Chapter 290: Boiling Beijing Film Academy, Sister Shang: I Only Ship This, Never Touch It
Chi Ye: “?”
The atmosphere outside the door was a bit embarrassed. Shang Youshu blinked her eyes and suddenly said: “Oh, I was just teasing you.”
“That’s not right… Would you really wait for me so diligently? Is there something you need from me? Or is it about that thing from last time?”
Chi Ye looked at her suspiciously while speaking, signaling Sister Shang to also cover her face, otherwise they’d be discovered.
“Don’t worry, everyone here knows me, they’ll let me through a side door, no one will notice. Come with me.”
Sister Shang smugly raised her eyebrows at him, then led Chi Ye and his group in through another door. Sure enough, there were far fewer students here, and they basically weren’t recognized.
“Spill it, what’s the matter?”
“Um… nothing big, just suddenly concerned about you.”
Chi Ye: “……I’m not skipping that variety show. I checked my schedule after getting back last time, and I really don’t have the slot.”
“Mm-hmm, I know. I didn’t mention it.”
“……You’d better not.”
Sister Shang paused, smacked her lips, and suddenly asked curiously: “Hey Xiao Chi, is your studio planning to sign a newcomer recently?”
Chi Ye glanced at her: “What, do you want to sign on?”
Sister Shang: “……It’s not impossible.”
This time it was Chi Ye who was stunned, utterly shocked: “Are you serious?”
Shang Youshu glanced at him guiltily: “I… I can’t make the decision… How about this: I’ll try to affiliate with your studio after my contract ends, how’s that?”
Chi Ye was suddenly enlightened yet surprised—
He had just asked casually, but he didn’t expect Sister Shang to be so “forthcoming”?
Though it was just an affiliation, if Sister Shang affiliated, then Chi Ye Studio would no longer be a small workshop serving one person, but could be called an entertainment company, also breaking the public impression of a “family workshop.”
“You’re making me… actually a bit embarrassed.”
“No need to be embarrassed, Xiao Chi. If you agree to treat me better, I’ll repay you. You know me, I’m always righteous!”
Seeing Chi Ye’s expression, Sister Shang immediately felt there was an opportunity: “That… that variety show, think about it again. It really won’t bite.”
Chi Ye eyed her sideways a few times: “Fine, I’ll push a few announcements later.”
“Yay!!”
Sister Shang was overjoyed and carried away, slapping Chi Ye’s shoulder: “I knew you’d give me the most face, kid!”
Chi Ye: “……Mainly giving face to the affiliate.”
“Xiao Chi, can’t you treat me like a normal goddess? Every time you talk to me like this, I’m really hurt.”
Chi Ye nodded and formally extended his hand: “Then welcome to hell—Little Rose.”
Sister Shang: “……You’re welcome, sweet mouth.”
“……”
……
“Has Chi Ye not arrived yet?”
Inside the school, at the backstage of the event venue.
Time was approaching the start of the film festival. Many selected students acting as audience had already entered, and numerous guests backstage were also preparing.
Zhu Yao Lin, participating in his alma mater’s event again this year, sat in the makeup room, inquiring about Chi Ye’s whereabouts.
“Not yet.”
“Is Sister Bingbing still waiting for him?”
“Mm.”
“……This Chi Ye, after Influenza exploded, his entourage has really stepped up. He’s even later than Ling Bingbing.”
Zhu Yao Lin’s team marketing director nearby pursed his lips and commented: “First-tier movie stars are different, huh.”
Zhu Yao Lin glanced at him and shook his head: “Say less. It’s not good if someone overhears.”
“So what if they hear? He’s not sharing a dime with us.”
“……You guys just see the surface.”
Zhu Yao Lin sighed, able to understand his team members’ current “resentment” toward Chi Ye.
Because ever since Influenza exploded, although Chi Ye’s personal cumulative box office was still far from ten billion, due to his excellent performance in several movies, many outsiders and insiders had started using him to step on Zhu Yao Lin and Si Zi—yes, mainstream public opinion was actually orchestrated by Chi Ye’s team behind the scenes.
The circle was so small—who didn’t know whose background?
This Chi Ye had risen to fame by riding popularity and Peng Ci before. Now though his star power had ascended, as long as he hadn’t reached the top, he’d keep at it.
