Baili Xiao stared at the photo for a full ten seconds before quickly hopping off the bed. He pulled back the curtains, turned on the lights, and zoomed in on the image of the tiny kitten. 

His heartbeat didn’t quicken, but it felt stronger and clearer, each thump resonating in his chest. A very subtle sensation spread through him. This little cat looked exactly like Little Black, the kitten he had rescued from the woods after it had lost its mother. 

Many people might not notice the differences between animals, thinking that cats and dogs of the same breed all looked similar. But Baili Xiao was different; he had spent every day with Little Black, memorizing every detail of its appearance. 

He typed quickly: “Where are you?” 

“Back in the alley where we last met, still driving that low-key Benz.” 

“I’ll be there soon.” 

Baili Xiao changed into casual clothes and exited the studio. The media was buzzing with the aftermath of Dai Jue’s scandal, and luckily, the paparazzi had shifted their focus to the hospital, giving him a rare opportunity to meet Yu Jinghao privately. 

He donned a plain polo shirt and jeans, wearing a mask as he hurried to the familiar alley. He reached the car and opened the door. 

The familiar scent of citrus filled the small space inside. Yu Jinghao greeted him with a cheerful, “Hey, ally.” 

It was as if the brooding figure from earlier in the day had never existed; he was all sunshine again. Yu Jinghao glanced at Baili Xiao and said, “Only you could make a polo shirt look like royal attire.” 

With just the two of them and the kitten in the car, Baili Xiao replied without a hint of modesty, “That’s because I am a prince.” 

Yu Jinghao chuckled, the warmth in his gaze making Baili Xiao feel at ease. “Then I’m glad to be your humble servant, Your Highness.” 

As they settled into a comfortable rhythm, Baili Xiao felt a sense of anticipation building within him. Their banter felt effortless, and the presence of the little black kitten made the moment even more special. 

“Is this little one your gift?” Baili Xiao asked, nodding toward the kitten. 

“Yep!” Yu Jinghao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I figured you’d appreciate having a friend who resembles your past buddy.” 

Baili Xiao reached out, gently petting the kitten’s head. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” 

“Anything for my ally,” Yu Jinghao replied, his tone sincere. 

As the conversation flowed, Baili Xiao realized that this moment felt different from anything he had experienced before. It wasn’t just about friendship; there was a deeper connection growing between them, one that was starting to feel significant. 

They chatted about everything and nothing, sharing laughter and stories, the little kitten nestled comfortably in Baili Xiao’s lap, a symbol of their bond. In that small space, amidst the citrus scent and playful banter, he felt a warmth blossoming, slowly unraveling the knots of uncertainty he had been holding onto. 

For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to consider that perhaps this unexpected friendship could lead to something beautiful.

As Baili Xiao spoke, his gaze remained fixated on the little black kitten licking its fur on Yu Jinghao’s lap. The kitten’s eyes were strikingly bright, like two glossy black grapes glinting with moisture. It was still very young, perhaps only a month or two old, delicate and fragile, yet Baili Xiao could tell at a glance that this little cat was full of spirit, a true auspicious creature.

“What a spirited little cat! Where did you get it?” 

Yu Jinghao replied with a hint of pride, “I knew it would suit your taste perfectly. A couple of years ago, Tang Shao visited a small Middle Eastern country with his father. The royal family there has a particular fondness for cats. Tang Shao met a prince who isn’t very valued politically, and he has a whole bunch of cats. Tang Shao picked one that he really liked and received it as a private gift. When he returned, he spent a fortune finding the most purebred female cat to breed with, and this little one is one of the offspring. It’s got noble bloodlines.” 

“Then why do you say it’s a gift for me?” Baili Xiao couldn’t help but tease. 

“Have a little conscience, ally! I had to gather all my courage to ask Tang Shao for it, you know? And out of the four kittens, this is the smallest and the cutest one. He definitely wouldn’t give it to anyone else if they asked.” 

Baili Xiao’s heart stirred: “Is this little cat the fourth?” 

“Yep, the baby of the bunch.” 

That was perfect. Baili Xiao was quite pleased, the number four had always been his favorite auspicious number. This little kitten matched all his detailed preferences. He couldn’t help but gaze at it, and just then, the kitten looked up while licking its fur, meeting his eyes. Baili Xiao chuckled softly, “Little Black, come here.” 

