HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

"Hey, Zhu Zhu? What do you want?"

After answering the phone, Xu Lang asked a question he already knew the answer to.

"Teacher Xu, it's still about taking photos."

Zhu Zhu was quite persistent about this matter, and said sincerely:

"The barbecue restaurant was too chaotic just now, and there were other people around, so there were some things that weren't convenient to talk about. How about this, tomorrow morning, let's find a quiet place and discuss the photo-taking in detail? I wonder if that's convenient for you?"

"A quiet place?"

Xu Lang pondered for a moment, then replied:

"Okay, send me the time and location via text message later, and I'll come find you."

"Okay, it's settled then."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Lang began to ponder.

Xu Lang thought it was unlikely that Zhu and Zhu would "encourage each other" just for a photo shoot.

Before his rebirth, he had watched TV dramas starring Zhu Zhu and had paid attention to her at the time.

"Her family background seems to be quite prominent. Her grandfather was a founding major general, and her father is an entrepreneur. People like that should not lack money."

However, judging from this interaction, especially when Xu Lang mentioned the price, Zhu Zhu was clearly hesitant because of the money.

To do photography, especially portrait photography, is to deal with people.

Xu Lang is experienced and very confident.

"She just needs money, my judgment is infallible."

But why is that?

Xu Lang was somewhat puzzled.

If you can't figure something out, just stop thinking about it. "It doesn't matter anymore, I'll find out tomorrow."

Xu Lang carried a large bag of meat skewers and walked quickly towards the dormitory.

Sure enough, upon seeing the meat skewers, Jiang Wei and the other two called out "Godfather, Godfather!" and ate with great relish.

While the others were eating, Xu Lang idly scrolled through his phone.

Xu Lang had originally thought that Tang Yan might also call and ask to meet privately.

But to his disappointment, there was still no news from Tang Yan by evening.

And so the day passed.

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

Thursday.

I'm leaving for Changsha tomorrow to attend the Super Girl finals.

After reminding Qin Feifei, Xu Lang also began packing his own things.

Everything was packed up before 10 o'clock.

Zhu Zhu's text message also arrived.

"Ms. Xu, let's go to the photo studio of 'Men's Health' magazine. There's a coffee shop there, it's quite quiet. If things go smoothly, we can even do a screen test while we're there."

After looking at the address, Xu Lang replied:

"Okay, I'll leave now and arrive in half an hour."

This time, Xu Lang took the initiative, saying, "I want to see what Zhu Zhu is hiding."

From this perspective, a person's love of gossip can also be a source of motivation for doing things.

Xu Lang hailed a taxi and headed straight for his destination.

At around 10:30, Xu Lang arrived at the photo studio of "Men's Style".

It's still in the Chaoyang Industrial Park, not far from the photography studio of "Rayli" magazine.

But the scale and setup of the photography studio alone demonstrate the momentum of "Men's Style":

It's definitely one step ahead of Rayli!

The photography studio was very impressive; it occupied a six-story building all by itself.

On the rooftop, three eye-catching illuminated acrylic letters hang:

Men's Wear!

Upon entering the building, you are greeted by a grand lobby resembling a hotel lobby, with luxurious decor and dedicated reception and service staff.

Xu Lang had visited this place several times in his previous life.

The reason it is so large and luxurious is that it is used to entertain celebrities.

In addition to eight professional photography studios, it is also equipped with a luxurious lounge, meeting area, conference room, etc., making it almost a photography-related office complex.

Xu Lang was watching in the hall when he heard a commotion outside.

Turning my head, I saw three cars that had just arrived parked at the entrance.

With a thud, five or six people got out of the car.

Two of the male staff members strode into the lobby, shouting loudly as they went:

"Make way, everyone, clear the space."

"No photos allowed. I'm talking to you. Put your camera down."

The studio staff were also busy working together.

Soon, unrelated personnel in the hall were separated, leaving a wide passageway.

Judging from the situation, Xu Lang knew without asking that a celebrity was coming.

"Who is it? They're making quite a fuss."