And his Peng Ci didn’t matter much, but it put Zhu Yao Lin’s team on high alert, working overtime almost every day until late night just to handle things related to their boss and Chi Ye’s “Peng Ci.”
Truth be told, it was fine if Chi Ye didn’t climb higher, but as long as he kept going up, it would be a conflict of interest between both sides, even multiple sides—no one could change that.
But Zhu Yao Lin had high emotional intelligence. He’d noticed his new big brother Chen Sicheng intended to collaborate with Chi Ye, so he was still mindful of that and didn’t want to “tear face” with Chi Ye right now.
“Brother Zhu.” Another team member nearby said: “Chi Ye’s nominated for Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor… Who in the circle doesn’t know his relationship with Jin Sui? He’s probably got that movie emperor locked in, and once he gets it… he’ll be directly competing with us.”
“Recently several great directors who were giving you scripts also gave copies to Chi Ye. Several top luxury brands we approached directly changed persons in charge, sending them to contact Chi Ye… With his momentum, he’ll definitely steal our resources in the future.”
Zhu Yao Lin frowned, looking down for something. His assistant hurriedly handed over a cigarette.
Click.
He lit the cigarette, full of concerns: “But he’s not just an actor now. His several TV series and movies have made a lot, he’s starting to have some capital vibe. I feel… this time even Ling Bingbing came proactively to release goodwill. Does the Beijing Circle already mean ‘reconciliation’?”
Everyone fell silent.
After a while, the marketing director shook his head: “I don’t think so.”
“Ling Bingbing has always looked down on those old men in the Beijing Circle. She got a lot of grief when young, heard she sarcastically dissed Lu Chuan and those guys several times. She doesn’t represent the Beijing Circle core. Personally, I feel her coming this time is more her own idea.”
Zhu Yao Lin nodded, then suddenly had a thought: “Right, that script she wants to collaborate with Chi Ye on… is it spy drama genre?”
“Seems like it.”
“Did we get it too?”
“No.” The assistant explained: “Seems like just one TV series. Didn’t we say in the last meeting we’re not taking TV series?”
“……Later, ask the company responsible for that script to send it over. I want to see it too.”
Zhu Yao Lin suddenly had an idea: “Starting from this script… test the current attitude in the circle.”
“Okay.”
……
Another room.
“Sis, are you really going to collaborate with Brother… Chi Ye this time?”
Ling Bingbing put down the script in her hand and gave her sister a helpless look: “Can you not make it so obvious?”
“Ah…” Ling Han’s eyes darted slyly: “I’m just worried about you… I see a lot of people in the circle don’t have a good impression of Chi Ye. I’m afraid if you proactively collaborate with him this time, what if everyone gets upset?”
“The circle? Who?”
Ling Bingbing laughed upon hearing that, disdainfully: “Influenza exploded big domestically and abroad—who’d go against money?”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Those few in the circle are just old stubborn tempers. It’s already 2027, still recycling the same old stuff over and over. Real big capital that wants to make money won’t be like them.”
Ling Han was extremely satisfied, nodding repeatedly: “……Sis, you have such good taste.”
Ling Bingbing: “……”
“Chi Ye’s here.”
“Came with Shang Youshu!”
“Damn, are they really together?”
“Go say hi…”
At that moment, voices sounded in the corridor. The Ling Bingbing and Ling Han sisters were startled and exchanged a glance.
—Finally here.
Chi Ye and Sister Shang arrived at the Beijing Film Academy venue backstage and immediately received enthusiastic welcomes and greetings.
Truth be told, Chi Ye wasn’t from a film academy, not the so-called “college faction,” so he had few connections and networks in this area.
Sister Shang was different. As one of Beijing Film Academy’s “famous alumni,” though laid-back, her reputation on campus was self-evident, and she had good relations with many school leaders and teachers.
So, she wasn’t wrong—coming to Beijing Film Academy was like Chi Ye entering her “home turf.”
“Everyone take turns, don’t rush. Take photos one by one. Xiao Chi’s a bit embarrassed. He’s very introverted…”
Sister Shang stood beside Chi Ye, cheerfully greeting the crowd. Chi Ye had already shaken hands with several school leaders and exchanged pleasantries with other big stars who specially came out of the lounge to greet him.
