Dual Male Lead Script

Last night, lying in bed, Zhang Yang had planned out his future.

His ten-year contract with Tangren had already lasted seven years, with three years left before it expired—right at the beginning of 2014.

2014 was a special year. The Returnees Quartet sparked a tidal wave of traffic, and the broadcast of Swords of Legends gave birth to a Traffic Pioneer. Internet giants entered the entertainment industry, causing actors' pay to skyrocket. It was fair to call that year the Year of Traffic.

Before the government issued the Salary Cap Order, even the pay of a minor star from a third- or fourth-tier city after 2014 was higher than what top stars had earned before. People even started using units of money like "one Shuang" and "a few small goals a year."

Zhang Yang planned to use the next three years to rise to the top tier. As a Tangren artist, he naturally set his sights first on the TV dramas produced by the company. He might as well make use of those resources, and ancient idol dramas were always good for an actor's career.

After his contract expired, he could earn more in a single year than he had in the previous ten combined—and with far less effort!

Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of Heaven was more than good enough. The second male lead, Yuwen Tuo/Sword Obsessed, was a dual role, and a good performance could make it an iconic part.

So, besides making use of the opportunity, he'd also considered calling in Hu Ge's favor and, if necessary, reminding him of what he owed.

At worst, once he became an investor, he could give Hu Ge a few roles in movies that were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

But he hadn't expected his plans to be completely unnecessary. They'd brought the role right to him.

Of course, that had something to do with him seizing the opportunity. If Liu Shishi hadn't spoken up, Hu Ge might not have thought of it.

"Are you talking about Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of Heaven?" Zhang Yang didn't agree right away. Instead, he asked first, playing it cool.

"Yeah. You must have heard about the internal audition, right?" Hu Ge asked.

"No." Zhang Yang shook his head.

Liu Shishi and Hu Ge exchanged a look, then Hu Ge asked, "You and Sister K still haven't made up?"

They all knew what had happened with Xu Changqing in Chinese Paladin 3, and both felt Cai Yinong had been in the wrong.

She shouldn't have promised him in the first place. Zhang Yang might have only dreamed about the role, but once she promised it, she gave him hope. He'd worked hard for it, only to be told at the last minute that someone else would play the part. Who wouldn't be angry?

Hu Ge had spoken to Cai Yinong about it at the time, but she'd brushed him off, saying she'd already signed Wallace Huo and couldn't break the contract.

Hu Ge had then suggested that Cai Yinong make it up to Zhang Yang by offering him another role. But Zhang Yang had been decisive enough to apply to Shanghai Theatre Academy, then used the school's rules as an excuse to turn down every assignment the company offered. He'd "blacklisted" himself.

In truth, he'd gone to build connections and improve himself.

That was also why, when production began on Xuan Yuan Sword: Scar of Heaven, Hu Ge hadn't thought of Zhang Yang.

"The last time I saw her was at the annual meeting," Zhang Yang replied. "She asked if I was interested in renewing my contract early. I turned her down."

At that, Hu Ge and Liu Shishi suddenly remembered that Zhang Yang's contract with the company had only a few years left, even though he was just twenty-one.

He'd studied at Shanghai Theatre Academy, where every teacher praised his acting and wanted to recruit him for the theater. His looks had also grown even more striking.

For a male actor, the next twenty years—or even his whole life—would be his prime.

No wonder Cai Yinong wanted him to renew early. If he didn't, she apparently hadn't considered giving him a role.

With Zhang Yang's qualities, wouldn't he leave Jiang Jinfu in the dust?

"Then how did you hear about this drama?" Liu Shishi asked, abruptly changing the subject.

"I have Jiang Jinfu to thank. He's my roommate. Last night..." Zhang Yang told them the truth.

Hu Ge and Liu Shishi listened patiently, both furrowing their brows almost imperceptibly.

As Zhang Yang's friends, they couldn't help disliking Jiang Jinfu's obvious boasting and showiness.

"The third male lead was decided ages ago. It's Lin Gengxin, and he's already signed the contract," Liu Shishi suddenly said. "Jiang Jinfu was there when it happened, too."

"Then he was definitely doing it on purpose." Hu Ge's dislike was even more evident.

The entertainment industry was a world of fame and fortune, full of all kinds of unsavory characters. Hu Ge had seen it all.

As Zhang Yang's friend, he was firmly on his side and couldn't bring himself to like what Jiang Jinfu had done.

"If you were willing to renew your contract, the male lead would definitely be yours," Hu Ge said.

"Don't. At least for now, I'm not interested in staying with Tangren," Zhang Yang said, waving a hand. "I'm not interested in fighting Jiang Jinfu for the male lead, either. But that second male lead you mentioned—if you really don't want to play him, could I take a look at the script?"

He needed to make sure it was the version he knew. The second male lead would outshine the male lead.

"Sure, take a look. If you want to play him, I'll talk to Sister K and get you the part."

Hu Ge went over to the bookcase, used a key he'd brought with him to unlock a box, and took out two thick scripts: the full script and the one for his character.

Zhang Yang reached out to take them and began reading intently, quickly skimming page after page.

He already knew the TV drama's plot. He only needed to compare the synopsis, ending, and character descriptions. There was no need to look closely at the dialogue yet.

Half an hour later, he closed the script and smiled at Hu Ge. "Playing two roles, one righteous and one villainous—that'll be quite a challenge."

"Exactly. That's why I said if I had to do another historical drama, I'd play the second male lead." Hu Ge smiled. "Because I was going to play him, they even added quite a few scenes for the second male lead. You could say this drama is a Buddy Film, but in China the villain can't be the male lead, so they made him the second male lead instead. If you play him, you'll be the one who benefits."

"You really don't want to do historical dramas anymore?" Zhang Yang caught the meaning behind Hu Ge's words.

"I don't want people saying I can only act in ancient idol dramas. I'm almost thirty, and I'm still seen as an idol star." Hu Ge nodded solemnly. "If I can help it, I don't want to do another one for the next five years."

Zhang Yang thought back and realized that, apart from Love in the Wind, Old Hu really hadn't done another historical drama in the next five years—until Nirvana in Fire made him fall for the genre all over again.

"Then give it to me. I want to play him." Zhang Yang didn't hesitate.

"Okay, wait here. I'll use you as an excuse to pass the buck." Hu Ge grinned, having come up with a brilliant idea.

"You've got a plan?" Liu Shishi asked curiously.

"You'll see when I pull it off." Hu Ge said that and started to head off to find Cai Yinong.

"Wait, I'll come with you." Liu Shishi stood up from the sofa.

She wanted to watch the drama unfold in person.

"Then I'll wait here and read the script some more." Zhang Yang raised a hand.

Hu Ge and Liu Shishi left together. They didn't return until half an hour later, both wearing serious expressions, with a hint of disappointment.

Zhang Yang put down the script and looked at them, a smile appearing on his face. "Old Hu, Sister Shishi, don't take this the wrong way."

"With acting that terrible, you really can only rely on your looks to pass as an idol star and barely maintain your status as actors."

Hu Ge: ?

Liu Shishi: "..."