Chapter 250: This is today

The day of the Spring Festival Gala, backstage at CCTV.

Bai Liang finally found out who gave his WeChat to Liu Shishi.

That's right, it was Nazha.

This silly girl.

"She asked for it, so you just gave it to her?" Bai Liang asked while tapping Nazha on the head.

Of course, his touch was very light, but Nazha put on a pitiful little act, hugging her head and pouting, unconvinced: "She insisted!"

"She insisted, so you just gave it to her?"

"She insisted!"

"She insisted, so you just gave it to her?"

"..."

"Ahem! You two have done enough~" Yang Yang said, feeling a bit speechless.

Damn it, these two were putting on a performance for him, as if he hadn't watched *Legend of Chu and Han*.

And the acting wasn't even that good~ it was an eyesore.

Nazha put her hands on her hips and glared at him, thinking to herself that this guy really lacked social awareness; he'd never find a girlfriend at this rate!

However, she wasn't rude enough to snap at Yang Yang directly. Instead, her eyes lit up as she came up with a good idea: "Your segment is still a long way off, why don't you go out for a stroll~"

You really are a clever girl, both wise and brave!

Yang Yang felt Nazha's suggestion was quite reasonable. Although this wasn't the other party's dressing room, Nazha was clearly trying to occupy the nest, and there wasn't much he could do about it.

If these two started cuddling and making out later, was he supposed to stay and watch the live broadcast?

Going out for some fresh air was fine.

Once he stepped out and wandered around for a bit, he didn't go far before seeing Li Yifeng at the door of another dressing room.

The two glanced at each other and then simultaneously turned their heads away, having no intention of greeting one another.

Both wanted to pretend they hadn't seen each other.

Back when Yang Yang terminated his contract with Rong Xinda, he joined Huarui, and his current manager and company boss, Jia Shikai, was the vice president of Huarui at the time.

Of course, Jia Shikai had an extensive resume; before joining Huarui, he had worked at Tang Ren, Rong Xinda, and other companies. One could say his connections spanned the entire entertainment industry.

And moving Yang Yang from Rong Xinda to Huarui was clearly Jia Shikai's doing.

Later, he was also one of the producers for *The Lost Tomb*.

It's just that when Yang Yang went to Huarui, Li Yifeng was already there.

One mountain cannot hold two tigers, let alone two artists with such similar career paths.

Just like many other companies, for example, the famous Huayi in the industry, where Deng Chao and Huang Xiaoming fought tooth and nail to compete for the position of "Huayi's Top Brother."

Similarly, within Huarui, the infighting between Yang Yang and Li Yifeng was much the same.

Fighting for the top spot, tearing at resources.

At the *The Lost Tomb* press conference, there was even a situation where fans of both sides were tearing each other apart.

Some of Yang Yang's fans stated: "The treatment was completely different from Li Yifeng's fans. Not only were there no good seats, but we weren't allowed to hold signs or flowers, while Li Yifeng's fans could, and a large number of Yang Yang's fans weren't even allowed to enter."

Consequently, just as *The Lost Tomb* finished its premiere, the news of the contract termination broke out.

Fan infighting was on the surface; artist infighting was behind the scenes.

And it was all mixed with the maneuvers and power struggles of different factions within the company.

Why did Yang Yang always scoff at Jia Shikai's previous idea of signing Bai Liang?

Because he knew it was simply impossible.

Huarui's scale back then wasn't enough to satisfy two male artists of that traffic level simultaneously, and Kaiyue now had even less of a chance.

It was purely Jia Shikai dreaming like a pig~

Of course, the events at Huarui were already a thing of the past.

As a "loser" who left at the time, Yang Yang had nothing to say; it was just the company's choice. Coming out with Jia Shikai actually gave him more autonomy.

For example, coming to record the Spring Festival Gala today, damn it, Jia Shikai didn't even come to check on him; that guy knew he had to go home for the New Year.

After grumbling to himself, Yang Yang passed by Li Yifeng.

But just at that moment, the person next to the other party—not sure if it was an assistant or a manager—let out an inexplicable sneer.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was clear enough to be heard.

Yang Yang:???

He couldn't help but look back, only to find Li Yifeng also wearing a smile, not knowing what he was saying to his assistant.

He did glance toward Yang Yang's side, though.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

It was a sense of shame, having once been a rival but now doing worse than the other, and being "mocked to his face."

Honestly, from this perspective, he should blame Bai Liang.

If not for his intrusion, Yang Yang should have been able to stand toe-to-toe with Li Yifeng by now.

Instead of being like this: one is among the Four Great Top Traffic Stars, and the other is the gatekeeper of the Four Great Top Traffic Stars.