A miraculous scene unfolded: the naturally aloof kitten, usually not inclined to approach humans, stood up from Yu Jinghao’s lap and obediently walked into Baili Xiao’s arms, stretching out and exposing its belly, lazily yawning. 

“Looks like you like your new name,” Baili Xiao said as he gently scratched the kitten’s chin. The little one immediately responded with a contented purring sound, nuzzling against his hand. 

Watching the delightful interaction between the two, Yu Jinghao smiled and turned away, choosing not to interrupt. He had rushed out from an important shareholders’ meeting today, dealt with the incident on set, then driven across Beijing to the Tang family’s old residence to pick up the kitten that he had arranged with Tang Shao earlier that morning, before racing back. He knew that his work phone would be bombarded with calls, so he had kept it off all day. 

The atmosphere in the car felt warm and cozy, filled with an unspoken bond. Baili Xiao was completely engrossed in the little black cat, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him. He had always believed that animals could sense emotions and energies, and this little one felt just right, almost as if it were meant to be with him. 

As he continued to play with the kitten, he could sense a connection growing not just with the cat, but also with Yu Jinghao. Each moment spent together felt more significant, hinting at a deeper friendship—or perhaps something more—waiting to blossom between them.

Baili Xiao played with Little Black for a while before looking up to see Yu Jinghao’s profile as he focused intently on responding to emails. For a moment, he found himself lost in thought.

This man was truly peculiar. He appeared so serious and aloof in public, decisively handling matters with an iron fist, yet behind closed doors, he was playful and considerate. Yu Jinghao seemed to embody countless seemingly contradictory traits, yet they all merged within him seamlessly, never feeling out of place or unpleasant. Baili Xiao sensed that some of these layers might only be visible to him, perhaps even unknown to Yu Jinghao himself.

A soft sigh escaped Baili Xiao as he contemplated his feelings. He had expected that Yu Jinghao’s frequent kindness would feel burdensome, but instead, it brought him a sense of stability. This feeling was difficult to define, especially considering his background as a descendant of the divine race, who cared for the common people. Most of the time, his heart was like still water, he observed others far more than he reflected on himself.

Yu Jinghao typed rapidly on his phone, his efficiency evident as he tackled email after email. From his angle, Baili Xiao caught glimpses of the screen and noted how logical Yu Jinghao was in his approach. He searched for emails by sender name, prioritized two responses, then skimmed through the rest, forwarding them all to his assistant with a request for summaries. He managed to handle over a hundred emails in less than thirty minutes.

Once Yu Jinghao put away his phone and looked up, he met Baili Xiao’s gaze and smiled, saying, “Sorry, I had a lot of work to get through.”

Baili Xiao licked his lips, gathering his thoughts. “It’s alright… but I want to talk about Dai Jue.” 

Yu Jinghao’s expression shifted slightly, the smile fading as he regarded Baili Xiao with keen interest. “What about him?” 

“Well, he’s been in the spotlight a lot lately, and not for good reasons,” Baili Xiao began, his tone serious. “I’m concerned about how this will affect everyone involved, especially you and the production.” 

Yu Jinghao leaned back slightly, his demeanor shifting to match Baili Xiao’s. “I appreciate your concern. Dai Jue’s situation is unfortunate, but it’s also a reminder of how volatile the industry can be. We need to be careful about the narratives that are forming around us.” 

“Exactly. I feel like we need to stay ahead of the media coverage and be prepared for any fallout,” Baili Xiao replied, his voice steady. “Perhaps we should consider how to address this publicly to minimize any potential damage to our reputations.” 

Yu Jinghao nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a wise approach. I’ve been considering a statement, but it’s crucial to strike the right tone. We don’t want to seem insensitive, especially when it involves someone who’s struggling.” 

Baili Xiao felt a rush of admiration for Yu Jinghao’s thoughtfulness. “You’re right. Maybe we can collaborate on this. Two perspectives are better than one.” 

“Of course. I’d welcome your input,” Yu Jinghao said, his eyes lighting up with appreciation. “Your insights have always been valuable.” 

Baili Xiao felt a warmth spread through him at the compliment. “Let’s make a plan then.” 

As they discussed strategies, the atmosphere shifted from one of tension to camaraderie, each man bringing out the best in the other. In that moment, Baili Xiao couldn’t shake the feeling that they were forging a partnership built on mutual respect and understanding, one that went beyond their professional lives.

