Chapter 73

When the TV drama "In the Third Year After You Left" was scheduled for release, the audience was shocked when they saw Chen Huaixiao in the promotional poster -

#Chen Huaixiao acting#

#Chen Huaixiao cast as the male lead in "The Third Year"#

#Bai Yin and Chen Huaixiao in a confrontational role#

These topics trended on the hot search, and probably no other popular actor could match his popularity.

In the promotional trailer of the drama, the reporter interviewed Chen Huaixiao and asked why he made time to act despite his busy schedule - was it because he had a hidden dream of entering showbiz?

Chen Huaixiao bluntly said, "Because this drama has too many kissing scenes."

His words exploded the Internet again -

"He actually took on this role because of the many kissing scenes!"

"Haha, the jealous king is exposed!"

"Chen: I'd like to see which actor dares take this role if they don't want their career to end."

"Hahaha."

In fact, netizens still had doubts about Chen Huaixiao's acting skills. Although he had maneuvered in the entertainment industry for many years as an investor, it was unknown whether he could act since he had always been behind the scenes.

So when the drama was released, almost all the netizens tuned in every weekend at 8pm for the latest episodes of "In the Third Year After You Left".

The first episode featured Bai Yin's crying scene.

Her appearance and acting during that scene was so moving that when her tears fell, everyone was deeply drawn into the profound emotions between Gu Qing and Cheng Nian over the years.

She cried in such a heart-wrenching manner.

Of course, this was not just the feelings of the characters.

The viewers could tell that this real-life couple was completely being themselves in the drama. Every interaction, be it kissing scenes or eye contact, was extremely real and natural. The drama was full of sweetness and the barrage of comments was all "So sweet!".

Usually after an online drama is released, there would be a cliff drop in viewership between the free and paid episodes.

However, "In the Third Year After You Left" broke this curse. The viewership for the free episodes was on par with the first episode!

This meant that the dropout rate for this drama was extremely low.

Such a low dropout rate directly determined that "In the Third Year After You Left" would absolutely be a hit drama this year!

Of course, this had a lot to do with Bai Yin's tear-jerking crying scene in the first episode. It resonated so strongly with the audience that it piqued their interest in the subsequent storyline.

In addition, Chen Huaixiao's acting was another highlight of the drama.

It was assumed that since he was an amateur, his acting would certainly fall flat. But unexpectedly, Chen Huaixiao's acting directly outperformed the so-called professional small fresh meat idols in the entertainment industry. He seamlessly kept up with all the scenes Bai Yin served up, without any sense of disjointedness.

Netizens analyzed every frame and concluded -

It wasn't because Chen Huaixiao had astounding acting talent as an outsider, but because he and Bai Yin had such strong chemistry as a real-life couple that every interaction was extremely natural.

Every exchange of glances between the two contained genuine emotions flowing between them. This was the most precious thing about the drama.

After airing for a week, the drama exceeded 100 million views. Bai Yin's title as "Ratings Queen" was firmly established.

After completing filming for "In the Third Year After You Left", Bai Yin rested at home for a long time to recuperate.

She had a new plan...

Chen Huaixiao started planning their honeymoon getaway.

When Bai Yin was young, she didn't have the means. She would look enviously as her classmates came back from holidays and bragged to their peers about where they went with their parents during the winter and summer vacations.

After getting to know Chen Huaixiao, she told him about her envy of her deskmate who had travelled to so many places.

At that time, Chen Huaixiao didn't indicate much, but later during the summer vacation he went mountain climbing with his classmates and brought Bai Yin along.

That was the happiest summer vacation for Bai Yin, because it was the first time she went on a trip with Chen Huaixiao.

When she stood at the mountain peak and shouted at the top of her lungs with Chen Huaixiao, how could she have imagined that...the next trip would be their honeymoon after getting married.

Between the two of them, there were so, so many memories, and there would be even more in the future... Bai Yin prepared their honeymoon itinerary every day - it had to be a perfect vacation. It would be even more perfect if she could conceive a honeymoon baby during the trip...that would be so fulfilling!

The woman wore a black satin babydoll nightgown, stretching out her long legs languidly like a lazy little black snake as she sprawled on the lazyboy sofa in his study, flipping through a travel magazine.

"Brother, how about we climb Mount Everest? The pictures look so thrilling."

Chen Huaixiao sat at his desk handling work documents. "No."

"Why not?"

Chen Huaixiao calmly said, "I heard it's easy to get altitude sickness in high altitude areas."

"...I see."

