Chapter 354: Failure Always Runs Through Life

Bai Liang felt he and Dong Zijian had really made it—now he was having dinner with Old Man's "real mother."

Feels kinda memorable~

She even called him "brother"—wasn't his seniority now higher than Old Man's?

Too bad this seniority was only recognized by online trolls; the entertainment industry didn't care.

"Where are we eating? Let's get some barbecue?" Dong Zijian asked casually.

But after saying it, he felt it was inappropriate—after all, there was a girl present; he should've asked her opinion.

Bai Liang replied, "Who said there's only one girl tonight?"

How could Bai himself go out for a late-night snack without any girls around?

Cunzi was just an accidental factor.

But Meng Jie and the others didn't show up.

Only Chen Duling appeared.

Bai Liang received a call when he returned to the hotel in the evening.

He learned he had an extra task for the next three days.

Publicity stunt!

Just like when he and Chen Yao went shopping together to stir up gossip.

The young girl dining with him could naturally be used to promote the film's female lead.

The female lead role in this movie was drawing so much attention; if they picked a top-tier actress, using her for publicity would be bad.

It'd feel like exploiting her fame and easily anger her fans.

But if they picked these little newcomers, both sides would benefit.

No matter who ultimately got the lead, the others wouldn't come away empty-handed.

Here~ This is your photo eating with Bai Liang, allegedly becoming the female lead of *Youth*, go use it for promotion.

The movie also needs this kind of promotion.

These little blossoms' backgrounds are perfect promotional material.

New Miss Wu, Li Bingbing's successor, Zhou Xun's successor, Xu Jinlei's successor—they all wanted this film; plenty of promotional articles to write.

These girls themselves were still nothing right now, but the titles behind them were extremely useful.

Fundamentally, they were promoting the people behind them.

And this wave of traffic, these girls could also benefit from.

After all, they were now connected to Bai Liang, and might even collaborate.

That "possibility" could be worth more to many of them—still fresh-faced newcomers—than landing a drama role.

Many netizens would definitely debate who was more suitable.

They might even argue, and in the midst of it, their names would stick in many people's minds.

Otherwise, Li Bingbing and Zhou Xun wouldn't be so calm.

Let the little girls fight it out themselves?

It was already arranged.

Among the big blossoms, besides fighting, there was also social nuance.

Dong Zijian's mom was once the number-one agent in mainland China; the moment she saw Chen Duling, she instantly understood what was going on.

Of course, there was another possibility: Chen Duling was Bai Liang's girlfriend.

That possibility was far too low!

He didn't know Chen Duling, but didn't he know Old Man Bai?

Thumbs up—no wonder you're the man, Brother Liang, getting all these big shots to cooperate with your publicity stunt.

Bai Liang: This trick wasn't even my idea.

When Chen Duling saw Cunzi, she froze for a moment, nearly blurting out: "Isn't this my turn?"

But she held back—tonight's outfit was ethereal, meant for stunning photos!

To prevent the paparazzi who usually followed Bai Liang from taking the night off, Dou Xiao Qi was already hiding with a camera.

Having a personal photographer-paparazzo on hand was genuinely convenient.

Cunzi blinked at Chen Duling, looking utterly innocent, "Hello, sister."

". Hello."

Chen Duling was pouting, sneaking a glance at Bai Liang, her lips twitching.

As if helplessly asking: What's going on~

She'd been thrilled when she got the notice—dinner with her god, plus promotion for the movie using his name.

Chen Duling had already imagined: the god had a crush on her—this was a consolation prize for not landing the role.

Then Cunzi showed up.

Bai Liang was blunt: "This girl's a queue-jumper. No big deal—you two can take turns."

"Okay~"

Chen Duling still looked wounded, her cheeks puffed up like a little rabbit.

Someone might want to grab her ears and lift her up to make her look even cuter.

"You don't mind, right?" Bai Liang asked Dong Zijian then.

"Heh~ We're just having a normal meal, what's the issue?" Dong Zijian waved his hand.

Instantly, Bai Liang pushed further: "Then you're paying for this meal, okay?"

"Ssshh—I can't beat you"

Cunzi looked bewildered; she thought she understood, but then again, maybe she didn't.

