Chapter 182: Refusal

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While Cheng Chen was in court, the entire Kung Fu production team had already completed all promotional tours across Mainland.

Upon receiving notification from Zhou Xingchi, Cheng Chen directly traveled to Tai Sheng.

Compared to the exclusivity of Gang Sheng, Tai Sheng had previously criticized Cheng Chen over the Golden Melody Award Song King incident.

But with the best-selling success of his third album, Starfire, public opinion toward him gradually shifted.

Added to his bold maneuvers in Gang Sheng, the people of Tai Sheng expressed strong support.

After all, although Gang Sheng and Tai Sheng have always been evenly matched in the entertainment industry, to outsiders, Tai Sheng still lacked the stature of Gang Sheng.

This time, Cheng Chen's uproar in Gang Sheng left many with a poor impression of its entertainment circle.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend!

"Thank you, thank you, Xing Ye, for sharing. Does anyone else in the audience have questions?"

Lin Zhiling, wearing high heels and displaying her beautiful legs unmistakably, spoke into the microphone in a sweet, coquettish tone.

This promotional event in Tai Sheng was hosted by Lin Zhiling, who had met Cheng Chen only once but formed a deep friendship with him.

"Hello, host, I'd like to interview Cheng Chen."

A journalist stood up; Cheng Chen took the microphone and smiled:

"Go ahead."

"Kung Fu is surely your first major-screen role since your debut."

And this is your first role, collaborating with a top director like Xing Ye—could you share your thoughts?"

Cheng Chen smiled and said:

"That's right—Kung Fu is indeed my first film. Xing Ye has been my childhood idol; being cast in his movie is an immense honor.

But I do have one regret: I didn't meet Xing Ye sooner—it was due to my own lack of ability; otherwise, I could have appeared in more of his films."

"Hahaha."

Cheng Chen's answer drew knowing smiles from everyone present.

"Then I'd like to ask Xing Ye another question: as everyone knows, you're very selective with actors.

Why did you choose Cheng Chen, a complete newcomer with no prior film experience?"

Zhou Xingchi, now over forty, had faint wrinkles creeping across his face; he took the microphone and said:

"It's simple—Cheng Chen was perfect for the role of Chen Ge. I never judge actors by their experience.

If an actor matches the character's essence, even a complete amateur gets invited.

And Cheng Chen didn't disappoint me—he delivered an outstanding portrayal."

Zhou Xingchi wasn't lying; he had always cast actors this way.

Like Xu Jiao in Changjiang Qihao, and Lin Yun, the female lead in The Mermaid.

As the King of Comedy who brought joy to countless people, he had starred in or directed over fifty films, becoming a legend in China's film industry.

When he first entered the film industry, still called Stephen Chow, he was already more than just an actor.

He deeply participated in casting, scriptwriting, and filming—effectively acting as a half-director.

Later, when he founded his own company and became a director, his influence grew even greater.

No matter who directed it, any film he was involved in was called a Zhou Xingchi movie.

And any actress cast as the female lead in his films became known as an Xing Nulang.

In the film industry, there are three famous "Nulang": Lao Mou Zi's Mou Girl,

Feng Dapao's Feng Nulang, and Zhou Xingchi's Xing Nulang.

The actresses discovered by these three giants account for nearly half the film industry.

The entire morning's Kung Fu promotion proceeded in a harmonious, peaceful, and friendly atmosphere.

This eased Lin Zhiling's tension, who had been holding the microphone nonstop.

She feared the entertainment reporters below might ask about Cheng Chen's affairs in Gang Sheng.

If they did, she wouldn't be able to shield him alone.

Meanwhile, Cheng Chen silently thought to himself:

The media in Tai Sheng truly are more sensible than those in Gang Sheng.

They seemed to have agreed in advance to remain silent about Cheng Chen's incidents in Gang Sheng…

"Thank you for your hard work, Xing Ye,

Thank you for your hard work, Cheng Chen."

"You worked hard too."

Behind the scenes, Lin Zhiling smiled brightly and politely addressed the two.

Zhou Xingchi nodded and said:

"You two know each other?"

"Yes, recently at the Golden Melody Awards in Tai Sheng, Zhi Ling helped me a great deal."

Cheng Chen smiled.

"Hmm, then you two chat—I'll head back to the hotel… Cheng Zai, don't forget tomorrow's promotion in Wannan."

"Understood, Director Zhou."

…

Changin into casual clothes, Cheng Chen and Lin Zhiling exited the venue.

"Phew… finally out."

Lin Zhiling patted her ample curves, looking utterly relaxed.

