Chapter 132: Peng Chen: Stay Away From Chi Ye, He’ll Bring Misfortune
《Big Shot》.
Big villain.
The more Chi Ye thought about it, the more familiar it felt. He sensed that this script was very much like Earth’s Korean 《Veteran》—that is, the 《Big Character》 that was later adapted domestically.
But in comparison, Chi Ye preferred the original version because Teacher Bao’s Zhao Tai was truly hateful, but aside from being hateful, he was just a flat big villain.
The original version’s portrayal of Zhao Tai was different. It added many small details to the character, making the performance more charismatic and leaving people both loving and hating him.
This movie seemed to sweep awards on Earth… Of course, it was on the Korean side; domestically, it’s impossible to give awards to a villain.
Even so, Chi Ye was still a bit tempted.
—After 《Circulation》, his career plan had gotten on track and become very healthy and clear.
In film and television, with his current star power and solo mode, he would definitely focus on TV series, as they could earn more money and quickly accumulate his own popularity.
In music, he would focus on his first official album in the second half of the year, and his studio was already preparing it.
His current public “persona” was the labels “music prodigy” + “hot traffic star.”
As for movies, due to personal resources, the closed circle, and schedule issues, Chi Ye hadn’t thought much about it or had time for it before.
But…
Jin Sui and the 《Big Shot》’s appearance gave him some inspiration.
Now it seemed his aunt was quite supportive of him… So, could he use the existing Hong Kong Circle resources to make his movie career take off too?
Chi Ye felt it was entirely possible.
There were plenty of fight scenes in 《Veteran》 and 《Big Character》, and they were especially intense and exciting… fight scenes…
Chi Ye immediately thought of Teacher Shi.
It seemed it was time to find a moment to tap Teacher Shi for resources.
Of course, this script wouldn’t do. The initial version looked pretty trashy, and he had too many classic images of “scoundrel psycho” in his mind, like Azu in 《New Police Story》… In terms of character, he was confident enough; it would absolutely be the most unprecedented “psycho villain” in Internal Entertainment Circle in the past decade.
Back to his old trade, just like with 《Circulation》, revise it.
“Hm?”
While Chi Ye was deep in thought, he suddenly remembered something and looked up at the Empress Dowager.
He saw that the Empress Dowager had just picked up her mobile phone and was holding down WeChat voice: “Aunt, has your company’s that 《Big Shot》’s script cast the actors yet?”
Chi Ye: “…”
Noticing Chi Ye’s gaze, Jin Xia looked up, lifted her little chin, said nothing, but the meaning was obvious: Praise me, praise me!
Chi Ye: “No rush.”
It wasn’t great to have the Empress Dowager get involved in this… Mainly, he wanted to invest a bit （ to earn some ） too. Business rules: keep things separate!
“Oh.”
Jin Xia nodded obediently and held down voice call again: “Save it for Teacher Chi, Teacher Chi needs it… Um… Save it for him. Later… later… I’ll take one of your company’s projects!”
Chi Ye: “…”
What a great all-around helper!
“No need, you don’t have to act in Aunt’s projects. I can talk to her myself.”
Chi Ye closed the computer and stood up: “I’ve looked through these scripts… Got a bit of inspiration, um… not much yet. Like this: I have a few songs I want to put in the new album. Reply to Aunt for me; the timing should be just right.”
Jin Xia nodded and looked up, her eyes sparkling: “Teacher Chi, are you releasing your first album?”
Chi Ye warned: “Don’t spend money buying it recklessly; it’s all our… company’s money!”
“Mm-hmm, I know.”
The Empress Dowager nodded: “It’s all your money.”
Chi Ye paused, his tone “firm”: “Good that you know!”
“…”
…
Meanwhile.
Hong Kong, Guang Ying Shi Meng.
Jin Sui put away her mobile phone, looking puzzled: “《Big Shot》… Did we send over a script like that?”
Sister Zhang professionally replied beside her: “Yes, that one has low investment, so it was ranked last.”
“Oh, another crime genre?”
Jin Sui came to a realization and sighed: “We’ve tried this genre many times, and none have worked.”
“Xia Xia says Chi Ye likes this script… I originally wanted Chi Ye for the second male lead in 《Firefly Lane’s Old Days》; there’s a role in there pretty suitable for him.”
The 《Firefly Lane’s Old Days》 she mentioned was Fleet of Time in Chi Ye’s eyes, though the details weren’t quite the same—an ordinary youth heartbreak movie.
This was also one of the projects Guang Ying Shi Meng valued most next, after all, Hong Kong produced tons of crime genre movies, but they’d been declining in recent years, so they wanted to shift gears.
Jin Sui was pretty decent too; compared to Jin Ming’s “ninth male,” she really planned to save a second male lead for Chi Ye.
Qiao Ran’s role.
