Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Xiao Baijun’s desire gradually subsided. He leaned against the headboard, playing with the object in his hand. He had only heard of this thing but never used it. Xiao Baijun scrutinized it. It had a bizarre, curved shape. The advertisement claimed “experience a real-person sensation,” and the description mentioned real-person sounds, with an option to choose male or female voices. He looked at Zuo Qiu’s hand resting on the thin blanket. Could this thing really feel better than Zuo Qiu’s hand?

Xiao Baijun was skeptical. A dead object is a dead object; how could it be as stimulating as a real person? He tossed the item onto the bedside table, slid down, hugged Zuo Qiu, and fell asleep.

…

The next day, Zuo Qiu woke up to find an arm pressing down on his chest, and something hard nudging his waist. Without turning around, he could imagine how rock-hard that object was. It wasn’t the first time he had slept in the same bed as Xiao Baijun, but it didn’t seem to be this hard before. Did Xiao Baijun not use the item he bought last night?

Speaking of that A-V-I-A-T-I-O-N C-U-P, Zuo Qiu had bought it a while ago when Xiao Baijun started dating, and Zuo Qiu was heartbroken. He specifically bought a top-selling, high-priced one, preparing to live happily ever after with it, but for various reasons, he never used it, not even opening the package.

Last night, Xiao Baijun asked him to wait up and sleep with him. Zuo Qiu knew exactly what that meant, but he was truly too tired. A second before falling asleep, he climbed out of bed, retrieved the item from the inner side of his closet, and brought it to Xiao Baijun’s room.

While Zuo Qiu was lost in thought, Xiao Baijun also woke up. Seeing Zuo Qiu awake and thinking, he moved his hand down, grasped Zuo Qiu, leaned close to his ear, and threatened, “As my boyfriend, you not only fail to fulfill your obligation but also try to fool me with other things. How should I punish you?”

Zuo Qiu bent over to evade Xiao Baijun’s wicked hand, pulling at Xiao Baijun’s arm with both hands. “It’s early in the morning, don’t mess around.”

Xiao Baijun was stronger than Zuo Qiu. He pinned Zuo Qiu’s two hands with one of his own and used the other hand to pull off Zuo Qiu’s pants. “That won’t do. You owe me compensation.”

The weak Zuo Qiu was speechless. Compensation is fine, but why are you taking off my pants? I don’t want this kind of compensation!

Xiao Baijun didn’t care about the details. He held Zuo Qiu and guided Zuo Qiu’s hand to pleasure himself.

In the end, the two lay in bed panting, a new wet stain on the floor.

“Have you ever used an A-V-I-A-T-I-O-N C-U-P? Is the sensation better than a real hand?” Xiao Baijun asked Zuo Qiu while wiping him with tissue.

“I haven’t used it, so I don’t know what it feels like,” Zuo Qiu replied truthfully.

“Didn’t you have time to try it?” Seeing the package unopened, Xiao Baijun guessed he hadn’t bought it long ago and hadn’t found a chance to use it.

Zuo Qiu rolled over, hiding his face from Xiao Baijun, and answered, “I bought it four or five months ago.”

Hearing this, Xiao Baijun immediately understood. Four or five months ago, Zuo Qiu, who had a crush on him for years, saw him get a girlfriend. Zuo Qiu must have felt lost and lonely, so buying a realistic substitute seemed perfectly reasonable. Xiao Baijun understood. After all, he wasn’t going out for casual sex.

“Put it away. Whenever you feel like using it in the future, just come to me. I can definitely give you a better experience than a dead object,” Xiao Baijun promised, placing his hand on Zuo Qiu’s waist.

Zuo Qiu buried his head in the pillow and hummed softly.

…

The apartment hadn’t been lived in for a long time. After they got up, Zuo Qiu cleaned the house while Xiao Baijun went downstairs to buy breakfast.

Twenty minutes later, Zuo Qiu, who had finished cleaning, opened the door for Xiao Baijun. Xiao Baijun returned from his trip out with a solemn expression.

“We probably can’t stay here for long.”

“What’s wrong?” Zuo Qiu took the breakfast, placed it on the dining table, and asked Xiao Baijun.

“I forgot to wear a mask when I went out today. I was recognized by people while buying breakfast, and they followed me all the way back.”

Several fans, who were also buying breakfast, recognized him and shouted his name, which startled him. After he suppressed his displeasure, nodded a greeting, and started walking back, he realized he was being followed. Fortunately, the community’s security was good, and the facial recognition system at the gate stopped the trailing fans.

