Chapter 10: The Zhangs Draw Inferences

"Alright, alright, alright."

"I know you two aren't dating, so have mercy! Please, let me off the hook!"

Inside Hu Ge's private lounge, he found himself under the joint sanctions of Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi. Some teasing is not meant to be spoken lightly; it is all too easy to invite trouble upon oneself.

"Old Hu, you really are asking for a beating." Liu Shishi pretended to brandish a fist. A faint smile graced her slightly understated yet beautiful face, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley. She did not give off the vibe of a "little spicy pepper"; instead, she exuded a sense of tranquil elegance that one would be loath to disturb.

"You know, I don't date men younger than me," Liu Shishi suddenly added, though her tone sounded as if she were emphasizing it for someone specific to hear.

Zhang Yang swept a glance at her, his expression unreadable, thinking to himself, *One day, you'll eat your words.*

A smile appeared on his handsome, refined face as he echoed her sentiment, following her lead: "Old Hu, even though I do like older sisters—after all, a woman three years older is like a golden brick—I could never make a move on someone I'm too close with."

Liu Shishi turned to look at Zhang Yang, her brow knitting slightly. Whether it was her imagination or not, she always felt there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

Before she could dwell on it, Hu Ge’s laughter, tinged with mock disdain, rang out: "Do you think I don't know you two?"

"Both of you are lifelong singles with zero dating experience, yet you're here telling me you don't like this or you do like that? Don't you find that hilarious?"

Zhang Yang: "..."

*Very well. You have chosen the path of destruction.*

He didn't actually feel embarrassed or ashamed by Hu Ge’s jab. Before his rebirth, he had been with far more beauties than any of the actresses Hu Ge had worked with. Having been deeply scarred by his parents' divorce, he had become a staunch advocate of remaining unmarried, naturally doing whatever he pleased.

However, while he didn't care, the thin-skinned Liu Shishi certainly did.

"You're done for!"

Liu Shishi grabbed the script Zhang Yang had left on the side and began to chase Hu Ge.

Zhang Yang watched the spectacle for a moment before chiming in at the right time to mediate: "Sister Shishi, Old Hu has a thick skin; what good will hitting him do?"

"Make him treat us to a fancy meal. Only then will the cost make his heart ache."

Liu Shishi stopped in her tracks and gave Zhang Yang a thumbs-up. "That's a good idea. What do you say?"

The latter half of the sentence was naturally directed at Hu Ge.

"How could I possibly object?" Hu Ge, being the joker he was, put on a terrified face and whined, "Sister, you decide."

Liu Shishi didn't stand on ceremony and chose a nearby Western restaurant she often frequented with friends. It wasn't exactly cheap, but for A-list stars with high earning potential, it was nothing.

The three of them set off together, Hu Ge and Liu Shishi fully disguised, terrified of being recognized.

In the elevator, Zhang Yang looked at the two of them, his gaze suddenly drifting. Hu Ge happened to notice his expression and clearly misunderstood, saying, "Yang, don't just look at how famous we are and the success we've reaped; we've lost our freedom. If we want to travel or go on vacation, we have to go abroad."

Zhang Yang: "..."

*Is he trying to humble-brag to me?*

"If you want freedom, you can quit the industry," Liu Shishi retorted lightly, then turned to Zhang Yang with a gentle tone: "Yang, don't envy Old Hu. Your potential is better than his. If you star in a few more lead roles, you'll surely be more famous than he is."

Liu Shishi's words weren't purely consolation. Previously, Zhang Yang might have been too young and hadn't quite grown into his features—he was handsome but raw, lacking the distinct characteristics or advantages of other heartthrobs in the industry. But now, he wasn't just striking at first glance; he possessed a unique temperament and the kind of long-lasting appeal that made him look better the more one looked at him. This was the classic case of someone blessed by the heavens, needing only the right opportunity. Furthermore, Zhang Yang possessed genuine professional talent.

"I'll take your auspicious words to heart, Sister Shishi." Zhang Yang smiled in acceptance, then adopted an arrogant air toward Old Hu: "Old Hu, Sister Shishi's judgment is never wrong. There will come a time when you’ll be begging for my help."

"You're quite cocky for a junior, aren't you?" Hu Ge walked over to Zhang Yang and suddenly grabbed his hand: "Brother here will be counting on you from now on."

Liu Shishi: ?

"Then I certainly won't hold back on lunch," Zhang Yang said, looking quite pleased with himself: "Little Hu, I'll definitely look out for you when the time comes."

"Many thanks, Brother Yang. Brother Yang is mighty," Hu Ge flattered him.

The two then exchanged a look and burst into devious laughter, as if they had just concluded some sort of shady deal.

Liu Shishi: "..."

*Men really are a bizarre species.*

Still, she felt a twinge of envy for that kind of brotherhood. Her own circle of "besties" didn't seem nearly as reliable.

Not long after, the three arrived at the restaurant and sat in a private booth. Hu Ge waved his hand grandly, telling them to order whatever they wanted.

Although Zhang Yang and Liu Shishi joked around quite a bit, they didn't actually take advantage of Hu Ge; they only ordered steaks, vegetable salads, and drinks, with Zhang Yang adding a portion of pasta. Hu Ge tried to order some red wine, but the two found excuses to decline.

Halfway through the meal, Hu Ge received a call from his manager and left after offering an apologetic explanation.

Although Liu Shishi and Zhang Yang were quite familiar with each other, this was the first time they were dining alone, and the former was clearly a bit uneasy. Zhang Yang, however, felt perfectly fine; he had the leisure to enjoy the view of the beauty while also noticing her discomfort.

He understood women. He knew that if he didn't leave a good impression during this private moment, there might not be a second chance. But if it went well, Liu Shishi might even take the initiative to ask him out to dinner in the future.

This was like making love—there’s only zero, once, and countless times.

"Sister Shishi, I heard Uncle Long is your idol. When you worked with him on *Scarlet Heart*, did it feel like a dream come true?" Zhang Yang initiated the conversation.

"Uncle Long?" Liu Shishi didn't react at first, but after a long moment, she chuckled. Her eyes shimmered with light, and she covered her mouth, asking, "You mean Nicky Wu?"

"That's right," Zhang Yang nodded. "Your childhood idol, and you got to work with him on *Scarlet Heart*. Isn't he the only one?"

"You certainly know your facts," Liu Shishi said, resting her chin on one hand while stirring her coffee with the other. "But shouldn't you be calling him Brother Long?"

Back when they were on the set of *Scarlet Heart*, everyone else called Nicky Wu either "Brother Long" or "Teacher Nicky Wu," and she had gotten used to it.

"Brother Long?" Zhang Yang looked conflicted. "He's older than me by exactly my age. Wouldn't it be a bit awkward to call him 'Brother'? It would sound like I’m trying to climb the social ladder."

Liu Shishi: "..."

Nicky Wu was born in 1970, and Zhang Yang was born in 1990; it was currently 2011. He was indeed older than him by exactly his own age.

"You do have a way with descriptions," Liu Shishi said, successfully amused, her hand pausing in mid-air. "As for the feeling of a dream coming true, not really. I'm not exactly a die-hard fan of Nicky Wu himself; I just happen to like a few of the characters he's played."

"Understood," Zhang Yang feigned realization. "Just like how I like Long Kui and Mu Nianci, but I only feel respect for Sister Shishi."

Liu Shishi: "...Respect?"

*You certainly know how to draw analogies!*