Chapter 26: Your Temporary Assistant Has Gone Online

The two friends, having been apart for years, chatted animatedly through the night. They shared experiences from recent travels, recounted tales from distant lands, and before they knew it, slumber had claimed them without warning.

Early the next morning, Nazha was jolted awake by the shrill melody of a folk song—the ringtone she’d set for important calls.

“K-sis?” Seeing the caller ID, Nazha scrambled to answer the phone.

“Nazha dear, still in dreamland, aren’t we?” Cai Yining’s concerned voice drifted through the receiver.

Nazha glanced at the time displayed on her phone screen—8:30 AM—and felt a twinge of embarrassment. “K-sis, I’m up now. I was just in the restroom.”

Cai Yining had already guessed this and didn’t press further. Instead, she got straight to the point: “I’ve given it careful thought and decided Jiang Jinfu should learn from Hu Ge. As for you, today you’ll go with Zhang Yang to Hengdian and observe his work closely.”

“Huh?” Nazha was taken aback.

She didn’t mind learning from either Zhang Yang or Hu Ge, but if given the choice, she would definitely pick Zhang Yang. He was closer to her age, so they shared more common interests and found it easier to get along. Plus, they had Hotba as a mutual friend.

However, her reaction made Cai Yining think she wasn’t keen on the idea, so she hurried to explain: “Jiang Jinfu has been studying acting at the Shanghai Theatre Academy for nearly two years, so he can skip right into learning about production basics from Hu Ge. You’re starting completely fresh, though, so it’d be better for you to learn from Zhang Yang.”

“I don’t have any issues with that, K-sis,” Nazha quickly realized her mistake and acquiesced.

“Good.” Cai Yining’s face brightened with satisfaction. She added, “I’ve already called Zhang Yang. Just make sure to meet him before 10 o’clock.”

“Got it, K-sis…” Nazha agreed enthusiastically.

After hanging up, she immediately got out of bed, opened her suitcase, took out a change of clothes, and walked into the bathroom.

A series of rustling sounds followed as she undressed. Then the showerhead started spraying water, filling the room with steam quickly. The glass became foggy, revealing only the curves of her alluring figure through the mist.

Half an hour later, Nazha emerged wearing a tight black dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her damp hair draped loosely over her shoulders, drawing attention to her delicate collarbone.

Bending down to place her used clothes in a small bag, she picked up her makeup box and went back into the bathroom, applying a simple light makeup.

Since they still needed to have breakfast, she decided not to put on lipstick. After finishing drying her hair, she sent a message to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang replied:

Nazha responded:

“Okay, I’ll be by the window,” Zhang Yang said.

“Got it!” Nazha confirmed.

Swiping her key card and closing the door behind her, Nazha rushed towards the dining hall.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang turned to Jiang Jinfu and asked, “Why?”

“I want to beat you,” Jiang Jinfu replied, setting down his chopsticks with a serious look in his eyes. “Zhang Yang, I want to be more famous than you, win awards faster than you, and prove that I can surpass you. I need to show that I’m just as good as you.”

“That’s why I can’t possibly let you be my mentor.”

With those words, Jiang Jinfu got up and left, his entire person exuding a youthful vigor.

Once Jiang Jinfu’s figure had vanished from sight, Zhang Yang rubbed his cheek with a smile spreading across his face. “Hey, I’m really a genius,” he murmured.

If he had taken the initiative to express his desire to mentor Nazha, given Cai Yingning’s personality, she would never have agreed. But by feigning indifference and allowing Jiang Jinfu to voice his reluctance first, he knew Cai Yingning would reconsider.

She might not let him mentor Nazha, but she’d definitely prevent him from mentoring Jiang Jinfu—thus achieving his goal.

“Brother Yang.”

Zhang Yang was deep in thought about how to stir things up once they reached Hengdian when Nazha’s voice suddenly sounded beside him.

It was another breathtakingly beautiful day; even someone like Zhang Yang, who had seen countless sights of beauty, couldn’t help but feel momentarily dazzled. He smiled warmly at Nazha. “Grab whatever food you want. Once you’re done eating, we’ll head out, no rush.”

Nazha obediently nodded and scampered off to gather breakfast, filling two whole bowls.

“You can eat all that?” Zhang Yang asked, astonished.

“You don’t understand—it’s punishment for Huo Ba.” Nazha pulled out his phone, snapping pictures of the two laden plates before logging onto QQ to send them to Huo Ba.

Having successfully seen what he wanted to see, Nazha’s appetite was whetted, and he began to devour his breakfast.

Zhang Yang remained silent.

Thankfully, Nazha’s three daily meals were reimbursed by the company.

Half an hour later, Zhang Yang and Nazha climbed into a minivan bound for Hengdian.

Zhang Yang took the initiative to speak with Nazha. “After you finished singing last night, I deliberately said those things.”

“Oh?” Nazha blinked, puzzled.

What’s the point of making me embarrassed?

“I was trying to toughen you up…” Zhang Yang repeated some of the words he’d spoken to Hu Ge last night, adding a bit of artistic license here and there.

“So that’s how it was?” Nazha still felt like something wasn’t quite right.

“Yes,” Zhang Yang replied firmly. “Those words should have been said by old Hu, but since K-sis changed her mind and had me take you instead, I can only guide you myself. Don’t think I’m just making excuses.”

“No, not at all.” Seeing Zhang Yang’s earnest expression, Nazha no longer doubted him and even felt a bit embarrassed. “Ah, so my performance last night really was terrible?”

“The entertainment industry is a harsh arena. Once you’ve been in the group for a while, you’ll understand,” Zhang Yang said sincerely. “So when we get to Hengdian, I’ll tell others that you’re my personal assistant. That way, fewer people will pay attention to you, and you can learn by observing.”

“Oh,” Nazha nodded in understanding but then looked puzzled. “Brother Zhang, you’re not just pulling my leg about being your personal assistant, right?”

“Why would I?” Zhang Yang waved his hand dismissively. “It’s only for appearances. Privately, we’ll interact as usual.”

Hearing this, Nazha didn’t think much more of it.

“Let me first go over some important points after joining the group. You…”

Zhang Yang patiently began explaining everything to Nazha.

As he gave examples from his past experiences on set during their conversation, Nazha listened intently, treating them like juicy gossip.

A few hours later, the car arrived at Hengdian. Zhang Yang contacted the production team responsible for accommodations and meals on Pride and Prejudice Empress. After settling into an ordinary hotel room according to contract terms, they promptly reported to the set.

The production coordinator glanced at today’s shooting schedule, then pulled out a walkie-talkie from her pocket. “Bring in a makeup artist—Zhao Kuangyin’s actor is here; get him ready.”

Someone led Zhang Yang directly to the makeup area while Nazha seized the opportunity to ask, “Brother Zhang, straight to makeup and filming?”

“Don’t you need to visit the director and main actors first?”

Zhang Yang looked up at her calmly. “I have good relationships with Old Hu, Tangtang-jiejie, Ci-ge, and others—it might give you the wrong impression.”

Nazha was utterly confused.