Chapter 75

Chen Baoguo was very clear in his mind that he had already used seven-tenths of his strength. The fact that someone could easily handle it and perform so brilliantly under such pressure was rare, especially among newcomers, who could be considered talented.

Thinking of this, Chen Baoguo developed a fondness for talent, retracted his aura, and sat back down with ease.

At this moment, Ye Ming felt the pressure on his entire body suddenly disappear.

Sweat was now pouring down Ye Ming's body. This situation only occurred when he was acting opposite Ge You, the true king of acting who treated acting as his life, exerting a powerful aura.

Acting had become an inseparable part of these people's lives.

Guo Baochang looked at Ye Ming, secretly amazed. This young man was very perceptive. At such a young age, he could grasp the concept of getting into character. More importantly, under Chen Baoguo's pressure, he did not follow the lead but had his own performance, which was a rare quality for a newcomer.

Bai Jingye, a rogue and a spoiled son, was portrayed vividly by Ye Ming.

He's the one.

Guo Baochang nodded with a smile and said, "Not bad, not bad. The person recommended by Yonghua is quite good. It's you. Let your company's people discuss the contract with the production team. He Jun, come here."

He Jun, who had been waiting outside, immediately ran in, "Director Guo, what do you need?"

Guo Baochang waved his hand and said, "Nothing much. The person for Bai Jingye has been decided. It's the one recommended by Yonghua. The rest, you can send them back."

He Jun hesitated, his expression somewhat difficult, "Director Guo, there are still more than twenty people. If you send them all back without giving them a chance to try, some of them are recommended by investors, which might not be appropriate."

Guo Baochang snorted, his face darkening, "Send them back to where they came from. If I were willing to compromise, would this show still be waiting to be filmed today?"

The show "The Grand Courtyard" was something Guo Baochang had wanted to produce for ten years, but he had never found the right opportunity.

No one was willing to invest, and he was unwilling to rush the production.

This show was his life's work, and he could not afford to be careless.

Even if someone was willing to invest, the conditions were often very strict, and Guo Baochang was unwilling to compromise.

He Jun had been with Guo Baochang for a long time and knew his temperament well.

Seeming to think of something, Guo Baochang glanced at He Jun and said, "Are you speaking up for them because you've received some benefits from them?"

In the production team, taking money to introduce roles was almost a rule.

Unless you were a famous actor or personally chosen by the director, you had to pay to get a speaking role.

Even the opportunity to audition often required money to smooth the way.

Ye Ming got this opportunity partly because he was already somewhat famous, having performed on the Spring Festival Gala, which not every newcomer could do.

Also, Yonghua's recommendation played a role, and they had used their connections.

Hearing Guo Baochang's words, He Jun laughed and said, "Director Guo, what are you saying? What kind of person do you think I am? I wouldn't dare to mess with this show, I still want to make a living."

Guo Baochang nodded in satisfaction, "That's best. However, you should also warn those young rascals. I think the production team's behavior has been a bit out of line lately. Don't let them make a fool of us."

Ye Ming walked out of the room, neither happy nor sad, but no one came to ask him any questions.

The people in the corridor were all there to audition, and they were competitors. They understood that even if they asked, they wouldn't get any useful information.

As Ye Ming was about to leave, He Jun opened the door and waved to everyone, "Scatter, scatter. Go home and wait for notification."

This statement was like a bolt of lightning to the remaining people.

Not even seeing the director, they were being sent back, which meant they had no chance at all.

At least for the role of Bai Jingye, they had no hope.

Someone couldn't help but say, "Teacher He, you called us to audition, but now you're sending us back without even seeing the director. We need an explanation. How can we be convinced otherwise?"

At this moment, He Jun's face darkened as he looked at the young man, "Explanation? What do you mean? Are you saying Director Guo's production team is unfair? That you didn't get a chance? Let me tell you, I don't care who recommended you. Everyone has an equal chance. I don't care what other production teams do, but in Director Guo's team, Director Guo is the sky. Once Director Guo makes a decision, it cannot be changed.

You can forget about the role of Bai Jingye. Maybe you can try for other roles, but if you keep complaining, you won't even get those."

Wasn't this clearly saying that the role of Bai Jingye had been given to Ye Ming?

Although everyone was helpless, Guo Baochang was a respected senior in the industry with extensive connections and a reputation for nurturing young talent.

