Chapter 321: The Wolf Feigns Sleep to Lure the Enemy

The last gathering Bai Liang organized for *The Chinese Captain* was, all things considered, a pleasant affair for hosts and guests alike.

To be precise, the guests were all quite happy, but the one footing the bill wasn't really happy at all—in fact, he didn't even show up.

Though Yang Yang probably doesn't have much appetite today either~

Just like Zhang Tian'ai, after the drama's premiere the results didn't meet expectations. She already ate little to begin with, and in this mood, she could hardly eat anything at all.

But unable to eat at the dinner, once it was over she actually felt a bit of a craving for something.

People are just like that.

When your mood is decent and you can stay calm, naturally you can keep yourself in check.

When emotions swing too wildly—whether wild joy or deep misery—it's easy to act on impulse.

Otherwise, why do they say a heartbroken girl is easier to take advantage of~

Nighttime. The hotel!

After returning to her room, Li Xin took a shower, changed clothes, and then started thinking about putting on some light makeup.

But before that, she wanted to call Bai Liang first.

To let him know she'd be staying over again tonight.

No choice—the crew was full of gossip, and the girls' backgrounds were a little too complicated. Otherwise she could have just moved in with him for a couple of days, no problem.

Instead of sneaking over like a thief now, then having to get up at the crack of dawn to sneak back to her own room.

But the call wouldn't go through. The line was busy.

At this hour, who was he on the phone with?

She knit her brows, hung up, then sent him a message telling him she'd come find him in about half an hour.

"The drama's ratings are high—all thanks to how awesome I am~"

On the other end of the line, Sister Tian Tian shamelessly began blowing her own horn.

Even through the phone, Bai Liang could practically see the smugness on her face.

Because Sister Tian Tian really had been complimented.

But *Great Ming Splendor* had only just started airing, the plot had only just begun, and all Sister Tian Tian had gotten was fans and viewers telling her she looked pretty.

And the compliments weren't even about her looking pretty in the drama itself, but about some upcoming stills the show's official Weibo had released.

Her face, in that kind of regal, luxurious clothing, really didn't look out of place at all.

That plump, luminous beauty seemed magnified under such finery.

The nickname "Flower of Worldly Riches and Honor" wasn't given for nothing—Sister Tian Tian really did have a knack for playing noble ladies.

Because of her features, even when she went for a more aggressive makeup look, she could carry the presence without making people scared or put off.

Instead, it came across as both cute and fierce.

Anyway, these past couple of days she's been a bit drunk on the praise, feeling like she's floating.

Most obviously, she's started getting "no sense of her place"—actually "throwing her weight around" in front of Bai Liang, claiming the drama succeeded entirely because of her.

Bai Liang was stunned for a moment before he realized what this young lady meant.

Clearly, this was a very new form of flirting.

So he immediately switched to "attack mode": "What does it have to do with you? Don't be so shameless—just cling to my thigh and you'll be fine."

"Hmph! Stop looking down on me! I'm not the box-office poison I used to be—you, you, you... you call me 'big sis,' and big sis will take you flying~"

"You call me 'big bro' first, and next time I'll bring you along to film again."

"Big bro!"

Just as Bai Liang was still reveling in the joy of their "mutual roasting," Miss Jing Tian struck with lightning speed and locked the deal in an instant.

Bai Liang: Ah... did I just fall for it?

Miss Jing Tian: Let's see you call me dumb again! I'm sharp as hell!

This move, this move is called "the wolf feigns sleep to lure the enemy."

At first she really had just wanted to mess around with Bai Liang, but then she suddenly caught the "keyword" and her reflexes kicked in on the spot.

Want to be big bro? Just obediently call me big sis~

This time Miss Jing Tian was genuinely triumphant, but her tone actually started going soft and cute—humming and cooing while lavishing Bai Liang with praise.

Basically a whole string of rainbow farts, absolutely maxing out the emotional value.

This silky little combo left Bai Liang dazed and confused.

Not that he was really that easy to coax—mainly he was feeling a bit wistful: people really do change.

A young lady like Miss Jing Tian, who seemed so silly at first meeting, has an "evolution" speed that's pretty alarming.

She's already setting traps for him.

The only constant in this world, probably, is change—and his luck.

He had no idea what "surprise" this young lady had in store for him next.

"Aiya, don't worry, I won't really insist you take me in your next drama—just let me be happy for a while, okay?"

Miss Jing Tian seemed to sense something and immediately added this line.

Compared to actually co-starring with Bai Liang in another drama, a promise of "future collaboration" could keep her happy for much longer.

