Chapter 36

Hong Fei hesitated for a moment, then said fiercely, "Ye Ming, you don't have to worry. I'll call the chairman right away. I don't believe they dare to replace you. Do you think I can't ruin your production team?"

Chao Guoli, however, had a confident attitude, as if the contract in her hand gave her the world. She didn't take Hong Fei's threats seriously at all.

Indeed, Yonghua Film and Television was one of the investors, but before the production started, the investors were the bosses. Once the production began, the investors became less important.

Withdrawing investment would be detrimental to everyone, and Chao Guoli didn't believe Yonghua Film and Television would withdraw so easily.

Ye Ming waved his hand and said with a strange smile, "Brother Fei, there's no need for that. Director Chao, do you think you have me cornered? But you've forgotten one thing. Didn't we shoot a segment of 'Rice Loves Rats' recently? And it was taken away by Manager He. I heard that the preview for 'The Story of a Concubine' on TV last night included that segment. There's no mistake, right?"

He Xiuqiong returned to the island not only to deliver the sample footage but also to broadcast the preview to promote 'The Story of a Concubine.'

This was not early at all.

The preview for 'Tears of Heaven' had been airing since last week.

Chao Guoli was taken aback and then said, "The preview can be edited. Don't worry about that."

Ye Ming chuckled and said, "It's not as easy as you think. 'Rice Loves Rats' is one of the insert songs in 'The Story of a Concubine,' a requirement from Auntie Qiongyao. In the drama, it's a song Er Kang writes for Ziwei in prison. If I were Er Kang, singing it wouldn't be a problem since I'm singing my own song. But if you replace me, anyone else who wants to sing my song must have my authorization. Without it, you'd be breaching the contract. Although Yonghua isn't a big company, you should know the backing they have. You can't just push them around."

According to the contract, Yonghua Film and Television had nothing to say. But if they dared to violate the contract, Yonghua could definitely apply for a broadcast ban.

At least in the mainland and Hong Kong, no one would dare to ignore Yonghua's request.

Chao Guoli was drenched in sweat, her mind blank. The contract she had been holding high like a flag had slipped from her hand at some point.

After a long while, Chao Guoli hesitated and said, "Mr. Ye, everyone is for the production. We can discuss this."

Ye Ming immediately interrupted her, "There's nothing to discuss. I don't want to get involved in the production's disputes. I don't want to meddle in the director and cameraman issues. I just want to continue filming. Tell the director, if they don't provoke me, I won't provoke them. If they push me too far, we'll see if Yonghua is a pushover."

With that, Ye Ming left without looking back.

Hong Fei snorted and said, "Your production team is so arrogant. Don't forget about Auntie Qiongyao. You dare to replace her chosen role. Think about how you'll explain that to her."

Chao Guoli, dejected, went to see Sun Shupeng, her expression lifeless.

Seeing this result, Sun Shupeng was actually very surprised, "It seems things didn't go well. I understand; no lead actor wants to give up their role. But since Director Ouyang has spoken, we should follow the contract. Yonghua Film and Television should just take the loss."

Chao Guoli put down the contract and said, "Director Sun, things aren't as you think. Ye Ming didn't agree at all. He said 'Rice Loves Rats' is his song. If he plays Er Kang, there's no problem, but if someone else plays the role, he won't authorize us to use it."

"'Rice Loves Rats' is a highlight in the drama, chosen by Auntie Qiongyao. It's already in the preview, so changing it is almost impossible."

Sun Shupeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ye Ming to have this ace up his sleeve. 'Rice Loves Rats' was a fresh and touching song that fit the style of 'The Story of a Concubine.'

If it weren't excellent, Auntie Qiongyao wouldn't have used an outsider's song in her drama.

Since Auntie Qiongyao had chosen it, she must have been very confident in the song.

Removing it? He Xiuqiong didn't have the authority to do so.

Finally, Sun Shupeng said helplessly, "Forget it. I'll talk to Auntie Qiongyao and hope she understands."

Chao Guoli hesitated and added, "Ye Ming said he doesn't want to get involved in the production's issues, but don't provoke him. Otherwise, Yonghua isn't a pushover. Without his authorization, we can't use the song unless we decide not to broadcast in the mainland and Hong Kong. Otherwise, I think Yonghua can easily apply for a broadcast ban."

As the assistant director, she had to take the blame and consider issues the director might overlook. From Ye Ming's expression when he left, Chao Guoli could tell he wasn't someone to be underestimated.

Sun Shupeng thought for a moment and said helplessly, "Since that's the case, tell Chen Zhipeng. If he's willing to continue, we'll continue. Otherwise, he can leave. The role of Er Tai isn't irreplaceable. If we're banned from broadcasting in the mainland and Hong Kong, Auntie Qiongyao won't tolerate it. But if we really anger Yonghua, they might do it. If it comes to that, Auntie Qiongyao might change the director."

Sun Shupeng was extremely reluctant but had no choice.

Handling such a difficult situation was best left to Chao Guoli. If the director got involved, it would be irreparable.

Thus, Chao Guoli had to face the situation head-on. She knew very well that in this situation, Chen Zhipeng's reaction was unpredictable.

Sure enough, when he heard his role couldn't be replaced by a lead, Chen Zhipeng's face darkened.

Fortunately, at his side was Su Youpeng, not his usual troublemaking agent, Mi Mi.

Just as Chen Zhipeng was about to lose his temper, Su Youpeng pulled him back and said, "Director Chao, the production has its considerations. If it can't be done, there's no need to force it. Tell the director, the show must go on."

Hearing Su Youpeng's words, Chao Guoli's heart finally settled. She was afraid Chen Zhipeng would storm out, making her job as assistant director very difficult.

When they were alone in the makeup van, Chen Zhipeng still looked unhappy and complained, "Xiaoguai, why did you stop me? It's just a role change. If the production can't handle it, what future does it have? Why should we wait here? Newcomers are getting more and more arrogant. I don't want to serve them."

Su Youpeng shook his head helplessly and said, "Zhipeng, you still don't understand our situation. Yes, Little Tiger Team is very popular, but how are our upcoming works doing? 'Little Hero Dragon Whirlwind' is lukewarm. Our path will only get narrower. We can't miss this opportunity. Don't say you won't act. Many in the industry will laugh at us. Seize every chance to change ourselves."

Clearly, Su Youpeng was very clear about the situation, unlike Chen Zhipeng, who was still basking in the glory of Little Tiger Team.

Su Youpeng said firmly and seriously, "Little Hero Dragon Whirlwind is one opportunity, and 'The Story of a Concubine' is another. The industry will only give us two chances, not a third. If we fail both times, it will be hard to find work in the future."

This is the harsh reality of the entertainment industry. It's not that it doesn't accept failure, but it doesn't accept continuous failure. For newcomers, this might be their only chance to play a lead. If they miss it, the next opportunity is uncertain. For someone like Su Youpeng, getting two chances is already rare.

Chen Zhipeng hesitated and said, "What should we do? Swallow this humiliation? Am I supposed to apologize to him? That's a joke, right?"

After all, Chen Zhipeng was a top star. Apologizing to Song Jun was almost impossible.

It also went against the production's rules.

Su Youpeng chuckled and said, "There's no need for that. I know Ye Ming. As long as you don't provoke him, there won't be any major issues. Ye Ming is someone who knows how to control himself."

Making Chen Zhipeng apologize was out of the question.

However, what would happen in the future was hard to predict.

Su Youpeng wasn't sure what Ye Ming would do, but he was determined to play the peacemaker. Otherwise, the show really couldn't go on.