Chen Huaixiao's decision to take on the role in "The Third Year After You Left" shocked everyone in the crew.
When Lu Qiran's studio heard about it, they hurriedly contacted Director Xu and offered to play the male lead role, even if the female lead was Bai Yin.
Director Xu rejected him outright.
What a joke, this is Chen Huaixiao we're talking about!
The explosive news that Chen Huaixiao was going to star in this drama would undoubtedly make it one of the most anticipated shows in recent years, with no doubt.
Chen Huaixiao's popularity and influence far exceeded that of some internet celebrity.
The crew hurriedly made preparations, set an auspicious date and time for next Wednesday, and officially started filming!
Lying on the soft European-style sofa, Bai Yin had the script covering her face, utterly confused about Chen Huaixiao's decision.
How could he have time to take on a role? Is he that bored?
Or is Xingxing Media Group on the verge of bankruptcy, forcing the CEO himself to engage in promotional activities?
Or... is it to help her?
But Elder Chen was clearly grooming Qin Yao to become a hot celebrity. Wouldn't Chen Huaixiao be happy to see this happen?
Oh, her unforgettable white moonlight!
Would he really ruin Qin Yao's prospects just for a plastic stand-in like herself?
Bai Yin still remembered how ugly Qin Yao's expression was when she heard the news, even more unsightly than someone who just swallowed a mouthful of worms.
Having acted with Chen Huaixiao before, Bai Yin knew what a phenomenal memory, grasp of lines, and acting skills he possessed.
Back then, she even lamented what a loss it was for the entertainment industry that Chen Huaixiao did not join it. And now her words have come true.
Could Xingxing Media be on the verge of bankruptcy?
Bai Yin racked her brains but still felt uneasy, so she called Chen Huaixiao.
However, the receiver only gave a cold robotic response: "The number you have dialed is on another call."
"Huh?"
Bai Yin hung up the phone and did not call back.
Oh well, she would just go with the flow for now. Doing her best in this drama was the most important thing.
She could smell the alluring fragrance of food, so she wandered into the kitchen.
Tang Ka was tying a floral apron around his waist, cooking dinner for Bai Yin.
"Tang Ka, if Chen Huaixiao hasn't sent you last month's wages, give me your bank details and I'll pay you. I'll give you the same amount as before, not a cent less. You were his butler."
"There's no need, Mr. Chen already paid me." Tang Ka put down his ladle and said, "In fact, he even gave me overtime pay on top of that."
"Chen Huaixiao paid you?" Bai Yin was surprised. "But you don't work at the Chen house anymore, do you?"
"The young master told me on the first day of his marriage that my job is to take care of Madam." Tang Ka said with a smile. "So wherever Madam lives, I'm the butler there. I don't necessarily have to serve at the Chen house."
Only now did Bai Yin start to consider Chen Huaixiao's livelihood.
"He's a refined young master who's never worked a day in his life. I brought you away, so what does he eat?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Chen can eat instant noodles."
"......"
This was a loyal butler.
"Madam, dinner will be ready in half an hour. Why don't you go for a walk?"
"Good idea. I'll take Little Black out for a walk."
Bai Yin went to the backyard to take Li Chunfeng's German Shepherd out to the wetland park.
Anyway, Li Chunfeng was letting her live in this super luxurious French manor rent-free, on the condition that she help walk his dog. It was quite an easy job.
...
Wearing a black athletic shirt and wireless earbuds, Chen Huaixiao was jogging in the park for exercise.
Elder Chen's disgruntled voice came through the earbuds: "Chen Huaixiao, have you lost your mind? Who allowed you to take on an acting role? Are you too free these days?"
"Grandfather, I'm very clear-headed and know what I'm doing." Chen Huaixiao calmly replied, "I'm supporting Bai Yin's career. Not only am I supporting her, I want to lift her to the position closest to stardom. I want to make her dreams come true."
"You'd disregard everything else for the sake of a woman?"
