The Stand-in Side Character Only Wants to Make Money – CH39

Chapter 39 – Rank 99

After speaking, Xu Lang was taken aback by the unchanged expression of his brother and incredulously said, “You didn’t know?”

He added, “Everyone knows this.”

It was common knowledge among anyone who had ever watched Chen Erbai’s livestream that he was close with Qingzhou.

Xu Sinian asked, “Everyone?”

Xu Lang: “…”

Faced with the choice of explaining the entire backstory of Erbai or going back to his room, he decided to download the livestream app for his brother and search for Chen Erbai, letting him watch for himself.

No wonder Chen Erbai had mentioned that he hadn’t told his brother about his livestreaming yet.

Now it made sense—he hadn’t intentionally hidden it; he just didn’t know how to explain it.

After all, his brother didn’t watch livestreams or play games. To explain it all would be like starting from the beginning of time.

Having done what he could, Xu Lang didn’t plan to stay and witness the origin story of the universe with his brother. He got up, ready to sneak back to his room.

But his plan didn’t work. His brother called his name.

When Xu Lang turned around, he saw his brother’s gaze resting on the gift leaderboard on his phone screen.

Xu Lang “…”

Some people get so focused on downloading apps for others that they forget they’re still on the leaderboard.

The high schooler, known across the internet by the unified ID [3XL], stayed silent for a moment before quickly explaining, “That’s my own pocket money. I’m an adult now.”

He added, “Erbai Bro already lectured me about it.”

His brother gave him a look, then let him go.

Granted a pardon, Xu Lang quickly escaped.

The living room fell silent again, leaving only the person on the sofa.

Leaning back on the sofa, Xu Sinian glanced down at his phone screen, the cool strap of his watch pressing against the side of his face.

*

On an otherwise uneventful night, Chen Erbai inexplicably earned quite a bit.

A newly registered account popped up in the livestream room, quickly knocking Xu Lang’s [3XL] off the top spot on the leaderboard within minutes and claiming first place.

The person didn’t speak or leave. Chen glanced at the screen twice but didn’t notice anything unusual, so he didn’t pay much attention after that.

As usual, he signed off at 2 a.m. sharp. Still feeling energized after the stream, he didn’t go to sleep right away. He turned off his computer and sat in the living room, unboxing several packages.

He unboxed until 3 a.m., and only then, feeling a bit tired, did he put the boxes aside and head to bed.

“…”

The next morning, disheveled and bleary-eyed, he went upstairs to wash up.

Since he hadn’t fully unpacked everything the night before, including his toiletries, he couldn’t find what he needed and went upstairs to get ready.
Sure enough, the good neighbor was already up, but little Xu was still asleep.

Chen Erbai went to the guest room to freshen up and was treated to a nutritious breakfast kindly provided by the neighbor.

He had breakfast with the good-hearted neighbor.

As a high school student, Xu Lang only had two days a week where he could sleep in without being disturbed, so he slept deeply in his room.

When Xu Lang finally woke up and got out of bed, he learned that Chen Bai had already been by in the morning and had even had breakfast with the neighbor.

Waking up an hour late felt like he had missed the whole world, so he ate breakfast in tears, realizing that the soy milk was really good.

Since there were no helpers here to clean or cook, Xu Lang had to wash his own dishes after breakfast.

His already broken heart felt even more shattered.

Despite the heartbreak, Xu Lang’s goal was to rank in the top 100 of his grade, so even with a heavy heart, he opened his backpack, took out some worksheets, and began working on extra assignments.

His brother, for once, wasn’t in the study nor reading. Instead, he stayed with Xu Lang in the living room. Xu Lang sat on the floor working on his assignments, while his brother sat on the sofa seriously looking at his laptop.

Xu Lang “…”

The only sounds in the room were the flipping of pages and the occasional clacking of the keyboard.

After half an hour of studying, Xu Lang shifted into several different positions.

After an hour, he began fiddling with his pen and eraser, doing anything but studying.

