Chapter 29: What Is Chen Ping's Background?

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Chapter 29: Who Exactly Is Chen Ping?

“Director Kaige, what have you been busy with lately?”

“Busy filming, of course. Unlike you, I don’t have that much free time.”

“Free time? I’ve just taken on another production.”

“What production?”

*The Legend of Chu and Han.*

“That’s quite a major production.”

“The investment is indeed substantial. We’re currently casting.”

“How is it going? Smoothly?”

“More or less. I’ve approached Chen Daomin, He Rundong, and the others. But as you know, there are simply too many famous figures and great generals in the history of Chu and Han. I still haven’t decided on quite a few roles. You’re one of the senior figures in our directing circle—recommend a few people to me.”

“Recommend a few? Are you looking for good looks or acting ability?”

“Acting ability, naturally. Men and women both.”

“Then let’s start with the women. Qin Lan would be a good choice.”

“Hmm, I thought of her too, though I haven’t contacted her yet.”

“Yang Lixin is also a veteran actor. You could consider him.”

“Haha, you and I are thinking alike. I’m actually considering having him play Xiao He.”

“Kang Kai would work too. I think he could play Fan Kuai.”

“I like his beard. I know him well.”

“Gao Xixi, everything I’ve mentioned had already occurred to you. Why did you even bother asking me?”

Chen Kaige grumbled and cursed at Gao Xixi.

“Hehe, Brother Kaige, all of these are established domestic actors. Of course I could think of them. I was simply thinking that, as a major director, you must know even more talented actors. But now that I see it… hahaha…”

Gao Xixi burst into laughter.

The two men were clearly very familiar with each other, and Chen Kaige was not offended by the teasing.

“You rascal… Since that’s the case, I suppose I’ll have to recommend someone who is truly gifted.”

At that moment, Chen Kaige remembered Chen Ping.

Perfect.

He could use this opportunity to repay the favor Feiyu had done him.

“Oh? Someone truly gifted? Tsk, tsk… Brother Kaige, who could possibly earn that description from you? Don’t tell me it’s one of those superstar kings or queens—I couldn’t afford them.”

“Not a superstar king, nor a superstar queen… Chen Ping.”

“Who is Chen Ping?”

“You may not know him. He’s a newcomer from Shengteng Entertainment. He recently played Chao Xiaoshu in *Ever Night*. You should watch it when you have the chance. I believe he’ll give you a pleasant surprise.”

“Now that you put it that way, I really do want to see him. All right, we’ll talk later. I have to get back to work.”

…

“President Wang, Chen Ping will be returning to the company tomorrow.”

“Good. Talk to him when he arrives and have him sign a new contract.”

“But…”

Shengteng Entertainment.

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Wang Jin took out the latest contract.

“Tell him that as long as he signs this contract, Shengteng will spare no effort in providing him with resources and promoting him.”

“President Wang, how many years is the contract for?”

“Eight.”

Wang Yu looked troubled.

“We originally signed him for three years. I’m worried Chen Ping may not be willing to agree.”

“It was indeed three years before, but those three years came with almost no restrictions. He should understand that under the same kind of contract, he would never receive many resources. We have to sign a long-term agreement to protect the interests of both sides.”

“But…”

“There are no buts.”

Wang Jin was one of the earliest agents in the country and one of the most formidable.

She had managed not only newcomers—even superstar kings had once been under her care.

“Director Gao, another new production?”

Just then, Wang Jin received a call from Gao Xixi.

After Chen Kaige’s recommendation, Gao Xixi had taken a special look at *Ever Night*.

The moment he saw Chao Xiaoshu’s performance in the sixth episode, he immediately settled on the actor who played the role.

He contacted Wang Jin, Shengteng Entertainment’s director of talent, at once.

He and Wang Jin were old acquaintances. They had collaborated on a number of productions in the past.

“Yes. I’ve taken on *The Legend of Chu and Han*.”