Xu Lang, curious, stood on tiptoe to look outside.

At the main gate, the door of the car in the middle opened, and a slender figure stepped out of the car.

Surrounded by the crowd, the man strode quickly into the photography studio.

Xu Lang, with his sharp eyes, recognized the man at a glance:

Huang Shengyi!

No wonder the current "Star Girls" have such a big presence.

As Zhu Zhu said yesterday, Huang Shengyi will be on the cover of the September issue of "Men's Style".

"I guess she's here to shoot a cover."

In his previous life, Xu Lang had seen the magazine covers she had photographed and had a vague memory of them.

In his previous life, later on, Xu Lang understood how "Men's Style" magazine worked.

To be honest, none of the photos are particularly outstanding.

Female celebrities' photos are so heavily edited they don't even look real.

Its secret to appealing is just one thing:

Innuendo.

In the August issue, Fan Bingbing is shown tied up, playing with throwing knives, and interacting intimately with two men.

In this episode, Huang Shengyi was spraying milk like crazy.

It fills people with imagination.

Is this how top-tier magazines operate?

Xu Lang was truly impressed!

As soon as Huang Shengyi went upstairs, Xu Lang spotted Zhu Zhu in the crowd across the street.

Zhu Zhu stared at Huang Shengyi's retreating figure, his eyes sparkling.

Xu Lang understood that look in her eyes; he had seen it in many girls' eyes before—a longing for fame.

"Is the desire really that strong?"

As Xu Lang was lost in thought, Zhu Zhu saw him and waved to him.

"Teacher Xu, you've arrived."

"Yeah, I just arrived a little while ago."

"Come on, let's find somewhere to talk."

Zhu Zhu led Xu Lang toward a coffee shop inside the building.

Inside the coffee shop, several groups of customers were talking quietly; it was indeed very quiet.

Zhu Zhu found a seat by the window, gestured for Xu Lang to sit down, and then snapped his fingers at the waiter.

"Two Americanos, with ice, please!"

Can I add ice?!

Xu Lang was very sensitive to these kinds of coded messages, and couldn't help but touch his nose, feeling a bit helpless.

I doubt even Zhu Zhu understands.

Ugh!

"I hate that state of mind where I understood it in a second!"

If you understand it instantly, sometimes the fun is diminished.

At this moment, Zhu Zhu returned from the coffee shop's newsstand with a stack of magazines, all of them "Men's Health," and pushed them in front of Xu Lang.

"Teacher Xu, have you read these magazines?"

"Yes, I've seen them all."

Zhu Zhu bit her lip lightly, winked at Xu Lang, and asked softly:

"Do you think I have any chance of getting an illustration role in 'Men's Health' magazine?"

The magazine "Men's Style" focuses on the male perspective. Each issue features a female celebrity on the cover and in the internal publication, while the rest consists of commissioned and submitted photos of models.

The products featured are those that men are interested in, such as cars, men's clothing, and men's products.

Xu Lang recalled the typical photo format used in Men's Health magazine, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Zhu Zhu.

"Stand up and turn around so I can assess your physical condition."

"good!"

Zhu Zhu cooperated well, stood up, not only turned around twice, but also puffed out his chest and swayed his hips in front of Xu Lang, did a few stretching movements, and struck a few classic standing poses.

The coffee shop was dimly lit, with only ambient lighting on, making Zhu Zhu's figure appear hazy.

But it was precisely this ambiguity that gave Xu Lang boundless imagination.

"Are we going to follow the usual formula of FHM and shoot a set of photos of Zhu Zhu?"

As Xu Lang was thinking, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the coffee shop.

Turning my head, I saw a man walking in quickly.

He stood at the door and glanced around a few times before his gaze settled on Zhu Zhu.

"You were here after all!"

As he spoke, the man rushed towards Zhu Zhu, grabbed Zhu Zhu's wrist, and scolded him:

"Didn't I tell you not to come? Why are you so disobedient?"

Come on, let's go back together right now!

"Um?"

Seeing this, Xu Lang was somewhat surprised.

"What's going on?"