After reading a few more web novels, Zhang Jin’an finally arrived home. He went straight to the second floor and turned on his computer to check his upcoming schedule. August was essentially fully booked. He had a variety show recording on the 7th, but before that, on the 4th, there would be an interview filmed at his home. After that, he would join the cast, attend script readings, and begin filming.
After reviewing everything, Zhang Jin’an sent a quick "No questions" to Li Qiang. Li Qiang didn’t reply, likely because he was still driving. Zhang Jin’an sat in his office chair and began scrolling through his other messages.
His WeChat basically hit 99+ notifications every day. It wasn't necessarily because so many people were looking for him, but because he was in several group chats—and then there was Zhang Shuyu. The most active group was the "Second Textile Machine Wholesalers." This wasn't some proxy-buying group; it was a gaming group. Su Zhiyang had come up with the name so he wouldn't have to worry about his manager checking his phone and discovering he was hopelessly addicted to gaming.
"As if he wouldn't get in trouble for being addicted to proxy-buying instead," Zhang Jin’an said with a chuckle.
There were only about a dozen people in the group, but thanks to the chatterbox Su Zhiyang and frequent gamers like Gu Yirou, they managed to push the notification count to 99+ through sheer force of will.
Zhang Jin’an clicked it open to find Su Zhiyang and Gu Yirou in the middle of a meme war.
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: You guys aren't sleeping?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: Aren't you awake too?
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: Big Bro! Your movie is a massive hit! You have to treat us! Treat us!
[Henan Chicken Farm Owner Luo Luo]: I *listen* to the word 'treat' and here I am. Treat us!
Zhang Jin’an hadn't officially worked with this Luo Luo before. He was just a young guy Su Zhiyang had pulled into the group after meeting him on the set of a drama. Zhang Jin’an had watched a few episodes; the boy’s chemistry with Su Zhiyang was quite good, and at times he even outshone Su Zhiyang. He had a promising future.
Luo Luo loved adding English words into his sentences when he chatted. Zhang Jin’an had once asked him why, and he said it was for "aesthetic purposes." In Zhang Jin’an’s view, it was just for the sake of being a dork.
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: I’m tired. Bye.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: Don't you dare leave. Game?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: *GKD*, game?
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: Just finished an interview. Tired. Going to sleep.
[Henan Chicken Farm Owner Luo Luo]: Sigh, Big Bro is *fire* now, he doesn't want us anymore.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: Sigh, Big Bro is *fire* now, he doesn't want us anymore.
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: I have a magazine shoot tomorrow, I’m heading out. By the way, save me a spot in the guild tonight, I’ll be there.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: When Sister Gu says one, we don't dare say two.
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: I’m out too. Don't save a spot for me tomorrow either.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: What? You have another scheduled appearance?
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: Reviewing lines.
[Henan Chicken Farm Owner Luo Luo]: What drama?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: *Hidden Shadows*.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: Sister Gu, didn't you say you were sleeping?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: Sleeping now, bye.
[Henan Chicken Farm Owner Luo Luo]: With *who*?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: Siyang.
[Wenzhou Leather Factory Landlord Su Zhiyang]: ? Sister Gu, didn't you say you were sleeping?
[Shenyang’s Number One Big Bro Gu Yirou]: What? I’m not allowed to change my mind?
[Xiao Nanshan Tour Guide Zhang Jin’an]: Why did you have to provoke her? I’m retreating first, you guys have fun fighting.
[Henan Chicken Farm Owner Luo Luo]: You guys don't *fight* anymore! *Stop fighting!*
Zhang Jin’an left the chat immediately and moved over to his Moments. As luck would have it, he scrolled right onto a new post from Jiang Siyang.
It was a photo of a movie ticket—specifically, for today’s screening of *Equal Difference*.
*Looks like it’s over?* Zhang Jin’an thought. He left a comment below: "Was it good?"
***
Jiang Siyang was lying flat on his back on his bed, holding his phone and reading through movie reviews one by one.
