Chapter 182: Happy Troubles

Tian Tian Qiwen was also holding a stack of audition materials in his hands; besides the actor list for the Xiangjiang side being largely finalized, some supporting roles also needed to be selected in the near future.

Even for minor supporting roles with no lines and just faces, like members of the Axe Gang, people were fighting tooth and nail.

In this era, the drawing power of the King of Comedy is still extremely strong.

If it weren't for Zhou Zhou Xingchi's "Shaolin Soccer" winning the box office championship the year before last, then from 1998 to 2001, the top ten films in Xiangjiang cinema history would have been wiped out, with not a single one being a Hong Kong film.

It is no exaggeration to call him the fig leaf of the Xiangjiang film industry in recent years.

"Director, you wanted to see me."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi calling him Froggy was a sign of intimacy, but when working, he always addressed him as Director; this was the caution of a person who gets things done.

"Take a look at how this young girl's acting is." Zhou Zhou Xingchi turned the computer toward his old partner.

On the screen played that breakup scene from "Drummer" and the moment in "Sword Fairy" where she instantly transforms into a snake demon.

Tian Tian Qiwen clicked his tongue in praise: "For her age, her basic skills are very good; she has put in the hard work."

"Let her have the role of Fang'er." Zhou Zhou Xingchi's voice was as flat as ever, and his dialogue was terrifyingly concise.

Tian Tian Qiwen sat blankly in front of the computer, turned his head to look at him in confusion, not understanding what kind of wild idea this imaginative comedy genius was cooking up now.

Just a few days ago, he was very satisfied with that youthful girl from "Green Apple Paradise," and in the blink of an eye, the candidate had changed.

"That was her mommy sitting outside the door just now, right? Contact her and sign her to Starry Brilliance."

"Alright, Director."

Just as Tian Tian Qiwen was about to leave, he turned back as if casually and asked: "Director, what about Huang Huang Shengyi?"

"We'll talk about that later; let's see what the situation is with Liu Liu Yifei first."

Tian Tian Qiwen said "yes" and took his leave; upon returning to his room, he immediately dialed a number: "Mother Huang, hello."

"It's like this, I just received notice from the director that the role for little Huang cannot be finalized for the time being; there might be some complications."

"I know, I know, don't be anxious yet. We all know of Professor Wu's reputation, but Director Zhou generally doesn't look at those things; the performance is more important than the person!"

"Hmm, I understand your feelings; everyone hopes for their children to develop well. How about this, I'll give you a suggestion; whether you listen or not is your own business."

"Hurry and contact Director Zhou to sign with Starry Brilliance. I won't say anything else; the sooner, the better!"

Tian Tian Qiwen stopped wasting words with the middle-aged woman on the other end and hung up the phone directly.

Huang Huang Shengyi is considered a good prospect, but in a society based on human relationships, who doesn't pull strings?

Because her cousin-in-law Wu Jinglian has some friendship with several scholars and senior executives at TVB due to his achievements in economics, little Huang's previous selection had more or less something to do with that.

He then associated this with Liu Liu Yifei, who auditioned today, and heard that she has a close relationship with the mainland director Seeing Lu Kuan, who just detonated an "atomic bomb" yesterday.

With those kinds of resources, why come to audition for "Kung Fu"? These two are clearly both directors who wouldn't allow actors to film multiple projects at once.

It's just that he knows his boss's best partner too well; once he decides on something, nine bulls couldn't pull him back, and absolutely no one can provide him with substantive advice.

Unless Zhou Zhou Xingchi changes his mind himself.

Previously, the investor Columbia wanted to add scenes for the mute girl Fang'er in "Kung Fu"; this was out of the mindset of Hollywood filmmakers wanting to add some Eastern kung fu elements to this female character to make it sell better in the North American market.

As a result, he was flatly refused by Zhou Zhou Xingchi, who would not allow investors to interfere recklessly with his script and production work, even if it meant tearing off the mask and parting ways.