Whether they actually co-starred or not didn't matter—what mattered was that he was willing to keep working with her, to bring her along to film.

She really just wanted an attitude.

She's not the type who says one thing but, the moment you dare to commit, immediately demands you follow through.

"I'm not really worried about that anyway—the drama I'm currently discussing, you couldn't act in it."

"Hmph~ Impossible! We have such great chemistry, netizens all say we're a match made in heaven!"

"It's about playing a Gao Zhongsheng," Bai Liang said calmly.

"Sorry to disturb you." Miss Jing Tian quickly conceded.

She wasn't incapable of pretending to be younger—what's wrong with a thirty-year-old playing a high school student?

Even that Qingshui actress plays a teenager!

But Miss Jing Tian now valued her reputation quite a bit; she'd finally built up some good word-of-mouth and audience favor, and she didn't want it crumbling over something like this.

Others could think her mindset and appearance were young, but she absolutely wouldn't deliberately act youthful.

These were two different things.

"Hmm, it's late—I'm going to sleep for my beauty rest, take good care of myself, and aim to play a high school student next time!"

"Five more years will do." Bai Liang suddenly said.

"Huh? Why?"

"Meituan just sent me a coupon for fifteen off thirty-five—I can give it to you."

"If you mention my age again, I'll break up with you~" Miss Jing Tian huffed.

Her threat had no real power, but Bai Liang always willingly "conceded."

That way, the young lady could sleep peacefully and beautifully.

But Bai Liang was preparing to stay up late, unusually, because he'd seen the message Li Xin had sent.

He checked the time again and felt it was about right.

Bai Liang thought for a moment, walked to the door, cracked it open a sliver, and left it slightly ajar.

Then he turned and went to take a shower.

Showering before the guest arrived was at least basic courtesy.

Though he wasn't sure if there even was such a thing as "bedroom etiquette."

Just as Bai Liang entered the bathroom and began showering, a furtive black shadow appeared in the hallway.

Zhang Tian'ai carefully observed her surroundings, as if afraid of being discovered.

In fact, she was overthinking it—on this front, the production team had already taken care of Bai Liang.

After he declined a luxury hotel and chose to stay in the production's hotel instead, this small thoughtful arrangement naturally followed.

Though the production team didn't know who exactly would come to see Bai Liang, they simply assumed everyone might.

So Bai Liang, who made no demands for star treatment, actually received even greater star treatment.

No one else was staying in the area.

There had been guests originally, but they were moved to another floor after he arrived.

"Huh?"

Carefully approaching Bai Liang's door, Zhang Tian'ai was just about to knock when she suddenly noticed the door was open.

She pushed the door slightly wider and peeked inside—no movement, only a faint sound of water coming from the bathroom.

She stepped into the room and cleared her throat lightly.

"Cough cough~" "Coming? Wait a moment."

Hearing the voice from the bathroom, Zhang Tian'ai froze—was he expecting someone? Who?

At that moment, she finally understood why the door had been left slightly ajar.

As she stood there hesitating, unsure whether she should leave, the sharp tap-tap of high heels suddenly echoed down the hallway.

As the sound drew nearer, a cheerful hum could also be heard~

The visitor seemed to be in excellent spirits.

Now Zhang Tian'ai grew flustered, forgot to close the door, and hurried deeper into the room, instinctively searching for a hiding spot.

She'd rushed here on impulse, but that didn't mean she could confront the "real owner" face-to-face.

If caught by some "real owner" inside the room, she truly wouldn't know what to do.

Li Xin wouldn't be as cautious or furtive as the previous visitor—she pushed the door open confidently and walked right in.

Then, with a casual flick, she slammed the door shut with a bang.

No need to be shy—we're all adults~

Besides, this wasn't the first time—it was all second nature.

She took off her high heels but didn't place them by the door; she held them in her hand—they'd need to be worn again soon.

!

Seeing the clothes Bai Liang had taken off and casually tossed on the sofa, she went over and tidied them up.

Sniff sniff~

Hmm, no sweat smell—quite clean.

And since Bai Liang was still showering, things would likely be even cleaner soon—so she might as well be bold and proactive.

Li Xin lightly licked her lips, tiptoed to the bathroom door with her high heels in hand, opened it slightly, peeked inside, and giggled softly.

First, tease him a bit.

Then begin preparations.

Open the champagne!

She still had four bottles left—she'd use them all tonight!

She'd sip a little later; not enough to get drunk, but just enough to enhance the mood.

When the preparations were done, Li Xin, watching Bai Liang emerge wrapped in a towel, blinked and asked, "I brought the airline attendant uniform from the production team—want to see me wear it?"