“Of course, I have the same intention,” Yu Jinghao said, his expression turning serious. “There’s some background information you might not be aware of. On the surface, Dai Jue appears favored, but he has been making many underhanded moves and isn’t as honest as he seems. Since the end of last year, Mike has already noticed the schemes he’s been orchestrating behind the scenes. From the company’s perspective, this definitely warrants serious repercussions.”

“Yeah, he’s quite arrogant and doesn’t seem to know how to conduct himself properly. To reach his current position, he must have squandered quite a bit of luck,” Baili Xiao replied thoughtfully.

Yu Jinghao pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “Actually, he isn’t completely without merit. At least he has good looks, decent acting skills, and he puts effort into maintaining his fan relationships. Those are Dai Jue’s three main strengths. Before his rise to fame, he was diligent and cautious. The company did invest considerable effort in him, but they didn’t anticipate that he would reveal his true colors once he became popular.”

Baili Xiao nodded, saying softly, “Though there are many people in the world, the differences in their understanding can be as vast as the heavens and the earth. A person’s fortune is dictated by their fate, but how that fortune is distributed and whether it can be sustained often depends on their character. His early success might be considered a peak period in his life’s fortune. Based on the characteristics of an average person’s fate, he should be able to maintain a relatively stable level for some time. If he knew how to be humble and lay low, he could endure this period and achieve even greater breakthroughs later. What a pity…”

“After all, he has limited education and comes from a very poor background; it’s not surprising that he has character flaws,” Yu Jinghao remarked.

Baili Xiao chuckled softly and suddenly recalled something. “Speaking of character flaws, the previous Li Xiao was also quite a dark and twisted individual. I’ve read his diary, and he had an extreme hatred for poverty, considering himself far above it. It’s ironic that he ended up awakening in Deng Zirui’s body, as if his long-held wishes have come true.”

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation with Tang Shao,” Yu Jinghao replied. “The Deng family has intricate ties with both of ours, both in politics and business. Deng Zirui was always a focus for us, and now that he’s taken on this new identity, I may not have discussed the ‘Lone Wolf Seven Stars’ matter with Tang Shao, but he’s also concerned. We’ll be paying even more attention now, so don’t worry.” 

Baili Xiao appreciated Yu Jinghao’s proactive approach. “It’s good to know we’re aligned on this. With our connections, we should be able to navigate through any complications that arise.”

“Exactly,” Yu Jinghao agreed, his eyes gleaming with determination. “We need to ensure that Dai Jue doesn’t drag anyone down with him. Our priority is to maintain our stability and protect our interests.”

Baili Xiao felt a surge of camaraderie. They were united not just by their roles in the industry but also by a shared vision of integrity and mutual support. “Together, we’ll handle this,” he said confidently.

As they continued discussing strategies, the bond between them deepened, their partnership growing stronger amid the challenges they faced in the turbulent world of entertainment.

“He wants to be a star, but from his diary, it’s hard to tell if he genuinely enjoys being a celebrity or just craves the money that comes with it. Didn’t he mention wanting to invest in the entertainment industry? Do you think he’ll debut himself, or will he take the route of becoming a CEO like you?”

Yu Jinghao chuckled softly. “Debut himself? The Deng family would never agree to that. No matter how great his fortune is, he still has to adhere to objective constraints. If his father doesn’t give him the nod, no matter how many wings he grows, he still won’t be able to soar.”

“Hmm… then…” Baili Xiao started, processing the implications.

“You don’t need to worry, I know what you’re thinking. Although Canxing Entertainment is the second biggest player in the industry, the stock has been diluted repeatedly over the past couple of years. Several shareholders have similar stakes, and none of them are significant. If I were Deng Zirui, I’d definitely target Canxing. All of this is within expectation, and I’ve already made the necessary preparations.”

Baili Xiao was taken aback. He realized that when it came to work, Yu Jinghao’s intelligence was remarkable, almost frightening. He could anticipate several steps ahead. What was alarming was that they had only known each other for a matter of hours, during which Yu Jinghao had mostly been occupied with his own matters, even taking time to play with the cat. How did he find the energy and time to think through all these complex issues?

Even though both of them had the same fate tied to the Northern Seven Stars, if Baili Xiao didn’t have the heritage of a divine lineage, he would likely fall short compared to Yu Jinghao. This man, despite his young age, had honed his skills and mental acuity to an astonishing degree.

