Chapter 23: This Zhang Stands for Arrogance

Tang Yan’s reaction took Qiu Ze by surprise, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Once he realized he had been rejected, he felt a mixture of anger and relief. He was angry because Tang Yan had shown him no respect, yet relieved to have seen through the true nature of this mainland woman who didn't know what was good for her. At the same time, he was thankful that, aside from Tang Yan’s personal makeup artist, no one else had witnessed his embarrassing moment. However, when he turned around and saw Qi Wei standing not far away, his expression stiffened even further.

But these matters no longer concerned Tang Yan.

While she was running lines with Zhang Yang and Hu Ge, Zhang Yang suddenly said, "Old Hu, if I add this line here, do you think it would be more comedic?"

As he spoke, Zhang Yang recited the line. He wasn't the type to improvise lines on the fly during a shoot. Doing so might seem pretentious, but to outsiders, it often appeared immature unless you were a major star. Acting is a team effort; unless it’s a genuine spark of inspiration, it is always better to discuss it beforehand.

Hu Ge frowned in thought. Tang Yan, hugging her knees, offered her opinion: "I think we should try it the way A-Yang designed it."

Hu Ge’s brow smoothed out. "I think adding this line is quite interesting. Let’s try performing it according to your version first."

The scene itself was a guest appearance added on the spur of the moment. Unlike filming a movie, television dramas didn't require burning through expensive film, so at worst, they would just be wasting a bit of time. Since they were guest-starring, they might as well make it memorable. Perhaps this cliché "low-effort web novel villain" trope would result in an iconic scene.

Before long, the three of them stood in front of the camera, ready to go.

"Action!"

*Clap!*

As the clapperboard sounded, Hu Ge and Tang Yan stepped into character. After exchanging a few lines, they locked eyes, concealing hidden emotions.

At that moment, Zhang Yang entered the scene and said, "Isn't this Tang Qiqi? I heard you were fired. Are you looking for a man to support you now?"

Seeing Zhang Yang, Tang Yan wore a look of disgust. "Zhang Dahai, I, Tang Qiqi, earn my own living. I’m not like you—shameless enough to rely on women while still chasing after others."

The camera cut to Zhang Yang, who was quite handsome, but his outfit gave off a sleazy vibe.

After a sharp back-and-forth, Zhang Yang warned in a flustered rage, "Do you believe I can make it impossible for you to survive in the Jinling advertising industry?"

Hu Ge, who had been silent until now, reached out to block Tang Yan and said, "Friend, I haven't seen anyone as arrogant as you in Jinling yet."

"Well, you’re seeing it today." Zhang Yang pointed at Hu Ge and declared, "I, Zhang Dahai, have the surname Zhang—as in 'arrogant' (zhang)—because I am arrogant."

Nazha: "..."
Jiang Jinfu: "..."

*Good heavens, that line makes my toes curl.* How did Zhang Yang manage to say that with such a straight face? Didn't he feel embarrassed?

Zhang Yang: "..." Don't ask—if you ask, it’s called actor’s conviction!

"Zhang Dahai!" Tang Qiqi stepped forward, her voice cold. "You were two-timing, and now you’re trying to pursue me? What’s wrong with me telling your three girlfriends? They went to the company to make a scene and got you fired—I think I did a great job."

"You're finished!" Zhang Yang’s face flushed instantly, and he barked in a fit of shame and anger, "You're fired and you still dare to be so arrogant? I am currently a department head at XX Advertising Agency. I can have you blacklisted by every relevant company in Jinling, believe it or not."

Tang Yan was about to retort, but Hu Ge was faster. He picked up his phone, dialed a number, and after a moment, said, "Director Feng, does your company have a manager named Zhang Dahai?"

"He was fired from his previous company for two-timing. Since your company employs such an artist, I highly doubt you have the capability to partner with V Company."

"You want a chance to remedy this? That depends on how quickly you handle this scumbag, Director Feng."

With that, Hu Ge hung up and looked at Zhang Yang with a cold, indifferent expression.

Zhang Yang’s expression turned panicked, and he asked with a trembling voice, "Who are you?"

"You don't need to know who I am," Hu Ge replied dismissively.

