Chapter One: Unfulfilled Ambition

  "You said, Lin Xiao's probe into the Chinese entertainment industry wasn't rejected?" Chu Yiming unexpectedly didn't get angry upon hearing this news, instead he let out a sigh of relief "It's good, a small temple can't hold a great god."

  "It's not necessarily so, he might just be making polite conversation. Liang Ren will definitely invite him to dinner tonight. That's when the truth will come out." CAMI said.

  Chu Yi Meng didn't say a word, he had seen more deceitful people than CAMI could imagine, suddenly saying "Fei Zi, shouldn't I have never set foot in this circle?"

  "If you like this circle, there's no should or shouldn't." CAMI replied "Otherwise we wouldn't have met in Southern California."

  Chu Yi Ming didn't continue, and the room fell into a long silence. After a while, a man's voice was heard.

  "The ancients said that if a country treats me with courtesy, I must respond with courtesy as a country. If he really stays, I will treat him with courtesy as a country."

  Lin Xiao returned to his dormitory, only to find that Li Hao's careless and sloppy child had never made the bed for him. The seemingly tidy bed was already covered in a thick layer of dust.

  He vented his anger by sleeping on the other person's bed, and in the afternoon he listened to CAMI and Liang Ren's veiled criticism, which really gave him a headache.

  Before long, his phone started vibrating.

  He opened it and found it was a short message.

  "Mr. Lin, I'm Liang Ren. Tonight, I've booked a table at Quanjude's 'Spring Warmth' and would like to invite you to discuss how to promote the Kangxi Dynasty. Please do me the honor of joining us."

  He finally came, smiled and replied with a short message, then started looking for clothes.

  This time I went purely for Chen Jialin's sake.

  He found a more suitable set of clothes and at six o'clock he headed towards Quanjude.

  "Mr. Lin has arrived." Liang Ren changed into a light gray suit, booked a private room, and was the only one inside. When he saw Lin Xiao come in, he nodded with a smile, gesturing for him to take a seat.

  After refusing the service of the waiter, the two did not get straight to the point, but instead talked about the interesting things that happened during the filming of Kangxi Dynasty.

  "Oh? So what was published in the magazine is true?" Liang Ren smiled and wiped his mouth with a napkin "That newcomer really hates you that much, trying to make things difficult for you?"

  "It's also Director Chen's proper handling." Lin Xiao sent a hat over.

  Li Rendao took it over and put it on. "Yes, Old Chen is a straightforward person and will not tolerate these things. Moreover, he will go all out to support the actors he appreciates."

  Then, he sighed again and his words inadvertently turned around. "Unfortunately, in the past few years, he has only recommended three people including you, and except for you, they are all in Zhongyuan. I still hope he can recommend more young talents like you."

  "That was Director Chen's idea."

  Li Rong waved his hand, "Mr. Lin, I've been in this industry for so many years, and one's acting skills can still be seen. Director Chen's recommendation is not something to be taken lightly. Your acting skills may not be enough yet, but among newcomers, you're extremely rare and precious."

  Lin Xiao sneered inwardly. If it wasn't for the fact that he had used a top-notch medicine that made him ache all over at the time, he would have probably thought that his skills were only so-so.

  Not bad, coming up with emotional cards right away, and then making a fuss about the price. Lin Xiao ate a piece of roasted duck, waiting to see how the other side would perform next.

  Liang Ren didn't continue on this topic, and changed the subject: "Once this play enters prime time, we will immediately do all-around publicity. In fact, every big play has a strong company behind it, the stronger the company, the greater the publicity effort, the easier it is to become famous."

  Lin Xiao still smiled and nodded, having finished paving the way, he began to paint a beautiful picture. Unfortunately, the other party did not know that he came today specifically to freeload a meal.

  Li Rong's tongue was as sharp as a lotus flower, in his opinion, newcomers didn't know these twists and turns, as long as CAMI wasn't by their side, even if they were top-notch newcomers, they were still greenhorns, give him some more time, he would definitely be able to take down this city.

  "And besides, being a big company has its advantages, we can often get guidance from some veteran actors, even award-winning actors. Not to mention the comprehensive training for new people." Liang Ren took a sip of tea and continued talking for over ten minutes, he felt a bit parched.

  He smiled and looked at Lin Xiao, the meaning was very clear, you understand what I mean, right?

  Unfortunately, he was soon disappointed. Lin Xiao looked at him with the same "innocence" as if what he had just said was nothing but playing a lute to a cow.

  Li Rong finally frowned, looking like another drama enthusiast. Except for acting, he didn't understand anything else. At least you should ask how Chinese entertainment cultivates newcomers?

  "Mr. Lin, actually, your acting talent is wasted in Hua Xia. It's a pity." Liang Renqiang smiled and said, "You and Director Chen are also old friends now. We all think you're quite good at acting. If you could change to a better environment for development, you'll definitely be able to rise to the top."

  "I think Hua Xia is quite good," Lin Xiao replied sincerely.

  Not bad, you! One department of Chinese entertainment is several times better than Huaxia people, okay?! Liang Ren almost rolled his eyes, what he said earlier was nonsense, it's really like the blind leading the blind.

  He had to patiently and carefully help Lin Xiao analyze again, "Although the Huaxia background is big, its parent company does not support them. I heard that Chu Zong is almost unable to hold on. And once you enter Zhongyun, you will have comprehensive training and various opportunities."

