Chapter 284: Then Go Ahead and Make It Official!

A certain paparazzo who had just arrived to tail Bai Liang was feeling very pleased with himself at this moment.

What the hell! Who exactly is spreading rumors in the paparazzi circle? Saying that Bai Liang is some kind of jinx and that you can't get any dirt on him — isn't it right there for the taking?!

All I did was put in a tiny bit of effort, and it's already the limit of what my peers can manage?!

Day one!

On the very first day of tailing Bai Liang, he managed to capture such a massive scoop — after taking the photos, he himself found it a little unbelievable.

Is it really this easy?

Then he felt it was "very reasonable" — he really was the chosen one of the paparazzi trade, the next Zhuo Wei!

Of course, he wasn't exactly a normal paparazzo either.

A normal paparazzo, after getting the photos, should be extorting hush money from the celebrity by now.

You don't want your secret relationship exposed and your fans jumping ship, do you~

However, given that Bai Liang's style is a bit different from other top-tier stars, this paparazzo also wasn't entirely sure whether the guy would even be afraid of that kind of thing.

Normal top-tier stars would be afraid, but with Bai Liang it's hard to say — the things he's done aren't things a normal person would do.

Normal people are afraid of death, after all.

And besides, times have changed — the paparazzi's playbook needs to be updated and iterated too.

After a bit of thought, he decided to take the "make a name for myself" route.

Top-tier star, right? First member of the ten-billion club, right? Sorry about that — come be the stepping stone for me to replace Zhuo Wei and become the number one paparazzo on the mainland!

Coming out of the gate with such a massive scoop — absolutely stealing the thunder from the start! Absolutely an instant breakout!

In fact, the effect was exactly as this paparazzo had predicted.

The moment the photos were posted, the follower count on his newly created account skyrocketed.

Oh right, he stated that he wasn't a paparazzo, but rather a "gossip blogger."

At the same time, he didn't just start his account on Weibo, the main base of the fandom circle — he also hit places like Douyin short videos and so on, not missing any of them.

It had quite the flavor of one-man army, going big and going strong.

Mm. He didn't dare show his face — although he wanted to make a name for himself, he still wore a head covering.

However, the force of the scoop he dropped was indeed hefty enough!

Right out of the gate, it carried the flavor of "blowing up" the entertainment circle — after all, this was Bai Liang's "romance"!

He himself is already a top-tier star, and at the same time it drags in other top-tier actresses — the melon-eating masses went absolutely crazy~

"Is the studio not responding yet? Don't tell me they've clocked out for the day?! Aren't they going to give the fans an explanation?!"

"Bai Liang hasn't even logged into his Weibo until now — does he really have that much composure, or does he just not know yet?"

"So the rumored CP pairings within the circle really were all marketing, huh. I mean, Bai Liang was being all flirty with Reba and Nazha like that, yet he didn't officially announce with any of them — contract CPs, right? Or the three of them colluding to hype things up?"

"Honestly, a love triangle would be better than this. Turns out he has a civilian girlfriend — isn't this just playing people for fools?"

"Knew it was fake. Bai Liang's acting is that good — damn, is being a good actor now a demerit?! But I always felt Nazha was real though, her acting is trash, can you act out that look she gives Bai Liang? Scumbag! He definitely played with her feelings!"

"Reba's gaze at him was off too, but Reba's acting is also pretty good so it's hard to say."

"Cut the crap, how much better can Dilireba's acting really be than Nazha's? They're six of one, half a dozen of the other."

"I feel like the civilian girlfriend outside the circle is real, and the flirtations or secret relationships inside the circle are also real — this might be a top-tier playboy crash-and-burn incident!"

"The person in the photo isn't the great immortal at all, just a lookalike! Can the studio sue the rumor-monger or what?!"

"."

Obviously, a storm of public opinion had been personally kicked up by this "lucky" paparazzo!

In the short span of time, every shade of the fandom circle was thoroughly laid bare.

Some fans directly raised the banner of defection, declaring they were un-fanning and turning against him — the responders below gathered in droves, huddling together for warmth.

There were also CP fans turning on each other, simultaneously starting to dig up all sorts of "evidence" of Reba, Nazha and the others being "false and insincere" with Bai Liang.

The sweet details they used to post in the super topic were also dug up by them, but switch the angle and you can dig up just as much of anything.

Like that one time when so-and-so looked at so-and-so, the gaze was "icy cold" — all an act, that sort of thing.

The mighty "data workers" could sift through hundreds of video clips and find: when interacting with the two top-tier actresses, Bai Liang's right thumb was always pressed tight against his trouser seam — a defensive posture — whereas with the civilian "intimacy" in the secretly shot photos and videos, it showed a rare splayed-fingers form, which psychology recognizes as a state of complete trust.

All sorts of tech-savvy sniping and microscope-level frenzy began.

