Actor Lu noticed something was off with Li Baixi.

It all started when Li Baixi, who usually only posted work-related updates on his social media, suddenly posted three strange and inexplicable messages.

The first one was a simple, out-of-context “Sigh.”

This one word immediately drew attention, with the comments full of concern from various people.

Ma Koukou: “Master, what’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself? Feeling down? Want to go out for a drink?”

Assistant Yang: “What happened? Just say the word.”

Li Baixi didn’t reply.

Twelve hours later, he posted another identical “Sigh.” This time, even his junior brother chimed in: “Senior, it’s normal for men to experience some unspeakable issues as they age. You should go to the hospital instead of toughing it out for pride.”

Li Baixi ignored this too.

Today, just five minutes ago, he posted the third one: “Kids grow up, and it’s hard to guess what’s on their minds.”

Lu Actor was shocked and opened the chat: “You guys have kids now?”

Li Baixi: “Kids? No, no, that’s a misunderstanding. I was referring to Cheng Ping.”

Lu Actor: “…”

Lu Actor: “What happened with Xiao Cheng?”

Li Baixi sent him a link.

Lu Actor clicked on it and found it was a gossip news article. It mentioned that Cheng Ping was recently filming a certain drama and had been rumored to be involved with the female lead. The article had photos of them sharing intimate exchanges, sitting in the same car, and the headline read, “After years of being single, Cheng Actor has finally fallen in love,” or something along those lines.

Lu Actor frowned: “You’re not arguing because of this, are you?”

“The problem is that we didn’t argue.”

“?”

“That day, after Cheng Ping left the set, he showed me the gossip and explained everything to me. Of course, I told him not to worry, and I didn’t think much of it. It was obvious that the girl was just trying to gain some fame. But the more I said that, the angrier he got. Can you believe it? He hasn’t spoken to me all day, and he’s ignoring my social media posts too.”

Li Baixi: “Teacher Lu, could you analyze this for me?”

Lu Actor: “Uh, well, have you had any other disagreements recently? Xiao Cheng’s behavior suggests he’s upset about something else.”

“I’ve thought about it, but there’s nothing. He’s been particularly busy with work these past two years, and I completely understand. He’s been filming all over the place, and I figured I could paint anywhere, so I often book a hotel room near his set to keep him company.”

Lu Actor remembered something: “That must be it. Last year, Cheng Ping told me that you’ve sacrificed a lot for him and that he feels he owes you.”

Li Baixi: “Huh?”

“You see, as an artist, you could have lived your private life however you wanted, but you’ve been living in the shadows, all for him, right?”

In Li Baixi’s mind, many things started to connect.

Cheng Ping had asked him a few times if he was tired, and if he needed him to come out publicly.

Cheng Ping had also tried to bring him to gatherings, wanting to introduce him to friends in the industry, but he had declined, thinking it wasn’t the right time.

At that time, Cheng Ping had teasingly said, “Aren’t you worried I might get involved with some handsome guy or pretty girl if you don’t stake your claim?”

Li Baixi had been particularly calm, saying, “We’re adults, relax. I won’t get jealous over nothing.”

But now that he thought about it, had his calm demeanor backfired, making Cheng Ping feel insecure?

Lu Actor: “You’ve never been the one accommodated, so you might not understand the complex feelings involved. Xiao Cheng might be feeling guilty towards you, frustrated by having to hide, and deeply insecure, wondering how long your relationship can last… He’s worried you’ll get tired of it all.”

Li Baixi stared at the chat for a while before responding with a worried face emoji: “This is hard.”

So cute, he thought to himself.

Lu Actor couldn’t see his actual expression and continued to offer comforting words, ending with, “If he’s still sulking and not talking, there’s an opportunity coming up in a few days to clear the air.”

Li Baixi: “Halloween?”

Lu Actor: “It’s also my friend Qiao’s birthday. She’s in a playful mood lately and is throwing a costume party, inviting some industry friends. From what I know, Cheng Ping is on the guest list.”

Li Baixi: “! Got it.”

On Halloween night, the party was in full swing.

Perhaps because the guests were all friends or friends of friends, everyone came with an open mind, and their costumes were quite creative. Some were in cosplay, some had on mechanical makeup, and someone even showed up as a giant cactus, hopping around. The atmosphere was filled with laughter.

In contrast, Cheng Ping’s Chaplin-style tuxedo was a bit dull and unenthusiastic. It was obvious he wasn’t really in the mood.

Technically, guests were allowed to bring a partner. But Cheng Ping clearly couldn’t openly bring Li Baixi— even if he wanted to, Li Baixi would have declined.

So, he sat alone at the bar, coldly watching the couples showing off their love.

A small commotion started in the distance, and Cheng Ping looked over.

Cheng Ping: ?

He saw an unusually tall and elegant beauty gliding gracefully through the crowd, wearing a court dress and a fox mask. Her long hair was styled into a magnificent updo, and she moved with an alluring charm.

Even the dancing crowd couldn’t help but glance over, whispering, “Who is she?”

