Chapter 118 Investor’s Request
There are hotels near Taohua Island Scenic Area.

At first, Huang Bo thought Zhang Yuan would take him to eat at a barbecue stall, or even get boxed lunches from the crew.

After all, my identity is there...but I have no identity at all.

Nowadays, Huang Bo feels that it is good enough to have boxed lunches to eat, at least it means there is work to do.

Why are the performances of actors like Huang Bo, Baoqiang, and Zhao Benshan so down-to-earth, especially when they play minor characters, they always manage to make them look lifelike.

Because he used to be at the bottom of society and was really a small person.

Art originates from life but is higher than life. They have life, so they perform as if inspired by God.

Huang Bo didn't expect that Zhang Yuan would actually drag them to a nearby big hotel and order a full table of food.

Wild animals in the mountains, swallows in the clouds, cattle and sheep on land, seafood from the sea, monkey heads, bird's nests, shark fins, bear paws, dried scallops, deer tails... none of these are available.

Those expensive and flashy dishes are just for display. When eating privately, Zhang Yuan prefers to order some home-cooked dishes.

Gao Fu, Huang Bo was of course present.

Classmate Liu Qianqian was also filming with Zhang Yuan just now. When she heard that there was a banquet, she followed spontaneously.

Of course, her mother was also present.

I haven't seen Shu Chang since I went to the hospital, so I called her over.

This girl looks a lot thinner. I don't know if it's because she's tired from filming or studying late at night.

There were so many people at the table, but only Liu Qianqian came for the food, but her mother wouldn't let her eat to her heart's content.

"Zhang Yuan, Zhang Yuan, did I perform well this afternoon?" Qianqian asked, tilting her head while chewing on a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs.

"It's just so-so." Zhang Yuan shrugged.

"I think I performed well and the director didn't say anything to me." Xixi was in a good mood when facing the delicious food.

"Is there a possibility that the director is just too lazy to talk to you?" He acted as if he was disgusted and kept shaking his head.

Huang Bo's heart trembled on the opposite side.

"Liu Xiaoli is here. You are courting death by saying that about her daughter!"

Although they were not in the undergraduate class, Huang Bo had heard many rumors about Liu Qianqian since they were both in Beijing Film Academy.

Especially her mother who is on call 24 hours a day and provides close protection for her.

During school hours, a few boys would occasionally chat with Liu Qianqian.

Beautiful women will attract people to approach them, but if they are too beautiful, it will make people feel inferior, as if they are not worthy of the other person and appear to be unapproachable.

Just as Liu Qianqian said, the period when she had the most boys pursuing her was from kindergarten to elementary school.

Boys at that age are all children. They do whatever they want and are extremely bold. They will hug whoever they like without any scruples.

When she arrived at Beijing Film Academy, there were not many people who wanted to pursue her, and the remaining ones would be invited to have tea by her mother in the blink of an eye.

It's really a tea treat.

Liu Xiaoli would also ask about the boy's well-being with a smile, making him feel warm and at the same time ask him to take good care of Xixi at school.

This tactic of using courtesy first and then force scared the bunch of guys away. After all, in terms of cunning and aura, they could never beat Aunt Liu.

There were even a few boys who developed "evil intentions" towards Liu Xiaoli after a long conversation with her and shifted their interest to the still charming Liu Xiaoli.

Of course, the outcome for this type of boy is even worse, after all, Liu Xiaoli is an expert at playing the role of a bootlicker.

So even Huang Bo knew that this elder sister was not easy to mess with, so he was very protective of her.

I was worried for Zhang Yuan.

"Hey, be careful."

Xixi tilted her head to chat with her, a strand of hair fell naturally, the end of her hair almost soaked in the soup bowl in front of her. Zhang Yuan hurriedly raised his hand to help her comb her hair to the back of her neck.

"It's over, you even touched her hair!" Huang Bo closed his eyes and dared not look, fearing that Liu Xiaoli would suddenly attack him in the next second.

But after waiting for a long time, he didn't hear anyone murmuring, so he glanced at Aunt Liu.

Then he was surprised to find that Liu Xiaoli was not angry, but was smiling and listening to their conversation, as if she didn't care at all.

"He even managed this one?"

Huang Bo nudged Gao Hu beside him with his elbow and asked with his eyes.

"I don't know either. After he came to the crew, this old lady was especially kind to him. She was more enthusiastic than to us."

Huang Bo rolled his eyes and thought.

Is this the legendary saying that if you want to win over your daughter, you have to win over your mother-in-law first?

Seeing that Liu Qianqian often whispered to Zhang Yuan and sometimes covered her mouth with joy, Huang Bo thought that Zhang Yuan had a very good mental state. He could still chat and laugh with his mother right next to him.

