Chapter 447

Dowry?

When Bai Liang casually mentioned this, the evil little kitten suddenly jolted.

I thought he was asking how much dowry my family had to pay!

Dou Xiao Tian instantly vanished from her tiny mind, her feet pulled back onto the chair, and she grabbed Bai Liang's arm, leaning her entire weight against him.

She wished she could press her face right against him.

"I don't want any dowry! I'll even bring a dowry!"

Honestly, if Meng Jie had had this kind of courage and reaction speed back then, she'd probably have a second child by now.

But after Bai Liang briefly explained he meant dowry between girls, Li Yitong nearly flew into a rage, lifting her foot high above her head to stamp it on his face.

All that excitement for nothing~

Still, the evil little kitten, though pouting, didn't press the matter further.

On one hand, she couldn't possibly be that forward—like some desperate girl begging to get married off.

On the other hand, the flight attendant had just come by; clinging to Bai Liang like that wasn't appropriate.

So she switched topics: "About Dou Xiao Tian joining us on the drama."

"Just tell Sister Yanzi about it—she'll handle the arrangements."

Bai Liang suddenly remembered that The Bachelor had a character named Liu Xigua, who seemed perfect for Tian Xiwei—wasn't she even the female second lead?

Li Yitong knew she didn't need to ask Bai Liang about this—he was a hands-off boss who never cared about such matters.

But as a Shandong girl, she insisted this step couldn't be skipped~

Even if the leader's nod is just a formality, the process matters—you must respect the leader!

Bai Liang: Oh? So you won't sit at the table for meals anymore?

Li Yitong: I already ate at the table—last time you told me to lie on it so you could eat me.

Bai Liang: Cough cough cough

The Shanghai to Ningbo flight is short, only an hour total.

We'll chat and arrive before we know it.

But arriving doesn't mean we can head to the hotel to rest—we must start work immediately.

The show we're recording is called Chase Me, a Zhejiang Blue TV urban night-time chase competition.

The recording location is somewhere in Ningbo's CBD.

The production team set up a huge stage and platforms, and had to close roads, so it could only be filmed at night.

Zhejiang Blue Television has high hopes for this show; their official promotional copy calls Chase Me the "Friday-night unicorn" created by China Blue in 2019 with full platform resources.

It's not entirely hype—the premiere rating hit 1.6, nearly double that of the second-highest variety show that week, and triple the third.

Additionally, Chase Me's online streaming numbers were also strong.

The main reason? The show's physical intensity is extremely high.

While changing clothes and getting makeup done, Li Yitong finally took a moment to research the show.

Her stamina was actually decent—she'd been a dancer since childhood.

But after reading online trending topics about the show—someone vomiting from running, thigh and butt cramps, slipping on rainy days—

The clever evil little kitten immediately decided: slack off! Must slack off!

No wonder the male lead of Sword Dynasty, when told he wasn't invited to this show, didn't mind at all—he was even happy.

He's not stupid, after all~

Li Yitong admitted she wasn't a fitness enthusiast, hadn't properly danced in years, and her stamina was nowhere near what it was in school.

Dou Xiao Tian would be better suited for this—he's in good shape, even has muscle.

"Fox, why did you sign up for this show? I got scammed."

"A friend invited me—he probably wants to get beaten up," Bai Liang shrugged, unconcerned about the show's intensity.

"Which of your friends is this weirdo?"

Before Bai Liang could answer, the "weirdo" arrived.

Huang Jingyu knocked on the makeup room door and smiled at Li Yitong.

But before Li Yitong could speak, a shocking scene unfolded.

The moment their eyes met, both men hesitated not at all—they immediately "attacked."

Five seconds later, watching Huang Jingyu pinned to the ground, joints locked, begging for mercy, Li Yitong's expression turned bizarre.

Truly a weirdo—showing up to get beaten?

"What the hell? You're so busy, how are you even stronger than before?"

After Bai Liang released him, Huang Jingyu got up, looking helpless.

