Assistant Bai Really Does Have a Three Year Old Child - Chapter 5

The next day.

Bai Tan arrived at a locally renowned film and television city. Li Wenyan had mentioned that Huo Yang was currently filming here.

The pavilions and terraces were arranged in neat rows, with architectural sets from every historical period imaginable. Bai Tan looked up, his eyes filled with curiosity.

There were many film crews shooting here. Long security lines had been set up outside the base, and many tourists or fans who had come due to the fame were blocked outside the cordon, holding up their phones to take photos and check-in.

After wandering through several crews and asking around all the way, Bai Tan finally found the crew where Huo Yang was located. He heard it was a major historical IP drama; the original author had reportedly earned enough money from this single book to last for the next three generations.

Bai Tan’s gaze swept around and suddenly stopped.

Beneath an antique teahouse, a figure in clear, elegant white was surrounded by staff. The man, with a tall and straight posture, possessed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his exquisite embroidered waistband accentuating the beautiful and smooth curve of his torso.

The crew was currently filming a martial arts scene. The man in white had fluttering sleeves, giving off a quiet sense of peaceful years like a bright moon in the wilderness. Every movement he made seemed meticulously carved; his hand was raised with effortless grace and fell like flowing water, maintaining a firm sense of power beneath his elegant posture.

Bai Tan could even hear the “soughing” sound of the man’s sleeves cutting through the air as he struck.

The scene was somewhat dreamlike. The man he could only fantasize about through merchandise and small cards yesterday was actually standing before him today.

“OK, pass. All units take a break,” the director called a halt; it passed in one take.

The stagehand brought over a chair. Huo Yang, dressed in plain white costume, nodded slightly to the stagehand and thanked him softly. He sat down after casually taking the script.

Bai Tan swallowed nervously.

Evening clouds gradually drifted across the horizon like pale glazed glass. The man sitting in the chair held a straight posture and a leisurely attitude, lowering his sword-like brows. His fingers lightly tapped the script, his gaze focused and serious.

Bai Tan noticed that when staff members spoke to him, they would unconsciously lean forward, showing a sense of reverence mixed with a bit of caution.

Although plain white immortal robes usually reminded people of a gentle and refined gentleman, Huo Yang seemed to exude a terrifying sense of oppression, whether intentionally or not. It was unclear if it was due to his overly tall stature or the indifferent sense of alienation in his every move.

Bai Tan did some simple mental preparation:

I am here to collect material. Once I have the material, I’ll run. Don’t be afraid. He only looks cold and distant; the fans say he actually has a gentle and humble personality.

After some chaotic thoughts, Bai Tan slowly walked forward and, like the staff, unconsciously bent his waist:

“Um… Hello, Teacher Huo. I am the private assistant introduced by President Li. My name is Bai Tan.”

Looking closely, he felt even more that this man was permeated with the delicate transparency nurtured by a life of luxury.

Hearing the voice, the ends of Huo Yang’s carved brows rose slightly. He looked up, meeting a pair of round, large eyes.

“This is President Li’s letter of introduction. He should have already greeted you,” Bai Tan saw that he didn’t speak and proactively presented the letter.

Huo Yang moved his gaze away from his face, took the envelope, and his fair fingertips slid across the wax seal. He opened the letter and gave it a brief look:

“Go find the manager to handle the entry procedures.”

His voice was neither heavy nor light, somewhat casual. It was strictly business, without any special pleasantries or self-introduction.

The heart that Bai Tan had held suspended in mid-air settled slightly. Yet, there was also a hint of disappointment. He thought he would receive a kind response, or at least an inquiry about how his name was written and which characters they were.

Perhaps Huo Yang was exhausted after a day of filming and didn’t care about these trivial matters, or rather, had no interest in them at all.

Bai Tan did another round of mental preparation:

It doesn’t matter. I’m here to collect material, not to make friends.

He spent a great deal of effort to find Huo Yang’s manager, Yu Jian. After completing the entry procedures, Yu Jian said:

“Huo Yang prefers quietness and isn’t the type who loves to communicate. Just talk less and do more. Have some situational awareness. As long as you don’t touch his bad side, he is quite easy to get along with.”

When Yu Jian said the last sentence, his voice suddenly lowered, and he gave a meaningful look at Huo Yang, who was discussing the scene with the director in the distance.

Bai Tan nodded: “Then, my work arrangements?”

