Big Sweetie Rises! She’s Building My Royal Harem in the Tang Dynasty!
Chapter 18 - The Senior Sister Who "Took Care" Too Well, All the Way to Bed?

Chapter 18: The Senior Sister Who “Took Care” Too Well, All the Way to Bed?

The release of “Bottom of the Sea” earned Shen Lang his first wave of fans, people who loved his music… ahem, who loved his looks!

In the fast-food idol era of 2018, for a male actor to blow up, looks came first. Talent was secondary.

And in the looks department, Shen Lang, with his “99+ charm score”, was no fraud.

Right now, he was in his room taking a call from Da Sweetie.

She’d been keeping tabs on him, even tasking her team to monitor online reactions. When “Bottom of the Sea” dropped, she was shocked, had all their wild role-playing given him depression?!

One phone call later, hearing his smooth voice, she realized the song was just Shen Lang pouring his soul into an original piece.

He explained that during college, he’d studied depression for a role, which inspired “Bottom of the Sea.”

He also told her to wait for next Friday’s episode, he’d perform two versions. This week’s release was just Zhejiang TV hyping the show by buying trending tags.

After an hour-long call, Da Sweetie hung up, only for Uncle Teng to immediately ring in, complaining about the busy line. “Less romance, more hustle!” he scolded, urging Shen Lang to focus on his career.

Shen Teng mentioned that Zhejiang TV had reached out about promoting “Bottom of the Sea.” He’d agreed, planning to give it a bigger push after next week’s episode aired. For now, he’d let the song simmer.

Finally, he nagged Shen Lang to compose a promo track for Hello Mr. Billionaire. He’d already secured approval from investors.

Though Taiwanese capital backed the film, Happy Mahua (as co-producers) still had say over promotional music.

Next came calls from Jia Lin, Ma Li, and other concerned friends, all urging him “not to be sad” and to “go outside more, don’t actually get depressed.”

Meanwhile, “Bottom of the Sea” was trending everywhere.

One post demanded: “I need this guy’s entire profile in three minutes!”

They didn’t even need three minutes. Shen Lang’s details were quickly unearthed:

Born: July 1, 1997

Education: Beijing Film Academy, Class of 2015

Roles: Supporting parts in Goodbye Mr. Loser, Never Say Die, stage plays with Happy Mahua

Upcoming Lead: Sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Earth

Of course, netizens also dug up his relation to Shen Teng, “No wonder he’s so handsome!”

Soon, Shen Teng’s Weibo was flooded with comments:

“Uncle Teng, does our nephew have a girlfriend?”

“Uncle Teng, I wanna be your niece-in-law!”

“Uncle Teng, how about me?”

“Someone pee on these thirsty folks, but don’t let them enjoy it!”

“Uncle Teng, keep an eye on him! He might be depressed. Cheer him up!”

“As expected of PLA Art Academy’s heartthrob genes! Nephew’s even hotter than Uncle Teng!”

“Tomorrow, Teng will cry waking up, aged overnight to ‘Uncle’ status!”

Shen Teng rarely browsed Weibo, but today he couldn’t stop, he loved seeing fans praise Shen Lang.

Even being called “Uncle” didn’t faze him. All this hype for my nephew! He was thrilled.

He almost called his usual co-star Ma Li to gush, until he remembered she wasn’t the female lead in Hello Mr. Billionaire.

Sigh… I wonder if Han Han will approve Shen Lang for Pegasus.

Right then, he decided: If Shen Lang’s in, I’m in. Otherwise, I quit!

His weak stance on Hello Mr. Billionaire had let investors force an incompatible lead actress on him. Her inability to play off his humor made him worry about the film’s box office.

Knock knock,

Shen Lang opened the door to find Li Xiaoran.

“Sister Xiaoran, what’s up?”

“Xiao Lang, are you actually okay?” She rolled her eyes.

Shen Lang laughed. “Sis, that’s just the show’s marketing. You’re with me every day, you’d know if something was wrong.”

“Who’s with you every day?!”

Her pretty eyes narrowed as she tiptoed past him into the room, inspecting it with approval.

“Not bad. Surprisingly tidy for a guy. No bachelor filth, good, very good…”

Acting like she owned the place, she toured the room before plopping onto the sofa.

“Seriously, you’re fine?”

“Do I look unwell?”

He explained again: “‘Bottom of the Sea’ was a college assignment, method-acting depression. But next week’s episode has two versions. One’s the bleak one you heard. The other adds hopeful elements, like Buddhist chants guiding listeners up from the depths.”

Li Xiaoran crossed her legs eagerly. “Then sing it for me now!”

“That depressive version kept me awake. You owe me!”

Shen Lang: “…”

Reading his hesitation, she waved a hand. “A cappella’s fine. I’ve never heard you sing raw~”

She stretched out on the sofa, lazily urging, “Hurry up! Don’t keep your sister waiting!”

Sis, are you flirting with me?

Because it sure sounds like it!

Resigned, he sang the Phoenix Legend collab version of “Bottom of the Sea.”

“Better. This one feels hopeful, and my mood improved.”

Propping her chin on her hands, she shifted from sitting to lying on the sofa, satisfied.

Then: “Now sing the first version. Live a cappella. Quick, it’s almost 11! I need sleep~”

Was that a demand…

Or an invitation?

From his angle, Shen Lang confirmed: Li Xiaoran lived up to her “Li Big White” nickname, so pale, so plump. Absolutely lethal.

…