Chapter 65: Different Tracks, Such Arrogance

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September 13th, 8:30 in the morning, inside the hotel’s large conference room.

“Is everything set up?”

Zhu Ming entered and turned to ask Bai Yan.

Bai Yan quickly replied, “Director Zhu, everything’s ready. When we start filming in a bit, we’ll have four cameras positioned at north, south, east, and west, plus a main camera to make sure there are no blind spots at all…”

“Director Zhu, how should we arrange this spot?”

Just then, another crew member asked, “What about these name tags...?”

“In our crew, there’s no need to arrange people by billing order. Just shuffle them as you like. Today’s mainly about discussing the script, so just have Liao Qingshan sit in the middle. The focus is on him explaining the script.”

Zhu Ming shook his head slightly as he spoke.

After all, the “script reading session” would also be filmed. In fact, the entire process could later be edited for promotional material.

You could say that from the moment the script reading began, there was a dedicated team filming everything, preparing content for the drama’s future publicity.

Just like the behind-the-scenes clips everyone sees for TV dramas—those are all carefully selected, and they even check with the actors before releasing them.

“Director Zhu, you got here even earlier than us.”

Soon, the actors began arriving one after another.

Ren Yi, Song Wen, Wang Fei—these people had known each other before, but this was their first time working together, so everyone was quite pleased.

“When did you get here?”

“I arrived the day before yesterday for an event in Tan Province, so I stayed. What about you?”

“Me? I came straight here from the airport.”

“What about you, Sister Xia?”

“I came with Wu Jun.”

…

Everyone came in, greeted Zhu Ming, and then began chatting as if catching up with old friends.

By 8:50, the seats around the large conference table were nearly full.

“Let’s add two more rows in the back.”

Bai Yan was prepared and quickly had the staff set everything up.

Lin Xing arrived together with Liao Qingshan.

When the two entered, Zhu Ming grinned, “How come you two came together?”

“I happened to run into Xiao Lin in the elevator,” Liao Qingshan said with a smile. “Sorry we’re late.”

“Late? We haven’t even started yet.”

Zhu Ming waved his hand and smiled at Liao Qingshan. “Qingshan, just sit in the middle. During the first script read-through, you can fill in any gaps or point out anything that needs adjusting.”

“Alright.”

Liao Qingshan nodded softly.

As for Lin Xing, he figured he was still a junior, so he planned to sit in the second row. But Zhu Ming said directly, “Lin Xing, sit between Ren Yi and Wang Fei. Take this chance to get to know each other.”

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“Okay.”

At this moment, Lin Xing naturally followed the director’s instructions and prepared to sit between Ren Yi and Wang Fei.

Everyone present had heard of Lin Xing. When the drama “Sweeping the Black Tide” was officially announced, Lin Xing’s involvement alone boosted public interest by at least forty percent.

Granted, most of it was criticism.

But at least people remembered Lin Xing’s name.

Veteran actors naturally looked down on traffic stars. Even though some of them had worse reputations in their youth than the current crop, they still disdained these popular idols.

Because, as the saying goes, lack of skill is the original sin.

Back then, nobody cared about private conduct—what mattered was professional ability. Especially among Hong Kong stars, many so-called goddesses were openly mistresses, but their looks were stunning and their skills impressive.

Many of today’s acclaimed mainland actors were once pretty boys as well, but they deliberately roughened their image to broaden their acting range.

Who could have guessed that the market would shift and everyone would be back to casting pretty boys?

Who could you even complain to?

But what these seasoned actors truly despised wasn’t the looks of these young stars—it was their lack of skill.

Sustaining a minor injury is called dedication? Singing live is dedication? Using your real voice for dialogue is dedication? Jumping into water is dedication?

What nonsense!

These are the basics of the job!

That’s the real reason veteran actors look down on pretty boys and traffic stars.

Still, everyone present was a seasoned professional. Even if they weren’t interested in Lin Xing, they didn’t let it show. When Lin Xing greeted them, they all responded with polite smiles.

The standard adult social mask.

After all, traffic stars and veteran actors occupy different tracks.

How many popular idols in recent years have tried to switch to the respected actor track? Most, like Qi Shuai, have never been acknowledged by anyone except their own fans—neither audiences nor industry insiders give them credit.

“Hello, Teacher Wang, Teacher Ren…”

Lin Xing walked along, greeting everyone, then sat down between Ren Yi and Wang Fei.

“Hello.”

Wang Fei smiled at Lin Xing but said nothing more.

Ren Yi, meanwhile, looked at Lin Xing with an amused smile, saying nothing.

Just as things were about to begin, Feng Wei and Feng Qing hurried in.

“Sorry, sorry, we’re late,” Feng Wei apologized the moment he walked in, while Feng Qing behind him wore a look of defiance, as if he’d just been dragged out of bed.

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“No worries, we haven’t started yet. Old Feng, you and Xiao Qing can find your own seats,” Zhu Ming said cheerfully. “But why does Xiao Qing look so unhappy? Old Feng, don’t tell me you dragged him here against his will? I told you before, Xiao Qing didn’t need to come.”

“Director Zhu, you must be joking. Not at all—”

Before Feng Wei could finish, Feng Qing cut in, “See, even Uncle Zhu says I didn’t need to come, but you had to drag me here.”

“You—”

Feng Wei nearly coughed up blood in frustration.

The others in the room burst into laughter.

After all, many had heard stories of how Feng Qing was spoiled beyond belief by Situ Hui, but seeing it firsthand was certainly amusing.

Truly, a young rascal untouched by the harshness of society.

“Heh, Xiao Qing, why don’t you go back and get some rest then?”

Zhu Ming wasn’t angry at all.

Given Feng Wei and Situ Hui’s standing, he had to show them respect.

“No need, Uncle Zhu,” Feng Qing said with a cheeky grin. “I’ll listen to the organization. I’ll just sit quietly and learn.”

“You little rascal, at least you’re not completely out of line.”

Feng Wei breathed a sigh of relief—he’d truly feared Feng Qing might just turn around and leave.

“In that case, hurry and grab a seat. It’s time for us to begin.”

Zhu Ming waved his hand with a smile.

From start to finish, neither Zhu Ming nor the other veterans thought Feng Qing’s behavior was a problem.

After all, he was still just a “twenty-something” kid.

Of course, if Feng Qing weren’t Feng Wei’s son, it would be a different story.

Lin Xing watched all this unfold, unsurprised.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s begin. Xiao Bai, you can start recording…”

Zhu Ming glanced at the time, then spoke.

The script reading officially began.

…

…