Chapter 122: An Actor Who Can

Feng Dapao, as a renowned director, certainly possesses undeniable talent.

In his early years, he lived in extreme poverty, but by chance, Feng Dapao met Zheng Xiaolong.

Anyone familiar with Zheng Xiaolong's love for TV dramas would know this.

Hit dramas like Empresses in the Palace, Golden Marriage, and Mi Yue Zhuan all came from his hand.

Back then, to get closer to Zheng Xiaolong, Feng Dapao began a lavish campaign of flattery.

Zheng Xiaolong helped Feng Dapao secure a job as a set designer at the Jingcheng Television Arts Center.

Later, through Zheng Xiaolong, he met the "Jingcheng rogue" writer Wang Shuo.

At dinner tables, Feng Dapao lavished praise on Wang Shuo, though Wang Shuo found such flattery somewhat repulsive.

But no matter how else one may be deceived, flattery never fails—he eventually accepted Feng Dapao.

Thus, Feng Dapao slowly integrated into the big院子子弟 circle, daily tasked with serving tea and water.

This big院子子弟 circle was quite interesting.

Wang Shuo, as a Jingcheng elder, once formed a social circle centered around himself.

Its members included Zhao Baogang, Jiang Wen, Zheng Xiaolong, Ye Jing, and others.

All these people later became household names within the circle.

Many women had ties to the Jingcheng circle, such as the Jingcheng princess Xu Qing, Mei Ting, Li Xiaoran, and the Jingcheng favorite Xu Cainv.

Each Jingcheng woman had an extraordinary past with some member of the circle.

Among them, Xu Cainv's romantic history was the richest and the most tumultuous.

Her affair with Wang Shuo could easily be adapted into a long-running TV drama of love and hatred…

…

"Who else!"

Wearing a black hat, Feng Dapao strolled through the police station and delivered his line that would later go viral online.

To be fair, aside from his character, Feng Dapao had real acting ability.

Directors approach character study completely differently from actors—he had his own unique style.

Especially in his performance in the film I Am Your Dad,

it was truly commendable.

His portrayal of pretentiousness, arrogance, hypocrisy, timidity, and fragility fully captured the tragedy of a certain type of intellectual, moving the audience.

And in Kung Fu, that single ten-second shout made the character unforgettable.

Combined with his appearance and distinctive tone, he genuinely evoked the image of a gang boss, leaving a deep impression.

"Such a beautiful woman, and you arrest her just because she spat on the ground!

Is there still law? Is there still justice?"

A gang boss shouting for law and justice inside a police station, forcing all officers to bow their heads and dare not breathe.

Undeniably, Zhou Xingchi's lines and plot were deeply ironic.

Feng Dapao walked slowly through the police station, and only through the camera did he realize the station had been wrecked by him and his men.

He smashed up the police station just because his wife spat on the ground—how brazen!

"Even your chief has to give the Crocodile Gang face, or he won't stay chief…"

"Good, cut!"

Zhou Xingchi suddenly shouted.

"Feng's performance was excellent."

Zhou Xingchi gave his approval.

"Oh no, Director Zhou, you flatter me—mainly it's because you trained me so well.

This is truly the most professional crew I've ever seen—Nan Bo Wan! Everyone here is amazing!"

Feng Dapao immediately switched expressions, giving Zhou Xingchi a thumbs-up and praising him.

That's why this guy knows how to handle things—I don't just praise your directing, I praise your crew too.

For any director, praising their work or their crew is more effective than praising them personally!

But Zhou Xingchi was unmoved by this tactic, slightly overwhelmed by Feng's enthusiasm.

Feng Dapao appeared twice in Kung Fu—his riot in the police station was his highlight moment.

Later, he had a scene opposite Cheng Chen, who killed him outright with a knife.

Upon seeing Cheng Chen, Feng Dapao also showered him with praise.

At this time, Feng Dapao already had Mei Wan Mei Liao, A Sigh, and Big Shot under his belt in the Mainland.

With the backing of Jingcheng elders, he had begun to shine, rising among China's directors as a notable figure.

His true breakthrough, the film Mobile, which would establish him as a master director, would also emerge this year's New Year release, claiming the top box office spot in the Mainland.

Thus, now that Feng Dapao faced Cheng Chen, the rising Asian star, though he didn't grovel like he did for Zhou Xingchi, he still treated him with polite respect.

"They say heroes always emerge in youth—the ancients never lied. Cheng Heavenly King is currently the hottest name, truly enviable."

