Bai Yuhuai's fans had been waiting for his news for a long time. Who knew they'd only get gossip from unreliable marketing accounts.
[Has the script reading session ended? When will Brother Bai start filming? We could at least send him off at the airport then.]
[Celebrity livestreams are so popular lately. Will we ever get to see Brother Bai do a livestream in our lifetime?]
[Haven't you heard the rumors? They say Brother Bai has taken on some kind of job recently, but no one knows what exactly...]
While fans were discussing enthusiastically, the official Weibo account of "How to Escape" finally released a poster for the new episode.
In the center was a tall silhouette, surrounded by the faces of five regular MCs.
Above it hung the words "Haunted Castle" in large letters.
Bai Yuhuai's fans recognized him at a glance, but it wasn't just fans – even casual observers couldn't believe it.
Would Bai Yuhuai lower himself to boost such a small show?
With all this questioning back and forth, the hype suddenly skyrocketed. The night before the broadcast, the show's name even shot up to the top of the trending topics.
The popularity of the five regular MCs also climbed along with it.
People started guessing which of them had a personal connection with Bai Yuhuai that could make him come to their rescue...
Old Cao sat in the conference room and couldn't help but sigh: "Having someone like Brother Bai really makes a difference. It's been so many years since I've felt such enthusiasm..."
Kong Xiangqi nodded in agreement: "If I could collaborate with him one more time in my lifetime, that would be hitting the jackpot. Wouldn't my career just take off?"
As usual, they would gather to record a behind-the-scenes reaction video before the broadcast. Today, only Ji Meng was missing.
The group bantered back and forth, but it was just empty talk. They wouldn't dare say such things in front of Bai Yuhuai.
Finally, it was time for the broadcast to begin.
Real-time comments started appearing on various video streaming platforms.
[Wow, that long shot – the castle is beautiful! Who restored it?]
[It's strange that it would be abandoned, wouldn't it make a great hotel? I want to stay there.]
[No way, look at the title – Haunted Castle]
[Did someone die there? I've never heard about it.]
The comments were flooding in, interspersed with fans cheering for their respective idols. Naturally, Bai Yuhuai was mentioned the most.
When Bai Yuhuai finally appeared on screen, the comments exploded.
Even casual viewers of the show couldn't help but exclaim: [The little show has made it big, they can actually afford Bai Yuhuai! Is the show about to blow up?]
[Is this Bai Yuhuai's first-ever reality show appearance? If so, I'd cry even if I weren't a fan]
Everyone's eyes were glued to Bai Yuhuai on the screen.
As they entered the castle, the other MCs began to wander around aimlessly, but Bai Yuhuai seemed to have a plan. He first looked up at the upper floors, then began to inspect from all four corners.
[This castle is so clean, haha. Did the production team clean it?]
[Impossible. Don't you think it looks like someone's been living here long-term?]
[Damn, a ghost or a homeless person?]
[??? Wait, why did Brother Bai pick up an orange from the ground? Who brought that?]
[Ji Meng's attempt to please is a bit obvious, it's a little awkward]
[Brother Bai, don't go upstairs! The rule is you'll definitely die if you're alone, Brother Bai!]
...
The comments were buzzing with excitement.
Meanwhile, the director called Bai Yuhuai, wanting to organize another script reading session, but Bai Yuhuai refused.
The director thought back carefully, wondering if they had offended Bai Yuhuai somehow that day. It shouldn't be the case. If anyone had offended him, it must have been Ding Hanbing!
"Are you busy now?" the director asked.
Bai Yuhuai: "A charity gala."
The director was even more surprised.
For such occasions, Bai Yuhuai always just sent money but never showed up in person.
Was he actually going to attend in person today?
Bai Yuhuai exchanged a few cold pleasantries with him and then hung up the phone, turning to ask Jing Jiujiu, "Ready?"
Jing Jiujiu: "Mm-hmm."
Bai Yuhuai took in Jing Jiujiu's appearance, and an inexplicable unease stirred in his heart. It felt like he was about to display a rare treasure he had obtained in front of a group of thieves...
But Bai Yuhuai still led him to the car.
This was what he had promised Jing Jiujiu earlier.
When the manager saw Jing Jiujiu, he was greatly surprised: "You're bringing Young Master Bai along? Are you..." Going public? The manager mumbled in his heart.
Jing Jiujiu nodded beside them: "Mm, to see the world."
The manager felt a bit relieved hearing this. But he still hesitated, wondering if he should explain to this Young Master Bai what needed attention at the charity gala. Bai Yuhuai could disregard everything, but others couldn't.
Just as the manager had prepared his speech in his mind, the car had already arrived at the charity gala venue.
