Chapter 474: Battle Temporarily Halted

Some people, even if they've never met before, can become instant friends, quickly forming close bonds as besties or sisters.

But others seem to be destined rivals from birth!

Even if there was no prior conflict and no immediate professional competition, that clash of energy seemed to set the tone for their relationship from the very start.

From this perspective, Zhou Ye really does have that vibe of a future top-tier leading actress—after all, how else would you get so many rivals?

Her career has just begun, and she's only been out for a short time, yet she already has Zhang Jingyi as her destined rival.

Now there's also Tian Xiwei.

"Is it really like that, brother? Not because of my personality?"

Yes, our little Ye has been on the set of The Son-in-Law for two days, and after clashing repeatedly with little Tian, she's suddenly started doubting herself.

If she has "enemies" everywhere, it can't all be her fault, right?

Bai Liang waved his hand. "Your personality isn't the problem—you get along great with Meng Jie."

"Meng Jie gets along well with everyone—that doesn't prove anything," Zhou Ye muttered softly.

True enough.

Meng Jie's social circle is almost as vast as Bai Liang's—it's not an exaggeration to say she has friends everywhere.

And among her friends, besides normal people, there are quite a few "demons and monsters."

Like Little Clip Spirit, White-Eye Sister, Evil Little Kitten, Self-Heating Pot Young Lady.

So her social talent is indeed sky-high—she can get along happily with anyone, truly the ultimate matchmaker.

Zhou Ye, clearly, couldn't help but start doubting herself after comparing with Meng Jie.

Why can Meng Jie make friends anywhere, while she makes rivals everywhere she goes?

She couldn't resist checking herself in the mirror—only a cold, scowling face stared back.

"Little Ye will be a big star someday—who doesn't have a few rivals?"

Bai Liang thought for a moment, then used Big Mi Mi and the others as examples.

Compared to this show, those 85-generation actresses who stir up blood and storms are the ones truly riding the waves in the entertainment industry.

They're not exactly enemies with the whole world, but they're practically surrounded by rivals.

These examples were perfect—they even made Zhou Ye blush. Wow~ Brother literally compared her to top-tier female stars!

Is he saying she'll become that famous someday?

Bai Liang: Not exactly—I can only foresee up to 2025. By then, you won't be that famous anyway.

But to soothe a "little girl," this simple approach is enough.

Still, this also highlights the difference between little Ye and little Tian.

Because little Tian doesn't need soothing—she's the type with strong opinions.

So clearly, the dark little puppy's fighting power far exceeds the happy little puppy's.

But Zhou Ye still seemed a bit unconvinced.

Yet she knew she couldn't count on Meng Jie—Meng Jie's experience in this area might actually be less than hers.

Consulting her wouldn't yield any reliable advice.

Unlike little Tian, who has Li Yitong behind her, offering advice and acting as her "backbone."

Fortunately, Zhou Ye pointed out: who in this world doesn't have some "connections"?

You think having a "sister" helping you is special? Everyone has them!

She'd just "call in reinforcements!"—and fight that dark little puppy!

"Dudu Jie, help!"

Chen Duling: "What's wrong?"

"I'm being bullied—can you come save me?"

Chen Duling, on the other end of the line, sounded puzzled. "You? Being bullied? Aren't you just guest-starring on the Son-in-Law set?"

She didn't believe anyone on the Son-in-Law set could possibly mess with Zhou Ye—Bai Liang was there, everyone around her would be smiling, no petty villain would dare show their face.

But after listening carefully to Zhou Ye's description, Chen Duling was left speechless.

"You're only guest-starring for a few days—why are you clashing with the female second lead?"

"She started being mean to me! I didn't even know her before—I thought we were from the same hometown, so I wanted to chat a bit. But the moment she saw me, she was like a cat with its fur standing on end—so hostile!"

"Little Ye, given your track record, I suspect you're leaving out some key details."

"Track record? What track record?"

Even over the phone, Chen Duling couldn't help blushing—it was definitely about sneaking a peek at her pulling radishes!

She'd remember that for life!