It sounds okay, just below the Four Great Top Traffic Stars... but doesn't that just prove he's a tier below them?

So the question is, who should Yang Yang be more annoyed with?

Reason told him: he should be annoyed with Bai Liang.

However, he hadn't been annoyed with Bai Liang for just a day or two, as if that did any good.

That capybara just smiled and crushed him.

Huh?!

Yang Yang's brain spun rapidly. He was the gatekeeper below the Four Great Top Traffic Stars, so he felt a head shorter when facing Li Yifeng, to the point where even the other party's assistant could pull such a small stunt to mock him.

Hmm... the entertainment industry is "strictly hierarchical," right?!

But one must know that Bai Liang is now the hidden head of the Four Great Top Traffic Stars!

He consecutively "knocked down" Wu Moufan and Lu Han; what do you call this? This is a solid track record!

Just like the rabbit of the UN Security Council.

This guy Bai Liang beat everyone else up before sitting in the position of the Four Great Top Traffic Stars~

Since he's already beaten two, isn't the remaining one just a matter of convenience?

Without the slightest hesitation, Yang Yang looked back at Li Yifeng's dressing room and found that Jing Tian and Jiang Shuying, who were performing the same segment as him, had already arrived.

His not-so-long legs immediately started moving, and he ran toward his own dressing room.

You wait! I'll find Bai Liang to deal with you!

Anyway, he was already used to being "bullied" by Bai Liang; just now, giving up the dressing room counted as paying today's "wimp tax."

Rounding it up, wasn't this equivalent to the protection money collected by the school bully?

Since he had already paid the protection money... then he had to help him stand up for himself!

Very reasonable!

However, Bai Liang stated that he had the right of final interpretation: the protection money you paid is so that I won't bully you after you pay it, not to help you bully others.

Yang Yang: But you're still bullying me!

Bai Liang: That makes sense. Where is he? Take me there!

These are just simplified versions of their conversation.

Yang Yang actually led Bai Liang in a huge circle, pulling this and that... it's a wonder he could think of so many lines.

It even made Bai Liang sleepy; he didn't know what this little sheep was trying to do.

He finally said at the end: "Hey, Jing Tian didn't come looking for you today, why don't you go find her? Shall we go for a stroll together?"

After saying this, he noticed Bai Liang looking at him with a smile, his eyes seemingly full of deep meaning.

The capybara smile put a lot of pressure on Yang Yang.

The expression on his face showed a guilty conscience after his little schemes were seen through.

"That works too."

Nazha, who had been busy touching up her makeup and lipstick, hadn't heard what the two were whispering about.

She only vaguely heard Yang Yang babbling something, and then the two were going out together.

She asked casually: "Where are you two going?"

"Helping him settle a score; he was bullied outside just now," Bai Liang said casually.

"Ah!?"

This left Nazha stunned; what on earth? She felt like she couldn't even understand Chinese anymore.

Yang Yang's face flushed red: "I didn't, I don't, don't talk nonsense!"

"Oh oh, my mistake, just going out for a stroll, getting some air; I was breathless from you kissing me just now~"

The first half was said to Yang Yang, the second half to Nazha.

"Oh my!" Nazha felt embarrassed, then glared at Yang Yang again. It was all this guy's fault, why did he come back so early? She hadn't kissed enough yet.

Yang Yang: This is all "wimp tax."

However, he doubted whether Bai Liang would really act like a big shot... when they weren't very familiar, Bai Liang was actually quite polite to him.

He didn't "bully" him like this.

Later, when he started "climbing up his nose," it was also because they had more contact and became more familiar.

This made Yang Yang realize that this seemingly harmless capybara was actually a bit of a jerk.

Bai Liang: I'll bully him the same way I bully you~ it's all the same, just a matter of convenience.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

"Who is it?"

"The viper sticks out its tongue~"

"What the hell?!"

(Content omitted)

Clearly, the person asking wasn't Jing Tian, nor was it her staff.

But Bai Liang's voice wasn't quiet, so Jing Tian naturally heard it.

She was just... very helpless and ashamed.

To prevent Bai Liang from continuing to say weird things at the door, she quickly got up and ran to the door to open it: "Why are you here?"

Bai Liang tilted his head: "The code."

"... o footprints."

"I came to see you; why didn't you come find me to play today?"

While speaking, Bai Liang poked his head inside.

"Hey~ Great Immortal!"

Jiang Shuying also saw Bai Liang at this time and shouted in surprise.

This title was clearly "popularized" by Jing Boran on the show at the time.

Except for a few people, everyone liked to call Bai Liang this.

On one hand, his status was high; it felt inappropriate for those who weren't as successful as him to call him "Little Bai."

But calling him "Brother" felt too sycophantic.

A widely recognized nickname was clearly very appropriate.

