It turned out that Li Baixi had a good understanding of Zhang the actor’s tactics.

Cheng Ping’s fans cursed Li Baixi all night.

The next day, a second wave of explosive news hit.

Cheng Ping’s former team leader published a tearful long post, detailing how Cheng Ping had harassed him and how, as a straight man, he had suffered greatly. He claimed his grades were affected, and he had no choice but to get Cheng Ping expelled, only to be subjected to long-term abuse from Cheng Ping’s fans.

Following this, a street photo taken in Paris surfaced: “Taken a few days ago, are those two in the background Cheng Ping and Li Baixi? Didn’t they say Li Baixi was harassing him? How are they still hanging out together?”

Fans who had just finished cursing Li Baixi: “…”

Marketing account: “If anyone is harassing, it’s probably Cheng Ping harassing Li Baixi, given his track record!”

That day on set, Li Baixi and Cheng Ping maintained a distance of over three meters, not even exchanging glances.

Ma Koukou seized the moment to whisper, “Despicable.”

Li Baixi admitted, “I underestimated the despicability. If they had someone tailing us, we’ve likely been under surveillance all along.”

Ma Koukou: “They probably have more photos, releasing them wave by wave. We clarify one thing, and they release another.”

Li Baixi had carefully reviewed their time on set. They were generally cautious, with no overly intimate photos likely left behind. At most, there were times he touched Cheng Ping’s face during makeup. But with scrutiny, even the innocent could be turned guilty, and they were far from innocent.

Moreover, this wave of attacks was relentless, clearly backed by significant funds.

Under this well-prepared, multifaceted attack, Cheng Ping’s team was overwhelmed. The hastily released statement from the previous night now seemed weak and ineffective.

Public opinion had unified, all pointing at Cheng Ping. Every past interaction with his fans was being dug up and used as evidence of deception.

“Hiding in the closet and pretending to be straight is unnecessary. The public isn’t a fool to be manipulated. Let’s be clear: even if you come out now, I won’t give you my blessing.”

“And the first thing you do is use Li Baixi as a shield. Such a seemingly friendly but backstabbing sinister person is terrifying!”

The former team leader became the biggest winner, with his reputation rebounding overnight, even garnering sympathy: “If it weren’t for Cheng Ping’s closet antics, he might have won a championship and retired at his peak…”

Public opinion continued to ferment for two days, with both sides’ PR teams clashing openly and covertly. Zhang the actor, with his financial might and initial advantage, gave them no chance to recover.

The escalating situation eventually alarmed the crew, still in France nearing the end of filming. During lunch, the director casually asked Cheng Ping about the “news of harassing crew members.”

Cheng Ping used all his vocabulary, stumbling to explain.

The director couldn’t read Chinese and naturally couldn’t investigate the details, so he just smiled and said lightly, “As long as it doesn’t affect the movie’s awards.”

Cheng Ping: “.”

These past two days, Cheng Ping was either filming or withdrawn, eyes downcast, giving no clue to his thoughts.

To Li Baixi, it was remarkable that Cheng Ping could still face the camera normally, proving his status as a top actor.

Li Baixi privately consulted a friend in PR. After analyzing the situation, the friend concluded, “This issue impacts you less. The best response is to do nothing and wait for the storm to pass.”

Li Baixi: “What about Cheng Ping? Any advice?”

The friend sighed, “Coming out officially, if he no longer wants to work domestically. Oh, one more move: blow up Zhang the actor, shift the focus. You must have some dirt on him—though they probably know you can’t use it.”

Li Baixi paused, “Yes.”

Over the years, he had kept secrets well, earning trust in the entertainment industry, indirectly or directly accessing many people’s secrets.

At this point, any blackmail against Zhang the actor would be clearly traced back to him. And in the makeup industry, the worst taboo was breaching client confidentiality.

Celebrities might not care if he was straight or gay, nor about his background, but if he once publicly tore into a client, he would never be able to work in the industry again. The circle didn’t care about right or wrong, only interests.

Only now did he fully grasp Zhang the actor’s strategy: it was either his career or Cheng Ping’s.

His friend added a final piece of advice: “Listen to me, cut your losses and move on.”

Instinctively, Li Baixi glanced towards the set.

Today’s scene was on location, with Cheng Ping holding a paper umbrella, heading towards a ferry at the port. The thin rain mist wrapped everything in a lethargic haze.

From his angle, he couldn’t see Cheng Ping’s face, only his slender back under the umbrella, standing straight as if it would snap with the slightest deflation.

In his design draft, there was a silhouette of Hong before death, with a poignant curve from neck to waist. But looking at Cheng Ping now, he felt he had drawn it wrong—Hong should be like this, unyielding.

A lone crane, destined to either soar high or fall.

In the afternoon, Cheng Ping sent a message: “Come to my trailer for a touch-up.”

It was a reasonable time for a touch-up, and being photographed wouldn’t matter. Li Baixi knocked on the trailer door, finding Cheng Ping alone inside with the curtains drawn.

