Chapter 24: Naza: Listen to Me Say Thank You

“What did you say?”

At the Tangren Company in the Magic City, Cai Yinong, who was about to head home, sat back down in her chair, her brows furrowed deeply.

Just as Zhang Yang had suspected, she had already made a decision last night: to assign Naza to follow Hu Ge for learning and had even contacted Tang Yan to keep an eye on things.

As for Jiang Jinfu, naturally, she arranged for him to stay by Zhang Yang’s side. The reasons Zhang Yang had given last night seemed sound to Cai Yinong.

But she hadn’t expected Jiang Jinfu to take the initiative to reach out, saying he wanted to learn from Hu Ge.

“Sister K, I want to learn from Senior Brother Hu Ge.”

Speaking again, Jiang Jinfu’s heart had calmed considerably; he felt this wasn’t difficult to explain.

“I haven’t decided who you’ll follow yet,” Cai Yinong said instinctively, picking up a pen and doodling absentmindedly on paper, her eyes shifting. “Last night, I asked you to come to the company, but you didn’t show up because of the drama club. I only saw Naza and Zhang Yang.”

“After talking it over, I do lean more toward Zhang Yang’s suggestion to have you learn from him. Can you tell me why you don’t want to follow him?”

Cai Yinong was, after all, a businesswoman skilled in the art of persuasion.

She first put Jiang Jinfu at ease with her words, then subtly shifted responsibility onto him and Naza, finally presenting a seemingly democratic question.

But it was like throwing a wink at a blind man—Jiang Jinfu was a rather impatient person who hadn’t thought that deeply. He asked directly, “Sister K, what exactly did Brother Yang say last night?”

Cai Yinong paused her hand movements and replied calmly, “I arranged for you and Naza to learn from him to get familiar with each other before filming ‘Xuanyuan Sword,’ but he said…”

She recounted Zhang Yang’s words from last night plainly, without embellishment or exaggeration, as there was no need.

“Considering familiarity, relationship, and many other factors, Zhang Yang chose you without hesitation.”

“I think what he said makes sense.”

Her tone grew firmer toward the end, subtly implying to Jiang Jinfu that the current arrangement was good and he shouldn’t make unnecessary fuss.

Jiang Jinfu was speechless.

He truly hadn’t expected Zhang Yang to proactively choose him and give so many valid reasons.

Reflecting on what Zhang Yang had said to him yesterday and tonight, his words were indeed heartfelt.

This leader, whether out of arrogance or confidence, really treated him like a younger brother.

He felt warmed but also more at a loss.

“Sister K, I don’t care who Naza follows, but I must follow Senior Brother Hu Ge,” Jiang Jinfu said with unwavering determination.

“Why?” Cai Yinong’s tone stiffened.

She had made herself clear, so why was he still so stubborn?

“I want to improve so badly!” Jiang Jinfu responded.

Cai Yinong was puzzled. What did that have to do with improvement?

“Sister K, do you know how Brother Yang performs at school?” Jiang Jinfu suddenly asked.

“I’ve heard about it,” Cai Yinong replied instinctively.

If she hadn’t known that Zhang Yang had built a solid network at school and was growing stronger, she might not have agreed to let Hu Ge take the male lead under the name of ‘Xuanyuan Sword.’

“Brother Yang is so outstanding; we all live in his shadow.”

“He’s the kind of kid every parent boasts about from childhood.”

“I hate feeling like I’m always second best. I want to surpass him.”

“Can I surpass Zhang Yang by learning from him?”

“Only by learning from someone better than him is it possible.”

“Sister K, I must learn from Senior Brother Hu Ge. I want to improve, and I want to beat him.”

Cai Yinong was speechless.

Child, your words sound a bit melodramatic.

It sounded passionate enough to warm even my cold heart.

But this isn’t a formal apprenticeship—it’s just about adapting to the crew life for a bit over a month.

Such a small matter, yet you make it sound like a life-or-death issue.

“Hmm…”

Cai Yinong pondered how to refuse.

Jiang Jinfu seemed smarter this time and immediately said, “Sister K, I’m serious.”

“All right then.” Cai Yinong rubbed her forehead; the pen accidentally scratched her cheek.

She wiped the mark and said, “Then you’ll follow Old Hu. I’ll call him first thing tomorrow morning.”

As for Naza, she still needed to consider carefully.

“Thank you, Sister K,” Jiang Jinfu expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Cai Yinong took the opportunity to say some words to win his favor before hanging up.

“This trivial matter…”

“Just assign Naza to Zhang Yang. He definitely knows his limits.”

Cai Yinong thought she was making a fuss over nothing, just like Jiang Jinfu.

One phone call, and she was convinced.

Lost in thought, she walked into the restroom and was startled by her reflection.

The pen must have leaked ink—half her face was stained black.

“Like a clown.”

Meanwhile, having achieved his goal, Jiang Jinfu felt refreshed and became much more talkative after returning to the private room.

Seeing him like this, Zhang Yang’s eyes sparkled with a glint as he teased, “Did you eat bee poop or what? You seem so cheerful.”

“Having dinner with so many senior idols, of course, I’m in a good mood,” Jiang Jinfu, usually reserved, managed to say something charming.

Tang Yan and Qi Wei immediately found him more pleasant to look at, and the atmosphere grew lively and harmonious.

After the meal, Hu Ge waved his hand and invited everyone to go sing karaoke.

Entering the KTV room, Zhang Yang was the first to pick a song.

“No. 18 on the Bund.”

Qi Wei rolled her eyes knowingly, crossing her arms.

But when the music started, she still grabbed the mic and began to sing.

The male part was sung by Zhang Yang.

“Yang sings really well; he could totally debut as a singer,” Tang Yan said to Hu Ge.

“Sister K hopes he can develop in acting, singing, and film, but he refuses,” Hu Ge whispered. “Tangren’s resources in music aren’t great, and they don’t pressure him, but he’s sung several TV drama theme songs and inserts.”

“Can we request songs here?” Tang Yan asked immediately.

“One song, ‘Forget Time,’ the ending theme of ‘Xianjian 3.’ Sister K wanted me to sing it, but she gave it to Yang as compensation. There’s also the theme for ‘Bu Bu Jing Xin,’ but the drama hasn’t aired yet, so that’s off-limits,” Hu Ge said, then queued ‘Forget Time.’

“Our ‘Xianjian 3’ songs—you’re not going to pick ‘Single Man’?” Tang Yan smiled.

Hu Ge looked gloomy. “I wanted Yang to sing that one, but he refused. Sigh…”

While they chatted, Zhang Yang and Qi Wei finished their song.

“Oh, nice.” Tang Yan and Hu Ge took on the role of the mood makers.

Each person sang a song, trying to heat up the room.

But when it was Naza’s turn, everyone except Zhang Yang visibly froze.

As a talented singer and dancer of Uyghur descent, she turned out to be tone-deaf?!

The worst thing about tone-deafness is that they don’t realize they sound bad.

After the quiet audience listened to her performance, Naza thought she did well and asked Zhang Yang, who was closest to her, “How was it?”

Zhang Yang’s mouth twitched subtly as he said, “Naza, when God created people, He must have maxed out your looks.”

Naza didn’t catch the subtext and thought he was publicly praising her beauty, feeling a bit embarrassed and awkward.

“It’s okay,” she said, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.

Tang Yan immediately looked at Zhang Yang with a playful glint in her eyes.

Zhang Yang felt like he was shooting himself in the foot and continued, “So, when it comes to singing talent, you might be a bit lacking.”

Naza: ?

Naza: !

Naza: ...