Chapter 62: Big Honey: What Do You Want?

“Scattering things?” Tang Yan, holding her phone, burst out in Shanghainese, her excitement getting the better of her.

Great Masters Abound had just wrapped up, and before joining Xuanyuan Sword, she had the rare opportunity to rest. At that moment, she was soaking in a hot spring, droplets clinging to her clavicle and adding to her allure. Her perfect long legs were tantalizingly visible beneath the water’s surface, though no eyes were there to witness their beauty.

Because of this, she initially didn’t plan on answering the call. But then she remembered Zhang Yang rarely called her, so it might be something important. She pressed the answer button.

The moment he picked up, Zhang Yang asked, “Do you want Yang Mi to be insulted?”

“Of course not! Why would anyone want Miss Yang to be insulted?” Tang Yan sat on the edge of the spring, hands gripping the rock wall, her gaze serious. “What’s happened to Yang Mi?”

“Sugartang, the answer you seek is currently on Weibo—just log in and see.” Zhang Yang stared at the computer screen, his gaze deep. “If you want to help Miss Yang, give me her contact information; I’ll let you know I’ve reached out to her.”

“No time to waste—I’ll wait for your text message,” he added before hanging up.

“Hello?” Tang Yan wanted to say more but realized the call had been disconnected.

“Tch, asshole,” Tang Yan bit her lip.

Zhang Yang’s words had aroused her curiosity, yet left her unsatisfied. Wasn’t he just describing an irresponsible scumbag? she thought.

But she hadn’t forgotten Zhang Yang’s advice. Quickly, she logged into Weibo with her phone and opened the search bar, ready to look for news about Yang Mi. Coincidentally, the top trending topic caught her eye:

“Yang Mi throwing a tantrum?” Tang Yan was immediately skeptical.

Yang Mi, once a child star, had performed countless roles—both major and minor—to finally achieve her current status. Surely she would cherish her reputation; why would she act so entitled just as she’d made it big?

Tang Yan clicked on the trending topic and found that the top result was a Weibo post from director Ke Hancheng.

Ko Hancity was a veteran drama director from Taiwan with considerable clout within the industry. Many were aware that he had accepted an invitation from Huace and was currently filming Symphony of Destiny.

The male and female leads of Symphony of Destiny were played by Feng Shaofeng and Yang Mi. In his Weibo post, Ko Hancity’s use of “she” left little doubt as to whom he was indirectly criticizing.

Industry media outlets swiftly picked up on the story, amplifying it through re-posts, analysis, and commentary. Some individuals, unable to stomach Yang Mi’s success and fearing competition for resources, began stirring up trouble.

“Did she actually get yelled at by the director?” Tang Yan thought, alarmed. She immediately called Yang Mi.

“Tangtang~”

After a long moment, the phone was answered by a voice thick with nasal congestion and exhaustion.

“Mimi, have you checked Weibo yet?” Tang Yan asked urgently.

“Huanying already informed me,” Yang Mi replied, taking a sip of strong tea. Her eyes flashed menacingly. “He’s the one trying to assert his authority as a renowned director, attempting to keep Feng Shaofeng and me in check.”

Tang Yan wasn’t surprised by this revelation. Actors from Taiwan and Hong Kong often boasted an inexplicable sense of superiority over their inland counterparts, and Ko Hancity, being a director, was no exception.

This spectacle on Weibo was likely a strategic move by Feng Shaofeng. By making an example of Yang Mi and crushing her momentum, he aimed to establish his authority within the production crew and bolster his reputation in the mainland market.

“What exactly happened?” Tang Yan asked, her eyes brimming with concern. She unconditionally believed in Yang Mi.

“It went something like this…” Yang Mi patiently recounted the sequence of events.

“Then he did it deliberately,” Tang Yan exclaimed, indignant on behalf of her “big sis” Yang Mi. “You’ve worked so hard to reach the top; you can’t just swallow your anger. It would affect you otherwise.”

From this advice, it was clear that Tang Yan lacked finesse – or rather, she was too quick to wholeheartedly support those she approved of.

In the cutthroat world of entertainment, such unguarded favoritism could be dangerous. Prudent advice was essential; rashly meddling in others’ affairs could only invite trouble for oneself.

Fortunately, Yang Mi understood Tang Yan well enough and didn’t take her words to heart. With a keen gaze, she replied, “Of course I won’t stay silent, and neither will Feng Shaofeng. Yao Yao has already posted about it on my Weibo account. Miss Zeng is reaching out to Huacai’s producers to put pressure on Ke Hancheng.”

Hearing this, Tang Yan finally relaxed. Suddenly remembering Zhang Yang, she hastily asked, “Mimi, do you remember Zhang Yang?”

“Zhang Yang?” Yang Mi’s mind conjured an image of a handsome face. “I remember, the actor from Tangren who played He Biping.”

Of course she recalled him—the charming young man standing alongside Hu Ge without any inferiority.

“A-Yang just called me…” Tang Yan began explaining the situation in detail.

“He wants your contact information and even said he could help you avoid getting scolded?” Yang Mi found it utterly perplexing.

Even she had to rally her fans’ emotions and pressure the producers before there was any chance of getting Ke Hancheng to back down.

What made Zhang Yang think he could assist her?

“Tangtang, let’s forget about it,” Yang Mi declared, her refusal swift and decisive.

Tang Yan knew her friend well enough to understand her bias against Zhang Yang. Sensing this, she cautioned, “Don’t underestimate A-Yang. He’s been…”

As Tang Yan patiently elaborated, Yang Mi’s expression began to shift. “Give me his phone number. I’ll call him.”

Tang Yan hesitated, speechless.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the call, Zhang Yang glanced at the time and grimaced slightly. “Still no answer after so long? Big Honey probably doesn’t want to talk. Looks like she doesn’t trust me?”

His expression remained calm as he stood up, tidied his computer, and prepared to call Liu Guoqiang instead.

While opportunity points were crucial, he had no interest in bending over backwards for them.

“Hm?”

After taking just two steps, Zhang Yang felt his phone vibrate—it was an unknown caller.

Frowning thoughtfully, he answered, “Hello, this is Zhang Yang.”

“Hello, I’m Yang Mi’s executive manager Zhao Ruoyao,” a voice came from the other end.

The corner of Zhang Yang’s mouth twitched. “Miss Yang, with your voice’s distinctiveness, who are you trying to deceive? Next time, please have someone else call.”

Yang Mi’s assistant nearby couldn’t suppress a chuckle; even Yang Mi herself smiled. “Just joking. I’ve heard Tangtang’s account. How can I assist you?”

Zhang Yang grabbed his things and walked out. “I’m currently in Macang too. Miss Yang, you must be keen on treating me to dinner.”

Although his goal was opportunity points, it didn’t mean he’d offer favors for free—even if the recipient was Yang Mi.

He favored mutual wins, which he termed as “winning twice” himself.

“How about Louwailou?” Yang Mi suggested, unfamiliar with Macang beyond a few well-known dining spots.

She couldn’t possibly let Zhang Yang choose the restaurant.

“Agreed,” Zhang Yang concurred.

Half an hour later.

Zhang Yang and Yang Mi sat face-to-face in a private room, with Zhao Ruoyao, Yang Mi’s personal assistant, and the driver/bodyguard present.

Zhang Yang didn’t waste time. He took out his laptop, turned it towards Yang Mi, and played a trimmed version of the video.

After seeing only half of it, Yang Mi eagerly asked, “What do you want?”