Chapter 49: One Whale Fall, Ten Thousand Lives Born (Request Follows, Request Monthly Votes)

Within 24 hours of its release, "Addiction" broke the web drama's single-day record with 10 million views.

Clearly, this drama had gone viral.

It surged upward at a speed no one else could understand.

Related topics frequently topped Weibo's trending list, sparking massive online discussion.

The lead actors' Weibo follower counts also skyrocketed in a short time; every one of their updates received hundreds of thousands of likes and shares.

Moreover, the drama's playback volume on major video platforms kept climbing, even causing server congestion at one point.

Its influence expanded further through word-of-mouth.

It even knocked down the four top mainstream idols.

The last drama to have this kind of phenomenon was called "The Crown Princess's Promotion."

Both enjoyed similar levels of popularity, just in different directions.

Bai Liang claimed he had helped promote it too—his grandmother had actually watched it and even shared her thoughts.

Grandma said: "The boys are quite good-looking; they're just a bit less handsome than my grandson."

After a half-hour video call with his grandmother, Bai Liang noticed Huang Jingyu had sent him many messages.

After returning the call, the other side immediately said:

"Bro, I think I've gone viral!"

Huang Jingyu's tone over the phone sounded excited but also carried a hint of confusion and fear of the unknown future.

Noticing this, Bai Liang changed his mind about teasing him about "Addiction."

"Congratulations—I even heard my grandma say you acted really well."

"Ah… really? Thanks to her."

After two seconds of silence, Huang Jingyu couldn't stay melancholy anymore and blurted out in thick Northeastern dialect: "I feel weird—what's going on?"

"It's just the psychological instability from sudden fame—you've studied Fan Jin's Success in the Imperial Exam, right? It's just like that."

"Listening to you, I always get the feeling you've been famous or rich before…"

"Not yet, no rush."

"I beg you—just say one word, let me promote your role, okay?"

"Sure~"

The familiar "sure" left Huang Jingyu speechless.

Before you were famous, you acted like this; now you're famous and you still act like this—so was all this fame for nothing?

My joy is cut in half!

Huang Jingyu's mindset finally stabilized completely—he felt that if he got too excited, he'd look unrefined next to Bai Liang.

That's how human relationships work—even if Bai Liang had never acted superior to anyone, his everyday details always subtly elevated him in others' eyes.

Sometimes, people even couldn't help but imitate him…

Logically, Huang Jingyu's small "confusion" should have been resolved by Yang Xing, the seasoned agent.

Yet without thinking, he came straight to Bai Liang.

And surprisingly, the effect was immediate.

It was like watching a calm, peaceful capybara—no matter how agitated you were, you'd calm down too.

What he didn't know was that just days ago, Bai Liang had nearly cracked over a pair of used pantyhose.

Even capybaras have flaws~

But Huang Jingyu ultimately couldn't help Bai Liang post a Weibo promoting his role, even though "God of War Zhao Zilong" was about to air.

Because Sister Yang forbade it.

Her exact words: "Don't ruin poor Xiao Bai."

As a seasoned agent with plenty of experience, Sister Yang felt a headache coming whenever she saw these two pulling off their weird antics.

Bai Liang was slightly better—he genuinely had no promotion channels, so when Yang Xing received his earnest recommendation texts, she actually laughed.

They were sincere, but also a bit absurd~

But Huang Jingyu couldn't afford to help out now—he just needed to ride this wave of traffic, say goodbye to this role, and never touch it again for the rest of his life.

So Yang Xing had to watch these two closely… especially Bai Liang, whose ideas were sometimes too creative and too far-fetched.

He'd already been in three productions, yet Yang Xing still felt he was completely out of place in the entertainment industry.

In short:

One was clueless and acted without thinking of consequences.

The other just gave up entirely and didn't care about anything.

Thank goodness they'd only signed one—if both ended up under her, she'd never sleep again.

Of course, the first one was easier to train—clueless, but at least obedient.

Unlike Bai Liang's stubbornness—Yang Xing had no idea how to reach him; the kid was so young yet acted utterly detached, completely untouchable.

And yet his luck was incredible—he kept landing one drama after another—but could luck really last?

Then Huang Jingyu suddenly froze, realizing why Sister Yang had stopped him.

Shit—I've become the rotten apple.

Now, if he associated with any male actor, that actor would likely get doxxed and mobbed online.

But breaking his word felt wrong too…

Fortunately, heaven lent him a hand.

Indeed, "Addiction" was banned before it even finished airing.

Taken down across the entire internet.

Huang Jingyu's situation aside for now, because this matter even "affected" Bai Liang.

The two leads of "Addicted" appeared on Mango TV's flagship program before the drama was banned.

That episode could not be broadcast.

Thus, Bai Liang, who was waiting to join the "Legend of the Condor Heroes" cast, inexplicably received an invitation from the "God of War Zhao Zilong" crew.

Urgent report!

Feng Lian! Come quickly to record a show!

Because it was to be a whole episode/period, Lin Gengxin and Lin Yuer alone weren't enough—even after adding some "harem" members, it still didn't seem sufficient.

The flagship program has five hosts; this show values nothing but bustle—who would be the background decor if guests were few?

Moreover, due to scheduling conflicts, even people from that side were contacted to join them on the flagship program.

Of course, such a good opportunity couldn't miss Mencius either—he was, after all, an artist from the drama's production company, so even an actress playing a maid was brought along.

Appearing on a variety show was, of course, Bai Liang's first time.

There was no time to mourn Huang Jingyu's ban; now he must immediately depart to claim his share of the "legacy."

True: when a whale dies, ten thousand lives are born.

Other programs this kid recorded now needed to be blurred or re-filmed.

Rumors even vaguely surfaced that he and his on-screen CP could never appear together again.

Bai Liang felt that if it were him, he'd be hiding under the covers, secretly laughing.

There's such a thing?!.

So, with no intention of comforting Huang Jingyu, he cheerfully prepared to depart for Xingcheng Mango TV.

Lin Gengxin's side was pressing urgently—he already had commitments there, so he wanted Bai Liang to arrive early so they could all gather and play together.

This guy also mysteriously hinted that there was a mysterious guest he could introduce to Bai Liang.

The implication was that the guest was a "big brother."

Here, "big brother" referred to the top donor on female streamers' live streams; Bai Liang naturally imagined a beautiful wealthy woman.

Given his luck, this made sense—and he was also curious.

But when Bai Liang learned the so-called "mysterious guest" was a man, his curiosity vanished instantly.

Knew Lin Gou wouldn't be so kind as to introduce him a beautiful young wealthy woman.

Brothers, don't waste your monthly tickets— they'll expire if you don't use them!

Give me a hand—reach two thousand monthly tickets, just over a hundred short.