[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme":3,"chapter-starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from Hong Shixian: A Chinese Entertainment Rise",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2351282,4599,"Chapter 3: No Background, No Resources, You Can't Make It in the Entertainment Industry","starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu, a student from the 1999 acting class at the Beijing Film Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he graduated, Qi Hui hadn't even enrolled yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came from a family of artists; his grandfather had already picked up a camera to work as a director before the full-scale War of Resistance began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grandmother was already an international film queen before Hainan Island was liberated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father was a cinematographer at the Xi'an Film Studio, and his mother was a director and producer at the same studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own career development was also quite good; while still in school in 2002, he had already begun collaborating with actors like Yuan Quan and Jiang Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, it was one major production every year, and he always played the male lead; he never lacked roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to be a rising star with an unstoppable momentum... until his divorce from the \"Flower of Evil,\" compounded by the impact of his scumbag image in *The Temptation of Going Home*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu took the full brunt of all the negative fallout head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, one could say he was effectively knocked down, while Yao Chen, conversely, became increasingly popular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that is a story for another time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior, it's only been a few years, and you're really becoming more and more popular,\" Qi Hui said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I watched *The Wrestling King* that you starred in; you acted really well. A Northwest man playing a Shandong man, I couldn't see any flaws at all. And that wrestling—that wasn't real skill, was it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahaha, Junior, you flatter me, you flatter me.\" Ling Xiaosu was grinning from ear to ear; that was his proudest work, a collaboration with Yan Danchen, who had once played Chang'e.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This junior is not bad; he is good-looking and speaks well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Host has made contact with actor Ling Xiaosu. You have received one lucky draw opportunity. Would you like to draw now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hui’s brows twitched slightly, and he immediately performed the draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Acting +20 points.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A radiant smile appeared on Qi Hui’s face, becoming a few degrees more sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh, Junior, you're here... and wearing this outfit...\" Ling Xiaosu put aside his internal satisfaction, looking at the white suit on Qi Hui with some surprise, yet also a hint of excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me, Senior,\" Qi Hui said directly. \"I heard the male lead for this production hasn't been decided yet, so I came to try out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\" The excitement on Ling Xiaosu’s face grew a bit more intense, and he also spoke plainly: \"Actually, I am the male lead they invited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh...\" Qi Hui feigned surprise, looking at Ling Xiaosu with some shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu said, \"Don't be nervous. To tell you the truth, I actually don't like this script, nor do I like the character of Hong Shixian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go in and audition together in a moment. I'll introduce you to the director and let the director choose for himself,\" Ling Xiaosu continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear: he didn't lack roles, and he couldn't bring himself to like this current character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, this production was a hot potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he had already given his word, it wouldn't be good to refuse outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he was willing to provide an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether he could land the role, that would depend on Qi Hui’s own ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks, Senior, I understand!\" Qi Hui said gratefully; he knew he had just picked up a golden opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of whether it worked out, he had to remember this favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu smiled and waved his hand: \"Don't mention it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also had his own calculations: if it worked out, he would be rid of the hot potato and earn a favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it didn't, he had already prepared to perform before coming, so he wouldn't lose anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, he wasn't losing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could we add one more person?\" Qi Hui’s eyes darted, and he pointed to Zhang Ruoyun not far away:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s also from our Beijing Film Academy, a junior from the '07 class.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... eh?\" Ling Xiaosu took a look, and without needing Qi Hui to introduce him, he said in surprise: \"Isn't this little Zhang from the old Zhang family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoyun’s father, Zhang Jian, was also a well-known director and producer in the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Ling Xiaosu hadn't met him, he had heard of him a few times; after all, his business with Liu Bei had caused quite a stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting married and divorced, then divorced and remarried—it was such a huge commotion that it would be hard not to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Senior, I've heard my dad talk about you.\" Zhang Ruoyun walked over quickly and greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s perfect, let’s go in together then?\" Ling Xiaosu’s eyes lit up; it seemed the probability of him not having to act in this production had greatly increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, no need.