Chapter 3: A Guide to Entertainment Industry Opportunities?

Xuanyuan Sword: Heaven’s Scar was merely average in quality but groundbreaking as China’s first weekly TV series. Its influence paled compared to the Sword and Fairy franchise or even Gu Jian Qi Tan.

Yet when considering its ratings, impact, and buzz throughout 2012, it undeniably stood out as a successful fantasy romance drama. It captivated audiences during that summer, outperforming all but one percent of other primetime shows that year—and this included non-premiered productions.

On Hunan Satellite Television, known for having the highest regional viewership, the series set national records for weekly dramas, maintaining them for three years straight. Online streaming also shattered various benchmarks, benefiting actors like Liu Shishi, Tang Yan, Nazha, Lin Gengxin, Hu Ge, and others with increased fame and opportunities.

However, despite being listed as the male lead, Hu Ge received relatively fewer perks from the show’s success. Instead, he ended up serving more as a backdrop for the true protagonist.

When watching the series, everyone assumed Hu Ge played the main character while Jiang Jinfu took on the supporting role.

Of course, this misconception arose due to Hu Ge’s real-life status, which led to his character receiving additional screen time.

As a result, even Tang Yan, originally intended as the secondary female lead, was mistaken by many as the primary heroine. Meanwhile, Liu Shishi, who should have been the leading lady, found herself relegated to second fiddle.

Both male leads were portrayed as Great Earth Emperors, giving rise to an enduring meme online:

The male lead had tragically become a mere backdrop for Jiang Jinfu, a foil to his success, and a stepping stone in his career.

Of course, this was partly due to Hu Ge’s own fame.

Zhang Yang naturally had a strategy up his sleeve to obtain the script penned by Hu Ge. After all, filming hadn’t even begun; the series wouldn’t air until next summer vacation—there was still time on their side.

With this thought, Zhang Yang picked up his glass and toasted Jiang Jinfu. “Hey there, have you solidified your position as the male lead yet?”

“The contract’s already signed,” Jiang Jinfu replied with a smug grin.

“Congratulations indeed.” Zhang Yang toasted him again before asking, “So, do you know if Old Hu has signed with them too?”

“Don’t even think about being the second male lead.” Jiang Jinfu, mistaking Zhang Yang’s intentions, feigned regret. “Hu Ge-shixiong has been in Xiangjiang these past few days negotiating a movie called Glorious Aftermath. He wrapped things up today and is on his way back. He’ll be at the company tomorrow to secure the role of the second male lead.”

Zhang Yang’s eyes lit up.

If he hasn’t officially signed yet, then…

Considering the difference in status between himself and Hu Ge within Tangren, Zhang Yang knew it would be futile to try and steal a role after Hu Ge had already committed. However, if he could intercept the offer before Hu Ge accepted—it might just work out, especially since Hu Ge would likely give him first dibs.

“It seems I’ll have to aim for third male lead Zhang Lie instead.”

Zhang Yang kept his eyes on Male Two while feigning dejection as he downed another glass of wine. “Better than nothing,” he said. “The three of you continue drinking; I’ll head back and ask my agent if we can at least secure Third Male Lead.”

Realizing this was about Zhang Yang’s acting career, the trio didn’t try to detain him further but politely wished him a safe journey home.

“Brother, I truly admire you,” Zhang Bohan gushed. “Still in your second year of university, yet you’re already landing lead roles in Tangren’s fantasy dramas with such an impressive lineup! You’re just days away from becoming a top-tier star!”

“We can’t even compare to you,” Zhang Zhe chimed in. “Not even Big Bro Yang here could match up to you.”

Mentioning Zhang Yang seemed to trigger something within Jiang Jinfu, who added with a hint of pride, “Don’t be too modest. Big Bro Yang is the student council vice-president, not to mention one of the top ten campus heartthrobs voted by students recently. His acting talent has been recognized by our teachers too—they’ve always encouraged him to join the drama club. How can I possibly compete with that?”

“I heard there’s some tension between him and Miss K, which is why he’s been somewhat sidelined,” Zhang Bohan interjected.

This comment instantly resonated with Zhang Zhe and Zhang Bohan, revealing the crux of the matter.

Jiang Jinfu’s jealousy towards Zhang Yang became apparent. He had subtly hinted that despite being signed with Tangren, Zhang Yang might actually fare better as a freelance actor.

Exchanging glances, they quickly decided to play along—after all, Zhang Yang wasn’t present. By stroking Jiang Jinfu’s ego now, they hoped it might lead to future opportunities for them to join his production team.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang ventured out alone, strolling through the streets with half his attention focused on The Entertainment Circle Opportunity Handbook. He had flipped to page two.

Zhang Yang was well aware that securing a role as the male lead in “Xuanyuan Sword: Heaven’s Scar” using conventional methods would be no easy feat. Although he did have alternative ways to achieve this, it made more sense to first attempt utilizing the cheat provided by the system.

This handbook, titled “Entertainment Circle Opportunity Guide,” lived up to its name—it promised to guide users towards seizing opportunities within the entertainment industry.

In the world of entertainment, minor successes could be achieved through diligence, but major breakthroughs were often attributed to fate. And these very opportunities presented by the guide were what some might call one’s destiny!

[Guide: (Locked/3 Character Points)]

Five pieces of information materialized on the page.

They were indeed opportunities related to entertainment within the next 24 hours, precise down to the time and location.

“I see,” Zhang Yang mused. “The locations and times of these opportunities will be updated in real-time, but I won’t know exactly what will happen until it unfolds.”

“But if I spend character points, I’ll directly receive a method to seize each opportunity. That way, I can capitalize on them effectively.”

In that moment, Zhang Yang’s mind raced with possibilities.

He surmised that these so-called opportunities might involve a figure from the entertainment industry appearing at a specific place and time, facing some difficulty or even danger.

If I know beforehand, he thought, I can lie in wait like a predator ready to pounce. By helping them overcome their challenge, I could earn their gratitude, friendship—or perhaps even gain leverage over them.

China is a society built on personal connections. With this Entertainment Opportunity Guide, I could effortlessly establish a network of contacts. No matter where I go, I’d be able to say, ‘I have a friend who can help’ or ‘give me some face-saving support.’

Whether his suspicions were true would only be revealed through trial and error.

“The opportunities in the Imperial Capital and Xiangjiang are too far away; I couldn’t possibly catch a flight in time.”

“The two chances in Modu and Hunan TV occur too close together; I’d have to choose between them.”

“The last opportunity… I remember XX Club is membership-only. Even the most basic membership costs over a million yuan. Regular members probably can’t access the fourth floor, so I can’t seize this chance right now.”

”…”

After some thought, Zhang Yang realized his choice was clear.

He was already in Modu, a Chinese male actor, and planning to snatch a role tomorrow. Naturally, he should return to his company.

“By the way, what has Shi Shi-jie been up to lately?”

Standing beneath a large tree, Zhang Yang rubbed his temples as he pondered.

If he could analyze potential trouble Liu Shishi might face on his own, he could devise a solution and save that character point.

However, despite being friends with Liu Shishi, he didn’t know about her recent situation, making analysis impossible.

“One mustn’t be stingy when it counts.”

“If Liu Shishi could speak on my behalf, my chances of getting this role would increase significantly.”

Opportunity favors the prepared.

So…

“Unlock,” Zhang Yang murmured to himself.

Zhang Yang: ???

Isn’t this just an opportunity to get me inside?