“My leg injury happened when I was a teenager…”
Ren Tianxing, who had been carefully pressing on Lin Haobai’s thigh, paused for a moment before continuing. Lin Haobai noticed that his expression showed no sympathy and continued speaking. “Back then, I wanted to get acting roles, so I worked as a stunt double for a while. One time, I had to do a scene where I jumped off a building. But the crew didn’t set up the mat properly, and I broke my leg.”
His tone was casual, as if talking about eating porridge.
A flicker of concern appeared in Ren Tianxing’s eyes. He closed them briefly and opened them again. “So…”
“Don’t pity me,” Lin Haobai immediately said. He considered himself a survivor in life and didn’t need anyone to feel sorry for his past. Especially for this injury, it had, in a way, shaped his acting career. Without it, his path in the industry might not have gone as smoothly.
“After that, my path just kept widening. Look at me now, I don’t have to worry about food or clothing. I’m a lot luckier than most people.”
The firmness in his voice made Ren Tianxing understand that this man truly didn’t care about the injury.
“When we get back, I’ll get an expert to check it out. How could it still not be fully healed after all these years?”
Lin Haobai looked down at Ren Tianxing’s striking face, then suddenly reached out to ruffle his perfectly styled hair. “It’s fine. As long as there’s no rough handling, this leg is as good as healed.”
Seeing the other’s shocked expression at having his hair ruffled, Lin Haobai couldn’t resist sliding both hands down to gently pinch Ren Tianxing’s face from both sides.
Sure enough, even when his face was tugged, he remained stunningly beautiful. Seeing his eyes suddenly glistening, Lin Haobai couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Ren Tianxing, amused, let his hands become mischievous too. “Alright! You dare mess around even though your leg hurts.”
With that, he leaned over, pressing onto Lin Haobai’s upper body, resuming his previous playful motions, pinching left and right.
“Let go! This isn’t clay!”
Ren Tianxing chuckled and gently bit Lin Haobai’s flushed earlobe. “You started it first. Don’t be afraid! Good brothers can help each other sometimes…”
The teasing tone made Lin Haobai feel a rush of heat. Not wanting to be outdone, he mirrored Ren Tianxing’s movements, grabbing at him. The solid wooden chair beneath them creaked under the weight and movement of two adult men. After a few minutes, a loud snap rang out, the back of the chair, held together with wooden pegs, had tilted.
The sudden tilt snapped both men out of their playful trance, and they finally regained a bit of composure.
Lin Haobai reached out and shoved Ren Tianxing off of him, frustratedly trying to run his fingers through his hair, only to feel the riding helmet still clinging to his head. He finally remembered that today they were supposed to be riding horses for work.
“You… how did this happen? Our photos aren’t even finished yet!”
Ren Tianxing looked at his annoyed expression, eyes glinting mischievously as they lingered on the high spot, and said with a smile, “The photos were already taken. Should we continue what we started earlier?”
Being looked at like that, Lin Haobai felt like a piece of meat on a chopping board.
“What happened today was a mistake. We shouldn’t have done that.”
Ren Tianxing smirked: “You weren’t saying that just now!”
Lin Haobai ripped the helmet off his head and placed it on his stomach, fuming. “That’s none of your business! You can shamelessly do whatever you want, but I don’t!” He glared at Ren Tianxing’s collar, which had been pulled open. Beneath it, his pale collarbone bore faint red marks.
Lin Haobai absolutely refused to admit that the marks came from biting during his own struggle, and, strangely, the sensation had been oddly pleasurable.
Knowing they couldn’t continue today, Ren Tianxing thought for a moment and decided to walk outside the cabin, calling out loudly as he went: “Xiao Bai, half an hour for you. That’s enough, right?”
Lin Haobai: GUN…
An hour later, Lin Haobai, having tidied himself up, opened the cabin door and peeked outside, but Ren Tianxing was nowhere in sight.
Since this was the Ren family’s rose garden, he knew Tianxing was perfectly safe. Taking a deep breath, Lin Haobai patted his own cheeks, forcing himself to stay calm.
Not long after leaving the cabin, he saw a large, beautiful canopy set up under the tree where the two horses were tied. Beneath it was a table filled with all kinds of food.
And the person who had been on his mind earlier was sitting casually at the table, sipping a drink and looking in his direction. Several bodyguards in uniform and his manager, Wang You, stood nearby.
“Xiao Bai, you’re awake! Why would you decide to rest in a strange place when you’re tired? If it weren’t for Mr. Ren helping, I wouldn’t have found you, I was frantic!”
Seeing him, Wang You rushed over, sweat pouring down his face.
