The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

Have the production team of "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties" called to ask me to participate in any promotional activities?

"No, not at all."

"..."

Ji Qingxu took out his phone from his pocket and sent a message to his senior brother Kou Zhanwen. After waiting for a while without receiving a reply, Ji Qingxu put away his phone and strode towards the hotel.

......

The next day, after finishing work, Ji Qingxu quickly returned to the hotel to shower and then took a car to a restaurant.

Looking at the signboard with the three large characters "Cuihualou" in front of him, Ji Qingxu walked in with a smile.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Come in."

"Mr. Ma, Sister Cheng Qian."

"Qingxu, just finished work?"

"right."

"Come, sit down. You must be tired after a long day of filming. Have some tea."

"Thank you, Sister Cheng Qian."

After sitting down, Ji Qingxu asked with a smile, "Mr. Ma, did you invite me here today to prepare a special meal for me?"

Ma Zhongjun jokingly said, "Do you need more food? I heard you're eating three people's worth of boxed lunches by yourself on set."

Seeing the teasing look on Cheng Qian's face, Ji Qingxu chuckled and said, "It's because I'm too handsome."

Ma Zhongjun smiled and gave Ji Qingxu a light tap, then smiled at Cheng Qian and said, "Look, our 'Number One' is really not modest at all."

Cheng Qian smiled and said, "Doesn't this prove that you have good taste, Mr. Ma? Qing Xu Ke is the 'number one' of Ciwen, so it's not unusual for him to attract the admiration of several girls."

"Thank you for the compliment, Sister Cheng Qian."

Seeing Ji Qingxu bow and thank Cheng Qian, Ma Zhongjun burst into laughter.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Please come in."

"Hello, may I serve you your food now?"

"Okay, let's go."

"Okay, please wait a moment, it will be brought up to you shortly."

After the waiter finished serving the dishes, Ma Zhongjun said with a smile, "Let's have a small drink today. We'll finish this bottle among the three of us and then stop drinking, so as not to affect your filming tomorrow."

"I'll follow Mr. Ma's arrangements."

After filling the glass, Ji Qingxu smiled and raised his glass, "I'd like to toast President Ma and Sister Cheng Qian to thank you both for treating me to this lavish meal."

Seeing Cheng Qian's happy expression, Ma Zhongjun smiled and raised his glass, "Drink slowly, we're family, there aren't so many rules when we drink together."

"Okay."

After taking a sip, Ji Qingxu picked up his chopsticks, ate a bite of food, and asked, "Mr. Ma, is this affecting my work on the film set?"

Ma Zhongjun chuckled softly, "What kind of impact is this? As long as it doesn't interfere with acting, everything else is trivial."

Cheng Qian smiled and said, "The TV station really likes you. They've praised you a lot, saying that this is the actor recommended by our CEO Ma."

Seeing Cheng Qian's thumbs-up, Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "I thought the truth had come out."

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.

"Actually, if it were a different production team, the news about the three of you would have been all over the place by now. But you know how TV stations are; they can't be overly sensationalized. It's a pity..."

Cheng Qian continued, "Qing Xu, you've been in the industry for a few years now. You know that for a TV series to become a hit, besides the quality of the series itself and the broadcasting platform, hype is also a crucial factor. This series has been given a specific direction by the TV station, so we can only follow their rules."

Ji Qingxu was not surprised to hear this. "I understand."

Seeing that Ji Qingxu was not surprised at all, Ma Zhongjun's eyes flashed with admiration. Although his "number one brother" was young, he was more clear-headed and intelligent than most actors in the industry.

"Qingxu, have you received any calls from the production team of 'Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties' recently?"

Upon hearing Cheng Qian's question, Ji Qingxu asked curiously, "Did the production team call the company?"

Cheng Qian smiled and nodded, "Yes, they said they wanted you to participate in a few interviews, but the company declined."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu tentatively asked, "Because of the installation of the cushion?"

Cheng Qian smiled helplessly, "Yes, the setup is a bit... Anyway, unless there are special circumstances, you can't leave the crew before filming this movie is finished."

Upon hearing this news, Ji Qingxu nodded slightly, "Okay, I understand."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's calm demeanor, Cheng Qian glanced at Ma Zhongjun, who nodded slightly.

