The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 138 Zhang Jingchu Takes the Initiative

When Cheng Qian called just now, she wasn't just reminding him about the news; she also mentioned that several businesses had called to invite Ji Qingxu to be their spokesperson.

This is only the first day of news reporting; as time goes on, more and more businesses will surely come forward.

No wonder so many people want to act in movies. Even though the outside world doesn't know which role Ji Qingxu will play, just a simple piece of information has been released, and people from all over the world have flocked to it.

Previously, Ji Qingxu had starred in three TV series that had already aired, but none of them had achieved such a great effect, even though he played the lead role in all of them. In the end, one movie surpassed all his previous efforts.

Thinking of this, Ji Qingxu glanced at his phone and chuckled. Old Ma was really good; he could hold back even at a time like this. Just now, Cheng Qian told Ji Qingxu that if he wasn't in a hurry, he could wait until "Seven Swords" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes" were released before making any plans. Of course, that wasn't absolute; if there were suitable endorsements available in the meantime, he could take them. Naturally, Ji Qingxu wasn't in a rush.

Ji Qingxu thought the movie "Seven Swords" was of poor quality, but others didn't know that.

In this day and age, the promotional power of a movie with an investment of over 100 million yuan is many times greater than that of a TV series. Only a top-rated TV series can possibly match the promotional reach of a movie.

Then there was "The Return of the Condor Heroes". Both Huang Xiaoming and Liu Yifei became famous through this drama. After Huang Xiaoming finished acting in "The Return of the Condor Heroes", he became one of the most well-known young male actors in the industry. Liu Yifei even switched to the film industry with "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and became a movie star.

Life is getting better and better. After these two shows air, it's not impossible for me to catch up with those top celebrities, but my endorsement fees could exceed one million a year.

"We ordinary people are truly happy today!"

Ji Qingxu hummed a song while replying to text messages on her phone.

The next morning, Ji Qingxu got up early, exercised, ate breakfast, and then went to the film crew's training ground.

Today, the film crew's martial arts director is determining the martial arts style for the character Feng Huo Lian Cheng, played by Ji Qingxu, in the movie.

A short while later, director Tsui Hark, three martial arts instructors Lau Kar-leung, Tung Wai, Hung Hsin-hsin, and Donnie Yen arrived at the training ground.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the group began to discuss the matter.

Is the martial arts style of "Beacon Fire City" primarily characterized by its powerful and forceful techniques, or by its unpredictable and unorthodox methods?

"Focus on practical combat and quick kills. No fancy moves, just efficiency. Oh, and it has to be imposing. Feng Huo Lian Cheng is the main villain, and he can overpower the 'Seven Swords,' so he definitely needs to be imposing."

"How's the Xinyou sword technique? But this is a two-handed technique, Qingxu, are you familiar with it?"

"No problem, I've also practiced two-handed swordsmanship."

"The Miao sword technique is also quite good."

"The swordsmanship of the small-time kendo practitioners also has its merits."

"Don't forget the boxing techniques. Director Xu said that Qingxu knows a little about Bajiquan and Xingyiquan. Bajiquan's Liuhe spear and Xingyiquan's sword techniques are both strong, simple and efficient techniques."

"What about weapons? Let's decide on the weapons first, then we can decide on the fighting style."

"The two-handed sword and the exquisite dagger we discussed earlier can only be used as secondary weapons. We need to choose a more powerful primary weapon."

"How about the ring-pommel sword? It's imposing."

"I think the goose-feather saber is good; it's straightforward."

"It needs to be fierce and rugged, it needs to have its own unique characteristics."

"6

""

After discussing for about half an hour, the main weapon for Ji Qingxu's character, Feng Huo Lian Cheng, was decided: a ghost-head broadsword, with the secondary weapons being a delicate dagger and two swords.

Then everyone began to design the martial arts for the "Beacon Fire City" technique, with Ji Qingxu demonstrating and instructing several martial arts instructors from the side.

Seeing the martial arts instructors of the film crew surrounding Ji Qingxu like a treasure, the others training on the training ground were somewhat surprised.

