Chapter 66: Teacher You: Everything’s Fine, Just Not Popular
The director, who had been enduring all along, slammed the table and flew into a rage: “What the NM are you reporting! You all don’t want the drama to succeed, right?!”
Everyone fell silent at once.
Teacher You calmly returned to his seat, rubbed his numb fist, and said, “Exactly, everyone’s original intention is for the drama, right? No more fighting, no tearing into each other, let’s discuss properly.”
The director looked at everyone’s gazes, realizing he had “lost his temper” just now, so he could only calm down and “persuade kindly”: “All teachers, it’s our fortune to have you participate in the script creation… but if you continue like this, I’ll call the producer.”
“When your bosses blame you then, don’t say I didn’t give face.”
The various screenwriter teams heard this and exchanged glances.
An uncle whose wig had been yanked off adjusted his own wig and snorted, “It’s just because of Director your face.”
“Alright alright, let’s continue discussing dodging bullets…”
“…”
A brief little farce temporarily stopped under the director’s “display of authority.”
Screenwriter Teacher You stared at this group of demons and monsters in the room, feeling his heart dripping blood.
He exchanged a glance with his old friend—the original author of 《Deep Sea》—and already had the idea of leaving the crew…
…
Chu Han Zhou and Shi Jinwei remained unmoved, naturally knowing it was impossible for a real fight to break out in the room.
Seeing that the 《Jian Ni》 program team had already come right up, the two quickly displayed their “superior” professional professionalism.
One by one, showing no signs of anger, they sat together like old friends and gestured to Director Li that recording could begin.
《Jian Ni》 crowd: “…”
“Hello, 《Jian Ni》 friends~”
A sweet smile appeared on Shi Jinwei’s highly aggressive face.
“Let’s go live… By the way, I’m also a loyal viewer of your 《Jian Ni》.”
Chu Han Zhou also smiled and said, “Thanks to Jiang Cheng, my good buddy, for visiting the set today.”
Jiang Cheng fake-smiled on the side, probably not skilled enough yet to recover from the earlier off-camera incident.
Chi Ye and the Empress Dowager dodged the camera on the side, watching this scene: “This is the legendary ‘coming out as Jia laugh’.”
“Hm?”
The Empress Dowager didn’t understand what this meant and looked at him puzzled: “What does this mean?”
“No worries.”
Chi Ye waved it off, then curiously asked: “It’s understandable to bring one screenwriter into the crew, but why do some bring two, or even three or four…”
“Very normal.” Jin Xia, unfazed, whispered: “Different screenwriter teachers specialize in different role, some excel at romance, some at workplace, and others at adding scenes…”
“I’ve heard there are even those skilled at arguing and fighting for influence… not sure if true.”
Chi Ye: “…”
At this moment.
In the 《Jian Ni》 live broadcast room, the audience was surprised and delighted by the sudden appearance of the dual top streamers.
Bullet comments scrolled, and the two’s fans, seeing their closeness, started shipping them on the spot.
「#Hanyang CP# is real!」
「So sweet ahhhhh!! Looking forward to Chu Han Zhou’s spy drama masterpiece 《Deep Sea》!」
「Not a fan, just asking, why is it #Hanyang# CP?」
「Sister Shi’s real name is Shi Yangyang, Shi Jinwei is stage name, second character from Chu bro’s name combined.」
「Then what’s Chu Han Zhou’s real name?」
「Chu Shen.」
「……6.」
「I want to see Teacher Chi and Xia Xia! How about #Chi Pan Xia Yu# one!」
「Unpopular star and drama queen fans don’t sell swords!」
The two waves of CP fans gradually started fighting.
Chu Han Zhou and Shi Jinwei in front of the camera were still “feeding CP”.
“This drama is very exciting… but can’t reveal too much yet, you’ll know when it airs.”
“Teacher Shi taught me a lot this time.” Chu Han Zhou looked gentle, gazing at Shi Jinwei: “Learned so much.”
Yeah, learned to bring one more screenwriter.
Shi Jinwei: “?”
She glanced at Chu Han Zhou’s “thick” hair, nodded: “I’m envious too, Teacher Chu, especially your hair volume, so enviable, really want to have that much.”
“Teacher Chu probably doesn’t have our hair loss troubles usually, right?”
