CH 39

April 17, 2021kaychandra

Chapter 39: Contract

Translated and Edited by KChandra

The film’s production team had a lot of money and manpower. Even if Chen Ke received a call from them, he didn’t dare to disclose the matter to the public, because no one could guarantee that things wouldn’t change before the film started shooting.

When Gongxi Qiao went to see Director Wang to ask for leave, Director Wang was eating peanuts and drinking wine with a few old men in the crew.

After having a couple of drinks with Director Wang, Gongxi Qiao mentioned to him that he would be taking a leave of absence tomorrow.

As the first male lead of the crew, regarding Gongxi Qiao’s attitude towards filming, no one could say in good conscience that he wasn’t dedicated to his work – climbing trees when asked to, wrestling when asked to, and even when asked to roll in a mud pond, he, a spoiled rich second generation, didn’t blink or hesitate.

So now when he asked for a half day off, Director Wang immediately agreed. As a famous director in the country, Director Wang naturally had channels to find out gossip. Previously, the ‘Cultivation’ crew invited Gongxi Qiao to audition, and he was well aware of the matter. Now that Gongxi Qiao suddenly asked him for leave without explicitly stating the reason, he vaguely guessed a little.

The young actor he favored had such a good opportunity. Director Wang was definitely supportive, but because there were other people present, he wasn’t at liberty to say anything more. After thinking about it, he politely said, “Young people should seize opportunities. It’s good that you can stay calm.”

If Gongxi Qiao proclaimed himself to be the main actor of ‘Cultivation’ early on, it would make people think he was impetuous. Director Wang was a somewhat picky person. He agreed with Gongxi Qiao’s way of doing things currently, so he couldn’t help but give a few more instructions.

“Thanks, Director Wang, I know,” Gongxi Qiao smiled, “it’s late, you should also drink less. Be careful when Auntie Yao finds out about it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, she won’t know,” Director Wang’s hand holding the wine glass paused and he coughed a few times, “When my family asks, don’t talk nonsense.”

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Gongxi Qiao saw Director Wang’s appearance of being a henpecked husband, smiled before getting up to say goodbye. The main crew members sat together for a meal, and they must have other things to discuss so it wasn’t appropriate for him to stay here. Although he was also the investor of this film, since he said he would give all the power to Director Wang, he must keep his word, so as not to get a reputation of going back on his word soon after entering this circle.

“Qiao Shao, this person ……” after Gongxi Qiao left, the screenwriter gave a thumbs up, “I haven’t seen such a good young man in a long time.” Nowadays young artists cropped up one after another in the circle. They had a lot of resources, but unfortunately, their emotional intelligence was insufficient, and their overall quality wasn’t as good as those of more than ten years ago.

“How could a student who can get public praise from the Imperial Capital University not be smart?” The field manager was always with Director Wang year-round and went through a lot of things. Usually when it came to hobbies, he liked to listen to gossip in his spare time, “Last year he only got a third male role by bringing capital into the crew. It’s only been a short time and he’s come to this point now. If he didn’t have real ability, would Director Wang dare to let him be the main actor?”

How much Director Wang valued this script, these old buddies were all aware. He dared to use Gongxi Qiao, and it was certainly not because of the tens of millions of investment.

“You guys are hundreds of years old combined, and you still have the leisure to pay attention to the gossip of the juniors?” Director Wang used chopsticks to chuck a peanut into his mouth, chewing it with a crunch and swallowing it. Laughing after a mouthful of white wine, he said, “I have a hunch that my movie will become a classic that will be praised decades from now because of him, and he will also rise to another peak because of this movie.”

Hearing this, the few old buddies were a little stunned. How could Old Wang think so highly of Gongxi Qiao?

But over the years, Old Wang did make a lot of artists famous. Even Gu Nan, who was now popular throughout the north and south of the country, also became popular because he appeared in Old Wang’s film. But even Gu Nan, who was famous abroad, did not get such praise from Old Wang. Was Gongxi Qiao so special?

