Chapter 98

Because Yonghua Film and Television had released the news, people in the industry more or less knew that Ye Ming was going to release an album. For a newcomer to release an album was not a big deal, but for a newcomer who had appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, it did have some news value.

Moreover, at this time, another popular singer, Mao Duoduo, had also started preparing for his new album, which made for a natural comparison.

Thus, a nosy journalist asked Mao Duoduo during an interview, "Mr. Mao, I heard that your new album 'Sunny Day' is being prepared intensively. I also heard that another newcomer who appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, Ye Ming, is also planning to release a new album. As a senior who has been on the Spring Festival Gala, do you have any advice for newcomers?"

Indeed, Mao Duoduo was a senior who had been on the Spring Festival Gala, and many journalists knew about the conflict between Mao Duoduo and Ye Ming. Clearly, the journalist was stirring up trouble.

Sure enough, when Mao Duoduo heard the name Ye Ming, his face changed, clearly showing his impatience. However, he eventually said, "These newcomers today are restless and arrogant. They think a little bit of fame means they can do anything. Back in our day, who didn't spend two or three years honing their skills before releasing an album?

A skyscraper starts from the ground; it's better to lay a solid foundation. Young people, being full of energy isn't always a good thing. They won't understand until they face setbacks. Releasing an album isn't as simple as they imagine."

These words were clearly very profound, giving the journalist plenty of room to play.

Therefore, the next day, the media published an exclusive interview: "Famous Singer Mao Duoduo Criticizes Newcomers for Lack of Foundation and Restlessness."

Although the article didn't mention Ye Ming by name, the context clearly pointed to him, suggesting that he was being arrogant and wanted to achieve everything at once after appearing on the Spring Festival Gala.

At this point, Mao Duoduo's company called to ask about the interview, hoping that Mao Duoduo would be more restrained in his comments.

Mao Duoduo huffed and said, "Did I say anything wrong? That's how young people are today. Even if Ye Ming were standing in front of me, I would still say it. He's just a small-time newcomer, talking about releasing an album. It's a joke. I'll make him taste the bitterness of failure."

After saying this, Mao Duoduo hung up the phone in dissatisfaction and said, "Meddling in other people's business. If you have the energy, go promote my new album. George, how much longer until my new album is released?"

George, with a delicate gesture, said, "Mao Mao, everyone in the company takes your matters seriously. This is the top priority. Everyone is working hard on this album.

Don't worry, we will complete all the production by the end of this month, and it will be released at the beginning of next month. If they delay your album, they won't have their jobs.

Mao Duoduo thought for a moment and said with a grim expression, "I really don't like Ye Ming. I want to teach him a lesson. Tell the company to hold off on the release. Wait until Ye Ming's album comes out, and then we'll release ours together. I want to give him a harsh lesson and show him what it means to respect seniors."

At this point, George not only didn't dissuade him but also added fuel to the fire, saying, "That Ye Ming is in for a rough time. Even singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan would back off when facing your album. You are the new king of the mainland. I feel sorry for Ye Ming already."

In Beijing, at the train station, Hong Fei wrote an address and phone number for Ye Ming, saying, "Huang Biao is a friend of mine in Dalian. These days, all kinds of people are around. If you run into any trouble, you can call this friend, and he will help you."

Because Yonghua Film and Television had some matters to attend to, Hong Fei couldn't go with Ye Ming. Don't think releasing an album is a simple matter; there's a lot of behind-the-scenes work to be done, and Hong Fei had to handle it. Relying on Huang Yonghua was out of the question.

Therefore, Ye Ming had to go to Dalian to shoot the scenes, and Hong Fei couldn't accompany him.

Upon arriving, Ye Ming, carrying two roast ducks, went to the address.

If it were a newcomer, they might only call if they had a problem, but Ye Ming wasn't a newcomer. He knew that relationships needed to be maintained.

Visiting first was a sign of respect.

Huang Biao, the chairman of an investment company, was tall and imposing, with a fierce appearance.

Hearing Hong Fei's name and looking at Ye Ming, he laughed and said, "No need to be formal, little brother. Fei often speaks highly of you. During our New Year's Eve party, I planned to invite you to perform, but Fei said you were busy with the Spring Festival Gala and couldn't make it.

I'm glad you came to see me today. Let's go to Juxian Village, and I'll treat you to seafood. Ah Liu, go book a private room."

Huang Biao, who drove a BMW and was always surrounded by people, saw Ye Ming and his team in a rented minivan, with seven people squeezed inside. He laughed and said, "You're making Fei laugh at me. Ah Liu, go to the garage and bring out two Mercedes. Find two drivers to follow Ye Ming around for a few days. They can go wherever they want."

