Chapter 9

"Manager He, when will the next batch of funds be available? If the roles are selected, I want to start filming as soon as possible. Once the crew starts, the money will start flowing out." Although Sun Shupeng didn't want to dampen the mood, he still asked the question. Before the crew starts, the expenses are minimal, but once it starts, the costs will pile up every day.

At this moment, Sun Shupeng couldn't help but worry about the budget. No matter how capable he was, without money, nothing could be done.

Originally, "The Story of a Return to Glory" was supposed to invite big names, but in the end, only newcomers were found, simply because there wasn't enough money to hire big names.

Mentioning money, He Xiujiong frowned and said, "It's coming soon, very soon. Director, rest assured, I understand your difficulties, but you also need to understand my situation. Two productions are starting almost simultaneously, and I need to manage things. I promise it won't delay your start. Yonghua Film should be used when it's needed, and it can't just be for show. Let's look at the next actor; I heard a few promising candidates came today."

In fact, He Xiujiong had already made up her mind. If the two artists recommended by Yonghua Film weren't good, how would she face Yonghua, who had to invest real money?

Fortunately, Ye Ming gave her a pleasant surprise, perfectly fitting the role of Er Kang. Since the actor was already decided, Yonghua Film should at least be willing to spend some money.

That night, he was supposed to study the script. Although he had watched "The Story of a Return to Glory" countless times, he still had to review it. Every winter and summer vacation, Hunan TV would bombard the audience with "The Story of a Return to Glory."

However, Li Dachuan insisted on taking Ye Ming out for a drink to celebrate.

Unable to refuse, he found a public phone and called Uncle Liang. The three of them met at a nearby street stall and started eating.

Uncle Liang looked at Ye Ming and felt that the boy seemed a bit unfamiliar. After returning from the training in Hongcheng, Ye Ming seemed to have gained something, a maturity that young people in the industry often lacked.

Without sufficient experience and without going through painful struggles, it was unlikely to have such maturity in this industry.

Uncle Liang could see this maturity and steadiness in Ye Ming, which were essential qualities for surviving in the entertainment industry.

Uncle Liang said happily, "Today is a good day. Ye Ming signing with the 'The Story of a Return to Glory' production is a great opportunity. For a newcomer to have such an opportunity in their first year is rare. Dachuan, let's toast to Ye Ming's smooth sailing and rapid rise."

Just as they were about to clink glasses, Ye Ming's beeper went off. Artists didn't have mobile phones back then; they were very precious and not easily obtainable.

But even as a grassroots extra, if conditions allowed, one would definitely have a beeper. Having a beeper meant more opportunities. Otherwise, even if a director wanted to use you, in a city as big as Beijing with ten thousand extras, who could find you, and who would bother to find an extra?

Ye Ming excused himself and went to a nearby convenience store to use the public phone. As soon as the call connected, Hong Fei's voice rang out, "What are you doing? I don't care what you're doing. Even if you're dating, get to Baiyun Hotel next to Beijing TV in ten minutes, room 203. You know where it is, right? If you don't make it in ten minutes, I'll kill you, you believe me?"

He hung up with a snap, which was typical of Hong Fei. However, Ye Ming was already used to such behavior.

Back at the table, he explained the situation in a few words. Uncle Liang immediately guessed there was a problem and waved Ye Ming away, saying that work was more important than eating. If it wasn't important, Hong Fei wouldn't have called Ye Ming at this hour.

Panting, Ye Ming found Baiyun Hotel, which was actually a small inn. Outside room 203, there were already many handsome men and beautiful women waiting.

These young people had a look of excitement and hope on their faces, clearly new to the industry, believing this was a shortcut to stardom.

Seeing this, Ye Ming was taken aback. Could it be another audition opportunity? "The Story of a Return to Glory" was about to start filming. Could Hong Fei have taken on another project for him?

These young people, around Ye Ming's age, had a look of naivety and hope, dreaming of a rapid rise to stardom. However, finding such opportunities in Beijing was extremely difficult. Out of ten thousand extras, only a few could break through the brutal competition.

Before long, these hopeful young people would be ground down by harsh reality, becoming worldly and even leaving in despair.

Under the hopeful and envious gazes of the young people, Ye Ming knocked on the door. At this moment, knocking without a connection was impossible. A connected competitor was a significant threat, and everyone knew that connections were crucial in this industry.

Thus, Ye Ming's action almost united everyone in their enmity.

Knocking a few times with no response, Ye Ming knocked louder.

The door creaked open, and an impatient voice said, "Who is it? Didn't I say to wait for the audition?"

