Chapter 292

Just before the final round officially began and the girls were preparing to take the stage, they were naturally still nervous.

The backstage lounge, once filled with laughter and chatter, had fallen completely silent.

A summer's worth of effort would come to an end today, like the grand finale of a story.

So even if the production team told them right then that some big-name celebrities, directors, or stars had come to support them, the girls couldn't really get excited about it.

Aside from feeling even more nervous, they barely heard anything they said.

What did those big names have to do with them? They were just there to promote their own works; they probably couldn't even remember the girls' names.

To the girls, this felt like an immensely important crossroads in their lives, but to the big names, it was just another routine appearance.

The three from the "Zhi Zhu" crew had even met with them, but the "Evil Cannot Overcome Right" crew hadn't shown up at all.

Although this was just reality, it still left a small ache.

Then, just as the production team announced it was time to prepare for their entrance and they were about to leave the backstage, the girls saw a smiling capybara at the door.

"You're up soon~ I'll be cheering for you down below!"

Of course, the biggest surprise was that when each girl stepped out, Bai Liang called out her name perfectly.

Not one was wrong.

"Teacher Bai, have you watched our show?"

"I'd love to say I have, but I really didn't have time. Still, before coming here, I obviously had to study which girls were on the show, right? Fu Qing, your boss and I are pretty good friends—he didn't come today, but when I play games with him later, I'll scold him for you."

"That's not necessary."

Bai Liang turned to Yang Chaoyue. "You probably don't need my help—you're terrible at everything except arguing with your boss~"

Yang Chaoyue's face nearly formed the character "囧."

It felt so embarrassing.

But she still tried to defend herself. "I don't really like arguing with people."

Bai Liang: "You like crying, don't you? You're one of those girls who can cry for ages without even getting punched."

After chatting with each girl for a few moments, Bai Liang also promised: after the show, he'd treat them to bubble tea.

Of course, Zhu Yilong would pay—after all, he still owed yesterday's "friend fee."

But the girls' heartfelt thanks were given to Bai Liang.

Unfortunately, the girls seemed rather shy and didn't give him any hugs or anything like that.

But!

One girl, bolder than the rest, jumped up and planted a loud kiss right on Bai Liang's cheek.

Usually, once someone took the lead, the others would feel tempted to imitate.

Bai Liang said his purpose here wasn't this, but if the girls insisted, he wouldn't mind.

Unfortunately, just as it was the third girl's turn—Yang Chaoyue, who gave him a kiss—Sister Zhao arrived.

Sister Zhao: "Caught you! Knew you weren't up to any good!"

Coming here to trick the girls!

She gave Bai Liang a fierce glare, then did something similar—offered a few words of encouragement.

But she didn't have Bai Liang's "super brain" and couldn't remember everyone's names.

Especially since some girls' names sounded similar—she might not even distinguish them clearly—but her blessings were sincere.

These were girls who shone on stage chasing their dreams; dreams, after all, always gleam like gold.

The very act of chasing a dream is itself radiant.

"Where's Zhu Yilong?" Bai Liang asked.

Sister Zhao spread her hands: "Went to the bathroom. You can make him buy you more bubble tea later."

"No problem. After the show, have him buy each girl two cups of bubble tea."

"Teacher Bai, if we meet you in the entertainment circle later, we'll treat you to bubble tea!" one girl suddenly said.

"Sure~ Then go all out! It's still kinda hard to run into me—you'll need to make it big first."

Bai Liang grinned, implying he was a top-tier celebrity—did these little fry-ups really think they could latch onto him?

Fortunately, in the girls' eyes, he was just a cute, clueless capybara, so no one bought his act anymore.

Acting all high-and-mighty? How scary!

"Why do I always show up and catch you acting all high-and-mighty?"

A familiar voice. Bai Liang turned—and frowned. "You're on this show too?"

Hu Yanbing:???

You can name every single girl—didn't you know I'm the singing and composing mentor for this show?

Bai Liang: "I really didn't notice—he thought Hu Yanbing was still hiding somewhere."

After all, Shuangzi's fans were still hunting him down; they probably wouldn't let up for the next year or two—maybe even longer.

That's why people say dating Shuangzi is like having a criminal record.

But now, Hu Yanbing thought Bai Liang was the real brave one.

Because besides being targeted by Shuangzi, he actually dared to meet Fan Fan Bingbing at a time like this.

