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Chapter 44

The first season trailer of the show generated huge hype online as soon as it was released.

Many "infamous" vicious villains were invited to the first season. There was actress Yang Zhao Lin, who played mistresses and was criticized so harshly she almost had to leave the industry entirely. There was also actor Tang Xu, who played domestic abusers and left a lasting scar in many people's minds.

Of course, there was also Bai Yin, the scheming supporting actress in a recent campus drama who stirred up huge controversy.

Netizens had already stocked up on enough verbal ammunition and were lying in wait for the first episode premiere of The Retired Lives of Supporting Actors.

As soon as the cast appeared, netizens channeled the emotions they felt towards those unforgettable villainous characters the actors portrayed, hurling all kinds of insults and asking them to get out of the entertainment industry. Some even yelled extreme things like "Why doesn't Su Mo just go die!"

However, as the show progressed and the chaotic retired country life unfolded, the hostile energy in the bullet screen comments gradually dissipated.

The audience discovered that these actors were actually quite lovely in real life.

"Domestic abuser" Tang Xu especially loved to cook. His visually appealing, aromatic spread of dishes never failed to tantalize the audience's taste buds.

As for Yang Zhao Lin, who played "mistresses," she turned out to be a really innocent and cute girl in real life. She loved acting coquettish and was completely helpless about everything. She followed Bai Yin around all the time, freeloading food and shelter.

Bai Yin, who played the vicious "scheming schoolgirl villain," was practically an all-rounder in country life. Not only could she fish and pick vegetables, she could even carry a basket on her back and go into the woods to catch bamboo rats... This was a huge contrast from her past image as an elegant beauty in cheongsams, creating an exceptionally strong gap moe that earned her a lot of fans.

More importantly, there seemed to be great chemistry between her and Yang Zhao Lin from their daily interactions.

Yang Zhao Lin loved acting coquettish with Bai Yin, while Bai Yin always responded to her with indifference. The two clashed frequently at first.

But as time passed and they interacted daily, Yang Zhao Lin grew fonder and fonder of clinging to Bai Yin.

Although Bai Yin was cold towards her, she would silently look after and care for her in their daily life.

After helping Yang Zhao Lin with something, Bai Yin would always pretend not to care.

This tsundere personality was especially captivating, and the BaiYang cp rocketed to the top of trending searches every day. The show's popularity also reached unprecedented highs.

The filming location for The Retired Lives of Supporting Actors was in a small town in Jiangnan where Bai Yin had lived when she was young. The reason for choosing this location was also because the town was famous for its cultural tourism, and the local tourism bureau had cooperated fully to support filming and boost the scenic area's fame.

Additionally, Bai Yin was familiar with everything in the Jiangnan small town, so even though the cast had to earn their own living in this "retired life" show, Bai Yin had no issues effortlessly providing for herself. There wouldn't be any tragic situations like in previous life experience variety shows where the cast couldn't survive.

One afternoon, Bai Yin and Yang Zhao Lin went grocery shopping together. When they passed by the ancient town, Bai Yin generously offered to buy Yang Zhao Lin an ice cream, "Let me tell you, the ice cream they sell at the ancient town's scenic area is really delicious."

"Where are you getting money to buy me ice cream?"

"Don't worry about it." Bai Yin pulled Yang Zhao Lin to the scenic area entrance and bought a cup of yogurt ice cream.

The ice cream at the scenic area entrance was very expensive, 30 RMB each, but after searching her entire bag Bai Yin could only scrounge up 30 RMB. So she only bought one ice cream.

At first Yang Zhao Lin said she was trying to lose weight and didn't want any, but watching Bai Yin enjoy the ice cream made her hungry too.

Then Bai Yin gave her the uneaten half of the ice cream cone, "Here, eat it, it's clean."

After taking a bite, Yang Zhao Lin's eyes curved into happy crescents, fully enjoying the bliss.

"It's so delicious!"

"Right?"

"Wait." Yang Zhao Lin realized something was wrong, "Where's the grocery money?"

"I used it to buy ice cream!"

"What are we eating for dinner then!"

Bai Yin matter-of-factly said, "Eat ice cream!"

"......"

"We'll eat ice cream, so what about Tang Xu's dinner?"

"Don't worry, let him go hungry for one night, he won't die."

...

This seemingly trivial daily retired life snippet once again exploded on the trending searches:

#BaiYangCp Eating Ice Cream#

"The two ladies eating ice cream together is such a feast for the eyes!"

