Cheng Ping encountered the octopus-like movie star again at the backstage of a CCTV gala.

These days, stars prefer having private dressing rooms, no matter the occasion. Only CCTV had the clout to still make big and small celebrities squeeze together backstage, each with their own mirror, taking care of their own makeup.

For a newbie like Cheng Ping, just getting on stage was a stroke of luck, so he had no other demands.

He was accompanied only by his manager, who seated him and then went out to get some food.

In contrast, Li Baixi brought two assistants along, mainly due to the tight schedule and the need for extra hands.

Initially, Cheng Ping didn’t pay attention to the other artists backstage.

Li Baixi applied the foundation and asked Cheng Ping to check it out, “Stage makeup will be a bit heavier, especially for such an event.”

Cheng Ping glanced at the mirror but his eyes involuntarily drifted to Li Baixi’s reflection.

“How about this eyebrow shape?” Li Baixi combed his eyebrows and used a brush to outline a rough shape with brow powder.

“It looks strange.”

“What?”

“I mean you,” Cheng Ping couldn’t help but laugh.

In this setting, even Li Baixi didn’t dare to wear a skirt, so he wore a tailored suit with sharp, masculine makeup. His broad shoulders and long legs made him stand out even more than many celebrities.

But with his waist-length black hair, the overall visual effect was quite peculiar.

“You look like a psychopathic killer,” Cheng Ping said.

Li Baixi pretended to be angry, “Do you mean I’m not usually a psychopath?”

“I’m used to one kind of psychopath. Suddenly switching to another kind is a bit unsettling.”

“Who knew you were always thinking about me in a skirt,” Li Baixi’s teasing words flowed effortlessly.

Cheng Ping: “…That’s not necessary.”

Ma Koukou, eavesdropping, was wide-eyed.

How long has it been, and Cheng Ping, the ultimate straight guy, has developed such a twisted taste?

No wonder his master, Li Baixi, was so good at his craft. He could turn even a streetlight into a steel ring with his bare hands. Ma Koukou still had a long way to go.

At that moment, Cheng Ping noticed someone staring at them from not far away. He turned to see a stranger’s face.

At first, he thought it was an unfamiliar male star. The person had a youthful appearance, a trendy outfit, and a hint of a smile on his lips.

The stranger, smiling before speaking, said, “Brother Baixi is still so popular.”

Li Baixi turned at the sound, also smiling, “You’re here too?”

Ma Koukou approached obsequiously, “Hello, Teacher Song. Long time no see, you look even more handsome.”

The newcomer, Song, reached out and pinched Ma Koukou’s cheek, smudging some powder, “Sweet talker.”

Ma Koukou quickly retreated.

Song tried to pinch Yang’s assistant, who skillfully dodged with a smile.

Cheng Ping then realized that Song was also a well-known makeup artist and Li Baixi’s junior. He had come to do makeup for some artists but had finished early and came to say hello to familiar faces.

Song was naturally sociable. After introductions, he leaned casually, chatting with Li Baixi, “Still using that XX brand brow pencil? It’s been years.”

It’s an unwritten rule among makeup artists not to comment on each other’s work, as it’s considered offensive. However, perhaps due to their shared history, Li Baixi responded without any irritation, “It’s reliable.”

“Haha, my brother Baixi is sentimental,” Song said to Cheng Ping.

In the makeup industry, calling someone sentimental is hardly a compliment. Cheng Ping felt there was an unclear meaning behind Song’s words.

Moreover, while commenting on Li Baixi’s technique, Song’s eyes scrutinized Cheng Ping’s face. Cheng Ping felt offended, his expression darkening.

Song, seemingly intrigued, watched Cheng Ping’s changing expressions with interest.

Li Baixi said, “I heard two popular actresses signed long-term contracts with you. Your career is really taking off.”

“Not as much as yours. I heard you did makeup for Zhang the Movie Star again recently?” Song emphasized the word “again.”

Li Baixi remained nonchalant.

Song didn’t need a response, “Zhang the Movie Star was just talking about you earlier… look, he’s sitting over there.”

Cheng Ping, unconsciously glancing at the mirror, finally noticed Zhang the Movie Star sitting backstage.

He didn’t pay attention to his expression, but Song half-jokingly asked, “Oh, does Mr. Cheng dislike Zhang the Movie Star?”