Cheng Ping held his drink, forgetting to put it down, as he watched the fox-faced beauty approach him with a smile.

“This gentleman, may I have the honor of a dance?”

It took Cheng Ping a few seconds to close his mouth.

He lowered his voice, “What are you doing here?”

Li Baixi: “Came to play with you. I haven’t worn women’s clothes in ages. How do I look? Is the new dress nice?”

Cheng Ping: “… It’s alright.”

Li Baixi saw his discomfort and smiled mischievously, his voice taking on a tempting tone like the wine in Cheng Ping’s hand: “Didn’t you say you wanted to date me in the sunshine? Well, there’s no sun here, but the lights aren’t bad.”

He extended his hand to Cheng Ping: “Come on, handsome.”

Cheng Ping unconsciously placed his hand in his.

Li Baixi naturally looped his arm through Cheng Ping’s and led him to the dance floor.

It wasn’t until they reached the third beat that Cheng Ping suddenly realized that Li Baixi’s hand was around his waist, while his own hand rested on Li Baixi’s shoulder.

Cheng Ping: “?”

Cheng Ping: “Wait, shouldn’t you be dancing the female part?”

Low laughter came from under the mask, the golden fox eyes arching with mischief: “Well, I’m taller.”

Cheng Ping: “You’re taller? You’re wearing heels, we’re the same height without them!”

“Impossible, your hair must have been sticking up when you measured…”

“Of course, I flattened it when I measured!”

Cheng Ping, determined to win, withdrew his hand from Li Baixi’s shoulder and tried to place it on his waist. Li Baixi didn’t give him the chance, taking a few large steps in rhythm, making Cheng Ping dizzy.

Cheng Ping tried to pry the hand off his waist.

“Stop messing around, it’s time to spin.”

“You’re the one in women’s clothes, you spin.”

“If I spin, I have to bend over.”

“What nonsense is that!?”

The music gradually grew more intense, and the men and women on the dance floor twirled gracefully, not noticing the two in the corner spinning around, trying to arm wrestle each other.

“You spin.”

“No, you spin.”

The music was already ending. Li Baixi sighed, “Fine, fine.”

He bent his knee, reluctantly spun around.

The music ended just in time, and Cheng Ping grabbed his waist, and Li Baixi leaned back dramatically, striking a flamboyant ending pose, even rubbing his leg against Cheng Ping’s.

Cheng Ping was satisfied.

Li Baixi: “How about that? Pretty flexible, huh?”

Cheng Ping: “?”

During the intermission, Li Baixi went to a quiet corner to take a work call. As he put away his phone and was about to head back, he was stopped.

The person had antlers on their head and was wearing fairy wings, looking at him coyly: “Sister, are you in the industry? Why haven’t you taken off your fox mask?”

At first glance, Li Baixi didn’t recognize her, but after thinking for a moment, he remembered—she was the female lead in the gossip with Cheng Ping.

Li Baixi replied in a pinched voice, “Sister, you’re mistaken.”

Female Lead: ?

Li Baixi: “I’m Qiao’s friend, but not in the industry, so you probably don’t know me.”

Female Lead: “Oh, are you Cheng Ping’s girlfriend? I saw you dancing with him as soon as you arrived…”

Li Baixi: “?”

It’s just stirring up some rumors, why is she really trying to test the waters with genuine feelings?

Cheng Ping’s charm really knows no bounds.

He answered truthfully: “Nope, I’m not. But he just happened to need a dance partner, didn’t he?”

The female lead laughed, a smile full of the composure of a household matriarch: “Then you don’t need to trouble yourself with accompanying him anymore. I’ll dance with him instead.”

Li Baixi: “?”

Li Baixi also smiled and took a step closer to her.

He was much taller than her, forcing her to look up at him.

The female lead gritted her teeth and didn’t back down. Suddenly, Li Baixi tilted his head and said: “Sister, you’re really beautiful.”

The woman was stunned.

Li Baixi continued: “But it’s a pity, our Cheng Ping prefers someone just a little bit taller than him.”

Female Lead: “???”

Li Baixi didn’t pay her any more attention and turned to leave.

Provoked, the female lead raised her voice: “But you just said you weren’t his girlfriend!”

Li Baixi paused in his steps: “Yes, I’m not his girlfriend.”

He blew her a kiss: “I’m his wife.”

Li Baixi turned around a corner and, sure enough, found Cheng Ping sneaking around to eavesdrop.

Cheng Ping: “I saw her following you. I was worried you might run into trouble…”

Li Baixi naturally took his hand: “Did you enjoy watching?”

Cheng Ping: “…”

Li Baixi: “Your Majesty, watching your humble servant fight jealousy on your behalf, did it bring you even a bit of satisfaction?”

Cheng Ping shivered: “Stop talking.”

Li Baixi: “How about it? Want me to keep getting jealous?”

Cheng Ping: “No more, no more.”

Li Baixi smiled: “That’s not up to you. Besides, I just got warmed up…”

—