Sister Shang: “?”
Seems like he doesn’t need me.
“Youshu, you two came together?”
Shang Youshu’s former homeroom teacher, now one of the school leaders, smiled and teased: “You two…?”
“No no, Teacher Cui, you’ve misunderstood.”
Teacher Cui: “Ah?”
“Cough…” Sister Shang mysteriously said: “This kind of thing, I only ship, don’t touch.”
Teacher Cui: “Why does that not sound good…”
“Alright, but I think you two look pretty good together, heh.”
Sister Shang: “?”
“Okay, let’s go in and chat. Don’t crowd Xiao Chi. Xiao Chi, first time at Beijing Film Academy? After the event, got time to walk around? Lots of students here are your fans…”
One of the representatives on site, Huang Bo, had once said that after getting famous, everyone around is nice.
If Beijing Film Academy was overly fawning on Chi Ye, that’d be unnecessary. As one of China’s renowned film academies that produced countless movie stars, the school didn’t lack big stars.
But Chi Ye’s current status was indeed different, and… this time at Beijing Film Academy, besides casually attending an event, there were more important and numerous collaborations to unfold.
Like the studio signing artists, and even more… after signing artists, selecting suitable ones to star in Mars Rescue.
Yes, because of Mars Rescue’s complete autonomy, and Guo Feng’s various unreliable recommendations, Chi Ye felt that aside from the protagonist, using a few talented newcomers wasn’t impossible.
Mainly, he had now completed an identity leap. In his previous works, for various reasons, he never had the chance to “promote” his own people, but this time was different.
Not just Mars Rescue—many new faces would appear in his future works too.
This was also why he came in person to check. Only if he was certain about their acting skills and image would it avoid mishaps.
News that Chi Ye was selecting people for his studio and new movie had been unknown to many before. Only when he arrived at Beijing Film Academy did the message spread like “rocket” speed.
“Chi Ye’s new movie using newcomers?!”
Ling Bingbing had planned to meet Chi Ye and properly discuss the spy drama script—actually, she was more “pure” than outsiders thought. She hadn’t acted in years, let alone shot a TV series.
The reason she fancied this script was partly its excellence, making her heart race and skills itch; secondly… she heard the male lead was Chi Ye.
Mm… Before Influenza, she didn’t think Chi Ye’s acting was explosive, but after seeing Influenza’s Cannes premiere live, she completely changed her view.
Plus Chi Ye’s promotion to film circle new noble status, collaborating once would benefit both sides, she felt.
As for the Beijing Circle… with her current star power and capital, she didn’t care about some people’s thoughts. Even if they were uncomfortable, what could they do to her?
“Yes, he just arrived and hurriedly got people preparing. Probably settling it today.”
“……Such a big pie, he’ll just give it to others? No wonder signing newcomers… He wants to use his own pie-making resources to promote his people.”
Ling Bingbing realized, shaking her head: “He’s starting to look like he has capital.”
“Sis, think I can get a role?”
Ling Han was a bit nervous yet eager: “I really want to collaborate with him once.”
Ling Bingbing: “……You have little hope. Heard he doesn’t have a good impression of you.”
“Ah?” Ling Han widened her eyes: “Who said that?!”
“I did.”
Ling Han: “???”
Ling Bingbing glanced at her: “Chi Ye has scandals in the circle with several little flowers, but confirmed is he’s probably dating Jin Xia now. You’d better not provoke that drama queen.”
Ling Han: “……”
“Let’s go say hi too.”
Ling Bingbing stood up, calling the others.
……
Meanwhile.
“What? You say Chi Ye’s at our school?! Fuck! Don’t lie to me!”
“Really really, saw it with my own eyes. I just saw him in the inner venue! That face, no mistake!”
“My great uncle is the performance department director. He said Chi Ye’s here this time to cast for his new movie, studio signing newcomers…”
“!!!”
Inside and outside Beijing Film Academy, countless performance, even directing and broadcasting students all went crazy.
Six o’clock.
This year’s Beijing Film Academy Festival officially began.
No red carpet segment, but there was an introduction of entering guests, pretty much like a red carpet.
Chi Ye wasn’t in the grand finale spot, since it really wasn’t “suitable” on campus.
However… he didn’t grand finale, but when he appeared, the effect was even better than one.
