SAE CH9

“Zhang-jie, Producer Zhang, ah, Shen-ge is here too! You guys need to get in there right now! It’s bad; a huge fight broke out,” an assistant director said, looking frantic. He had slipped out the back door of the hotel room just to find them.

“Director Zhu is cursing people out again?” Zhang Jie’s first reaction was exasperation. “That bastard, does he think I don’t have enough problems?”

“No, more accurately, it’s a shouting match. But Director Zhu is losing.” The assistant director looked like he wanted to laugh but was holding it in; however, his upturned mouth couldn’t hide a hint of schadenfreude.

Shen Tianqing sighed, touching his hair, feeling that he might need to consider a hair transplant soon. From his experience, the messes Jiang Fanxing would create for him in the future would likely exceed those of Qin Shi and Yi Zhu combined.

It’s a pity I’m so poor right now. Otherwise, gritting my teeth and paying the thirty million penalty wouldn’t be impossible—after all, my life is more important.

Zhang Jie turned her head and looked at Shen Tianqing in astonishment, as if asking: How could your artist act like this?

“Let’s go,” Shen Tianqing sighed. “We need to go in and break it up. If we delay too long, I’m afraid Director Zhu might get a heart attack from anger, and that wouldn’t be good.”

“If it really gave him a heart attack and we could replace him, that wouldn’t be so bad,” Zhang Jie sighed as well. She wanted a director who wasn’t so fond of cursing people out. Zhu Guofu felt great cursing people out on set, but she was the one constantly apologizing and smoothing things over behind the scenes; she was exhausted too.

Being stuck with a colleague like this was agonizing for her as well.

Inside the room, Zhu Guofu was already being held back by the others.

“Director, Director, calm down! He’s just a rookie, a reckless kid, it’s not worth it.” “Jiang Fanxing, apologize to the director immediately.”

“We all have to work together in the future, there’s no need to make the atmosphere so tense,” Qiao Qiao had no choice but to step forward and try to mediate. If news of a physical altercation leaked before filming even began, her anti-fans would definitely start celebrating again.

“I’m sorry, Director Zhu. I’m just used to being straightforward and said a few unpleasant things. Please don’t take offense,” Jiang Fanxing climbed down the ladder provided. “I was only thinking of your own good.”

“You… you still say it’s for my own good?!” Zhu Guofu exploded, blurting out a string of national curses.

But Jiang Fanxing wasn’t angered in the slightest. In fact, he had a bit of a “smiling at a mad dog” vibe. “Director, you curse with such vigor! For your next drama, maybe you should shoot a rural village series—you’ve already got the dialogue written.”

Zhu Guofu hopped madly in rage.

Then, a few people also came over to persuade Jiang Fanxing.

“Alright, alright, tone it down a bit. What if you really make him pass out from anger? Cough, good job.” The last three words were spoken very softly, but Jiang Fanxing still heard them.

He looked up and realized it was a young scriptwriter speaking to him, though she quickly averted her gaze.

Evidently, it wasn’t just a day or two that people on the crew had been suffering Zhu Guofu’s temper.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Zhu Guofu was already rude to artists with popularity and traffic; he would only be more domineering towards other crew members who held even less status than artists. Just because everyone had to endure it in the past to earn a living didn’t mean they harbored no resentment.

Soon after, Zhang Jie and Shen Tianqing walked in together.

Seeing Jiang Fanxing’s manager enter, Qiao Qiao also breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re finally here.”

She had dealt with Shen Tianqing before and thought quite highly of him as a manager. If Nian Nian Studio really couldn’t hold on and went bankrupt, she would actually be willing to recruit Shen Tianqing to her own studio. A man who could cultivate two well-known artists had undeniable ability, and he was upright in his conduct. Who wouldn’t welcome such talent?

“Teacher Qiao, I apologize,” Shen Tianqing apologized politely. “Our Little Jiang is still young and hasn’t even graduated from university, so he’s a bit sensible.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me; you’d better figure out what to do about Director Zhu,” Qiao Qiao shook her head. “This project is a rare opportunity. If he can’t participate because of this, it would be quite a pity.”

Sometimes, if an actor misses a role, they might never get the chance to become famous again. Missing out on a role with a top-tier production team and heavy screen time meant taking countless detours in the future.

The entertainment industry relied heavily on track records.

If you played the third male lead in an S-tier project, the next script to find you would have to be at least the second male lead in an A-tier project; you couldn’t downgrade too much. But if you fought your way out from a low-budget web drama, you might have to achieve incredible results just to play the fourth or fifth male lead in a major production. Climbing up step by step that way would be immeasurably slower.

“It’s him or me! I will absolutely not have such a black sheep in my cast!” Director Zhu was still shouting furiously.

Jiang Fanxing smiled slightly. Tch, knowing you’re this unpopular makes me happy. You really don’t call the shots in this crew.

Zhu Guofu was pulled away, and the rest of the audition process was handled by the assistant directors, casting directors, and others. The people waiting outside didn’t know exactly what had happened inside, but vaguely guessed a fight had broken out.

