Chapter 28

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Bai Yin had a disastrous turn of events.

Chen Huaixiao's actions to deny her claims were swift and decisive.

Bai Yin had previously hinted in interviews and variety shows that she had an intimate relationship with Chen Huaixiao. Now Chen Huaixiao himself has come out to clarify that there is nothing between them. Netizens dug up Bai Yin's old videos and ruthlessly mocked her, it was truly embarrassing.

Not only that, but her sarcastic remarks towards Yin Yin have also caused backlash. Later, the production team of Chasing the Rainbow made an official statement, disclosing in detail what had happened on set that day, and declared they would no longer work with Bai Yin.

The production would invite the talented singer Ye Xiao to be the main vocal for the ending theme song, as originally planned.

Bai Yin not only lost the opportunity to sing the ending theme for Chasing the Rainbow, many variety shows that had booked her also cancelled their collaborations.

With such a scandal surrounding her, variety shows dared not invite her anymore, and she also lost many product endorsement deals.

...

However, compared to Bai Yin's disastrous turn of events, the news that the married Chen Huaixiao announced took the top trending search that very night, shocking the entire entertainment industry.

Countless women fell into despair overnight -

"The dream of billions of girls is married!"

"Oh my god, my dream is shattered! How could he be married!"

"Why can't he be married? He doesn't rely on fans to make a living, he doesn't need to be responsible to fans."

"Anyway, Mrs Chen is not me, I don't care."

"I wonder what kind of woman is good enough for Chen Huaixiao."

"It must be a marriage of convenience, definitely no feelings involved."

"I feel a little better with the comments above."

"But even if it's a marriage of convenience without feelings, they'd still have normal intimate relations right?"

"My god, how would it feel to wake up and see Chen Huaixiao next to you in bed?"

"I don't even dare imagine it in my dreams."

"Wah wah wah, the sisters above are too harsh."

...

Although netizens racked their brains trying to uncover clues about the mysterious Mrs Chen from that vague photo taken at the club.

Other than that photo with her face obscured by lighting, they could not find any other clues about Mrs Chen.

Bai Yin heaved a sigh of relief.

Logically, since she and Chen Huaixiao had a wedding, quite a number of people attended. The news should have leaked long ago.

But this matter had been kept tightly under wraps, with no rumors in the entertainment industry.

It's foreseeable that anything Chen Huaixiao does not wish to disclose publicly has the means to keep it secret.

However, the Sherlock Holmeses of the internet were not completely without clues. From the only intimate photo they had, they noticed a red mole on the woman's left wrist.

This mole was right in the middle of her wrist, inconspicuous, impossible to notice if you don't look carefully.

So netizens started searching for female celebrities with a red mole on their left wrist, comparing them one by one, trying to uncover the identity of the mysterious Mrs Chen.

In a panic, Bai Yin bought body paint and drew a bright red sunflower over her mole to conceal it perfectly.

Sun Lili stroked Bai Yin's smooth, silky arm. The sunflower was about the size of a fingernail, lively and sexy. The red mole in its center added a touch of alluring charm.

"Will this... wash off in the bath?"

Bai Yin retracted her hand. "Of course it can be washed off. This is just temporary concealment, we'll deal with it later."

Anyway, the internet's memory lasts only 3 seconds. In a few days, when new hot gossip emerges, this matter will be forgotten. Sun Lili was puzzled by her desperate attempts at concealment. "Since Chen Huaixiao has announced it officially, why go through so much trouble to hide it? Being Mrs Chen will protect you from bullying in the future, isn't that a good thing?"

"Everything has two sides." Bai Yin's mind was very clear. "The entertainment industry loves to hype things up and bring people down. While I won't need to worry about being looked down on, no matter what roles I take in the future, others will think Chen Huaixiao helped me get them. No matter what albums I release or variety shows I go on, people will assume he promoted me. All my hard work... will be erased. That's when people will truly look down on me."

Sun Lili suddenly understood.

Indeed, Chen Huaixiao's brilliance was so dazzling that any woman by his side would be overshadowed.

No matter how outstanding she is.

"Bai Yin, you really have great foresight and strategic vision."

Previously, Meng Qian Qian had desperately tried to ride Chen Huaixiao's popularity, giving evasive answers to reporters' questions, wanting to confirm their relationship.

Little did she know, riding on such clout would only bring temporary glory.

In the future, no matter what achievements she accomplished or awards she won, people would attribute it to Chen Huaixiao's help.

She would not gain true recognition.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Recently, many talent agencies have approached me, all wanting to sign you." Sun Lili took out some documents.

"No hurry." Bai Yin said lightly. "Let's wait till Chasing the Rainbow is released."

If Chasing the Rainbow became a hit, she would have more bargaining chips to negotiate better terms with agencies. "Alright then, I'll hold off replying them first." Sun Lili said casually.

