CH 32

“Teacher Si, your skin is absolutely flawless! I’m Xiao Qi, the makeup artist on the crew. Please come with me to get your makeup done! We’re about to shoot promotional stills at the studio, and I guarantee that with my twenty years of dedicated research in makeup, I’ll transform you into an absolute beauty!”

Makeup artist Qi was wearing specs, a slightly round-faced makeup artist. Upon learning that the crew was going to take a special set of photos for Si Huaixi, their makeup team, composed of long-time friends, colleagues, and besties, was on the verge of an all-out fight, each vying for the opportunity to do Si Huaixi’s makeup.

Who wouldn’t be tempted by such extraordinary good looks?

It was like enjoying a VIP treatment—makeup artists would even pay for it!

Qi was determined to win this chance, but she ended up being taken advantage of by the pack of wolves in the makeup team, bleeding profusely.

With a mix of excitement and heartache, makeup artist Qi held her complete set of tools and began applying makeup on Si Huaixi. As soon as she faced Si Huaixi’s breathtaking face, with its flawless, luminous, pale-pink complexion akin to a freshly cracked eggshell, she couldn’t help but admire his perfect and handsome features. His slightly deep-set eye sockets accentuated his unique sparkling sea-blue eyes.

Ah! So stunning—

It was a kind of beauty that was difficult to handle!

Makeup artist Qi was worried that her makeup skills might diminish the natural, fresh, and ethereal allure of this captivating figure before her.

Si Huaixi needed to transform into the villainous school bully, Wu Ziqian, for the drama. He would wear black contact lenses, darken his snow-white complexion to an icy hue, and deliberately create a few bruise-like scars to highlight the tyrannical demeanor of the school bully. His lips were even made to look injured for a realistic effect.

Initially, makeup artist Liu was concerned about the outcome. However, the moment Si Huaixi, with his black eyes and black hair, emerged, the audacious school bully came to life from the script.

Click, click!

The sound of the camera never ceased!

Sharp eyebrows and pitch-black pupils resembling stars that alternated between day and night; in the light, one could see a dangerous and independent black star, while in the darkness, it resembled the dazzling pride of moonlight.

The slight scars on his face didn’t diminish his wanton and arrogant demeanor. His thin lips glistened with beads of blood, resembling lips concealing sharp blades. That touch of dangerous beauty, with its captivating blood droplets, was both thrilling and formidable.

Typical actors or models would follow the photographer’s instructions and perform various actions like puppets on strings, lacking a certain personal charm.

But in this shooting scene,

Si Huaixi’s stunning radiance was unstoppable, and everyone else became his puppets on strings.

Everyone gazed at him, passionately watching him. The photographer was enchanted, capturing shots of him while kneeling down. In the center of the shooting set, Si Huaixi was like a sun pursued by all.

The commotion in the studio caught the attention of many. Manager Bai Yuji accompanied Bai Huaixi to the scene. With a glimpse of Bai Huaixi’s dark and fierce pupils, Yuji’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could say anything, Bai Huaixi spoke up.

“I regret it.”

Bai Huaixi’s envious and sinister gaze fixed on Si Huaixi, who stood at the center of the studio like a radiant sun, overshadowing him completely and blocking all the spotlight. But why? Both of them had crawled up from wretched places! Why was Si Huaixi able to shine so brightly?

It was as if he was adored and watched by the entire world, even though he had once been just like Bai Huaixi—a pitiful outcast whom nobody wanted. So why did he have to come from the garbage star to the capital? Why did he have to block his path?

Ever since Bai Huaixi saw Si Huaixi’s photo on the Star Network for the first time, a strong sense of crisis had arisen within him. If this person entered the entertainment industry, all the limelight would be draped over him, making it impossible to look away from his breathtaking presence.

He was like a real sun, the center of the world, a peerless beauty only bestowed upon heaven’s favorites…

Meanwhile, Bai Huaixi, whose delicate appearance was praised by fans as ‘Moonlight’s Splendor,’ appeared faded and false in the presence of Si Huaixi. The contrast made his beauty seem dilapidated and on the verge of collapse.

As a well-known manager in the industry, Bai Yuji had encountered numerous actors and idols who submitted their resumes to him. But among them, Si Huaixi was someone who, regardless of who saw him, would be captivated by his radiance.

Sometimes, success in this industry relies on fate. Some people’s star power was simply unstoppable…

At this moment, Bai Yuji deeply felt that if Si Huaixi were part of this drama crew, Bai Huaixi’s light would be crushed beneath his brilliance.

But what could be done about it?

People like Si Huaixi, no matter which drama crew they joined, were destined to dim the light of others.

Bai Yuji softened his tone, fearing that he might upset the sensitive Bai Huaixi, and said softly, “Why don’t we go back to the chauffeured car and take a rest? Shooting in the morning and at noon is tiring. I’ll have the assistant prepare a face mask and nourishing whitening water for you. The studio lights are too harsh on your skin.”

Bai Huaixi’s eyes turned cold as he said, “Bai Yuji, as my manager, shouldn’t you be removing obstacles for me?”

Bai Yuji’s expression froze, and his tone inevitably became sharper. “Do you have any idea how many obstacles I’ve already cleared for you?! If someone finds out, both you and I could end up in prison. I can’t let you run wild on this set. The Bai family’s influence is no match for Pei Zhaozhou’s investigation… Somehow, his company has invested in this drama. If any accidents happen and Pei Zhaozhou uncovers the truth with his abilities, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

Bai Huaiyu’s eyes turned chillingly cold as he replied, “What else can you do then? Cut off all the videos of Si Huaixi in the drama by finding someone?”

