Three days later.
#Yin Beilin Airport Raw Photos# #First Release#
1L: Hehehehehe Yin Beilin hehehe my Linlin hehehehehe my Beibei hehehehehehehe my Yin Yin
2L: Another fan’s gone crazy. Get a grip, OP.
3L: This man is truly flawless [lights cigarette]. Why does a man with such a perfect family background, stunning looks, and incredible acting skills even exist in this world? [lights cigarette] [lights cigarette] [lights cigarette]
4L: He’s too damn good. That one glance back from him nearly shot my heart to pieces with a Gatling gun [kneels]
5L: I’m at the airport! He looks a hundred times better in person than in the photos!!! Waaaah!!!
6L: Aaaaah, how are you so lucky, girl? I’m crying from envy.
25L: Who’s the soft-haired guy next to Lin Ye? He looks pretty tall and handsome. A new assistant?
26L: No way. I’m pretty sure Lin Ye’s assistant and manager are both women.
27L: He looks really unfamiliar to me too. But he can’t be an assistant—that quilted tweed jacket and the cross-print T-shirt he’s wearing are both from On-Black. They aren’t cheap…
28L: Then who is he? Lin Ye’s schedule today should be the *Blade* behind-the-scenes press conference. Could the guy next to him be…
29L: Ugh… please tell me it’s not him… How many times has this happened now? Didn’t some paparazzi just say they saw Lu Ren at the Sky Tower a few days ago?
50L: Oh shit, I’m at the airport right now. It really is CL [image][image]
51L: Fucking hell, what is wrong with him? Does he seriously have to clout-chase this hard? Does he absolutely have to take the same flight as Master Lin? He’s fucking shameless.
52L: Can he just retire already? He’s a goddamn cancer to the entertainment industry…
53L: Damn, he even changed his style just for this. Did he think we wouldn’t notice?
54L: This is so bad that even Yin Beilin’s fans would feel sorry for him. Wasn’t Du Huai in the same production crew as Lu Ren before? Wow, Lu Ren’s fans are just like rabid dogs, shitting all over his super topic.
55L: OP, are you sick in the head? I’m just a passerby here, but aren’t you being way too disrespectful?
56L: Haha, Lu Ren’s fans really love to pretend to be “passersby” just like he does. Lmao.
57L: But seriously, that’s going way too far.
60F: After all, it’s the *Blade* press conference. The whole cast was probably there. Why single out Lu Ren and bash him?
61F: Heh, did Du Huai and Rao Mengmeng take the same flight? It’s obvious Lu Ren deliberately staked out the airport and flew with Yin Beilin, okay?
63F: What’s wrong with some of you upstairs? Just because Lu Ren changed his style to ride his coattails, you face-fucking simps have started licking his boots?
64F: It’s not “licking,” okay? Harsh words are just harsh words.
104L: Alright, this is just the variety show’s pre-hype. Everyone, disperse! Stop arguing.
105L: Dream on. How could a mere mortal like Lu Ren ever get the chance to appear on a variety show with Lin Ye? Lol.
Inside the conference room of the *Fantasy Couple* production team.
The operations manager looked at the comments raging online and turned to the producer with a headache. “Sir, won’t we get roasted for having Lu Ren on the show?”
“We’re already getting flamed on Weibo and Douban just because of that one photo of him visiting Teacher Yin on set and them being spotted at the airport together…” Xiao Lin, the operations manager, covered his face in despair. “Once we release the guest list, our official Weibo account is going to get absolutely slaughtered…”
“What do you know?” The producer had his legs kicked up on the desk, looking utterly relaxed. “Getting slaughtered is good. That’s how you get buzz.”
“We’re handed free traffic on a silver platter, and you’re still worried about what?” The producer curled his lip. “I’m more worried the backlash won’t be strong enough.”
Xiao Lin grew anxious. “But sir, Lu Ren has gay rumors! We only invited six people in total. If we include him, what happens? Won’t someone be left without a partner? We can’t even form couples! How are we supposed to explain this to the fans?”
“What’s the big deal? Xiao Lin, you’re just too conservative.”
Xiao Lin’s temple throbbed. You’re not the one running the social media, of course you’re not worried! When the official Weibo account gets flooded, who’s the one who’ll have to clean up the comments? Me!