"I'm not doing this for her." Chen Huaixiao thought back to the years of having no control over his life, the years under Elder Chen's control, then slowly said, "I'm doing this for myself."
Even if it was just this once, he wanted to listen to his own heart.
Chen Huaixiao took the initiative to hang up and continued jogging.
Not far away, he encountered Bai Yin out walking the dog, one hand holding the leash and the other holding a poop bag to pick up dog droppings.
Seeing Chen Huaixiao, Bai Yin was startled. "What are you doing here?"
Chen Huaixiao casually lied as he wiped the sweat from his shoulders with a white towel, looking at her ardently, "As you can see, I'm out for a run."
"No..." Bai Yin looked around at the wetland park and said, "This is so far from Shuixie Terrace. You crossed half the city to run here? Are you training for a marathon?"
"I do as I please." Chen Huaixiao's expression was a little unnatural as he looked at the German Shepherd in front of Bai Yin. "This is your dog?"
"It's Li Chunfeng's. I'm walking it for him."
The ardor in Chen Huaixiao's eyes faded somewhat, and he resumed his usual aloof coldness. "I didn't know you liked dogs so much."
"Li Chunfeng is letting me stay in his house, on the condition that I walk his dog."
"He can't even afford to hire someone, so he's making my wife walk his dog?"
Bai Yin took note of the obvious anger on Chen Huaixiao's face. Not wanting to argue with him, she simply asked, "Did you come to find me?"
"No."
"Doesn't matter. I was looking for you anyway."
Displeasure vanished from Chen Huaixiao's face. He took a step forward and gently asked, "What did you want to find me for?"
"I wanted to ask why you decided to take on 'The Third Year After You Left'." Bai Yin looked at him and said, "Could it be... because of me?"
"Of course not." Chen Huaixiao casually lied, "Xingxing Media is going bankrupt. I'm taking on this role to earn some money. After all, so many people in the company have to make a living."
"I knew it!" Bai Yin eagerly said, "It must be for that reason!"
Chen Huaixiao: "?"
She actually believed he was going bankrupt?
Chen Huaixiao glanced at the German Shepherd she was walking, then looked again at the luxurious manor behind her. "So you already knew I was in trouble, and found yourself a new backer?"
"......"
Knowing Chen Huaixiao's suspicious and sensitive nature, Bai Yin threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, yes! Got to divide up some assets while you're not bankrupt yet. Otherwise, I'd be in debt along with you if it's too late."
Chen Huaixiao's eyes clearly darkened. He smiled bleakly and said, "Right, we should hurry while there's time. See you at the civil affairs bureau entrance tomorrow morning. I'll bring the marriage certificate."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Clutching the dog leash, Bai Yin hesitated briefly before finally making up her mind to call out to him. "Chen Huaixiao!"
The man stopped in his tracks but did not turn back. His tall figure was immersed in the rich night colors.
"We can hold off on the divorce for now, until the company recovers. Then we'll talk."
Chen Huaixiao looked back at her in surprise.
Bai Yin rolled her eyes and said in an unnatural tone, "I was joking earlier. You've helped me so much in the past, I'm not an ungrateful person. If you really have debts, I'll help you pay them off."
Chen Huaixiao secretly sized her up. His expression unchanged, he said, "Oh, the company is in dire straits now. It may take a very long time to recover."
After Bai Yin left, Chen Huaixiao immediately called Shen Bin. "All employees who can work remotely, relocate them to a 5-star resort in the Maldives. Clear out the company office to create a façade of bankruptcy, but don't affect normal operations."
Shen Bin was extremely surprised. "Master Xiao, why?"
"Do I need to explain every decision I make to you?"
"No no no." Shen Bin quickly said, "Just one question."
"What is it?"
"Can I also apply to transfer to a remote position?"
"No, you stay by my side."
"Master Xiao... qaq."
"Right, there's one more thing."
"Please instruct me, Master Xiao."
"I want to raise a dog. Get me a dog."
"Ha????"