“Have you eaten?” Li Baixi sat beside him, glancing at the barely touched lunch on the table.

Cheng Ping smiled, “I spent two days making sure there were no cameras or bugs here before asking you.”

Li Baixi sighed, “What a mess.”

For the past few days, Ma Koukou had been handling Cheng Ping’s makeup. Li Baixi tilted his chin to examine it, “Ma Koukou has improved a lot.”

Cheng Ping: “Yes, learned well.”

Li Baixi, dissatisfied, “Still not the same. I itch to fix it.”

Cheng Ping smiled, “I’ll remove it for you to redo.”

Cheng Ping’s face was calm, showing no signs of anger or anxiety. Li Baixi found it odd, “Did your agent come up with a solution?”

Cheng Ping paused his makeup removal.

An hour earlier, he had answered his agent’s call: “What are you planning to post this time? No need to ask me, I can’t log into the account anyway.”

“Not that,” the agent said tiredly. “I’m here to inform you that the movie previously decided for you has been given to someone else. The company suggests you lay low for a while and then reconsider your options.”

Cheng Ping understood.

Agent: “Cheng? Don’t overthink…”

Cheng Ping: “These days, I’ve been thinking a lot. If I hadn’t hidden my orientation from the start, the public might not have reacted this way.”

The agent was silent for a long time, “The company owes you.”

Cheng Ping: “Not really. If I had been open like Li Baixi, the company wouldn’t have nurtured me.”

The agent didn’t argue because Cheng Ping spoke the truth.

At this point, all blame and accountability were meaningless. Cheng Ping calmly said, “You once said that if I ever reached a point of total isolation, the team would have to make other plans. That time has come. What’s your plan? I won’t make things difficult.”

The agent was surprised, “It’s not that bad. We just need some time to guide public opinion…”

“—by scapegoating Li Baixi?”

The agent said nothing.

Cheng Ping: “I’m done. You can redo it.” He leaned in, like asking for a kiss.

Li Baixi didn’t kiss him, gently touching his face, “What did the agent say? Don’t bottle it up.”

Cheng Ping remained still.

Cheng Ping: “I rejected my agent’s suggestion. Let’s finish the movie and then see what happens.”

Watching Li Baixi take out his tools and start applying the base makeup, Cheng Ping softly said, “Do it slowly.”

Li Baixi understood the implied meaning, his mind going blank.

No future together.

Earlier, Cheng Ping had told his agent: “I know you’re still contacting PR, listing Li Baixi’s dirt. And I know it’s your personal effort to help me. Sister X, thank you, but stop.”

Agent: “The recording leaked from him.”

Cheng Ping: “He’s a victim in this too. Don’t drag him down. At least save one of us.”

The agent bitterly laughed, “You really won’t turn back, even when you hit a dead end.”

Cheng Ping also smiled, “Didn’t you know I’m like this?”

The agent compromised, “A final piece of advice: say a proper goodbye. For your sake and his, it’s best not to have any further contact.”

Li Baixi: “It’s done.”

Cheng Ping looked in the mirror, “Beautiful.”

He put down the mirror and kissed Li Baixi, who responded this time.

Li Baixi knew he should be thinking of a solution, or at least comforting him. But inappropriately, his mind was filled with one thought: Cheng Ping was a born actor, even his despair was beautiful.

Holding Cheng Ping, he patted his back, “Don’t be afraid.”

Just as he spoke, Cheng Ping grabbed his collar, deepening the kiss fiercely.

Their lips and teeth clashed chaotically, Cheng Ping biting his lower lip hard. Both tasted blood, like beasts smelling blood and getting excited.

The cold white crane turned into a burning fire.

Or maybe it was always a wildfire, only changing

 form to conform to expectations. Now, unsealed, it was ready to burn the trailer, the set, and the entire bay to ashes.

He heard Cheng Ping’s voice, unsure if he had spoken aloud.

“Li Baixi, no matter how many muses you meet in the future, with each stroke, you’ll think of me.”

That night, when Tu Jian called, Li Baixi had already smoked half a pack of cigarettes on the balcony.

Tu Jian: “Your uncle asked if you need help.”

Li Baixi sighed, “At his level, he doesn’t understand these dirty dealings.”

Tu Jian’s tone was leisurely, “PR can’t help, but he can ensure your little friend has roles to play. If no one else takes him, your uncle will.”

Li Baixi put out his cigarette, “That’s not the path he wants. If it comes to that, he’d rather quit.”

“You brat, that’s a chance many dream of, and you call it sinking.”

Li Baixi laughed.

Tu Jian: “So, what do you plan to do, go out in a blaze of glory?”

Li Baixi: “…”

Sometimes, he wondered how she could always see through him first.

Tu Jian: “Self-sacrifice, quite noble.”

Li Baixi: “No, I’m allergic to nobility.”

Tu Jian laughed, “I told you before, that’s the root of all your problems.”

