From unemployment in crosstalk to top star in Chinese entertainment

The casting meeting room was filled with smoke.

Zhao Mingyuan placed the projector remote control on the table, and a cast list was displayed on the screen.

Those with names and those without names, those that have been confirmed are marked in green, and those that are pending are still marked in glaring yellow.

Yu Liang sat at the edge of the long table, his gaze sweeping over the row of green labels on the screen.

These names are almost identical to those from the previous life. The actors who appeared in "Raging Storm" in the previous life have reappeared in the cast list of "Raging Storm" in this life because of Xin Li.

This includes Wu Gang, who played Chen Pingping in "Joy of Life"; Li Jianyi, who played Mei Zhili; Cui Zhigang, who played Eunuch Hou; Qin Yan, who played Eunuch Dai; and Luo Eryang, who played Yuan Hongdao.

Nine of the artists under Xinli's management and those they collaborate with occupy seats in this drama, each with a corresponding role.

Wu Gang plays the incorruptible head of the supervision team, while Li Jianyi plays the deputy head of the supervision team who doesn't talk much but whose words are always to the point. Cui Zhigang, Qin Yan, and Luo Eryang are all in their proper roles, and even the types of their characters are a perfect match for their previous lives.

"We want Mr. Feng Bin to play Lao Mo," Xu Jizhou said, flipping through the documents.

Zhao Mingyuan nodded. "He's a very good actor, and I also plan to cast him as Fan Wujiu in 'Joy of Life'."

Yu Liang was shocked.

Even this matches up.

"What does Teacher Yu Liang think?" Xu Jizhou and Zhao Mingyuan both looked at Yu Liang.

Yu Liang knew that they were just asking him symbolically. It was true that he had brought a script to invest, but compared to their real investments of tens or even hundreds of millions of yuan, his say was still relatively small.

After all, assigning roles is essentially a game of dividing up the pie.

Of course, if there are any deviations from the intended role, he will offer suggestions and corrections.

"I have no objection." Yu Liang nodded.

The character of Lao Mo is one that anyone could play brilliantly, let alone the actor who played him in the previous life.

He was the one who listened to the male lead, An Xin, the most throughout the entire series.

When Lao Mo was released from prison, An Xin told him to be a good person, but this guy ended up doing the work of six different people in seven episodes.

Zhao Mingyuan nodded and then checked the form.

"There are still two female roles left to be filled among the main characters." Zhao Mingyuan turned to the cast list in the script, pointing to two yellow marks.

"Meng Yu, Huang Yao, the female lead and her adopted daughter."

"Director Xu, shall we go first?"

Xu Jizhou leaned back in his chair, carefully considering his words: "Regarding Meng Yu, I recommend Li Yitong. We just finished working together on 'Bloody Romance.' The young actress is good, cooperative, and her schedule matches up."

He glanced at Zhao Mingyuan after he finished speaking.

Zhao Mingyuan didn't respond at first.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he said with certainty:

"Li Yitong is good, but she and Li Qin have the same type."

Upon hearing this, Yu Liang knew that Li Yitong would not be able to play the role of Meng Yu, the female lead in this life.

After all, Li Qin is positioned as the top female star in Xinli, so if Li Yitong were to play the female lead, it would be a hindrance to Li Qin's development.

Yu Liang couldn't help but think of the three-fold design. No matter how you fold a three-fold piece, there will always be a surface, but this time Li Yitong's surface couldn't be folded.

"Since Li Yitong isn't suitable," Yu Liang put the teacup back on the tray and said, "then I suggest someone else."

"Who?"

Zhao Mingyuan and Xu Jizhou asked at the same time.

"Wang Churan!"

Zhao Mingyuan looked at Yu Liang and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

"Wang Churan already had some popularity after 'Joy of Life' finished airing, and her age also fits Meng Yu's initial appearance." Yu Liang flipped through the script in front of her, turning to the page where Meng Yu first appeared. "Moreover, I've seen the announcement; Meng Yu has the title of the female lead, but the screen time of the third female lead. Rather than having Sister Li Qin play an unlikable female lead, it's better to have Wang Churan."

"She's not high-profile enough," Xu Jizhou frowned.

