Chapter 7 Love-Brained No More

Liang Hao was in the middle of filming, so Jiang Shuwan couldn’t deliver the coffee to him. She stood at the perimeter, glanced at the crowd of crew members crammed together, and gave up on the idea of going in to observe the other actors’ performances. It was an indoor scene, the space was too cramped to move around freely, and she didn’t want to get in anyone’s way.

She found a sunny corner sheltered from the wind, moved a small stool over, sat down, and pulled out Fundamentals of Dramatic Performance from the canvas bag she carried with her.

She had already finished reading An Actor Prepares.

According to tips she had gathered online, reading Fundamentals of Dramatic Performance along with Basic Skills in an Actor’s Artistic Speech could help her grasp the basics of acting more quickly.

Jiang Shuwan read with great focus, marking important parts with a pen as she went.

It was a good spot—not too exposed, with a few other extras who weren’t scheduled to shoot at the moment also basking in the sun.

Seeing her study so seriously, one of the older extras couldn’t help saying, “Bookworms really are different—so diligent! But girl, if you want to act and land big roles, just reading books won’t cut it. You’ve gotta work on your appearance too. Lose the glasses, wear colored contacts or something. And wear makeup—it makes you look more energetic.”

She sighed. “There are so many pretty girls here in Film City. Making it big… it’s tough.”

Jiang Shuwan looked up, smiled at her, and replied, “Ma’am, I don’t want to act in big roles.”

Acting was interesting, sure—but Jiang Shuwan still thought it wasn’t as fascinating as doing experiments.

Exploring the unknown and discovering new possibilities in the world—that was truly exciting.

She liked things that were challenging.

The older woman said, “…Then if you don’t want big roles, why study so hard?”

Jiang Shuwan’s eyes dropped back to her book. Multitasking, she replied, “Just learning for fun.”

The older extra looked at her in awe and kept muttering how she wished her own child liked studying this much. But seeing how focused Jiang Shuwan was, she didn’t say anything more to interrupt her.

While reading, Jiang Shuwan kept an eye on the filming progress. Extras came and went—some left after their scenes were done, while others who had scenes in the afternoon stayed and waited.

As noon approached, Jiang Shuwan estimated the timing was about right. She stood up, packed her things, and headed out of the set carrying the coffee.

The coffee had gone cold; she needed to find a place to reheat it.

Not long after Jiang Shuwan left, the morning shoot wrapped up.

Ji Hanzhang, dressed in ornate period costume, was the first to come out. The extras who had been chatting and laughing fell silent when they saw him approaching. They instinctively put down their crossed legs and sat up straight… The man was still immersed in character, his expression cold and sharp, exuding an aura of authority.

It wasn’t until he walked past the sunny corner that the extras quietly let out a breath.

“I thought the emperor was really coming. Scared me to death.”

“Today’s young actors are amazing—whatever they play, they become it. Xiao Yu, did you see that? Didn’t you say you want to land big roles? If you want big roles, you’ve got to study more. Be like that girl earlier, reading those acting books.”

“It’s Fundamentals of Dramatic Performance. Sigh, I’ve read it. I didn’t understand a thing…”

The voices behind gradually faded as Ji Hanzhang continued walking toward the makeup room without stopping.

Not long after, Jiang Shuwan returned with the reheated coffee. She found Liang Hao in the shared makeup room for minor characters. He had already changed out of his costume and was sitting there in a long black puffer coat, dazed.

The moment he saw Jiang Shuwan, a complicated expression crossed Liang Hao’s face. He really wanted to ask her if she had helped him land the role in The Regent Prince, but when he saw her plain—one could even say humble—clothing, he hesitated again.

Maybe it wasn’t her. Maybe someone he knew—an actor or director—had recommended him.

No need to overthink it.

Noticing curious glances from people around them, Liang Hao frowned. Regardless of what was going on, he didn’t want any rumors linking him to this woman.

Liang Hao was self-aware—he wasn’t a good actor, but he had a good-looking face, and that was enough to attract some fans. If luck was on his side, maybe he could make it big in idol dramas someday.

So he couldn’t afford to be involved in a scandal.

