Chapter 65: The Three Beauties of Chinese Paladin: Zhang Yang is Toxic

200,000!

If this figure were put in the future, it would not even be one-tenth of what certain celebrities make in a single day.

Yet this was 2011. The internet giants had not yet entered the arena on a massive scale, the traffic era had not yet arrived, and celebrity paychecks had not yet skyrocketed.

Yang Mi had only just broken into the first-tier ranks not long ago. Her publicly quoted rate was 300,000 to 400,000 RMB per episode, but the reality was certainly discounted. Coupled with taxes and profit-sharing with her agent, her actual income was not high—not to mention that although she was taking on overlapping drama roles back then, she wasn't as frantic as she would be during the gambling-agreement period.

Moreover, she still had to pay her staff's salaries, invest huge sums of money in clothing and skincare maintenance, and her endorsement fees had only just risen, meaning she didn't have much liquid capital on hand.

Under these circumstances, offering him "200,000" could be said to show a tremendous amount of sincerity, not to mention that she would also owe him a favor.

Of course, viewed from the perspective of a successful round of positive PR and image marketing, those 200,000 RMB were well spent, as it averted a storm.

"Just in time. Any extra money later can be used for investments." Zhang Yang had already figured out what to do with the funds.

For instance, *Lost in Thailand*, which would soon start pulling in investments.

"Money received," Zhang Yang texted Yang Mi.

He got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. Before he even started brushing his teeth, he received a reply.

[Yang Mi]: Is it enough?

[Yang Mi]: Sister Mi is magnanimous.

[Yang Mi]: I really have to thank you this time. The video came right in time. Someone was still being stubborn last night even under pressure from the producer.

[Yang Mi]: Just a coincidence. A fair trade.

[Yang Mi]: The trade is fair, but the opportunity for this trade is very rare. Anyway, I'll remember your help, especially since you're an artist under Chinese Entertainment.

[Yang Mi]: Sister Mi is magnanimous.

[Yang Mi]: Is that the only phrase you know?

[Yang Mi]: Words from the bottom of my heart.

[Yang Mi]: Can you only send those four characters?

[Yang Mi]: Screenshot taken.

[Yang Mi]: Get lost!

"This jerk did it on purpose, didn't he?" A smile bloomed on Yang Mi's face as she let out a light scolding.

Remembering how Tang Yan had called her last night to complain about Zhang Yang—while she had actually defended him—she suddenly felt a bit of "regret."

She sent Tang Yan a Penguin message: "Zhang Yang is indeed not a good person."

[Tang Yan]: What made you arrive at such an accurate realization?

[Yang Mi]: You're awake this early?

[Tang Yan]: Pissed off.

[Yang Mi]: Just because she said you're a sweet, naive girl?

[Tang Yan]: No, he said he was going to teach me how to act. Is my acting really that bad?

[Yang Mi]: Zixuan was played very well.

[Tang Yan]: Right? I do have acting skills. He's really going too far.

Yang Mi: "..."

You really are the epitome of a sweet, naive girl.

The two best friends joined forces to complain about Zhang Yang.

Yet even so, Tang Yan's anger had not subsided.

Therefore, when the boot-ceremony for *Xuan-Yuan Sword* took place on May 15th, she still wore a cold face toward Zhang Yang in private.

"Tangtang, how did A-Yang tick you off?" Liu Shishi asked curiously inside the dressing room.

Tang Yan pursed her lips: "He threw me away the moment he was done using me. How could I possibly have a good temper toward him?"

Liu Shishi: ?

What kind of wild and ferocious words are you uttering?

"What do you mean thrown away after being used?" Nazha, who had perked up her ears to eavesdrop, couldn't help chiming in.

Tang Yan turned her head to look at her, though without hiding anything, she recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

"He asked me for Mimi's contact info, made a deal with Mimi, and made Mimi owe him a favor. But afterwards, he mocked me—the intermediary—saying my acting is terrible and that I'm just a sweet, naive girl. You tell me, shouldn't I be angry?" As Tang Yan spoke, she genuinely grew upset.