The warm-hearted Northeasterners even arranged a separate room for Fan Binbin and Tang Wei.

It seemed that Huang Biao also wanted to test Ye Ming's drinking capacity.

Facing six Northeastern men, Ye Ming was a bit dizzy after a few rounds of drinks.

At this moment, the system suddenly dinged.

Notification: [Host approaching drunken state, triggering item 'Thousand Cups of Wine,' price 2000 RMB, purchase?]

To avoid embarrassing himself, Ye Ming decisively chose to purchase it.

A white light flashed, and Ye Ming immediately felt his head clear, and the scene before him became much clearer.

After a few more rounds, Huang Biao, with a red face and a wobbly gait, patted Ye Ming on the shoulder and said, "Fei's little brother, you're not simple. Six of us couldn't drink you under the table. You're impressive. From now on, you're my brother. If you need anything, just call me."

The subsequent shooting went very smoothly, and the two Mercedes made things much more convenient. During this time, Huang Biao also took Ye Ming to have dinner with the heads of several local performance companies. After a few rounds of drinks, they couldn't help but be impressed by Ye Ming's drinking capacity, which was truly astonishing.

This immediately intimidated them.

When Fan Binbin saw the media articles, even though they were shooting the music video "I Believe" by the sea, she was still furious, glaring and saying, "Brother Ming, that Mao Duoduo, such a big star, has no tolerance at all. To say such petty things, it's a public criticism of you. Can you really tolerate this?"

While revising the script, Ye Ming said, "In the entertainment industry, it's not about being smooth-talking. It's about results. We need to do our job well and deliver a perfect performance to slap those people in the face. Let those who look down on you shut up, not engage in verbal battles. As the Tang Dynasty monk Hanshan once said, 'If people slander me, deceive me, insult me, laugh at me, despise me, and belittle me, how should I respond?'"

Fan Binbin was clearly taken aback. The monk seemed too distant from her.

Tang Wei added, "Shide said, 'Just endure him, let him, leave him, avoid him, tolerate him, respect him, and ignore him. In a few years, you'll see.' However, Hanshan, not Shide, became the abbot, perhaps because of this saying."

Fan Binbin, with a domineering air, said, "If someone offends me, I'll kick them first."

At a young age, she already showed the spirit of "Fan Ye."

Then Fan Binbin asked, "Is Hanshan very famous?"

Ye Ming laughed and said, "Hanshan is indeed very famous. The Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji wrote, 'Outside Suzhou City, at Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell sounds reach the guest boat,' referring to Hanshan Temple, where Hanshan was the abbot."

The music video for "I Believe" tells the story of a girl's entrepreneurial journey, with scenes of her falling and succeeding, including shots by the sea and in the rain. The team even came to Dalian for the shoot.

Today, they had just finished shooting the sunrise by the sea and were filming scenes of Fan Binbin walking along the beach. A kite, carried by the gentle sea breeze, slowly rose into the sky, flying freely with the sunrise.

The current weather, with the sea breeze and cold seawater, made it seem cruel to act happy and chase dreams, even for Li Dongtian.

To reduce Fan Binbin's makeup touch-ups, Li Dongtian even stood barefoot outside the camera, with an assistant holding a makeup kit.

As soon as the camera stopped, Li Dongtian would rush in to touch up her makeup.

Tang Wei, who didn't need to be there, took on the role of a production assistant. She knew she was a novice in the film industry and that Ye Ming giving her a chance to shoot the music video was a big opportunity.

While the crew was busy shooting, a bearded man led two young men with yellow hair and slowly approached, saying, "This is a privately leased beach. Did you get permission to shoot here? Did you pay the rental fee?"

Seeing Fan Binbin and Tang Wei, his eyes turned lecherous.

Trouble had arrived. Ye Ming immediately stepped forward and said, "A private beach? When did this place become private? When did our country have private land?"

The bearded man glared at Ye Ming and said, "Kid, are you不服 (unconvinced)? Do you know whose territory Donggang Village is? This beach belongs to Donggang Village. When you come here, you have to follow our rules. If you had shown some respect, I would have turned a blind eye. But you came here secretly to shoot without permission. Do you respect the people of Donggang Village? If you don't want trouble, pay 10,000 RMB for the rental fee. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unfriendly."

Local thugs can be very troublesome, even though they can't achieve much. They are good at causing problems.

PS:

In the entertainment industry, encountering local thugs while shooting movies or TV shows is not uncommon. The key is how to handle it.

Of course, it's usually a win-win situation. After all, how many of those extras at film bases aren't from the underworld?