He would just find new investment; he didn't care at all.

Out of human decency, Tian Tian Qiwen could only offer Huang Huang Shengyi one last move: hurry up and sign the contract.

Only in this way could the scales of victory tilt toward her side; no one understands Star Master better than he does.

Even if Zhou Zhou Xingchi is his boss and good partner, and a comedy master famous across the two shores and three regions.

But whether they love him or hate him, everyone has to pinch their noses and admit that this Star Master is a person who loves money like his life.

Huang Huang Shengyi taking the initiative to join and sign means she has grasped the initiative, which can earn her bonus points with Zhou Zhou Xingchi.

After all, cultivating a newcomer who brings in revenue for oneself and then locking in future profits with a long-term contract is the standard code of conduct in the entertainment industry.

Huang Huang Shengyi received her mother's call on the third floor of the Beijing Film Academy cafeteria, learning that a mainland actress had also joined the competition, causing ripples for the role she was about to get.

"How could it be her?"

The sophomore girl muttered as she put down her phone, then saw Jiang Jiang Yiyan across the table and asked as if casually: "Jiang Yiyan, Liu Liu Yifei is in your class, right?"

Jiang Jiang Yiyan's movement of picking up food with her chopsticks stalled slightly, and she heard this name that could be called a mental demon.

She said with a calm expression: "Yeah, but she almost never comes to class."

Jiang Jiang Yiyan is one year below Huang Huang Shengyi, but the two are the same age; they met during the rehearsal of senior Yao Chen's graduation play, playing two bit-part waitresses.

Their hometowns of Shanghai and Shaoxing are not far apart, and their dietary habits in all aspects are somewhat similar, so they became familiar with each other after a while.

As she spoke, she took out a tissue to wipe her mouth, then took out a small mirror to check, and only then asked leisurely: "What's wrong, Huang Shengyi? Why the sudden mention of her?"

Huang Huang Shengyi looked around stealthily and sighed slowly: "You have to keep this a secret for me!"

Without waiting for Jiang Jiang Yiyan to nod in agreement, she spilled the whole story, her expression not like she was telling a secret, but rather carrying a hint of showing off.

"I went to audition for the female lead in Zhou Zhou Xingchi's 'Kung Fu.' It was already confirmed to be me, but Mom just called to say Liu Liu Yifei also went to audition, and now the director might be hesitating..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiang Yiyan's heart was flooded with bitterness, and she deeply regretted asking that question; why did she have to make her feel the disparity in life again?

Others are already competing for the female lead of the King of Comedy, while she is only fit to be a listener for gossip.

Thinking of that delicate little girl, she couldn't help but feel angry.

Based on the principle that a friend's enemy is an enemy, Jiang Jiang Yiyan felt a sense of shared hatred: "Liu Yifei is too much! How could she come out halfway and snatch your role!"

"Although I usually have a pretty good relationship with her, this time I'm on your side, Huang Shengyi, compete with her!"

Huang Huang Shengyi sighed gloomily: "Her 'Sword Fairy' aired so well, and she's the female lead in Seeing Lu Kuan's Golden Lion Award film, and she has so many fans on her blog, I..."

Jiang Jiang Yiyan opened her mouth but couldn't speak, hearing the envy for Liu Liu Yifei from the mouth of the senior she admired.

Then what does that make her?

It really is depressing.

Beiping, Yanda Huayi Headquarters.

"Wang Xiaolei, 'Kung Fu' is about to start filming, how come you, the producer, aren't paying any attention at all?"

Wang Wang Xiaolei was smoking on the sofa in his older brother's office, feeling somewhat stifled; clearly, he hadn't recovered from the blow of being questioned by the authorities.

"I..."

A phone rang; it was the call from the production manager of the film crew.

"What? Liu Liu Yifei?"

"Alright, I know."

