Trying Too Hard

As she spoke, Tian Chuxi took a picture, intending to post it after she left.

"Chairman Zhang, your businesses are quite diversified. I think I've seen this store in other places before. You must have opened quite a few, right?" she asked curiously.

"Seventy companies so far, it's just small-scale operation," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Tian Chuxi remained silent, curiously checking the information before looking up in surprise, "This industry alone can earn you a hundred million a year?"

"Almost?" Zhang Yang wasn't surprised that Tian Chuxi was able to find out.

It's not exactly a secret that some economic news outlets have used Soup King Hotpot as an example when discussing the hotpot industry.

"Oh no, I'm thinking of starting my own business. Wouldn't it be better than working myself to death every year for a pittance and not being free at all?" Tian Chuxi's eyes were full of envy, and she was even a little eager to try.

"You shouldn't be earning less, right?" Zhang Yang asked in surprise.

After all, it's common knowledge that celebrities make money quickly.

"There are quite a few, but my commercial endorsements are still relatively weak. Also, I run my own studio now, and the expenses are high. It's like... I'm busy running around all year, and I don't earn as much as you do from just one of your businesses," Tian Chuxi sighed.

"And you're so free and easy, without any restraint."

"You just think I'm carefree." Zhang Yang blinked, not elaborating.

In reality, he is indeed very carefree, but there's no need for him to portray himself as a hands-off manager in front of others.

"It's not just my opinion, it's that there's a light in your eyes." Tian Chuxi rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Zhang Yang for a moment. "People who are constantly busy with trivial matters won't have eyes as clear as yours."

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.

Tian Chuxi quickly lowered her head to avoid being recognized.

In no time, all the dishes were prepared and served, and the pot was boiling vigorously.

The two sat facing each other, enjoying hot pot while chatting.

Zhang Yang also gained a better understanding of Tian Chuxi.

Celebrities are living, breathing people too. They only cultivate various images in public for a reason, but in private, they are no different from ordinary people.

For example, Zhang Yang discovered that Tian Chuxi was quite talkative and had a lot of ideas.

"If you ever need money for any new projects, feel free to contact me. I can definitely invest tens of millions in you." Zhang Yang cooked some tripe, coated it with sauce, and enjoyed the crisp texture in his mouth.

"That's so good?" Tian Chuxi looked up in surprise.

"It's a give-and-take, just like you said, let's be friends." Zhang Yang stretched out his hand on the table.

Tian Chuxi instinctively wanted to reach out as well, but then she realized what she was doing and pulled back.

"I'm not shaking your hand anymore. I've noticed you're pushing your luck."

"You don't trust me?" Zhang Yang didn't retract his hand. "How about you give me a chance to save face?"

"Get lost!" Tian Chuxi scolded playfully, lightly slapping Zhang Yang's hand.

The two of them leisurely ate their hot pot meal until eight o'clock.

"It's time to go back." Tian Chuxi lowered her head to put on her mask.

"Not going shopping anymore?" Zhang Yang asked.

"No, there are too many people. It's better to be careful." She seemed to notice Zhang Yang's gaze, blushed, and said, "I've already explained to you, I really don't take myself too seriously. It's just that I've learned from past mistakes, and they've scared me."

"I understand, come with me." Zhang Yang stood up, grabbed his coat, and went to pay the bill.

"Does the boss have to pay the bill for a meal?" Tian Chuxi joked instinctively.

"One thing at a time."

··

Night fell, Phantom appeared on the road to the InterContinental Garden Hotel.

Because the later web series was filmed in hotels, Tian Chuxi stayed at the InterContinental Garden Hotel in Hangzhou.

"We're here. Let me see you off," Zhang Yang said as he got out of the car.

"No, we're already at the hotel. Can't I walk by myself?" Tian Chuxi shook her head with a light laugh, as if she could see through Zhang Yang's thoughts.

Zhang Yang didn't explain anything and naturally walked alongside Tian Chuxi.

And naturally, he put his arm around her waist.

Tian Chuxi took two symbolic shots, but finding them fruitless, she simply gave up helplessly.

Zhang Yang, taking advantage of the situation, gently slid his hand down from his waist.

"Zhang Yang!" Tian Chuxi exclaimed, glaring at Zhang Yang with her beautiful eyes before decisively creating distance. "Where are you touching? That's going too far!"

"Sorry, your waist is too slippery," Zhang Yang said casually. "Then I won't see you off. Goodnight?"

"I hope you have nightmares tonight, nightmares of spending the night with a 300-pound beauty." Tian Chuxi said angrily, looked around, and then strode towards the elevator.

