Chapter 19: I'll Definitely Choose Strength

“What a coincidence, Junior Sister,” Zhang Yang said with a smile as he sat down on the sofa opposite Nazha. “I thought I wouldn’t see you for a while.”

“Why do you think that, Senior Brother?” Nazha asked, puzzled.

“Aren’t you supposed to return to school to prepare for your cultural exams?” Zhang Yang inquired.

Nazha was set to join the production of Sword and Fairy in May, which might leave her little time for school. However, she still needed to take the high school exam in June before attending Beijing Film Academy later that year.

“I’m not worried about the cultural exams at all,” Nazha declared confidently.

“So, you’re actually a top student?” Zhang Yang couldn’t help but be curious.

He recalled how, in the future, someone had deliberately orchestrated articles to portray Nazha as an academic prodigy. This created a facade of her being exceptionally smart, only to later guide others into digging up her past and discovering she was just an average girl with good looks.

Already plagued by scandals, this further tarnished Nazha’s reputation for some time.

“Far from it, Senior Brother,” Nazha quickly shook her head. “Last year, due to certain circumstances, I didn’t get the chance to sit for my high school exam. So, I’m retaking this year. Besides, I’m Uyghur, so I’m applying to art schools where the required scores aren’t as high.”

As she spoke, Zhang Yang’s eyes flickered with understanding.

Nazha and Huo Ba were born in WLMQ and of the same age. They both attended the affiliated secondary school at Xinjiang Arts University and had experience as dancers with the XJ Dance Troupe.

Rumors had long circulated that they were high school classmates. According to the gossip, Nazha encountered some mishaps during her college entrance exams, causing her to be admitted a year later than Huo Ba.

Since neither Nazha nor Huo Ba ever confirmed or denied this story, everyone treated it as mere speculation.

But now, could there be truth behind these rumors?

Zhang Yang was about to probe further when he heard the sound of a door lock turning nearby.

Click.

Cai Yining emerged from the office’s break room.

Seeing Nazha and Zhang Yang engaged in a friendly chat, she couldn’t help but look puzzled. “Do you two know each other?”

Quickly standing up, Nazha greeted her first. “Hey, K-sis.”

Following suit, Zhang Yang stood up and said, “Hello, K-sis! I met Nazha the other night in our apartment building elevator. We chatted briefly then.”

“You live in the same building?” Cai Yining furrowed her brow.

She had high hopes for Nazha’s career prospects, which is why she signed the young talent early and even secured her a role as the third female lead in their upcoming major production.

Under these circumstances, it would have been impossible for her to arrange for Nazha and the company’s male artists to stay in the same building. What if paparazzi or journalists planted by competitors snapped photos and spread rumors?

“Not only are we in the same building,” Zhang Yang added, “we’re even on the same floor.”

Cai Yining’s frown deepened as she walked over to her desk, picked up the phone, and dialed a number. She also activated hands-free mode:

“Hello, it’s me. You were responsible for arranging Guli Nazha’s accommodations, correct?”

“I specifically instructed you to place her in the building without any male artists, didn’t I?”

“Both buildings now have male artists staying there? When did this happen?”

“Jiang Jinfu wanted a room with a view, so he moved into Building 8. That’s how they ended up being the same now?”

”…”

Cai Yining hung up the phone, feeling somewhat frustrated.

While she hadn’t explicitly stated that artist accommodations should be separated during arrangements, surely those working in the entertainment industry should be aware of such unwritten rules?

But since the situation was already set, she couldn’t very well swap Jiang Jinfu and Nazha’s apartments just because of some assumed precautions.

“So you two are neighbors?” Cai Yining looked at Zhang Yang and Nazha standing together, feeling an indescribable irritation in her heart.

Living across from each other? This could lead to trouble.

Am I being too paranoid?

“Yes, K-sis,” Nazha promptly replied. “Senior Brother even helped me with a small favor once.”

Cai Yingnong cast a deep look at Zhang Yang before saying, “Given your eagerness to assist others, I’m sure you won’t refuse the task I have in mind for you next.”

Zhang Yang’s expression remained unchanged as he asked, “What kind of work is it?”

Instead of answering directly, Cai Yingnong posed another question, “Has Hu Ge filled you in on the role situation for Pride and Prejudice Empress?”

“He has,” Zhang Yang responded.

“I have good relationships with several investors involved in that project. Last night, during dinner, they mentioned the actor originally cast as Zhao Kuangyin wanted more lines and scenes, which led to conflicts with Lin Zuiwei. As a result, he was kicked out of the script.”

“Now they urgently need an actor who looks good and ideally can also act well. That’s when I thought of you.”

“Anyone else would be begging to join such a production team, but as a Tangren artist, you’re different.”

”…”

Cai Yingnong began her pitch, adopting the demeanor of a shrewd businesswoman.

Her main points revolved around how exceptional this project was and what immense effort she had exerted to secure it.

The decision to give him this role had been made with utmost care.

These words were seven parts truth and three parts falsehood, all aimed at making Zhang Yang feel grateful.

Zhang Yang patiently listened before smiling and saying, “Sis K, your eye for talent is truly spot-on. I assure you, I won’t disappoint your faith in me.”

Cai Yining paused…

Well, that was a wasted performance.

“The role has been assigned to you,” Cai Yining continued, her expression turning serious. “I’ll have someone handle the compensation discussions. We’re here as reinforcements, so don’t expect low fees. However, there’s something else I need from you—mentoring newcomers.”

“Mentoring newcomers?” Zhang Yang glanced briefly at Nazha.

Is there really such good fortune?

Then he heard Cai Yining say, “Jiang Jinfu and Nazha will be under your guidance. Give them a taste of life on set now, so when Xuanyuan Sword starts filming, we can minimize the ramp-up time.”

Zhang Yang hesitated…

Why is Jiang Jinfu involved too?

“Sis K, you’re giving me far too much credit,” Zhang Yang replied, his mind racing through countless thoughts. “It’s been nearly two years since my last acting job. While my skills may have improved, I’m somewhat rusty with the ins and outs of production life. Asking me to both perform and mentor two newbies at the same time… I fear I might not do it justice.”

“When I join the Prestige Imperial Concubine production team, I’m representing Tangren. If my performance is subpar, it could be embarrassing for everyone.”

“Imagine if I can’t even act properly and end up humiliating Tangren; Jiang Jinfu and Nazha wouldn’t learn anything either. What then?”

Nazha nodded in agreement from the side, finding Zhang Yang’s words quite reasonable.

But Cai Yining knew better—Zhang Yang simply didn’t want to mentor two people at once.

Wait, Zhang Yang, she thought, you claim that剧组 life is unfamiliar to you now, but back when we filmed “Sword and Fairy,” how did you adapt so quickly? You even became friends with all the main creators.

Still, Cai Yining decided not to expose him and instead asked playfully, “Well, would one person be okay?”

“That…” Zhang Yang pretended to ponder seriously before finally nodding reluctantly. “I suppose so, just one.”

“And who will you choose?” Cai Yining repeated her earlier question.

“Is there really a need to choose?” Zhang Yang glanced at Nazha beside him and replied without hesitation, “Of course I’ll pick Jiang Jinfu.”

Nazha was left utterly confused.

Cai Yining was equally bewildered.