Wang Wang Xiaolei hung up the phone, stunned for a long while without coming back to his senses, unable to figure it out.

"What's wrong?"

"Old Chang just called me, saying Liu Liu Yifei went to audition for 'Kung Fu' this afternoon."

"So what?"

Wang Wang Xiaolei suddenly looked excited: "Big brother, you don't know, previously Young Master Liu made a move to eat up Cheng Jing's shares in Red Star Dock, but I don't know why Liu Liu Yifei was pulled out by Seeing Lu Kuan, who cut the ground from under him and terminated the contract, which made him furious."

"What kind of person is Seeing Lu Kuan? Can he do something thankless? With Liu Liu Yifei's value, she must be signed to Wenjie by him!"

Wang Dajun followed his younger brother's line of thought: "You mean 'Otherworld' and several of Wenjie's new films are all casting, yet she went to audition for 'Kung Fu' alone, because..."

"That's right! It must be that there's a problem between the mother and daughter and Seeing Lu Kuan!"

"Maybe... hehe."

Wang Wang Xiaolei thought of a lewd possibility.

"Big brother, what do you think if I try to sign her? This little girl's popularity is ridiculously high right now; the post-85s are about to beat some of the post-80s to death on the beach."

"Besides, this is equivalent to the fruit cultivated by Seeing Lu Kuan and Wenjie, and we go to pick it; just thinking about it is exciting!"

Wang Wang Xiaolei had been beaten down before, and having a chance to take advantage, he immediately became excited.

Wang Dajun warned him: "Don't forget what you said yourself; how do you know this isn't a trap?"

"This..."

"But it wouldn't hurt for you to go and probe; see what the mother and daughter's tone is."

Wang Wang Xiaolei pondered for a long time; with the limited information currently available, he really couldn't see the trick inside.

Old Chang notified him that Zhou Zhou Xingchi was preparing to sign Liu Liu Yifei and had already sent Tian Tian Qiwen to notify her; he had to be as fast as possible.

Otherwise, if Liu Liu Yifei really went to Zhou Zhou Xingchi's Starry Brilliance, his credit would be gone, and how could he trick them into coming to Yanda Huayi?

"Fine, I'll call Liu Liu Xiaoli right now."

Liu Liu Yifei and her mother had just settled into the villa in Changping.

Yang Yang Siwei was studying the script of "Otherworld" and the character biography Liu Liu Yifei had made herself, while Liu Liu Yifei had changed into a practice outfit to warm up in the dance studio.

"Sister Xixi, there are really a lot of action scenes for this character; I feel you have a great advantage!"

Liu Liu Yifei started with Grotowski's cat stretch.

She stretched her whole body out, completely relaxing.

Her legs were apart, her arms and body formed a right angle, and her palms faced the floor.

She then performed a "cat waking up" movement: pulling her hands back toward her chest, elbows facing up, palms becoming support points on the floor, and her hips raised.

At the same time, her legs "walked" toward her hands with her toes, and her head was lifted and straightened simultaneously.

The difficulty of the entire movement was relatively high, but Liu Liu Yifei, who had been doing morning exercises for almost two years, did it with ease.

Yang Yang Siwei looked at the little girl's figure, which already had slightly undulating curves, with envy, and looked down at her own bulging little belly.

This is not the "white, young, and thin" look blindly pursued by female stars in the domestic entertainment industry, but the sunshine and health displayed by long-term exercise.

After warming up using the format training method, she pulled a resistance band and started reverse pull-ups.

"Stay still! I'm going to take a few pictures to post on the blog!"

The agent was very professional; accompanying the artist to exercise, she didn't forget to do business.

She was very satisfied plugging the data cable into the digital camera; this was the EOS 300D that Canon had just released this year.

It was bought in Park City when Liu Liu Yifei and Seeing Lu Kuan went to Sundance at the beginning of the year; it cost 899 dollars.

"Ah!"