Dai Liwu, who plays Xin Longzi, the third disciple of the Tian San Sect, holding the "Jingxing Sword," asked the martial arts instructor training him, "Brother Chen, who is this guy? Why do Teacher Liu and the others value him so much?"

Brother Chen whispered, "Anyway, he's got quite a background. I heard he's from the same school as Brother Danny, and he's incredibly skilled. Brother Xiong told us that he couldn't last ten moves against him. If he went all out, he might be knocked down in one move."

Upon hearing this, Dai Liwu exclaimed in shock, "One move?"

Brother Chen nodded in confirmation, "That's right, this guy is naturally strong and has previously lifted a 300-pound stone lion."

"Wow, that's ridiculous! Really?"

"Of course it's true. These big shots aren't stupid; they must have verified it. Besides, Brother Xiong has practiced martial arts for decades. Why would he risk his reputation to pave the way for this kid?"

"Awesome, no wonder they cast him as the main villain. I thought he was just a pretty face because he was young and handsome."

""

"Otherwise, why do you think all the big shots are fawning over him?"

"6

""

Zhou Qunda, who plays the fourth disciple, Sun and Moon Sword Mu Lang, is also discussing Ji Qingxu with the stuntmen who trained him.

"Looks like he's got some skills, Brother Wen. I heard he's really good in combat."

"He's more than just good; he's unbeatable in the entire crew."

"Is this really necessary?"

"Exaggerated? Yesterday he fought with Danny and almost broke Danny's bone with one punch."

"Holy crap, that was brutal?"

"Ferocious my ass. He and Danny are supposedly taught by the same teacher. When their fight started yesterday, he didn't fight back until Danny told him to go all out. Then he punched Danny and sent him flying several meters away, and the fight ended."

"Damn, I hope he won't go that far when filming?"

"Don't worry, he's so skilled, he'll definitely control his strength and won't hurt you. Of course, if you're deliberately provoking him, then it's hard to say."

"Would I be crazy to provoke him? Danny got a broken bone from one punch, if I went up there I'd probably send him to his grave with one punch."

. '

""

Listening to the martial arts master's explanation, Zhang Jingchu's mouth dropped open. It turned out that he wasn't just a show-off; he actually had real skills.

Seeing the excited expressions on the faces of the martial arts instructors in the crew, a strange look flashed in Zhang Jingchu's eyes. Could it be that his previous guess was wrong?

"Bullet Bro, how about we have a real spar?"

Watching Ji Qingxu wield the five-pound ghost-head broadsword as if it were a feather, Zhen Zidan's eyes twitched.

"Let's make it clear first, no force."

Seeing Zhen Zidan's serious expression, Ji Qingxu grinned and said, "Don't worry, let's just practice our moves."

"Okay, let's spar a bit."

"Come."

After Ji Qingxu finished speaking, he stood with his knife in hand. "Brother Bullet, you attack, I'll defend."

"Okay, coming."

"Clang!"

Seeing Ji Qingxu effortlessly block his thrust, Zhen Zidan smirked and changed his moves to slash at him.

"Thump!"

As the two quickened their pace, the attention of everyone else on the training field was drawn to them.

The reason is that the scene of the two fighting was very intense yet pleasing to the eye, in no way inferior to the fight scenes seen on TV.

"Okay, okay! That's fine."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's regretful expression, Zhen Zidan gritted his teeth. However, feeling the soreness in his wrist, he took a deep breath, noticed the crowd watching the commotion in the distance, and grinned mischievously.

"Teacher Liu, Teacher Dong, why don't we call them over to do some practical exercises with Qingxu, so they can get familiar with the process?"

Upon hearing this suggestion, Liu Jialiang and Dong Wei exchanged a glance and smiled.

"Okay, Qingxu, be careful with your strength, don't hurt them."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu chuckled and said, "Alright."

Two hours later, Ji Qingxu left the training ground with a smile and walked towards the canteen, followed by the "Seven Swords" who were holding their wrists and sighing.

"Are you kidding me? Seven of us ganged up on him and we couldn't beat him even once."