\" Little Zhang quickly waved his hands: \"My dad put together a production and made me the third lead, so I won't get involved here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The show was *Snow Leopard*, with Wen Zhang as the lead and himself as the third lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem... if only I and little Qi go in, there’s a high probability it won't work out,\" Ling Xiaosu coughed twice and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We go in together to share the firepower,\" Qi Hui explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu had been chosen by the producer and director; if he just dragged himself in, the producer would definitely look at him with displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if there were a third person, the probability of the matter succeeding would be much higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... the junior is right,\" Ling Xiaosu was somewhat surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was surprised that Qi Hui understood his meaning so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This didn't look like a student who had just graduated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... alright, but actually, I don't really like this male lead role either,\" Zhang Ruoyun said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read the script; the male lead was a playboy who wavered between two women—a scumbag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't like such a character at all; it was too unfaithful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing he hated most was unfaithful people!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who doesn't?\" Ling Xiaosu shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't lack male lead roles, nor did he lack work, and he truly didn't like this character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the main parts of this show were for the first and second female leads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male lead... one couldn't say he was dispensable, but one could say he wasn't that important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for the fact that the producer’s sincerity was too great (promising high pay), he wouldn't have agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hui: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So willful... sure enough, without a background or resources, you can't make it in the entertainment industry!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a room, the production’s producer Wu Zhuji, director Lin Tianyi, as well as the assistant director, screenwriter, female lead Choo Ja-hyun, and her manager were all waiting in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were waiting for the arrival of the show’s male lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why hasn't he come yet?\" The producer looked at his watch and couldn't help but frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director, however, was expressionless; he was actually somewhat displeased that the audition was being treated as a mere formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which director doesn't want to find an actor who fits the character?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which director doesn't want to make their show better?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, such an important matter as an audition was actually just a formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was even his first time seeing the male lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no help for it; the production was put together by others, and he was just a hired hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock, knock~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a knock on the door sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The producer’s eyes lit up, and he said in a deep voice: \"Please come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a creak, the door was pushed open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking in, however, was a young man in a white suit, handsome and dashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Lin Tianyi and the female lead Choo Ja-hyun’s eyes immediately lit up. Was this the male lead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not bad at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Host has made contact with actor Choo Ja-hyun. You have received one lucky draw opportunity. Would you like to draw now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system sounded again. Qi Hui’s brows twitched slightly, his gaze sweeping unobtrusively over Choo Ja-hyun to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Draw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the skill: Korean Language.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hui subconsciously pursed his lips, feeling somewhat speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he made contact with an actor, he got a draw, but the things he drew didn't seem to have anything to do with the actors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This gentleman, you are...\" The producer frowned slightly and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Producer, he is my junior,\" at this moment, Ling Xiaosu smiled and walked into the room with Zhang Ruoyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xiaosu introduced him: \"Beijing Film Academy acting class of '05, Qi Hui.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Producer, hello, Director,\" Qi Hui greeted with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director smiled and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choo Ja-hyun, meanwhile, silently sized up Qi Hui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beijing Film Academy acting class of '07, Zhang Ruoyun,\" Ling Xiaosu continued to introduce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Producer, hello, Director,\" Zhang Ruoyun greeted with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The producer was confused: \"This is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't the male lead not decided yet?\" Ling Xiaosu laughed: \"The three of us have come to audition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, whichever one you take a fancy to, just pick it; please don't stand on ceremony with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The producer understood what he meant; his old habit of not wanting to act was acting up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the producer frowned: \"This isn't what we agreed upon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh, since you're already here, there's no harm in trying it out,\" Director Lin Tianyi said, \"Doesn't the final decision still rest in your hands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see that the originally cast male lead didn't really want to perform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not strange; the male lead of this drama, while called the male lead, was actually a supporting role meant to play opposite the female lead and the second female lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most important roles were still the female lead and the second female lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, and looking at Ling Xiaosu's cheeky grin, the producer nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was true; he could decide whoever he wanted for the male lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since that's the case, then let's have a tryout,\" the producer said, giving face to the director and Ling Xiaosu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However... no matter how the tryout went, it was just a formality anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>",1732,"2026-06-21T03:10:06.472Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","5ca032060d8a8b625cbd039853b8574c04e5d24e8039909060c1ff76ae65a036","starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-chapter-4","starting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-chapter-2",202,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-hong-shixian-a-chinese-entertainme-cover.jpg"]