They didn’t believe that Gongxi Qiao could be more powerful than Gu Nan.

This was the first time that Gongxi Qiao stepped into the Xi Group’s headquarters building. Looking at the industry elites coming and going around him, Gongxi Qiao pushed the brown sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and followed Chen Ke into the elevator with his two assistants.

In addition to the four of them, there were also several Xi Group employees in the elevator. Some of them recognized Gongxi Qiao, and although they looked a bit excited, they didn’t come forward to ask for a photo or autograph.

The elevator stopped on the sixth floor, and the staff watched Gongxi Qiao and his group walk out before a female staff member excitedly said, “Qiao Shao is so handsome, more handsome in person than on TV.”

“Right, ah, he has such good facial skin, no blemishes at all,” said another female staff member enviously, “Isn’t it said that actors have to wear makeup every day and their skin quality is bad? Why does he have such good skin?”

“Because he’s my male god,” the female employee who spoke first patted her slightly red cheeks, “after I observed him up close, the face of the male god is purely natural and unprocessed.” Speaking of which, she couldn’t help but laughingly hold her face, “The male god is so perfect, how can I not love him?”

“Tch, you say it like if you love him, he would look at you more.”

Gongxi Qiao did not know that there were two female employees in the elevator who were blessed by his handsome face. They had just stepped out of the elevator when someone from the crew came to receive them, because the other party’s attitude was so friendly. So friendly that Chen Ke, who had been in the entertainment industry for many years, had some doubts that the various bullying he had encountered in the past was due to bad luck.

“Gentlemen, please come this way,” the female secretary guided them to the office door, smiled politely at them, and left.

The office door was open, and Gongxi Qiao saw two people sitting inside, one of whom he recognized as Xi Qing’s assistant, surnamed Gou.

Special Assistant Gou was talking to the manager of the ”Cultivation” team. Hearing the movement at the door, he turned around and saw that it was Gongxi Qiao. He had a businesslike expression which changed into a smile. “Qiao Shao?”

“Special Assistant Gou,” Gongxi Qiao took off his sunglasses and smiled at Special Assistant Gou, “Sorry to disturb you two at work.”

“It’s not that important, not to mention it’s already finished,” Special Assistant Gou looked at Gongxi Qiao, and then looked back at the person in charge, “You’re the male lead actor who’s coming to sign today?”

Gongxi Qiao saw Special Assistant Gou’s somewhat surprised expression and nodded, “This is also thanks to your crew’s regard for me.”

Seeing Special Assistant Gou’s polite attitude when facing Gongxi Qiao, the person in charge also had a good feeling in his heart, so he smiled and said, “Qiao Shao is very kind, it’s only our honor that you’re willing to work with us.”

Special Assistant Gou really didn’t expect the crew to have selected Gongxi Qiao as the male lead even without his intervention. He took the contract to be signed by Gongxi Qiao from the manager’s hand and read through it roughly. The terms in it were also fair and just, and as for the remuneration, he didn’t know Gongxi Qiao’s current price, so he didn’t know whether it was appropriate or not, and didn’t comment on it.

Putting down the contract in his hand, Special Assistant Gou smiled and said, “The boss must be very happy to know that you’re here. I still have some things to do. I won’t disturb your business, so I’ll leave first.” Knowing that Qiao Shao came over, he had to tell his boss anyway.

“Special Assistant Gou, take care,” the manager sent Special Assistant Gou away and smiled at Gongxi Qiao, “Qiao Shao, Mr. Chen, and you two young people, please have a seat.”

“Many thanks to Manager Zhou.” After Gongxi Qiao and the others sat down, the secretary who brought them here brought in tea and placed it in front of them before retreating in silence.

Manager Zhou smiled. Although he also held the title of manager, he was actually just middle management in the Xi Group’s headquarters. In front of Special Assistant Gou, he didn’t dare to speak a single serious word. Taking back the contract that Special Assistant Gou had seen on the table, Manager Zhou took out another contract from the drawer and handed it to Gongxi Qiao with both hands.

