Chapter 25: Huo Ba: Thanking Nazha for Sending Warmth

Thwack!

Nazha’s charming face turned beet red, as if blood was about to ooze from her cheeks.

Her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Yang, gradually welling up with tears, threatening to overflow at any moment.

This silent accusation made Zhang Yang feel like he was sitting on a bed of nails, each point pricking his conscience.

“Oh no,” Zhang Yang thought, realizing the gravity of the situation.

At this stage, Nazha’s skin was still too thin; she hadn’t yet been tempered by the entertainment industry. Unfamiliar with Hu Ge and the others, she couldn’t handle their banter as well as they might have hoped.

In this delicate state, an apology or attempt at consolation would only make matters worse—she’d likely burst into tears right then and there.

Yet pretending ignorance wasn’t an option either; that could leave a thorn in Nazha’s heart, difficult to extract later.

Hu Ge and the gang also sensed something amiss, their minds racing to find a way out of this predicament.

“Got it.”

In the nick of time, a solution struck Zhang Yang.

Pretending not to notice Nazha’s distress, he stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, “Well, now I’ve got material for teasing Hotba next time we meet. Turns out not all Uyghurs can sing and dance, huh?”

Unconsciously, Nazha’s eyes widened.

Wait, I’m embarrassing my people?

Hold on, Hotba… Uyghur.

“Who’s Huo Ba?” Nazha asked, her attention diverted.

“Dili Reba, I think her full name is…” Zhang Yang pondered for a moment before turning to Nazha. “Dili Reba Dilimurat, yeah, that’s it.”

“She was my high school classmate,” Nazha said, the previous emotion in her eyes dissipating as she grew excited. She used to have a good relationship with Dili Reba; they were around the same age and part of the dance troupe together, without any competitive tension between them.

“What a coincidence!” A well-timed look of confusion appeared on Zhang Yang’s face. “But how can you be one grade younger than Huo Ba?”

Just as he finished speaking, realization dawned on him. “Oh right, you mentioned before that you missed last year’s college entrance exam due to illness, so you had to repeat your final year. That means you’re actually the same class as Huo Ba.”

“That’s true,” Nazha agreed, her expression filled with regret. “We both tried out for Director Lu Qian’s Feast of the King last year—she was casting for Yuji—but since I got eliminated early, we never even got to meet up afterward.”

Seeing this, Zhang Yang discreetly signaled to Hu Ge while confidently offering, “That’s easy enough. Once I return from Hengdian, I’ll treat both of you to dinner.”

Mentally applauding Zhang Yang’s quick thinking, Hu Ge turned to start selecting songs.

Qi Wei clicked his tongue and scooted a bit closer to Tang Yan. Leaning in by her ear, he whispered with a sly grin, “A-Yang has the potential to be quite the scoundrel.”

Tang Yan was mid-bite of honeydew melon when Qi Wei spoke. He couldn’t help but glance at Zhang Yang.

In the dim, flickering light, Zhang Yang’s features appeared even more defined, adding an extra layer of allure to his already striking looks.

Tang Yan nodded in agreement. “Just like us, heaven blessed him with good looks. Handsome men often attract romantic attention, but that doesn’t mean they’ll turn out to be scoundrels. You’re being too hasty, Bro Qi.”

Qi Wei fell silent…

There were just too many points to roast; he didn’t know where to begin.

He had clearly been implying that Zhang Yang excelled at spinning sweet lies, easily bewitching foolish beauties.

“Thankfully, A-Yang probably isn’t interested in you,” Qi Wei sighed sincerely. “Otherwise, you’d be in for it.”

“You think I’m not good-looking?” Tang Yan touched his face. “I’ve got plenty of charm too! Maybe A-Yang prefers older women?”

“But you’re right about one thing—if he tried to pursue me, I might not be able to resist.”

Qi Wei once again found himself speechless.

This clueless sweetie was beyond saving—let him do as he pleased.

Unaware that Qi Wei had seen through his true nature, Zhang Yang continued chatting with Nazha about Huo Ba.

Nazha had already forgotten what just transpired—or perhaps chose to forget, as she didn’t sing any more songs afterward.

“I’m feeling a bit drowsy,” Qi Wei said, glancing at her watch. “We’ve got filming tomorrow, so I’m heading back to sleep.”

