usenovelgroup Chapter 19: Watch closely, this is how an agent is used!
Chapter 19: Watch closely, this is how an agent is used!
Zeng Jia has been riding high lately.
Looking back over the past six months, everything she's been doing has gone more smoothly than the last.
Chung Chung-yin, the helmsman of H&R Century Pictures, finally finalized the "Big Production Plan" at the end of this year, and will promote it as the company's highest core strategy for the next few years.
As far as she knew, Chung Chung made her statement with great conviction at the internal meeting.
In the next decade of the film and television industry, whoever holds the big IP will hold the pricing power.
These words clearly coincide with Zeng Jia's assessment of the future direction of the entertainment industry.
Having worked in the industry for so many years, Zeng Jia knows all too well which way the winds of change are blowing in the content industry.
Huanrui, this large ship, is on the right track, at least for the next three to five years.
That's why she decided to bring Yang Mi's studio to be affiliated with them.
Now, the contract termination dispute between Yang Mi and Mei Ah Entertainment has been going on for almost half a year, with various lawyer's letters flying around and the media writing several rounds of press releases based on rumors. Finally, the dust has settled.
The negotiations with Huanrui went smoothly as well; Chung Chun-yan personally made the decision, offering even better terms than she had anticipated.
They will then be affiliated with Huanrui as a studio, which will provide them with the resources of a large platform while allowing them to retain considerable autonomy.
Zeng Jia herself is about to take up the position of director of the brokerage department at H&R Century Pictures.
This is more than just a title.
Being the director of the talent agency department means that the resources she can mobilize will increase several times over.
This also means that her influence in the industry will increase significantly.
What's even more surprising is that, at this critical juncture when there's a severe shortage of skilled personnel, she also signed Guan Shengbai.
Thinking about this, Zeng Jia couldn't help but want to pour herself a glass of red wine.
Guan Shengbai's looks are just too good to be true; he's got the face of a natural leading man just by standing in front of the camera.
With formal training and endorsement from big names like Chen Bing from the Beijing Film Academy, his acting skills are so solid that even a notoriously picky director like Kong Sheng would approve.
In his second film, he was able to participate in a top-tier production like "No War in Beiping".
What does this mean?
This is a textbook example of a "superstar in the making".
A few years ago, the starting point for leading actors like Huang Xiaoming and Deng Chao was no different.
Zeng Jia has been in this industry for over a decade and has seen at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, newcomers.
Some people are destined for success at first glance, while others are hopeless no matter how much resources you pour into them.
However, Guan Shengbai does not belong to either of these two categories.
He's more than just someone who can become famous; he's the kind of star with the potential to achieve great things.
Most importantly, compared to Yang Mi, who is often unruly and difficult to control, Guan Shengbai seems far too "well-behaved".
After all, this child dropped out of school for two years and has almost no connections in the industry. The only thing he can rely on is Yang Mi's friendship with his mentor and his solid acting skills.
Such young people are mostly those who have suffered hardships and had their edges smoothed out. They need someone to guide them, give them a way out, and show them a bright and visible path.
And Zeng Jia happens to be the most skilled at playing this role.
In fact, Zeng Jia even regretted it a little the night she signed the contract.
She felt she shouldn't have only given Guan Shengbai a five-year contract out of consideration for Yang Mi.
Five years is too short.
If a stock with this level of potential really breaks out, what will be used to keep it in check five years from now?
They should do what those big companies do and directly offer contracts for ten, thirteen, or even fifteen years.
But it's not too late now.
Zeng Jia leaned back in her leather chair in her office, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest, a complete plan already outlining in her mind.
She thought further ahead than Yang Mi, and even further ahead than Chung Chun-yen.
Huanrui Century was just a stepping stone; her ambition was never to work for others.
She will eventually start her own company and build her own entertainment empire.
At that time, Guan Shengbai, this pawn, will be firmly bound to her side.
No, it's not just about binding.
She wanted to make him unable to leave her.
She should be the first person he thinks of in every crucial moment.
He needs to instinctively call her at every hurdle, and subconsciously regard her as his bodyguard, strategist, or even godmother.
That way, no matter how famous, successful, or arrogant he becomes in the future, she can always stand firmly half a step behind him, holding onto that invisible rope.
Zeng Jia was engrossed in her calculations when her phone suddenly vibrated.
She glanced down at the screen.
The caller ID clearly displayed three words: Guan Shengbai.
Tsk, speak of the devil, and he appears.
"Hey, Xiaobai?"
Zeng Jia answered the phone, her tone both friendly and composed.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
Then Guan Shengbai's voice rang out, as calm as if he were reporting on the schedule for the following week.
"Sister Jia, something's happened, and I need your help to handle it."