Bai Yin pondered, then asked, "Did Starlight Talent Agency send an offer?"

Sun Lili asked, "Which Starlight?"

"Which else could it be?"

Of course it was her husband's agency.

Sun Lili smiled. "Oh, so you're interested in signing with Starlight?"

"It currently seems to be the entertainment company with the greatest capital strength."

Bai Yin knew becoming a Starlight artist was the unattainable dream of countless young talents!

Every artist in their company excelled in acting, singing and hosting. Several top actors had no taint of the present day traffic star flaws. Their acting skills steadily improved with each new work released.

Chen Huaixiao had discerning eyes and did not mess around. The artists under him mostly had positive, sunny images with few scandals.

And Starlight provided them the best resources.

She remembered during college, watching a senior from her faculty playing the guitar and singing love songs on stage at the school's arts festival. His clean white shirt and handsome features left a deep impression on Bai Yin till today.

Bai Yin overheard her classmates say that senior was the school hearthrob from the previous batch of vocal majors. He had already signed with Starlight.

Chen Huaixiao heard his audition tape and watched his video blogs, then personally contacted him.

That senior now had a dazzling career and had become an A-list superstar.

Bai Yin always remembered his radiant smile that warmed people's hearts.

She secretly strategized that such a voice and looks would surely catch Chen Huaixiao's discerning eye.

Back then, she also thought that if one day she was outstanding enough to stand out from the rest, perhaps Chen Huaixiao would look at her with that appreciative gaze too.

From then on, Bai Yin trained even harder.

She had a lofty spirit and never conceded defeat. Back then when Chen Huaixiao disliked her, she did feel somewhat indignant.

So during her youth, Bai Yin had regarded Starlight as an unattainable dream at one point. All her efforts were aimed at gaining his approval.

Now Bai Yin's state of mind was much more tranquil. She was no longer at the stage of needing approval. She knew her own excellence.

Chen Huaixiao disliking her was his loss.

...

Sun Lili smiled knowingly at Bai Yin. "Since you want to join Starlight, just go directly to your husband, why take such a roundabout way?"

"Asking him for help, I might as well participate in their trainee auditions."

Whenever Bai Yin asked Chen Huaixiao for anything, he would put on a long face as if she owed him decades of debt.

The few times he helped previously were forced by circumstances, she could only lower her head and soften her stance.

But if there were still other options, Bai Yin would never go to him for help.

"Let's keep looking. Whoever makes the best offer, I'll sign with them." Bai Yin said lazily. "It's not like Starlight is the only good agency."

*

In the office, Shen Bin respectfully walked in and said to Chen Huaixiao, "Sir, the email inviting Madam to sign with us has just been sent."

Chen Huaixiao sat at his desk, gazing at the computer screen. His long fingers slowly tapped the keyboard. He said nonchalantly, "For work matters, she is not anyone's wife. Address her by name."

Shen Bin quickly corrected himself, "Yes, sir."

"Did she reply?" Chen Huaixiao stopped his work.

Shen Bin hesitated briefly before swallowing and answering, "I just sent the email two minutes ago."

"Then why are you here reporting to me?"

"I thought you might be anxious..."

Chen Huaixiao slowly raised his eyes and glanced at him coldly. "Which eyes of yours... saw that I'm anxious?"

Shen Bin: "..."

He was wrong! Should not have presumed the boss's thoughts!

After a while, he worriedly said again, "Recently, many companies have sent contract offers to Miss Bai Yin."

Chen Huaixiao knew Bai Yin's ability was outstanding, her brilliance almost impossible to conceal.

Signing her was a gain, such a sweet deal, not just him but many agencies could smell it too.

He took the contract offers handed over by Shen Bin and said in a deep voice, "I'll ask her tonight."

"With you personally inviting her, it surely won't be a problem!"

"Talk less."

Shen Bin hurriedly shut his mouth. He thought to himself, if Bai Yin was signed by Chen Huaixiao, her path in the entertainment industry... would likely be smooth sailing and dazzling.

But then he recalled that Chen Huaixiao was famously impartial and principled in the company. Even for the celebrities he valued most, he treated everyone equally without bias.

Chen Huaixiao was definitely not the type to play favorites.

Whether Bai Yin could stand out from the many other outstanding and powerful artists in Starlight would depend entirely on her own capability.

Just as Shen Bin was lost in thought, Chen Huaixiao suddenly spoke. "What's the best endorsement resource you have on hand currently?"

"Oh, it's O Skincare's endorsement."

"Keep it for my wife." "Huh?"

Chen Huaixiao's refined face was expressionless. He asked matter-of-factly, "What's with the 'huh'?"

Shen Bin immediately put on a serious face. "Nothing nothing! Wise decision, sir! I'll contact them right away!"

What professional capacity, don't address her as wife.

