Chapter 220: The Ambiguity Between Cheng Chen and Wang Baoqiang

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Cheng Chen and Wang Baoqiang stayed with the cast and crew of Wulin Waizhuan for three days.

During those three days, Cheng Chen finished shooting all of Ji Wuming's scenes.

Wang Baoqiang also got to enjoy a taste of being a guest actor.

On the way back, Cheng Chen drove while smoking and said:

"Bao Qiang, how did you feel these past three days?"

"I… I felt they're all incredibly hardworking, they truly love being actors, and the set atmosphere is great!"

Wang Baoqiang got along well with the actors on set.

Sha Yi, Yao Chen, and others expressed great respect for Wang Baoqiang, who had appeared in films directed by Feng Dapao.

Without exaggeration, Wang Baoqiang had already become a star among them, addressed as "Teacher Wang."

In this drama, Yao Chen's fee is 1,000 yuan per episode.

The highest-paid actor is Sha Yi, who plays Bai Zhantang, at 2,000 yuan per episode.

Yan Ni, who plays Tong Zhanggui, also earns 2,000 yuan per episode, while Xiao Bei's fee is only 500 yuan.

Many guest actors in this drama are actually crew members.

The beggar at the door, "Xiao Mi," is in fact the Assistant Director.

Earlier, there was a scene requiring a dog—it once terrified the famous Thief Saint so badly he nearly collapsed.

It's actually the director's own dog; you'd hardly believe that for a "martial arts epic," Wulin Waizhuan didn't hire a martial arts choreographer…

What Cheng Chen described are precisely the current conditions of Wulin Waizhuan.

As a low-budget sitcom, it's stretched thin in every aspect.

Although the money Cheng Chen invested this time is higher than the production cost of Wulin Waizhuan in his previous life,

Shang Jing still insisted on using all the funds for video production.

Regarding actor fees, sorry—everyone's new, and these rates are already quite good.

Moreover, while some people joined this drama for livelihood,

most came because of Shang Jing's reputation as "the pinnacle of domestic sitcoms."

Besides, all these people have worked with Shang Jing before; everyone knows each other well…

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Wang Baoqiang paused, then said:

"I think the set conditions are still very tough—similar to when I shot Mang Jing…"

He was a boy from the countryside; he wasn't afraid of hardship, but having experienced the "luxury" treatment of big productions,

he naturally could tell the difference in treatment quality.

Wang Baoqiang had once worked on the set of A World Without Thieves, where he stayed in villagers' homes and ate whatever was available,

enduring wind, rain, dust, and exhaustion—he once thought filming was always like this.

After all, during his earlier days as an extra, the treatment was usually the same.

But when he joined the set of A World Without Thieves, staying in a "luxury" hotel and eating the lead actor's meal,

his first reaction was discomfort and helplessness, before gradually adapting.

These three days reminded him of his days filming Mang Jing.

Of course, the Wulin Waizhuan set wasn't as crude as Mang Jing's—he meant the team atmosphere.

Hmm… a group of hardworking people finding joy in hardship.

Hearing Wang Baoqiang's words, Cheng Chen nodded and said:

"They have tremendous drive; they'll eventually become famous actors in the entertainment industry.

And Huang Bo—they take any role offered, and even without opportunities, they'll use connections to get on set.

What about you, Bao Qiang?"

As Wang Baoqiang was about to speak, Cheng Chen waved his hand and said:

"I know you're proud, but Bao Qiang, remember—in the entertainment industry, you either look extremely handsome.

That's becoming a trend; there are countless people who rely on their looks. Are you handsome, Bao Qiang?"

Wang Baoqiang quickly shook his head.

Cheng Chen glanced at him—this kid was refreshingly honest.

"The other way is talent: singers need hit songs to secure their status; actors need famous works.

As an actor, your performance in Mang Jing was excellent,

and your role in A World Without Thieves was also commendable.

But will you stop here, Bao Qiang? I know what you're thinking.

You feel the role of Wang Bao I gave you in Tai Jiong is substantial, and it's putting pressure on you.

You also wonder if I'm just pulling you, my former little brother, up."

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Wang Baoqiang nodded silently.

"Yes, your thinking isn't wrong—but Bao Qiang, remember: I do want to pull you up.

But you must have talent. The entertainment industry values connections and talent; if you have talent, you deserve my help.

Then why wouldn't I do it? Can you understand that?"

Cheng Chen's words were heartfelt; Wang Baoqiang nodded, half-understanding.

Though not fully grasping it, when he heard Cheng Chen say this, the heavy stone on his chest finally lifted.

