Troublemaker Duo

"A'Yang is here, sit."

Wallace Huo gestured to a spot not far away.

Zhang Yang sat down directly, reached for the wine on the coffee table, poured a glass, and drank it down.

"Comfortable."

Zhang Yang leaned back on the sofa and said casually, "Heard you're interested in that woman?"

He and Wallace Huo became friends while filming Chinese Paladin 3, and their relationship was even closer than the "Hu-Huo" rumors online suggested.

Talk of "Is it Hu or is it Huo?" was nothing compared to the "Troublemaker Duo" combination.

After all, there are three unbreakable bonds between brothers: sharing prostitutes, sharing stolen goods, and sharing prison time.

He and Wallace Huo couldn't share stolen goods or go to jail, and they hadn't shared prostitutes, but they had played around.

He had even helped Wallace Huo block a paparazzi's sneaky photos, so Wallace Huo owed him a favor.

"I had a bit of a good impression of her before. She's pursuing me now, but I don't want to settle down yet," Wallace Huo admitted without hesitation.

He and Zhang Yang didn't contact each other when they had things to discuss, and even less when they didn't, but they would get together when they met.

They were "bad buddies" who clicked well, could confide in each other, and trusted each other.

During their occasional get-togethers, Wallace Huo habitually confided his troubles to Zhang Yang.

"Then just maintain a push-and-pull relationship. With that person's personality, if you reject her directly, she'll probably get more aggressive. But if you agree, you're the one who'll likely get hurt."

Zhang Yang spoke with the advantage of hindsight, fully understanding Lin Ziwei's personality.

After the success of The Legend of Dugu, she became even more narcissistic and self-important, leading to a falling out with Wallace Huo.

But before long, her career began to decline, while Wallace Huo maintained a moderate level of popularity. He eventually returned to the top tier with the phenomenal success of The Journey of Flower, his commercial value skyrocketing, and his schedule filled with acting offers.

It was then that Lin Ziwei came back around, and after some entanglement, they got back together.

If Wallace Huo agreed now, he would only get hurt in the end. But if he didn't agree, Lin Ziwei wouldn't be satisfied, leading to more entanglement.

"That's exactly what I'm thinking, just stalling," Wallace Huo sat up, picked up his wine glass, and raised it to Zhang Yang.

Bang!

Zhang Yang picked up his glass and clinked it against Wallace Huo's. They both drank their wine in one gulp.

A moment later, the private room door opened again, and two women walked in. They were cute but had fiery figures.

To use a more popular term from the future, they were "pure and seductive."

The two women were very sweet-talked and poured wine for Zhang Yang and Wallace Huo.

Zhang Yang and Wallace Huo chatted, and when the mood struck, they would stand up to sing, or let the hostesses around them sing.

They drank until almost 11 PM before leaving the private room together, with no women by their side.

For them, the women from any place were for a certain kind of fun, and they never crossed the line.

"It's always more comfortable with you, everything we do is to my taste," Wallace Huo slung an arm around Zhang Yang's shoulders.

"Ha, are you sure it's not just because our preferred types of women rarely overlap?" Zhang Yang teased.

"That's fate too," Wallace Huo smiled brightly.

Zhang Shaohan, Joe Chen. He had seen many sights.

In his opinion, Zhang Yang's preferences were still too naive.

They bantered all the way back to Wallace Huo's business car.

The driver, used to this, drove them back to the hotel.

As they got out of the car, Wallace Huo rubbed his temples. "As long as you don't offend Lin Ziwei in this crew, you won't have any trouble. For small matters, find Yan Yikuan. For big matters, find me."

This was the sentence he had been waiting for.

Zhang Yang took out a few pages from his pocket and handed them to Wallace Huo. "Then I'll trouble Brother Hua to help me deliver this to Lin Ziwei. If she doesn't agree, I'll trouble you to get me a chance to have dinner with her and persuade her."

Favors should be used when needed, otherwise, they expire.

It was a small favor. He wasn't expecting Wallace Huo to give him the male lead role in The Journey of Flower in the future.

Although, Wallace Huo didn't want to act in Xianxia anymore and had rejected the script for over half a year.

"You want to add more scenes?" Wallace Huo glanced at the content on the papers and rubbed his temples. "Honestly, I don't think you need to put so much effort into the Zhao Kuangyin role. I don't think it'll be outstanding."

"A few years ago, you weren't taking roles and insisted on systematic study at school. Now that you're willing to take roles, I can introduce you to a male third lead. It's scheduled to start filming around October this year, The Law of the Lord, starring myself and Nicky Wu."