"That's ridiculous. My underwear was soaked with sweat, but he didn't break a sweat at all."

"This villain is terrifying."

"5

""

Listening to the discussion, Li Ming rubbed his wrist and looked at Liu Jialiang and Zhen Zidan beside him, asking, "How much force do you think he used?"

Liu Jialiang and Zhen Zidan exchanged a glance and asked, "Danny, you know him a little better, how much effort do you think he put in?"

Zhen Zidan crossed his arms and pondered for a moment, "About half?"

Liu Jialiang shook his head. "Less than half. If it weren't for the two of us, we probably would have only needed a fraction of our effort. Wu Bin has taken on a good disciple."

Seeing the envy in Liu Jialiang's eyes, Zhen Zidan glanced at the direction of the gate and smiled wryly. The last disciple that Teacher Wu had taken on was really a bit exaggerated.

"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

Looking at Zhang Jingchu, who was standing in front of him with a tray and a smile on her face, Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "What are you saying, Sister Jingchu? Please sit down."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingchu smiled, put down his plate, sat down, picked up a piece of stir-fried pork with his chopsticks, and asked curiously, "Have you been practicing martial arts since you were little?"

"right."

"Sigh, I've heard they say you have superhuman strength?"

Ji Qingxu replied with a smile, "That's an exaggeration. I'm just a little stronger than the average person."

"But you defeated them effortlessly in the live-fire exercise just now."

"Could it be that I have a special talent?"

"Hahaha!"

Watching Zhang Jingchu laugh without any restraint, Ji Qingxu glanced at the other people in the cafeteria. Apart from a look of envy, he didn't see any other expressions, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart.

He glanced at Zhang Jingchu in front of him. Which company was this woman an artist with? Had she not yet joined the Hong Kong entertainment circle?

"I heard you're going into your junior year next month?"

"right."

"That's great."

"Jingchu doesn't look very old, does she?"

"Hehehe, it's not big, but it depends on who you compare it to."

"That's definitely bigger than me."

"Tch, where are you looking!"

Seeing a blush creep across Zhang Jingchu's face, Ji Qingxu smiled, picked up a piece of braised fish with his chopsticks, and took a bite.

Noticing Ji Qingxu's perfectly normal face, Zhang Jingchu's brows twitched. He was truly remarkable. That made sense; he had noticed it while drinking last night.

"You're from Beijing Film Academy, right?"

"Yes, where is Sister Jingchu?"

"Me? I'm from the directing class at the Central Academy of Drama."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu asked in surprise, "From the directing class?"

Zhang Jingchu joked, "Yes, I was in the directing class of the Central Academy of Drama in 97. I didn't get into the acting class, so I could only go to the directing class."

Upon hearing this news, Ji Qingxu nodded knowingly.

The Beijing Film Academy also offers a junior college directing program. It's a two-year program that awards a formal junior college diploma upon graduation, which is slightly better than those continuing education programs. Of course, both have one thing in common: the tuition and fees are much higher than regular classes. It's a program set up by the school to generate revenue.

Will Sister Jingchu become a director in the future?

Upon hearing this question, Zhang Jingchu smiled and said, "Maybe. If I become a director in the future, you won't refuse to invite me, will you?"

Ji Qingxu replied with a smile, "Then I'll have to see how things go."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingchu joked, "Let's make this clear first, I don't have any money."

Ji Qingxu replied with a smile, "Anyone who can be a director can definitely make money, of course, if they really don't have any..."

Seeing Ji Qingxu staring intently at her, Zhang Jingchu said reproachfully, "What are you looking at?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "It depends on the script. If the script is good, it doesn't matter if the pay is less."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingchu was stunned for a moment, then a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face. This guy thought he was going to tease him, but he didn't expect that... no, he was teasing him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jingchu glared at Ji Qingxu, "You bad boy, you actually flirted with your sister."

, 7

Seeing Zhang Jingchu finish speaking and then lower her head to eat her lunch, Ji Qingxu glanced at her with a smile and also started eating her lunch heartily.

......