He is not like that. Even though he has attended many dinner parties, he still feels a little awkward when the parents are present.

After all, many adult topics and jokes used to liven up the atmosphere at the dinner table can only be kept to oneself.

"Let's toast to our new friend, Mr. Huang Bo." Halfway through the meal, Zhang Yuan took the lead in raising his glass.

"I have seen his movies and TV series, his performance is outstanding, he has the potential to be an award-winning actor!"

"I don't deserve it, I just want to make a living." Huang Bo quickly declined with a smile.

"I'm serious." Zhang Yuan's expression suddenly became serious: "We are all in the same industry, so we shouldn't talk nonsense."

"I think you are very strong and born to do this job."

"Really? I'll go take a look too." Seeing Zhang Yuan say that, Liu Xiaoli also became interested.

Huang Bo glanced at Zhang Yuan.

"Why is his words so effective?"

They sat at the same table for about half an hour, and apart from the initial greetings, Liu Xiaoli had no interest in him.

Especially after knowing that he was just a student in the Beijing Film Academy's vocational high school, majoring in dubbing, she put on a polite but awkward smile.

He is 13 years older than her daughter, but he doesn't even have a bachelor's degree and has never played any famous roles.

Liu Xiaoli deduced from this and knew that he definitely had no background.

Of course, she didn't take such a "mediocre" older extra seriously.

But since Zhang Yuan praised her like this, she became more cautious.

After all, she was well aware of Zhang Yuan's sharp eyes.

"Classmate Huang Bo, I'll offer you a cup of tea instead of wine. Xixi and I are classmates, so we should take care of each other in the future." Liu Xiaoli, based on her instinct that it is better to believe it than not, put on a friendly attitude.

"When he speaks, others are willing to listen..." Huang Bo was stunned when he saw his attitude towards her change drastically, but after all, he was a matter of public appearances, so he quickly adjusted his state and flattered the other party.

Therefore, Huang Bo felt that Zhang Yuan was more and more unfathomable and deliberately drank a few more glasses with him.

Several people were clinking glasses and Liu Qianqian was busy eating a few more bites while her mother wasn't paying attention. At this moment, the door of a private room not far from their table suddenly opened.

Zhang Yuan glanced around inadvertently and found a few familiar faces.

The one who took the lead out was Zhang Jizhong, whose cheeks were flushed and reeked of alcohol.

The bearded man didn't look very well, and there seemed to be a hint of anger between his brows.

Next to him stood a tall, middle-aged man with a side parted hair and a strange accent, which sounded like Cantonese with a hint of northeastern accent.

The stranger was holding the hand of a tall girl, and was very intimate with her. Zhang Yuan knew this woman, she was from the same crew, she was the one who played Li Qiushui.

Behind these three people, there were Ju Jueliang, Zhao Jian, Yuan Bing and Zhang Youhe, who were smiling throughout the whole process.

Zhang Yuan glanced sideways and found that Shu Chang was frowning slightly and biting his lips helplessly, obviously worried about something.

He looked at these people from time to time, thinking that this matter should be related to them.

After the dinner, Zhang Yuan sent Huang Bo to the hotel. Since he was already here, he planned to stay for a few more days to relax.

After settling this end, he took the elevator, went upstairs, and knocked on Shu Chang's door.

"Brother Yuan, are you looking for me?" Shu Chang was wearing pink pajamas and half-frame glasses. There was some black ink on his wrists. He must be doing his homework.

"Come in and talk." Shu Chang bent down, found a pair of disposable slippers in the shoe cabinet, and helped him open them.

After Zhang Yuan put on his slippers, Shu Chang carefully helped him put his shoes in order and put them aside.

Turn around, boil water and make tea.

After working for a while, she finally sat in front of Zhang Yuan. During this time, she was still combing her hair with her fingers, trying her best to keep her appearance neat.

"Remember what I told you?" Zhang Yuan waited until she had finished dressing up before speaking softly, "If you encounter anything unhappy on the set, be sure to tell me."

"Remember..." Shu Chang lowered his head nervously.

"So tell me, is someone bullying you?" Zhang Yuan took a sip of tea and said, "Could it be the singer who played Li Qiushui?"

"Sister Xing is a nice person, but..." Shu Chang hesitated to speak.

"You're always so shy. Just say what you want to say. You're not an outsider."

I’m not an outsider... Hearing Zhang Yuan say this, Shu Chang looked up at him, his cheeks slightly red, and he mustered up the courage to speak.

"Sister Xie Yuxing is pretty good. She sings well and acts seriously."

