As new topics emerged, the buzz around the photos gradually died down online.
During this period, Lin Haobai became busy again, often holding his tablet and scribbling or sketching on it.
“Xiao Bai, are you starting work tomorrow?”
Mother Lin carried in a bowl of her son’s favorite tofu pudding and, noticing the suitcase piled in the corner, asked with concern.
“Yeah! Everything’s already booked. But this job isn’t tiring at all, Mom, so don’t worry!”
Lin Haobai took the tofu pudding from her, scooped up a big spoonful, and said happily.
This time, the leisure variety show jointly produced by Banana TV and the Ren Group required almost no mental effort from him. He just had to follow the basic outline of the script and go through the set process; the rest of the ample personal time would truly be date time.
Looking at the desk covered with a densely written travel guide, the corners of Lin Haobai’s lips curved upward slightly. He wondered what dating a buddy was supposed to be like. He was really looking forward to it.
“Mom, I’ll bring you a gift when I finish recording the show.”
Mother Lin looked at her son’s radiant smile with relief. “As long as you don’t exhaust yourself. Mom doesn’t need any gifts. And if you get tired, then don’t keep doing this job. The family’s debts have all been paid off, and I’ve saved the remaining money for you. You can find something easier. Be kinder to yourself, understand?”
As she spoke, her heart felt a deep ache.
Most twenty-two-year-olds were in the prime of youth, spirited and carefree, unaware of life’s hardships.
Unfortunately, their family had been unlucky and met with disaster. Her own health had failed her as well, leaving her unable to work much. If they hadn’t later encountered a benefactor who lent them a hand, and if Xiao Bai hadn’t earned money through filming advertisements and entered the entertainment industry, the two of them might have long since been crushed by life. Their current stability had been bought with her son’s hard struggle.
The entertainment industry was no good place. The internet was always full of unpleasant remarks; even riding in a friend’s car had been dug up and dissected. She didn’t ask for great wealth or status, she only hoped her son could be happy.
The moment Lin Haobai saw his mother’s eyes suddenly redden, he knew she had once again fallen into memories of the past.
Those memories held happiness, but even more bitterness and tears.
“Mom, don’t worry about me. This job really isn’t tiring. If you don’t believe me, you’ll see when the show airs in a while. It’s basically a relaxed travel program.”
After finally reassuring his mother, Lin Haobai packed up his things and went to bed early. After all, he still wanted to see how his good buddy was preparing his luggage for the trip.
Soon enough, the familiar stiffness set in. Lin Haobai, already used to it, opened his eyes and saw Ren Tianxing standing in the walk-in closet. He had been here before; the place was crammed with clothes, most of which still had their tags on.
“Hmm, picking clothes by myself is too hard.” Ren Tianxing crossed his arms over his chest and started getting a headache at the sight of the pile of clothes, shoes, and hats in front of him.
“This one won’t do. Xiao Bai mostly wears casual styles. This one’s too formal…”
“This one’s OK, but it seems a bit thick…”
“This one’s good. I could match it with Xiao Bai for a couple’s outfit…”
Lin Haobai: QAQ…
What kind of outrageous nonsense was that? Did he mishear?
Ever since entering the figurine, Lin Haobai had been behaving himself, and he felt certain he must have misheard. He blinked and watched as, within minutes, Ren Tianxing tossed out a heap of clothes.
Cough, he definitely heard wrong just now!!
After picking out several outfits, Ren Tianxing strolled over to the full-length mirror, reached up to smooth the hair he had messed up while rummaging through clothes, and suddenly said, “Ah, I’m actually more handsome when I’m not wearing anything at all.” After that, he didn’t forget to flash a charming smile at his reflection.
The little Lin Haobai figurine placed directly opposite the mirror: shot straight through the chest, KO…
The next morning, when the alarm rang, Lin Haobai woke up with hair sticking up like a bird’s nest. His mind was still echoing with that line: “I’m actually more handsome when I’m not wearing anything at all.” He felt that today, he wouldn’t even be able to look Ren Tianxing, that narcissist, in the eye.
Manager Wang You arrived early in the morning with the studio’s makeup artist and assistant.
Today’s schedule was to head straight to the filming location, take several sets of promotional photos first, then rest locally and officially start recording the show the next day.
“Oh my! Xiao Bai, did you stay up late last night? Look at this, your eye circles are completely dark.” The makeup artist, Sister Wu, exclaimed as soon as her hand touched Lin Haobai’s face.
Lin Haobai: I didn’t stay up late, but I did hear something even more terrifying than that.
“Sister Wu, I’ve actually wanted to ask this for a long time. My skin tone is pretty tan, how can you even see my dark circles?” Lin Haobai kept his eyes closed, cooperating with the makeup artist while still managing to ask his question.
“Xiao Bai, unless you’re black as coal, dark circles are always visible. Tsk tsk tsk… looking at you, it’s almost like you’ve been indulging a little too much, huh… hehe…”
The moment he heard that, Lin Haobai knew she was teasing him again. He couldn’t help rolling his eyes, which immediately triggered another shriek from her.