Chu Han Zhou: Fuck your horse, I lose NM hair!
His smile stiffened, and those around stifled laughs.
“Um… let me show everyone around the crew… can’t show filming, sorry… but follow 《Deep Sea》’s release date then…”
The two mentioned 《Deep Sea》 in every other sentence.
From this, they were truly “dutiful”.
They got up, chatting and laughing with the program team, strolling around.
Until precisely the announcement fee time given by the program team, the off-site assistant waved displeasedly, signaling the program team to stop filming or pay extra.
Director Li smacked his lips, turned to the camera to film 《Jian Ni》’s guests.
“Um…”
A certain young girl from the production crew following Chi Ye saw filming end, hesitated, and approached Chu Han Zhou: “Teacher Chu, I’m your fan, can you sign for me?”
“Hm?”
Chu Han Zhou glanced at her, saw she was pretty, and nodded happily.
Assistant eyed warily beside: “Only sign the name.”
Fan stunned: “Ah? Um… can you write a sentence?”
“No.”
Fan a bit awkward, but couldn’t insist: “Okay then…”
“Writing an extra sentence for you, he’d have to check dictionary, too time-wasting.”
Chi Ye saw her return disappointed, reminded: “Go back and check the autograph, don’t let it be wrong again, or people will laugh at you for fake signature.”
Everyone: “…”
The young girl looked up, said nothing, but her feelings and filters for Chu Han Zhou had shattered.
—Chasing stars, indeed can’t enter entertainment industry, once in, any star can be crushed for you.
…
Meanwhile.
“Let’s walk over there, haven’t seen in ages.”
《Deep Sea》 crew recording ended, but since here, Chu Han Zhou and Jiang Cheng were on good terms, so he invited him for a private chat.
The Empress Dowager took Chi Ye to Shi Jinwei’s side.
Shi Jinwei: “?”
The Empress Dowager glanced at her, asked: “When’s your album coming out?”
Shi Jinwei more surprised: “Why do you care?”
Then warily glanced at Chi Ye: “You won’t make him directly ride my coattails, right?”
Chi Ye: “?”
Equally baffled: “Pliers turned into spirit? Can sing now?”
Shi Jinwei furious: “Chi Ye, if not for Jin Xia by you, you wouldn’t even see me, watch your mouth!”
Chi Ye looked at her: “You know to watch your mouth too.”
Shi Jinwei: “…”
She couldn’t outtalk Chi Ye, so turned away—could feel she truly looked down on Chi Ye, didn’t understand why Jin Xia stuck to him.
Hungry, but not to that extent?
“Teacher Chi, don’t talk.” Empress Dowager soothed, then leaned in.
She previously didn’t follow these, not music scene stuff, let alone close with Shi Jinwei.
But now very concerned: “When exactly are you releasing?”
Shi Jinwei looked suspiciously, suddenly recalled something, sneered.
Glanced loftily at Chi Ye: “Coincidentally, this month too.”
Empress Dowager realized: “You’re ‘suiciding’?!”
Shi Jinwei: “?!”
“Telling you two, don’t mess with me or I’ll have crew throw you out!”
She stormed off, clearly pissed by Jin Xia’s “suicide” remark.
Empress Dowager unbothered, trotted back to Chi Ye, whispered: “Teacher Chi, she’s actually great at singing, we can’t be careless!”
Chi Ye: “…”
He recalled now too.
Among internal entertainment four little flowers, Shang Youshu from north dance, Jin Xia trained, Sheng Ning lowest start, self-made in Hengdian.
Only Shi Jinwei from idol girl group, personal singing/dancing top-notch, though natural mid-tone timbre drew criticism.
But that voice made her work unique, with shocking Outbreak.
Over years, among four little, only she balanced music and film, fans’ proudest point.
No wonder looks down on “me”, both idols, both captains, but business ability not same level.
Chi Ye understood inwardly her innate “bias” toward him.
But just understand, not empathize.
“Rest assured, firmly in control.”
“Mm, I believe you!”
Jin Xia nodded vigorously.
Chi Ye: “…”
“Right, speaking of that, how’s song recording prep?”
Chi Ye and Empress Dowager sat on steps, asked about recording studio.
