Chapter 304: Spring Waters Warm, the Duck Knows First

Bai Liang's cameo trip for "Pegasus," besides letting Shen Teng get to know him well, also got him "latched onto" by Bona's boss Yu Dong.

This wasn't the first time he'd met this industry big shot.

He'd crossed paths with him back when he went to audition for "Operation Red Sea," though they hadn't really talked then.

And Yu Dong had been kicking himself ever since—why hadn't he forced the decision back then and cast Bai Liang as the male lead?

Even though "Red Sea" had grossed over three billion at the box office, he still regretted it.

People are never satisfied, after all.

Especially when he looked up and saw "Wolf Warrior 2" hanging over his head with its 6.6 billion box office, always feeling like he'd missed out on something.

After that, even though Yu Dong had twice extended an olive branch to Bai Liang, he still hadn't managed to land a collaboration.

One was "The Bravest," the other "The Captain."

Mainly because the top-billed male lead in both films couldn't be too young.

As for second billing?

Even Han Han knew some things shouldn't be said carelessly—how would Yu Dong not know that?

Still, he gave it a shot—bumping up the second male lead's screen time, making it a co-lead billing, that sort of thing.

But it still didn't quite work out, because Bai Liang's schedule was too tight back then.

No matter—Bona was now betting big on mainstream commercial blockbusters, so there'd be a suitable one eventually.

If it were only that, Yu Dong wouldn't really need to come in person.

But—spring waters warm, and the duck knows first.

After Fan Fan Bingbing's situation was blown open by Dou Xiao Cui, plenty of industry insiders smelled something off.

The fallout from this tax storm was no simple matter.

The heavy fist was coming!

The big companies all had their own connections and sources—the salary cap order had been talked about for a while now, and by year's end this year it might really arrive!

At the same time, the almost predictable tightening of content censorship surely wasn't far off either.

The capital frenzy in the film and TV industry had basically started around 2015, with massive capital flooding in and spawning chaos like traffic-driven economics and IP hoarding.

But as policies tightened and the industry was cleaned up, capital would also start retreating as risks grew, bringing with it financing difficulties for film and TV companies and a wave of small and mid-sized firms going under.

Without a doubt—a film and TV winter!

Under these circumstances, the projects and remaining capital in the industry would, without question, choose a more "safe" approach.

Concentrate the money at the top.

In the coming years, the real top-tier artists were going to be very busy.

Actors with real box-office pull like Wu Jing, Shen Teng, and Wang Baoqiang would be even more "welcome."

Because they were box-office guarantees—with them on board, investors felt safe and willing to put up the money.

And without question, that of course included Bai Liang.

These people would likely occupy an almost monopolistic position in the scarce projects to come!

At a time like this was when it would truly be possible to sort out who the real top-tier artists were.

When the tide recedes, those swimming naked will be exposed for all to see.

Who's legit and who's all talk—capital's choice is cold and merciless.

In the short term there might be some impact, like a temporary dip in income.

But because of the scarcity of top-tier artists, during the winter period they could still have a steady stream of offers while their fees might even "rise instead of fall."

Put bluntly, the era of casually raking in money brought on by the flood of capital was about to slowly fade away.

In the new environment, the truly strong would survive longer and steadier.

And that was when Han Han finally understood what Yu Dong had come all this way for.

At its core, it was pretty much the same "latch onto the big leg" play that Unlike Ni Ni had chosen.

Just build up some rapport.

So it'd be easier to get Bai Liang for projects later on.

And Yu Dong was pretty tactful about it too—seemingly to "make up for" his "missed call" on "Operation Red Sea," he invited Bai Liang to play a small supporting role in the still-shooting "The Captain" crew.

Three days of work, eight million yuan.

A small supporting role? Honestly it was just a cameo—three days wasn't needed at all, the actual screen time could probably be wrapped up in a single day.

Han Han: So I didn't spend a single cent—doesn't that feel a bit off? Damn it, Yu Dong screwed me over.

After all, Bai Liang had come to do a cameo on his set and even put on a "car stunt show."

If Red Bull's people had seen it, they'd probably be slapping their thighs in regret—damn, what a waste!

So Han Han immediately felt a bit guilty: maybe I should chip in something too?

Bai Liang glanced at him: Sure~

Han Han: Chip in my ass—pay for my car!

Paying for the car was impossible—impossible in this lifetime.

Not only that, Bai Liang wanted to try once more to "borrow" Han Han's Subaru and have a proper go.

Too bad that guy, even after plenty to drink, kept one thing firmly in mind: Bai Liang driving his car? Don't even think about it!

The news of Bai Liang's upcoming cameo stirred up a bit of a buzz on the "The Captain" set.

