Chapter 68: Work Content Is a Date (Please Follow, Please Monthly Tickets)

"Take a leave? No problem! Let me check your upcoming shooting schedule and make some adjustments."

Wow! So easygoing!

As the entire crew's acknowledged Bai Liang's shadow, Meng Zi Yi naturally joined in on the fun.

He couldn't help but chime in: "Uh... I..."

"Xiao Meng, you need to study the script more and really dig into your character. Director Jiang told me you've been distracted during filming lately..."

Congratulations, Meng Jie—you've just earned a direct production boss reprimand!

Guo Jingyu launched into a full-on scolding of Meng Zi Yi, and as he finished, he added: "Learn from Xiao Bai—he'd be happy to teach you."

"I got it~" Meng Zi Yi replied dejectedly.

Can the gap between people really be this big? He was literally the one she introduced to this crew!

Watching the two leave, Guo Jingyu's face softened into a smile—he was genuinely satisfied with Bai Liang in every way.

Even after the audition, when he thought he'd already overestimated the boy, only after filming began did he realize he'd still underestimated him.

Compared to Guo Jing's unwavering "heroic, noble, upright" persona, the villain Yang Kang's character and background were far more complex.

Casting a newcomer in such a role is like crossing a deathly tribulation—most likely, they'd fail miserably.

They'd almost always stay superficial.

But Bai Liang's performance was anything but newcomer-level—he barely made a single acting mistake during filming. If not for Meng Zi Yi dragging things down, his scenes would've wrapped even faster.

Moreover, this kid had prepared himself ridiculously thoroughly.

That densely written character biography made Guo Jingyu want to launch a "full-military recitation," urging everyone to raise their standards to match it!

Of course, he didn't do that—he wouldn't demand such a high bar from every actor.

If you scared the newcomers to death, would the drama even get finished?

So, just like the top student in class always gets a few special privileges, Bai Liang earned that same "privilege" in the shortest time possible.

It's just a leave—doesn't delay shooting. He can go do whatever he wants.

As long as it doesn't affect his future filming state, even if Bai Liang took on side gigs, Guo Jingyu would turn a blind eye.

Turning to Director Jiang Jiajun, Guo Jingyu remarked: "Those two look pretty well-matched."

"Old Guo, you trying to be a matchmaker?"

"Where'd you get that idea? Those two kids are always hanging out together, playing a couple on-screen—I think there's something real going on."

"So what? It's normal for young people."

"Earlier I saw online someone hyping up Bai Liang and a female artist as a couple—it worked really well. Maybe we can do the same when we air."

Copying homework! People in the entertainment industry knew this trick inside out.

The main creative team behind this version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," led by Guo Jingyu, was colloquially known as the "Guo Family Clan."

Though previously focused on dramas like "Fire Blue Blade," "Dog Stick," and "Iron Pear Blossom," targeting middle-aged and older audiences.

But times change, and film production must evolve too—last year, Guo Jingyu produced a web drama called "Soul Ferry."

Naturally, he knew how to handle hype operations.

In his view, if this version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" really wanted to do any hype after filming, he couldn't count on the leads Yang Xuwen and Li Yitong.

It'd probably still come down to Bai Liang and Meng Zi Yi.

Not to mention—they actually have real talent!

Even though Meng Zi Yi had earlier been caught in a scandal of being overshadowed and went "black-red," at least she dared to act and take risks.

As for Bai Liang... unpredictable, but Guo Jingyu had high hopes for him!

After praising the "top student," it was time to criticize the "underachiever."

"Why don't Yang Xuwen and Li Yitong have that same chemistry? If our Guo Jing and Huang Rong could spark like that, it'd be perfect."

"Young Yang is a bit dull, and he looks too earnest..."

This description actually fit Guo Jing perfectly—the casting was spot-on—but paired with Li Yitong's Huang Rong, something just felt off.

Simply put—they didn't click.

The little spark of heat generated? All of it went to Bai Liang.

Sure enough, from afar, they saw Li Yitong, having finished signing autographs and taking photos with fans, heading straight toward Bai Liang again.

She smiled like a little kitten—adorable.

"Hey! Yang Xuwen's heading over too—this kid isn't completely clueless."

What the two "bystanding old men" didn't expect was that Yang Xuwen was also going to hang out with Bai Liang.

Ever since learning Bai Liang was an exceptional horseman, this guy had become glued to him, constantly asking for advice...

Aside from the "Wushen Zhao Zilong" crew, Bai Liang had never actually worked on a set with any major stars.

He'd mostly been surrounded by newcomers or minor players.

Tang Ren's two dramas' male leads, Han Dongjun, and now Yang Xuwen in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," were all relatively unknown artists.

Even in "Wushen Zhao Zilong," the two "big names"—one couldn't speak the language and had no interaction, the other bonded easily with Bai Liang because he loved gaming.

Lin Gou couldn't pull any star behavior in front of Bai Liang—he was the guy who taught him gaming and even helped him roast Wang Sicong.

So, the little lesson about how actors interact on set, what to watch out for, etc. —Bai Liang had never encountered any of it.

Especially that kind of... really hard-to-get-along-with co-star!

She'd even "scared" him: some big stars have unpredictable tempers—they might just fly off the handle and give you a taste of it~ They pick on guys like you, newbies!

She was just trying to scare Bai Liang and show off her nearly depleted "entertainment industry trivia."

But it had made Bai Liang curious—even a little excited—at the thought of someday meeting such a "fascinating person."

Not anytime soon, though—even Jin Cheng didn't really enjoy throwing tantrums; she just did abstract stuff.

After spending another week on the "Legend of the Condor Heroes" set, Bai Liang packed his bags and returned to Shanghai.

"You're not planning to not come back, are you?"

"How could I not? I signed the contract, and Sister Qian Jie asked me to look after you—I still want to go to Changchun for iron pot stew."

Signed the contract, promised Sister Qian Jie... this reason was good, responsible.

But Mencius didn't like it.

She stared at Bai Liang with wide eyes; though she made no particularly expressive face, one could still sense a sense of grievance.

When Mencius was withdrawn before, her mother had been quite concerned, even hearing she couldn't sleep while following along.

She nearly came to the set to take care of her herself.

After learning the situation, Sister Qian Jie was overflowing with gratitude, almost ready to offer her own daughter in marriage... it once made Bai Liang suspect the two of them had conspired together.

He'd encountered this kind of "immortal scam" before.

"Alright, I'll get back as soon as possible~"

"Then take it slow on the road... what exactly are you promoting in Shanghai this time?" Mencius barely recovered enough to ask a somewhat normal question.

"Appear on a few small shows, and then..." Bai Liang scratched his head, "My main task is to go on a date with a girl."

"Huh?!"