"What is it?"
Zeng Jia raised an eyebrow slightly, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.
"He did a heroic deed late at night, beating up a few clueless bastards."
Zeng Jia's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.
Before she could even process the sudden appearance of the keyword "heroic act," Guan Shengbai's next sentence came crashing down on her.
"Coincidentally, the person who got beaten up happened to be a somewhat famous celebrity."
Zeng Jia's lips were slightly dry.
How famous?
Guan Shengbai seemed to chuckle softly.
"I think his name is something like Ke something Teng."
In that instant, Guan Shengbai's voice on Zeng Jia's receiver suddenly sounded very distant.
It's like bubbles floating up from the bottom of a bottomless pool, separated by a thick layer of water.
Zeng Jia slowly put down her teacup.
The sound of the cup bottom hitting the table was particularly crisp in the quiet office.
After hanging up the phone, Zeng Jia sat alone in her office for a full five minutes without moving.
The cold wind howled outside the window, pouring through the cracks. The biting chill of December in Kyoto seeped in through the glass, blowing away all the smug warmth she had just felt.
What does it mean to stand up for justice and beat up a thug?
What does it mean that the scoundrel just happened to be named Ko Ching-teng?
Is it Ko Ching-teng from "You Are the Apple of My Eye"?
She even subconsciously flipped through the calendar on the table and glanced at today's date.
December, not April 1st.
It's not April Fool's Day.
One second she was marveling at how easy and obedient Guan Shengbai was, and the next she was experiencing firsthand what it meant to "make money is hard and suffer is hard".
A newly signed actor, who hasn't even filmed a few movies, hasn't become famous, and hasn't established his status, has already beaten up the lead actor in the production, causing him to be hospitalized!
And the person he hit wasn't just anyone, it was Ko Ching-teng!
She is Chai Zhiping's darling!
It is one of the most important bargaining chips of the Taiwan Group in the "Tiny Times" project!
Zeng Jia picked up her teacup, wanting to take a sip to calm her nerves, only to find it empty. She had no idea when she had finished it.
She slammed the cup down on the table, then took a deep breath, forcing herself to break free from the overwhelming sense of absurdity.
calm.
Calm down first.
Although Guan Shengbai spoke casually on the phone, Zeng Jia's limited interactions with him were enough for her to make a judgment.
This person isn't the kind of reckless person who throws a punch on a whim.
If he dared to take action, he must have had a reason why he had to.
Furthermore, if the words "drugated" and "sexual assault" he mentioned on the phone are true, then Ko Ching-teng is courting death.
The problem is that in the entertainment industry, the truth is often not the most important thing.
Even if Guan Shengbai had a reason for what happened, and even if Ke Jingteng deserved to die, as long as this matter is used by someone with ulterior motives to make a fuss.
Once the label of "beating someone on set" is attached to Guan Shengbai, the consequences could be devastating.
No director would want to cast a troublemaker who might fight with fellow actors at any time, and no production company would entrust a role to a "time bomb" who could bring endless trouble.
If things come to that, forget about becoming a superstar; Guan Shengbai will even lose his right to stand in this industry.
Should we abandon it before any costs and resources have been invested?
The thought, like a cold snake, silently slithered through Zeng Jia's mind.
We've only been with Guan Shengbai for less than a month, and we haven't had time to invest any substantial resources in him yet.
At this point, distancing oneself from Yang Mi might offend her, but at least the losses are manageable...
But then, Guan Shengbai's "great" face appeared in her mind.
There's also his natural charisma that draws everyone's attention to him the moment he stands in a crowd.
Zeng Jia pinched the bridge of her nose, quickly extinguishing that far-fetched thought.
No.
This chess piece was so precious that she couldn't bear to throw it away.
In this industry, vision is more important than resources, and Zeng Jia's proudest asset is her eyesight.
She has seen too many worthless people who couldn't be promoted even with tens of millions of dollars, and she has also seen true strong people who climbed up step by step from nothing but with their hard skills.
Guan Shengbai is the latter.
Such people are rare finds; if you encounter one and then turn her away, you're wasting your luck.
With a change of heart, Zeng Jia's lips curled up slightly.
wrong.
This is not a bad thing.
This is not a bad thing at all; it could even be a wonderful opportunity that comes knocking on your door.
First of all, Guan Shengbai made the call to her, not directly to Yang Mi.
This shows that he already considers her a trustworthy person, or at least someone he can entrust with troublesome matters.
This is a good thing, indicating that her series of mild statements after signing him had an effect.
He has already developed a habit of turning to Sister Jia when something happens.
Secondly, if this matter is handled well, it will allow Guan Shengbai to clearly recognize her strength.
