Restart life

Chapter 544 0532 [Acting Addiction Takes hold]

Today is Chen Laozu's birthday.

My lunar birthday, not the one on my ID card.

As in previous years, he didn't host a celebration, but his girlfriends must have known, so Chen Guiliang couldn't really use his time management skills.

Xu Fengyin gave him a leather belt as a gift, and after having lunch with Chen Guiliang, she stopped getting involved.

Bian Guanyue was very generous and invited Tao Xue to her home to have dinner and cut cake together to celebrate.

Aunt Zhang had never encountered this situation before, so she quietly went back to her room to play on her phone.

The three of them had a few drinks and did nothing else but go to the sofa to watch TV. They were even used to it; Bian Guanyue leaned against Chen Guiliang's right, and Tao Xue leaned against his left.

The second episode of "The Voice of China" was playing on TV.

"Why? Dong Zhen sang quite well, why didn't the four mentors turn around?" Tao Xue complained while gnawing on a braised chicken foot.

When commenting on the music, Bian Guanyue was as sharp-tongued as ever: "She is not suitable for this song, the song choice is very problematic... her breath control is also seriously insufficient... the post-production auto-tuning is very obvious, the live performance may be very bad, if I were a mentor I would not turn around."

Tao Xue said, "Your breath control is a little weak, but can you tell that you've edited your voice?"

Bian Guanyue said, "Sure. It's like a photoshopped picture. Laymen can't tell anything, but experts can spot all the Photoshop tricks at a glance."

Chen Guiliang said, "The song was probably chosen by the program team, and Dong Zhen's fans will definitely curse her to death. She can't handle this song, and she was too nervous on set, her breath was so weak that she almost stopped breathing."

Bian Guanyue continued her sharp tongue: "The main problem is her lack of ability, coupled with a serious lack of live performance experience. I think she should work on her basic skills; she actually has a lot of room for growth."

Tao Xue disagreed: "The problem lies more in the choice of songs."

The three of them chatted away, as if they had transformed into mentors for the show.

Tao Xue couldn't argue with Bian Guanyue, and was moved by the singer's story, so she simply picked up her phone and sent "A + student's name" to support Dong Zhen.

This is one of the reasons why "The Voice of China" is so popular. Anyone can offer their opinions, and people even get into fights in real life because of differing viewpoints.

After finishing the braised chicken feet, Tao Xue ran to wash her hands, and then started eating potato chips.

Bian Guanyue asked, "Aren't you afraid of gaining weight?"

Tao Xue said, "I'm not afraid, I can eat as much as I want and I won't gain weight."

Bian Guanyue was furious when she heard this. She had been dieting recently because she had been lying at home for half a month after graduation, and a couple of days ago she found that her waist had become rounder.

Tao Xue reached out and stuffed a potato chip into Chen Guiliang's mouth: "Now that you've graduated with your master's degree, what are your plans for the future?"

Bian Guanyue said, "I'm pursuing a doctorate. I've already been recommended for admission."

"You really have that kind of patience. My four years of undergraduate studies felt like an eternity," Tao Xue remarked.

Bian Guanyue said, "The main problem is that I don't know what I should do. I'll just treat pursuing a PhD as a way to pass the time. Besides, I quite enjoy researching those things."

Tao Xue said, "I just can't do that. I only work on it sporadically. I finally got a hit with my book 'Silk Road Dust,' and my fans were urging me to start a new book, but I took a year off and couldn't be bothered to write anything. Last year, I followed Xu Feng... and learned to draw comics with a friend, but I gave up after three months. This year, I went to learn jewelry design, haha, but I only persisted for two months."

Bian Guanyue said, "That's great, you're so carefree. And you even have a successful novel."

Tao Xue sat up straight cross-legged: "I can't keep being so decadent. I have to do something worthwhile."

Bian Guanyue smiled. She knew Tao Xue too well and knew that this girl only had a three-minute attention span for anything she did. This was also the reason why she reluctantly accepted Tao Xue: a seemingly shrewd but carefree and silly girl who posed no threat to her whatsoever.