After studio founded, as one boss, Empress Dowager eagerly took finding album team for Chi Ye.
Chi Ye initially puzzled, till Empress Dowager said: “My aunt’s company has top teams, Teacher Chi no worry, I’ll handle!”
Chi Ye stopped worrying.
Very enjoyably laid back.
“Handled, I’ll WeChat you later, contact them then, book time to record.”
Empress Dowager excitedly: “How’s your song prep? Written?”
“…About done, plan one or two to warm up first.”
“Then… can I watch you sing that day?”
“Of course.”
Two whispering, away from camera, nearby Director Li etc. full of black lines.
Aren’t you two done yet?!
…
Meanwhile.
In some RV of crew.
“Still wanna stir CP with Jin Xia?”
Jiang Cheng legs crossed, asked Chu Han Zhou.
Earlier he noticed Chu Han Zhou tried approaching Jin Xia several times, failed.
Empress Dowager personality indeed off-putting, that lofty air very hurtful.
“How you say that.” Chu Han Zhou pursed lips: “Saw you before wanting to learn Chi Ye on 《Jian Ni》, didn’t succeed either.”
Jiang Cheng face darkened at that.
“Fuck, don’t mention, thought Jin Xia no go, tried Wen Tiaotiao, who knew that woman like madwoman, last time nearly hit me…”
“Hey, tell truth, you got more tricks unused?” Chu Han Zhou curious.
He saw too, Jiang Cheng chose visiting 《Deep Sea》 set likely cause Jin Xia picked nearby 《Circulation》.
Jiang Cheng: “…”
Mysterious smile: “Hehe, 《Jian Ni》 ending soon, but Mango TV new variety show just greenlit… heard chief director is 《Jian Ni》’s director, likely invite 《Jian Ni》 guests.”
“Then, I’ll play too.”
Chu Han Zhou glanced, reminded: “Chi Ye might go too.”
“He can’t.” Jiang Cheng disdain: “That variety invites first-tier and hot ones minimum, his star power too low.”
Chu Han Zhou thoughtful: “Then I can go too!”
Jiang Cheng: “?”
Buddy spilling heart, you playing mind games with buddy?
“Joking, joking.” Chu Han Zhou dared not offend Jiang Cheng too much, though lower star power, but tough dad.
So wanted CP with Jin Xia… what if he outdid Jiang Cheng?!
Pity, current progress zero.
This Chi Ye no good, hate him.
“Alright, not sitting with you, still gotta record, later.”
Jiang Cheng checked time, stood to leave.
“Don’t forget that movie we discussed.”
“Rest assured, told my dad.”
“Good good…”
…
《Jian Ni》 visiting set ended, before leaving, Chi Ye whispered long with Empress Dowager, then saw them off outside crew… he prepared return too.
“Teacher Chi, goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Bade reluctant Jin Xia… and Yang Zi.
Wait, Yang Zi what reluctance?
Chi Ye utterly baffled, but chose respect, turned to return 《Circulation》 crew.
“Hm?”
Then, gaze paused, spotted forty-fifty-ish middle-aged man, thermos cup in hand, heading same to 《Circulation》 crew.
Looks like toward direction 《Deep Sea》 crew.
“You are…”
Middle-aged also spotted him, first surprised, then scrutinized Chi Ye, eyes lit briefly, soon dimmed.
Cause recognized who.
“You’re Chi Ye right? Hi, I’m You Yisuo.”
《Deep Sea》 legit screenwriter You Yisuo nodded to Chi Ye: “Returning to crew? Together, just heading check.”
“Hi, Teacher You.”
Chi Ye realized, knew this unlucky 《Deep Sea》 screenwriter…
But couldn’t say that.
Per Chi Ye’s info, Teacher You industry spy drama heavyweight.
Early works several hit products, solid personal skill knowledge, won several authority awards.
But recent years, age up plus era shift, spy drama market shrinking, fully niche.
His industry status plummeted.
Else, today’s screenwriters wouldn’t dare alter his script face-to-face.
“Heard of you from Xiao Zhang, pretty good child.”
Teacher You politely chatted, inwardly regretted: All good, just not famous enough… pity.
And after today, greatly wary/disgusted traffic stars.
That polished notebook can’t let traffic stars act again.