Gongxi Qiao took it with both hands, said thank you and handed it to Chen Ke. Then he began to chat politely with Manager Zhou.

The more he talked to Gongxi Qiao, the more relaxed he became, and the better his impression of Gongxi Qiao became.

Anyone facing a poised, polite and educated young man couldn’t help but have a good feeling. Manager Zhou, who originally swapped the B contract for the A contract for the sake of the big boss, now felt that the A contract was not a waste on Gongxi Qiao.

There were always such people in the world who could easily turn a person’s wariness into affinity, pickiness into satisfaction, and politeness into goodwill.

When Chen Ke finished reading the contract and raised his head, he found that Manager Zhou sitting across from Gongxi Qiao was already talking and laughing with him, and the closeness and goodwill in his words were so straightforward that he felt it.

Faced with such a scene, Chen Ke twitched the corners of his mouth in a small arc, then said, “Manager Zhou, the contract drawn up by your side is very reasonable, and we do not have a problem with it.” It was not just reasonable, it was purely generous. The pay rate of the film was given according to the price of a first-rate actor, which was already far higher than Gongxi Qiao’s current price.

“Since Mr. Chen has no objection, does Xiao Qiao have any other comments?” Manager Zhou smiled and looked at Gongxi Qiao.

Chen Ke’s hand holding the contract shook – how long did it take to evolve from Qiao Shao to Xiao Qiao?

“Uncle Zhou is a generous person. Brother Chen said there was no problem, so there must be no problem,” Gongxi Qiao took the contract and signed his name with a few strokes, in duplicate. After signing, Gongxi Qiao handed back a copy to Manager Zhou, and extended his hand to shake with Manager Zhou. “Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Zhou.”

Chen Ke silently wiped his face. It turned out that their side had also evolved from Manager Zhou to Uncle Zhou?

“Haha, Xiao Qiao you’re polite to say so,” said Manager Zhou after shaking hands with Gongxi Qiao, “When the film starts shooting, I’ll be the producer of the door. Xiao Qiao, when there are any problems, just tell me.”

“Then I thank you very much,” Gongxi Qiao smiled, revealing a few white teeth and looking like a good young man next door.

During the meeting, Xi Qing looked at his watch twice in a row, and once the meeting was over, he was the first to leave the conference room. This proactive attitude made the participants present at the meeting freeze. What urgent matter did the boss have to deal with?

Everyone looked at Special Assistant Gou in a daze, and saw that the other party had a profound and inscrutable look. The curiosity in their hearts was suppressed – curiosity killed the cat. Even if the boss was in a hurry to meet his sweetheart, they couldn’t care less, ah.

Gongxi Qiao was personally sent out of the office door by Manager Zhou and saw Xi Qing standing a few steps away. He turned around and nodded to Manager Zhou and walked quickly towards Xi Qing.

Manager Zhou stood in the doorway, dumbfounded at the big boss, secretly surprised in his heart. It seemed that the big boss and Xiao Qiao were really close friends, otherwise why would he come to wait for him?

“Why are you here?” Gongxi Qiao walked side by side with Xi Qing. Looking at the time, there was still half an hour before closing time.

“I heard from my assistant that you came over to sign the contract today, so I came to take a look.” Xi Qing pressed the elevator down button and looked back at the silent Chen Ke and the other three, “If you aren’t busy with the crew this afternoon, you should have lunch with me before going back.”

“Good, ah,” the elevator door opened. Gongxi Qiao stepped into the elevator and said to Xi Qing who came in one step behind him, “I heard that a very good restaurant has opened in this neighborhood, and I wanted to try it with you someday. Why don’t we go now?”

Xi Qing nodded and stood together with Gongxi Qiao.

Chen Ke, who was the last to arrive, pressed the floor button and stood with his two assistants a little further away from the two. Although he didn’t know why, his intuition told him that Xi Qing wouldn’t like to have strangers too close to him.