“…This one, how about I go communicate with him?”
Sister Zhang probed.
“No need.” Jin Sui suddenly asked: “Is one of the male leads for 《Big Shot》 looking for a Movie Emperor?”
“Mm.”
“Then this lineup wouldn’t slight him.”
Jin Sui inexplicably nodded. Others didn’t know what she meant, but Sister Zhang did—Sui Zong was like that; she was actually a lot like Xia Xia, just loving someone by extension.
“Alright, check my schedule for me. Haven’t been to the mainland in a while; I’ll go see Xia Xia.”
Jin Sui tidied her desk and casually instructed.
“Okay.”
Sister Zhang nodded.
…
Jin Sui’s schedule was packed; even if she wanted to fly over, it’d take some time.
And during this time, 《Xing Ni》’s filming was proceeding steadily. By Chi Ye’s estimate, it would take 3 to 4 months, the fastest speed; if slower, maybe not wrap up until year-end.
But he was confident in the current team, because Director Liu’s professional sweet drama team + the high-priced hired South Korean team + the Taipei team Jin Sui brought over were all veterans in this.
As long as they got past the integration period, the speed would only get faster.
This day, Chi Ye had just finished filming, and while the film crew was on meal break, he suddenly learned—Peng Chen had arrived.
Of course, Lao Peng wasn’t there to see him; he had joined the crew.
《Xing Ni》 had been filming costume drama scenes in Hengdian these past few days （Professor Chi saving young Qian Songyi in his past life）. Chi Ye, “first time” in costume, seemed pretty cheerful and was dragged by the Empress Dowager to take lots of photos together.
“Him joining the crew is his business; why tell me?”
Chi Ye asked Xiao Liu.
Xiao Liu hesitated: “Um… You two are now sort of the only ‘remaining fruits’ friends from Rise. Wanna go say hi?”
“Nah, Lao Peng probably can’t wait to stay as far from me as possible… Hey, if I remember right, he’s filming a new project with Sheng Ning, right?”
Chi Ye suddenly thought of something.
“Mm, they’ve been filming for months, not wrapped yet.”
Xiao Liu nodded.
“Ah, Sister Ning’s been pretty hot lately.”
Chi Ye mused.
…
July’s Internal Entertainment Circle belonged to 《Circulation》.
But August’s Internal Entertainment Circle belonged to Sheng Ning and her lead big-budget movie 《Mountain City Strange Tales Record》.
This was a comedy-leaning soft science fiction movie, directed by a renowned Great Director, starring Sheng Ning and a certain first-tier movie big star. Released in the summer slot, it had a double harvest of box office and reputation. Currently, in less than ten days on release, it had broken 1 billion at the box office.
This signaled that the film and TV winter was easing while announcing that Sheng Ning, after several failures, had successfully broken into the film circle.
Before, though she’d done many big-budget movies, they were either minor supporting roles or had abysmal reputation and box office.
Anyway, this counted as one of her “representative works” in life.
Also because of 《Mountain City Strange Tales Record》’s great results, plus 《Circulation》 fully aired, her popularity was gradually declining.
Of course, 《Circulation》 was declining, but in this summer slot’s drama circle, there was still one “Drama King” far ahead, causing a huge stir and “stealing the show” from Sheng Ning.
That was—Meng Xi Yuan.
Yes, since 《Meng Xi Yuan》 had more episodes, after the other three competitors finished airing, it was the last to conclude.
And while the TV series ended, off-screen was even livelier than during broadcast.
Arthur and the other three Crown Princes began the “final showdown”!
First, they had to disparage each other, drag them down, purify and attract fans!
Arthur’s side struck first with a press release: 《Peach Crown Prince’s acting is stiff, dragging down the fairy older sister; audience demands scene cuts!》
Peach Crown Prince hit back: 《Jiang Cheng recites lines with numbers; Shang Youshu frowning picture leaks!》
Mang Crown Prince stayed true to form with tea behavior: 《Little wolf dog protects flower off-screen, angrily confronts investor on set for Shang Youshu!》
Scene-stealer Cool Crown Prince said nothing: 《Cool Crown Prince’s added scenes have playback disparity first; audience begs for season two!》
They saw Chi Ye get popular, and their eyes turned red too!
They wanted a seat at the table too!
But after the first step of mutual dragging ended, before the second step could start, the four were dug up by gossiping netizens for all sorts of “abstract” antics.
Including but not limited to: Jiang Cheng demanding added scenes of Shang Youshu poisoned and him risking life to save her, only for it to be revealed the original had no such plot.
Mang Crown Prince bribed Shang Youshu’s fan club leader, squatting 24 hours at Sister Shang’s hotel doorway; whenever Sister Shang came out, he’d rush over for a shared frame and buy hot searches.
Cool Crown Prince was exposed for late-night script talks with the director, ultimately “talking himself” into Sister Shang’s white moonlight.
