novellhall Chapter 19 I Won't Take You
Chapter 19 I Won't Take You
"you mean?"
Seeing Huang Haibin looking at him with a surprised expression, Kou Zhanwen took a light puff of his cigarette. "Old Huang, you're only thirty years old. If I may be so bold as to say it, you're still young. Wanting to change your career path isn't a bad thing. But given the age and career of male actors, it's not too late to change your career path even when you're thirty-five or forty."
Seeing Huang Haibin's thoughtful expression, Kou Zhanwen continued, "President Fan's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' isn't some small production. It's adapted from Liang Yusheng's novel, with an investment of tens of millions and many well-known artists invited. While it's not guaranteed to be a 100% success, the chances of failure are very low. Playing the male lead in this drama won't do you any harm, so why not accept the role?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Haibin joked, "Old Kou, if I don't accept, maybe I can recommend a chicken."
Kou Zhanwen waved his hand with a smile, "Little Chicken isn't qualified. It's a production team that invested tens of millions, and it's adapted from a well-known martial arts novel. Little Chicken hasn't even finished his first movie yet, so his chances are slim."
Upon hearing Kou Zhanwen's remarks, Huang Haibin's eyes flashed with a hint of agreement. In fact, Huang Haibin was quite surprised that Ji Qingxu could play the role of Luo Cheng in "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties". It was quite a surprise that an 18-year-old freshman from Beijing Film Academy could play such an important role in his first drama. Although he was not as good as himself, it was still a rare thing in the current era when Hong Kong artists were flocking to the north.
However, after being on set for more than a month, even without getting to know him in depth, Huang Haibin felt that Ji Qingxu was a young man with unlimited potential and was well-suited to play the role of Luo Cheng.
Thinking about his future plans, Huang Haibin asked with a smile, "Old Kou, what if, what if I don't take this role and try to switch to other types of dramas, but the transition doesn't work out? Wouldn't I be a fool?"
Upon hearing this question, Kou Zhanwen smiled and countered, "Old Huang, are you lacking in fame right now?"
"We don't lack anything."
"Are you short of money?"
"good."
"Old Huang, I only have one thing to say: my happiness is priceless."
Upon hearing this proverb, Huang Haibin was stunned. After a while, he came to his senses, raised his wine glass, and gestured to Kou Zhanwen, "Come on, Lao Kou, have a drink."
"it is good."
The two never brought up the topic again until the end of the drinking session.
......
Back at the hotel, Kou Zhanwen walked to a room and knocked on the door.
"Senior brother, you went to eat alone again?"
"Damn it, all you ever do is eat."
"Hehe, come in and sit down. I'll get you a cup of hot tea."
"Um."
After handing the teacup to Kou Zhanwen, Ji Qingxu asked curiously, "Senior brother, do you have something good to tell me?"
Kou Zhanwen glanced at Ji Qingxu with amusement, picked up his teacup and took a couple of sips. "I was drinking with Lao Huang tonight, and he..."
After saying that, Kou Zhanwen asked with a smile, "You don't blame your senior brother, do you?"
Ji Qingxu shook his head. "Senior brother has his reasons for doing this. Besides, what you said is true. Even if Haibin didn't act, it might not be my turn. So, there's no need for us to be the villains."
Kou Zhan nodded approvingly upon hearing this, "Very good, junior brother, that's what I was thinking too. Your experience is too weak. If this 'Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties' had already been filmed and broadcast, I would have tried my best to snatch the male lead for you, but now... the chances are too slim."
After a pause, Kou Zhanwen glanced at the door and leaned closer, saying, "Even if we really want to snatch this male lead role, there's no need to go through Lao Huang. I've known President Fan for a long time, and compared to Lao Huang's recommendation, President Fan has a better chance. We don't need to owe him a favor. In the entertainment industry, the hardest debt to repay is a debt of gratitude."
Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Then I will never be able to repay my senior brother in this lifetime."
Kou Zhanwen smiled and waved his hand, "We brothers don't need to talk about this. Well, the chance is slim, but it's not impossible. I gave Lao Huang a hint today. Although I'm not sure if he's made up his mind, if he turns down this role, we'll have to do everything we can to snatch it."
"I'll follow my senior's arrangements."
Kou Zhanwen nodded. "Don't think about so much right now. Just focus on acting well in this play. I'll take care of everything else."
"Okay, I understand."