"Is it really that scary?"

Cheng Chen said with amusement.

"You noticed?"

Lin Zhiling said in surprise.

"Of course. Whenever Director Zhou stands next to you, you tense up and look uncomfortable. Is he really that terrifying?"

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"Of course! Xing Ye has an absolutely incredible aura. When he's around, I'm so scared I don't even dare speak."

Lin Zhiling said, exaggerating.

"Well, I thought you hosted just fine. Director Zhou is just a bit cold by nature; in private he's actually pretty easygoing."

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"Maybe you two haven't spent enough time together yet…"

While the two were talking, a tall, elegantly dressed woman walked toward them.

Behind her followed a bodyguard in black.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Cheng Chen?"

"I am… and you are?"

Cheng Chen looked at the woman before him, slightly stunned, and asked.

"Director He?"

Lin Zhiling at his side blurted out in surprise.

"Hehe, hello, Zhi Ling."

The woman Lin Zhiling had called Director He smiled gently, her temperament beyond words warm and intellectual.

"I'm He Xiuqiong. This isn't the place to talk. May I take a little of your time? Let's go to the coffee shop up ahead, shall we?"

The woman who had introduced herself as He Xiuqiong said with a smile.

Hearing the woman's self-introduction, Cheng Chen finally caught on.

So it was her!

Anyone familiar with Qiong Yao dramas has surely watched the Huan Zhu Ge Ge series and Romance in the Rain, among others.

And the person who spearheaded the production of these dramas was none other than this seemingly gentle, intellectual woman before him.

She was not only the producer of several TV series adapted from Qiong Yao's novels, but also the general manager of Qiong Yao's talent agency.

At the same time, she had another identity — she was Ms. Qiong Yao's daughter-in-law…

Thinking of this, Cheng Chen was a bit puzzled. Why would Auntie Qiong Yao's daughter-in-law come looking for him?

After the group made their way to the coffee shop, He Xiuqiong took the initiative to speak, smiling:

"Recently, Mr. Cheng, you've truly been at the height of your fame in the entertainment circle — your name is known far and wide."

Hearing this, Cheng Chen said with a wry smile:

"So-called 'name known far and wide' — most of it is infamy, hehe."

He Xiuqiong shook her head upon hearing this and said:

"Not at all. That matter had nothing to do with you, Mr. Cheng. Even my teacher, upon hearing about it, praised you as a true hero."

He Xiuqiong, whether at home or outside, always called Qiong Yao "teacher" rather than "mother-in-law."

In her eyes, Qiong Yao embodied both "family tradition" and "scholarly tradition."

At the peak of her collaboration with her mother-in-law, she had served as general manager of three companies simultaneously.

She was fully in charge of the production and broadcasting of TV dramas adapted from Qiong Yao's works.

Besides overseeing the production of TV dramas adapted from her mother-in-law's novels,

during filming she also served as agent for "Yao Nulang" such as Zhao Fantian and Huang Yi.

As a seasoned agent, she had a discerning eye and picked out several very valuable "commodities."

"For instance, Zhao Fantian was just too perfect a fit for 'Xiao Yan Zi.' The moment I saw this actress, the character leapt right off the page."

It can be said that the television success of Qiong Yao's novels would have been impossible without He Xiuqiong's work behind the scenes.

After the three chatted for a while, He Xiuqiong got straight to the point:

"Mr. Cheng, the reason I've disturbed the two of you today is that my teacher would like to invite you to play the male lead in her next TV drama. What do you think?"

Honestly, if Cheng Chen were a newcomer just stepping into the entertainment circle,

hearing that he had a chance to appear in a Qiong Yao drama — and as the male lead no less — he would surely have been thrilled and agreed on the spot.

But things were different now. The influence of Qiong Yao dramas still remained,

yet compared to the explosive popularity of the Huan Zhu series and Romance in the Rain, it had fallen far short.

Besides, although Qiong Yao dramas were classics, certain plotlines' values were honestly hard to praise.

Cheng Chen had already decided in his heart to refuse He Xiuqiong, but he didn't say so outright.

After all, she had come all the way from Wan Bei — refusing outright would be too hurtful.

"Oh, may I ask which drama it is?"

"'Another Encounter with a Curtain of Dreams.' Here's the script — you can take a look first."

He Xiuqiong said with a smile as she handed over the script.

Hearing this, Cheng Chen felt, in his heart, well…

He took the script, flipping through it in his hands, while internally complaining:

This drama really was hard to describe…

The reason it was called "Another Encounter with a Curtain of Dreams" was that back in '96, a drama called "A Curtain of Dreams" had already aired.