“The tasks are simple but miscellaneous. You’d better write them down one by one.”

Yu Jian talked for a long time until his throat was dry, and Bai Tan followed with his pen, writing until it almost caught fire.

Just as Yu Jian said, Bai Tan originally thought that being a private assistant to a star involved nothing more than serving tea, pouring water, or massaging shoulders. But there were many intricacies involved.

He had to plan the daily itinerary one step ahead of the boss who to see, which crew to visit, what activities to participate in all had to be coordinated clearly with the staff in advance. Time and details had to be guaranteed to be foolproof.

In addition, he had to help manage the boss’s accounts on various platforms and fan sites. The boss only needed to focus on his acting work. The filming aspect was handled by a production assistant, but all other matters, large or small, were the full responsibility of the private assistant. When necessary, he also had to appease the fans’ emotions.

Most importantly, he had to prepare two mobile phones, keep them on twenty-four hours a day, and be on call at any moment.

This wasn’t an assistant; this was practically a nanny.

Bai Tan sighed. He accepted the nanny role. Things had come to this; there was no turning back.

Twelve o’clock at night.

Bai Tan, who had been busy all day, was still busy.

Huo Yang had a temporary interview early tomorrow morning. He had to contact the driver in advance to confirm the route, coordinate the interview process and details with the organizer, and prepare the items Huo Yang needed as well as his lunch.

After lunch, Huo Yang would have to rush back to the crew immediately to film.

Bai Tan was even busier. He had to arrive at the interview site an hour early to help Huo Yang check the clothes he would wear during the interview, and then contact the driver to pick up Huo Yang from his home together.

Early the next morning, Bai Tan set off carrying a massive tool bag.

Even though the work content was tedious and busy, he still had to groom himself exquisitely, finally pinning a tulip brooch on his chest.

This brooch was a new product released by his mother on Teacher’s Day the year before last. Using the tulip as material, it symbolized “universal love, consideration, and elegance,” used to express gratitude and respect to the teachers of the world.

He straightened the brooch and took a final look in the full-length mirror.

Children entering society for the first time all have the blessings and thoughts of their parents. Although his mother was not by his side, this small brooch was like her instructions, bringing courage and determination to him, a green young lad just starting out.

Huo Yang’s previous assistant had left very abruptly and had never handed over the work to him at all. Bai Tan could only cross the river by feeling the stones.

At six in the morning, the staff at the interview site were already working in full swing. Bai Tan looked around curiously, observing how these staff members built the sets and what preparations were made before starting work.

Bai Tan pulled out his material notebook and summarized things with a few simple words, planning to organize them properly only after finishing work.

The staff led him to the makeup room. Upon entering, he saw a row of backs, seemingly belonging to hosts or the like, with makeup artists working busily on their faces.

A staff member took down a three-piece suit set covered with a dust cover from the clothing rack and said:

“The assistant kid should know, right? This is a brand provided by the sponsor. Please check if there are any flaws. You must be careful; if something goes wrong, none of us can afford the responsibility.”

Bai Tan took the clothes and carefully removed the dust cover, checking inch by inch starting from the collar, being meticulous about every detail.

After confirming there were no errors, he covered the clothes with the dust cover again, hung them up, and went out to pick up Huo Yang for makeup.

Just as he reached the door, he unexpectedly collided head-on with a girl in a rush. The girl was holding a large pile of liquid foundations, which fell all over the floor upon the collision. She hurriedly apologized to Bai Tan and simultaneously squatted down to gather all the foundations.

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes and her appearance, she seemed to be an assistant from some household, starting work before dawn and running until she was covered in sweat.

As a fellow worker, Bai Tan felt a sliver of pity for the girl and helped her pick up the foundations.

After Bai Tan left, the girl ran with the foundations to a woman who was currently getting her makeup done, her voice trembling:

“Boss, I’ve brought all the liquid foundations you wanted.”

The woman called “Boss” quietly looked at the makeup mirror in front of her, which reflected an exquisite but slightly mean-looking face. She glanced slowly, casually took a bottle of foundation from the girl’s hand, pressed her thumb, and the cap fell to the ground.

Bai Tan arrived at Huo Yang’s home. He was still wearing pajamas, sitting on the sofa enjoying morning black tea.

The dark blue silk pajamas were very textured, highlighting the fair and translucent ankles and wrists peeking out from the cuffs and trouser legs.