No one objected, and they all piled into cars bound for their hotel.

Qi Wei and Tang Yan, accompanied by their assistants, headed straight for their rooms. Nazha was led off to be settled in by Hu Ge’s female assistant, while Zhang Yang and Jiang Jinfu didn’t bother with separate accommodations—after all, they’d be leaving for Hengdian first thing in the morning and could make do for one night in Hu Ge’s suite.

“I think I’ll get my own room,” Jiang Jinfu suddenly declared as they crossed the lobby. His eyes had fallen on Nazha at the front desk, registering her red face as she checked in.

“Isn’t that unnecessary?” Zhang Yang guessed what might be going through Jiang Jinfu’s mind, but feigned ignorance, not wanting to waste money on such a trivial matter.

“I have my reasons.” Jiang Jinfu kept quiet about his phone call to Cai Yining earlier. He saw Zhang Yang merely as a rival he wanted to outdo; he had no interest in making an enemy.

“Suit yourself,” Zhang Yang said, unwilling to force his views on anyone. He left with Hu Ge ahead of the others.

“A-Yang, you’re truly brave,” Hu Ge said, giving Zhang Yang a thumbs-up in the elevator. The mental image of Nazha’s flushed face from earlier filled him with admiration for his friend’s courage.

“Don’t say any more; I regret it now.” Zhang Yang took out a tissue from his pocket and wiped his hands before turning to look at Lao Hu. “When you take her tomorrow, remember to help me polish my image.”

“How can I do that?” Hu Ge spread his hands apart, clearly not skilled at managing others’ perceptions.

“Just tell them I’m actually training her,” Zhang Yang said confidently, having prepared this explanation beforehand. He pursed his lips slightly. “In the entertainment industry, one encounters various interviews and situations with strangers. It’s not just about dealing with friendly banter but also malicious attacks and hidden barbs. She needs to learn how to discern these.”

“As for why I didn’t clarify tonight, of course, I didn’t want to upset her too much or make her feel wronged.”

Seeing no response from Hu Ge, Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Is there something wrong with my explanation?”

“No, it’s fine.” A peculiar expression crossed Hu Ge’s face as he replied, “If you hadn’t told me earlier that this was your plan to remedy the situation, I would’ve thought this is what you intended all along.”

“Oh~” Zhang Yang nodded thoughtfully, then smiled at Hu Ge. “Right, this is my intention. Unlike you, I’m a responsible big brother after all.”

Hu Ge stared at Jiang Jinfu in silence.

Get lost!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the lobby, Jiang Jinfu presented his ID to Hu Ge’s female assistant. “Sister,” he said, “could you also book a room for me? I’ll be accompanying Senior Brother Hu Ge throughout the trip.”

The assistant looked puzzled but didn’t question him further, simply carrying out the request as instructed.

Naza, who had been deep in thought with his head down, now spoke openly without hiding his confusion. “But aren’t you supposed to join Big Bro Yang tomorrow for Hengdian?”

“Big Bro Yang” was Zhang Yang’s preferred nickname; it felt more intimate than repeatedly saying “Senior Brother, Senior Brother.”

“I’m just following K-sis’s arrangements,” Jiang Jinfu replied cryptically.

“Oh.” Seeing that Jiang Jinfu wasn’t keen on elaborating, Naza decided not to bother him further.

She watched as her sister completed booking the rooms. Taking back her own ID and key card, she didn’t even bother to say goodbye before turning on her heel and pulling her suitcase away.

Jiang Jinfu unconsciously clenched his fists.

Naza’s attitude towards him and Zhang Yang couldn’t have been more different.

He had to win her over!

Had Naza known his thoughts, she would surely have retorted:

“What about your own standoffish behavior? Don’t you look like you don’t want to engage with anyone?”

She entered the room alone, dropped her suitcase with a simple motion, and flopped onto the bed before pulling out her phone to send a text message.

“Hm?”

Huo Ba, having just finished washing up and gotten into bed for sleep, glanced at her phone screen.

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth upon reading the message.

“This glutton hasn’t changed,” Nazha thought fondly as he playfully kicked his leg.

“Ah?” Huo Ba scratched her cheek, puzzled.

Why does she say ‘you two’?