Chapter 21: Lao Hu Was Meant to Be Betrayed

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“Fu Zai, don’t worry, I, your brother, will be completely honest with you.”
Jiang Jinfu: “...”
“Being on a film set is totally different from being at school. I’ll explain everything to you properly when the time comes.”
Jiang Jinfu: You’d better not say a word.
“Fu Zai, we can consider ourselves master and apprentice now. If we ever get a chance to appear on a variety show, we can use that as a topic.”
“If you end up doing better than me, I can ride your coattails and say I’m proud of my successful disciple.”
Jiang Jinfu: I’d rather die outside than become your apprentice.
“Brothers have to watch each other’s backs. When we get to the set, I’ve got your back.”
Jiang Jinfu: I want to stab you twice.
“Sister Shishi’s busy, so Zhaza can only learn from Old Hu. When the time comes, don’t let him outdo you. I want to beat Old Hu at teaching at least once.”
Jiang Jinfu: No, you’re definitely going to lose!

Under Zhang Yang’s constant boasting and assurances, Jiang Jinfu followed him back to the dormitory. If Zhang Yang’s words and tone hadn’t been so sincere, not at all like he was trying to brag or mess with his head, Jiang Jinfu thought he might not have been able to hold back and would have lashed out. But now, all he had was a belly full of frustration.

How could he win against Zhang Yang if he became his “apprentice”? He had to find a way to change this situation.

Lying in bed, Jiang Jinfu kept thinking until he unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

“Fu Zai, Fu Zai, Fu Zai...”

In his dream, he saw the scene of two major awards announcing that he had won Best Actor. Zhang Yang, sitting right behind him, kept clapping enthusiastically, then got up to hug him, showering him with compliments and saying how much he felt inferior.

A smile uncontrollably spread across Jiang Jinfu’s face, but then Zhang Yang’s annoying voice echoed in his ear.

He suddenly opened his eyes wide, bloodshot and glaring. Instinctively, he shouted, “Can’t you wait until I actually win Best Actor before waking me up!?”

As soon as he spoke, Jiang Jinfu locked eyes with Zhang Yang’s clear yet foolish gaze.

“You won Best Actor?” Zhang Yang teased, though his expression was serious. “Impressive, really impressive.”

Jiang Jinfu’s face instantly flushed bright red. If there were cracks in the floor, he would have wanted to crawl into one.

He wanted Zhang Yang’s admiration and compliments, just not like this.

“Speak! Why’d you wake me up so early?!” Jiang Jinfu gritted his teeth.

“Fu Zai, it’s not early anymore. Number two and number three have already gone to class.” Zhang Yang glanced at the time and said, “We talked last night while having a late-night snack. Today, I’m going to make a guest appearance on the set of ‘Masters Among Masters’ and I’ll take you and Zhaza along to check it out.”

Jiang Jinfu had been too upset last night to catch half of what was said.

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However, he did vaguely remember what Zhang Yang had mentioned.

He instinctively wanted to refuse but changed his mind after thinking it over: “Got it, I’m getting up now.”

Zhang Yang immediately wore an expression that said “you’re teachable.” “Fu Zai, my lessons start today.”

Jiang Jinfu wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but he knew Zhang Yang’s stubborn personality, so he didn’t bother.

As a fitness enthusiast, Jiang Jinfu was usually disciplined in daily life. Once he cleared his mind a bit, he got up, washed up, and went with Zhang Yang to have breakfast near the school.

After eating, Zhang Yang called Zhaza and learned that she was already in a taxi, about ten minutes away.

“Have you eaten breakfast?” Zhang Yang asked.

“Not yet,” Zhaza answered honestly, rubbing her stomach.

“Can you eat pork?” Zhang Yang asked again.

“I’m not religious,” Zhaza replied, meaning she had no dietary restrictions.

“We have really good pan-fried buns near the school. Want to try some?” Zhang Yang continued.

