MC Bookstore Chapter 37: Capture Li Tusu!!
Chapter 37: Capture Li Tusu!!
Things went much more smoothly than expected.
Before Yang Mi had even had a chance to meet with Kong Sheng, Liu Ye had already taken care of things.
That afternoon, Guan Shengbai was at home playing "Gu Jian Qi Tan" on his computer when his phone suddenly rang.
He took off one earphone, glanced at the caller ID, and saw it was Liu Ye.
"brother!"
On the other end of the phone, Liu Ye's voice was surprisingly loud, and his tone carried an unyielding and bold air.
"The matter is settled!"
Guan Shengbai paused for a moment while holding the mouse.
"Brother Ye, you mean...?"
"What else could it be? Of course, it's about discussing the centralized filming with Lao Kong!"
I told Lao Kong that my wife had just had surgery and I needed to stay home to take care of her for a while, so my scenes would be postponed.
Guess what? Old Kong agreed without saying a word.
Liu Ye spoke with great enthusiasm, his voice tinged with pride.
"Then I casually mentioned that Xiaobai had the same idea, so why don't we adjust our schedules together?"
You can focus your filming in the front, and I'll focus my filming in the back, so we can seamlessly connect in the middle. The crew won't have to disrupt the entire schedule for just one person.
Guan Shengbai put down his headphones and sat up straight.
"What did Director Kong say?"
What could he possibly say?
You know Old Kong, he grumbles and complains, saying things like "You're all just making things worse for me," but in the end, he still nods.
At this point, Liu Ye suddenly chuckled twice.
Guan Shengbai was silent for two seconds, then smiled.
"Brother Ye, what you've done..."
"Stop with the 'you this' and 'you that'!"
Liu Ye interrupted him, her tone suddenly becoming serious.
"You saved my wife's life; this is an immense favor to me."
"I already owe you for having to join the crew early, so how could I let you ask Lao Kong for help yourself?"
He paused, his voice now carrying an undeniable certainty.
"Besides, you are my younger brother. If I, as your older brother, don't stand up for you, how can that be right?"
"Alright, that's settled then. Just wait for Lao Kong to call."
After hanging up the phone, Guan Shengbai leaned back in his chair and looked at the paused game screen on his computer. Baili Tusu was standing in a peach blossom forest, holding a long sword, his clothes fluttering in the wind.
He shook his head, muttered something under his breath, then put his headphones back on and continued fighting his boss.
Things turned out exactly as Liu Ye had predicted.
The next morning, Kong Sheng called.
When Guan Shengbai answered the phone, he could clearly sense that the Shandong director's tone was more irritable than usual.
"You bunch of kids, you've all learned to cause me trouble, haven't you?"
Kong Sheng's voice still had that rough Shandong accent, but Guan Shengbai could tell that the anger in his tone was mostly feigned.
"That kid Liu Ye called me for half an hour yesterday, making you sound like a living saint who saves people from suffering."
"Hey Xiaobai, what kind of spell did you cast on him?"
Guan Shengbai smiled but didn't respond to the question.
"Alright, that's settled then."
Kong Sheng stopped dwelling on it and got straight to the point.
"You'll join the crew in mid-March, two weeks early. I'll schedule Fang Mengwei's scenes for you at the beginning, and we'll finish filming them within two months."
He paused, and his tone suddenly became more serious.
"But let me make this clear from the start. Filming your scenes in one go means that your workload over those two months will be one and a half times that of others."
The amount of dialogue has doubled, the shooting time has been extended, and sometimes several key scenes may need to be filmed in a single day.
If you can't hold on, or if you drop out of form, don't blame me for being ruthless.
"Don't worry, Director Kong."
Guan Shengbai's voice was very steady.
I won't let you down.
"Alright, alright, stop with that."
Kong Sheng snorted, but his tone had softened considerably.
"That's all. The coordination team will get in touch with you regarding the specific announcement arrangements. Bye."
After hanging up the phone, Guan Shengbai leaned back on the sofa and let out a long sigh.
Joining the crew in mid-March.
It was a full two weeks earlier than originally planned for April.
As a result, his "vacation" was compressed even further.