—

With Dai Jue’s scandal erupting, public outrage was at an all-time high. The once-popular star was now experiencing the backlash of being universally condemned. The most liked comment online was: “I can accept your other scandals, but I cannot tolerate this one. It’s like how some women might forgive infidelity, but all women will be disgusted by domestic violence.”

One of Dai Jue’s loyal fans, a familiar name in the industry, tweeted: “If one day I’m told that Dai Jue isn’t as kind and good as we imagined, maybe I wouldn’t unfollow him. But this scandal reflects his despicable and shallow side, showcasing his petty and opportunistic nature. Regardless of good or evil, his level has left all of us utterly shocked.”

Baili Xiao shook his head in disbelief at the extent of public disapproval. “It seems like he’s underestimated the backlash from fans. When you build an image of kindness and warmth, it’s a heavy blow to be exposed as a fraud.”

Yu Jinghao nodded, his expression serious. “Exactly. Once that trust is broken, it’s hard to regain. He might lose more than just fans; his career could suffer irreparable damage. We need to be prepared for any potential fallout from this situation.”

“Right. We have to stay ahead of the game,” Baili Xiao replied, feeling a surge of determination. They both understood the stakes involved and knew that their next moves would be crucial in navigating the unfolding chaos.

Rumor had it that the producer and director of *Chang An* received urgent notifications from several major investors to halt the filming and demanded a change in cast. Fortunately, Dai Jue had secured his role as the male second through personal connections, and the contract wasn’t signed under the name of Huanyu Entertainment. Otherwise, the hefty compensation of tens of millions for damages would have fallen on Huanyu.

Mike had leaked that the producer initially thought that despite Dai Jue’s arrogance, he was talented and popular enough to be worth the trouble. But after this scandal erupted, the producer was so furious that he blacklisted Dai Jue, rendering him unreachable.

Baili Xiao was munching on snacks in his new apartment when he heard the news, with a certain CEO seated on the opposite side of the sofa, also indulging in the drama. Leaning lazily against the plush armrest, Baili Xiao suddenly recalled something and asked, “If Dai Jue is terminated by Huanyu, aren’t we looking at a significant financial loss? There’s the artist’s breach of contract fee, plus the reality shows and endorsements he’s working on.”

Before Mike could respond, the CEO interjected, “You wish! This time he’s caused a major reputational damage to the company. Compensation? As a party A, I think you’re being too kind in your assumptions. Not only will we not pay him, but we might even pursue damages from him. As for his shows and endorsements… The company announced a unilateral termination of his contract this afternoon, just before the official Weibo announcement. Any compensation related to those is now off our hands.”

Baili Xiao raised an eyebrow, impressed. “So, it’s all good for us, then?”

“Exactly,” the CEO replied, a smirk creeping onto his face. “It’s a rare opportunity to cut loose a liability like him. Let’s just enjoy the show as it unfolds.”

Baili Xiao leaned back, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Guess we’re in the clear. But still, it’s interesting to see how things play out in the industry. Dai Jue really miscalculated this time.”

The two continued to watch the developing scandal, enjoying the unfolding drama that was sure to shake the entertainment world.

Baili Xiao was just about to marvel at Yu Jinghao’s cunning when Mike on the other end of the line suddenly exclaimed, “President Yu, you’re here too?”

“I’ve been here all along,” Yu Jinghao replied nonchalantly, casually arranging the leftover watermelon into a heart shape on the plate before pushing it toward Baili Xiao with a smile. He continued discussing business with Mike, “*Chang An* is a good drama, but with the producer’s reputation damaged, he might not have much say now. You might consider intervening in the company’s name and negotiating with a few investors. If they really want to withdraw their funding… well, Long Island Group could step in as a Plan B.”

Even through the phone, Baili Xiao could practically visualize Mike’s eyes widening in surprise, his responses limited to “Yes” and nothing more.

On the coffee table, Yu Jinghao grabbed some cherries and started arranging them on the plate as he said, “The male second will definitely be replaced, and it’s likely that Huanyu will provide a new actor. I don’t have any candidates in mind for now, and the crew will probably need to halt filming for a while. You should accompany Xiao to discuss *The Little Prince* in the meantime.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Mike. You can hang up now.”

“Got it, President Yu.”

With the call ended, Baili Xiao tossed his phone aside and asked, “Long Island… that luxury hotel group?”

