I really didn't intend to make a living based on my looks.

In 2019, the pairing of Bo Jun Yi Xiao in "The Untamed" pushed CP marketing to the peak of the industry!

After that, I just let myself go.

Everything can be paired up; even two male supporting characters can be edited into a heart-wrenching love story.

Yang Mi nodded: "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, I have my own investments, so I'll do my best. Please let me know your schedule a month in advance, and I'll have my agent coordinate."

"Okay." He then looked at Jiang Chen, "Jiang, what about you over here?"

Jiang Chen: "President Hou, whatever you say, we'll do."

"Xiao Jiang, your situation is special. It's your first leading role as a newcomer, so you need to build up your popularity slowly. My plan is for you to go on variety shows with Mimi before the show airs to get some exposure and become familiar with her."

"If the response is good after the broadcast, I'll arrange a private interview for you. I have connections with newspapers like the Beijing Youth Daily and Southern People Weekly."

"By the way, what are your thoughts on the theme song?"

"What does Mr. Hou mean?"

"Don't play dumb," Hou Hongliang laughed. "You wrote the theme song 'The Power of Love' for Yu Zheng's 'Palace,' right? Everyone in the industry knows that. Could you write one for our drama this time?"

Sun Zhonghuai also became interested and put down his chopsticks: "Xiao Jiang can write songs?"

"I know a little," Jiang Chen said, "but it's mainly because Sister Mi sings so well."

Yang Mi smiled sweetly: "That's because you wrote it well!"

"Wasn't it you who made it popular? Now it's playing everywhere."

"That's right, you have good taste."

Everyone: "..."

Hou Hongliang waved his hand speechlessly: "Alright, alright, you two stop flirting. Let's get down to business. Xiao Jiang, could you write a song for our drama this time? It can be the opening or ending theme, or even an insert song. It'll be good for the actors to sing their own songs, making promotion easier and generating more buzz."

"Give me two weeks, I'll give it a try. If I'm not satisfied with what I write, we can hire someone else."

"Okay," Hou Hongliang decided, "it's settled then. I'll listen to the demo in two weeks."

Sun Zhonghuai nodded in agreement: "If the quality is up to standard, I can promote it on QQ Music, as well as through QQ Space pop-ups and Weibo topics, cooperating across all channels."

He looked at Jiang Chen and Yang Mi, "I will apply for resources from the head office, and the game collaboration is also underway. But the prerequisite is that the quality of your drama is not a problem, and the song must be worthy of it."

"Director Kong, keep a close eye on the post-production editing; we can't skimp on the special effects."

Kong Sheng nodded: "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it."

Hou Hongliang closed the document, his gaze lingering on Jiang Chen's face for a moment.

He specifically asked someone to learn about this young man.

Whether it was Jiang Daqiang going out to start a business with Kong Sheng, or this whole affair being put together, this kid played a huge role.

She is very smart, has high emotional intelligence, and works very hard on set.

Kong Sheng also kept speaking well of him!

He's absolutely a talent.

Hou Hongliang withdrew his gaze, picked up his wine glass, and said, "That's settled then. Come on, let's wish our 'Swords of Legends' great success in ratings!"

Inside the private room, wine glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

Jiang Chen stood up and bowed slightly to everyone: "I'll go out and offer my greetings first. You leaders can continue your conversation."

He pushed open the door and went out, and Yang Mi stood up as well: "I'll go too."

Hou Hongliang watched the two figures walk away and said to Kong Sheng, "This kid will amount to something great in the future."

Kong Sheng nodded: "It's just that I'm too popular with women, which is a problem."

"Troublesome?" Hou Hongliang laughed. "In the entertainment industry, it's troublesome if you don't have good relationships with women!"

After the wrap party, Hou Hongliang's black Audi A6 was parked at the back gate of Hengdian World Studios.

Kong Sheng and his companion got into the back seat, and the driver started the car.

Hou Hongliang looked at Kong Sheng: "Big brother, going home?"

"Hmm." Kong Sheng didn't open his eyes, and his voice sounded tired.

In the future, although Hou is the chairman of Zhengwu Sunshine, Kong Sheng is actually the spiritual leader of this team.

