I Became Famous After I Became a Parrot in the Movie Star's House - Chapter 114

“…A uniform?”

Bai Gaoxing exchanges a glance with Li Pu before shifting his gaze to the outfit in the director’s hands.

The dealer uniforms used by the production team are a classic casino style: a white shirt paired with a fitted black vest, crisp black trousers, shiny leather shoes, and accessorized with a black bowtie and gemstone cufflinks. The look aims for sleek elegance, where men appear dashing and women stunning.

That afternoon, all the actors playing dealers receive a set of these uniforms, including Li Pu.

Bai Gaoxing frowns, trying to recall any scene in the script where Noah works at a casino. As far as he remembers, the only relevant line is something Noah once says to Adonis in passing:“If only I could still be with you.”

“But… Noah had one too?” Bai Gaoxing voices his question.

After a brief silence, the director provides an answer: “Actually, Casino has undergone three script revisions.”

Frank launches into the tumultuous process of rewriting the script.

During the first round of auditions, he already has a sense that finding the right actor for Noah will be nearly impossible. Out of the hundreds, even thousands, of audition tapes submitted from around the world, not one candidate matches the image he has in mind.

The right look, the right demeanor, the right eyes—finding someone with the essence he seeks among adult young men is simply too challenging.

So, with a heavy heart, he reluctantly scraps the original storyline where Adonis and Noah work together in the casino. Instead, he rewrites Noah as a bedridden patient in the later part of the film. It’s a static role—less action, more dialogue. A severe illness could at least be compensated for with makeup.

But even that proves overly optimistic.

While mismatches between actors and characters can often be bridged with skillful acting, this is not the case for Noah—or, rather, Noah’s character doesn’t allow for it. A strong, handsome young man with a bit of foundation won’t magically convey the frailty of a delicate youth.

Frank has seen countless young actors, delicate and beautiful in their own ways, yet all of them lack that something. That intangible feeling.

In the end, he reduces Noah’s scenes even further, distilling them into a few simple flashbacks in hopes of achieving maximum impact with minimal screen time.

But Frank’s perfectionism ultimately wins out, and the finalized version sent to the cast is the third revision.

In that version, Noah’s presence is almost nonexistent—more like a mysterious force than a fully fleshed-out character.

Frank, who prides himself on multidimensional characters, is deeply dissatisfied. But he has no choice. Rather than create a role he himself finds lacking, he’d rather let Noah remain a figure confined to the pages of the script.

“And then there’s the fourth version you received last night.” Frank wipes his face and adds, “Honestly, if I’d known I’d meet Bai…” The next second, his tone brightens. “Of course, the script can always be adjusted! Since you’ve agreed…”

Bai Gaoxing sees Frank fiddle with his phone.

Li Pu’s phone buzzes, and when he checks it, there’s a new email from the director:

【Casino Script 1.0 is now invalid.】

Almost immediately, Frank’s phone rings—a call from the screenwriter.

“Frank! ****F**k!” The furious roar is so loud it’s deafening, even through the phone.

Bai Gaoxing, standing nearby, can’t help but flinch. Li Pu pats him on the back to calm him down.

“Oh, don’t be so aggressive,” Frank says, sounding entirely unbothered. He even sticks out his pinky finger to clean his ear. “You’ll scare little Noah standing next to me.”

Frank stands up and begins strolling toward the door, still holding the phone. Just before stepping out, he turns back, covering the receiver. “Try on the costume. Let me know if it doesn’t fit; I’ll have someone fix it immediately. I’ll check back tomorrow.” With that, he leaves.

Bai Gaoxing stares at the door, stunned for a moment. “…Does this mean he wants me to play the original first version?”

The version with the most scenes and, by the sound of it, the hardest to perform?

Li Pu lowers his gaze, watching as the boy looks up at him, clearly overwhelmed. He reaches out and smooths down a stray tuft of hair on Bai Gaoxing’s head.

“Yes.”

Bai Gaoxing looks even more confused and slightly flustered, suddenly feeling the weight of the responsibility placed on him.

With such high expectations from others… the pressure is overwhelming.