Zhang Yang stood there, watching Tian Chuxi's figure disappear into the distance.

"Chairman Zhang," a voice cautiously spoke from the side.

Zhang Yang glanced to the side and saw Qu Shanshan, the former lobby manager and current front office manager whom he had personally promoted.

"Chairman Zhang, was that... Miss Tian?" Qu Shanshan, dressed in her work uniform, asked with curiosity.

Because she had just witnessed her boss flirting with a popular young actress?

"Mind your own business, huh? Want something in your life?" Zhang Yang glanced at Qu Shanshan, and without thinking much of it, blurted out the words.

Instantly, Qu Shanshan's face turned bright red, and her eyes became hesitant and uncertain.

Zhang Yang glanced at her, then looked at the faint expectation in her eyes, and immediately understood. It seemed that Qu Shanshan, whom he had promoted, wanted to repay him for her work again.

So be it.

"Come to my room later, and give me a proper report on your work."

"Okay," Qu Shanshan replied in a soft, almost inaudible voice.

That evening, naturally, there was another report. Having been away for so long, Qu Shanshan kept talking non-stop, saying many things that needed to be reported.

Zhang Yang listened and nodded, offering his own insights based on his experience.

Qu Shanshan naturally benefited greatly.

The next day, all preparations for the web series were complete, and filming was about to begin.

The filming was kept confidential, and the hotel cooperated by not opening the location to the public.

Everything is ready, except for the east wind.

The opening ceremony was kept simple, but the necessary procedures were still followed.

As a layman, Zhang Yang was participating in the filming of a web series for the first time, so naturally everything was new and exciting.

Before filming began, the director talked to him about common sense.

For example, where to look, how to present yourself in the camera, and the angle, etc.

"Chairman Zhang, you can just play yourself in everything else." The director had a lot of confidence in Zhang Yang.

These days, there are countless celebrities who rely solely on their looks and have no acting skills, but this person in front of us not only has top-notch looks and figure, but also doesn't need to worry about acting skills.

Because Chairman Zhang doesn't need to act at all; he just needs to be himself.

Zhang Yang was naturally aware of all of this.

Filming has begun for his scenes.

··

In the huge suite, Zhang Yang, dressed in a formal suit, turned his profile toward the camera and looked out the window.

On the monitor, his profile was strikingly handsome, with thin lips, a straight nose, and unparalleled good looks, as if a novel's protagonist had stepped into reality.

A group of staff members, both men and women, gathered behind the monitor, and they all gasped in amazement as they watched the scene unfold before them.

This scene is the first appearance of the male supporting character, played by Zhang Yang.

The purpose of this scene is to fully showcase the male supporting character's temperament and appearance, giving the audience a first impression of him. For Zhang Yang, it simply means being as handsome as possible.

Showing off is something only children do, and Zhang Yang certainly wouldn't do that.

He naturally followed the director's instructions, turned sideways, stood at the correct angle, and looked into the distance, deliberately striking a pose as if he were deep in thought.

In reality, his thoughts were wandering, sometimes reminiscing about last night, sometimes thinking about the softness of Tian Chuxi's waist. His eyes were not so much deep as they were scattered and unfocused, as if he was daydreaming.

"Card!"

The noise from the sidelines brought him back to his senses.

He looked around blankly. Was the first scene already over? Had he been daydreaming just now?

"Chairman Zhang, your performance was perfect." The director led the applause.

"Is this what you call... perfect?" Zhang Yang muttered to himself as he went to meet them, thinking, "So, filming isn't that difficult, is it?"

Filming is certainly not that simple.

However, as mentioned earlier, Zhang Yang only needs to play himself, coupled with his own physical attributes and solid skills, and everything will fall into place naturally.

As for his acting skills? Who cares!

As for his scenes with Tian Chuxi...

This day:

"No, do you have to react like that? You changed the script, didn't you? We had physical contact, isn't that normal?" After the scene ended, Zhang Yang caught up with Tian Chuxi, who was walking quickly, and said with a smile.

"It's good that we've had contact, but aren't you getting a little too... into it?" Tian Chuxi said, feigning indifference.

He's obviously angry.

Zhang Yang muttered to himself...

Could it be that I really went too far just now...? Was my action, or the action in our scene, too intense?

"Isn't getting into character what actors are supposed to do?" he said.

"You still say that... Go see the director yourself." Tian Chuxi touched her burning face and ran away as if fleeing.

Puzzled, Zhang Yang turned and walked back to the film set.