"......"
Realizing his questions were really excessive, Shen Bin lightly coughed and resumed his professional attitude. "What breed of doggy do you want, Mr. Chen?"
Chen Huaixiao thought about the aggressive German Shepherd standing in front of Bai Yin. "A fierce one that barks, guards its master, and makes girls happy."
Shen Bin: "Got it! I'll get right on it!"
...
The next morning, Chen Huaixiao stood at the office entrance with his arms crossed, staring speechlessly at the short-legged Corgi in Shen Bin's hand.
A group of female employees surrounded the dog, playing with it and taking pictures. The puppy was also extremely delighted, its fluffy tail wagging non-stop with a big smile on its face.
Chen Huaixiao rubbed his brow and looked at Shen Bin. "This is the barking, guarding dog you found?"
"Mr. Chen, this is my brother's dog's puppy. Don't be fooled by how soft and cute it looks now, that's because it's still small. This guy can definitely guard its master, it's really fierce!"
"No matter how fierce, it's still a Corgi."
"No no no, it's only half Corgi." Shen Bin quickly explained. "Its mother is a Corgi, its father is a Tibetan Mastiff. Trust me, it'll be ferocious when grown up!"
"......"
Chen Huaixiao pulled up his pants leg and squatted down, tugging at the black and tan Corgi's big floppy ears. "Its mother is a Corgi, and its father is a Tibetan Mastiff?"
"That's right."
"Your brother is inhuman."
*
Filming officially began, starting with leading man Cheng Nian's skiing scenes at Mingfeng Mountain Ski Resort.
At first, Director Xu was worried that Chen Huaixiao had no acting experience and might lack professionalism.
But he had severely underestimated Chen Huaixiao's learning ability. In the time between signing the contract and start of filming, Chen Huaixiao hired professional performing arts mentors to teach him acting. He also read numerous Chinese and foreign books on acting, mastering all the basic skills an actor needed.
So when it came time for practical experience, Chen Huaixiao's professional skiing moves and subtle expressions were excellent. His acting was highly infectious.
Standing in the studio, Bai Yin looked out at the snow-white world adorned in silver.
On the numerous steep and winding slopes of the alpine ski resort, a man wearing a crimson ski suit glided down the steep slope in one leap, completing several beautiful spinning motions before landing steadily.
At that moment, Bai Yin seemed to truly believe that he was that lightning-fast skiing world champion - Cheng Nian.
The staff brought Chen Huaixiao back to the photography studio. Director Xu was the first to stand up and applaud, excitedly marveling: "Mr. Chen, that was truly amazing! The footage captured in that scene was almost indistinguishable from a real competition! You...you were truly incredible!"
Chen Huaixiao merely nodded at him, removed his jet black goggles, and searched for Bai Yin in the crowd.
He wondered if she had seen that last scene.
Just then, Shen Bin brought over a down jacket for Chen Huaixiao to put on: "Master Chen, are you tired? Are you cold? We should be done filming for today, let's head back to the hotel to rest!"
Chen Huaixiao glanced at him, shivering like a quail, and said lightly: "Why are you so cold?"
Shen Bin was on the verge of tears: "Because I want to go to the Maldives."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Huaixiao shot him a threatening look to shut him up.
Bai Yin had changed into the clothes of the female lead Gu Qing and walked out of the makeup room.
The director clapped his hands and said, "Next scene, we'll shoot the first meeting between Gu Qing and Cheng Nian. Everyone get in your places and get ready."
The assistant director came over and said to Bai Yin and Chen Huaixiao: "In the next scene, Gu Qing experiences the death of her lover Cheng Nian. Three years later, she meets her beloved again for the first time and there will be a long kiss scene. Mr. Chen, shall we...use a stunt double?"
Chen Huaixiao looked towards Bai Yin: "I respect the actress's opinion."
Bai Yin thought for a moment and asked: "How long is the kiss scene?"
"About...five minutes, and you need to take the lead passionately."