Zhang Yang was somewhat surprised by Wallace Huo's sincerity. He happened to know about The Law of the Lord.

It was a big production for a TV series, but its reception domestically was mediocre, failing to make waves. However, after being exported to various Asian countries, it achieved considerable success and held the record for the highest-grossing Chinese TV drama in South Korea in 2013.

If he wanted to increase his overseas influence, this was a good choice.

If he hadn't had a conflict in schedule at the time, Zhang Yang felt he could have acted in it.

But he had confidence in himself and his system.

"Only children make choices. Can I have both?" Zhang Yang decided to play it safe.

"As expected of you." Wallace Huo chuckled.

He didn't say whether it was acceptable or not. He waved the script in his hand and turned to leave.

Zhang Yang didn't chase after him to say more. He trusted Wallace Huo wouldn't disappoint him.

However, he hadn't expected Wallace Huo to be so efficient, giving him a direct surprise.

The next day at noon, just as he was finishing dinner on set, he was called by Lin Ziwei's assistant to a spot under a parasol next to a production van.

"I've read the content. It's not much, all highlighting Zhao Kuangyin's best moments. You wrote it well too," Lin Ziwei said, giving her affirmation first. Then, her tone shifted, "But it has no relation to the main plot of our drama. Adding it or not makes no difference."

The implication was: I have no reason to add these scenes for you to have your spotlight and boost your popularity.

Zhang Yang had already prepared his response. He sat up straight and said, "Sister Ziwei, it's precisely because it's unrelated to the main plot that I felt comfortable asking Brother Hua to pass on a message to you."

Lin Ziwei:?

Wasn't that contradictory?

"If it were related to the main plot, it would trouble many people to film," Zhang Yang continued. "The production schedule would need to be rearranged, possibly requiring some actors who have already finished their scenes to return, or even increasing the workload for lead actors like you, Sister Ziwei."

"But now, this is simply expanding Zhao Kuangyin's subplot. We can arrange for an assistant director to film it with me. It won't affect the normal operations of the main crew, and the cost won't increase significantly."

Lin Ziwei, who was also a producer, naturally understood these points.

This was also why she was willing to listen to Zhang Yang's idea.

Otherwise, even if Wallace Huo had put in a word, she would have ignored it.

In short: Zhang Yang and the role of Zhao Kuangyin weren't worthy.

"The cost won't increase significantly, but it's still an increase, and it's troublesome," Lin Ziwei said again. "You still haven't answered my question. What benefit does adding this content bring to the drama?"

Benefit?

The benefit would be making the drama look less like a Mary Sue.

But he couldn't say that to her.

"I can't guarantee any benefit to the drama, but it certainly won't cause any harm," Zhang Yang met Lin Ziwei's gaze without a hint of timidity. "But it will definitely benefit you, Sister Ziwei."

"Sister Ziwei, do you remember what I said yesterday?"

"Zhao Kuangyin's feelings for Ma Fuyua were unrequited love, admiration, and a lifelong treasured white moonlight."

"But the problem is, how many people know who Zhao Kuangyin is? And how many people know how powerful he specifically is?"

"People who don't know Zhao Kuangyin won't think that Ma Fuyua, whom he cherished, is that outstanding."

"For example, if a stranger likes you, Sister Ziwei, people will just think it's normal; many people like you."

"But if someone says Brother Hua likes you, people will say, 'Sister Ziwei is so charming, even Brother Hua can't resist her.'"

"…"

Lin Ziwei understood Zhang Yang's meaning.

A red flower needs green leaves to complement it. Only when Zhao Kuangyin, the green leaf, is sufficiently vibrant will Ma Fuyua, the flower, appear even more radiant.

Without affecting the normal filming of the drama, adding scenes for Zhang Yang would also benefit her, the female lead, more.

This was a win-win situation.

"You can go first. I'll discuss it with the director and screenwriter," Lin Ziwei waved her hand.

Zhang Yang, however, knew that this matter was most likely settled.

"Take your time considering, Sister Ziwei. I am indeed considering my own interests, but I know my place. I just want to get a little something out of it."

With that parting remark, Zhang Yang returned to his seat in the crew.

"Brother Yang, what did Lin Ziwei want to talk to you about?" Nazha's face was full of gossip.

Zhang Yang looked at her and smiled, "I've managed to get you a special billing. How are you going to thank me?"

Nazha:?