Huayu 2014: From Traffic Stars to Superstars

Chapter 80: Marie Claire June Issue

May 21st, Beijing.

When Gao Huan flew back from Bangkok, the sky over the Capital Airport was overcast and gloomy.

He emerged from the VIP entrance wearing a mask and a baseball cap, where Yangyang Jin was already waiting.

She was stunned when she saw Gao Huan—he was much tanned, his jawline was sharper than before he left, and he didn't look like an actor who had just returned from filming action scenes in Bangkok, but more like a special forces soldier who had spent two weeks in the tropical jungle.

"You've lost weight." Yangyang Jin took his carry-on suitcase. "Did you not eat much of your boxed lunch in Bangkok?"

"Brother Zhao trains me in physical fitness every day, which is very physically demanding."

Gao Huan said casually, "The boxed lunches really aren't very tasty."

Yangyang Jin glanced at him but didn't say anything more.

She had been with Gao Huan for over two years and knew that when he said "the boxed lunch wasn't good," he meant he hadn't eaten much at all.

The car headed straight to the photography studio in Chaoyang District.

Gao Huan arrived almost twenty minutes earlier than the agreed time. The studio was still setting up the lighting, and Li had not yet arrived.

He found a chair in a corner, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest for a while.

He hadn't adjusted to the time difference. Bangkok is an hour behind Beijing, which isn't much, but his biological clock was completely disrupted by the filming schedule of getting up at 5:30 every day.

When Li Tao arrived, Gao Huan had already been waiting for almost ten minutes.

She wore a short white jacket, black trousers, flat shoes, and her hair was tied in a low ponytail. She was without makeup.

When she walked into the studio, the staff looked up and greeted her. She nodded to each of them, her gaze sweeping around before landing on Gao Huan in the corner.

"Have you been here long?"

She took off her sunglasses, walked over, and spoke in a casual and friendly tone.

"I just arrived a little while ago."

Li sat down in the chair next to him, took the coffee handed to him by his assistant, and took a sip.

"You're much darker than the last time I saw you. Did you get a tan in Bangkok?"

"Yes, we shoot on location every day."

"Yangyang Jin told me that you did all your own action scenes."

Li Jiayong glanced at him. "Does it hurt?"

"It hurts, but I'm used to it."

Li did not press the matter further.

She has been in the industry for over 20 years and has seen too many young people who say "I can endure hardship," but eight out of ten can't last more than three days.

Gao Huan was different; he was as outstanding as a hardworking genius.

When the makeup artist came over to do their makeup, Li Lin put down his coffee cup and changed the subject: "The Left Ear has almost reached 800 million. People in the industry are calculating that you, as the second male lead, carried nearly 400 million at the box office. You know in your heart what that means for the roles you take on in the future."

Gao Huan remained silent.

"Your Aunt Xue's side," Li's voice lowered by half an octave, "Zhao Liying has been signed in."

The contract has been finalized, and the official announcement will be made on the first of next month.

Your Aunt Xue personally took charge.

Gao Huan paused for a moment.

He glanced at Li Taotao in the mirror.

"What about Heru?"

"The contract termination went through legal procedures, which caused some delays at Hairun, but then your Aunt Xue stepped in, and things went smoothly."

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Li spoke casually, but Gao Huan sensed the weight in his words.

Li Xue's involvement implies that this matter was resolved through personal connections and influence, not by simply throwing money at it.

"How is she?"

Li Lin thought about it.

"It's alright. Much better than last year. Last year, she was being criticized so harshly online that she didn't even dare to look at Weibo."

After filming "The Journey of Flower", she felt much more relaxed, probably because she felt that the show was well-made.

However, she does have a ruthless streak, and your Aunt Xue and I both think highly of her.

Gao Huan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

When the makeup artist started styling their hair, Li Yong glanced at him in the mirror.

When are you going back to Bangkok?

"Around the 24th, there's a recording session in Shanghai tomorrow."

"Go Fighting!"

"Um.

""

Li smiled.

"I watched the first episode of that show. You killed several of them? Sun Honglei said you ran faster than a rabbit."

"That's because Brother Honglei let me win."

"He let you win?" Li Jia laughed. "He said you tricked him into going to KFC and then pressed the button, and afterwards he said, 'Brother Honglei, you lost.' His expression was especially funny when he imitated you."

Gao Huan didn't reply, but simply smiled.

He looked at himself in the mirror, his hair combed back, revealing his entire face, his jawline particularly clear under the light.

The Bangkok sun and sweat made his features more rugged than before, like a stone weathered by wind and sun.

"Auntie Jia," he said, "do you think I look too stiff for a cover shoot right now?"

Li Lin paused for a moment, then looked at him carefully. "No," she said, "it's better if it's hard."

You used to be too gentle, like a person in a painting.

Now it has angular features, like a tall, imposing soldier or an ancient general.

Gao Huan looked at her, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Thank you, Auntie Yong."

"What are you thanking me for?" Li Jia turned back to look in the mirror. "The result of your cover photo shoot today will definitely be better than the magazine expected."

Your fans should be satisfied with Marie Claire's June issue; it'll give them something to brag about for a while.

Moreover, your fan base is likely to surprise the industry once again; Huanxing's purchasing power is truly not to be underestimated.

The cover shoot lasted for two hours.

Gao Huan didn't have many scenes; he spent most of his time posing for photos with Li.

The photographer was very satisfied with his appearance. He didn't have that "I have to look this good" attitude in front of the camera; instead, he was relaxed and didn't care about the camera.

That relaxed feel is exactly the kind of quality that fashion magazines love: unappealing, unyielding, and unexplaining.

Of course, the main reason is still the peak model and physique.

By the time we wrapped up, the sky outside the photography studio had cleared up.

Sunlight streamed in through the high windows, falling on the gray cement floor like a golden river.

Gao Huan changed back into his own clothes: a black T-shirt, dark gray casual pants, and sneakers.

Li came out after him, holding a phone in her hand, as if she had just sent a message.

"Xiao Huan," she called to him.

Gao Huan turned around.

Be careful in Bangkok.

Li Congjia said, "Your Aunt Xue told me to tell you not to push yourself too hard. Acting is acting, and your health is your health."

Gao Huan nodded.

"I see."

"Also," Li Lin walked over, paused in front of him, and said in a more serious tone, "Don't mention Zhao Liying's matter to outsiders for now. Before the official announcement, the fewer people who know, the better."

"I see."

Li Tao patted his shoulder, turned around and got into the nanny van.

As the car door closed, her window rolled down slightly, revealing half of her face.

"Before you go back to Bangkok, go see your aunt. She's been talking about you for ages."

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"I'm going to Shanghai tomorrow to film 'Go Fighting!', and I have to go back afterward, so it'll probably be next time. I'll call my aunt and tell her."

Li Tao nodded and turned to close the car window.

Gao Huan stood at the entrance of the photography studio, watching the car drive out of the park.

In May, the wind in Beijing carries the warmth of early summer, but there is still a hint of late spring chill.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Li Xue: "Aunt Xue, Auntie told me about Sister Li Ying. Congratulations."

Li Xue replied quickly: "She told you? I originally wanted to let you know when we officially announced it."

"Auntie said you personally took charge."

"Yes. This girl has had a tough time; she deserves a helping hand and a significant investment."

Gao Huan looked at the message but didn't reply. He put his phone in his pocket, turned around, and got into his car.