Chapter 70
Two days later, in an interview, director An Li mentioned that Chen Zhiyi is one of the male actors he currently admires in China. He felt that Chen's acting was natural, smooth, and layered, and his action scenes were clean and crisp. He also noted that the new film was entirely in English, so the actors' English proficiency was required to be high. He had seen Chen Zhiyi's interviews at international film festivals, where he communicated fluently in English throughout, which he felt made him a good fit.
Similarly, Chen Zhiyi also responded in an interview, saying that he really likes Director An's work and that being recognized by him is a great encouragement. If he is fortunate enough to work with Director An, he will definitely cherish it and do his best to make a good film.
After both parties expressed their intention to cooperate, everyone assumed that the cooperation was a done deal.
Reasonable fans left messages of support for Chen Zhiyi on his Weibo, and even humbly asked An Li's studio to give their idol more guidance.
However, a post on Qin Fei's personal Weibo account broke the default.
We look forward to your performance in the highly anticipated fantasy epic "Eternal Love Song," and please tag @陈知熠 directly.
The fans were absolutely furious.
Did they outsmart Director An? Isn't that going too far?
What kind of prime-time drama is this? It's just some cheesy fantasy romance soap opera. You actually took on this kind of terrible show? Don't you know your own limitations?
I think it was Qin Fei who did this. She's a woman who only cares about profit and doesn't consider the reputation or future of the artists; she just treats them as cash cows.
This kind of inactive and even obstructive studio should have gone out of business long ago; they should terminate their contracts immediately.
Chen Zhiyi, wake up! Are you playing with your future? Don't you know Director An's status in the film industry? How are you going to survive in the film industry if you offend Director An?
...
It was only in the evening, after filming for the day had finished, that Chen Zhiyi learned what had happened.
He dialed Qin Fei's number, and she knew he would definitely call.
Before Chen Zhiyi could speak, she got straight to the point.
"We'll discuss everything when I get back to the company tomorrow. You're an actor, so you can be emotional and act based on your so-called hobbies and ideals. But I'm your agent, so I need to be rational. I know better how you should develop your career. My decisions and choices will only benefit you, not harm you. Besides, we have a mutually beneficial relationship."
"Besides, I am also a businessman, and I'm sorry, businessmen never do business at a loss."
Without giving Chen Zhiyi any chance to speak, he hung up the phone after finishing his sentence.
I've lost count of how many times this has happened.
To put it nicely, it's an employment relationship; to put it bluntly, it's just a money-making tool. Where's the democracy and communication?
Anger, helplessness, and sorrow intertwined, just like the flames that dyed half the sky with a fiery color, turning Chen Zhiyi's sincere heart for acting back to ashes.
The director walked over and patted him on the shoulder, seemingly to comfort him, "You've worked hard on the two night shoots in a row. I've asked the coordinator to rearrange the schedule. You can rest tomorrow, adjust your mindset, and many things can be resolved by sitting down and communicating."
Chen Zhiyi smiled helplessly, "Thank you!"
A turning point? That's too far-fetched.
If Qin Fei hadn't made it public, there might have been some issues, but her decision to go public was a final, definitive one, leaving no room for negotiation.
She was such an autocratic and arbitrary person who did not allow anyone to challenge her authority.
That evening, Lin Ting walked into the entryway and saw Chen Zhiyi lying on the sofa with his head tilted back, one hand covering his face, his whole body exuding gloom.
That's just how he is. When he's sad or upset, he doesn't do anything extreme or indulgent. He'd rather hide in a corner and lick his wounds alone.
They are very similar in this respect.
Lin Ting was glad she didn't have to work overtime tonight. She changed her shoes, put down her bag, and sat down next to Chen Zhiyi, hugging his head tightly. "Let my little brat recharge."
Chen Zhiyi smiled slightly, took a deep sniff at the nape of her neck, and the familiar fragrance of gardenias dispelled most of the gloom in his heart. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her even tighter.
She was not just his power bank, but also a stabilizer for all his emotions.
"You found out?"
"Yes, I saw it trending on social media."
Lin Ting touched the stray hairs at his temples. "The matter has been brewing for half a day, and Director An hasn't responded yet. I think there's still a chance."
"No, I know Fei Jie too well. If she dares to go public, she must be confident that I will follow her arrangements. There is no way this matter can be changed."
"It's all up to you. After all, the right to sign the contract is in your hands. If you don't sign, she might hold a knife to your throat. Working with an internationally renowned director is the lifelong pursuit of many actors, and I don't want you to miss out."
