Chapter One: Unfulfilled Ambition

  The next day, when Lin Xiao came to Hua Xia again, he saw another familiar and kind person.

  Huā Líng Róng

  "You little scamp, how could you leave without telling your sister a word? Leaving your sister to guard an empty house for the whole day."

  Cami had a triumphant expression on her face "Lin Xiao, what do you think of the temporary agent I arranged for you?"

  "Great, thanks CAMI sister." Lin Xiao said gritting his teeth. Normally, her shadow was not seen, but as soon as something happened, she immediately flew out and only took charge of exposing the problem, not solving it.

  "Oh, good-hearted little brother's sister received it. I still have several drafts about Lin Xiao here, such as this one 'Love turns to hate, new generation of actors Lin Xiao's love affair' and this one 'A night on the grassland, new generation of powerful actor Lin Xiao's romance'..."

  "Hua Jie, I mean it, and thank you too." Lin Xiao said with unusual sincerity.

  "That's about right."

  "Alright, stop it." CAMI interrupted them. "Lin Xiao, take a look at Hua Jie's few drafts, pick out a few that can be explosive and prepare them. The Kangxi drama team will receive news in another month to see if they can rush into the golden slot. The selected ones will be sent out together at that time."

  "Hunan TV also promised you that every time you finish filming a big show, they will give you a special episode. I'll go and contact Chen Jialin about this."

  He pulled out a notebook and took a look, saying "Finally, President Chu invites you to have tea."

  She closed her book and smiled mysteriously. "You'd better be mentally prepared. Go ahead, Director Chu is waiting for you in the reception room."

  When they arrived at the reception room, Chu Yiming was already sitting there leisurely, with two cups of tea in front of him.

  Seeing Lin Xiao come in, he gestured for him to sit down, then took out a stack of contracts.

  "Just notarized contract, take a look and sign it if there's no problem."

  Lin Xiao picked it up and took a look, and only smiled after more than ten minutes, saying "Director Chu, the liquidated damages have reached one million, is this number something you casually wrote down yesterday?"

  "Oh? Is that so? You've also written a zero." Chu Yi Ming said with a smile, "In order to show sincerity, you took out your sincerity, and naturally you will get others' sincerity."

  Lin Xiao didn't say much and picked up the pen to sign it.

  This time, Chu Yi Ming was surprised. He had thought that no matter what, he would have to consider it carefully. After all, one million in 2000 is not the same as one million in 2013. Signing this contract meant being tied to Huaxia's war chariot for life. Only then could he truly dare to cultivate them with all his might after they escaped their predicament.

  But the other party signed without hesitation, dispelling his last bit of concern.

  "Very good." He re-examined Lin Xiao, and at this moment, he truly regarded the other party as a pillar of talent that could revive Huaxia.

  "The company is not doing well these days." He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "But just wait another month. Once Zhou Xingchi announces the news about Shaolin Football, I'll be able to use my own funds."

  He said meaningfully, "I hope you will be the first movie emperor to emerge from our company."

  Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, this sentence seemed to say nothing, but this guarantee weighed more than saying anything!

  "Hehe, Chu will have to spend a lot of money on that." Lin Xiao laughed.

  In another month, the release of Shaolin Soccer, the promotional campaign of Kangxi Dynasty, and the promotional campaign of CCTV, all three will come together, that's when it will explode!

  "I know that every time a film's role, the award's PR is a huge expense. But spending it on someone I trust is always better than spending it on others." Chu Yiming said "Don't worry, as long as you act well, within a year, I can get you nominated."

  "It seems that Director Chu is very confident about getting out of this predicament."

  Chu Yi Ming didn't hide it either "When you signed the contract, I had 100% confidence."

  After finishing speaking, Chu Yiming also ended the conversation and hinted that Lin Xiao should go back and rest first.

  He had just returned to his dormitory and hadn't sat down yet when he received a phone call.

  It was Huang Bo who called.

  "Teacher Huang, have you thought it through?"

  Huang Bo sighed "Can't you really tell me who the director is?"

  "I'm afraid it's not possible, but I can tell you that it's a big production."

  Huang Bo fell silent, then burst out laughing "In that case, I'd rather obey than show respect."

  Lin Xiao also smiled "However, Teacher Huang, I need to talk to him first, maybe by then you'll know who he is."

  "Don't, absolutely don't call me Teacher Huang anymore. Sun Lei and Cai Dechuan didn't introduce any scripts to me, but instead it was you, this friend, who gave me a helping hand." Huang Bo, now approaching middle age, said with deep feeling, "Indeed, connections in the entertainment industry are the most important. Whether I succeed or not in the end, I will remember your kindness."

  "Huang Laoshi was being polite." He could make the future movie emperor remember his feelings, so Lin Xiao naturally agreed without hesitation.

  They chatted for a few more sentences before hanging up the phone. He thought for a moment, and instead of dialing Zhou Xingchi's business card number, he dialed Zhao Wei's phone number.

