Chapter 104

If an actor's off-camera intimate interactions with co-stars lead to physical fatigue or injury, does that count as a work-related injury?

This question feels really interesting!

Bai Liang thought he could write a whole paper based on this, he just didn't know if CNKI would accept it.

But Sister Yanzi's outrageous claim actually had some merit.

The production team asked Bai Liang to soothe her inner emotions, but Zhang Ailing once said: "The way to a woman's heart…"

If something truly happens during this process and causes muscle strain or similar injuries, it's definitely a work-related injury!

Lin Yufen never forced Bai Liang to do this—she was just shooting in the dark.

Put another way, she trusted Bai Liang's abilities far too much.

It felt like he could handle anything.

In truth, Bai Liang wasn't omniscient or omnipotent; opening a girl's heart might be harder than tearing it out directly.

As for the leave request, it ultimately depended on the tug-of-war between the production team and her company.

Fortunately, though Jia Xing was restless, they weren't insane.

They understood the principle of excess being as bad as deficiency; after the production team applied pressure, Di Lireba truly relaxed, and could now fully immerse herself in acting.

Or perhaps it was because, as filming progressed, she grew increasingly familiar with Bai Liang.

Her initial awkwardness vanished completely; after learning his true nature, she spent nearly all her free time with him.

Under his protection, she sneaked snacks past her company's staff and occasionally sat with him, staring blankly.

She seemed especially content with this filming life; the exhaustion once on her face gradually faded.

Her entire being began radiating a unique vitality—this wasn't strange, because this was exactly what she should have at her age.

Youthful and brilliant; all else pales in comparison.

——

Today there's a basketball scene to film.

Finding extras in the university district was easy—just pull players straight from the school's basketball team.

As for the audience, it was even simpler; students loved supporting such events.

But today there's also a special guest making a cameo.

"You really dared to call me for a cameo? I lost my lawsuit—watch out, Tang Ren might come after you." Jiang Jinfu, who had just returned from Japan, said while changing into his jersey and holding the basketball.

Bai Liang was confident, "I'm on great terms with Chief Cai."

"Hehe~"

"Besides, didn't you invite me to play ball? I figured since you're filming a basketball scene, and you probably won't act again, let you have some fun."

"You better watch out—I won't hold back, I'm going to dunk hard right on your head." Jiang Jinfu gripped the basketball tightly with both hands, his bulging muscles and veins clearly showing he'd kept up regular workouts.

"You can dunk?"

"Sure can~"

"Small world—I can too."

The two faced off like needles against a whetstone, as if back in the gym, competing fiercely.

Jiang Jinfu declared he simply didn't believe it and challenged him to a bet.

Bai Liang perked up—action?

Jiang Jinfu's arrival surprised many on set; his feud with Tang Ren had spread everywhere, and everyone assumed he'd effectively left the entertainment industry.

No one expected him to suddenly show up at their production for a cameo.

Logically, this shouldn't be allowed—Jiang Jinfu still belonged to Tang Ren's agency, after all, since he lost the lawsuit.

But since it's just a cameo and no payment is involved, it's not a commercial act, so it doesn't matter.

"What are you two talking about? I smell gunpowder!"

"We're clashing—he said he's going to dunk hard on my head, and I won't let him get away with it~"

"Cheer them on! Wait—you're actually playing basketball? Aren't we filming?"

Mao Xiaotong, the mood-setter, gave an energetic pep talk before suddenly realizing something was off.

Bai Liang scratched his head, "Can't we just play normally and film normally?" Then he realized he'd asked a stupid question.

Normal basketball play wouldn't let cameras get that close, and filming couldn't be that continuous.

Fortunately, the director was "one of us."

Lin Yufen waved her hand, "Go ahead and play—just shoot some behind-the-scenes footage."

Jiang Jinfu: Holy shit, you're this well-connected on set?

He knew Director Lin Yufen well—actually, quite well; he'd starred in two or three of her films.

He hadn't forgotten to greet her properly when he arrived today.

But he'd never seen her treat an actor this leniently.

Though he'd long known Bai Liang seemed to thrive in every production, he never imagined he'd have this almost "Crown Prince" status.

Damn, I'm jealous.

Now I've got to really mess with Bai Liang to balance my psyche—why does he, after just a few years in the industry, seem like he's been coasting?

In the end, he's even outdoing me, this "greenhorn," despite his bizarre mindset.

But if sheer momentum were enough, why bother with height or skill?

Please… collect… 6… 9… Book… please…!

When Jiang Jinfu tried to seize the initiative with a powerful dunk, Bai Liang told him: "Bro, my physical condition isn't worse than yours."

I'm even a little taller.

"Wow!"

The students gathered around to watch the spectacle burst into enthusiastic cheers and applause without hesitation.

I thought watching stars play basketball would just be for fun, but these two are actually serious!

Even the university team members who had been lounging casually now looked more serious.

Wait, you two really know how to play? That's intense!

One can dunk, the other can block with a thunderous swat!

"It's just like watching boys play in school—so beautiful, I can't look away!"

Acting? No need at all. The most direct reactions are the best acting.

Di Lireba and Mao Xiaotong stood at the very front of the crowd, completely "in character."

The two chattered excitedly with bright smiles, debating who was stronger and more handsome.

But just then, Di Lireba noticed Bai Liang putting one hand behind his back, as if giving a secret signal.

It was a familiar signal—the one she used when sneaking snacks.

Amid the crowd's shouts urging him to dunk, Bai Liang stepped back to the three-point line and raised his hand to shoot.

After shooting, he didn't even look, turning away immediately.

Swish~

"What the hell, you missed all three—why act like that?"

Jiang Jinfu nearly laughed out loud, but when he turned his head, he couldn't laugh anymore.

After Bai Liang turned around, Di Lireba shyly ran up to him and affectionately reached out to wipe sweat from his face—even though there wasn't any.

This was the unspoken bond forged from sneaking snacks together!

Naturally, the crowd erupted in teasing shouts—wild, nonstop yelling—university students declaring this was better than any drama!

But the one jumping highest now was Mao Xiaotong; though petite, she radiated energy, screaming and cheering wildly.

Jiang Jinfu:???

Okay okay! So this is how you play basketball, huh?

Dammit, after playing all these years, he'd never suffered such a brutal beating on the court.

Give me the ball—I'm going home!

"Hey, this is interesting—keep it. Whether it ends up in the final cut or the bloopers, it's hilarious."

Lin Yufen thought young people were truly young—their methods were refreshingly novel.

A made shot looked cool, but a missed shot had far more entertainment value.

We're filming a story about youth—youth, games, love—but scripted plots sometimes can't match the raw, passionate truth of real youth.

It made you smile involuntarily.

——

Ten chapters done on day one! Requesting recommendation votes! Requesting monthly votes! Requesting tips! Anything and everything!

(End of chapter)