The Legend of Jiang Yuyan: Have You Seen It?

People laugh at me for being easy to fool. I laugh at them for failing to see through me.

That was what Lin Ziwei truly thought.

She wouldn't claim to be brilliant, but she certainly wasn't stupid.

She actually agreed with the problems the previous actor had pointed out.

But those were only minor flaws. They didn't matter much to the series as a whole, and changing them was optional.

The real offense was that the actor had dared to challenge her, the producer and leading lady, in front of everyone.

Now, though he also wanted to change the script, Zhang Yang had put it beautifully. He'd made it sound as if every suggestion was for her benefit.

If she didn't agree, people who didn't know the situation might think she was some lovesick fool who couldn't keep her eyes off a handsome man. That would damage her reputation.

In truth, she just wanted him to show the right attitude and give her a way to save face. Whether the plot changed depended on whether the actor pleased her.

Clearly, Zhang Yang's understanding of the situation was exactly what she wanted to hear.

"Sister Ziwei, you've asked the right person. I've definitely thought about revising the plot." Zhang Yang beckoned to Nazha for his backpack, took out a few sheets of paper, and handed them to Lin Ziwei. He looked bashful. "I was lucky to get a role in such a great project as The Legend of Dugu, so I asked my mentor at Shanghai Theatre Academy for advice. I revised the scenes under her guidance."

"Before I came, I worried that nobody would listen to me, since I'm just a nobody."

"Now I realize I didn't understand you seniors well enough."

"."

Flattery could get you anywhere, and Zhang Yang seized the opportunity to compliment everyone.

Nazha stood nearby, feeling like she couldn't keep up.

The contents of those pages were obviously something she'd watched Zhang Yang jot down on the ride over.

At the time, she'd even admired his handwriting, thinking it suited him perfectly.

How had it suddenly become something he'd written under his teacher's guidance?

"Which teacher at Shanghai Theatre Academy did you mean?" A smile appeared on Yan Yikuan's lips as he set down the script and stood up.

"Hello, senior. The teachers I asked for advice were Old Jiang—Teacher Mei Jiang—and Old Wang, Teacher Wang Luoyong." Zhang Yang answered at once, without the slightest hesitation.

He never went into battle unprepared.

He'd come up with the script the previous night and revised it on the way over that morning.

He'd also called Old Wang and Old Jiang to say hello and chat a little about The Legend of Dugu.

Unless someone had nothing better to do than ask them, "Did Zhang Yang ask you to revise the script?" he had nothing to worry about.

"Teacher Wang and Teacher Jiang? They'd only just started teaching when I was a student, but they taught me a few classes." Yan Yikuan smiled. "They're both department heads now, aren't they?"

"Yes. Teacher Wang is now a professor in the acting department and one of its main instructors. Teacher Jiang is the department chair." Zhang Yang replied calmly.

The people around him looked at him differently.

That was the advantage of an academic background: connections came with it. Students who got along well with their teachers had a clear advantage in the industry.

"Mm." Yan Yikuan didn't say more than necessary. He nodded slightly. "If there's anything you don't understand on set, you can come ask me, junior."

"Thank you, senior." Zhang Yang thanked him at once. His gaze flicked across Wallace Huo's face, only to find the other man watching him.

Their eyes met for an instant, then they both looked away in silent accord. Neither said a word.

By then, Lin Ziwei and director Liang Xin Quan had skimmed through the revised scenes.

"No wonder teachers at Shanghai Theatre Academy gave you pointers. These scenes really bring out the characters' personalities and establish who they are." Liang Xin Quan gave his approval.

He was really offering Lin Ziwei a cue. She was in a good mood now, and nodded in agreement. "They're definitely better. Let's film them this way."

Either way, they had to give Shanghai Theatre Academy some respect. Besides, the revisions really were better.

Zhang Yang's thoughts raced. "The screenwriter is responsible for the whole series' story and each character's subplot. I only revised it after asking my teacher for advice. I'm just glad I haven't caused any trouble."

At that, several people's gazes toward him softened.

"Then let's give it a try." Liang Xin Quan clapped his hands and picked up the megaphone beside him.