If a popular celebrity helped boost his exposure, that would be one thing—but someone as unknown as this extra? That would only lower his already modest standing.

With that thought, Liang Hao stood up immediately. “I’m ready. Grab my bag, let’s go.”

Jiang Shuwan didn’t hesitate. She held the coffee in one hand, picked up the nearby bag with the other, and asked willingly, “Is there anything else?”

This was something she was used to. One of the rules of being in a relationship, according to her guidebook, was: In a relationship, be attentive and take the initiative to handle tasks within your ability. She had been faithfully following that principle for the past few months.

The curious stares subtly turned away.

Everyone here was about the same low tier in the industry, so they knew a bit about each other. Strictly speaking, they were all competitors.

Many of them had heard that Liang Hao, due to his poor acting, wasn’t valued by his agency—they hadn’t even assigned him an assistant. Now, seeing him in the Regent Prince crew, it seemed his status had improved.

If she was his assistant, then there was nothing more to be curious about.

The two of them walked out, one behind the other. At a glance, they really did look like a celebrity and his assistant.

Jiang Shuwan was unaware of everyone’s speculation. She quickened her pace, holding the coffee out to Liang Hao. “I bought this when you were filming. It got cold, so I went to a convenience store to reheat it. Why don’t you drink it now before it cools again?”

Liang Hao stopped in his tracks, utterly shocked. “The coffee was already cold, and you went to a convenience store to heat it… and you still…”

Want me to drink it?!

Although he wasn’t a big star, he was at least a somewhat well-known actor. How could he possibly drink cold coffee?!

However, before he could finish his sentence, someone interrupted him.

“Miss Jiang!” Xia Xiangyang walked over quickly, his expression sincere. “I truly want to treat you to a meal. I’m not filming this afternoon, and I just checked with Director Wang—he said you don’t have any scenes this afternoon either. If you don’t have other plans, the food at Yu Restaurant is pretty good. Would I be lucky enough to invite you?”

Yu Restaurant was the most upscale private dining spot within a ten-kilometer radius.

After a brief pause, he added, “If it’s awkward with just the two of us, I already asked Director Wang. He said he can request time off from Director Luo and join us.”

Then, after a slight hesitation, he looked toward Liang Hao and asked, “Is this your friend? He’s welcome too.”

Because he had seen how impatient Liang Hao had been with Jiang Shuwan earlier, Xia Xiangyang didn’t have a great impression of him. But according to what Wang Youde had suggested, Jiang Shuwan seemed to be a fan of Liang Hao. So, Xia figured that if Liang Hao came along, maybe Jiang Shuwan would be more inclined to accept the invitation.

Of course, Liang Hao knew who Xia Xiangyang was.

Even though Xia Xiangyang hadn’t won any awards and wasn’t quite an A-list actor, he was still leagues above someone like Liang Hao—a virtually unknown C-lister.

Under normal circumstances, Liang Hao wouldn’t even have the chance to ask Xia to a meal, let alone be invited by him.

And now Director Wang was going to join too?

Liang Hao felt a surge of joy. If he could build a relationship with people like Xia Xiangyang and Director Wang, maybe he’d have access to better roles in the future.

He was about to accept with a flattering smile when Jiang Shuwan suddenly said, in an exceptionally firm and non-negotiable tone, “No, I have a study plan this afternoon.”

Startled, Liang Hao blurted out, “You can study any time! Just have lunch first—you can study afterward!”

Jiang Shuwan responded calmly, “I’ve scheduled my study time to start at one o’clock.”

“It’s twelve now.” She glanced at her watch and paused for a few seconds. Mainly, she realized Xia Xiangyang really wanted to treat her. Based on the gossip she’d overheard before, she figured this kind of networking wouldn’t be a waste of time. “How about this—we go to the snack street and have noodles? There’s a noodle shop there that makes a great pork chop noodle.”

Xia Xiangyang froze for a moment.

S City’s Film City had excellent security and order—unlike some other filming bases where paparazzi and fans snuck in everywhere. However, the snack street wasn’t as strictly managed. It was open to the public, so celebrities typically avoided it. If they did go, they would be fully disguised and stick to a few private-room-only restaurants. A humble noodle shop certainly wasn’t among them.

