Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 156 Kong Sheng's Conditions

Looking at Kong Sheng's expression, Hou Hongliang knew that he was in a defensive mood, and he was about to say a few words to ease the tension.

"This is outrageous!" Kong Sheng slammed his phone on the table. "The script is only on its third revision, and they're already rushing to claim the lead role? And with this—this newcomer no less."

He wanted to say "a greenhorn," but seeing the way Zhang Li and Brother Long acted in the news, he swallowed back even harsher words, but his anger only intensified.

Hou Hongliang poured him a cup of tea and pushed it towards him: "Calm down. What's done is done. The higher-ups have given instructions, so this is a done deal."

"A settled outcome? When did it become the turn of outsiders to decide the outcome of my drama?" Kong Sheng sneered. "Let the people Zhang Li has his eye on act in his movies. What's with him sticking his hands into my TV series? No matter how far Zhang Li's reach is, he can't control Shandong Film Studio's dramas."

Hou Hongliang looked at him and knew his old partner's temperament: he was serious about art and couldn't tolerate any flaws.

Especially things that belong to oneself.

He changed his tone: "Director Zhang's strong support this time may not be entirely based on acting skills."

"I don't care about any relationship," Kong Sheng waved his hand dismissively. "My plays need suitable actors, actors who can bring my characters to life, not rich kids trying to gain experience. No matter how good his acting is, can he be better than Chen Baoguo? Can he be better than Ni Dahong? My script is meant for a group of veteran actors to showcase their skills. Can a newcomer in his early twenties hold his own? Can the audience believe him?"

Hou Hongliang waited until Kong Sheng's breathing had calmed down a bit before slowly saying, "I made some inquiries, and this Zhang Qilin is from the Beijing People's Art Theatre, a student of Yuanzheng—"

"A student from Yuanzheng?" Kong Sheng was stunned for a moment, his anger subsiding slightly.

He recently collaborated with Feng Yuanzheng on "The Age of Steel".

He knows Feng Yuanzheng well; he has extensive experience and unique insights into acting.

But he is him, and his students are his students. Just because Feng Yuanzheng is highly accomplished in acting doesn't mean that his students can take on this role.

Kong Sheng's brows remained furrowed: "Even if he is Feng Yuanzheng's student, talented, and has potential, we can't just force him into the role like this. My script is still being polished. If we decide on him now, it's like sealing off any possibility of the role of Fang Meng'ao."

"Many details were originally intended to be adjusted based on the characteristics of the final selected actor, but now, how am I supposed to adjust them for a young person whose abilities I don't even know?"

The more he talked, the more frustrated he felt; it was a frustration stemming from his creative process being brutally interfered with.

Hou Hongliang saw his angry expression and knew that the time was right.

He lowered his voice: "Old Kong, I understand what you're saying, and I feel aggrieved for you, but some things can't be solved just by talking about art."

He paused, making sure Kong Sheng was listening: "The company will open next year."

These seven words were like a bucket of ice water poured on Kong Sheng's burning anger, instantly calming him down.

Hou Hongliang continued, "Restructuring, independent operation, and self-financing—no matter how good the script or how well-crafted the performance, the prerequisite is that it can be launched smoothly, that money can be found, that channels can be established, and that it can be settled steadily. Some arrangements are exchanges, but also attitudes."

Kong Sheng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat dry.

He knew, of course, what it meant for the company to open. It was an opportunity they had worked so hard for all these years, and the beginning of a gamble.

Everything must give way to this greater good, including his personal artistic principles.

"This Zhang Qilin," Hou Hongliang continued, seeing that he didn't object anymore, "is not only a student of Yuanzheng, but Zhang Li and Brother Long are also able to support him, which at least shows that the people behind him have considerable influence and are willing to pave the way for him. Using him in this play might make many things go much more smoothly later on."

"But my play—" Kong Sheng's voice was hoarse, and his momentum had weakened.

"Your show is still your show," Hou Hongliang said, his tone becoming more forceful. "Everything is still up to you. He's a new card with some weight to his hand. Even if he's truly a piece of trash, you, Kong Sheng, can still mold him. Besides, Zhang Li and Feng Yuanzheng can't both be blind, can they?"

Seeing that Kong Sheng remained silent, he added, "Old Kong, the script can be further polished. We need to refine the character of Fang Meng'ao so that whoever plays him can shine as long as they follow the script. As for the actor—since we can't change him, we should think more about how to make the best use of him."

That statement gave them a good way out.

Kong Sheng fell silent and remained silent for a long time.

Hou Hongliang knew he had taken it to heart, and continued, "The person sent to make contact over there will be here soon. Give me an answer on what you think."

"Let him act is fine," he said slowly, "but he can't just jump right in. He has to hone his acting skills in my next two dramas first."

Hou Hongliang was taken aback: "You mean—'The Family of Wenzhou' and 'Our Parents' Love'?"

"Yes," Kong Sheng nodded. "The main actors in these two plays are all veteran artists. Let him learn from them, learn step by step. We'll talk about it when I think he can play Fang Meng'ao."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the now-cold tea and drank it all in one gulp.

"You're not using him," Hou Hongliang laughed. "You're sending him back for a complete overhaul. What if—he can't hold up, or he just doesn't meet your requirements?"