  After finishing speaking, he couldn't help but press his brow in pain, comforting himself that it was better this way, as simple artists were easier to manipulate.

  Then he saw Lin Xiao's face laughing brightly, with a look of ignorance.

  Lin Xiao himself admired his own ability to pretend to be innocent.

  Acting is indeed a good profession!

  Liang Ren couldn't help but get a headache, thought for a moment, and decided it was better to just say it directly.

  He took another sip of tea, smiled and said "I'll just say it straightforwardly, Director Chen is very keen for Mr. Lin to come to Zhongyuan and work together with him, the company also has high hopes for you. I represent Zhongyuan, sincerely inviting Mr. Lin to develop his career here."

  "Is this going to dig me up?"

  Liang Ren gritted his teeth and forced a smile "Yes."

  "What's in it for me?"

  Finally said a human word, Liang Ren let out a sigh of relief and continued to keep smiling "If Mr. Lin is willing to come to Zhong Yu, first, the liquidated damages will be paid by Zhong Yu."

  "Secondly, after you arrive, there will be a big show to shoot immediately, absolutely with the strength to impact CCTV's 8 o'clock slot."

  "Thirdly, the company will guarantee you to rush into third-tier cities in the shortest time. To become a real artist."

  After finishing what Cao Xiaojuan said in one breath, Liang Ren let out a long sigh and the idea of pressing for a lower price had been thrown to the back of his mind. He suddenly felt more tired than he did during the negotiation this afternoon.

  Lin Xiao nodded "Sounds good too."

  "Believe in your choice, and also believe in our vision." Liang Ren squeezed out a faint smile.

  He has already grasped the other's choice. In the afternoon, he revealed his good intentions and came to eat this meal in the evening. For such a simple person, what he says is what he means. He said it sounds good, so he must have been moved.

  All you need is to add your own spark.

  "What does Mr. Lin mean?"

  Lin Xiao pretended to consider for a moment before raising his head and saying, "I'll agree with you, as long as you help me pay the 500,000 yuan breach of contract fee, I'll go to Zhongyuan Entertainment immediately."

  "Good!" Liang Ren immediately raised his teacup "Then let's first celebrate our cooperation... how much did you say?!"

  "Five hundred thousand!"

  Liang Ren nearly dropped the teacup in his hand.

  "Five hundred thousand?!" His eyes almost popped out, and his voice was even heard by the service staff at the door. "Huaxia signed a new contract with you for 50,000 yuan?"

  Lin Xiao nodded seriously, actually it was only 5,000, but he believed that if Liang Ren went to verify, CAMI might tell him 100,000.

  As for the contract, he probably can't see it at all.

  "Bang!" Liang Ren's hands were firmly pressed on the table, wanting to stand up, but sat back down.

  "Are you kidding me?!" He gritted his teeth and said, his voice changed tone, the veins on his forehead were jumping.

  "It's really a contract worth 50,000 yuan. If President Liang doesn't believe it, he can go and take a look at the contract." Lin Xiao said innocently.

  Liāng Rén gazed intently at him, as if trying to discern the reason from his face, but after looking for half a day, the other party was still serious.

  It's like having a fly in his mouth, very uncomfortable. Cao Xiaojuan said that 500,000 is not a lot, but that's just talk, the future movie emperor, although he has some connection with the movie emperor, it's still in the future. The current Lin Xiao, his worth will not exceed 50,000.

  "We'll consider it again." Liang Ren's tone remained unchanged, but he was already fed up in his heart. He wasn't a fool, and if he signed the 500,000 yuan deal, Cao Xiao-Jun wouldn't make him human flesh for nothing.

  He sized up Lin Xiao for a long time, but he wasn't sure if he was being played or if it was really a 50,000 yuan contract. Hua Xia had made up his mind not to sell out the artist, so naturally he couldn't see the other party's contract.

  "Damn it! This meal is on the house! He cursed under his breath and said indifferently, "In that case, I'll report this matter to the company first. Mr. Lin can take his time, I've already paid the bill."

  "Thank you, Director Liang."

  Liang Ren didn't feel like staying any longer and turned around to leave the private room.

  As soon as the other party left, a hint of smile finally appeared on Lin Xiao's lips.

  He dialed CAMI's phone number and the other party picked up quickly.

  "At this time, you should be eating. What are you having? Chinese food or Western food? How much does it cost?" CAMI asked.

  "No wonder you're CAMI sister, guessed it right away."

  "So? Are you here to tell us the conditions for opening Chinese entertainment now? Sorry, Huaxia does not accept threats."

  Seems like you're really angry, Lin Xiao hastily said "Sister CAMI, you've misunderstood me. I just rejected Manager Liang's invitation, and now you don't want me either, where am I supposed to go?"

  "Zhong Yue's request is also something you can afford to refuse?" CAMI's voice finally had a hint of warmth "Speak, what conditions do you want to set?"

  "Sister Cami, am I that kind of person?"

  "Like!"

  Lin Xiao smiled and said "I don't have any conditions, really, I've already told Chu Zong everything."

  This time, CAMI was suspicious "After hearing Zhong Yu's conditions, you actually didn't raise the price with the company?"

  Lin Xiao didn't smile, and said seriously "Compared to painting a big cake, I prefer what's in front of me."

  After a long silence, CAMI finally spoke up "Alright, you made a wise choice."

  "Your choice will be rewarded by Director Chu."