This terrifying speculation made Lin Haobai’s entire body stiffen. The imagination his profession had honed was already kicking into overdrive.
He could practically picture it, if the other party found out what he had been seeing all this time, he might very well gouge his eyes out.
The languid Ren Tianxing, however, had no idea that the little figurine in his hand was spinning all kinds of dramatic scenarios and scaring itself half to death. At the moment, he was in an excellent mood. Holding the tiny figure in one hand, he recalled what had happened the night before. He was someone who rarely found interest in most things, yet watching Lin Haobai eat with such satisfaction had somehow whetted his own appetite.
It seemed that this man named Lin Haobai could not only help him sleep more comfortably, but also increase his appetite. Just what kind of background did this person have?
Ren Tianxing thought back to the information he had previously asked his assistant to investigate.
Since he had only intended to offer Lin Haobai a spokesperson opportunity, the focus of the background check had been on his private life. He did not want to choose a morally questionable spokesperson and damage the brand’s image.
Yet the information his assistant brought back had greatly surprised him.
This man who had won the title of Best Actor lived a life in relationships that was almost monk-like.
His days consisted of filming and attending events, with barely any rest throughout the year. Whenever he did take a break, he went home to spend time with his mother. In the glitzy and indulgent entertainment industry, a man like this was practically a model worker. Not only did he have no scandals, he did not even have any notable personal hobbies.
At the time, Ren Tianxing felt he truly had a keen eye to have discovered this man from among so many. Later, he deliberately arranged a few chance encounters and found that this really was a straightforward, slightly naive fellow, extremely fun to tease. Now, even when eating, simply watching him seemed to make him capable of finishing two extra bowls of rice.
What a remarkable man.
And now, this remarkable man was his.
Ren Tianxing silently made a decision in his heart. His hand tightened, closing around the entire figurine and enclosing it in his palm, leaving no chance for anyone else to pry.
Lin Haobai had been holding his breath, waiting for Ren Tianxing to say something even more shocking.
But after that heart-stopping remark, the man seemed to change expressions like a master performer, satisfaction one moment, sharpness the next, then happiness. The last image Lin Haobai saw was that determined look in his eyes as his palm closed tightly around him, leaving no way to escape.
When he woke up again in his own large bed at home, Lin Haobai’s heart was still pounding wildly.
Ren Tianxing’s expression just now had been terrifying. He felt like a rabbit caught by the throat in a lion’s jaws, no matter how hard he kicked, there was no way to break free. All he could do was wait in panic for those sharp teeth to chew him up and swallow him whole.
The feeling made him shudder.
This man gave him emotions that shifted too quickly and unpredictably. For the first time, Lin Haobai, who was used to being in control of his own fate, felt at a loss.
The joy of having gained a friend had begun to turn into unease.
Unfortunately, some people, once encountered, could no longer be escaped.
…
When Lin Haobai received a call from his manager, the relaxed expression on his face turned heavy.
It had been more than a week since he last met Ren Tianxing. During this time, he had used all sorts of excuses to decline the other man’s invitations. Even during the inevitable nightly “transmigration” after he fell asleep, once he entered his figurine, he would begin hypnotizing himself.
All of it was simply to distance himself as much as possible from that strange feeling.
But this phone call made all his efforts seem so naive.
“Xiao Bai, did you hear me? Is the signal bad? Hello?”
Lin Haobai steadied himself. To say he wasn’t afraid would be a lie. He had tried his best to retreat, yet it seemed he had already reached the end of the road.
“Brother Wang, I’m listening.”
He was only distracted for a brief moment before pulling himself together again.
“The advertisement is about to be launched. The ‘Lou’ brand wants us to help promote it at a few locations…”
Lin Haobai listened with a complicated expression.
If it were just a matter of doing promotional appearances at a few major shopping malls, that would be fine. But he had already heard from Brother Wang that President Ren would select one of those events to attend in person. Which specific event it would be depended on the group’s arrangements.
The power of the financial backer was simply too overwhelming.
Lin Haobai did not regret taking this advertisement; after all, the other party had helped him. However, he had already made up his mind that aside from this endorsement, he would never again accept any work related to the Ren family. In any case, he had always cooperated with sports brands.
“I understand. Send me the specific press materials so I can take a look.”
“Alright. Also, what’s going on with you this week? It’s rare for you to have a break, why not go out for a walk? Why are you cooped up at home every day? The media hate celebrities like you the most, too well-behaved.”
Listening to his manager’s complaints, Lin Haobai finally laughed. “Bro, since you’re so eager to feed those media outlets, how about I hit up a club tonight?”