Finding the eraser boring, he reached over, trying to see what his brother was doing.

Since his brother wasn’t in the study, it couldn’t be work-related, meaning it was something Xu Lang could check out too.

He managed a glimpse. The scene on the computer screen was familiar—it was a video of Chen Erbai, a recording of a stream from a while back. Xu Lang still remembered that time when he couldn’t secure the top spot on the leaderboard.

—This person had been watching for so long, and it turned out he had been watching Erbai’s videos all along.

Xu Lang hadn’t expected this. He thought his brother wasn’t interested in this kind of thing, and after watching the livestream yesterday, he figured that would be the end of it. But to his surprise, his brother was now watching older recordings.

Thinking his brother was finally interested in games, Xu Lang dropped his pen and moved over, saying, “Don’t you think Erbai and Qingzhou work really well together?”

He added, “They’re also really close.”

Xu Sinian’s expression didn’t change as he closed the laptop, saying curtly, “They’re just friends.”

While many people joked about their relationship, neither of them had any romantic inclination. Just like people had said before, they were simply friends who played games together.

Xu Lang felt that he and his brother weren’t talking about the same thing. Before he could say anything else, his brother got up with his laptop and headed to the study.

With his distraction gone, Xu Lang had no choice but to return to his studies, waiting until lunchtime to see Chen Bai again.

And just like that, a perfectly ordinary but happy weekend passed.

On the day he returned to school, Chen Bai had work, so the high schooler was dropped off at school by his brother.

From that day on, Xu Lang’s desk mate, who had also played games for two days straight, watched in amazement as Xu Lang transformed into a model student.

He zipped through test questions, eagerly asked about any mistakes, and his quiz scores shot up like a reversal in a novel.

At some point, rumors began circulating among the students that the old teaching building behind the sports field, which had been out of use, was being renovated.

At first, they thought the school was just trying to fix it up to continue using it. But later, a rumor from the teachers’ office said that a production crew would be filming there during summer break, and it was the crew doing the renovations.

The rumor didn’t specify which production or who would be involved, and no one could get more information, so the matter was set aside as students focused on their studies.

Then, about a month before summer break, news broke online that the movie ‘Youth Journey’, which had swept the theaters and won major awards a decade ago, was being adapted into a TV series by the same director, with filming set to begin over the summer.

According to the online reports, the primary filming location would be at A City First High School.

The cast hadn’t been announced yet, but it was expected to be top-tier.

The high schooler, Xu Lang, who already had some inside information didn’t join in the hallway discussions, instead focusing on his studies.

As cicadas buzzed in July, the heat of summer arrived.

Outside the classroom, the air conditioning units hummed, green shadows flickered through the windows, and inside, students bent over their desks, pencils scratching against paper.

After final exams, the students left school, and the film crew moved in, setting up the last details for the filming areas.

The high schooler went home, and Chen Bai went to work.

The crew started filming a few days later, and as part of the process, they took costume fitting photos at the school.

After showing his work ID to the security guard, the vehicle drove into the school.

Outside, the unshaded ground was blistering hot, and inside the car, the manager glanced at the person sitting next to her, who was dozing off while sipping black coffee. She asked, “How late were you up last night?”

The person, leaning against the window, raised a hand and made an “OK” gesture.

It took her a moment to realize he meant 3 a.m.

Smiling, she held up six fingers in return.

The car drove into the designated parking lot, where crew members were waiting to guide them to the old teaching building.

After dozing off for a bit in the car, the person was instantly revived as the heatwave hit him when he got out. Walking next to the manager, he slightly lifted the brim of his hat and glanced around.

They were near the administrative building. The digital screen on the building was off because school was out, and on one side of the building, there was a large slogan: “Cultivate Virtue and Raise People.”

On the other side was a pond almost as large as the administrative building. The water shimmered brightly, almost blindingly, but the shaded paths around the pond looked much cooler.

