Too Many Brain Cells Died in Vain

Liu Shishi stared straight at Zhang Yang, a faint smile on her lips.

Zhang Yang met her gaze, a ripple stirring in his calm heart. He thought to himself, She truly is a future top actress.

Her black hair was tied back, her pretty face like a flower, exuding a fairy-like gentleness and purity. A smile bloomed like warm sunlight, illuminating one's heart. Her figure was impeccable, her aura outstanding, standing as straight as a fairy from a painting.

The only flaw people pointed out might be her dull eyes due to myopia. After acting for so long, she'd earned the nickname "Blind Sister," so she now wore contact lenses, adding even more charm to her.

"Sister Shishi, what a coincidence," Zhang Yang said, awkwardly taking out the bag and explaining, "I'm going camping with some friends at Hangcheng A Ding Mountain. I bought these to put inside my shoes. They help you travel a thousand miles without sore feet or smelly shoes, and they can also act as a desiccant."

This was an excuse he had prepared long ago. Many university students used this during military training.

He didn't want Liu Shishi to misunderstand him.

"This thing has such a use?" Liu Shishi tilted her head slightly, a look of confusion on her face.

She didn't doubt Zhang Yang's words, but was simply curious.

Given Zhang Yang's appearance, it was unlikely he had such thoughts out of lewdness or perversion.

"Yes, I learned this trick last year watching junior students during military training. You can also find it on Baidu," Zhang Yang said, even giving Liu Shishi a brief explanation.

"I've learned something new," Liu Shishi said with a look of being taught. Her heart stirred, and she extended her hand, "The shoes I've been wearing for filming recently have been rubbing my feet. Since you say this thing is so amazing, give me a pack."

Liu Shishi praised her own quick thinking, finding such a natural reason that she wouldn't feel embarrassed.

"Sister Shishi, take whatever you like," Zhang Yang immediately handed the bag to Liu Shishi.

He felt a sense of pride, thinking that opportunities favor the prepared.

The excuse was something he had come up with for himself, but also for Liu Shishi, so she wouldn't have to ask directly and feel embarrassed, thus not feeling grateful to him for it.

"I'll just take this one pack."

Liu Shishi opened the bag and found that it contained her usual style and size, her heart filled with joy.

She already quite liked Zhang Yang, this younger "little brother," and now she found him even more pleasing to the eye.

Just then, a man's teasing voice suddenly sounded in their ears: "Yo, what kind of shady deal are you two up to?"

Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi turned their heads simultaneously and saw Hu Ge walking towards them with a smile.

Liu Shishi was Tangren's Top Sister, and across from her exclusive lounge was Hu Ge, the top male star's exclusive lounge. It wasn't surprising to run into him here.

Hu Ge naturally knew that Liu Shishi and Zhang Yang wouldn't be involved in any secret dealings, especially in broad daylight, which was why he called out teasingly from a distance.

However, as he got closer and saw what Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi were holding, his smile froze, and his expression became strange.

It definitely wasn't Liu Shishi giving Zhang Yang sanitary pads, so it must be that Liu Shishi asked Zhang Yang to buy sanitary pads for her.

When did the relationship between these two people develop to this extent?

Hu Ge's eyes suddenly became strange.

"Cough," Zhang Yang pretended to be embarrassed and turned his head.

Liu Shishi had always been thin-skinned, and her pretty face instantly turned red, making her stunningly beautiful.

This situation completely made Hu Ge misunderstand. He said, "Are you two dating? The company doesn't forbid this. Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret for you."

Liu Shishi: ???

Zhang Yang OS: Well done.

"Old Hu, you've misunderstood. Shi Shi and I are innocent," Zhang Yang said before Liu Shishi could explain. "The situation is like this..."

He recounted the events.

Doing this had two benefits.

If Liu Shishi was sensible, she would think he was considerate and look upon him more favorably.

If Liu Shishi was more narcissistic, she would have a rebellious thought: "You're so eager to distance yourself from me, do you look down on me?" This would make Liu Shishi remember him more vividly.