So she had every reason to suspect Zhou Ye was pulling some kind of stunt again on the Son-in-Law set.

"I really didn't!" Zhou Ye sighed helplessly.

"Then just keep your distance—if you can't get along. You're only guest-starring for about a week anyway? You'll part ways soon, and you might never see each other again."

Hearing Chen Duling tell her to just let it go, Zhou Ye immediately became unhappy.

So she prepared to drop a key piece of information.

"I overheard—"

"You eavesdropped again?!"

"This time it was really an accident—I didn't mean to!" Zhou Ye muttered, disgruntled.

Chen Duling was utterly defeated—this friend of hers must've come into the entertainment industry as a spy, always lurking and sneaking around every set.

What's the difference between her and a thief?

No wonder little Tian can't stand her—maybe it's because of this.

If she gets caught red-handed one day, she might even get beaten up.

But even though she thought that, Chen Duling's words were still truthful: "What good stuff did you overhear?"

"That little Tian and Li Yitong are plotting something sinister against Brother Dou Xiao Bai! Sister, are you really just sitting idle?"

This made Chen Duling crack slightly; after holding back for two seconds, she grumbled, "What can I do?"

"You should take the initiative too, Dulu! You were so proactive on set before—I've never seen you act like that."

"Zhou Ye! We agreed you wouldn't bring that up again!"

"Then give me some advice, Dulu—I need to deal with that little Tian~"

"What advice? I don't understand any of that."

"You're so smart! Your IQ is so high—crushing those nine-leak fishes is just a downgrade attack!"

Hearing this, Chen Duling thought: you're not dumb at all—you flatter me like a pro! Why would you even need me to give you advice?

I don't fall for this stuff!

But since Zhou Ye had asked sincerely, and given their past movie collaboration, she wasn't unwilling to offer some help within her means.

"Send me their files—leave out your personal opinions, keep it objective. I'll analyze them, especially Tian Xiwei."

"So professional? Sister, you're not going to make me a plan, are you?"

"Should I write a thesis and make a PowerPoint to report to you?"

"Can you?"

"Can you get your head out of the clouds—I don't have that much time!" Chen Duling snapped.

"Dulu-sis~ You're the best! I promise I'll never sneak peek at you and Brother Dou Xiao Bai doing bad things again~"

"Are you ever going to stop?!"

After this call, Chen Duling had practically replicated the exact red-faced, whining puppy look Zhou Ye had worn—now she was a red-faced bunny.

But even though this little brat had flustered her, the things she promised, she wouldn't take lightly.

Zhou Ye sent everything she knew and observed via WeChat; that night, Chen Duling tied her hair up in the hotel, opened her laptop, and dove into a thorough information collation, summary, and analysis.

If someone could see the first few pages of this notebook, they'd find it contained Chen Duling's retrospective on her earlier feud with Cunzi.

When a top student takes something seriously—even a retrospective—they treat it like a mistake notebook, meticulous down to the last detail!

This is real retrospective~

Far more efficient than that Za's lying on bed daydreaming.

For every line the opponent said that left her speechless at the time, the "mistake notebook" offered multiple possible retorts.

She'd periodically review them, even extrapolating from them.

Now, on this "death notebook," new names had finally appeared.

Whether she could help Zhou Ye was unclear, but these absorbed, summarized, and analyzed experiences would surely let Chen Duling handle these people with far greater ease in the future—should any feud arise, she could strike straight at the core in the shortest time.

But before Chen Duling had finished her "analysis report" on Tian Xiwei and Li Yitong, Zhou Ye suddenly told her: an emergency had occurred!

Her battle with Tian Xiwei was temporarily paused.

Chen Duling: Are you kidding me? You said you'd fight so I'd help you with your homework, and now you say you won't fight?

Fortunately, Zhou Ye gave her a weighty answer: someone "indescribable" had appeared! The entire set had been "suppressed"!

Forget her and Tian Xiwei—even Meng Jie and Li Yitong had cowered; the center spot on Bai Liang's car sofa had been forced to yield, and they looked utterly humiliated.

Chen Duling: You're so otaku—what do you mean "indescribable"?