"Director Xu, Li Yitong isn't a big enough star, and besides, Wang Churan is quite popular right now."

Xu Jizhou did not respond.

Yu Liang then added, "Actually, the romantic storyline between the male and female leads can be adjusted. An Xin and Meng Yu's scenes don't need to involve hugging and kissing, since the two childhood sweethearts didn't end up together."

As Zhao Mingyuan watched Yu Liang speak with a straight face, he felt as if he had been hit in the face by an abacus bead.

Xu Jizhou, unaware of Yu Liang and Wang Churan's situation, listened intently.

Yu Liang continued, "With this change, Teacher Zhang Yi shouldn't have any objections. After all, it's only some of the romance scenes that have been cut. In the script, Teacher Junyi didn't write this romance scene particularly well; in fact, it was a bit awkward. Moreover, cutting it will free up some of the actress's salary."

That last sentence made the finance manager raise his head.

Zhao Mingyuan glanced at Yu Liang.

Wang Churan came from the show "Joy of Life". Although he is not affiliated with Xinli, he is now considered to be in a working relationship with Xinli.

Using her would help control costs, and besides, Xinli doesn't have any suitable young actresses under its management right now.

"What does Director Xu think?" Zhao Mingyuan passed the buck to Xu Jizhou.

Xu Jizhou shrugged: "I have no objection. I've seen Wang Churan's Ye Ling'er, and she has enough spirit. The role of Meng Yu doesn't require a strong aura, and besides, Teacher Yu Liang has already spoken up, so what can I say?"

After all, I was able to invest in this drama through Yu Liang's introduction, so I'll just consider it as repaying Yu Liang's favor.

"Then it's settled." Zhao Mingyuan wrote Wang Churan's name on the form.

Zhao Mingyuan couldn't help but sigh. Just as he and Xu Jizhou were arguing over the roles, Yu Liang quietly took away the roles of the second male lead and the female lead.

Zhao Mingyuan suddenly had a feeling that this kid was even more shrewd than himself.

As for the last character, Huang Yao's discussion started much faster.

This character has limited screen time, but is present throughout—Gao Qiqiang's adopted daughter, whose final betrayal is one of the emotional climaxes in the latter half of the script. Logically, this kind of role should be worth vying for, but none of those present seemed particularly interested.

Limited screen time, late appearance, and low presence in the early stages. Not cost-effective.

"Since none of you have a suitable candidate, I'll recommend someone," Yu Liang said.

"Zhang Ruonan".

Zhao Mingyuan didn't even look at her file.

"A newcomer?"

"She's from the Beijing Film Academy, and Professor Zhang Songwen taught her intensive training course. Her acting skills are quite solid for her age." Yu Liang's tone was flat, as if stating a trivial fact. "The role of Huang Yao doesn't require a strong aura; rather, it needs a clean and tidy demeanor. She's suitable."

Zhao Mingyuan glanced at him.

It's not worth arguing with Yu Liang over something as minor as him. He nodded and filled in his name on the form.

At the same time, he also felt that the next step was to recruit some young actors for the company, otherwise the roles of actors around 18, 19, and 20 years old would easily be lost or there would be a gap in the supply.

---

The meeting adjourned.

In the corridor, Zhao Mingyuan walked ahead, while Yu Liang followed half a step behind.

"President Zhao," Yu Liang said.

Zhao Mingyuan stopped and looked back at him.

"I heard that someone is vying for the role of Ye Ling'er."

The window at the end of the corridor was half open, and Zhao Mingyuan's tie swayed slightly in the wind.

He looked at Yu Liang, his eyes narrowing slightly.

How did you know?

He never revealed this to anyone.

Yu Liang smiled.

If it was like this in the previous life, then the first season of "Joy of Life" will be even more popular than in the previous life. If nothing unexpected happens, people will still remember it.

"So you're planning to replace her?" Yu Liang asked tentatively.

Zhao Mingyuan looked at Yu Liang and said, "If I had this intention, I wouldn't have let her play the role of Meng Yu just now."

"That's true." Yu Liang nodded.

"You little rascal," Zhao Mingyuan withdrew his gaze, a smirk playing on his lips, "could this CP (couple pairing) thing have turned into a real relationship?"