There was even a wave of subcultural deconstruction — the champagne Bai Liang endorsed was "oh no, it's serious," photoshopped into "100% fake booze concentration."

Of course, there were also quite a lot of people trying to dox and find out who exactly this "civilian girlfriend" was.

Although Sister Yanzi was thinking "let the bullet fly a little longer," it was obvious that a player with Bai Liang's traffic and status suddenly being hit with this kind of news — all the interested parties could no longer sit still.

One phone call after another came in to Sister Yanzi's side.

This made her couldn't help but complain: "Dou Xiao Bai, it's a good thing this one isn't real, otherwise I wouldn't even know how to do PR on it. The commotion is way too big~"

"Even Sister Yanzi can't handle it? I don't think so — don't sell yourself short before you've even tried, you can definitely do it! Here, have some fruit."

Bai Mama gently peeled an orange for Sister Yanzi, making her a little embarrassed.

Beside her, Bai Liang was also sitting there smiling and nodding with full agreement and encouragement: "She always likes to be modest first like this, but she's actually super amazing! Without her I can't do anything."

Sister Yanzi: Oh my god! Truly mother and son — the emotional value they're giving her is about to burst at the seams.

Although she knew this was emotional value, what do you call an open scheme?

Even if you know, you can't refuse it!

This thing is just like a honey trap — a real honey trap isn't finding some floozy who opens her mouth and calls you baby, but tailoring the approach to the target.

If you're a martial man who fought his way up to general through battlefield merit, then we give you the noble lady in the eyes of the world — a woman you could never have accessed in the first half of your life.

If you're a poor but brilliant scholar who climbed to the heavens through talent and hard work, then we give you a quirky, lively, active girl — bringing bright color into a life that had only contained the classics and effort.

If you're a high official who has long since tasted all the glories of life, then we dig into your past and find your moonlight of old — even if the old acquaintance has aged, we custom-make her in the image of her younger self, have her study "Ming History," kindred spirits, bosom friends.

A honey trap lies not in the beauty, but in the person and the scheme.

The person missing from your life has been brought before you by a straightforward scheme.

Yes, you can choose not to accept it.

But can your pounding heart truly hold back?

Right now, Sister Yanzi's heart was beating hard, as if hot blood surged toward her head.

In truth, Bai Liang always had only one tactic to "deal with her."

It was nothing more than "acknowledgment" and "trust."

But she truly fell for this tactic.

Sister Yanzi: My life has been so spectacular! I've seen every kind of succubus!

So she couldn't help but add: "Even if Little Bai really has something going on, I can still turn the tide!"

"Exactly~"

After drinking this bowl of chicken soup, extra-charged with "maternal love," Sister Yanzi suddenly realized something!

"Hey, Little Bai, over at your place—"

As soon as she spoke, Bai Liang's phone began to buzz.

Watching her son's phone light up nonstop, Bai's mother pretended not to care, but couldn't help stealing glances.

Then her eyes widened slightly.

There are quite a few!

She exclaimed in surprise: "Wow, Dili Reba sent you so many voice messages—this girl sure talks a lot!"

"Actually, she's quiet in private. I'll introduce you to a chatterbox another day."

Watching her son's calm demeanor, Bai's mother felt this boy had never really changed since childhood—no, more accurately, he'd grown even more composed, as if nothing ever fazed him.

Yet when she glanced again and saw names like Yang Mi and Zhao Liying—older women she recognized—her brows twitched slightly.

Damn kid. Your age range is really broad.

When she saw Fan Fan Bingbing's name, she finally couldn't sit still anymore.

That one's a full cycle older than my son! This is absolutely unacceptable!

"Huh?"

Bai Liang, seeing Fan Fan Bingbing had messaged him, also froze for a moment, then reflexively replied with a question mark.

She replied: "Bored out of my mind, saw your gossip and just had to ask—is it true?"

What a "bored out of my mind" sister—how can she even be bored?

Looks like Little Cui hasn't unleashed his big move yet.

"Guess."

Seeing this utterly normal chat record, Bai's mother sighed in relief—okay, okay, my son isn't that extreme. Bullshit!

Yang Mi's already had a child!

Your tastes are ridiculously broad!

And she's married too!

What does "mother-son bond" really mean?

At that moment, Bai Liang instantly sensed his mother's unease, turned his head, and glanced at his phone screen.

Oh~~

He quickly explained: "Mom, she's already divorced—and it's not what you think."

Duang!

A heavy blow of "maternal love" finally landed on Bai Liang's head.

One by one, every single word and content is visible!

Beside him, Sister Yanzi stared wide-eyed—this was the first time she'd ever seen her Little Bai get "punished."

An achievement even a car crash or African wilderness hadn't managed.

Even after being hit, Bai Liang still asked if his mother's hand hurt.

