I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 173 I can't bear to drain you dry.
Xu Kong had to admit that after watching Feng Ziyan's audition, he was indeed moved.

I originally thought he was just an ordinary relative.

I should give face to Feng Yuan, but I definitely can't really let him play such a crucial role as Shen Mo.

But now it seems that Feng Ziyan's acting talent is indeed frighteningly high.

And he is quite talented. He was able to perform to such a level after only reading the script of Shen Mo's role once.

He is definitely a rare actor among thousands.

The most important thing is that when acting with each other, apart from the exaggerated look at this time, the other party seems to be quite suitable for this role.

Feng Ziyan's appearance is the type that doesn't give people the impression of being cute, even a little aloof, but also vaguely well-behaved.

“Acting is quite interesting.”

After the audition, Feng Ziyan looked as if she was still unsatisfied.

Then he looked at Xu Kong: "Director, how was my performance?"

Xu Kong hesitated for a moment, then told the truth:
"You are very talented."

Hearing Xu Kong praising her, Feng Ziyan became a little proud.

“That’s for sure.”

Then he looked at Xu Kong with some anticipation.

"So did I pass the audition?"

“I quite like this role.”

Xu Kong did not agree directly, but said:

"Go with our crew's stylist to change your outfit first."

After hearing Xu Kong say this, Feng Ziyan began to hesitate.

"what?"

"Should I cut my hair?"

“I spent several days designing it myself.”

Xu Kong:.
He was really hesitant at this moment.

With his personality and his age of seventeen, he is definitely not someone who would keep quiet.

I’m afraid that this is just a temporary impulse, and that when the rebellious period comes, I can’t stand the filming life on the crew and just run away.

"Then think about it carefully now."

Feng Ziyan is really considering it seriously.

It seems that to her, acting is as important as her colorful dreadlocks.

"Forget it, just cut it. Anyway, I can take it again after filming the movie."

"Don't they say good actors are willing to sacrifice for their roles?"

Feng Ziyan thought for several minutes before speaking.

When Xu Kong saw her again in the afternoon, Feng Ziyan's original dreadlocks had disappeared.

Instead, it was replaced with a short ponytail style.

The motorcycle girl's original outfit became simpler, looking like ordinary clothes of a girl next door.

It’s true, after changing my outfit, I feel like I’m more in line with the character in the drama.

“Too rustic”

But Feng Ziyan herself doesn't like it.

I couldn't help but pout and complain.

“You have to adapt to who you are now.”

"When you join the group later, remember that you will no longer be Feng Ziyan, but Shen Mo."

Xu Kong didn’t know whether his decision was right or wrong.

But at the moment, Feng Ziyan is unexpectedly suitable for this role.

And judging from the performance during the audition, Xu Kong was quite satisfied.

As for whether he would make the filming more difficult for himself when the shooting actually started, he was not sure.

Feng Ziyan's audition was conducted individually.

But recently, auditions for other roles have also been going on simultaneously.

It took more than a week to slowly finalize some of the main supporting roles in the entire series "The Long Season".

Everything is almost ready, and we are finally entering the shooting stage.

Although the story itself is set in the Northeast, Xu Kong chose the south as the actual filming location, just like in his previous life.

It’s mainly for the atmosphere and texture of the whole drama.

This made Ding Decong, a producer and a close friend from Northeast China, a little dissatisfied.

However, he cannot say that he will obey Xu Kong's decision blindly, but he will basically not raise any objections.

The day before leaving Beijing to join the filming, Xu Kong went to meet someone.

It was Wu Youxue, whom I hadn’t seen for a long time, but we kept in touch from time to time.

Since Wu Youxue came back to become the deputy director of Mango TV, he does seem to be quite busy.

This time I came to Beijing on a business trip, and I made an appointment with Xu Kong in the evening.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect it would take so long."

Although he had explained it to Xu Kong in advance, Wu Youxue still hurried to apologize when he learned about it.

Xu Kong waved his hands to indicate that he didn't care.

After the two of them reminisced about the past for a while, Xu Kong couldn't help but start asking the main question.

