CH 12

Chapter 12: Radiant Beauty

Jin Yanliu removed his headgear, revealing hair drenched in sweat that clung unappealingly to his scalp. Zhou Beiyang offered him a tissue to wipe his neck, and Jin Yanliu brushed his hair aside and said, “I want to turn on the air conditioning.”

“We’re already in an air-conditioned room,” he replied.

“I want to stand by the air vent and feel the breeze,” Jin Yanliu said, “It’s so hot.”

“If you stand there with all that sweat, you’ll catch a cold,” Zhou Beiyang warned, gesturing with his finger. Xiao Pangzi quickly handed him a small fan, which he held and directed towards Jin Yanliu.

“Do you feel hot wearing a mask?” Jin Yanliu asked.

He glanced at the sweat on Zhou Beiyang’s forehead. “Not really,” he said.

Zhou Beiyang likely dressed covertly to avoid recognition. He had always been low-key, and even after being in the industry for so long, few knew about his relationship with Jin Yanliu. He didn’t want to ride on his fame, and Jin Yanliu respected his wishes. Though he felt it was only natural for an older brother to pave the way for his younger brother.

“Has Lu Yao arrived?” Jin Yanliu asked Xiao Pangzi.

“He has. Director Liu even had him try on makeup for the audition.”

“Why did you suddenly think of having him play the role?” Zhou Beiyang asked.

“Are you tired of him already?” Jin Yanliu smiled, his eyes bright despite being damp with sweat. “That’s all in the past. I actually quite like this kid now.”

After speaking, he looked at the faint scar above Zhou Beiyang’s right eyebrow and realized that he didn’t actually like Lu Yao that much. He was just using him to deal with the imposter.

Jin Yanliu’s schedule was tight. The event at Nan Cheng Shang Mao City was scheduled for 10:30 am, and it was already 9:30 am. Cheng Fei was waiting for him outside.

A group of people emerged from the room, and Jin Yanliu bid farewell to Liu Qichang before noticing Lu Yao, who was wearing a green outfit and chatting with Liu Qichang. Lu Yao stood up upon seeing Jin Yanliu’s red hair, feeling momentarily stunned and unsure how to face him. He contemplated how he would react if Jin Yanliu were to bully him. Would he cower and endure it, or fight back?

However, Jin Yanliu merely leaned against the door, smiling as he said to Liu Qichang, “Director Liu, I have to go now.”

Liu Qichang immediately stood up and said, “Sure, sure, go ahead.”

He then scratched his neck and pointed to Lu Yao, saying, “Our Lu Fanglin has just been cast.”

In truth, it was all Jin Yanliu’s doing, but Lu Yao ended up being seen as the good guy.

Jin Yanliu glanced at Lu Yao, who stood up straight, biting his lip and blushing.

Raising an eyebrow, Jin Yanliu said nothing and simply left. Once the door closed behind him, he felt happy.

It had been a long time since he had seen Lu Yao like this. Perhaps when a person is about to die, they become indifferent to grudges and resentments. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and find him adorable.

Several people emerged from their rooms to see what was happening in the hallway. They had anticipated a fierce confrontation between two well-known celebrities in the entertainment industry but were surprised by Jin Yanliu’s nonchalant departure.

But there was no denying that Jin Yanliu was incredibly good-looking. He was tall and fair-skinned, exuding a confident and carefree aura that made him appear to be walking on air. As one of the most handsome men in the entertainment industry, he lived up to his reputation.

After showering at the hotel, Jin Yanliu’s sponsor, a luxury fashion brand, had already sent him the outfit he was going to wear that day. Since it was hot, a suit was not appropriate attire for the event. Instead, he wore a white shirt and dress pants that complemented his red hair perfectly.

Xiao Pangzi had initially thought that Jin Yanliu’s red hair was a bit bizarre, but after seeing it for a while, he found that it suited Jin Yanliu’s personality perfectly. Jin Yanliu’s most attractive quality was his carefree and confident demeanor, which made people feel exhilarated just by looking at him.

It had been a long time since Jin Yanliu had appeared in public. The charity gala was supposed to be his only public appearance that month, but he had to cancel due to illness. Now, he was finally going to make a public appearance again, and the major entertainment forums were already buzzing with discussions about him. As the clock approached 10:30 am, the discussion thread about him reached a boiling point.

[Jin Yanliu is finally returning to the spotlight.]

[There are new photos to enjoy. Hopefully, there won’t be any bad pictures taken by passersby like last time.]

