Chapter 25: Reba: Grateful for the Warmth Sent by Nazha

Blush!

Naza’s pretty face turned crimson, as if it might bleed at any moment. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Yang, gradually misting over as if she were about to burst into tears. This silent accusation made Zhang Yang feel as though he were sitting on pins and needles.

"This is bad," Zhang Yang thought to himself.

Naza’s skin was still too thin; she hadn't been tempered by the entertainment industry yet, and since she wasn't familiar with Hu Ge and the others, she couldn't handle being teased. In a situation like this, he absolutely could not apologize or offer comfort, or Naza would surely cry, which would truly make things worse.

However, he couldn't play dumb either, or this incident might become a thorn in her side that would be difficult to remove later.

Hu Ge and the others also sensed that something was off, their minds racing as they considered how to salvage the situation.

"Got it."

At the critical moment, Zhang Yang had a flash of inspiration. He pretended not to notice Naza’s reaction, propping his chin on his hand in a thoughtful pose. "Well, that’s settled then. Next time I see her, I can tease junior student Reba. Turns out, not all of our Uyghur compatriots are naturally gifted in song and dance."

Naza widened her eyes subconsciously. Was he saying she was a disgrace to their people? Wait, Reba... Uyghur?

"Who is this Reba you're talking about?" Naza’s attention was successfully diverted.

"Dilraba. Her full name is, I think..." Zhang Yang mused for a moment before turning to look at Naza. "Dilraba Dilmurat. Yes, that’s it."

"She’s my high school classmate." The emotion in Naza’s eyes faded, and her tone became animated. She used to have a very good relationship with Dilraba; they were playmates of the same age in the song and dance troupe, and there was no sense of competition between them.

"What a coincidence?" An expression of perfectly measured surprise appeared on Zhang Yang’s face. "But how come you’re a year behind junior student Reba?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yang seemed to recall something. "Oh, right. You told me you missed the college entrance exams last year and had to repeat a year. So, you and junior student Reba are actually in the same cohort."

"That’s right! We both participated in the auditions for the role of Yu Ji in Director Lu Chuan’s 'The Last Supper' last year. But because I was eliminated early on, we didn't get a chance to catch up afterward." Naza’s face was filled with regret.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang secretly gestured to Hu Ge and took charge of the situation. "That’s easy. When I get back from Hengdian, I’ll treat you both to a meal."

Hu Ge gave Zhang Yang a mental thumbs-up and turned to pick a song.

Qi Wei let out a "tsk," shifted her hips a little closer to Tang Yan, and whispered in her ear, "Yang has the makings of a heartbreaker."

Tang Yan was busy eating cantaloupe when she heard Qi Wei’s words and couldn't help but look at Zhang Yang. Under the dim, flickering lights, his facial contours were even more defined, adding a layer of allure to his already superior looks.

Tang Yan nodded in agreement. "Like us, he’s been blessed by heaven. Good-looking people have more romantic encounters, but that doesn't mean he’s necessarily a heartbreaker. You’re being biased, Qi-ge."

Qi Wei: "..." There were too many points to argue with; she didn't know where to start.

She was clearly pointing out that Zhang Yang was good at smooth talk and was wrapping the "dim-witted beauty" around his finger.

"It’s a good thing Yang doesn't seem interested in you, otherwise you’d be a goner," Qi Wei remarked sincerely.

"You look down on me?" Tang Yan touched her own face. "I’m very pretty too, you know. Maybe Yang has a thing for the 'older sister' type?" She paused, then added, "But you were right about one thing: if he were to pursue me, I’m not sure I could refuse."

Qi Wei: "..." This sweet but naive girl was beyond saving. Whatever.

Zhang Yang had no idea his true nature had been "seen through" by Qi Wei; he was still busy talking to Naza about Reba. Naza had already forgotten what happened earlier—or perhaps she had chosen to forget, as she didn't sing again for the rest of the night.

"I’m getting a bit sleepy, and we have to film tomorrow. I’m heading back to sleep," Qi Wei said after checking the time, effectively calling an end to the night.