Cheng Ping glanced at the calm Li Baixi and replied stiffly, “No.”

Song didn’t push further at that moment.

When Li Baixi stepped away to take a call, Song casually continued, “Zhang the Movie Star isn’t bad, just… you know.”

Cheng Ping: “What?”

“A bit of a flirt. In your industry, the good-looking ones, regardless of gender…” Song left the sentence hanging meaningfully.

Cheng Ping’s brows furrowed tightly.

Song nearly laughed. He had never seen a male star wear his emotions so plainly.

Song blinked, “How coincidental, Zhang the Movie Star is looking at you.”

Perhaps sensing Cheng Ping’s gaze, Zhang the Movie Star did look over for a few seconds before returning to his conversation with a nearby actress.

Song muttered, “Why does he keep looking at you? Could they be talking about you?”

Even the assistants, busy with their work, sensed something was off.

Ma Koukou glanced at Assistant Yang, seeing her cold expression.

Song was definitely instigating trouble, aiming to provoke Cheng Ping’s hot temper by hitting his straight-guy pride.

Assistant Yang, with a neutral tone, interjected, “It’s not that dramatic.” However, since she wasn’t close to Cheng Ping, she could only say so much.

Song immediately added, “Right, I might be overthinking. Just be cautious, young man.”

Cheng Ping: “…”

Even if Assistant Yang and Li Baixi were present, they couldn’t guess what Cheng Ping was thinking.

Since hearing Li Baixi and Zhang the Movie Star’s exchange about “cruel abandonment” and “let’s not talk about the past,” Cheng Ping had filled in the narrative in his mind: the flirtatious movie star hurt the makeup artist, who was still nursing his wounds, while the movie star wanted to rekindle their old flame…

When Li Baixi returned, he saw Cheng Ping with a troubled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Zhang the Movie Star is here,” Cheng Ping said, staring at the mirror.

Indeed, Zhang the Movie Star was approaching.

Flirting with Li Baixi wasn’t new for Zhang the Movie Star. Li Baixi remained unfazed, even finding a bit of amusement in it, dealing with him skillfully.

But this time, as Cheng Ping sat silently, he recalled how Li Baixi had stood up to his former captain.

Li Baixi had done so much for him; what had he done for Li Baixi?

Staring into the mirror, Cheng Ping suddenly spoke, cutting off the meaningless conversation, “Baixi, we’re on a tight schedule.”

The room fell into a stunned silence, Cheng Ping’s dismissal echoing.

Even Li Baixi was taken aback for a few seconds, “Oh, right, I’ll wrap this up quickly.”

Zhang the Movie Star, amidst awkward attempts to smooth things over, left in surprise.

Li Baixi glanced at Song.

Song avoided his gaze, smiling serenely.

The manager nearly crashed into a wall.

Manager: “Repeat what happened while I was getting food?”

Before anyone could respond, she dragged Cheng Ping aside, “You, go apologize to Zhang the Movie Star. If he wants to hit you, you let him.”

Cheng Ping shrugged her off, “Dream on.”

“Xiao Cheng!” The manager struggled like trying to control a wild horse, “How many industry people are backstage? What will they think of you?! For some makeup time, you showed off to a movie star!”

At that moment, staff came bustling, urging the artists to the audience area, disrupting the drama.

The preparations were done, and it was time for the makeup artists to leave.

Before leaving, Li Baixi wanted to find Cheng Ping to advise him. He searched the crowd but was partially blocked by Song, who kept chatting with him.

As they exited, Li Baixi asked insincerely, “Need a ride?”

Song, smiling, replied, “No, my car is here.”

Sitting in his luxury car, he waved, “Brother…”

For a moment, his gentle smile vanished, revealing undisguised hostility, “Good luck. Don’t fade too early.”

Li Baixi raised an eyebrow, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be around for another twenty years.”

The luxury car drove away.

Yang Assistant, trying to overshadow Ma Koukou’s stomping and cursing, leaned in to update Li Baixi on what had happened during his call.

Li Baixi sighed, “Ah, youth…”

“Master, what’s with that junior of yours? So shady and annoying,” Ma Koukou fumed.

Li Baixi casually replied, “The world is full of dangers, Ma Koukou. Our beauty naturally attracts jealousy.”

Ma Koukou teared up, “Who says otherwise?”