This time, Zhou Ye didn't tease—she gave an answer that made Chen Duling's pupils shrink instinctively:

Di Li Re Ba has arrived!

Di Li Re Ba's sudden appearance on set shattered some invisible balance—the atmosphere instantly changed.

Zhou Ye noticed Meng Jie and Li Yitong, who had always been laughing and joking all day, visibly grew solemn and even tense.

You should know that when it came to the dispute between her and Xiao Tian, these two didn't really take it that seriously.

It gave quite the sense of watching little kids fight and shove each other.

Even Li Yitong didn't actually treat Zhou Ye poorly just because of Xiao Tian. Her whole mindset was very steady and calm, often smiling so her eyes curved into crescents, looking all cute and adorable.

So Zhou Ye didn't extend his resentment to her by association either—it was purely a matter of "camp."

But now, it suddenly seems like they've all grouped up together.

Do we really need to be this solemn about it?

Meng-jie, Li Yitong: Yes, we do!

Even now, the two of them can't forget the scene back then when their sisters charged in together, only to be easily suppressed by Reba and Nazha working together.

Moreover, both Meng-jie and Li Yitong have other psychological shadows regarding Dilireba.

A few years ago, during the promotional period for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," Meng-jie and Li Yitong had half a day of free time. The two of them snuck off to the "Love O2O" crew, planning a surprise attack—sort of like visiting Bai Liang on set.

Then they ran into Dilireba, who hadn't yet become a top-tier actress.

However, although she wasn't a top star at the time, that blue velvet gown she wore, as if she had draped the shimmering starlight over herself, left an extremely deep impression on Meng-jie and the other to this day.

It even gave the two of them such a strong shock that they didn't even finish their supposed visit to set—they snuck in, and slinked away looking utterly defeated.

They simply didn't have the courage to face Dilireba head-on at that time.

Because she had just completed her first turn.

It blew up the trending searches, and it also blew up the two girls' confidence.

It's really hard to describe—when Reba swayed her hips and walked toward them with that provocative air, even today neither of them dares to sway like that on the red carpet, let alone off it.

"Huh? Where's Chocolate? Why didn't Chocolate come over with me?"

After instinctively "huddling for warmth" with Li Yitong, Meng-jie didn't forget about her own dog either.

Of course, Chocolate couldn't get lost on set, but she really needs her right now.

"Meatball isn't here either."

"Reporting~"

At this moment, Xiao Tian brought the latest intel: "Chocolate and Meatball are both being held in Dilireba's arms."

"Huh?!"

Oh no, oh no — they couldn't beat her to begin with, and now there are "hostages" too?

Li Yitong scratched her head for a moment, then looked at Meng Jie. "What do we do?"

"Did Chocolate struggle hard?" Meng Jie ignored Li Yitong and instead grabbed Xiao Tian's hand to ask.

Xiao Tian: ". It actually seemed pretty happy, it even wanted to lick her~"

"That simp dog!" Meng Jie stamped her foot angrily.

And upon hearing this, Li Yitong's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of anticipation.

But Xiao Tian directly "killed" the match, saying: "Meatball's the same way."

It's over~

The dogs have all defected!

Meng Jie and Li Yitong could only "cry their hearts out" together, declaring that they really were useless owners.

Watching these two drama queens, Zhou Ye was thoroughly amused, while secretly guessing just how much of their over-the-top act was real.

Or were they deliberately using this kind of display to cover up other feelings?

And Xiao Tian, this "general," was far more direct — she glanced at the pitiful Li Yitong and tossed out one line: "I'll be right back~"

"Huh? What are you going to do?"

By the time Li Yitong asked that, Xiao Tian had already vanished.

In less than a cup of warm wine's time, she came running back carrying Meatball.

Holding her beloved dog back in her arms, Li Yitong couldn't help but kiss it twice, then asked Xiao Tian, "How did you do it?"

"I just asked her for it~"

"She agreed?"

"I said one word, and just 'snatched' Meatball over."

Awesome!

"Wow, Xiao Tian, you're amazing." Meng Jie couldn't help but praise.

