Chapter 44: I Want to Give You an S-Rank Card

Chapter 44: I Want to Give You an S Card

"Brilliant! This is the most magnificent performance I have ever witnessed."

With the crisis averted, Teacher Da Peng welcomed Chen Ping and Li Wenhan onto the stage.

The gathered actors and directors broke into applause once again for the two performers.

"Let's hear your thoughts."

Host Da Peng had a mountain of things to say, but what he most wanted to hear were the two actors' feelings about standing on that stage.

Especially Chen Ping.

Naturally, Chen Ping was the protagonist of this scene—and arguably the protagonist of the entire day.

However, to be considerate of the other actor, Da Peng first turned to Li Wenhan.

"Wenhan, how do you feel about this performance?"

"I feel completely dazed."

Though his acting skills were ordinary, Li Wenhan was entirely honest. "Just now, while acting opposite Chen Ping, my mind went completely blank. Fortunately, Chen Ping helped me out, which saved us from total embarrassment. Everyone knows I come from a idol group background, and to be honest, I never really had a deep concept of acting before. When I came to this show, I just thought it was a regular variety program. But once I stepped onto this stage, I finally realized how difficult it truly is to be an actor."

This candid response earned him praise from several directors.

Zhao Wei spoke up: "I can understand how you feel. I'm sure that after today, this scene will be deeply etched into your memory."

Chen Kaige also nodded with a gratified expression: "And this is precisely the message we aim to convey through *Actors, Please Take Your Place*."

Derek Yee had originally intended to critique Li Wenhan harshly, but given how Chen Ping had rescued the scene and how sincere Li Wenhan's confession was, he softened his tone. "To be honest, I initially planned to point out the flaws in your acting. Your acting genuinely had problems. But as for today's lesson, I think it will prove far more vivid than anything I could have possibly said to you."

Next came the person everyone was most focused on: Chen Ping.

Although Chen Ping looked as ordinary as his name suggested, the moment he started acting, he radiated brilliance like a beam of light.

Even before Chen Ping managed to steady Li Wenhan, his performance had already won the silent admiration of everyone present.

Let alone the subsequent impromptu improvisation, which was nothing short of a stroke of divine inspiration.

"Chen Ping, I am particularly curious about the part you improvised. It was executed brilliantly. Not only did it save the scene, but it also elevated it far beyond the original script. What was going through your mind at that exact moment?"

Filled with curiosity, Derek Yee continued with his question.

"I didn't have too many thoughts. I was just thinking that I couldn't possibly let this scene fall apart," Chen Ping replied after a brief pause.

Feeling that this answer was not quite satisfying enough, Derek Yee pressed further: "But the lines you modified later differed significantly from the original script. The original script called for an explosive, confrontational outburst, whereas what you performed was extremely restrained, yet packed with an immense sense of power. If this were a genuine film or television production, I am certain this scene would become a textbook example taught in acting academies."

As soon as Derek Yee finished speaking, gasps of astonishment erupted throughout the entire venue, plunging the crowd into a frenzy.

That was an exceptionally high evaluation.

You had to keep in mind: Derek Yee had always been known for his sharp tongue.

If your performance was poor, he wouldn't spare you an ounce of face, tearing into you with criticisms until you were reduced to tears.

In fact, quite a few contestants had already been scolded to tears by him.

Even when it came to a few seasoned, powerhouse actors, Derek Yee merely acknowledged their acting capabilities without ever showering them with such exorbitant praise.

Yet Chen Ping was different.

This wasn't mere affirmation; it was practically soaring praise that reached the heavens.

Overwhelmed by such high praise from Derek Yee, Chen Ping quickly clarified, "Although my impromptu improvisation differed from the original script, fundamentally there wasn't a huge divergence—it was simply a shift in perspective. When Kangxi discovers the three identities of Wei Xiaobao, it serves as a natural point of conflict. However, the genuine friendship they shared prior to this prevented them from completely burning bridges. Therefore, I simply followed the underlying logic of the original plot to perform it that way."

"Furthermore, while a variety show like ours is very innovative, it undoubtedly presents a massive challenge. Every actor is under immense pressure. If we can express things through a gentler approach, I believe it works out much better."

Naturally, this was just utter nonsense made up on the spot.

