Chapter 4

Perhaps, Li Dachuan didn't really believe that 1.5 million was a small amount, and even Uncle Liang's expression betrayed him; he didn't believe that Qiongyao's drama would be short of money.

As an old hand in the industry, Uncle Liang had an incredulous look on his face and said, "Brother Chen, are you joking? How can Qiongyao's drama be short of money? Who would believe that?"

That's Qiongyao. When it comes to truly elevating oneself to the level of a grandmaster in one's career, there are only two people: Jin Yong and Qiongyao.

There's no need to mention their novels, each reaching the pinnacle in their respective fields. However, Jin Yong was also a prominent figure in the news industry; a single Ming Pao made Jin Yong a grandmaster.

While Qiongyao didn't publish newspapers, she used one film and TV series after another to elevate herself to the level of a grandmaster.

There are certainly writers with greater artistic achievements than these two, but when it comes to writing for wealth and amplifying one's influence through other means, Qiongyao stands out.

At least, if you ask any extra at a film studio, they wouldn't believe that Qiongyao's drama is short of money.

Chen Zheng looked at Uncle Liang with a dazed expression, as if his authority was being challenged, and said excitedly, "You don't believe it, right? I knew you wouldn't. But even if you don't believe it, there's nothing you can do. Do you know that another drama started filming almost at the same time as *Huanzhu Gege*? It's one of Qiongyao's two 'Heaven' series, called *Cangtian You Lei*. Do you know who the cast is? Cuo Zonghua, Zhu Yin, Jiao Enjun, and Jiang Qinqin. Among these four leads, only Jiang Qinqin is a newcomer. The other three are far superior to the actors in our cast. Apart from Su Youpeng, the singer, what other actors in our cast are worth mentioning?"

Uncle Liang was speechless. He didn't expect the *Huanzhu Gege* production to be in such a difficult situation.

At this moment, even Li Dachuan began to feel dejected, thinking that his big break might be delayed.

Only Ye Ming truly understood. Cuo Zonghua had considerable influence in Hong Kong and Taiwan. After a film called *Report to the Class Leader*, even tourists from Malaysia to the island would call him "Class Leader."

Zhu Yin was chosen to play Huang Rong in the 1994 version of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. Her selection for such an important role in a Jin Yong drama shows that she was a favorite of the TV station.

As for Jiao Enjun, he was an experienced actor, best known for playing Zhan Zhao in *Seven Heroes and Five Gallants*. It seems that the cast of *Cangtian You Lei* far outshines that of *Huanzhu Gege*.

Here, only Su Youpeng can hold up the scene, but he's a singer. What roles has Su Youpeng played? Just *Little Dragon Whirlwind*. He's a true newcomer in the film and TV industry.

Chen Zheng said helplessly, "There's nothing we can do. Emotional dramas are the essence of Qiongyao's works. We're like stepchildren. But you two, if you can pass the audition, you'll at least get some screen time."

No matter how much they are treated like stepchildren or backups, it's still a Qiongyao drama. The golden brand of Qiongyao ensures that even if the drama doesn't become a huge hit, it won't flop.

No one expected that this transitional work of Qiongyao, *Huanzhu Gege*, would later become a legendary hit.

Quoting a poem from *Huanzhu*, "No ancient sages before, no future sages after. Absolutely unprecedented and unparalleled."

They ate dinner in a rather gloomy atmosphere. Just as Chen Zheng was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Right, Ye Ming, you two, go to Yonghua Film tomorrow. Someone will receive you. The audition is the day after tomorrow. Seize the opportunity, don't mess up. Xiao Liang knows the address."

Seeing the dejected look on Li Dachuan's face, Uncle Liang said after seeing Chen Zheng off, "Dachuan, don't be discouraged. Old Chen said it's not about whether you can act, but whether you can get the role. Go to Yonghua tomorrow and get the contract signed first."

The next day, Ye Ming followed the address given by Uncle Liang and finally found the Yonghua Film Company in a dilapidated office building. Inside, the decoration was luxurious, quite different from the outside. It was clear that the company was quite powerful.

After explaining his purpose to the receptionist, a man in his late twenties, looking rather disheveled, came out.

His expression suggested he hadn't slept well the night before and was still drowsy, as if he might bump into a wall at any moment.

