Chapter Four: A Decade Past His Prime, Yet Returning as a Superstar-This Top Celebrity Treats Stardom as Just a Job(Baoxing)

On Weibo, Wu Yao remained silent, but everyone knew his career was over. His lack of response spoke volumes. If, at first, the major brands had still left him a shred of dignity, by now, after a whole night of feigned death, there was no need to spare his face any longer.

After all, many brands had already pressed Wu Yao’s team for an explanation, even asking outright if the rumors were true.

Wu Yao and his agent still tried to salvage the situation.

But there was nothing left to say.

“Little Bird Home hereby terminates its endorsement partnership with Mr. Wu Yao effective immediately.”

“Black Bear Beverages has sent a Termination Notice to Wu Yao’s team; from today, he will no longer have any affiliation with Black Bear Beverages.”

“Baolan Brand is ceasing all business cooperation with Mr. Wu Yao as of today, statement hereby issued.”

“Aphrodite Jewelry hereby ends all collaborations with Wu Yao as of this day.”

And so on.

“It’s begun,” said Sister Dao as she scrolled through Weibo on the high-speed train. “I figure, if it weren’t for the time it takes to process contracts, these brands would have dropped him the very first moment.”

Lin Miaoyin, sitting beside her, nodded lightly. “Yes, Wu Yao really is at the top of the charts.”

The true measure of a star’s status is how many contracts get canceled when a scandal breaks.

Take Wu Yao—fifteen brands cut ties with him in one fell swoop, and this was only the beginning. The real fallout awaited in upcoming films and variety shows.

Especially those variety shows; post-production would now have to painstakingly erase him from the footage while cursing under their breath.

Although they were only set to record tomorrow, they traveled ahead today to have dinner with the production team and get acquainted, making the shoot smoother the next day.

From the moment they boarded, Lin Xing had closed his eyes to rest, handing his phone to his assistant.

Sister Dao, on the other hand, was full of energy, keeping a constant eye on Wu Yao’s latest developments and giving a running commentary.

“Sister Dao, why don’t you take a little break?” Lin Xing opened his eyes and said, “Why not catch a nap while we’re on the train? Once you’re past thirty, lack of sleep really affects your condition.”

Lin Miaoyin blinked her innocent, wide eyes. “Really?”

“Don’t listen to your Brother Xing,” Sister Dao said, her tone earnest. “I’ve never seen anyone in showbiz as committed to health as him—must sleep on time every night, and if he doesn’t get eight hours, he has to nap during the day...”

She advised Lin Miaoyin, “In this business, you need hard work and opportunity, but above all, you need to give it your all. Why sleep your life away? There’s plenty of time for rest in the grave. So—”

“Sister Dao, stop brainwashing the girl,” Lin Xing interrupted, then turned to Lin Miaoyin. “Did you graduate from the Film Academy?”

“Yes, Brother Xing, I just graduated this year,” Lin Miaoyin replied quickly.

“Oh? Didn’t your professors ever tell you that your body is your capital?” Lin Xing smiled. “I once knew a chubby guy who said that stardom is all about endurance. If you outlast everyone, you become the star.”

Lin Miaoyin nodded eagerly. “Yes, at graduation this year, our senior Li Jie reminded us that the most important thing to protect after graduation is our health…”

Sister Dao cut in, “What do you mean, yes? Miaoyin, don’t listen to your Brother Xing. Let me tell you, fame in this industry comes early. Most of the time, a star’s popularity only lasts three to five years. If you don’t make the most of those years, how will you make it?”

Lin Xing shook his head. “Sister Dao, water doesn’t rush to be first, it strives for a steady, endless flow. Many shooting stars build high towers, host banquets, only to end up in prison…”

At this point, Lin Miaoyin’s eyes were sparkling.

Heavens. Was this really the man once known as the first-generation illiterate idol?

Her teachers had said much the same—that the current market was abnormal and they should hold on to their original intentions—but Lin Xing said it so much better.

“Xing, I was wrong. I promise I won’t disturb your rest anymore, okay?” Sister Dao, afraid Lin Xing would continue to sway Lin Miaoyin, relented.

“See? That’s better.” Lin Xing turned to the starstruck Lin Miaoyin. “I was just making things up. When it comes to this industry, your Sister Dao is the true expert. Listen to her.”

With that, Lin Xing put on his eye mask and lay down again.

No matter how big the issue, nothing was more important than sleep.

In his past life, as a career planner, Lin Xing often burned the midnight oil, fueled by coffee, energy drinks, and junk food. It ruined his health, ending in his sudden death one night.

Now, with a new lease on life, he was determined to cherish it.

What’s more, he truly couldn’t imagine a job better than being a celebrity. So after working hard, he devoted the rest of his time to fitness and wellness.

When you’re young, you don’t understand the importance of health. After thirty-five, you realize your body can’t keep up.

For ten years, Lin Xing had been disciplined to the extreme. Sometimes even Sister Dao thought that if Lin Xing weren’t so laid-back, with his self-discipline and that face, he would have shot back to the top long ago.

Who would even care about Wu Yao?

But Sister Dao had no intention of changing Lin Xing. After all, when he signed with their agency, it was exactly because, though small, they got things done.

Lin Miaoyin knew none of this. So now, her face was a sea of question marks. Was all that Lin Xing said earlier just a ploy to get Sister Dao to be quiet?

“Alright, you should nap too,” Sister Dao told the bewildered Lin Miaoyin. She knew Lin Xing; if he kept going, Miaoyin might start dreaming of being an artist for art’s sake.

That would be absurd.

After all, Lin Miaoyin was just a junior version of Lin Xing—except for her looks, she had nothing.

Born to be a popular starlet.

But Miaoyin didn’t sleep. She pulled out her phone and, using her alternate account, posted in the “Lin Xing Super Topic”: “The happiest thing about being a fan is being drawn in by looks, captivated by talent, and loyal to character. From the days of ‘Starsea’ to Lin Xing now, I still adore him.”

Eleven years ago, at just twelve, Lin Miaoyin had become a fan of “Starsea.” To her, Lin Xing was the most handsome member. A year later, after the group’s scandal, she continued to follow Lin Xing.

She wasn’t at all surprised to see Lin Xing trending today.

Only the true fans—those who had followed Lin Xing for eleven years—knew what he had been doing.

After Wu Yao went solo and skyrocketed, appearing in countless shows and films, the once-popular Lin Xing dedicated himself to charity.

Especially in the past five years, he spent three months each year volunteering at Dafeng Mountain.

If it were Wu Yao, even a single day of charity would be plastered on the trending lists for three days. If he so much as scratched his hand filming, there’d be a press release. But Lin Xing?

Eleven years of charity work, never a word of self-promotion, never a single press release.

Yet today, thanks to Wu Yao, the media began digging into Lin Xing’s decade-long past.

They dug and dug, only to uncover a model artist.