Chapter 214: Twin-Sister Déjà Vu

"Champagne? Give me an address and I'll have someone send you a few cases — I have an endorsement deal."

Hearing Bai Liang's words, Li Xin almost couldn't hold it together. "A few cases? What would I do with that many, bathe in the tub?"

"That works too."

"Pfft! Don't be like that, you know what I mean." Li Xin gave Bai Liang a long look, her gaze seemingly thick with longing.

Damp and glistening, as if the champagne had already been spilled.

Bai Liang naturally wouldn't pretend he didn't understand, but—

"But I might not be free tonight."

"Huh? What do you mean? Someone asked you out?" Li Xin nearly performed a vanishing-smile trick.

After all, Bai Liang's words were such a killjoy. She had so rarely been in such a mood.

"I'm not sure right now. I did take time off to come here, but it looks like my drama's female lead has come to catch me."

Bai Liang glanced at Miss Jing Tian, feeling as if she had come to "arrest" him and drag him back.

"Who are you filming with? Are you insane~" Li Xin couldn't hold back and blurted out.

"Jing Tian."

"Sweetie~ pretend I never said anything."

She had also spotted Miss Jing Tian, and inwardly gave Bai Liang a good dressing-down — the young lady was clearly here to show support.

How happily Miss Jing Tian was smiling — she wasn't here to catch anyone at all.

Stinky man, always exaggerating.

"I don't care, tonight you send me the hotel address and room number, and have the champagne ready."

Lately, for Li Xin, it had truly been pain mixed with pleasure.

While being cyberbullied, her exposure had also shot up in a flash.

It wasn't exactly "infamous fame" either — she hadn't done anything truly bad. The CP war really had nothing to do with being infamous; it was just that the fandom's intensity on this front was genuinely a bit much.

At this point she couldn't help admiring Gulina Zha — that girl was seriously impressive, able to endure it for so long.

Oh right, because the *Princess Agents* crew had released a two-person poster of Li Xin and Bai Liang, the two now even had an on-screen CP.

Although in the drama, Yuan Chun and Yan Xun didn't end up well either, both characters they played had that "beautiful, strong, tragic" quality.

Li Xin's team felt they could amplify and hype up this particular trait.

A "beautiful, strong, tragic" CP really did fit her current situation.

And even if the characters didn't end up together in the drama, so what?

Mutual devotion sometimes really can't match the thrill of love-hate rivalry.

Too bad the drama's setup is a strong female lead — everyone loves the female lead~

Otherwise Li Xin really could have stood her ground completely.

Because she truly played Yuan Chun brilliantly!

Unfortunately, the drama had only just premiered, and Li Xin's Yuan Chun was still just the innocent, lively, frank and adorable princess — she hadn't yet made her glamorous transformation into the scheming, selfish princess of a chaotic era.

Likewise, Bai Liang's Yan Xun was still the brightest young man in Chang'an City.

He hadn't yet gone through the darkening of the Nine Hells Platform.

After the drama premiered, as usual, he crushed Lin Genxin and shot to the top of the trending searches.

A bunch of people asked in the comments: which of you two is the male lead?

It was hard to say these people weren't doing it on purpose, because Lin Genxin's name was literally written before Bai Liang's, and even Bai Liang's fans knew their guy was the second male lead.

The fans didn't complain either, because they knew the drama was filmed back when *Love O2O* hadn't even aired yet.

At that time, it made perfect sense for Bai Liang to play a supporting role to Lin Genxin.

And of course his fans wouldn't go stir up trouble under Lin Genxin's Weibo — everyone knew the two had a good relationship. Just last year at the end of the year, these two had teamed up on Weibo to curse out anti-fans, and their fighting power was downright terrifying.

The reason even this could make waves was mainly because *Princess Agents*' premiere results were very impressive.

Ratings broke 1.0 across all four networks simultaneously, and it topped the national ratings for its time slot.

Clearly, this was another hit drama.

Little Zhao's sister was in her peak prime years — honestly a bit terrifyingly fierce.

This year's *Eternal Love* and *Princess Agents* also lucked out, gaining an extra top-tier celebrity playing a supporting role.

The key thing was Bai Liang didn't slack off on his characters in either drama — his interpretation was spot-on.

With this kind of "green leaf" backing, aside from the risk of the male lead being overthrown, it was basically all positive gains.

Just the traffic and topic volume alone — who knows how much it pulled in.

As for the two "unlucky guys"—

Zhao Youting was, at any rate, thoroughly beaten into submission at the time. No matter how hard he worked as the male lead, he simply couldn't outdo the buzz of Bai Liang's Donghua Dijun.

