Chapter 379: I Knew He

The first "Happy Birthday" was spoken by Bai Liang in his own identity to Dili Reiba.

The second "Happy Birthday" was spoken by Yu Tu in his identity to Qiao Jingjing.

This point, Reiba herself naturally understood very well.

She couldn't help but press her lips together, then simply bit down lightly—afraid she might cry, afraid she might laugh out loud.

A complicated emotion.

But after secretly glancing at that little girl, she felt something strange inside—was she one of her own team members? She didn't recognize her at all~

But this whole scene looked unmistakably pre-arranged.

Reiba also thought this might have been Bai Liang contacting her team to secretly arrange this surprise, to make up for his inability to show up.

After the video call ended, she finally exhaled in relief.

Close call, close call—I almost cried.

Bai Liang's live-streaming stunt made the fans believe it was also a pre-planned scene.

After that Xiao Shan girl stumbled offstage, a crowd around her kept asking if she was from Reiba's studio.

She could only repeatedly explain: it was truly my mom who introduced her!

The people around her gave her that "old man on the subway staring at his phone" expression, as if to say: you think we're Japanese fools?

They didn't believe a single word she said.

The little girl was on the verge of tears; by now Bai Liang's video had ended, so she quickly called her mom to ask what was going on.

Her mom firmly insisted: it was a super handsome guy I met on the subway!

She said that the moment she saw him, she knew their future child would be incredibly beautiful, and she asked how the conversation went—could she land him?

The little girl couldn't help but look up at the stage, where Reiba had just resumed her hot dance routine—she'd already changed into another outfit.

A black fitted strap top paired with matching slim-fit pants, the straps adorned with sequins and beads, glittering dazzlingly under the lights, the cropped design revealing her slender waist.

The high-waisted black pants accentuated her leg lines; the overall look was simple yet full of power, enhancing the sensuality of her dance moves.

Absolutely magnetic—she was breathtakingly beautiful!

The little girl: Mom, you're telling me to compete with her for a man?!

You really think highly of yourself. No wonder she's my real mom.

Yet after chatting with her mom for a few more seconds, the little girl suddenly looked up.

Because she knew her mom was in Beijing for tourism today, and she planned to meet her after the show ended.

So the question arises—where is Bai Liang?

Bai Liang: I'm on the subway, I'm rushing.

He ended the video and didn't call back because he'd just gotten off the subway and was about to exit the station.

Reiba's birthday venue clearly considered the fans' departure—less than a kilometer from the subway station.

When he stepped out of the subway station, the rain had just completely stopped.

On the street, he could still see pedestrians putting away their umbrellas.

Bai Liang looked up and gave the sky a capybara smile.

So thoughtful—it knew he had no umbrella.

But now there was one "small problem."

Showing up empty-handed isn't very good~—

"Next act! Next act!"

Breathing heavily but smiling, Reiba skipped in tiny steps toward the backstage.

She was changing into her fifth outfit of the day—the one she liked best.

It was a silver evening gown, fitted with a mermaid tail and nipped waist, especially flattering to her figure.

The dress was covered in tiny sequins, shimmering like a cascade of the Milky Way under the lights.

Overall, elegant and playful, with a touch of fairy-like charm.

After changing, she immediately grabbed her dress and rushed back onstage, her smile radiating infectious joy.

Everyone could tell she was happy—and everyone knew why.

But about ten seconds after she vanished, her phone left with her assistant suddenly rang.

Assistant Lingling glanced at the caller ID, snatched the phone, and hurried out after her.

"Sis, it's Xiao Bai's call."

Reiba, one foot already on stage, looked like she was about to form a "冏" on her face—why now?

But the crowd's cheers had already erupted—the fans had seen her; she couldn't retreat to answer a call and then return.

She could only signal Lingling: you answer it~

Then she turned and strode toward her fans, back straight.

There was no choice—Lingling had to take over.