“Anyone can tell from the title that it’s a major production. Director Gao, this show is going to be a hit.”

“Who can say whether it will be a hit?”

“It definitely will be. Director Gao, might there be a chance for our Chen Yichong to join the cast?”

“President Wang, I’m sorry. The production has already decided on Mr. Chen Daomin and He Rundong. I’m afraid Chen Yichong…”

Chen Yichong was one of Shengteng Entertainment’s leading stars.

He had worked with Gao Xixi many times before.

However, Chen Yichong was a top-tier actor who generally refused any role that was not the male lead.

If Chen Yichong had been willing to consider anything other than the male lead, Gao Xixi naturally would not have rejected him—but that was impossible.

“No matter. There will be other opportunities to work together in the future.”

Wang Jin did not take it to heart.

She knew that Gao Xixi had always enjoyed an excellent reputation, and that the productions he directed were all major projects.

Securing the male lead in one of his productions would naturally have been something to celebrate.

But with Chen Yichong’s current fame, he had no shortage of work. A lack of cooperation this time was hardly important.

“However, Director Gao, might there be opportunities for some of our other actors?”

“That won’t be a problem. I’m still short of quite a few actors. You can bring several people over to audition. Of course, I don’t have absolute authority over the casting.”

“Listen to you. Whether they can win the roles will depend on their own ability. It’s not as though I can force characters into the production.”

In only a few exchanges, the arrangements for what came next had been settled.

Although Gao Xixi had not promised that he would definitely cast them, as long as their abilities were sufficient, with this connection in place, the matter was practically guaranteed.

“By the way, President Wang, doesn’t Shengteng have a newcomer named Chen Ping?”

“Director Gao, you know Chen Ping?”

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“I don’t.”

Gao Xixi shook his head, then continued, “Director Kaige recommended him to me. I’m also short of actors at the moment, so I’d like Chen Ping to come and audition.”

“What connection does Chen Ping have with Director Kaige?”

Wang Jin asked in astonishment.

“That, I don’t know.”

Gao Xixi shook his head.

He had no intention of investigating their relationship. What he wanted was to have Chen Ping come over as soon as possible.

“All right. I’ll tell Chen Ping shortly. Director Gao, which role do you want him to play?”

“Han Xin.”

…

The call ended.

Wang Jin paced back and forth around the office.

Han Xin was an extremely important figure in the history of Chu and Han.

Although Wang Jin did not know how much screen time Han Xin would have in *The Legend of Chu and Han*, even if it were limited, the role could not possibly be insignificant.

For such an important character, Gao Xixi had personally invited Chen Ping to audition.

He called it an audition.

But judging from Gao Xixi’s tone, the role had essentially already been decided.

And then there was Chen Kaige.

What exactly was the relationship between Chen Ping and Chen Kaige?

Who was Chen Kaige, after all?

He was one of the most eminent directors in the country.

Even Gao Xixi had to address him as an elder brother.

But if Chen Ping truly had some connection with Chen Kaige, why had he spent all that time working as an extra?

The matter was genuinely baffling. Wang Jin turned to ask, “Wu Yu, what exactly is the relationship between Chen Ping and Chen Kaige?”

“Well…”

Wu Yu was equally bewildered.

“Chen Ping and Chen Kaige don’t seem to have any connection.”

When Chen Ping signed with the company, Wu Yu had looked into his background.

He was merely an ordinary extra with no connections whatsoever.

At most, he had caught Jiang Tianxing’s attention during the national arts examination, which was why Jiang Tianxing had arranged an audition for him.

But Chen Kaige was different from Jiang Tianxing.

Jiang Tianxing was the chairman of the Hengdian Actors’ Union. He represented the interests of actors as a whole.

The more vulnerable extras in particular often needed Chairman Jiang to fight for their rights.

Chen Kaige, however, was a major director. Without a certain degree of connection, how could anyone expect him to recommend them?

End of Chapter