"I understand."

Wang Baoqiang nodded.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Chen also sighed in relief; he'd truly feared the kid would stubbornly defy him at this critical moment.

……

After returning to Jingcheng, the two parted ways; Wang Baoqiang, having resolved his inner turmoil, rushed home to study the script of "Tai Jiong."

Cheng Chen went to visit Ceng Li in Jingcheng.

Since Cheng Chen launched his Asian concert tour, he hadn't seen Ceng Li in a while.

From their conversations, Cheng Chen learned that Ceng Li had recently taken a role in a modern urban emotional thriller called "Can This Love Be Asked of Heaven?"

This genre was still quite popular back then; after all, amid a sea of romantic urban dramas, a thriller stood out as refreshingly novel.

The script was also well-written, roughly telling the story of two university classmates as close as brothers.

How their life paths drastically diverged after entering society.

In the face of competition over career and love, they transformed from partners into enemies.

In their revenge, both were ruined, revealing the ugliness of human nature and the inner struggles driven by desire.

In "Can This Love Be Asked of Heaven?", the prince's revenge became the greatest attraction for audiences.

Although the drama was a modern setting, its martial arts atmosphere was especially thick.

It drew male fans of wuxia to their televisions to watch "Can This Love Be Asked of Heaven?"

Moreover, it did not follow the mainstream by sticking to the old formula of a perfect happy ending.

Instead, it closed the drama with a sorrowful ending, leaving a poignant final note.

In a sense, it confirmed the truth that tragedy holds greater impact than comedy.

Notably, the entire production crew of this drama traveled to Vladivostok, a famous city in Russia's Far East, for filming.

Moreover, the main creative team of "Can This Love Be Asked of Heaven?" gathered elite talents from across the nation's film and television industry.

Its Producer was Qian Haiyi, who had studied international mass communication in Japan.

The cinematographer was Li Hongzhou from Gang Sheng; the lighting technician was Zhang Dawei from Gang Sheng.

Ceng Li played one of the female leads, portraying a wealthy heiress.

Perhaps due to the limitations of the Time, Ceng Li's costume in this drama…

Hmm, it didn't fully showcase Zeng Da Mei's charm!

"Come in."

When Cheng Chen arrived at Ceng Li's Home, she was wearing a silk one-piece nightgown underneath.

Over it, she had draped a cardigan, her hair loosely and languidly falling over her shoulders.

It looked like she had locked herself in her room all day without stepping out.

Ceng Li opened the door and let Cheng Chen in; when he reached the entrance, she bent down to fetch him slippers from the shoe cabinet.

And Cheng Chen, of all things, caught a glimpse of her pale, soft skin as she bent over.

Cheng Chen slowly turned his head away, but then Ceng Li said:

"The slippers are a bit small; I don't have any men's slippers here—just make do with these."

Cheng Chen nodded, put on the slippers, and walked into the house.

The room carried a gentle scent, just like the fragrance on Ceng Li's body.

On the table lay the script casually, its lines filled with dense annotations.

"How's it going? When are you joining the set?"

Cheng Chen asked as he sat down.

"Tea or coffee?"

"Tea."

"The production team says I'll join in May; there's not much time left, so I'm just studying the script at home every day."

Ceng Li fetched tea leaves, then cleaned the tea set and boiled water, arranging the utensils as she spoke:

"What about you? How have you been? You've caused no end of trouble in Japan and South Korea."

I heard you got involved with a Japanese actress, and in Korea, you had the beautiful Kim Hee-sun keeping you company—very impressive, Producer Cheng."

Hearing Ceng Li's words, Cheng Chen smiled faintly, rubbing the tea cup with his palm, and said:

"Are you jealous?"

At this, Ceng Li's tea-pouring motion paused, then resumed.

The boiling water surged; her slender fingers lifted the teapot, poured water, rinsed the leaves, and steeped the tea—all movements fluid and seamless.

The tea leaves floated continuously at the cup's rim, then gradually sank, settling at the bottom.

Ceng Li moved swiftly, handing the brewed tea to Cheng Chen.

Seeing her remain silent, Cheng Chen raised the cup to his lips.

Just as he was about to drink, Ceng Li brushed her hair behind her ear and softly said:

"Of course I'm jealous—you're my boyfriend, after all."

"Spit!"

Cheng Chen spat out the tea in his mouth.

He quickly grabbed tissues from the table to wipe his lips.