“I just finished your eye makeup, don’t move! I was only joking, just a joke! Don’t move again…”
Manager Wang You and the assistant, Xiao Gang, who had been watching the two of them fool around, burst out laughing as well.
By the time the car arrived at the filming location, more than two hours had passed.
The first episode was being filmed at a large-scale rose plantation under the Ren Group. It was currently the season when roses were in full bloom. On this suburban property, greenhouse after greenhouse filled with roses rose from the ground. Through the glass panels, everyone could clearly see the vivid red blossoms inside.
“Wow, this is way too beautiful!”
As soon as the car came to a stop, before anyone even got out, they were already stunned by the sheer scale of the plantation.
Since when had there been such a place in the suburbs?
“Welcome, everyone, to the Ren Family Rose Garden.”
A middle-aged man in a gray work uniform walked over, accompanied by two young men dressed the same way.
“I’m the person in charge of this rose garden. My surname is Ren.”
Lin Haobai wasn’t surprised at all when he heard that. According to what Ren Tianxing had privately told him about the ultimate purpose behind recording this show, this place was indeed the Ren family’s private property.
“Mr. Ren, hello!”
As the manager, Wang You stepped forward on behalf of their team and exchanged a few pleasantries with Director Ren.
The production crew had already arrived the day before and were setting up filming equipment inside one of the greenhouses, so there were only a few people at the entrance.
Before long, Ren Tianxing’s car also pulled in. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had switched to a very low-key Wrangler SUV as his ride for the day.
The moment the two met, one greeted with a beaming smile, while the other’s gaze flickered, looking slightly uneasy.
Lin Haobai was thankful there were no cameras at the entrance; otherwise, his less-than-presentable reaction just now would have been caught on film. He waved at Ren Tianxing as a greeting, then turned and followed the staff member from the rose garden, taking the lead.
Behind him, after saying a few words to the garden director, Ren Tianxing hurried after him.
“Xiao Bai, what’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush so early in the morning?”
Ren Tianxing caught up in a few quick strides and noticed that Lin Haobai’s ears seemed a little red, which puzzled him. Could it be that he looked especially handsome today?
“I was worried the director might have to wait too long.”
“It’s fine, it’s not time yet. Besides, we still have to take the promotional photos first.” Wang You had followed along at some point and quickly briefed his artist on the schedule.
Lin Haobai had already recovered from the first wave of impact brought by Ren Tianxing. He steadied himself and slowed his pace.
“So we’re heading to take photos now?”
“Right. The photographer just arrived not long ago. We’ll go check out the location first, then touch up your makeup and change outfits.”
Wang You spoke dutifully, occasionally glancing around at the rose garden.
Xiao Cha, the assistant who had been following behind Ren Tianxing, suddenly spoke up. “President Ren, there’s still time. Would you like to rest in the office area first?”
“No need. We’ll go take a look with them. Come to think of it, this is my first time at the rose garden this year.”
Ren Tianxing said casually, his steps keeping pace with Lin Haobai ahead.
Along the way, Lin Haobai had already seen five or six greenhouses. Each one appeared to cover at least three or four mu of land, and through the glass he could see they were filled entirely with roses.
He couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. The Ren family’s business empire was truly staggering. It was said that across the country, besides this rose garden, there were also lavender fields, chamomile gardens, and several medicinal herb plantations of varying sizes. These herbal plants were the main raw materials for the Ren Group’s personal care products.
One of the goals behind planning this show was to leverage his popularity to reintroduce Ren’s Personal Care brand to the public.
In the distance, a stretch of roses not housed in greenhouses came into view. Lin Haobai looked at Ren Tianxing in confusion. Why were the roses planted out in the open?
Finally getting the chance to move closer to his little sweetheart, Ren Tianxing casually slung an arm over Lin Haobai’s shoulder like a good buddy and said with a smile, “Those are all grown in pots. They’ve been moved out now to coordinate with the photo shoot. Did you forget the concept for the promotional photos?”
Lin Haobai shrugged awkwardly, thought for a moment, and said, “Oh, right! It’s just… aren’t there a bit too many roses?”
As they drew nearer, the fragrance of the blooming red roses drifted gently on the breeze and floated to his nose. The sweet scent of roses mingled with the freshness of green grass, making it incredibly pleasant, and strikingly familiar.
“This is my scent, you know.”
A cheeky voice whispered by his ear.
Lin Haobai truly couldn’t understand why this beautiful, refined man was becoming more and more likely to provoke the urge to hit him.
Still, that fragrance really was the scent Ren Tianxing carried. It seemed that the personal toiletries he used were probably all produced from plants grown in this rose garden.
“Clip-clop, clip-clop…” A steady rhythmic sound rang out. The two looked up to see the key prop for today’s shoot being led over.
“Come on, I’ll take you to say hello to George and Peiqi first.”
As he spoke, Ren Tianxing reached out, grabbed Lin Haobai’s hand, and pulled him briskly forward.