A second before walking out of the elevator, Gongxi Qiao put his brown sunglasses on again, and then smiled at Xi Qing, “Do you think I have the aura of a big boss when I wear glasses?”

Chen Ke: Heh, your body is only 1.8 meters tall[1]. What big boss?

Unfortunately, he just finished laughing in his heart, when he saw Xi Qing nodding his head. Silently turning his head, Chen Ke felt that he couldn’t understand the vision of the rich.

When he finally got into the car, Chen Ke watched as Gongxi Qiao got into Xi Qing’s car, while he, He Peng and Xiao Yao got into the car arranged by the company.

“Brother Chen, do you ever feel …… We’re redundant?” In the quiet car, Xiao Yao bravely said this truth.

Chen Ke looked at her with a numb face. “So what?”

“How about we don’t go eat dinner?” Xiao Yao shrank her neck, “Seeing President Xi, I don’t have the courage to eat properly at all, and I’ll definitely need to eat digestive pills when I go back.”

Chen Ke wiped his face and didn’t want to speak again. As if he would be able to eat properly.

There were five people, and a table full of dishes. The dishes were very sumptuous, but three people couldn’t eat. Xiao Yao looked at Gongxi Qiao, who had a good appetite and was chatting leisurely with Xi Qing. A feeling of admiration arose in her heart. As expected of Qiao Shao, he wouldn’t have stage fright in front of anyone. Even if he was facing Master Xi, he could still be so comfortable.

“You’re the male lead actor they decided on for ‘Cultivation’?” Xi Qing picked up a chopstick bite of a dish that Gongxi Qiao thought tasted good and ate it. “I heard two days ago that the screenwriter of the movie had slapped the table in front of the crew in order to secure the male lead actor she had her eye on. I didn’t expect that the one she had her eye on was you.”

“There was such a thing?” Gongxi Qiao’s eyes widened with interest, “No wonder the lead actor was settled so quickly.”

Xi Qing smiled and picked up a piece of Gongxi Qiao’s favorite pork ribs in honey sauce with the serving chopsticks and put it on Gongxi Qiao’s plate.

Smiling, Gongxi Qiao picked up the piece of the ribs and finished gnawing on it with gusto, “Fortunately, the screenwriter won, otherwise I might not have been able to be the male lead of this movie.”

The corners of Xi Qing’s mouth twitched, not speaking.

If Gongxi Qiao really liked this movie, then no matter who the crew loved or hated, the ultimate male lead would only be him.

Unfortunately, Xi Qing couldn’t say this. He always felt that to say this would be to insult Gongxi Qiao’s ability.

“But with you as my number one fan, I’m more competitive than the others,” Gongxi Qiao smiled, his eyes curled up with a hint of smugness, “If I lost the competition, I could still find you as a backer to help me steal the lead actor.”

“Unfortunately, you’re too good, and there’s no use for me as a backer.” Xi Qing gave Gongxi Qiao the last piece of pork ribs in honey sauce.

With his chopsticks reaching out into the air, Chen Ke abruptly turned his hand around and put a dish he didn’t like into his bowl with his chopsticks.

In the eyes of this Master Xi, there were probably only two people at this table, namely himself and Xiao Qiao. As for the three others, it was the same as not being there.

But the good thing was that this Master Xi was very polite. He didn’t show any sign of looking down on them. Instead, when he ordered the food just now, he asked them for their opinion in a very polite way.

But despite the other party’s manners, they could sense that for Xi Qing, the only one who really needed attention was Gongxi Qiao.

Having seen too many complicated things in the circle, Chen Ke couldn’t afford not to think more about it. However, seeing the two getting along naturally, Chen Ke felt that he was thinking too much.

The most important thing was that Xiao Qiao was not a person who would easily suffer losses. So after this realization, Chen Ke had a lot of confidence.

T/N

1. 1.8 meters: for my fellow Americans, this is just under 5’11″…Seems pretty tall to me but I guess big bosses have to be over 6′