Before the poster was revealed, the focus of the online community was on "Xize." Fans, whose excitement was beyond words, tirelessly sought clues to learn more about this pure Asian rising star. Although their enthusiasm was fervent, most discussions remained rational.
While Xize was browsing the web using a light screen on the living room sofa, he noticed that the values of future generations were vastly different from those of his own time. Initially, he was somewhat apprehensive, as he had no works to his name and had to rely solely on his appearance for publicity. Although his Asian heritage would undoubtedly attract attention, relying solely on looks could still provoke criticism.
However, he never expected the overwhelmingly positive response online. Fans seemed particularly welcoming and protective of this newcomer, discussing who he was and where more information could be found, without questioning his "debut method."
In the past, wouldn't theories about sugar daddies, backgrounds, unspoken rules, and good looks without acting skills have surfaced? Why were such comments almost nonexistent now? Even the occasional snide remark was quickly drowned out by a sea of rebuttals, let alone any conspiracy theories.
He found it quite odd. Asians might be rare, but not to the extent of nationwide celebration, right?
On the opposite sofa sat Jane Anning, who was so excitedly scrolling through her mobile light screen that she almost had a stroke. Her hands trembled, and her eyes were bloodshot. She looked up and said, "Aren't you usually quite smart? Why are you so clueless about some basic life facts? This isn't the Earth era anymore, when Asians were plentiful. Pure-blooded Asians are extremely rare now, and someone as good-looking as you is even rarer! Unspoken rules? Which entertainment company executive would dare? If they tried, they'd be dead the next day! You'd be a star in any company, not just Silver Fox. Everyone knows your face alone is worth a fortune."
Realizing this, Xize found it both amusing and frustrating. Human societal evolution was indeed peculiar, but such strange changes allowed him to gain so much support right from his debut.
In the past, when he was a tough guy without looks, he consoled himself that talent was more important than appearance. But now—he was a pure-blooded, good-looking Asian, and he was popular. "Come at me if you dare!"
Xize felt ecstatic, reveling in his newfound pride in his appearance for the first time since his rebirth.
However, neither Jane Anning nor Xize anticipated that the fans' discussions would spiral out of control.
When Xize's personal official website went live, it quickly posted his recent work schedule. The moment it appeared at the top of the site, the internet erupted. Xize and Arnold's names were instantly linked by many.
Soon after, the film crew posted a promotional photo of Arnold and Xize. The photo was purely for promotional purposes, as Tom and his team never imagined Xize would be so popular online. They decided to cater to the public's curiosity.
The problem was that the poster didn't clarify the characters' relationship, and the body language in the photo was ambiguously suggestive. This led to widespread speculation that Arnold and Xize were a couple in the movie.
Why were people in the future so open-minded?
Because in this era, men could marry men! Movies and TV shows with two male leads instead of a male and female lead were everywhere! It was normal for men to be together! Even the president was gay!
So, to the online community, Arnold x Xize in the movie was perfectly natural, as the official movie poster clearly indicated.
Soon, the misled masses collectively wondered—didn't Arnold refuse to act in gay roles?
This question ignited another round of heated online discussions. However, Arnold only had an official website and social media account, with no personal social media ID, so fans could only express their frustrations on the official forum, lamenting their inability to communicate directly with their idol.
Fans cried out on their own social media accounts:
"Idol, you collaborated with Xize on a big-budget movie and show. What's your relationship with him?"
"Idol, you never acted in gay roles before! Have you finally come around?"
"Idol, isn't Xize beautiful?"
Amidst the online uproar, someone noticed a discrepancy. Comparing Arnold's official work schedules from the past two or three years with this year's, they were shocked to find that Arnold had taken on significantly more work this year! In past years, he hadn't taken on any work during this period!
Thus, the misunderstanding grew like a snowball. Fans, using what they believed to be logical reasoning, conducted a series of searches and analyses: the appearance of an Asian newcomer, collaboration with Arnold on a movie and a big-budget show, the official movie poster featuring both of them, Arnold breaking his no-gay-roles rule, and Arnold's sudden increase in work...