Let him witness firsthand how she can manipulate events at will, turning a crisis that could ruin his career into a minor, harmless incident.
It even gilded his reputation.
This firsthand experience is more convincing than any empty promise or empty rhetoric.
He owes her a huge favor, a favor he will find very difficult to repay.
Finally, and most importantly.
If we can get some leverage over Ko Ching-teng while handling this matter...
Zeng Jia's eyes suddenly sharpened.
......
......
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Guan Shengbai leaned against the bay window and closed his eyes to rest.
He was currently in a nearby hotel.
After such a fight, the shopping mall has probably already called the police.
After tonight's unexpected incident, everyone tacitly agreed not to return to the film crew's hotel.
After regaining her composure, Guo Biting suggested that she go wash up.
Although Guo Biting had cleverly hidden in the bathroom and locked the door before the other party made a move, she still inevitably got stained with dirt and alcohol during the struggle.
Xie Yilin went back to the hotel where the film crew was staying to get a change of clothes, while Guan Shengbai stayed here to keep an eye on Guo Biting, who was still shaken.
Tonight's events were truly sudden, and Guan Shengbai's actions were indeed risky.
But when the time came and things were urgent, Guan Shengbai had no time to think things through, and the thought of saving people took precedence in his mind.
Even if this person is not someone Guan Shengbai knows.
Moreover, Guo Biting can be considered a friend of Guan Shengbai.
"What are you thinking about?"
The sound of flowing water had stopped at some point.
Guo Biting did not change back into her previous clothes; instead, she came out wearing a bathrobe.
Perhaps the hot water was too scalding, because her pretty face turned bright red.
At this moment, she seemed to have completely recovered and looked at Guan Shengbai who was in a daze, so she couldn't help but ask a question.
"I'm wondering how you fell for that guy's trick. I remember you usually tried to keep your distance from him."
Guo Biting lowered her head, her brow furrowed with a hint of frustration.
"He said tonight's gathering was organized by Sister Chai..."
Guan Shengbai understood instantly.
Love is just a pretense, a way to lure a beautiful woman into your fold.
During this period, apart from his consistently poor condition during filming and his constant listlessness, Dao You Ke has indeed become much more well-behaved.
Besides, Guo Biting isn't some unknown nobody. Even if she'd lost her mind, she wouldn't have tampered with anything.
However, Guo Biting clearly overlooked one point: all her contingency plans and assumptions were based on the premise that Ke Jingteng was a rational person.
Guan Shengbai recalled the unusually strong smell he had when he gave Young Master Ke a deep massage.
I roughly have a general idea of what's going on.
Damn, this idiot must have lost his mind from flying.
In fact, in Guan Shengbai's original timeline of memory, this incident should not have happened tonight.
After becoming an overnight sensation with "You Are the Apple of My Eye," he went on to achieve another commercial success with the "Tiny Times" series.
He was even once regarded as a high-quality idol, and even a comrade-in-arms.
It wasn't until two years later, when his true colors were revealed, that his true nature was exposed.
Clearly, tonight's incident was once again caused by the butterfly effect created by Guan Shengbai.
For some reason, Guan Shengbai suddenly felt something was wrong. He looked up and saw Guo Biting sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, her face was flushed, and even her eyes were bloodshot.
Is the heating too hot?
wrong!
Information about Guo Biting instantly appeared before his eyes.
Name: Guo Biting
Fate: None
Relationship: Admirer
Favorability: 80%
Strategy level: 90%
The Red Phoenix Star is shining, desire entwines the body, love threads pull, and passion awaits.
Guan Shengbai's heart skipped a beat; this was...
"It was those few glasses of wine..."
Guo Biting's voice was even a bit hoarse at this moment.
Her eyes were moist and shimmering, and she still retained her senses, but the meaning behind her words was extremely rich.
"Is there something in the drinks?"
Guan Shengbai squinted, revealing a hint of "danger".
"Yes, it was Ko Ching-teng who added it. He thought I didn't see it, but I saw it clearly. So I didn't drink a drop."
Guo Biting moved closer, exuding a strong, rose-like scent.
"So now you..."
"After I came out and saw you, I drank, I drank three cups..."
"You're such a crazy woman."
"Yes... I've actually... gone mad a long time ago. I'm just... probably just waiting for this moment."
Aren't you scared?
"I'm scared! I'm so scared... So can you help me... not be so nervous...?"
……
……
The fragrance of roses was deeply refreshing.
The white nightgown, empty and adrift, slid down in the wind.
It seemed as if a storm was brewing outside the window, and a thin layer of mist had settled over the windowsill.
Shadows seemed to move erratically in the mist, and suddenly a slender, beautiful hand was imprinted on the windowsill.