Peach Crown Prince secretly snatched Shang Youshu’s resources, privately saying: High fashion only recognizes movie faces!
Sister Shang was too pitiful!
Everyone’s sole feeling after seeing this was, what karma did Sister Shang accrue to act with you four.
And the four’s teams and fans had already started ruthless “purification,” flooding forums and screens with long posts.
「Don’t stick to my bro, wannabe!」
「Movie star descends to save ancient idol drama; some milk sister don’t be ungrateful!」
「The only head-pat kill role for the female lead; my bro deserves it—keep working with my bro, Sister Shang!」
「Milk sister don’t go too far, always buying press releases to black my bro?! Thinks her hype is such a big deal?」
Shang Youshu stared at this in a daze, chin in hand, utterly bored.
“How are they so over the top! These people were practically throwing themselves at her before, and now the drama’s barely finished airing, they’re rushing to purify and unbind… and black us too—too much!”
The little assistant beside her watched with chest pain, so angry her period was delayed.
Sister Shang sighed, thought for a bit, and said: “Normal too. With these four stirring things up, one consolidates traffic, one expands national recognition, another eats CP popularity bonus, the last brushes face for transformation… Maximum benefit for them this way.”
“But for you it’s all downside, no upside, sis!”
The little assistant was depressed: “You’re just too nice. If it were Sheng Ning, they wouldn’t dare even with a hundred times the guts.”
“This summer slot’s Drama King is still 《Circulation》; if we’d won it, what would they do?”
“Mm… right, Teacher Xiao Chi took the summer slot championship.”
Sister Shang thought of something: “He’s joined the crew now, right?”
“Seems so; Sheng Ning and Peng Chen joined too.”
“Oh?!”
Shang Youshu’s eyes lit up.
Chi Ye, Peng Chen, Sheng Ning!
What a gossip combo?!
“When do we join the crew?”
She couldn’t wait.
“…Probably another half month, and we have a variety show announcement after…”
As she spoke, the little assistant paused: “This variety show seems to have invited Teacher Chi and Sheng Ning too.”
Sister Shang was fully energized, glowing: “Great great great, which variety show? Bring it to me quick!”
…
“Chi Ye’s in Hengdian too?!”
Hengdian, inside a certain film crew.
Peng Chen had just greeted Sheng Ning when he learned this earth-shattering bad news, feeling a chill in his crotch, a vague urge to flee.
The assistant subconsciously glanced at his crotch, noticed Lao Peng’s murderous gaze, and quickly looked up: “Uh… yeah, didn’t you know? He’s been in the crew almost half a month.”
“…Fuck, is he close to us? No good, I gotta stay far from him!”
Peng Chen was terrified: “Can’t keep Rising!”
Everyone: “…”
Not far away, Sheng Ning held a slim women’s cigarette between her fingers, lightly exhaling a smoke ring, eyes arrogant: “Xiao Peng, look at you. No big deal; Chi Ye’s not some flood beast.”
“Sister Ning, you don’t get it…”
Facing Sheng Ning, Peng Chen was very polite.
“I don’t get it?”
Sheng Ning’s thin lips curved in a cold smile: “No one understands him better than me.”
Peng Chen was stunned, then reacted.
Back then Chi Ye said he was riding the Four Little Flowers, but actually he rode Sheng Ning the hardest, and yet with her temper, she hadn’t taken any severe “off-screen measures” against him… Could it be…
No wonder she knew him so well!
Sheng Ning noticed Peng Chen’s expression change and went cold: “What’re you thinking? How could I have anything with that wannabe!”
“…Yes yes, I mean… you were a victim too.”
Sheng Ning said no more, just indifferent in expression, reminiscing in her gaze.
Chi Ye… Didn’t expect he really made a bit of a comeback.
He was all fake before? Faked it so well?
Then him…
Sheng Ning thought of something, face colder.
Remembering the past must make you smug, huh?
Bastard, you can never pay back what you owe me!
“Bad news, bad news!”
Just then, Peng Chen’s agent returned with an ashen face, blurting the most flavorful line: “Screwed! Screwed!”
“What?!”
Peng Chen was thunderstruck, hurriedly checking below: “No shit!”
“Not that.”
The agent handed him the phone, where hot search #1 was #Certain Star Caught Pooping Publicly in Hengdian#.
This was real footage, as the pic was on hot search—a back view.
Peng Chen gaped, saw the weird looks from everyone around subconsciously glancing at him, and his mentality collapsed instantly. He roared: “Not me, it’s not me!”
“Chi Ye! Chi Ye pooped! That pile’s Chi Ye’s!”
Fuck! He knew it—whenever he ran into Chi Ye, nothing good happened!
#Certain Star Pooping Publicly in Hengdian# is based on real events; interested treasures can search the keywords.
