Chapter 12: The Sunlight Still Blinds

The crew's life began this way, and Bai Liang quickly adapted and fell into a routine.

In terms of work, he read one acting book after another, fully absorbing them and immediately applying what he learned on set—his progress was genuinely startling.

The director's immediate reactions best illustrated the point.

At first, he merely thought Bai Liang's acting was passable; as a "firefighter," such a performance was acceptable.

Later, his smile became impossible to hide: "Wow, we've hit the jackpot!"

By the final stage, he'd grown worried: "Kid, are you trying to steal the lead's scenes?"

Stealing the spotlight?

Fortunately, Lu Bu's role isn't especially lengthy; "God of War: Zhao Zilong" is roughly sixty episodes, and Lu Bu only survives half the series.

He'll be written off around episode thirty, cut down by Old Man Cao's blade.

That's fine! This was also the main reason the director ultimately decided not to cut Bai Liang's scenes.

Acting well is obviously good, but acting too well isn't necessarily a good thing!

Bai Liang certainly hasn't reached the level of explosive brilliance, but you have to consider who he's being compared to.

There's one thing even the director had to admit: Bai Liang and Gu Li Naza's CP scenes seemed more compelling than Lin Genxin and Lin Wuer's.

Do you really think such a large production as "God of War: Zhao Zilong" couldn't afford to bring in someone capable of carrying the screen?

On one hand, they were in urgent need; on the other, they considered using newcomers to avoid stealing scenes.

Bai Liang's performance had basically landed right on the edge of danger.

Of course, he himself was completely unaware of it.

Gu Li Naza initially played the role of a mood-setter well, and she was skilled at providing emotional value.

Peel away her goddess exterior, and her inner self was just a little girl.

"Wow! You're so amazing! I feel like I wasted my time at film school!"

After delivering emotional value, she gently hinted to Bai Liang about survival tactics in the film industry.

Bai Liang found this quite interesting: "Rules of the underground?"

"Something like that~ There's a recent case..."

Regarding this case, Naza spoke hesitantly.

Because it involved one of her hometown friends.

Recently, a drama called "Klar Lover" has been generating quite a bit of online discussion.

The drama was quite popular, but the most talked-about character wasn't the lead couple—it was the second female lead.

Di Li Reba.

Her portrayal of Gao Wen attracted massive attention and discussion, making her famous overnight.

Now, her online popularity is extremely high, with the air of someone who's risen to the top in one step.

But in a certain sense, she climbed to fame by stepping on the first female lead, Tang Yan.

Seeing Gu Li Naza's slightly serious face and furrowed brows, Bai Liang blinked and immediately connected the dots: "Does this have something to do with you too?"

"Shut up!"

We're all Xinjiang beauties, all about exotic charm—how could we not be connected?

After all, Naza, who debuted earlier, still hasn't landed a role as iconic as "Gao Wen."

Actors without standout works are like castles in the air—even if fame comes, it's just for being a pretty face.

Bai Liang spoke up fairly, plainly: "Your face is already your best work."

Hearing this, Gu Li Naza first felt a surge of joy, then pulled her face into a pout: "So I'm still just a pretty face..."

"I never said you weren't."

"Shut up!"

After this second round, Naza continued her lesson on "underground rules."

"You're unlucky—right now there's Di Li Reba's example right in front of you. What if someone starts thinking..."

"Someone" here likely refers to the male lead, Lin Genxin.

Gu Li Naza's warning was indeed accurate; shortly after she finished speaking, Bai Liang received another "tip."

The Disdain Guy—his full name is Wu Shuo.

He's a typical cross-country extra: slightly handsome, but still far from being able to make it in the entertainment industry just by looks.

After two or three years as a background actor with no breakthrough, he'd accumulated plenty of resentment and negative emotions.

Wu Shuo and Bai Liang had a "mockery" grudge: previously, this guy had been the essential extra who jumped out to mock Bai Liang after he rode the horse.

But Bai Liang countered with a series of positive-energy moves, leaving the guy feeling so guilty he dreamed he "deserved to die."

Perhaps out of guilt and owing a debt, or perhaps for other reasons.

After wrap, instead of doing anything else, this guy came straight to find Bai Liang.

Remember, during these days on set, Wu Shuo had been avoiding Bai Liang.

Yet before leaving, he came forward on his own.

And his posture was stiff, his expression odd, his speech halting: "Brother Liang, uh... someone on set is spreading rumors. You should pay a little attention..."

"Brother Liang?"

Bai Liang was puzzled by this term of address.

Wu Shuo fell silent, perhaps surprised by how odd his focus was.

But he inexplicably felt lighter, and his speech became smoother: "Lately, rumors are spreading on set that you and Gu Li Naza are dating—that you got into the crew by mooching off her, and that you're trying to overshadow the male lead..."

After hearing this, Bai Liang nodded: "Thanks."

Thanks?

Wu Shuo's eyes widened a bit: "Uh... aren't you worried I might be lying to you?"

"It's fine." Bai Liang said while peeling an orange.

Wu Shuo was a bit speechless, suddenly feeling he was rather laughable himself.

What on earth had he been so nervous about just now?

This buddy... this lord, his mindset was absurdly steady.

Wu Shuo hadn't even seen any major change in Bai Liang's expression—oh wait, he had been puckered up by the sourness of the orange.

Whether it was genuine confidence making him so steady, or an old schemer putting on an act, Wu Shuo felt... there was a high chance Bai Liang really didn't need to worry about all this messy stuff.

Was he being sentimental for no reason?

Still thinking about repaying some favor...

Watching Wu Shuo's expression shift back and forth, Bai Liang felt a strange bit of "fear."

Why is this kid starting to overthink things?

He's not going to blurt out something like "If you don't abandon me, I would willingly take you as my godfather" next, is he?

The prop Fang Tian Halberd beside Bai Liang had been used to stab a godfather while filming just yesterday.

Not auspicious!

Fortunately, Wu Shuo just shook his head and prepared to leave helplessly, but at that moment Bai Liang suddenly called out to him again with a bright smile:

"Want an orange?"

"Uh... thanks."

"Wishing you a smooth career in the future."

Holding three oranges in his hands, standing at the crew's entrance, Wu Shuo felt his whole self was dazed, as if Bai Liang's "blessing" was still echoing in his ears.

It just inexplicably made him not really want to keep chasing some damn actor dream anymore...

His thoughts returning to reality, Wu Shuo realized his current look was indeed a bit strange—the oranges Bai Liang bought were very big, so he had to hold them with both hands.

After noticing passersby kept glancing at him, Wu Shuo hurriedly stuffed two oranges into his bag.

The one left behind, he ate right away.

"Damn, so sour!"

These oranges looked very sweet, but tasted sour to death—selling this stuff was basically a scam.

It made Wu Shuo tear up.

Bai Liang: Here, this is revenge from yours truly.

He held grudges! This kid Wu Shuo had mocked him before.

Today's sunlight was still very dazzling, but even if you boldly stared at it for a few seconds, it would only make your eyes sting... unless you really wanted to challenge a solar flare.