Bai Yuji, the agent, looked hesitant and said, “Initially, it might have been possible to do some manipulation, at least reducing his screen time. But recently, Si Huaixi has been consistently trending and Director Lin has taken a liking to his popularity. He even went out of his way to shoot special stills for him. It’s probably not that simple anymore.”

“I’ve been telling you to leave this production. Since you insist on staying, as the protagonist, your role is bound to be significant. You don’t have to worry too much,” Bai Huaiyu’s manager tried to reassure him.

The fear in Bai Huaiyu’s heart grew stronger. He couldn’t accept the fact that Si Huaixi, a commoner whom he despised and looked down upon, could ultimately surpass him and take his place. In the current production, the director, the female lead, and the cinematographer all clearly favored Si Huaixi. His acting skills, movements, emotions, and aesthetic appeal in the scenes overshadowed Bai Huaiyu, leaving him unable to stand out.

Bai Huaiyu knew his own limitations. He knew he couldn’t compete with the likes of award-winning actors and actresses based on his acting skills alone. So, he relied on crafting a certain image, appealing to Alpha fans with his soft and elegant Omega aristocrat persona. However, he was well aware that successful celebrities in the industry didn’t rely on playing with identities. They captivated fans of all ages from various backgrounds with their unparalleled talent, beauty, and acting skills.

The sense of crisis that Si Huaixi brought him was even greater than that of the predecessors who had become famous and god-like early on.

Bai Huaiyu said in a hoarse voice, “Don’t worry, I’ll just play a little prank on him. No one will get hurt.”

Bai Yuji, the agent, tried to dissuade him, but in the end, he reluctantly complied and followed Bai Huaiyu’s instructions. He used a secret channel within the Bai family to obtain something, his eyes filled with anxiety as he said, “It’s your idea! If it’s discovered that someone from the Bai family is involved in this, and if the Imperial Government finds out, the family’s noble status won’t be preserved!”

Bai Huaiyu calmly put away the vial containing a pale red liquid. With satisfaction, he smiled and said, “Hmm, it won’t pass through my hands, let alone implicate the Bai family. Besides, the liquid inside is an extract from a unique plant found on a resource star exclusive to the Bai family. It doesn’t exist on other planets, so how could it be discovered?”

Bai Yuzhi, the agent, wore an expression of frustration, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.

The liquid in the vial was extracted from a newly discovered plant species by the Bai family on a resource star. That plant was called the ‘Laihong Tree,’ and when its bark was cut, a light pink sap would flow out. It had weak toxicity and would cause allergic reactions and temporary redness if it came into contact with the skin or was consumed. The skin would take at least several months to recover, but it wouldn’t be life-threatening.

“So, who do you plan to give it to?” Bai Yuzhi, the agent, asked.

Bai Huaiyu’s eyes dimmed slightly as he smiled and replied, “Well, I definitely have someone in mind to  do this for me.”

“Teacher Bai, I’ve been resisting the urge to come find you, but I just couldn’t find an opportunity to get rid of Si Huaixi for you. He’s extremely cautious and alert. Sometimes he can sense my presence even if I get a bit closer. But please rest assured, I will definitely help you ruin Si Huaixi’s face!”

Assistant Xiao Li’s eyes were bloodshot as he feverishly poured out the difficulties he had faced during this period to Bai Huaiyu, who existed in his heart like a fanatical deity, willing to trample even the moral and legal boundaries.

However, Bai Huaiyu felt nothing but disdain and disgust towards him. What a useless guy! He wasted his pheromones on him!

If Xiao Li couldn’t even harm a hair on Si Huaixi, why would he bother asking for his personal assistance? Impatiently, Bai Huaiyu handed him a potion and a syringe, explaining with a repulsive tone, “Even if you manage to get close to him, can you defeat him? This is a disfiguring potion. Inject this liquid into the water Si Huaixi drinks or whatever, I just want to see it used on him.”

Assistant Xiao Li immediately agreed, taking the potion and syringe and storing them away. His eyes filled with a strange and obscure longing, he gazed at Bai Huaiyu foolishly and said, “Could Teacher Bai let me smell your pheromones once more? Ever since I smelled your pheromones on you last time, I’ve been floating on cloud nine, thinking of you at night, craving your sacred pheromones like an addiction…”

Bai Huaiyu felt nauseated. Only a few people who were enchanted by him had the courage to ask for such a favor. But considering that he still needed to use Xiao Li, he reluctantly emitted a hint of pheromone scent.

Beneath the delicate scent of white roses, a more profound and treacherous fragrance seduced the minds of those around, causing their chaotic brains to lose clarity. His joyous and colorful vision became filled with fluttering butterflies, and his consciousness sank into an addictive illusion from which they could not break free…

Assistant Xiao Li chuckled foolishly, his eyes gleaming with an sinister light.

Bai Huaiyu thought it was about time to leave. Otherwise, the crew would notice his prolonged absence. Besides, he deliberately chose this secluded place where no one would go, so it would take some time to return to the crew.

Just as Bai Huaiyu was planning to leave at a different time from Assistant Xiao Li, a sweet and lively female voice suddenly rang in his ears. Damn it, so familiar and lively!

“Teacher Bai! How did you end up here too? Did you get lost like me?”

“Huh? Who is the person next to you?”

Ying Yao asked foolishly and sweetly, her innocent eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at Bai Huaiyu.

Bai Huaiyu’s face instantly darkened.

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