He gazed at the scene for quite a while. The manager turned her head and asked, “What’s up?”
Chen Bai withdrew his gaze and smiled, saying, “It’s nothing, just that this school looks a lot like my old one.”

The manager nodded, “Most schools look pretty similar nowadays.”

She then asked, “The internal actor list came out today, and there’s someone you know on it.”

Anyone involved in the production could access the list, and Chen Bai could too, but since he had just rolled out of bed, he probably hadn’t had time to look at it.

Sure enough, the person next to her, sipping his black coffee, turned his head, “Hm?”

His good neighbor had never acted in a drama, so Chen Bai ruled him out. The first person who popped into his mind was his friend playing the third male lead. He mentioned the name of his third male lead friend.

The manager said it was Zhou Jing.

Chen Bai nodded in realization, finally remembering his study buddy.

The manager, now used to his scatterbrained moments, wiped her face and said, “Don’t forget about him when you see him.”

Chen Bai ruffled his hair and laughed.

It wasn’t that he’d forgotten, he just couldn’t immediately retrieve the information. His memory wasn’t so bad that he’d forget his study partner.

All the students had finished their final exams and were on summer break. Even though a few would return for extra classes, they’d be resting for a few days first. Today, there weren’t many people at the school, just a few teachers and administrators staying in their air-conditioned offices for meetings.

As they passed the administrative building, then the teaching block and sports field, they didn’t see anyone.

The staff said that the old teaching building they were heading to was behind the sports field, far from where the summer classes would take place, so they wouldn’t disturb the students’ study or rest.

By the time they arrived, the filming equipment was already set up. The temporary makeup and changing rooms were on the first floor. The costume designer greeted them and took Chen Bai, who had just finished his last sip of coffee, to change into his costume to check the fit.

The two assistants went to the makeup room to prepare, and the manager, as usual, went off to network and get a sense of the crew.

She had just mentioned Zhou Jing, and when she turned around, she saw him. He had arrived early and was already ready, wearing a blue and white school uniform. His previously gray hair had been dyed black and cut shorter, making him look like a fresh, clean-cut young man.

He stood out, surrounded by a few assistants and his executive manager, making him easy to spot.

He saw her too, nodded, and asked about Chen Bai.

The manager averted her gaze, saying that Chen Bai was changing his clothes.

Zhou Jing asked how things were going, as if Chen Bai had almost completely forgotten about him.

Just then, Chen Bai emerged from the changing room.

The costume change was quick, not like the many-layered outfits from the previous production; this was just a simple set of clothes.

As soon as he walked out, the costume designer’s eyes lit up, and she started fanning herself faster.

The school uniform was loose, and wearing long sleeves and long pants in this heat was a nightmare. Chen Bai had barely stepped out of the changing room before wiping sweat from his forehead and heading into the makeup room.

The crew had assigned makeup artists to the main actors, so personal makeup artists weren’t allowed on set.

When the manager returned from her networking round, she overheard someone complimenting a certain actor surnamed Chen Bai on his looks.

She knocked on the makeup room door, and as soon as she walked in, her eyes swept the room, landing on the person sitting by the window, wanting to see what the fuss was about.

“…”

Her eyes showed no emotion.

Sitting by the window, Chen Bai slightly tilted his head back, eyes closed, as the makeup artist worked on him. His hair fell back in soft strands, and the sunlight from the window highlighted the bridge of his nose, making everything seem to glow.

It was peaceful and serene—if you ignored the fact that his pants were rolled up to his knees, his school jacket was tied casually around his waist, and he was holding a pink mini fan aimed at his stomach.

In short, he looked like a handsome high schooler—fresh from planting rice.

Noticing she had arrived, the “rice planter” opened his eyes slightly and smiled, formally introducing his fan: “Sister Jing lent this to me, it’s really handy.”

Jing was his makeup artist.

In this short time, he had already started calling her “sister.”

The manager wiped her face.

Makeup artist Jing had multiple little fans blowing in all directions.