Kong was ten years older than him and entered the industry in the late 1980s. When Hou Hongliang first graduated, he worked as Kong Sheng's filming assistant, carrying equipment, clapping, and recording scripts. He learned step by step.

Later, Kong Sheng mentored Li Xue, Zhang Kaizhou, and Jian Chuanhe; almost all of Noon Sunshine's core directors were his protégés.

However, Kong Sheng is a low-key person who only focuses on directing and has no interest in management, business, or social interactions in the world of fame and fortune, so Hou Hongliang took over the reins.

The car drove out of the film studio and onto the highway.

"Hongliang," Kong Sheng suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"I'd like Jiang Chen to audition for our Changsha Battle scene."

Hou Hongliang was taken aback and glanced at Kong Sheng.

"Big brother? Weren't you planning to invite Huo Jianhua?"

"Huo Jianhua is an alternative, but this kid is pretty good too!"

"That kid...can he handle it?"

Kong Sheng did not answer.

Hou Hongliang pondered for a moment, "How about we wait until this drama airs and see? Anyway, if 'Battle of Changsha' is really confirmed, it will definitely be in the second half of next year. Let's see how 'Swords of Legends' performs first."

Kong Sheng hummed in agreement: "I'm confident this drama will do well."

"If that kid can make it, there's definitely no problem," Hou Hongliang said. "His studio is also under our company, so he's one of us anyway."

Kong Sheng nodded, then suddenly asked, "When are you coming out?"

"Let's wait another two years. I'll still be working at Shandong Film and Television, and I can help you connect with some resources. For shows like 'Our Parents' Love' and 'No War in Beiping,' it wouldn't be so easy to get them approved without the Shandong Film and Television brand."

Kong Sheng didn't speak, he just looked ahead.

The car continued driving, the streetlights flashing by.

"Hongliang," Kong Sheng suddenly said, "keep a close eye on Jiang Chen."

"What are you staring at?"

"Keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't go astray. I've seen too many talented young people. But not many of them make it to the end."

Hou Hongliang nodded: "I understand."

……

On October 15, Jiang Chen returned to school after being away for three months.

Autumn is in full swing, and most of the ginkgo trees on campus have turned yellow. When the wind blows, the leaves fall in a flurry, covering the asphalt road with a thick layer.

Walking along the path leading to the dormitory, he could clearly sense that something was different.

Many girls on the roadside were secretly glancing at him and whispering among themselves.

"Is that Jiang Chen?"

"He seems... even more handsome than on TV."

"Did he just come back from Hengdian? Did they finish filming 'Swords of Legends'?"

"Playing the male lead in his sophomore year? What's his background...?"

"I heard he slept with Yang Mi, his senior, on the set of 'Palace,' and that's how he got this opportunity..."

"??? Really?"

"Shh, keep your voice down, tell me carefully..."

After "Palace" aired at the beginning of the year, it became a minor hit. Although he played the Fourteenth Prince in it and didn't have many scenes, his face was indeed memorable.

In addition, news of the male lead of "Swords of Legends" has already spread in the industry. Although the drama has not yet aired, the name Jiang Chen is no longer that of an unknown newcomer half a year ago.

He's considered a big shot at the Beijing Film Academy!

As he passed by the playground, a girl in a white hoodie suddenly rushed out from under a ginkgo tree.

Sunlight fell on her, golden leaves fluttered, and the soft light accentuated her three-dimensional and deep features, her bright eyes carrying a touch of exotic sweetness.

"Senior!!!"

At that moment, even the wind seemed to slow down, ginkgo leaves drifted down gently, and the whole world suddenly became quiet, leaving only her figure running towards him.

……

(P.S.: Guys, please keep reading these past few days and check out the latest chapters every day. If you have any monthly tickets, please support me. Thank you so much!)

"My new book is already getting a strong recommendation. Let's see if there's a chance it can make it onto the Three Rivers list (a popular Chinese literature platform). If it does well, I'll definitely be more motivated to update like crazy once it's officially released. Making money isn't shameful. Thanks, everyone!"