"Director Wu, why did you ask me out this time?"

Before Wu Youxue came to Beijing this time, he even took the initiative to ask him out, although he did not rule out the possibility that he wanted to meet Xu Kong while on a business trip.

But Xu Kong was more inclined to believe that there was a high probability that someone was looking for him for something.

"Then I won't beat around the bush."

"I actually want to invite you to the show this time."

Although he is already the deputy director, Wu Youxue is still in charge of the variety show section of Mango TV.

It can be seen that since Wu Youxue came back, various actions have never stopped.

Even Xu Kong, who didn't pay much attention, heard a lot of rumors during this period.

This includes the latest season of "Singer", which was very popular last year, as well as various new variety shows and revised versions of old shows.

It is equivalent to starting drastic reforms as soon as he came back.

But this is understandable. After all, since Wu Youxue’s so-called vacation last year, variety shows, which were originally Mango TV’s forte, have become a mess.

Not to mention the new hit variety shows, even some of Mango TV’s own old IP programs have been declining in popularity and data.

So far this year, over the past six months, Mango TV, which originally had an absolute advantage in variety shows, has been suppressed by TV stations such as Tomato and Ocean.

If it were in the past, no one would believe it if I told them.

There are many factors that have influenced this. After Wu Youxue left, the new person in charge of Mango was not capable enough.

But in the game between Wu Youxue and Mango TV’s top management, he must have taken some actions.

Otherwise, with Mango TV currently being the top variety show production company in China, it is impossible for the data of the variety show to remain so bad.

Now that Wu Youxue is back, the first thing he naturally does is to bring Mango TV's variety shows back to their previous levels and data.

Xu Kong also thought that the other party would invite him.

After all, with his current traffic and popularity, if Wu Youxue shoots a new variety show, Xu Kong's joining can indeed bring more attention in the early stages of the show.

But what he didn't expect was that Wu Youxue didn't seem to want him to join his new show this time.

Instead, he took out a paper form.

“This is the list of variety shows that will be broadcast in the second half of the year for the vast majority of us.”

Xu Kong took a look and found that it was not just a simple variety show name.

Even the specific format, invited guests, expected recording and broadcast times are very detailed.

And it's not just new variety show projects, but also several of Mango TV's more popular permanent variety show IPs, as well as the latest season of "Singer" which was very popular last year, etc., all are included.

"Director Wu, what do you mean?"

Xu Kong asked with some uncertainty.

"See when you have time and see if there are any shows you're interested in."

Although he had guessed it before, Xu Kong was still a little surprised when he heard Wu Youxue say it himself.

He originally thought that Wu Youxue came this time with the intention of asking him to help join in and bring some traffic and popularity to his new program.

But now it seems that the other party means that Xu Kong can choose any of this year's variety shows, whether they are well-known IPs or those that are still in the planning stage.

As long as he wants to, he can participate almost anytime.

Mango TV’s variety show resources are definitely among the best in the entire entertainment industry.

Although the two of them tacitly did not mention the fact that Xu Kong refused to sell the copyright to Li Xun when they met this time, Wu Youxue was obviously returning the favor this time, so he took the initiative to find Xu Kong.

Xu Kong was also a little confused for a moment.

If it were before "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" was broadcast, these variety shows would definitely have played a big role for him.

In particular, several of the older variety shows that are quite popular have been broadcast for so many years and the number of viewers has remained almost stable.

Bringing the entire creative crew to be guests on an episode will definitely have a very good effect on promoting the new drama.

But now, with his new drama about to start filming, Xu Kong really doesn’t have that much time.

Moreover, the path he is currently taking is different from that of most of the top stars in the domestic entertainment industry.

Even Zhu Yu had advised him to participate less in reality shows and variety shows.

Intentionally reduce exposure.

This will have a better effect on the transformation.

But Wu Youxue came to him on purpose, and it would be unreasonable for Xu Kong to directly reject this kindness.

"Let's just do this Autumn Concert."

Xu Kong finally chose a new music variety show.

It's a non-competitive kind. Judging from the introduction of the program, it should be the kind that invites a group of musicians, and everyone eats, drinks, chats and sings together.

