Chapter 69: Liu Tianxian: Heh, Men

“Huh?”

Both Liu Shishi and Nazha were inwardly astonished.

My own daze was indeed partly due to Zhang Yang’s actions, but Tang Yan’s too?

“Because of me?” Zhang Yang turned to Tang Yan, feigning ignorance. “Tangtang-jie, you’re not still holding a grudge over me giving you acting advice, are you?”

“Exactly!” Tang Yan quickly replied, inwardly relieved.

She couldn’t possibly confess that she’d dreamt of Zhang Yang last night, engaging in a role-play that left them as a comically mismatched pair.

“Did you really think I needed you to teach me acting?” Tang Yan lifted her chin. “I’m a graduate of Central Theatre Academy, and your senior at that.”

Unfazed, Zhang Yang stuffed the peeled egg into his mouth. After crunching it down and swallowing, he took a sip of soy milk before leisurely responding, “Tangtang-jie, let’s cool down. I misspoke that day.”

As he said this, Zhang Yang peeled another egg and placed it in Tang Yan’s bowl.

“That’s better,” Tang Yan relented, grateful for the olive branch. She didn’t press the issue further.

After witnessing his performance last night, she realized Zhang Yang’s acting far surpassed her own.

There was no need for technical critiques; even just comparing him to Liu Shishi, whose acting had always been about on par with hers. Yet last night, under Zhang Yang’s influence, Liu Shishi nailed her lines in one take, her emotions, expressions, and movements all pitch-perfect.

“Po Shi-jie, your daydreaming can’t possibly involve me, right?” Zhang Yang flashed a grin at Liu Shishi.

As she gazed upon his handsome face from mere inches away, Liu Shishi unconsciously swallowed hard, her ears tingling with warmth.

Dugu Ningke’s marriage to Yu Wento and their child was indeed part of the script, but their scenes hadn’t been fleshed out yet.

Yet last night’s dream had elaborated on this concept, filling in all sorts of vivid details.

She tried to rationalize it by convincing herself these were memories from her previous life.

But after searching online, she realized her attraction to Zhang Yang might be the real issue.

Otherwise, such an embarrassing dream would have jolted her awake in shock, rather than allowing her to…

“Ahem.” Snapping back to reality, Liu Shishi hastily explained, “Of course it has nothing to do with you. I just stayed up too late reading the script last night and am still half-asleep.”

“That means you need some coffee, Po Shi-jie. We’ve got scenes together this morning, remember?” Zhang Yang’s concern was immediately apparent.

His words brought her comfort, a small smile gracing her features. “I’m not great at brewing coffee. Could you make me a cup?” Her usually cool voice carried a hint of newfound reliance.

Tang Yan discreetly stole a glance at Liu Shishi.

Her woman’s intuition whispered that her friend’s attitude towards Zhang Yang seemed… different.

“Sure, I’ll make it for you,” Zhang Yang agreed without hesitation. “Sister Po Shi, do you prefer your tea strong or light? Do you like a milky taste?”

Liu Shishi, involuntarily recalling Ning Ke’s tragic life, gently shook her head. “I don’t like it too bitter.”

“Got it. Have your breakfast, then watch me work.” Zhang Yang flashed a confident smile, then turned his gaze to Nazha, a teasing tone creeping into his voice. “Hey, Nazha, you weren’t spacing out while watching the two sisters, hoping to learn from them, were you?”

Nazha met Zhang Yang’s eyes, her gaze flickering playfully. “I was only spacing out because of you. I dreamed about you last night.”

Zhang Yang was momentarily speechless.

This woman is a tiger—she sure doesn’t hold back when it comes to speaking her mind.

Thankfully, he had resisted the urge to clarify his relationship with Nazha before joining the group, or else…

“You dreamed about A-Yang?!” Tang Yan’s eyes widened with surprise, her voice instinctively rising.

Even dreaming has become a group activity now?

No, it must be mere coincidence. After all, her dream had been rather unique.

Liu Shishi also looked at Nazha, confusion flickering in her eyes.

“Well, it’s not exactly fair to say I dreamed about Big Bro Yang,” Nazha said, nonchalantly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sure it’s because I’ve been immersing myself in the script lately. Last night, I dreamed I turned into Xiaoxue.”

