Chapter 524: There Can Be Only One Winner (Bonus Chapter—Seeking Monthly Votes)

I can't hold it anymore!

That Zha had turned around several times; after seeing Meng Jie's face slowly break into a dopey smile, she finally couldn't hold back and rose to go over.

At this moment, she had forgotten what she was even here for today.

But just as she had barely stood up, a hand pressed down on her shoulder.

Of course it was Reba!

"What are you doing?" This time, That Zha had no smile at all—her expression was almost growling, as if she'd bite anyone next second.

But Reba, who had battled with her for years, could possibly be scared of this?

She sneered, "What are you doing? Can't you just hold off until the premiere's over? Don't you think you're already conspicuous enough? All your impulsiveness ever does is mess things up. What parent would like a girl who acts without brains or regard for the occasion?"

Though scolded, That Zha actually thought it made sense.

Who'd have thought a dog's mouth could spit out a pearl?

Today's Reba felt strangely unfamiliar to her!

"By the way, don't keep turning around—it's too noisy, half the audience is watching us!"

"Oh right."

That Zha nodded vigorously, increasingly convinced that today's Reba was acting so normal it was almost inhuman—how had her little hometown buddy suddenly…

Huh? Where's my little hometown buddy?

After a few seconds of thought, That Zha turned her head—and found the seat beside her empty.

This sight made her wonder if she'd encountered a supernatural event.

Or maybe her little hometown buddy was even real?

That Zha, who'd recently been bored and reading ghost stories, suddenly felt a chill crawl up her spine.

Until her eyes met Zhu Zhu Xudan's, sitting a little farther over.

Zhu Zhu Xudan's gaze tried hard to look innocent, but the guilt in her eyes was unmistakable.

Beside Zhu Zhu Xudan was Mao Xiaotong.

She was far better at acting—at least right now, she kept her eyes down, nose straight, showing no obvious signs of guilt.

So that's how Reba slipped away.

Her two best friends covered for her, taking advantage of That Zha's distraction to quickly vacate their seats.

Fooling a fool—

Easy as pie!

At a moment like this, no matter what secret schemes those two best friends had in mind, they'd still cooperate with her.

Reba cared so much about That Zha, warning her not to act impulsively or recklessly—precisely because Reba herself was about to act recklessly.

And her timing was perfect: Bai Liang's parents had also slipped away.

They left early because Bai's mother knew full well: with so many girls here today, her son could handle it—but she couldn't.

Now that she'd been "exposed," she naturally had to leave while she still could.

As for Meng Jie and Li Yitong, they didn't follow either—indeed, it was Li Yitong, that evil little kitten, who suggested they leave first.

Clearly, she'd crossed the bridge and was ready to burn it behind her—Meng Jie was already too many; adding That Zha would be too crowded.

She'd originally thought this was the perfect moment—Bai Liang was interacting with guests, and everyone's attention was drawn away—but when Reba swayed her hips and sped past her, Li Yitong silently cursed.

We've been spotted!

And by one of the most troublesome people possible.

"Meng Jie, go handle Reba! Don't let her go flustering your aunt."

"Huh? Me?" Meng Jie pointed at her own face, startled.

"Didn't you used to be so brave?"

Hearing this, Meng Jie crossed her tiny hands and pouted, "Back then, I had Chu Ran helping me—and one surge of courage, then it fades, then it's gone."

"Ugh, I knew I couldn't count on this little useless snack."

That stung Meng Jie—she pouted, "Tongtong, you really think I'm stupid? You get me to block Reba as your cannon fodder, then you swoop in to pick the fruit."

Uh-oh~

The evil little kitten suddenly looked a little embarrassed—she'd been caught.

Meng Jie gloated inwardly: she was smart, after all—she just reacted a bit slowly.

Of course, by the time they'd dawdled like this, Reba had already chased her way out of the premiere venue—catching up now was clearly impossible.

Soon after, That Zha appeared before them, looking furious.

Her brows knitted, lips pressed tight, cheeks puffed out—

She was about to explode!

Instantly transformed into a pufferfish.

That damn little hometown buddy dared to trick her like this—next time they met, she'd make him pay!

No! She'd "kill" him today!

"Where is he?" That Zha asked, staring at the empty seats beside them.

"What him?" Li Yitong feigned ignorance.

Meng Jie hesitated, wanting to speak—but today That Zha had been unusually kind to her, and she wanted to return the favor.

Of course, if she could get the wolf to devour the tiger, that'd be perfect.

Meng Jie had no choice—her sisters were playing mind games with her, so she was forced into the role of the schemer.

But then Li Yitong elbowed her, signaling her to stay quiet.

So Meng Jie obediently clammed up.