Guan Shengbai opened his phone's calendar and marked several dates on it.
I joined the crew on March 15th, so filming will probably wrap up around mid-June.
In July, filming began for "Gu Jian Qi Tan".
The timing was precise, leaving almost no room to breathe.
But he was already very satisfied with the result.
After all, Liu Ye handled things even more efficiently than he had expected.
The news quickly reached Yang Mi and Zeng Jia's ears.
Yang Mi's reaction was much stronger than Guan Shengbai had expected.
"What did you say? It's already been settled with Kong Sheng?"
Her voice rose half an octave, her tone filled with disbelief.
"Didn't we agree that I'd help you arrange the dinner? I haven't even been able to contact anyone yet, and you've already taken care of it?"
Guan Shengbai briefly recounted how Liu Ye had helped him.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft, ambiguous hum.
"Well done, Guan Shengbai. You've grown wings now. You didn't even wait for your senior sister's call and just took care of things yourself."
"Senior sister, this was something Brother Ye initiated—"
"Alright, alright, stop explaining."
Yang Mi interrupted him, but her tone didn't reveal any real anger.
"Anyway, the result is good. But remember, you still owe me this meal, and you'll have to make it up to me later."
Zeng Jia's reaction was even more interesting.
When Guan Shengbai pushed open the door to her office and told her that Kong Sheng had agreed to the intensive filming, the top agent's hand, which was holding a coffee cup, froze in mid-air for several seconds.
"Did Kong Sheng agree?"
Her tone carried an undisguised surprise.
"Did Liu Ye help?"
"Did Liu Ye go and talk to Kong Sheng for you?"
Zeng Jia put the coffee cup back on the table, stared at Guan Shengbai for a while, and then asked that question.
"Liu Ye...when did we become such good friends?"
Guan Shengbai didn't hide anything and briefly recounted his visit to Anna in the hospital.
He spoke casually, but from those few words, one could already glean seven or eight parts of Zeng Jia's character.
She leaned back in her chair, looking at the young man in front of her, a feeling she couldn't quite put her finger on.
She didn't have high hopes for Kong Sheng.
It's almost unheard of in the industry for such a big-name director to adjust the entire shooting schedule for a supporting role.
The reason she made this condition was more to give Guan Shengbai a warning, to let him know that not every play can be done on a whim.
As it turned out, this kid not only got the job done, but he did it so well.
Liu Ye personally spoke up for him, and Kong Sheng nodded without saying a word.
This is no longer just a matter of connections.
Zeng Jia picked up her coffee cup and took another sip, her mind racing as she considered the things about Guan Shengbai that she hadn't yet figured out.
Liu Ye is known in the industry for his loyalty, but not just anyone can earn his deepest affection.
What exactly did Guan Shengbai do to make this award-winning actor protect him like a younger brother?
However, she does not intend to delve into these questions for the time being.
The most important thing right now is to fulfill her promise.
Zeng Jia has always been decisive and meticulous in her work.
Just three days later, Guan Shengbai was summoned to her office again.
This time, Zeng Jia wasn't the only one in the office.
When Guan Shengbai pushed the door open, his gaze fell on the person sitting in the middle of the sofa, and he already knew what was going on.
The woman had short, ear-length hair, single eyelids, and wore black-rimmed glasses. She was dressed in a dark blue knitted cardigan and looked like an ordinary, kind older sister.
But Guan Shengbai knew who this kind-hearted older sister was.
She is none other than Chung Chung-Yan, the renowned head of H&R Century Pictures.
"Sister Yan, this is Guan Shengbai, whom I mentioned to you."
Zeng Jia stood up, a perfectly timed smile on her face, and introduced the two of them.
"Xiao Bai, this is Ms. Zhong Junyan, the head of Huanrui Century. You can just call her Sister Yan."
Guan Shengbai stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Hello, Sister Yan."
Chung Chung did not respond immediately.
She sat on the sofa, smiling as she looked at the young man in front of her, her gaze sweeping from his face to his shoulders, and then from his shoulders to his standing posture.
That kind of scrutiny wasn't like examining, but rather more like...appreciating.