After finishing his tea, Kou Zhanwen stood up and patted Ji Qingxu on the shoulder. "Junior brother, don't be so polite with your senior brother. I'm doing this for my own good. If you become a big star in the future, I can benefit from your success and let you enjoy the good life."
Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "Senior brother, just watch me."
Kou Zhanwen smiled and waved as he walked towards the door. "Alright, it's getting late. Take a shower and go to bed early. I'm going back now."
"Alright, senior brother, you should get some rest too."
"Um."
After Kou Zhanwen left, Ji Qingxu breathed a sigh of relief. The male lead of "The Wandering Swordsman"?
Damn it, Ji Qingxu had never watched this show in his previous life, so he had no clue how to find a useful solution.
After thinking for a while, Ji Qingxu scratched his head and walked towards the bathroom, realizing he could only rely on his senior brother.
......
"Holy crap, you're awesome, Old Pig! You've opened for business... Haha, keep it low-key, getting fat first isn't a big deal, getting fat later might just be the best thing ever. Maybe you'll come out on top... Me? All I do is film, film, film. Come on, the whole crew is full of men... Okay, let's get together again when I get back."
After hanging up the phone, Ji Qingxu smiled and glanced at his phone.
As expected, the three in the dorm are quite something; they're only freshmen, and they've already landed acting roles.
Zhu Yawen took on a role in a youth campus drama called "Sunny Rainy Season," Luo Jin took on a comedy TV series called "The Story of the Sales Office," and Lu Fangsheng also took on a role in an urban romance drama called "Snowflakes Falling." Although Ji Qingxu had never heard of these three dramas, and they were not playing any important roles, it was still quite impressive that they were able to get roles in their freshman year.
I glanced at the time on my phone; today is December 1st. There's only one month left until the end of 2002. According to the filming schedule, I'll be staying on set for about another month. Time flies when we're filming.
"Junior brother, are you done making the call? The hot pot is ready."
"They're here."
After entering the private room, Ji Qingxu smiled and picked up his chopsticks to eat a piece of mutton from the steaming hot pot. "Delicious."
Kou Zhanwen smiled and took a sip of baijiu. "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
Ji Qingxu chuckled, picked up his drink, took a sip, and asked, "Senior brother, is there something good happening?"
Kou Zhanwen laughed and scolded, "Hasn't your senior brother treated you to meals often enough?"
Ji Qingxu shook his head and smiled, "It's different. I see you're especially happy today, Senior Brother. Surely it's not because Madam Hei is going to consummate your marriage with you tonight?"
Seeing the mischievous grin on Ji Qingxu's face, Kou Zhanwen denied it, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, that was acting."
"Mmm, I understand."
Kou Zhanwen didn't mind Ji Qingxu's teasing and said with a smile, "I've taken on a few more jobs, and I'll head over there as soon as I finish filming here."
Upon hearing the news, Ji Qingxu raised his drink and smiled, saying, "Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
Kou Zhanwen smiled and raised his glass to clink with Ji Qingxu's. "Well, I can't take you this time."
"it is good."
Seeing Ji Qingxu's nonchalant expression, Kou Zhanwen chuckled and teased, "Aren't you going to ask why?"
Ji Qingxu replied with a smile, "If my senior brother didn't invite me, it's either because he was afraid of interfering with my studies, or the drama is just too bad."
"Haha, you little rascal, you're pretty smart."
Ji Qingxu asked curiously, "Senior brother, what drama did you take on?"
Kou Zhanwen smiled and said, "Do you remember that your senior brother acted in a movie called 'Spring Bright Pigsy' before?"
"I remember, it was filmed in 1999, so is this the sequel you're filming, senior?"
"That's right, and there are two of them."
Seeing Kou Zhanwen gesturing with two fingers, Ji Qingxu asked in surprise, "Filming two movies at once?"
Kou Zhanwen nodded. "Yes, one is called 'Lucky Pigsy,' and the other is called 'Joyful Pigsy.' I played different minor supporting roles in both of them. I was also the action director for both films."
"Senior brother doesn't think these two dramas are promising?"
Upon hearing this question, Kou Zhanwen took a sip of his drink. "Look closely, these two dramas probably won't have any problems with the ratings. They've invited many well-known artists to participate, but the scripts for these two dramas are terrible, a bit nonsensical. That's why your senior didn't invite you. You won't get any important roles anyway, and playing minor supporting roles isn't very interesting. You might as well go back to school and study hard."
"Okay, I'll listen to my senior brother."