Chapter 46: Actually, I’m Very Handsome, Really…

Chapter 46: Actually, I Am Quite Handsome, Really...

"Director Yee, it's me, Chen Ping."

Speaking softly out of fear of disturbing Derek Yee, Chen Ping said in a low voice.

After a short moment, a voice came from inside the room: "Come in, the door isn't locked."

"Did the production crew send you here?"

Seeing Chen Ping arrive, Derek Yee did not look surprised.

"Actually, I wanted to come anyway."

Chen Ping nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, "This show is extremely important to me and to all the actors here. None of us want to see it fall apart."

"Even if you hadn't said it, I already knew."

Compared to his previous anger, Derek Yee had become much more rational now.

This show might be dispensable to him, but it was far too important for the forty actors participating.

Whether they were newcomers or seasoned veterans, they all hoped to rely on a show like this to gain more exposure.

Otherwise, veteran actors like Niu Hongjie, Ma Su, and Myolie Hu wouldn't have needed to come at all.

Their acting skills had long been recognized by the industry.

Derek Yee sighed after speaking.

Compared to his demeanor on stage, Derek Yee had softened considerably: "Chen Ping, do you know why I was angry?"

"Director Yee, you feel that the film and television industry should be diverse, rather than solely fixated on handsome men and beautiful women."

"No..."

Derek Yee shook his head: "Actually, Liu Ming was right."

"Then..."

Chen Ping looked a bit puzzled.

"Don't be surprised. I was angry precisely because I knew Liu Ming was right. My anger wasn't directed at Liu Ming; I was angry at the phenomenon itself, angry that the entire industry is like this."

Chen Ping began to understand Derek Yee's words. Maintaining a calm mindset, he continued, "Director Yee, didn't you say there are exceptions?"

"That was in the past. Today is no longer the era of twenty years ago."

At this, Derek Yee drifted into memories of those bygone years.

Watching Derek Yee fall into deep thought, Chen Ping wished he could have been born in that era.

However, he had his system, so there was no need to rush.

Sooner or later, he would stand on equal footing with the top superstars.

"Actually, Director Yee, I completely agree with what you said. No matter how handsome someone is, can they be as handsome as Tony Leung? External appearance can only sustain popularity temporarily; once you pass your prime, there will always be more fresh-faced idols to replace you. Although many actors like me with ordinary external conditions cannot achieve overnight stardom, I believe every step forward we take is exceptionally solid."

"Do you want to become the next Ma Su, the next Myolie Hu?"

"There's nothing wrong with becoming them. Although they may not look as glorious as they once did, aren't they still acting? Looking at those fresh-faced idols, on the other hand, who knows where most of them have already vanished to."

***

"You certainly have a broad perspective."

Hearing this, Derek Yee's mood improved significantly.

He looked at Chen Ping, feeling that this actor was quite interesting.

In terms of acting skills, he was vastly superior to a whole host of newcomer actors.

Compared even to some veteran performers, he was not at a weak disadvantage.

Faintly, Derek Yee felt he might even surpass them.

Being able to portray a relatively unremarkable Emperor Kangxi with such vivid expression was impressive.

If given a character with more personality, it would definitely astonish all the directors.

"Director Yee, Director Liu Ming said my appearance is ordinary, but I actually don't think so. I'm actually quite handsome."

Seeing Derek Yee's expression soften, Chen Ping joked.

"Quite handsome?"

Derek Yee looked closely at Chen Ping.

Yet no matter how he looked at him—up or down—though Chen Ping wasn't ugly and had a face that grew on you, it really had nothing to do with being handsome.

"Director Yee, you don't think so?"

"Heh."

Derek Yee chuckled: "Young man, having confidence is a good thing. But I don't want to crush you; I've always preferred being direct. Though you have a broad mindset, from my perspective, you are just comforting yourself. When you have the ambition to go further but find yourself unable to do so due to various reasons, you will realize how desolate you feel. What happened on stage today wasn't entirely because of you..."

Seeming to recall some painful memory, Derek Yee paused right there.

Then he gave a silly laugh and said, "Sigh, at my age, still bickering and fighting over things like this—it's meaningless, truly meaningless."

"Let's go. Everyone has been waiting too long. Let's head out."

Having apparently figured things out, Derek Yee led Chen Ping back to the recording stage.

At this moment, the system issued a prompt.

[Side Quest: Derek Yee's Regret.]

Seeing the system prompt, Chen Ping knew his earlier intuition was correct.

Although Derek Yee seemed to have returned to the set, he hadn't completely let go.

People in very high positions often find themselves entangled in certain matters far more than ordinary people do.

"Director Yee is back."

"Director Yee..."

Seeing Derek Yee return, applause broke out across the set.

Derek Yee walked over to Liu Ming with a carefree demeanor, extending his right hand: "Director Liu Ming, come, let's shake on it."

Liu Ming quickly apologized once more: "Director Yee, I really didn't mean it that way just now, truly."

"Alright, alright. It's in the past. Let's record the show. Otherwise, delaying the schedules of so many actors would be our sin."

***

The storm came to an end.

Dapeng gave Chen Ping a thumbs-up, and Chen Ping spread his hands, indicating it wasn't his achievement.

***

"Chen Ping, you actually managed to persuade Director Yee. I'm impressed, truly impressed."

"How could I be that amazing? Director Yee calmed down himself; otherwise, even if I had three heads and six arms, I wouldn't have been able to talk sense into him."

With the recording of the first episode finished and a rare half-day off, Chen Ping invited Yuan Bingyan to go shopping at the mall.

Of course, since Yuan Bingyan was a minor celebrity, she wore a face mask while browsing the mall.

As for Chen Ping, he walked openly and freely, and not many people recognized him anyway.

"Fine. Still, your trip to see Director Yee's side was totally worth it."

"Worth it how? Could it be that because I went to see Director Yee, he's going to make me the male lead from now on?"

"Although that's unlikely, who knows what the future holds."

"Right now, I'm just an eighteenth-tier actor. I don't even know if I'll still be acting in the future."

"I can't guarantee for anyone else, but you—I believe you will act longer than anyone else."

"So much confidence in me?"

"That's..."

Yuan Bingyan blurted out.

Only when she saw Chen Ping staring at her in a daze did Yuan Bingyan's face turn red. She turned around and said, "You are the most rational actor with the best mindset I've ever seen in this industry."

"Oh..."

Chen Ping feigned sudden realization: "I thought you had taken a fancy to me."

"Hahaha, hahaha..."

Yuan Bingyan burst into laughter: "Director Liu Ming said your appearance is entirely unremarkable, why on earth would I take a fancy to you?"

"Sigh, why are human beings so superficial?"

Just as he was about to continue, Chen Ping suddenly noticed the red string tied in the hair behind Yuan Bingyan's head.

"This string..."

"This, this..."

At this, Yuan Bingyan dared not look at Chen Ping at all. She quickly said, "This string of yours looked quite new, and it would be such a waste to throw it away. So... anyway... hey, there's a promotional event over there, let's go check it out."

Without waiting for Chen Ping, Yuan Bingyan hurried away in a trot.