Chapter 81: Was She Insulting Someone?

Morning.

Uncle Gao arrived at Lin Chuan’s residence in a hurry. As soon as he entered, he couldn’t wait to pull Lin Chuan to the sofa in the living room.

“Xiao Chuan, wonderful news! Truly wonderful news!” Uncle Gao’s face was alight with excitement.

Lin Chuan was bewildered. Uncle Gao was usually such a composed person—what had him acting like this today? After a moment of surprise, he asked, “Uncle Gao, what’s the good news?”

“Hahaha, you’d never guess it in your dreams—a company wants you as their spokesperson! Isn’t that incredible?” Uncle Gao tried to calm himself, but his excitement was impossible to conceal.

And who could blame him? Since Heaven and Earth Culture was founded, its operations had always revolved around commercial performances. Things like film shoots or advertising endorsements were never part of their business. In this regard, they fell short compared to Yoyo Company in Jiangxia.

But since Lin Chuan’s arrival, everything had changed. Not to mention how he’d helped them survive a crisis, even the fame of Heaven and Earth Culture had soared recently, drawing ever-growing attention. Only yesterday, they’d signed two young artists fresh out of school—not yet famous, but it was a promising start.

What astonished Uncle Gao most was that just this morning, upon arriving at the company, he received news inviting Lin Chuan to serve as a brand ambassador. Overcome with excitement, he dropped everything to come deliver this earth-shattering news to Lin Chuan in person.

“Hehe, Xiao Chuan, have you ever heard of the brand Cardy?” Uncle Gao asked a moment later, feigning an air of mystery.

“Cardy? That’s a foreign sportswear brand, isn’t it? Why?” Lin Chuan frowned slightly. Though he spoke with uncertainty, he already had some inkling.

Cardy was a well-known British brand, its market spanning the globe—everywhere but China, curiously enough.

If you asked what Cardy was most famous for, some might say sportswear or sneakers. But the real point of pride for Cardy was their self-produced advertisements.

Every ad possessed a stunning visual impact; whether in special effects, technology, or production values, they were world-class. Compared to blockbuster films breaking a hundred million at the box office, their ads were just as impressive.

Some viewers even said that watching a Cardy ad was pure enjoyment, never tiring no matter how many times you watched.

Beyond that, Cardy had a unique operational philosophy. With their own advertising team, they never bothered with ad agencies or consultants.

Once they chose a celebrity as a potential ambassador, they’d invite them for a test shoot.

Yes, a test shoot—they were exceedingly cautious in this. Even if a star caught Cardy’s eye, there would be no contract, no promises. Only after a test ad was shot and approved by senior management would they proceed further.

If the test shoot failed to satisfy them, even a superstar would be dropped without hesitation.

For most companies, such an approach would be courting disaster.

But Cardy was different: solid financial backing, a vast market. Most importantly, for a celebrity who passed the test shoot, the rewards went far beyond a simple endorsement fee.

“Hahaha, it’s Cardy who wants you as their ambassador! How does that feel, exciting isn’t it?” Uncle Gao’s face was practically blooming with delight; he looked more thrilled than if he’d won five million in the lottery.

Lin Chuan, however, only furrowed his brow, a hint of bitterness surfacing in his heart. If it really was Cardy, then shooting an ad for them would be far more challenging than making a film—the physical demands alone were daunting.

But seeing Uncle Gao’s exuberance, Lin Chuan managed a forced smile and said, “Uncle Gao, is it their sportswear they want me to endorse, or…?”

Before he could finish, Uncle Gao quickly replied, “Sneakers! The latest model, I heard… Xiao Chuan, I have no other request—just give it your all! Do your best to pass the test shoot and secure this contract…”

Lin Chuan nodded with a wry smile. “Don’t worry, Uncle Gao. I’m part of Heaven and Earth Culture now, and the company’s interests come first. But when is the test shoot?”

“Next Monday, three days from now. Prepare well. If you need to, hit the gym—I’ll have Mengmeng arrange everything for you… Eh? By the way, why isn’t Mengmeng here yet? She left with me this morning.” Only now did Uncle Gao realize someone was missing.

“Um… maybe she had something else to do,” Lin Chuan replied awkwardly.

In truth, that was how Gao Meng had been these past few days: coming and going as she pleased, never announcing her plans. Even when she was around, it was only to make a quick round of the apartment, spar with Lin Yiyang for a few words, and leave again.

