Chapter 46: Heavenly Immortal: I'm Just a Joke

Zhang Yang recognized the elegant woman before him—Liu Xiaoli, mother of Liu Yifei and someone who had taken a liking to him during their time on Sword and Fairy.

“Aunt Liu, long time no see,” Zhang Yang greeted her warmly.

Liu Xiaoli, lost in thought, turned to look at him with a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. Did she really know this young man? His appearance was striking, so if he were indeed someone from her past, it should have been easy to place him.

“Are you… Xiao Yang?” Liu Xiaoli asked tentatively.

She recalled what Liu Yifei had mentioned recently about encountering Zhang Yang while filming for Pride and Prejudice Empress. Now, Zhang Yang was quite accomplished, even getting invited by Chen Jia Shang himself to replace Mu Panlong—a significant achievement.

With that realization, the face from her memories matched up perfectly with the young man standing before her.

“Yes, Aunt Liu, it’s me, Zhang Yang,” he said with a polite smile. “Xiaoxiao must have told you; we haven’t seen each other in seven years.”

A warm smile graced Liu Xiaoli’s features. “Indeed, you used to be such a shy little boy. Look at you now, taller than I am and every bit a confident young man.”

As they spoke, Liu Xiaoli couldn’t help but study Zhang Yang’s face more closely. Having spent years navigating the entertainment industry alongside her daughter, she’d encountered numerous male celebrities—many top-tier stars—and compared to them, Zhang Yang certainly held his own in terms of looks.

“Aunt Liu, you look just as beautiful as I remember,” Zhang Yang said with a sweet voice that made his small mouth seem like it was coated in honey. “If Xiaoxiao-jie stood next to you, outsiders would definitely think you’re sisters instead of mother and daughter.”

A smile blossomed at the corners of Liu Xiaoli’s lips.

The same words can have different impacts when spoken by different people.

When coming from Zhang Yang, despite being flattery, she found it quite pleasing.

However, upon mentioning Liu Yifei, her expression instantly sobered. “Xiao Yang, Auntie needs to step away for a moment. Xiaoxiao suffered some strains during her fight scene; we’ve run out of topical injury medication. I must ask the martial arts instructor if they have any left or arrange for someone to purchase more quickly.”

Medicine for treating bruises and sprains?

Zhang Yang’s eyes flashed with recognition.

If he wasn’t mistaken, this was likely the opportunity displayed on his Opportunity Guide.

What a coincidence!

This time, without consuming character points, he could potentially earn an opportunity point.

“No need to trouble yourself, Auntie. I happen to have these right here.” Zhang Yang reached into Nazha’s bag, pulled out several items, and handed them to Liu Xiaoli.

“Clove oil, Yunnan Baiyao spray, and medicinal patches…”

Liu Xiaoli briefly examined the contents, her face lighting up with joy.

These were exactly what Liu Yifei needed—Zhang Yang truly arrived like a timely rain.

“Thank you, Xiao Yang,” Liu Xiaoli said without any pleasantries.

These were just small items, but they came at a crucial moment. Later, she would have her secretary purchase double the amount to return as compensation.

Now that Zhang Yang had joined this production team, she’d take care of him within her means.

“You should come inside too. I’ll have Xiao Qin brief you on the crew situation later,” Liu Xiaoli suggested, inviting Zhang Yang into the photography studio.

The so-called “briefing on the crew situation” naturally involved informing Zhang Yang about each actor’s temperament, who got along well with whom, how key staff members secured their positions through connections, and who it was best not to provoke.

This was essentially the same information Zhang Yang sought when he first joined the Prestige Imperial Concubine crew, after befriending Sister Sun, the makeup artist. It allowed one to navigate the crew dynamics more smoothly, like a fish in water.

Mother Liu’s account would undoubtedly be more detailed and accurate—such were the benefits of having connections and influence.

Of course, if one were truly exceptional, there wouldn’t be a need for such intel; instead, others would scramble to understand them!

“Is it convenient for me to enter now, Aunt Liu?” Zhang Yang asked, though he didn’t plan to refuse outright.

It was better to check than risk entering at an inopportune moment and causing displeasure.

Best to check with Liu Xiaoli first; that way, any issues wouldn’t be his fault.

Liu Xiaoli lifted the curtain. “Come in, it’s fine.”

Zhang Yang immediately reached out to help hold the curtain.

Liu Xiaoli walked inside carrying her items.

