From unemployment in crosstalk to top star in Chinese entertainment

The studio was quiet for a moment. The monitor's cooling fan hummed.

Yu Liang looked down at her hands. The dust on her fingers had been washed away, but there was still a bloodstain between her fingers, which had dried and become embedded in her fingerprint.

"Director," he looked up, "you didn't call me here just to praise me, did you?"

Sun Hao smiled.

"That's definitely not the case."

He took a brown paper envelope from beside the director's chair and handed it to Yu Liang. The envelope was blank, and the seal was open. Yu Liang took it and pulled out its contents.

A contract.

Artist management contract with Xinli Media.

"This is from Mr. Zhao of Xinli Media, who asked me to give it to you."

Yu Liang flipped through a few pages. The terms and conditions were densely packed: exclusive brokerage contract, 30/70 revenue split, minimum five-year term.

After reading it, he closed the contract and placed it on the table.

They neither said they would sign nor said they would not.

For him, now is not the best time to sign a contract. The drama hasn't aired yet, and in the market, he's just known as a Douyin (TikTok) influencer and the unreleased character "Teng Zijing."

If he signs a contract now, he can only negotiate at the price of a complete newcomer. But once "Joy of Life" airs, he will have a representative work, and his bargaining power will be completely different.

Yu Liang understands this principle, and Xin Li naturally understands it as well.

He knew about Xinli Media, but he really couldn't remember which General Manager Zhao was.

Sun Hao noticed Yu Liang's confusion.

"Zhao Mingyuan, the brokerage director of Xinli."

After Sun Hao mentioned it, Yu Liang remembered. It was the middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses who had been scrutinizing her at the opening ceremony.

"To be honest, even I didn't expect you to portray Teng Zijing so well," Sun Hao said with a smile, mentioning it again with a hint of pride in his voice.

It's worth noting that initially, the production team, represented by Xin Li, disagreed with casting Yu Liang as Teng Zijing. It was Xin Li who made the final decision on set, allowing Yu Liang to secure the role.

Yu Liang certainly didn't disappoint. After joining the crew, he not only demonstrated his excellent martial arts skills, but also delivered increasingly outstanding performances in his acting.

"Mr. Zhao said he has a contract here for you to take a look at first, and if it's suitable, you can sign it with him after returning to Beijing."

Yu Liang didn't respond.

"However," Sun Hao's tone changed, becoming slightly playful, "it's not just Xin Li's family that has their eyes on you."

Yu Liang raised her head.

"I had a one-minute trailer made for your final scene, and it's already been released."

Yu Liang was taken aback. Sun Hao had indeed mentioned this, saying that he wanted to use the scene in Niulan Street as a promotional video for "Joy of Life".

But he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

It's only been two or three hours since filming wrapped up.

The promotional video was already made and released; that's incredibly fast.

"Thirty minutes," Sun Hao glanced at his watch, "and the number of views has surpassed two million."

Sun Hao handed over his phone.

The screen displayed a video with a cover image of Fan Xian cradling Teng Zijing in a pool of blood. The title read: "[Joy of Life: Fan Xian's Assassination Attack on Niulan Street]"

Although the title focuses on Fan Xian, played by Zhang Ruoyun, Yu Liang stands out in the edited footage.

The comments section has exploded.

"Holy crap, that look in his eyes!!! I'm crying!!!"

"Is this guy from Deyun Society? Deyun Society is training actors now?"

"I followed him from Douyin, who remembers that he used to be a fashion blogger?"

"I just have one question: Is Teng Zijing really dead?"

"As a fan of the original work... I won't spoil it, you'll have to see for yourselves."

Yu Liang scrolled down a few lines, then stopped.

A top-rated comment:

"@JiahangMedia @YuehuaEntertainment @YixinEntertainment are here to snatch him up!!!"

The number of likes has exceeded 50,000.

Sun Hao retrieved his phone.

"Jiahang just called me. They claimed to be Yang Mi's agent and said that Ms. Yang Mi saw your video and wants to meet you after you return to Beijing."

Yang Mi.

She is the top female star of Jiahang Media and one of the pioneers of the traffic-driven era in the Chinese entertainment industry.

She herself is a shareholder of Jiahang, so she has a voice, resources, and vision.

Her sending someone to invite him and meeting him in person means that Jiahang's interest in Liang is not just "getting to know" but very likely "determined to have her".

All of this came too suddenly for Liang.

Sun Hao's tone carried a hint of enjoying the spectacle.

"The promotional video is very popular now, and I'm sure other agencies are also looking into your situation."

"I never expected that you, a supporting actor who just finished filming, would suddenly become so sought after."

Yu Liang remained silent for a while.

The director isn't promoting the TV series; he's clearly promoting himself.

"Director, why are you helping me?"

Sun Hao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gave him a look that said, "I didn't expect you to see through me."

If that's the case, then this matter is much easier to handle.

"Actually, after spending these three months together, I really like you. You're hardworking, down-to-earth, and have a good eye. Also..."

He paused, then changed the subject, glancing up at Yu Liang as he spoke frankly:

"I have a project that's still in the planning stages. If it comes to fruition, I'd like you to star in it."