They left reluctantly.

Some extras watching the scene commented, "Is it so great to have been on the Spring Festival Gala? He just got the important role of Bai Jingye. I'd be happy with any speaking role."

An older extra said, "What's so great about being on the Spring Festival Gala? There are thousands of actors in China, and everyone wants to be on it, but how many actually make it each year? You might not even get to see it live in your lifetime, let alone perform on it.

And you think Ye Ming got the role through connections, right? Let me tell you, this time, Director Guo Baochang and Teacher Chen Baoguo personally oversaw the audition. Do you think just anyone could pass their scrutiny?

Ye Ming is amazing. A few years ago, he was just an extra. We even acted together.

Unfortunately, now, it's said that he charges tens of thousands for a single performance."

This shocked the extra, "Old Huang, really? Tens of thousands for a single performance? He's still a newcomer, right? How can he charge so much? I don't earn that much in a year or two."

Old Huang snorted, "What do you know? In the industry, there are three levels of singers.

The first level is those who charge tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. Ordinary singers, even those with some fame, usually charge up to nine thousand, and that's only if they have a hit song.

The second level is those with hit songs who have also performed on the Spring Festival Gala. This is almost a hard requirement. If you haven't been on the Spring Festival Gala, you won't earn tens of thousands.

Even among those who have been on the Spring Festival Gala, there are differences. Some earn ten thousand, some earn twenty or thirty thousand.

Generally, those who have been on the Spring Festival Gala fall into this category, as do first and second-tier singers from Taiwan and Hong Kong."

Ye Ming's "Blue and White Porcelain" is a hit across the country. You can hear it everywhere. This is the influence of the Spring Festival Gala. Ye Ming has his own classic hit, and he's at least a first-tier singer now. I estimate his starting price is twenty or thirty thousand."

At this moment, the young extra said enviously, "Twenty or thirty thousand, that's amazing. If he performs ten or eight times a year, it's more than I could earn in a lifetime. What about a hundred thousand? What level is that?"

Old Huang snorted, "A hundred thousand, that's the level of true superstars like Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok. Even if you have the money, you might not be able to get them. They are true superstars. Actually, for singers who earn tens of thousands, getting one or two opportunities a year is already good. For superstars, they might not even get one opportunity a year."

Regardless of what others said behind his back, Ye Ming walked out with a very happy heart.

Fang Fang had been waiting anxiously. Seeing Ye Ming come out, she immediately followed and asked, "How did it go? Did you pass?"

Ye Ming immediately said, "Sister Fang, I'll go back first. The director has agreed. We just need to sign the contract."

Fang Fang was overjoyed. "The Grand Courtyard" directed by Guo Baochang was a significant achievement. In the future, it would be hard for anyone to lower Ye Ming's pay, as no one could be more influential than Guo Baochang.

Few directors in the country would dare to say such a thing.

Signing the contract went smoothly, and because of Ye Ming's fame, his pay increased to four thousand per episode, which was a good price for a newcomer.

After signing the contract, Fang Fang was very happy and said with a smile, "You're now part of the 'Grand Courtyard' team. Work hard. I have high hopes for you."

Ding dong, a familiar melody played.

System notification: [Host completed the "Grand Courtyard" side mission. Acting reward: 60, Fame reward: 50]

[Host: Ye Ming. Age: 19. Acting: 559, Singing: 388, Fame: 430, Martial Arts: 400, Insight: Two stars. Functions: Artist Training, Prop Store. Inventory: Stamina Potion, Puppet, Locked Item: Best Actor Crown.]

At this moment, a beautiful face appeared at the window, tapping on the glass with delicate fingers.

Ye Ming looked up and saw Chen Xi, feeling a warm feeling in his heart. He made a funny face at the window and said, "Sister Fang, you go back first. I've met a friend. We'll talk later."

Fang Fang saw Chen Xi at this moment, though she didn't know her, she could tell from Ye Ming's eyes that Chen Xi was special to him.

So, Fang Fang quickly followed and ran out. By then, Ye Ming and Chen Xi had already run far away.

Fang Fang shouted, "Ye Ming, you scoundrel, be careful. If the paparazzi catch you, I won't forgive you."

Ye Ming wasn't ready for a scandal yet. His career was on the rise, and as a newcomer, he didn't have a strong foundation. A scandal at this point would be disastrous.

