Zhang's Ability to Infer

"Alright, alright, alright."

"I know you two weren't actually talking, so go easy on me, please spare me!"

Inside Hu Ge's private lounge, he was subjected to a joint "punishment" from Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi.

Some jokes aren't meant to be said lightly; they can easily backfire.

"Old Hu, you really deserve a beating," Liu Shishi said, feigning a swing of her fist. Her face, though slightly reserved, was pretty and held a hint of a smile, like a secluded orchid in bloom.

She didn't come across as a fiery personality, but rather as someone who exuded a sense of peaceful tranquility, making one hesitant to disturb her.

"You know I don't date men younger than me," Liu Shishi suddenly added, though her tone seemed directed at someone specific.

Zhang Yang subtly glanced at her, thinking, I'll make you say "I was wrong" sooner or later.

A smile appeared on his handsome face, and he followed Liu Shishi, chiming in, "Old Hu, while I do like older women—after all, a woman three years older is like a brick of gold—I can't bring myself to make a move on someone I know too well."

Liu Shishi turned to look at Zhang Yang, her brow furrowing slightly.

Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt Zhang Yang's words held a deeper meaning.

But before she could ponder it further, Hu Ge's voice, laced with a hint of disdain, cut in, "Do I not know the two of you?"

"Virgins since birth, with zero dating experience, and you're telling me you don't like this, you like that? Doesn't that sound ridiculous?"

Zhang Yang: "..."

Very well, you've sealed your own doom.

Being called out by Hu Ge didn't actually make him feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Before his rebirth, he had dated more beautiful women than Old Hu had worked with actresses.

Already hurt by his parents' divorce, he had become a complete anti-marriage advocate, naturally doing as he pleased.

But he didn't care; the thin-skinned Liu Shishi certainly would.

"You're finished!"

Liu Shishi picked up the script Zhang Yang had placed nearby and began chasing Hu Ge.

Zhang Yang watched the good show for a while before stepping in to mediate, "Sister Shishi, Old Hu's skin is thick and his flesh is tough. What satisfaction can you get from hitting him?"

"Making him treat us to a big meal, that's how you'll make him feel the pinch."

Liu Shishi stopped what she was doing and gave Zhang Yang a thumbs-up. "That's a great idea. What do you say?"

The latter half of the sentence was naturally directed at Hu Ge.

"How dare I have an opinion?" Hu Ge, also a playful guy, put on a scared act and said pitifully, "Little sister, you decide."

Liu Shishi didn't stand on ceremony and chose a Western restaurant nearby that she often frequented when meeting friends. It wasn't cheap, but for top-tier stars with immense earning power, it was nothing.

The three walked together. Hu Ge and Liu Shishi were fully disguised, afraid of being recognized.

Inside the elevator, Zhang Yang looked at the two of them, his gaze suddenly dazed.

Hu Ge happened to notice his expression and clearly misunderstood. He said, "A'Yang, don't just look at us being famous and gaining fame and fortune. We've lost our freedom. If we want to travel or go on vacation, we can only go abroad."

Zhang Yang: "..."

Is he showing off to me?

"If you want freedom, you can quit the industry," Liu Shishi retorted lightly. Then, she turned to Zhang Yang and said gently, "A'Yang, you don't need to envy Old Hu. Your conditions are better than his. If you star in a few more dramas, you'll definitely be more popular than him."

Liu Shishi's words weren't purely for comfort.

Perhaps in the past, Zhang Yang was too young and hadn't fully developed. He was handsome but still boyish, lacking distinctiveness or advantage compared to other handsome men in the entertainment industry.

But now, not only did he possess an immediate handsomeness, but he also had a unique aura. At the same time, he was the type of handsome that grew more appealing the longer you looked.

This was a typical case of being blessed by heaven, just lacking the right opportunity.

Moreover, Zhang Yang had good professional skills.

"I'll take Sister Shishi's kind words to heart," Zhang Yang replied with a smile. Then, he put on an arrogant look and turned to Old Hu, saying, "Old Hu, Sister Shishi's judgment is never wrong. There will be a day when you'll need me."

"Junior disciple, you're quite cocky," Hu Ge said, walking up to Zhang Yang and suddenly grabbing his hand. "Brother here will be relying on you from now on."

Liu Shishi:?

"Then I won't be polite about lunch," Zhang Yang said, looking like he was enjoying it immensely. "Little Hu, I'll definitely show you the ropes then."

"Thanks, Brother Yang, Brother Yang is mighty," Hu Ge praised him.

Afterward, the two exchanged a look and let out a sinister laugh, as if they had completed some backroom deal.

Liu Shishi: "..."

Men are truly peculiar creatures.

However, she felt a bit envious of their camaraderie.

Her own girlfriends were utterly unreliable when it came to sisterhood.

Not long after, the three arrived at the restaurant and were seated in a private room. Hu Ge waved his hand grandly, saying they could order whatever they wanted.

Although Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi were joking around quite a bit, they didn't actually take advantage of Hu Ge. They simply ordered steak, a salad, and drinks. Zhang Yang ordered an extra portion of pasta.

Hu Ge wanted some red wine too, but the two of them used excuses to refuse him.

Halfway through the meal, Hu Ge received a call from his agent. After a few apologetic words, he left first.

Although Liu Shishi and Zhang Yang knew each other well, this was the first time they were having a meal alone. The former was clearly a little flustered.

Zhang Yang, on the other hand, didn't feel any particular way. He was even in the mood to admire the beautiful woman alone, and could tell she was uncomfortable.

He understood women. He knew that if he didn't make a good impression during this solo encounter, there would be no second chance.

But if it went well, Liu Shishi might even proactively ask him out for meals in the future.

It was like sex: either zero times, one time, or countless times.

"Sister Shishi, I heard Uncle Long is your idol. Did you feel like a dream come true when you collaborated with him on Scarlet Heart?" Zhang Yang initiated a topic.

"Uncle Long?" Liu Shishi didn't react at first. After a long pause, she suddenly let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling. Covering her mouth, she asked, "You mean Nicky Wu?"

"Yeah," Zhang Yang nodded. "Your childhood idol, and you collaborated on Scarlet Heart. Isn't it him?"

"You know quite a bit," Liu Shishi said, resting her chin on one hand and stirring her coffee with the other. "But shouldn't you call him Brother Long?"

When they were still on the set of Scarlet Heart, others called Nicky Wu either "Brother Long" or "Teacher Nicky Wu." She was used to it.

"Brother Long?" Zhang Yang showed a conflicted expression. "He's a whole generation older than me. Wouldn't it be awkward to call him 'brother'? It would seem like I'm trying to get close to him."

Liu Shishi: "..."

Nicky Wu was born in 1970, and Zhang Yang in 1990. It was currently 2011.

He really was a whole generation older.

"You have a way with words," Liu Shishi said, successfully amused. Her hand movements paused. "As for feeling like a dream come true, not really. I'm not exactly a fan of Nicky Wu himself, just of a few characters he's played."

"I understand," Zhang Yang pretended to realize. "It's like how I like Long Kui and Mu Nianci, but I only have respect for Sister Shishi."

Liu Shishi: "...Respect?"

You really know how to apply what you learn!