Then, Shen Tianqing sat down in front of Jiang Fanxing.

“If you miss out on this project, you’ll only be able to take B-tier web dramas. Time is life. Between playing the third male lead to Qiao Qiao at twenty-one, and playing the first male lead in a B-tier web drama—do you know how many years it takes to climb from the latter to the former?” Shen Tianqing spoke with earnest intent. “Could you not have just endured it?”

“I did endure it! I didn’t talk back when he was making things difficult for me earlier. He just went further and further out of line. I didn’t use a single dirty word from start to finish! All I did was repeat his online reviews,” Jiang Fanxing genuinely felt wronged. “At his age, having made so much money, is his heart really that weak? If I could make millions or tens of millions a year, I wouldn’t care if someone pointed at my nose and cursed me every day. Money is hard to earn, shit is hard to eat—how can he expect to have all the advantages?”

“You’re right, you’re right.” Shen Tianqing didn’t want to say anything more. “If this project is ruined, it’s ruined. I’ll figure something else out.”

“It won’t be ruined. Why would it be ruined? This role is still mine,” Jiang Fanxing looked earnestly at Shen Tianqing, speaking sincerely. “Haven’t you already signed the contract with Producer Zhang Jie? I didn’t break any laws, nor did I damage the brand image. I didn’t even say a single dirty word. According to the contract, if he breaches it, he has to pay compensation.”

“The contract hasn’t—” Shen Tianqing was about to say the contract hadn’t been signed yet, but upon seeing Jiang Fanxing’s resolute gaze, he suddenly understood.

“Are you suggesting that Zhang Jie and I sign the contract now and backdate it a little?”

“Shen-ge, what are you talking about?” Jiang Fanxing didn’t leave any leverage. “I distinctly remember we signed it when we met this morning. The date is today; the contract has already taken effect.”

Shen Tianqing silently gave a thumbs up. “As for Zhang Jie’s side…”

“Director Zhu has such a terrible temper, and this project is so important. Zhang Jie is the chief producer and needs to coordinate all parties; she definitely needs someone who can counterbalance Director Zhu. He can’t just shoot however he pleases,” Jiang Fanxing smiled benevolently, exuding approachability. “It wouldn’t be good if the crew became a one-man dictatorship.”

Isn’t planting your own people in a project the most basic move?

Especially when the partner is at odds with you.

Could planting anyone else be as reliable as a minor actor like me, who publicly clashed with Zhu Guofu?

Shen Tianqing immediately gathered his things and stood up. “Xiao Zhou, stay here and keep an eye on him. I’m going to discuss this with Zhang-jie right now.”

“Okay,” Xiao Zhou replied obediently.

Shen Tianqing disappeared instantly. Both Jiang Fanxing and Xiao Zhou knew exactly what he was off to do.

“Jiang-ge, you’re a total badass,” Xiao Zhou let out a sincere, unadorned sigh of admiration. “You had a fight like that, and you can still get the role?”

“Because from the very beginning, I was never the one being chosen. Our studio and this production team have always been mutually using each other,” Jiang Fanxing laughed. “It’s a pity. If our studio owed a hundred million, I’d have to be the male lead.”

Besides, which was more important: the project or a fight?

The project, of course.

With the production team having prepared to this extent, it was impossible for them to halt their progress just because he and Zhu Guofu had an argument. Even within the same team, fights over differing opinions were everywhere, yet people still had to say “Good morning” to each other the next day. Strip away the seemingly glamorous veil of the entertainment industry, and it really was no different from any other job.

Everyone was just trying to make a living.

“Jiang-ge, even though you haven’t graduated yet, it feels like you have a wealth of life experience,” Xiao Zhou couldn’t help but marvel. “Have you really not secretly attended some kind of cram school?”

“Haha,” Jiang Fanxing laughed heartily. “My dad used to work in grassroots petitions and complaints. Do you understand now?”

Xiao Zhou didn’t quite get it; he hadn’t looked into that field before.

However, when he actually took the time to understand what petition and complaint work entailed one day, enlightenment suddenly struck him.

Life is the best teacher.

The casting for the “Wansheng” crew was roughly finalized. All that remained was waiting for the start date and having the actors officially shoot their promotional photos.

Zhu Guofu fought tooth and nail: “I do not agree to Jiang Fanxing playing the third male lead! Just swap in anyone else!”

“Director, we’ve already signed a contract with his studio.” Zhang Jie feigned a troubled expression, while inwardly, she was thrilled. Serves you right. When you usually ask me for money, you act so high and mighty. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to get sponsorships from the investors? Do you know how many times their accountants give me a hard time? And you waste days shooting those pretentious, meaningless shots that don’t even make the final cut. It’s a pure waste of money!

“Then pay the breach of contract penalty!” Zhu Guofu replied decisively.

“Well, Director Zhu, if you wish to tear up the contract due to personal reasons, you’ll have to pay the penalty yourself,” Zhang Jie said, strictly business. “He hasn’t broken any laws, nor has his image been ruined, so if we unilaterally tear up the contract, the liability falls on us. Furthermore, Nian Nian Studio is currently embroiled in lawsuits—they aren’t afraid of anything.”