Considering Chen Huaixiao's insatiability, climbing Everest would be deadly if he suddenly went limp.

Forget it, Bai Yin considered finding another destination.

She flipped to the next page in the travel magazine, which was about surfing in Hawaii. In the photos, a handsome blue-eyed hunk posed with a surfboard, showing off his well-built upper body.

Looking at the hunk in the promotional photos, Bai Yin scrutinized discerningly, "His abs are far inferior compared to my husband's."

Her gaze involuntarily swept towards the man across from her.

The lamplight outlined his handsome side profile, the crisp white shirt adhering flawlessly to his straight posture. Even with the clothes on, she could imagine the near perfect figure of this man.

Over the years, Chen Huaixiao had become even more flavorful and mature compared to his youth... He was in his prime, the best state for a man. His fitness regimen was almost harsh.

Alright, let's go to Hawaii. She could admire her husband's glorious abs everyday too.

Perfect!

Chen Huaixiao noticed the woman's blatant stare. He knew what she was thinking. Putting down his pen, he undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing his sculpted neck - a piece of art, perfect as if chiseled by a blade.

Bai Yin picked up a black lace scarf lying on the sofa and went behind Chen Huaixiao, using it to cover his eyes as she kissed his throat.

Chen Huaixiao completely relaxed, reclining back in his office chair as he allowed Bai Yin to have her way with him.

When he was about to lose control, he reached to pull open the desk drawer to grab protection, but Bai Yin pressed his hand down, guiding it to her body instead. "Brother, I want to have your baby."

Her words instantly made Chen Huaixiao halt his caressing. He removed the scarf and pulled open the drawer again: "No rush."

Bai Yin blocked his further advances. "Why not?"

"Your career is at its peak. Now is not the best time to have a child."

"But I want a child."

"You don't want a child." Chen Huaixiao immediately saw through Bai Yin's intentions. "You want to use the child to please the old master and get back my inheritance rights."

"...You're so clever, you know everything."

Chen Huaixiao looked at her squarely. "It's not about being clever, just understanding you well."

His words irritated Bai Yin even more. "Can't I simply want to have a child with you?"

"At least now, it doesn't seem so."

Chen Huaixiao said calmly, "You're afraid that after the old master passes on, the estate distribution will be set in stone, and I won't get a single cent. So you want to take advantage now while the old master is still around..."

"Chen Huaixiao! I really hate you so much!" Bai Yin didn't wait for him to finish, kicking his chair away angrily. "Forget about having a child. What's the point anyway."

Chen Huaixiao listened as she slammed the study door shut forcefully.

The little girl didn't lose her temper often, but she was really riled up this time.

Chen Huaixiao took out from his desk drawer the only photo portrait set in a locket that his mother had left behind.

She looked so beautiful and vivid in the photo.

Chen Huaixiao did not remember his mother's appearance very clearly anymore, but he did remember vividly that once, when she was having a manic episode, she had grabbed him by the shoulders and wailed hysterically, "Why did you have to come into this world! If not for you, I could still be on stage! Why did you have to come?!"

Chen Huaixiao would never forget the despair in his mother's eyes.

She loved the stage so much, yet because of marriage and children, she would never be able to shine brightly as a star again.

Chen Huaixiao absolutely could not let Bai Yin follow in her footsteps.

...

Bai Yin really did ignore Chen Huaixiao for several nights in a row. Eventually she wouldn't even let him in the door, sending him off to live at the company instead.

Chen Huaixiao was also stubborn. On matters of principle like this, he would never back down.

Bai Yin wanted this child in order to regain Chen Huaixiao's inheritance rights.

The old master had already stated that between Bai Yin and the business group, Chen Huaixiao could only choose one. By choosing Bai Yin, Chen Huaixiao was giving up the incalculable wealth of the Chen Corporation.

This was so much money! If someday he grew less passionate and regretted it, wouldn't he resent her for it?

Bai Yin didn't have any other faults. She just liked to imagine every possible crisis in her mind. This was also related to her cautious personality.

She had even thought through the arguments they might have in the future:

"Bai Yin, don't be unreasonable. Think about everything I gave up for you back then!"

"Can you live up to what I did for you?!"

Bai Yin was so angry thinking about these imagined words from him that she couldn't even finish her afternoon tea. She told Tang Ka to ready the car and stormed indignantly to Chen Huaixiao's office.

When Chen Huaixiao saw her come in, he gestured with his eyes for her to sit down. "You're just in time. I have something I want to discuss with you."

