usenovelgroup Chapter 34 Zhang Qiling's Temptation!
Chapter 34 Zhang Qiling's Temptation!
"Sister Xiaotong, why are you calling me all of a sudden?"
Xu Lang's gaze swept across the room, catching sight of Director Liang and Deng Xibin standing behind the monitor in the distance, staring at it with a hint of excitement on their faces.
In his previous life, he had met Deng Xibin a few times, but they were only casual acquaintances!
He lowered his voice to make the call.
Mao Xiaotong, on the other end of the phone, was a little excited when she heard his voice:
"Xu Lang, have you been very busy filming lately? I hope I haven't bothered you?"
Crack!
Xu Lang is dead.
Instead, he made a video call via WeChat, catching Mao Xiaotong on the other end somewhat off guard.
I was a little confused and at a loss at first, but when I saw the video call that popped up, I happily answered it.
But when he saw Xu Lang, dressed in his costume, soaking wet and with his hair still dripping, he frowned, a sense of guilt washing over him.
"Xu Lang, are you filming? I...am I disturbing you?"
Xu Lang smiled brightly and said:
"You usually send me WeChat messages, so if you suddenly call me, it must be something very important."
"Filming is nothing compared to what's going on with you. I answered your call as soon as I saw it was your call... Sister Xiaotong, what's wrong? Don't cry!"
As she spoke, Mao Xiaotong's eyes reddened, filled with guilt, and she lowered her head:
"Xu Lang, I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to disturb your filming!"
Xu Lang quickly comforted her, "Sister Xiaotong, I know you didn't mean it. You must have something urgent to tell me. What is it? Tell me."
"I..." Mao Xiaotong shed a few tears, feeling utterly pathetic, and said:
"It's not really urgent. You should go film your movie first. Don't keep people waiting; it's not good for you."
"Sister Xiaotong... hello... hello..."
It's over.
After hanging up the phone, Mao Xiaotong shed a few more tears than before, her face full of guilt.
Zhang Xinyu, who was standing next to her, took out a tissue, wiped away her tears, put her arm around her shoulder, and said:
"Don't cry. Xu Lang won't blame you. You didn't do it on purpose. Okay, okay, next time you see him, treat him to a nice meal and apologize, alright?"
Mao Xiaotong, like a wounded kitten, said:
"Teacher Yu said he's a career-oriented person. Am I... being a little immature?"
"No, no, that's not true, don't cry." Zhang Xinyu could only try her best to comfort her, saying:
"How about this, this afternoon, let's go visit the set of 'Swords of Legends'. It's not far, and we won't disturb their filming. We'll just watch from a distance. Is that alright?"
Mao Xiaotong's eyes lit up, and she nodded emphatically: "Yes, okay!"
……
The cast and crew of "Swords of Legends".
It was lunchtime, and the crew was distributing boxed lunches. Xu Lang took two boxed lunches to a small table and placed one in front of Dilraba.
Qiao Zhenyu was already sitting down next to him. When he saw Xu Lang coming over, he was about to strike up a conversation with him.
He glanced at his phone, quickly stood up, and looked towards the entrance of the film set, where he saw security personnel stopping a tricycle.
He rushed over.
"Brother Lang, hehe, I've brought you milk tea."
Yang Chaoyue greeted them happily, her youthful face beaming with a radiant smile.
Xu Lang arrived at the entrance, first offering the security guard a cigarette, then handing him a cup of milk tea.
The security guard feigned reluctance a few times, then accepted it, saying enthusiastically:
"Bro, I'll post it for you too!"
Thanks!
Xu Lang took over the helm from Yang Chaoyue, told her to move her buttocks to the side, then twisted the throttle, and the tricycle sped towards the small dining table where people were having lunch.
"Teacher Zhenyu, please help!"
Qiao Zhenyu hurriedly put down his half-eaten lunchbox and got up to help, and Dilraba also came over to help.
Xu Lang took five cups of milk tea and walked towards the director and producer, personally serving them to them.