Yang Yang Siwei suddenly shrieked!

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Hearing the commotion, Liu Liu Yifei hurriedly ran out of the practice room, looking at her agent in front of the computer with confusion.

"This photo! Who posted this photo!?"

Liu Liu Yifei leaned her head over: "I posted it myself!"

"Liu Liu Yifei! Do you want to be the death of me!"

The young lady was dazed and confused: "What's wrong with me?"

Yang Yang Siwei lamented her misfortune and was angry at her lack of ambition: "Still asking what's wrong? Have you ever seen any female star post an ugly photo of herself? At least put on some makeup and comb your hair!"

Liu Liu Yifei felt very wronged: "Isn't that what you said? Seeing Lu Kuan said female stars should also be down-to-earth, so why doesn't mine count?"

"I told you to be down-to-earth, not to be rustic!"

"Look at the comments below, how many are calling you a village girl?"

Liu Liu Yifei wiped her sweat and smiled indifferently: "I am a village girl to begin with; it's too tiring to put on airs all the time, I can't do that."

Yang Yang Siwei looked at the 3000+ comments and replies under the blog post; she didn't know how many people had already downloaded the photo, and it was too late to delete it now.

She suddenly felt a bit of regret.

Boss Lu threw her over here; is this a punishment for her?

You are simply the worst batch of artists I have ever managed!

Although up until now, I have only managed you!

While there was laughter and noise here, Liu Liu Xiaoli, who was still worrying about the auditions for "Kung Fu" and "Otherworld" in the lobby, received a phone call.

"Hello? Liu Nushi, this is Wang Wang Xiaolei from Yanda Huayi."

"Wang... Wang Zong, hello, is something the matter?"

Liu Liu Xiaoli and Wang Wang Xiaolei were considered acquaintances; the last time they met was when Liu Liu Zeyu and Wang Wang Xiaolei were together trying to coax her into extending Liu Liu Yifei's long-term contract.

They even promised her the female lead role in "Kung Fu."

And now he's calling again... could it be about "Kung Fu"?

Mentioning this, Liu Liu Xiaoli was no longer sleepy!

"Liu Nushi, I'll get straight to the point: does Liu Liu Yifei have a new management contract now?"

"Not for the moment, we have established our own studio."

Wang Wang Xiaolei was stunned, then immediately overjoyed; sure enough, she had broken ties with Seeing Lu Kuan!

"It's like this, Liu Nushi, we've talked about the "Kung Fu" matter before. Today, after you finished the audition, Director Zhou Zhou Xingchi called me to ask for my opinion; after all, I am the producer."

Wang Wang Xiaolei paused here, giving Liu Liu Xiaoli enough time to ponder his meaning.

"Does Wang Zong mean? Yanda Huayi wants to sign Sister Xixi as an artist, right?"

"Exactly! It's so much easier talking to Liu Nushi!"

It wasn't that Liu Liu Xiaoli was sharp; it was that everyone from Liu Liu Zeyu and Seeing Lu Kuan to Wang Wang Xiaolei was doing the same thing!

Using a film contract to seduce her into "selling her daughter"!

If it were the Liu Liu Xiaoli of the future, she would likely be overjoyed in such a situation.

But now, with Seeing Lu Kuan and Wenjie, as well as that "Otherworld" as a reference, and Yang Yang Siwei, an agent she highly approved of.

Liu Liu Xiaoli decided to stall for a moment.

"Wang Zong, give me a few days to consider."

"Fine, but you must be quick. Director Zhou will finalize the female lead in the next few days, and he is very fond of that little Huang from the Beijing Film Academy. Only I can make him change his mind!"

Liu Liu Xiaoli inexplicably felt that Wang Wang Xiaolei was bragging, because she had seen Zhou Zhou Xingchi's eccentric behavior today, and he didn't seem like someone who could be swayed.

She thought for a moment, took her phone, and went to her daughter's room.