It was the first time she found this occasionally fierce Miss so likable — she wasn't afraid of Dilireba at all. Just snatched it on the spot?!

Xiao Tian couldn't help but lift her chin, happily accepting such praise.

Mainly because her Tongtong-jie also had that "you're so great" look, which for her counted as plenty of emotional value.

Meng Jie couldn't help but look at Zhou Ye, the meaning in those big eyes seemingly saying: Xiao Ye, look at her~ How about you help me "snatch" Chocolate back?

Zhou Ye, however, returned a very practical look: Meng Jie, she's not all there in the head — you want me to learn from her?

Fortunately Xiao Tian still quite liked Meng Jie. After Meng Jie also voiced her request, Xiao Tian thought it over — doing it once is doing it, doing it twice is doing it too. So off she zipped again.

Xiao Tian: Carrying everyone's expectations, I can't lose to a dog!

But this time, Reba was prepared.

Seeing Xiao Tian dash over, she directly hugged Chocolate and twisted her body aside. "This one I can't give you~ I'm holding her for a bit."

While Xiao Tian was dazed, she even took the chance to reach out and pinch her cheek. "Alright, I'll bring her to you later, she's too cute, let her stay with me for a while, okay?"

Faced with Reba's smiling "plea," Xiao Tian really wished she were the kind of "emotionless killer" who would ruthlessly refuse the other party and snatch the dog away.

But she pinched my cheek though~

Pretty big sister~

So Xiao Tian, who had won a triumphant first round, suffered a crushing defeat this time.

She had let down Meng Jie's expectations.

And after Xiao Tian zipped past her and disappeared again, Reba really couldn't hold it in. "Bai Liang, are all the girls in your crew this interesting? So cute!"

Bai Liang: I think they're pretty cute too~

But he didn't pick up that thread, just smiled and casually asked: "Why the sudden set visit?"

At those words, Reba's eyes turned a touch resentful. "Am I the only one who takes the drama's promotion seriously? You forgot?"

"Huh? It's already started?"

"Hehe, not yet~ I was just teasing you. Set visits are also a form of drama promotion, so don't blame me for the surprise attack, it won't cause you any trouble, right?"

"Trouble, definitely — those few Misses were all scared into hiding by you." Bai Liang spoke honestly.

"You make it sound like I'm some scary person." Reba couldn't help but retort.

Then she lifted Chocolate up a bit higher. "But the dogs on your set are all so cute!"

"I think so too, each with their own charm."

Charm?

Reba's brow furrowed slightly — the two dogs were different breeds, of course each had their own charm.

Could there be other dogs?

Bai Liang: You've already met the gloomy puppy, the happy puppy is still curled up too scared to show its face.

At this moment, Zhou Ye wasn't doing so badly herself.

Instead, she was holding her phone, replying to messages like crazy.

Chen Duling, who had originally been a bit aloof, suddenly became warm and proactive after learning some of the situation from her.

She kept asking her about Dilireba's situation.

Zhou Ye: "Dudu-jie, come on. You want me to go cozy up to Dilireba?"

Chen Duling: "Or you could use your special talent—go eavesdrop. Doesn't this little puppy of yours love getting into mischief like that?"

Zhou Ye: "I'm not—"

Chen Duling: "When you came to me for help, I said yes, didn't I? Now it's just this tiny little request—you can't say no, right?"

At this point Zhou Ye was being put on the spot a little, but... she really could do what Chen Duling asked.

Because when it came to the "blind spots" of Bai Liang's RV, she probably knew them even better than those professional paparazzi.

Where you could hear sounds, where you could barely catch a glimpse of what was going on inside—

Oh right, after arriving at the "My Heroic Husband" crew and getting on the RV, she had instinctively opened the ventilation window she'd used for eavesdropping back on the "Better Days" crew. Though she hadn't actually needed it, it had become half a muscle memory for her.

And now it really was coming in handy!

Still, she couldn't help asking: "Sister Dudu, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Ten-odd seconds later, Chen Duling replied:

"I've been a top student my whole life."

(End of chapter)