Kong Sheng leaned back in his chair, his face expressionless: "That means he's not cut out for it, and it also proves that my insistence was right. In the end, we'll either replace him, or—this project will be put on hold indefinitely."

"Anyway, I can keep polishing the script. If the higher-ups ask, I can just say the actors still need more practice. For the sake of the show, we can't rush it. That reason is more convincing than forcing in an unsuitable person and ruining the show, right?"

He said it casually, but he gently passed the buck back to the team.

You can use it, but you have to follow my rules and the laws of art.

No, it's not that I'm not cooperating, it's just that the objective conditions aren't right.

Hou Hongliang stubbed out his cigarette, his smile deepening: "Alright, in this way, we're not just not using him, we're making great use of him and giving him important roles, but we have to be responsible to him and to the play."

Hou Hongliang stood up: "You can figure out the specific roles and discuss them with the screenwriter. I'll talk to the people who come to make contact. I think—as long as they really care about the actor's future, and not just put a spot on him, they should understand that this is a good thing."

As they reached the door, Hou Hongliang turned back, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying, "Old Kong, you've really got yourself a big job. Don't let it turn out to be a real gem."

Kong Sheng didn't even look up, only replying, "Then it has to pass through my fire first."

Hou Hongliang smiled, shook his head, closed the door, and left.

in the afternoon.

2:00

In the rehearsal hall on the first floor, the interns rehearsed a skit according to the teacher's requirements.

Zhang Qilin sat in a corner, watching several interns in the center of the rehearsal hall performing according to the topics given by their teacher.

My phone, which was on vibrate in my pocket, started vibrating.

He took it out and saw that it was Shen Ya.

Zhang Qilin took it out and saw that it was a call from Shen Ya.

He crouched low and quietly slipped out of the rehearsal hall, walked down the corridor to the end, and stood by the window.

He answered the phone and asked, "Hey~ what's up?"

"Brother Lin, there's something I need to discuss with you. Is it convenient for you there?" Shen Ya's voice came from the phone.

"Just tell me what's wrong."

"Here's the thing, I've come to help you with the TV series 'No War in Beiping.' The director has made a request, and I'd like to ask for your opinion."

"you say."

"It's like this, the production team hopes that before you play Fang Meng'ao, you will first—that's it, I don't know what you mean?"

""

After listening to Shen Ya's introduction, Zhang Qilin couldn't help but frown.

To film "No War in Beiping", one must first hone one's skills in director Kong Sheng's other two dramas.

This was the first time he had encountered such a request.

"Okay, I understand."

"Brother Lin, do you mean—" Shen Ya's voice was somewhat hesitant.

"I'll think about it and get back to you in half an hour."

"Okay, Brother Lin, if you're having trouble, I'll call the boss and ask them to put pressure on you—"

1

"I'll decide on the specifics after I've thought it through."

"Okay, Brother Lin."

Zhang Qilin hung up the phone and looked around. This was the innermost part of the corridor, a place rarely visited by people.

He hesitated at first when he heard Kong Sheng's request.

Accepting Kong Sheng's conditions meant playing supporting roles in two dramas and learning from the veteran artists from scratch.

If Dong Qiyu continues to pressure Kong Sheng, Kong Sheng's side might back down.

However, if the director and lead actor harbor resentment during filming, it's highly questionable whether the film will even come to fruition.

He took on this role with the intention of winning an award.

I never intended to fight with the director, which dragged down the quality of the show and ultimately resulted in nothing being achieved.

More importantly, Kong Sheng, as a founding member of Noon, had a falling out with Zhang Qilin, which would create enmity between them.

Kong Sheng and Hou Hongliang represent the entire Noon team. If you offend them, you can forget about participating in Noon's resources in the future.

He can grant Kong Sheng's request.

The question now is, will his agreement to study in these two dramas affect his other opportunities?

As he was weighing the options in his mind, he suddenly realized that he had unlocked the [Open the Altar and Ask for Directions] skill.

Unlike before, when I had to rely solely on experience to analyze things related to the drama, I no longer have to.

He can now take a step back when in doubt.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhang Qilin sat down cross-legged and placed his hands in front of his abdomen, forming the Ziwu Mudra.

He focused his mind and concentrated.

After the Heavenly Compass appeared, he chanted an incantation: "Heavenly divination is forty-nine, one escapes, open the altar for divination, good and bad omens are revealed, heavenly secrets can be seen, obtain the divination slip to resolve doubts."

"Excuse me, what impact will it have on me whether I accept Kong Sheng's roles in 'The Family of Wenzhou' and 'Our Parents' Love'?"

This was his first time using the "opening the altar to ask for directions" technique, and he stumbled over the incantation. I wonder if that had any effect?

Just as Zhang Qilin was worrying.

The Heavenly Compass, suspended in front of me, has runes shimmering and light flowing on the surface of the white jade divination tube.

Immediately afterwards, a pale yellow mist drifted away and was absorbed by the runes on the surface of the divination tube.

In the upper left corner of Zhang Qilin's eye, an indicator shows that his luck value is rapidly decreasing.

In just a few seconds, two or three hundred were lost.

Zhang Qilin was so heartbroken that he wanted to stop the divination.

Is 1,000 Luck Points enough for this consumption?

Don't let it be not enough, and then you have to pay with his life.

Fortunately, the worst-case scenario didn't happen; the luck value stopped dropping at 500.

Two divination sticks flew out of the divination tube.