Chapter 35: Brother, You're Really Hungry (Please add to reading list, please vote with monthly tickets)

The ever-popular "in-flight bloodbath" obviously couldn't possibly happen.

Although Yang Xing and Cai Yinong both knew of each other, they weren't exactly close—just a nod and a greeting when they happened to meet.

Cai Yinong was fine with it; she had no idea what Yang Xing was up to and didn't think much of it at all.

But Yang Xing's mind was racing!

At this time, on this flight, the other party's destination was obvious without saying.

She could only be glad she'd bought her ticket decisively—any later, and the person might well have been snatched out from under her.

Although the current Bai Liang was filming Tang Ren's project, Yang Xing pointed out that she was the "mentor" who had led him onto the path of acting.

First come, first served!

If anyone was poaching, it would definitely be the other party poaching hers—she had signed Bai Liang, so that was only natural and proper.

Shanghai to Zhengzhou was only about a two-hour flight.

Departing at noon, she'd arrive at the Central Plains Film and Television City before evening.

The moment Yang Xing got off the plane, she called Bai Liang to ask where he was and whether it'd be convenient to meet up for a chat.

Then she was turned down.

Bai Liang on the other end of the line didn't mind freeloading a meal, but the crew was having a group dinner tonight, and it wasn't easy to get out of.

But Bai Liang added that they should probably go karaoke after dinner, so he could come out and meet Yang Xing then.

Yang Xing: What a familiar sense of déjà vu!

After hanging up, she laughed—hadn't she herself originally run into Bai Liang and Huang Jingyu at a KTV lounge?

This time it felt like the roles were reversed~

Fine, before the meeting, she'd have to prepare something.

For instance, a suitable "meeting gift."

"Hello~ I'm Bai Liang, you must be...."

"I'm Chen Yao, very pleased to work with you."

Having already filmed two productions, Bai Liang could be considered a seasoned "old bird" actor.

At least compared with the genuine little newbie in front of him, he did indeed have quite a bit of experience.

Before "Wu Xin Fa Shi," second female lead Chen Yao had only played a small supporting role in "Xuan Feng Shi Yi Ren."

Her screen time was about the same as Bai Liang's Long Ming in "Xian Jian Yun Zhi Fan."

The girl fit the newbie standard in every respect—her tone of voice was gentle and soft, unhurried and measured.

But perhaps because it was their first meeting, her voice was a little quiet~

That actually suited her slightly childlike face quite well, though this Miss was wearing heels, and standing there she definitely looked over one-meter-seventy.

That really didn't read as "loli" at all—quite the contrast.

This Miss was the complete opposite in personality to the bold and brash Jin Cheng.

Not talkative, she stood there looking pretty and delicate, and after the greeting she silently observed Bai Liang, like a little kitten.

Bai Liang: Pretty cute~

"Are you two on a blind date?"

Wang Yanlin, who had popped up from god knows where, shattered the atmosphere with a single sentence.

"You scared her off....." Bai Liang watched Chen Yao "flee in disarray" and said helplessly.

Wang Yanlin rubbed his own face. "Sure, I'm not as handsome as you, but I'm not that ugly either, right? Back in my hometown in the Northeast, I'm a famous handsome young man for miles around."

"Mm..... you're the third person to say that."

Bai Liang thought to himself: Did all those famous handsome young men from miles around end up running off to the entertainment industry?

"Oh right, after dinner tonight, let's find somewhere to grab a drink?" Wang Yanlin suggested.

"Aren't you going to karaoke?"

"Too many people, and besides, we make our living with our faces...... Bro, don't tell me you want to call girls over~ I can't just phone up and get you ten or eight pretty girls here."

"You could back in the Northeast?"

"Nope."

"Then what's the point of saying any of that...... I, on the other hand, could call a girl over."

Hmm?!

Wang Yanlin looked baffled, glanced at Chen Yao who had reappeared, and shook his head: "You're not thinking of inviting her along too, right? You just met—wouldn't be appropriate....."

Although Chen Yao spoke softly, her ears were sharp!

After overhearing the two men's "loud conspiracy," a touch of indecision showed on her face—should she go or not?

And indecisive she remained, all the way until the group dinner ended.

Sigh~ Nobody came to invite her out to play~

In the end, she sat in the KTV private room listening to everyone else "wail like ghosts and howl like wolves."

Meanwhile, at some bar.

Wang Yanlin, who had originally been full of anticipation, was dying to see what stunning beauty Bai Liang could summon to drink with them~

When drinking, having girls around did make it feel a bit more interesting sometimes.

And Wang Yanlin really did trust Bai Liang's taste—back when they auditioned at Tang Ren's company, the scene where the great beauty Gulinazha fed him yogurt was something he'd never forget as long as he lived.