"Right, you two should just date already! You have so much love!"

"BaiYang cp, no regrets about jumping aboard!"

"The ladies' interactions are so sweet I'm getting diabetes!"

...

But it wasn't over yet.

That night at the grand Golden Brown Awards ceremony, someone took a photo of the impeccably suited Chen Huaixiao sitting in the front row, watching a BaiYang cp fanmade compilation video on his phone in landscape orientation.

The candid photo taken from behind spread online, re-igniting the manic enthusiasm of cp fans:

"Hahahaha! Chen Huaixiao actually ships BaiYang cp too! The dimensional wall is broken!"

"Didn't expect you to be this kind of CEO!"

"Bai Yin: What do I do about my boss secretly shipping my cp?"

"Chen Huaixiao is also a believer in the Great Yuri Law!"

"Did anyone else notice Chen's expression? Hahaha, this is my first time seeing someone ship a cp with such a serious expression."

"This is too cute!"

"I have to say, is this considered official endorsement of the BaiYang cp?"

...

Seeing the related trending searches frightened Bai Yin's little heart into trembling.

She took the chance when cameras weren't around to slip into the bamboo grove and call Chen Huaixiao:

"Hubby..."

"I heard you're having a lot of fun over there?"

Hearing his indifferent tone, Bai Yin knew this man must be unhappy.

Bai Yin explained, "This is pretty normal. People even ship Lin Daiyu with Sun Wukong. You've been in the industry for so many years, you know cp fans can even cross species, of course gender isn't a problem."

"What does this have to do with me?" Chen Huaixiao coldly said, "Just don't let it affect me."

Bai Yin scowled, "You went to watch it yourself and got caught on camera, how is it my fault?"

"...

This was probably the first time Chen Huaixiao had been so speechless. Bai Yin could already feel his blood pressure rapidly rising.

She quickly softened her tone to coax him, "Hubby, don't be mad, okay?"

After a long pause, the man's voice also gentled a lot, flatly commenting: "Cheesy."

A smile pulled at the corners of Bai Yin's mouth. She knew Chen Huaixiao was the type who yielded to softness but not force. Her coquettish act worked best on him.

"Hubby, I miss you so much after not seeing you for so long."

"Hmph."

Of course Chen Huaixiao didn't believe her. Even Bai Yin herself didn't believe it.

In the past when she was obsessed with him, she kept such words sealed away. Now that she was over him, they flowed freely from her, face calm and heart unmoved.

Bai Yin insisted on being cheesy with him, intentionally using a seductive voice to ask: "Hubby, do you miss me?"

Chen Huaixiao clearly knew this woman was just putting on an act, but for some reason he was... helpless to resist her.

He missed her. Missed her terribly.

Even just the fan edited videos, he would click in to watch them carefully, repeatedly caressing her bright face and soft lips with his gaze...

"If you don't say anything, I'm going to hang up."

Chen Huaixiao said, "Don't hang up."

"Hm?"

"Stay with me a few more minutes."

Bai Yin sat on a rock in the bamboo grove, letting the cool moonlight spill over her fair skin. The mountain breeze blew, rustling the bamboo leaves.

Listening to the man's low breathing, a rare tenderness welled up in Bai Yin's heart in this moment, this place. It was the passion from their youth, and also longing built up over many years...

She didn't know what Chen Huaixiao was thinking, guessing perhaps he was just lonely.

Even in the liveliest nightclubs and KTVs, surrounded by beauties and revelry, Bai Yin could still sense a kind of indescribable loneliness in Chen Huaixiao's aura.

Having her by his side as his wife improved things somewhat, even if it was a sham marriage.

"Chen Huaixiao, actually I want to go home now. I don't want to film anymore. I'll come back tomorrow, okay?"

Hearing the sincerity in the girl's voice, Chen Huaixiao also knew this was impossible. He gloomily said, "With you gone, my home will be much more peaceful. You're better off never coming back."

"I was thinking that when I get back, I want to d all night with you."

"......"

After several seconds, Chen Huaixiao unnaturally said, "Then...I take back what I said earlier."

*

Filming of The Retired Lives of Supporting Actors was coming to an end.

Right when they were about to wrap up, the show staff prepared an unexpected "surprise" that caught Bai Yin completely off guard.

In the last few days, the show staff invited Bai Yin's uncle who ran a business at the small town's scenic area back door to come on.