For reasons unknown, the usually obedient and sensible child, Lin Yiyang, was always at odds with Gao Meng. Whenever they met, he’d pout and clash with her without fail.

Lin Chuan felt helpless about this.

But with Uncle Gao present, he couldn’t say much, so he offered a vague explanation.

Just then, Lin Yiyang pushed open the bedroom door and came out, looking disgruntled. “Daddy, Grandpa Gao, Auntie is downstairs singing with someone. She’s not coming up.”

The remark made both men laugh. Especially the way he called her “Auntie”—Uncle Gao was nearly doubled over with laughter.

Because he was so busy at work, Uncle Gao seldom managed his daughter, which had allowed her to develop quite the princess temper—no one could handle her. But ever since meeting Lin Yiyang, she’d met her match. Every time the little one called her “Auntie,” Gao Meng looked as if she’d been stepped on the tail, all her bluster extinguished.

“What? She’s singing downstairs? What’s going on?” Uncle Gao’s laughter was interrupted by confusion.

Lin Chuan was equally at a loss.

So, the two walked over to the balcony.

Looking down, they saw it was true—a young man sat in the middle of the courtyard with a guitar, singing, a crowd gathered around. Gao Meng was indeed among them.

“Let’s go have a look!” Uncle Gao’s face darkened, and he turned to head for the door.

Lin Chuan wasn’t one for meddling, but he couldn’t just pretend nothing was happening either. Helpless, he picked up Lin Yiyang and followed.

As soon as they exited the elevator, they heard the familiar sound of a guitar and a boy’s singing:

“I’m just afraid I might fall for you, afraid to get too close, for I have so little to offer, and loving you takes all my courage… I’m just afraid I might fall for you, maybe one day I won’t be able to help myself, longing only makes me suffer, loving you is something I just can’t help…”

It was Lin Chuan’s own song, “Can’t Help Loving You.” The fresh melody and cheerful tune drifted through the neighborhood.

However, the boy’s singing left much to be desired—his pitch wavered, and at the climax, his raspy voice strained so hard it left listeners breathless with discomfort.

Lin Chuan frowned. He didn’t mind others singing his songs; if they sang well, he’d even be supportive. But at this level, as the original singer, he found it hard to accept.

As he reached the edge of the crowd, just as he was about to speak, he heard a girl’s voice from within.

“Wang Lei, stop singing…” The girl’s voice was quiet, but the crowd heard clearly, smiles all around.

The boy set his guitar aside and stood up earnestly. “Gao Meng, I really like you. Be my girlfriend.”

Before Gao Meng could respond, the crowd chimed in:

“Miss, this young man is so sincere—why not say yes?”

“Yes, he’s been singing here for ages. He really means it. Say yes!”

“He’s a fine young man. Not much to look at, maybe, but he’s got good character. If he serenaded my daughter, I’d have agreed in a heartbeat.”

As the onlookers offered their opinions, Lin Chuan and Uncle Gao exchanged knowing glances, understanding the situation at once.

It was clearly a confession. But these bystanders were a bit much. So what if he sang a song? Who could say anything about his character? Could a song reveal the measure of a man?

Lin Chuan chuckled softly, standing his ground.

But Uncle Gao was less patient. As Gao Meng’s father, he hadn’t even weighed in yet and these people were already making decisions?

Enough was enough. With his temper, once he got truly angry, things would get out of hand fast.

One step, two steps—Uncle Gao began pushing into the crowd.

Just then, Gao Meng spoke: “Wang Lei, did you get a bunch of clowns from the zoo to cheer you on?”

What? Clowns from the zoo? What did she mean? Everyone was baffled, even Uncle Gao was at a loss.

“I… I didn’t get anyone from the zoo,” Wang Lei stammered, equally confused.

Among all those present, only Lin Chuan, standing at the edge, couldn’t help but smile wryly.

He said that line often—no, he often used it to describe Gao Meng. The girl could be such a clown at times. Just because her favorite idol was eliminated from a competition, she held a grudge ever after. What else could you call it?

He never expected her to use it in this situation.

“Xiao Chuan, what does she mean by ‘clowns from the zoo’?” Uncle Gao had somehow retreated from the crowd and asked quietly.

“Uh… Uncle Gao, your daughter is insulting them,” Lin Chuan replied with a sheepish laugh, his words halting.