The old school building’s air conditioning had been removed, and the crew couldn’t install a new one, so for now, they had to make do with small fans.

The makeup room arrangement paired two actors per room: the male and female leads shared one, then the second leads, and so on. Usually, makeup was done at the hotel, but sometimes, like today, they had to use the on-site rooms.

Chen Bai’s roommate was the male lead, Zhou Jing, who had arrived early and was already off getting his individual photos taken.

While Chen Bai was still getting his makeup done, the other actors arrived. But the social butterfly, due to still being mid-makeup, was confined to the makeup room and couldn’t go out to greet anyone.

Once his makeup was finished and his hair was styled, the rice planter reluctantly rolled down his pants and properly put on his school jacket.

To cover the scar on his wrist, the crew gave him a blue-and-white wristband, which fit the character’s look surprisingly well and became a permanent accessory.

Today, they were shooting two sets of photos: one for individual portraits and one for group shots of the main cast.

The director sent him off to take his individual photo first.

The photoshoot was on the rooftop.

The old building’s roof wasn’t suitable, so they headed to the new No. 1 teaching building, which was in use.

Chen Bai still had makeup scars drawn on his face, and his assistant held a small fan to keep his makeup from melting.

During the actual shoot, while the others hid in the small patches of shade, the photographer stood at a higher vantage point, his lens focused on the solitary figure standing at the edge of the rooftop.

In the frame, the figure stood nonchalantly, tilting his head slightly, gazing into the space beyond the camera with pale, emotionless eyes. A slender scar ran diagonally across his face.
A strong breeze swept across the rooftop, lifting Chen Bai’s loose strands of hair to one side, and the hem of his school uniform fluttered slightly in the wind.

The photographer clicked the shutter.

The higher they went, the hotter it got. As soon as the photos were done, the director nodded, and everyone quickly headed downstairs.

The photo shoot went by quickly, and when they returned, the other actors were still getting their makeup done or having their pictures taken.

They had to wait until everyone was ready for the group photo. While back at the old teaching building, Chen Bai wiped off the scars painted on his face and spotted his study partner sitting in the shade of a tree.

His partner, whose once-gray hair was now black, was also wearing a school uniform. At first, Chen Bai didn’t recognize him until he turned around and looked at him, then it clicked.

His study partner seemed like he hadn’t seen Chen Bai in a long time and also didn’t immediately recognize him. His eyes lingered on Chen Bai for a moment before he finally moved his gaze away and greeted him.

There was a small stool next to his partner, unused, so Chen Bai sat down, casually draping his jacket over his legs and fanning himself with his collar.

They had just worked together in the last production, and now, to his surprise, they were in the same crew again. “What a coincidence,” Chen Bai said, turning to his study partner.

Zhou Jing agreed, “Quite a coincidence.”

Chen Bai was about to say something else but stopped mid-sentence as he watched Zhou Jing roll up his pants and sleeves. In no time, his short-sleeved shirt under the uniform had become a tank top, and the long school pants were rolled up like a pair of shorts.

…This look was strangely familiar, like it was only missing a hand fan.

The two of them sat side by side, each holding a small fan, waiting for the others to arrive.

The group photo was taken in a classroom on the second floor of the teaching building. It was still being set up, and by the time everyone was ready, the room should be prepared as well.

It didn’t take too long. By the time the others arrived, the two of them sitting under the tree had already pulled out their scripts and were rehearsing scenes while discussing study tips.

The group photo session took longer than expected. Afterward, the script read-through was scheduled to take place at the hotel where the crew was staying.

The hotel was about a 10-minute drive away—not too far but not too close either. The key point was that it had air conditioning.

As Chen Bai sat in the car, looking out the window, the roadside scenery became increasingly familiar.

The hotel was about a 10-minute drive away, and so was his place.

It turned out they were staying in the same area.

As they entered the hotel, he looked across the street and saw his apartment complex. From the right angle, he could even spot his building.