If Bai Liang hadn't already been top-tier, he would have definitely replicated Dilireba's move back in *Diamond Lover*.

A supporting role stepping on the lead to climb up.

Luckily, luckily — Bai Liang didn't need to climb, so Zhao Youting could breathe a sigh of relief.

Being suppressed by a top-tier isn't that embarrassing — anyone who complains, just put your money where your mouth is~

As for Lin Genxin, he was used to it.

But for Bai Liang himself, it just meant he'd added another pretty famous supporting male role to his name.

In Sister Yanzi's words: the boost is just so-so~ there's some effect, but there's no need to do any extra marketing.

Times have changed!

Her little Bai-ge isn't the kind of pretty-boy with no acting skills who latches onto one breakout role and markets it to death.

It's not like the *Wu Xin: The Monster Killer* days anymore, when a single Zhang Xianzong could send Bai Liang's name rocketing up.

Sister Yanzi even felt that with a role like this, Bai Liang might be able to mass-produce them in the future.

He's already top-tier, so going out of his way to market a male second lead still feels a bit strange.

Bai Liang's own opinion on this was: wait until *Wolf Warrior 2* hits theaters, and we'll see if you still look down on the male second lead, Sister Yanzi.

Just waiting to watch the show~

After the photo-op and stage-appearance segment ended, Bai Liang stepped down and was naturally intercepted by Miss Jing Tian.

"Messing around~ not acting properly, running off to do this kind of thing."

"I just felt you were too wound up, so I figured this would be a good chance to let you relax a little."

That line seemed to hit something, and Miss Jing Tian suddenly started speaking all dry and halting, stammering.

Luckily, there were quite a few people around today, so others quickly came over, which saved her in a way.

Li Xin, passing by, glanced at Miss Jing Tian, lost in thought~

Familiar faces today weren't limited to Miss Jing Tian alone.

Because for high-end luxury goods launches like this, plenty of celebrities come to show their support.

The current atmosphere in showbiz is just like this—some artists whose status and class might not yet be enough need to actively curry favor with bigger names.

After all, sometimes if you want to borrow clothes or jewelry, you have to help them make appearances.

At the same time, there are also those who want to compete for endorsements, and they show up to support just as often.

Everyone verbally claims to love the brand, and some even spend money to buy. Oh right, before Li Xin got the brand-friend title, she got caught up in the moment and splurged.

But back then she was influenced by her surroundings—all the Bai Fumei around her were spending money, and if she didn't shell out a cent, she always felt like she didn't quite fit in. Luckily, that money was truly well spent!

She's a textbook example of licking till you get everything in the end, and might have even set an example for other artists.

If she can do it, so can we!

So at today's launch, there really were quite a few second- and third-tier female artists.

Right now they were all eagerly crowding toward Bai Liang, each one practically writing on their face that they wanted to recreate that once-famous Vanity Fair life photo.

That photo is still pinned to the top of Bvlgari's official Weibo to this day—you can even see it the moment you open their official website.

But today Bai Liang didn't toss any jewelry into a champagne glass.

A flash of inspiration and a slip of the hand only needs to happen once.

Doing it every single time would be far too deliberate.

But other female artists aside, Li Yitong showing up here was still a bit too strange.

"Little kitty, stop hiding, I know it's you!"

"Hehe, you found me? You really do have sharp eyes~"

Li Yitong wore an awkward smile on her face—how to put it, she also wanted to find a chance to leech off the event, but she was a bit different from those unrelated female artists.

No errors in any chapter—read on one site!

She was quite embarrassed, because her relationship with Bai Liang was different, after all.

Sometimes people are just like that—when you're actually closer, you want to keep a bit more distance in certain settings.

The mind starts overthinking all sorts of weird things.

So that's why she ended up acting this way—clearly already there, but still wanting to hide from Bai Liang.

Incredibly conflicted.

No use—Bai Liang had actually spotted her long ago and came straight over to catch her~

He also saw right through her little scheme, thought for a moment, and actually called Li Xin over.

After a few whispered words.

Li Xin gave Li Yitong a complicated look, then glanced at Bai Liang, and finally nodded helplessly. "Since you've put it that way… can I really refuse you?"

She was a little conflicted at first, but figured it out quickly.

She was leeching off the event anyway, so adding one more wasn't a problem.

Besides, she really wanted to remind Li Yitong: sis, you're just watching—you have to eat your share, didn't you see the beating too~

Love leeching? When the scolding comes later, you'll get your share too.

That refers to getting roasted online.

Li Yitong: Huh?!

Something's off about you two, you know.