This "game" didn't seem at all like what she'd imagined!

Wasn't she here to compete for the role?

After arriving at the restaurant, Dong Zijian blurted it out right at the table: "Have you decided on the female lead for your movie yet? They all look super anxious."

Cunzi's ears immediately perked up, but she forced herself to seem uninterested as Bai Liang's gaze turned toward her.

What puzzled her was that Chen Duling acted as if she hadn't heard a word, studying the menu with intense focus.

Bai Liang smiled at Cunzi. "Who told you I'm the one who decides this? It's not up to me."

Dong Zijian frowned. "No way. Can the female lead be chosen without your approval? I don't buy it—don't try to fool me like some Japanese guy."

"I didn't want to get involved. I just told the producers: find an actor who fits the role."

"That's so you," Dong Zijian admitted.

Bai Liang had also considered picking someone from the girls he knew—at least he could recommend one.

But after thinking it over, the only ones who came to mind were Chen Yao and Meng Jie.

Meng Jie was out—her sensuality didn't fit a high school student at all.

So he thought of recommending Chen Yao.

But for some reason, she'd been brainwashed—she insisted she wasn't qualified for this level of opportunity, lacked confidence, feared holding everyone back, dreaded criticism, and was terrified of her friends turning against her.

In short: she was too scared.

She also thought even her boss, Cai Yinong, couldn't protect her.

Bai Liang rarely meddled in girls' career plans; he asked once and let it go.

But he suspected Meng Jie might've "brainwashed" Chen Yao—or maybe it was just as likely the other way around.

Both were the strangest contestants.

At that moment, Cunzi's eyes grew hazy. She bit her lip, then couldn't hold back: "Brother, what do you think of me...?"

"You're one of the candidates," Bai Liang said without hesitation, straight out.

Cunzi's eyes lit up!

Then she saw Bai Liang counting on his fingers: "Besides you, there's Zhang Jingyi, Zhang Ruonan, Li Gengxi—five total. Good luck."

After listing the candidates, he added an encouraging word, leaving Cunzi feeling strangely unsettled.

Just... good luck?

Brother, you're a 16-billion-yuan movie star! Shouldn't the whole crew just obey you?

Bai Liang: Why should I do that?

He wasn't the director, and he hadn't studied directing. He enjoyed the process and outcome of stepping into a story—not creating one as a director.

So when it came to casting, he'd never interfered—not when he was obscure, and not after he became famous.

Even with the wildly rewritten Great Ming Splendor, it was because he refused the studio's attempts to keep him by fulfilling his demands.

Bai Liang never started causing trouble after signing on.

There's a fundamental difference.

"Liang Ge, I've realized you're one of the purest actors out there—you've got real conviction."

Hearing Dong Zijian's words, Bai Liang waved his hand. "No, I just enjoy it—purely."

"That's basically the same thing. No wonder my mom says your talent's better than Zhou Xun's."

"Your mom? Hua Jie, right? I heard Chen Daoming mention her before."

"Uncle Daoming? Oh right, you two shot a drama together. Did he yell at you?"

"Now when he sees me, he even avoids me..." Bai Liang remembered Chen Daoming's furious face after losing at mahjong, and couldn't help smiling.

"Really? He's coming tomorrow," Dong Zijian thought to himself—don't you dare bluff me, bro!

"Don't mention mahjong to him, or you'll get beaten."

Bai Liang wasn't worried at all, but he was curious—what if Chen Daoming saw Meng Jie and instinctively blurted out...

Then Meng Jie's seniority in this event would skyrocket!

Midway through the meal, Cunzi received a phone call.

Her expression instantly shattered—her face was full of existential doubt.

She'd worked hard to get close to Bai Liang, thinking she'd gain a major lead in the role competition.

She thought she could at least build familiarity and goodwill first.

Turns out, it was all pointless—she could've just openly had dinner or coffee with Bai Liang.

Was the news too late, or was she just too impatient?

Liu Haocun, barely eighteen, had plenty of ideas, but her emotional control was still poor.

Chen Duling: "Look at you, why the rush?" She calmly poured tea for Bai Liang, her movements elegant as a tea master's.

