Chapter 35

Everyone in the industry knew that what Director Wang hated most while filming was actors taking on overlapping projects. Even a big name like Best Actor Chen Yuxiu would never do something so aggravating when working with Director Wang. Yuan Haobin did not believe that, given Chen Mo's current status and fame, he would dare to defy Director Wang behind his back. Nor did he believe that Chen Mo and Yang Qindong would be foolish enough to do such a thing—besides, there was no need for it. Why pass up an important role in a major investment film that had already been signed for, only to audition for an ordinary role that had not even begun to take shape? People would laugh their heads off if they heard that.

Just as expected, Chen Mo immediately explained after hearing Yuan Haobin's words, "I didn't come here for an audition. I came for something else."

Before Chen Mo could finish, someone suddenly laughed behind him. "Isn't this Chen Mo? You came back to the company today too? Looks like the two of us really are fated."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned around and called out, "Hello, Director Xu."

Chen Mo had only been in the industry for a short time and had never met Director Xu in person before. However, Xu Jing's name was thunderous to him. After all, as one of the country's most famous commercial film directors, most of Xu Jing's movies were high-grossing special-effects blockbusters—the sort with explosions and gunfights, a cool and handsome male lead, a glamorous female lead, comic-relief supporting characters, intelligent villains, tight yet hilarious plots, powerful visual effects, and endings that sold a little sentiment while leaving a hook for whether there would be another installment, depending on audience expectations.

They suited Chen Mo's tastes perfectly.

So even though Chen Mo was not especially familiar with this world's entertainment industry, he had still heard Xu Jing's name. He had even watched several of Director Xu's gunfight films in his spare time to pass the time.

This was where commercial film directors had the advantage over arthouse directors. Both might be renowned domestic directors, yet many people could watch movies their entire lives and still fail to remember Wang Chusheng, a great director who repeatedly won awards at home and abroad. But for audiences, no matter how many bad movies Xu Jing had made, as long as one film series earned their approval, Xu Jing's name would become deeply ingrained in their minds with every release.

Still, Chen Mo was greatly surprised when he saw Xu Jing in person. Xu Jing's appearance simply did not match Chen Mo's image of a director. He was around five foot five, short and plump, with very fair skin. His close-cropped hair was dyed a dazzling gold, and he wore a brightly colored multicolored down jacket. A gold chain as thick as a baby's little finger hung conspicuously around his neck, extremely eye-catching. Yet even more attention-grabbing than that chain was the smile on Director Xu's face. He looked like the Laughing Buddha, making people feel happy from the bottom of their hearts just by seeing him.

Judging by appearances, Director Xu looked far more like a comedian than the director of commercial films, especially gunfight action movies.

While Chen Mo silently sized up Director Xu, Director Xu also made his way through most of the artists and approached Chen Mo with a smile. With the small eyes the media jokingly called "exceptionally spotlight-catching," he carefully inspected Chen Mo's face and bone structure from close range. Then he nodded and commented, "A fine prospect. If the opportunity arises, we could try working together. Maybe we'd create a different kind of spark." As he spoke, Director Xu gestured between them with his plump hands.

Chen Mo nodded and smiled. "Hello, Director Xu."

"Oh my, you're even more handsome when you smile!" the plump Director Xu continued with a grin. Then he sighed and said somewhat regretfully, "I was fortunate enough to see that video of you fighting at the nightclub that surfaced online some time ago. At such a young age, to have skills like that is truly remarkable. More importantly, your movements looked great on camera—very beautiful. They really fit my aesthetic!"

Director Xu spoke as he gave Chen Mo another regretful look. "After watching that video, I originally planned to invite you to audition for my production. Unfortunately, I was a step too late. I heard you've already signed on for Director Wang's new movie. You're playing Sun Ce in it, right?"

Chen Mo was rather surprised. He had not expected Director Xu to know so much about him. It did not sound like mere polite small talk. He subconsciously glanced at Yang Qindong and nodded. "Yes."

"Very good." Director Xu rose onto his toes and encouragingly patted Chen Mo's shoulder. "Director Wang may be a little nitpicky with his filming requirements, but he truly has ability. Young people need to work hard and seize their opportunities when they come."

Hearing that, Chen Mo answered solemnly, "I will work hard."

Director Xu smiled and nodded. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Yang Qindong and Yuan Haobin, he finally left. Naturally, the artists standing in the lobby also crowded around Director Xu and left with him.

Yuan Haobin pulled Chen Mo into the elevator and asked, "You still haven't told me. What did you come to the company for today?"

"To discuss an advertising endorsement," Chen Mo replied.

There had been too many people in the first-floor lobby just now, so Chen Mo had not explained it too clearly.

He also did not want to invite unnecessary trouble.

Now, only he and Yuan Haobin were in the elevator, along with their managers and assistants. There was naturally no need to keep hiding it.

"Just as I thought. Once someone gets famous, the endorsement deals, film offers, and appearances start pouring in. Making money until your hands go limp—how enviable! I wonder if the great celebrity Chen can spare a little time from his busy schedule to do this washed-up singer a small favor?" Ignoring the hesitant look on Manager K's face, Yuan Haobin held his thumb and index finger a short distance apart in front of Chen Mo and asked with a smile.

"You mean teaching you the Moonwalk? That's no problem. We can set a time later. But don't tease a little newcomer like me when you're a Heavenly King." Chen Mo chuckled at Yuan Haobin. "If Yuan, the Heavenly King's fans saw someone your age treating a minor so cruelly, you'd probably lose followers."

"Wow, what a vicious curse. Then I really don't dare tease you anymore." As Yuan Haobin spoke, he slung an arm around Chen Mo's shoulders. "To show my apology, how about we go eat mala tang at noon? My treat."

