Chapter 106: I

"Do you have any plans after this? Want me to give you some legal advice?"

After talking about Bai Liang, he also asked about Jiang Jinfu's situation.

But the other guy was surprisingly laid-back: "Take it one step at a time—everything's already like this. If I can still act, I'll earn some money; if not, I'll do something else."

Acting is still possible, but landing any decent resources is out of the question.

Put bluntly, as Tang Ren's most glaring defector, Cai Yi could barely be called alive if he didn't crush him.

He clearly lacks the skill to maneuver in such a situation, but his carefree attitude isn't a bad thing.

Of course, Jiang Jinfu thought Bai Liang was also "messing around."

To this day, he's still flying solo.

His so-called studio still has only two people.

Bro, your amateur vibe is way too obvious—I'll be waiting for you at the gym.

Sister Yanzi disagreed: Who said there are only two people?

"Big Brother Dou Xiao Bai, in a couple days I'll bring someone to meet you—he's got some fashion resources and is well-connected in Shanghai's business scene, and he really wants to join our studio."

"Sure~ You handle it."

Bai Liang didn't really care—he trusted Sister Yanzi's judgment.

After dinner, he and Jiang Jinfu naturally headed to the gym.

Same place.

The gym owner's wife saw them together again and nearly cried out of joy, rushing off to change into a new yoga pant.

Unfortunately, the two still barely glanced at her.

Bai Liang had seen too many beautiful girls lately; the owner's wife might easily charm a teenage boy, but his resistance to her was far too high.

As for Jiang Jinfu? He said he thought Japanese girls were pretty good—short and cute.

So the owner's wife could only keep her butt facing the air.

Fortunately, Bai Liang was kind enough to occasionally glance her way, giving her some encouragement.

He was just too nice.

But today, Bai Liang seemed distracted.

Jiang Jinfu noticed that every few minutes, this guy would stop working out, check his phone, reply to a few messages—clearly preoccupied.

"That won't do—fitness requires focus! Don't let women destroy your willpower!"

"What the hell, how do you know it's about a girl?" Bai Liang asked, surprised.

"What's that girl from your set called again? I forgot her name, but your eyes were acting weird—you two got together? You're pretty loyal, staring at Xin Jiang, huh~"

"What do you mean 'staring at Xin Jiang'?"

"Big Brother, I'm still technically a Tang Ren artist—what you're doing has become urban legend at Tang Ren, and it's getting weirder by the day."

"How weird?"

"They say if Liu Shishi hadn't gotten married, she definitely would've—"

"Cough cough, that's way too absurd—I've never even met Liu Shishi in person."

"You really shouldn't meet her—she's about to get married," Jiang Jinfu said plainly.

This was the last ripple he'd make as a Tang Ren artist.

Flirting with unmarried female artists was one thing, but trying to hook up with someone already married? That'd be explosive.

Bai Liang looked utterly innocent: "What kind of image do you have of me?"

"Aren't you called the Great Immortal? You cast spells to lure people in," Jiang Jinfu replied with equal innocence.

Rumors like this are nonsense—Bai Liang's stories with Na Zha and Chen Yao were both manufactured by PR teams pushing fake pairings.

Hmm. The story with Na Zha? Outsiders didn't even know about it.

But Jin Cheng…

"She bragged about it herself—said someday, she'd definitely get you," Jiang Jinfu muttered, playing informant.

". Impressive."

Making up rumors about yourself? Afraid you don't have enough dirt on you?

The two exchanged glances and suddenly felt something was off.

The next second, Jiang Jinfu burst out laughing: "She's not trying to defect too, is she? Hahaha!"

When something unreasonable happens, unless the culprit's a lunatic, there's always a reason.

Jin Cheng only seems abstract and loves throwing around shocking phrases—but she's sharp, not stupid at all.

But whether she's really planning to defect or not, Jiang Jinfu was delighted, and Bai Liang just watched the show.

Cai Yi couldn't possibly pin that blame on him~

A friend's enemy isn't necessarily my enemy. Bai Liang believed his relationship with Boss Cai was still fine.

Relationships are personal—each person handles their own.

Still, the number of Tang Ren defectors he was close to had grown just a little too much.

"So who are you chatting with now? Someone from your set? Or Gu Li Na Zha?"

"Neither. Personal privacy—don't pry."

Alright, alright~

Fortunately, Bai Liang only fiddled with his phone for a while longer before fully focusing back on his weightlifting.

When he returned to the set's hotel that night, it was nearly eleven.

Outside the hotel, he ran into Di Li Sister Reba, looking oddly dressed.

It was truly strange—this girl was walking around outside with a face mask on.

"Huh? It's so late, why aren't you sleeping?"

"How did you recognize me?" Diliretba said, somewhat surprised.

Please... collect... 6... 9... Book...!

"Answer my question first."

"I'm just walking around town~"

Unlike how she looked on set, at this hour she seemed relaxed and at ease—even with a face mask on, her smile was clearly radiant.

Her happiness seemed surprisingly simple~

This was the first time Bai Liang had ever chatted with her outside the set.

Everyone on the set thought they got along well, but in truth, there was still considerable distance between them.

It wasn't that Bai Liang was acting aloof—he was just as warm and friendly as ever, but Diliretba herself was a bit awkward.

"Your turn~"

"I just recognized you, of course. How could I not recognize my own leading lady?"

After saying this, both fell into an unexpected silence; Bai Liang suddenly realized how ambiguous it sounded.

"Cough, cough—I'd recognize you even if you were reduced to ashes!"

Diliretba:.

"Thanks, but I'd like to live a few more years~ Want to walk around together? I've got extra face masks."

"Thanks for the invite, but I think a mask is enough—just give me one, please~"

Since she was so sincerely inviting, Bai Liang felt refusing would be impolite.

Yet when that familiar small hand touched his face again, he began to suspect this girl might have ulterior motives.

Just as I thought!

After applying the mask to him, Diliretba pretended to be casual, letting her hand brush past his ear.

It even seemed to pause slightly on his earlobe—that softest, most sensitive spot.

"Hey, it's a bit crooked—I'll fix it for you again."

Whether it was the mask that was crooked or someone's thoughts that were twisted, Bai Liang knew perfectly well—but he couldn't say anything.

This time, when she tried the same trick again, he deliberately moved his ear.

Diliretba jumped as if startled, yanking her hand back instantly.

Bai Liang clearly saw her ears had turned slightly red.

Sometimes, it's not that men's minds are filled with filth, always twisting things in certain directions.

It's just hard to help it!

Bai Liang admitted—he was dirty, shameless. He suspected he'd accidentally stumbled upon someone's fetish.

Face masks are wonderful in that they have a time limit.

If left on too long, they dry out and become uncomfortable.

Diliretba seemed to have planned it: when the mask dried, she'd go back.

But Bai Liang's mask had only just been applied. Whether to peel off his own mask became the girl's dilemma.

"Don't move~"

A hand, much rougher and larger than hers, gently peeled off her mask.

During this, Diliretba froze as if under a petrification spell, not daring to move.

When the mask was fully removed, that hand gently brushed past her ear again~

Under the moonlight, the girl visibly shuddered.

Her whole body trembled.

(End of Chapter)