novellhall Chapter 16 Win-Win
Chapter 16 Win-Win
"Cut!"
After Hu Mingkai finished speaking, he took the water glass handed to him by his assistant and drank it. He glanced at Kou Zhanwen and Ji Qingxu, who were demonstrating the actions with the actors, and a smile flashed in Hu Mingkai's eyes. It was too relaxed.
Hu Mingkai didn't need to worry about the action scenes at all; he could just leave it to the two martial arts brothers. Considering Ji Qingxu's salary, Hu Mingkai was even happier. This casting of "Luo Cheng" was truly worthwhile.
"Teacher Wang, make that move a little more expansive and domineering. You're the King of the Mountain, and your fighting prowess is currently number one. You need to fight with both domineering presence and effortless grace, like this..."
Wang Huichun, who plays Yang Lin, the Prince of Kao Shan, stared intently at Ji Qingxu's movements, listening and learning along the way.
After demonstrating, Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Teacher Wang, why don't you try it first, and I'll see if there's anything wrong with it."
Wang Huichun smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll play it once and you can see."
"OK."
Watching the two of them practice and talk, Huang Haibin nudged Kou Zhanwen on the shoulder and said, "Old Kou, your junior brother is really something."
Kou Zhanwen smiled and said, "I'm just relying on my youth. I still need to learn more from you seniors."
Huang Haibin said with a smile, "Old Kou, you're too modest. I don't know about other aspects, but based on my experience of filming period dramas over the years, Xiao Ji has great potential in period dramas."
"If you have any resources in this area, Lao Huang, please help introduce him. This kid, Xiao Ji, is new to the industry and lost his parents at a young age. Although I, Lao Kou, have been in this business for many years, I'm ashamed to say that I can't help him much. I can only help him make a living."
Upon hearing this, Huang Haibin asked in surprise, "The chick is an orphan?"
Kou Zhanwen nodded, "He's practically an orphan; he's all alone in his family now."
Watching Ji Qingxu earnestly instructing Wang Huichun, Huang Haibin let out a soft sigh, "I really didn't realize that Xiaoji is usually so cheerful..."
"This child has a great attitude and is very mature for his age."
Huang Haibin nodded slightly, "Okay, if there's a chance in the future, I'll help recommend you."
Upon hearing this, Kou Zhanwen joked, "Old Huang, do you really think I'm taking that seriously?"
Huang Haibin smiled and said, "Old Kou, you know I'm just an actor. At most, I can only say a few good words for him. There's nothing more I can do."
Kou Zhanwen quickly replied, "It's nothing, just being able to recommend someone is enough, Lao Huang, I..."
Before Kou Zhanwen could finish speaking, Huang Haibin waved his hand and said, "Old Kou, don't be so polite. You can thank me after I've really helped you."
"Fine, I won't argue with you then."
"Um."
Looking at the handsome Ji Qingxu in front of him, and thinking of Ji Qingxu's agile skills, a strange light flashed in Huang Haibin's eyes. Although Ji Qingxu's background sounded pitiful, Huang Haibin, who had been in the industry for nearly 10 years, had seen too many pitiful people. No matter how pitiful Ji Qingxu's background was, it had nothing to do with Huang Haibin.
The reason Huang Haibin agreed to this verbal promise was not only out of a sense of appreciating talent, but also for his own benefit.
Since entering the industry in 93 and becoming famous for his first leading role in the TV series "The New Book and Sword Chronicles", Huang Haibin has been receiving mostly period dramas, especially action scenes, which he has grown somewhat tired of.
Born in 73, Huang Haibin is about to turn thirty. As a professionally trained actor, Huang Haibin doesn't want to play the role of a chivalrous hero for the rest of his life and is now eager to change his career path.
But it's easier said than done. The scripts that Huang Haibin is offered are mostly period dramas, and he doesn't even look at the occasional modern drama.
Even if it's difficult, Huang Haibin wants to give it a try.
If a suitable script comes along in the future, Huang Haibin wouldn't mind recommending Ji Qingxu. It's a favor that doesn't take much effort, and if it's successful, he can also inherit a part of that favor.
With Ji Qingxu's looks, physique, and excellent martial arts skills, Huang Haibin was very optimistic about Ji Qingxu's future. If Ji Qingxu really made it big in the future and Huang Haibin failed to change his career path, Ji Qingxu might be able to help him.
"Old Kou, are you done yet?"
"Alright, Director Hu."
"Okay, get ready to film."
"OK!"
......
"Really? Senior, did you threaten Haibin?"