All these clues seemed to point to one conclusion: Arnold and Xize had an extraordinary relationship!
"Whoa!" Xize spat out a mouthful of water upon seeing the fans' analysis online.
Just after he did, Jane Anning also spat out water, "Whoa!"
The two exchanged bewildered glances, completely unprepared for the bizarre turn of events.
Xize stared at Jane Anning and asked, "Is this even possible?" They hadn't roped Arnold into any publicity stunts; this wasn't part of the plan!
Jane Anning covered her face with her hand and groaned, "Oh my god! The fans are too imaginative! If I weren't your agent, I'd also think you had something going on with Arnold just based on this analysis!"
They quickly looked back at their light screens, and more information kept pouring in. Xize's palms were sweating. The media in this era was much more aggressive than thousands of years ago, and self-media was even more advanced. Just in the time they'd spoken, new information had been posted.
The latest news was about Arnold mocking a few artists at a press conference in defense of Xize.
Arnold had always maintained a good public image, but many knew he was aloof and sharp-tongued. This news, from an unknown source, quickly became evidence in the analysis of Arnold and Xize's relationship.
Reading further, Xize broke into a cold sweat. An insider claimed that after the auditions, the originally chosen actor wasn't Xize but Zhou Yang from a boy band. Arnold's word had led to the change.
The person who leaked this information might have intended to show that Xize had used connections, and other artists were treated unfairly. But fans didn't focus on that!
They didn't believe Xize needed to use connections. Zhang Kai's show wasn't easy to manipulate, and Xize's face was a universal pass. The comments under the leak were a chaotic mess, accusing the leaker of nonsense. The leaker, desperate, revealed more, saying the show was tailored for Arnold, and his studio had invested heavily, giving him the power to change actors.
The leaker's main point was that Arnold's influence allowed him to replace actors at will, implying Xize had used connections. But fans didn't care about that! They focused on the fact that the show was Arnold's investment! How coincidental! Arnold and Xize must have an unusual relationship!
The leaker collapsed, foaming at the mouth and dying.
The entire interstellar community was in an uproar! Fans gathered all the evidence, which all pointed to one result: Arnold and Xize had an extraordinary relationship! And what kind of relationship could make Arnold break his no-gay-roles rule?
It had to be "true love"!
"Our idol has been low-key these years because he was nurturing an Asian lover! Idol, you should've told us earlier! If it's Xize, we fully support you!"
"Idol, you invested in a big-budget show and acted in a movie with Xize to support his career! Idol, you're so devoted; it must be true love!"
"Idol, we understand. You hid your relationship to protect Xize, but you still entrusted him to your old company, Silver Fox Entertainment, and had your former temporary agent Jane Anning manage him... You're so considerate... We understand..."
Xize: "..." No... it's not like that...
Jane Anning: "..." I took on Xize because I was tricked! Don't make assumptions if you don't understand!
Feeling overwhelmed, Xize turned over in frustration. This wasn't how things were supposed to be! In the past, only fujoshi fantasized about such things. Now, the whole world wanted him to be gay!
Arnold's studio.
Sam stood with his jaw dropped, his light screen falling to the floor. Arnold, sitting nearby and reading a script for an investment, looked up at the sound and asked calmly, "What's wrong?"
Sam turned his head, dazed and feeling like the world was ending.
Arnold tossed aside the script and reached for his mobile light screen. Sam lunged to stop him.
Arnold raised an eyebrow, looking at Sam. Sam feigned calmness, "Arnold, it's late. You should get some rest."
Arnold, much stronger than Sam, easily pulled the light screen from Sam's grasp. He looked away and calmly began his routine of checking his official website. But as soon as he opened the screen, a breaking entertainment news headline popped up—
"Shocking! Superstar Arnold suspected of a two-year secret relationship with a pure-blooded Asian!"
Arnold: "..."