HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

As Zhang Liangying looked at the project proposal in her hand, along with the execution details and resource matching plan, tears streamed down her face.

She looked at Feng Ke and suddenly felt as if the mountain that had just collapsed seemed to have returned.

"Brother Feng, thank you."

Zhang Liangying's words filled Feng Ke with joy, and he immediately saw hope of turning the tide.

Just as he was about to say something, he saw Zhang Liangying turn to Xu Lang again, her face full of pleading.

"Xu Lang, could you tailor-make an image plan for me based on this proposal?"

At this point, he glanced at Zhang Hanyun beside him, his eyes filled with envy.

"Just like you did for Zhang Hanyun!"

Seeing Zhang Liangying's earnest pleading gaze, Xu Lang's heart suddenly stirred.

"She came to me with Feng Ke's proposal? That's a good sign!"

What does this tell us?

In the past, Zhang Liangying would have unconditionally trusted and relied on Feng Ke, doing whatever he said.

As for image planning, it was definitely arranged by Feng Ke.

This shows that Zhang Liangying has begun to awaken!

She no longer blindly believed in Feng Ke; she had her own ideas.

The previous puncture was effective!

This change was noticed not only by Xu Lang, but also by Feng Ke, who was standing next to him.

His complexion, which had just begun to improve, darkened again. He pulled Zhang Liangying aside and said:

"Xiaoying, we don't need to beg him. I'll definitely find you a better photographer!"

No matter how much Feng Ke pulled, Zhang Liangying remained unmoved, staring intently at Xu Lang with pleading in her tearful eyes.

At this moment, a belief gradually grew and spread in her heart.

"He understands me!"

"Only he can capture the real me!"

"Only he can help me complete this project even better!"

Xu Lang saw Zhang Liangying's look and felt a pang of pain in his heart; he understood its meaning.

"Sigh, Zhang Liangying's love-struck mind is hopeless!"

The most prominent characteristic of someone with a "love-struck" mindset is that they tend to fill in the blanks in their mind and reinforce those feelings.

She would exaggerate and amplify even the smallest things about the other person in her mind.

That's why we relied on Feng Ke before.

Now, there's a similar trend in photographing Xu Lang.

Through her own imagination and embellishment, Xu Lang's photography skills have been mythologized by herself.

"Ugh!"

Xu Lang sighed. Logically speaking, this change was the result of him breaking Feng Ke's control over Zhang Liangying, which should have been what he wanted.

But the thought of Zhang Liangying relying on him in the same way she relied on Feng Ke in the future gave Xu Lang a huge headache.

He didn't want to manipulate Zhang Liangying, much less control her.

Think about it, Feng Ke went to great lengths to control Zhang Liangying.

He focused all his energy on Zhang Liangying and also wanted to make her fall in love with him.

In 2015, Zhang Liangying publicly confessed her love and proposed to Feng Ke at a concert. She stood on the stage for more than two minutes before a reluctant Feng Ke finally came up to respond.

This shows that Feng Ke doesn't love Zhang Liangying at all.

In Feng Ke's eyes, Zhang Liangying was just a tool for making money.

Accompanying you and pretending to love you is just a means to make money.

Xu Lang did not want to become the second Feng Ke, as that would contradict his ideals.

Thinking of this, he stared into Zhang Liangying's eyes and suddenly asked:

"Zhang Liangying, I have a question for you, and you should answer it carefully."

"Um?"

Seeing that Xu Lang finally responded, Zhang Liangying nodded excitedly.

"it is good."

Xu Lang pondered for a moment, then asked:

"Your own actions, and this proposal, all state that you started singing in bars at the age of 15 to earn money to support your family. My question is, did you really go to bars to sing in order to support your family?"

"what?"

Xu Lang's question surprised everyone around him:

Why did he ask that?

Is he questioning Zhang Liangying's sense of responsibility?

Upon hearing this question, Feng Ke became even more enraged, pointing at Xu Lang.

"Kid, what do you mean by asking that? Are you questioning Xiaoying's motives?"

Hmph, you can't just spout nonsense. In the past few years, her family's living expenses and her mother's medical expenses have all been earned by Xiaoying through her singing career.

There's no way to criticize that!

In truth, the packaging of an actor or singer is the least important thing.

Anyway, the audience doesn't know either, or rather, the audience only believes what they want to believe.

Feng Ke's "tragic" aspect in his proposal was to exaggerate the fact that Zhang Liangying supported her family by singing in bars.

The audience is buying into this again; it's simple, direct, and effective, so it's the best approach.

This is also the most common packaging method used in the entertainment industry.

Later, it even evolved to:

If it's not bitter or difficult, just tough it out!

Xu Lang remembered that in later variety shows, if a young male celebrity had a minor cut on his hand that would have healed on its own if he went to the hospital too late, the production team, his agent, and his die-hard fans would make a huge fuss about it.

"My brother is so dedicated and hardworking; he kept filming even with such a serious injury!"

Isn't this just plain insane?!

Xu Lang ignored the surrounding people's discussions and Feng Ke's shouts, staring into Zhang Liangying's eyes, waiting for her answer.

Upon hearing this question, Zhang Liangying's heart skipped a beat, and she dared not look into Xu Lang's sharp eyes.

Just as he was about to duck to avoid it, Xu Lang lifted his chin with his hand.

"Don't hide, think it over carefully, think it through, and tell me your true thoughts."

"I..."

Zhang Liangying stammered, instinctively wanting to ask Feng Ke for help, but Xu Lang stopped her again:

"Don't look at him, he can't give you anything. Just tell me your true thoughts!"

"I..."

Zhang Liangying was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. After a long while, she finally said:

"I...I didn't think that much about it, I...I just want to sing, I like to sing."

"Whoosh!"

Her words caused an uproar among those around her, and Feng Ke was particularly annoyed, cursing inwardly.

"Zhang Liangying, you're such an idiot!"

This is equivalent to breaking the "tragic" theme that was the main focus of the project plan!

In this light, the lines about "tragic story," "pressure to support a family," and "sense of responsibility" completely fall apart.

Xu Lang, however, had a sudden realization after hearing Zhang Liangying's words.

"Yes, that's the answer. That's the real Zhang Liangying."

Zhang Liangying was already uneasy after saying those words. Listening to the discussions around her and seeing Feng Ke's angry and anxious expression, as if he wanted to bite her, she became even more flustered.

Think of a child who has done something wrong!

Involuntarily, I lowered my head again.

"Don't bow your head!"

Xu Lang's words rang in her ears. Although his voice was not loud, it was full of power and resonated in Zhang Liangying's heart, making her shudder.

Subconsciously, she looked up at Xu Lang, only to hear him say again:

"I admit, the tragic dolphin princess theme is a good idea, but I don't want to use it on you, do you understand?"

"Um?"

This left not only Zhang Liangying confused, but also everyone around her, including Feng Ke.

What do you mean by that?

Good solution, why not use it?

Can't you stand seeing Zhang Liangying doing well?