Superstar Aspirations

Chapter 9

Translator: Vian

Editor: Shem

After arriving at Huaxia Entertainment, Rong Xu got straight to the point with Luo Zhentao and agreed to sign the contract.

Actually, last night when Auntie Qin and Qin Cheng just left, don't know from where a first-rate manager from Huaxia Entertainment got Rong Xu's phone number, but he took the initiative and threw out an artist contract with him. However, Rong Xu didn't accept it.

He didn't need to look to know that the conditions of this contract must have been even better than Luo Zhentao's. However, assuming that he did sign that contract, from then on, he would be an artist under Qin Cheng's studio.

The situation with artist's studios were not uncommon within the entertainment circle.

In general, only stars with a certain amount of fame and reputations were qualified to set up their own named studio. In this studio, the artist themselves were equivalent to the boss and comparatively more independent. They could use the studio name to invest in movies, TV drama series and as a producer.

Even more, the studio could also sign artists.

By having an already famous star guide a newbie's debut, it could bring in many good resources to them. And if the studio expanded later in the future, it would be as if it was a small entertainment company.

Huaxia Entertainment was the most overbearing entertainment company in China. Rong Xu had long checked out information regarding Huaxia Entertainment before signing and was very clear on that alone, within this huge company was only one artist studio: Qin Cheng's Studio.

If Rong Xu really was to sign into this studio, without a doubt he could obtain many resources that Qin Cheng would throw at him and could even be directly associated to Qin Cheng. To be associated to Qin Cheng, for any newcomer would've meant a golden opportunity and would very likely be able to soar into the sky.

However, if he really signed, his future path would always forever be implicated with this person.

Rong Xu doesn't believe that he would forever lose to Qin Cheng. Just, when he surpassed that man one day, he would have to face a difficult situation: Would Qin Cheng directly tear apart his skin and breach his contract to make him leave the studio? Or would he pretend to solve it peacefully and politely on the surface while it would forever be a knot in both of their hearts?

Even among friends, they would find it difficult in front of these kind of choices.

Thinking back to that man he only met once last night, the young boy's distinctly arched brows slightly knitted together, then he quietly sighed.

He shouldn't go tearing away at the other's face, but it would inevitably affect the relationship for both parties involved. After all, one mountain cannot contain two tigers. Even if in the future they have opportunity to become the closest of friends, there was still no way for them to completely remove themselves at this time. Not to mention, they might not be able to become friends.

After Luo Zhentao also signed Rong Xu's contract, he made three copies; one for himself, one of Rong Xu and the company, each of them to keep.

Luo Zhentao couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised when he heard Rong Xu say that he was very interested in that weekly drama: "I originally thought that you would be interested in another TV series, why this weekly drama?" Pausing for a bit, Luo Zhentao continued: "This film basically only uses some not too famous second-tier actors. The director is also a newcomer who is filming a TV series for the first time, he previously only filmed MVs and ads. Young Master Rong, are you sure you don't want to think about it some more?"

Aside from that first-tier actor, all the artists under Luo Zhentao didn't have their own private lounge in Huaxia Entertainment. Whenever they came to the company, they would always rest in Luo Zhentao's office and discuss or announce anything related to work to him.

Rong Xu and Luo Zhentao sat on the soft but durable sofa, and placed on the coffee table in front of them were all kinds of role circulars. Luo Zhentao took two into his hands while Rong Xu also took a copy.

They know that among these role circulars, that movie and two TV series were much more valuable in comparison.

Rong Xu was carefully reading the script when he suddenly laughed: "We've already signed together, Luo ge, you don't have to call me any 'Young Master Rong'. I've already moved out of the house today, I don't know if you would have anytime to help me find a new residence after about two more days? I want to rent an apartment flat. As for those three materials you gave me last night……" Pausing, Rong Xu raised his head and moved his gaze from the script to Luo Zhentao's face, his smile becoming even more dazzling: "I quite like that weekly drama."

Luo Zhentao calmly asked: "Your reason being?"