"I know you."
Chung Chung-yen spoke, her voice tinged with amusement.
"He's a newbie who's all about the five social insurances and one housing fund."
Guan Shengbai's expression stiffened slightly.
Zeng Jia, who was standing next to him, chuckled and pointed at Guan Shengbai.
"Look at you, do you know how much of a joke you made back then? Even Sister Yan is laughing at you about it now."
Guan Shengbai's face showed a perfectly appropriate hint of embarrassment, but he knew exactly what was going on in his mind.
Yang Mi and Zeng Jia were present when the contract was signed. How could this joke have reached Chung Chung-Yan's ears? Who else could have spread it?
Chung Chung-yen, however, waved her hand dismissively, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval and protectiveness.
"Hey, you can't say that. Xiaobai is just a very honest person. Our company should also guarantee the basic benefits of our artists."
As she spoke, she looked Guan Shengbai up and down again, her eyes filled with admiration.
"I heard from Jiajia that you want to play the male lead in the company's next drama?"
"Yes."
Guan Shengbai nodded without any further formalities.
Zhong Junyan leaned back on the sofa, tapping her fingers lightly on her knees, but her gaze never left Guan Shengbai.
She observed his appearance, the way he sat, and the expression and tone of his voice when he spoke.
The more I look at it, the more satisfied I become.
Guan Shengbai didn't hide anything and briefly explained why he joined the group early, attributing all the credit to Liu Ye.
He spoke calmly, without exaggerating what he had done or avoiding the fact that Liu Ye owed him a favor.
This humble yet assertive attitude earned him even more respect in Zhong Junyan's eyes.
In fact, before Guan Shengbai pushed the door open and came in, Chung Chun-yin had already decided on the choice of the role of "Baili Tusu".
Li Yifeng.
That young man, who came from a talent show and had recently signed with the company, had good looks and a decent temperament.
More importantly, he was the one who personally made the decision to sign it.
Chung Chung-yin is known in the industry for her discerning eye.
When selecting artists, she doesn't just look at data and popularity, but also values a kind of "chemistry" that is hard to describe in words.
Li Yifeng possesses a youthful spirit, a kind of ambiguous quality between naivety and maturity, which does indeed match the temperament of the character Baili Tusu to some extent.
But everything changed after he saw Guan Shengbai.
This "change" came suddenly, yet with unwavering certainty.
It's like a hardcore gamer who, after scouring the entire map for equipment, suddenly discovers a god-tier artifact whose attributes completely outclass the current best option.
When Guan Shengbai stood there, his appearance, temperament, and the rugged heroism that emanated from his very bones completely outshone Li Yifeng.
That face had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, with slightly upturned phoenix eyes, exuding a heroic spirit with a touch of sharpness.
Yet her features are so exquisitely proportioned that she can draw the viewer's attention simply by being placed in front of the camera, without any additional lighting.
Standing at 1.86 meters tall, with a broad back and a muscular build, and smooth muscle lines honed through years of fitness training.
Standing there, it resembled an ancient sword sheathed, its sharpness concealed yet unable to suppress the power it was poised to unleash.
Not to mention his acting skills.
That actor was personally approved by Kong Sheng, who was even willing to change the filming schedule for him.
Who was Kong Sheng?
Shandong Film Studio is a well-known name in the industry for its discerning taste; every actor it chooses is a promising talent.
Zhong Junyan even made a silent comparison in her mind.
If Guan Shengbai and Li Yifeng were to stand in front of the camera at the same time, then...
There's no need to compare at all.
Guan Shengbai standing there was already Baili Tusu himself.
This feeling was mysterious, but Zhong Junyan believed it.
She has a very interesting characteristic.
At 2013, a pivotal year for the entertainment industry, she was a pioneer in ushering in the "era of big IPs".
She is known for her keen eye and long-term vision, and she was the one who created Huanrui's "Big Production Plan".
At the same time, she is also a true online novel enthusiast and even a hardcore player of the game "Zhu Xian".
Therefore, when it comes to casting, she never looks at data and commercial value alone.
At least in the past few years, she has been examining the fit between each character and the actor with the eyes of a "book fan".