It was also that time that Wang Yanlin finally realized the difference between a truly handsome guy and an ordinary handsome guy went far beyond the surface.

A deep sense of defeat swept over him—and over every other person auditioning that day.

But today!

Once again, he was left dumbfounded!

When he saw Yang Xing walking over with a smile on her face, Wang Yanlin nearly spat a mouthful of wine onto Bai Liang's face.

Bro, no way!

You call this a Miss? She's almost as old as the two of us put together, right?

Bai Liang: Who says an older Miss doesn't count as a Miss?

After the "shock," Wang Yanlin looked at Bai Liang with a rather complicated gaze: Bro, you're really that hungry.

"This is Sister Yang, she's very impressive, she used to be Zhang Zhang Ziyi's agent! This is my friend Wang Yanlin, he's also an actor." Bai Liang introduced.

In one sentence, Wang Yanlin felt like he'd become a clown.

Go... good brother!

Yang Xing smiled and greeted the two of them, then, just like the first time they met, pulled out two business cards.

"The business cards are different from before." She even made a point of reminding Bai Liang.

Taking it and looking, sure enough, it was different.

Gancheng Film and Television.

Mm, never heard of it.

Clearly not as famous as Tang Ren, Bai Liang stuffed it into his pocket and started helping Yang Xing order drinks.

Meanwhile, Wang Yanlin beside him didn't dare take it lightly, carefully putting away that business card—Zhang Zhang Ziyi's former agent, that title alone was enough to "intimidate" a small-timer like him.

Inwardly thanking his good brother once again for actually introducing this kind of connection to him.

Getting familiar faces and contact info like this is mostly useless most of the time, but you never know when it might suddenly come in handy.

Opportunity is, after all, reserved for those who are prepared.

However, he also carefully noticed how Bai Liang addressed Yang Xing... Sister Yang?

Good brother, where do you know so many impressive "rich ladies" from?!

Once the drinks arrived, Yang Xing's eyes lit up—good kid, he actually remembered what she drank at that commercial KTV back then.

Sometimes the way people get along really can go straight to the heart through certain small details.

Just this one thing, and Yang Xing felt the word "thoughtful."

She couldn't help but be even more satisfied with him—as an entertainer, IQ isn't that important, EQ is really important!

She took a sip of wine, and without any preamble at all, got straight to the point: "You haven't signed with a company, right? Come to me, I'll make you a top-tier star in three years!"

Her tone was firm, quite domineering.

Wang Yanlin held his wine glass, not even daring to breathe loudly.

And Bai Liang was stunned for a moment, "Actually, I don't really need to..."

"You call me Sister, I definitely won't treat you badly. Cai Yinong must have offered you terms too, right? But you definitely understand Tang Ren's situation too—they have too many artists, with Hu Ge pressing down from above, and Han Dongjun being heavily pushed below. If you join in, it won't be that easy to get the best resources. But my side is different, I have the resources, fewer people! At most I'll only sign two or three artists..."

Sister Yang said quite a lot in one breath, took a sip of wine to wet her throat, and quietly observed Bai Liang's expression.

The result was, this kid's reaction was a bit off.

Excitement, confusion, indecision—none of those emotions were there.

But he thought for a few seconds out of respect, then asked in confusion: "Artist?"

"Mm?"

Yang Xing frowned, is there something wrong with that word? If you like, saying 'star' works too.

But Bai Liang said: "I'm at most just an actor. If I really sign with Sister Yang's company, I'd probably waste the resources and effort you mentioned, wouldn't that be screwing you over?"

"Cough cough cough..." Wang Yanlin inwardly gave Bai Liang a thumbs up, daring to talk nonsense at a time like this? Bro, are you drunk?

Speaking of which, this kind of "negotiation" style, he could actually steal a lesson from it...

But Yang Xing stared at Bai Liang, seeming to have understood what he really meant.

At the same time she shook her head at his "naivety," but patiently explained: "Actor? Performing artist? I don't like to dampen young people's enthusiasm or dreams, but... you have high EQ, you should know what I'm saying. The film and television circle is a fame-and-profit arena, some things you can't resist, unless you leave."

"If I ever get tired of acting, I probably will leave." Bai Liang said casually.

Sister Yang laughed, suddenly feeling this kid was quite cute!

"No company, no agent, where are you going to act? Like those extras, waiting for work? Will the roles come knocking on your door?"

Bai Liang nodded in agreement.

He understood all the reasoning~

But just then, his phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed Meng Ziyi.

Before this call, she had also sent Bai Liang a few messages, the content roughly being: I have a really awesome drama here looking for actors! They want newcomers, do you want to come try it out?

He looked up at Sister Yang again.

You may not believe it if I tell you, but in the time it took him to have a drink, a role came knocking~