"Sister Xixi, Yang Siwei, I have something to discuss with you both."

The two turned back and listened calmly as she recounted the story.

Liu Liu Yifei didn't hesitate at all: "Impossible, reject him!"

Yang Yang Siwei also nodded: "Auntie, Yanda Huayi is now Seeing Lu Kuan's mortal enemy. Although our relationship with Wenjie is very delicate right now, it's better not to offend him."

There was one thing she didn't quite have the heart to say: this is not a good person!

Just look at how miserable Xu Xu Xiyuan is now and you'll know!

Framing a famous director, then publicly confessing her guilt, being bombarded by her former agency and the "Father of Variety Shows" in Taiwan, and then being shelved by Yanda Huayi.

There are even rumors of her using drugs and abusing psychiatric medication.

It's too terrifying.

"But we can't rely on neither side, right? We have to find a fallback movie, right? Sister Xixi's momentum is so good right now."

Perhaps because her marriage in this life has always been in a state of disorder, Liu Liu Xiaoli's sense of security is very low.

She wants to find a safe harbor like a small boat at every moment.

It doesn't matter what happens to her, she is worried about her daughter's future.

Liu Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow and wanted to refute her, but then heard Liu Liu Xiaoli's phone ring.

"Hello? Director Tian, hello, hello, please go ahead."

"What? Really! That's great, that's great, thank Director Zhou on behalf of me and Sister Xixi!"

Liu Liu Xiaoli stood up from the sofa in excitement, her joy overflowing.

Yang Yang Siwei and Liu Liu Yifei looked at each other, both guessing what the good news was—it really happened!

This was the first time the young lady had gone to an audition independently, without using any social connections, relying only on herself.

The expression on Liu Liu Xiaoli's face suddenly stalled again; after a long while, she bitterly replied "okay" and hung up the phone.

Yang Yang Siwei was confused: "What's wrong, Auntie Liu?"

"One piece of good news, and one that I can't tell if it's good or bad."

"Zhou Zhou Xingchi approves of you and has decided to let you play the female lead, Fang'er."

Liu Liu Yifei nodded, knowing there was more to come.

"The condition is that you must sign with Starry Entertainment! Zhou Zhou Xingchi's own company, and it's a 7-year long-term contract."

Yang Yang Siwei instinctively wanted to tell her to refuse, but felt she had no standing.

If she really said it, she feared Liu Liu Xiaoli would think she was only encouraging them because she didn't want to lose this job.

After all, this is a Zhou Zhou Xingchi movie!

Its gold content in this era is unquestionable, even if the female lead's screen time is minimal.

"Wait a moment, Wang Wang Xiaolei is calling again."

Liu Liu Xiaoli made a gesture for them to be quiet and went into the hallway to answer the phone.

When she returned, her face was already clouded with gloom.

"This Yanda Huayi is truly bullying people too much! I don't blame Little Lu for teaching them a lesson! It makes me so angry."

"What's wrong?"

"Wang Wang Xiaolei threatened me, saying that if I don't agree to sign with Yanda Huayi, even if Zhou Zhou Xingchi agrees to let Sister Xixi be the female lead, Yanda Huayi will raise objections."

Liu Liu Yifei laughed: "It's very obvious, he was lying to you earlier; even without Yanda Huayi, Zhou Zhou Xingchi had already decided to use me."

"He's just trying to fool you, don't pay attention to such people, they always treat others like fools."

Yang Yang Siwei nodded in agreement: "The only thing that needs to be considered now is whether or not to sign with Starry; only you can decide that."

Liu Liu Xiaoli let out a long sigh and sank into the sofa.

What is wrong with this world? Suddenly everyone wants to snatch her daughter?

This can no longer be called a "happy trouble"; for the current Liu Liu Xiaoli, it is no different from violent agitation.

The previous chapter was reviewed, it's been modified, scroll back.





(End of chapter)