Chapter 32: Clearing One's Mind

After a trip to the restroom to confirm that Zhao Decai's attribute buff was indeed effective, Zhang Yuan finally dialed the number back.

"President Zhao, thank you."

"Why thank me? I should be thanking you. You gave me a lesson—it turns out football isn't just about the ball, but the people behind it."

See? Without me even saying it, he's already getting the hang of things.

"You're right. Actually, it's the same with film and television."

Through several World Cup matches, Zhang Yuan had won the man's trust. This time, Fatty Zhao had no further doubts about his judgment.

"Some films might not perform well during their initial broadcast, but they can shine brilliantly when they hit satellite TV."

"While others might do well during the initial run, they fall flat once they reach the provincial stations."

"What's the reason for that?"

"The audience!" Zhang Yuan threw out the two words steadily. "There is a gap between the viewing demographics of small cities and metropolises; their preferences differ."

"So don't worry. The low ratings for *Conquest* on Tianjin TV might just be a matter of poor local fit or bad scheduling. A change of environment might just give it a boost."

"How about we make another bet..."

"No, no, no, no more bets. I believe you, I believe you." Zhao Decai hurriedly declined. "At this point, I'd believe you even if you told me my father was a woman."

Such a "loving" father-son dynamic.

Zhang Yuan had already lost 4 million, though fortunately, it wasn't in cash. Moreover, precisely because it wasn't cash, Zhao Decai felt that Zhang Yuan was a man worth knowing. Clearly, he could have won millions from him through these gambling sessions, yet he had proactively taken a step back.

Not arrogant, not greedy—this kind of friend was rare, and since he was also so capable, he had to be cultivated!

What Fatty Zhao didn't know was that Zhang Yuan was casting a long line to catch a big fish. In less than a year, the four million in investment "deposited" with Zhao Decai would serve a major purpose.

Back at the film crew, Zhang Yuan's filming schedule was entering its countdown; he would finish shooting in just a few days. Work continued as usual, though lately, Shu Chang had been frequently hovering around him.

"Brother Yuan, are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders." Shu Chang's small hands rested on his shoulders, pressing gently.

Zhang Yuan did not refuse. To refuse would be hypocritical; what man doesn't like a beautiful girl looking after him?

Just as Zhang Yuan was closing his eyes to enjoy the moment, a high-pitched, pinched female voice appeared in his ear.

"Brother Yuan, let me massage your shoulders too... I'll squeeze you!!!"

A pair of snow-white, slender fingers exerted force against Zhang Yuan's shoulder, directly pinching a large chunk of flesh.

"Ow, holy shit!" Zhang Yuan cursed out loud from the pain.

"Hee hee hee..." Liu Xixi made a playful sound and ran away laughing.

Shu Chang gave Xixi's retreating figure a reproachful look while simultaneously reaching out to massage Zhang Yuan's "wound."

Shu Chang had noticed recently that whenever she spent a little too much time alone with Zhang Yuan or spoke a few extra words, Xixi would inevitably appear to cause trouble. Furthermore, ever since that day they "encountered" Xixi and Dong Jie in the wardrobe, although the two best friends, Shu Chang and Liu Xixi, remained as close as ever in private, they seemed to have an unspoken agreement: they never mentioned Zhang Yuan's name in conversation again.

Shu Chang felt that Xixi had changed, yet hadn't.

Overall, life on the film crew was relatively stable, and no major incidents occurred. But just as Zhang Yuan thought he could relax until the wrap-up, a small problem arose.

"Xixi, your character's current state should be one of calculated revenge after being abandoned by Jin Yanxi. You need to be ruthless, proud, and look down on the other party."

Li Dawei pulled Liu Xixi, who had just N-Ged several times, aside to help explain her character's mindset. For some reason, the young girl had been dazed for the past few days; her entire state was very low, almost returning to the condition she was in when she fainted from hunger.

Zhang Yuan noticed this. During lunch, taking advantage of the fact that Liu Xiaoli—who had quite an opinion of him—wasn't around, he found an opportunity to sit beside her.

"I haven't tried this before." Zhang Yuan handed his roasted chicken wings from his tray to her, wondering if she was unhappy because her mother was forcing her to diet again.

But how could Zhang Yuan have guessed that upon seeing the chicken wings, Liu Xixi would suddenly burst into tears?

"Wah..."

The shock nearly made Zhang Yuan drop the chicken wings.

"What on earth is wrong?"

Liu Xixi sobbed for a good while before wiping her tears with the back of her hand. There was snot... forget it, Zhang Yuan pretended not to see.

"Ugh..." Xixi pouted, her eyes red as she lowered her head. "My mom bought me a parrot last year, named Dabao."