The group had no objections and took a car back to the hotel together. Qi Wei and Tang Yan went upstairs with their assistants, while Naza was taken by Hu Ge’s female assistant to her assigned room. Zhang Yang and Jiang Jinfu didn't need to go through such trouble; since they were leaving for Hengdian the next day, they could just crash in the suite Hu Ge was staying in.

"I think I’ll just get my own room."

As they passed through the lobby, Jiang Jinfu’s gaze swept over Naza, who was checking in at the front desk, and he suddenly stopped.

"Isn't that too much trouble?" Zhang Yang guessed what was going on but pretended to be confused as to why Jiang Jinfu would want to waste the money.

"I have my own reasons." Jiang Jinfu didn't mention that he had already called Cai Yinong. He simply viewed Zhang Yang as a rival he needed to surpass and didn't want to add another enemy to the mix.

"Suit yourself, then." Zhang Yang didn't press him and left with Hu Ge.

"Yang, you’re truly bold," Hu Ge said, giving Zhang Yang a thumbs-up in the elevator. Remembering how Naza’s face had turned bright red earlier, he couldn't help but admire Zhang Yang’s audacity.

"Don't bring it up. I’m already regretting it." Zhang Yang took a tissue from his pocket to wipe his hands and turned to look at the older man. "When you’re with her tomorrow, please remember to help me repair my image."

"How am I supposed to help you?" Hu Ge spread his hands, admitting he wasn't good at manipulating others.

"Just say I was actually training her." Zhang Yang had a script ready and didn't falter, pursing his lips. "In the entertainment industry, you’ll encounter all sorts of interviews and social settings with strangers. Not to mention well-intentioned teasing, there are plenty of malicious attacks and hidden daggers. I’m teaching her how to distinguish between them."

"As for why I didn't explain that tonight, of course, it’s because I didn't want to overstimulate her and make her feel aggrieved."

After finishing, Zhang Yang saw that Hu Ge wasn't responding and raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Is there a problem with this explanation?"

"No problem at all," Hu Ge said, his expression becoming strange. "If you hadn't told me in advance that this was a damage-control measure, I would have thought that was your goal all along."

"Oh~" Zhang Yang nodded thoughtfully and smiled at Hu Ge. "That’s right, that *was* my goal. I’m a responsible senior, unlike you, you clown."

Hu Ge: "..." Get lost!

On the other side, Jiang Jinfu handed his ID to Hu Ge’s female assistant. "Sister, please get me a room too. I’ll be following Senior Hu Ge from now on."

The assistant was puzzled but didn't ask; she simply did as requested.

Naza, who had been lost in thought, didn't bother hiding her curiosity. "Aren't you going to Hengdian with Brother Yang tomorrow?" (Brother Yang was the title Zhang Yang had requested, saying "Senior" sounded too distant.)

"I’m just following Sister K’s arrangements," Jiang Jinfu replied, not offering further explanation.

"Oh." Naza, seeing that Jiang Jinfu had no desire to talk, couldn't be bothered with him either. She watched the assistant book the room, took her ID and key card, and without so much as a goodbye, dragged her suitcase away.

Jiang Jinfu couldn't help but clench his fists. Naza’s attitude toward him was completely different from her attitude toward Zhang Yang. *I must win!*

Naza had no idea what he was thinking, or she would have surely said, "Isn't it because you look like you don't want to talk to anyone at all?"

She arrived at her room alone, dropped her suitcase, and collapsed onto the bed. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message.

[Guess who I am.]

"Hmm?"

Reba, who had just finished washing up and was getting into bed, looked at her phone screen. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when she saw the message.

[Reba]: Do I get a prize if I guess right?

[What kind of prize do you want?]

[Reba]: Treat me to three meals—no, ten meals! (Each meal under a hundred.)

"This foodie, she hasn't changed at all," Naza kicked her feet in delight.

[Fine, go ahead and guess. I won't give you any hints.]

[Reba]: Alright, Naza owes me ten meals.

[Naza]: How did you know it was me?

[Reba]: Senior Zhang Yang texted me a few minutes ago saying you’d become his junior sister and gave me your contact info. Was it really that hard to guess?

[Naza]: ...You’re both bullying me.

"Huh?" Reba scratched her cheek. Why did she say "both"?