"Later, you..." The manager started, but seeing Bai Yuhuai's expression, he closed his mouth again. Ah, the person belongs to Bai Yuhuai, if he interferes too much, Brother Bai might be displeased.
Jing Jiujiu tilted his head: "Hm?"
The manager didn't dare to respond and quickly got out of the car to open the door for Bai Yuhuai.
Outside the charity gala venue, many reporters were already waiting. The previous arrival was a popular young actress, and the reporters were busy clicking their shutters.
Suddenly, they all stopped.
"Isn't that Bai Yuhuai's manager, Xu Sanyu? Damn! Could it be that Bai Yuhuai is here?"
In the car, Bai Yuhuai pulled the door shut again: "Let's use the back entrance."
Hearing this, the driver stepped on the gas and drove away, leaving the manager alone to walk the red carpet.
Sitting in the car, Jing Jiujiu watched the bustling scene outside for a while and couldn't help but exclaim: "It's so lively."
He watched until the gala began, and then Bai Yuhuai led him in through the back entrance. By this time, everyone assumed Bai Yuhuai hadn't come, so no one paid much attention to them.
The donation session ended quickly.
Most of the reporters had dispersed, and the organizer of the charity gala finally appeared.
As Jing Jiujiu and Bai Yuhuai entered, they heard a man speaking on stage: "Thank you all for coming today..."
Someone in the audience said: "That must be Jing Hao, right? The nephew of Jing Tinghua, Chairman Jing."
"Yes, he's now in charge of Dingfeng Entertainment."
At this moment, the manager saw them and quickly came over.
Jing Jiujiu whispered to Bai Yuhuai: "That's my cousin. He's the most timid. You're so smart to bring me to see him first."
Bai Yuhuai looked at the man. Wearing a dark suit, he was quite tall and handsome thanks to good genes. However, there were dark circles under his eyes, and he seemed to have less energy than the average person. He looked nearly twenty years older than Jing Jiujiu.
"Brother Bai," the manager called out.
After calling out, the manager looked at Jing Jiujiu. But he found that the young man showed no signs of nervousness or unease. On the contrary, his demeanor was relaxed and at ease, as if he had attended such occasions thousands of times before, as familiar as his own backyard.
After Jing Hao finished speaking, others finally noticed Bai Yuhuai, and many people came over wanting to chat with him.
"Brother Bai actually came."
"Why didn't you take a seat, Brother Bai? If you had come earlier, that VIP seat would have been reserved for you."
As several celebrities approached while talking, they saw not only Bai Yuhuai but also the young man beside him.
The young man was wearing a white suit with the elbows slightly tightened with bands, loose cuffs, and a nightingale-shaped jewel on his chest. The understated design exuded an indescribable sense of luxury when worn by him.
The young man was like a flower incarnate, beautiful and exquisite.
The celebrities were all stunned for a moment before remembering to ask: "And this is...?"
With the previous lie, it was much easier to say it now.
Jing Jiujiu smiled slightly: "Bai Jiu, my name is Bai Jiu."
"? That name... it's very special."
Meanwhile, Jing Hao saw the crowd gathering and realized that Bai Yuhuai had arrived.
That was Bai Yuhuai.
Jing Hao, now the CEO of Dingfeng Group, knew that even he was nothing compared to Bai Yuhuai. Jing Hao immediately walked over, turning his head to say to Ji Meng: "Didn't you say you recorded a show together? Go and have a good chat with him later."
After instructing Ji Meng, Jing Hao arrived at the group.
"Chairman Jing," others greeted him, making way.
Jing Hao put on a smile.
He knew that Bai Yuhuai was a person who rarely smiled or spoke, and was difficult to approach except when filming. But a smiling face disarms hostility...
Jing Hao's smile suddenly froze on his face.
It was him!
It really was him...
"Cousin." The young man's voice seemed to echo in his ears like an auditory hallucination.
The young man's attire had changed, but his appearance and demeanor remained the same. He was still frozen in time at eighteen years old, stunningly beautiful. Frighteningly beautiful.
"Mr. Jing, Mr. Jing, what's wrong..."
"Someone help! Quick, call an ambulance!"
Jing Hao clutched his tie tightly, intending to loosen it to catch his breath, but with sweat pouring down his face and his complexion pale, his mind was in chaos, and once his hand touched the tie, he couldn't do anything else.
In a state of extreme shock and fear, he choked himself unconscious.
Ji Meng, standing nearby, panicked. Was this how the long-awaited day would end?
He couldn't help but glance in Jing Jiujiu's direction.
It was him!
No doubt about it, he was the young man from the famous actor Bai's room!
Jing Jiujiu: "..."
Jing Jiujiu hadn't noticed Ji Meng's scrutiny. He turned his head and whispered in Bai Yuhuai's ear: "See? I told you he's a real coward." After saying this, he winked at Bai Yuhuai, full of suggestion.