Mainly because of the delighted reaction from the young female lead to the news.

There were people Bai Liang knew on that set too.

Two of them, in fact.

One was the old acquaintance Champagne Girl Li Xin—the two had only just parted from the "Joy of Life" crew not long ago.

After joining the cast of China's Captain, she heard at a dinner party that the film had tried to recruit Bai Liang but failed, and she felt a bit disappointed.

But now Bai Liang was coming anyway, so she excitedly placed an order for champagne and waited for him to arrive.

Bai Liang's endorsed champagne: Oh! Our loyal customer's back!

And another acquaintance—she wasn't sure if she could even call him "loyal."

In terms of how long they'd known each other and how much time they'd spent together, it was only one day's interaction—very new.

But from an age perspective, this young lady was "mysterious"—to this day, Bai Liang still didn't know her exact age.

Still, that night in Tokyo had been incredibly full and brilliant for Zhang, giving her a completely different understanding of Bai Liang, the top streamer.

She still couldn't forget that night; sometimes she even dreamed about it~

Now that she heard this news, she naturally couldn't hold back, her expression bright with delight.

Li Xin: Huh? What's that got to do with you?

She had heard absolutely nothing about any contact between Bai Liang and Zhang Tian'ai.

Zhang Tian'ai: Even now, people still ask me who the photographer was in Tokyo—ah~ I won't tell! Let you guess.

Funny thing is, just the other day, Li Xin had asked her the same thing—she wanted to take photos just as beautiful and atmospheric!

Or rather, which female artist wouldn't want to take such photos?

A breakout iconic image? It's rare and unattainable by design.

Only Bai Liang, that "freak," manages to produce two or three every year.

Unlike the two young ladies' mindsets, the male second lead of China's Captain, Ou Hao, felt a bit sour inside.

Damn it! Bai Liang's guest appearance fee is higher than my salary as the lead—is that fair? Is that polite?!

Yu Dong never intended to hide this matter—he seemed to want to create the effect of paying a fortune for a horse's bone.

And the effect, of course, was "excellent."

Sister Yanzi: Who's the sucker this time? Hehe, let's take a cut~

When money's handed over like this, why not take it?

No wonder he's a big shot in the industry—this is the largest "friendship fee" Bai Liang has ever received.

Ou Hao: Come on, speak up for me, speak up for me!

Before he took this role, he'd heard the script had once been rewritten as a dual male lead story—equal billing.

Back then, he was ecstatic, thinking: Man, I've got serious clout!

But then he arrived on set—guess what happened?

It was changed right back. Go back to playing the second lead properly.

He found out later: the reason they'd changed it to dual leads was to "lure" Bai Liang into joining.

But he never showed up, so Ou Hao got stuck with the role—but clearly his status didn't merit equal billing with Zhang Hanyu; reverting was perfectly reasonable. The logic made sense, but his heart couldn't take it.

He was Ou Hao! Logically, he and Bai Liang were in the same league~

Both were "gods," each with their own followers.

Yet he'd never even met Bai Liang, and had been repeatedly "humiliated"—who could endure this?

Ou Hao even asked his agent: Do I really differ from him that much?

His agent didn't coddle him: Yes, you really are that far behind. Just act well. Stop thinking nonsense.

Humiliated again.

Ou Hao: Bai Bai Daxian, huh? You wait, buddy!

He decided: when Bai Liang arrives on the China's Captain set, he'll invite him for a bubble tea—make friends.

—

"Achoo!"

"Little cutie, who's thinking of you?" Bai's mother asked with a smile.

Bai Liang looked puzzled. "Aren't you supposed to ask if I caught a cold?"

"Since you were a kid, every time you got sick, it was from a girl. Even if you really did catch a cold, it's definitely because you did something bad."

Bai Liang said nothing, only silently handed his mother a bottle of water.

!

There's a kind of thirst—the kind where he feels his mother is thirsty.

Jiao Zi: Ah~ keep going! I love this gossip.

Bai Liang: I love watching you pressure those poor souls in the animation industry.

During these two days he came to the Nezha: The Rise of the Devil Child set to voice act, he'd seen plenty.

Director Jiao Zi looked quiet and unassuming, but he was also a pressure monster.

The subcontractors from Nezha's project team that Bai Liang met all had faces stamped with "misery."

They looked like they were about to collapse.

The worst off was the VFX artist handling Shen Shen Gongbao's transformation—he worked for two months, then quit.

But his new company assigned him the same project, calling it: "You have experience."

Jiao Zi: "This is fate's design."

Of course, even Jiao Zi's own team members all looked the same—like they could burst into tears at any moment.

Their dark circles were so heavy that Bai Liang kindly asked: "Aren't you afraid they'll pass out from exhaustion?"

