Chapter 45: A Pillow Delivered Just as Drowsiness Sets In

Cai Yinong originally intended to maintain a composed, calculating demeanor in front of Zhang Yang, but his calm, unflappable, and seemingly omniscient manner caused her to lose her composure.

Given Zhang Yang’s current prowess, he must have seen through her intentions. Was he not afraid that she would obstruct his contract for the role, preventing him from playing Cen Chong?

"Sister K is a smart person, why would I be afraid?" Zhang Yang retorted calmly. Before she could speak, he continued, "Signing the contract is a three-way win. I’ll be happy to get the role, Director Chen will be happy to find a suitable actor, and as for Tangren, you can make a small profit and use this to build connections with Director Chen."

"Not signing is a three-way loss. I would harbor a grudge against you and the company, Director Chen would think Tangren is being underhanded and take issue with you, Tangren would gain nothing, and you would gain several enemies."

"Or, has Zhang Yang become so exceptional that you’re willing to ruin your reputation and freeze me out for three years just to force me into a contract renewal?"

Cai Yinong fell silent.

When presented with these pros and cons, anyone with common sense would know how to choose. There were, of course, other factors, such as Tangren’s reputation in the industry. Unless Zhang Yang had deeply offended her, she had no reason to resort to freezing him out.

"It seems that after two years of serious study, you really have improved a great deal—not just in temperament and acting, but in everything."

Leaving behind that remark, Cai Yinong climbed into the back seat of her car and signaled the driver to depart. There was one thing she didn't say: if Zhang Yang continued to perform this impressively, it would be very difficult for her to refrain from taking action against him. Unless, of course, Zhang Yang became so exceptional that he was beyond her reach—but that was absolutely impossible.

Watching the car disappear around the street corner, Zhang Yang turned and walked into the restaurant, spotting Nazha standing behind the glass door.

"Since when did you learn to eavesdrop?" Zhang Yang teased.

"I didn't do it on purpose." Nazha walked out, looking defensive, though her eyes betrayed her worry. "Brother Yang, what you said to Sister K just now sounds rational, but..."

Zhang Yang stared at Nazha, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, waiting for her to finish.

"But, Sister K is a woman," Nazha said.

Women, at times, were not always so rational. Even if Cai Yinong was a businesswoman, she was bound to have moments of impulsivity.

Zhang Yang nodded gently. "Good, you’ve learned to think for yourself."

Nazha blinked, testing him: "Aren't you afraid?"

"If Sister K isn't rational, then I’ll help her be rational," Zhang Yang laughed. "Have you forgotten how your role as Zhao Jingniang was resolved?"

"If Sister K blocks my contract, I’ll simply sign a work contract with Director Chen as a martial arts instructor. Tangren can’t control me then. I’ll get the pay I’m owed, and I can skip the middleman and their markup."

"I can definitely handle the job of a martial arts double; I’m the best candidate for Director Chen. It’s true that a supporting role wouldn't be protected by a contract, carrying certain risks—like Director Chen being able to replace me whenever—but by the same token, I could walk away whenever I wanted. It remains fair to both sides."

"At the end of the day, this is just a supporting role. Director Chen has no need to ruin his reputation. And when it comes to being a martial arts double, Director Chen needs me; I hold the leverage."

"As for Cai Yinong, she would only end up shooting herself in the foot."

Nazha: "..."

Being a smart person seemed exhausting.

"As long as you're going to be fine," Nazha said, smiling as she brushed the topic aside.

Zhang Yang nodded. "Get some sleep. Once you finish filming tomorrow morning, your role will be wrapped."

It was quite commemorative, being her first role wrap in life.

Nazha nodded slightly, looking forward to it.

The next day. At a convent.

Under the gaze of "Zhao Jingniang," Zhang Yang left, feeling a sense of loss.

"The falling flowers have intent, but the flowing water is indifferent; I have let down your deep devotion."

"Sister Ya, I ended up just like you."

"Cut!"

Lin Feng called out.

"Let’s congratulate Nazha on her wrap," Lin Feng said, taking the lead in applauding.

The crew members on set followed suit, happy to oblige. Having spent time together, the fair-skinned, beautiful, and endearingly naive Nazha had won them over, not to mention Zhang Yang, who was good at social interaction and often treated everyone to snacks and fruit.

"Junior sister, congratulations."

Zhang Yang pulled out a box he had prepared earlier.

"What is this?" Nazha opened it and found several photos inside.

The photos showed her and Zhang Yang in costume, as well as a group photo of their small production team. On the back of each photo, the date was written: March 28th.

It was very meaningful.

"Thank you, Brother Yang," Nazha smiled sweetly, making no effort to hide the emotions in her eyes.

Zhang Yang seemed not to notice, laughing lightly. "Your role is wrapped, but mine isn't. You can continue to moonlight as my assistant for now."

"I’ll be sure to do a good job," Nazha agreed without objection.

The following days were filled with the busy routine of filming.

On the afternoon of the second day, Zhang Yang’s scenes were all completed, and his role wrapped as well. Lin Ziwei was quite generous, treating him and Nazha to dinner, calling it a wrap party.

"When the whole production wraps, you must come to the final banquet," Lin Ziwei invited Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang, of course, would not refuse such an opportunity to expand his network, and he readily agreed.

Early the next morning, he checked out of the hotel arranged by the *Empress of the World* crew and contacted the staff of the *The Four* crew to check into their assigned hotel.

Checking the time, Zhang Yang called Nazha over. "Let's go buy some medicine for bruises and injuries, especially red oil."

"Since *The Four* is a martial arts film, are there a lot of fight scenes?" Nazha asked a rather foolish question.

Zhang Yang didn't scold her but patiently explained, "Director Chen’s film involves a lot of wirework, which easily leads to strains and contusions. If you don't treat them immediately, they’ll turn into chronic issues."

Nazha nodded thoughtfully, thinking to herself that action movies were truly hard to film.

Zhang Yang took Nazha to a nearby pharmacy to buy the necessary medicine and then went straight to the set to report for duty.

When they entered the filming location, the crew was in the middle of shooting a fight scene for "Chasing Life," played by Hong Kong actor Zheng Zhongji.

Zhang Yang didn't rush to interrupt, instead scanning the surroundings before heading toward a studio.

[Time: March 29th, 10:21 AM]
[Location: Hengdian World Studios, Area XX, Studio Number XX]
[Guide: (Locked/1 Role Point)]

This was an opportunity event that had refreshed yesterday morning.

After some investigation, he had determined it was within the *The Four* production.

He didn't use a Role Point to unlock it, wanting to see if he could resolve it using his own methods.

Arriving outside the studio, he stopped a nearby staff member and asked, "Is this the actors' lounge?"

The person looked Zhang Yang over and nodded. "Yes, but this is the actresses' lounge. The men's lounge is across the way."

As he spoke, he pointed to a studio across from this one.

Zhang Yang: "..."

If he had known, he would have just walked in.

"Thank you."

Though he was bleeding internally, Zhang Yang politely thanked him.

Just then, someone lifted the curtain of the studio and walked out.

Zhang Yang subconsciously sized the person up, discovering it was a well-dressed woman with an elegant bearing.

His eyes lit up. "It’s like someone sent a pillow just as I was getting sleepy."