The three of them were watching TV and eating and drinking when Chen Guiliang received a WeChat message right at midnight: "Brother, my public notice period is over. Thank you."

Chen Guiliang was both amused and exasperated: "You really timed it perfectly, sending the message just seconds after the public notice period ended."

Tao Xue leaned on Chen Guiliang's shoulder: "Who are you talking to?"

Chen Guiliang said, "My cousin. She went back to her hometown this year to take the civil service exam in the city. This job is quite suitable for her. She is an introverted person and is afraid of making mistakes. She is very careful in everything she does. Even when she sends me a message, she waits until the public announcement period has passed before she does so."

"Did you put in a good word for them?" Tao Xue asked.

Chen Guiliang did not answer directly: "She ranked fourth in the written test and also did well in the interview."

Chen Guiliang recalled that before his rebirth, his cousin Zhang Qing, although admitted to a third-tier university, didn't attend because the tuition was too expensive. After graduating from junior college, she stayed in the big city to work like a slave, then married an office worker and had children. They argued frequently after marriage, but never considered divorce. Every time they met, she complained about her unsatisfactory life, like a modern version of Xianglin's wife.

Everything has changed now. Thanks to Chen Guiliang's help, my cousin completed three years of college and has now passed the civil service exam. I wonder what kind of man she'll marry in the future.

Given my cousin's personality and abilities, it's almost impossible for her to become a high-ranking official; living a peaceful and stable life is just fine for her.

Bian Guanyue said, "Grandma's 70th birthday is in two months. I've already contacted all the performers. My dad was the one who invited them. There will be opera singers and some Sichuan comedians as well."

"This must have been a lot of work for you and your father," Chen Guiliang said sincerely.

Tao Xue asked, "Your grandma?"

Chen Guiliang replied, "Hmm."

Tao Xue wanted to say that she also wanted to go to the birthday celebration, but she didn't know how to bring it up. She pouted and glanced at Bian Guanyue—she felt that Bian Guanyue must have said that on purpose.

Bian Guanyue was indeed doing it on purpose, because Chen Guiliang was going to accompany Tao Xue on a trip to the northwest for the next few days. This made her somewhat unhappy.

Then, Bian Guanyue showed her magnanimity: "You should go too."

Tao Xue muttered, "What am I supposed to do there?"

Chen Guiliang pretended to be deaf and dumb; he didn't know how to handle it either. But he knew Bian Guanyue would handle it well.

...The film "Silk Road Smoke and Dust" is currently being filmed, and it is being shot on location in Northwest China.

Chen Guiliang and Tao Xue did not go directly to the film set; instead, they stopped halfway and went to visit attractions such as the Mogao Grottoes.

We played our way through the trip.

The director of "Silk Road Smoke and Dust" is Wu Ziniu, who previously directed "The Long Song of Zhenguan".

Wu Ziniu didn't take it too seriously at first, thinking it was just an ordinary project that he would finish filming quickly, get paid, and leave.

Unexpectedly, ByteDance Pictures is serious. They even researched the clothing of the Xiongnu and Wusun people and invited some experts to serve as their history and military advisors.

Wu Ziniu immediately became serious, and began studying that period of history two or three months in advance, while also repeatedly researching the original novel and the script.

He tried suggesting that the main actors practice riding horses first, and ByteDance actually threw the actors over.

This is fantastic for the director!
"Dilraba, what are you acting? You've already finished filming your teenage scenes, and now you're the princess of Wusun! You need to switch characters!" After several takes, Wu Ziniu got so angry that she started yelling.

Dilraba could only bury her head and obediently accept the scolding; her first phase of filming the teenage scenes went very smoothly. But the second phase became fraught with difficulties.

Because of the role she played, she went from being the Loulan princess to the Wusun prince's wife. Initially, she was very favored, but her husband soon fell ill and became bedridden. Sadness and intrigue forced her to mature quickly.

This kind of role change is very complex, and Dilraba simply cannot control it.