“Exactly.” Yu Jinghao smiled proudly. “You didn’t know? Long Island Group is another venture of your ally.”

“I really didn’t know that.” Baili Xiao paused, suddenly recalling that night at the charity dinner when Yu Jinghao had suggested he rest. As they exited the banquet hall, a hotel manager had been waiting with a room key. Now that he thought about it…

“The hotel for the charity dinner was also under Long Island, right?”

“Yes, it’s part of their high-end line.” Yu Jinghao seemed unconcerned as he spoke, shifting his focus to arranging the cherries into a rose shape.

Baili Xiao rolled his eyes. “I consider you an ally, and yet you…”

“I consider you my favorite ally,” Yu Jinghao interjected smoothly, grinning. “I won’t force you to be an ally who likes me, but please continue to be at ease as my favored ally.”

“…”

What even was this conversation?

Baili Xiao sighed in exasperation, at a loss for words.

Three days later, the scandal surrounding Dai Jue finally began to calm down, and Huanyu had completed all the formalities for terminating his contract. Baili Xiao was somewhat surprised to find that Dai Jue hadn’t opted to strike out on his own or expose any unexpected connections; instead, he had gone to Canxing.

This development made Yu Jinghao’s speculation about Deng Zirui potentially making a move on Canxing’s equity acquisition seem even more plausible.

However, considering that Dai Jue had just gone through so much and had a broken leg that needed time to heal, it was likely he would be sidelined for a while. After a year or so of recuperation, he might reemerge in the industry, perhaps with a chance at redemption. Moreover, since Deng Zirui hadn’t yet taken any action regarding Canxing, it appeared that, for the time being, regardless of who was behind Dai Jue, he wouldn’t be pulling any more stunts.

The incident involving the rigging malfunction on the *Chang An* set had come to a close. With the new casting still in the works, Baili Xiao unexpectedly found himself with a little vacation. During these days, he came to understand what it truly meant to be the favored ally of Yu Jinghao—

For instance, whenever it was about time for “Baili Tia nshi” to post his daily fortune-telling on Weibo, Yu Jinghao would set aside everything he was working on and, like an excited child, would refresh his alternate Weibo account, determined to be the first to like the post.

Or one night, feeling idle, Baili Xiao decided to test out the supposedly useless telescope that Yu Jinghao had set up for him. When he peered into the eyepiece, he was startled to see a giant smiling face of Yu Jinghao. Trembling slightly, he pulled away from the other end of the telescope, discovering a photo of Yu Jinghao stuck to it, leaving him profoundly shaken.

Then there was the day when Yu Jinghao suddenly asked for the custody of Baili Xiao for a day. When Baili Xiao returned that evening, he was surprisingly carrying a cute little daisy in his mouth. Yu Jinghao had even sent him a message saying, “My assistant told me that today’s lucky plant according to the astrology book is the daisy.”

Baili Xiao coldly replied, “The book is full of nonsense.”

“Oh… okay…” Yu Jinghao responded.

This back-and-forth continued, and though the man didn’t bind himself to Baili Xiao every day, he frequently made appearances in his life. Gradually, Baili Xiao became accustomed to it, and one night, feeling unusually early to bed, he spontaneously sent Yu Jinghao a message saying, “Goodnight.”

It was said that this simple two-word message had kept someone awake with excitement for half the night.

…

A week later, the latest announcement regarding the casting of the male second in *Chang An* took everyone by surprise—including Baili Xiao—when it revealed that the chosen actor was Sen Mu.

When Sen Mu called Baili Xiao, he sounded as if he had just been through a shocking experience, his voice trembling. “Xiao, am I dreaming? Why is it me?!”

To be honest, Baili Xiao was just as bewildered. Sen Mu had gained some popularity after appearing on a mediocre variety show since his debut, but to land the role of the male second lead right off the bat was quite surprising. So, Baili Xiao offered a vague encouragement to Sen Mu before hastily ending the call.

Yu Jinghao, who had already become one of the investors for *Chang An*, provided the explanation: “Mike mentioned that you and Sen Mu seem to get along pretty well, and since the male fourth and male second have quite a bit of interaction, it would be nice to give you someone you like. It’ll make your time on set more enjoyable.”