He'd assumed Bai Liang's busy schedule meant his skills had declined—but this encounter proved otherwise.

Not only hadn't he weakened—he'd gotten even stronger!

Last time he got beaten, he hadn't lost so fast.

"You think I just sit around on set all day doing nothing?"

"Reading, video games, Go, running…" Li Yitong listed them off like a pro—she knew Bai Liang's on-set hobbies inside out.

Of course, she didn't mention one hobby that required a female partner.

But to Huang Jingyu's ears, this sounded even stranger: "You have so many hobbies—when do you even train martial arts?"

"Super memory, kid."

Bai Liang asked: Does muscle memory count as memory?

If it does, then my super memory applies.

Even if he became a street oil seller, his speed of "only through practice" would be many times faster than an ordinary person's.

Huang Jingyu is sneaky—he came alone first to "ask for a beating," chatted for a few words, then turned and walked away.

After a while, he brought over all the regular guests of their show "Chase Me" to say hello.

Chen Weiting, Fan Fan Chengcheng, Song Zuer, Zhong Chuxi.

There's also Xiao Jinteng among the regular guests, but this guy seems to be struggling under the show's intensity.

He played the role of a "cowardly lizard."

I wonder if it's because he wasn't here, but today's weather in Ningbo is quite nice.

There's not a hint of rain.

Originally, Zhong Chuxi was planning to take a day off—not just a day off, she even wanted to run away.

But when she heard Bai Liang was coming this episode, the Zhong Chuxi who had told the production team she was about to die suddenly claimed she had miraculously recovered!

A miracle in modern medical history.

But next episode, she'll probably still run away—this show is brutally inhumane, treating artists like Japanese prisoners.

Among the regular guests, Bai Liang knows some, doesn't know others, and has some he's half-familiar with.

He'd only met Chen Weiting once behind the Spring Festival Gala stage, exchanged greetings, nothing more.

He'd watched one drama Chen starred in, something called "The Buddha," but all he remembered was "Er Yuehong comes to beg for medicine."

Song Zuer, though—he knows her well; they'd gone on a trip together, and this Miss greets him warmly with "Brother!"

The evil little kitten beside him couldn't help but twitch his eyelid, silently cursing: no wonder he's a fox.

He also didn't let Song Zuer off the hook: this little chicken's mouth is coated in honey~

It's not strange that Song Zuer, whom he actually knows, is so enthusiastic.

What's odd is Zhong Chuxi, who's never had any dealings with Bai Liang, being so enthusiastic.

She too calls him "Brother," acting like a total Bai Liang fangirl.

This time, Li Yitong couldn't hold back and secretly warned Bai Liang: this girl is dangerous! She's fierce.

She knew this because Li Xian, who collaborated with her on "Sword Dynasty," used to constantly lick Zhong Chuxi's Weibo comments, praising how she was too beautiful to look at.

This guy even tagged Zhong Chuxi under Tang Wei's Weibo, commenting: "Your bust shape is just like hers."

Vividly demonstrating what it looks like when a man's hormones run wild and his small head controls his big head.

Too abstract!

Then he got kicked out—she went off to date a foreign hunk.

This story teaches us: being a lickspittle has no good ending.

Honestly, when Bai Liang first saw Zhong Chuxi, if she hadn't immediately introduced herself, he almost thought Xiao Jinteng was in drag. The producers who paired these two on the show are geniuses!

Because he'd never met Zhong Chuxi before, had no impression of her, and wasn't paying close attention.

Luckily his status is high—she greeted him first and introduced herself, or he might've made a fool of himself.

But among these regular guests, there's one special case—the half-familiar one.

Fan Fan Chengcheng.

Bai Liang has never met him; logically, they're strangers.

But Fan Fan Chengcheng has something going for him—he slipped away while others weren't looking and secretly "greeted" Bai Liang again.

"Um… brother-in-law?"

Cough cough cough cough.

The thing Huang Jingyu had always dreamed of doing—"knocking down Bai Liang"—was accomplished effortlessly by this kid.

"Kid! Come out and chat!"

