The casting for “Crane Umbrella” has concluded, and the production team has announced the list of actors, with major film websites also posting the cast and expected release date.

News of this reached domestic audiences, and the Japanese director’s previous works had gained some fame. The actor playing the painter is a male god of art films, with an academic background and numerous awards to his name.

As the information spread, Cheng Ping’s fans, despite not having seen a single still from the film, already elevated him to the skies with their praise.

Such high-profile actions naturally attracted negativity. His past controversies were dug up and rehashed: disrespecting seniors, acting like a diva, publicly blocking his former captain…

While fans could refute the blocking incident, Zhang the movie star’s criticism was undeniable. At this time, with the help of unknown individuals, the gossip about Cheng Ping looking down on other actors was exaggerated and quickly became a hot topic, subjecting him to widespread mockery: “So arrogant even before he’s successful, isn’t he afraid of backlash?”

At this moment, the drama “Black Sun” premiered, and major websites released video clips.

People clicked on them with the intent to criticize but ended up closing them in silence.

Cheng Ping’s performance was quite impressive.

If his previous film had shown his aura due to the director’s camera work, this time, the long monologues and simple close-ups displayed his solid skills.

He had improved.

At any time, skill is the real hard currency.

Many viewers suddenly had a renewed perception of him, while others remained unimpressed: “So what? If his character is flawed, no matter how he acts, it’s unappealing.”

Soon after, another video surfaced. This time, it was a clip from a variety show.

The main cast of “Black Sun” was on stage, and the host initiated a quiz segment, asking a series of trivial questions: what the lead actor likes to eat, what songs the lead actress often listens to, who talks the most in the crew, who got injured during filming…

No one expected that Cheng Ping would score the highest, answering fluently with a blank expression.

This guy seemed to have a bad temper, but privately he paid such close attention to everyone?

Simultaneously, entertainment accounts listed the evaluations of him by his co-actors: the leading actor praised him for rehearsing all night for a shot, and the leading actress commended his kindness and care. All with specific examples, making it seem especially genuine.

The young actor, famous for his straight face, merely said, “He’s my buddy.” But this young actor was known for his bluntness and never engaging in mutual flattery, so his rare compliment seemed particularly credible.

The contrast of a cold exterior and a warm heart is most alluring.

Entertainment accounts further questioned: If so many people praised him, how much credibility does a movie star who only met him once have in criticizing him?

Thus, the middle-aged movie star faced doubts, along with gossip about keeping young lovers and unscrupulous means for advancing his career, which resurfaced and spread.

The movie star was furious.

Old and new grudges were all pinned on Cheng Ping. Originally, he considered himself an esteemed actor, thinking it beneath him to step on Cheng Ping, and also worried about the enigmatic Li Baixi behind him, fearing trouble.

But now it was different. His new lover anxiously asked, “Mr. Zhang, we’re aiming for international awards with our film, right? Will ‘Crane Umbrella’ compete in the award season?”

This gave him a legitimate reason: “Don’t worry, even if it competes, I’ll make sure they lose everything.”

Meanwhile, Cheng Ping was reflecting on his actions.

He was able to answer fluently on the show because, before going on stage, his estranged manager handed him a piece of paper with all the answers to memorize.

He later realized that the entire quiz segment was probably arranged by his team with the show’s producers.

Using this as an opportunity, the subsequent public opinion reversal was naturally also the work of public relations.

Cheng Ping felt guilty.

He recalled all the ups and downs since he entered the industry, and in the end, it was always his manager who smoothed things over.

Initially, he hadn’t overcome the shadow of his former team captain and wasn’t very keen on acting, doing many foolish things due to his temper. It wasn’t until later, fueled by various dissatisfactions, that he finally took acting seriously. Throughout this journey, his manager had been dedicated and indispensable.

Cheng Ping was no longer the naive newcomer he once was, having seen all kinds of characters, he could distinguish who truly had his best interests at heart.

He lifted his head from the pillow, made a call to his manager, and earnestly said, “The fight we had before the audition was my fault. I apologize.”

