Chapter 117: She

In the afternoon, the main cast of the "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" drama arrived at Mango TV.

Bai Liang also met another Mango TV pillar this time: Wang Han.

As a Mango TV pillar, Wang Han's fame once rivaled that of CCTV heavyweights, and he was even regarded by industry insiders as the "benchmark of hosting."

The debate over whether he or He He He He Laoshi was Mango TV's top host had apparently lasted for many years.

But Bai Liang recalled and felt that a few years later, this big-name host seemed to vanish from public attention.

At least He He He He Laoshi managed to earn the nickname "Evil Gardenia" in his later years~

"I heard Teacher Wang Han is quite serious off-camera; let's be a bit more respectful when we meet him."

Li Yitong went on enthusiastically sharing the gossip she'd dug up, but only Mencius listened most attentively.

Her little head kept nodding unconsciously in agreement.

She looked just like a model student.

"You two need to take this seriously too!"

After being scolded, Yang Xuwén looked slightly wounded—he just looked "unfocused" because of his appearance, but he'd actually been listening carefully.

The "god" beside him, however, truly didn't care at all—he was already muttering words like "hot pot" and "steak."

When faced with Miss's hands-on-hips glare, Bai Liang just grinned.

He immediately repeated word-for-word what Teacher Li had just said.

He demonstrated with action that he'd been paying attention, then resumed daydreaming about what to eat for dinner.

Yang Xuwén:???

Hey bro!

Aren't you the beast who pretends to play games in the dorm but secretly studies?

Fortunately, Mencius ruthlessly exposed him: "Yitong, he wasn't listening at all—he just has a good memory. Hit him!"

It was useless—who fears a kitten flailing its paws and pretending to be fierce? ~

But the kitten soon couldn't flail anymore, because another Mango TV group, "Daily Brothers," came to the lounge to greet them.

Leading them, of course, was Wang Han—the very person Li Yitong had emphasized just moments ago.

He wasn't tall, but he carried undeniable presence; the moment he entered, he triggered an instant "mute" effect.

The young ones immediately fell quiet~

Wang Han himself seemed quite pleased with the scene, smiling as he noticed one odd little guy.

When their eyes met, he immediately sensed a hint of… scrutiny?

That gaze felt familiar—he often looked at others that way.

But comparatively, Bai Liang's gaze was much gentler, never making anyone feel uncomfortable.

It helped that the entertainment industry had few cultured people, filled with nincompoops; someone like Wang Han, with a slightly old-school scholar vibe and actual substance, found it hard not to consider himself superior, convinced he possessed a touch of literati elegance.

Pretending to be cultured was a relatively high-tier form of showing off.

As long as you didn't pull stunts like "Nobel Prize mathematician" or blurt out "What is CNKI?"—major blunders—things were generally fine.

After figuring it out, Bai Liang thought: Mango TV truly deserved its top-tier status—its two pillars had completely different styles.

While he happily daydreamed, his companions' hearts pounded.

Because Wang Han had been staring at Bai Liang for several seconds.

Li Yitong cursed inwardly, blaming this devilish demon for being useless today, yet bravely prepared to shield Bai Liang.

Though she didn't know what she'd done wrong, today she was the "boss," and she had to take responsibility.

Apologizing? She was also very good at that.

But her tiny frame trying to block Bai Liang was pure fantasy.

She was small and cute—like a pet you could lift by the collar.

Just then—

"Bai Liang, I know you!"

Wang Han stepped forward, smiling, as if wanting to pat Bai Liang on the shoulder—but the height difference made the gesture look awkward.

Coincidentally, Bai Liang at that moment "impolitely" sat down first, then gestured for everyone to sit too, as if he'd been standing too long.

Wang Han's smile deepened further as he sat beside Bai Liang and began chatting.

This older brother seemed to have a scholarly bent, dragging the conversation across all topics—but Bai Liang effortlessly responded to every one.

"If the entertainment industry had more 'talented scholars' like you, it would be far more exciting!" Wang Han's remark revealed why he viewed Bai Liang differently.

Still the same scholar's pride.

Had he categorized Bai Liang as a "peer"?

"Talented scholar? I'm not that. Besides, I'm mainly good-looking—that's what matters most."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter; the atmosphere instantly lightened.

They'd only planned to sit for a while and briefly discuss the script.

But Wang Han ended up staying in their lounge for over half an hour.

Only after being called away by staff did Li Yitong dart over to Bai Liang: "How did you do that?"

"What do you mean, 'how did you do that'?" Bai Liang asked, baffled.

"How you stayed so composed—facing a senior veteran like him, neither nervous nor subservient, yet still chatting so effortlessly."

Please… collect… 6…9…books…!

Mencius added a follow-up question—right then, she truly looked like a sharp-minded girl.

She seemed to be proving with action: she really wasn't a dumb kid~

If she hadn't looked at Bai Liang with that worshipful, fangirl gaze, she would've almost succeeded.

"Oh~ You want to know this?"

Bai Liang burst into laughter, then cleared his throat, "A bit thirsty."

"Go get water!" Li Yitong immediately ordered Yang Xuwén to do it.

Yang Xuwén: Fine.

He actually wanted to take a lesson in "Teacher Bai's" interpersonal skills too.

"My legs are a bit sore too~"

"I'll do it, I'll do it."

Wang Han snatched the task eagerly, happily sat beside Bai Liang, and reached out.

But Li Yitong wasn't slow either—she immediately sat down on the other side.

Tiny fists began gently pounding his legs.

At this moment, Bai Liang glanced at Li Yitong, "Aren't you from Shandong? That doesn't make sense."

"What's wrong with being from Shandong?"

"Have you never lived with your elders? Doesn't every family have one elder who's a bit cultured, likes to lecture, and acts like the big brother?"

Bai Liang said his own grandfather was exactly like that—he'd felt it was hilarious when he used to pacify the old man at home.

When he got him happy, the old man would shower him with gold coins.

"But you weren't acting like you were talking to an elder just now—you were so relaxed, like chatting with a peer, and he said so many things I didn't understand, yet you still kept up," Li Yitong blinked curiously.

"I was just making stuff up," Bai Liang said honestly.

"Huh?!"

"Really. You really thought I understood it all? I just dare to speak, dare to ramble."

This answer left the group utterly bewildered.

Wow, the halo's shattered.

Bai Liang himself was fine, but the halo around Wang Han had cracked a bit—rambling didn't matter, but the fact that Wang Han hadn't noticed was crucial.

Now, there was far less psychological pressure.

Of course, rambling still needed basic principles: it had to sound plausible, which still required some knowledge accumulation.

Like famous quotes—sometimes the value and credibility of a line depend heavily on who says it.

Bai Liang had established a true-genius persona, and it was rock-solid; when he spoke seriously while making things up, those who didn't understand would instinctively believe him.

At the same time, courage mattered too.

Sometimes, when you ramble with perfect seriousness and the right aura, people will find it highly credible.

Last time, Bai Liang had fooled Wang Han like this, claiming it was a great tonic—she believed him.

(End of Chapter)