Chapter 99

After having dinner with Yooju Hyun, Sung Yuri, and their families, Zhang Chengyuan bid farewell and returned to the film set. Since Yooju Hyun and Sung Yuri had things to do in the afternoon and evening and had no time to accompany him, and since Li Xiaoli and Li Zhen were also very busy, he found it meaningless to stay at home alone and thus returned to the production team. When saying goodbye, he whispered to Yooju Hyun and Sung Yuri, "Sisters, does today's scene count as meeting the parents?" The two women did not give him a good face after hearing this.

On March 1st, the final episode of "Heroic Spring Fragrance" was broadcast, with a viewership rating of 33.5%, the highest since the show's premiere. For all the members of the production team and KBS TV, it could be said to be a very satisfactory ending. As the male lead, Zhang Chengyuan's gains were also considerable.

Through this TV series, Zhang Chengyuan's popularity soared to new heights, surpassing the level he had reached before his military service. Walking down the street, he would certainly be surrounded by thousands of female fans, making it impossible to move. The media also praised him highly, calling him a new force in Korean television actors with great potential, and he was expected to become the next Zhang Donggun.

As a result, Zhang Chengyuan's value skyrocketed. Park Byung-ryeol directly set his acting fees at the level of top stars, and the remuneration for various appearances also increased several times. Even so, people still came to Park Byung-ryeol one after another to negotiate Zhang Chengyuan's participation in various activities.

After the completion of "Heroic Spring Fragrance" in late February, Zhang Chengyuan took a two-day break and then participated in the recording of another episode of "X-MAN." This time, his popularity far exceeded the previous two times, and the amount of screen time allocated to him also increased significantly.

However, at this point, Zhang Chengyuan no longer needed to gather popularity through this variety show, and he did not particularly want to participate in such purely entertaining and funny programs. After all, his personality was somewhat cold or even a bit rigid, making him unsuitable for entertainment shows. It was only because Liu Zaishi and Jiang Hudong repeatedly invited him warmly, and he also heard that Li Zhen and Yoon Eun-hye were also invited guests for this episode of "X-MAN," that he agreed to participate.

After the recording of this episode, when he was about to leave with Li Zhen and Yoon Eun-hye, Liu Zaishi stopped him and said he had something to discuss. Therefore, the four of them went to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

As soon as they sat down at the restaurant, Liu Zaishi asked, "Have you heard of the 'Reversal Drama'?"

Zhang Chengyuan glanced at Li Zhen and nodded, "Of course, isn't Sister Zhen currently filming the 'Reversal Drama'?"

The 'Reversal Drama' is a short series broadcast by SBS TV after "X-MAN," with two episodes per day, each about 20 minutes long. The storylines are independent and unrelated, and the actors are mostly guests from "X-MAN" or other popular singers. Li Zhen began filming this short series at the end of last year and has already shot several episodes. Therefore, due to Li Zhen's involvement, Zhang Chengyuan had some knowledge of the 'Reversal Drama.'

Liu Zaishi deliberated, "The director of the 'Reversal Drama,' Jeong Yong-tae, knows that I have a good relationship with you and asked me to invite you to participate in the filming. If you have some free time recently, you might consider shooting one or two episodes." Zhang Chengyuan's popularity had soared, and although Liu Zaishi did not think Zhang Chengyuan would have the time to shoot such a short series with relatively low remuneration, he had to ask as a favor to the director.

Zhang Chengyuan was somewhat puzzled as to why the director would approach him, so he asked, "Why me? Shouldn't the actors for a TV series be pre-selected before filming?"

Liu Zaishi explained, "The 'Reversal Drama' is different from other TV series. Since each episode has an independent storyline and the actors are mostly popular singers with tight schedules, the cast often needs to be changed. After watching 'Heroic Spring Fragrance,' Director Jeong was very impressed by your acting and wants to collaborate with you a few times. Besides, with your current popularity, it would be a win-win situation to have you."

Zhang Chengyuan said, "Brother Zaishi, you know I am a professional actor, and the pay for acting is quite different from appearing on variety shows. Has Director Jeong considered this?"

Liu Zaishi replied, "You can rest assured, they will follow the rules. You can leave this to your agent. Right now, I just want to know if you are willing."

"Brother Zaishi, why don't they contact my agent directly?"

Liu Zaishi shook his head and smiled, "They did, but your agent said he needed to ask your opinion first. It's been three days, and he hasn't replied to Director Jeong. Since you came to participate in 'X-MAN' today, Director Jeong asked me to ask you directly. Of course, if you are not interested, it's fine. I'm just a messenger in this matter." Liu Zaishi didn't really care whether Zhang Chengyuan agreed or not.