Bai Yin walked up to him and grabbed his collar decisively, stating firmly: "Chen Huaixiao, I'm keeping this baby!"

"..."

Chen Huaixiao glanced at Shen Bin, who didn't know whether to stay or leave, and was frozen in place by the door. "You go out first."

Shen Bin decisively exited the room and even closed the door behind him.

Chen Huaixiao could see she was emotional. His refusal was also very decisive: "Impossible. You're my highest earning artist. I won't let you have a child."

Bai Yin thought he was refusing only because of that. Anxiously, she said: "The money I earn for you is nothing compared to the Chen Corporation. When grandfather married me to you, he was calling every few days urging us to have a child. If I really do have a child, he'll definitely be thrilled. Thrilled enough to give the inheritance rights back."

"Bai Yin, if you have a child, will you love him or her?"

"Of course I'll love them!" Bai Yin said without hesitation: "This is my and big brother's child. Of course I'll love them!"

"Then I can't let their birth be tied to any ulterior motives." Chen Huaixiao said resolutely: "Our child can only come into this world for one reason - love."

"Of course it's because of love. And bringing the inheritance rights along too is just icing on the cake."

Chen Huaixiao laughed at her stubbornness. Pinched her cheeks and asked loudly: "So money-grubbing! Isn't my Chen Star Media enough for you to squander?"

"Not enough, not enough!" Knowing her long-standing money-loving image in his eyes, Bai Yin decided to just shamelessly admit it. "I want to be a tycoon's wife!"

They hadn't been intimate in a long time. Chen Huaixiao moved closer, nuzzling her cheek. He said gently: "I'll make you a tycoon's wife. Trust your husband and give me some time."

Bai Yin pushed him away. "No baby means no me!"

She sat back down in the chair across from his desk, crossing her arms sullenly.

"What about the honeymoon then?"

"I'm not going!"

"Since you're not in the mood, we can postpone the honeymoon for now." Chen Huaixiao took out a show notice and slowly slid it across the desk to Bai Yin. "This is a notice for a romance reality show. Take a look - if you're interested, we can participate as a couple."

"I'm trying to discuss a very serious issue in our marriage with you, and you're talking to me about going on a reality show?"

"Bai Yin, we're at the company right now. You're still my contracted artist. I prioritize your career."

Bai Yin stared Chen Huaixiao down for a moment before finally taking the notice: "Besotted by Summer?"

She had heard of Besotted by Summer. It was a hugely popular reality dating show that aired last summer. Viewership and online clicks kept rising, turning it into a smash hit variety program.

With last year's success, Besotted by Summer's second season this summer naturally garnered a lot of attention. Many celebrities desperately wanted to get on the show.

Besotted by Summer's producers took the initiative to contact Chen Star Media and invite Bai Yin to participate in filming the second season.

Of course...it would be even better if Chen Huaixiao deigned to join as Bai Yin's partner!

Tycoon couples were tremendously popular online. Besotted by Summer was also hoping a heavyweight couple like them would join the second season.

"You rarely do variety shows. Although you have many hit dramas, there's still a distance with the audience. I hope this show will help you gain more fans." Chen Huaixiao looked at her steadily: "I've already agreed for you."

Bai Yin knew opportunities like this were hard to come by.

If it was before, she would have certainly been willing. But now...she had to consider Chen Huaixiao's career for the next half of his life.

"Chen Huaixiao, you know grandfather doesn't like me being in the limelight, and likes it even less that you went into showbiz."

Chen Huaixiao knew she was still thinking about the inheritance rights. His expression cooled: "Bai Yin, whatever I, Chen Huaixiao, want to get, I earn it or seize it myself. I don't need you to curry favor with anyone. My child with you will absolutely not come into this world due to any ulterior motives."

"But your cousins, other than Chen Jingye, how many of them are decent? They're all eyeing you greedily, just waiting to pounce on the Chen Corporation. If they get it, the first thing they'll do is move into showbiz and steal all your resources and contacts." Bai Yin gritted her teeth. "You worked so hard to build all this up over the years. I don't want it to go to waste."

"Do you think I, Chen Huaixiao, don't even have the ability to protect myself? Bai Yin, you're really looking down on your husband too much."

"But I don't want you to just protect yourself!"

Bai Yin looked at him fiercely, just like she had looked from afar at that dazzling boy under the osmanthus tree back then. "I want the best for you!"

Just like she had silently sworn in her heart back then, she hoped everything would go smoothly for that boy, and all his wishes would be fulfilled.

She wanted to help him obtain the best! No matter the cost.