Li Yifeng was chosen by her, Yang Yang was chosen by her, and Yang Mi was chosen by her.
The reason these people later became so famous is inseparable from Chung Chung-yin's unique "eye-catching" quality.
At that moment, Guan Shengbai stood right in front of her.
She looked at the young man as if he were a character who had stepped out of a game.
But despite her admiration, Chung Chung is, after all, the head of H&R Century Pictures, and she won't make a decision based solely on a momentary liking.
She leaned back on the sofa and casually asked Guan Shengbai a few questions about his time at the Beijing Film Academy, and then about his experiences on the set of "Tiny Times" and "Police Story".
Guan Shengbai answered each question in a calm and unhurried manner, neither trying to show off nor being overly modest.
As Zhong Junyan listened, the appreciation in her eyes became increasingly evident.
This child speaks with tact, is not boastful or timid, and exudes a sense of certainty and confidence.
This kind of temperament cannot be faked.
She picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and suddenly asked a question.
"Xiaobai, is your agency contract with Mimi's agency?"
"Yes."
"What about film and television contracts?"
"At H&R Century Pictures."
Guan Shengbai answered crisply and decisively.
Chung Chung-yin put down her teacup, her smile deepening.
Film and television projects are being handled by H&R Century Pictures.
This means that Guan Shengbai is one of our own.
The people she chose were artists from her own company, people she could wholeheartedly promote and cultivate.
This sense of security, that "the benefits won't go to outsiders," completely tipped the scales in Chung Chun-yin's mind.
She glanced at Zeng Jia beside her, who was holding a coffee cup with a meaningful smile on her lips, clearly having anticipated this outcome.
Zhong Junyan withdrew her gaze and looked at Guan Shengbai again, her tone becoming more serious.
"Xiao Bai, I already had someone else in mind for the role of Baili Tusu."
Guan Shengbai didn't respond, but simply waited quietly for her to continue.
"but--"
Chung Chung-yen changed the subject, and a smile reappeared on her face.
"After seeing you, I felt that you are Baili Tusu."
This statement was made with absolute certainty, leaving no room for negotiation.
Guan Shengbai bowed slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of gratitude.
"Thank you, Sister Yan."
Don't just thank me verbally.
Chung Chung-yen waved her hand, her tone returning to that of a kind and gentle older sister.
"Perform well, don't embarrass me."
"clear."
As I came out of Zeng Jia's office, I ran into Yang Mi in the hallway.
She wore a beige sweater today, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, giving her a relaxed and languid air.
When she saw Guan Shengbai come out, her eyes lit up, and she quickly went to greet him.
"How is it?"
Guan Shengbai's lips curled up slightly.
"Sister Yan nodded."
Yang Mi was stunned for a moment, then a smile slowly spread across her face.
That smile held joy, and also a knowing "I knew it" kind of understanding.
"She knows her stuff."
She reached out and patted Guan Shengbai on the shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy.
"Now that's great, we're officially a real on-screen couple."
As she spoke, she suddenly tilted her head, her tone becoming slightly mischievous.
"But let's make this clear beforehand: when we're filming, you can't be like you were in 'Tiny Times,' where you can easily bewitch the actresses in the same group."
Guan Shengbai looked completely innocent.
"Senior sister, what makes you say that?"
Stop pretending.
Yang Mi rolled her eyes at him, but her eyes and brows were full of smiles.
"Let's go, treat me to dinner to celebrate your victory over Baili Tusu."
The two walked side by side toward the elevator, with Yang Mi in front, her high heels clicking crisply on the marble floor of the corridor.
Guan Shengbai followed behind, watching her back, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
The elevator arrived with a ding, and the doors slowly slid open.
Yang Mi went in first, followed by Guan Shengbai.
As the door closed, Yang Mi suddenly spoke.
"Honestly, I'm quite looking forward to it."
"What are you expecting?"
"I look forward to playing your lover."
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the reflections of the two people in the elevator door, her tone carrying a hint of wistfulness.
Guan Shengbai looked at the face reflected in the doorway, and saw a familiar light shining in those big eyes.
Oh no!