“Thanks, senior brother,” Zhaza said without any formality.

She had looked up online last night; small gestures like this were acceptable and could be repaid later. It was a good way to build rapport.

“Milk or soy milk?” Zhang Yang asked next.

Zhaza chose milk in the end.

Zhang Yang hung up and told Jiang Jinfu, “Fu Zai, it’s your time to shine.”

Jiang Jinfu: “...”

He didn’t say anything but obediently bought breakfast like a workplace bullied rookie.

A few minutes later, Zhaza got out of the taxi. Her delicate features, set against her snow-white skin, gave her an almost ethereal appearance. Her slender, well-shaped figure instantly became the highlight on the street.

Zhaza was used to the attention and remained calm inside.

She scanned around and quickly spotted the equally striking Zhang Yang.

They met at a nearby intersection. Zhang Yang handed her the breakfast and said, “The company car will be here soon. Eat on the way.”

“Okay, senior brother,” Zhaza smiled, behaving modestly.

“This breakfast was bought by Jinfu. I heard you met him on the day you signed your contract,” Zhang Yang steered the conversation towards Jiang Jinfu, and the three chatted amiably.

Many passersby glanced at them repeatedly, occasionally whispering comments.

“That girl is so beautiful. Is she from a minority ethnic group?”

“The guy in black standing next to her isn’t any less impressive.”

“Probably a student from the neighboring performance department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy.”

“I’ve been running a shop here for thirteen years and have seen many Shanghai Theatre Academy students. These two rank top in looks.”

“...”

Zhang Yang and Zhaza instinctively tuned out the passing remarks.

Jiang Jinfu’s inner voice: Ignore and find peace.

A few minutes later, a business van pulled up in front of the three.

It was one of Tangren Company’s official vehicles, usually used for pickups and drop-offs.

Zhang Yang wasn’t yet famous enough to have a personal car, and the two newcomers, Zhaza and Jiang Jinfu, definitely weren’t. But requesting a company vehicle was easy enough.

The filming location for “Masters Among Masters” was in Jinling. The three needed to travel there by car.

More than two hours later, the car stopped in the underground parking lot of a certain building. Throughout the trip, Zhang Yang led the conversation, and the three gradually grew familiar with one another.

At the elevator entrance in the parking lot, crew members were waiting. The production team had rented a floor in the building for filming, with half of today’s scenes shot there.

The entire drama was nearing the end of filming, so the atmosphere on set was relaxed.

When Zhang Yang brought Zhaza and Jiang Jinfu to find Hu Ge, they saw him being playfully ambushed by Tang Yan and Qi Wei. The actor playing the male second lead, Qiu Ze, wasn’t around, and the female second lead, Dong Xuan, was getting her makeup touched up.

“Old Hu, Sister Tang, Brother Qi.”

Zhang Yang greeted as he approached with Jiang Jinfu and Zhaza.

From the way he addressed them, it was clear he was acquainted with all three.

He met Tang Yan while filming “Chinese Paladin 3” and met Qi Wei through Tang Yan, who introduced him to be the male lead in a music video she was shooting.

“Ah Yang, long time no see,” Tang Yan and Qi Wei smiled upon hearing the voice and looked over at Zhang Yang.

Hu Ge seized the opportunity, slipping behind Zhang Yang from the back of the sofa. “Ah Yang, you’re just in time.”

“Tang Tang and Brother Qi outnumber me. Two fists can’t beat four hands. Help me take back the territory.”

Hearing this, Tang Yan and Qi Wei said nothing, crossing their arms and silently watching Zhang Yang with half-smiling expressions.

Without hesitation, Zhang Yang turned and hugged Hu Ge, then said to the two women, “Sister Tang, Brother Qi, I’ll always be your most loyal little brother. Old Hu, I’ve got your back. Do whatever you want with me!”

Hu Ge: ?

Is “Do whatever you want with me” used like this?

Many around them: “...”

Jiang Jinfu: Learned something new.

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