When there's no external enemy, the evil little kitten is especially mischievous—she must be watched closely.

But when there is an external enemy, Li Yitong is actually quite reliable—at least she has more tricks up her sleeve.

So the Zha didn't get any solid leads from either of them, but she didn't give up—she left the premiere venue and peered around outside.

She actually found something!

A remarkably familiar figure stood not far away—even just a back view—but the Zha could identify them from the backside alone.

She definitely padded again today! Always pulling off padding scams!

"Dili Reba!"

"Why are you shouting so loud?" Reba turned around calmly, gazing at the Zha with leisurely indifference.

"You tricked me!"

"What did I trick you into? I just came out for some fresh air—did you come out for fresh air too?" Reba flicked her hair, looking utterly innocent.

Now the Zha's mind truly confused—indeed, since Dili Reba was here, Bai Liang's parents weren't.

Even if she intended some scheme, it probably hadn't succeeded.

So the Zha became cheerful.

Her own failure was unpleasant, but her rival's failure was delightful~

She no longer bothered with the other—huffed and turned back.

Reba: Indeed, fools are still easy to trick.

How could she not have followed Bai Liang's parents? She'd already been calling a car as she walked out.

Even if she wanted to chat, she wouldn't chat right at the entrance—she'd pick somewhere secluded, like her love nest with Bai Liang, wouldn't she?

How could Bai Liang's parents possibly lack interest in such a place~

Thus, using this excuse, Reba successfully got the two elders onto her car, and they were now driving toward her home.

As for herself, she stayed behind to throw a smoke screen for her little hometown friend—and she hadn't even said goodbye to Big Bai yet~

If possible, she still wants to try to lure Bai Liang back again.

Today she wanted it all—after all, this isn't cutting a cake; the winner always takes everything!

There's no such thing as big win, medium win, small win—only one winner, period, even if only temporary.

Her bad mood from recent days vanished completely.

Reba's world brightened up! —

While the two young girls were outwitting each other, the premiere was nearly over.

After the movie ended, a little chatting and light interaction completed today's schedule.

Afterwards, Bai Liang and the main creators would go for a special interview.

Right now, they were greeting and taking photos with friends who'd come to support them.

But Bai Liang found it strange—where had Reba and the Zha gone?

Two such conspicuous people disappearing at once made him worry they'd secretly slipped off to the restroom to fight.

After all, Bai Liang knew one trained in hand strength, the other in hand-to-hand combat—they both thought they'd mastered enough to pin the other down and rub her face in the dirt.

It wasn't hard to imagine they'd secretly brawled.

Bai Liang had even "beaten up" Huang Jingyu and the others.

This "fighting" bad habit started with him.

"Where's your mom?" "Wait—that sounds kinda like an insult?" Bai Liang scratched his head.

Big Mi Mi covered her mouth and laughed. "My bad, slip of the tongue—but when I turned around just now, your mom was gone. Look how flustered they were~"

They were indeed flustered!

The girls hadn't expected Bai Liang's parents to vanish so quickly—it felt like one blink and they were gone.

Many people had hoped to chat a bit and get a WeChat.

Even Sister Xiao Zhao was getting restless.

Yet Big Mi Mi remained perfectly calm.

The reason was simple—she'd been divorced!

So she could smile sweetly and tease Bai Liang.

"My mom really likes Miss Mi—should I introduce you two later?"

"You little brat," Big Mi Mi pursed her lips, her smile growing even brighter, then added, "I call her sister—then you'll sneakily call me Auntie? Dream on~"

"You could call me Auntie too~"

"No way—I've got kids. I can't say it. No need to meet—I won't be stepping into your house."

Big Mi Mi spoke with unusual ease, showing no pretense toward Bai Liang.

But before Bai Liang could reply, she blinked. "When are you free? Come to my place~"

"Huh? What place?"

Big Mi Mi gave him a look—he was pretending ignorance. She raised an eyebrow, lightly pursed her lips, and said:

"Pengmen."

No wonder she came from a scholarly family! Such a refined word~

Pengmen: refers to a gate made of reeds, used metaphorically to denote a poor household.

Perfect—she's a "widow and orphan," so terribly "poor."

She needs a kind-hearted man like Bai Liang to lend a hand.

But unfortunately, today won't work.

Du Du is still standing over there, and Bai Liang can't show such favoritism—if he agrees to Big Mi Mi, what about everyone else making similar requests?

Fortunately, Sister knew he was busy today, and she was very understanding.

Then she turned and asked about Bai Liang's new drama, offering to make a cameo appearance.

Clearly, Big Mi Mi wasn't interested in the cameo role—she simply wanted to take the initiative and create an opportunity for Bai Liang to truly test "Pengmen."