Bai Liang, who always had a good attitude, suddenly revealed a "fearsome demon" side.

Amid the shocked or gaping expressions of others, he grabbed Fan Fan Chengcheng by the neck and dragged him outside.

He looked ready to find a quiet spot and beat him up.

Huang Jingyu couldn't help whispering over: "Did this kid piss you off? Don't hit him—let me do it for you, your fists are heavier than mine."

Fan Fan Chengcheng, who hadn't been worried at all, stared at Huang Jingyu in disbelief.

What do you mean "I'll help him beat me"? Are you two some kind of entertainment industry gangsters?

"Don't talk nonsense—beating people is illegal," Bai Liang reminded him.

"Don't you remember that time we were in the karaoke bar? Painful but no injuries—Brazilian jiu-jitsu is perfect for this."

Back to before their debut, when they were both small male models.

The one who got "beaten" was other male models.

Now that we're in the entertainment industry, beating other male artists is perfectly reasonable!

But Fan Fan Chengcheng clearly didn't think so—reasonable? What nonsense.

Big brothers, can you not beat me? I won't dare shout that again~

"Still glaring?!"

Huang Jingyu seemed to have fully entered character—he rolled up his sleeves, saw the kid glaring wide-eyed, and almost lunged to hit him.

"I'm not beating him—I have some connection with his sister."

"His sister? Oh~"

"Not the kind of connection you're thinking," Bai Liang said, seeing the strange smile on Huang Jingyu's face—he knew what this guy was imagining.

But his current fame is clearly too "authoritative."

Like Duan Zhengchun beneath Shaoshi Mountain—he takes two steps forward, everyone automatically assumes Xu Zhu is his son.

And Bai Liang's connections with female stars—especially beautiful ones—are all assumed to be affairs; out of ten, at least seven or eight are presumed guilty.

As for Fan Fan Bingbing — this one practically outshines the entire entertainment circle~

If you don't think along those lines, you'd be letting down Bai Liang's "track record."

"Alright, I'll say nothing — you two chat, I'll keep watch for you."

Huang Jingyu had now even become "gentle" toward Fan Fan Chengcheng — oh, little brother-in-law.

Fan Fan Chengcheng: Bro, that look on your face makes me sick, but not getting beaten up really is great.

With his scrawny little frame, in front of these two big bros, either one could pin him to the ground and pound him.

Besides, these two are both at the peak of their physical condition — definitely fiercer than that ex-brother-in-law who's past forty.

Finding an empty makeup room, Bai Liang looked at Fan Fan Chengcheng with amusement. "What were you yelling about just now? I don't have that kind of relationship with your sister."

"My bad! I won't dare again!"

Fan Fan Chengcheng's attitude in admitting fault was quite eager, but his eyes told Bai Liang: admitting fault with his mouth, but not so much in his heart.

No choice — it's all because of Bai Liang's "reputation."

Back when Fan Fan Bingbing's incident happened, Bai Liang was the only one who dared interact with her offline; everyone else avoided her like the plague.

Although afterward everyone knew Bai Liang was upright and unafraid of crooked shadows — in an entertainment circle where one careless move could get shit stuck on you, he left people with no solid loophole to pin on him.

"Really nothing!"

"Bro, I believe you!"

Bai Liang scratched his head, a little helpless. "Give your sister a call, let her tell you."

"Bro, have you two broken up now?" Fan Fan Chengcheng asked instinctively.

Bai Liang instinctively began looking around the room, as if wanting to find something handy to give this kid a few whacks.

Brother-in-law, right? Then brother-in-law beats you up — you can't call the cops, can you?

After realizing this point, Bai Liang felt his perspective suddenly open up.

Seeing he was really about to get beaten, Fan Fan Chengcheng immediately obediently called his sister.

Only he somewhat overlooked the time.

Fan Fan Bingbing's voice on the other end was so frantic that even without speakerphone, Bai Liang could hear it:

"Fan Fan Chengcheng! If you don't have something important, I'll kill you!"

