HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 99 [099] The Joy of Enlightenment in Longchang
"What do you think? With your popularity and our strong production team, we're sure to make 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' a classic."

Let me tell you, the production team for *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* is basically the same as that for *Water Margin*, and you've seen how popular *Water Margin* is.”

Zhang Dahuzi observed Qi Yuan's movements and extended an invitation once again.

As the producer and the person in charge of the "Swordsman" production team, he was actually trying to coax a young man to join the team—something he had never done before.

"I'll give you 1.5 million... two million. That's already the highest and most prestigious salary in the mainland television industry."

You should understand that the salaries of the lead actors in CCTV dramas are generally low, and most of the budget is spent on production.

The station set a total investment of 40 million for "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", and you took one-twentieth of that.

The combined salaries of the second to tenth place actors probably don't even equal yours alone.

Zhang Dahuzi was getting a little anxious.

What more do you want from me?

I've offered the best terms, can't you trust me, Lao Zhang, just this once? Has my character become so rotten that I'm not trustworthy?
Zhang Dahuzi truly showed his utmost sincerity; apart from the fact that the total investment of 40 million was fake, everything else was true.

His former boss had tipped him off that if he could get Qi Yuan to play Linghu Chong, the investment increase of ten million would most likely be approved.

Therefore, theoretically, the production budget for "Swordsman" was more ample, allowing Qi Yuan to receive a salary of two million.

A two million yuan salary truly places them in the top tier of the mainland television industry.

The Water Margin, which premiered at the beginning of this year.

Li Xuejian's salary for playing Song Jiang was 430,000 yuan.

Li Xuejian's salary is already in the top tier of the mainland television industry, considered very high.

This was the first time Qi Yuan had seen Zhang Dahuzi act so humbly. Since he hadn't been against acting, he readily agreed: "Teacher Zhang thinks highly of me. It would be very impolite of me not to give Teacher Zhang face. My dream since I was a child has been to play a chivalrous hero. I am very grateful to Teacher Zhang for giving me this opportunity."

Zhang Dahuzi breathed a sigh of relief. All his efforts had been worthwhile; the kid had finally given in.

Fearing that Qi Yuan might change her mind, he immediately called someone to bring the contract over and signed it with Qi Yuan on the spot.

The role of Linghu Chong was officially taken over by Qi Yuan.

Zhang Dahuzi told Qi Yuan that he needed to set aside at least 4 to 5 months of his schedule for the second half of next year.

The contract stipulated that all of Qi Yuan's expenses during filming, including travel, food, accommodation, and other necessities, would be covered by the production team.

At first, Zhang Dahuzi felt somewhat aggrieved as he lowered himself and coaxed Qi Yuan.

He received a generous reward shortly after signing the contract and exclaimed how wonderful it was.

Here's what happened: the two of them finished their coffee and came out chatting and laughing when a group of paparazzi, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, blocked their way.

"Mr. Zhang Jizhong, did you meet with Qi Yuan this time to invite him to star in 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'?"

"Mr. Qi Yuan, Jin Yong said you are the perfect choice for Linghu Chong, and many people are hoping you will play the role. Do you really intend to take on the role?"

"Mr. Qi Yuan, may I ask..."

Seeing the seven or eight paparazzi with their long lenses and microphones, Qi Yuan glanced at Zhang Dahuzi out of the corner of his eye.

Zhang Dahuzi looked somewhat guilty.

Hey!
It was indeed the same Zhang Dahuzi as always, the same recipe, the same taste.

Paparazzi were arranged to stake out the place early on, so that regardless of whether the invitation was successful or not, it would create a buzz and boost the popularity of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer". However, Qi Yuan had already decided to star in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", so to some extent, he and Zhang Dahuzi could be considered a temporary community of interests.

The higher the attention given to "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," the greater the benefit for Zhang Dahuzi, and the same goes for Qi Yuan, the male lead.

So Qi Yuan decided to give Lao Zhang some face, give him a boost in popularity, and show him what marketing is all about.

"Yes, I've always wanted to play a chivalrous hero like Linghu Chong. I'm very grateful to Teacher Zhang for giving me this opportunity, and I'm also very grateful to Mr. Jin Yong for his evaluation of me," Qi Yuan said slowly and deliberately.

Zhang Dahu frowned slightly, thinking that Qi Yuan was still too young. She answered whatever the reporter asked, and there was nothing interesting about such bland answers.

It seems we'll have to rely on him.

Just as he was about to speak and deliver his prepared lines, Qi Yuan spoke again: "Teacher Zhang talked to me a lot today. Teacher Zhang is really a producer with great ideas. I asked him who would play Ren Yingying if I played Linghu Chong, and he said he would like to invite Chen Hong."

The paparazzi were so excited they almost jumped out of their skins; here comes the exciting part!
Qi Yuan and his wife Chen Kaige and Chen Hong were in the news just a few days ago. It is said that Chen Hong even starred in Qi Yuan's music video.

Rumors circulated that Chen Kaige personally carried the camera and filmed some rather explicit scenes for Qi Yuan and Chen Hong.

Casting Chen Hong as Ren Yingying will surely spark widespread discussion.

Zhang Dahuzi was dumbfounded.

Did he say it?

How come he doesn't remember?
Zhang Dahuzi is a very smart person, and also very good at self-promotion.

In just a few seconds, he realized what Qi Yuan meant.

Qi Yuan most likely discovered that the paparazzi were arranged by him and were cooperating with his performance.

Qi Yuan's actions gave Zhang Dahuzi the feeling of opening a new world; he discovered that this was how TV dramas could be promoted.

Exactly! He just announces he'll invite whichever actor is the most popular, and that's how he gets attention and buzz.

Old Zhang, having grasped the essence of the matter, went a step further and said, "Chen Hong is indeed excellent, the most beautiful woman in mainland China, but her age is no longer suitable for playing Ren Yingying. I think Zhao Yanzi, Wang Fei, and Li Wen are also good choices; we could consider inviting them."

Zhao Yanzi is very popular in Taiwan recently.

"Princess Pearl" is about to be broadcast in Hong Kong, and Zhao Yanzi will become a sensation in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

When "My Fair Princess" premieres in mainland China at the end of the year, Zhao Yanzi will become a phenomenal star, becoming famous throughout the country with just one role.

Princess Li Wen is the most popular female singer this year, while Zhang Da Hu Zi is simply shameless and is going head-to-head with her.

Their appearance and temperament are far inferior to Ren Yingying's.

But it doesn't matter. Zhang Dahuzi himself didn't intend for them to act; he only mentioned their names to gain attention.

Later, when filming "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", he insisted on inviting Kim Hee-sun from South Korea to play Wang Yuyan.

He even tries to piggyback on the fame of foreigners. What's so special about piggybacking on the fame of two of China's most popular female singers this year?
If Li Wen and the princess's fans criticize him, he can simply offer them a role and say whether he invited them or not!

Zhang Dahu felt refreshed and invigorated, as if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened up.

In his slightly intoxicated state, he named several popular actresses from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Afterwards, his and Qi Yuan's remarks were leaked by paparazzi, immediately causing a huge uproar and becoming the hottest news in the mainland television industry.

Zhang Dahuzi experienced the joy of faking an accident to implicate a popular celebrity for the first time.

(End of this chapter)