Cheng Ping didn’t have much filming left to do. After resuming work, he completed the remaining scenes and soon celebrated the wrap of the production.

Everyone had noticed his attitude and progress during the shoot. They showed him great respect, and at the wrap party, all the big names were present, from the producer and director to Actor Lu and Actress Qiao, all there to bid him farewell.

The young actor finally had some self-awareness and found an excuse to be absent.

The actress was dressed glamorously, while Actor Lu, as usual, looked unremarkable after stepping off the set, sitting inconspicuously and without stealing the spotlight from the younger actors.

Cheng Ping had received guidance from him and felt quite reluctant to part, so he not only toasted and thanked him but also exchanged contact information, hoping to seek further advice privately.

Unexpectedly, after returning to his room that evening, Cheng Ping received a message from Actor Lu: “My company is preparing to shoot a new drama and there’s a role for a young man that I think would suit you. If you’re interested, you can take a look at the script.”

Cheng Ping was stunned. At this crucial moment when he needed to hone his acting skills, having an actor willing to collaborate was something he would agree to even if it meant losing money.

Moreover, the fact that the invitation came was an affirmation of his potential!

Cheng Ping agreed without hesitation, happily reporting the news to his manager and then thought of Li Baixi.

He wasn’t worried about Li Baixi leaking the news and sent him a message about it.

After reading it, Li Baixi could only think of four words: “He wants to sleep with you.”

However, Li Baixi didn’t want to dampen Cheng Ping’s enthusiasm at this moment, so after some consideration, he just said, “If you need makeup design, remember to recommend me.” Thinking that if Cheng Ping was walking into a trap, he could still have some protection by being there.

Cheng Ping: “Of course. By the way, speaking of which, Halloween is coming up, and a platform has invited me to a themed party and I need Halloween makeup…”

Halloween was a time for themed parties worldwide. Li Baixi had already been commissioned by a foreign female star to do a forest elf makeup.

But the domestic party wasn’t on Halloween itself, so Li Baixi thought he might still have time to squeeze in Cheng Ping before his flight. He casually said, “Sure, what do you want to dress up as?”

Cheng Ping: “The platform gave no requirements, and I have no ideas either. You can create whatever you like.”

Li Baixi suddenly froze.

On the other end, Cheng Ping was holding his phone, puzzled by the lack of response: “What’s wrong, is there a problem?”

Li Baixi: “…No, of course not.”

Li Baixi began to freely brainstorm themes.

The next day, he sent Cheng Ping a list.

“I looked into the most popular Halloween makeup themes over the years.”

Cheng Ping: “What do you mean?”

Li Baixi: “Pick one. The left column has more beautiful effects like tree spirits and flower spirits. The middle column is more avant-garde with special effects makeup, but it’ll be tough on your skin. The right column is humorous…”

Cheng Ping was confused: “Didn’t I leave it entirely up to you?”

“Just take a look.”

Cheng Ping’s mind was blank. After a long look, he replied, “Can’t we come up with something not on this list?”

Li Baixi: “.”

Cheng Ping had no idea how difficult he was being. He had blind confidence in Li Baixi’s skills and was happy to leave everything to him: “Anything will do, you’re definitely more professional than I am.”

Li Baixi thought about the party day.

Ma Koukou: “Master, don’t blame me for not reminding you. Your schedule today is to do Cheng Ping’s makeup in the afternoon, rush to the airport in the evening, and do makeup for the female star after landing.”

Li Baixi: “I know.”

Assistant Yang: “If we need any special materials for the Halloween theme, it’ll take at least two hours to procure them.”

Li Baixi: “I know.”

Ma Koukou: “It’s already noon. You still haven’t told us the theme.”

Li Baixi responded mysteriously, “Heh.”

The two assistants: “?”

Under their silent gaze, Li Baixi lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, extinguished it, and then picked up another one, his hand trembling slightly.

The two assistants watched his silent performance with puzzled expressions.

Finally, Li Baixi put away the unlit cigarette: “Let’s go.”

Li Baixi walked into Cheng Ping’s hotel room empty-handed.

Cheng Ping’s team watched as Li Baixi pulled out a piece of paper filled with writing, handing it to Cheng Ping: “Close your eyes and point. Whatever you land on will be the choice.”

Manager: “?”

Cheng Ping, confused, closed his eyes and randomly pointed.

Li Baixi: “Vampire.”

Manager: “???”

Li Baixi took a deep breath and instructed the two assistants: “Go all out, get moving!”

