This Male Lead You Must Be

"Reborn with a cheat?"

Zhang Yang chuckled inwardly.

"This is the right way to break into the entertainment industry."

It was currently 2011, and his ten-year contract with Tangren still had over two years left before it expired, which would be early 2014.

The year 2014 was special. Smartphones began to become widely popular, internet giants entered the entertainment industry causing celebrity salaries to skyrocket, and the era of traffic in entertainment began. The broadcast of Swords of Legends gave birth to the originator of traffic, Before the state implemented salary caps, starting from 2014, a third or fourth-tier celebrity earned more than today's A-list stars. There were even units of measurement like "one Shuang" and "several hundred million a year."

If he could grow into a Top Stream celebrity in these three years, he could easily earn more than he would have in the past ten years combined.

Therefore, making money wasn't the primary goal anymore; fame was.

Of course, he also needed to find a way to resolve his contract as soon as possible and gain his freedom.

He was contemplating how to leverage Tangren's resources to become famous while seeking to terminate his contract, when the cheat arrived.

"Let me see." Zhang Yang's mind stirred, and he opened the Jade Tome in his mind.

The homepage displayed a large line of text: "Consume Character Points to foresee opportunities related to entertainment within the next 24 hours. Seizing opportunities will earn Opportunity Points."

In the bottom right corner of the Jade Tome, Zhang Yang saw his currently available Character Points: 10 (Wang Xiaohu, Yang Yanhui, Yin Zhiping, He Biping).

"Method of obtaining Character Points: Play a character with a certain destiny in a film or television series, and after the work is broadcast, receive a certain degree of recognition to obtain one to three points."

"Hmm?"

"These requirements are quite high," Zhang Yang murmured to himself.

In his understanding, a "destiny character" meant at least a supporting role, someone with a name, a background, and who could be remembered within a story.

From an efficiency standpoint, playing a supporting role with fewer scenes seemed more conducive to accumulating Character Points than playing a protagonist with more scenes, but in reality, it wasn't like that.

If you play a supporting role, it means you're not famous enough. If you're not famous enough, you have no say in the crew, and you have to follow the crew's arrangements for your scenes. Often, due to scattered filming schedules, you have to be with the crew from the start of filming to its wrap.

As for playing supporting roles after becoming famous, that would be purely acting as a benefactor for others, a fool in the eyes of capital, and a waste of commercial value.

Instead, playing the protagonist well and gaining more recognition not only leads to success but also earns three Character Points, making it the most cost-effective choice.

"Opportunities, I wonder how they're specifically given."

His thoughts raced, and Zhang Yang prepared to try it out.

However, at this moment, his phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Jiang Jinfu.

He was a classmate from the 2009 acting program at Shanghai Theatre Academy, and his roommate.

Based on age, Zhang Yang was the oldest, so the other three called him "Brother Yang."

There were two other people in the dorm. The second oldest was Zhang Bohan, and the third oldest was Zhang Zhe.

With three Zhangs in one dorm, their classmates often teased them, saying not to bully the youngest, Jiang Jinfu. But in reality, he was the least at a disadvantage and had a quick temper.

In the afternoon, Jiang Jinfu got angry while playing basketball. He shot the ball too hard, got fouled, and the ball flew out, hitting him on the head.

"Hello," Zhang Yang answered the phone.

"Brother Yang, are you feeling any better?" Jiang Jinfu's tone was filled with concern.

Zhang Yang touched his head and chuckled, "Fuzi, I think I'm going to have a concussion. Nothing can't be solved with ten meals of barbecue."

Immediately understanding that he was fine, Jiang Jinfu seemed to smile shyly, "Brother Yang, you're asking for the moon. How serious can it be from a ball flying so far to hit you?"

Hearing this, before Zhang Yang could speak, the two "Zhangs" who were eavesdropping nearby became displeased, stating that the hit wasn't light.

Whether they were speaking up for Zhang Yang or trying to use this opportunity to get Jiang Jinfu to treat them to a late-night snack was something only they knew for sure.

Jiang Jinfu argued for a few sentences, then reluctantly compromised, "Not ten meals, but I have good news to share with you guys tonight. I can treat you all to a meal."

Zhang Bohan and the other immediately clamored that one meal wasn't enough, but Zhang Yang said, "Alright, Brother Jinfu is paying for tonight's late-night snack."

Brother Jinfu?