She glanced at Cunzi, thinking: this girl truly has the vibe of a potential Miss Wang—her eyes and brows brimmed with ambition, almost like Zhang Ziyi at certain moments.

Yet she also had a touch of fragile white-flower charm.

No—tea flower.

The green tea's fragrance was rich and intoxicating~

But Chen Duling only silently mused—she had no judgment on Cunzi's actions today.

Striving hard wasn't wrong.

But as a top student, Chen Duling instinctively considered methodology.

Would her idol even respond to Cunzi's approach?

She couldn't help sneaking glances at Bai Liang, trying to read something from his gentle face—hmm~ so handsome~

Cough, cough!

After snapping herself out of her daydream, Chen Duling concluded: It's impossible to tell~

But she felt the guy wasn't the type who'd be easily swayed by a little green tea.

!

Bai Liang: That depends on whether the little green tea also has the identity of a little rich girl.

He's naturally powerless against little rich girls.

After this meal, Xiao Qi had taken all sorts of photos.

Honestly, his skill is pretty decent.

He managed to make it look like candid shots, yet the images were clear and the people looked good.

That's real skill!

The only flaw was that the two girls took turns, but the background was identical.

Luckily, there's still the blur trick.

Cunzi's heart was complicated—had his sneaky maneuver paid off or not?

Like what? —

Compared to her complexity, the two girls who went on a "date" with Bai Liang the next day were straightforward.

The two girls stared at each other, not knowing what to say.

They sat there sipping their milk tea, sipping and sipping, yet after half an hour, they hadn't finished even half a cup.

Bai Liang had already ordered a second cup—what a burden! Just these two milk teas, he'd have to train extra late tonight.

He glanced at Zhou Ye, then at Zhang Jingyi, thinking they really did look alike—another pair of lookalike sisters.

But Zhou Ye's features were sharper, cold and refined; when she scowled, she genuinely exuded a bullying aura.

She'd be perfect for bullying the female lead.

Zhang Jingyi's facial lines were softer, her aura gentler, evident even in her slightly duller features.

Standing before Bai Liang, one looked cool-toned, the other warm-toned.

Compared to their similar looks, this difference in aura clearly distinguished them.

Bai Liang used the same method to tell Li Xin apart from Li Yitong.

"Teacher Bai, why are you staring at the top of my head? Is there something dirty?"

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Jingyi finally asked that.

She didn't have the courage or nerve to call him "Big Brother"—not every girl can be that bold~

"Your skull is round."

Oh.

Going on a "date" with a super handsome guy—even if it was with two girls—yet the focus was on her skull.

Zhang Jingyi felt something was off, and unconsciously hugged her head.

Could he have some weird fetish—wanting to tap her skull?

Bai Liang's hand was resting on the table, the back of his hand handsome, with distinct, elongated knuckles—not soft or delicate, but with noticeable calluses in places.

Combined with prominent veins, he looked powerfully built.

That was quite masculine—but if she'd already imagined he wanted to tap her head…

Zhang Jingyi already felt pain, her face unconsciously twisting with discomfort and indecision, as if thinking: Maybe… let him tap lightly?

But to Zhou Ye's ears, the meaning was entirely different.

Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help asking: "Teacher Bai, have you already decided she's the female lead?! Do I have no chance?!"

"Huh?!"

Zhang Jingyi shot up, then touched her head—can a round skull really be an advantage?!

Bai Liang: "I don't know—I just thought she might have an edge."

Under Zhang Jingyi's pleading gaze,

Though they were rivals, even competing products, and their respective sponsors didn't get along, Zhou Ye still revealed something—she'd read the full script, because she'd already been cast as the second female lead.

"The female lead has to shave her head. Teacher Bai probably means your skull is full and round—you'll look good even bald."

"Shave my head…?" Zhang Jingyi touched her hair, reluctant.

"I don't mind! I can do it!" Zhou Ye said quickly.

"No no no, I can too, I can too."

So, is it settled then?

One plays the female lead, the other the second female lead?

Bai Liang chuckled mischievously: "You two look so alike, you can only keep one—otherwise the audience won't tell who's who."

At this, the two girls were stunned.

The previously harmonious atmosphere instantly turned tense and hostile.

