Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Ao Qingyuan frowned slightly in distaste, finding the question utterly lacking in substance. But considering that this was the launch press conference, he patiently replied, "One speaks English, the other Mandarin."

It was the expected answer, but the reporter refused to give up. "Could you be more specific? For example, in terms of filming techniques?"

Ao Qingyuan grew even more impatient. "I haven't even started filming yet!"

Reporter: "..."

Seeing the atmosphere turn a little awkward, the host immediately called on another reporter.

This question was also for Ao Qingyuan. This time, it was why he had chosen to take on the period fantasy drama Immortal-Demon Duel: "As far as I know, many production companies have sent you scripts, including several of the hottest major IP productions right now. Why did you choose Immortal-Demon Duel?"

"Because the production side was very sincere," Ao Qingyuan answered with great seriousness. A salary of 112.2 million, plus a nationally produced treasure-hunting variety show jointly funded by Canghai Media and CCTV, along with an endorsement deal with exceptionally generous terms from the title sponsor. With that much sincerity, Ao Qingyuan truly could not think of a reason to refuse. Besides—

"I've played the game Immortal-Demon Duel too. I'm very happy to have the chance to play the male lead, Huangfu Ying."

Seeing Ao Qingyuan cooperate so readily, the reporter who had asked the question breathed a sigh of relief and quickly chimed in, "It seems every boy has a dream of being a hero."

Ao Qingyuan nodded. Remembering the interview notes Ji Jie had prepared for him, he finally offered a polite response: "Of course, I'm also very happy to work with so many outstanding senior actors."

The host followed the schedule and called on the third reporter. The question was still directed at Ao Qingyuan: "When you were filming Dance of Youth, you trained on Broadway for three months with the rest of the main cast. Do you think that experience will help you in your upcoming role in Immortal-Demon Duel?"

Ao Qingyuan thought about it seriously and answered honestly, "I don't know either. I haven't started filming yet. I think a musical and a period fantasy drama are completely different, both in form and in core themes. My previous experience probably won't be of much use. Of course, I'll work harder during filming and seek advice from the other teachers."

The launch press conference had reached its final segment. With time running tight, the host immediately called on the fourth reporter. The question was surprisingly still for Ao Qingyuan: "You are a formally trained student at Yanjing Film Academy. This year, Yanjing Film Academy has made major changes to its admissions standards. What are your thoughts on that?"

Ao Qingyuan had no thoughts at all. "I was admitted through special enrollment. I never went through the arts entrance exams."

Ao Qingyuan had been in his second year of high school when he filmed Dance of Youth. When Dance of Youth became a global hit, he was in his final year of high school, touring the world with the main cast and missing the admissions exams for all the major arts schools. But because of his career, Ao Qingyuan still had to attend either a film academy or a music academy. Fortunately, his aunt's husband—Sun Huaiting, who had once won the Golden Crow Best Actor and Lily Flower Best TV Actor awards before leaving the industry due to illness—was a prominent Yanying alumnus. At Ji Jie's strong insistence, he helped Ao Qingyuan make an inquiry with Yanying's administration.

At the time, Yanying was being heavily overshadowed by the National Film Academy. It had failed to produce any notable actors for several consecutive years, while its formally trained graduates spent all day circling around idol drama crews and drew considerable criticism for their acting, damaging the school's reputation as well. Admissions had not been going particularly well either, and the administration was anxious. After receiving Sun Huaiting's call for help, they agreed almost without hesitation. They even used Ao Qingyuan's enrollment at Yanjing Film Academy as a publicity hook for several waves of promotional articles, directly poaching quite a few top students who had already passed the arts exams and were merely waiting for their college entrance exam scores before applying to the other two film academies.

Perhaps Ao Qingyuan's name really was that attractive. During this year's arts exam registrations, noticeably more applicants chose Yanjing Film Academy than in previous years. Yanying's administration took the opportunity to introduce stricter admissions requirements. They also announced that, beginning with this cohort, Yanying would implement a rule forbidding enrolled students from taking leave to film before their second year. This caused quite a stir within the industry. Everyone felt that Yanying was determined to tighten its standards and wipe away its past humiliation.

It was said that Yanying had also contacted many well-known directors who had graduated from the school, planning to tailor several productions for its own students and make a run for awards. Even more secretive rumors claimed that once Yanying launched this plan, the first student it intended to promote was its prized star, Ao Qingyuan. Unfortunately, Ao Qingyuan had no interest in dreary arthouse films. Without even considering it, he flatly refused.

It was precisely because of this gossip that many industry insiders, upon learning that Ao Qingyuan had accepted a costume idol fantasy drama like Immortal-Demon Duel for the money, cursed him furiously in disappointment. They believed that Ao Qingyuan, a formally trained actor, a genius performer who had honed and proven himself on the Broadway stage, and a rising star watched by the entire domestic film and television industry, had not the slightest ideal or conviction to devote himself to cinematic art. A globally popular superstar who had managed to make it in a place as difficult as Hollywood had actually come back home and taken a period idol drama looked down upon even by properly trained actors. It was simply a strong start followed by a steep decline! Short-sighted beyond belief!

What a waste of such a wonderful beginning.

Of course, Ao Qingyuan himself had no particular thoughts on the matter. He had debuted at sixteen, and within four years had already achieved things many people in the industry might spend their entire lives struggling for without ever obtaining. He had reached heights that many might not attain even after two lifetimes of effort. Success had come so easily that Ao Qingyuan had never felt any regret over missed opportunities. Whether it was dancing, making films, singing, performing in stage plays, or now acting in costume idol dramas, he chose only what interested him. Nor did he feel he had to force himself into taking arthouse films he did not care about merely for so-called depth and substance, or for other people's evaluations and expectations. There was no need.

"I'm not interested in it right now. If I become interested in that area in the future, I'll consider it." Ao Qingyuan stated with particular bluntness, "Today is the launch press conference for Immortal-Demon Duel. Talk about something related to the press conference. Interview the other teachers."