Chapter 76: Science and Metaphysics (Request Follows, Request Monthly Votes)

The wedding.

Meng Ziyi wore a bright red bridal gown, her expression cold.

Yet there was not the slightest trace of joy befitting a bride.

Because this was the scene where she portrayed Mu Nianci marrying Yang Kang.

For this scene, she had to keep a stern face—even though it was a wedding, the main purpose was to poison Wanyan Honglie.

"Little Meng, don't smile at the corners of your mouth..."

"Oh no, sorry, Director! I couldn't help it." Meng Ziyi apologized eagerly, but as soon as she finished, her smile broke free entirely.

Her apple cheeks lifted, her lovely face redder than rouge.

The director didn't hold it against her—this girl had been performing quite well these past few days.

Especially yesterday, there was a powerful high point: the scene where Mu Nianci learns she's pregnant.

That expression on her face! Absolutely brilliant!

The director nearly clapped right then and there—that mix of joy followed by anxious uncertainty...

Had the young actress finally gotten it?

Turning his head, he saw Bai Liang and Meng Ziyi, off-camera, holding another "mini class."

"The atmosphere on this set is really great! By the way, isn't Xiao Bai self-taught? He's good himself, but now he's teaching others too?" Director Jiang mused.

"I know why—he learns fast, pure brainpower and talent, plus he's loaded with theoretical knowledge."

Producer Guo Jingyu said he'd just done some research—he was the type of producer and director who preferred working with "old hands"; if he felt comfortable with someone, he'd collaborate with them again.

After discovering this kid Bai Liang was cheap and useful, he couldn't resist digging into his background.

Turns out, this kid had quite a few "big Buddhas" behind him—Yang Xing, Cai Yi—names well-known in the industry.

But the funniest part? He hadn't signed with any company—he was a sole proprietor.

Of course, his agent Sister Yanzi was a big blower—when negotiating pay, she kept talking about "our studio" like it was some grand outfit.

But now, looking back, Bai Liang's "studio" had only two people: actor Bai Liang and Sister Yanzi, who handled every role.

Sometimes he even wondered if Sister Yanzi had to go buy Bai Liang's condoms himself.

Bai Liang: I don't use that stuff~

In fact, Meng Ziyi, this "partner," had also raised objections about this.

Yesterday, during the wedding scene, she suddenly realized—since Bai Liang returned from leave, nearly half a month had passed, and as young people, once they tasted it, they hadn't stopped.

But! They had never used any rubber products.

Just thinking about it made her freeze—she could almost see her belly swelling.

Why did this feel so much like "forced marriage"?

Didn't we already agree not to discuss this for now...?

Bai Liang said explaining it was complicated—he couldn't use science to convince her she wouldn't get pregnant.

He himself knew this: luck and probability always sided with him.

But he couldn't just say that to make the girl feel safe.

So he prepared two explanations:

One, from a scientific angle: I'm taking medicine myself, I don't want you to.

The other, from a metaphysical angle: When I was a kid, a fortune-teller predicted my descendants would be wealthy—but I won't have any until I'm rich.

Both explanations were absurd, but Meng Ziyi's brain worked strangely—she believed them both.

She really did—cried her eyes out... willing to believe such nonsense rather than suspect Bai Liang was just doing it for pleasure.

Later discussions about "White Immortal" revealed the Northeasterners' obsession with spirit mediums.

"Hehe, little hedgehog~"

"I'm warning you—don't give me silly nicknames."

"I think it's cute!" Meng Ziyi argued confidently—after all, Bai Liang started it with the nickname "Immortal," so she was just building on it.

Because of Lin Xin's livestream gaming incident, the nickname "Immortal" for Bai Liang had already spread—not just Meng Ziyi, even the new female fans loved calling him that.

Bai Liang didn't argue further, instead reminding her: "I'm wrapping up in a few days—tonight, make the most of your time."

"Make the most of what time? Keep your voice down!"

"I'll go over the script and character for my next role with you."

Meng Ziyi wasn't like Bai Liang, who "ate today's meal without knowing tomorrow's"—as soon as this set wrapped, she had another drama lined up immediately.

Bai Liang, feeling responsible, thought he really ought to give this rookie extra tutoring.

That was the plan—but after wrapping scenes and returning to the hotel, the plot always somehow veered off course...

A girl with striking beauty had too many advantages—just a slight frown looked like flirtation; a lazy stretch seemed to write desire itself.

After days of "tutoring," Bai Liang's appetite had grown significantly.

He needed to consume more from nature.

Time slipped by until wrap day; Bai Liang felt dazed—not physically, but mentally confused.

What exactly had he been tutoring Meng Ziyi on these past few days?

Even when he drank the wrap-up liquor, he was slow to react—looking at Meng Ziyi's grinning face, he suspected she'd done it on purpose, just to avoid studying.

When Bai Liang was pulled aside by Guo Jingyu for a chat, Meng Ziyi suddenly looked melancholy.

We're going to part now~

"Aren't you wrapping up in a few days too? Then go find him," Li Yitong smiled.

Meng Ziyi sighed, propping her chin on both hands. "I'm jumping straight into the next project—two days after wrap, I start shooting my next drama. So annoying."

Annoying? Just a few days ago you were bragging about it!

It's just that times are different now.

Actually, Li Yitong truly didn't quite understand—before, both of them had been women in the entertainment industry who wanted to "grow big and strong."

Meng Zi had taken the path of black-red fame, stubbornly determined to kick Lin Yu'er even if it meant being cursed by so many people; although Li Yitong had initially been a little "afraid" of her, she still admired her inside.

Cry all you want, but hide under the covers—never regret it!

But this girl had barely begun her black-red path when she suddenly turned around and wanted to fall in love, which surprised Li Yitong greatly.

What were you thinking? You've eaten the bitterness of your career, now you want the sweetness of love?

But anyone with a clear head knows that sometimes the bitterness of love and the bitterness of a career can be eaten together~

Then you'll have plenty of wailing to do.

"How are you planning to balance it?" Li Yitong couldn't help asking.

"Balance what?"

"Work and love—you won't always have chances to collaborate after this."

"Um… our relationship hasn't even been fully confirmed yet," Meng Zi said, a little embarrassed.

"Ah? So you two are just set-up lovers from the set…?"

"No no! It's not like that… Ahh, I don't know how to explain it, it's just really complicated, hard to put into words."

Hard to explain—but Li Yitong seemed to understand something, looking at the girl with pity: "I feel you two are going to be tangled up for years to come."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know the grand trend of the world?"

"Huh?"

"Breakups and reunions~"