Chapter 42: The Goddess of Contrast, Liu Tianxian

Zhang Yang wasn’t surprised to see Liu Yifei again soon.

He was confident about landing the role of Cen Chong, one of the Four Great Detectives.

He had planned to give Liu Yifei a “surprise” when they met, maybe even put on a bit of an act.

But he never expected that Liu Yifei would beat him to it with her own surprise.

“A-Yang, you know Yifei?” Lin Feng asked, somewhat taken aback.

The feud between Tangren and Liu Yifei was well-known, even outside the industry—let alone among insiders like themselves.

Here’s what happened: During the filming of Sword and Fairy, Cai Yining saw great potential in Liu Yifei and wanted to sign her. However, Liu Yifei didn’t need such support due to her godfather’s backing. Still, her mother, hoping to stay connected with the production team, didn’t outright reject Cai Yining, leaving room for misunderstanding.

After the shoot ended, Liu Yifei’s mother made it clear she wasn’t interested in signing with Tangren. This made Cai Yining feel used, so she retaliated by commissioning negative articles about Liu Yifei. Later, trying to promote a new “little Liu Yifei,” things escalated further, resorting to both smear campaigns and opportunistic attacks.

These kinds of feuds were common in the entertainment industry, driven by simple self-interest. There was no absolute right or wrong; everything depended on whose side you took.

Sword and Fairy had been quite successful after its release, and Zhao Ling’er became another classic character for Liu Yifei. Yet, she never mentioned this role publicly, as if she’d forgotten acting in that series altogether.

At the time, Zhang Yang was still in university, having signed with Tangren only recently. How could he possibly know Liu Yifei?

The others also looked curiously at Liu Yifei and Zhang Yang.

Liu Yifei gave Zhang Yang a look, hinting for him to answer.

“We met while filming Sword and Fairy I. It’s been quite some time,” Zhang Yang said without beating around the bush, even including last night’s explanation he owed Liu Yifei.

“Sword and Fairy I?”

Before anyone else could react, Liu Yifei was already astonished.

She took half a step back, scanning Zhang Yang with an examining gaze. Her eyebrows furrowed and smoothed out several times before she finally asked tentatively, “Are you… Little Brother Zhang Yang?”

“I am indeed.” Zhang Yang smiled at Liu Yifei. “I called you ‘Big Sister Yifei’ just last night when we first met. That should have been a big clue.”

They met last night?!

The sense of impending danger in Nazha’s heart intensified.

Zhang Yang had actually met Liu Yifei before her without her knowledge.

“What kind of clue is that?” Liu Yifei thought to herself.

The current Zhang Yang stood tall and handsome, exuding confidence and style. Their brief encounter last night left her with the impression of someone humorous and courageous.

During the filming of Sword and Fairy I, Zhang Yang had been shy and easily blushing—a green junior high school boy who followed her around calling her “Jiejie”.

It was hard for her to connect these two boys together, save for those bright and lovely eyes.

“If you’re trying to give hints, then you should call me ‘Sister Xianxian’,” she teased.

“Still playing hard-to-get with me, huh?”

Liu Yifei suddenly stepped forward, reaching out to grab Zhang Yang’s hair and tug playfully. A hint of mischief sparkled in her deep black eyes.

Zhang Yang had been the youngest actor in the Sword and Fairy production team back then. With his bright red lips and white teeth, he was incredibly handsome—practically the favorite child of the entire crew.

And among them all, Liu Yifei doted on him more than anyone else. Since Zhang Yang was not only underage but also younger than she was, it allowed her to act like both a senior colleague and an elder sister.

His mother, Liu Xiaoli, adored Zhang Yang just as much as his own mother cared for her daughter. The two mothers often cooked special meals for their children together, and Liu Yifei would frequently tease this little brother whenever she felt like it.

But later, when Cai Yining orchestrated slander against Liu Yifei, it plunged her into depression for quite some time. Meanwhile, since Zhang Yang was contracted by Tangren, they lost touch completely.

Last night, at first glance, Liu Yifei had felt drawn to Zhang Yang again—and tonight, she finally understood why her hand had been itching so badly; she’d wanted nothing more than to go home and pet her cat.

“Sis Qianqian, I’m not the same person I was before,” Zhang Yang said half-heartedly, trying to fend off Liu Yifei’s playful tugs. His face wore an exasperated expression. “Don’t force me to resist.”

“Oh yeah? Go ahead and try resisting.” Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow, acting like a sassy troublemaker.

Where’s that ethereal fairy-like demeanor you’re supposed to have?

