Chapter 48: The Unremarkable Man

After several busy days spent acclimating to her new work environment and arranging upcoming tasks, Lin Zhiwei was about to embark on her first major undertaking. The chief director of “Masked Superstar” quickly reached out to her, inviting her to discuss the next round of recordings together.

“Director Lin, what an honor! I’m Lu Ran, the chief director of ‘Masked Superstar.’ Brother Zhao already told me about you. For you to have convinced the Best Actor to join our show right after taking the reins—truly, you’re my lucky star!” Lu Ran finished his words in a rush, swallowing nervously on the other end of the line, unable to conceal his anxiety. He had no idea if this Director Lin would be as difficult to please as the Best Actor himself.

“You flatter me, Director Lu. I’ll be counting on your guidance going forward. Ruoyu is rather reserved, so please don’t mind him in the future. I’ll help mediate when needed,” came a clear, bright male voice from Lin Zhiwei’s end of the call.

Lu Ran instantly felt as if he’d been doused in cool, refreshing water—completely at ease. Zhao Lei was already renowned in the industry for being taciturn and stern, and the star he managed was even tougher to handle. When the show insisted on recruiting Ling Ruoyu, Lu Ran had thought it was an impossible task, and steeled himself to endure cold shoulders.

Who would have thought fortune would smile on him? Not only did Ling Ruoyu agree to appear, but even Chu Chuo and Ye Linyun—two major superstars—accepted the invitation with astonishing ease. Luck and fortune were finally on his side.

He hastened to flatter her, “Not at all, Director Lin. I know my place—I would never put you in a difficult position.”

On her end, Lin Zhiwei sat with one leg crossed over the other, her tone untroubled and relaxed. “Then I’ll count on you, Director Lu. We’ll be ready tomorrow.”

It was so comfortable to be dressed as a man, her every move liberated and unfettered. No need to worry about appearances, no need for the restraint expected of women. Lin Zhiwei was utterly in love with her male attire.

“Lin... Brother Lin?” Xiaoyu adjusted her glasses, staring in disbelief at the casually seated man in the meeting room.

He wore a sharp gray casual suit over a simple white shirt. Chestnut-gray hair cropped short. His features—utterly unremarkable, even forgettable—except for his eyes, which sparkled with intelligence and mischief.

Lin Zhiwei glanced up, waved, and switched back to her own voice. “Sweetheart, it’s me.”

Xiaoyu immediately flushed. She knew it was Director Lin, and that the face matched an ordinary young man, yet when those clear eyes met hers, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of nervousness.

“Lin—” Before Xiaoyu could finish, Mei Ning barreled into her, and both cried out in pain.

“Mei Ning, are you blind?” Xiaoyu grumbled, straightening her clothes. Why was this guy always so clumsy?

“Sorry, Xiaoyu, I was just shocked out of my wits…” Mei Ning scampered over to Lin Zhiwei, scrutinizing her from head to toe, propping his chin in thought. “No wonder you’re Brother Lin. This disguise, this transformation—turning such a stunning face into something so…plain…that’s practically supernatural.”

Lin Zhiwei crossed her legs, then nonchalantly propped them up on the coffee table, transforming instantly into a carefree, commanding young man. She lounged against the chair, hands in her pockets, and drawled, “You’ll get used to it.”

Mei Ning clicked his tongue. “Brother Lin, I think you were born the wrong gender.”

“Pfft.” Xiaoyu, who had been drinking, nearly spat out her water. She glared at Mei Ning, yet had to admit there was truth to his words. Brother Lin truly suited men’s clothing—her bearing and aura were completely different.

In women’s clothes, Lin Zhiwei was vivid and striking, with an icy pride and natural charisma. Even in a simple ponytail and casual wear, she stunned every room she entered—mischievous and clever, yet cool and sharp during serious moments, witty and humorous in casual conversation, making people eager to know more.

But in men’s clothing…Lin Zhiwei was an entirely different vibe. “Reckless wind,” Xiaoyu thought, finally finding the right words in her mind.

Zhao Lei remained stoic as ever. He simply nodded in Lin Zhiwei’s direction, then sat at the conference table, fiddling with his phone.

“Wow, Brother Lei, must you act so unfazed? You’re clearly shocked inside,” Mei Ning teased, plopping down beside him, but still stealing glances at Lin Zhiwei.

At that moment, Lin Zhiwei was rolling up her sleeves and loosening her collar, exuding a restrained allure that left Mei Ning sighing. Brother Lin, must you imitate Brother Ling’s mannerisms so thoroughly?

Hey? Brother Lin, Brother Ling…the names were starting to blur together.

Lin Zhiwei was secretly quite pleased. Ha! All this “plainness” was for work and survival. If she ever put in the effort to truly doll herself up, even Ling Ziheng might not be as handsome. Pity she was only 170 centimeters tall—a bit of a disadvantage. Still, with shoe lifts, she could pass for a top-tier heartthrob.

She sighed inwardly. For now, she was just an ordinary young man—a wage slave, a pauper…

The moment Ling Ziheng entered the meeting room, even he was momentarily stunned by Lin Zhiwei’s boss-like swagger—he’d never seen this side of her before.

She was fiddling with her bangs, head lowered, lost in narcissistic thoughts—clearly daydreaming again.

“Boss, boss, look—Brother Lin is here in all his unremarkable glory!” Mei Ning rushed over like a loyal sidekick as soon as Ling Ziheng arrived.

When Ling Ziheng took his seat, expressionless, Mei Ning refused to be outdone and leaned in to whisper, “Boss, don’t you think it’s a waste for Brother Lin to make himself so plain?”

“I’ve seen uglier,” Ling Ziheng muttered softly, though his eyes couldn’t hide a flicker of excitement.

Mei Ning didn’t catch that, and continued on, “Brother Lin, you really are too—”

Seeing Ling Ziheng settle in, Lin Zhiwei quickly stood, cutting off Mei Ning with a cool, indifferent air. “Too handsome, right?” She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, chin raised, exuding a commanding presence.

With a thud, Mei Ning slumped in his chair, replying sheepishly, “Yeah…handsome.” But in truth, the look in Lin Zhiwei’s eyes had gone straight to his core. He had to admit, at that moment, she was every bit a real man.

Lin Zhiwei retracted her sharp gaze, swept her eyes around the room, leaned against the table, and spoke languidly, “Since everyone’s here, let’s begin.”

In Xiaoyu’s eyes, flames of admiration were already burning bright. Her gaze followed Lin Zhiwei’s every move. Wow, the way Brother Lin tugged at his collar was so enticing. Knowing that a breathtaking beauty hid beneath that unremarkable face only fueled her imagination—she couldn’t help but conjure up a scene where a disguised heartthrob secretly loved her.