What’s more, Jiang Shuwan had basically saved Xia Xiangyang’s career. He genuinely wanted to treat her to a proper, respectful meal. A bowl of noodles clearly wouldn’t cut it.

Still, this time Jiang Shuwan hadn’t flat-out rejected him like before, and that was already a win in Xia Xiangyang’s eyes. He quickly said, “No need, no need—since you have a study plan, of course that takes priority.”

He pulled out his phone. “Miss Jiang, let’s add each other on WeChat. When you have time later, just let me know.”

Xia Xiangyang had already made up his mind: if Jiang Shuwan ever found time, even if he had filming that day, he’d ask the director for leave to make himself available.

He was repaying a “life-saving favor,” after all—any reasonable director would understand.

Just like that, Liang Hao watched helplessly as Xia Xiangyang exchanged contact info with Jiang Shuwan and then politely said his goodbyes—never once showing the slightest intention of exchanging contact info with him.

Liang Hao had no idea that Xia Xiangyang simply had a bad impression of him. He just assumed Xia didn’t take insignificant C-listers like him seriously. That thought left him seething with frustration.

But then he looked at Jiang Shuwan again. Xia Xiangyang had practically begged her to have lunch with him, and even Director Wang seemed to treat her with unusual respect… Could it be that she really did have some powerful connections?

Whether or not she did, it was clear that Xia Xiangyang and Director Wang were valuable connections in their own right.

With that in mind, Liang Hao suddenly found the sight of Jiang Shuwan holding his bag and coffee incredibly annoying.

It was obvious the woman liked him—or more accurately, was utterly infatuated with him. But he hadn’t given her the slightest benefit in return. He even made her carry his stuff. What if she got hurt or disillusioned, and decided to switch her loyalty to someone else? That would be a total waste of a sure-thing—no, of a valuable connection—about to slip through his fingers!

Changing tack, Liang Hao cleared his throat and said, “Shuwan, that bag looks heavy. Let me carry it instead.”

Jiang Shuwan gave him a puzzled look. This was the first time he had ever said something like that in all the months she’d known him. Still, she replied, “It’s fine. It’s not heavy. I’m pretty strong.”

She carried the large water jugs in the lab by herself, after all.

Truthfully, Liang Hao didn’t like carrying things anyway. So when she said that, he gladly took the out: “Alright, but if it gets too heavy, just let me know.”

Jiang Shuwan thought for a moment—then suddenly realized: Liang Hao was showing concern for her. As expected, emotions are a two-way street. Care and consideration should be mutual too.

She smiled. “Okay!”

Liang Hao slightly turned his face to present his best angle. “It’s because I’m not famous enough that you’ve had to go through all this trouble.”

So you’d better work harder to get me more connections and resources—only then can I make it big.

His gaze was full of guilt and tenderness as he spoke emotionally: “Shuwan, you’ve worked so hard for me. Once I make it big, I’ll make sure you live the good life—great food, great drinks, no worries.”

Once I’m really famous, treating you to a few meals will be nothing. As for romance—heh, idols don’t date.

Jiang Shuwan, completely unaware of what Liang Hao was really thinking, felt a sudden rush of emotion. Was this… a confession?

Her love plan had finally reached its triumphant crescendo.

【Host, wake up already!】

The system, which had been silently observing the entire time, finally couldn’t take it anymore. Its cold mechanical voice was laced with irritation—and a trace of suspicious schadenfreude:

【Yes, this movie will make him somewhat popular. But then, to make money, he takes on a bunch of trashy roles. His reputation goes down the drain, and he ends up gambling away everything and drowning in debt.】

【Oh, and by the way, the reason he’s sucking up to you right now is because he wants a free assistant. Once he gets famous, he’ll kick you to the curb.】

【Wait—latest scan results show he’s currently trying to use you to cozy up to Xia Xiangyang and Director Wang to get better roles. But again, once he’s gotten what he needs, he’ll still kick you to the curb.】

Jiang Shuwan: “……”

Suddenly, her love-brain seemed to have been cured in an instant