The manager’s voice was as businesslike as ever: “No need for apologies. I advised you so much that day; are you willing to listen to my opinion now?”

Cheng Ping: “Not this one.”

The manager sighed: “I’ve seen many promising young talents ruin themselves. If it were someone else, I’d give up trying to persuade them, but you’re different. When you said you wanted to retreat and hone your acting skills, the whole team delayed all your engagements to let you focus on learning. Everyone can see you’re talented and wants to protect you…”

Cheng Ping was somewhat moved: “Thank you.”

Manager: “Thank you, but you don’t need it?”

Cheng Ping: “…”

The manager laid it out: “In the end, an actor is just a profession. Which job doesn’t require perseverance? Once you’ve reached the status of someone like Mr. Zhang, you can have as many lovers as you want, and no one can control you! If Li Baixi truly cares for you, he should stay away from you now…”

Hearing Li Baixi’s name, Cheng Ping felt dazed.

That day in the Japanese restaurant, Li Baixi didn’t get a second chance—because the waiter suddenly lifted the curtain to serve the food, and the two of them quickly separated.

Cheng Ping was sobered by the shock, finally realizing what he had been doing in the restaurant. He hastily ate a few bites before fleeing.

The situation was too awkward, and neither of them brought it up afterward.

Mentioning Li Baixi now, Cheng Ping felt uncertain and weakly countered, “Like you said before, if he’s not genuine, what could he want from me?”

Manager: “I’ve thought about that for a long time too. He’s a makeup artist from an artistic family. Haven’t you noticed he really likes collaborating with you? Maybe you’re an ideal model for him… to put it more dramatically, you’re his muse.”

Cheng Ping fell silent.

The manager sighed again, resigning: “Anyway, this film is at least a learning opportunity. I’ll have someone coordinate with the crew. Just focus on preparing.”

There was just over a month before filming started, and Cheng Ping had to lose weight and practice his English, leaving him no time to think about Li Baixi.

Until he received a message from him: “I heard the director suggested you learn some basic painting?”

Cheng Ping: “Yes… looking for a teacher.”

The film would feature scenes of Hiro painting, and the director hoped he would at least learn how to hold a brush properly to avoid any blunders.

Li Baixi: “There’s a teacher here who wants to volunteer, no charge.”

Cheng Ping: “…”

Thinking of evading, Cheng Ping’s fingers reflexively sent an “ok.” He glared at his fingers in frustration.

Li Baixi: “Come to my studio tomorrow, and try on some clothes. I’m leaving for the set the day after tomorrow.”

Knowing he was leaving, Cheng Ping couldn’t think about anything else and knocked on the studio door as agreed.

Li Baixi greeted him personally: “I made several designs for Hiro, and I can’t decide which is best. I want you to try them on. Come to my office. Xiao Yang,” he called his assistant, “bring those clothes over.”

Li Baixi seemed to have completely forgotten the previous awkwardness and was quite composed. However, Yang avoided eye contact with Cheng Ping.

Hiro’s life was impoverished, so the clothing was particularly simple, like shirts and vests.

But Li Baixi added many variations in the details: shirts with and without lace, vests with and without embroidery, worn-out styles, and ornate styles, each design with its own backstory.

Cheng Ping took the first piece and, after some thought, removed his T-shirt.

He hoped Li Baixi wouldn’t look too closely. He had lost so much weight recently that he no longer had a good physique.

Li Baixi casually approached, helping him adjust his clothes, his fingers lightly brushing against him, making Cheng Ping grit his teeth. They seemed to be competing to see who could be more nonchalant.

He changed from one outfit to another, while Li Baixi stood by with his tablet, making adjustments to the sketches.

Only Yang noticed the strange atmosphere, knowing she was somewhat to blame, she was particularly attentive in serving tea and snacks, often glancing at them. Cheng Ping felt uneasy and cleared his throat, searching for a topic: “Ma KouKou isn’t back yet?”