*Yes, what incredible acting!*
Jiang Siyang agreed wholeheartedly with every word of that sentiment. Even after returning home, he couldn't calm his heart for a long time; the scenes from the movie kept flashing before his eyes.
As time passed, Zhang Jin’an’s acting only continued to improve. Jiang Siyang set his phone down and stared at the pale white ceiling, lost in thought.
Could he ever act with such meticulous detail as Zhang Jin’an? There was still such a vast gap between them. If he wanted to become someone like that, what he currently possessed was far from enough; he needed to work harder, to learn more.
This role in *Hidden Shadows* was a stroke of immense luck from the heavens, allowing him the chance to act alongside Zhang Jin’an.
Jiang Siyang rolled over and buried his face in his thin quilt. The soft fabric carried the scent of the freshener he sprayed every morning, making him feel incredibly comfortable.
Opportunities like this were rare; he had to cherish it.
In truth, Jiang Siyang had some concerns. He had no idea what kind of person he was in Zhang Jin’an’s eyes—whether the impression was good or bad. Their chats on WeChat might just be polite formalities.
Once the official filming photos were posted online, the cameras would surely be trained on them. After that, he should probably limit his interactions with Zhang Jin’an; he couldn't be seen as trying to "climb" onto someone else's fame.
Jiang Siyang lay there for a while before poking his head out and opening WeChat.
Speak of the devil. As soon as Jiang Siyang opened his Moments, he saw a new notification for a reply. He clicked it.
[Zhang Jin’an]: Was it good?
It was good—naturally, it was amazing!
Even though he’d just told himself not to interact too much, since the man had asked, it would be rude not to say anything. Jiang Siyang reflexively sat up straight, squaring his shoulders as he typed his reply.
It was no exaggeration to say that a flood of praise had already erupted in Jiang Siyang’s mind. He was never stingy with his compliments; if something this good didn't deserve praise, then what in the world deserved flowers and applause?
His only regret was that his hands weren't fast enough to type as quickly as he thought. By the time he tried to put the truth into words, the phrases in his mind would vanish.
[Jiang Siyang]: It was so good. Every detail was handled perfectly, and the transitions were fantastic. Like that final monologue—once the digital version is out, I bet a lot of people will clip it. And that crying scene at the end was truly something else. Teacher Gu was also incredible... I have so much I want to say, I can't even fit it all here.
Zhang Jin’an couldn't help but smile. "He can write so much the moment we talk about movies."
Zhang Jin’an didn't notice how soft his gaze had become, like an old father watching his son return from his studies and praise the beauty of the world.
[Zhang Jin’an]: Then save the rest of what you have to say for when we meet.
After Jiang Siyang sent his message, he felt it was poorly written and wanted to delete it and resend, but the person on the other side was a speed-typing expert. The reply came instantly, so he had to leave it.
[Jiang Siyang]: Okay.
Jiang Siyang had originally assumed that Zhang Jin’an’s "next time we meet" referred to the script reading, which was why he had agreed. He never imagined it would be at a recording site. Thus, when he stood in Nanshan Park at Xiao Nanshan, delivering his scripted opening lines to the camera to welcome a new guest, only to see Zhang Jin’an walking toward him in a black-and-white tracksuit with a smile as bright as a flower, he was more stunned than any of the other guests.
Especially when Zhang Jin’an walked right up to him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Long time no see."
Only then did Jiang Siyang instinctively let out a bewildered, "Huh?!"
This segment was immediately clipped by the sharp-eyed production team. They obscured Zhang Jin’an’s body with a silhouette and posted it on Weibo as a teaser for the 100th episode:
[@FridayMorningTheSunIsSoBig]: Whose appearance made our usually calm Four-Sheep lose his cool like this?
The comments were a whirlwind of speculation. Some guessed it was a legendary industry veteran, others guessed it was a relative of Jiang Siyang’s. The one person who guessed it was Zhang Jin’an was immediately shut down by hundreds of people: "Keep dreaming. Even if Big Bro jumped off a building, he wouldn't record a variety show."
