At the entrance of the rose garden, two girls dressed in extremely cute outfits were walking hand in hand, animatedly talking about something. Their faces lit up with excitement. Each had a small suitcase by her feet, and a rose garden staff member was dutifully standing nearby, keeping watch at the entrance.
The two girls were in the middle of their discussion when one of them looked up and noticed the program director approaching slowly with a few staff and cameramen. She immediately grabbed the other girl’s hand, bouncing on her toes: “Ah, Xiao Xue, the cameras…”
The girl called Xiao Xue immediately looked up, spotting several dark cameras aimed at them. She tilted her head and buried it in her friend’s back, whispering, “Qing Qing, help block them…”
From a distance, the director spotted the two girls at the entrance and quickly walked over. After a few greetings, he smiled warmly and said, “Welcome to our show! Today isn’t a formal filming day, so we’ll first let you meet the guests of the program.”
Hearing this, the girl who had been hiding behind her friend immediately popped her head out in disbelief: “Really? We’re going now?”
The director, smiling kindly, nodded and took the lead, heading toward the villa where Ren Tianxing and Lin Haobai were staying.
Behind them, Xiao Xue and Qing Qing were practically bursting with excitement.
They were finally going to meet their idol in person!
Ahhhh!
Just half a month ago, when Banana TV posted the program notice on their official website, the two had even commented sarcastically about the show’s cheesy name. What era is this, still doing “rich CEO” programs? But soon, they were drawn in by the program’s description.
A show where amateurs interact with celebrities! Just the idea was incredibly appealing. Although the exact celebrity guest hadn’t been announced, and everyone knew that “amateurs” these days were usually small-time singers, minor stars, or micro-influencers, the two friends had still signed up together for the lottery.
Why were they so determined? Simply because someone in their fan group leaked that the show featured Brother Bai personally.
Just from that seemingly credible tip, all their fan friends signed up. And the two of them were the lucky ones who got picked. How could they not squeal like excited prairie dogs?
Ahhhh!
…
Inside the villa, Lin Haobai followed Ren Tianxing in to rest. The interior was warm and cozy, with country-style decorations and furniture that made the space very comfortable. The style perfectly matched the rose garden, but with Ren Tianxing, such a stunning and delicate man, by his side, it felt a bit out of place.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Haobai’s expression must have looked strange, because Ren Tianxing pulled him down onto the sofa and, smiling, asked:
“Hmm, well… it just feels like this place doesn’t really suit you.”
Seeing the conflicted look on his face, Ren Tianxing reached out and ruffled his hair. “This used to be our family’s vacation villa. Of course, it still is. It’s just…”
This was the first time in all the time Lin Haobai had known Ren Tianxing that he had ever mentioned his family.
The limited information online revealed nothing about Ren Tianxing’s private life, clearly, it was very tightly guarded. All Lin Haobai knew was that the previous president of the Ren Group had been an elderly man.
Lin Haobai wasn’t the type to pry into someone else’s privacy. He was about to stop Ren Tianxing from continuing when suddenly a commotion arose outside the door.
The two of them looked up from the sofa. The villa door was closed, but through the glass of the living room, they could see several people in the small garden outside, accompanied by a few cameras. Bodyguards were standing there to prevent them from entering.
Lin Haobai turned to Ren Tianxing, silently asking if they should go out and see what was happening.
Ren Tianxing straightened Lin Haobai’s hair, sighed, and said, “Let’s go check it out together.” After all, the program still needed to continue; otherwise, the follow-up arrangements would be difficult. He just didn’t expect these people to dare show up on his private property.
With a rare display of displeasure, Ren Tianxing’s face went cold in front of Lin Haobai.
Lin Haobai found it amusing to see this normally beautiful and gentle man suddenly turn icy.
“Is Mr. Ren and Mr. Lin resting inside? I want to bring the guests for tomorrow’s recording over to say hello,” the director said cheerfully, talking with Wang You by the door and Ren Tianxing’s assistant, Xiao Cha, who had somehow appeared.
Wang You, looking at the director who was even chubbier than himself, smiled sheepishly. “Director Liu, are these the guests invited for the show? They’re so beautiful! You’re amazing for getting such stunning guests…”
This pointless flattery made the director curse silently. If he had known this show would be such a headache, he wouldn’t have come chasing the money. But the contract was signed, the money received, he couldn’t just make a terrible show and ruin his reputation.
He had planned to bring people over to create a highlight, but they were blocked at the door.
Director Liu grumbled silently as he continued negotiating with them.
Xiao Cha, who had been standing nearby the whole time, was less patient. He spoke coldly: “Director Liu, we agreed there would be no filming in private areas. What exactly are you trying to do bringing cameras here?”
Director Liu didn’t expect the assistant to speak so bluntly, giving him no respect at all. His expression was about to turn unpleasant.
Just as tensions at the door were about to boil over, the villa doors, which had been closed all along, slowly opened, and a pair of tall figures stepped out.
The two were similar in height, dressed in similar styles; one was strikingly handsome, the other exquisitely beautiful. The moment they appeared, the noisy commotion in the small garden immediately fell silent.
“Ahhh—!”
The shrieks of the two girls shattered the silence, sending a chill down the spines of all the men present.
“Ahhh, Brother Bai, it’s really you! Xiao Xue, am I dreaming…?” The girl named Qing Qing had already dropped her suitcase, her hands pressed to her cheeks, her face full of wonder.
The girl called Xiao Xue was even more dramatic, her face flushed with excitement, eyes glistening with tears.
Seeing this adorable scene, Lin Haobai, just stepping out of the villa, couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
He knew his fans were cute, but seeing them up close was even more irresistibly endearing.
Director Liu, instinctively as a director, grabbed the small camera from the assistant beside him the instant the two stepped out of the door and began filming.
He moved quickly, without trying to hide from anyone.
Wang You standing nearby didn’t comment, but Ren Tianxing’s usually aloof assistant wasn’t so calm.
He reached out, intending to snatch the camera from the director’s hands.
“Everyone stop. The sun hasn’t set yet. Come inside first, take a break, and get to know each other,” Ren Tianxing intervened, halting his assistant’s actions. Although his expression was slightly stern, he invited everyone into the villa.