Sun Hao did not mention any specific role.

"I've already secured the film and television rights to the original IP for this project, and the script is currently being adapted by Mr. Wang Juan. Whether it will ultimately be approved depends on how well 'Joy of Life' is broadcast. If it performs well, the investors will have confidence."

He looked at Yu Liang.

"So the reason I'm releasing the promotional video today isn't just to help you. The more popular you become, the easier it will be for my project to be approved."

Sun Hao pointed to himself and then to Yu Liang.

"Actually, we've helped each other succeed."

Yu Liang nodded.

Some things don't need to be said too bluntly.

Sun Hao is a straightforward person. He puts his interests out in the open, and this honesty makes people feel at ease.

"What is that project?" Yu Liang asked.

"I'll tell you after the project is approved," Sun Hao smiled. "If I tell you now and it falls through, where will I put my face?"

Yu Liang smiled too.

On Xinli's territory, they were calculating their own interests.

This director is really bold.

He knew that Sun Hao did not belong to Xinli and that his relationship with Xinli Media was merely a cooperative one. Since their relationship was mutually beneficial at the moment, Yu Liang frankly asked:

"Director, you have a lot of experience. Regarding the contract, what do you think I should choose?"

Sun Hao leaned back in his chair.

"Xinli is a well-established production company and has no shortage of projects. If you sign with Xinli, you will have priority in every Xinli project in the future."

"But the downsides are also obvious. The artists that Xinli cultivates are all lined up for resources, and when it's your turn as a newcomer, you may only get the scraps."

Yu Liang nodded.

"As for talent agencies like Jiahang and Yuehua, they cultivate more traffic stars than actors."

"If you sign with Jiahang, resources will be tilted towards popularity, including variety shows, endorsements, and commercial activities. You will become famous very quickly, but the price of fame is that you may not have time to act anymore."

He paused.

"Of course, this is just my opinion. You can ask Ruoyun or Teacher Xiaoran for specific details. As actors, they know more about talent agencies than I, as a director, do."

"But should I become a popular celebrity or an actor?"

Sun Hao looked at Yu Liang.

"You have to ask yourself that question."

Yu Liang didn't say anything.

He understood what Sun Hao meant. Sun Hao wasn't telling him that one thing wasn't essential, but rather that he should find a focus within it.

Yu Liang gave a wry smile. Given his current situation, it wasn't a matter of choosing one, but rather which one he had to choose from.

---

Yu Liang left the monitor shed.

The night breeze from Duyun blew in, carrying the scent of fresh grass. He took a deep breath, and the tension that had been building up inside him for three months finally eased a little.

Since his flight was tomorrow morning, he didn't go straight back to the hotel, but instead went to the film set to find Zhang Ruoyun.

Zhang Ruoyun was still filming her next scenes, so Yu Liang didn't want to disturb her.

I asked a staff member and learned that Li Xiaoran had already finished work and returned to the hotel.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Yu Liang first called Li Xiaoran.

"Sister Xiaoran, I have some questions I'd like to ask you, is that a convenient time?"

"Haha, it's okay, just come up here, I'm in my room."

After hanging up the phone, Yu Liang went upstairs.

This was the first time he had come to Li Xiaoran's room since joining the crew.

The moment the door opened, a fragrant aroma wafted out.

It wasn't a pungent, overpowering fragrance; it was warm, damp, and smelled like something just coming from the bathroom.

Li Xiaoran was wearing sportswear, her hair was wet and tied up in a shower cap, and she wore very light makeup.

"Wait a moment, I'm going to blow-dry my hair."

She turned and went into the bathroom, picking up a hairdryer. Amidst the buzzing sound, her voice drifted out intermittently: "What is it? Just say it."

Yu Liang leaned against the bathroom door frame and gave a brief account of what happened in the director's studio.

Li Xiaoran listened while drying her hair, occasionally interjecting with a question. She knew the ins and outs of the companies inside and out—Xinli focused on production rather than artists, Jiahang had abundant resources but inconsistent quality of acting roles, and Yuehua had a mature trainee system but tied too tightly to established artists…

After all, Ran Jie has been in the industry for almost twenty years, so her experience in choosing a management company is undeniable.

"Actually, no matter which company you sign with," Li Xiaoran turned off the hairdryer, and the bathroom suddenly became quiet, "what you need most right now is not a contract, but exposure."

She turned around, leaned against the edge of the sink, and looked up at Yu Liang.

And so, the two chatted for a while.

What follows is just some random talk.

Li Xiaoran looked at herself in the mirror, then glanced at Yu Liang standing at the bathroom door, and sighed inwardly.

What a blockhead! All that effort to hastily put on makeup when I heard he was coming up.

"You contacted me just for this?"

She walked up to Yu Liangmian.

The two people were standing face to face.

A small section of Li Xiaoran's collarbone was visible at her neckline, and Yu Liang's gaze involuntarily slid down an inch.

"Of course, otherwise..." Liang's voice was hoarse, and her throat was a little dry.

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Li Xiaoran staring intently at him.