Seeing Ji Qingxu's surprised expression, Kou Zhanwen laughed and scolded, "Get lost! Old Huang is much more famous than me. How could I threaten him?"
"But I have no relation to him. Even if you know him, senior brother, isn't this favor a bit too much? Senior brother, let's make this clear first, I sell my art, not my body."
Kou Zhanwen gave Ji Qingxu a light tap, then said speechlessly, "Old Huang is a man of integrity, don't slander him. Hmm, how should I put it, let me think..."
After stroking his chin and thinking for a moment, Kou Zhanwen said, "As far as I know, Huang Haibin is seeking a transformation."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu seemed to understand something and said, "Senior brother, do you mean he doesn't want to act in period dramas anymore and wants to act in some other kinds of dramas?"
Kou Zhanwen nodded. "Old Huang was a student in the Central Academy of Drama's class of '92. He played the lead role in 'The New Book and Sword Chronicles' in '93. He's been acting for almost ten years. Besides his roles in period dramas, what other roles do you remember him for?"
Upon hearing this question, Ji Qingxu thought for a moment and shook his head.
"That's the problem. Most professionally trained actors have this characteristic: they always want to challenge themselves with different roles. Huang Haibin is famous and rich now, so he wants to pursue something else. You know what I mean?"
Ji Qingxu nodded upon hearing this, "I understand. It's about pursuing breakthroughs in acting skills and pursuing art."
"That's roughly the idea. Of course, don't get your hopes up too high. Even if he's famous, he's just an actor. What we're doing is casting a wide net. If luck comes our way, we might catch a big fish."
"clear."
"Also, if you are recommended, you must remember this kindness. There are many ungrateful and heartless people in our circle, but unless they are very powerful, most people will despise them. We martial artists cannot be such unrighteous people."
Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior brother. I've followed you for so long, don't you know me?"
Kou Zhanwen patted Ji Qingxu with a smile, "Junior brother, we're just running our own business now. We have no one behind us, so we can only rely on ourselves. I've been in the industry for over ten years. Even if I can't get leading roles, I'm not short of supporting roles. You're different. You're only eighteen. As long as we don't cross the line, we should seize every opportunity we can."
"Thank you, senior brother. If it weren't for you, I, the little chicken, would..."
Seeing Kou Zhanwen glaring at him, Ji Qingxu chuckled and said, "Alright, I won't say anything more. When I make something of myself someday, you two, Senior Brother and Grandpa Wu, can just wait to enjoy the good life."
"Haha, okay, then I'll be waiting."
......
After returning to his hotel room, Ji Qingxu took off his clothes and went into the bathroom.
While washing up, Ji Qingxu thought about what Kou Zhanwen had just said. Huang Haibin is now known as the most handsome man in ancient costume dramas in mainland China. Ji Qingxu had watched his TV series when he was a child in his previous life. His most impressive roles were Tang Seng in "Journey to the West: The Sequel" and Shen Lang in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". As for seeing him again after growing up, it was in "Zhu Xian" where he played Wan Jianyi.
"The Legend of the Condor Heroes" is a TV series from 2001 that aired last year, while "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" is a TV series from 2016. Huang Haibin has basically played the male lead since his debut and rarely plays the male supporting role. For example, in "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties", even though there are many Hong Kong and Taiwan actors in it, Huang Haibin is definitely the first male lead.
Thinking of Kou Zhanwen's guess, Ji Qingxu's face showed a hint of doubt. So Huang Haibin's transformation has failed?
After thinking for a while, Ji Qingxu still had no clue and was too lazy to think about it anymore. As for whether to remind Huang Haibin, unless Ji Qingxu was out of his mind, Huang Haibin was now a first-tier actor in the TV drama industry. If a newbie like Ji Qingxu told him not to change his career path and to stick to period dramas, Huang Haibin would probably think Ji Qingxu was crazy.
Furthermore, as Kou Zhanwen said, actors with formal training are all somewhat artistic and intellectual. Everyone has different pursuits, and Ji Qingxu has no interest in interfering in other people's lives. Besides, if Huang Haibin were to be offered a role and then decide against it and recommends it to Ji Qingxu, it would be a good thing for Ji Qingxu.
Thinking of this "win-win" situation, Ji Qingxu hummed a song while taking a happy shower. Playing an important role is great. You can live in a room by yourself, with a separate bed and a separate bathroom. The boxed meals you eat include fish, meat, and soup, and there is no limit to the amount.
"Our lives as ordinary people are getting better and better, more and more prosperous, hey, better and better..."
......