The producer raised a finger, shaking it with a feigned air of profundity. “Think about it from another angle. Any of these people we’ve invited who actually end up as a couple will be stirring up a storm anyway. Now that we’ve added an inside disruptor, won’t it be even more entertaining?”
“…The same-sex aspect really isn’t an issue,” the main PD pondered. “These controversies don’t matter. After all, our dating show is different from other shows’ dating shows.”
With that, the main PD said, “It’s fine, just go ahead and announce it tonight. Don’t be afraid. If all else fails…”
Xiao Lin’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Does that mean you’ll be working overtime with us, PD?”
“Not at all,” the main PD quickly waved his hand. “If all else fails, we’ll just lie flat.”
“These celebrities are going to argue with each other from the get-go anyway,” the main PD said optimistically. “We’ll just play dead. How hard can that be?”
Xiao Lin: “…”
Xiao Lin’s face fell.
What Xiao Lin didn’t know was that under the same sky, there was someone else who also didn’t want Lu Ren to appear on *Fantasy Couple*.
Inside the business car.
Huang Ying’s face was grim.
Yin Beilin, however, remained perfectly composed, eyes closed as he rested. Beside him, Lu Ren acting as a little assistant, or rather, a little toy was diligently peeling a peach for him.
Though Huang Ying’s expression was practically shooting death beams, she swallowed her anger…
Ten thousand yuan for peeling a single peach!
You’d be a fool to turn down that kind of money!
So, Lu Ren, his ears turning red, avoided Huang Ying’s gaze and focused on his task with utmost dedication.
Huang Ying’s chest heaved twice more.
After years as Yin Beilin’s manager, she had often wished he would show a little more emotion, be more approachable, smile a bit, and stop acting so cold all the time, as if everyone owed him money.
But now that the day had finally come, Huang Ying wished she could turn back time and go back to how things were before!
“He didn’t even have a plotline in *Blade*, yet you insisted on bringing him along on this plane,” Huang Ying said, her face dark. “Don’t tell me you plan to be this all over each other on a variety show!”
“*Fantasy Couple* is a live stream!” she fumed. “With so many viewers watching, Yin Beilin, you—”
She was about to ask if he had any shame, but Yin Beilin opened his eyes and gave her a calm, sweeping glance. The words choked in her throat, and she could only change her tune.
“Can’t you be a little more careful?!” Huang Ying exclaimed, unable to hold back any longer. “You have fans! What will they think if they find out?”
“Huang Ying,” Yin Beilin said coolly. “Are you mistaken about something?”
Huang Ying froze.
“I am an actor, not a face-seller.”
Huang Ying choked.
She knew what Yin Beilin meant. He was a professional actor, someone who earned respect and acclaim through his acting skills… But…
Huang Ying frowned. “This is still a dating reality show—”
“A dating reality show?” Yin Beilin countered calmly. “When you brought me the proposal, what did you emphasize as the main focus?”
Huang Ying’s throat tightened. She pursed her lips, about to say more, but Yin Beilin cut her off coldly.
“I know Xu Qingqing insisted that you get me to accept this show.”
Huang Ying’s pupils dilated.
“I don’t object to your personal agenda.”
“I will deal with her directly on the show,” Yin Beilin said, his calm tone laced with a distinct chill. “As for you, from now on, just stick to your job.”
Huang Ying shuddered violently, her face turning pale.
*Yin Beilin… Yin Beilin actually knows about her and Young Lady Xu…*
Lu Ren, who had been happily slicing a peach for Yin Beilin, feeling smug that his fifty-million-yuan bet had been lost again, found his mouth hanging open in an ‘O’ shape at Yin Beilin’s words.
*Holy shit?*
*Huang Ying actually knows the Young Lady?*
Lu Ren finally understood. No wonder Dongfang Zhuzhu would write that Yin Beilin suddenly accepted this variety show it turned out Xu Qingqing was involved… This all made sense now.
Money could make ghosts push a millstone, and when Young Lady Xu wanted something done, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would have to step aside.
*But still… Yin Beilin, you said that so bluntly right in front of her, Lu Ren thought, his face a picture of weary resignation. Truly a male lead who’s a Monk of Severed Emotions. Fucking cold as ice.
After Yin Beilin spoke, Huang Ying’s lips tightened into a straight line. Her eyelids drooped halfway, and her lower lip was pressed firmly shut.
No one spoke. The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence.