At noon, after Bai Yin and Yang Zhao Lin picked some vegetables from the fields, they smelled food aromas upon entering the yard.

A man around 50 years old with dark skin stood in the yard setting out several Jiangnan style dishes on the table.

Seeing him instantly shot Bai Yin's blood pressure through the roof.

Seeing Bai Yin, Uncle Zhao Xiu Wen's fat face broke into a smile, "Bai Yin's back! Wow, you've really become a young madam. Your cousin always says when she sees you on TV that she wants to grow up to be on TV like big sis!"

Seeing Bai Yin's bad expression, Yang Zhao Lin softly asked, "Bai Yin, is this your uncle?"

Bai Yin's face was cold as she glared at him, "What are you doing here?"

"Your aunt specially made Dongpo pork for me to bring over for you to try. You're filming some show just a few streets from our place, how could you not come back to visit?"

Bai Yin didn't respond to him, face icy cold.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Yang Zhao Lin and Tang Xu quickly tried to smooth things over, "Wow, this Dongpo pork elbow looks so delicious!"

"Perfect timing, I'm hungry too. Bai Yin, let's eat quickly! Don't waste your uncle's kindness."

Zhao Xiu Wen hurriedly gestured, "Come come, quickly sit and eat. You've all worked hard today and must be tired. Director...and you, put the cameras down and eat first, you can film later."

Bai Yin watched Zhao Xiu Wen coldly. He was wearing his best shirt, a gold chain around his neck, shoes polished shiny.

He must have come to get on TV this time, so he could brag about it around town in the future.

Thinking about the past, Bai Yin strode over, grabbed the Dongpo pork elbow on the table, and unceremoniously threw it on the ground.

The bowl shattered into pieces and the fat meat tumbled out.

Everyone was stunned speechless by her actions, even the audience watching the livestream.

Since her debut, Bai Yin had never made such a loss of composure on camera.

The smile on Zhao Xiu Wen's face froze, "Bai Yin...you..."

"Get out."

"How can you speak to your elder like this?"

Of course Zhao Xiu Wen couldn't just leave after being driven away by a junior like this. If it was broadcasted, he would have no face left being scolded by a junior.

"Bai Yin, you're so ill-mannered. I'm still your uncle!"

"Uncle..."

Bai Yin coldly laughed, then looked towards the director and filming crew, "Without my consent, you invited him here. I can't continue filming this show."

After speaking, she turned and walked out.

The director stepped forward to block her and signaled the staff, who quickly went up to take Zhao Xiu Wen away.

"Let's go, brother, let's go."

"Go where, I'm not leaving!"

The staff forcibly dragged the struggling Zhao Xiu Wen out, finally quieting the yard down again.

The logistics staff immediately came over to clean up the mess of broken bowl shards and Dongpo pork on the ground. Bai Yin didn't want to explain anything and went back to her room to rest.

Today's sudden accident has also brought some ripples to the quiet and tranquil reclusive life, with streaming volumes reaching a peak. But there are also many criticisms and accusations against Bai Yin online:

"Bai Yin was too rude."

"How could she speak to her elder like that? She didn't leave any face."

"It's obvious there's something wrong with this uncle. Don't judge without knowing the truth."

"Right, every family has some lousy relatives. It's obvious this uncle just wanted to take advantage of Bai Yin's popularity and jump on the bandwagon. If you can't even see that, what kind of saint are you?"

"No matter what, you can't speak to elders like that."

"The person upstairs must be drunk. What nonsense."

"If he really treated Bai Yin badly, I think her attitude is understandable."

...

In the last few days of filming, Bai Yin had been in low spirits all along, obviously bothered by something. Her smiles were much fewer.

Yang Zhao Lin tried her best to cheer her up every day, but it was to no avail. Even when she smiled, it was merely perfunctory.

The sudden visit from her uncle that day had really left a shadow in her heart.

The fans and audience didn't notice this shadow. Even the production team possibly didn't perceive it. But Chen Huaixiao noticed.

He held up his phone and watched the scene from that day over and over.

It was also his first time seeing Bai Yin lose her temper like that, with her hands even shaking from anger...

Chen Huaixiao had known Bai Yin for so many years. Even when she threw the biggest tantrums, he had never seen the young miss so furious.

Obviously there was something wrong with this uncle.

In the days that Bai Yin had been in low spirits, Chen Huaixiao had been even more ill-tempered. Even during meetings, he was absent-minded.

