The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

Ma Zhongjun paused for a moment, then smiled and pointed at Ji Qingxu, "You brat, your swearing is really awful."

Ji Qingxu smiled and shrugged. "Mr. Ma, investments are always made to make money, especially with so much money invested. It's common in the industry to need a few roles, right? Jin Yong's martial arts novel adaptations are very famous, but there are many more production teams and directors in the industry who are short of money. Mr. Ma, you entered the industry in the 80s, so you're no ordinary person."

Ma Zhongjun waved his hand with a smile, "Alright, stop trying to bewitch me."

After a pause, Ma Zhongjun asked with a smile, "You've really taken a liking to the role of Yang Guo?"

Ji Qingxu nodded, "Yes, I've got my eye on him. I think I'm perfect for playing Yang Guo; the role is very compelling."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's serious expression, Ma Zhongjun stared at him for a while, then said, "Okay, I understand. I'll let you know if there's any news."

"Thank you, Mr. Ma."

"Don't thank me yet. Focus on mastering this 'Seven Swords' movie. It's your first film, so don't mess it up."

"Okay, Mr. Ma, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."

After Ji Qingxu left the office, Ma Zhongjun took out a cigar from the cigar cabinet and slowly toasted it. While toasting, Ma Zhongjun subconsciously glanced in the direction of the office door.

Ma Zhongjun gained a deeper understanding of Ji Qingxu. He was very assertive. Ma Zhongjun already knew that Ji Qingxu was not the type to swallow his pride, but through their conversation just now, Ma Zhongjun realized that he still didn't understand him thoroughly enough. Ji Qingxu gave off a feeling of being "lawless".

If Ji Qingxu were to become the boss, and he were dissatisfied with his subordinates, he would probably fire them immediately, no matter who they were. Perhaps that's just the temperament of someone who practices martial arts.

Although he knew that Ji Qingxu was doing it for his own sake, Ma Zhongjun took a light puff of his cigar. In fact, what Ji Qingxu said was not unreasonable. In a blockbuster worth tens of millions, Ci Wen paid the lion's share, and even the roles of a few characters had to be decided by the director. Thinking of Zhang Jizong's personality, Ma Zhongjun exhaled a heavy puff of smoke.

......

I wonder if Lao Ma can step up his game?

As Ji Qingxu left Ciwen Media, he glanced at the Ciwen Media signboard and muttered to himself.

In any case, Ji Qingxu believed that what he had just said was correct. If an investor invests tens of millions of yuan and can't even make decisions about a role, then that investor is too pathetic.

While famous directors, as Ma Zhongjun said, don't lack investors, with very few exceptions, what any industry always lacks most is investors.

"Ring ring!"

Just as he came downstairs, the phone rang. Ji Qingxu took out his phone and saw Cai Yinong's number. Ji Qingxu answered the phone with a smile, "Happy New Year, President Cai... Hehe, school hasn't started yet... These past two days? Okay, then I'll come over and call President Cai. Okay, bye-bye."

After hanging up the phone, Ji Qingxu smiled, wondering if he would have a chance to get Tangren for free.

"Brother Chong, book two plane tickets to Shanghai for tomorrow."

"Yes, Uncle-Master."

......

The next day, after lunch, Ji Qingxu and Zhang Zhong boarded a plane to Shanghai.

After getting off the plane, Ji Qingxu saw a sign with his name on it held up by a middle-aged man at the arrivals gate, and walked over with a smile.

"Hello, I am Ji Qingxu."

"Hello Mr. Ji, I'm Zhao Zhili, sent by General Manager Cai of Sugar Man Company to pick you up. This way please."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Master Zhao."

"You're too kind. Oh, Mr. Ji, I must apologize, but our General Manager Cai isn't in Shanghai right now; he's in Hengdian. Would that be alright with me driving you directly to Hengdian?"

Upon hearing this news, Ji Qingxu stopped in his tracks. "Hengdian?"

"Yes, why don't you get in the car first, and I'll report to General Manager Cai?"

Seeing the young man looking at him pleadingly, Ji Qingxu glanced at him indifferently, took out his phone and dialed Cai Yinong's number. "Hello, President Cai, this is Ji Qingxu... Yes, I've arrived... President Cai, this is different from what you agreed on before... Okay, fine."

After hanging up the phone, Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "Let's go to the car first."

"Okay, this way."

......

Looking at the Buick GL8 in front of him, Ji Qingxu chuckled and got into the car. Cai Yinong was doing a decent job on the surface, but the more she did that, the less optimistic Ji Qingxu was about this meeting.

After the car started, Zhang Zhong glanced at Ji Qingxu, who smiled and shook his head without saying a word.

Glancing at the scenery outside the window, Ji Qingxu gently tapped the seat. What is Cai Yinong up to?

