Manager Guan was thinking about Zhang Yangning, but Zhang Yangning had no thoughts of Manager Guan.
During the premiere of Princess’s New Clothes, Zhang Yangning, like others at Tianjiao, was paying close attention. She had joined Tianjiao a bit late, after the drama’s production was complete. The opening, closing, and insert songs had already been claimed by Li Mengjiao and Yun Chen, so Zhang Yangning missed out.
But Zhang Yangning wasn’t discouraged!
Yuan Fenghui promised her a supporting role in Tianjiao’s next project to boost her popularity.
That wasn’t even the most exciting news. Besides the role, Yuan Fenghui agreed to let Zhang Yangning compose an insert song for the new drama!
Though Yuan Fenghui stressed that the song had to fit the drama and meet a high standard to be used, Zhang Yangning was thrilled.
Zhang Yangning loved creating. Manager Guan had said there was no market for singer-songwriters in the mainland, but Yuan Fenghui believed there was and gave her the chance. Zhang Yangning was deeply satisfied!
To her, Manager Guan was like a “trashy ex-boyfriend,” while she and Tianjiao were in a honeymoon phase. Why would she think of her lousy ex?
With Princess’s New Clothes airing and Yun Chen’s rise to fame certain, Zhang Yangning saw Tianjiao’s ambition and generosity. Though founded for Li Mengjiao, Tianjiao wouldn’t skimp on resources to promote other talented artists!
Zhang Yangning’s style differed from Li Mengjiao’s, and resources unsuitable for Li Mengjiao might suit her perfectly.
She didn’t mind taking Li Mengjiao’s “leftovers” or expect Yun Chen’s luck. Unlike Xu Mei’s ambition, she just wanted a small creative corner at Tianjiao.
To earn company resources, she had to contribute, diligently attending the training Tianjiao arranged. Zhang Yangning was now eagerly taking acting classes.
Teacher Yuan’s plan for her to act first to boost her music career was for her benefit, and she couldn’t let herself fall behind!
While Manager Guan’s push for Xu Mei to act left Zhang Yangning disgusted, Tianjiao’s acting training was improving her skills.
Zhang Yangning attended classes daily after joining Tianjiao. Had Manager Guan ever trained Xu Mei’s acting?
He just threw an untrained Xu Mei into a production, whether for a supporting or lead role. How could Xu Mei compete with Li Mengjiao?
Li Mengjiao’s acting classes reportedly cost enough to buy a new apartment in Chengdu outright. Her “acting skills” were built with time, money, and sweat. Without investment, what return could you expect?
Zhang Yangning and Yun Chen met at the company elevator, both attending classes even on a Saturday.
Zhang Yangning stepped back to let Yun Chen enter first.
Yun Chen, older, joined earlier, and now more famous, deserved precedence, and she yielded willingly!
But Yun Chen, ever the gentleman, stepped back twice, gesturing for her to go first, “Ladies first.”
“Let’s go together then.”
Standing side by side in the elevator, Zhang Yangning felt happy.
No wonder she didn’t want to leave Tianjiao—it suited her perfectly. Did Yun Chen not yet realize he was about to become a star?
Should she remind him?
Nah, let him find out himself. She heard he was struggling with his next role’s mindset, but that issue would likely resolve soon, haha!
Yun Chen didn’t know why Zhang Yangning was smiling, but he could sense her lack of malice.
Tianjiao felt comfortable to him, free of the scheming and messy socializing of Taiwan’s modeling agencies. Besides resisting Chengdu’s culinary temptations to maintain his abs, Yun Chen was happy as a Tianjiao artist.
Zhang Yangning must feel the same joy!
The joyful duo felt a bit down after acting class.
Zhang Yangning worried her acting wouldn’t pass muster, risking her chance to compose. Yun Chen was anxious, unable to find his “star” mindset.
Seeing a dejected Zhang Yangning, Yun Chen, ever gentlemanly, comforted his junior, “Don’t worry. How about I arrange for you to meet Wen Ying? She’s the screenwriter, created all the roles, and can surely help.”
Meeting the screenwriter made Zhang Yangning nervous.
Yun Chen reassured her, “Wen Ying’s Li Mengjiao’s classmate. She was at your talent show last year, so you might’ve met her without knowing.”
Had they met?
Zhang Yangning racked her brain but couldn’t recall.
The screenwriter must be too low-key!
Unlike Xu Mei’s friend, Fu Jing, whose presence was unforgettable.
…
Wen Ying didn’t choose to be low-key; she used to be unremarkable, with others noticing Xie Qian or Li Mengjiao instead.
But now, she genuinely wanted to stay low-key.
On Saturday evening, Princess’s New Clothes was set to air its third episode. Wen Dongrong and Deng Shangwei, after a day in the countryside, rushed home to watch.
The brothers-in-law parted at the intersection, each heading home.
Wen Ying waited for Old Wen at the staircase, “When are you telling Mum?”
“You’re that impatient?”
Wen Dongrong tossed her his briefcase, seizing the rare chance to make her his “bag carrier.”
Wen Ying sniffed the briefcase—reeking of sweat. Where had Old Wen been?
Looking closer, his white shirt bore layers of sweat stains, the kind from repeated soaking and drying.
Curious, Wen Ying asked, but Wen Dongrong brushed it off, “Kids don’t meddle in adult affairs!”
Fine, she wouldn’t meddle.
Wen Ying followed her dad, rolling her eyes.
After a quick shower, Wen Dongrong made it in time for Princess’s New Clothes. Wen Ying studied in her room as usual, but Wen Dongrong invited his wife to watch, “You’ve studied all day. Relax a bit.”
Relax by walking downstairs, not watching Hunan TV’s idol drama—wasn’t that a waste?
Chen Ru was skeptical.
Wen Dongrong chuckled, “Just watch, it’s only one episode tonight, won’t take long.”
Chen Ru called him crazy, but he forced her onto the sofa to watch.
Chen Ru glared: this man, puffed up from hometown flattery, had some nerve today. Did he want to sleep on the balcony again?
Under his wife’s murderous gaze, Wen Dongrong seemed calm but was inwardly nervous.
Thinking Black-Heart Cotton might be peeking through the door, he refused to lose his patriarch pride, saying coolly, “Watch carefully, don’t miss the details!”