Zuo Qiu was quite surprised. Being followed by a few fans wasn’t the issue, but he was afraid the news of them living here would reach the media. The persistent media were not as easy to deal with as fans. They were more tenacious and used dirtier tactics. Once they targeted them, they would likely have no privacy left.

When Zhao Zhixian came to pick them up in the afternoon, Zuo Qiu immediately told him about the incident once they were in the car, asking for his advice.

Zhao Zhixian pondered for a moment and suggested, “You won’t be staying in B City for long right now, so it’s okay for the time being, but I suggest you choose another residence, preferably switching between the two. Also, I think you should hire an assistant.”

It was better to delay the public announcement of their relationship. Without absolute certainty, Zhao Zhixian couldn’t act rashly to avoid hindering Zuo Qiu’s future. Moreover, having an assistant run errands for them would reduce unnecessary exposure.

Xiao Baijun and Zuo Qiu exchanged a look from the back seat, both seeing agreement in the other’s eyes. After today’s incident, their view that they didn’t need an assistant changed. If an assistant helped, many things wouldn’t need to be done personally, making things much easier. For example, if an assistant had bought breakfast today, Xiao Baijun wouldn’t have been followed.

“We think that’s a good idea. Brother Zhao, please help us find one,” said Zuo Qiu, the representative of the duo.

“Do you prefer a male or female assistant?” Zhao Zhixian asked.

Zuo Qiu: “Male.”

Xiao Baijun: “Female.”

Zuo Qiu felt he would be too embarrassed to command a female assistant to do too many things. Same-sex was better for easy communication. Xiao Baijun’s choice was purely based on jealousy; he felt he would definitely be unhappy if Zuo Qiu talked too much with a male assistant.

The astute Zhao Zhixian looked at the two with their differing opinions and said, “I have a great candidate in mind. I’ll bring them over tomorrow for you to meet. I believe that person will satisfy both of you.”

Since such a candidate existed, Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun said no more, waiting to meet the person.

…

Next, Zhao Zhixian focused on introducing the details of the upcoming face mask endorsement they were about to shoot. The mask brand was called “Mó Lì” (Magic Power). Although it wasn’t as prominent as the first and second-tier domestic older brands, it was considered a new, fast-growing brand in the mask industry. The brand was established less than five years ago, and sales had been soaring.

The brand chose Z.X to endorse their latest product because they saw the instant popularity and attention the duo garnered upon their debut, which mirrored the brand’s own situation. The new product was called “Black and White Pairing,” and as the name suggested, it consisted of a black mask and a white mask. The black mask absorbed the melanin deposited during the day, and the white mask focused on whitening and hydration.

Zuo Qiu was curious when Zhao Zhixian explained this and asked, “Is this new product suggesting that consumers should use a mask twice a day?” Such an innovative concept would certainly meet with objections. Although some artists might apply several masks a day, the common perception is that once a day is best.

“No, the advertising copy says one mask per day, used alternately,” Zhao Zhixian clarified.

Zuo Qiu glanced at the lazy Xiao Baijun next to him and asked Zhao Zhixian, “This ‘Black and White Pairing’ seems more suitable for a male and female artist to endorse. Why did the advertiser choose us?”

Many male artists now endorse female clothing, cosmetics, and even intimate items. Therefore, simply endorsing a face mask wasn’t a novelty. However, when people hear “Black and White Pairing,” the next line they think of is probably “Boy and Girl Pairing,” so Zuo Qiu was a little confused.

“I heard they did initially discuss male and female stars, but later their creative director felt that was too cliché, so they chose us,” Zhao Zhixian hinted, casting a subtle look at Xiao Baijun. In truth, the biggest reason was that the director discovered Xiao Baijun’s identity and knew that the company would heavily promote Z.X in the coming years, which is why they ultimately chose them. After all, every time Z.X made a public appearance, it was like promoting their mask. Increased exposure for Z.X meant increased exposure for the mask.

…

When the three arrived at the filming location, Zhou Cheng, the person in charge of the mask company, was already there. After introductions, the director in charge of the shoot called Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun aside to explain the advertisement’s content.

Filming an advertisement was simpler than shooting a movie or TV series. The two only needed to pose with the masks on and deliver the advertising copy in front of the camera.