"Qingxu, I have some good news, do you want to hear it?"

Seeing Cheng Qian's smiling face, Ji Qingxu became interested. "Sister Cheng Qian, what do you say?"

"You have the opportunity to participate in this year's Spring Festival Gala."

"one person?"

"..."

Ma Zhongjun laughed and scolded, "You wish! One person? Do you think Ciwen opened this platform?"

Ji Qingxu chuckled and said, "I just believed in your abilities, Mr. Ma!"

Ma Zhongjun waved his hand, "No, I'm just a bit older, my strength is just so-so."

Cheng Qian smiled and explained, "At first, we also wanted you to perform a solo act, but Qingxu, although you've already filmed two dramas, neither of them has aired yet, so in the end we could only get you a spot in a duet."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu raised his glass with a grateful expression and said, "Thank you, Mr. Ma. I'd like to toast you."

Seeing that Ji Qingxu finished his drink in one gulp, Ma Zhongjun gestured, "Hey, I already said we're family, so drink as you please. Xiao Cheng, get Qingxu a bowl of soup."

"Thank you, Sister Cheng Qian."

After watching Ji Qingxu drink a few sips of soup and put down the bowl, Cheng Qian instructed, "The program is still being selected. Once the TV station notifies us, you can go there and wait for their arrangements."

"Okay, I understand. Do we need to do several rehearsals?"

"Yes, but the rehearsal is mainly for other programs. For a chorus like this, as long as the positioning and expressions are fine, it's okay. Of course, you can't be perfunctory. You have to give your best performance. Even if it's just a chorus spot, people will fight tooth and nail for it."

"Understood, I will definitely give it my best."

"Yes, also, when you go to rehearsals, you must be careful not to tell anyone about your program. Although everyone will see it during rehearsals, the stage management is very strict about this, and it's the same for outsiders. Don't tell anyone. If you are found out, even if you pass the rehearsal, the stage management will remove you."

"Okay, I promise not to reveal any information to anyone."

"When you go to rehearsals, you'll definitely run into many industry veterans. Be quick to greet them, especially the performers in the private boxes. Don't miss any of them."

Upon hearing this reminder, Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "No problem."

Ji Qingxu was quite curious about the private boxes backstage at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. The stories about them on the internet in his previous life were incredibly mysterious. It was said that Box No. 1 was the exclusive box for Benshan Wang. He wondered if it was true, and decided to go and see for himself.

They chatted and ate and drank, and soon a bottle of wine was empty.

After pouring the last glass of wine, Ji Qingxu asked with a smile, "Mr. Ma, would you like to have another drink with me?"

Ma Zhongjun said with a smile, "Forget it, we agreed to finish one bottle and that would be it. We'll drink again next time."

Looking at the wine in his glass, Ma Zhongjun put away his smile and looked at Ji Qingxu, saying, "You know about the company's situation. The basic framework of the agency has been set up, and we will officially announce its opening in early December."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu smiled and raised his glass, "Congratulations to President Ma on his continued success in his business, and congratulations to Ciwen for its ever-growing prosperity."

Ma Zhongjun's expression turned somewhat amused. "Aren't you going to ask which artists the company has signed?"

"Mr. Ma, I am the first artist of Ciwen Media."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's confident look, Ma Zhongjun nodded approvingly, "Good, Qingxu, keep up the momentum. You are the first artist I personally signed for Ciwen Media. I hope you can develop better and better with Ciwen Media."

Ji Qingxu smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, "Then I'll need Mr. Ma's continued support, such as giving me more leading roles."

"Haha, no problem, as long as you can handle it, there are plenty of leading men out there."

"Sister Cheng Qian, did you hear that? Mr. Ma said there are plenty of male leads. You have to be my witness, so that Mr. Ma won't deny it when he wakes up the next day."

Ma Zhongjun laughed and scolded, "You brat, do you think I'd lie to you at my age?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and slapped his mouth lightly. "My mistake, Mr. Ma, I apologize."

After saying this, Ji Qingxu picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Hey kid, drinking so fast, are you rushing to the second round?"

"Hehe, Mr. Ma guessed it right away. I'm afraid I won't be able to get into my room if I go back too late."

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhongjun and Cheng Qian exchanged a glance, smiled, and shook their heads.