He glances down at the neatly packaged uniform in his hands. “Then… should I try it on?”

Li Pu studies him for a long moment before nodding. “…Alright.”

…

Frank works with astonishing efficiency. After soothing the screenwriter’s fury, he quickly finalizes arrangements with Star Entertainment and returns with an electronic version of the contract, grinning from ear to ear.

“Once Bai signs the contract, he’ll officially be our Noah,” Frank declares smugly.

“You’re something else,” the screenwriter retorts, though her face wears a smile. She also believes that the first version of the script is the best. Although the endless revisions have driven her to frustration, the outcome is undeniably satisfying.

“Now we can pop the champagne to celebrate,” Frank says brightly as he opens his personal social media account. “I’m going to share this great news with the world!”

Meanwhile, back at Star Entertainment’s office, Lei Li is startled by a sudden trending topic.

#Frank, the director of Casino, says he’s finally found his Noah!#

Frank, known for directing several excellent films, already has significant attention domestically. Adding to the buzz is Li Pu, cast as the second male lead in his latest project, which only fuels endless speculation.

But Lei Li is puzzled—it has only been about ten minutes since Dabai’s work arrangements were finalized.

Raising an eyebrow, she clicks on the trending topic and finds a screenshot from an international social media platform.

“Get ready for a big surprise! I dare say this is the best decision I’ve ever made!!!!!”

The five exclamation marks perfectly capture Frank’s excitement. Just as Lei Li is about to sigh in exasperation, her phone buzzes again—she’s been tagged.

Frank: @Lei Li at Star Entertainment, a huge, huge thank you! This is exactly the kind of beautiful boy I needed!

Wow. Lei Li hadn’t expected him to go out of his way to make such a public statement on Weibo. It leaves no mystery about who he’s referring to.

She rubs her forehead, then tags Frank in return, replying: @Frank: Looking forward to working with you~

Their interaction is quickly noticed by fans.

【Who do you think this ‘beautiful boy’ the director mentioned is?】

The answer is obvious.

【Wait! What does this mean? Is Xiaobai going to act in a movie?】

【OMG, OMG, OMG! Who is he playing? Has anyone here read the original Casino novel?】

【Ahhh! Everyone, wait! I’ll go check!】

Fans are abuzz with speculation. Some venture onto international platforms, but most flock en masse to Li Pu and Bai Gaoxing’s Weibo accounts.

It’s been three days since the two went abroad.

During this time, they haven’t exactly gone radio silent; in fact, they’ve posted on Weibo every single day.

Is this a company directive? A promotional strategy? But compared to Li Pu’s usual behavior of vanishing entirely during filming, this is nothing short of extraordinary.

【Do you think it’s normal for Teacher Li to post on Weibo three days in a row?】 One observant fan points it out.

Everyone chimes in: 【Not normal.】

【And have you noticed? Every time, it’s Xiaobai who posts first, and then Teacher Li follows.】

Attentive fans scrutinize the posts and confirm it. Over the past three days, every update has Bai posting just a few minutes earlier than Li Pu.

【And their pictures,】 another fan adds, 【they’re all from the same locations.】

Silence falls for a moment.

【So… is Teacher Li copying Xiaobai?】

【Definitely copying, no doubt about it.】

【Teacher Li really isn’t even trying. He’s just casually copying Xiaobai’s posts.】

【Copying, copying, hehe.】

【??】

【CP fans, don’t get too carried away!】

【Speaking of Xiaobai… I feel like we haven’t seen Dabai in a while (even though it’s only been a few days).】

【Right?! Poor Dabai! Where did he go?】

【I never thought I’d live to see the day when a parrot becomes part of a love triangle—Dabai, you’ve truly suffered!】

Despite the teasing, CP fans silently cheer. Even some initially indifferent fans join the frenzy! Why choose between the two ships when you could enjoy both?

【Look at the photos of Teacher Li and Xiaobai together! That gaze! Tsk tsk tsk.】

【The hands! Their hands! It feels like they’re about to touch!】

【Maybe it’s just me… but since the day Xiaobai appeared, I’ve felt like Teacher Li treats him differently~】

It isn’t just a figment of imagination.

