Chapter 3: The Annoying Younger Brother Really Deserves a Beating — New Book, Please Keep Reading

[Language Emotion +1 for your effective romantic exchange with Liu Shishi.]

A voice resonated in Zhang Li's mind, followed by a sensation of something added to his consciousness. However, when he tried to focus on it, he found nothing, leading him to wonder if he had experienced an auditory hallucination. Yet, recalling his ability to foresee the future of a role when interacting with actresses, he allowed himself a few unrealistic speculations.

"System?"
"Deep Blue, add points!"
"System daddy? System son!"
"Panel? Manual?"
"I choose YES!"
"..."

Zhang Li had read plenty of web novels and knew that a transmigrated protagonist might have a cheat code. But after various attempts, he found nothing out of the ordinary and sighed, chiding himself for his greed. He already possessed a special ability; wanting even more cheats was simply unreasonable.

Unlike Zhang Li, Liu Shishi’s eyes, previously somewhat vacant, began to glow. A change from zero to one felt different than a change from five to six.

"Language Emotion +1!"
"Does it mean my voice is more capable of moving people?"

Liu Shishi felt as though she had mastered some vocal techniques, a warm current flowing through her throat. She glanced sideways at Tang Yan and parted her lips slightly: "Tang Tang, I still want some watermelon. Would you mind getting some for me?"

Tang Yan rubbed her arm: "Speak normally. That sounds weird."

Liu Shishi: "..."
So much for that effort.

"I'll go get it for you." Tang Yan stood up and walked toward the parasol on the other side.

Liu Shishi brushed her sleeves aside, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and looked at Zhang Li: "Ah Li, is Yang Mi easy to get along with?"

"Just like you, a proper Beijing girl. She’s quite easy to get along with," Zhang Li replied, shifting his focus. If he had awakened some new ability, it would eventually manifest in daily life, and he would know soon enough.

"Then do you think she is a better fit for the role of Xue Jian than Tang Tang?" Liu Shishi asked. In her heart, she still hoped the roles could be swapped. She didn't mind being the second or third lead, but she wanted to act opposite Zhang Li. The feeling of playing Mu Nianci was still fresh; if she were a couple with Zhang Li again, it would be much easier to get into character.

As someone without formal training, her acting relied on the method approach and a touch of performance art, which required finding the right "feeling."

"Definitely," Zhang Li nodded. "The role of Xue Jian was tailor-made for Mi Jie."

Liu Shishi: "..."

"Am I really that much worse than Yang Mi in your eyes?" Tang Yan returned to sit beside Liu Shishi, staring straight at Zhang Li. She even raised her spoon, as if threatening to crack his head open if he didn't give her a satisfactory explanation.

"It's not about being worse, it’s about character suitability," Zhang Li replied, his expression unchanged. "If your compatibility with Xue Jian is sixty percent, Mi Jie is at least eighty percent."

Tang Yan: !
Does he think my spoon is blunt?

"However!" Zhang Li met Tang Yan’s gaze, his tone shifting. "Your compatibility for Zixuan is at least ninety percent."

"When I saw your Zixuan makeup and costume for the first time this morning, I finally understood why Xu Changqing could never forget you in three lifetimes."

"A descendant of Nüwa, truly worthy of the name."

Tang Yan felt the sincerity in Zhang Li's eyes. A string in her heart was plucked, and a rosy flush spread across her delicate face.

Seeing this, Liu Shishi felt a twinge of discomfort and shoved the watermelon into Zhang Li’s hands: "Are you implying that my Zixuan is terrible and couldn't possibly make your heart flutter?"

"Your Zixuan..." Zhang Li took the spoon to scoop the watermelon, his gaze sweeping over Liu Shishi. "Actually, it's not bad, but it pales in comparison to your Long Kui. I think that role was the one truly tailor-made for you."

"Are you sure you aren't just trying to play both sides?" Liu Shishi gave him a suspicious look.

"I really am not. If you don't believe me, you'll see in a moment." Zhang Li handed the scooped watermelon back to her.

His confident demeanor left both Liu Shishi and Tang Yan looking forward to Yang Mi’s reveal as Tang Xuejian.

Half an hour later, Yang Mi stepped out of the dressing room in a red dress, immediately becoming the center of attention. Her chin was slightly square, her eyes bright and clear, and her bangs highlighted her playful temperament. At first glance, she didn't have the stunning impact of Tang Yan’s Zixuan or Liu Shishi’s Long Kui. But after a few more looks, she appeared more vivid and spirited, indeed more like Tang Xuejian than Tang Yan.

"She doesn't seem as stunning as you described," Tang Yan whispered to Zhang Li. "At most, she's just a bit more suitable than me."

Zhang Li thought to himself that it was just Yang Mi being polite by not wearing the "Xi Yao" costume immediately. Otherwise, the white pearls, the luxurious white dress, and the character’s inherent fragility would have completely overshadowed her.

"Some characters don't show their charm when static; you have to see them in motion," Zhang Li replied.

At that moment, Li Guoli examined Yang Mi’s look and nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, that's the feeling." However, appearance wasn't enough; the acting had to be up to par. Thinking of this, he called out to Zhang Li: "Xiao Li, come over here for a second."

"Coming." Zhang Li stood up and walked toward Li Guoli and Yang Mi. Tang Yan and Yang Mi exchanged a glance and followed.

"Hu Ge isn't here, so you'll run the scene with Yang Mi," Li Guoli said, handing a script to Yang Mi. "Let’s do the part where Xue Jian confesses to Xu Changqing. Yang Mi, give it a try. If it’s fine, we’ll shoot this tonight."

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was set to air on the Taizhou public channel the week after next. The lead actor, Hu Ge, and the lead actress, Lin Yicheng, were invited to a local TV station for an interview, which was why they were absent. Otherwise, Zhang Li, the second lead, wouldn't have been asked to test the scene with the female lead.

"Alright, no problem," Zhang Li nodded. Although he was only eighteen, he had been working on sets since he was twelve alongside Liu Yifei. Years of learning had honed his acting skills, which had already been put to the test during the filming of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"; acting in an immortal-themed idol drama was effortless for him.

"Little Brother Ah Li, please go easy on me," Yang Mi winked playfully.

"Call me Hero Changqing," Zhang Li straightened his back, feigning cold detachment.

"Fine, fine, Hero Changqing," Yang Mi crossed her arms, shaking her head with a faint smile.

Li Guoli watched this, feeling even more satisfied. To him, using the right actors for the right roles was like a chef using top-tier ingredients.

"Miss Tang, do you need time to prepare?" Zhang Li’s tone shifted, giving off a feeling that was both familiar and strange.

Yang Mi looked at him in surprise, then picked up the script and studied it intently. After a minute of memorization, she took a deep breath. Her expression changed as she looked at Zhang Li, a mix of nervousness and hesitation: "However, Grandfather hopes I find a handsome, dashing, extraordinary, martial-arts-proficient, upright, and indomitable hero of a man."

"Oh," Zhang Li nodded in realization, then offered a faint smile: "Doesn't that describe me?"

Li Guoli: ?
The onlookers: ?
Yang Mi: ???

That wasn't the line in the script she had just read! Xu Changqing’s character was supposed to be dense about romance; he wouldn't even consider himself!

Yang Mi’s mind went blank, losing her acting state, and then she noticed the amusement in Zhang Li’s eyes. She realized immediately that this brat was doing it on purpose!

"Zhang Li!" Yang Mi reflexively reached out to hit him. "You brat, I'll beat you to death!"

The actual onlookers: "..."