Huayu: Starting with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

001. Parting amicably

Star Entertainment, 12th floor, conference room.

Chen Mo sat alone on one side of the long table, with three people sitting opposite him.

In the center is his agent, his former agent, Sister Lin.

On the left is the company's legal counsel, and on the right is a young woman who looks like an assistant, typing away on her computer, probably making records of contract termination.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly tense, but it was definitely not pleasant either.

It's that awkward situation where both parties know the relationship should end, but neither wants to be the first to say "goodbye."

"I have reviewed all the terms of the contract as of today, and there are no problems."

Chen Mo broke the silence first, speaking calmly.

The 23-year-old had striking features, with overly sharp lines on his brow and cheekbones, but his habitually lowered eyes added a touch of composure.

He doesn't have the refined handsomeness of a popular young idol; he looks more like he stepped out of a period drama.

This face briefly appeared on television screens for viewers across the country five years ago.

Then it disappeared.

Five whole years.

Sister Lin looked at him, hesitated twice before finally saying what she wanted to say.

"Xiao Mo, are you really not going to reconsider?"

"No need, Sister Lin."

"The company's idea is that although you haven't had many works in the past few years, the TV series 'Young Huo Qubing' still has some residual popularity. People are still discussing it online. If you are willing to stay, I will help you get some variety show and short video offers to build up your popularity first."

"So what if you raise it?"

Chen Mo interrupted her, but his tone was not impolite at all, and even carried a hint of a smile.

"Should I take on some supporting roles in romantic dramas, like third or fourth male leads? Or go on to be part of the atmosphere-building team in reality shows?"

When he signed the contract, the company clearly told him that his job was only acting and helping to connect with film crews.

But after signing the contract, he discovered that there were many pitfalls in it, so many that he was afraid to even look at them.

Disobeying will result in paying exorbitant penalties for breach of contract.

It was at that moment that he realized that some companies actually profit from the breach of contract fees paid by artists.

But he didn't care about any of that anymore; he had made it through today.

Sister Lin opened her mouth slightly, then closed it again.

Because what Chen Mo said was true.

Given his current situation, this is all the company can offer him.

Five years ago, 18-year-old Chen Mo made his debut in a historical drama called "Young Huo Qubing".

That drama didn't have a large budget or a particularly good cast, but the subject matter was appealing—a young general sweeping through the Xiongnu and sealing the wolf's lair, how exciting!

Chen Mo plays Huo Qubing in it.

He was an ordinary person who had never studied acting. The company spent a lot of money to get him in, betting on his face and youthful spirit.

When the show aired, it was met with a barrage of criticism.

The most upvoted comment was: "Is this supposed to be Huo Qubing or Huo Qubing going shopping? Riding horses is like riding electric bikes, fighting is like playing video games. Director, did you fire the martial arts choreographer?"

Even harsher comments: "I suggest renaming it 'Young Huo Qubing,' because he has a completely expressionless face throughout, like he was just taken out of a freezer."

At the time, public opinion was overwhelmingly critical of Chen Mo.

As a newcomer, with no existing fanbase and no background, netizens feel no qualms about criticizing him.

Anyway, he won't lose followers even if he's criticized—he doesn't have any followers to begin with.

But what's interesting is the company's reaction.

When the executives at Star Entertainment saw this public opinion trend, they didn't think it was a bad thing at all; on the contrary, they became excited.

Black and red are still red!

Topics generate traffic, and traffic generates commercial value.

If handled properly, Chen Mo can be packaged as an inspirational figure who is "hated by the entire internet but remains strong," and with some variety show appearances and fan management, he can definitely find a path to "controversial traffic."

There are quite a few people in the entertainment industry who use this tactic, and some have even succeeded.

The company has even arranged several variety shows for him, just waiting for his approval.

But eighteen-year-old Chen Mo made a decision that surprised everyone.

He refused.

It wasn't a hesitant, half-hearted refusal, but a very decisive and firm one.

"I don't want to become famous by being criticized."