"It's just that it's been remade recently." Shu Chang said it carefully and cautiously.

"Retake? Is it the same old NG?"

"No, she asked the director to reshoot her scenes because she felt that Li Qiushui had too few scenes."

"Oh, this is a reshoot." Zhang Yuan stroked his chin: "If she wants to add more scenes, it should actually be in your favor."

"After all, the one who has the most scenes with Li Qiushui is the Child-like Grandma of Tianshan."

"Well, but reshooting takes a lot of time. I still want to prepare for the exam. Besides..." Shu Chang rubbed his hands together, a little shy: "The look of Tianshan Tonglao is too ugly!"

Zhang Yuan covered his mouth with his fist and chuckled a few times.

It turns out that even though she is a "little drama queen", she is still a girl after all and is still obsessed with her appearance.

Although it is only the beginning of the year, the first test of the Central Academy of Drama is just a week away.

After that there will be re-examinations, interviews, and preparation for the big exam in June, so Shu Chang’s schedule is indeed tight.

If she keeps retaking the lessons, even if she can take leave to take the exam, it will affect her review.

Besides, the bearded guy is so stingy that he won’t pay a penny for overtime even if we shoot for a few more months.

Zhang Yuan remembered that Shu Chang had mentioned before that Xie Yuxing always wanted to add more scenes for himself.

But there is no way, there are investors behind them... Oh, the guy next to the bearded man today should be the financial backer.

They chatted about family matters for a while, with Shu Chang massaging his legs and her shoulders. Fearing that someone might get killed if the situation continued, Zhang Yuan left in a timely and graceful manner.

The next afternoon, while filming the Lingjiu Palace scenes, Gao Hu was seen sighing while sitting in the rest area.

"What's wrong?"

"It's annoying." Gao Hu scratched his head hard, dandruff flying everywhere, and Zhang Yuan quickly dodged to the side.

"It seems like all my previous scenes were shot in vain."

"The bearded man wants to replace you?" he wondered. He had never heard of this.

The two of them were familiar enough to make a joke.

"Can you wait for me a little longer?" Gao Hu rolled his eyes at him and said, "It's me and Tong Lao. Li Qiushui's role seems to be wasted."

Gao Hu just learned about this from the bearded man that morning, and now he was complaining to him with a sad face.

"Director Zhou was fired because he didn't want to reshoot the big scenes at Yanmen Pass and Shaoshi Mountain."

"Now Director Ju has taken over to reshoot the film, and Big Beard is looking for investors to increase the budget."

"Speaking of which, there is also your business." Gao Hu half-angered and half-smiled, helplessly saying: "Why don't you help Big Beard deal with Wang Fei?"

"Now he is using this as an excuse, saying that he invited a diva to sing the theme song, and that the requirements for the work must be higher, so he has to pay more."

Zhang Yuan has already imagined in his mind the scene of the bearded man transforming into "the money-adding guy" in front of the investors.

He was not surprised at all. A man like Zhang Jizhong who was fond of showing off would certainly take all the credit for himself.

"But this matter was passed on to Miss Xie by the investor."

"She suggested that Li Qiushui's scenes also need to be reshot, with more scenes for herself, after all, the money was paid by her man."

"That's not all!" Gao Hu looked at him cautiously, "This woman has even set her sights on the theme song prepared for Wang Fei."

"She wants to sing it herself!"

Gao Hu knew clearly that Zhang Yuan had taken great pains to get the Queen Mother to agree, but now he had to make things difficult for others, and he was afraid that Zhang Yuan would be furious.

But the storm he imagined did not occur.

Zhang Yuan was very calm, just frowned slightly and lowered his head in thought.

He was recalling everything he knew about the singer.

"This guy is really capable."

“But it doesn’t seem to have become very popular in later generations.”

"But every time Shu Chang mentions her, I always feel a sense of familiarity."

"I always feel like I'm missing something crucial..."

"I remember that this person had an affair with Yuen Woo-ping for some unknown reason in later life, and he was almost sued."

"This guy has also starred in many popular dramas, but they were all supporting roles."

"Based on this analysis, her background must be quite deep, otherwise where would she get so many resources?"

"Background..." As he thought about it, Zhang Yuan's face changed drastically, from white to red, and then from red to white, which scared Gao Hu who was standing next to him.

"What's wrong with you?" Gao Hu was so touched.

Look, Zhang Yuan was worried about me and his expression changed.

After a long time, his expression relaxed and he sat down on the stone bench.

He remembered.

He understood why he felt familiar yet strange about this woman.

Because the famous person was not this woman, but the investor he accidentally glimpsed yesterday...

(End of this chapter)