After the script read-through, the hotel served dinner, but Chen Bai chose to go home instead of eating at the hotel. He lived nearby and didn’t need to stay at the hotel, which also saved the crew some money.

By “home,” he meant his good neighbor’s place.

His neighbor had already bought dinner ingredients in the afternoon, so they could cook together when he got back.

Young Master Xu, who had never set foot in a kitchen, tried to help but ended up as the designated vegetable washer and ingredient deliverer.

That was about as far as his skills went. After he once sent meat flying off the chopping board, his dear brother Bai had banned him from using knives.

During dinner, Xu Lang asked when the promotional photos would be released.

Chen Bai took a sip from his cup and said, “Probably in five days.”

Xu Lang “…”

The high school student’s hand holding his chopsticks trembled slightly.

Five days was the day their exam results were released.

As students went on break, the internet saw a surge of traffic from kids finally free from school.

Ever since the announcement that ‘Youth Chronicles’ would be adapted into a drama, it frequently trended on social media. Speculations about the cast ran rampant, with so-called “industry insiders” constantly leaking unofficial information, but the official account stayed tight-lipped.

In the first week of July, after a month of silence, the drama’s official social media finally updated, releasing concept photos and character portraits.

Many fans had guessed correctly about the female lead—a rising star with an open schedule—but the choices for the male lead, second male lead, and other roles came as a surprise.

[Zhou Jing!! Can’t believe it’s Zhou Jing! You look even more handsome than before!]

[9.81 out of 10 high school hottie! He looks pretty cool when he’s not talking (setting this as my wallpaper) (nodding)]

[Great, you two can study together again (applause)]

[Zhou Jing, you’ve really improved! That expression in your eyes tells a whole story]

[Battle-damaged Chen Yibai looks so good! Bro, can you just stop talking for a sec? [serious.jpg]]

Some worried the actors wouldn’t live up to expectations, while others were excited. The general reaction was positive, and the show quickly climbed the trending charts.

Along with ‘Youth Chronicles’, students from First High in City A also made it to the top of the trending topics, expressing their regret and frustration.

[Top 100 students! If you’re in the top 100, you’ll get to see Chen Yibai in person! Chen Yibai!]

[No one can understand the pain of being ranked 101]

[Zhou Jing! The rising star! Chen Yibai! If I’d known it was you guys, I would’ve studied like crazy!]

[Ranked 59, already packing my bag to head out. Goodbye to those not in the top 100 [rose.jpg]]

[This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to walk through the school gates so badly]

Some students were already wailing in regret, while others were mentally preparing themselves for what lay ahead.

In the living room, Chen Bai sat with his script on his lap, sipping milk from a cup. Meanwhile, Old Xu sat beside him with a book, glancing down at the person on the floor, who was clutching a phone and taking deep breaths.

After several deep breaths, having mentally prepared himself, Xu Lang finally opened the app to check his exam results.

The score update was available for the Spring Final Exam (1), and the ranking and exam paper could be viewed after clicking in.

Xu turned to his brothers, asking, “Bro, Bai bro, should I click it?”

His older brother didn’t respond, but Chen Bai gave him a nod, encouraging him to go ahead.

Xu Lang closed his eyes, then opened them and tapped the button.

The first thing he saw was his total score.

His deskmate had already checked their scores and told Xu Lang that his score was 100 points higher than theirs.

Below the total score and individual subject scores was the ranking. As he scrolled down, the app briefly froze, causing his heart to skip a beat.

[Ranking (Science): 99]

The high school student: “…”

He shot up from his seat and announced that from now on, he would be called Xu 99.
Chen Erbai, the leader of the “atmosphere team,” clapped his hands enthusiastically. Halfway through, he suddenly realized he was still holding a water cup, which still had some milk in it.

Before he could figure out whether to place the cup on the table or somewhere else, the cold gray watch on his wrist caught the light for a moment. His good neighbor beside him, without a word, quietly reached over and took the cup from him, performing the motion so smoothly and naturally.