Feng Dapao, smiling broadly at Cheng Chen, showed his two front teeth.

"Director Feng is too kind—I often watch your films; they're excellent, very much to my taste."

Everyone lifts the sedan chair—though he disliked Feng, Cheng Chen still smiled and returned the compliment.

The entertainment circle is a circle—neither too big nor too small.

Cheng Chen was currently at the peak of his fame, the undisputed traffic Heavenly King.

Remembering how Feng Dapao once fawned over Wang Shuo, serving tea and water, greeting guests,

now that he saw Cheng Chen, though he didn't grovel, he still put on a show of great enthusiasm.

After all, if Cheng Chen shows up in the movie he's currently shooting.

He could also claim during promotion that the Asian pop sensation Heavenly King lent his support.

Don't think famous directors are too lofty to do such things.

Old man Chen Ase and Feng Dapao have both done it plenty.

Flow stars don't necessarily play the lead, but at least they show up—after all, their fans will definitely buy tickets for their idol.

"You've backed me… I'm currently shooting a movie. Is Cheng Heavenly King free to make a cameo?"

Feng Dapao said with a chuckle.

"That would be wonderful—appearing in Director Feng's film is my honor. Let's discuss it again after we return to Beijing?"

Cheng Chen laughed it off and said.

"Perfect! Just for that remark, this trip of mine wasn't wasted."

Feng Dapao said with a chuckle.

Cheng Chen smiled but said nothing; as for actually waiting until returning to Beijing… no schedule, that's all.

After a few more words, the two immediately became shoulder-slapping "bros."

Feng Dapao—if he wants to build a relationship with you, you're basically stuck.

He'll go to any lengths, spare no effort, to get close to you.

Like right now…

"Bro, let me tell you, this Gang Sheng crew…"

Feng Dapao draped his arm over Cheng Chen's shoulder, glanced around, and whispered:

"They don't treat us Mainland folks as human beings. I'm a director, sure, not a famous one.

But haven't I made plenty of films that critics and audiences both loved?

Look at the people in this crew—who treats us with any respect?

Not even tea or water, let alone a proper rest room? Look at this chaotic mess.

Still acting like it's last century, putting on airs like they're above us—what the hell!"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen fell silent.

Feng Dapao was describing a common phenomenon: for example, when a Gang Sheng and Mainland co-production film is made.

The Gang Sheng side always dominates, and Gang Sheng actors always tower above Mainland actors.

Never mind other things—just consider that movie reduced to nothing but its title: Little Fish and Flower.

The leads, Zhang Jianjian and Xie Tingfeng, turned a staged fight scene into a real one.

They beat Wang Bozhao, who played the villain, straight into the hospital.

Wang Bozhao kept filing lawsuits, taking both men to court.

Although the final verdict ruled the two actors used excessive force, it still wasn't enough to open a case…

This Wang Bozhao was the actor who portrayed the White Dragon Horse in the 1986 version of Journey to the West—he's a veteran actor in the Mainland.

A nearly fifty-year-old man being pinned down and slapped by two young upstarts—who wouldn't be furious hearing that?

The assault incident caused a huge uproar in the media at the time.

The public buzzed with endless speculation.

Some claimed Wang Bozhao, emboldened by his fame, frequently harassed female crew members.

Zhang and Xie decided to uphold justice, so they turned the staged fight real.

But Wang Bozhao denied it, saying he never harassed anyone—everyone on the crew knew what kind of man he was.

Actually, this excuse held no water, because afterward, the director Wang Sanri, under public pressure, came forward to say:

The crew did everything for cinematic effect, chasing realism.

He even slapped himself six hard slaps on camera and claimed he felt no pain…

Eventually, as Little Fish and Flower became wildly popular, the assault incident faded away.

Remember, this was already 2005—Gang Sheng's film industry was in decline, and those actors came to the Mainland to make money.

From this, we can infer how arrogant certain Gang Sheng actors were during their peak.

"Bro, I take it you're not exactly welcomed here on set?"

Seeing Cheng Chen nod, Feng Dapao pressed on.

"Me?"

Cheng Chen pointed at himself, then said:

"Not bad. Can't say I'm unwelcome."

Well, the crew staff did indeed ignore him somewhat.

The reason? After the fight choreographer was replaced, those who supported Hong Jinbao resented Cheng Chen for helping Yuan Baye design the action—and for getting too close to Zhou Xingchi.

In their eyes, Cheng Chen, a Mainland kid, was too eager to stand out, too scheming—naturally, they held a bad impression.