“It might be because I’m quite familiar with Big Bro Yang, so in my dreams, it’s all about the stories between us after he turned into a swordsman obsessed with his craft.”

Nazha didn’t think there was anything in the content of her dreams that she couldn’t share. Her relationship with Zhang Yang was at a stage where only a thin layer of veneer remained unbroken. If it wasn’t for Xiaotao being in her room that night, they likely would have crossed that final threshold.

Upon arriving at the filming set, she noticed that Zhang Yang had excellent relationships with Tang Yan and Liu Shi Hee. This naturally heightened her sense of impending competition.

She instinctively disregarded the fact that Tang Yan and Liu Shi Hee were both major celebrities, assuming that like herself, they might also be attracted to an exceptional man like Zhang Yang. Therefore, speaking candidly now had a hint of boldly hinting at her attachment and asserting her “territory.”

“You dreamed about scenes from the script too?” Tang Yan’s tone rose again.

It might have been a coincidence for both of them to dream about Zhang Yang, but dreaming identical dreams seemed a bit too much.

“Yes.” Nazha’s face lit up with a smile. “I’ve been learning my acting skills from Big Bro Yang. My approach is all about immersing myself in the role. With these dreams helping me out, I’m definitely going to nail it.”

Her previous experience as a guest star in Pride and Prejudice Empress had convinced her she was a naturally gifted actress. Now, it seemed her intuition hadn’t been far off at all!

“Wow… that’s pretty impressive,” Tang Yan mused, deciding against mentioning her own dream experiences. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that something odd was going on.

Zhang Yang observed this exchange with mixed emotions. He hadn’t anticipated his dream last night to be so potent, pulling all three leading ladies in. Nor did he expect a simple breakfast gathering to nearly expose his ability to grant these actresses role-playing dreams.

However, he wasn’t concerned. Even if the actresses realized that acting opposite him could lead to such dream experiences, it would only benefit him. Anyone with a modicum of ambition for their craft would leap at this “game-changing” opportunity, eager to collaborate with him. He’d become the hottest property in town.

It wasn’t as if they needed to sleep with him to enter these dreams. In fact, many female celebrities would gladly trade a night’s sleep for this kind of “edge” - and he knew it.

Of course, Zhang Yang wouldn’t actively promote or disclose his powers, let alone reveal the Entertainment Circle Opportunity Handbook. His plan was to let them discover this “serendipitous” experience themselves, thinking they’d stumbled upon a rare advantage, and come seeking him out.

I, Zhang Yang, am merely a pawn in this game.

“Nazha, you’re really something else,” Zhang Yang chimed in, riding the wave of Tang Yan’s sentiment. “Must be one of those legendary natural talents, huh?”

“Or maybe just my overactive imagination,” Nazha shrugged, slightly embarrassed.

The four of them continued their conversation, each lost in their own thoughts, exchanges becoming more perfunctory.

However, with Zhang Yang’s arrival, the three women snapped out of their daze and finished their breakfast.

The all-you-can-eat buffet at a five-star hotel was well-equipped with a wide variety of ingredients. Zhang Yang approached the coffee station and prepared a “Coconut Latte” for Liu Shishi—a unique blend considering the current trends.

“Wow, that’s good!” Liu Shishi took a sip, her eyes immediately brightening. “It tastes better than any coffee I’ve had before.”

“Is it really that amazing?” Tang Yan thought Liu Shishi might be giving Zhang Yang too much credit.

“Try it for yourself.” Liu Shishi poured a cup for Tang Yan and also offered some to Nazha.

Tang Yan and Liu Shishi picked up their cups, took a sip, and their eyes lit up as well.

They both disliked bitterness, so the sweet, milky taste was indeed quite pleasing to them.

“A-Yang, make me one too,” Tang Yan turned to Zhang Yang.

“Brother Yang~” Nazha added with a playful tone.

“Sure thing.” Zhang Yang, of course, didn’t refuse.

Two fresh Coconut Latte cups were quickly prepared.

Tang Yan and Nazha didn’t rush to drink; instead, they first took several photos.

Liu Shishi silently glanced at her cup, then looked up at Zhang Yang. “Could you make me another one?”

Zhang Yang: ”…”

Ha, women.

Five minutes later, Zhang Yang found himself like an old man on the subway, engrossed in his phone pictures.

Ha? You think of me as part of “men”?