Famous makeup artist Li Baixi is known for his exceptional skills and sophisticated aesthetic sense. When applying makeup to celebrities, he can give a more defined look to those with softer features and soften the appearance of models with overly sharp features, making them more relatable to the public. Male celebrities love to hire him because he understands male charm exceptionally well, creating a look that is neither greasy nor overly made-up, but rather elegant and refined. Female celebrities also love to hire him because, aside from his strong skills, he is everyone’s good friend, engaging in conversation with ease and never leaking anyone’s privacy.

Although Li Baixi is young, he has already become a leading figure in the makeup industry over the past few years, often addressed as “Master” when he steps outside. However, he has a terrifying secret. He must tread carefully and reveal nothing, or else no one will hire him, and no one will sign up for his classes. He is straight. In this industry, a straight man encounters many obstacles.

First, people don’t believe in a straight man’s sense of aesthetics. Second, the primary clients for makeup artists are women. When someone touches your face, pinches your chin, and applies lipstick daily, you want to feel safe, knowing they have no desire for you. Lastly, the branch of male makeup artists is dominated by gay men, who tend to be exclusive.

Li Baixi lives a difficult life. Originally trained in painting, he himself doesn’t know why he has such a talent for faces. After a chance encounter led him into this profession, he discovered he was an anomaly. The first time he heard a colleague make a joke about a male star’s butt, he was dumbfounded and saw that every male colleague was nodding in agreement. The next day, he went to a cover shoot location to do makeup for a female star. She wore a skimpy bikini, exuding charm. After finishing her makeup and looking in the mirror, she brazenly gave him a peck on the cheek, saying, “Beautiful! Thanks, sister!”

Li Baixi got aroused and fled in panic. After much contemplation, he decided to learn to disguise himself as a gay man to protect his promising career. The deeper he delved, the more he realized the diversity among gay men. Some were muscular, some chubby, some slim. Some were nightclub queens, some acted cute like a bunny, and some wore baggy shorts, looking even straighter than him. He was overjoyed. Given such diversity, couldn’t he just be himself? However, after just a month of being himself, colleagues began covertly inquiring, “Are you straight?”

Li Baixi was startled, “Why do you ask?”

The colleague replied, “Your gaze never lingers on men, but you seem quite enthusiastic about looking at women.”

Li Baixi broke into a cold sweat, forcing a smile, “I’m studying their outfits.”

The colleague was surprised, “Never would have guessed, sister. So when will you wear a dress for us?”

Li Baixi barely managed to bluff his way out. Later, he thought this might be a great strategy. If he wore a dress in public, no one would suspect anything no matter how much he ogled women. Determined, he shaved his legs and wore a black dress the next day. He stunned everyone.

He initially intended just to hide his true self, but this high-profile act unexpectedly boosted his career. Such a beautiful cross-dresser became the center of attention everywhere. If he could make himself look this good, he could certainly do the same for others. Li Baixi’s status soared. His personal brand flourished, he grew his hair long, and with his model-like figure, everything he wore looked haute couture. Occasionally, he even moonlighted as a model. Not only that, but his love life also blossomed. He couldn’t understand the women around him. When a makeup artist claimed to be straight, they were deserted. But when he embraced the “more unique than the unique” banner, suddenly many hoped he was bi.

Li Baixi lived a few years of an indulgent, carefree life. Here, everyone knows, it’s time for Cheng Ping to enter.

Cheng Ping is a retired esports player, who was somewhat of a legend during his career, known for his irritable nature. Cheng Ping was easily provoked during matches, yet the angrier he got, the better he performed. He would curse silently, mouthing words that were censored. After a few warnings, he learned to mute himself: “X (silent mouth)! You X (silent mouth)! Are you X (silent mouth)?!” However, he was even more famous for his godlike background. Cheng Ping dropped out of his freshman year at a renowned film academy to pursue esports. Because of this, after retiring, he didn’t choose mainstream paths like streaming, commentary, or opening an online store. Instead, with his still impressive looks and a huge fan base, he returned to his roots—in a sense—by acting.

At twenty-four, as his fans said, he “took a slight detour for a few years,” but re-emerged with significant resources. One could say he never left the pinnacle of his life. But Cheng Ping has a terrifying secret. He retired while still capable of playing because his former team captain pushed him out. It started when the captain found out, after a drunken night, that Cheng Ping was not only gay but also had a crush on him. As the team’s performance declined, the once supportive captain, deeply affected by this, could no longer cooperate effectively. He treated Cheng Ping with cold indifference, not even making eye contact. After much thought, he couldn’t take it anymore and had Cheng Ping removed.

Cheng Ping could have transferred to another team but chose to retire. He was downcast for a while and was not very dedicated to acting. His heart still longed for esports, sometimes secretly watching his former teammates’ matches. The team, now with new blood, continued to fluctuate in performance. It seemed they had been instructed, as no one mentioned Cheng Ping’s name. It was as if the few years of his life had been erased.

As an actor, he had to hide even deeper in the closet. His irritable persona fit the mold of a “straight, reclusive gamer” image his PR team decided to create. Cheng Ping’s reference point was his former captain. Every time he recited lines, he envisioned the captain’s disdainful face. Cheng Ping felt life was becoming unbearable.

One day, he met Li Baixi. It was during a photo shoot for a watch brand, and Li Baixi was commissioned to do Cheng Ping’s makeup. The night before, Li Baixi was too excited to sleep. He had no idols in the entertainment industry but had a few favorites in esports, with Cheng Ping being the longest-standing. When Cheng Ping debuted after dropping out, Li Baixi was in his senior year, eating instant noodles and watching livestreams in his dorm. Every time Cheng Ping silently cursed and shot opponents, Li Baixi was one of the many fans celebrating in the comments.

Years later, he was now going to apply foundation for his idol! Cheng Ping sat in front of the makeup mirror, staring blankly at his reflection when Li Baixi walked in. Li Baixi’s long hair reached his waist, and he wore light makeup, a simple shirt dress, his tall figure and straight shoulders exuding a gender-ambiguous yet commanding beauty. Li Baixi approached Cheng Ping from behind, looked at him through the mirror, and almost called him “God Cheng.” At the last moment, he controlled himself, “…Mr. Cheng, hello,” remembering his gay persona, and winked at him.

Cheng Ping: …

Before retiring, Cheng Ping had never encountered a single gay person, silently enduring his teammates’ jokes about large breasts.