Yu Liang smiled but did not answer.

"Don't worry, we've already turned it down." Zhao Mingyuan continued walking forward. "Wang Churan's portrayal of Ye Ling'er is just right; there's no need to replace her. The audience recognizes her face; changing her wouldn't do the show any good."

He took two steps, then stopped.

"However, there are a few roles that will definitely need to be replaced."

Yu Liang nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

---

One month later, in Jiang City, Guangdong Province.

In February, the nighttime temperature in Jiang City is around 17 or 18 degrees Celsius, and the air carries a humid warmth.

The banyan trees along the street droop their aerial roots, casting messy shadows under the streetlights.

The crew of "Raging Storm" booked two floors of a business hotel in the east of the city. Yu Liang's room was on the sixth floor, with a window facing an inland river, where the sound of water could be heard at night.

On his first night in Jiang City, he tried the local specialty, Gujing roast goose.

Wang Churan messaged him to ask if he had arrived yet, and he sent him a picture of roast goose. Wang Churan replied with a drooling emoji and added, "Wait for me, I'll be there the day after tomorrow."

---

In the last few days,

As the actors arrived one after another, the names on the call sheet grew denser day by day. Zhang Songwen arrived two days earlier than Yu Liang, and upon arriving in Jiang City, he immediately went to the vegetable market to experience the life of his character. When he returned, he smelled strongly of fish.

"Did you bring back a fish?" Yu Liang teased him.

"I did it." Zhang Songwen said seriously, "I even killed one. The boss said I don't look like a fishmonger yet, and told me to go practice again tomorrow."

Yu Liang laughed out loud.

He imagined Zhang Songwen squatting in front of the fish stall gutting live fish, and felt that the scene was strangely appropriate.

On the day Zhang Yi joined the crew, Yu Liang was having breakfast in the restaurant.

Zhang Yi walked in pushing a suitcase, his baseball cap pulled low, followed by his assistant.

Yu Liang put down her chopsticks and stood up.

"Hello, Professor Zhang Yi."

Zhang Yi looked up, a smile spreading across his face, making his eyes appear even smaller.

"Teacher Yu Liang." Zhang Yi extended his hand, and Yu Liang stepped forward to shake it.

Zhang Yi said, "I heard you participated in writing the script for 'The Storm.' The script is excellent."

"I only created a framework; the specific details were completed by Professor Junyi."

"I've read quite a few of your 'Chicken Feathers Flying to the Sky'."

"I watched the scene at the train station, the eye contact between you and Teacher Yin Tao on your respective trains, at least three times."

"You handled that reaction exceptionally well."

Yu Liang still remembers Zhang Yi's performance in that scene, which progressed in five layers: first, he was stunned; then he panicked; then he lost his voice; then he burst into tears; and finally he chased after her. He portrayed the moment of reunion after eight years of searching as a textbook scene from the Beijing Film Academy.

People who have been in the industry for a long time can tell the difference between polite words and true feelings at a glance.

This kid has actually seen it.

Zhang Yi suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

After all, his few words praising the script were just polite remarks.

If his assistant hadn't whispered a few words in front of him that he was Yu Liang, he wouldn't have known who Yu Liang was.

After all, the assistant only gave a brief introduction.

"Come on," Yu Liang held up her phone, "Teacher Zhang Yi, let's take a picture together."

"it is good."

Yu Liang called out to Zhang Songwen at the next table, "Brother Songwen, let's join together."

Zhang Songwen put down his chopsticks and walked over, still holding half a fried dough stick in his hand.

The main actors who were doing the script reading were all in the restaurant. Yu Liang glanced at them and then waved to a table in the corner: "Jiachuan, Lin Jiachuan—come over here for a photo."

The actor who played Tang Xiaohu also put down his bowl and ran over.

Yu Liang then waved to another table: "Wang Churan, Long Ni, come over here."

Wang Churan put down his phone and walked over.

Then she stood directly behind Yu Liang.

Long Ni followed behind her and glanced at their positions.

Zhang Yi, Yu Liang, Zhang Songwen.