A look of sudden realization appeared on Nazha's face: "So on the 9th, when he went to Hangzhou, he was there to talk business with Teacher Yang Mi."

Liu Shishi was utterly surprised: "Mimi's clarifying videos were actually provided by A-Yang? Where did he get them?"

Tang Yan: ?

Is that what you should be focusing on?

The main point is that Zhang Yang was "returning a favor with enmity"!

Meanwhile, over in the male actors' dressing room.

Lin Gengxin let the makeup artist fuss over him while chatting idly with Zhang Yang: "A-Yang, Tang Yan seems to have an issue with you?"

Both of them were alumni of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and both had been burned by Karen Mok's empty promises at Chinese Entertainment, so their relationship had always been quite good.

Jiang Jinfu's gaze flickered as he began to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"It's nothing much. I just spoke a few home truths she didn't want to hear." Zhang Yang closed his eyes.

"What truths?"

"I said her acting is terrible."

Lin Gengxin whipped his head around to look at him: "You actually dared to say that?"

"I didn't expose her shortcomings on purpose." Zhang Yang's expression remained calm throughout: "She did me a small favor, so I said I could guide her acting once filming started. She just insisted on getting angry all by herself."

Lin Gengxin: "..."

Are you even speaking human words?

"Women hold grudges, you know." Lin Gengxin wore a gloating smile: "Given the relationship between Tang Yan and Sister Shishi, you're going to suffer in the crew from now on."

"I disagree with your assessment." Zhang Yang opened his eyes: "I predict that within seven days at most, she'll take the initiative to ask me to teach her acting."

Both Lin Gengxin and Jiang Jinfu wore expressions that read, *Look at you bragging again.*

The corners of Zhang Yang's lips twitched upward: "Lin Gou, care to make a bet?"

"A bet it is." Naturally, Lin Gengxin wouldn't turn down such a sure-win wager: "If it turns out like you said, you'll cover my breakfast for the entire duration of the shoot. And vice versa."

"Count me in as well, Senior Brothers," Jiang Jinfu chimed in. "I'm siding with Senior Brother Lin. The stakes will be late-night snacks during the shoot—whenever Brother Yang wants to eat, I'll foot the bill, and vice versa."

"No problem. A gentleman's word is his bond." Zhang Yang took out his phone: "Let's put it in writing via Penguin."

Lin Gengxin and Jiang Jinfu had no objections, and were in fact even more excited than Zhang Yang.

*Heh, foolish Lin Gou and Jinfu,* Zhang Yang chuckled inwardly.

You guys know nothing about the power of a cheater.

After finishing his makeup, Zhang Yang put on his golden armor, held his golden mask, and walked out of the dressing room.

Whether due to the styling and costume or not, Lin Gengxin and Jiang Jinfu, who stood beside him, were instantly overshadowed—it was the exact difference between ancient nobility and country bumpkins.

Karen Mok's gaze swept over the three of them, various thoughts flashing through her mind.

At that moment, the three female leads also finished their styling and stepped out of the dressing room.

Unlike the stark contrast among the three male leads, the three female leads each possessed their own unique charms.

Tang Yan played Tuoba Yu'er, with her long hair combed into a distinctive high ponytail, wearing a female martial artist outfit with red as the primary color. She gave off a bright, moving, lively, youthful, and eccentric vibe.

Liu Shishi played Dugu Ningke, dressed in a dark purple princess gown, adorned with elaborate and heavy gold hairpieces. She appeared aloof, noble, imposing, and refreshingly otherworldly.

Nazha played Xiaoxue, dressed in a long white dress. Her skin was like refined lard, her eyes as bright as stars in the sky, and her pitch-black hair fell over her shoulders, exuding peerless beauty. She looked like a radiant pearl or a flawless piece of jade, so strikingly beautiful one could hardly dare to look directly at her.

All three women were exceptionally suited for historical costumes, making the eyes of many present light up instantly.

Meanwhile, they were sizing up Zhang Yang, thoroughly dazzled by his golden armor ensemble.

Zhang Yang put on the golden mask in his hand and suddenly spoke, his voice ice-cold: "What are you all staring at? Get back to work!"

Everyone: "..."