Chapter 76

Having booked a private room in advance, Ye Ming also arrived wearing sunglasses. There was no way around it; there were too many people watching the Spring Festival Gala. If he walked down the street without his sunglasses now, he would definitely be surrounded by everyone. This was the price of fame.

If it were in Hongcheng, at such a time, not many people would recognize Ye Ming. At least, not many people did now.

However, in the mainland, thanks to the influence of the Spring Festival Gala, Ye Ming's fame was already comparable to that of a top-tier singer. What he lacked was some experience and the refinement of his singing skills.

Upon entering the private room, Huang Bo greeted Ye Ming, saying, "Ye Ming, over here. Xu Zheng and I have been waiting for you for a while. You should try to persuade Old Xu. This guy is heartbroken and has been depressed for days."

Xu Zheng, for a woman, was willing to be an extra, showing his deep feelings. However, he failed to see the reality and romanticized the situation too much.

As a result, he was harshly dumped.

Huang Bo recounted the story, saying that Xu Zheng's female classmate had left the country with a wealthy businessman.

At that moment, it was clear that Xu Zheng was in a state of depression, looking as if he had aged several years in just a few days.

His spirit was clearly not in good shape.

His beard was unkempt, looking as if he hadn't shaved for half a month, like a migrant worker who had worked two consecutive night shifts.

It was evident that this breakup had hit him hard.

Ye Ming sighed and said, "There are plenty of flowers in the world, Xu Ge. Just try to think positively. This isn't a one-sided matter, and you can't keep drinking all day. By the way, I have something I want to ask you two. Are you interested in making a movie?"

Instantly, Xu Zheng's bloodshot eyes sparkled with a glint of excitement. Making a movie, this was a deep-seated passion of his.

At that moment, Xu Zheng seemed to forget about his heartbreak and asked curiously, "Making a movie? This isn't a small matter. Without money, nothing can be done. Even a low-budget movie requires 300,000 to 500,000 yuan. If it's to be shown in theaters, it would cost over a million."

Huang Bo also chimed in, "Ye Ming, do you have a way? Is your company going to invest in making a movie? If so, Xu Zheng and I will follow you."

Who wants to be an extra forever? Who doesn't want to be a character actor? Huang Bo dreams of being the lead, or at least a significant supporting role.

Ye Ming nodded and said, "There is such a plan. I have applied for a film support fund, and Uncle Han Sanping has agreed to provide 500,000 yuan as start-up capital. Moreover, there will be some discounts on renting filming equipment. The team hasn't been assembled yet."

Xu Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "With money, things can be done. But the script is the soul of a movie. With a good script, the movie is already half successful."

Indeed, Xu Zheng's observation was very sharp.

Ye Ming smiled mysteriously and said, "The script is not a problem. I have already drafted it and will have it ready in a few days. However, I am currently filming 'The Grand Mansion' with Director Guo Baocang, and it will take about a month to complete my scenes. When the time comes, I plan to shoot this movie in Chongshan City. The movie will be called 'Crazy Stone,' a comedy centered around a piece of jade."

With Xu Zheng and Huang Bo on board, not making 'Crazy Stone' would be strange. This is a low-budget movie, and with over a million yuan, it can definitely be done.

Xu Zheng nodded and said, "No problem. Huang Bo and I don't have much to do recently. We can go with you to shoot the movie. If there are any arrangements in Chongshan City, we can help you. We can't provide money, but we can run errands."

Ye Ming wanted this effect. If he could get these two on board, the movie would be half successful.

Ye Ming said happily, "It would be great if you two could help me. I have 20,000 yuan here. Take it and use it to contact a place called Luohan Temple in Chongshan City. That will be the main filming location. I will have the company handle the procedures and rent some equipment in the next few days. There are also a few actors to contact. In a few days, I plan to ask Zhao Wei and others for help. We need to work together to get this done."

The next day, when he arrived at the set, he encountered a media visit. A middle-aged man, dressed in ancient attire with a long braid, was holding two walnuts and smiling as he gave an interview.

He had a square face, looking like a farmer who had just entered the city. However, Ye Ming was very familiar with him; he was a veteran actor.

Teacher Liu Peiqi, a well-known actor in the industry, could portray any role convincingly, from high-ranking officials to commoners.

Next to Liu Peiqi was Liu Hanmin.