However, Nazha and Song Zuer didn't like using this title on that show.

Especially the latter, who called him "Brother" so sweetly.

However, the netizens' eyes were sharp; that girl didn't escape the label of "green tea."

Playing these games in front of Nazha...

Nazha: I can be green tea too! It's all stuff I've played with before~

Jiang Shuying was more normal; although she liked to get close to Bai Liang, she mainly did it for the camera and traffic.

As for CP stuff, she could just use her ex-boyfriend Hu Ge.

Often missed, daily mentioned; the identity of an ex-girlfriend was still very useful.

She didn't need to participate in the exaggerated intensity of the competition on Bai Liang's side.

Bai Liang also waved at her with a smile: "Long time no see~ did you miss me?"

"If I miss you, will you take me for a ride? Let me know next time you're on a show; I'll come even without a fee."

Jiang Shuying seemed to know that Jing Tian and Nazha didn't get along, so she didn't even mention Nazha's name until now.

After greeting, Bai Liang finally saw Li Yifeng not far away.

So he turned his head to look at Yang Yang: Is this the kid?!

Yang Yang:... amn it, can you not be so obvious?

He felt he was really too childish; why was he acting like he was sick? This act was just like elementary school students fighting.

As a result, Bai Liang wasn't any better, actually agreeing to it~

Men are boys until they die; that's not how you use that phrase, right?

Jiang Shuying noticed something wrong, mainly because the expressions of Yang Yang and Li Yifeng were a bit strange.

One was a bit embarrassed, the other a bit guilty?

What was Li Yifeng guilty about? Did he have a grudge against Bai Liang?

Jiang Shuying was too focused on the main characters; if she had glanced at Li Yifeng's assistant, she would have found that the assistant's expression was even worse.

After gossiping about someone behind their back or to their face, one instinctively feels guilty when the other person brings someone more powerful to their front.

Those who gossip will be gossiped about.

How did Bai Liang help Yang Yang vent this anger?

He just needed to appear in this room.

He didn't need to do anything, just go about his business and look at Li Yifeng every once in a while.

Even if he was smiling the whole time, all the pressure was transferred over.

Where did the pressure come from?

It all came from the other party's own imagination.

Of course, if Yang Yang was fooling him, then he would feel guilty himself; if Bai Liang suddenly did a "reconciliation," he would be caught in the middle.

Someone had to feel guilty today!

"You guys are so childish..."

Miss Jing Tian criticized Bai Liang and Yang Yang with her hands on her hips.

At this moment, Li Yifeng was no longer in the dressing room.

That guy was unnerved by Bai Liang's gaze, couldn't take it, and slipped away after saying hello.

His assistant even came to apologize...

Yang Yang: There's a strange sense of satisfaction.

Very childish, very chuunibyou, but the "wimp tax" really wasn't paid in vain.

But as soon as he turned around, he was lectured by Jing Tian; lecturing Bai Liang was one thing, but why was he being scolded too?

He was there for the scolding, but not for the "benefits"; was that fair?

Bai Liang: Not me, buddy, I didn't get any "benefits" either, don't talk nonsense!

Yang Yang: If you didn't, why let her lecture you?

Bai Liang:... hat's right! You make a good point, buddy!

He straightened up immediately.

"Take you with me next time?" Bai Liang invited Jing Tian.

"I don't want to do that..." Jing Tian said with disdain.

However, Bai Liang didn't believe her: "You were so active when we caught them cheating last time."

"Is that the same thing?" Jing Tian retorted.

At this time, Jiang Shuying said a fair word: "I testify, it's indeed different; if it were me, I would definitely want to watch someone get caught cheating; who could resist that?"

"I... I want to go too~" Yang Yang raised his hand silently.

Bai Liang rubbed his chin: "Next time there's an activity like this, shall we do a team-building exercise?"

"Can we?" Jing Tian's eyes lit up.

"Can you go to hell... who are we catching?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Liang noticed that the three people's gazes seemed to be focused on him.

Oh no, the gazes of the whole country were focused on him.

On the Spring Festival Gala stage, Bai Liang and Yang Yang were working hard to bring everyone today's performance: lip-syncing!

Consider it a New Year's greeting to the people of the country~

"Oh my, my grandson looks so handsome!"

In front of the TV, Bai Liang's grandmother, who was watching the gala with the whole family, exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Hmm... used to it.

Since he was a child, she had always praised Bai Liang like this; Grandma really loved her eldest grandson.

Then, after a while, the cousins started making trouble.

"Grandma, this is my brother's girlfriend~"

Pointing at Nazha dancing on the TV, everyone sold Bai Liang out without hesitation.

——

Three chapters, 13, 00 words, mwah.

Asking for monthly tickets.