CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: JOINING THE CAST OF "CHINESE PALADIN 3" (REQUESTING MONTHLY TICKETS)

When a celebrity reaches a certain status, many aspects can’t be overlooked, or else they’ll be underestimated by others.

For example, hotels, business cars, assistants, etc.

All these are arranged by the crew.

Chinese Paladin 3 invited Qi Hao to play a role, relying heavily on him initially, and given Qi Hao’s recent surge in popularity, the crew set up hotels and business cars without a second thought.

The assistant arranged by the crew is called Yang Liu, who drove a business car to Xiaoshan Airport to pick up.

Hengdian is over a hundred kilometers away from Xiaoshan Airport, giving Qi Hao and Zhang Nan enough time to understand this assistant.

During the filming of Chinese Paladin 3, this assistant was with him.

Proper understanding aids cooperation, and if they get along well, it can also help avoid getting backstabbed.

Many so-called celebrity gossips are spilled by people close by.

Unexpectedly, Yang Liu was also from an extra background; after graduating from college she came to Hengdian to be an extra.

Dreaming of rising to the top one day.

With her good looks and impressive figure, Yang Liu successfully—did not make it big because those casting directors and group leaders always wanted to have her in their beds, which she refused, so she had no choice but to switch backstage.

"Unspoken rules, huh, that’s really tough. Are you planning to be an assistant now?"

Qi Hao empathized.

He also faced the threat of unspoken rules and lost quite a few opportunities because of it; however, as someone backed by the system—though he didn’t know this system would take ten years to load—he naturally wouldn’t sell his body for a few slight resources.

Even if selling, the system-backed body should be worth more.

So, up until now, it hasn’t been sold.

"Usually, I work as an assistant in various crews; occasionally, in crews with lower demands, I do some makeup and styling work, as you know, supporting and extras don’t have high makeup requirements."

Yang Liu replied while skillfully driving.

"You’re quite talented and versatile..." Qi Hao admired her a bit, as if seeing his younger self.

The only difference being that Qi Hao carved his own path with strong confidence.

While Yang Liu is stuck struggling at the bottom.

People like Yang Liu abound in Hengdian.

This once ordinary little town has now become a dream incubator, attracting dream chasers from all over the country each day.

However, truly few manage to settle.

Those who can’t survive either leave or end up squandering in this small town.

Each night, the streets light up with pink lights.

"How did you get the opportunity to be Qi Hao’s assistant?" Zhang Nan, sitting with Qi Hao at the back, had been reading the script of Chinese Paladin 3 the whole time.

He doesn’t need to memorize most of the script like Qi Hao.

But as a competent agent, he must go through the script and mark inappropriate areas, ready to negotiate with the screenwriter and director once they join the crew.

The aim is to fight for various rights for the artist he represents.

Getting a role doesn’t mean the end of negotiations; even after filming, various negotiations are necessary.

If you don’t negotiate, prepare for the scenes to be cut during editing.

During promotions, positions, ranks, layouts, business... etc., all involve thorough negotiations.

Zhang Nan is Qi Hao’s frontline Saint.

He also helps Qi Hao vet the people around him during their work.

"Yeah, being my assistant isn’t easy, how did you manage it?"

Qi Hao also found this a question worth exploring.

It’s not narcissism; getting the lead assistant role is always a competitive and desirable job.

It’s both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge is major leads aren’t easy to serve; some don’t treat assistants as human.

The opportunity is that once served well, there are definite benefits.

Possibly trying to become the official assistant of a major celebrity.

Like Yang Liu, who has a background as an extra and decent personal traits, might get offered roles by major stars.

Extras switching to assistants probably have this kind of intention.

Yes, developing relationships with major stars is an effort direction female assistants might choose.

Who knows, ahem, what if she becomes the wife of a major star.

This probability is higher than a thirty-year-old overbearing CEO falling in love with a fifty-year-old menopausal me.

"I was initially arranged to be Yang Mi’s assistant; however, you only needed one assistant, who also had to be able to drive and know some makeup and styling, making it rather hard to select."

Yang Liu’s implication was, don’t you know how hard you are to serve?

Saying it as if anyone could just do it.

"Haha, I don’t like too many people around me."

Qi Hao couldn’t find a suitable assistant, so he had to have the crew provide one, which is common in the entertainment industry; crews can provide anything including but not limited to hotels, RVs, assistants, life assistants, chickens, ducks...

For Qi Hao’s status, having three to five assistants is considered normal.

Some celebrities even demand eight assistants from the crew to handle every aspect of work and life.

However, Old Tian thought it necessary to be cautious of Sugarman.

This company has a narrow mind, and if there’s any unpleasantness during or after cooperation, they retaliate.

Being followed by a group of their people makes it easy to get caught.

So, Qi Hao only required one assistant to work alongside Zhang Nan, focusing on sufficiency.

"Are you still thinking about debuting as a star? If you perform well this time, Hao can help introduce some resources." Zhang Nan added.

