Chapter 16 – Is An Actor
Lin Leyang successfully passed the audition, and he sat in Ji Mian’s office, with a calculating expression on his face. “Ji Ge, the audition is either a popular superstar or a popular little meat (fresh newcomer). How did the director choose me? You didn’t open the back door for me, did you?”
Thinking of this possibility, his inner happiness suddenly reduced a lot. He wants to enter the entertainment circle because he likes acting. Secondly, because in the industry he will earn money a lot faster and would greatly reduce his living burden. Although he is in a relationship with Ji Mian, he is not willing to live with him. He wants to stand on the same level as him and become worthy of his existence.
Essentially, he wants to stand firm in the entertainment industry with his own efforts, instead of borrowing the momentum of Ji Mian.
Ji Mian seriously explained, “I did give you an opportunity, but I did not let the producers and directors have to choose you. They chose you in accordance with your own strength. Shi Yu’s role is optimistic, cheerful, and notably righteous, very close to your image. He has just been working for a long time, and he is very young in all aspects. When you auditioned, the acting was good, but it also carried a sense of greenness (amateurish). It is because of this that the director has given up so many popular stars and selected you. Le Yang, you have to believe in yourself, you are very talented in this aspect of performance, and a little more tempering will definitely take you to the next level. I am very optimistic about you.”
Lin Leyang was praised until his face was red, and the negative feelings had vanished. He nodded energetically and carefully thought about it. “Ji Ge, I will definitely work hard, and I will never let you lose face.”
“Well, don’t give yourself too much pressure.” Ji Mian smiled and caressed his head, then took out a contract, “I am going to sign you, do you have any terms to change?”
“What needs to be signed, I will directly sign it. What is there to look at or change?” Lin Leyang picked up the signature pen and turned the contract to the last page to sign. The page was blocked by Ji Mian.
The two were talking when Fang Kun came in with a cigarette. “Ji Ge, are you looking for me?” While shaking the cigarette ash in the ashtray, he smirked, “Hey, Lin Leyang is also here? I heard that you went to the ‘Apostles’ crew for an audition? How was the result?” However, he doesn’t have to ask him to know that if Ji Mian is there, Lin Leyang can satisfactorily get this role no matter how bad his acting skills are.
Lin Leyang smiled awkwardly. “Kun Ge is good, I got the male three.” In fact, he prefers the male four role. Although the character finishes earlier, he would still play Ji Mian’s brother in the film. There would be many scenes where they are together.
“Thank you and congratulations, the character setting of the male three is very suitable for you.” Fang Kun sat on the sofa on the other side, eyes flicking to the table and found a Class A contract on it. He couldn’t help but reveal a discerning expression while thinking ‘sure enough‘.
Ji Mian saw the two of them chilled out and said, “Ah Kun, I will trouble you with a lot in the future.”
“What do you mean? Let me be his agent?” Fang Kun instantly straightened his body. If he had the right to choose, he would never go to Lin Leyang. This person has no foundation, no sense of accountability, lacks conceptualisation, but has a high degree of self-respect. He always thinks that others are looking down on himself, so tends to be too nervous, and sensitive. ‘If you don’t say a word, you will be ashamed to face the world’ Fang Kun thought. Taking Lin Leyang would be more tiring than taking on a group of trainees! But now Ji Mian requested it so he has to agree to it anyway.
Similarly, Lin Leyang is also full of resistance. He did not like Fang Kun to oversee him, to examine, doubt, guard, or even ridicule. Don’t think he doesn’t know that this person must look down on him and think that he is not worthy of being with Ji Mian. In the future, getting along with Fang Kun, it would feel like he was being suffocated.
Of course, he can overcome these problems. However, he had to say goodbye to Chen Pengxin before the audition. If he became an artist, he would definitely ask him to be his broker. Chen Pengxin was his high school classmates and it was very difficult for them after they finished school. In the beginning, they didn’t even live in the same place as they did now. They lived together under a bridge overpass before, warming each other, encouraging each other, and supporting each other. In the end, he has everything today. Chen Pengxin’s new communicative ability is very good, he always earns more than Lin Leyang himself, so he often helps him. If there was no persuasion from the other, he doubted that he would have gone on to college.
It is no exaggeration to say that in this world, the biggest person who helped Lin Leyang is none other than Chen Pengxin. Even after Ji Mian, they still have to rely on each other. After all, they are friends who grew up together. Now Chen Pengxin is also working in Guanshi, but due to his short entry time and shallow qualifications, he can only have small tasks at the bottom of the Company’s food chain and didn’t know when he would have better work.
Ji Ge gave him a chance, then Lin Leyang also wants to give his friend a chance. He hesitated for a moment and then firmly said, “Ji Ge, can you let me choose my manager?”
Fang Kun’s tense body slowly relaxes. He knows that Ji Mian is very fond of this kid, but when the kid asks for anything, Ji Mian can promise to give it.
Sure enough, Ji Mian did not even think about it, “Who do you want to choose? Call them to come see me.”
“Ji Mian, wait a moment, I will call him right away. His name is Chen Pengxin, I know him and we have been friends since childhood.” Lin Leyang was overjoyed and quickly pulled out his mobile phone to contact his friend, knowing that the other party was buying coffee for colleagues, and reminded him to come back.
