Chapter 4: This Junior Sister is Rather Charming

“If I buy these things and then head to someone’s private lounge, I’d probably be mistaken for a troublemaker and get arrested.”
“This isn’t an opportunity to gain Liu Shishi’s favor; it’s more likely to offend her and ruin my chance of getting in.”

Zhang Yang muttered inwardly about the entertainment industry’s so-called opportunity handbook. What kind of legitimate cheat code would make a decent person do something like this?

Yet his expression remained unchanged, a thoughtful gleam flickering in his eyes.

From the guide’s information, it was clear that Liu Shishi would visit a relative tomorrow and would have forgotten to bring sanitary pads.

If he brought the exact sanitary pad she needed and appeared before her in time, naturally he could win her favor. Such a private and embarrassing favor would surely leave a special impression in her heart.

This was indeed an opportunity to gain the goodwill of Liu Shishi, the top-tier actress known as the number one female star of Tangren Entertainment—a true “chance.”

The question was whether he had the guts to do it, whether he cared about his pride.

“Let’s do it.” Zhang Yang decided without hesitation.

He wasn’t interested in admiring Liu Shishi’s expression or trying to make a unique impression on her. He simply wanted to verify the handbook’s authenticity and didn’t want to waste his character points.

A man born under heaven and earth should not forever remain beneath others; he was determined to rise in the entertainment industry!

“Though it feels like playing a dating sim with female characters.”

Zhang Yang hailed a taxi, not heading back to the dormitory where the drama was filmed, but to the rental apartment Tangren had prepared for him—the seasoned signed artist. It was closer to the company.

The apartment was in a high-end gated community with good security. The rent was not cheap, about the average salary for an ordinary person, but for a major company like Tangren, it was nothing.

Zhang Yang got off at the gate, greeted the security guard on duty, and entered the community.

He lived in Building 7, very close to the entrance, only a two-minute walk.

“Ding!”

The elevator doors opened, and Zhang Yang strode in, noticing someone inside carrying a large pile of things.

He instinctively looked up and, upon recognizing the woman’s face, felt a shiver of instinctive surprise.

She wore jeans and a white shirt; her deep eyes seemed to speak. Her features were exquisite—delicate nose with a high bridge, thick lashes framing lively eyes.

Though in flats, she was hardly shorter than him, despite his height of just over 1.8 meters. Her skin was so fair it seemed to glow.

Such a stunning beauty would turn heads wherever she went.

But Zhang Yang was startled because he recognized her—one of the “Four Beauties of Xinjiang,” Guli Nazha, also this year’s most beautiful candidate at the Beijing Film Academy.

He withdrew his gaze and turned toward the door, not pressing any floor buttons.

Because Guli Nazha was going to the same floor as him—the eighth.

“Hey, aren’t you pressing the floor button?”

While Zhang Yang was observing Nazha, she was also studying him.

Just as women’s beauty attracts men, the reverse is true; sometimes women can be even more captivated.

Nazha, a connoisseur of looks, found Zhang Yang—a tall, strong, sunny handsome guy—caught her eye, and he seemed vaguely familiar.

Seeing that he hadn’t pressed a floor button, she thought he might be distracted by her beauty—something she often encountered.

“Do you think there’s a chance we live on the same floor?” Zhang Yang turned to Nazha with a faint smile.

He was just contemplating how to get acquainted with her when she spoke first.

Such was the cost of being plain-looking; most people wouldn’t imagine it.

“Impossible!” Nazha replied firmly. “This building has two households per elevator. The person living opposite me is a senior company artist.”

Zhang Yang’s smile deepened as he asked again, “Is there a chance I’m the senior you’re talking about?”

“Ah!?” Nazha was incredulous.

Her agent had brought her here earlier, and she was still basking in the joy of being cast in “Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of the Sky.” Many details slipped past her.

She only knew the person opposite her was also a company artist, a senior who debuted in 2004 with “Chinese Paladin,” and was close to Hu Ge and others.

She naturally assumed the senior was nearly thirty.

But Zhang Yang looked about her age.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Zhang Yang, living on the eighth floor, a Tangren artist.” Zhang Yang extended his hand.

“Hello, senior brother. I’m Guli Nazha’er Bayhetiyar, stage name Guli Nazha!” She suddenly blushed and hurriedly shook his hand.

Zhang Yang withdrew his hand. “I know you. You’re this year’s most beautiful candidate at Beijing Film Academy.”

“That’s just media hype.” Nazha waved shyly but was somewhat proud.

Most girls who apply to arts schools are beautiful, especially at top-tier schools like Beijing Film Academy.

Being named the most beautiful candidate without controversy said a lot.

“I didn’t expect Sister K to sign you. No wonder you’re here instead of at school.” Zhang Yang smiled and pulled out his phone. “Let’s exchange contacts. I’ve lived here for years and know the neighborhood well. Since we’re in the same company, if you need anything or help, just reach out.”

“Thank you, senior brother.” Nazha didn’t hesitate and entered her number.

“Ding!”

The elevator reached their floor.

Zhang Yang stepped out first and called Nazha’s number, ringing her phone.

Then he took out his keys and opened the door to 801, waving to Nazha. “Junior sister, remember to save my contact as Zhang, the Zhang in ‘outspoken,’ and Yang, the Yang in ‘rippling waves.’ Call me anytime if you need.”

He remembered Nazha rarely saved people’s real names, which often made her slow to respond when Hu Ge contacted her.

“Okay, senior brother,” Nazha nodded.

After Zhang Yang entered, she took out her keys and went into 802.

“My senior brother opposite me fits my aesthetic perfectly and seems nice—feels good.”

“But he’s so handsome, even better than old Hu. Debuted in 2004 but never got famous?”

She locked her door securely and headed to the bathroom for a bath.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang went straight to the gym, stripped off his clothes, revealing a strong upper body.

Perhaps influenced by memories of his past life, he had begged his parents from the age of eight to learn martial arts.

His family was fairly well-off, and his father, a martial arts enthusiast, had hired a good teacher for him.

After more than a decade of consistent practice in Bajiquan and Tai Chi, he truly possessed real martial arts skills.

“I have real kung fu. Maybe I can use this as a breakthrough to find some movie roles and overtake others unexpectedly.”

“Though in the age of internet celebrities, many movie stars make money and gain popularity by acting in TV and web dramas, even Liu Yifei is no exception.”

“But movies have an elevated status, a widely accepted notion both inside and outside the industry.”

...

While practicing, Zhang Yang remained calm and began making short-term life plans.

Actors who move from TV to film are considered to be rising; film stars doing TV are seen as descending.

If he could build connections in the film industry, it would be advantageous when negotiating early or amicable contract termination.

To thrive in the entertainment world, one must plan ahead. Although he was a Tangren artist, starting a company to sign promising directors, screenwriters, and actors was not impossible.

If he could land the second male lead in “Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of the Sky,” that would be ideal; if not, he could try his luck in Hengdian.

Besides, as someone with a cheat, maybe the “opportunities” would come to him.

Finishing his routine and drenched in sweat, Zhang Yang prepared to shower.

“Nazha?” Zhang Yang was puzzled.

Looking at the time, she was calling just after arriving home. What was going on?

He immediately returned the call.

The phone was answered quickly, and Nazha’s voice came through: “Senior brother, I need a little help with something.”

“Go ahead.” Zhang Yang was intrigued.

“Do you know the property management’s number? Or, can you fix a water pipe?”

Zhang Yang thought: Is fixing water pipes a proper request?