Chapter 2: You Must Be the Male Lead

"Reborn with a cheat code?" Zhang Yang felt a surge of amusement. "Now this is the proper way to conquer the entertainment industry."

It was currently 2011. His ten-year contract with Tangren Media still had a little over two years left, which meant it would expire right at the beginning of 2014.

The year 2014 was a highly unique turning point. Smartphones began their massive wave of popularization, and internet giants entered the entertainment industry, causing celebrity salaries to skyrocket. The era of internet traffic and idol fandoms was unleashed. The "Four Returning Sons" sparked a frenzy of hype, and the broadcast of *Swords of Legends* birthed the very first traffic icon.

Before the government implemented salary caps, starting from 2014, even minor, third- or fourth-tier starlets earned more per role than today's A-listers. Eventually, bizarre units of measurement emerged, like "one Shuang" or "a few small fortunes a year," to quantify these astronomical earnings.

If he could use these next three years to rise to the status of an A-list, top-tier star, he would easily make more money than he could have earned in the entire past decade combined.

Therefore, making money was not his primary goal right now; achieving fame was.

Of course, he also had to figure out a way to resolve his contract as soon as possible and regain his freedom.

Just as he was pondering how to leverage Tangren's resources to get famous while seeking a way out of his contract, his cheat code arrived.

"Let's see what we have here," Zhang Yang thought, opening the jade scroll in his mind.

On the very first page, a line of large characters was written: *Consume Role Points to predict entertainment-related opportunities within the next twenty-four hours. Securing these opportunities awards Opportunity Points.*

In the bottom right corner of the jade scroll, Zhang Yang saw his currently available Role Points: 10 (Wang Xiaohu, Yang Yanhui, Yin Zhiping, He Biping...).

*Method of acquiring Role Points: Play a character in a film or television series who possesses a certain amount of destiny. Upon the work's broadcast, if the performance receives a certain level of recognition, one to three points will be awarded.*

"Hmm?"

"That's actually a pretty high bar," Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

To his understanding, a "character with destiny" meant at least a supporting role—someone with a name, a background, and a memorable presence in the story.

From an efficiency standpoint, playing minor supporting roles with little screen time seemed more conducive to farming Role Points than playing leads. In reality, however, it didn't work that way.

Playing supporting roles meant you weren't famous enough, and without fame, you had no say on set. Your schedule was entirely at the mercy of the production crew. Often, because the shooting schedule was so scattered, you still had to remain with the crew from the first day of filming until the wrap.

As for playing supporting roles after becoming famous, that would make you a charity case—a fool in the eyes of investors, wasting your commercial value.

On the contrary, playing a lead role well and gaining widespread recognition not only brought success but also secured three Role Points. It was by far the most cost-effective option.

"Opportunities... I wonder how they are presented." Letting his thoughts settle, Zhang Yang prepared to test it out.

Just then, his phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Jiang Jinfu.

Jiang was a fellow classmate from the Class of 2009 in the Acting Department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and they shared the same dorm room.

Being the oldest by age, the other three roommates all called him "Brother Yang."

There were two other guys in the dorm: the second oldest was Zhang Bohan, and the third was Zhang Zhe.

With three Zhangs in a single dorm, their classmates often joked that they shouldn't bully the youngest, Jiang Jinfu. In truth, however, Jiang was the least likely to take things lying down, and he had a fiery temper.

Earlier that afternoon, Jiang Jinfu had lost his temper during a basketball game. He shot the ball with way too much force after getting fouled, and the ball flew straight into Zhang Yang's head.

"Hello," Zhang Yang answered.

"Brother Yang, are you feeling any better?" Jiang Jinfu's tone carried genuine concern.

Zhang Yang rubbed his head and laughed. "Fuzai, I feel like I've got a concussion. You owe me at least ten barbecue dinners to make up for this."

Realizing immediately that Zhang Yang was fine, Jiang Jinfu gave a sheepish laugh. "Brother Yang, you're really demanding a king's ransom. How bad could it be from a ball flying that far?"

Hearing this, before Zhang Yang could even reply, the other two "Zhangs" who were eavesdropping next to Jiang Jinfu chimed in with mock indignation, insisting that the blow had been no joke.

Whether they were genuinely standing up for Zhang Yang or just using the excuse to hustle Jiang Jinfu for a late-night snack was something only they knew.

After a brief argument, Jiang Jinfu helplessly compromised. "Ten meals is out of the question, but I do have some good news to share tonight. I can treat you guys to a round of drinks and food."