Huh?

Why are there so many people around the monitor? Is it really that interesting?

"Chairman Zhang, you're amazing!"

"Chairman Zhang, this is the one!"

Several staff members gave Zhang Yang a thumbs up.

The crowd dispersed, and Zhang Yang saw the replay of the scene he had just filmed.

"Hiss... Did I just make that much of a move?"

He was slightly taken aback, looking at himself in the picture, and at Tian Chuxi in his arms, her eyes closed, her eyelashes fluttering, and her cheeks flushed.

Now I understand what it means to overdo it.

Looking around at the strange or envious gazes, Zhang Yang's face turned red, and he realized for the first time that something was amiss.

It seems I really did go a bit too far just now.

However, considering he had important matters to attend to today, Zhang Yang didn't have time to explain further and had to leave first.

Today is Xiang Xiaotian's birthday, and he promised her.

Junlan Hotel, West Lake:

When Zhang Yang arrived, the group of Magic City Car Club had already been there for quite some time.

Inside a banquet hall, the birthday party was beautifully decorated with meticulous attention to detail.

On the long table, gifts of all sizes were piled up like a small mountain.

Zhang Yang had already given a gift before, so he couldn't come empty-handed this time. However, even if he brought something else, it couldn't be as expensive as the last gift, so he simply brought a bouquet of flowers to express his feelings.

"Brother Zhang! Brother Zhang, over here!"

In the distance, Su Jiajun and his group saw Zhang Yang and waved high.

Zhang Yang walked over with a smile and casually placed the bouquet on the gift table.

"As expected, it has to be Brother Zhang. We went to great lengths to send a bunch of gifts, but it can't compare to a bouquet of flowers you casually offer." Jin Yanchao couldn't help but joke when he saw this.

"What do you mean? Are you implying I'm stingy?" Zhang Yang laughed and casually punched Jin Yanchao in the chest.

That's just a tiny bit of strength.

Instantly, Jin Yanchao clutched his chest, staggered backward, and nearly fainted.

"Brother, I was just joking."

The crowd burst into laughter, all thinking that Jin Yanchao was faking it.

"Are you made of paper or something? Zhang Ge just touched you, do you have to react so strongly?"

"The acting was terrible, zero points."

Not far away, a figure jogged over amidst a crowd; it was Xiang Xiaotian.

Xiang Xiaotian skin and a beautiful face. She is wearing a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace worth 4.8 million yuan and a pair of small Van Cleef & Arpels earrings worth 200,000 yuan.

Under the lights, she was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding the noble air of a wealthy heiress.

"Brother Zhang, you're here!"

She rushed over and gave Zhang Yang a warm hug.

A knowing smile immediately filled the air around them.

"There are so many people, can you be careful?" Zhang Yang patted Xiang Xiaotian's slender waist.

If there hadn't been so many people around, he even doubted Xiang Xiaotian would have just kissed him.

"No way... Today is my day, I'm the birthday boy, you have to listen to me." Xiang Xiaotian's eyes sparkled with tenderness as she hugged Zhang Yang tightly.

After a while, Xiang Xiaotian, her face flushed, let go of his hand and exchanged pleasantries with everyone.

"Huh? Jin Yanchao, what's wrong with you like this?"

Soon, she noticed Jin Yanchao, who was clutching his chest and coughing incessantly.

Su Jiajun stepped forward with a smile and explained the whole story.

"That's why I said this kid is such a show-off, he's not like a real man at all."

"What? Jin Yanchao would joke like that?" Xiang Xiaotian was speechless. "Who said Brother Zhang only gave me flowers? The one I'm wearing around my neck, and all of these, were given to me by Brother Zhang in advance. Of course, even if Brother Zhang only gave me flowers, I would still be very happy!"

Everyone looked at the sparkling diamonds around Xiang Xiaotian's neck, almost blinded by the countless tiny diamonds.

Amidst the hushed discussion, the price naturally and quickly came to light.

"Four million eight hundred thousand, and two hundred thousand left?"

"My brother Zhang gave Xiao Tian a birthday gift worth five million?"

"Oh no, I suddenly feel embarrassed to even show my gift. Brother Zhang is awesome!"

Everyone was stunned, utterly convinced.

What kind of wealth is this?! Five million! Just for a birthday gift, he spends five million.

Who can match this level of skill?!

A group of wealthy first-generation and second-generation members of the car club couldn't help but gather around, showering the area with compliments, their eyes filled with utter admiration.

The entire hall was packed with people and bustling with activity.