"Look, Tang Qiqi..." Zhang Yang turned his pleading gaze toward Tang Yan, who turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Just as he was about to say something else, the phone in his pocket vibrated. Seeing the caller ID, Zhang Yang’s expression changed immediately. He held the phone to his ear and spoke in a humble, fawning tone: "Director Liu, it's me. What?"

"Director Liu, I don't need a salary, just please don't fire me! I can explain!"

"Director Liu? Hello? Hello!?"

Zhang Yang’s expression collapsed completely, as if he had been struck by lightning. He hurriedly put away his phone and turned to Hu Ge and Tang Yan, stuttering, "Director Xu, Ms. Tang, I was just joking. Please, have mercy and let me off the hook."

"I have gifts for you, I promise! Is that okay?"

Hearing this, Hu Ge simply replied, "Aren't you the 'arrogant' Zhang?"

"Don't bother me, or I'll make sure you can't survive in the Jinling advertising industry."

Repeating Zhang Yang’s own threat back to him, Hu Ge took Tang Yan by the wrist and walked away. Zhang Yang’s face turned deathly pale.

"Cut!"

The assistant director’s voice sounded from nearby. "That’s a wrap."

The aura of the leads shifted instantly.

"Impressive, A-Yang. One take," Hu Ge praised sincerely.

During the phone scene, there hadn't actually been any voice on the other end of the line. The pauses, the intensity, the rhythm, and the shifts in emotion had all been Zhang Yang’s own doing. His arrogance, followed by his despair after being fired, had been portrayed perfectly.

"Basic stuff, stay calm," Zhang Yang said, pressing his hands down to feign humility.

"Watch it, your ego is showing," Tang Yan teased.

Zhang Yang dropped the act and asked Nazha and Jiang Jinfu, "I did alright, didn't I?"

"You didn't embarrass the Shanghai Theatre Academy," Jiang Jinfu said.

"Amazing," Nazha nodded. She felt that Zhang Yang’s presence while acting was completely different from his usual self.

"It’s just a guest role, what a fuss," Qiu Ze thought with disdain. In his view, such a performance wasn't difficult, and doing it in one take wasn't a big deal. However, he overlooked the fact that Nazha and Jiang Jinfu were still complete newcomers. For rookies, not being intimidated while acting alongside Hu Ge and Tang Yan was impressive enough, let alone delivering a good performance.

Afterward, the group changed locations to the building’s underground parking lot. The plot involved Xu Ran (played by Hu Ge) and Ye Rou (played by Qi Wei) walking toward the elevator while discussing work. Zhang Yang would suddenly appear, looking pale and bloodshot, wearing a baseball cap and wielding a steel pipe to attack them. Because his aim was off, he ended up hitting Qi Wei on the shoulder. It was at this moment that Wei Xiao (played by Qiu Ze), Xu Ran’s brother, would enter the scene and subdue Zhang Yang.

This take was much more complex than the previous one, but it was still finished in a single take.

"You really haven't gotten rusty while acting on set, and I think your state is even more natural than before," Hu Ge said, making no effort to hide his admiration.

"Impressive, brother," Tang Yan and Qi Wei added with a playful nudge.

"It’s all thanks to you guys leading the way," Zhang Yang said, not daring to take all the credit.

Qiu Ze watched this harmonious scene, feeling inexplicably annoyed. *Didn't I perform just as well as Zhang Yang?*

"I have a meeting about a new project tonight, so I won't be joining you for dinner," Qiu Ze said to Hu Ge. He was actually trying to act important, hoping Hu Ge would invite him again.

But Hu Ge just glanced at him and nodded. "Alright, we'll catch up next time."

Qiu Ze: "..." *Screw you!*

During dinner that night, Zhang Yang repeated his theory from the previous night to Jiang Jinfu, then whispered, "Tell me, should I suggest a bet to Old Hu? I’ll mentor you, he’ll mentor Nazha, and we’ll see who performs better during the filming of *Xuan-Yuan Sword*."

"Boring," Jiang Jinfu replied, though he didn't explicitly say yes or no; a strange sense of urgency began to well up inside him.

He excused himself from the private room to go to the restroom and then made a phone call to Karen Tsoi.

"Director Tsoi, could you arrange for Senior Hu Ge to mentor me and have Zhang Yang mentor Nazha?"

Karen Tsoi: "???"