The drama, starring Chen Derong and Xiao Qiang among others, caused a sensation at the time.

It was once the collective youth memory of an entire generation.

The current version of "Again, a Curtain of Dreams" is in fact a remake of "A Curtain of Dreams."

Qiong Yao dramas always follow a predictable pattern: the perfect union of handsome men and beautiful women is an eternal theme.

Along the way, there are many upheavals and misunderstandings, with one or two main storylines intertwining.

The tangled, inextricable emotions between the protagonists exist solely to sustain the story.

Everyone knows how it ends.

This time, "Again, a Curtain of Dreams" was personally overseen by He Xiuqiong, who added many modern elements to the setting, dialogue, and characters.

The visuals are beautiful, the vocabulary is trendy, and the costumes and habits of the characters closely follow contemporary life.

It mainly bridges the gap between people, especially the youth.

But no matter how it's adapted, certain flaws—or rather, plot holes—are impossible to fix.

For those who haven't seen this drama, here's roughly what happens:

The female lead, Ziling, is uneducated, spends her days dreaming, and loves to daydream.

Ziling's older sister, Lvping, is a dancer, ambitious and hardworking, always held up by elders as the perfect child.

Ziling has secretly loved her sister's boyfriend, Chu Lian—technically her fiancé.

The sister and her fiancé were once deeply in love and happily together.

But after the fiancé learned that Ziling loved him, he gradually began to love Ziling too.

He secretly went on dates with Ziling, kissing and cuddling constantly.

Later, the fiancé felt he could no longer live without Ziling.

He took his fiancée out for a drive, intending to confess that he had fallen for Ziling and wanted to break up with Lvping.

But due to distracted driving, they had a car accident, resulting in Lvping losing a leg.

For a dancer, this was a fatal blow.

The fiancé's conscience was tormented, so he married Lvping out of guilt.

But even after marriage, he never stopped thinking of Ziling.

Ziling, to escape the situation, married an old man nearly her father's age.

The old man believed Ziling was a kind, beautiful, pure, wise, and passionate girl.

She was the miracle he had searched for half his life, traveling half the globe, before finally finding.

Ziling and the old man lived happily every day abroad, owning a castle and servants, with endless wealth.

In contrast, Lvping back home lost a leg, her dreams shattered, living each day in a daze.

Later, Lvping finally learned the truth about what had happened between her husband and her sister.

She cursed her husband for betraying her feelings and completely turned dark.

Meanwhile, Ziling, far away abroad, began chatting online again with her sister's husband after having a dream.

The old man could no longer bear his wife's behavior, so he left home.

Ziling played the role of the ultimate white lotus, innocent rabbit.

Then a series of melodramatic events unfolded…

In the end, Lvping divorced her husband, and Ziling lived happily ever after with the old man.

The most mind-shattering line in this drama is:

"You only lost one leg—what did Ziling lose? She lost her love."

Yes, whether in "A Curtain of Dreams" or "Again, a Curtain of Dreams," this line has been slightly altered.

But the difference is negligible—and it makes you furious to hear it!

Of course, this aligns with Qiong Yao dramas' "love above all" philosophy, which always leaves you feeling prickly with discomfort…

Cheng Chen didn't want to be turned into meme material by the "Little Broken Site" crowd ten years from now.

So he placed the script beside He Xiuqiong and said sincerely:

"I'm sorry, Ms. He, but I can't take this role. I personally admire Miss Qiong Yao's works very much.

But I'm not suited for this drama. I truly apologize."

Directors and producers select actors, but actors also choose scripts.

To outsiders, Cheng Chen's refusal of a Qiong Yao drama seemed like a foolish choice.

But Cheng Chen had a crystal-clear vision for his career: there were plenty of good scripts—he couldn't ruin himself on this one!

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Lin Zhiling widened her eyes—this was the male lead of a Qiong Yao drama!

So many people fought tooth and nail to get in, yet Cheng Chen casually dismissed it with "not suited"?

Are you out of your mind?!

She lightly nudged Cheng Chen's calf with her foot, signaling him not to do something stupid.

Cheng Chen ignored Lin Zhiling's gesture, his expression unchanged.

Hearing this, He Xiuqiong looked disappointed, but she didn't give up. She pulled out a business card from her bag and said:

"Tomorrow I'll be heading to Wannan. Mr. Cheng, you'll be promoting your film there, right? I'll be staying there for the next few days.

I won't take the script with me—if you change your mind, call the number on this card. Sorry to bother you."

Cheng Chen accepted the card solemnly and nodded:

"Understood. Thank you for your trouble."