“Good morning, Teacher Huo. Please change your clothes and get ready to set off. We need to arrive at the set before 7:30.”

Huo Yang didn’t even look at him; he got up and went upstairs.

Bai Tan sighed inwardly. He still failed to get a single greeting from his mouth.

The group arrived at the set. Huo Yang went to the makeup room. The weather was very hot, so Bai Tan took a small fan and blew it toward his face, fearing he would sweat and ruin the makeup.

The door to the makeup room suddenly made a sound.

Then came the crisp sound of high heels stepping across the floor.

“Teacher Huo, first time meeting you, look forward to a happy cooperation.” A silver-bell-like female voice filled with a smile came directly to Huo Yang.

Bai Tan subconsciously looked up.

He froze suddenly.

In the height of summer, an unknown chill blew in, hitting him head-on. The small fan originally blowing at Huo Yang also fell to the ground.

Hearing the sound, Huo Yang raised his hand and tapped, signaling the makeup artist to pause.

He nodded slightly to the sudden female visitor, his tone indifferent:

“Good morning, Writer Xiao.”

Bai Tan thought he was hallucinating. He slowly stood up straight, his gaze falling on the woman.

How could it be…

Xiao Wan.

Her appearance in this setting was truly somewhat eerie.

Xiao Wan swept a glance at Bai Tan, then looked back at Huo Yang and smiled:

“Before signing the contract, the film and television side said there might be a chance to invite Teacher Huo to play the male lead in my novel. I am very happy to gain Teacher Huo’s appreciation. As the original author, I hope you will communicate with me in time if any problems arise during the filming period.”

“Good, look forward to a happy cooperation.” The corners of Huo Yang’s lips hooked slightly as he raised his hand to shake hands with Xiao Wan.

“Then I won’t disturb you. I hope you will give me more guidance during the interview and promotion later.” Xiao Wan continued to smile, nodded to him politely, and turned to leave.

Bai Tan was still dazed.

Because of the confidentiality of the interview content required by the organizer, Bai Tan did not know the content of Huo Yang’s interview; he only coordinated the process. He never expected that the theme of this interview was the promotion of Huo Yang’s upcoming performance in Xiao Wan’s new book.

For an artist of Huo Yang’s caliber to perform in a novel adaptation, the outcome was predictable.

This was a beautiful thing that Bai Tan had never thought of and dared not think of. Bai Tan only felt a sourness at the bridge of his nose.

The gap between him and Xiao Wan had already become larger and larger. A bridge that could not be crossed had appeared.

“The little assistant’s eyes went straight when he saw a beautiful woman. Don’t get distracted; quickly help Teacher Huo blow the fan to avoid sweating.” Seeing Bai Tan dazed, the makeup artist joked.

Bai Tan barely regained his senses and gloomily held up the small fan.

Huo Yang in the makeup mirror slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Bai Tan before quickly withdrawing.

After an unknown amount of time, a head popped out at the door of the makeup room, urging:

“The shoot starts exactly at eight o’clock. Is Teacher Huo ready over here?”

The makeup artist finally finished tidying his hair and put away the curling iron:

“It’s ready. Teacher Huo can go out after changing his clothes.”

A staff member ran in and went straight to the clothing rack.

“Ah—! Holy crap!” The next second, a scream rang through the dressing room.

Everyone followed the sound and saw the staff member holding the branded clothing Huo Yang was to wear later, hands trembling, flipping through it back and forth.

“This clothing…!”

Bai Tan stepped forward to check the situation. The next second, he also let out a cold gasp.

The second button of the inner lining had vanished without a trace, and the chest of the suit jacket had somehow been smeared with a spot of liquid foundation the size of a coin.

Clearly, it had been checked to be foolproof before leaving just now, and it was covered with a dust cover.

“What should we do? How can he wear this? It’s a small matter if the sponsor scolds us, but if they hold us accountable, we will all lose our jobs!” The staff member’s eyes were wet with anxiety, and he even involuntarily jumped a few times.

He looked up at Bai Tan, his eyes filled with a sharp questioning look:

“Didn’t I tell you to check it thoroughly? This is the result of your check!”

Bai Tan furrowed his brows slightly and took the clothes.

He had indeed checked them thoroughly and covered them with the dust cover. How could such a mishap occur?

He slowly turned his head to look at Huo Yang.

But Huo Yang just lowered his head to look at the interview script, as if everything happening now had nothing to do with him.

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