To achieve a realistic effect, the two agreed to wash their faces and apply no makeup before the shoot. For artists with an idol persona, appearing completely bare-faced requires courage, as many claimed “bare-faced” looks actually involve subtle, difficult-to-detect makeup.

Zhou Cheng saw that the most difficult part of the advertisement was resolved so easily and remarked to Zhao Zhixian, “Z.X is even better than I imagined. I can’t think of any reason why they wouldn’t be famous in the future.” With strong backing and their own hard work, it would be hard for such people not to become famous.

Zhao Zhixian smiled reservedly. “I’ll take that as a good omen.”

After a moment, remembering something Zuo Qiu had once said, Zhao Zhixian added, “Zuo Qiu usually loves applying face masks. He’s been trying Mó Lì recently and is quite fond of your brand.”

Zhou Cheng understood immediately. They not only paid artists a generous fee to endorse the company’s brand but also sent samples to the artists. It was excellent that Zuo Qiu approved of and liked their brand. Zhou Cheng smiled and said, “We are very happy they like it. I will send some samples of all our products to your company tomorrow.”

Zuo Qiu’s wish of “getting free masks” was easily fulfilled. Zhao Zhixian nodded in satisfaction. In truth, artists like Zuo Qiu were rare now. Almost all artists only loved international luxury brands and scorned these masks that cost 50 yuan for 10 sheets. Even endorsers, aside from using them during the shoot, probably wouldn’t remember what the product was afterward.

But Zuo Qiu was different. He only used what suited him and didn’t blindly pursue big brands. This applied not only to masks but to other things as well. At first, Zhao Zhixian thought this was due to Zuo Qiu’s financial situation, but he knew Xiao Baijun had given Zuo Qiu half of his substantial monthly allowance, and Zuo Qiu hadn’t gone on a spending spree with the unexpected windfall. He was genuinely frugal.

…

Here, after the two had washed their faces, Zuo Qiu put on the white mask, and Xiao Baijun put on the black one. Zuo Qiu was responsible for the entire advertisement script: “Has your melanin been absorbed today? Are you whiter than yesterday? Mó Lì Face Mask Black and White Pairing: The black mask absorbs melanin, and the white mask whitens and hydrates. Use them alternately every day to make your skin whiter and more moisturized every day. Remember to apply a face mask every day.”

After the two finished the required shots according to the director’s instructions, they changed clothes, put on light makeup, and posed with the mask boxes. The entire advertisement shoot was essentially finished.

The group sat in the car on the way back. Zuo Qiu was very happy after hearing from Zhao Zhixian that he was about to receive a pile of free masks. Perhaps because he hadn’t used many types of masks, in his eyes, there was little difference between a 100-yuan mask and a 5-yuan mask. Having free masks to use made Zuo Qiu quite fond of this endorsement.

Zhao Zhixian looked at Zuo Qiu’s excited face and Xiao Baijun’s indifferent face and said, “MK has reached out to us, interested in having you two endorse them. Are you interested?”

This advertiser also came from Come With Me. Xiao Baijun was trending due to the show, with some people focusing on him scaring people with the ghost mask, but more people paying attention to his good physique. MK, a top domestic brand, also reached out to them because they valued his physique and high traffic.

“MK?” Was that the best domestic brand for men’s underwear? Zuo Qiu turned to look at Xiao Baijun.

Sure enough, Xiao Baijun refused upon hearing it.

“I don’t agree.” As far as Xiao Baijun knew, endorsing underwear meant posing only in underwear, and these images would not only appear in the advertisement but also be printed directly on the packaging. Xiao Baijun felt utterly uncomfortable at the thought of a crowd of people staring at his and Zuo Qiu’s crotches.

Zhao Zhixian nodded knowingly. “Okay, I’ll find other endorsements for you.” He actually had several other advertisements he was negotiating, but none had reached the contract signing stage, so he hadn’t mentioned them to the two. It wasn’t too late to discuss them once they were finalized.

…

When Zhao Zhixian drove the two to the apartment building entrance, Xiao Baijun suddenly asked him, “Do we have any work planned for the next few days?”

“I don’t think so,” Zhao Zhixian replied after thinking.

Xiao Baijun nodded, staring at Zhao Zhixian’s eyes meaningfully. “We’ll be staying in B City for three more days. Don’t disturb us if there’s nothing urgent.”

Zuo Qiu’s face flushed upon hearing this, and he quickly opened the door and got out.