There won’t even be a formal stage, and the atmosphere is more relaxed and casual.

It is indeed more suitable for Xu Kong's current situation.

It won’t be too tiring to record, and it’s also like taking a vacation to rest.

When Wu Youxue saw the program selected by Xu Kong, he was obviously stunned.

I couldn't help but ask: "This year, our new season of "Singer" has a very strong guest lineup."

"Aren't you going to join in?"

Wu Youxue's suggestion was definitely well-intentioned.

Although the recording has not officially started yet, judging from the invited guests, the popularity will definitely not be lower than last year.

For any singer or artist, participating in a variety show that is likely to become a hit will be of great benefit to their career.

However, Xu Kong finally declined.

"Singer" is broadcast live, and the stage itself is also relatively formal.

Just rehearsal and recording will probably take a lot of energy and time.

His main focus at the moment is definitely the filming of "The Long Season".

Moreover, the pace and exposure of popular variety shows like "Singer" are too high, which can easily affect one's subsequent filming status.

Although Wu Youxue felt a little regretful about Xu Kong's choice, he did not persuade him any further.

In fact, most of his colleagues in the industry, including many netizens, believe that Xu Kong will release his new album this year.

After all, when other people release albums, the main problem is still the songs. Whether they write them themselves or ask some songwriters for songs, it is a time-consuming process.

Xu Kong is different, although he has not released many official singles this year.

But just the soundtrack of The Legend of Sword and Fairy, including an entire album prepared for Su Zhi.

It is no exaggeration to say that she is as productive as a sow.

Last year, Xu Kong won the Best Male Singer award at the music festival, but the thing he was most questioned about was that he didn't have an album of his own.

Any capable musician would definitely try every possible way to prove himself.

So Wu Youxue also thought at the beginning that Xu Kong would choose to go to this year's "Singer".

Such a stage is indeed the most suitable place for him to promote his new album.

If Xu Kong knew what Wu Youxue was thinking, he would probably not be able to help but complain.

He didn't even have time to help with the arrangement and production of the remaining songs on Su Zhi's album "Su Xu".

Last year, Xu Kong had plans to release a new album, but now it seems that it has to be postponed indefinitely.

The night before leaving Beijing to officially join the crew, Su Zhi collapsed on the bed.

On the rounded curve, you can see a light red palm print that is gradually fading.

"I'll go to the crew with you."

Su Zhi suddenly turned her head and looked at Xu Kong beside her.

"what?"

Xu Kong was obviously stunned for a moment.

The main reason is that some people didn’t react.

"Join the group with you."

Su Zhi talked about her plan.

"Anyway, I don't think I'll have any announcements recently."

"After you finish filming during the day, you can help me with the accompaniment for my new album at night."

Xu Kong was shocked when he heard it.

I film during the day and help Su Zhi make an album at night, and I probably have to spur each other on from time to time.

No matter how healthy you are, you can’t stand this!

"Just kidding."

Just when Xu Kong's mind was full of thoughts and he began to consider how to make Su Zhi give up this terrible idea, Su Zhi smiled faintly and said.

This gave him some relief.

Su Zhi is indeed a little different from what she was before.

In the past, with Su Zhi's personality, she would never say the word "joking".

Although she still had that abstinent face that basically never changed at other times, when she was with Xu Kong, she would occasionally reveal a not-so-conspicuous smile, which looked quite nice.

"I don't want to drain you dry"

Then she added another sentence.

Xu Kong:.
The next morning, when Xu Kong woke up, Su Zhi was still sleeping soundly.

Originally, looking at the whiteness exposed at the corner of the quilt, he instinctively wanted to reach out and pat it, but he finally controlled himself.

When his hand reached the right place, he turned to pull the quilt to cover Su Zhi.

The crew members and actors went separately.

For example, Guo Zihao had already started looking for a filming location for Xu Kong almost half a month in advance.

Xu Kong boarded the plane with producer Ding Decong.

It took almost four hours to finally reach the destination.

Director Xu Kong’s third drama, "The Long Season", also officially started filming.

(End of this chapter)