The main problem is that the director's requirements were too high.

When Wu Ziniu first received the director's invitation, he was thinking of just shooting a casual film and getting by. But ByteDance provided him with so many resources that his attitude changed, and he wanted to make a film with the feel of a large-scale historical drama.

"Sister, how should I act?" Dilraba asked Jiang Xin.

Consort Hua is the second female lead and the main antagonist in this drama—a noblewoman from the Xiongnu who leads thousands of followers to marry the King of Wusun.

Jiang Xin said in a low voice, "Director Wu's requirements are a bit high. This is the first time I've encountered a situation like this..."

Just then, someone shouted, "Everyone come here! Mr. Chen from ByteDance and the original author, Teacher Tao, have come to visit the crew... Their car will be here in about ten minutes!"

The two quickly stood up and joined the others to wait for the greeting.

Pan Yueming hasn't joined the cast yet. He plays the male lead, but his role isn't actually that big, because it's a female-centric drama. There are several male leads.

Yes, Pan Yueming is currently going through divorce proceedings.

The actor who plays the King of Wusun is Wang Deshun, a handsome man in his 70s. He's over 80 and still walks the runway.

The eldest prince of Wusun is named Gao Weiguang. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and has been working as a model for the past few years, but he has always wanted to act. Because he is so handsome and has very defined features, he was chosen to play the second male lead and has now signed with ByteDance Pictures.

The group stood there chatting.

The extras, who rarely get a break, started sitting on the ground smoking, chatting, and joking around.

"Come on, come on!"

An SUV approached from a distance; it was the one Chen Guiliang had rented locally after getting off the plane.

Director Wu Ziniu led the main creative team to greet them: "Welcome Mr. Chen and Teacher Tao to inspect the film crew's work."

After shaking hands, Chen Guiliang joked with Tao Xue, "Wherever you go, you'll always be Teacher Tao."

When Tao Xue shook hands with the director, she said, "I'm still young, not a teacher. I'm just here to see what it's like. I've never seen a film crew before."

Looking at the actors' costumes, Chen Guiliang said, "They're great, very serious drama-like. They're not those colorful, obviously modern clothes."

Wu Ziniu said, "The costumes are restored based on archaeological clothing. Modern elements have also been added to make them more suitable for modern aesthetics. It's impossible to film them 100% according to the original."

"You've done a very good job," Chen Guiliang praised.

After speaking, he shook hands with the lead actors and said to Jiang Xin, "Hello, Consort Hua. I really like your acting, especially in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.' I think you are the most beautiful actress in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.'"

Jiang Xin said happily, "President Chen, you flatter me. There are many beauties in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and I'm not even in the top tier."

“Don’t be modest,” Chen Guiliang said. “The company just published Jinjiang’s novel ‘Ode to Joy’ and also bought the film and television rights. I think you’re quite suitable to play the female lead in this drama. Are you interested in signing with ByteDance Pictures?”

Jiang Xin said, "My previous agency contract hasn't expired yet."

Chen Guiliang said, "Sign up when your contract expires. The female lead in 'Ode to Joy' is waiting for you."

Jiang Xin quickly said, "My agency contract with Haihua Sunshine expires in eight months. Can 'Ode to Joy' wait eight months?"

“Absolutely,” Chen Guiliang said with a smile.

Jiang Xin was overjoyed to hear this. Although she had gained some popularity for her role as Consort Hua, it was still difficult for her to play the leading role in big productions.

Jiang Xin is willing to change agencies as long as she gets the lead role.

After chatting with Consort Hua, Chen Guiliang shook hands with Dilraba Dilmurat and asked with a smile, "Did you get scolded?"

Dilraba replied awkwardly, "I did not act well, but I will try my best to improve."

Chen Guiliang shook hands with more than ten people in a row, then turned to Wu Ziniu and asked, "Could you arrange a role for me? Just a few lines will do. If that doesn't work, I can even play a corpse."

This guy's acting addiction is acting up again.

(End of this chapter)