Could it be that they have the same idea as me and want to take advantage of me for free?

Forget it, let's get to Hengdian first and then talk about it.

......

"Has the actor for Li Xiaoyao already been chosen?"

Seeing Ji Qingxu's bright smile, Cai Yinong said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, you said you didn't have time before. It just so happens that Mr. Yao Zhuangxian, the founder of our Legend of Sword and Fairy series, came to inspect our work during that time and took a liking to an actor. Mr. Ji, I know we were wrong to do this. Look, the crew has another role, and this role is also very promising. Would you like to give it a try?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and glanced at Cai Yinong, then held up one finger.

Cai Yinong asked疑惑地, "Mr. Ji, do you mean...?"

"Ten thousand yuan. Mr. Cai will reimburse my round-trip airfare, and we'll call it even."

Cai Yinong smiled and said, "Mr. Ji, I am very sincere."

Ji Qingxu smiled knowingly. "Does President Cai think I'm easy to bully?"

Cai Yinong shook her head, her smile fading. "Mr. Ji, this is a misunderstanding."

Ji Qingxu smiled and nodded, "I'm easy to talk to, just reimburse my airfare."

After staring at Ji Qingxu for a while, Cai Yinong smiled again and said, "Mr. Ji, our Sugar Man is a very powerful company. We currently have several dramas waiting to be filmed. If you are not satisfied, we can talk again."

Ji Qingxu shook his head and refused, "No need, I'm about to start school, I don't have time to film."

Seeing Ji Qingxu's firm refusal, Cai Yinong breathed a sigh of relief. This young man is so difficult to deal with.

"Okay, Tangren will reimburse Mr. Ji for his airfare. In the end, I will host a banquet tonight to express my apologies to Mr. Ji."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Cai, but I have other things to attend to. Maybe next time."

Hearing Ji Qingxu repeatedly reject her kindness, Cai Yinong took a deep breath. Seeing Ji Qingxu still smiling at her, she pressed the landline on the table and said, "Xiao Zhang, bring over ten thousand yuan in cash."

"Okay, Mr. Cai."

A short while later, a staff member knocked on the door and came in.

Cai Yinong took the 10,000 yuan in cash handed to her by the staff and gave it to Ji Qingxu, saying with a smile, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Ji, I'll have someone take you to the airport."

"it is good."

......

After going downstairs, Ji Qingxu glanced at the sugar figurine "Little White Building" behind him and walked straight towards the car.

Watching the car drive away, Li Guoli sighed, "You should have told them sooner."

Cai Yinong said expressionlessly, "Auditions aren't 100% guaranteed to be successful. Does that mean actors won't audition if they don't succeed? Besides, I invited him before, and he said he didn't have time. Is that my fault?"

"Didn't you say he appeared on the Spring Festival Gala stage?"

"Otherwise, do you think I'd give you money?"

Li Guoli choked for a moment upon hearing this, glanced helplessly at Cai Yinong, shook his head, and walked to the side, saying, "I'll go do something first."

After staring at the departing vehicle for a while, Cai Yinong snorted coldly. If Ji Qingxu hadn't appeared on this year's Spring Festival Gala stage, she would never have been so polite to him. This Ciwen really went all out, arranging for a newcomer to perform on the Spring Festival Gala stage.

It was seeing Ji Qingxu appear on the Spring Festival Gala stage that Cai Yinong gave up the idea of ​​poaching him. After all, even Sugarman doesn't have the ability to send its own artist to the Spring Festival Gala stage. Unless Ji Qingxu is an idiot, Sugarman has virtually no chance of poaching him.

Cai Yinong is a very realistic person. Since she couldn't get him, she naturally wouldn't give the male lead to Ji Qingxu.

......

After boarding the plane, Zhang Zhong asked in a low voice, "Uncle-Master, is this woman playing a trick on us?"

Ji Qingxu chuckled, "That's normal. I didn't have any good intentions to begin with, but I didn't expect that others would think the same way as me. But... let's wait and see."

Glancing at the scene outside the plane, Ji Qingxu was thinking to himself. Although Cai Yinong had not guaranteed that she would definitely give him the role of Li Xiaoyao, she made it sound like Ji Qingxu would get the role as soon as he came on the phone. Although Ji Qingxu did not really believe it, what was the meaning of deliberately lying to him to come?

Even though the trip was just a waste of time and there were no other losses, and the airfare was refunded plus a little extra for the trouble, Ji Qingxu was still a little unhappy. He felt that Cai Yinong was not a very decent person.

Thinking about the female artists that Sugarman will sign in the future, Ji Qingxu rubbed his fingers and pondered, planning to find an opportunity to make Cai Yinong jealous.

......