“How much of a penalty could a rookie possibly demand?”

“The penalty is ten million,” Zhang Jie said, blinking innocently.

“How can it be that expensive?” Zhu Guofu raged. “What is his salary?”

“His salary is five million; the penalty is set at twice his salary.”

“He’s a rookie playing the third male lead! A salary of five hundred thousand would be the absolute maximum. What exactly is the meaning of giving him this much?!” Upon hearing that a guy like Jiang Fanxing was actually getting five million, Zhu Guofu felt a sharp pain in his chest. With that much money, if I budgeted carefully, I could shoot an entire self-produced wuxia drama!

Of course it’s to balance the books!

If we only give a few hundred thousand, how can I balance the accounts from the last project? Wouldn’t all this effort be for nothing?

“This salary was also approved by the boss.” The boss doesn’t know shit about projects. He heard buzzwords like “fresh meat,” “traffic male star,” and “Qin Shi’s junior brother” and agreed. After all, Qiao Qiao’s salary was twenty to thirty million, and the two male leads were each getting over ten million, so five million for the third male lead seemed normal.

The investment for their drama was several hundred million.

This bit of salary expenditure was nothing; it didn’t even account for thirty percent of the total investment.

Where would Zhu Guofu get that kind of money? Because his previous two dramas had flopped so spectacularly, the platforms hadn’t even paid him the final installments. The money in his account was nowhere near enough to pay the penalty.

“Director, once he joins the cast, if he doesn’t act well, you can just scold him directly—with just cause,” Zhang Jie changed her tune. “Besides, he’s just a rookie. If he’s pushed too hard and starts talking nonsense to the public…”

“Would he dare?” Zhu Guofu said the words, but he knew in his heart that the kid absolutely would dare.

“You’re right. Once he joins the cast, I’ll have plenty of ways to torment him.” Zhu Guofu seemed to have thought of a wonderful idea. Mainly, it was because he didn’t want to pay the money, so he could only use the out provided.

“That’s the spirit, Director.” Zhang Jie secretly rejoiced. “We’ll just find a master to pick an auspicious date and prepare to start filming.”

Zhu Guofu waved his hand painfully. I have to shoot idol dramas again… I really want to shoot wuxia!

When Jiang Fanxing woke up from his afternoon nap, it was already past 7:00 PM, nearing 8:00 PM.

He was a bit hungry but had to endure it. After all, filming was starting soon, and he couldn’t overindulge in cheat meals.

Although the five million salary would be directly transferred to Zhang Jie’s company account after taxes, Shen Tianqing promised that once the lawsuits with Qin Shi and the others were settled, he would pay him five hundred thousand as compensation. Plus, he had already given him a fifty-thousand-yuan deposit upfront.

What more was there to say? Jiang Fanxing wasn’t the type to turn down money for the sake of mere dignity.

Although this salary can’t be mine, the next one definitely will be!

“Jiang-ge, Jiang-ge, are you there?”

Someone was knocking on the door.

The voice didn’t sound like Xiao Zhou.

Jiang Fanxing looked through the peephole and saw the person was wearing a hat, mask, and sunglasses, completely disguised.

But Jiang Fanxing still opened the door; one look and he knew who it was.

“Chen Kele, what are you doing running over here for no reason? Even if you come to my house, I won’t ship a CP with you,” Jiang Fanxing stood at the doorway, making no move to invite him in.

“Of course not! I already know you landed the third male lead in the “Wansheng” crew, Jiang-ge. Shipping a CP with me would truly be a disservice to you,” Chen Kele knew a bit more. Mostly, it was because his captain, Qiu Songsheng, had inexplicably called him to ask about Jiang Fanxing. Only then did he learn that Jiang Fanxing had directly clashed with the director but still secured the role, and that Shen Tianqing had gone in to apologize. He guessed Jiang Fanxing must have some formidable background to make even Zhu Guofu swallow his pride and accept it!

“I just wanted to ask, you mentioned before about having me become a ‘Male Bodhisattva’. What is the exact operational process for that?” Chen Kele asked in a low voice. “Please, give me some pointers.”

“It’s my break time right now. Come back during my working hours,” Jiang Fanxing couldn’t be bothered. Two single men in the middle of the night—it’s bad for my reputation.

Ding dong.

Chen Kele transferred one hundred thousand yuan to Jiang Fanxing.

“Jiang-ge, just a small token of appreciation.” Although Chen Kele wasn’t very popular, he had done some gigs right after their group debuted, so he had at least a million or so saved up.

Jiang Fanxing immediately refunded the transfer on WeChat. “I’m a law student. I don’t accept money of unknown origin.”

Chen Kele froze for a moment. His brain whirred rapidly. Seeing that Jiang Fanxing still hadn’t closed the door, a sudden inspiration struck him.

This time, he transferred another one hundred thousand yuan, but added a note: “Voluntary Gift.”