“Ji Ge, do you promise me?” Lin Leyang wanted to confirm after hanging up the phone.
“As long as your friend has good abilities and good character, I will promise you.” Ji Mian turned on the computer and pulled up a managerial contract. “But friends are friends, business is official, you have to sign with him a formal contract which clarifies the rights and obligations of both parties.” He said seriously.
“Of course.” Lin Leyang is eager to ensure. “Ji Ge, Chen Pengxin is very capable and his conduct is correct. I grew up with him since I was a child. I know him best. When I was able to enter the Guanshi internship, he introduced it to me. He is very skilled, but there is no chance for him to advance. We will definitely work hard in the future…” He rambled
Fang Kun interrupted his incessant chatter. “Do you tell him? About your relationship with Ji Ge?”
“No, absolutely not! I will not harm Ji Ge!” Lin Leyang quickly denied.
Fang Kun sternly said, “You worked as an assistant for Ji Ge before, you should know the entertainment industry is really not simple, this circle are eyes everywhere. Your relationship with Ji Mian must be kept confidential, you can not let anyone know.”
“Of course, do you want me to swear?” Lin Leyang raised a hand, but was gently held back by Ji Mian. “No, I believe you. Leyang, I am going to fade out of the entertainment circle soon, so getting out of the closet will not affect me. But you have a long way to go, I can’t ruin your future. Concealing your existence is not for self-protection, but for love. Can you believe me?”
Lin Leyang clasped his hand tightly and decided, “I believe in you.” How could he not believe in Ji Mian? He knows Ji Mian very well. He is generous and open-minded and willing to help people who need help. He has never been close to the word ‘selfishness’.
Ji Mian seems very happy, leaning over and kissing the little boyfriend’s cheek, he sighed. “Leyang, I am lucky I meet you.”
Lin Leyang shyly blushes, and cannot help but smile in a silly way while his heart silently answered: meeting you, it is really my luck!
The two men sprinkled the dog food for a while, and Ji Mian suddenly teased. “If one day I want to officially come out, are you afraid of it?”
狗糧 [gǒu liáng] – Dog food: This neologism refers to the self-pity of single people (humorously dubbed 'single dogs”) triggered by the public displays of affection by couples online or offline. It’s Chinese internet slang.
Lin Leyang shook his head. “Not afraid!” You want to hide, I will stand silently behind you. If you want to be open, I will be brave enough to stand in front of you, as long as we can be together in peace and stability.
Ji Mian smiled more cheerfully, and pulled his little boyfriend into his arms and hugged him.
Fang Kun was shot dead by the cold dog food. “I will tell you first, you can’t make too much intimate moves under the public eye. If you are found out by the media, Ji Ge will be nothing after and the worst thing is that for Lin Leyang, he is too sensitive, and is more likely to quit the entertainment circle forever because of the backlash.” He said. “Hey, have you heard nothing of what I said?”
Lin Leyang finally broke free from Ji Mian’s arms and blushed after hearing Fang Kun. “I will keep my distance in public.” He promised.
_____
Three days later ‘Apostles’ officially started. Xiao Jiashu took his agent and an assistant to the studio to participate in the launching ceremony. After finishing the conference, the director invited everyone to eat together and get to know each other.
When he saw Xiao Jiashu’s agent and assistant, Fang Kun’s eyes widened in shock. He spoke into Ji Mian’s ear, “What exactly is Xiao Jiashu’s level, even the Huangs Double Swordsman can come?”
Huangs Double Swordsman refers to Huang Meixuan and Huang Zijin. The two brother and sister unit are the gold medal agents of Crown Age Entertainment. One is known as the master of star-making, specializing in artist-like classes, acting classes, dance classes, etc., although, the fees are outrageously expensive, the effect is surprisingly good. In the circle, they can be classed as the best in their field. There are at least a dozen superstars in their hands, and their qualifications are very strong. A few days ago, Fang Kun also heard that the two men intend to follow the example of Su Rui to go out alone. How can they deign to bring a newcomer today? Is Xiao Jiashu’s background so terrifying?
Ji Mian never took the initiative to inquire about these types of things, so he waved his hand and gestured to Fang Kun not to ask.
At the same time, Xiao Jiashu, whose background is so ‘terrifying’ is sitting in his position, looking very calm and quiet. The hands on the table are trembling in excitement. In order to reduce the ulcers in his mouth, he has been drinking porridge for half a month, and now he finally left the line of sight of his mother. How can he not eat a meal?
The iron plate squid is so beautiful… I want to eat it; the pineapple duck looks so delicious, it should be salty and sweet… I want to eat it; the three-colour egg is special, it looks better than the one made by the chef of a Michelin restaurant. The devil egg that is made is also delicious… Hungry…
Xiao Jiashu is sitting in a crisis, his expression is calm but the saliva in his mouth has already secreted a lot, and he is swallowing silently and strenuously. Seeing the director stand up, it seems that he is going to say the opening remarks, he quickly called in his heart: good director, we must make a long story short, okay? Let’s not make it a long-winded speech, ah!