It seemed that his claim of joining the 'The Grand Mansion' set a few days ago was not baseless.

Ye Ming thought no one would notice him, so he planned to blend in.

However, he underestimated the professional sensitivity of the journalists.

Someone had already noticed Ye Ming, and as soon as he approached, the journalists surrounded him.

At that moment, some journalists interviewing Liu Peiqi and Liu Hanmin also noticed Ye Ming. They became excited because Ye Ming and Liu Hanmin had a strained relationship due to the competition for a role in 'The Story of a Noble Family.' There was a lot of news to be dug up.

Therefore, in such a situation, the journalists would not let this opportunity pass.

A journalist quickly asked, "Ye Ming, I want to know why, with your achievements in the music industry, you don't focus on music but come to act in TV shows."

This question, if put lightly, was about crossing boundaries; if put harshly, it was about not sticking to one's profession.

If Ye Ming said anything out of line, the next day's newspaper would definitely feature a story about him not sticking to his profession.

Ye Ming had to face the camera and said, "Actually, acting is my main job. For now, I will focus my energy on acting. As for the music industry, that depends on the company's arrangements."

This answer was watertight, pushing all the responsibility onto the company. Ye Ming believed that Yonghua would handle these matters.

Seeing that they couldn't get any news from Ye Ming, the journalists were not satisfied. This newcomer, who had appeared on the Spring Festival Gala and had a bright future, had significant news value.

At that moment, another journalist asked with a hidden agenda, "Mr. Ye Ming, your acting experience is not very rich. Facing a star-studded TV series like 'The Grand Mansion,' do you believe you have the ability to handle such a role?"

The journalist who asked this question was Lao Bai from 'Southern Sunday.'

It seemed that Lao Bai had a grudge against Ye Ming, always asking tricky questions whenever he appeared.

Ye Ming was not surprised by this question and said calmly, "You shouldn't be asking this. The role was assigned by Director Guo Baocang. I believe the director chose me because he thought I was suitable for the role. I am honored to have this opportunity to join the 'The Grand Mansion' cast. I think this is also a recognition of my abilities by the director."

By bringing up Director Guo Baocang, Lao Bai naturally did not dare to doubt the director.

However, Lao Bai was not one to give up easily. He knew that Ye Ming and Liu Hanmin had a conflict.

Last year, Liu Hanmin was kicked out of the 'The Story of a Noble Family' set, and it was rumored that Ye Ming was behind it. Their relationship had been strained for a long time.

Therefore, seeing that it was not easy to get a breakthrough from Ye Ming, Lao Bai thought of another approach.

He shifted the microphone to Liu Hanmin and asked, "Mr. Liu Hanmin, what do you expect from working with the veterans on this set?"

At that moment, Liu Hanmin saw Ye Ming. Enemies meeting, the eyes turned red. However, with so many journalists present, Liu Hanmin did not dare to act out, or he would be kicked out again.

Liu Hanmin said without hesitation, "I am honored to work with veterans like Teacher Siqin Gao Wa, Teacher Chen Baoguo, and Teacher Liu Peiqi. I thank Director Guo for giving me such a great opportunity to learn from these veterans.

However, I do have some doubts. Some people can sing and act, but whether their acting skills can support such a big production is questionable. Let the audience judge."

This was clearly a direct attack on Ye Ming.

Lao Bai, of course, did not let this opportunity pass and immediately asked Ye Ming, "Mr. Ye Ming, do you have confidence in your acting skills? This is a big production, possibly the opening show for the national TV station. Do you have the confidence to complete this role?"

This was clearly provocation. Just as Ye Ming was about to respond, Director Guo Baocang's loud voice rang out, "I have seen his acting, and for a young person, it is quite good. Moreover, when he acted with Chen Baoguo, it was impressive. Not many young people can reach such a level of immersion. The role of Bai Jingye is perfect for Ye Ming."

Director Guo Baocang was a veteran in the industry, and his endorsement of Ye Ming, along with the support of a top-tier actor like Chen Baoguo, proved that Ye Ming had the capability.

However, just as the journalists were about to ask more questions, Director Guo Baocang waved his hand and declared, "Time's up. We need to prepare for filming."

No one dared to defy Director Guo Baocang, not even the editors or publishers of the media. They would respectfully call him "senior."