The entertainment industry is too complicated. Being unable to control one's own destiny, exchanging interests, and replacing resources are all common occurrences. Chen Zhiyi couldn't explain it clearly, nor did he want to explain it to her so explicitly.
"I'll go to the company to see Sister Fei tomorrow."
Without hesitation, Lin Ting said, "I'll go with you."
Chen Zhiyi didn't want to involve Lin Ting, so he squinted and joked, "What? Are you willing to make our relationship public?"
"Be serious, you go upstairs and talk to Sister Fei. I'll wait for you in the car. No matter what the outcome is, I want to be the first to know so I can give you a hug and recharge you."
A warm feeling rose in Chen Zhiyi's heart, and he took the opportunity to act coquettishly, "I'm low on battery right now, can I recharge it?"
Lin Ting understood instantly, smiled silently, and hugged him tightly. "Okay, I'll fill you up."
The next day, Lin Ting still asked for leave, as she was really worried.
The doorbell rang, and she thought the takeout had arrived. She bought some groceries, thinking she would cook a nice meal for him when he got back from work. She couldn't think of any other way to comfort him, but cooking a table of his favorite dishes was still an option.
The door opened, and Lin Ting froze on the spot. Standing outside the door was not the deliveryman but Qin Fei. Her face instantly turned pale and lost all color.
Qin Fei was surprised that Lin Ting opened the door, and even more surprised that she was standing there at this moment, dressed in pajamas, with a lazy look on her face, which clearly told her that she and Chen Zhiyi were living together.
Qin Fei frowned, her eyes cold and sharp, like a razor-sharp weapon, fixed intently on the person in front of her.
Lin Ting wasn't afraid of Qin Fei's angry stare, nor was she afraid of Qin Fei herself, nor was she afraid of Qin Fei discovering her relationship with Chen Zhiyi. She figured that the truth would come out eventually, but she didn't expect it to be today, at such a bad time.
She unconsciously clenched her fists at her sides.
Chen Zhiyi heard the doorbell ring, but didn't hear anyone come in, so he went over.
"Who is it?" The question had barely left his mouth when he saw the person standing outside the door.
Without thinking, he walked over to Lin Ting and pulled her behind him. "Sister Fei, didn't we agree to meet at the company?"
Qin Fei's tone was icy cold: "What are you thinking, keeping a mistress hidden away without letting me know?"
Chen Zhiyi was very open and honest. He took Lin Ting's hand and intertwined their fingers. "Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Lin Ting."
Qin Fei chuckled and looked at Lin Ting with sharp eyes. "I remember the last time I saw Miss Lin was at the M Group's winter order fair. At that time, I was the designer of the Zhiyi Limited Edition. After not seeing her for a few days, I've become one of his people. Miss Lin is more capable than I imagined."
"Her identities don't matter; all I need to remember is that she's the one I love." Chen Zhiyi was unfazed by Qin Fei's provocation and stated it directly.
Qin Fei was furious. Her voice was low and menacing, as if she were threatening, "Chen Zhiyi has grown wings, hasn't he?"
"Sister Fei, are you sure you want to keep talking at the door? Let's go to the study. There are many things I need to discuss with you thoroughly."
Qin Fei walked past them and went inside. The sharp, resonant sound of her high heels striking the floor was unsettling.
Chen Zhiyi looked at Lin Tingping's quiet but pale face, then turned her around by the shoulders, making her face him.
"Go to your room and stay there for a while. Don't wander around."
Lin Ting opened her mouth as if to say something, but Chen Zhiyi stared at her intently, waiting for her to speak.
In the end, she still closed her mouth.
Chen Zhiyi guessed what she was going to say. "Don't overthink it. It's only a matter of time before she finds out about our relationship. I've already prepared for it. It won't affect anything. What you're worried about is nothing to me."
Lin Ting didn't say anything, she just looked at him.
Chen Zhiyi gave her a light hug, comforting her, "Okay, go to your room and wait for me, I'll handle it." He was also reassuring her.
In the study, Qin Fei cut to the chase and roared, "When did you and her get together?"
Chen Zhiyi remained calm and unfazed. "When? I don't know the exact timeframe you're asking about."
Are you beating around the bush with me?
"No, if you ask when we got together? Two months ago. We started living together. If you ask when I fell in love with her? It's been five years. I've been looking for her for five years and waiting for her for five years."