"Sis, be a little gentler... I ran into brother-in-law."

Bai Liang:???

Still saying brother-in-law? You little punk really are itching for a beating!

Fortunately, Fan Fan Bingbing on the other end behaved quite normally. "What brother-in-law? I broke up with Li Cheng long ago. Are you sick? Why are you sucking up to him?!"

Earlier this year in the middle of the year they both publicly announced their breakup; privately, the official split was even earlier — almost right after the incident.

Men — not a single one reliable!

"Not that one — it's someone else."

Listening to her younger brother spouting nonsense, Fan Fan Bingbing's expression on the other end also turned strange — a bit speechless, a bit wanting to laugh.

But fortunately she held it in.

Still, Fan Fan Chengcheng's beating was clearly unavoidable.

Likes to over-imagine? Likes to guess on your own? Even making yellow rumors about your own sister?

Fan Fan Bingbing: It'd be great if what you said were true.

"Is he next to you?"

At this moment, Fan Fan Chengcheng noticed his sister's tone had suddenly softened a lot — he got a chill, and immediately handed the phone to Bai Liang.

"Sorry for the trouble~"

"It's not much trouble. Your little brother's pretty sharp — at least he knows to secretly shoot the breeze with me."

"Aiya, he probably thinks his own sister is quite charming, but forgot his sister is already getting up there in age — you wouldn't be interested, right~" Fan Fan Bingbing's tone seemed to carry just a tiny hint of grievance.

Hard to tell if she meant to joke or really thought that way.

Facts proved: Fan ye is still that Fan ye.

The moment she opened her mouth, she's the old pervert again.

At the same time she didn't let Bai Liang respond to that line — seeming to also fear he couldn't get off the stage and wouldn't know how to reply — she immediately added: "In the future, if you run into this stinky brat in the circle and he upsets you, just beat him up directly! He's been asking for a beating since he was little!"

"Sure~"

"But don't break him, okay? You're strong and healthy."

A little vixen!

Over the phone, Bai Liang was being wildly flirted with by a thirty-seven-year-old woman — and the key thing is, he actually felt something. Where's the sense in that?

From start to finish, Fan Fan Bingbing never mentioned anything to Bai Liang about "look after my little brother."

Just like when the two of them had drinks and chatted before.

Only talk of romance and moon — never of profit.

Don't know why either — even though she hadn't had much dealings with Bai Liang before, Fan Bingbing just had a mysterious trust and sense of familiarity toward him.

See, as they chatted, the grumpiness from being woken up by the phone when she'd just fallen asleep vanished, and a few smiles couldn't help but appear on her face.

However, after Bai Liang returned the phone to Fan Fan Chengcheng, Fan Fan Bingbing's tone immediately changed again.

She gave her little brother a good scolding.

Only after this call, Fan Fan Chengcheng was still a bit dazed.

His sister didn't make it clear to him either — just said something like, she can't match up to that guy, telling him to sober up.

So is this "can't match up" before or after sleeping?

But he didn't dare ask again — he just felt inside that, regardless of whether it's true or not, maxing out his attitude is all that matters.

Treat me like your brother-in-law!

On the other end, after hanging up the phone, Fan Fan Bingbing tossed and turned, barely able to sleep.

After thinking it over, she pulled out a new toy she'd just acquired.

If Evil Kitten saw this thing, she'd probably be so shocked her jaw would drop.

How could her custom-made version have leaked out?

Fan Fan Bingbing: I haven't been wandering in this circle for all these years for nothing, little sister. Some secrets—if you let anyone else know them—they stop being secrets real fast.

Of course, right now it's only circulating in a small circle, and even whether it's true or not isn't certain.

Fan Fan Bingbing: Doesn't matter—I'll just treat it as if it's real~

After all, if she can't get the real one, using a replica isn't too much.

Just now, while talking to Bai Liang on the phone, she had the urge to take this thing out and use it.

But she was afraid she might accidentally slip up.

Now she could finally enjoy this night—and the man she could never have.

"Mmm."

(End of Chapter)