Many people slowly realize that Li Pu’s attitude toward the young man seems oddly too familiar, as if it has been this way for a long time.

【Besides, Xiaobai is so young. Why would Teacher Li allow someone with little work experience to act as his interpreter? Even if Teacher Li values their relationship, Sister Lei shouldn’t have agreed, right?】

Everyone knows Lei Li has an extremely rigorous approach to work.

【Then, could we try reasoning backward?】

The internet is full of talent, and now that the initial excitement has subsided, some begin proposing alternative theories.

【We’ve all assumed that Teacher Li first raised Dabai and then met Xiaobai. But what if it’s the other way around? What if Teacher Li originally knew Xiaobai and later raised Dabai as a substitute, using the parrot to reminisce about someone?】

Shocking.

Fans are stunned.

Could it be… this actually makes sense!?

After all, Li Pu has spent time abroad in past years, so it isn’t unusual for him to have met someone…

Proactive fans are already on the move.

【Stop guessing! Get in the chat room, we’re eating good today!!】

…

Bai Gaoxing slowly takes off his clothes.

The air conditioning in the hotel room maintains a constant temperature, so it isn’t cold. Yet, the sensation of his skin meeting the air still makes him shiver involuntarily.

Perhaps in an effort to adapt quickly, the young man rubs his arms. Under the soft lighting, his pale skin seems to glow.

Li Pu’s gaze lingers briefly before shifting away. The hand holding the script tightens slightly.

The room is deathly silent, broken only by the faint rustling of Bai Gaoxing getting dressed and the almost imperceptible sounds of their breathing.

The fabric of the uniform is high-quality, smooth, and soft to the touch. It isn’t a single-piece design for convenience but rather well-constructed and substantial. The only issue is… Bai Gaoxing has no idea where to start.

After putting on the pants and shirt, he picks up two unfamiliar straps and shakes them. Examining them front and back, he eventually decides to ask the man next to him, who often wears suits.

“Li Pu, how do I wear this?”

Li Pu flips a page in the script, as if he hasn’t heard him.

He’s leaning against the headboard of the neighboring bed, reading by the bedside lamp with a serious expression. It goes unnoticed that his script is upside down.

Thankfully, Li Pu quickly snaps out of it. Closing the script and setting it aside, he gets up and approaches the young man.

“These are shirt garters,” Li Pu explains, taking the straps from Bai Gaoxing’s hands. He pauses and then asks, “Do you need help?”

Bai Gaoxing looks at him frankly and replies, “Yes, I can’t figure it out.”

Li Pu lowers his gaze slightly. “…Take off your pants first.”

W-what!? Bai Gaoxing’s ears burn. After a long moment of hesitation, he reluctantly places his hands on his waistband, before finally asking, “Why?”

It’s a silly question, as Li Pu must have a reason for saying so. His ears turn even redder.

“The clips need to be fastened around your thighs.”

Sure enough, Li Pu explains it in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

Bai Gaoxing removes his pants, revealing two straight, slender legs under Li Pu’s gaze.

The hotel bed is soft, and as the young man sits at the edge, his body sinks slightly, the slightly oversized shirt creating a tantalizing outline.

Li Pu leans forward, casting a shadow over him. The proximity exudes a subtle yet palpable pressure.

Bai Gaoxing instinctively leans back.

The custom costume adheres to traditional specifications, with accessories matching the formal style. The garter straps are thin and need to wrap around the upper thighs. Li Pu works methodically, but their proximity is too close.

His fingers brush against the delicate skin of Bai Gaoxing’s leg, inadvertently stirring a ticklish sensation.

Bai Gaoxing shudders involuntarily.

Too close…

The proximity is too ambiguous. He can feel the warmth of Li Pu’s breath ghosting near his skin.

Bai Gaoxing purses his lips, his forehead already damp with sweat. His entire body is slowly turning an astonishing shade of red.

There are three clips in total, and every time the cold metal and warm palm make contact, the sensation feels incredibly strange.

