Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 221 Big Project

That evening.

Zhang Yan, carrying a weary Zhang Guoli, arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant ahead of schedule.

When they got off the bus, Zhang Yan saw that Lao Zhang looked exhausted. He said, "Don't rush back tonight. Get some rest at home. I'll take you back to Chengde first thing tomorrow morning."

"This delayed the filming..."

"It won't make a difference if we take one more day."

Zhang Yan waved his hand and said, "Health is the foundation of everything. If we ruin our health because of rushing to finish the work, then this long-term contract will have been signed for nothing."

Zhang Guoli laughed heartily, saying as he walked inside, "I'm in great shape. Back when I joined the Antarctic expedition team, the hardships I endured in half a year were almost as bad as..."

"Hey, Brother Guoli?!"

At this moment, two young women suddenly stood up in the hall. One of them was particularly tall, looking about the same height as Zhang Guoli—Zhang Guoli is 178cm.

"It's you."

Zhang Guoli stopped and sighed, "It's such a pity that 'Hippocampus Dance Hall' was taken off the air."

He met the two girls opposite him when he was filming "Hippocampus Ballroom". The taller one is named Qu Ying, and the other one is named Cao Ying.

The two girls exchanged a glance, and Cao Ying quickly said, "We were just talking about this too—we heard that the TV series was banned because Master Shuo offended someone, is that true?"

As she spoke, she glanced at Zhang Yan curiously, feeling that he looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had seen him before—he was probably an unknown young actor.

Cao Ying was born in 74, the same year as Li Xue. Young girls like them don't know how to keep their mouths shut.

Qu Ying was three years older than her and understood the principle of not speaking too deeply with casual acquaintances, so she quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "She's just repeating hearsay. Brother Guoli, what have you been busy with lately? Don't forget to lend us a hand if there's a suitable opportunity."

"Haha, definitely if I have the chance."

Zhang Guoli didn't say much to the two of them, and soon went into the private room with Zhang Yan.

Cao Ying sat back down and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Hey, do you know that handsome young man from earlier? He looks kind of familiar."

Qu Ying nodded slightly and said, "I also feel that you look familiar, but I just can't remember where I've seen you before."

As she spoke, her expression suddenly changed, and she blurted out, "Zhang Yan! That's right, that's President Zhang from Yuanmeng! When I was filming 'Stand Up Straight, Don't Lie Down,' he visited Teacher Feng Gong on set!"

"Zhang Yan from Tianjin?!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ying's eyes lit up, and she subconsciously stood up, but quickly sat back down, urging Qu Ying, "Sister, since you've dealt with him before, why don't we go over and offer him a toast later?"

Qu Ying rolled her eyes and said speechlessly, "Back then I was just a minor supporting character and never even had a proper conversation with anyone. Now I'm even further behind."

As she spoke, she glanced at the direction of the private room and said, "Do you think Zhang Guoli has already signed with Yuanmeng Pictures? I've heard that all five pilot companies are going to develop a big project, with an investment of at least two or three million."

Neither of them has made a name for themselves yet. Cao Ying just switched from being a hairstylist to playing minor roles, but her first role with a significant amount of screen time was rejected. Qu Ying is in a slightly better position because she is a well-known model, so she gets better roles, but the opportunities are still limited.

Therefore, much of the inside information we receive is old news that has been passed around several times.

Hearing that there might be a big project, Cao Ying became even more restless and whispered, "Why don't we go in and give it a try? Let's just say we're going for Zhang Guoli."

"Are you and Zhang Guoli on good terms?"

"No, we've only met a few times."

"Me too, what if they think we're being presumptuous?"

After discussing for a while, Cao Ying wanted Qu Ying to take the lead, but Qu Ying refused. Just then, Zhang Yan and Zhang Guoli suddenly came out of the private room, smiling broadly as they greeted them at the door.

Is some important figure coming?