Zhang Yang followed behind her, his gaze exploratory.

Once Nazha also entered, he closed the curtain again.

The interior of the photography studio was vast, now divided into several open-plan small rooms.

People sat in each little room. The largest room on the far right housed many storage boxes.

A long bench placed between these boxes held Liu Yifei, clad in a theatrical costume that accentuated her long legs. Four or five people sat around her—likely her small team, including personal assistants and makeup artists.

Following Liu Xiaoli, Zhang Yang arrived at Liu Yifei’s dressing area. Since she was lying prone, Liu Yifei only saw Liu Xiaoli approaching close by. “Mom, you’re back so soon! Did you borrow what we needed?”

“I did.” Liu Xiaoli sat down next to Liu Yifei and produced a bottle of clove oil. “But I didn’t ask the martial arts instructor. I ran into Xiao Yang just in time.”

“Xiao Yang?” Liu Yifei wondered silently who this could be.

Her thoughts shifted gears as she ventured a guess, “Zhang Yang?”

“That’s right, it’s me.” Zhang Yang suddenly piped up.

“Hey!” Liu Yifei jumped in surprise, nearly tumbling off the bench.

“Hold on tight.”

Liu Xiaoli steadied her hand on Liu Yifei’s waist, waiting until she was settled before opening the bottle of Clove Oil. She poured out some onto Liu Yifei’s inner thigh just above the knee and began gently massaging it in.

Liu Yifei had been acting in martial arts dramas since childhood; injuries were more common than not for her.

It’s said that necessity breeds expertise, and indeed, Liu Xiaoli had honed her healing skills through years of tending to her daughter’s various scrapes and bruises.

“A-Yang, you sure know how to scare me,” Liu Yifei grumbled, turning away with a glare at Zhang Yang.

“Look who’s talking,” Zhang Yang retorted, crossing his arms and looking down with mock-disapproval at “Heartless” Liu Yifei, though the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I didn’t mean that kind of response,” Liu Yifei huffed, secretly amused by his teasing but not taking it too seriously. Instead, she asked, “So, you’re part of the crew now?”

“As plain as day, isn’t it?” Zhang Yang shrugged nonchalantly. “Plus, I’ve got my own stash of herbal remedies—just in time to save your hide this time.”

“Oh please, it’s hardly life-threatening,” Liu Yifei scoffed, feeling he was exaggerating.

But then Liu Xiaoli chimed in like an unexpected knife twisting deeper into her embarrassment: “And who might that be? The one who was wailing about unbearable pain earlier, claiming they’d die without immediate treatment… Wasn’t it someone here?”

“Mom!” Liu Yifei’s cheeks flushed pink, her tone both annoyed and sheepish.

Why must Mom undermine me in front of Zhang Yang? And besides, I wasn’t really complaining because of the pain—I was just being dramatic!

Zhang Yang spoke with a smile, “Although it was a life-saving deed, if Xiaoxiao-jie doesn’t want to, there’s no need for any… special thanks. After all, Aunt Liu has already expressed her gratitude.”

He deliberately emphasized the word ‘special’, making his meaning crystal clear.

Liu Yifei gritted her teeth. “That’s different. I certainly will… personally… thank you properly.”

“Oh, how embarrassing that would be,” Zhang Yang said, as if he didn’t catch Liu Yifei’s threat. He smiled and continued, “I’m not greedy; just having meals together for ten days or half a month would suffice. If they’re made by your own hands, even better! Aunt Liu is such an excellent cook—I still haven’t forgotten that pot of pork fried rice she made. I’m sure Xiaoxiao-jie can’t be any less skilled.”

A hint of amusement flickered in Liu Xiaoli’s eyes. She always appreciated compliments on her cooking skills.

Liu Yifei felt furious. “Fine, but only if you dare to eat it.”

“Uh.” Zhang Yang blinked. “Forget it. One look at Xiaoxiao-jie and I can tell she’s never done manual labor before. We wouldn’t want to ruin my appetite now, would we?”

Liu Yifei shot him a fierce glare. “Do you think I’ll hit you?”

Zhang Yang met her gaze for a few seconds before responding seriously, “In this state, could you even reach my knees if you jumped?”

Liu Yifei was left speechless.

“Pfft.” Someone nearby couldn’t suppress their laughter.

Feeling Liu Yifei’s murderous stare, they apologized awkwardly, “Sorry, I thought of a joke.”

Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m the butt of that joke, Liu Yifei thought to herself.