Who wouldn't admire his courage?

If the two had no affair, Bai Liang was definitely a clean, unshakable figure in the entertainment circle—completely unafraid of attention.

If the two did have an affair, then Bai Liang was at least a loyal lover?

Nah, better call him a third man—it sounds better.

But given Bai Liang's level of charm, Hu Yanbing suspected it was the latter—after all, this kid was always good at flirting, so Fan Fan Bingbing falling for him wasn't impossible.

"I recorded a video of you singing passionately at the KTV last time," Bai Liang said casually—almost making Hu Yanbing drop to his knees.

He sang while venting his emotions, truly letting himself go.

After teasing him, Hu Yanbing sighed: "You haven't changed at all—everyone's willing to give you warmth."

"God loves all people~"

"Haha, you're pretty good at applying things creatively."

Hu Yanbing couldn't hold it anymore—was this 'inspiration' from Shuangzi's book?

Fortunately, the wording in Shuangzi's book was still relatively restrained.

Otherwise, Bai Liang's relationship with her might have become like Ou Hao and Hai Qing: god and believer.

Just imagining it made one's skin crawl with awkwardness.

Bai Liang chuckled, slung an arm around Hu Yanbing's shoulders, and went to greet the other mentors on the show.

The mentor lineup was oddly fascinating: Luo Zhixiang, who hadn't collapsed from poor time management; Wuli Taotao, the weakest of the four returnees; and Wang Yibo, who hadn't yet exploded in fame from "The Untamed."

All of them had stories—or were about to have them~

They didn't chat much; after a simple greeting, everyone went back to what they were doing.

But the host today, Huang Bo, seemed oddly interested in Bai Liang, pulling him aside for a long chat.

Probably because he'd transitioned into directing, and his film "A Good Story" was about to premiere. Nowadays, film directors—especially ones like Huang Bo who switched careers—who wouldn't covet Bai Liang, the hundred-billion-box-office Mr.?

No matter how much box office he brings himself, every film he's starred in has been a smash—proving his track record and audience appeal.

And Bai Liang had just one thought: Holy shit, impressive! So it's not just "Evil Doesn't Overcome Right" and "The Story of Yanxi Palace" promoting?

There's also "A Good Story"!

This reunion night was truly a good show.

The prophecy came true!

This reunion night was, sadly, hardly worthy of these girls' summer-long efforts.

After three hours of live broadcast, the supposed main stars—the Young Ladies—had become background props, their total performance time barely an hour.

Including solo performances from the dance and singing groups, and the two songs "Against the Wind" and "Bloom."

The host Huang Bo opened with a big ad push, constantly plugging his directorial debut.

And that wasn't all!

Another guest who showed up, Li Yuchun, whom Bai Liang hadn't seen before—this icon from the talent show thirteen years ago—was also here to promote.

She was promoting Tencent's other variety show, "Produce 101 Season 2."

!

Then came "Evil Doesn't Overcome Right"—their promotion was the most awkward: Peng Yuyan and Liao Fan stood there with stiff, helpless smiles, making hearts with their hands, clearly eager to finish and go home.

During an interview, Liao Fan bluntly admitted he hadn't watched the show much.

Xiao Zhao and Zhu Yilong were already stuck in awkwardness.

They hadn't expected this so-called drama promotion tour to be this painfully awkward.

So many of them?

Then the question arises: which one was "The Story of Yanxi Palace" in the queue-jumping order?

The production team: We'll tell you honestly—it was the very last one to cut in.

And the "The Story of Yanxi Palace" crew was even given the best promotion slot: to announce the final group formation list.

Xiao Zhao and Zhu Yilong looked at Bai Liang: How dare you still claim this is our face?

But Bai Liang rubbed his chin, then suddenly said: "How about we don't mention 'The Story of Yanxi Palace' later?"

They were startled. Xiao Zhao furrowed her brow slightly but didn't object outright—she only asked: "Are you sure?"

"It's already turned into a farce. I don't feel like joining the circus. The three of us standing here—audiences will know which drama it is."

Bai Liang thought for a moment and added: "After all, you're the new top idol, and you're the strongest 85s queen."

"Bro, I beg you, don't mention that!" Zhu Yilong groaned.

Dammit, a class-defining top idol and a guy with flawless credentials is over here hyping himself up just to get a few more milk teas out of me. Zhu Yilong was truly defeated.