"If you're not worried about getting it dirty, go ahead~"

"Not worried—it's my own purchase, not the production's. Wait for me!"

That's the strangest thing about girls.

Even though they were already intimately familiar, every part had been seen, even pulled apart for inspection.

Yet they still disliked changing clothes in front of each other.

Even if they were about to take them off later, it was the same.

But this suite wasn't large; the only places to change clothes were the bathroom and the bedroom.

Bai Liang had just taken a shower, and the bathroom still held a lot of steam, so Li Xin naturally went to the bedroom to change.

Once she went in, the time stretched far beyond Bai Liang's imagination.

He had finished an entire glass of champagne, his hair was nearly dry, and she still hadn't come out?

So he walked to the door and knocked. "Are you done yet?"

"Almost done, coming right out, don't come in!" Li Xin's voice sounded oddly flustered, but Bai Liang didn't think much of it.

Five minutes later, Li Xin emerged from the bedroom, fully dressed in stockings, high heels, and an airline attendant uniform, dragging her steps.

Her expression was strange—slightly morose, yet with a faint hint of anticipation.

As Bai Liang wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap, Li Xin sipped her champagne and proposed a small idea:

"What if we turn off all the lights afterward?"

"Turn off the lights? What's that supposed to mean? Are you shy?" Bai Liang asked, puzzled.

"I saw online that people say closing your eyes makes other senses sharper."

"I'll just blindfold you with my tie~" Bai Liang disagreed with her theory; visual stimulation was important too—at least he thought it was.

But since men and women were different, he was willing to let Li Xin try it first.

"No, we have to turn off the lights. If you blindfold me, I'll be scared."

"Scared of what?"

"What if you take pictures of me with your phone?"

Good reason!

Bai Liang wondered if his image in her mind was really that bad.

Li Xin: a person who spat everywhere—her image wasn't exactly pristine either.

Hmm. She won.

Taking off one of Li Xin's high heels, Bai Liang gently stroked the sole of her foot with his palm; the newly worn stockings felt exquisite. After she instinctively curled her foot away from the tickling, he slowly traced upward along the arch.

Yet Li Xin kept urging him to turn off the lights.

The advantage of a hotel was that you could turn off all the lights with one button, plunging the entire room into complete darkness.

In such total darkness.

Ah~

Bai Liang suddenly understood why Li Yifeng, that kid, ignored all the beautiful women in the industry and instead obsessed over caring for those pointy-nosed creatures.

The reason was probably simple and brutal.

Good performance!

But a few minutes later, Bai Liang felt something was off.

So he reached forward.

"Ah~"

"Hm?"

"What's wrong?" Li Xin asked nervously from behind.

Bai Liang thought for a moment; his eyes were gradually adjusting to the darkness. He looked at the figure before him and said:

"Nothing, keep going."

"Okay?"

"You keep going."

Bai Liang realized he'd misspoken—he was truly sorry!

Tonight's Miss Li Xin was indeed much "more skilled" than usual; her speed was so fast that Bai Liang felt she had three or four hands.

Anyone who didn't know would think they'd hired Nezha to give them a spa.

Meanwhile, this champagne—why was it so intoxicating?

Bai Liang: Probably fake wine!

He'd actually drunk fake wine before; it could induce hallucinations.

Where did they buy it? I'll call Consumer Protection tomorrow to report it!

Li Xin: You're the endorser—I ordered it from the official website.

Bai Liang: Then it must've been sitting too long and expired.

Of course, it could also be because that Yunnan mushroom dish at dinner wasn't cooked properly.

Either way, it had to be one of them.

Otherwise, how could Bai Liang have felt there were two Li Xins?

Fortunately, the toxicity wasn't severe—it gave him double the pleasure, and he wanted to be poisoned again next time.

Meanwhile, to respect Miss Li Xin's new preference, Bai Liang never turned the lights on again.

Even when they went to the bathroom to shower afterward, he managed entirely by feel in the dark.

But the poisoning ran deep—he felt he'd washed Li Xin twice.

The time was now 3 a. m.

Meng Jie finally managed to soothe the energetic Guan Xiaotong to sleep; though she herself was exhausted, she thought that since Bai Liang was leaving tomorrow, she really ought to go see him.

But would going over so late disturb Bai Liang?

No need to disturb her—she has her room card.

Just burrow straight into his arms and sleep, so when he wakes up tomorrow morning the first thing he sees is her. Wouldn't that work?

Bai Liang: Hiss—this wine is f*cking counterfeit! And the mushroom's toxicity is way too strong!

Damn it, he feels like there are three Li Xins!

Triple-folded, however you fold it, it's still her!

(End of chapter)