The two women craned their necks to look around, and soon Zhang Yan and Zhang Guoli welcomed the three elders and one young man from outside.

"what!"

Upon seeing the most imposing one in the center, Cao Ying couldn't help but gasp and cover his mouth.

This time it was Qu Ying's turn to ask her, "Who is this?"

“He’s the director of Beijing Film Studio.” Cao Ying whispered, “I went to Beijing Film Studio with some people the other day, and there was his picture on the wall.”

It was actually the director of the Beijing Film Studio who came in person!
It seems that Dream Pictures does indeed have a big project to launch.

After that, Qu Ying and Cao Ying lost their appetite and kept glancing into the private room. Every time they heard laughter coming from inside, they would whisper among themselves and speculate about what was going on.

However, Cao Ying dared not suggest going over to offer a toast again—although Mr. Zhang, who had fulfilled his dream, was a household name in the industry, the leader of a behemoth like the Beijing Film Studio was obviously more awe-inspiring to ordinary people.

In the middle of the night, Zhang Yan and the factory director went to the restroom to relieve themselves, and neither of them dared to go over and say hello.

It was almost 9:30, and the two of them were still dawdling over three dishes and a bottle of beer, drawing frequent eye rolls from the proprietress at the front desk.

The two of them were also a little uneasy, but neither of them wanted to leave just like that.

They weren't like Li Bingbing, fresh out of college. They'd been in this industry for at least a year or two, so they knew that the most precious and important thing in this field was opportunity.

There are many pretty girls, but only a few become famous.

So Qu Ying took the initiative to start a conversation, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere: "What are your plans for the future?"

"not yet."

Cao Ying said helplessly, "I was hoping that 'Hippocampus Dance Hall' would become a hit, and that I could get a supporting role or a third lead role, but who knew..."

This almost killed the conversation again.

Qu Ying sighed, and was about to say something more when she suddenly saw the door to the private room open, and immediately shifted her attention.

Zhang Yan led the way, with the factory director behind him holding Zhang Guoli's hand, saying confidently, "Director Zhang, don't worry, I'll make sure everyone makes proper arrangements when the crew arrives!"

Director Zhang? The film crew?!

Qu Ying and Cao Ying exchanged a glance and immediately felt that all the sitting in vain that night had been worthwhile.

Seeing Zhang Yan walk toward the counter, the two women stood up in unison and said, "I'll go settle the bill."

"No, I'll ask you."

"I invite you."

The two men nudged each other as they reached the counter, just in time to hear the other young man ask Zhang Yan, "Brother, how did your talk go in the restroom?"

"It's convenient for both public and private purposes."

Zhang Yan said helplessly, "There's definitely a reason why your factory has ended up like this."

Guan Hu clicked his tongue twice, and before he could say anything more, Qu Ying asked cautiously, "You must be President Zhang from Yuanmeng. I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you earlier."

"Haha~"

Zhang Yan laughed and said, "I'm not some big star, so it's not strange that you don't recognize me."

"No, no, no, I've met you before, on the set of 'Stand Up Straight, Don't Lie Down'."

Zhang Yan did have a vague recollection of this, but it wasn't from visiting the set; it was from watching the movie later.

"Oh, right, you're the one who played Xiao Hui."

Zhang Yan feigned realization, then said, "Excuse me, I have some things to take care of."

As he spoke, he tossed the wallet to Guan Hu, nodded to Qu Ying and Cao Ying, and then followed Zhang Guoli to see the factory director out the door.

Seeing this, Qu Ying immediately turned to Cao Ying and said, "Then you can treat us today, and I'll treat you next time."

He then quickly followed her out.

Cao Ying was dumbfounded. Just now she had thought Qu Ying was too timid and missed a good opportunity at the beginning, but who knew that the old fox was still the most cunning at the crucial moment.

"cough~"

At this moment, Guan Hu, who was standing next to him, coughed and said seriously, "Actually, I'm also a director."

(End of this chapter)