This matter weighed on his mind like a dark cloud, ruining his appetite and sleep. He couldn't even wait until Bai Yin came home, finding time during a break to make a trip to the Jiangnan small town.

When the sedan arrived, it was night time. Only the director came to receive Chen Huaixiao, without alerting anyone, naturally also avoiding the cameras.

"Bai Yin usually sleeps very early. She's probably already fast asleep. Mr. Chen, why not see her tomorrow? I'll arrange accommodation for you."

"Mm."

Chen Huaixiao didn't reject the director's kind offer, staying in the best room on the second floor of the courtyard house that was arranged for him.

After the director left, Chen Huaixiao walked out of the room, relying on memory to arrive at Bai Yin's door, and lightly knocked.

"Who is it?" A wary female voice came from the room.

"It's me."

After some bustling noises of tidying up, the door opened, revealing Bai Yin's unbelievingly shocked face in the crack: "Chen Huaixiao, how did you get here?!"

Chen Huaixiao looked around warily at the surrounding wooden corridors and said in a low voice, "Don't want to be found out. Let me in."

Bai Yin immediately pulled him into the room, then looked around vigilantly before shutting the door.

Chen Huaixiao looked around the room. Seeing him inspecting like a leader on a supervision tour, Bai Yin asked, "Well, how did you get here?"

"Felt like coming, so I came."

The room decor was in a retro Jiangnan boudoir style, simple and clean. The incense burner on the table emitted wisps of lingering smoke, calming the heart and mind.

Bai Yin was wearing a plain colored nightgown, with black tresses draped over her shoulders. She had no make-up on, and her snow-white wrists fiddled with the incense burner, snuffing out the incense.

"You don't like smelling this stuff." She turned to open the window. "Let's air it out for a bit."

Chen Huaixiao grasped her wrist, pulling her back over.

Losing her balance, Bai Yin was drawn into his embrace, sitting on his lap.

The sleepiness on the girl's face added some laziness. Her fair arms naturally wrapped around Chen Huaixiao's broad shoulders. "Just a few more days until I come back. You couldn't even wait that long?"

Chen Huaixiao took a deep breath, smelling her unique fragrance of aloeswood. Forcibly suppressing his urges, he asked, "What's the story with your uncle?"

Bai Yin's expression changed slightly.

In a flash, she immediately regained her composure and said, "He's always asking Grandma for money to gamble, squandering all of Grandma's savings. I hate him."

"That's all?"

Chen Huaixiao clearly didn't believe it. If that was all there was to it, Bai Yin wouldn't care about this person at all, much less be affected by him.

There must be something more.

Bai Yin knew she couldn't hide anything from Chen Huaixiao. After a long while, she lowered her eyes and said, "When I was little, he wasn't good to me either."

"He hit you?"

"Sometimes, but that wasn't the reason..."

Bai Yin gritted her teeth, hesitating for a very long time before saying in a low voice, "This is my secret. I'm only telling you."

Hearing her say this, Chen Huaixiao's heart started sinking, though his face remained calm as he gently hmm'd.

"When I was little, I stayed at Zhao Xiu Wen's house for a period of time. He had a friend who often came over to drink with him. One time, Zhao Xiu Wen wanted to ask this friend to lend him money, so he told me to pour wine for him. That scumbag...he touched me. Later I ran out, but Zhao Xiu Wen dragged me back and threatened me not to tell Grandma what his friend did, or I'd be in trouble."

Chen Huaixiao's blood pressure shot up. His hands underneath his sleeves clenched tightly into fists. "Then..."

"I ran back to Grandma's house that night. I was scared witless at the time, not knowing what to do. I was afraid Zhao Xiu Wen would retaliate, so I didn't tell anyone."

"How old were you then?"

"Early teens, I don't remember."

Chen Huaixiao used all his strength to restrain the raging fury churning inside him, making himself seem calmer. "Later when you got to know me, why didn't you tell your brother?"

Bai Yin glanced at Chen Huaixiao. His dark eyes were like ice, revealing no emotion.

Back then, Bai Yin's heart and mind were filled only with him. All her girlish thoughts were about him. How could she be willing to tell him about such a shameful past?

"We weren't that close yet at the time." Bai Yin mumbled, "Besides, would you have helped me get justice?"

"Get justice?"

A hint of icy coldness appeared at the corner of Chen Huaixiao's mouth, endless chill in the depths of his eyes. "I'd have slaughtered him."