What fair and equal treatment.

Truly... the boss's thoughts are unfathomable!

*

That night, Chen Huaixiao grabbed the contract documents and headed home. He strode to Bai Yin's room.

Pushing open the door, the woman was comfortably sprawled on the sofa. A script lay on her chest, seemingly she had drifted off after reading it.

Her black silk nightgown enticingly draped onto the carpet. A section of her fair, slender leg carelessly hung off. Her sensual, relaxed posture was like a dozing cat, blending with the room's unique sultry atmosphere into irresistible sexiness to a man.

Chen Huaixiao sat next to her, about to take off his suit jacket to cover her, when he suddenly caught sight of the vermillion sunflower painted on her left wrist, blooming brightly.

She was probably afraid of Mrs Chen's identity hindering her path to stardom.

Chen Huaixiao felt the sexy sunflower was somewhat jarring.

His lips curled coldly. He tossed the contracts down and left the room.

...

Bai Yin didn't know how long she had slept. She was suddenly jolted awake and sat up in confusion.

The light breeze stirred the thin, gauzy white curtains, sending ripples through them. Outside, the night was still heavy.

Bai Yin felt as though Chen Huaixiao had come by her room, but it also seemed like a dream.

When she turned her head, she saw a stack of contracts casually discarded on the floor. Picking them up, she realized they were Starlight's talent contracts.

Brought back by Chen Huaixiao?

He wanted to sign her?

Bai Yin felt a tinge of pleasant surprise and delight. She didn't even bother to put on her slippers and hurried to Chen Huaixiao's room, pushing the door open and entering directly.

The room had only one nightlight on. Chen Huaixiao leaned against the wall reading a thick English textbook on communication studies.

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The soft, warm light shone on his handsome side profile. His eyes were calm and peaceful, his features cold and hard, giving off an aloof and untouchable aura.

However, Bai Yin paid no heed to all that. She walked up to him and held up the contract, asking, "Darling, will you sign me?"

The man lifted his clear, powerful gaze and gave her a look.

"Do you want to join Chenxing Media?" he asked.

Bai Yin sat down on the edge of the bed with her back facing him, so he wouldn't see the yearning in her eyes. "It's not bad, I guess."

He didn't leave her any wiggle room, stating plainly, "If you want it, then want it. If not, then not. What do you mean by 'not bad'?"

Bai Yin hesitated for a few seconds before finally turning around to look straight at him resolutely. "Chen Huaixiao, I think Chenxing Media is...the best choice for me right now."

As she drew near, Chen Huaixiao caught a whiff of the subtle sandalwood scent on her body. Faint yet carrying an irresistible allure.

"As you wish," he said. His long, slender, fair fingers held up the pen and passed it to Bai Yin. "Sign it, and you'll be one of Chenxing's people."

Bai Yin took a deep breath and solemnly accepted the pen, as if taking hold of her momentous future and prospects.

But just then, Chen Huaixiao suddenly retracted his hand and forcefully pulled the woman over.

Caught unprepared, Bai Yin tumbled onto the soft bed and looked up at him in shock.

The man's rough fingertips gently caressed her smooth cheek. Such a gentle action, yet his eyes were devoid of warmth.

"On the condition that...you first learn to please me," he murmured.

Bai Yin understood then. This man had no real intention of signing her. He was only toying with her.

To think she actually believed him just now!

Bai Yin gritted her teeth and pushed at him, but couldn't budge him.

There was inexplicable anger in the man's eyes. Who knew what nonsense he was up to this time.

Since that was the case, she couldn't be bothered to contend with him anymore. Her slender arm reached up to hook around his neck as she said sarcastically, "Chen Huaixiao, if I please you, will you like me then?"

Chen Huaixiao's long, slender fingers slowly pulled apart the black strap on her shoulder. "You're welcome to try and see."

...

The next morning, Bai Yin arrived at the set early to get into character for the final scene they were filming today.

Sun Lili frantically called her, gushing excitedly, "Babe! You'll never guess what I saw when I opened my email this morning - the contract from Chenxing Media! How awesome is that? Let's hurry and contact them to go through the signing process!"

Bai Yin wasn't surprised. "It's signed already," she said.

"Wow, well done!" Sun Lili exclaimed. "Doing big things on the down low! As expected of the woman I picked out! So...how did you sign it?"

"Didn't sleep until 2am last night...lost my voice...want to hear the details?"

"Nevermind, nevermind! I'm still an innocent child!" Sun Lili sighed. "So this unexpected marriage of yours really hit the jackpot! Not only did Chen Huaixiao give you a career, he he he...he also gave you a night's company!"

Bai Yin gazed at the vibrant red hibiscus on her wrist and smiled lightly. "That's how it is."

As long as she no longer fell for that scumbag.

The life of a stand-in was actually quite fun.