"Xiao Bai, Sister Reiba's already on stage."

"Oh~ Lingling, same thing—you'll do."

"What's up?" Lingling asked curiously.

"Hmm, do you have any cigarettes? Bring me a pack of Huazi."

"Huh?!"

Assistant Lingling stared blankly—the question stunned her. A girl like her? Where would she even get cigarettes?!

"The security guard at the gate won't let me in."

Those words nearly knocked Lingling flat—her tone shot up several octaves: "Xiao Bai, where are you?!"

"I'm at the door~ Oh no, he's chasing me away again."

The titles of a top-tier A-lister and a ten-billion-dollar Best Actor were completely useless in front of this older security guard — if he said no entry, then no entry it was.

"Weibo Best Actor?"

"Weibo Best Actor doesn't work either!"

Bai Liang did have a trick though — back before he had debuted, when he was filming his first drama and no one would pick him up, he could still get into the crew's hotel by buying people Zhonghua cigarettes.

But the pity was, there wasn't a convenience store nearby. And he himself didn't smoke either.

For Lingling, the fact that Bai Liang could appear outside was already an absurd thing.

She simply couldn't imagine how on earth the other party had gotten there.

Flight cancelled, terrible weather, plus city-wide traffic jams.

Yet Bai Liang had somehow shown up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

As for being chased around by the security guard, that part did have a rather comedic effect.

If he had overcome countless hardships and finally made it in time for the most important segment of the birthday party, only to be blocked by a security guard — that would just be too funny.

Lingling didn't have time to snicker, saying she'd be right there.

She bolted outside at full speed. Nearly lost her shoe in the process.

After actually seeing Bai Liang, Lingling kicked into a second-stage acceleration, sprinting to him at a hundred-meter dash pace, yanked off her own pass and shoved it at him, "Dou Xiao Bai, hurry! You can still make it."

"Alrighty~ Next time I'll buy you something good to eat."

This time the older security guard finally stopped blocking him — he squinted at the staff pass hanging around his neck, then waved him through.

And just after Bai Liang entered the venue, Lingling, who had been gasping for breath for quite a while, felt she had finally come back to life.

Sprinting out this far in one go had nearly killed her from exhaustion — she could taste blood in her breath.

But just as she was about to enter the venue, that squinty-eyed older security guard stepped forward, "No entry."

Lingling:???

"I'm staff."

"Then where's your badge?"

Good question!

Lingling was dumbfounded, and could only helplessly choose to call someone to come "rescue her," with special emphasis: bring an extra pass.

This security guard uncle was way too dedicated and utterly impartial!

No wonder he could even block Bai Liang outside.

At the birthday party, the big screen was playing birthday wishes from Reba's various industry friends, fans from around the world, and her parents.

This round belonged to Reba and the fans crying their hearts out together.

What the surprise Bai Liang had given her hadn't managed to do, she accomplished while reading fans' heartfelt confessions and warm messages.

Though when her dad sent his blessing via voice call, that part was rather funny.

A deliberately lowered voice with the air of a host, belting out a birthday song full of vigor — he successfully cracked everyone up again.

The fans thought the uncle was so cute~

Bai Liang, walking inside while listening to the sound coming from the speakers nearby, thought to himself that the uncle was quite the contrast.

After all, in Reba's eyes, the man treated him like some yellow-haired punk, with the attitude of wanting to break his legs the moment he laid eyes on him—quite the fierce daddy's girl meets northwest tyrant vibe.

But right now he was actually pretty adorable — probably quite nervous too.

After this segment, the birthday song rang out across the venue, and an elaborately crafted cake was wheeled onto the stage along with the birthday song.

Reba closed her eyes, clasped her hands tightly, and began to make a wish.

After making her wish, she picked up the microphone again: "This is the first time in my life that so many people have celebrated my birthday with me — I feel like this life has been worth it."