Only one can stay?!

Zhou Ye: I can't wait—do you want to be the female lead? I'll bully you right now!

Just as she was about to pull out her phone and search for the correct bullying technique,

"Xiao Ye, are you done yet? We're leaving to take photos—we're going to Gulangyu, aren't we? We need to catch the ferry!"

Who? Who's so clueless?!

Zhou Ye turned around—ah, it was the girl she'd just gotten close to yesterday morning.

Bai Liang saw Meng Ziyi bouncing and waving, and internally sighed.

So she's made friends again? Isn't she still cosplaying as a green-tea bitch?

Meng Jie: Forgot~

Or rather, when she runs into contestants she actually clicks with, that dopey side of hers comes right out.

Once someone sees through her at a glance and they chat a bit more, isn't it only natural they'd become friends?

No filming scheduled for this afternoon, so everyone just did their own thing.

Meng Jie was about to round up a few buddies and head over to Gulangyu for a stroll~

She's doing way too well right now, because just as Dong Dong Zijian said yesterday, Chen Daoming really did show up.

When he came and was giving them their "lecture," he actually interacted with Mencius for a moment.

He opened his mouth and said: Meng Jie.

That form of address made everyone else cringe, huh?!

Isn't this Mencius just Bai Liang's little tagalong? And she has this kind of "seniority" too?

Instantly filled with awe on the spot

This is one of the proudest moments in our Meng Jie's debut!

If the movie channel does her a favor and keeps Chen Daoming's line in the edit, Meng Jie might really beat that Go-world Elder Zhan to it, pulling off a generational role-reversal in seniority.

After Zhou Ye was led off by Meng Jie, Zhang Jingyi, who was left behind, was actually a lot calmer than before.

She stared at Bai Liang with wide eyes

Alone together, huh!

But then she saw Bai Liang pull out his phone, tap around for a bit, and five minutes later, that radiant Zhang Ruonan showed up.

Didn't Bai Liang just say her skull was round and she'd look good with a shaved head?

And now here he is complimenting Zhang Ruonan, saying her vibe fits the female lead and she has this quality that makes people want to bully her.

He got Zhang Ruonan so flustered she kept going, "Really? Really? ~"

"But the others have their strengths too, I'm just personally more appreciative of her."

Zhang Jingyi's eyes went wide, and when she looked at Bai Liang again, she inwardly screamed: Player!

So you sweet-talk every single one of them?!

But Zhou Ye earlier didn't seem to get this treatment.

Zhou Ye: I can keep the second female lead no matter what! How can you compare with me?

A contestant with a safety net doesn't need sweet-talking.

Otherwise she wouldn't have just followed Meng Jie the moment she called, trotting off happily to hang out.

And what Bai Liang plays is indeed the "encouragement education" game.

Last night after dinner, he even praised Liu Haocun, saying she had a stubborn little-grass quality to her, very fitting for the female lead.

The capybara principle is: since you're all here, none of you came for nothing.

At the very least, bro's gonna max out the emotional value for you girls.

There's only one female lead in the end.

The others are destined to be the losers.

Under these circumstances, Bai Liang also hopes that his praise and encouragement will give these girls a few more warm shades of comfort amid their failure—at least he gave them his affirmation.

Mm. You all did great, not getting the role is purely because your companies behind you didn't deliver.

He's even laid out a full blame-shifting tutorial.

But the slip-up is that Bai Liang was a bit too efficiency-minded, and it seems Zhang Jingyi caught on.

He actually realized it right after he finished praising Zhang Ruonan.

So he explained to Zhang Jingyi: "Your skull really is quite round."

"Teacher Bai, you're really good at lying"

Bai Liang simply reached out and patted her head, "Failure runs through life from start to finish, don't take good intentions for a donkey's liver and lungs, little girl."

Mm, her skull really is round!

Zhang Jingyi was actually quite obedient at this point, going from being afraid Bai Liang would reach out and knock her head to actually kind of enjoying being patted and finding it pretty comfortable.

Zhang Ruonan: Um, am I gonna get head pats later too?

She felt like the girl across from her was so comfortable she was about to let out a little hum~

There's a perk like this too?!

She wants in too!

(End of chapter)