Chapter 12 – Grocery Baske (1/2)
A silver SUV parked outside the grand doors of Total Entertainment.
The journalists who had been waiting by the door all swarmed forward at this time, and the cameras flashed blindingly.
Six burly security guards immediately came over to ensure the safety of area outside the car door.
A few impatient reporters had already started to yell.
“Mr Bai, do you have any explanation for the news report today?”
“Is the watch on your wrist real or is it an A grade replica Mr Bai?”
“What’s your thoughts on purchasing an A grade replica? Mr Bai can you say a few things?”
“Mr Bai shouldn’t you make some explanation as to where you were sleeping last night? The fans are very curious ah!!”
Bai Lang ensured that his sunglasses were worn correctly on his nose. He didn’t delay but opened the door of the car decisively.
The lights of cameras flashed like crazy and the voices of the reporters became even more piercing.
“Mr Bai, can you please reply to our questions!?”
“These are all the fan’s questions, Mr Bai shouldn’t you respond properly ah!?”
“Mr Bai, can you please let us know who your patron is ah!? Or is it only that you’re deliberately trying to create news to promote yourself!?”
“I want to ask about the day your car sped in the city Mr Bai, are you creating dangers for the public!?”
In the face of these aggressive questions, Bai Lang acted as Fang Hua had instructed him on the phone. His footsteps didn’t stop and he only smiled slightly and waved his hand. “Thank you for everyone’s concern. Hope everyone has a good day.”
The cameras flashed blindingly.
“Mr Bai, today you are still wearing that watch ah!!”
“Mr Bai do you really like this watch or is it some special significant gift!?”
“Mr Bai you’re wearing a diamond watch and living in a luxurious residence but have you given anything to your family!?”
“Mr Bai, can I ask what dish you made that night!?”
This question of a particular publication made Bai Lang pause. He turned around and looked for the person who has asked the question.
This caused the crowd of reporters being restrained by the security guards to go into frenzy, fighting with each other as to who could scream their question the loudest.
Very quickly, Bai Lang found the young woman wearing thick-rimmed glasses. She was being squeezed inside the crowd with her head full of sweat. In her hand she held a microphone asking her own question, trying to get his attention.
“Steak.”
Bai Lang smiled it. Under her shocked and joyful gaze, he turned around and walked into the company.
***
When Bai Lang walked into Fang Hua’s office, there were seven or eight newspapers spread out over her desk.
The newspapers were all entertainment publications and they were all filled with Bai Lang’s pictures.
The articles accompanying the newspapers mostly contained the same questions that Bai Lang had been asked outside.
A large amount were candid photos taken from while Bai Lang, wearing sunglasses, was shopping in a supermarket.
In them Bai Lang was wearing a dark blue lined with silver shirt paired with gray trousers. His sleeves were rolled up and in one hand he held a grocery basket. It was clear that the photographs were taken by the same person and then distributed to the various large publications.
Among them, the largest and clearest photo of Bai Lang was published by the entertainment news giant Morning Star.
In the headline photo of the Morning Star, Bai Lang was still dressed this same way. But in the photo, Bai Lang was picking up a box of refrigerated raw meat. He had his head lowered and he was intently looking at the packaging. So the photograph just happened to show clearly the diamond watch on Bai Lang’s wrist.
Perhaps because at this time Bai Lang happened to become still so this photograph was especially clear and good looking.
The refrigerated section had bright lighting, and cast on Bai Lang’s skin the same effect as camera lights, it was very beautiful. His slightly lowered head showed his beautiful back of his head as well as the elegant line down to his neck. Contrasting with this elegant visage was the ordinariness of holding the grocery basket. It was a very fascinating image.
So the first thing that Fang Hua saw Bai Lang the first words she saw wasn’t her worries, but instead her admiration. “If Hong Hong didn’t let me know in advance then I would also think this was being deliberately done by you. Look at it, these photos practically look like advertisements. How can they be so beautiful?”
Bai Lang laughed. He picked up a copy and had a look. “This little brother is indeed talented. Should we pay him? This is good promotion.”
Fang Hua couldn’t help nodding her head in agreement. “You haven’t even seen the messages left on the company’s website. The majority of the fan’s discussion is about the eggs and tofu you have in your basket. As for your patron and your diamond watch, they can’t compare to the groceries you have in your basket. I’m really worried about whether this person that took the photos of you secretly can get the payment for their services or not.” {T/N: Since most likely this person took the photos for the purposes of smearing BL’s name.}
As for why Bai Lang didn’t have his own online social platforms, it was because when Fang Hua had raised the subject, Bai Lang had rejected it. He expressed he wasn’t the type of person who knew how to express himself in writing. He said the things he wrote were very dry and boring. Then since someone else would have to do the writing for him, what was the point of all the bother? If the fans wanted to leave messages for him they could use the company platforms. However as for in person meet and greet events, Bai Lang would be happy to cooperate and appear.
Bai Lang smiled as he raised his head. “Since the photos have this kind of effect, perhaps the danger can be turned into an opportunity.”
Fang Hua saw his reaction and raised her eyebrow. “It looks like you’re not worried at all?”
Bai Lang shrugged. “Since this opponent clearly wants to follow until the end, there’s no use to being worried.”
Fang Hua looked again at the newspapers on her desk. Then a thought suddenly flashed through her head. She said suspiciously, “Don’t tell me…. you deliberately dressed like this and went to the supermarket to let them take shots of you?”
Bai Lang smiled. “Openly letting them take photos, the effect will definitely look better.”
Shock spread through Fang Hua. This kind of technique was not something a new person ought to have. If he could control the setting and timing of the photograph meant that at other times and places Bai Lang was also able to control his movement and position so that different photographs could not be taken…
Thinking of this Fang Hua couldn’t help but think about the report that Chen Song (Bai Lang’s previous manager) had given her. What it said in there about Bai Lang’s working ability clearly did not match the things she had seen with her own eyes.
Hiding her suspicions in her heart, Fang Hua gave Bai Lang a stern glare. “But remember, there can’t be a next time. If something like this arises again, you must tell me at the first opportunity.”
“Yes. I’ve given Sister Fang a lot of trouble. I apologize.” Bai Lang apologized obediently.
Fang Hua nodded. “Then let’s not mince words. Next I’ll let you know about the company’s response plan.”