HEIFEIGU -Chapter 4

Ji Jin’s fans had originally followed the trolls in spamming “team bullying.”

But seeing their idol’s bare face on camera was too shocking.

Even with glasses, the close-up shots showed everything.

Uneven skin, large pores, acne scars—nothing was hidden.

Ji Jin also had low facial definition and relied heavily on contouring.

His puffy monolid eyes depended on makeup for depth.

Without makeup, his face looked swollen and flat.

Even worse, the director kept switching between Ji Jin and Xie Jixing in extreme close-ups.

Ji Jin kept lowering his head or turning away.

Xie Jixing, meanwhile, was confident.

The cameraman seemed to favor his face, zooming in so close that even pores were visible.

He didn’t dodge—he even smiled at the camera.

The bright red mole under his left eye became especially alluring.

Every time he appeared, the comments turned “yellow.”

【I’ll lick my wife’s tear mole, prprpr…】

【That’s my wife, not yours!】

【Can you stop switching? This is like a roller coaster: top-tier beauty, top-tier ugly, back and forth. Who can handle this?】

Ji Jin’s fans finally realized that trolling wasn’t working.

But they couldn’t accept their idol being mocked, so they lashed out.

【How do you know Xie Jixing is barefaced? Maybe his foundation is thicker than a wall! Ji Jin is the real bare face!】

【…How are there fans this dumb?】

【They don’t even dare say Ji Jin isn’t ugly.】

【Are they 2000 degrees nearsighted? How can they keep stanning him?】

【Ji Jin splashed water on Xie Jixing earlier. He wiped it off with his hand—any makeup would be gone. Bareface confirmed.】

【Who knows if he reapplied during ads?】

【The camera is so close you can see peach fuzz. Ji Jin’s fans aren’t just dumb—are they blind too?】

【Seriously, what do they even like about Ji Jin?】

No answer.

After seeing Ji Jin’s behavior and bare face, many fans had already left.

But some still thought: “Only we’re left. We have to stay loyal.”

The broadcast time was limited. After Ji Jin’s apology, it was time for the next guests.

But they still had to wait until the venue closed, so Summer Star had to stay backstage.

“Xie Jixing, what exactly are you trying to do?!” the manager snarled in the lounge.

The other two sat on their chairs, watching the show.

“What am I trying to do? Didn’t I already tell you before?” Xie Jixing rubbed his aching ear and replied sincerely. “You look like you’re only in your fifties. How come you’re already so forgetful? Early dementia? Have you had it checked?”

Manager: “…”

Damn it, I’m only 35!

“I’ve made it very clear. If you want to quit the group and terminate the contract, fine—just pay the breach fee,” the manager sneered. “If you can’t, then you’ll do things our way.”

Xie Jixing had only transmigrated today and had already controlled ghosts twice. He was exhausted, so he slumped into a chair, too lazy to even raise his eyelids.

“Oh? Then tell me—what’s your plan?”

“After the show ends, we’ll hold a press conference,” the manager said. “We’ll explain what happened during the livestream.”

Xia Letian walked over. “At the conference, you must apologize to Ji Jin and promise this won’t happen again.”

Ji Jin came last. Seeing Xie Jixing’s face made him want to strangle him. He ground out each word: “I want you to kneel and apologize.”

The three of them surrounded Xie Jixing, looking down at him, expecting fear and begging—just like before. Whenever money was mentioned, he would accept any unfair terms.

But the man in the chair didn’t even lift his eyelids.

Instead, it looked like the three of them were reporting to him.

Their momentum vanished.

Xie Jixing took out his phone and opened “Big Eye” (Weibo). Though Summer Star wasn’t very famous, the show was popular, and what happened earlier was already trending.

#SummerStarLiveAccident

#JiJinXieJixingBareFaceReveal

#FlopGroupButSoMuchDrama

#ZhuQianComeBackAndLook

All four were on the entertainment rankings. The first was even near the top.

He scrolled slowly. The three standing nearby could see everything.

After a while, he exited the page.

“Not bad. Our livestream got quite a bit of attention.”

Then he played a recording. The manager’s voice rang out clearly:

“I’m telling you, you drank that water yourself. It’s your own fault. Don’t expect me to punish Ji Jin for this…”

Silence.

The other three froze.

“So,” Xie Jixing asked calmly, “what if I post this under the trending topic?”

“Wouldn’t that give Summer Star more publicity?”

“Kneel and apologize?” He chuckled softly. “You all treat me like a stepping stone. Want to climb on me?”

“Then try it.”

“Let’s see if I drag you down with me.”

The manager broke out in cold sweat. If this got out, the group would be finished—and so would his career.

He put his arms around Xia Letian and Ji Jin.

“Go rest for a bit. I’ll talk to him alone.”

Only two remained.

The manager stopped posturing and dragged over a chair.

“Put your phone away. Let’s talk properly. What do you want?”

Xie Jixing turned off the screen and glanced up slightly.

“Now you’re willing to talk?”

“Yes!”

“This time, it’s my fault. I should’ve paid attention earlier. Tonight, let’s go eat Hotpot. My treat.”

The original owner was an orphan and couldn’t resist kindness—even fake kindness.

The manager brought water, twisted the cap open, and placed it in front of him.

“Take it away,” Xie Jixing frowned. “Who knows if it’s poisoned.”

“…You…”

Why is he so hard to deal with now?!

Suppressing his anger, the manager said, “Name your conditions.”

“First, I will not explain or apologize for today.”

The manager felt uneasy watching his fingers slide over the phone screen.

“…Fine. I can decide that. Let’s consider this over.”

After all, Xie Jixing only splashed milk tea. Ji Jin’s actions could land him in jail.

“Over?” Xie Jixing sneered. “Fine.”

“Second, I’m quitting Summer Star and terminating my contract. No penalty.”

“Don’t go too far!”

Their company made money mainly from breach fees.

His contract was for 20 years.

“You think that’s too much?”

He lit up his phone.

“Wait—wait…” The manager tried to stop him. “Everything’s negotiable.”

“This isn’t a big deal. The company will meet your needs.”

“You’ve debuted already. Leave now and you’ll have no resources.”

“We’re planning to promote Summer Star. If you hate Ji Jin, we can separate you.”

“No contact except practice and events.”

The manager kept retreating. He was sure Xie Jixing loved singing too much to leave.

As long as the contract remained, everything was under control.

“Calm me down first, let this cool off, then handle it quietly,” Xie Jixing said lightly.

“As long as the contract’s in your hands, you can squeeze me whenever you want, right?”

The manager stiffened.

This kid… is completely different now.

“You… how can you think like that…” he muttered awkwardly.

Xie Jixing ignored him and uploaded the recording.

“Hey!” The manager panicked. “We’ll talk! Termination takes time!”

“The company isn’t far. There are two hours left before filming ends. Procedures are your problem. I want results.”

He raised his phone.

“If it’s not done in two hours, it sends automatically.”

“Xie Jixing!”

“No negotiation.”

He closed his eyes.

“And your time’s running out.”

“Damn it.”

The manager cursed and called the company.

“Just you wait!”