As Huaxia’s premier fashion magazine, Muse already boasted extremely high sales. This time, the hottest celebrity in the entertainment industry graced the cover of the fashion world’s top magazine, causing the first-day sales of Muse‘s June 2045 issue to directly exceed 50,000!

This was just the offline sales.

Before the official release date, the online pre-sales for the July issue of Muse had already reached 32,000 copies. With the official cover and content revealed, Muse‘s total sales exceeded 80,000 within a single day. By the second day, online sales fully exploded, with single-day online sales surpassing 30,000!

The cover personality for this issue of Muse was Rong Xu. Upon opening the magazine, a full nine pages were dedicated to his interview. Moreover, the extra-large poster gifted with the magazine also featured Rong Xu’s photo. The combination of a top-tier photographer and an excellent model, along with the outstanding quality, gave the poster immense visual appeal, instantly captivating fans’ attention.

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Just before Rong Xu participated in his first promotional event with the 3200 Miles crew, Luo Zhentao sent him a message, informing him that Muse‘s total sales had now exceeded 140,000.

Rong Xu chatted with Luo Zhentao for a few more minutes, then followed the crew into the recording studio.

Rong Xu had participated in this talk show before when he came to the US to promote Zhuang Hua Luo. The host was a very charming American man, witty and humorous. He often made suggestive jokes and deliberately encouraged guests to reveal embarrassing stories, or even romantic encounters.

Last time he was here, Rong Xu wasn’t the main focus; the host’s attention was on Old Liu and Qin Cheng. But this time was different. Clemens sat in the seat closest to the host, and Rong Xu sat next to him.

The host was clearly very familiar with Clemens. After they bantered for a while, the host turned to look at Rong Xu.

With a slight smile, the young, handsome American man said, “Long time no see, Rong. Did you bring me a gift this time to America? I remember you said last time that you really liked a kind of Chinese plum, and just thinking about your description makes my mouth water.”

Rong Xu had indeed said he liked preserved plums, but that was over half a year ago. He hadn’t expected the host to still remember.

Smiling calmly, Rong Xu composedly said, “I forgot to bring it this time, but Max, if you ever come to Huaxia, I’d be very happy to take you to try this delicious treat.” Fluent and smooth English slowly flowed from the young man’s mouth, calm and graceful.

Max turned to look at Clemens: “Rong is so handsome, Clemens, tell me secretly, does he have a girlfriend? Before the show started, Mary kept telling me to find out this one thing. You must tell me. You know, sometimes women also like older cows eating young grass. I still want this month’s bonus.”

Hearing this, Rong Xu immediately couldn’t help but laugh wryly.

Mary was the producer of the show, and Max’s frequent target for jokes on the show. In his narration, Mary was a strong woman who often bullied him, and was currently on a diet, distressed about not being able to wear pretty dresses in the summer. Whenever Max teased Mary, the camera would give the producer a close-up, and the latter would glare fiercely at Max, making the audience roar with laughter.

Max’s words were, of course, false, but Mary still responsibly glared at him.

Clemens sat languidly on the sofa. Listening to Max’s words, he calmly extended his hand and placed it on the back of Rong Xu’s sofa. He didn’t touch Rong Xu, but to outsiders, it looked as if the two had a good relationship, and that the crew got along well.

The blonde director laughed, “Girlfriend? I don’t know if Rong has a girlfriend. You can ask Jennifer; they have a lot of scenes together in the movie. If even Jennifer can’t tell, how would I know?”

Jennifer directly retorted, “Why ask me? Just ask Rong directly, isn’t that better?”

Everyone turned to look at Rong Xu, who smiled faintly and said, “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Max immediately cheered, “Hooray, Mary, after the show ends, I’ll be responsible for cornering Rong backstage for you. Remember my bonus for this month.”

The entire show was recorded for over three hours and would eventually be edited down to one hour. Besides introducing and promoting the film, Max was constantly trying to extract information from Rong Xu. At first, he used Mary’s name to ask about Rong Xu’s private relationships, and then he straightforwardly asked if Rong Xu had lost his first kiss, and even if he was still a virgin.

Foreigners were always open about these matters, and this time was already quite tactful. In the past, Max had even asked several celebrities what the craziest thing they had ever done was. Those celebrities, of course, revealed explosive news, the vulgarity of which was breathtaking.

Before participating in the show, Rong Xu was already prepared for Max’s explicit jokes. No matter how he asked, Rong Xu would answer lightly, neither denying nor affirming, which made Max feel quite challenged.

Besides not wanting to expose his relationship with Qin Cheng for the time being, perhaps due to a certain conservatism in his bones, Rong Xu was not like many open foreign celebrities who would discuss such matters in public. He could understand others’ openness, but he would not allow himself to be that open.

Later, Max started bickering with Clemens. Clemens openly discussed several of his romantic encounters, and the atmosphere was quickly controlled by the two of them.

After the entire show was recorded, Max smiled and hugged Rong Xu, saying, “Rong, I didn’t mean to specifically target you; it was all for show effect, please don’t mind.”

Rong Xu naturally understood. He chuckled, “It was all for show effect, so don’t you dare corner me backstage.”

Max laughed loudly, “No way, for Mary’s happiness, I have to do it.”

Mary passed by: “This month’s bonus is gone.”

Max: “…”

Everyone burst into laughter.

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After finishing the recording of that program, two days later, the crew traveled to New York to participate in another promotional event. Afterwards, they left the United States. Departing from the East Coast, crossing the Atlantic, they arrived in the UK.

The last time Rong Xu was in the UK, he was with the Zhuang Hua Luo crew. At that time, Old Liu had asked him and Qin Cheng to engage in some “bromance” for publicity, which Rong Xu reluctantly agreed to, and it achieved excellent promotional results.

