Chapter 91: Zhang Xianzong, My Tooth Hurts

Some rejoiced, others grieved; the cast of "Weiwei" were relieved—thank goodness, even though they didn't know why she suddenly got a cast, it saved them a lot of explanations.

They no longer needed to explain anything to investors or sponsors.

But still~

They were still puzzled: Shuangzi had just targeted Bai Liang, yet after leaving the set, she promoted his drama.

This back-and-forth behavior was just... unbelievable.

Those who didn't know the situation might think the two had orchestrated some grand scheme together.

But considering her status, even if she wanted to lift Bai Liang up, she wouldn't go about it this way.

In the end, they could only conclude: after all, she's her—unpredictable.

Yet, the choice of lead actor and actress still hadn't been settled.

Original fans were going mad: most were glad Shuangzi wasn't playing it, but the shoot date was drawing closer—what did it mean you hadn't cast yet?

Casting? Gu Man and others said not to rush—they were still reading the script.

"I'm a warlord in a small county"—this line summed up Zhang Xianzong's background well.

Zhang Xianzong in the original novel:

"Zhang, the Chief of Staff, was about thirty, neither young nor old, neither ugly nor handsome, unremarkable, yet no major flaws could be found."

"Zhang, the Chief of Staff, had no wife or children; his greatest pleasure was young girls—he always chose thirteen- or fourteen-year-olds to sleep with at brothels."

And Yue Qiluo? Her greatest pleasure in life was drinking human brain matter—even infants'.

These two characters in the original were truly outright villains; if filmed exactly as written, they wouldn't attract fans—Bai Liang and Chen Yao might even become nightmares for many viewers.

Fortunately, Chen Yao, the 1994-born girl, had big, dark, glossy eyes, a delicate voice, sometimes innocent and naive, sometimes cold and terrifying.

And Zhang Xianzong, who was deeply in love with Yue Qiluo yet described as "neither ugly nor handsome, unremarkable," revealed a different kind of charm under Bai Liang's portrayal.

Their first meeting: Yue Qiluo, dressed in tattered beggar's clothes, clutched a small bundle pitifully.

After a series of questions, Yue Qiluo ran far away, while Zhang Xianzong stood behind, staring blankly at her back.

Their second meeting was at a murder scene: Zhang Xianzong had just killed someone; Yue Qiluo watched as an audience. After spotting her, he didn't think of silencing her—instead, after a moment of daze, he smiled and asked: "Miss, are you hungry? Would you like me to buy you a meal?"

His gaze and tone were cold, yet carried a hint of tenderness.

He bought her meals, gave her money; she followed him, saying she had nowhere to stay. He smiled, and everything unfolded naturally—he gave her a place to live, married her, let her choose her own clothes.

Just from these scenes, someone unaware might think it was Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

Unfortunately, Huang Rong brought Guo Jing lifelong fortune, while Yue Qiluo was the beginning of Zhang Xianzong's misfortune.

Similar beginnings, yet different endings.

Because the daughter of the Eastern Heretic wasn't demonic—but Yue Qiluo truly was both demonic and bewitching, and cruel.

At that time, Zhang Xianzong didn't know her true identity—he thought she was just a pitiful little girl he'd picked up on the road.

Until he saw her in a red robe, stepping on clouds made of white paper figures—his eyes filled with shock, awe, and obsession, finally settling into despair.

After she saved him, he sat behind her, lost in thought, yet asked nothing.

Yue Qiluo: "You always thought I was a frail woman. Now you've seen the truth—do you fear me?"

He answered: "No, not now, and never will I."

When he thought she was merely a simple girl, he loved her.

When he knew she was no longer just a simple girl, he still loved her.

Thus, roles reversed, fate began—he became her pawn, her slave.

Until...

"Zhang Xianzong, my tooth hurts."

When she said this, Yue Qiluo was no longer that cold, eerie demon—she had become steeped in the smoke and dust of mortal life.

Whether out of gratitude, pity, or simply because Zhang Xianzong had moved her, she now bore ties—no longer looking down from above.

At the same time, after this line appeared, the popularity of "Wu Xin the Monk" soared to its peak!

"Holy shit! I'm obsessed with this CP! So damn eerie, and so damn satisfying!"

"Honestly, why not let the screenwriter bring Zhang Xianzong back to life? Getting killed by Wu Xin isn't a problem... next season, make Zhang Xianzong, wearing Wu Xin's face, the protagonist."

"Black hair, red lips, a loli appearance with a queen's aura—I absolutely adore Yue Qiluo!"

"So heartbreaking! I suddenly hope the villain wins..."

"Although Wu Xin and Yueya's CP is also pretty good, this eerie CP hits me harder! This drama is divine!"

"The strongest dark horse among niche web dramas! Tang Ren still has real talent—web dramas can be this good?"

"..."

Sometimes, a drama can only make one actor famous—but sometimes, a drama can make a whole group famous.

"Wu Xin the Monk" clearly achieved this, though it didn't quite reach the level of a top-tier mega-hit where even the crew's dog becomes famous.

But the four leads definitely ate well!

Oh right, Wang Yanlin—I almost forgot him.

His character Gu Xuanwu also made it onto the table, gaining fans through his naturally comedic traits—he was howling, calling Bai Liang to celebrate over a meal~

Eating's good—of course they should eat!

Bai Liang said he finally had an excuse to take Sister Yanzi out for a fancy meal, since his Weibo followers had surpassed two million.

Meanwhile, Bai Liang's "extra" follower, after watching "Wu Xin the Monk," began to have wildly shifting thoughts.

On the left was a baaing sheep; on the right, a smiling capybara.

But the baaing sheep seemed to drift farther away—the person holding its leash was annoying.

The capybara, however, grew more and more appealing—and he had no leash, he was free.

Moreover, in terms of acting, he seemed to be...

"Director Lin, I think Bai Liang can play the male lead!"

Hearing Gu Man's words, Lin Yufen first froze, then wore a peculiar expression—how to put it... it somehow felt perfectly natural.

She wasn't surprised at all.

But then again....

"What exactly does Yang Mi mean? Such an ambiguous attitude... If only she were a few years younger, she'd perfectly fit the character."

"As far as I know, she has no availability for us right now, unless she wants to make a cameo."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could we ever allow a cameo?!"

Yang Mi's popularity and heat are truly enviable, and among the original fans who strongly advocated for the role of Bei Weiwei, many indeed said Yang Mi was perfect.

Of course, no one knows whether they meant before or after she had children.

At this moment, someone else spotted the "blind spot": "Why haven't I seen much promotion for Bai Liang? Doesn't this kid know he might become the male lead? Such a great opportunity—why not ramp up the hype and ride the current momentum?"

Sister Yanzi: I'm on it! I'm on it!

She was a highly competent agent and knew perfectly well what timing this was.

Even the friendly yet ambiguous attitude coming from the "Weiwei" drama crew helped her pinpoint it exactly!

"Big Brother Dou Xiao Bai!"

"I understand. Do whatever you want," Bai Liang said with an encouraging smile.

Sister Yanzi's face lit up at first, then suddenly fell. "Do we even have money left?"

"Nope~ But if you need it, I'm not incapable of getting some."

"Really?!"