Seeing him like this, Ceng Li looked at him triumphantly and smiled sweetly:

"Who told you to flirt so much… and I'm not wrong, either—in my mom's and Ceng Yu's eyes, you really are my boyfriend."

"My boyfriend runs wild in Japan and Korea, while I, this faded wife, am left behind in China—alas, men really do prefer the young."

As she spoke, she looked on the verge of tears; though Cheng Chen knew she was acting, this faintly tragic beauty truly stunned him!

Cheng Chen seized the opportunity, grasping her hand firmly and gazing at her with deep emotion:

"I ignored your feelings; I'm sorry, it was my fault."

"Brat, you're taking advantage of me! Let go!"

Ceng Li scolded with a laugh.

"Not letting go!"

"If you don't let go, I'll hit you."

"I won't let go even if you hit me!"

Cheng Chen started acting like a brat.

As the two struggled, Ceng Li's coat slipped off, and her already loose pajamas gaped wide open.

Purple fabric, white granary…

"Ah!"

Ceng Li screamed, and Cheng Chen immediately let go, startled.

Ceng Li ran to her room and dawdled for a long time before coming out.

When she reappeared, her face was flushed; she saw Cheng Chen, now neatly dressed, sitting in the living room, reading her script.

Ceng Li was utterly helpless—she shouldn't have been nice to this brat earlier.

Now she'd lost both the wife and the soldier.

It was her own fault for not dressing properly…

"Cough, cough."

Walking into the living room and seeing Cheng Chen still ignoring her, Ceng Li deliberately coughed twice.

Cheng Chen finally snapped out of it and looked at Ceng Li.

"This script is well-written."

From this alone, you could see Ceng Li's taste in selecting scripts.

In 2003, she chose to star in Nancai Nümao.

Most domestic audiences have seen it, because Nancai Nümao was still very famous in the history of domestic idol dramas.

In the drama, Ceng Li was not the female lead; the male lead was Lu Yi, and the female lead was Lin Xinru.

The second male lead was Yu Xiaowei, and the second female lead was Ceng Li.

Ceng Li played the second female lead, Yan Ruyu.

Just hearing the name tells you she's a character embodying both wisdom and beauty.

But in the TV series, Yan Ruyu mostly existed as a female villain.

She and Lin Xinru's character, Su La, were colleagues.

Su La and Yan Ruyu originally had a good relationship, but Yan Ruyu frequently suffered setbacks at work.

Someone held onto her original heart—this person was naturally the female lead, Su La.

But Yan Ruyu chose another path; in later terms, she went dark, repeatedly framing the female lead Su La.

Besides Nancai Nümao, there was also this drama, Ciqing Ke Wen Tian.

The rest received only lukewarm responses.

This led to the future generation's first reaction upon hearing Ceng Li's name being: "Who's that? I've never heard of her?"

"Some 18th-tier actor, right?" Yet few knew that Ceng Li had once been called a beauty born once every two hundred years.

Even her every movement could captivate people—how could someone so beautiful, so exquisite to the bone, remain perpetually obscure?

It was said that many opportunities had once been placed before Ceng Li, but she failed to seize any of them.

Because when she was studying at Central Academy of Drama, her teachers had warned them not to take on outside filming roles during school.

She had wasted four precious years of university learning, so Ceng Li had deeply remembered her teacher's words.

This caused Lao Mou Zi, who had specifically come to Central Academy of Drama to find her for a role, to be rejected by Ceng Li.

Unexpectedly, after being turned down by Ceng Li, Lao Mou Zi discovered Zhang Ziyin.

Soon after, Zhang Ziyin became increasingly successful and even gained considerable international recognition.

Meanwhile, Ceng Li remained neither hot nor cold.

Added to that, she had no ambition at all—she believed everything should unfold naturally.

Thus, decades passed, and in the future, Ceng Li finally gained minor fame through the drama Qu Yuanyuan.

But by then, she was already over forty.

In Qu Yuanyuan, the actor who played her love interest, Bao Jianfeng, said in an interview:

"Ceng Li is a once-in-two-hundred-years beauty from Central Academy of Drama."

He even claimed that since Ceng Li graduated, he had never seen a girl as beautiful again…

In her previous life, Ceng Li was already over forty.

Yet on her face, there was no trace of time's passage—only more maturity.

It made her appear even more charming.

Her personality was one of no desires, no cravings—she'd act if there was a role, and if not, she'd improve herself—so she never gained fame.

But no matter what, in this life, Cheng Chen had met Ceng Li, and had become entangled with her.

Now, he would never let Ceng Li remain obscure as she had in her previous life…