In the midst of this deathly quiet, a voice finally trembled out.
“Brother Lin, Sister Ying,” Lu Ren offered a dry smile. “…Want a peach?”
The peach had been peeled, revealing its pale pink flesh, and was now neatly sliced into small pieces on a plate held out toward them.
Huang Ying’s long eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t move.
Seeing her hesitation, Lu Ren wrapped a slice in a piece of tissue and pressed it into her hand, smiling pleasingly. “I just had one, it’s really sweet.”
“I haven’t eaten yet, and you’ve already started?”
Yin Beilin narrowed his eyes and let out a soft, questioning “Hmm?” through his nose.
Lu Ren: “…”
What’s wrong? I peeled it, I sliced it, can’t I even take a bite?
Lu Ren grumbled inwardly, but under Yin Beilin’s “tyrannical” gaze, he still obediently handed over the peeled peach. “Brother Lin, here.”
Yin Beilin lazily opened his mouth again.
Lu Ren: “…”
Fucking hell, it’s already pampered enough that the peach needs to be peeled, and now I have to feed you!
Lu Ren’s face darkened as he thought, *The bourgeoisie are so lazy it’s infuriating!*
Complaining under his breath, Lu Ren wordlessly pinched a slice of peach and stuffed it into Yin Beilin’s mouth.
The next second, his entire body jolted.
His fingertip had been lightly bitten.
It was wet, tingling and itchy.
Lu Ren’s face flushed crimson in an instant, spreading from his neck up like a cartoon, “……!!”
*What the hell is this!*
Lu Ren yanked his hand back, not daring to look at Huang Ying’s expression beside them. His face was beet red, and his head felt like it was about to start smoking!
Doesn’t the male lead have a germaphobia? Who the hell is he kidding?!
Dongfang Zhuzhu, you bastard, come out and give me a refund!
The “flirting-like” interaction between Lu Ren and Yin Beilin caused Huang Ying’s expression to twist for a moment.
But this time, she glanced at Lu Ren, then at the glistening peach flesh in her hand.
She snorted but said nothing more.
That night, Weibo exploded again.
#Fantasy Couple Official Announcement#
#Fantasy Couple Luxury Cast#
Clicking on the hashtag, the official guest list had been released by Peach TV.
@Peach TV: “#Fantasy Couple Cast Announcement# Sternberg proposed that a love triangle consists of passion, intimacy, and commitment. In a world of fantasy and parallel spaces, how will our six guests—@Yin Beilin, @Actor Luo Jiuge, @HOWL-Zhou Zichuan, @Rao Mengmeng Rao, @Angelina Princess Xu, and @LU—interpret the basic elements of love? Stay tuned for Fantasy Couple.”
Peach TV is really going all out… They actually managed to get Yin Beilin? My whole family is shook!
No, no, no, I’m losing my mind! Lin Ye is our shared female property, how can he be on a dating show? Waaaaah, I can’t live like this!
Wow!!! Lin-Ge are on a dating show together! Are we celebrating the New Year at the end of June?!
Huh? This dating show has four actors? Is it some kind of scripted drama?
All things are sprouting, Rao-Rao, go for it!
Holy crap, why is CL here?
[Zhou Zichuan’s captain is here to report for duty! [confetti][confetti][confetti]]
[Who is Princess Xu? I’ve never heard of her. Is she a non-celebrity?]
[Lu Ren is trying to ride their coattails?? Am I seeing things?]
[Damn, this variety show is really playing dirty, aren’t they? They even dragged Lu Ren into this.]
[…Three seconds of silence for Zhou Zichuan and Yin Beilin.]
[Holy crap, no wonder China Lu was seen with Yin Beilin wearing the same outfit and going to the airport together earlier. I even heard he rented a place where Yin Beilin lives. So it was all leading up to today. Tsk.]
[Can you believe it? How could he afford to live where Actor Yin lives?]
[@Peach TV “Fantasy Couple” Official Weibo Lu Ren has a rotten character and poor conduct. I’m writing this in blood to demand his disqualification as a guest!]
[Don’t do that! I actually kind of want to see CL try to suck up to Yin Beilin and Zhou Zichuan on the show and get shot down.]
[Hahahahahahahaha +1. Just imagining it is already so satisfying!]
[Hurry up and announce the time!! Is it going to be a live stream?!! Official Weibo, show some humanity and just tell us the time, okay?]