Ye Ming immediately greeted him, taking out a cigarette and offering it, "Brother Fei, how are you? It's been a while since I saw you. How have you been recently?"

Hong Fei, the publicity manager of Xinghua Film, who had arranged Ye Ming's training in Hong Kong, recognized the voice and opened his eyes to look at Ye Ming, "Oh, it's you, Ye. You haven't been doing well, have you? You haven't even landed a role. But don't worry, we're still in the same company. If you have any problems, I'll help you. I used to work at Xinghua Film, but now I'm at Yonghua. I'm still the publicity manager. You're not a new face anymore, so I don't need to explain much about the contract. It's a seven-year contract, with the company taking 40% of your earnings. If any issues arise, the company has the right to terminate the contract unconditionally, with some compensation. If you breach the contract, the penalty is one million. This is the same as at Xinghua. If you agree, sign it."

The compensation is just symbolic, like a severance package. At Xinghua, the severance package was 3,000 yuan.

But if an artist breaches the contract, the penalty is one million yuan. If you don't want to sign, there are plenty of new faces waiting for the contract.

At this moment, a dissatisfied voice said, "Seven years? Are you crazy, Old Hong? Seven years is too long. Do you know how much I lose for this company every year? 200,000 yuan. Am I running a company or a charity? Change it to four years. I don't have time to waste. But the company has the right to renew the contract for another four years under the same conditions."

The speaker was a young man in a light blue suit, with his hair styled with gel, shiny enough to be used as a mirror. He bore a resemblance to Huang Xinghua, even in his expression.

There was no doubt that Ye Ming recognized them as brothers.

With the boss speaking, Hong Fei could only nod and have someone revise the contract.

The young man walked over and looked at Ye Ming, "You're Ye Ming, the one my brother is promoting. Don't worry, my brother is now in an official position, so the company has disbanded. But from now on, follow me, and I'll protect you. When you become a big star, I'll show my brother that I'm the one with the talent."

Indeed, Huang Xinghua and Huang Yonghua, the two brothers, had similar personalities.

After encouraging Ye Ming, Huang Yonghua drove off in his luxury car, seemingly not caring about the three million yuan company at all.

Signing the contract was a no-brainer. Even Li Dachuan's hands were shaking when he signed.

Finally, a company was willing to sign him. This was Li Dachuan's biggest dream when he was an extra at the film studio. Now, the dream had come true.

In the entertainment industry, the difference between artists with a company and those without is significant.

Unless you're a top-tier superstar, without a company's support, it's easy to be bullied.

With a company, if you're bullied, the company will stand up for you. If you have problems, the company will resolve them, provided you make money for the company.

Therefore, countless new extras try their best to sign with a company. Signing with a company means a certain level of security in their acting career.

If Ye Ming hadn't signed with Yonghua Film, would he have gotten a chance in the *Huanzhu Gege* production?

Even an audition opportunity would have been impossible, even if he had paid Chen Zheng.

This is the harsh reality of the entertainment industry. There are only so many opportunities each year, but there are many more new and old faces waiting for their big break. Only those who can stand out and survive the competition can be called true artists.

Ding, the Entertainment Empire system interface activated, showing a line of numbers: Successfully signed with Yonghua Company. System reward: Fame +50, Acting +10, One-time Prop: Stand-in Puppet.

Before Ye Ming could understand what a one-time stand-in puppet was, Hong Fei put away the contract and said, "It's done. We're all family now. Tomorrow at 9 AM, at the Rugu Hotel on Xiaoxitian Street near the film studio, *Huanzhu Gege* will hold auditions. The auditions will be overseen by Ms. He Xiujiong, Qiongyao's daughter-in-law. This is your chance to prove yourself. But if you two are late, I'll kill you."

"I'll kill you" was a phrase Hong Fei often used. The first time Ye Ming heard it, he was terrified.

But after a while, he got used to it. If you hear threats every day, you'll eventually get used to them.

However, this was Li Dachuan's first time hearing such a direct threat, coupled with Hong Fei's fierce expression, which resembled the angry look of Cheng Kui'an.

This situation indeed scared Li Dachuan half to death. At that moment, he realized that the entertainment industry was not as easy to navigate as he thought.