CH 96.1

Shen Xingsui did not expect to hear such a low salary in this life. His current popularity could net him a 100k yuan per advertisement deal at the bare minimum. 

But this… 3000 yuan… 

He needed to stay on the set for half a year, excluding the food expenses, transportation and accommodation… those couldn’t even be covered by a measly 3000 yuan. 

Zhang Sansan obviously knew this truth, he quickly said, “I know, I know, I’ve been soliciting investment recently, and it will be fine when there are investors.” 

Shen Xingsui hesitated for a moment, and decided to discuss it with his agent first. 

When Shen Xingsui came to find her, Wang Meican didn’t know what kind of amazing words her artist would say. She was still asking, “How is your song production?” 

Shen Xingsui replied, “It’s pretty good.”

“Great,” Wang Meican nodded as she held the folder in her hand and said, “To be honest, every year, I have been receiving music-related gigs only. Excluding the ‘Bright Stars’ variety show, those gigs are… quite hard to make money.” 

Shen Xingsui understood this truth. It was impossible for a company to cultivate artists just for the sake of helping artists realizing their dreams. The agent had to eat, and so did the numerous staff. Money-making was still essential. 

“Wang-jie, I will accept whatever arrangement you have for me,” Shen Xingsui was honest and well-behaved, “As long as you are willing to let me continue to write songs.”

His attitude easily melted Wang Meican’s heart. 

Wang Meican quickly said, “Don’t worry about that Suisui, I won’t ever stop you from writing songs. But, I did take a look at your itinerary for the past two years. Even if it is to meet the current trend, I think I can accept some TV dramas and other resources for you.” 

These words coincided with Shen Xingsui’s thoughts!

Shen Xingsui first tried to sound it out, “Wang-jie, do you have any good resources in hand?”

Wang Meican sighed, and this was what she was worried about, “The dramas that invite you to play the leading role are all idol dramas. “

Shen Xingsui took the document in her hand and took a look at the names of these scripts. They were: “The Hot Princess and the Ice Prince.”, “School Grass, Don’t Go”, “Overbearing President, Please Don’t Pet Me”

…Shen Xingsui took a moment to recover his intelligence from reading such brain-dead titles, then saying, “Let’s forget it. I’m afraid I won’t be able to recover my image after acting in such dramas.” 

“Unfortunately, this path is the quickest if you want to make lots of money,” Wang Meican retracted the document and said, “But in other hand, if you want to take part in higher-quality movies and TV dramas, you can only be a supporting role at most. And even that, you have to claw your way out from veteran actors and such.” 

Shen Xingsui took the opportunity to say, “Wang-jie, in fact, I came into contact with a script recently, and I think it’s very good. How about it…”

Shen Xingsui also liked Zhang Sansan’s script very much, he outlined the story and also said some of his own thoughts and interpretations about the script. He hoped Wang Meican could also understand it.

Wang Meican was silent for a moment and said, “Then… what about the salary?”

Shen Xingsui could only be truthful. 

Wang Meican remained silent for a longer time. She had never heard of such an outrageous crew in her life. Even the salary of an extra was higher than this. Just 3,000 yuan to hire the precious cabbage from her family? The fucking audacity! 

“I will only agree if he can get sponsorship and investment,” Wang Meican threw the script away, “Otherwise, no discussion!”

Shen Xingsui nodded obediently, “Okay, then I’ll talk to him.”

Wang Meican was a little surprised, her brows became more gentle, and she smiled lightly, “You want to act so much, and yet I will stop you, won’t you be unhappy?”

Shen Xingsui found his phone, smiled lightly, shook his head, and said, “No, you are my agent, so it must be for my own good. Plus, I am not alone, the whole team is by my side, so of course I can’t just be selfish.” 

Wang Meican’s heart felt warm. 

At the beginning, when Fu Jinxiao asked him to take over Shen Xingsui, she was still a little unhappy. She was a gold-starred agent and had to take this newbie young master whom she didn’t know well. She thought that such a young master from a rich family must be wilful and selfish, and she no longer had the patience to deal with such brats. Thankfully, after she got to know Shen Xingsui, the youth turned out to be humble and sensible. It made her like him more. 

Wang Meican’s heart softened, she said, “The script of this movie is very good. If the director is also solid, it might be an award-winning movie. But… the plot is homosexual pure romance, and there’s no such precedent. This isn’t something that is easily trusted by investors and sponsors – they are more likely to have a wait-and-see attitude.” 

Shen Xingsui nodded, “I know.”

Wang Meican smiled at Shen Xingsui again, “But… it’s not completely helpless.”

Shen Xingsui’s eyes widened.

This was the first time he fully understood the strength of his agent, and also the first time he understood the importance of money. Bringing capital into the team and becoming a film investor were things that he didn’t understand at all before.

Shen Xingsui discussed this matter with Zhang Sansan, and the director readily agreed that the contract they signed was an investment contract. Because he was grateful for Shen Xingsui’s help, Shen Xingsui would get the most of the box office share after the movie was released.

It took nearly half a month to discuss this matter before the negotiation was completed.