Zhao Zhixian naturally understood even more. “Okay, okay. I’ll wait for your call. I’ll bring the assistant for you to meet before you leave.”

Xiao Baijun “Mhm’ed” and quickly followed Zuo Qiu out of the car.

The two walked side by side toward the apartment building entrance. As they reached the corner, Zuo Qiu was about to turn left toward the elevator when he saw Xiao Baijun turn right. After a few steps, Xiao Baijun retrieved two express boxes from a mailbox.

Zuo Qiu saw Xiao Baijun close the mailbox and walk toward him, so he asked curiously, “What are these?” He didn’t know when Xiao Baijun had ordered things online. In his mind, Xiao Baijun rarely shopped online.

“I asked my brother to send them over,” Xiao Baijun said, then gave Zuo Qiu an ambiguous smile. “They’re all for you.”

Since being followed right after leaving the apartment this morning, Xiao Baijun immediately abandoned the idea of going out to buy things. He called Xiao Bailin and asked him to have someone send them over.

“You can easily buy these online yourself,” Xiao Bailin, a straight man, expressed his confusion and immediately refused the unreasonable request.

“I don’t have money.”

One sentence left Xiao Bailin speechless. He hung up and found someone to buy a pile of useful and useless items for his “poor” little brother and had them delivered.

Zuo Qiu was speechless when he heard Xiao Baijun’s explanation. Asking his own brother to buy contraception/sex accessories for him—was that really okay?

When he got home and opened the packages, Zuo Qiu saw all sorts of weirdly shaped objects and various negligible scraps of cloth (?). He found it hard to look at the gentle and refined CEO Xiao Bailin the same way again. After all, many of these items weren’t even seen in G/A-Y V-I-D-E-O-S. Zuo Qiu felt his eyes had been opened.

Xiao Baijun pulled out a pair of sheer panties with a fluffy dog tail attached and suggested, “You can try this pair first tonight.”

Zuo Qiu looked at the panties that covered almost nothing and internally refused. He took out a Mr. Rabbit suit with a small thong-like piece and told Xiao Baijun, “If you wear this suit, I’ll wear that one.”

Xiao Baijun only wanted to get to the action now and had no sense of shame. He immediately agreed, “Fine, no problem.”

Without waiting for Zuo Qiu to nod his agreement, the impatient Xiao Baijun took both sets of clothes to the bathroom to wash them. He even thoughtfully blew them completely dry with a hairdryer. The fabric of both sets dried quickly, so 10 minutes later, Xiao Baijun came out with the dry clothes.

“Do you want to shower first?” Xiao Baijun asked, seeing Zuo Qiu scrolling on his phone.

Zuo Qiu closed the Zhihu search page for “How painful is the first time” and was a little dumbfounded. “It’s only six in the evening!” It wasn’t even dark yet. Wasn’t he too eager?

“Six isn’t early.” Even though they could only do it once, they could have multiple foreplay sessions!

Zuo Qiu was pushed by Xiao Baijun into the en-suite bathroom of Xiao Baijun’s room. They showered together. As the warm water hit them, their clothes instantly clung to their bodies. Xiao Baijun kissed Zuo Qiu while tracing the curves of Zuo Qiu’s body downwards. When the two were standing naked, Xiao Baijun slowly squatted down…

After they took care of themselves once in the bathroom, Xiao Baijun carried Zuo Qiu out like a sack of sand and tossed him directly onto the bed. Then, he found the “dog tail” outfit and helped Zuo Qiu put it on.

Zuo Qiu hadn’t fully recovered from the afterglow of his climax, so he lay on the bed, letting Xiao Baijun have his way.

Xiao Baijun kept his promise. After dressing Zuo Qiu, he dutifully put on the Mr. Rabbit outfit. Zuo Qiu looked at the pair of fluffy ears on his head and felt that a normally cold and tough man was trying hard to be cute. That contrast, both tough and soft, made him laugh so hard he almost collapsed.

Xiao Baijun fastened the black bow tie and curved his lips at the immensely happy Zuo Qiu. “I hope you can still laugh this happily later.”

Zuo Qiu seemed to be influenced by the shameless Xiao Baijun at this point. He lay on the bed in a seductive pose and said, “That depends on your skill!”

Xiao Baijun’s eyes were blazing. He pounced on Zuo Qiu, announcing fiercely, “I’m going to f-u-c-k you until you beg for mercy!”

In the very end, Mr. Rabbit finally ate Mr. Dog, leaving no crumbs behind.