Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

If Li Xiang was still an unknown figure before the movie's release, then after seven days, he had already become a household name.

His personal Weibo follower count alone has soared to 120 million.

It's worth noting that from her premiere appearance to her rise to fame, it only took a little over half a month. This rate of fan growth is unprecedented these days.

It can only be said that we live in a good era, as the public still has a natural affinity for "movie stars";

Apart from a few top actresses, the overall competition in the entertainment industry was far less intense than it became later.

Unlike later years, when celebrities were as numerous as fish crossing a river, layered from second, third, fourth, and fifth-tier stars to 18th-tier stars, making it incredibly difficult for newcomers to make a name for themselves.

In addition, from the first day of the promotional tour to today's conclusion, the production team has been constantly in the news online.

As box office numbers soared, more and more people saw Li Xiang's performances, and his popularity naturally increased as a result.

More importantly, the entire internet has long accepted that he is Director Zhang's protégé, and coupled with his ambiguous and mysterious background, people are generally optimistic about his future.

It was the combination of various factors that led to Li Xiang's rising popularity.

Judging solely by his status and works, he is currently very popular and can definitely be ranked among the top in the younger generation—even though he has only made one movie.

This is one of the reasons why he had to leave immediately after the roadshow ended.

He had originally planned to accompany the director back to Beijing, but the reality was that he had to rush to the company headquarters in Hangzhou.

Because some brands have already taken notice of his momentum and want to discuss business cooperation.

Zhang Yimou was naturally aware of the key points involved.

Although he did not approve of Li Xiang taking on TV dramas and wasting his spiritual energy, he was not detached from worldly affairs and understood that signed artists had to create value for the company.

Since I can't touch TV dramas, I have to take on some commercial endorsements and other work so that I can gain a foothold in the company.

Besides, he himself was extremely busy.

Preparations for "The Flowers of War" began long ago, and now he is focused on making a good film—which can be considered his final words to Zhang Weiping.

Yes, that's right, it's the "final" explanation.

No one knew what was churning in his heart, but after a few phone calls with his beloved wife, the slight wavering in his heart finally subsided.

After "The Flowers of War" is finished filming, it will be time for him and Zhang Weiping to part ways amicably.

And it's his decision to make this matter.

Since filming "Keep It Up" in 1996, he and Zhang Weiping have never signed a contract, and even the profit sharing is based on verbal agreement.

In retrospect, that sense of brotherhood from back then really did sustain this collaboration for so long.

The fact that "Under the Hawthorn Tree" enjoyed seven consecutive days of box office success gave him the confidence to make this decision.

Zhang Weiping has clearly made a fortune from this, enough for him to live comfortably for many years to come.

Considering the income from the next film, he felt he hadn't wronged anyone; on the contrary, Zhang Weiping had been owing him all these years.

He was even prepared to not take a penny from "Under the Hawthorn Tree" and "The Flowers of War".

In his view, more important than the remuneration is getting rid of this distorted entanglement and constraint, and being able to make movies according to his own wishes.

He's been swept along and rushed forward all these years, and he's long been exhausted.

If I can use these two films to make a clean break, even if I come back empty-handed, it will be a way to free my career.

Moreover, the current box office performance has given him a lot of confidence:

Even if he goes solo or seeks other opportunities, with his talent, he will still be the same Zhang Yimou who can produce great works.

So, before Li Xiang was about to leave Chang'an, Zhang Yimou invited him to have dinner together.

In fact, the online discussions these days have somewhat influenced his thinking—at least in his view, Li Xiang can indeed be considered one of his close associates.

As for the male lead, he was personally selected by him. He took on the lead role in his first film, and he was practically mentored by him.

On a personal level, there's also the long-standing friendship with Lao Wang.

Zhang Yimou, who has already made up his mind to leave New Media, believes that such younger generations are worth getting closer to.

After all, he had no idea what the future held.

The group first found a local time-honored restaurant and ordered a table full of dishes.

After they were seated, Zhang Yimou spoke first: "Looks like you're not planning to go back to school right away."

Li Xiang smiled and said, "Now that your show is a hit, you have to help the company make some money first."

Zhang Yimou glanced at Sister Zhou beside him, who seemed not to have heard, and a smile appeared in his eyes: "Then we'd better hurry, the school anniversary is coming soon, we have to go back no matter what."

"Of course," Li Xiang replied. "My current reputation is largely thanks to you, and the other half is supported by the school. How could I not contribute to the school?"

"You don't need to underestimate yourself." Zhang Yimou waved his hand. "The box office has reached this point, it's no longer a small matter."

According to New Pictures' statistics, the film is conservatively expected to gross over 2 million yuan before it leaves theaters – no small sum, especially for an art film.

The prestige of being a current student at the Beijing Film Academy can no longer overshadow your current achievements.

He paused, then added, "But don't relax too much. Business deals are ultimately minor. For an actor to go far, acting skills are fundamental."

As he spoke, he looked at Sister Zhou and said, "When you get back, tell your CEO Zhao that Li Xiang has a very long acting career ahead of him at his age."

Not just now, even when I'm in my fifties or sixties, I'll still have roles to play. Don't rush things; you have to build a solid foundation first.

This can be considered a test by Zhang Yimou.

He was terrified of being scammed by Zhang Weiping. If he encountered another company that only focused on short-term gains and ignored long-term development, he would cut it off immediately.

But if his words have an effect, or if he is truly willing to settle down and do things properly, he wouldn't mind giving Hua Ce a chance.

What he didn't know was that Sister Zhou's heart had already completely turned to Li Xiang.

After all, male actors like Li Xiang, who bring their own star power with them, are extremely rare in today's entertainment industry.

Being his manager and watching him rise step by step, Sister Zhou was more determined than anyone to prevent him from taking the wrong path.

So after hearing Director Zhang's words, he immediately assured him: "Director Zhang, rest assured, from the day we signed Li Xiang, the company has been looking towards the long term."

He then briefly mentioned several film resources that Zhang Hui had introduced to Li Xiang a while earlier, proving that the company had always kept Li Xiang in mind.

Sister Zhou isn't stupid; she had already guessed that the company wanted to get in touch with Director Zhang through Li Xiang, but this only benefited Li Xiang and caused him no harm.

Now that the opportunity has arrived, it's natural to follow the conversation and praise the company's plans as reliable, hoping to entice Director Zhang to take notice.

Afterwards, she went on to explain in detail the company's long-term plans for Li Xiang, which made Zhang Yimou nod frequently, and his expression visibly relaxed.

Then he turned to Li Xiang and said, "You better come early on the day of the school anniversary. Just follow me and listen more, talk less."

I'll find another opportunity to introduce you to some people. Once you get to know them, they'll naturally think of you more when suitable roles come up.

Just as Li Xiang was about to say something to express his gratitude, he was interrupted: "Alright, no need for those nice words."

That's how it is in our circle; the older ones mentor the newer ones, and the newer ones help the older ones. Who knows, I might need your help someday, so just don't renege on your promise.

Hearing these profound words, Li Xiang didn't hesitate for a second. He immediately patted his chest and said, "I would die a thousand deaths for you!"

Zhang Yimou also raised his teacup and clinked it against his: "Okay."