“What root? Allergic to nobility?”

Tu Jian didn’t answer, changing the topic, “I watched your competition with your junior. I’ve always said, you don’t lack artistic vision; you have too much of it.”

Li Baixi lit another cigarette.

Tu Jian: “You place art on a pedestal, insisting it stays pure and untouched. Your obsession with purity is severe, you don’t even spare yourself, forgetting that human hearts are inherently messy. I know you look down on your father and me.”

Li Baixi: “No…”

Tu Jian: “You think we don’t understand what we’re doing, but I never intended to. My love, hate, creations, life choices, all grow from chaos, ultimately merging into the flow of human destiny.”

It was the first time Li Baixi heard her say this. He pondered, “Are you advising me to embrace mediocrity?”

Tu Jian laughed, “Kid, you’re old enough to hear this harsh truth: despite your beauty, you’re still mortal and won’t become immortal. Accept this, and you’ll create better art and love more deeply.”

Li Baixi: “…”

Tu Jian: “Do you love him?”

At 4 AM, Ma Koukou was awakened by a soft knock. Groggy, he stumbled to the door, “Dear…”

“Wrong person, it’s your master.”

Ma Koukou: “…”

Full of morning grumpiness, Ma Koukou plopped back onto his bed, “Master, why are you here at this hour?”

Li Baixi calmly said, “Need to tell you something.”

Ma Koukou jolted awake, “What?”

He saw that Li Baixi was fully dressed, even with a small suitcase.

Ma Koukou: “Isn’t there a few days left until the wrap? Where are you going?”

Li Baixi: “That’s why I need to tell you.” He started listing details: where the design sketches were, whose makeup needed special attention, which costume had to be returned…

Ma Koukou listened in a daze, her slow brain finally catching up, interrupting, “Where are you going?”

Li Baixi only said, “I’ve spoken to the director. The rest is up to you. Do well. Yang will handle the other matters.”

Ma Koukou stared at him, her eyes slowly reddening, “When will you be back?”

Li Baixi hesitated, then softened, “It’s up to you now. After the wrap, give this to Cheng Ping.”

Already at the door, Ma Koukou’s voice chased after him, “Is it worth it?”

But Li Baixi didn’t stop.

For Zhang the actor, this day was unforgettable.

The morning started normally. He discussed a project and leisurely checked his phone at home, wanting to see Cheng Ping’s downfall.

By noon, unexpectedly, he saw a headline: “Speaking of closeted actors, we must mention the famous Zhang the actor…”

Accompanied by hotel receipts with his new lover.

Zhang the actor called his sister, “Which PR team did this? Tell them to back off.”

The PR team didn’t back off.

An hour later, the article not only remained but had new content: intimate photos of Zhang the actor and a young star.

Zhang the actor’s name shot to the top of trending topics. His romantic history was exposed: two divorces, a son, and numerous affairs with male artists.

While Cheng Ping’s deception only affected fans, Zhang the actor’s fraudulent marriages were far worse.

His respected, hardworking image shattered completely. And that was just the beginning.

All afternoon, on the hour, new revelations burst like fireworks, opening new fields for gossip. Everything Zhang the actor had done to rise to the top, grudges with peers, even company debts, were exposed under the spotlight.

All the small stars he had exploited were also dragged out and publicly humiliated.

By 8 PM, he received his first withdrawal call.

The trending onslaught continued. Zhang the actor tried to pay to settle things, but the more he spent, the worse it got. Clearly, the other side spent more.

Zhang the actor approached Cheng Ping’s company, which denied involvement and offered a solution.

At 9 PM, Zhang the actor sent a message: “Little Li, always leave a way out. We might meet again. I wasn’t targeting you. You, a young bull unafraid of tigers, should be careful not to end up on a dead-end road.”

There was no reply for a long time.

Zhang the actor typed a threatening message but didn’t send it. Instead, a reply came: “Um, um.”

Zhang the actor: “…”

Zhang the actor: “????”

He sent the threatening message anyway.

Li Baixi replied with three more words: “Check Weibo.”

Confused, Zhang the actor opened Weibo and saw a video posted by Li Baixi.

In the video, Li Baixi was formally dressed, bare-faced, and calm. He said to the camera, “I sincerely apologize to Cheng Ping, my co-actor. During our collaboration, he extended friendship, and I betrayed his trust, pursuing him inappropriately and causing damage to his reputation. As a makeup artist, my actions have caused public distress. I will resign from the industry and not return. I welcome your supervision.”

He bowed halfway.

Zhang the actor was stunned.

He couldn’t believe someone would be so ruthless, willing to go down with him.

But he had met such a person.

How much this exit statement salvaged Cheng Ping’s reputation, Zhang the actor had no time to investigate.

Because all the noise converged into one demand: “Someone has set an example. When will you resign?”

…

In a quiet hotel room, far from the uproar, Cheng Ping still held his phone.

The “beep—beep” waiting tone was slow and monotonous, like the heartbeat of a dying person.