Zhang Yang stopped trying to draw attention to himself and went over to Nazha. "I'm about to act. Watch carefully. You can record it on your phone, too. Tonight, I'll teach you about blocking and things like that."

Nazha said she understood.

"Everyone, get ready."

Liang Xin Quan sat down in front of the monitors, picked up the megaphone, and directed the crew to adjust the lighting and other equipment.

"Scene X, take X."

"Akesheng!"

At the sound of the clapperboard, the camera began rolling and focused on Lin Ziwei.

She stood by the railing of the high pavilion, gazing down as silent tears fell, as if she'd remembered something painful.

Dressed in ornate robes, Zhang Yang appeared around the corner and took his place. He silently watched Lin Ziwei's profile.

Liang Xin Quan's eyes lit up. He changed the way he was sitting and spoke into the walkie-talkie. "Pull the camera back a little. Find an angle on the left without anything blocking it. Good, right there. Hold. Get both their expressions."

Liang Xin Quan thought he'd struck gold.

Generally, attractive people in real life didn't always look good on camera. Meanwhile, makeup could make less attractive people look better.

Some people who looked beautiful or handsome in a video might be so stunning in person that you forgot to breathe.

Zhang Yang looked great, so Liang Xin Quan had assumed he might not be photogenic. But he looked just right on camera, with the perfect face for film.

If his acting is good, I can find him a role in Painted Skin 2.

The thought flashed through Liang Xin Quan's mind, and he watched even more closely.

On camera, Zhang Yang's expression shifted, grief filling his eyes.

Given the scene, it was easy to imagine he was pained to see "Ma Fuyua" suffering.

After a brief moment of sadness, a flash of madness crossed his eyes, then his expression turned resolute.

He strode toward "Ma Fuyua." Following the director's cue, the cameraman kept pace and captured the moment.

When he reached "Ma Fuyua," Zhang Yang reached out, as if to embrace her from behind.

A staff member beside them gave Lin Ziwei a timely signal. She immediately turned as though she'd sensed someone behind her and met Zhang Yang's eyes. "Little Brother Kuang."

As she spoke, Lin Ziwei dabbed away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Those four words, "Little Brother Kuang," seemed to have some kind of spell over Zhang Yang. He withdrew his hand and took half a step back without drawing attention to it. His expression cleared. "Sister, don't be sad. You still have me to lean on."

In the original scene, Zhao Kuangyin embraced Ma Fuyua and comforted her in every way. The shot ended on their faces, creating a romantic, dreamy mood.

Zhang Yang's opinion of that scene was simple: garbage.

Zhao Kuangyin could be passionate. He could have a beloved woman he held in his heart. He could even have a dangerously possessive streak. But he absolutely couldn't be a clingy puppy, trailing after someone who didn't love him.

Even a Mary Sue story shouldn't force-feed the audience such nonsense.

There was a way for Zhao Kuangyin to love her that still fit his character.

It could even make Ma Fuyua seem more captivating, the sort of woman everyone loved, and more saintly.

So his gaze was full of restrained affection.

The lines that followed weren't greasy, either. He'd changed them into ordinary words of comfort, but there was still a hint of authority between the lines. In other words: "You can trust me. I'll take care of things for you."

Ma Fuyua only smiled and sighed. She neither accepted nor rejected him, seeming to feel nothing for Zhao Kuangyin beyond a sister's affection for her little brother.

"Cut!"

Liang Xin Quan picked up the megaphone and called out, "Very good. That's a wrap."

The take had gone very well, especially Zhang Yang's acting, which had surprised him.

Lin Ziwei was the star, but throughout that scene, Liang Xin Quan had focused on Zhang Yang.

His expressive eyes, the subtle expressions in the close-up, and the emotional force of his lines were all excellent.

There was no need to shoot it again. That would only reveal that Lin Ziwei wasn't as good as Zhang Yang and cause unnecessary trouble.

Zhang Yang didn't have any more scenes at this location, so he was happy to hang around and watch.

When she saw that no one was nearby, Nazha asked him, "Brother Yang, he's just a minor character. Was it really worth putting in so much effort?"

Zhang Yang turned to her, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Nazha, have you seen The Legend of Jiang Yuyan?"

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