Wang Churan was pressed against Yu Liang's back, his shoulder almost touching his arm.

She glanced at Zhang Yi's direction again.

The female lead didn't stand with the male lead.

Long Ni's mind raced.

With two dramas, "The Storm" and "Joy of Life," being filmed simultaneously, Wang Churan shuttled between the two production teams, which was the height of his fame.

If I were to stand next to Zhang Yi right now, and the photo were posted, it would be used by marketing accounts to stir up trouble:

"Long Ni, who plays Gao Qilan, is sticking close to the male lead Zhang Yi, suspected of vying for top billing," but she can't explain herself even if she has a mouth.

She gave Zhang Yi an awkward smile and walked towards Wang Churan.

Zhang Yi was stunned.

No,

Isn't the male lead himself?

He glanced at Yu Liang, who was sitting right next to him.

At this moment, Yu Liang's position was perfectly positioned, right between him and Zhang Songwen.

He had his right hand on Zhang Songwen's shoulder, and his left hand holding a mobile phone, his posture upright.

The female lead, Wang Churan, was pressed close behind him, almost brushing against his back.

Zhang Ruonan, who plays Huang Yao, also joined the group at some point. She was introduced to the crew by Yu Liang, so she naturally stood to Yu Liang's side and behind him.

Zhang Yi's gaze swept over everyone.

What's going on?

Respect for screenwriters doesn't have to be this excessive.

I'm the male lead!

He recalled what his agent had told him before he joined the crew.

Yu Liang, the third male lead, is one of the investors in this drama.

At the time, he asked his agent, "How big of an investor is it?"

The agent said, "It's just a small investment in the script, and the share won't be much."

Zhang Yi didn't take it too seriously at the time.

Investing in a script is essentially a creative endeavor, which is not the same as investing real money.

But now it seems that's not the case.

It was something that could make the female lead and supporting actresses stand behind him without prior arrangement, and something that everyone present would accept as their designated position.

This is not something a "small investor who has invested in a screenwriter" could do.

He couldn't help but glance at Yu Liang again.

Xinli is a signed artist and a crosstalk performer with Deyun Society.

Yu Liang...

and many more,

What is his relationship with Yu Qian?

Zhang Yi was amused by his own association.

Impossible, Yu Liang could not be Yu Qian's father.

As for the reverse—he thought of Yu Qian's young wife's age, and it became even more impossible. She couldn't have been born as old as Yu Liang.

Moreover, apart from Old Master Wang, no one else in the Yu Qian family has this kind of background.

So where does this kid's background come from?

"eggplant!"

Yu Liang's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Zhang Yi smiled reflexively. His eyes narrowed to slits, almost invisible under the flash.

After taking the photos, Yu Liang looked down at them and nodded in satisfaction.

"I posted it on Douyin," he said.

"Wait a minute—" Zhang Yi leaned closer to look at the screen, "How's my expression?"

"It's really good." Yu Liang handed him her phone.

On the screen, Zhang Yi stood to Yu Liang's right, his eyes narrowed into two thin lines.

Yu Liang stood in the center, a slight smile playing on his handsome lips.

Two girls stood on either side of Wang Churan, their bodies pressed very close together.

Who the hell can tell who the male lead is?

Zhang Yi's smile froze for a moment. But he didn't say anything.

He put away his phone, a slight smile still on his face.

He didn't ask Yu Liang about his background.

Having been in this industry for twenty years, he knows when to ask questions and when to play dumb.

But he remembered the position he took the photo from.

The male lead stands to the right of the third male lead. The female lead is standing close behind the third male lead.

He had never encountered this situation before.

---

The comment section exploded within half an hour of the video being posted on Douyin.

While waiting for her turn to film, Yu Liang checked the screen and saw comments popping up one after another.

"Yu Liang has once again elevated his own status, using the same tactic as when 'Joy of Life' was officially announced."

"Can't tell the difference between the two kings, huh? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were the male lead."

"The drama hasn't even started filming yet, and you've already led the female lead astray. You truly are the Liangchu CP."

"Hilarious, the official announcement only mentioned five women, and three of them are practically revolving around him."

"Where's Gao Ye, the second female lead? Why isn't she in the group photo?"