Bai Yuhuai: "..."
He really hadn't realized that Jing Jiujiu was considered brave in this family.
The entire charity gala descended into chaos. Jing Jiujiu tugged on Bai Yuhuai's sleeve and said, "Let's go."
Bai Yuhuai cast a cold glance at Jing Hao: "Mm."
Back in the car, Bai Yuhuai was considering how to explain Jing Hao's reaction to Jing Jiujiu.
But Jing Jiujiu spoke first, sighing lightly, "Jing Hao's reaction to seeing me was so intense, he must feel guilty. The fish tank incident must be related to him."
So he had figured it out.
Bai Yuhuai wondered if he would cry.
Jing Jiujiu skillfully raised the partition in the back seat and said, "He's my father's elder brother's son. He lived with our family for a while. When I was little, he bullied me..."
"Bullied?" Bai Yuhuai frowned.
Jing Jiujiu, assuming he didn't understand, explained, "You know, that kind of bullying. When I was napping in the garden, he came to strip off my clothes."
Bai Yuhuai's expression instantly darkened, his eyes turning cold and deep like a dark pool.
Jing Jiujiu didn't seem particularly affected by this and continued, "Then my father caught him and threw him in the pool. I'm not sure what happened after that, but he would tremble whenever he saw my father after that. He was scared of me too. My father's elder brother even had a big argument with him. He was already bad, so he must hate me even more now..."
Jing Jiujiu clicked his tongue: "I overheard them arguing, saying something about how he wouldn't be able to have children in the future..."
Bai Yuhuai's expression grew even more grim.
At this point, Jing Jiujiu let out a heavy sigh: "By all rights, they should have been unable to reconcile. But just now I heard someone say that Jing Hao has become the CEO of Dingfeng Entertainment. I remember Dingfeng Entertainment was my father's business. My father must have reconciled with them..."
Jing Jiujiu shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
For the first time, a trace of melancholy appeared on the young man's face: "My father has changed."
Bai Yuhuai said in a deep voice, "I understand."
Jing Jiujiu closed his eyes and leaned back in the car, falling silent.
He seemed tired. But as he had said, ghosts don't need sleep.
Bai Yuhuai vaguely understood that this was probably a way for him to repair his emotions. He wasn't unacquainted with sorrow; it was just that he had grown up surrounded by love from a young age, received an excellent education, and thus didn't easily get trapped by emotions, knowing how to face everything more positively. Just as he had endured those long seven years in the castle, his only emotional display was to clean the castle thoroughly and set out oranges when someone came.
Bai Yuhuai couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.
He only felt a strong desire to hold the young man close, shielding him from all disturbances.
The car soon arrived at the villa.
The manager opened the car door and was stunned.
Because Bai Yuhuai was carrying Jing Jiujiu out of the car, saying calmly, "He's asleep."
The manager's throat was choked with words.
He had truly never seen Bai Yuhuai like this before.
But he could only keep his mouth tightly shut, afraid of disturbing this little ancestor's rest.
Bai Yuhuai carried Jing Jiujiu upstairs, tucked him into bed, and then opened the online platform to watch the day's broadcast.
It was just at the climax, with more and more bullet comments appearing.
[Bai knows so much! I'm impressed]
[+1 I thought Bai only knew how to act, but he knows this too. Maximum boyfriend material, leading the MCs throughout!]
[This chain is so strange, is it for locking up beasts? Did the production team put a tiger in there?]
[Production team: We can't afford that, don't worry]
The screen shook.
The chain was unlocked.
Everyone walked in with flashlights.
[What's going on with this part? Didn't the production team set up cameras?]
[Looks like it's all filmed by the guests' own GoPros]
[Bai really has great leadership skills]
The oil lamps were lit one by one, quickly filling the entire room with light.
The camera swayed, turning towards one direction, slowly panning up: long legs, a jewel-encrusted chair armrest, a snow-white neck and chin, and that beautiful face... A complete oil painting came into view of all the viewers.
Kong Xiangqi: "Look!" "A painting!"
Following that, all the oil paintings came into everyone's view.
The bullet comments exploded.
[Holy crap! Who is this otherworldly beauty?]
[He's so gorgeous, where did the production team find this model?]
[A pitch-black room, open the door, and it's full of magnificent paintings...]
[I'm getting goosebumps and being utterly amazed at the same time! The production team nailed this segment!]
[One minute, I want all his information!]
The ratings broke 15 in an instant, and the number of online viewers across various platforms was still skyrocketing.
Bai Yuhuai felt no joy at all.
He expressionlessly closed the video.
The young man was already dead.
The beauty you glimpse in that fleeting moment is merely one ten-thousandth of what he was.