So Bai Liang handed Zhao Jinmai over to Big Mi Mi, saying the crew was under her command—she could ask Zhao Jinmai for any role she wanted.

Zhao Jinmai: Me??

But faced with Big Mi Mi, she was extremely reserved; when asked if there was a suitable cameo role for her, Jinmai nodded vigorously.

Yes, Auntie, there is!

Of course, "Auntie" was only whispered in her heart—out loud, she still called her Sister.

Jinmai hadn't yet grown bold enough to go that far.

At this moment, Guli Nazha and Reba returned one after the other.

It put everyone else's mind at ease—they clearly had gone to resolve "personal conflicts," not to sneak off.

Reba: Plan succeeded!

She knew her tactic would work wonders~

Now that she had them in hand, as for resentment—

Meng Jie and Li Yitong, now surrounded by the sisters for "interrogation," had clearly drawn all the ire.

Li Xin's resentment was almost tangible; even Sister Tian Tian couldn't resist joining the "interrogation."

Meanwhile, Reba, quietly reaping the benefits, seized an opportunity to sidle up to Bai Liang and whispered: "Big Bai~ Your parents are in my hands."

Bai Liang:??

Ahhh~

He hesitated, "Are you going to kill them?"

He felt he might have to pay billions just to "rescue" his parents.

Reba nearly broke down laughing, trembling with mirth; after regaining composure, she quietly asked Bai Liang again: "Want to have a family dinner tonight?"

"So it's at home."

Clearly, Reba was not a competent "kidnapper"—one sentence gave away the hideout.

Bai Liang immediately knew exactly where his parents had been taken.

But under Reba's expectant gaze, he still refused.

No need to elaborate on the reason.

She wasn't too disappointed—after all, she already had the two elders; whether Bai Liang came or not didn't really matter.

At this moment, Reba raised an eyebrow at Guli Nazha, who was still pouting but forcing a smile, and felt she had won big!

She nearly couldn't resist spinning around on the spot.

Time to go~ Her parents were probably almost home; she had to hurry back.

"Your parents weren't hidden by us," the evil little kitten sighed, scratching her head—how could these people be so stubborn?

Sister Tian Tian stuck her hands on her hips and pointed accusingly, "I don't care—where are they? Hand them over!"

"We've been sitting right here with Meng Jie the whole time. Uncle said he had something to do and left first—what's it got to do with us?"

"Tongtong's right!" Meng Jie chimed in.

Dou Xiao Tian beside them didn't know what to do—whose side should she take?

Logically, she should've charged forward with Tongtong-sister, taking on anyone who stood in the way~

But Sister Tian Tian had been so good to her!

So she just stood there like a statue, her martial prowess completely useless.

Seeing they couldn't extract any answers, Sister Tian Tian had no choice—she couldn't possibly strangle them.

She could only sigh inwardly—what bad luck today, letting such a perfect opportunity slip away.

When she first met Bai Liang, she was still in her twenties, not in a hurry.

But now… Ahhh~ She wanted to marry!

Of course, this desire wasn't yet overwhelming—just a sudden impulse.

If she were already over thirty-five today, she'd definitely be choking these two little girls to force the truth out!

Finally, Sister Tian Tian stormed off—without even saying goodbye to Bai Liang.

Li Yitong and Meng Jie wanted to edge closer to Bai Liang, but alas—the sisters were too damn cruel!

Under the pretext that the two had gained an unfair advantage by sneaking off, they immediately surrounded them and pushed them out, as if to say: "Don't even think about causing trouble again."

Li Xin was even more direct—she pinched Li Yitong's cheek and declared she'd sleep with her tonight.

Clearly, close surveillance!

Jin Da Xi added fuel to the fire: since everyone was here, they should have a group dinner first, then all sleep together in one big bed—nobody gets to escape!

Sometimes you have to admit: those who wrong you know better than anyone how wronged you are.

If Reba hadn't left first, she'd have seen this scene and secretly gloated again.

After Bai Liang said goodbye to many people, he realized a group was missing.

Honestly, now that these "troublemakers" had vanished, only a few stragglers remained—and the atmosphere was so harmonious, so warm.

No more bickering—everyone, though disappointed, remained composed.

This was the correct way to navigate the world of fame and fortune!

Not like before, when the bickering was so intense even Fan Fan Bingbing, a seasoned veteran, thought the scene was utterly insane!

Yet Zhao, who had never clashed with anyone all day, was finally about to strike!

She had no patience to argue with those women—she went straight for Bai Liang himself.

He opened with a rather impolite line:

"Your parents came to pick a wife for you?!"

——

Updates continue tomorrow, brothers, throw me some monthly tickets!

(End of chapter)