At that moment, Liu Peiqi looked at Director Guo Baocang's departing figure and patted Liu Hanmin's shoulder, saying, "Xiao Liu, since we are from the same family, I'll give you a reminder. What you did just now was a bit over the line.

Ye Ming said he was chosen by Director Guo, and you dared to set a trap for him. Do you think that in other sets, such things are common, and setting a trap is no big deal?"

Liu Hanmin, hearing the hidden meaning, felt a chill and said, "Teacher Liu, isn't competition normal in the industry?"

Liu Peiqi patted his shoulder and said, "That's in ordinary sets. In some sets, big stars can have more power than the director. But not in our set. In our set, the director is the biggest. Director Guo is a respected senior in the industry. Chen Baoguo and Siqin Gao Wa are big stars, but they can't surpass Director Guo.

Even Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who are big stars, come to run small roles. That's all because of Director Guo's influence.

Therefore, our set is different from others. In other sets, you can use tricks and play dirty, but in our set, everyone must behave. Everything is for the sake of the production. Whoever violates the rules will suffer. You are still young."

With a long sigh, Liu Peiqi played with his walnuts and slowly walked away.

Liu Hanmin stood there, dumbfounded. He had been in many sets and had seen all kinds of competition, even big stars sidelining directors.

But this time, he seemed to have hit a wall. Soon, the set announced that he could leave, meaning he was kicked out.

He had hoped to use Director Guo Baocang's reputation to boost his career, but instead, he was humiliated by Ye Ming.

Liu Hanmin was not satisfied. He had been thwarted by Ye Ming twice, and this made him very bitter. However, retaliating against Ye Ming was not easy.

After all, Ye Ming was no longer a simple extra. He was an artist who had appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, which provided some protection.

But he was not willing to give up. Since he had left the set, there was nothing to hold him back, and a plan for revenge slowly formed in his mind.

The next day's newspapers were dominated by news about 'The Grand Mansion,' with the most discussed topic being Director Guo Baocang's support for Ye Ming to play Bai Jingye.

Although this was just a supporting role, it was a significant one.

With the director's support, it naturally attracted media attention.

However, there were always people who opposed. Lao Bai did not dare to attack 'The Grand Mansion' directly, as he would be fired, and even the publisher couldn't protect him.

But he was still unkind to Ye Ming, focusing on his singing career after praising Director Guo's TV series.

"Young Singer Challenges 'The Grand Mansion': Will It Be a Fleeting Success?"

The article suggested that while 'The Grand Mansion' was an excellent TV series, even excellent TV series can have missteps.

And Ye Ming was the rat that could ruin a good dish.

This report made Fang Fang furious, threatening to sue 'Southern Sunday,' but Ye Ming stopped her.

"You want to sue? On what grounds? They didn't name anyone."

Moreover, 'Southern Sunday' would be happy if you sued, as it would create more news.

After much persuasion, Fang Fang's anger was calmed.

At that moment, Ye Ming asked, "Sister Fang Fang, what brings you here?"

Fang Fang patted her head and said, "Right, I almost forgot the main reason. The company has arranged for you to perform as a guest at the Hong Kong Film Awards. You should prepare well. This is a great opportunity to network and will benefit your future career in the entertainment industry."

The Hong Kong Film Awards, one of the three major Chinese film awards, is a red carpet event that every artist dreams of walking.

However, Ye Ming sensed something amiss and asked cautiously, "The company put in a lot of effort to get this opportunity. Sister Fang Fang, what's the real purpose? I won't go if you don't tell me the truth."

Fang Fang became angry, "Are you trying to be difficult? Would the company push you into a pit? Think about it. Do you think the company would blacklist you? Actually, it's because of your album. You signed a record deal with the company, so they plan to capitalize on your success by contacting the Hong Kong side to release your album and push you to become a top star."

Many people would kill for such an opportunity, yet it seemed like the company was trying to harm Ye Ming.

Fang Fang was naturally unhappy.

Finally, she said, "Behave yourself on the set. This set is full of talented people, but with Director Guo around, no one can cause trouble."

Indeed, on 'The Grand Mansion' set, Director Guo Baocang was the boss, and no one could challenge him.

Sure enough, in the few days Ye Ming spent on the set, he noticed that the atmosphere was different from other sets.

He not only saw two actors whose skills he couldn't measure, Chen Baoguo and Siqin Gao Wa, but even the supporting actor Liu Peiqi had an acting skill level of 860, which was terrifying.