The assistants immediately ran off.

Cheng Ping’s team also went to arrange the costume.

The manager seemed to have many complaints about Li Baixi and went outside to make a phone call.

Li Baixi began doing skincare prep for Cheng Ping. He worked at a frantic pace, his hands a blur.

Cheng Ping still found it odd: “You haven’t decided on the theme these past few days?”

Li Baixi: “Usually, clients have a rough idea, even just one or two words.”

Cheng Ping, not knowing much about the makeup industry, was reflecting on himself when he heard Li Baixi say in a low voice: “Sorry, I overestimated myself. I thought I’d get some inspiration over the past few days and create something unprecedented for you, but…”

He was lining up the products he needed. Cheng Ping watched his unthinking choice of eyeshadow: “But you seem to have a clear plan now.”

Li Baixi was silent for a long time, then smiled bitterly: “My junior might not be wrong.”

As graduation approached in their makeup class, the unassuming Li Baixi had gradually stood out with his solid skills.

Though he wasn’t good at branding himself, his skills were becoming more refined. The instructors, all industry experts, began to favor him.

The unremarkable guy in the corner became a rising star, which made his junior uncomfortable.

His junior’s words turned from friendly advice to barbed sarcasm.

Back then, Li Baixi was young and proud, bluntly saying, “Let’s talk with our skills during the competition.”

It was a makeup competition for newcomers in the industry. Winners from previous years had gone on to successful careers. Winning would be their first significant credential, ensuring job offers after graduation.

Li Baixi was determined to win, seeing no chance of losing to his junior.

But…

“…He might be right; I’m only fit to be a worker.”

Cheng Ping suddenly scrutinized Li Baixi in the mirror.

He had seen Li Baixi in heavy makeup and bare-faced, laughing and angry, but never like this.

Cheng Ping asked: “Why did your junior say that?”

Li Baixi came to his senses, clearly unwilling to recount his dark history, shrugged, and brushed it off.

Cheng Ping’s expression darkened.

He didn’t understand why his mood suddenly soured.

Was it because he didn’t like being a vampire?

“Hey, I’m exhausted,” Ma Koukou’s voice came first before she arrived, weakly complaining and dropping a bag of props.

“Contact lenses, wig, fangs, all here. You can choose.”

Li Baixi picked up a contact lens box and looked at it: “The diameter is quite large. Do you want to try it?”

“I’ve never worn contact lenses.”

“Then we’ll try it last. If it doesn’t work, you won’t wear them.”

Li Baixi quickly finished the makeup, put on the wig, inserted the fangs, and dressed Cheng Ping in the costume his team provided.

It was a Chinese-style vampire.

Pale skin with visible blue veins, gloomy and sharp eyes, long black hair, and faintly visible sharp white teeth between his thin lips. The dark-colored outfit combined elements of traditional Chinese clothing, with a high collar and buttons, covering the neck.

Li Baixi looked around, quite satisfied. With Cheng Ping’s wig, from a distance, he looked like Li Baixi’s twin sister. However, Cheng Ping lacked Li Baixi’s air of a flamboyant drag queen, instead exuding an aura of cold detachment.

“Come on, the last step.” Li Baixi, after washing his hands, picked up the contact lenses.

“…”

“Don’t blink.”

“I’m not blinking!”

“Don’t dodge…”

“I’m not!”

Tears streaming down, Cheng Ping tried to keep his eyes wide open as Li Baixi forced the lenses in.

“If you keep dodging, you’ll fall off the chair.” Li Baixi was amused and exasperated.

Cheng Ping sighed, stood up with a resolute look, leaned against the wall, giving himself no room to retreat: “Go ahead.”

…

As departure time approached, the manager pushed open the door, intending to hurry Li Baixi. After taking a few steps in, she retreated as if shocked.

She slammed the door shut, shooing the others away: “Go…go check where the car is parked.”

Inside.

Li Baixi finally got the second lens in, sighing in relief. As he turned to get a tissue for Cheng Ping’s tears, he realized something was wrong.

To prevent struggling, his knee was between Cheng Ping’s legs, and their bodies were pressed together.

Something between them had risen.

It was Cheng Ping’s.

“…”

“…”

Silence. Silence was the only bridge tonight.

The silence accumulated to a deadly amount.

Li Baixi had packed up his entire makeup kit and reached the door, but the silence persisted.

He couldn’t just run away like this. He decided to be the brave one to break the silence: “Well, young men are full of energy, right? The industry has strict rules, right? All understandable…”

“Shut up.”