Just from the way Li Xin spoke, that hint of grievance in her tone—Li Yitong heard it and felt something was off.

Actually, she and Li Xin had already been "soul friends" for a long time—the two had never met in person, but they had video-called.

And so this first "meet-up in real life" turned out this awkward.

So Li Yitong quietly lowered her voice and "warned" Bai Liang: "You sly fox, I'm telling you—even if you helped me, there are some things you shouldn't even think about!"

Bai Liang:???

"What thing?"

"Still playing dumb!" Li Yitong pressed her lips together, glanced at Li Xin again—those certain similarities in their looks must be quite a thrill for a man!

And as luck would have it, besides looking alike, Li Yitong and Li Xin were also the same age, shared the same surname, and were even born in the same month.

Oh right, Li Yitong is a stage name—her real name is Li Xue.

Oh my! Now even the name format is nearly identical—total twin-sister vibe.

Putting herself in his shoes, she felt that if she were Bai Liang, she'd definitely be imagining all sorts of weird things in her head.

How could that be allowed! How could she permit it!

Li Xin: …Sis, I was thinking the exact same thing~

How could Li Xin not have thought of the same things Li Yitong did.

But then~ although Li Xin was equally resistant, she wasn't as intense about it as Li Yitong.

At least she didn't say anything.

Of course, that doesn't mean she liked it — the situation today was just special.

She even took the initiative to chat with Bai Liang about champagne. What state she was in was pretty obvious.

Li Xin even found herself wondering — if Bai Liang really made that kind of rude request, and what if that young lady from the main family was also shameless, could she firmly refuse?

So after the event ended, Bai Liang, "very obediently," sent over his hotel address and room number, which made Li Xin feel a bit annoyed.

Damn mouth, posting what kind of thirsty nonsense~

Well now, great — go or not?

What if after going over, she sees Li Yitong in the room too?

Turn around and leave? Or slap Bai Liang first then leave? Or go over and join in?

The endorsement-boosting effect of Li Yitong's photo op was excellent~

She just took a single photo together, trended on the hot search, and then got word that Bulgari's side wanted to give her a brand friend title.

It left her completely dumbfounded — huh? The effect is this good?

Just like that, it came?

Feels like this brand friend title is being handed out wholesale — Li Xin went and got one for crashing the event, she went and got one too.

If I'd known, I would've called Meng Jie and the others to come along and crash it as a group.

And just like that, Jin Cheng's cursing, though late, has arrived.

"Sis, you didn't call me along for something like this? Are you even human?"

"I didn't know either, I'm baffled myself."

"Your explanation is over the top — remember to turn off your DMs."

Li Yitong was a bit dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"

Jin Cheng was now a bit gleefully malicious. "I've already seen people online calling you and Li Xin shameless thirsty sisters — want me to read a few more out?"

"No need! Get lost!"

"What's there to be afraid of? If I were you, I'd just team up with Li Xin and push Bai Liang down onto the bed. This stinky guy really treats you two well — endorsements can be played like this too? Wait a sec — you're not actually with Li Xin right now, are you? Turn on the video, I wanna see!"

Against this crazy woman Jin Cheng, Li Yitong had no way to cope.

She could only do a video call to prove her innocence.

But Jin Cheng actually looked disappointed, seeming to really want to see that exciting scene.

In the end, she naturally got scolded by Li Yitong, ending with furious curses of "female hooligan."

But Li Yitong was still somewhat affected, unable to help but imagine: what was Li Xin thinking?

Li Xin: Dying of overthinking, sis!

Her car had been circling around Bai Liang's hotel for almost half an hour, still unable to decide whether to drive in.

Just to see if there was anyone else in the room.

And while Li Xin was still over there agonizing, there really was someone else in Bai Liang's room!

It was Miss Jing Tian.

But the room door was open as usual — he was watching "Princess Agents" with Miss Jing Tian.

Ever since the previous two times watching variety shows together, plus Su Lun's egging on, this activity had become a fixed routine between him and Miss Jing Tian.

The other party would pop by from time to time, finding some interesting shows to watch together.

Now that "Princess Agents" had aired, Miss Jing Tian was quite interested in this drama that caught fire the moment it premiered, so she naturally came over openly and legitimately.

The door was open anyway, so even with this kind of avoidance of suspicion, there was nothing to worry about.

After all, if someone wants to gossip, whether this happened or not wouldn't stop those people's mouths.

Who told Miss Jing Tian to have had that moment of losing control during filming before?

However, the current Miss Jing Tian really was a bit different from before.

This was easy to judge.

Because she was leaning a bit too close—

Three a. m., fourteen thousand words. See you tomorrow, muah~

Begging for monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)