But Ye Ming didn't take it to heart.

Chen Xi, a girl who seemed overly innocent and kind, pure like a blank sheet of paper.

Chen Xi blushed and looked at Ye Ming, "Didn't you go to Hong Kong to film? How did you come back so quickly? Were you fired?"

Ye Ming poked her nose with his finger, "You little thing, do you think I'm so easy to be fired? It was just a supporting role with not much screen time. Once it was done, I left. I thought you were joking when you said you were going to act."

Chen Xi's face showed a rebellious expression, "My parents don't want me to act, but I insisted on running away to act. Let's see what they can do. They think everything my brother does is right, but not what I do."

At this moment, a red Ferrari appeared on the road. Chen Xi immediately pulled Ye Ming and ran into a nearby mall.

The red Ferrari circled around, seemingly not finding anything, and left reluctantly.

They found an elegant hotel and sat down. Ye Ming let Chen Xi order, but she didn't know how, so Ye Ming ordered some signature dishes.

While eating, Ye Ming said, "What role are you playing in the production? You seem very free."

Chen Xi smiled, showing her two little tiger teeth, "I'm playing a maid in the Bai family. It's a supporting role, but I have more than ten episodes."

This made Ye Ming look at Chen Xi differently. Ten episodes, even for a minor role, was not easy to get, especially in "The Grand Courtyard." Without strong connections, it was impossible.

In Guo Baochang's production team, no one dared to use any tricks, as it was absolutely forbidden by the director.

However, getting into the production team was a different matter.

Guo Baochang's only requirement was whether you were suitable for the role. If you were, you got it; if not, no one could help you.

It was a fair production team, but you had to have the chance to show your talent to the director.

And getting that chance was where the manipulation came in.

Guo Baochang understood this, so as long as it didn't affect the quality of the show, he turned a blind eye to such matters.

Ye Ming looked at Chen Xi differently, "Amazing, you managed to get this role. Many people would kill for it."

Chen Xi didn't find it difficult, "Is it hard? I don't think so. I called my uncle in Beijing, and the role was mine. But I heard my brother is coming to Beijing. I don't know if I can finish filming. If he catches me, he'll definitely take me back."

At this moment, Chen Xi's face showed a heavy sense of loss.

She truly loved acting from the heart.

At this moment, a waiter came over with a notebook and a pen, "Sir, are you Ye Ming, the one who sang 'Blue and White Porcelain'? I love your song. Can you sign for me?"

At this moment, Ye Ming realized he was a star, someone who could be recognized on the street.

In his previous life, he never had this treatment. Now, someone asking for his autograph made him feel a bit giddy.

The feeling of being admired was very pleasant.

Ye Ming smiled and nodded, signing for the waiter.

The waiter left very satisfied.

But unexpectedly, this was just the beginning. Soon, three more waiters came, all sisters of the first one.

They even brought a camera, asking for Ye Ming's autograph and a photo.

This greatly satisfied Ye Ming's vanity. After signing and taking photos, Ye Ming quickly paid the bill and pulled Chen Xi out.

He knew that if he didn't leave, the crowd would make it hard for him to go.

Chen Xi said enviously, "Brother Ye, you're a star now. You can be recognized when you go out to eat. I hope I can reach this level one day."

Ye Ming shrugged, "Actually, sometimes you realize that fame comes with a price. I'll have to be more careful when I go out to eat in the future."

This was a heartfelt remark, but also a bit of showing off to Chen Xi, who was still a novice. If it were someone else, they would have mocked him.

You're famous and you're showing off, what are you showing off?

But Chen Xi clearly ate it up, "Yes, being controlled is no fun. Oh, we've been eating for so long. It's about time. Brother Ye, I have to go back."

After sending Chen Xi back to the production, Ye Ming received a call from Huang Bo. Hearing that Ye Ming was back in Beijing, he wanted to meet up and have dinner.

Huang Bo also mentioned that he had contacted Xu Zheng, who was still in Beijing. They all wanted to get together.

At this moment, Ye Ming was working on a script and thought it was a good opportunity to discuss the movie with Huang Bo and Xu Zheng.

So, Ye Ming agreed and invited them to have Peking duck that night, and they would also discuss the movie.

With these two future comedy kings, the movie was sure to be a success.