“With so many people watching, you should maintain your image,” Zhang Yang reminded her helplessly, though inwardly, he felt quite pleased.

It seemed Liu Yifei still cherished the camaraderie from her days as the “big sister” on set.

“Don’t worry about me; I’ll just blend into the background,” Zhang Yang assured her, embodying the role of a self-proclaimed comic relief. I can quietly enjoy this drama, he thought.

Lin Feng, Huo Jianhua, and others from the Chen family also wore expressions as if they were watching a play unfold, with only Nazha visibly distressed by the situation.

“We’re all familiar faces here—what don’t you know about me?” Liu Yifei’s true persona was that of an unassuming woman, starkly contrasting her current appearance. To put it more eloquently, she had a striking exterior and an intriguing spirit within.

“You’re right, wrong move,” Zhang Yang quickly apologized, though inwardly he felt the time for intervention had come. “I should have introduced myself first.”

Liu Yifei paused her actions, aware that despite living life on her own terms, she still maintained the basic decorum expected of a celebrity.

“This is a one-time exception.” Liu Yifei feigned sternness, playfully waving her fist and whispering in a hushed tone, “Otherwise, Sis will show you what a ‘dama’ truly means.”

Zhang Yang remained speechless.

Isn’t this just another form of bullying? he wondered. And who’s afraid of being called a dama anyway?

Zhang Yang discreetly signaled to Lin Feng, who understood the unspoken message and stepped forward. “Shall we begin shooting today’s scenes? Director Chen, Deng Zhao, and Yifei are here to check out the production—A-Yang, make sure you give your best performance.”

No one objected to this suggestion; everyone was pressed for time.

Under Lin Feng’s direction, the entire crew sprang into action, beginning to set up the scene.

Zhang Yang walked into the nearby dressing room to find Sister Sun for makeup. He then changed into a set of silver armor, his demeanor and aura transforming completely.

When he reappeared, everyone’s eyes lit up.

“He captures my essence from years ago,” Deng Zhao said with a smile.

The others remained silent.

Deng Zhao was indeed handsome, but to be honest, he wasn’t suited for historical costumes. Some people looked great in modern attire but appeared awkward or even ugly in period pieces. Conversely, there were those who might not have stood out in contemporary clothing but transformed into ethereal beings when donning ancient garb—Huo Jianhua being a prime example.

Then there were individuals like Liu Yifei, Zhang Yang, and Yan Yikuan, who excelled in both modern and historical looks, with their classical appearance proving even more striking than their everyday one.

“Hua Ge and Yan Yikuan can say such things without issue, but you…” Liu Yifei gave Deng Zhao an exasperated look that spoke volumes.

Deng Zhao fell silent, realizing his faux pas.

Who exactly had been calling her ‘a celestial beauty’? Clearly, she was nothing more than a goblin—a goblin, I tell you!

Of course, Deng Zhao only dared to grumble inwardly about it.

“The image is certainly compelling,” Chen Jia Shang observed approvingly. “This face would translate well onto the big screen. As long as his acting isn’t lacking, we could even let him step into Mu Panlong’s role.”

He never really warmed up to this actor the investors had pushed on him. Sure, the guy had some skills, but now that he was injured and looking at a one- to two-month recovery? It was time to find someone new.

At least in terms of looks, Zhang Yang blew Mu Panlong away—no contest. As long as his acting wasn’t completely abysmal, it’d be fine. Plus, they could probably get him for less pay too.

“All units, attention.”

A few minutes later, Lin Feng sat before the monitors, microphone in hand, ready to direct.

“Take X, shot X…”

“Aikson!”

On the training grounds by the city gate.

Boom!

The drum beat sounded.

Hundreds of armored soldiers sprang into action.

Zhang Yang, astride a white horse, found himself surrounded. He yanked hard on the reins, his fierce gaze sweeping over the scene.

The white horse reared, lifting its front legs high.

Several surrounding soldiers fell back in perfect coordination.

More mounted soldiers charged forward, spears at the ready.

Zhang Yang’s eyes flashed as he reached for the Dragon Coiled Staff behind his back. With a swift, powerful motion, he swept it out.

The staff struck with such force that two soldiers were sent flying. Zhang Yang leaned back to dodge the incoming spears, then blocked them with the staff before sweeping it outward again.

Whoosh!

Two more soldiers went crashing down.

It was only then that the Chen family elite watching from the sidelines finally got a clear look at the weapon in Zhang Yang’s hands.

Liu Yifei looked puzzled. “Why is he using a stick?”