Hearing this, Zhang Chengyuan felt a bit strange: why didn't Park Byung-ryeol tell him about this? But after a moment's thought, he understood. Park Byung-ryeol probably didn't think much of the 'Reversal Drama' and didn't bother to mention it to him, or he might have even forgotten about it. In fact, Zhang Chengyuan, like Park Byung-ryeol, didn't think much of the 'Reversal Drama' and believed there were better options available. However, if he considered Li Zhen, he was willing to participate.

Therefore, Zhang Chengyuan said, "Brother Zaishi, I am willing to participate in the 'Reversal Drama,' but I have one condition. Could you please convey it to Director Jeong Yong-tae?"

"What condition?" Liu Zaishi asked with interest, not expecting Zhang Chengyuan to have any intention of participating in the 'Reversal Drama.'

"In the 'Reversal Drama,' some actors are fixed partners. I want to be a fixed partner with Sister Zhen and act together." Zhang Chengyuan glanced at Li Zhen again.

Hearing Zhang Chengyuan's words, Li Zhen didn't say anything but had a faint smile on her face.

Liu Zaishi immediately knew that Li Zhen was very willing. He thought, "Are Li Zhen and Chengyuan really dating, as Brother Hudong guessed? That makes sense, otherwise why would Chengyuan make such a request?"

Although he thought this, he didn't show any unusual expression on his face. He continued, "This might be a bit difficult. Li Hui-jae, Andy of Shinhwa, and Li Zhen have just formed a strong trio, and the audience's response has been good. If we break it up... Oh, forget it, I'm not the director. Chengyuan, I will convey your words to Director Jeong Yong-tae, but I can't predict the outcome or help much."

Zhang Chengyuan said, "Brother Zaishi, just conveying the message is the biggest help you can give me. I'll raise a glass to you."

Liu Zaishi took a small sip of soju and said, "I have a gathering with Brother Hudong later, so I need to save some alcohol. I'll leave now!" He got up and waved goodbye.

"Brother Zaishi, see you next time!"

Zhang Chengyuan, Li Zhen, and Yoon Eun-hye stood up to see Liu Zaishi off and then sat down again.

Yoon Eun-hye said, "I really envy Chengyuan's popularity. Just sitting here, he gets offers!"

Li Zhen put her arm around Yoon Eun-hye's shoulder and said, "There's no need to envy. In a year or two, you might surpass him."

Zhang Chengyuan nodded and said, "Sister Zhen is right, Eun-hye. You will definitely make a name for yourself in the entertainment industry. You have the potential! So you need to be confident." He paused and then asked, "When does your contract with DR Company expire?"

Yoon Eun-hye replied, "In early July."

Li Zhen smiled and said, "There's not much time left. It looks like you're about to make it."

Yoon Eun-hye said worriedly, "I don't know what to do after the contract ends. Will other agencies be willing to sign with me?" She had already decided not to renew her contract with DR Company but was uncertain about her future.

Zhang Chengyuan consoled her, "There's no need to worry. You've worked hard for so many years at DR Company without earning much. It's better to leave such a company. Besides, with the connections you've built and your current popularity, you can stand on your own in the entertainment industry without necessarily relying on an agency."

Li Zhen scolded, "Go away! You big man, how do you know the hardships of female artists? Without a strong agency, we can hardly move a step. So if you encounter a powerful and sincere agency, it's best to sign with them."

Zhang Chengyuan asked, "Sister Zhen, are you and Sister Yoo-ri also planning to change agencies?"

Li Zhen replied, "Yes, we have that plan. We hope that by switching to a specialized agency, we can have better development in our performances."

Zhang Chengyuan said, "Oh," and didn't ask any more. In this area, he couldn't help at all, so he lowered his head and started eating.

After a while, Li Zhen asked Zhang Chengyuan, "I have a question. Why do you want to film the 'Reversal Drama'? With so much time, you could choose a good script and shoot another popular TV series."

Zhang Chengyuan smiled and said, "You ask me this question, and the answer is obvious! Because I want to act with you, to be with you every day, to hug and kiss you, to be intimate and loving." In romantic scenes, there would inevitably be some intimate scenes, which Zhang Chengyuan enjoyed.

Li Zhen blushed immediately and spat, "You naughty guy!" She didn't expect Zhang Chengyuan to say such flirtatious words in front of Yoon Eun-hye. Although Yoon Eun-hye had already guessed their relationship, she still felt quite embarrassed.

Yoon Eun-hye was also quite shy and lowered her head, saying softly, "Chengyuan, you're so corny! You don't even care if I hear it."

Zhang Chengyuan, with a thick face, said, "When you have a boyfriend in the future, you'll also like to hear such corny words."