But to Feng Dapao, Cheng Chen's words were just the thin-skinned pride of a young man.

He suffered and was pushed around on set but dared not speak up.

After all, he'd been on set for two days already—during those two days, Zhou Xingchi ignored him, and the crew staff gave him no good looks.

Now he was just putting on a brave face in front of him.

Feng Dapao was about to say more, when someone over there shouted for Cheng Chen.

"Ah Cheng!"

It was Yuan Baye walking over.

"Ba Ye."

Cheng Chen nodded with a smile.

"Hello, Ba Ye, I'm Feng Xiaogang. I absolutely love the action scenes you choreograph—they're so thrilling. An honor to meet you."

Feng Xiaogang immediately put on a smile and said.

"Oh, Director Feng, hello… Ah Cheng, I've been looking for you everywhere. You're just wandering around here."

"What's wrong, Ba Ye? Aren't the action sequences already designed?"

The production pace of Kung Fu isn't fast, but special effects films naturally have shorter shooting schedules—the main focus is on post-production.

So most of the action design is already complete, and Cheng Chen's scenes are down to just a tiny bit left, which is why he's been wandering around the set with nothing to do.

"Let's walk and talk. Director Zhou just rejected another version of the action. Ugh, it's driving me crazy—do you have any good ideas?"

Yuan Baye gave Feng Xiaogang a polite nod, then ushered Cheng Chen toward his office.

Feng Xiaogang stood aside, utterly baffled—Yuan Baye was a world-renowned action choreographer.

He emphasized innovation and breakthroughs in action design, transforming the clichés of Gang Sheng martial arts films.

He launched a series of new wuxia works: Snake Fist, Drunken Fist, Qimen Dunjia, Lin Shirong, and Laughing Taiji.

He could truly be called a grandmaster.

Yet now he was coming to Cheng Chen for help because Zhou Xingchi had rejected his action design?

Cheng Chen was here to act—when did he become an action choreographer?

Feng Xiaogang decided to follow the two and find out.

As soon as they entered Yuan Baye's office, the Yuan Family Team sat in gloom, the air thick with despair.

Every time Zhou Xingchi launched an attack, the Yuan Family Team always looked this miserable.

The moment Cheng Chen stepped in, everyone in the room saw him as a savior.

"Mr. Cheng!"

"Mr. Cheng has arrived!"

"Ah Cheng, sit down!"

"Ah Cheng, SOS!"

Everyone quickly stood to greet him; Cheng Chen bowed slightly to them and said politely:

"Everyone, please sit. Let's discuss this first…"

Feng Xiaogang, following behind, was utterly astonished—these were the Yuan Family Team!

They had seen every kind of storm with Yuan Baye, yet now they sat like elementary students waiting for Cheng Chen to teach them.

This young man was hiding his depth well!

This… this was absurdity itself opening the door for absurdity—utterly ridiculous!

If Cheng Chen knew what Feng Xiaogang was thinking right now, he could only offer a wry smile.

As one of his favorite films from his past life, he had watched Kung Fu repeatedly, even studied it frame by frame.

Every plot point, every single shot was deeply etched into his memory.

If the Yuan Family Team asked him to invent a brand-new action sequence from scratch, he'd say: "Fine, you guys do it—I'm not doing it."

But if you asked him how to choreograph the actions from Kung Fu? He could definitely do it!

"This action? Earlier, Ba Ye said mine wasn't good enough and rejected it. Now…"

"Oh come on, what's the hurry? I was wrong, I was wrong, alright? Little master, just explain your idea again—use yours, please!"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Yuan Baye's face flushed red.

He was himself a man of the martial world, with a bold and easygoing personality—he had no trouble apologizing to Cheng Chen.

Yuan Baye's apprentices, seeing their master like this, couldn't help but cover their mouths and snicker—they'd seen this scene countless times.

Yuan Baye was a grandmaster in the action choreography world—how could he possibly follow the guidance of a junior, let alone someone who wasn't even a professional?

So he'd often create several versions himself, get them rejected multiple times by Zhou Xingchi, then come to Cheng Chen for help.

Cheng Chen's role? He was the backup diaper—no matter how wildly Yuan Baye jumped, Cheng Chen could catch him.

After all, Cheng Chen's actions had been repeatedly refined by "Zhou Xingchi"—he couldn't possibly reject his own work.

Thus arose the famous scene: Yuan Baye inviting Cheng Chen, then immediately apologizing.

Feng Dapao, watching from the side, was stunned—this was insane!

……