There was no way Chen Ping would admit that he was simply terrified that Li Wenhan would remain kneeling indefinitely, leaving him to carry the entire act alone as a solo performance.

He had no choice but to use a mix of coaxing and bluffing to snap Li Wenhan back to reality first.

Never did he expect that it would accidentally give birth to such a masterpiece.

Standing to the side, Chen Kaige gently clapped his hands, looking at Chen Ping with an elegant and admiring gaze. "The power of gentleness can perhaps surpass all else. Chen Ping, your performance was truly breathtaking. Therefore, I don't wish to give you a Class A rating. Instead, I want to give you..."

With that, Chen Kaige pulled out an S card.

"An S card."

The entire audience erupted into a frenzy once again.

This S card was fundamentally different from the S tier assigned during the initial market evaluation.

The previous market evaluation was based entirely on the commercial market.

Market value meant internet traffic, popularity, and commercial appeal.

While it did represent a certain degree of acting proficiency, whether those acting skills truly qualified for an S rating remained questionable.

For instance, previously:

Several actors who had initially received S cards were subsequently downgraded to Class A by Derek Yee, and one even dropped to Class B.

Yet look at Chen Ping: his initial market rating was a mere Class B, and now he had soared directly to an S in one giant leap.

This S card represented a true S-tier standing—and genuine, undeniable talent.

"Chen Ping, Director Kaige and Director Yee have both offered you such glowing praise. Therefore, I suppose I don't even need to evaluate you; you have already won everyone's acclaim. Keep it up. Who knows, maybe we'll have the chance to collaborate in the future."

Following Derek Yee, Zhao Wei also offered her appraisal of Chen Ping.

As for whether an opportunity for collaboration would ever arise, Zhao Wei had no idea.

However, such pleasantries cost nothing, so it was always wise to say more of them.

Besides, Zhao Wei genuinely appreciated Chen Ping's performance today.

Especially his emergency improvisation on the spot—something far beyond the capability of an ordinary actor.

Yet, just as Zhao Wei mentioned a potential collaboration, Liu Ming, sitting nearby, shook his head. "Chen Ping, your acting is quite good. However, your physical appearance and external conditions are rather average..."

Before Liu Ming could finish his sentence, Derek Yee interrupted with visible annoyance: "Director Liu, are you implying that because Chen Ping lacks conventional good looks, he can never make it big?"

"I didn't say that."

"That was precisely your implication."

"Very well, let's assume that was my meaning, but it is also the undeniable truth."

"Do you think Stephen Chow possessed exceptional physical features?"

"Stephen Chow is merely an exception to the rule."

"Then why can't Chen Ping also be an exception?"

"I can only say the probability of that is exceedingly low."

"Our show is judged by strength, and what we look at is acting ability. That is merely your subjective opinion."

"While our show values strength, external factors and appearance are also vitally important. Otherwise, the entertainment industry wouldn't be flooded with so many handsome men and beautiful women."

"So that's why you always prefer casting fresh-faced young idols."

"What's wrong with fresh-faced idols? Audiences love watching them."

"Just like the *Young Sweethearts* series you directed."

"That merely proves on another level that they possess commercial viability in the market."

"Are you trying to wave your box office records in my face?"

Derek Yee's face turned livid as he stared fixedly at Liu Ming.

In truth, he had harbored a lingering resentment toward Liu Ming all along.

He believed that given Liu Ming's professional seniority, he was simply unqualified to stand on this stage as a director.

Yet he also knew how the entertainment industry operated—the show needed controversy and talking points, which was why Liu Ming had been invited.

However, whatever the producers' intentions might be, Derek Yee refused to pander to them.

Previously, he couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge the fellow, but now that Liu Ming dared to criticize Chen Ping—who had just delivered a flawless performance on stage—he could no longer hold his tongue.

"Director Yee, I didn't mean it that way."

Noticing the dark expression on Derek Yee's face, Liu Ming realized he might have spoken out of turn. "Director Yee, what I meant to say was..."

"Spare me the explanation. My Mandarin is decent enough; I understood every word you just uttered."

"Director Yee..."

"I am done recording this show."

With a sudden toss of his pen, Derek Yee stood up in anger and stormed off the director's bench.

*(The End of This Chapter)*