Chapter 21: Sister Hua

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Zhao Lei’s “Southern Girl” is a track from his 2011 album...
Yet it had already spread widely in many places where live performances were held!
But surely it hadn’t reached Beijing...
So, after Shen Yan finished singing, Fan Fan immediately asked, “Is this your original song?”
“...No, I heard it online...” Shen Yan quickly denied.
“Heard it online?”
“...There’s a music channel on Tudou, I just click on it sometimes to check it out...”
Wen Zhang’s assistant suddenly interjected, “Didn’t you say before that you can’t sing?”
Shen Yan replied, “What’s singing folk music? As long as you don’t go off-key, anyone can sing!”
“That’s true...”
At this stage, when the public thinks of folk music, they picture a middle-aged man’s voice, casually strumming a wooden guitar, singing about going south, and then charming the girls...
Of course, there are many excellent folk songs and sincere folk singers—not those pretentious charlatans on Lijiang’s LS Street who hold guitars, appear artsy and soulful on the surface, but whose musical skills are mediocre, merely hunting for favors under the guise of art...
Yet that stereotype has already taken hold!
Wen Zhang changed the subject, “You play guitar quite well!”
“...I know a bit of most instruments; violin is my strongest.”
“Really?”
“...Music theory is universal.”
Fan Fan was surprised, “You can play the violin too?”
“...It’s because I can play the violin that Brother Wen Zhang valued me so much...”
Shen Yan recounted how he met Wen Zhang, then raised his glass: “Thank you, Brother Wen...”
“...You’ve got talent... The person I invited has arrived!”
Shen Yan turned his head and saw a middle-aged woman...
Wen Zhang and Fan Fan both stood up, “Sister Hua!”
Sister Hua?
Wang Jinghua?
Shen Yan paused for a moment and then also called out, “...Sister Hua!”
“...Oh dear, sorry, sorry, got held up a bit,” Wang Jinghua apologized with a smile, then glanced at Shen Yan. “You must be little Shen... Indeed, very handsome!”
“...You flatter me!”
“The other day I was chatting with Commander Ma; she told me she saw a boy perfect for historical costume roles... So I asked her to get in touch! How tall are you?”
“1.84 meters...”
Wang Jinghua immediately laughed, “Definitely suits historical roles. Seeing you reminds me of Huang Haibing. I think you’re even more handsome than him...”

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Huang Haibing... Back then, he was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama through special recruitment—because he was handsome and had presence!
Moreover, while still studying, Huang Haibing starred in his first historical drama, “The Book and the Sword,” playing the male lead Chen Jialuo!
...
Wang Jinghua needs no further introduction; everyone should know she is one of the first generation of talent agents in China.
The domestic talent agency industry started late and still lacks a scientific management system; what is considered the industry standard today was largely pioneered by Wang Jinghua herself and gradually became the norm.
She is a founding figure in the field.
No matter what ranking you check, she is always among the top in talent management.
Speaking of which, after Wang Jinghua joined Orange Sky...
She realized she wasn’t being valued!
Or rather, she felt somewhat opposed...
Orange Sky Entertainment Group has two agencies with similar functions: Orange Sky 18 and Orange Sky 19.
Orange Sky 18 was founded by Wang Jinghua and manages artists signed on because of her reputation. Orange Sky 19 was created by Wu Kebo with some ulterior motives, as Wu felt the artists might follow Wang Jinghua if she ever started her own venture.
Thus, Orange Sky 19 came into being.
The internal policies and resources of Orange Sky Group favor Orange Sky 19 more, which focuses on nurturing new talent...
In short, it’s difficult for artists under Wang Jinghua to get cast in Orange Sky productions.
Especially Xia Yu!
Before 2005, Xia Yu was the undisputed top star in mainland China.
“Sunny Days” won him Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival—one of Europe’s Big Three—and the Golden Horse Award;
Later, he won the Golden Rooster Best Actor for “Police Story,” and the Most Popular Actor at the University Student Film Festival twice for “Waiting Alone” and “Shanghai Rumba.”
All these were before 2005!
After joining Orange Sky... all he had left were love triangle rumors with Yuan Quan and Gao Yuanyuan.
Later, at the Hundred Flowers Awards, he lost to Li Yifeng, along with Zhang Yi and Duan Yihong...
Ahem...
There are no fresh talents under Wang Jinghua!
The newest should be Wen Zhang, born in 1984...
But Wen Zhang has been in the industry for several years already!
Wang Jinghua wanted to sign a new face!
Coincidentally, Ma Yili mentioned Shen Yan, so she came over...
It wasn’t that complicated...
Besides signing Shen Yan, she also brought a script for Wen Zhang...
...

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Many say that in the entertainment circle, acting skills, looks, and character matter less than gaining the favor of a big shot in the industry.
Actors must prove themselves through their works, but without resources, where do the works come from?
For actors, resources are the “1,” and acting ability is the “0.” Having the “1” without the “0” won’t work, but no matter how many zeros you have, without the “1,” it’s worthless.
So how does one gain favor?
Without a background, some rely on their bodies...
That’s true, but not entirely!
Not everyone is ambitiously striving to reach the top.
After hearing Wang Jinghua’s terms, Shen Yan was quite satisfied...
Wang Jinghua made no empty promises, only saying, “I have some resources. As long as I can help you, I will do my best. If I can’t, don’t blame me—I’ll definitely try my hardest!”
Shen Yan waved his hand, “Sister Hua, you’re too kind... I don’t have many demands; I just find acting quite interesting...”
Wen Zhang suddenly interjected, “‘Snow Leopard’... an anti-Japanese drama?”
“Yes, produced by Huace...” Wang Jinghua added, “Commander Ma also said the script is good!”
“...But I plan to focus on ‘Ocean Heaven’!”
Wang Jinghua was calm, “No problem, you just need to agree so they can push for funding... filming probably won’t start until October at the earliest!”
Wen Zhang nodded, “Then I’ll take a look at the script first...”
Wang Jinghua glanced at Shen Yan, who was listening to music: “Little Shen, does anyone in your family work in this industry?”
“...You mean acting?”
“...Or behind the scenes!”
“Oh, my second uncle is an art designer,” Shen Yan answered immediately, “Two years ago, after graduating high school, I stayed home for half a year, then joined my uncle’s crew. Later, my uncle went to the set of ‘The Road Home’ and the assistant director Cui Weidong thought I suited being in front of the camera, so I gave it a try...”
“An art designer?”
“A level-three art designer... My uncle used to work at the Xiangxiang Film Studio and has a professional title!”
Wen Zhang was momentarily stunned, then said, “Cui Weidong is our cinematographer...”
“Yes, I got into the crew of ‘National Anthem’ thanks to Uncle Cui...”
Wen Zhang pondered, “Then I should know your uncle... What’s his name?”
Shen Yan replied, “Shen Changlin... He probably hasn’t worked with you...”
Wang Jinghua looked at Wen Zhang, who shook his head, “...No recollection!”
“...Little Shen, how much do you know about artist management?”