But this time, 3200 Miles was different. Clemens and Old Liu had a good relationship and had already learned about the promotional method for Zhuang Hua Luo. Just before going on stage for promotion, Clemens pondered for a long time, then finally looked at Rong Xu seriously: “Although love scenes aren’t important in this movie, and you and Jennifer aren’t strictly a romantic couple, Rong, if push comes to shove… how about you try with me?”

Rong Xu: “Cough, cough, cough, cough…”

The UK fans of BL culture waiting outside the theater to enter: “…”

Although a certain culture in their UK might be famous overseas, it’s not to the extent that they’d consume any kind of “bromance,” okay?!

Rong Xu naturally strictly rejected Clemens’s inexplicable request. Clemens had only said it casually and didn’t really intend to promote it that way. However, just before going on stage, he stroked his chin and said faintly, “Actually, I quite like you.”

The handsome young man’s lips curled into a faint smile: “You’re a good person.”

Clemens: “…”

In the previous talk show, Clemens had revealed to the host Max that he was attracted to both men and women. Max just took it as a joke, but Rong Xu believed it.

Although Clemens wasn’t like many big Hollywood directors who were frequently exposed to scandals, Rong Xu had never forgotten the subtle touch on his palm when he first met Clemens.

However, it was impossible for Clemens to truly like him. If he truly liked him, they wouldn’t have been filming together for so long without any real indication.

Perhaps due to Zhuang Hua Luo, Rong Xu’s popularity in the UK was higher than in the US. Below the stage, many fans held light boards with his name written on them. Among them were many blonde, blue-eyed foreign girls who, upon seeing their favorite celebrity, would excitedly shout his name, shouting in broken Chinese: “Rong Xu! Rong Xu! Rong Xu!!!”

At this moment, Luo Xi, waiting backstage, listened to the shouts in the theater that were almost lifting the ceiling, and suddenly understood—

Her little Xu was truly famous.

3200 Miles was Rong Xu’s first major leading role, unlike Lost City, which was only released domestically; unlike Silent, which had a limited release abroad; unlike Zhuang Hua Luo, where he was only the third male lead; and unlike Black Cloud, where amidst a galaxy of stars, moviegoers wouldn’t clearly remember the name of a new actor.

In this film, the name “Rong Xu” truly entered the hearts of moviegoers worldwide.

Clemens Holt’s fans would remember that a young Chinese star named Rong Xu collaborated with their favorite director; Jennifer Strong’s fans would also remember that their goddess had a co-star named Rong Xu this time.

This was before the movie was released. After the movie’s release, a Chinese star named Rong Xu would appear in their memories. Not because he starred in Clemens’s movie, nor because he collaborated with Jennifer, but because he was simply Rong Xu.

A strange emotion suddenly welled up in Luo Xi’s heart. She stood behind the backstage curtain, quietly watching her artist walk to the center of the stage, to the spot where the lights converged. Her eyes felt a little warm. Listening to the shouts from the entire audience, looking at the glowing names below the stage, after her eyes became moist, Luo Xi raised her hand to wipe away the tears, happily clenching her fingers.

From the first time she met Rong Xu, Luo Xi knew that he was a very remarkable star. Or rather, a born star.

For instance, during the Max talk show recorded in the US, Rong Xu wasn’t particularly fond of such explicit programs, but he didn’t let there be any awkward silences. While maintaining his principles, he ensured the show proceeded smoothly, satisfying everyone.

And now, he was chatting amicably with countless British moviegoers below the stage, controlling the atmosphere of the entire venue.

Such a person would naturally stand on bigger stages and achieve greater success.

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As the promotional event was nearing its end, Luo Xi lowered her head and started messaging Luo Zhentao, confirming the release of Rong Yan in two weeks and also confirming when Rong Xu needed to return to Huaxia for album promotions.

Just as Luo Xi finished sending her last message, a familiar shadow suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. She subconsciously looked up, but only saw a few staff members moving props.

Luo Xi shook her head, feeling a little confused. Before long, the promotional event ended. The 3200 Miles crew and all the fans took a large group photo. Luo Xi quickly grabbed a water cup and stepped forward, ready to help Rong Xu with his jacket.

Jennifer laughed, “British moviegoers are so enthusiastic! They kept shouting your name, did you hear them, Rong?”

Although the air conditioning was on indoors, Rong Xu still perspired a bit after the fan meeting. He gently handed his jacket to Luo Xi and chuckled, “Jennifer, I did hear them. They were clearly shouting your name.”

Just then, Clemens walked by. He said calmly, “Stop arguing, they were shouting my name.”

Rong Xu and Jennifer both smiled helplessly. However, Jennifer’s smile suddenly faltered. Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked at the space behind Rong Xu in surprise. Seeing her astonished expression, Rong Xu followed her gaze and turned to look.

His gaze abruptly stopped upon seeing the man. After a long pause, the young man’s lips curved into a joyful smile. But just as Rong Xu was about to step forward, Clemens happened to turn back and immediately saw the man who shouldn’t have been there.

“Qin? Why are you here?”

Clemens raised an eyebrow and stood directly to Rong Xu’s left, blocking his path. Clemens had never forgotten how Qin Cheng had tricked him last time, causing him to waste time coaxing the other party to invest. Now, as soon as he spoke, it was in very fluent Chinese.

“Long time no see, Qin Cheng. What brings you here today?”

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Author’s note: 

Qin Chencheng: [This baby still doesn’t want to talk today ??]

Fuwa: Did you see Rongrong’s career taking off?! (≧▽≦)/~ lah lah lah

Rongrong: I just realized I haven’t talked to my Chengzhi for a long time ??