too well. If told to deliberately curry favor with someone, not to mention Song Linchuan wouldn't be willing, even if he was, he wouldn't know how to go about it.

If he tried but failed to get along, and they became enemies instead, it wouldn't be worth it.

That was why Jiang Han had eventually abandoned the idea.

Who could have expected Shi Qing to like Song Anan so much that she took the initiative to ask Song Anan to tutor Qi MuShi?

Through repeated coincidences, Song Linchuan had actually struck up ties with Shi Qing.

This would probably make the jaws of many industry insiders drop.

Jiang Han couldn't help sighing, the old saying really was true after all.

Knowledge is power!

*

The car soon arrived at the photography studio.

After they went in, Song Linchuan was immediately pulled away by staff to get his hair and makeup done.

Since Song Anan didn't have anything to do, she wandered around looking around the studio, having slept too much in the car and needing to wake herself up.

After making a circle, she didn't find it very interesting, so they went back to the photography set.

The set wasn't large, with only a dressing room apart from the main space.

Song Linchuan was currently in the dressing room getting styled.

Since he needed to change, Song Anan didn't go in either.

So she brought the camera guy and found a place to sit down in the set, then took out a book from her bag to continue reading.

【It's starting! Little Auntie's 'cloud learning' class is open again, everyone quickly take out your homework and start writing!】

【Hahaha, my homework hasn't even been assigned, I'm always ready】

【Speaking of, it seems pretty noisy over there, can Little Auntie concentrate on reading books?】

【Heh heh, hasn't it been said that viewers are naive? She's not actually reading books, just putting on a show and establishing an image】

【Screw off upstairs! Little Auntie already said she won't join the entertainment industry in the future, what image is she trying to build?】

【Right, having a dirty mind just makes you see everything as dirty】

It was indeed not quiet in the set, since it was small, the crew was setting up props and equipment nearby, and people kept passing by.

But after Song Anan sat down, she placed the book on her lap, took notes with a pen while reading, seeming completely unaffected.

The camera guy following her seemed used to it already. He set up the equipment to the side, then just watched Song Anan through the lens. Slowly, he was drawn in without realizing it.

Nobody knew how much time had passed.

Suddenly, a 'click' shutter sound rang out.

The camera guy reflexively moved the lens toward the sound.

At this time, a stylishly dressed man was pointing a camera at Song Anan.

Song Anan's reaction was clearly a beat slow. A few seconds later, she looked up at the man.

A completely puzzled expression.

The man took the initiative to introduce himself, "Hello, I'm Xu Sen, today's photographer."

Song Anan paused, then said, "Hello, I'm Song Anan."

Then she looked at the camera in his hand, "May I ask if you need something?"

Xu Sen was taken aback, "Oh, I just snapped a candid shot of you, would you like to see?"

As he spoke, he handed the camera over.

Song Anan didn't sense any malice from him, so she took the camera.

There was indeed a photo of her inside.

The livestream viewers were dying of curiosity. The camera guy also performed well, zooming the lens in.

It was a side profile shot of Song Anan. From the framing to the shooting angle, this picture was flawless.

After looking, Song Anan returned the camera and politely replied, "It's very nice, thanks."

Xu Sen responded, "You're welcome."

"You can give me your contact info, and I'll send you the picture later after I upload it."

Song Anan waved her hand, "No need to trouble you, thanks."

Xu Sen saw the guardedness in Song Anan's eyes, and didn't push the contact info matter further. But he turned to look at the camera guy beside them.

"Are you guys filming a show here?"

Song Anan lightly hmm-ed in affirmation.

Xu Sen was somewhat surprised. "Are you a celebrity?"

Song Anan shook her head. "I'm not."

Xu Sen raised his brow, but didn't continue questioning either. He directly got to the point.

"It's like this - I'm shooting a magazine cover, and I'm missing a model. I wonder if you're interested?"

【Whoa what's going on, asking Little Auntie to model?】

【It's not a scammer right】

【Very possible! It's a photography studio here, usually lots of small models and artists come by. They could be scamming using a photographer identity】

As if also considering this concern, Xu Sen directly handed over his business card.

"Don't worry, I'm not a scammer. You guys are filming a show here right, it's all recorded as evidence."

Song Anan wasn't actually afraid, because whether he was a scammer or not, she had no plans to model.

"Thank you, but no need, I don't have time and am not interested."

A flash of regret showed on Xu Sen's face.

He truly felt Song Anan was suitable.

But seeing that she really didn't have the inclination, he didn't insist.

When leaving, Xu Sen still left his card with Song Anan, saying she could contact him anytime if she changed her mind.

No one expected that right after Xu Sen left, the livestream suddenly blew up.

【Oh my gosh! I finally remembered who this Xu Sen is!】

【I remembered too. Isn't this Xu Sen known as the go-to photographer for fashion magazines? He has photographed many celebrities, right?】

【Damn! I just googled him and was blinded by the rows of international and domestic photography awards.】

【Wasn't that female celebrity photographed by him to stardom?】

......

This interlude did not affect Song Anan much, and she continued reading her book.

Not long after, Jiang Han came over.

Song Linchuan had already had his makeup and hair done. He just needed to change into an outfit for the shoot, but one piece did not fit well so the stylist took it to alter.

Seeing Song Anan enter the makeup room, Song Linchuan got up to greet her.

This was Song Anan's first time seeing Song Linchuan with full makeup on, and she was stunned for a moment.

Song Linchuan raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

Song Anan came back to her senses and shook her head, "Nothing."

"I just think you look really good."

Song Linchuan was taken aback.

Good looking?

He chuckled softly, suddenly recalling how Song Anan had secretly sized him up against the other male guests when they first met yesterday to see who was more good-looking.

His aunt is so adorable.

Song Linchuan smiled, "Auntie, let me ask you a question."

Song Anan looked at him, "What question?"

"Am I the most handsome one?"

Song Anan let out an "Ah".

Was he the most handsome one?

Pei Kuang's face suddenly flashed through her mind. Song Anan looked at Song Linchuan again, somewhat hesitant.

Seeing her reaction, Song Linchuan immediately understood.

He had asked the wrong question.

For his meticulous aunt who was a science student, this kind of absolute question must have a certain scope for it to make sense.

"Let me rephrase it," Song Linchuan said. "Am I the most handsome male celebrity you know in the entertainment industry?"

That should be specific enough.

The scope was narrowed down to the entertainment industry, and limited to those she knew.

So who else could it be but him!

Song Anan pursed her lips, "...Don't compare."

Song Linchuan: "???"