"After I came to the crew, Mom wouldn't let me bring him with me, so I left him with an auntie to take care of." By "auntie," she meant a domestic helper, not a relative.

"And then?" Zhang Yuan didn't quite get her point.

"He passed away..." Liu Xixi's eyes were vacant, clearly very heartbroken.

Her parents had divorced when she was very young, and her mother had taken her traveling constantly—sometimes domestically, sometimes abroad. This nomadic lifestyle made it difficult for her to make close friends, so she placed far more emotional weight on pets than her peers did.

Zhang Yuan also noticed that Liu Xixi seemed to particularly love small animals; she often used dried fish to lure the stray cats near the crew... once they took the bait, she would pin them down for a long petting session.

Zhang Yuan looked down at the chicken wing in his hand. This was a case of "seeing an object and remembering the person," wasn't it? After all, they were both birds.

He started to pull the chicken wing back, but just as he moved, Liu Xixi spoke up to stop him. "Why are you taking it back? Didn't you give it to me?"

"Aren't you sad?"

"But the chicken wings are innocent!"

With tears in her eyes, Liu Xixi ate several bowls, turning her grief and indignation into appetite.

Beside her, Zhang Yuan thought to himself: *Indeed, Liu Xixi truly loves animals—to the point where she needs them at every meal.*

However, this also helped him understand why her state was so poor. Unlike Shu Chang, who was young but already a "little veteran actress," this was Liu Xixi's first major role, and she lacked the professional ability to regulate her emotions. Besides, even professional actors often struggle with being unable to get into character or unable to shake a character off.

In the afternoon, Zhang Yuan went to find Li Dawei.

"A distraction?"

"Exactly. Look at Liu Xixi's state. If you don't adjust it, you'll be stressed too."

Li Dawei thought for a moment. "You have a way... I asked too much. You surely have a way. What do you need me to do?"

"It's nothing major. Just give us a few young people one day of free time."

"And while you're at it, keep Liu Xiaoli away. Don't let her follow."

With that "Tiger Mom" following along, Liu Xixi would never be able to loosen up.

Given Li Dawei's trust in Zhang Yuan, he agreed quickly. Moreover, since this was helping solve a problem for the crew, he had no reason to refuse.

Liu Xiaoli was very reluctant at first; she didn't want Xixi going out alone with Zhang Yuan. But after hearing that Chen Kun, Shu Chang, and the others would be going, and after the director insisted, she had no choice but to agree.

The next day, the crew arranged a minibus, carrying the young leads toward the capital. An hour or two later, the group arrived at their destination.

The Beijing Zoo!

Located in the prime Xizhimen area, the Beijing Zoo was built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty and had been established for nearly a century by 2002.

Likes small animals, right? There are plenty of animals here, all kinds.

Liu Xixi's pressure came from the loss of her pet, but more so from her mother's high pressure. A zoo was a good place to escape; after all, adults love bringing kids here.

The moment she stepped off the bus, Liu Xixi's melancholy expression from the past few days vanished. Under the sunlight, she pulled Shu Chang along for a light jog, rushed through the park gates, took a deep breath, and revealed the sunny smile a young girl should have.

【Received thanks from Liu Xixi: Appearance +2, Mental State +1 (Cheerful)!】

"This is the scent of nature!" Liu Xixi's little nose twitched occasionally.

Zhang Yuan walked up behind them and also lifted his nose to sniff.

"This is the smell of horse manure, damn it!"

Liu Xixi gave him a fierce, cute glare. "Hmph, let's go! I want to see the pandas and the elephants!"

The three were in the lead, with Chen Kun, Qiao Zhenyu, Dong Jie, Xu Lu, and the others following behind.

Kun-ge nudged his brother with his elbow. "Zhenyu, why do you think Zhang Yuan is so resourceful? We haven't even started playing, and Liu Xixi is already as happy as if she won five million."

"Tell me about it. I think we shouldn't just learn from him in acting, but also seek his guidance on how to coax women."

"Makes sense."

"Look, he often says nonsense to Liu Xixi, but she's actually happy to play with him."

"Indeed!"

Chen Kun turned his head and said to Dong Jie behind them, "Jie, come quickly and smell this horse manure."

Dong Jie rolled her eyes at him and pulled Xu Lu away.

One dared to say it, and the other dared to follow...

Under Xixi's leadership, the group soon arrived in front of the elephant pavilion. Liu Xixi leaned over the railing.

"Elephant, elephant, why is your nose so looooong..."

She watched and sang, casting the memory of the deceased parrot to the back of her mind.

But after only a few lines, her singing came to an abrupt halt. She then turned around, her braided hair swaying, and ran to Zhang Yuan, whispering in a panicked tone.

"Zhang Yuan, I suspect the Beijing Zoo is abusing animals!"

(End of Chapter)