A curly-haired, chubby man with a round head like a just-awakened lion peered out with squinting eyes.

Ye Ming immediately offered a Zhonghua cigarette, which he had left from the day. He explained his purpose.

The curly-haired man sized Ye Ming up and his attitude softened slightly. "You're the Ye Ming that Brother Fei mentioned? Come in. Brother Fei and the director are waiting for you."

Inside, the room was filled with smoke, making it hard to breathe, as if invisible hands were choking him.

Four people were playing mahjong. The curly-haired man seemed to ignore Ye Ming, shouting, "Eight sticks! Who threw the eight sticks? You guys are not fair, not even waiting for me."

The bearded man sitting at the dealer's position said impatiently, "Who told you to not pay attention? Stop talking and hurry up, don't waste time."

To the right of the bearded man was Hong Fei, who seemed to be listening for a winning tile, giving him time to introduce Ye Ming.

He first introduced the bearded man, "Ye Ming, let me introduce you. This is Deputy Director Zhao An of the Arts Department at China Central Television. The curly-haired man is across from me."

At this moment, the curly-haired man threw a three ten-thousand, and Zhao An immediately stretched out his hand, shouting, "Don't move, don't move, I win! Ha, curly-haired, I told you your hands are bad, and you still don't believe me. You've set me up three times now. Three ten-thousand and West wind, pay up, pay up."

However, the curly-haired man and Hong Fei didn't seem disappointed at losing, but rather paid up without hesitation.

At this moment, Ye Ming suddenly realized who the curly-haired man with glasses was—Zhang Junyi, a very slick figure in the entertainment industry.

If it weren't for Zhang Junyi's later troubles and his simultaneous arrest with Zhao An, causing a stir in the entertainment industry, Ye Ming might not have known who this smiling fat man was.

After receiving the money, Zhao An seemed very pleased and stopped to say, "Old Hong, this is the Ye Ming you mentioned, the new talent your company is promoting. Don't think I'm not giving Huang Shao face; I'm here to help Beijing TV. If he doesn't perform well, don't blame me. It's a singing competition, and it can't be too bad."

Hong Fei laughed and assured him, "Director Zhao, rest assured. Ye Ming is not an ordinary newcomer. Our company is promoting him. The young master once arranged for him to train in Hongcheng for half a year. Now, as you know, the young master has entered the system, and the company is run by the second young master. I guarantee his quality, and he has just signed for a new production by Ms. Qiongyao, which should air after the New Year."

The golden name of Ms. Qiongyao seemed to have an effect, and Zhao An nodded. "That's good. Let's not talk about other things. Sing a song first. Are Curly-haired and Teacher Li here? Let them listen. If it's good, we'll have him participate in the competition tomorrow. I'm busy, and the competition should be completed within a week. There are many things waiting for me at the station, and who has the time to deal with these small competitions."

At that time, the most significant event was the return of Hong Kong, a nationwide celebration. As the head of the Arts Department at China Central Television, Zhao An was very busy. If it weren't for a favor owed to Beijing TV, he wouldn't have come to direct a singing competition.

Even if he came, it was mostly in name, with the actual work done by Beijing TV's director.

Hong Fei nodded and introduced Song Jun, "Let me introduce you. This is Zhang Junyi, a famous lyricist, writer, and event planner, a rare all-rounder. You don't need me to introduce the other person."

The person who had been facing away from Ye Ming turned around, wearing a black-rimmed glasses, looking solemn. He looked at Ye Ming and said kindly, "Young man, don't be nervous. Sing an aria. If you can sing an aria well, other songs will be easier. Let's hear a few lines of 'The Yangtze River Flows East' by Yang Hongji."

Li Shuangjiang, a professor-level figure, seemed to be one of the three people discussing the competition.

Most people thought the competition was mysterious, but in China, at least in the 20th century, these competitions were decided by a few key people who would gather and discuss the rules.

"The Yangtze River Flows East" had become a household song after the broadcast of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," with Yang Hongji's deep, powerful voice making the song stirring and unforgettable.

Ye Ming hadn't prepared, but he took a deep breath and sang a few lines, sounding quite professional.

Zhao An nodded and said, "It sounds good. Teacher Li, what do you think?"

Professional is professional, and Li Shuangjiang was the one truly qualified to comment on Ye Ming's singing.

Li Shuangjiang, a smooth and tactful person, understood Zhao An's meaning and said with a smile, "You're the director, you decide. If you think it's good, then it's fine. From a professional perspective, his voice production needs some practice, but compared to the others outside, he's much better.