He then declared that as long as Bai Liang didn't bring it up, he'd do anything—even let Bai Liang hit him. Everything else didn't matter.

Xiao Zhao had no objections either. Though it was a bit childish, Bai Liang had pulled off plenty of childish stunts before.

What harm could it do to humor him once?

"It's our turn~ Elbow!"

When the girls saw Bai Liang and the others step on stage, their eyes lit up—then they remembered the previous scene and silently suffered again.

They were almost experts at this by now~

As soon as they came on, they had to promote for minutes, then get called back repeatedly.

Their legs were numb from standing.

If not for the hope of making the group, their hearts would've gone numb too.

But when Bai Liang took the mic, he reached out and asked the host, Hou Peicen—Jay Chou's ex-girlfriend—for the envelope.

This move stunned her. She pulled the mic away and whispered: "Aren't you promoting?"

"Too much hassle. I'm rushing to grab some late-night snacks. Want to join?"

Hou Peicen:

She didn't understand—but she was utterly shocked!

For this man—the first hundred-billion-box-office star on the mainland, already famous even in Taiwan, and a top idol—Hou Peicen hesitated, about to accept his invitation for late-night snacks.

But Bai Liang was just being polite—he snatched the envelope from her hands the next second: "We take turns reading, right?"

"Uh, yes—but slowly."

"I get it—showbiz effect~"

Oh right, since this is a livestream, the barrage comments have been flaming for quite a while now.

"The most drawn-out grand finale in history! Does the actual content even add up to one hour?!"

"Tencent has truly refreshed my understanding of competition variety show grand finales. I'll never call Mango's programs trash again."

"I feel like my IQ has been insulted."

"Going to some girl group finale and blabbing for over ten minutes to promote a movie? Who the hell came up with this idea?"

"Livestream... so hopeless, can we just fast-forward?!"

"This is the first time I've ever wanted to curse Liao Fan and Peng Yuyan so badly. Those two making heart gestures was just too damn much."

"Holy crap, more people coming? Big Immortal?! Big Immortal, no! What the hell are you going to promote this time?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, Big Immortal is here to promote 'The Story of Ming Lan.' Aren't Zhao Liying and Zhu Yilong next to him both in that drama?"

"I love watching 'The Story of Ming Lan,' I love it so damn much. Please hurry up, Big Immortal, I'm a member!"

"I just hope they're the last group to come promote. Otherwise I'm really going to blow up. Every single one who came to promote today is getting a bad review from me!"

"."

Under everyone's gaze, Bai Liang, Little Zhao Sister, plus Zhu Yilong—as if they had suddenly pressed the fast-forward button on this excruciatingly drawn-out livestream.

Actually, the speed at which they took turns announcing the debut spots wasn't fast—competition shows all have this nature, they have to drag things out a bit.

But compared to the previous group, they really were far too efficient.

So efficient that some Miss hadn't even processed it when her name was called. Instead, it was her fans in the live audience who caught on first, erupting into screams and cheers.

Once the Misses caught on too, pair after pair of eyes turned to Bai Liang in unison.

Eyes shining with extraordinary brilliance.

Zhu Yilong: I'm also a top-tier star here, surely I'm not this lacking in presence, right?

Having been buttered up throughout the milk tea process by Bai Liang, he suddenly realized at this moment just how vast the gap between himself and this generation-defining top-tier star truly was.

When the three of them had just taken the stage together, many of the Misses' fans in the audience were howling Bai Liang's name, while he and Zhao Liying had instantly become mere foils.

A sentence suddenly popped into his head: Even among top-tier stars, there are gaps!

What's more, this one could beat the other three even among the four top-tier stars.

Only someone like this could have such willful license at a moment like this~

Anyway, Zhu Yilong wouldn't think that the producers or platforms behind 'The Story of Ming Lan' would put any pressure on Bai Liang over this matter.

They can't even suck up to him fast enough~

Didn't read the promotional script?

If he doesn't want to read it, then don't. As long as Brother Liang is happy.

The other guests on site didn't seem to have caught on to this yet, or rather hadn't processed it yet.

Those who had finished their promotional tasks were feeling a bit like making a run for it now.

Only Hu Yanbing, after seeing what was going on, couldn't hold it in over there, covering his mouth as he laughed: Good brother, as expected of you!

—

Third watch, muah, begging for monthly tickets

(End of chapter)