In either case, he definitely wouldn't lose out.

"I see." Hu Ge didn't know if he believed it or not. He extended a hand: "Then give me a pack too. I'll try it out."

Zhang Yang: Nice, that's so like Old Hu.

"Here you go." Liu Shishi handed a large handful to Hu Ge, then skillfully changed the subject: "You haven't gone to see Sister K yet, have you?"

After all, she had only returned from Cai Yinong's place not long ago. If Hu Ge had gone to see Cai Yinong, he wouldn't have finished his business so quickly.

"I'll wash my hands before I go," Hu Ge nodded.

"Then you go wash up first. I'll put my things away and then I have something to talk to you about." Liu Shishi returned the bag to Zhang Yang, then turned and walked into her lounge.

However, as she was about to close the door, her gaze fell on Zhang Yang again. Her eyes shifted and she said, "You come too."

Zhang Yang instinctively felt that something good was about to happen and readily agreed, nodding, "Yes, Sister Shishi."

Liu Shishi's beautiful eyes rolled slightly as she closed the door.

Hu Ge hooked his arm around Zhang Yang's neck and chuckled, "A'Yang, are you and Shi Shi really not dating?"

"Old Hu!" Liu Shishi reopened the lounge door, revealing half her face: "I haven't left yet!"

"Oh, damn~" Hu Ge exclaimed, startled, and quickly pulled Zhang Yang into his own lounge.

"A'Yang, would you like something to drink?" Hu Ge's smile remained as he entered the room.

At Tangren, Zhang Yang was one of the people Hu Ge was closest to.

They had the same teacher for their performance classes at Shanghai Theatre Academy, making them not only alumni but also like brothers under the same mentor.

Furthermore, when Hu Ge was in a car accident in '06, if Zhang Yang hadn't vaguely sensed something was wrong and told him to be extra careful that night, he and his assistant might have died instead of just being injured and hospitalized.

During his hospitalization, Hu Ge's then-girlfriend had to film three dramas and two variety shows, and had signed with the leading company Huayi. She had absolutely no time to take care of him, and broke up with him shortly after he was discharged.

It was during this time that Zhang Yang and Yuan Hong took care of him for several months in Hong Kong, and also comforted and encouraged him.

Therefore, in Hu Ge's heart, Zhang Yang held an extraordinary position.

"Longjing, I brought it for you." Zhang Yang didn't stand on ceremony with Old Hu.

"You're certainly not losing out." Hu Ge went to get the tea and brewed a cup for Zhang Yang. After chatting for a few more sentences, he ran to the restroom.

A few minutes later, he returned to find Zhang Yang chatting with Liu Shishi.

"Shi Shi, what did you want to see me about?" Hu Ge sat down on an independent sofa.

"The same old story." Liu Shishi took a sip of warm water and said, "Sister K wants me to persuade you to play the male lead."

"Why persuade?" Hu Ge's handsome face immediately turned into a bitter gourd's. "I really don't want to act in costume dramas anymore. I said I'd play the male second lead hoping Sister K would give up, thinking she wouldn't make me play a supporting role for a newcomer. I didn't expect her to agree."

"But if I really have to act, I'd definitely prefer to play the male second lead. At least it's a character who is both good and evil, who was righteous but then turned into a villain. It's more challenging."

If he didn't feel that Tangren had been good to him, and if he didn't hold shares in Tangren, Hu Ge might have argued with Cai Yinong.

He was already this age; he didn't want to be called an idol anymore.

"I knew you'd say that." Liu Shishi put down her teacup, glanced at Zhang Yang, and said, "I didn't want to get involved in this matter originally, but seeing A'Yang, I suddenly had an idea."

Hu Ge was stunned, then looked at Zhang Yang, his eyes lighting up. "A'Yang, do you want the male second lead role or not?"

Zhang Yang: "..."

The way you guys are acting makes all the brain cells I killed last night seem like a waste!