[You mean the one where he got off the car during the watch brand event? I was so disappointed too. His reputation as a godly handsome actor is well-deserved.]

[Rumors have been circulating that he’s going to star in ‘Entering the Demonic Path.’ Is it true?]

[It can’t be true. But the rumors are so intense that he might have to deny it when he attends the event today.]

Jin Yanliu’s fans quickly joined the chat and expressed their excitement:

[We need to put an end to these rumors. Spreading false information is shameful and pathetic!]

[I know I’ll never get his attention, but I’m still excited to see him.]

[He’s one of the most low-key top-tier actors I’ve ever seen. He can disappear for months without posting anything on Weibo. It’s tough being his fan.]

[I envy those who get to see him in person. I can only drool over the screen.]

[Have you seen the Weibo of that despicable ‘Leaf Falling’ person? He’s been spreading rumors and mocking Jin Yanliu’s looks. It’s outrageous!]

[Don’t give them attention. Ignoring them is the best punishment for these keyboard warriors.]

[It’s ‘he,’ not ‘she.’ A little sister recently uncovered that ‘Leaf Falling’ is actually a man.]

[Regardless of gender, ‘Leaf Falling’ is not worthy of being called a human in my eyes.]

[There are too many disgusting keyboard warriors like ‘Leaf Falling.’ Let’s not ruin our happy moment. I’m at the event now and will share some live photos with you all.]

A live photo was immediately posted.

[Wow, so many people!]

[There are more than just Jin Yanliu’s fans here. Many passersby have come just to see him!]

Shortly after, a short video was sent over. It showed a six-story shopping center packed with people. The first floor was the most crowded, with people of all ages and genders filling up to the third floor. A group of security guards were trying to maintain order.

Zhou Beiyang reached out and brushed Jin Yanliu’s bangs to the side.

Cheng Fei and Xiao Pangzi stood nearby. Jin Yanliu’s stylist, Xiaosong, said, “With Yang-ge here, I don’t have to worry about anything.”

“Who’s worrying? We’re not involved,” Xiao Pangzi said. “If only Yang-ge was Jin Yanliu’s boyfriend instead of just a friend.”

Brothers would eventually go their separate ways in life, but boyfriends were a different story.

Cheng Fei was stunned. “He likes men?” he asked. “What did you find out?”

Xiao Pangzi licked his lips. “I… it’s just a guess. Jin Yanliu is already 24 and doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”

To be honest, if Jin Yanliu hadn’t gotten drunk and clung onto Zhou Beiyang that one time, they wouldn’t have known he liked men. But they had all suspected it.

They mainly thought that Jin Yanliu had never shown any interest in women. With his looks, physique, family background, and reputation, he had admirers of all types throwing themselves at him. But Jin Yanliu never paid them any attention.

He didn’t seem like a straight man, but he wasn’t asexual either.

Cheng Fei glanced at Jin Yanliu. Does he like men?

He looked at Jin Yanliu and Zhou Beiyang, who was wearing a mask and a cap next to him. Who would have thought that the hottest idol of the moment, Zhou Beiyang, would be accompanying Jin Yanliu like an assistant to an event?

Was he really that free?

Suddenly, a ridiculous idea popped into Cheng Fei’s mind.

What if Jin Yanliu likes men?

He seemed to have sensed something extraordinary, and for a moment, Cheng Fei felt his limbs go numb.

At that moment, the host on stage raised his voice and extended his arms, exclaiming, “Now, let’s give the warmest welcome to… Jin Yanliu!”

The screams of fans drowned out the world in an instant, like a sudden explosion. The six-story building shook as people of all ages and genders filled up to the third floor. Cheng Fei turned to look at Jin Yanliu, and with a pat on Zhou Beiyang’s arm, he flashed his deadly charming smile and walked towards the stage.

As he walked, he waved to the crowd, tall and slender in his suit pants and white shirt. With his red hair, he revealed a glimpse of his fair ankle and a well-defined Achilles tendon as he climbed the stairs.

The so-called divine handsome men were all-encompassing, with tall and symmetrical bodies, thick hair, fair and smooth skin, delicate features, and extraordinary temperament. Every smile and frown he made was a kind of enjoyment.

The overhead spotlight shone down on him as he approached the host and stopped. While the host spoke, he unconsciously swept his bangs back and shook his head. His thick, soft red hair swayed in the light, emitting a soft glow, making him look both relaxed and dazzling.

He lifted the microphone and said with a smile, “Hello everyone, I’m Jin Yanliu. Long time no see.”

Author’s note: Finally, we’re starting a novel set in the entertainment industry.