For some reason, Jiang Jinfu felt the title was a bit jarring.

Was it because Zhang Yang was the one calling him that?

"Let's go eat something first."

He tucked Zhao Ji in with a blanket.

Considering he was going out for a late-night snack later, Zhang Yang wasn't in a hurry to experiment with his opportunities.

Half an hour later, the four of them sat at a barbecue restaurant, clinking glasses and drinking.

After a few drinks, Jiang Jinfu's face turned slightly red, and he spoke up, "I've signed with an entertainment company."

The three of them looked at him in unison. Except for Zhang Yang, they were all curious about which company he had signed with.

"Just like Brother Yang, it's Tangren too." Jiang Jinfu raised his glass to Zhang Yang, "From now on, Brother, you're my Senior Brother. You have to look out for me."

"What can I look out for you with?" Zhang Yang didn't fall for it, smiling as he clinked glasses with Jiang Jinfu, "Senior Hu Ge, Senior Lin Gengxin, and Senior Yuan Hong are all at Tangren. You should look for them."

Since Jiang Jinfu signed with Tangren, it must have been Cai Yinong's promise to cast him as the male lead in Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of Heaven, and this condition was written into the contract.

If he took on too much now, he'd be proven wrong later.

"After all, I'm new here and there's a lot I don't understand," Jiang Jinfu said, downing his drink in one gulp. "Actually, I'm under a lot of pressure. When Sister K signed me, she promised me the male lead role in a drama. The female lead would be Liu Shishi, the second female lead Tang Yan, and the third female lead would be Gulinazha, the most beautiful new art student from Beijing Film Academy who was very popular earlier this year."

Hiss!

Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe were shocked.

Liu Shishi, Tang Yan, and Yang Mi were known as the Paladin Trio.

Earlier this year, Yang Mi and Tang Yan had become top-tier celebrities with Palace and Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of Heaven respectively.

Although Liu Shishi was slightly behind, she was still among the most popular second-tier stars. It was rumored that her upcoming drama, Scarlet Heart, had the potential to be a hit, and she might even become a top-tier star after it aired. By then, Jiang Jinfu's drama would likely not even be finished filming.

When this drama aired, with two top-tier female stars participating, he would have every opportunity to become famous overnight, just like Hu Ge did when he starred in Chinese Paladin 1.

Thinking this, Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe's eyes changed, and they began to shower him with compliments.

In simpler terms: "If we get rich, don't forget us."

They hoped that if he became famous in the future, he wouldn't forget to help them.

The two even vied to pay for their late-night meal.

But Zhang Yang watched it all calmly, as if he didn't care at all.

This was not the scene Jiang Jinfu had envisioned. He changed the subject, "Brother Yang, when I signed, I mentioned to Sister K that I suggested you play the male second lead. We're quite familiar with each other, and your acting is well-recognized by the instructors. You could also guide me. We brothers can tackle this together."

"But Sister K said Hu Ge, Senior Brother, would play the male second lead. My words don't carry much weight anymore."

"I'm currently working hard to try and get you the male third lead, Zhang Lie."

As soon as he said this, Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe looked at Zhang Yang with envy, even a bit of jealousy.

Zhang Yang was currently recognized as the campus heartthrob at Shanghai Theatre Academy, and he had even made it onto the top ten list of all-time campus heartthrobs. The top nine were all famous artists.

In addition, Zhang Yang had the backing of Tangren, his acting was recognized by his teachers, and he was the vice president of the Student Union. He was a prominent figure, no doubt.

Jiang Jinfu wanting to help Zhang Yang was something they could completely understand. However, what surprised them even more was Hu Ge playing the male second lead and being a supporting character to Jiang Jinfu.

Was he Cai Yinong's illegitimate son or something?

"Fuzi, you're very thoughtful," Zhang Yang said, raising his glass again.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Jinfu felt a little frustrated.

He didn't have any major conflicts or grudges with Zhang Yang. He was simply annoyed at always being overshadowed by him and wanted to win just once!

But why was Zhang Yang still so calm?

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang was contemplating: Jinfu really needs to play the male lead.

How can I become the male second lead?

I still need to find a way to add more scenes.

Great Ones, the protagonist of this book is not selfish, but he will definitely not grovel for favors.

If any part gives you the illusion of "fawning," there will definitely be a twist or explanation later.

Thank you all for your support. This book is a slow burn, but it will definitely be exciting.