Rong Xu replied: "For the script, aside for that movie script in general, the other two TV series don't have that much of a difference. You prefer that drama because it's a big production with huge actors. The role is also the heroine's younger brother which is better and can get more compared to a third male lead. But even if it's a big production with big actors, that drama is absolutely not on equal terms with "Vie for Supremacy", so why should I choose it? That's why I prefer the weekly drama instead. The second male lead's role setup is very good with many scenes. But the most important thing is that it will be broadcasted soon."

"Broadcast soon……" After considering Rong Xu's words for a bit, Luo Zhentao said: "Okay! Then I'll help you contact the crew."

Rong Xu couldn't help letting out a smile.

Like he had observed, Luo Zhentao might still be a manager without much resources at hand at the moment, but his strength and vision was still very good.

If one wanted to climb to the top, strength and luck were indispensable. Luo Zhentao's luck was just a bit poor, that first-tier star he had cultivated decided to change jobs and left so he ended up losing a chance. However, as long as he had the ability, he could eventually go up the ladder.

Luo Zhentao's speed was extremely fast, however only after a while did he get a response from the crew saying that Rong Xu could directly enter the crew.

But for this Luo Zhentao did still have some hesitation: "In the end, this is a new crew. The director's request for the actors isn't high and either is the pay. Rong Xu, this crew may still need some time to break in and there is only one first-tier star there so you have to be prepared."

Rong Xu thought for a second then asked: "Is the first-tier star the male lead or female lead?"

Luo Zhentao answered: "This spy wars film is with a male protagonist, the male lead was someone who was very famous a few years ago, the first-tier actor Han Yanghao. His name has dropped a bit in recent years, he probably wants to rely on this drama to turn over a new leaf since it wants a rather high attractiveness value." Pausing again, Luo Zhentao saw Rong Xu's stunned look and laughed: "Ehh, could it be that I didn't tell you? The Director's biggest demand when selecting people for this film was that……their appearance needs to reach a certain standard?"

Rong Xu: "……" You didn't mention it at all!

In any case, Rong Xu had already accepted the film. Although this was the Director's first time filming a TV drama series, he had an abundant advertisement filming experience and had also served as the assistant director to several well-known domestic director for more than ten years. Rong Xu especially watched a few ads that he had filmed before last night and found that the other really had a great ability, so this time the director should have been prepared and would be a worthy cooperation.

***

And on the other side, "Vie for Supremacy" had already reached its last month of filming.

The third male lead entered the crew on the third day after Rong Xu left. The role that he was playing was the fourth male lead, Wanqi Yao's good friend. Before Wanqi Yao's death, he had already long been entrusted with his good friend's task. In case Wanqi Yao met with a mishap, he would come to Chu State and serve as its new military adviser.

This third male lead was also a little well-known second-tier star and quickly integrated into the crew. However, don't know if it was because he joined the crew late or not, even if he and several of the other actors could talk together, they were still not especially on close terms.

Today, this third male lead just finished eating lunch when he heard Tang Menglan who was at the side suddenly laughed: "Today's lunch box has green peppers ah, I remember that Rong Xu seems to quite like to eat green peppers? If he was still in the crew, I definitely would've magnanimously gave him all the green peppers, haha."

When these words came out, Dong Zheng and Ye Qiao both laughed along with her. This third male lead was first surprised for a moment but ultimately let out an awkward smile in the end.

After another two days, under the urging of Director Guo, the PR team finished retouching all "Vie for Supremacy" related character posters and movie stills and released them on their own official blog. When all nine images were released at once, it quickly caused a craze in the internet and attracted countless attention from the masses.


The author has something to say:

Rong Rong: We may not necessarily even become good friends.

Husband: En, we can become a different kind of friends ♂.


Husband – Okay, so it technically doesn't say husband. The raws are 老攻[Lǎo gōng] Old Gong and the pinying basically sounds exactly the same as 老公[Lǎogōng] Husband. As for why the author chose to write it like this, I'm pretty sure it's obvious(✿´ ꒳ ` )

One mountain cannot contain two tigers: literally means that in an area, there cannot be two very strong personality people leading. Just like in a mountain, there will only be one king, one leader. If there are 2 tigers (2 kings), you can be sure, they will fight it out. Either that or one of the tiger leaves that mountain.


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