After making her wish, when Reba turned around to strike a pose for a full-venue group photo, Bai Liang had finally made it inside.

Appearing at the very back, he successfully sneaked into this group shot.

By this point he was no longer in a hurry — accompanying a girl for her birthday was all about the company.

It wasn't like he was being asked to jump up on stage to create buzz or steal the spotlight.

So he simply stood quietly at the very back, waiting for the final segment of today's birthday party.

"If you were the fireworks over the sea"

"I would be the foam of the waves"

"At some moment, your light shone upon me"

"If you were the distant galaxy"

"So dazzling it makes one want to cry"

"I would be the eyes chasing after you"

"Always gazing up at the night sky when I'm lonely"

"."

Sometimes, evaluating someone's performance of a song isn't about how steady her high notes are, or how brilliant her vocal runs are — it's whether the singing can make the listeners' hearts tremble.

You can crack a note, you can go off-key, you can cry uncontrollably — sometimes none of it affects the completeness of a song.

Emotion, that thing, sometimes infects people more than any technique.

The fans at the venue seemed to truly see a girl chasing the light.

When this song "Chaser of Light" began to play, Bai Liang wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt like Reba seemed to have seen him.

But logically speaking she shouldn't have been able to — this Miss was nearsighted.

How could she possibly see him from this far away, unless her nearsightedness had suddenly "evolved" into farsightedness.

But he just had this feeling — it was rather strange.

"Whenever I lift my head for you"

"Even my tears feel free"

"Some love is like a torrential downpour"

"Yet still I believe in the rainbow"

When the song ended, it marked the official conclusion of tonight's birthday party.

At that moment, Reba on stage suddenly turned her head toward a certain direction with a smile, lifting her skirt.

She spun around brilliantly.

Bai Liang, who had already turned to head backstage, froze in place and stood still again.

So I was seen after all.

Perhaps Reba's gesture sparked suspicion among many fans; people turned their heads to look back.

A handsome figure immediately came into view.

The fans on site wouldn't be like the security guard at the entrance, who had no idea who Bai Liang was.

Some hadn't even clearly seen his face—just catching his silhouette, their mouths burst into screams.

"Aaaah!"

"He's here! I knew he'd come!"

"Bai Liang!!!"

"."

Amid the chaos on site, the host's closing remarks were abruptly cut off; he couldn't help but glance at Reba, silently asking with his eyes: Should I invite the Immortal up?

Reba covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling, but gently shook her head at the host.

The birthday spent with her fans had ended; now she would be a little selfish—Bai Liang belonged to her alone!

Even the host secretly thought, "What a pity."

If Bai Liang could come up on stage now, he might just end up guest-hosting a wedding today—seize the moment and hold the ceremony right here.

The fans below would surely go wild with encouragement!

Under this atmosphere, the only path left for the two of them was to go public.

Fortunately, even at this moment, Reba hadn't lost her head.

Or rather, she had already spent the entire song calming herself.

If she had only just now spotted Bai Liang, she might have impulsively asked him to come up—then tonight, the two of them might truly have been "trapped on stage."

"Is it over?"

"I thought Bai Liang would come up."

"I think this is perfect—two people gazing across a thousand people, so full of feeling! If they spoke on stage, the atmosphere would be ruined."

"I'm staying glued to Weibo tonight—I'm sure they'll go public!"

"Hmm, I'm not so sure. Have you considered this might be a scene from Reba and Bai Liang's TV drama? Maybe the crew is filming on site today."

"Huh? I just switched from being a career fan to a CP fan, and you're telling me it's fake?"

"Hard to say, but it's possible... Still, it's genuinely sweet! Though Reba seems a bit subservient."

"I think so too. Was that song 'Chasing the Light' really sung only for Bai Liang? With those lyrics, it's clearly worship."

Fans wanted to shout: Our Reba is number one—who dares make her look up? Don't you know what a top female idol means?

But if it were Bai Liang standing there, it would make sense.