The other two immediately clamored that one meal wasn't enough, but Zhang Yang cut in, "Alright, tonight's late-night snack is on Brother Jinfu."

*Brother Jinfu?*

For some reason, Jiang Jinfu felt the nickname sounded slightly grating. Was it because it came from Zhang Yang?

"Let's grab some food first."

He tucked the blanket over Zhao Qi.

Considering they were heading out for a late-night snack soon, Zhang Yang was in no rush to test out the opportunities.

Half an hour later, the four of them were clinking glasses in a barbecue joint.

After a few drinks, Jiang Jinfu's face flushed slightly, and he took the initiative to speak. "I've signed with an entertainment agency."

All three of them looked at him. Except for Zhang Yang, they were all curious to know which company he had signed with.

"The same as Brother Yang—Tangren." Jiang Jinfu raised his glass to Zhang Yang. "From now on, you're my senior. You have to look out for me."

"What could I possibly look out for you for?" Zhang Yang didn't fall for it, clinking his glass with Jiang Jinfu with a smile. "Senior Hu Ge, Senior Lin Gengxin, and Senior Yuan Hong are all at Tangren. You should look to them."

Since Jiang Jinfu had signed with Tangren, it must have been because Karen Tsai promised him the male lead in *Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky*, and had even written this condition into his contract.

If Zhang Yang made grand promises now, he would only end up eating his words later.

"I'm just a newcomer after all, and there's a lot I don't understand." Jiang Jinfu downed his drink in one gulp. "Actually, I'm under a lot of pressure. When Sister K signed me, she promised to let me play the male lead in a drama. The female lead is Liu Shishi, the second female lead is Tang Yan, and the third female lead is Gulinaza, the 'Most Beautiful Art Exam Candidate' from the Beijing Film Academy who went viral earlier this year."

*Hiss!*

Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe gasped in surprise.

Liu Shishi, Tang Yan, and Yang Mi were known as the "Three Beauties of Chinese Paladin."

Earlier this year, Yang Mi and Tang Yan had shot to A-list stardom through *Palace: The Lock Heart Jade* and *My Daughter* respectively.

Although Liu Shishi was slightly behind them, she was still among the most popular of the B-list stars. Her upcoming drama, *Scarlet Heart*, was rumored to have the potential to be a massive hit. It might very well propel her to the A-list by the time it aired, while the drama Jiang Jinfu was starring in would likely still be filming.

Once his drama aired, it would feature two A-list actresses. He had a golden opportunity to skyrocket to fame overnight, just like Hu Ge did when he starred in *Chinese Paladin 1*.

At this thought, the way Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe looked at him changed, and all kinds of flattering words poured from their mouths.

Translated, their words meant: *If you strike it rich, don't forget us.*

If their brother became famous in the future, he shouldn't forget to give them a leg up.

The two of them even scrambled to pay for the bill.

Yet Zhang Yang merely watched the spectacle with calm composure, seemingly entirely unbothered.

This was not the reaction Jiang Jinfu had anticipated. He quickly changed the subject. "Brother Yang, when I was signing, I mentioned you to Sister K. I suggested you play the second male lead. Since we know each other well, and the professors all agree you have great acting skills, you could guide me a bit. We could fight side-by-side as brothers."

"But Sister K said the second male lead is reserved for Senior Hu Ge, so my suggestion didn't carry any weight."

"Right now, I'm trying my best to get you the role of the third male lead, Zhang Lie."

Hearing this, Zhang Bohan and Zhang Zhe looked at Zhang Yang with envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

Zhang Yang was currently the widely acknowledged campus heartthrob of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, even ranking tenth on the academy's all-time list of handsome faces, where the top nine were all established celebrities.

On top of that, he was backed by Tangren, had his acting skills validated by his professors, and served as the vice president of the student union. He was a true campus celebrity.

They could fully understand why Jiang Jinfu wanted to give Zhang Yang a hand. However, what shocked them even more was that Hu Ge was playing the second male lead to support Jiang Jinfu.

Was this guy Karen Tsai's illegitimate son or something?

"Thanks for looking out for me, Fuzai," Zhang Yang said, raising his glass once more.

Seeing his indifferent reaction, Jiang Jinfu felt a pang of frustration.

He didn't have any real grudge against Zhang Yang; he was just annoyed that he was always overshadowed by him in everything. He wanted to win just once!

Yet, how could Zhang Yang remain so calm?

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang was doing his own calculations: *Jinfu absolutely must play the male lead.*

*But how can I get the role of the second male lead?*

*I'll have to find a way to expand the role.*