Chapter 64

The episode of "Fast Original" featuring Bai Liang and the others was finally released for the public to watch.

It was supposed to air last week, but "God of War Zhao Zilong" got roasted so badly back then… it was inexplicably delayed by one episode.

However, Bai Liang had relatively less interest in variety shows.

He loved watching his own dramas, and a significant portion of the online streaming numbers for "God of War Zhao Zilong" came from him.

He'd already watched it three times before it even finished airing.

He didn't watch his dramas for the acting or anything like that—compared to ordinary viewers, just seeing himself appear on screen as another identity gave him full immersion.

When the entire drama ended, or when the character Lu Bu was written off, it felt to him like another life in another timeline had come to a close.

The word "pure" must be typed on the public screen.

But variety shows were a different matter—he hadn't played anyone on the show.

Things like "stupid little games" were fun to play, but looking back at them later… felt weird.

Boys, including men, often suddenly act childish for no reason.

You get hyped up yourself, then laugh it off afterward.

But if someone records you… Is this really me?!

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

So when this episode of "Fast Original" was about to air, Bai Liang had no intention of watching it at all.

Likewise, no one on the "Legend of the Condor Heroes" set wanted to watch it—Mencius thought of that episode and felt like she was about to have a panic attack.

Truly, fur standing on end.

She didn't want to watch Bai Liang and Na Zha "showing off affection" on the show.

But their absence as viewers didn't affect the episode's broadcast impact at all.

The ratings unsurprisingly took first place in its time slot, which was normal—the show had always had this kind of strength.

But what truly signaled the issue was the rerun ratings the next noon.

Extremely eye-catching! It shattered the past two years' highest rerun ratings for "Fast Original," nearly matching the original broadcast.

It wasn't because Bai Liang's face had such absurd appeal—even if divine power couldn't defy fate, he wasn't some demon whose face alone could mesmerize people, hmm… probably not.

But the reason for the high rerun ratings was indeed mostly due to the newly risen ancient costume CP: Bai Liang and Na Zha.

Some casual little interactions on the show… Na Zha only realized while watching that she'd been sneaking peeks at Bai Liang so many times!

She hadn't noticed herself, but the cameras on set had recorded every single glance clearly.

Especially their demeanor during the "No Heartbeat Challenge" game—the contrast was absolutely maximal.

Utterly unaffected by other beautiful girls, but your presence sent his heart rate soaring.

Audience: Heartbeat can't be faked~

This is scientific!

"I'm obsessed with this CP! And I feel it's real—the way they look at each other? Definitely not innocent. They're probably dating."

"I ship them too, but I didn't notice anything weird in Bai Liang's gaze toward Na Zha—he looks at everyone that way."

"This guy probably stares at utility poles with deep emotion—could he be a player?"

"Tell me more about the player eight~"

"At least Na Zha's eyes… they were practically pulling threads! If they're not dating, she's definitely secretly in love!"

"Lin Genxin is handsome, but Bai Liang… he's handsome AND cute! Looks so innocent—I just wanna pinch his cheeks~"

"I've never seen Xie Na so hyper, yet the guy didn't flinch once—not even a flicker in his smile. This guy's emotional control is insane! I wanna date him~"

"........"

Luckily, Mencius didn't watch this episode—because Mango TV had brilliant editors who cut out the segment where Bai Liang's heart rate slightly rose.

She had no part in this CP.

Alongside the show's popularity, Tang Ren's marketing grew even more intense.

Topics like #NaZhaGodlyBeauty# kept popping up, and some marketing accounts didn't forget her fellow hometown girl who'd just become popular this year—giving her a little dig, isn't that reasonable?

Clearly, Cai Yi was desperate to fully elevate Na Zha as the new top diva before Liu Shishi's contract expired.

Finding such an opportunity, she went all out.

As for Bai Liang, he was merely a tool used to support the marketing.

But no matter how much of a tool he was, Bai Liang definitely enjoyed the traffic and hype Tang Ren generated for Na Zha.

But the thing that made Cai Yi furious came next: you got all this free traffic—why the hell aren't you taking it?

Not a single move!

She'd even seen people online asking: "Does Bai Liang even have a Weibo? Where can I follow him?"

Many new fans of Bai Liang suddenly realized they had "nowhere to go."

Luckily, Weibo had just launched its "Super Topic" feature this year—otherwise they'd all have to go to Baidu Tieba.

Frankly, Cai Yi still didn't fully believe Bai Liang's excuse about not signing with a company; she suspected he was holding out for a better contract—or worse, he looked down on Tang Ren.

But Bai Liang's complete silence this time actually confirmed his story.

No legitimate artist aiming to build a career in entertainment would act this way.

Yet Cai Yi was still furious! She hadn't forgiven him just because he'd "done what he said."

Don't ask. Ask and you'll be told: she's a woman, and she doesn't reason.

"The marketing effect is decent, but it's a pity 'Cloud of the Ordinary' won't air so soon…" Cai Yi trailed off, then froze.

Shit!

"Cloud of the Ordinary" wouldn't air soon, but "The Wizard of No Heart" was barely off the production line.

That web drama only had twenty episodes total, and the post-production mainly involved some not-too-complicated special effects.

The speed was naturally blazing fast!

So does that mean... the traffic Bai Liang consumed still feeds back into Tang Ren's project?

Cai Yinong's expression softened slightly, but she still frowned.

She also didn't forget to glare at Na Zha, as if to say: If you two dare to get together, I'll break it up no matter what!

Na Zha trembled nervously, not knowing what to say.

Still, she guessed that if Bai Liang really stepped forward to ride this wave of traffic, Cai Yinong would get angry too—just with a different excuse.

In short, when women are angry, they really don't make sense.

But the next second, Cai Yinong's phone suddenly rang.

"Oh! Just talking about him, and the phone rings—I want to see what this kid has to say to me!"

Cai Yinong, still fuming, answered the call right in front of Na Zha—of course, without speakerphone.

Na Zha had no idea what Bai Liang might say to her boss on the other end.

But two minutes later, she saw Cai Yinong's previously stormy expression gradually smooth out.

After the call ended, only a hint of helplessness remained on her face.

Only then did Na Zha dare to ask, "Sister Cai, what did he say?"

"This kid… he thanked me."

Even as she spoke, Cai Yinong laughed—she couldn't help it.

She could tell whether it was a sincere thank-you or just empty politeness.

A light, casual "thank you" carried little weight—everyone knew how to say empty words these days.

But Bai Liang… he was just weird!

Or perhaps women as a species are strange: sometimes when they say they only want an attitude, it might be Schrödinger's attitude.

But sometimes, an attitude really does work.

In any case, Cai Yinong couldn't get angry anymore.

Seeing the opening, Na Zha seized the moment: "Sister Cai, he's going to livestream gaming with Lin Gengxin tonight—should we watch too?"

Cai Yinong's smile faded as she stared steadily at Na Zha: "He just told me he'd have you bring some fruit gifts to thank me. Na Zha, could you translate that for me~?"

Na Zha: Oh no! Is the "cohabitation" thing about to be exposed? The junior assistant promised not to betray her!