Zhang Sansan said to him, “Suisui, I actually have paid attention to you a long time ago. At first, I was attracted by your composition. Later, I got to know you in more detail in the variety show “Bright Star”, because you danced that goddess dance. You see, your performance there carved a deep image in my heart, and thanks to that, I can create the character of Fang Zhiwen in ‘Lonely City’.”

The plot of “Lonely City” went something like this: 

The young Fang Zhiwen was a tragic figure. He lost his father when he was young, and his mother sent him to study abroad. In the academy, he met the other protagonist, Xu Yan. For Fang Zhiwen, Xu Yan was the most important salvation in his life. Xu Yan, who had a prominent family background, didn’t take him seriously at first. Slowly but surely, he was moved by Fang Zhiwen’s tenacity and sincerity. Later, they became close friends. 

Many years later, the two separated because of an accident.

Fang Zhiwen became a singer, while Xu Yan became a well-known general.

After meeting again, the youthful friendship was rekindled. Xu Yan took Fang Zhiwen to his side, and Fang Zhiwen also enlisted in the army to help Xu Yan win many victorious battles. This bond forged through many battles ran deep, and eventually burgeoned into a deep love. Just as their love bloomed, Xu Yan was ordered to return to the Capital.

There, he was betrothed and married to the princess. 

When this news was sent back to the border, Fang Zhiwen couldn’t believe it.

However, Xu Yan did not send a letter to explain this matter, which made him feel miserable…

Afterwards, Xu Yan took the princess back to the outside of the Great Wall to look for soldiers, which only furthering Fang Zhiwen’s shame. But the war raged on, and at the turning point, there was an intel that said the enemy was going to capture the princess. This tension made it impossible for everyone to cope. 

“…”

Shen Xingsui suddenly realized and said, “…Ah, so that’s why Fang Zhiwen wore the princess’s goddess costume in the end.”

Zhang Sansan nodded, and he smiled, “It’s all because I saw you in that gorgeous goddess costume. At that time, I thought: if a boy with a strong heart and will wears this sacred robe, only this kind of scene can frame it beautifully.” 

“Unfortunately…” Shen Xingsui thought of the ending of the script, and sighed, “Fang Zhiwen’s love is too clean, and Xu Yan came too late.” 

–The truth is, Xu Yan’s betrothal and supposed marriage to the princess was a scam. 

Xu Yan actually cooperated with the enemy to hold the princess hostage and usurp the throne. 

He wanted to become the Emperor, marry Fang Zhiwen in an open and honest manner, and give his beloved the title of Empress. He was worried that others would know his plan, so he kept it secret. 

He wanted to surprise Fang Zhiwen when the plan was successful.

But Fang Zhiwen was a pure person. He only wished for Xu Yan happiness, so he didn’t obey Xu Yan’s retreat arrangement. He put on a goddess costume and stood alone in the lonely city. He thought that Xu Yan and his wife should lead a happy life, so he was going to be a decoy for the enemy. In the end, he sacrificed himself in the sea of flames. 

Shen Xingsui took the script and said, “Actually, when I read the script for the first time, I thought Fang Zhiwen was really stupid. He had so many choices, why did he choose to die?”

Zhang Sansan yelled beside him and hastily defended his writing, “Because for him, this is the best choice.” 

–Fang Zhiwen died the moment he knew Xu Yan and the princess got married.

For him, his body was only a lifeless husk already. Maybe it was a relief to be engulfed inside a sea of flames. 

Shen Xingsui was still not sure about the role of Fang Zhiwen, so he asked, “By the way, Director Zhang, is Fang Zhiwen played by two people when he was a teenager and when he became an adult?” 

Zhang Sansan replied, “I think you can play the role alone. Your appearance is young, so you can play as his teenage version with some makeup.” 

Shen Xingsui couldn’t laugh or cry, “Isn’t this arrangement done to save money?”

Zhang Sansan was amused, he scratched his head and said, “Actually, I hired a classmate from the acting department to act as Xu Yan when he was young. But the adult Xu Yan – that is, the General Xu Yan – is very different. He’s very careful with each step of his life, and he has that kind of forbearance and maturity, including his decisiveness and even ruthlessness in the battlefield. These are not something my classmates can do.” 

Shen Xingsui understood, and he asked, “Then who are you thinking about?”

Zhang Sansan took a meaningful look at Shen Xingsui, and smiled embarrassingly, “In fact, I also have a… favorite actor for this role…” 

Shen Xingsui suddenly had a bad feeling, “Who is it?”

“I think if anyone can fully interpret Xu Yan’s role, it would be Fu Jinxiao,” Zhang Sansan showed an expression of admiration, “I can’t think of another person in the entertainment industry except Teacher Fu.”

Shen Xingsui fell into silence.

Zhang Sansan coughed lightly, “Do you think if I visit the thatched cottage three times to invite Teacher Fu, he would be willing?”

Shen Xingsui sighed deeply, “Let me tell you this, based on your asking price of 3,000 yuan a month, this hope is a big fat zero.” 

“…”

‘No need to be so cruelly blunt.’ 

My honest reaction reading the movie’s plot:

Damn, that’s a perfect setting for a scum gong rebirth (or both, I’m not picky) story, with the whole yard of wife-chasing crematorium.