The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 18 Give Me a Chance

"President Fan."

"Old Kou, thank you for making this trip. Have a seat and some tea."

After sitting down, Kou Zhanwen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked with a smile, "Did President Fan need something from me?"

Fan Xiaotian stroked his teacup and nodded slightly. "Huang Haibin didn't immediately agree to star in 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'."

Upon hearing this news, Kou Zhanwen was secretly delighted, but a hint of surprise flashed across his face. "Is it because the salary wasn't agreed upon?"

Fan Xiaotian gently shook his head. "No, I feel there's another reason."

"So now..."

Fan Xiaotian said thoughtfully, "I've heard that Huang Haibin has been trying to change his career path. Could you help me find out if it's true?"

Upon hearing this question, Kou Zhanwen remained silent for a moment. "President Fan, I've heard him mention this when I chatted with him occasionally on set. He hinted at this idea."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaotian asked with a serious expression, "Authenticity guaranteed?"

Kou Zhanwen smiled and shrugged. "President Fan, I can't guarantee that. After all, you know how it is in our industry—you can't judge a book by its cover."

Fan Xiaotian nodded slowly upon hearing this, "That's true."

After carefully examining Fan Xiaotian for a few moments, Kou Zhanwen asked, "Mr. Fan, what do you think of my junior brother?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Fan Xiaotian's eyes. "Ji Qingxu?"

"Yes, it's my junior brother, Mr. Fan. You're familiar with him; he's incredibly handsome, his skills are better than mine, and he's formally trained. If Huang Haibin isn't willing, could you let my junior brother give it a try?"

Fan Xiaotian chuckled upon hearing this, "Old Kou, you know this drama is adapted from Liang Yusheng's work. It took three years to write the script before Mr. Liang agreed to let us film it. Xiao Ji is very good, but how old is he this year? He's just started school. This drama has an investment of tens of millions. Do you think it's acceptable to cast such a greenhorn?"

Kou Zhanwen smiled and said, "President Fan, everyone started as a newcomer. Back then, my junior brother Wu Jing was also someone you personally promoted to fame. What do you think of my junior brother Ji compared to junior brother Wu Jing?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaotian paused. Although Yuan Heping had specifically chosen Wu Jing for the role in "Tai Chi Master," he, as the producer, had agreed to the choice.

As for Ji Qingxu, he was taller than Wu Jing and his appearance was no less than Wu Jing's, and even slightly better. Although the two had never sparred in front of him, since he was accepted as Wu Bin's last disciple, he must be quite skilled.

Seeing Fan Xiaotian remain silent, Kou Zhanwen carefully considered his words before continuing, "President Fan, I don't know if you've seen the stills released by our 'Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties' production team. Everyone in the crew speaks highly of my junior brother's portrayal of Luo Cheng. My junior brother is not only incredibly skilled in martial arts, but his acting is also quite good. You can find out for yourself if you inquire around the crew. Furthermore, the protagonist Zhang Danfeng in Liang Yusheng's novel 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' should be around twenty years old, while Huang Haibin is already thirty. Since Huang Haibin doesn't want to play the role, why not let my junior brother give it a try? My junior brother is a newcomer, and his salary is cheaper. If my junior brother becomes an instant star like my junior brother Wu Jing did back then, your reputation as a 'talent scout' will surely spread throughout the Chinese film and television industry!"

Seeing Kou Zhanwen's thumbs-up, Fan Xiaotian chuckled and said, "You old Kou, you're trying to bewitch me."

Kou Zhanwen said innocently, "President Fan, you know what kind of person I am. I never lie."

After pondering for a moment, Fan Xiaotian shook his head. "Old Kou, this project isn't something I can decide on my own. There are several other investors involved, and Huang Haibin hasn't said he won't agree either. It's too early to talk about these things now."

Kou Zhanwen replied with a smile, "President Fan, I know. What I mean is, if Huang Haibin doesn't agree, could you give my junior brother an audition opportunity?"

Upon hearing this request, Fan Xiaotian immediately replied, "No problem. If Huang Haibin doesn't agree, I'll contact you later. Bring Xiao Ji over for the audition."

"Thank you, Mr. Fan. I'll offer you a toast with tea instead of wine."

Fan Xiaotian said with a smile, "This isn't enough sincerity."

Kou Zhanwen grinned and said, "I'll host a dinner tomorrow night, and I'll have a good drink with President Fan."

Fan Xiaotian smiled and waved his hand, "Next time, I'm leaving tomorrow. This drama is going to start filming early next year, and apart from a few supporting roles, the male and female leads haven't been cast yet."

At this point, Fan Xiaotian sighed, "Damn it, what's going on now? A drama with an investment of tens of millions of yuan is hitting wall after wall. Damn it, neither the male nor female lead they chose wants to play the role. Back when I first entered the industry, there was a role that all the actors were ecstatic about."

Kou Zhan asked curiously, "The female lead hasn't been decided yet?"

