The Brain Cells I Killed Were Completely Pointless

Liu Shishi stared straight at Zhang Yang, the corners of her mouth curved in a faint smile.

Zhang Yang met her gaze. His calm heart stirred slightly. No wonder she'd become a top-tier actress.

Her long, jet-black hair was tied back, and her pretty face was like a flower. She had a touch of fairy-like gentleness and innocence, and her smile was like a ray of warm sunlight shining into people's hearts. Her figure was flawless, and her bearing was exceptional; she stood perfectly straight, like an immortal in a painting.

The only thing people might criticize was her unfocused eyes, a result of her nearsightedness. After acting in so many roles, she'd earned the nickname "Blind Sister," so she was wearing contact lenses now, which only added to her charm.

"Sister Shishi, what a coincidence." Somewhat awkwardly, Zhang Yang took out the bag and explained, "I made plans to go camping at Hangcheng A Ding Mountain with a few friends. I bought these to put inside my shoes—as the saying goes, walk a thousand miles without sore feet or smelly shoes. They can also be used as desiccants."

He'd come up with this excuse long ago. A lot of college students used Scripture Pavilion this way during military training.

He didn't want Liu Shishi to get the wrong idea about him.

"These can be used like that?" Liu Shishi tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.

She didn't doubt Zhang Yang. She was simply curious.

With Zhang Yang's looks, he couldn't possibly have had any sleazy or perverted intentions.

"Yeah. I learned the trick last year when I saw the underclassmen doing military training. You can find it on Baidu, too." As he spoke, Zhang Yang even explained how it worked to Liu Shishi.

"I've learned something new." Liu Shishi looked enlightened. A thought struck her, and she held out her hand. "The shoes I've been wearing for filming have been rubbing my feet. You make these sound so miraculous—give me a pack."

Liu Shishi praised her own quick thinking. She'd found such a perfectly reasonable excuse; she wouldn't have to embarrass herself.

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

He felt rather pleased with himself. Opportunity favors the prepared.

The excuse was one he'd come up with for himself, but it was also for Liu Shishi. That way, she wouldn't feel too embarrassed to ask for some, and she wouldn't feel indebted to him afterward.

"I'll just take this pack."

Liu Shishi opened the bag and found her usual brand and size inside. Her heart lifted.

She'd already liked Zhang Yang as a younger brother, and now she liked him even more.

Just then, a man's teasing voice rang in their ears. "Well, well. What kind of shady deal are you two making?"

Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi turned at the same time and saw Hu Ge approaching with a smile.

Liu Shishi was Tangren's Top Sister, and her private lounge was right across from Hu Ge's, the company's leading man. There was nothing surprising about running into him here.

Hu Ge knew, of course, that Liu Shishi and Zhang Yang weren't involved in any shady dealings. They were in full view of everyone, after all, so he'd called out just to tease them.

But when he came closer and saw what Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi were holding, his smile froze, and his expression turned strange.

Liu Shishi definitely hadn't given Zhang Yang sanitary pads. That meant she'd asked him to buy some for her.

When had their relationship gotten to this point?

Hu Ge's expression grew even more peculiar.

"Ahem." Zhang Yang turned away, pretending to be embarrassed.

Liu Shishi had always been shy. Her pretty face instantly flushed red, making her even more beautiful.

The sight made Hu Ge completely misunderstand. "Are you two dating? The company doesn't forbid that. Don't worry, I'll keep it secret."

Liu Shishi: ???

Zhang Yang's inner thoughts: Nicely done.

"Old Hu, you've got it wrong. Sister Shishi and I are perfectly innocent." Before Liu Shishi could explain, Zhang Yang spoke up. "Here's what happened..."

He explained the whole story.

This had two advantages.

If Liu Shishi was sensible, she'd think he was considerate and like him more.

If she was a little conceited, she might think, Why are you so eager to deny we're together? Do you think I'm not good enough for you? Either way, he'd leave a lasting impression on her.

No matter which way it went, he had nothing to lose.

"Oh, I see." Hu Ge didn't seem entirely convinced. He held out a hand. "Then give me a pack, too. I'll try putting one in my shoe."

Zhang Yang: 6. That's so Old Hu.

Liu Shishi took out a large pack for Hu Ge, then smoothly changed the subject. "You haven't gone to see Sister K yet, have you?"

She'd only just gotten back from Cai Yinong's office. If Hu Ge had gone to see Cai Yinong, they wouldn't have finished talking so quickly.

"I was going to wash my hands first," Hu Ge said with a nod.

"Then go wash up. I'll put these away and come find you. There's something I want to discuss." Liu Shishi returned the bag to Zhang Yang, then opened the door and went into her lounge.

But as she was about to close the door, her eyes settled on Zhang Yang again. Her gaze shifted. "You come, too."

Zhang Yang had a feeling something good was about to happen, so he readily nodded. "As you command, Sister Shishi."

Liu Shishi rolled her beautiful eyes and shut the door.

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

"Old Hu!" Liu Shishi opened the lounge door again and showed half her face. "I haven't left yet!"

"Ah, shit!" Hu Ge jumped, then hurriedly dragged Zhang Yang into his own lounge.

"A'Yang, want something to drink?" Hu Ge asked, still smiling once they were inside.

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

They'd had the same teacher for their acting classes at Shanghai Theatre Academy. They were not only schoolmates, but also senior and junior disciples of the same teacher.

Besides, in 2006, Hu Ge had been in a car accident. If Zhang Yang, who'd had a vague premonition that something was wrong that night, hadn't told him to be sure to stay safe, Hu Ge and his assistant might have lost their lives. Instead, they'd only been injured and hospitalized.

While Hu Ge was in the hospital, his girlfriend at the time had to film three dramas and two variety shows. She'd also signed with the industry giant Huayi, so she had no time to look after him. Not long after he was discharged, she broke up with him.

Zhang Yang and Yuan Hong had taken turns looking after him in Hong Kong for several months, and had comforted and encouraged him.

That was why Zhang Yang held a special place in Hu Ge's heart.

"Longjing. It's a gift for you," Zhang Yang said, not standing on ceremony with Old Hu.

"You really know how not to lose out." Hu Ge fetched the tea and brewed Zhang Yang a cup. After chatting for a few minutes, he went to wash his hands.

He didn't come back until several minutes later, and found Zhang Yang chatting with Liu Shishi.

"Shi Shi, what did you want to talk to me about?" Hu Ge sat down on a separate sofa.

"Same old thing." Liu Shishi took a sip of warm water. "Sister K asked me to talk you into playing the male lead."

"Why are you still trying to talk me into it?" Hu Ge's handsome face instantly turned bitter. "I really don't want to do another costume drama. I said I'd play the second male lead because I wanted Sister K to back down. I thought she wouldn't let me play second fiddle to a newcomer, but I didn't expect her to agree."

"But if I really have to do it, I'd rather play the second male lead. At least it's a challenging role—someone who starts out righteous, then becomes a villain, walking the line between good and evil."

If he hadn't felt indebted to Tangren and owned shares in the company, Hu Ge might have picked a fight with Cai Yinong.

He was already at this stage in his career. He didn't want to be called an idol anymore.

"I knew you'd say that." Liu Shishi set down her teacup and glanced at Zhang Yang. "I didn't want to get involved, but seeing A'Yang gave me an idea."

Hu Ge froze, then looked at Zhang Yang, his eyes lighting up. "A'Yang, do you want the second male lead?"

Zhang Yang: "..."

You two make it seem like all those brain cells I killed last night were completely pointless!