A milk tea costing a dozen yuan, in this sweltering summer, may not be considered bribery, but it can certainly win people's hearts.
Producer Deng Xibin accepted the milk tea, thanked him, and then called out to Xu Lang as he turned to leave:
"Xu Lang, I saw that fight scene in the rain. It was very clean and crisp; I really liked it. I'd like to ask which agency you're signed with now?"
Xu Lang remained composed and calm, saying:
"I haven't signed with a company yet, and I don't have any plans to do so at the moment."
Deng Xibin smiled.
No plans in that regard? Nobody would believe that!
It's simply that the conditions weren't right.
Even Tang Ren and Huanyu rejected you, you're not going to ask for an exorbitant amount, are you?
Let's try throwing out a few baits first!
"Xu Lang, I am Deng Xibin, the producer from Huanrui. We are currently preparing to launch several major IP projects, including the online popularity of the books 'The Grave Robbers' Chronicles' and 'Zhu Xian'. You know that without me saying anything."
"If you're willing to sign with H&R Century Pictures, I can guarantee you the second male lead role in one of these two dramas. How about Zhang Qiling in 'The Lost Tomb'? He's even more popular than the lead actor; he's guaranteed to be a hit!"
Xu Lang's mind was still filled with the sensation caused by the broadcast of "The Lost Tomb" in his previous life.
It ushered in the era of "paid online dramas". The series surpassed 100 million views in just 22 hours after its release, setting a record for the fastest online drama to reach 100 million views at the time.
The massive influx of users even caused iQiyi's servers to crash at one point.
This drama was absolutely phenomenal at the time, and it also propelled Li Yifeng, who played Wu Xie, and Yang Yang, who played Zhang Qiling, to the top of the popularity charts.
The role of Zhang Qiling was extremely tempting for Xu Lang.
But he always insisted on his principles, insisting that he must keep control and take charge of his own life.
It seems that setting up a personal studio is an urgent matter!
"Thank you for your appreciation, Producer Deng. I am very interested in 'The Lost Tomb,' and Zhang Qiling is a character I liked when I read the original novel." Xu Lang first expressed his gratitude and views, and then said:
"But I really haven't thought it through yet. I have my own reasons, and I hope Producer Deng can understand."
Deng Xibin was slightly taken aback; indeed, this was a tough nut to crack. He said:
"In the coming year, in addition to these two dramas, we also have period dramas, war dramas, and martial arts dramas. For our own productions, we will definitely prioritize our own people."
"Xu Lang, don't rush to answer me. You can go back and think it over carefully. Call me when you've made up your mind."
As he spoke, he handed over his business card.
Xu Lang took the business card, said okay, then turned and left, walking back to the small dining table.
On his way back, he glanced around and saw that almost everyone, including the staff and actors, had a cup of milk tea in their hands and were giving him grateful looks.
Many people nodded and greeted him.
"Milk tea diplomacy" is the cheapest emotional investment in the entertainment industry. Especially on the set of period dramas filmed in the sweltering heat, a cup of iced milk tea can instantly bring the relationship from "colleagues" to "one of us".
Milk tea isn't expensive; it's only at the right time that it becomes precious.
Back at the small dining table, Qiao Zhenyu saw that Yang Chaoyue was already sitting down, chatting with Reba. Qiao Zhenyu clearly didn't have much to say about Yang Chaoyue, the little girl who was making milk tea. When he saw Xu Lang return, he immediately went to greet him.
"Xu Lang, why did you think of bringing milk tea over to everyone?" Qiao Zhenyu took a sip of milk tea, looking quite pleased with himself.
Xu Lang smiled and said, "It's so hot today. It seems like someone in our crew had heatstroke yesterday. I was thinking, wouldn't it be great to have a cup of milk tea?"
Qiao Zhenyu gave a thumbs up: "You're so thoughtful; by the way, Xu Lang, which school did you graduate from? Beijing Film Academy? Central Academy of Drama? Shanghai Theatre Academy?"