"Waited for her for five years? How can you pretend to be a Casanova? Use your brain at least when you're making up a lie."
“I’m not lying. Lin Ting is the person I’ve liked since I was nineteen. We’ve known each other for a long time. Back then, she was my tutor, and I’ve always had a crush on her.”
He also wanted to say that his connection with her began when he was very young, but he didn't want to explain it too clearly.
Qin Fei was so shocked she was speechless, but she remained calm and analyzed the implications for him, "So, now you're giving up your career for a woman? You're at the peak of your career right now. Do you know what it means if your relationship is discovered? You'll lose your bright future? All those years of working so hard to get roles and filming, won't that have been for nothing?"
Chen Zhiyi's expression remained unchanged. "It wasn't all for nothing. I kept filming, firstly to realize my dream of becoming an actor, and secondly to reach a higher position. The higher I stood, the more likely she would see me, and maybe she would come looking for me. Now, both of those things have come true."
Qin Fei felt her nerves throbbing, reminding her of the first time she met Chen Zhiyi.
When asked, "Why do you want to be an actor?"
"I enjoy performing."
"What are your expectations for the future? Having goals gives me motivation. I like working with people who have ambition. After all, if you're too laid-back about acting, you should leave the industry as soon as possible. The people I sign can only be the ones destined to be leading actors."
Chen Zhiyi replied, "I just want to stand higher, I want to be all over the TV and on the screen."
"Why?" Qin Fei didn't expect him to say that. Entering this circle is either for money or for profit.
He gave an even more unexpected answer: "That way, someone can see me anytime."
I used to laugh at him, saying that as long as he worked hard enough, the whole world would see him.
It turns out that some people are only doing this for one person.
Qin Fei felt her hands tucked behind her back trembling slightly. It had been a long time since this had happened. Jealousy and mania were threatening to overwhelm her like a storm.
"Then let me tell you clearly, I do not allow you to date. As an artist under my management, dating without permission is absolutely forbidden. Break up with him immediately."
“I’m sorry, Sister Fei, there’s no way we can break up. If you can’t accept that, I can apply to terminate the contract. I’ll pay whatever compensation is due. Even if it means losing everything I’ve worked so hard for over the years, I will never let go of Lin Ting’s hand.”
The two sides fell into a silent standoff.
Chen Zhiyi broke the silence, "I contacted the company's business team yesterday. 'Ancient Love' is your first TV series as a producer, and the company is also the first investor. I've taken it on, as a way of repaying Sister Fei and the company for their kindness in recognizing my talent."
Qin Fei understood the underlying meaning of those words and was determined not to renew the contract when it expired. She gritted her teeth fiercely.
"You've suddenly come to your senses? You're willing to give up your collaboration with Director An. This could be your chance to enter the international market."
Chen Zhiyi felt helpless. "Sister Fei, you know very well how rare this opportunity is, but you still publicly refused. I've known you for three years, and I know your personality well. If you were willing to take a step back, you wouldn't have posted that Weibo post directly."
"I don't think it's worth it. Eight months without any exposure is such a big threat to a popular artist. Moreover, the movie caters to Hollywood, while your market is in China. It's a complete waste of time and effort."
Chen Zhiyi had a smile on his lips, but the helplessness in his eyes was undisguised. A sigh came from his mouth, "From childhood to adulthood, the words I've heard most often from others are 'I think,' 'I believe,' and 'You should,' as if my thoughts and opinions are completely unimportant. One of the reasons I love Lin Ting is that she was the first person to tell me, 'Follow your own ideas, and walk your own path.'"
Having said that, Qin Fei gave up. There was no point in saying more. Keeping him by her side was the most important thing right now. Only with him by her side could things turn around and he could clearly see who was the most suitable for him. "Okay, I can try to get you to cooperate with Director An this time, but there is a condition."
"What are the conditions?"
"Renew my contract for three years."
Chen Zhiyi chuckled. He hadn't slept a wink last night and had guessed this would be the outcome, so he was prepared to go all in.
"Thank you, Sister Faye. I will do my best to finish filming 'Eternal Love Song'."
Qin Fei panicked, her face turning ashen, her eyes icy. She slammed her hand on the desk in anger, "Chen Zhiyi, are you willing to throw away resources and your future that are offered to you for this woman?"
Chen Zhiyi smiled, completely unconcerned, "I'd be willing to start all over again."