  "Lin Xiao? How did you think of calling me?" Zhao Wei's voice came from the other end.

  "It's been a long time, I shouldn't be worse than a passerby." Lin Xiao chuckled and joked. "Seriously though, this time I came because there's something I want to discuss with Director Zhou, but my weight isn't enough, so I was thinking of asking you to pass on the message."

  "Haha, you can help me be a gatekeeper then." Zhao smiled and said "Speak up, I'll go ask Director Zhou about it if I can help."

  "It's like this..." He told Zhao Wei about Huang Bo's situation, and then she fell silent.

  "Has he never acted in a comedy before? Or is he just an untalented actor?" She pondered and said "It's too difficult, does he have any comedic shows?"

  "There isn't." Lin Xiao replied truthfully.

  "Really......" Zhao Wei fell into a long silence, for at least a minute, before she spoke again "From your perspective, how likely is it that he will clash with Director Zhou?"

  "Seven floors!" Lin Xiao said without hesitation. He had originally wanted to say ten floors, but Huang Bo now was not the same as the Huang Bo of ten years later.

  "So high!" Zhao Wei also jumped in fright.

  "It's actually not that difficult, I wasn't experienced in comedy films at first either, was I?"

  "That's a special case." Zhao smiled and said, "Alright, the matter itself isn't difficult, but as far as I know, the Shaolin Soccer crew is already full. If one more person goes in, another will probably be dropped. Getting Director Zhou to agree would be the hardest part. Luckily you called today; if it were tomorrow, you might not even get to see Director Zhou."

  "Zhou Dao is in Beijing?" This time Lin Xiao was surprised.

  "Yes, I've been here for two days already, but I'm leaving tomorrow. My flight is booked and we just had dinner together."

  Lin sighed, this is the difference between a leading role and a supporting role. Even if Zhou Xingzhi had an impression of him, he would never easily invite him out to eat together, let alone inform him in advance.

  "Sorry for the trouble."

  "You're welcome."

  He put down the phone and started making his bed. Just as he was halfway through, the phone rang again.

  He took one look at the phone number and picked it up immediately.

  This is Zhou Xingchi's public phone number!

  He never expected that Zhou Xingchi's assistant would personally call him.

  What's even more unexpected is that as soon as I picked up the phone, it was Zhou Xingchi's "Hong Kong slang"!

  "Lin Xiao, Zhao Wei just called me and said that there's an actor over there who can 'come on' with you?"

  "Zhou Dao, he's actually a pretty good artist, it's just that he hasn't had the right opportunity yet." Lin Xiao said as objectively as possible.

  "Do you have time now?" Zhou Xingchi was even more anxious than him.

  Lin Xiao looked at his watch, it was 12 o'clock in the afternoon. He estimated that Huang Bo was having lunch now, but he immediately replied "I'll tell him right away."

  "Okay, Century Star Hotel, room 147. I'll be waiting for you there."

  He hung up the phone and immediately called Huang Bo back.

  "Teacher Huang..."

  "Everyone said not to call Huang Laoshi anymore." Huang Bo's voice was laughing, but also revealed a hint of urgency that couldn't be concealed. He had just calmed down after talking about the movie and was trying to attempt comedy when the other party called him immediately, making him feel a bit uneasy even though he was almost 30.

  "Let's cut to the chase, Huang Ge. The director wants us to head over right away. I'll meet you at the entrance of the Century Light Hotel."

  "Now?"

  "Alright, now."

  "Alright! I'll be there within thirty minutes." As soon as he finished speaking, the other party hastily hung up the phone.

  Lin Xiao also found a suitable set of clothes and rushed out the door to hurry to the hotel.

  When he arrived, Huang Bo had already arrived and was anxiously waiting at the door.

  Lin Xiao got off the car and pulled him towards 147. After knocking on the door once, he heard Zhou Xingchi's familiar voice "Come in."

  The door was opened and Lin Xiao quietly closed the door. When he turned around, he found Huang Bo standing there like a stone statue, his shocked expression couldn't be covered up!

  "Zhou... Zhou Xingchi?!" It took him a few seconds to say it out in disbelief.

  "It's too unexpected..."

  His heart was suddenly like a revved-up motor, beating faster than usual!

  Zhou Xingchi's movie has been hyped for a long time, and everyone in the circle knows about it. However, those who know are keeping their mouths shut. He never thought that Lin Xiao's "big production" would actually be Zhou Xingchi's three-in-one film!

  He took a deep look at Lin Xiao, this opportunity was not ordinary, from TV to the big screen, it didn't just require ability, but also a chance! This unknown small actor, who was of the same generation as his own students, was actually an insider in Zhou Xingchi's team!

  What's even more crucial is that they actually recommended it to the director just because they "thought it was good".

  What he was most grateful for was this, after all, this is the king of Chinese comedy! How many newcomers can call him and be nervous, but the other party actually made this call for him, going to great lengths!

  In an instant, his last bit of hesitation vanished. Isn't this a comedy?! Huang Bo is here!