This counts as painting a big picture.

Not only does he do it for his boss, he also paints a nice picture for other team members.

"Nah, the entertainment industry is all about this bird-like mess—integrity or opportunity, you can only choose one." Yang Liu chuckled.

After spending a long time in Hengdian, either you become open-minded or gain clarity.

"Well, if you do well, we can consider a long-term contract. Our Hao currently happens to need an assistant..."

Does this pie taste off?

Don’t like it?

No problem, we’ll switch the flavor for you.

"Sure, if that’s the case, I wouldn’t have to keep hunting for jobs."

Yang Liu greatly admires Qi Hao, who truly rose from a background actor to an award-winning actor, plus Qi Hao looks at her with a pure expression.

As clear as... like a fool.

I’ve got such a big chest standing right here, and these two don’t even glance at me.

After arriving in Hengdian, Qi Hao checked into the hotel.

Zhang Nan, after letting him rest for two hours, promptly took him out to eat, and then...

They went to the pre-arranged recording studio.

"Why do I feel like I’m working for you?"

Qi Hao was pressed into a chair and considerately had monitoring headphones put on, yet he felt like he was strapped into an electric chair.

Tongzi, power me up!

"The sooner the task is done, the sooner it’s over. You wouldn’t want this little bit of work to drag on for months, would you?"

Zhang Nan had already shown Qi Hao the work schedule, which Qi Hao had confirmed before Zhang Nan arranged it.

So, you’ve agreed, yet you’re still so reluctant.

It’s because Old Tian spoiled you.

"Alright, let’s finish quickly!"

The sooner the task is done, the sooner I can book the Santana 2000.

Santana Phantom 2000!

Because Qi Hao had his own things to handle, coupled with Yang Mi arriving in Hengdian a bit late, the original plan for the leads to gather for a meal to get acquainted had to be called off.

Yang Mi simultaneously took on "New Red Chamber" and "Chinese Paladin 3", being borrowed by "Chinese Paladin 3".

Additionally, the role of Xue Jian was initially given to Tang Yan.

Later, it was found unsuitable, and Yang Mi was chosen instead.

Sugarman actually wanted to sign Yang Mi—her contract with Rongxinda expires the year after next, so when it expires, she could sign with Sugarman.

The plan was sound, but whether it would be realized was uncertain.

Sugarman also had their sights on Qi Hao.

However, several big companies in the industry offered olive branches, all declined by Qi Hao’s agent, Old Tian.

Compared to Qi Hao, it’s obviously easier to secure a promising second or third-tier actor like Yang Mi.

The next day, Qi Hao had the crew bring someone early to do his styling.

He plays Xu Changqing, nicknamed White Tofu.

In the drama, his outfits are mostly white, effectively highlighting his dashing appearance.

Sugarman spent all that money on Qi Hao mainly to capitalize on his fame.

Given that, naturally they needed to maximize his handsome appearance on camera.

In this TV series, Qi Hao has at least six or seven sets of white costumes, plus those for everyday scenes, totaling over ten outfits.

"Styling is fine, no need for makeup."

After changing into his outfit, Qi Hao casually told the makeup and styling artist sent by the production.

The makeup artist looked a bit troubled.

She had to admit, Qi Hao’s natural advantages were indeed impressive; once dressed in ancient costume and wearing a wig, he immediately looked as if he stepped out from a painting.

But wouldn’t forgoing makeup be a bit too...

"Our Qi Hao wasn’t made up for The Return of the Condor Heroes or Married the Right Man either," Zhang Nan added from the side.

Upon hearing this, the makeup artist finally relaxed.

Since it wasn’t the first time using this approach, there shouldn’t be any issues.

She helped Qi Hao adjust his wig, lightly trimmed his eyebrows, then headed off to make up the others carrying her tools.

Qi Hao, dressed in this costume, attended the "Chinese Paladin 3" launch ceremony at Tang Family Castle.

A lot of fans were already gathered outside.

Adapted from a game, coupled with high anticipation due to the success of "Chinese Paladin 1", this "Chinese Paladin 3" had garnered a lot of attention.

Qi Hao’s arrival instantly stirred up the fans.

Someone suddenly shouted:

"Little Flying Stick is here!"

Not only were Qi Hao’s fans excited, but the game fans were too, as they dumbfoundedly watched Qi Hao being escorted by security, feeling that Qi Hao’s Xu Changqing was incredibly handsome.

Truly deserving of a senior Shushan disciple!

"Big brother!" Yang Mi, dressed in costume, peeked out from the crowd and cheerfully greeted Qi Hao.

She arrived slightly earlier than Qi Hao.

Calling him big brother was obviously referencing "The Return of the Condor Heroes", immediately bringing them closer.

"Haha, your outfit looks nice..."

Qi Hao resisted the urge to rub his arms; the costume wasn’t very thick, and in this February weather, a bit of chill was inevitable.

Plus, Mimi’s "big brother" remark really gave him goosebumps.