He endures the shivers that keep creeping up his back, watching as the man helps him fasten one of the clips. When Li Pu picks up the other strap, Bai Gaoxing hurriedly grabs his hand.

“I-I-I got it! I’ll do it myself!” Bai Gaoxing widens his eyes, trying to show Li Pu his sincerity.

Li Pu obediently lets go of the strap. “Here you go.”

The atmosphere is so strange.

Bai Gaoxing fastens the second strap on his leg, his hands trembling several times, and his face grows even redder, nearly as if it will bleed.

He quickly puts on his pants, socks, and the slippers provided by the hotel, then wears the last piece: the vest.

But the vest has two buttons on the back.

Bai Gaoxing, with his hands behind him, can’t fasten them. His fingers begin to ache, and just as he is struggling, he hears the man’s voice beside him, low and gentle.

“I’ll do it.”

Warmer fingers cover his own, stirring a slight itching sensation.

Bai Gaoxing’s body instinctively tenses, standing still and rigid. The redness on his neck spreads, and he can feel his heartbeat pounding wildly.

His heart… is it beating too fast?

Bai Gaoxing seems to hear the sound of his chest thumping, so loud it is deafening.

Li Pu… wouldn’t hear it, right?

Bai Gaoxing turns his head, swallowing nervously to suppress the trembling in his voice. “Li Pu, don’t you think the air conditioning in the room is a bit too warm?”

It’s very warm.

Li Pu doesn’t answer, instead looking down at the beautiful shiny buttons on the young man’s waist.

The young man is unguarded with his back to him. From this angle, Li Pu can still see his trembling eyelashes.

Li Pu quickly smooths out the wrinkles on the shirt, then turns to find the air conditioning remote. “I’ll adjust it.”

The moment Li Pu’s back is turned, Bai Gaoxing feels his entire body ache from how stiffly he has been holding himself. He sits down on the bed with a weak thud, pressing a hand against his flushed face.

It feels like his skin is burning.

Slowly, he pinches his earlobe in an attempt to cool down.

It has to be… the atmosphere.

Bai Gaoxing buries his head in his hands. Even the tips of his fingers, still lightly touching his ears, have turned pink.

By the time Li Pu returns, Bai Gaoxing has calmed down quite a bit.

He dresses in the full outfit, turns around for the man to see, and asks, “How does it look? Does it fit well?”

The vest’s fitted waist design and the color blocks create a visual effect that makes his already slender waist look even more delicate.

The blush that had earlier been so prominent on his face now seems like a mere illusion. Bai Gaoxing’s expression returns to normal, and his smile is as bright as usual. Seeing this, Li Pu can’t help but feel a strange sense of melancholy rising within him.

“Sister Lei just messaged me. She said the director posted something on Weibo,” Bai Gaoxing says, suddenly remembering, “We still haven’t posted today’s Weibo update.”

Bai Gaoxing strictly follows Lei Li’s instructions to make Li Pu more active on social media, not letting him fall into the old habit of doing nothing.

“It’s best if we catch up on all the years we missed.” Lei Li had smiled and said this before they left.

Bai Gaoxing can’t let down the expectations of their manager.

He takes a photo of the neon lights outside the window and posts it on his account, then calls Li Pu over to take one too.

Li Pu follows along.

Neither of them notices that, that night, their Weibo posts receive far more replies and likes than usual.

…

Bedtime.

Hearing the steady breathing from the other side, Li Pu quietly opens his phone.

He quickly navigates to the topic about Dabai, browsing for a while. After a brief hesitation, he decides he needs to do something.

Within the CP topic, there are often emotional help posts.

His fans are very enthusiastic, and every post has many replies, generating a lot of attention.

Li Pu creates a secondary account, one with no posts, completely empty and safe.

His fingers hover over the screen for a moment before he finally types a post under the topic, each word carefully typed out.

“What should I do if the person I like doesn’t like me back?”

Author’s note:

Once upon a time, Li Pu: scripts, daydreaming, social butterfly.

Now, Li Pu: scrolling through posts, scrolling through posts, scrolling through posts.