Xia Li's anger nearly shattered his laptop, but after slamming it shut, he suddenly looked up with a stunned expression, gazing at Arnold through the screen. He hesitated and said, "No... you..."
Arnold, however, remained composed, his aura still cold and arrogant. He said, "You can try using internet trolls to bring Rufus into the mix and see what the fans say."
Xia Li was momentarily taken aback, then suddenly realized something: "You're not worried? Or do you think it's impossible for anyone else?"
Arnold replied, "Xize has already debuted; he can't debut a second time. How much preparation do you think Rufus would need to create such coincidences? You yourself said, even fate is helping me this time."
Xia Li was speechless. Oh, my god! Where does Arnold get such confidence when it comes to Xize?
Xia Li felt like he was about to explode. After all this talk, it turned out to be nonsense. Arnold refused to stir up scandals because he believed that he and Xize were already seen as a couple by the fans, so there was no need for any manipulation!
Feeling a slight relief, Xia Li also wanted to kneel in admiration for Arnold. While Xia Li was anxious, Arnold remained calm and confident, as if he was sure that Xize couldn't escape the public's scrutiny and would be tied to him for life.
Xia Li decided not to say more; he realized that Arnold didn't need his worry. Arnold had a clear and thorough understanding of the current situation, even more than Xia Li did.
After some thought, Xia Li asked, "Do you need me to give you a push from behind the scenes?"
Arnold replied, "No."
Xia Li widened his eyes, "Are you that confident? The fans' hearts are the hardest to gauge, you know? Where does your confidence come from?"
Arnold smiled slightly, his gaze resolute, "You said it yourself, even fate is helping me."
Xia Li was still somewhat worried. His interests were tied to Arnold's, and now with Xize in the picture, he felt a bit more at ease. He was still skeptical about Arnold's confidence, thinking that if things didn't work out, he would secretly give a push from behind the scenes. But to his surprise, that very night, the internet was abuzz with a new wave of excitement.
The reason was the news that Xize would be starring in a web drama. That night, the web drama launched an official poll titled "Vote for Your Most Anticipated Leading Man."
The official announcement declared that the poll results would be honored, and they would spare no expense to invite the most popular and highest-voted male star to co-star with Xize in the web drama.
This was a unique promotional strategy, and as soon as the poll appeared, it was met with enthusiastic support and... ridicule from the fans.
"The web drama crew must be joking with us, right? What's there to choose?! Xize belongs to Arnold, of course we'll choose Arnold."
"Is the crew's internet not in the same dimension as ours? Just get Arnold, okay?"
"Why even vote?! Just bring out Arnold already!"
After the poll was released, fans spent the first half hour mocking and ridiculing while voting for Arnold. Hardly anyone voted for other male stars, and Arnold's votes steadily held the top position.
But soon, a keen-eyed netizen raised a question—
"Didn't you notice? This is exactly Xize's third project since his debut! How could Arnold let Xize pair up with someone else? But I remember Arnold has never taken on a web drama. Do you think Arnold wants to act with Xize in a web drama but is afraid of being too obvious, so he set up this poll? This poll is just a formality; we would all vote for him anyway."
This comment caused an explosion of excitement under the official poll. The online community was thrilled as if they had uncovered a secret about their idol...
"Arnold, are you so pitiful?! Did Xize reject you heartlessly, and you're upset, so you set up this poll? Arnold, you look so aggrieved, we feel so sorry for you!! Don't worry, we will vote for you and won't let you down!"
And then they turned to Xize, shouting, "Xize, remember to reject Arnold like this next time!! Arnold looks so cute when he's aggrieved and proud!!"
On the internet, Arnold's votes increased at an exponential rate, making him the undisputed first place. Fans continued to vote frantically, as if casting their vote would allow them to witness Arnold proudly telling Xize, "It's not that I want to act, it's the fans who voted for me."
What to do, what to do, just imagining this scene makes me feel like fainting with happiness!!
Xia Li watched the votes skyrocket online and called Arnold. After connecting, he wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and said, "Did you see the poll?"
Arnold calmly replied, "Yes."
Xia Li asked, "What's going on? Did you really set this up?"
Arnold replied, "No, Sam rejected the director for me. They did it themselves."
Xia Li understood. It seemed the production team really wanted Arnold to star in the web drama. Since they had secured Xize, they were determined to get Arnold as well, so they set up this poll. Xia Li initially thought the fans' comments were just idle chatter, but he suddenly realized something—damn!! The fans took it seriously!! In their minds, Xize and Arnold were already a pair!!
Realizing this, Xia Li felt uneasy. No wonder Arnold was so confident. But now he was worried again. The fans were buzzing online, but Arnold had never taken on a web drama before. What if he declined again...
With this thought, Xia Li asked, "So you rejected the director, but are you going to accept now?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Arnold replied, "Yes!"
Xia Li was speechless, "So much for being cold and noble... Arnold, have you completely lost your principles when it comes to Xize?"
Xia Li was completely drained and cut off the call to recover. The next day, Xize and Jane Anning were also nearly drained.
The female director called, joyfully informing them that Arnold had accepted the role of the other leading man, and they would be playing rivals.
Xize asked in astonishment, "Didn't Arnold refuse to act in web dramas?"
The female director replied, "Yes! But this morning, his agent told me that Arnold wanted to break new ground and try something different since he had never done it before."
Xize was speechless.
Jane Anning called Sam, "Why did Arnold accept the web drama?"
Sam replied, "Oh, he said the fans' votes were so high, he couldn't let them down."
Arnold's announcement of his role in the web drama soon appeared on his official website's schedule.
Fans were overjoyed, cheering, "Go, Arnold!! With us as your strong support, there's no true love you can't conquer!!!"