The irony? That's exactly the argument they used to attack Gu Li Na Zha.

When Na Zha's status skyrocketed, her fans went wild praising how perfectly matched she and Bai Liang were, using this to crush Reba's CP fans.

Then they said: Bai Liang's status makes equality impossible—anyone with him is "climbing up." What are you pretending about parity?

Now the boomerang hit them in the face.

So the question arises: Is it really worship?

From a height perspective, every time Reba hugs Bai Liang, she truly has to look up at him.

This time was no exception.

She sprinted over, flung herself into his arms, tilted her head up, eyes sparkling with tears.

"Didn't I arrive too late?"

"I thought you wouldn't come."

"You said you needed me."

This line carried too much weight—and Bai Liang saw it clearly.

Even if a typhoon blew today, even if knives fell from the sky, he had to make it to this birthday party.

But Reba still "found fault," pouting and huffing lightly: "You arrived right on the edge, you bad guy!"

Hearing this, Bai Liang was about to explain, blaming the security guard to prove he wasn't Xiao Yan.

But Reba immediately added, with a touch of pity: "Was it hard for you to get here?"

"Not too bad."

"I know all the flights were canceled—the weather was so bad."

"I changed my ticket. Lucky me—there was one flight to Beijing, and I barely made it out in the window."

"Didn't your recording get delayed?"

"Teacher Chen Daoming was eager to play mahjong, and the host's wife gave birth today—no delay possible."

"Pfft!" Reba couldn't help laughing through her tears, lightly hitting Bai Liang. "How could it be that coincidental?"

"It really is coincidental—Beijing was gridlocked, so I took the subway, and an old lady tried to set me up with a girlfriend... turns out she was your fan."

"Huh?!"

This truly caught Reba completely off guard: "That fan really was just by chance? You were on the subway when the video was recorded?"

"Yeah, I was surprised too. Let me show you the chat history."

Bai Liang pulled out his phone and showed it to Reba.

When she saw the initial messages where both claimed to be Bai Liang and Di Li Reba, she was already shaking with laughter.

"You're something else—you're so straightforward! Wait, no! She introduced you to a girlfriend, and you actually added her on WeChat?!"

At a time like this, she's still focused on this?

So this is just the nature of girls?

Bai Liang scratched his head. "Mainly because her mom was so insistent—I had lots of aunts trying to set me up back then, but once they heard I didn't own a house, they started looking down on me."

"It's fine, I don't care—I'll buy you a house!" Reba said with a radiant smile.

"Huh? Really?"

"Really. Can I put your name on it?"

Reba's tone sounded like she was soothing a child, but somehow it felt like she was serious.

She seemed calm, even bothered by Bai Liang adding his female fan on WeChat—but she'd already fallen head over heels. She was ready to buy him a house. If her father found out, he'd probably rush over and break Bai Liang's legs.

What has her daughter been tricked into? That scoundrel didn't even buy her a birthday gift!

Ah! Wait!

Bai Liang suddenly remembered something and quickly patted his pockets, pulling out a rose bud.

Yes, only the bud—the petals had long since fallen off.

And because he'd shoved it into his pocket, he'd snapped the stem.

But Reba treated it like a treasure, cradling it gently in her hands, her face lit with delight: "Wow~ So beautiful!"

Hearing this, Lingling nearby forgot the large bouquet beside her and couldn't help sighing, stepping back a few more paces.

She feared the sour stench of love might cling to her.

She even began to suspect that even if Bai Liang pulled out a lighter from his pocket as a birthday gift, Reba would still go "Wow~"

She's completely smitten!

When Lingling glanced away and looked back at them, she saw their lips already stuck together.

Though she'd anticipated it, she never imagined her own Reba would initiate it like that.

On tiptoe, her entire weight leaning on Bai Liang, she gave absolute trust, her whole focus fixed solely on their lips and teeth.

(End of Chapter)