Fan Xiaotian smiled helplessly, "Yes, we initially chose Buffy Zhao, and everything was settled, but she said she didn't want to act. We initially chose Lu Yi for the male lead, but he withdrew before we even discussed the contract. We finally got Huang Haibin, but he wasn't very interested either. I've been having a huge headache lately."

"Good things come to those who wait. With President Fan here, I believe this drama will definitely be a success."

"I hope so."

......

The next day at noon, during lunch, Ji Qingxu walked over to Kou Zhanwen and touched his forehead. Kou Zhanwen, who was about to eat, looked annoyed and said, "Are you itching for a beating?"

Ji Qingxu whispered, "Senior brother, did you do something bad behind my back last night?"

Hearing this, Kou Zhanwen said irritably, "Yes, I went out for a late-night snack after you went back to your room."

"Senior brother, it's not fair to eat alone."

"screw you."

Faced with Kou Zhanwen's mocking laughter, Ji Qingxu chuckled and sat down, opening his lunchbox. "Senior brother, are you really alright?"

Kou Zhanwen laughed and said, "What could possibly be wrong with me?"

"That's good. Be sure to tell me if anything happens. Junior brother may not have other abilities, but he has plenty of strength."

Hearing this, Kou Zhanwen was quite pleased and said with a smile, "Alright, I have something to tell you. Let's eat."

"Um."

Watching his junior brother devour his boxed lunch, Kou Zhanwen's eyes flashed with surprise. His junior brother had such keen senses; he had noticed it just because he had glanced at him a few times that morning.

Thinking about his conversation with Fan Xiaotian last night, Kou Zhanwen glanced at Huang Haibin sitting in the distance, wondering if his junior brother would have the same good fortune.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kou Zhanwen noticed a pair of chopsticks reaching out from the side. Without any hesitation, he slapped them down with his chopsticks. "You brat, you're stealing your senior brother's meat again."

"Senior brother, you don't seem to have a very good appetite. Let me help you with some of it."

"Get lost, senior brother has a very good appetite."

"Really? Don't be so polite with your junior brother."

"You little brat, you're asking for trouble, aren't you?"

"Hehe, let's eat, let's eat. After we eat, we still have work to do."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's grinning face, Kou Zhanwen shook his head with a smile and started eating his boxed lunch in big bites.

......

Two days later, after the film crew wrapped up, Kou Zhanwen walked up to Huang Haibin and asked, "Old Huang, what's wrong? Something on your mind?"

Upon hearing Kou Zhanwen's question, Huang Haibin asked in surprise, "Did the director send you to ask this?"

Kou Zhanwen smiled and said, "No, I asked myself. You've had a lot of NGs these past few days, and you almost got injured during today's fight scene. I was just checking in on you."

Huang Haibin smiled and said, "Thank you... um, it's nothing, I probably didn't sleep well last night."

"It's good that you're alright. Get some rest early tonight. If you're tired, find a massage therapist to loosen your muscles and joints. That might help you sleep better tonight."

"Okay, I understand."

"Then I'll go remove my makeup first."

"Um."

Watching Kou Zhanwen leave, Huang Haibin stared at him for a while before looking away.

The next day, after finishing work, Huang Haibin walked up to Kou Zhanwen with a smile and said, "Old Kou, are you free tonight? How about we grab a drink?"

Kou Zhanwen replied with a smile, "Someone is offering me drinks, so I'll be fine."

"I'll call you later."

"it is good."

Watching Huang Haibin walk towards the hotel after he finished speaking, Kou Zhanwen rubbed his chin and watched for a while, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. Could it be...? Hmm, I'll ask him first.

......

"Old Kou, come on, bottoms up."

"it is good."

Seeing Huang Haibin down his glass of baijiu in one gulp, Kou Zhanwen followed suit and drank his down as well.

After setting down his cup, Kou Zhanwen offered him a cigarette. "Want one?"

Huang Haibin reached out and took the cigarette, and the two lit it and began to smoke.

After taking a couple of puffs, Kou Zhanwen suddenly asked, "Is it something troublesome?"

Huang Haibin paused for a moment, then slowly nodded. "It's very troublesome."

"Is it convenient for you to say?"

Huang Haibin didn't reply immediately. He took a deep drag and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Old Kou, what do you think of my acting?"

Upon hearing this question, Kou Zhanwen smiled and gave a thumbs up, "Undisputed number one handsome man in period dramas."

Hearing Kou Zhanwen's praise, Huang Haibin gave a wry smile, "That's the trouble."

Upon hearing this, Kou Zhan asked in surprise, "Are you still considering the issue of transformation?"

Huang Haibin nodded. "Yes, I'll be thirty soon. People say that one should be established by thirty. Maybe I'm being too sentimental. Others would be satisfied with my achievements, but I think I can do even better."

Kou Zhanwen probed, "Is it related to President Fan's arrival that day?"

Huang Haibin breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, you probably know that President Fan invited me to play the male lead in a period drama."

"You don't want to act?"

Huang Haibin hesitated for a moment, then said, "I haven't decided yet."

"I think you should take over."

Upon hearing Kou Zhanwen's words, Huang Haibin was surprised. What was going on? Did Old Kou not understand what he meant?