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

On the same evening.

In Yanjing, on the East Third Ring Road, in a high-rise apartment building with a monthly rent of 60,000 yuan.

Ji Yu smashed his phone.

It wasn't a gentle drop; it was a real, hard fall.

The phone bounced on the marble coffee table, screen up, blog page still lit.

Third on the trending topics list: #ChenMo'sCaseReversedAfterFiveYears#

The seventh trending topic: #ChenMo's graduation performance at Central Academy of Drama is considered a masterpiece#

#12 on the trending topics list: #ChenMo vs. Foundation General#

Ji Yu stared at these keywords, his face even paler than after his facial treatment.

Then it quickly turns red.

Finally, it turns black.

Ji Yu, 24 years old, is currently the most popular celebrity in Star Entertainment, and also the person the company has invested the most resources in promoting over the past two years.

Is she good-looking?

good looking.

It's very beautiful.

With fair skin, delicate features, and a jawline so sharp it's more precise than any photo editing software, she could look like a magazine cover from any angle.

But his good looks are completely different from Chen Mo's.

Chen Mo's kind of good looks are hard, angular, and the way he looks makes you feel like he's been through a lot just by standing there.

Ji Yu's good looks are soft, meticulously groomed, and exude an aura of "I've spent a lot of money on skincare" from her hair to her toenails.

This kind of good looks is very popular in idol dramas.

But in historical dramas...

It's a disaster.

He is a player of the same type as Gu Chenyang.

It could even be said that when Gu Chenyang was chosen to play Huo Qubing in "The Great Han Dynasty", Ji Yu was also on the shortlist, but he ultimately lost because Gu Chenyang had a slightly higher number of fans.

Ji Yu has always held a grudge about this.

In his opinion, that role should have been his.

But now, Gu Chenyang has become a laughing stock on the internet because of "foundation general". Instead of gloating, Ji Yu is even more annoyed.

Because when netizens were criticizing Gu Chenyang, they also dragged him into it.

The comments section was filled with similar remarks: "Gu Chenyang is no good, and neither is Ji Yushang. None of these popular young actors can act in period dramas." "Stop arguing, let Chen Mo play the role, at least he'd look like a decent human being."

Act like a human being?

What does it mean to act like a human being?

Am I, Ji Yu, not human?

He grew angrier the more he thought about it, picked up his phone and scrolled through it for a while, where he saw the comments under Chen Mo's blog post.

"Comparing Chen Mo's old still from the drama with Ji Yu's recent photos from a period drama magazine is like comparing apples and oranges. One was weathered by wind and sand, the other was photoshopped with a beauty camera. The difference is obvious."

This comment has 12,000 likes.

Ji Yu clenched his fists.

He had a brief encounter with Chen Mo when they were both at Star Entertainment.

At that time, Chen Mo had already been sidelined and was practically invisible in the company; no one would greet him if they bumped into him in the hallway.

Ji Yu's impression of him was vague; he only remembered that he was a young man who didn't talk much and always walked with his head down.

At that time, he looked at Chen Mo as if he were looking at a loser who was destined to disappear from the industry.

As a result, this "loser" has now been praised by the entire internet, and some people are even comparing themselves to him.

On what grounds?

Based on just a five-year-old still from a TV series?

Based on just a blurry video recording of a stage play?

"Brother Yu, calm down."

The speaker was his agent, Sun Zhe, a man in his early thirties who wore gold-rimmed glasses and looked very refined.

But those in the industry know that Sun Zhe is one of Xingchen Entertainment's top agents, known for his smooth-talking and unconventional methods.

He played an indispensable role in transforming Ji Yu from an unknown nobody into the top star he is today.

"What's there to be angry about? He's just an obscure 18th-tier celebrity who's been washed up for five years, and a few marketing accounts have given him a boost."

Sun Zhe leaned back on the sofa, speaking casually.

"This level of hype will only last three days at most. After that, who will even remember him?"

"But they compare me to him!" Ji Yu's voice rose.

"Let them compare, it's not like it's the first time I've been compared to someone," Sun Zhe said unhurriedly. "Have you forgotten that kid from the talent show who compared to you last time? And what happened? After three days of hype, who even mentions him anymore?"

Ji Yu opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but didn't know what to say.

Seeing that his emotions had calmed down a bit, Sun Zhe slowly revealed his true trump card.

"And I have some good news to tell you today."

"What good news?"

Have you heard of director Gao hope's "The Legend of Chu and Han"?

Ji Yu nodded.

This drama has been generating a lot of buzz in the industry lately. It's said to have an investment of over 100 million yuan, with Gao hope personally directing and Chen Daomin in the lead role. The cast is currently being assembled.

"What's wrong?"

"The role of Xiang Yu," Sun Zhe pushed up his glasses, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I've already started making arrangements for you."

Ji Yu was stunned.

Xiang Yu?

Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu?

"You must be joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Sun Zhe's expression was very serious. "Among the investors of this film, there is one that has a very close relationship with our company. I have already talked to the people there, and their idea is that if our company fully cooperates with the publicity and distribution, the role of Xiang Yu can be given to you."

Ji Yu's eyes lit up.

Xiang Yu.

That's Xiang Yu.

One of the most famous tragic heroes in history, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, whose name has been sung for thousands of years, possessed strength that could uproot mountains and whose spirit could overshadow the world.

If he can play Xiang Yu, and with veteran actors like Chen Daomin supporting him, the show's reputation is almost guaranteed.

At that time, all controversies, such as "the foundation general" and "Chen Mo's exoneration," will be crushed.

Ji Yu is no longer a "traffic star".

He was the Hegemon-King of Western Chu!

"Moreover," Sun Zhe added, "with Chen Daomin in the cast, the audience's trust in the show is naturally high. Even if your acting has some flaws, the audience will feel that you are trying hard and making progress when you act opposite Chen Daomin. It's like a veteran actor guiding a newcomer, and this kind of narrative is the most appealing."

Ji Yu's breathing became noticeably more rapid.

He had already begun to imagine himself wearing Xiang Yu's armor.

Majestic and imposing, with a spirit that can encompass thousands of miles.

"What about the director? Did Gao hope agree?"

Sun Zhe's expression subtly changed.

"The negotiations are still ongoing. You know Gao hope; he's stubborn and not easy to talk to, but the investors are already putting pressure on him. No matter how tough he is, he can't outmaneuver money."

Ji Yu did not notice the subtle change in Sun Zhe's expression.

He only heard two key pieces of information: "Xiang Yu" and "the investors are putting pressure on him."

In his mind, the matter was almost certain.

After all, in this industry, the will of capital is the ultimate will.

What does a director even mean?

Directors are just working for capital.

He picked up the phone that had just been smashed, exited the blog, and opened a shopping app.

I typed four words into the search bar: fitness supplements.

I need to practice in advance.

Xiang Yu, after all, had to have some muscle, right?

Thinking this, he glanced at his slender, white forearm and decided it wasn't a big problem.

Just have the makeup artist add some contouring later.

For a long time afterward, he repeatedly recalled this thought and then repeatedly regretted it.

But that's another story.