"Just one bowl of mala tang counts as an apology? Your apology is really cheap! At the very least, you need to add a bottle of soda."

"Deal. But if you want soda, there are conditions. Be the male lead in my music video. If possible, let's work together on a single too. Your musical talent is so high—it would be a shame to waste it." Yuan Haobin snapped his fingers and continued with an arm around Chen Mo's neck.

In fact, he had been thinking about this for a long time. After The King's Arrival's Huajing Singles' Day concert, Yuan Haobin had considered collaborating on an EP with Chen Mo. He had intended for his next album to focus on blending classical music with pop music. On one hand, he wanted to try new elements and a new style. On the other, he thought they could use their fame and buzz to promote it.

Unfortunately, Yuan Haobin had been busy preparing for the concert at the time and had no time to spare. Chen Mo was also still a student, and most of his energy had to go toward school. By the time Chen Mo finally started winter break, he had to promote the television drama, then news came that he would take on two movies. After that, so many things happened that the matter kept getting delayed until now, and Yuan Haobin had not even found a chance to bring it up.

Hearing Yuan Haobin's half-joking, half-serious suggestion, Chen Mo subconsciously glanced at Yang Qindong and casually smiled. "The price I'm paying for this bottle of soda is really high. But I don't mind. As long as we can settle the schedule, let your manager discuss everything else with Brother Dong."

Although Chen Mo was a newcomer who had just debuted, his career path truly could not be measured by the standards of ordinary newcomers. At the very least, no other newcomer could land two major IP films one after another right after debuting, with offers and endorsements continuously flowing in.

If Yang Qindong had not always valued quality over quantity and cared more about an artist's future and development, refusing to let Chen Mo sign contracts casually, then with any slightly impatient manager, Chen Mo's workload would probably have been several times greater than it already was.

Even so, Chen Mo's current schedule was becoming difficult to arrange. Take the advertising endorsement he was discussing today. If the deal went through, he would certainly have to shoot the advertisement. After filming the advertisement and celebrating the New Year, Chen Mo would have to join the production of The Three Kingdoms: Eastern Wu. Around June or July, he would also have to join Diary of Time as the male lead. Meanwhile, he still had to prepare for the college entrance examination...

So Chen Mo's reply to Yuan Haobin had not been an excuse. Both their work schedules were genuinely tight, and finding time when both of them were free according to their schedules to create new songs would not be easy. Writing songs was not like learning dance moves or shooting a music video, where they could simply squeeze out a little time whenever they had it. Songwriting relied on inspiration, and it could not be interrupted or disturbed. For a Heavenly King-level singer like Yuan Haobin, who valued the quality of original work, once he truly shut himself away to create, who knew how much trouble it would involve? Chen Mo would have to accompany him through it. The time and effort required were obvious.

Yuan Haobin naturally understood that Chen Mo's future path would certainly focus more on acting than singing. Being an actor not only earned more money, but also brought greater fame than being a singer, along with more opportunities for endorsements and high-quality commercial performances. Looking at future development, examples of successful actors becoming directors or producers were everywhere in the industry. Singers were different. Even if they transitioned into production or behind-the-scenes work in the future, the industry's limitations meant they would never be as glamorous or influential as directors and producers. Their paths were comparatively narrower.

This time, Chen Mo had readily agreed to help him shoot a music video for promotion and collaborate on new songs. Although Yuan Haobin had expected it, he was still very happy deep down. It once again made him feel that Chen Mo was a friend worth knowing deeply. He also felt that Chen Mo had far-sighted judgment and would not be swayed by short-term benefits. Everyone knew that the directors and actors who made music videos were certainly not as professionally skilled as those who worked on major films, and the pay for shooting a music video could not compare to the earnings from commercial advertisements.

When Yuan Haobin had heard that Chen Mo came to the company to discuss an endorsement deal, he had been somewhat worried that Chen Mo might turn down his music video in order to film an advertisement. After all, for Chen Mo now, appearing in Yuan Haobin's music video would neither improve his acting nor earn him much pay. Its only benefit would be gaining fans and building name recognition among Yuan Haobin's followers through the music video—but in truth, name recognition was what Chen Mo lacked least right now.

Yet Chen Mo clearly understood all that and still agreed so readily. It seemed that this junior apprentice, who had shot to fame so quickly not long after debuting, was not only proud but also a man of true feeling. Thinking this, Yuan Haobin nodded and smiled. "All right. Then let Manager K contact Brother Dong when the time comes."

Yang Qindong naturally understood what Yuan Haobin and Chen Mo meant and immediately said, "No problem. I'll take the initiative to contact K."

Yuan Haobin glanced at Yang Qindong and casually smiled. "I naturally trust Brother Dong to handle things. Please take good care of our K."

Yang Qindong smiled and nodded without saying anything.

Manager K had not expected her artist to say such a thing. She looked at Chen Mo with a complicated expression. She truly had not expected that in only half a year, this little newcomer who had been completely unknown when they first met would become this popular. She had expected a carefully planned arrangement that would let everyone win, and was even clearly meant as Yuan Haobin helping a newcomer, to become an opportunity that was extremely important to Yuan Haobin yet optional and dispensable to Chen Mo simply because of her intentional or unintentional delays.

This situation, where she had failed to grant a favor and instead seemed to be riding his popularity, was simply too awkward for Manager K to accept. She could not even imagine how she should face Chen Mo, whom she had once looked down on, during their future collaboration.

Unfortunately, neither of the two men noticed Manager K's tangled state of mind. After agreeing to meet at noon for mala tang, Chen Mo waved goodbye to Yuan Haobin, stepped out of the elevator, and followed Yang Qindong into the VIP reception room at the end of the corridor.