Jiao Zi replied: "I'm from West China Medical University—I can resuscitate them."

"I still feel pressuring them like this is inhumane…"

"Your mom is now a shareholder in my company."

"Please be sure to push harder!"

The two exchanged a smile, looking just like soulless, evil capitalists.

Of course, this was all nonsense.

*Ne Zha* and *The Wandering Earth* — the project teams on both sides gave Bai Liang a very similar feeling.

Whether it was Director Jiao Zi or Guo Fan, the sheer intensity of their own workloads was a little frightening.

Director Jiao Zi's face was also written all over with that bitter, miserable look; Guo Fan's face, which had originally been a little round and full, was now almost gaunt beyond recognition.

At the same time, including all those subcontractors, they actually all knew exactly what kind of thing they were making.

Rather than constantly applying pressure, it was more accurate to say Director Jiao Zi was giving hope to the entire industry.

Dozens of companies participating together, jointly hoisting up an animated film like this — it was just like the Ten Thousand Dragon Armor assembled by the dragon clan in the movie.

Before release: Damn that client.

After release: Honored to have participated in this project!

Of course, although Director Jiao Zi was very skilled at applying pressure, his demands were also especially strict.

But he was also left utterly dumbfounded by this guy Bai Liang's efficiency.

Holy crap~ immune to pressure? Efficiency maxed out?

Bai Liang: Bro, I'm in a rush here!

He was still hurrying to report to the *The Longest Day in Chang'an* crew — the dubbing time left for him really wasn't all that much.

He couldn't be like his own mother, who had plenty of time to slowly polish and refine at her leisure.

So the whole point was efficiency.

No matter what demands Director Jiao Zi had, he could satisfy them on the spot.

The transformed young Nezha and Ao Bing — two different vocal timbres, switching back and forth, silky smooth.

In the end, Director Jiao Zi couldn't help but ask: "Between you and your mother, who actually learned dubbing first?"

"Her~"

"Awesome."

Still, Director Jiao Zi didn't find it all that unbelievable.

A man who studied medicine in college and then self-taught animation — how could he not also be a genius?

Just like the Nezha in his script, the road of "defying fate" was not an easy one to walk.

Oh right, what Bai Liang studied in college seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with what he was doing now either.

It's just that Bai Liang was really a little too versatile — it felt like he'd stepped beyond the realm of genius, like some kind of monster.

Before parting, Director Jiao Zi seemed a little embarrassed as he asked: "Before the movie premieres, you can help promote it, right?"

"Of course? Why wouldn't I help?" Bai Liang said, puzzled.

"Oh~ never mind then. Have a safe trip."

Watching Bai Liang's departing figure, Director Jiao Zi sighed: What a good guy!

Not only did he not charge a single cent in fees, he'd also help promote it afterward.

Bai Liang's name was very useful right now!

And during those days of dubbing, Director Jiao Zi had also happened to overhear Bai Liang's current "market price" in casual conversation.

A cameo for three days at eight million?

Then how much had he made, treating the guy like a "beast of burden" all these days?

Although you couldn't calculate it that way, he really did owe him a considerable favor.

This had nothing to do with Mom Bai's investment — one thing at a time.

Then Director Jiao Zi felt the pressure on himself grow even greater — he had to succeed!

He also transmitted that same pressure to everyone else on the project.

Come on, don't stop, keep grinding!

And Bai Liang, who had finally arrived at Xiangshan Film and Television City, had also managed to catch the opening ceremony of *The Longest Day in Chang'an*.

At the same time, far away in Shanghai, Sister Yanzi had finally welcomed the tax bureau she had been longing for.

At last, they've come!

If they hadn't come to audit her taxes, she'd been ready to go up to them herself and ask what was going on.

"Come, come, come, let's get started right away — audit slowly, audit carefully."

"Uh—"

At this point, Sister Yanzi quickly gave another wave of instructions, telling the staff in her studio's marketing department to get ready.

It wasn't that she wanted them to start marketing right away.

Rather, first hire some water army to set the rhythm.

The principle of building up before letting loose — who doesn't understand that?

Jumping out to market their own Little White Bro directly would be too crude and heavy-handed — the marketing flavor would be way too obvious.

But what if someone jumped out to "smear" him first, and then the studio was "forced to fight back and show the evidence"?

Who could find fault with her then!

The "timely reversal" at that point would absolutely build up her Little White Bro's image to the fullest.

This is marketing.

She declared: now she, too, could pull off some "turning clouds and rain with a flip of the hand" moves in the entertainment industry.

Sister Yanzi: Oh no! I'm almost becoming a big shot in the industry?! —

Third watch, muah, begging for monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)