Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

"It's great that you want to be a big star; everyone needs to have some aspirations."

Zhang Ze looked into her eyes, his tone relaxed yet carrying a convincing power, "As for our relationship, isn't it good as it is?"

"We're all adults. If we're happy, we'll be together; if we're not, we'll separate. This is the entertainment industry. If you're really hung up on these things, you won't go far in this industry."

"However..." Zhang Ze changed the subject, leaning forward slightly, his upper body reaching over the small dining table to get closer to her, a playful look on his face, "Your dream of becoming a big star is a bit risky if you just rely on yourself as an extra in Hengdian, even if you're signed with Huayi Brothers."

His hot breath sprayed onto Zhao Liying's face, making her already flushed cheeks even hotter.

"What can I do?" Zhao Liying said dejectedly, her voice softening. "I have no connections, no background. There are plenty of women in the company who are prettier and more experienced than me. How could I possibly get any good resources?"

"I'm planning to open a studio."

Zhang Ze didn't keep anyone in suspense; he casually dropped a bombshell.

"Studio?" Zhao Liying's face was full of confusion.

The term "artist studio" is still quite unfamiliar and distant to her at present.

"Yes, it means being your own boss, signing your own artists, finding your own resources, and investing in your own film production."

Zhang Ze patiently explained, "Now, most of the resources in the industry are in the hands of those big film and television companies and agencies. Artists have little say. They work hard to film a movie, but the company takes the lion's share of the money, and they only get a little bit in their own hands."

"But this model will definitely change in the future."

"The future trend is for artists to open their own studios, bypass their management companies, and directly negotiate collaborations with platforms and production teams."

These words sounded like a fantasy in the entertainment industry in 2008.

Currently, only Fan Bingbing can be considered one of the first artists to take the plunge, but her studio system is not perfect and is still in the exploratory stage. Her main business is still focused on accepting commercial performances and dating shows. Her performance in film and television production is lukewarm and has not caused much of a stir.

But in the eyes of Zhang Ze, a reborn individual with memories of the next few decades, the artist studio system is definitely the golden track of the future.

It can free artists from the excessive control and exploitation of management companies, and enable them to cooperate with major film and television platforms in a more flexible and efficient way, keeping the initiative firmly in their own hands.

The only downside is that the initial stage will be very difficult, because all the connections and resources in the early stages are controlled by those deeply rooted, established film and television companies and talent agencies.

Zhang Ze looked at Zhao Liying, who had a blank expression, and suddenly smiled, a smile full of confidence.

"Liying, do you believe me?"

"Huh?" Zhao Liying hadn't yet recovered from his advanced theory.

"I said, once my studio is up and running, I'll sign you from Huayi."

"I'll make you the leading lady, a big star!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was firm and resonant, each word striking Zhao Liying's heart deeply.

Having the memories of the next ten or twenty years, Zhang Ze naturally had the confidence to say those words.

To be honest, Zhao Liying's resources at Huayi Brothers were not good at all. She would continue to play minor roles for the next few years until most of the artists under their management left, at which point they would remember Zhao Liying, a nobody.

To put it bluntly, even without any resources, Zhang Ze could still make Zhao Liying famous simply by copying the TV and movie scripts from later generations into his head and finding people to film them.

She was completely taken aback by his vision of the future.

Starting a company? Promoting her as the leading actress? Making her a big star? It all sounds too unreal, like a distant dream.

But when she looked up, she saw not a frivolous promise in Zhang Ze's deep eyes, but an undisguised and powerful confidence.

The look in his eyes made it seem as if he wasn't talking about a future plan, but a given fact.

She suddenly realized that he wasn't joking or making empty promises.

This man might actually be able to do everything he says he can.

If it weren't for Zhang Ze, she would most likely have chosen to renew her contract with Huayi after it expired.

After all, it's good to have a powerful backer. For a small actress like her with no connections or background, once she leaves the protection of a big company, she might not even be able to find a chance to play a minor role.

The trajectory of her previous life was similar. After experiencing the pain of losing a large number of core artists, Huayi only remembered Zhao Liying, who was still a nobody quietly persisting at the bottom, several years later. Only then did they begin to invest resources in her, helping her gradually move towards becoming a first-tier actress.

But now, a brand new and tempting path lies before her.

The girl's eyes lit up instantly, as if two flames were burning within them.

She didn't even bother to consider the veracity of Zhang Ze's words, nor did she analyze how unrealistic it was for a struggling extra to say he wanted to start a company and make her famous.

She just looked at him, at his eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"I believe you!"

Three words, crisp and concise.

Zhao Liying grabbed the half-empty bottle of beer on the table, poured herself a full glass, and the foam overflowed from the rim.

She picked up Zhang Ze's cup again and filled it to the brim, her whole action exuding the heroic spirit of a chivalrous woman from the martial arts world.

"My contract with Huayi Brothers expires at the end of this year! When that time comes, just ask, and I'll come over! To be your first artist!"

After saying that, she tilted her head back and downed a full glass of ice-cold beer in one gulp.

The spicy liquid burned down her throat and into her stomach, making her eyes water and her face turn bright red from coughing.

The atmosphere became exceptionally lively in the latter half of the meal. The earlier awkwardness and embarrassment vanished completely.

The two smiled at each other; many things didn't need to be said, they were all in the wine and in their eyes.

After dinner, Zhao Liying blushed and said that there were still some parts of the scenes she filmed during the day that she didn't quite understand, and she needed to ask Teacher Zhang for advice on acting.

Zhang Ze readily agreed, expressing his willingness to share all his knowledge.

The two discussed everything from analyzing the details of the script to exploring the characters' inner world, and from acting techniques to life planning.

Before we knew it, the battleground had shifted from the dining table to the creaking single bed.

The result was another night of wind and rain, with fish and dragons dancing wildly and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

……

In the days that followed, their relationship quickly warmed up in a tacit way.

The morning sunlight streamed through the not-so-clean window of the rented room, casting a dappled halo of light.

The air still carried the lingering scent of last night's passionate encounter, mixed with a faint aroma of wine and shampoo.

When Zhang Ze opened his eyes, Zhao Liying had already quietly dressed and was standing by the bed, secretly watching him.

When she saw that he was awake, she stiffened, her eyes darted away in a panic, and her cheeks quickly flushed red.

"You're awake...you're awake."

She muttered softly, her voice still slightly hoarse from a hangover.

"Um."

Zhang Ze didn't get up; he just lay on the bed, watching her with a leisurely air.