Lin Haobai felt like someone had just fed him excrement. What did he mean by “resting in the wrong place”? It was all because that damn Ren Tianxing had been pawing at him with no sense of restraint! Who in their right mind “helps” their best friend like that?
“I’m fine, Brother Wang.” Forcing calm, Lin Haobai followed his manager toward Ren Tianxing, slowly approaching his position. Gritting his teeth, he added through clenched jaws, “Thanks a lot, Mr. Ren. Otherwise, my manager would’ve completely lost me.”
By now, Ren Tianxing had changed out of his riding outfit and had his hair neatly combed again. He gave off a soft, gentle vibe. Hearing Lin Haobai’s words, he smiled warmly and said, “We’re good friends, good brothers, don’t be shy about asking for a little help.” Before Lin Haobai could respond, he picked up a business card from the table and handed it over.
“This is the best acupuncture master in the country, with extensive experience treating muscle and bone injuries. I’ve already made an appointment for you. After we finish recording the first episode, I’ll take you to see him. Sound good?”
Although he asked, Ren Tianxing already knew Lin Haobai’s schedule perfectly. Asking was simply a matter of courtesy.
Lin Haobai took the card and looked at the title of the master. This was someone nearly impossible to access given their current status. In just an hour, Ren Tianxing had arranged everything for him.
The man in front of him, smiling like a doll, always found a way to make Lin Haobai mad, yet always did things that moved him and left him unable to refuse. Why in the world would there be such a complicated and contradictory man?
Thinking this, Lin Haobai let out a long, resigned sigh. Then he walked over and grabbed the soft flesh at Ren Tianxing’s waist, twisting it hard until the handsome, delicate face twisted slightly, before letting go. Leaning close to his ear, he whispered softly, “Thank you, Ren Tianxing.”
Ren Tianxing tried to control the slight pained expression on his face and smiled, “You’re welcome, good brother, for life!”
Lin Haobai: Who said anything about life with you!!!!
Finding a chair, Lin Haobai finally settled down and asked about the photos taken that morning.
Wang You, who had been quietly observing their interactions, chuckled and said, “The photos from this morning turned out really well. That photographer was so excited, I saw him holding the camera, eyes shining as he looked through the shots. He must be thrilled. The final images should be ready by tonight. Then you, Mr. Ren, and the director can pick a few to use for promotion.”
Hearing that the work hadn’t been messed up, Lin Haobai finally relaxed. At least today, some real work had been done. Even though Ren Tianxing had dragged him into some mischievous antics, he had managed to keep it under control.
Thinking that, he hummed playfully at the leisurely Ren Tianxing, causing him to laugh out loud again.
When the afternoon sun became intense, everyone finally headed toward the prepared lodging.
The filming schedule for this program was two days and one night, not too long, and mainly took place within the rose garden. So their accommodations were a small villa inside the garden.
“Where are the others staying?” Lin Haobai asked as he followed Ren Tianxing to the door, noticing only a few staff members around.
“This is my family’s villa. Other than the two of us, the rest of the crew is staying with the rose garden staff on the north side of the park. Of course, all the cameras for filming are set up there too.”
Lin Haobai immediately understood.
The small villa in front of them was part of the Ren family’s private property, off-limits to the filming crew.
“So how are we arranging tomorrow’s shoot?” Lin Haobai asked.
Ren Tianxing replied, “Just keep it casual. I don’t want your privacy exposed.”
Lin Haobai: “Alright then!” Since he was being treated so well, he didn’t press the issue. After all, that was the sponsor’s decision; it would just be a headache for the director’s team.
The frustrated directors, staring at the camera-equipped yet empty living area, scratched what little hair they had left. “So those two aren’t staying here tonight?”
The assistant director, who had been silent until now, immediately nodded. “Yes, Mr. Ren is keeping Mr. Lin at his private villa. Mr. Ren said they’ll come over early when filming starts tomorrow.”
Director: Ren really is stubborn!!
“Fine! Who’s going to argue with the sponsor anyway? He’s funding the show. Ratings or not, they’ll decide for themselves. By the way, when are the two amateurs arriving?”
Besides Lin Haobai and Ren Tianxing, each episode would feature two amateur participants. Although they were amateurs, there were certain requirements for registration. If handled well, these newcomers might even get a boost from being alongside a film star.
The assistant director quickly responded, “They’re here. Just got a call, they’re at the rose garden’s entrance. I was about to send someone to pick them up.”
Hearing this, the director’s eyes lit up. He patted his head and shouted, “Let’s go! I’ll go pick them up myself.”
Without waiting, he strode toward the door, shouting as he went, “Cameramen? Grab a few cameras and follow me!”