When these words were spoken, even Sister Lin was stunned for several seconds.

Brother, are you genuinely clueless or just pretending?

In this industry, "fame" is the scarcest resource.

So many people are desperate to get on the trending topics list, but you're the one who gets the trending topics list handed to you, and you say no?

But Chen Mo really didn't want it.

He felt he hadn't acted well, and he was well aware of that.

At eighteen, with no prior acting experience, she joined the production team at the last minute, and her performance was already considered exceptional.

But "extraordinary performance" and "good acting" are two different things.

Viewers criticized him for being expressionless, for his awkward horse riding, and for reciting lines like a textbook. While these criticisms were harsh, most of them were true.

He does indeed have facial paralysis.

It's not that I don't want to express my emotions, it's that I don't know how, and I dare not go against the director's wishes.

He really does look terrible on horseback.

It's not that I don't want to look cool, it's that I really don't know how to ride.

Instead of relying on these sarcastic remarks to generate traffic, they should learn from them.

Learn until you truly understand.

So Chen Mo made a second decision that was even more unexpected for the company.

He was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama.

I didn't go through any special art admissions process; I just participated in the regular art exams and got in based on my own merit.

Then he plunged headlong into the world of stage plays, and stayed there for four years.

During those four years, he did not take on any film or television roles.

She hasn't appeared on any variety shows.

There was no blog, no live streams, and no other activities related to "maintaining popularity".

In the entertainment industry, where "striking while the iron is hot" is a common practice, he essentially stood up from the poker table and went out to hone his poker skills for four years.

When he finished practicing and came back, he found that there was a different group of people at the card table.

Nobody remembers him anymore.

The company's attitude toward his behavior is also very clear.

Shelved.

It's not the kind of "I'll punish you for doing something wrong" kind of shelving, but a colder kind of "If you don't listen, I'll just leave you alone" kind of abandonment.

In four years, the company didn't provide him with any resources, and he even changed agents twice. In the end, they didn't even bother to assign him an agent anymore.

Sister Lin was the last one, and also the most "dutiful" one. At least when the contract was terminated, she was willing to sit here and accompany him through the process.

"Sign it." Chen Mo pushed the contract over.

Sister Lin looked at the contract, then at Chen Mo.

She's been in this industry for over a decade and has seen countless young people.

Some were unwilling to accept it, some left in tears, some made a scene, and some made threats.

But there aren't many people like Chen Mo who remained calm and composed from beginning to end, without uttering a single complaint or sigh.

"What are you planning to do after you get out?" Sister Lin asked as a final question.

"Just stay alive first."

"...I mean in terms of career."

"Oh, regarding your career..."

Chen Mo thought for a moment and answered very seriously, "Living is the priority."

Sister Lin: "..."

Okay, this conversation has run its course.

Sign, stamp, shake hands, and leave.

After exiting the gates of Star Entertainment, Chen Mo stood on the roadside and took a deep breath.

The wind in Yanjing in March still carried a bit of a chill, but it already had the feel of spring.

He touched his pocket and found more than 20,000 yuan in his bank card, which he had saved up over the past few years while performing in stage plays at the Central Academy of Drama.

Not much, but not enough to starve to death immediately.

There is no brokerage firm anymore.

There are no agents anymore.

There were no resources, no connections, and no announcements.

From today onwards, Chen Mo is a completely unemployed actor starting from scratch.

At 23, he graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. His representative work is "Young Huo Qubing," a film that was ridiculed by the entire internet.

This starting point is as low as it can get.

Strangely, Chen Mo wasn't in a bad mood.

You could even say it's quite relaxing.

It's like carrying a heavy burden for five years, and today I've finally put it down.

No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, at least from now on, he will be taking every step by himself.

No more having to put up with the company's attitude.

No need to get bogged down in all that messy interpersonal relationships anymore.

Refreshing and refreshing.

He took out his phone and logged into his blog.

I registered an account.

I will use my real name: Chen Mo.

The profile picture was a casually taken photo of the roadside.