This reason left Baili Xiao feeling utterly astonished. However, Yu Jinghao continued, “The character of the male second in *Chang An* is supposed to be cheerful and dependable, which fits him well. I have his background information here, and he’s a promising newcomer. I’ve spoken with his manager, and if the company wants to develop him further, we shouldn’t let his roles be too limited by his public persona. So, the eventual dark turn for the male second is a challenge for him and will allow the company to see how versatile he can be.”

Baili Xiao was both impressed and slightly bewildered by Yu Jinghao’s insights. The way he was able to think strategically about casting choices, considering both personal dynamics and character development, highlighted his sharp acumen in the industry.

“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this,” Baili Xiao remarked, trying to process the implications.

“Of course,” Yu Jinghao replied nonchalantly. “It’s all part of the plan. And don’t worry too much about Sen Mu, he has potential. Just make sure to guide him when necessary.”

“Sure,” Baili Xiao agreed, feeling a mix of anticipation and trepidation about working with Sen Mu.

As the conversation wrapped up, Baili Xiao couldn’t shake the feeling that this development could either be a fortuitous turn or a complicated challenge. Either way, he was now fully invested in seeing how things would unfold in the production of *Chang An*.

“Hmm…” Baili Xiao found this serious reasoning much more credible.

Yet, amidst this credibility, he could still sense some of Yu Jinghao’s ulterior motives.

Three days later, Huanyu International officially announced that *The Little Prince* would be adapted into a movie, and the investors were already in discussions. The major investors expressed no objections to Baili Xiao playing the lead role of the Little Prince.

This news excited the fans, but some devoted supporters were concerned about the immense pressure Baili Xiao would face so early in his career.

The film adaptation posed a significant challenge for the actor, as it primarily featured just one human character—the Little Prince himself. The rose, fox, and other elements would be added in post-production, relying heavily on visual effects. This presented a unique challenge for Baili Xiao, who would need to perform solo, interacting with props rather than other actors. Many performers find it difficult to immerse themselves in a scene when they are not interacting with a live partner, making this role particularly demanding.

Baili Xiao spent some time pondering this challenge. He knew that acting opposite imaginary characters could be isolating, requiring a deep understanding of the story and an ability to convey emotions that would resonate even without direct interaction. The task ahead would demand not only skill but also creativity and confidence.

He also recalled Yu Jinghao’s earlier comments about needing to guide Sen Mu and wondered how that dynamic would play out in the film’s production. The idea of working alongside someone new in this demanding role was both daunting and intriguing.

As he prepared for the upcoming rehearsals and script readings, Baili Xiao felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for to showcase his talent, but it also carried the weight of high expectations and the need to prove himself.

In the days that followed, Baili Xiao threw himself into preparations, studying the source material and practicing his scenes with determination. He was determined to give his all to this project, despite the challenges ahead. Little did he know, his journey would lead to unexpected connections and experiences that would shape his career in ways he could hardly anticipate.

However, for Baili Xiao, it wasn’t too daunting. In truth, when he had performed alongside Dai Jue and others, they felt no different from inanimate objects to him. Moreover, the unique solitude of the Little Prince resonated with Baili Xiao in some ways.

Despite his assurance that he didn’t feel much pressure, the company still granted him three days off specifically to delve into *The Little Prince*, encouraging him to carefully study the fairy tale.

On a small planet, there existed only the Little Prince and a rose. The Little Prince believed that his rose was the only one in the universe, showering it with love and care. However, one day, upon visiting another planet, he discovered countless roses and realized that his rose had deceived him; it was not unique at all. Angered and confused, he grappled with feelings of betrayal.

Later, he met a fox, who taught him a valuable lesson: although all roses may appear the same, for the one who tames them, the tamed rose becomes the only one in the universe. This realization struck a chord with the Little Prince, transforming his understanding of love and connection.

As Baili Xiao immersed himself in the narrative, he reflected on his own experiences of connection and isolation. He could relate to the Little Prince’s journey of self-discovery and the realization of the value of relationships.

With each page, he found himself contemplating the deeper meanings behind the story—what it meant to care for someone, to feel attached, and the inevitable complexity of those feelings. The Little Prince’s lessons resonated with him, giving him insights that he hoped to bring to his performance.

By the end of his time off, Baili Xiao felt a sense of clarity and purpose. He had not only read the tale but had internalized its essence, ready to embody the Little Prince’s character with authenticity. As he prepared to step into this new role, he felt a quiet confidence brewing within him, knowing that he was about to embark on a journey that would not only challenge him as an actor but also enrich his understanding of the world around him.