Seeing Qin Fei leave angrily, Lin Ting quickly went to the study and saw Chen Zhiyi sitting in a swivel chair with a relaxed expression.
"You've reached an agreement?"
Chen Zhiyi nodded.
"So you've decided to give up director An Lee's new film to shoot 'Eternal Love'?"
Chen Zhiyi did not deny it.
“Your contract with Sister Fei expires in a few months. You want to use this opportunity to gain your freedom and repay her kindness at the same time,” Lin Ting guessed his thoughts.
Chen Zhiyi put his arm around Lin Ting's waist and made her sit on his lap. "Smart."
"Don't you think it's a pity?" Lin understood that the reason he did this was because of himself. Only by going solo would he have freedom, and he could openly announce their relationship without any scruples, giving himself the recognition he deserved. But the sacrifice was too great. Going solo in the entertainment industry is not an easy thing. Many popular artists have gone downhill after going solo.
Lin Ting still hoped that he would think it over carefully, but Chen Zhiyi had clearly made up his mind.
"It's better to have a short pain than a long one. If I compromise, I'll have to renew my contract with her, but I don't want to. I just want to film the scripts I like, challenge myself with the roles I want to play, and I don't want to be controlled by others anymore."
"What if she withdraws all the resources she has after I leave her?"
"Don't worry, I've built up some connections over the years. Besides, you still need acting skills to establish yourself in this industry, and I'm confident."
Lin Ting stroked his handsome eyebrows and eyes, "Okay, I'll support whatever you do."
Chen Zhiyi pulled her hand down and pressed it against his chest. "Once I'm independent, I won't be subject to their control anymore. Let's announce our relationship then. I want to hold your hand and hug you openly in public."
Lin Ting didn't give a direct answer, but simply hugged Chen Zhiyi tightly, everything understood without words. "Then what about Director An? The whole internet is waiting for your response and apology!"
This is the real problem right now; if it's not handled properly, it will definitely damage Chen Zhiyi's reputation.
Chen Zhiyi gently stroked her back, as if to comfort her. "Then I will apologize to them, a very sincere apology."
That afternoon, Chen Zhiyi uploaded a handwritten apology letter to Weibo.
When I was a child, I watched a martial arts movie called "The Legend of the Dragon" which introduced me to director Ang Lee. In this movie, I witnessed a world of chivalry, where people fought valiantly and roamed the world with swords. Thus, a dream of becoming a martial arts hero was planted in my heart.
In this dream, the heroes value chivalry and gratitude. They understand that a small act of kindness should be repaid with great generosity. They will remember those who have helped and cared for them, and are always ready to repay their kindness.
And I, Chen Zhiyi, am fortunate to have become a professional actor, appearing in many works and gaining recognition. This good fortune is thanks to Sister Fei's appreciation and the company's cultivation, which has made me who I am today.
Even after mastering his skills and leaving his master's school, the great hero in the dream still remembers where he came from, who his master was, and the teachings and kindness of his master and senior brothers.
The same goes for me. "Eternal Love Song" was Faye Wong's first production as a producer. When I was still unknown, it was Faye Wong who discovered me, gave me a helping hand, and made me known to everyone. Now that my contract is about to expire, I should repay this kindness.
Director Ang Lee created a magnificent and unique martial arts world for us. In my heart, he is a true hero, and he is also my lifelong idol as an actor. It's a pity that we couldn't work together this time, but I believe Director Ang Lee can understand me.
No matter how far the distance, I am willing to accept any role, big or small, and perform without pay, whenever Director An Li thinks of me, to faithfully follow in his footsteps.
Chen Zhiyi, a follower of the great hero
XXX year XX month XX day
The handwritten apology letter immediately sparked a public outcry and became a trending topic.
"My God, a handwritten apology letter. This is the only apology like this in the entertainment industry."
"After all, both parties only verbally expressed their willingness to cooperate. Without a written agreement, there is no legal effect. In fact, Chen Zhiyi did not need to respond, but he still apologized. His words were very sincere and gave Director An Li a lot of face. He deserves to be popular!"
"It was handwritten, unlike other celebrities' apologies, which are just bland statements from PR departments that end the matter. You can tell he wrote it himself, and it's full of genuine feelings!"
Public opinion immediately shifted, with everyone praising Chen Zhiyi.
Sincerity is indeed the ultimate weapon!
Not long after, director An Li forwarded Chen Zhiyi's apology letter and replied that there was no need for regrets and he looked forward to future collaborations!
With this, the casting controversy came to an end.
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