Chapter 7: The Dual Male Lead Script

Lying in bed last night, Zhang Yang had mapped out his future.

Seven years had passed of his ten-year contract with Tangren Media, with three years remaining until it expired in early 2014. The year 2014 was unique; it marked the dawn of the "traffic" era, where the return of the "Four Great流量 (Traffic) Kings" triggered a massive wave, *Swords of Legends* birthed a new prototype for viral fame, and internet giants entered the entertainment industry, causing celebrity paychecks to skyrocket.

Before the government-mandated salary caps, a C-list celebrity could earn more than the A-listers of the past. It was a time when terms like "one Shuang" and "hundreds of millions in a year" became units of measurement for wealth.

Zhang Yang planned to use these three years to ascend to A-list status. As a Tangren artist, the most logical resource to exploit was the company's in-house dramas; period idol dramas were excellent vehicles for building fame. Once his contract ended, he could earn more in a single year than he had in the previous decade, and with much more ease.

*Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky* was perfect for this. The second male lead role, which required playing two distinct characters—Yuwen Tuo and Jian Chi—was a standout part that could easily become a signature role. Beyond just seizing the opportunity, he was prepared to leverage his personal rapport with Hu Ge, resorting to cashing in favors if necessary. He reasoned that if he eventually became a power player in the industry, he could simply compensate Hu Ge later with some critically acclaimed, high-grossing film roles.

Yet, he hadn't expected his elaborate planning to be rendered unnecessary; the role was being served to him on a silver platter. Of course, this was largely thanks to Liu Shishi, as Hu Ge likely wouldn't have thought of him without her intervention.

"Are you talking about the *Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky* project?" Zhang Yang didn't rush to accept, opting instead to play it cool.

"Yes, you must have heard about the internal auditions, right?" Hu Ge asked.

"No," Zhang Yang shook his head.

Hu Ge and Liu Shishi exchanged surprised glances. Hu Ge then asked, "Have you still not reconciled with Sister K?"

They were both well aware of the *Chinese Paladin 3* incident involving the role of Xu Changqing, and they both felt Cai Yinong had been in the wrong. You shouldn't make promises you don't intend to keep; Zhang Yang might have only been daydreaming at first, but once you give a person hope and they put in the effort, pulling the rug out from under them at the last minute—who wouldn't be angry?

Hu Ge had spoken to Cai Yinong about it at the time, but she had brushed it off, claiming she had already signed Wallace Huo and couldn't breach the contract. When Hu Ge suggested offering Zhang Yang another role as compensation, Zhang Yang had been resolute; he enrolled at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and used his studies as an excuse to reject every project the company arranged, effectively "blacklisting" himself—though in reality, he was busy building connections and honing his craft. This was exactly why Hu Ge hadn't thought of Zhang Yang when *Xuan-Yuan Sword* began casting.

"The last time I saw her was at the annual meeting," Zhang Yang replied. "She asked if I had any interest in renewing my contract early. I refused."

Hearing this, Hu Ge and Liu Shishi suddenly realized that Zhang Yang had only a few years left on his contract, yet he was only twenty-one. Having studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, his acting skills were praised by all his professors, and his appearance had matured into something even more striking. As a male actor, he was entering his golden years—a prime that would last for decades. It was no wonder Cai Yinong wanted an early renewal; without one, she wouldn't even consider giving him a major role. Otherwise, given Zhang Yang's credentials, he would have left someone like Jiang Jinfu in the dust.

"Then how did you know about this production?" Liu Shishi abruptly changed the subject.

"I have Jiang Jinfu to thank for that. He's my roommate, and last night..." Zhang Yang told them the truth.

As Hu Ge and Liu Shishi listened, both frowned subtly. As Zhang Yang's friends, they instinctively disliked Jiang Jinfu’s blatant, intentional showing off.

"The role of the third male lead was already promised to Lin Gengxin; the contract is signed," Liu Shishi added. "And Jiang Jinfu was there when it happened."

"That makes it even more deliberate," Hu Ge's expression darkened. The entertainment industry was a vanity fair full of all sorts of characters, and he was used to it, but as Zhang Yang's friend, he had a clear stance and couldn't bring himself to like what Jiang Jinfu was doing.

"If you agree to renew, the lead role is definitely yours," Hu Ge said.

"No, thanks. At least for now, I don't really want to stay at Tangren," Zhang Yang waved his hand. "And I have no interest in fighting Jiang Jinfu for the lead. However, regarding this second lead role you mentioned—if you really don't want to play it, would you mind letting me see the script?"

He needed to confirm if the script matched the version he remembered, where the second lead was more compelling than the first.

"Sure, take a look. If you want to do it, I'll talk to Sister K and make it happen."

Hu Ge walked to a nearby bookshelf, unlocked a box with a key he carried, and pulled out two thick scripts—one complete and one for his character. Zhang Yang took them and began to read, his eyes skimming the pages at a rapid pace. He already knew the plot, so he only needed to verify the story outline, the ending, and the character positioning; he didn't need to pore over the specific dialogue just yet.

Half an hour later, he closed the scripts and smiled at Hu Ge. "Playing two roles, one heroic and one villainous—it's quite a challenge."

"Exactly. That's why I insisted that if I were to do a period drama, I would only play the second lead," Hu Ge laughed. "Because I planned to do it, they actually added quite a bit of depth to the character. You could say this is a two-protagonist story, but in the domestic market, the villain can't be the lead, so they labeled it as the second lead. If you take it, you’re getting a great deal."

"Are you really that opposed to period dramas now?" Zhang Yang asked, catching the subtext.

"I don't want to be told that I can only play period idols anymore. I'm almost thirty, and I'm still just an 'idol actor'." Hu Ge nodded seriously. "If I can help it, I don't want to do another one for the next five years."

Zhang Yang recalled that, excluding *Sound of the Desert*, Hu Ge indeed avoided period dramas for the next five years, right up until *Nirvana in Fire* made him a household name again.

"Then give it to me. I want to play it," Zhang Yang said, dropping the pretense.

"Good. You wait here; I'll use you as an excuse to pass the buck," Hu Ge said, a brilliant idea forming.

"You've got a plan?" Liu Shishi asked curiously.

"You'll see once I've done it." With that, Hu Ge headed off to find Cai Yinong.

"Wait, I'll go with you," Liu Shishi said, standing up. She wanted to see the drama unfold in person.

"I'll stay here and keep reading the script," Zhang Yang offered.

Hu Ge and Liu Shishi left together, returning half an hour later with grave expressions and a hint of frustration. Zhang Yang put down the script and looked at them, a smile tugging at his lips. "Old Hu, Sister Shishi, it’s not that I want to criticize you two..."

"But with acting as lackluster as yours, it’s no wonder you have to rely on your faces to pass as idols, just barely maintaining your status as actors."

Hu Ge: "?"

Liu Shishi: "..."