"Tomorrow, Director Director Jiao Zi arrives. You two get busy—I'm going back to sleep and get a beauty rest, or I'll be exhausted tomorrow."

"Miss, let me see you off."

After Sister Yanzi escorted Bai's mother back to her room and returned, Bai Liang was still replying to messages.

The scene made her grin, and she couldn't help saying: "Little Bai, did the girls explode?"

"Not really. It's easy to explain—just say 'That's my mom,' and it's settled. I'm just chatting with them casually."

Hearing this, Sister Yanzi suddenly froze. "Hey, after this, it'll be harder for you to go public, Little Bai."

"Huh? Why?" Bai Liang asked, puzzled.

"Anyone who truly likes you will now think twice. Lu Han already set a precedent, but you've outdone him this time."

Sister Yanzi's words made perfect sense.

And she suddenly understood why Little Bai had been caught by paparazzi this time.

Because there's only benefit—no downside!

This "choice" is perfect. If it were some sister or girlfriend, it'd be harder to explain.

It's his mom!

Besides serving as a "reference," Bai Liang loses nothing—he only lets everyone see just how genuine his top-tier status truly is.

It's like a commercial.

Meanwhile, the other girls, seeing this commotion, will all wonder: Do I really want him to sacrifice so much for me? No way.

At this moment, Meng Jie was extremely pleased.

"See? See?! Was I the coward?"

What happened today instantly "whitewashed" Meng Jie.

She declared she was absolutely not some "gutless wretch" Li Yitong had called her.

Li Yitong scrolled her phone while looking at Meng Jie speechlessly: "If I remember correctly, when you two got together on the set of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' he wasn't even top-tier yet."

That remark made Meng Jie pause. "Was it?"

"Yes. He only got a little famous from the role of Zhang Xianzong after the drama wrapped. Yue Qiluo is right here—go ask her."

So Meng Jie looked at Chen Yao, who gave a slight nod, confirming Li Yitong was right.

But Meng Jie could still argue: "But if we'd fully confirmed the relationship, how could he have ever made it to top-tier~"

"Doesn't affect anything. Couldn't you two just date in secret?" Li Yitong said contemptuously.

This time Meng Jie had nothing to say.

After all, there was a little secret—even though she often slipped up, she'd actually never told anyone else.

It was about how "overly responsible" Bai Liang was.

If the two of them had really stayed together all the way to now, all that dating-not-dating stuff, they probably would've gotten their marriage certificate ages ago. Meng Jie wouldn't be filming right now either—she'd be at home expecting.

Every choice, perhaps, is the best arrangement.

Meng Jie said she only regretted it occasionally, absolutely not to the point of regretting it to her guts.

Mm. Often occasionally.

"Yaoyao, do you dare?"

"Huh? Dare what?"

"Date him, then go public~" Meng Jie said offhandedly.

Chen Yao instinctively wanted to say she dared, but after hesitating two seconds, she still shook her head. She might have dared before, but after today—she genuinely didn't have the courage anymore.

Weibo had already been turned upside down!

The comments under Bai Liang's own account were like they'd exploded.

Also "caught in the crossfire" were Nazha and the others—eight of the current top ten trending searches were related to Bai Liang's "romance" this time or past CPs.

Even Dilireba secretly logging into Weibo a few times made the trending searches.

There were even people keeping count—how many times Dilireba logged in, how many times Nazha logged in.

One could say this incident directly snuffed out the little schemes that had been bubbling up in many a Miss's heart.

To put it dramatically: the "harem" had completely settled down.

At least for the next year or two, Bai Liang definitely wouldn't run into another sudden "impulse" like the one with Miss Jing Tian.

If it happened again, it was definitely ill-intentioned—just label her a "bad woman" and take her down.

Meanwhile, the online farce had by now developed to the point where some female celebrities' fans began "mobilizing," wanting to forcefully cut ties.

In just a few short hours.

Sister Yanzi felt the timing was about right—if they really dragged it to tomorrow, even a clarification would leave some lingering fallout.

They might get accused of "stringing fans along" or "torturing fans" or the like.

She logged straight into the studio's official Weibo, then first liked that exposure post, and reposted it.

Sister Yanzi deliberately waited a moment longer, and sure enough, the comments underneath were all question marks.

"Crazy? What is this?! Admitting the announcement?"

But before the topic "Bai Liang announces relationship" could shoot up, Bai Liang's own Weibo finally updated at that moment.

"Let me introduce everyone—this is my mom."

Your information I like, but your format looks a little familiar.

Less than two minutes after this post went up, Lu Han liked it.

It looked like a harmonious interaction, but in reality, he was eating melon with his girlfriend and waiting to watch the show—and on the other end of the phone, he'd already cursed out loud.

You animal!

You actually copied his announcement format—then go ahead and actually announce it!

Your mom?

Your mom's!

(End of chapter)