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t you dare. I was just joking. You’d better stay at home during your break and not go anywhere. When it’s time for your schedule, I’ll come pick you up.”
The two of them bantered on the phone for quite a while before finally settling the upcoming itinerary.
After hanging up, Lin Haobai tapped his own head. Ah, it’s not that big of a deal! Since he couldn’t run from it, he might as well face it bravely.
He clenched his fist to encourage himself, then patted his face to pull himself together.
And to be fair, the “Lou” brand’s skincare products were pretty effective. Lately, he hadn’t been eating or sleeping well, yet the skin on his face was still in excellent condition. It seemed Ren Fairy’s flawless face might very well be maintained by skincare products. Otherwise, how could someone already at the “advanced age” of twenty-five still look so radiant?
After putting down the phone, his manager Wang Yong let out a long breath. Lowering his head to look at the photos he had obtained through other channels, he prepared to investigate what had been happening with his Xiao Bai.
Life soon grew busy again.
With the advertisement’s release, combined with the brand’s influence, Lin Haobai once again trended on the hot search list.
#The Best Actor’s First Skincare Commercial#
#Let’s Talk About the Skincare Products the Best Actor Used Over the Years#
#A Rational Discussion on Skincare Tips for Darker Skin#
…
All kinds of topics related to Lin Haobai, “Lou,” and skincare began gaining traction online. Major influencers posted various review videos of the new products. The surge in traffic drove the brand’s sales to a new peak.
Of course, mixed in among all that were some extremely unpleasant comments.
What was especially cruel were the comments targeting his skin color. Those people didn’t think much, they would just say online that his skin was so dark, it must mean he hadn’t washed his face properly. Or they’d bluntly claim that the brand was blind for choosing such a dark-skinned man as their spokesperson.
Lin Haobai knew his chocolate-toned skin didn’t match the currently popular “cream complexion” in the entertainment circle. After all, pale skin was considered the ultimate beauty standard—”whiteness hides flaws; the paler, the more beautiful.” It was an iron rule. And Lin Haobai’s skin was all chocolate-colored, so standing next to most other male stars, the contrast was even more obvious.
Yet it was precisely this contrast that allowed him to land certain distinctive roles, ultimately earning him the title of Best Actor at such a young age.
He felt proud of his chocolate skin.
All the online ups and downs didn’t bother him in the slightest.
However, when he went out for the first time after the advertisement launched, he was still blown away by the brand’s massive campaign. Everywhere, from streets and alleys to subways, elevators, buses, office building exteriors, and shopping malls, giant posters of him had been put up.
Every single one of these posters featured his face and shoulders glistening, holding a bottle of facial cleanser with a dazzling smile.
That day, when Lin Haobai arrived at the mall fully geared up, the moment he entered, he was struck by a two-story-high poster.
He had never imagined that enlarging his own poster could attract so many fans.
Standing at the crowded perimeter, he tried to see what was happening inside.
“Hey! Big brother, you’re a fan of our Brother Bai too, right?” a girl’s cute, lively voice suddenly rang beside him.
Before Lin Haobai could respond, she continued, “I’m telling you, this poster is the largest Brother Bai poster in the country. Other ‘Lou’ brand counters don’t have anything this big. Lately, a lot of us Brother Bai fans have come here to check in. And all those fans who couldn’t come are so jealous.”
Lin Haobai knew that his fan club was called Brother Bai.
The girl happily raved to him for a while, trying again to push into the crowd. When it became impossible, she started stomping her feet.
“So many people… looks like I can’t get a photo with my Brother Bai today…”
Her disappointed tone and frustrated expression made Lin Haobai feel like he ought to do something.
Next to the girl was a tall boy. Seeing her anxious, he moved slightly toward a nearby pillar and squatted down.
Immediately, the girl skillfully straddled the boy’s shoulders, holding onto his stylish hair for balance.
Lin Haobai was completely stunned by this display.
Next, he saw the boy hold onto the girl’s pants with both hands and stand up, carefully leaning against the pillar so she wouldn’t fall.
This… this… kids these days really know how to play!
At that moment, only a few words flashed through his mind.
Earlier, he had thought Ren Tianxing was the “old man,” but in an instant, this pair of youthful boy and girl had served him a big mouthful of fresh energy.
He began to wonder if he had reached the age to start looking for a partner.
Watching the girl lifted up, standing proudly above everyone else and clearly having fun, and the boy gritting his teeth to keep steady, his heart secretly filled with envy.
He wanted to lift his own partner like that too.
“Ahhh! I want to do that so badly too!”
The girl’s sudden, excited scream left Lin Haobai utterly bewildered.
Following her gaze, he saw that the crowd ahead seemed to be in a stir.