HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

"Number 198, Zhang Liangying."

As the announcer spoke, Jane Zhang walked onto the stage.

"Um?"

The moment the three judges saw Zhang Liangying, their eyes lit up, and they were also taken aback.

In the past, when the girls came up, they were almost all wearing T-shirts and jeans, with no makeup on their faces, truly dressed like ordinary people.

But this girl is different:

She wore a white, tight-fitting ribbed vest and high-waisted wide-leg jeans, with a thin black leather belt around her waist.

On her head, she wore a wet-look high ponytail, paired with cat-eye full-coverage eyeliner and nude lip gloss.

She wore a silver teardrop earring on her left ear and a black leather cord on her right wrist.

This outfit is kind of... cool!

More importantly, it was Zhang Liangying's demeanor that stood out. Unlike the others who came up bowing and smiling obsequiously, her face was tense, without a trace of a smile, and she looked cold.

"Wow~~~!"

Chang Kuan, one of the judges, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. The other two judges also subconsciously sat up straight and stared at Zhang Liangying.

What song are you planning to sing?

"What's Up!"

Zhang Liangying's answer was extremely concise, without a single superfluous word.

"Wow~~~!"

The three judges exchanged glances, followed by another gasp of surprise.

As musicians, they all know how difficult this song is.

"If this guy isn't just showing off, then he's a genuine expert!"

The three judges were thinking to themselves, and then Shunzi said to Zhang Liangying:

"Alright, please begin your performance!"

"And I say, hey yeah yeah..."

Without any build-up or background music, Zhang Liangying skipped directly from the beginning to the climax.

"Um?"

The three judges were immediately stunned.

"This works?!"

The transition from the verse to the chorus in a song serves as both a build-up and a preparation for the climax that follows, especially in English songs that are meant to deliver that climax.

Without the initial guidance, most people simply cannot sing the climax that follows.

Zhang Liangying's shout was like unleashing her ultimate move right from the start!

Just one opening note was enough for all three judges to approve.

"This guy isn't just showing off; he genuinely has real skill, and it's incredibly, super-amazing skill!"

However, the three of them were also puzzled: was it really necessary to use such a "big move" for just a preliminary selection?

The three of them couldn't help but exchange glances, all feeling quite puzzled.

Just then, a strange man was seen holding a camera, constantly changing positions in the area, taking pictures of Zhang Liangying.

Upon seeing this, all three judges frowned.

Why did someone suddenly appear to take pictures?

This person is blocking the judges' seats.

Just as I was about to ask someone to drive him away, I heard that person nudge Chang Kuan on the judges' panel with his butt, as if to say, "Move aside, you're blocking my camera."

"Well..."

Chang Kuan was furious. He waved to the assistant director offstage and pointed at the man.

The assistant director looked helpless, shrugged, and said there was nothing he could do.

"this..."

The person taking the photo was, of course, Xu Lang.

Xu Lang didn't care. What a joke! I'm the head of the photo shoot for the entire "Super Girl" competition. You think you can just kick me out?

Unless Wang Bingwen comes himself!

On stage, Zhang Liangying, who was singing, almost burst out laughing when she saw Xu Lang crowding the judges. It took her a lot of effort to calm herself down.

However, she didn't dare to look at Xu Lang anymore.

Soon, the song ended, and Xu Lang's buttocks were finally a little further away from the judges' seats.

Shunzi, her eyes wide with amazement, sat up straight and asked Zhang Liangying,

"Young lady, do you sing at a bar?"

"I used to be, and now I'm studying at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music."

"Oh~~~!"

The three judges took turns asking questions, and Zhang Liangying gave very simple answers.

Soon, all three judges gave a passing result, and the preliminary selection ended.

After coming down from the stage, Zhang Liangying chased after Xu Lang and said with a smile:

"Xu Lang, you're so mean! You wouldn't let me laugh, and you teased me on purpose. I almost couldn't hold back my laughter."

As they were talking, two people appeared beside them, namely Li Yuchun and He Jie.

Both of them stared at Zhang Liangying with wary expressions, as if they sensed a great threat.

Zhang Liangying nodded to them before leaving.

Once outside, Zhang Liangying asked Xu Lang again.

"What are you trying to do, giving me a makeover and making me look cool?"

"Of course, it's about creating a persona for you and building your popularity."

Xu Lang flipped through the photos in the camera and said:

"From the very beginning, I'm going to make sure you distance yourself from them and crush them in."

Hearing this, Zhang Liangying was deeply moved. She understood that Xu Lang meant to increase his investment in her.

After all, whether it's creating a persona or building popularity, a lot of hype is required.

But hype requires money, a lot of money.

Zhang Liangying felt a little reluctant, a little heartbroken, and even a little touched.

Seeing Zhang Liangying's expression, Xu Lang guessed her mindset.

"Don't worry, it won't cost much. I've already made preparations. Have you forgotten I still have the 'Super Girl' website?!"

Starting last year, during the final stages of the 2004 "Super Girl" competition, Xu Lang used the song "Sour and Sweet Is Me" to secure Zhang Liangying's invitation to participate in "Super Girl" and exclusive rights to publish her print photos.

That is, the official website for behind-the-scenes photos of the competition.

Xu Lang had been preparing for this website for more than half a year. He had Mao Jian and Jiang Wei spend a lot of money to find a venue and build a server room, all in preparation for this website.

The photos of the other people were sent to him by the production team.

Zhang Liangying's photos were all taken by herself.

That's where the gap widens.

As Xu Lang was speaking, the phone rang. It was Zeng Jia calling.

"Boss Xu, the stylist Chen Fei, whom you asked me to find, has arrived in Chengdu. I've given her your phone number. You can handle the rest with her. I've noted down the fee; I'll settle the bill with her later."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work!"

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure."

Soon after I hung up, another call came in.

"Hello Mr. Xu, I am Chen Fei."

An hour later, Xu Lang met Chen Fei in a suite at the California Garden Hotel in Chengdu.

As Fan Bingbing's personal stylist, Xu Lang valued her highly, constantly scrutinizing her:

She was very young, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and very beautiful, or rather, very stylish.

It's not particularly stunning at first glance, but the more you look at it, the more pleasing it becomes; it's very comfortable to look at.

Whether it's makeup or clothing coordination, it looks very simple, but it gives people a pleasing feeling.

"Um."

Xu Lang nodded secretly.

"That's right. Just by looking at her like this, it's enough to prove that she's really got some skills."

Upon meeting Xu Lang, Chen Fei was very polite, taking the initiative to shake hands with him, adopting a very humble posture.

"Hello, Teacher Xu. I've heard of you before, and my son Bingbing often mentions you."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lang became interested.

He had always wanted to see Fan Bingbing, this great beauty, in person, but unfortunately, she was very popular and had a high status, so he never had the chance to meet her.

"She still remembers me?"

"How could I not know?"

Chen Fei said with a smile, "Which woman wouldn't be tempted by your photography skills? Bingbing has mentioned it several times, always wanting you to take a set of photos for her, but we just haven't found the right opportunity yet."

"Ha ha."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lang was overjoyed. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?!