Li Baixi: “He’s following your advice and still recording the show. This vest can be more fitted…”

Cheng Ping watched his movements: “You drew all these designs on the tablet?”

Li Baixi: “Yes. Want to see?”

Cheng Ping nodded and moved closer.

Li Baixi breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Cheng Ping noticed there were seven or eight versions of just one casual outfit, while the painter’s designs had only one or two.

He was curious: “Why do I have so many?”

Li Baixi: “I accidentally drew too many. They all look good, and I couldn’t part with any

.”

Cheng Ping remembered the pile of sketches shown during their video call and his manager’s words: “You’re his ideal model.”

He felt Li Baixi’s gaze on him and avoided it: “Didn’t you say you’d teach me to paint?”

Li Baixi: “Oh right, I prepared some materials.”

The so-called materials were a few sketches, each showing different stages of the same portrait. The first was a rough outline, and the subsequent ones showed progressive refinements.

Cheng Ping: “You drew these?”

Li Baixi: “Yes. I thought about it, and learning to paint in a short time is impossible, but you don’t really need to know how to paint, just to mimic the gestures. Following these steps should be enough.”

He pointed to the easel by the window and handed Cheng Ping some brushes: “Ask me anytime if you have questions.”

In fact, he could have recorded the whole process and let Cheng Ping learn at home, avoiding any issues.

But he wasn’t that foolish.

Cheng Ping started tracing by the window while Li Baixi sat at his desk, sketching Cheng Ping on his tablet.

Sunlight streamed through the window, with only the sound of pen on paper filling the room.

After a while, Cheng Ping suddenly asked, “I don’t quite understand this part.”

Li Baixi perked up and walked over: “Which part?”

Cheng Ping pointed: “Why is this area so dark?”

Li Baixi: “Because there’s a bone here, causing a sharp contrast.”

He pulled out a sheet of paper, took the brush from Cheng Ping, and drew a section of a skull: “The bone is shaped like this.” He added muscle over it, “The flesh is like this.”

Cheng Ping: “No wonder you always shade this area when doing my makeup.”

Li Baixi smiled: “Smart. But it’s not always. If it’s a strong look, I’ll shade it; otherwise, I can soften it.” He demonstrated with the brush, “Like this, it looks gentler.”

Cheng Ping watched him work: “Like giving someone a second face.”

Li Baixi: “That’s why it’s called the art of transformation.”

Cheng Ping felt a stirring in his heart and looked at Li Baixi.

Li Baixi, barefaced, quietly gazed at him.

It might have been a coincidence, but Li Baixi had been facing him without makeup recently.

Cheng Ping had a strange feeling that at this moment, no matter what he asked, the other person would tell the truth.

So he really asked: “Am I particularly inspiring to you?”

Li Baixi paused: “Yes.”

Cheng Ping: “Why?”

Li Baixi also wondered: Why? He had done makeup for countless stars, including top beauties, but why was Cheng Ping the only one who so strongly sparked his creativity?

Li Baixi slowly said, “Many people already wear another face before I do their makeup, but you don’t. Your face… is very clean, all your expressions are honestly displayed. I didn’t understand what ‘radiant’ meant until I met you.”

Like a light.

Cheng Ping was stunned.

He thought: Is this a confession?

But then Li Baixi chuckled: “Just like now.”

Cheng Ping instinctively looked for a mirror.

Li Baixi held up his phone screen to show him.

Cheng Ping: “…” Was every word really written on his face?

Even “every word written on his face” could be turned into a compliment by the other.

Cheng Ping couldn’t be unhappy about it. Under the other’s focused gaze, he felt like he might evaporate into mist. Although he understood that every word Li Baixi said validated his manager’s prediction.

Cheng Ping vaguely heard himself ask: “So do you like me or my face? When this face ages and changes, where will you go?”

Until Li Baixi’s warm lips touched his, he closed his eyes, realizing he hadn’t actually asked.

That was Hiro’s line, not his.

He felt the other person embrace him, so he hugged back even tighter.