Chapter 229 I am an Investor
But he believes that everything is temporary and the future will be better.
Zheng Pingxin felt a little guilty and secretly glanced at Hu Xiaoxiao.
Hu Xiaoxiao nodded in understanding: "I understand. Get in the car. I'll take you to the film and television city."
Seeing that Hu Xiaoxiao did not look disdainful or disappointed, Zheng Pingxin quietly breathed a sigh of relief, opened the car door, and got into the passenger seat.
Hu Xiaoxiao drove to the parking lot of the film and television city as if he was familiar with the route, parked the car, and got out.
"Follow me." Zheng Pingxin walked in front.
His new movie was almost ready and a studio had been rented. He brought Hu Xiaoxiao to the studio, where several staff members were already setting up the background.
When they saw Zheng Pingxin, they all greeted him, and then saw Hu Xiaoxiao behind him, their eyes lit up.
The assistant nudged Zheng Pingxin subtly with her elbow. "You're amazing! You managed to trick Hu Xiaoxiao into coming here. I don't think she's ever made a movie? Did you poach her directly from a TV station?"
Zheng Pingxin hissed and glared at him, signaling him to stop talking nonsense.
Zheng Pingxin led Hu Xiaoxiao to a workroom next to the studio. After asking Hu Xiaoxiao to sit down, he asked, "Miss Hu, do you know what this film of mine is about?"
Hu Xiaoxiao shared the information she knew. "I know the general outline, but I'd like to read the script first before I can tell you the details. Director Zheng already has the outline, so I guess the script is finished as well, right?"
"Yes, the script was written last year." Zheng Pingxin took out the script and handed it to Hu Xiaoxiao.
The script is very thick. In addition to the storyline, it also includes the settings of each character, their identity, background, personality, etc., and even the clothing styles are described.
This was a very detailed script, written in great detail. Hu Xiaoxiao opened it and read it carefully.
Seeing that Zheng Pingxin was busy and the script would take time to finish, Hu Xiaoxiao greeted Zheng Pingxin, took the script and went out. He found a chair in a corner of the studio and sat down, looking down at the script.
The script is called "The Great Heavenly Master," and it tells the story of Heavenly Master Wei Yangzi exorcising demons and monsters. This theme is also quite popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, this film is not about love, but about human nature.
When Hu Xiaoxiao first saw the story of "Exorcising Demons," he was initially intrigued and wondered if anyone still knew how to do it. Then he realized the story, loosely inspired by the classic Liaozhai (Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio), tells the story of a poor scholar who receives help from a fox demon. After passing the imperial examination, the scholar, far from repaying the favor, turns against the demon by attempting to skin him and offer his hide to the emperor for a promotion. The demon, resentful of the scholar's ingratitude, unleashes its magic, plunging the capital into a bloodbath. The great celestial master, Wei Yangzi, arrives to capture the demon, but is repeatedly outmatched and nearly succumbs to its clutches.
The synopsis described the fox demon as incredibly powerful, requiring Wei Yangzi to risk his life to defeat it. The scholar, shamelessly loyal to his own side, ultimately failed to realize his mistake and even backstabbed Wei Yangzi. Hu Xiaoxiao found this plot point quite fascinating.
Hu Xiaoxiao now has the full script and begins to carefully read the plot of the Fox Demon part to see if it is as interesting as the summary.
In the studio, since Hu Xiaoxiao arrived, the staff have become much more energetic. While working, they are also quietly discussing whether Hu Xiaoxiao will join this movie.
During the discussion, a fair and thin man in his thirties walked up. When the staff saw him, they all called him Brother You.
When Ma Chengyou walked in, he overheard them talking about some beautiful woman and asked who they were talking about. The staff immediately pointed to Hu Xiaoxiao, who was reading a script in the corner, and said, "Director Zheng just brought her here. Did you see where Hu Xiaoxiao is? She might be joining 'The Great Master.'"
Ma Chengyou looked in the direction the staff member pointed and saw Hu Xiaoxiao sitting in a corner quietly reading a script. Although she was sitting in a dark place and only her profile was exposed, her beautiful profile was as beautiful as a painting, indescribably beautiful.
"Hello, Miss Hu Xiaoxiao." Ma Chengyou walked over, showed a warm smile and greeted Hu Xiaoxiao.
Hu Xiaoxiao raised her head and looked at the man in front of her. He was fair-skinned, but his eyes flickered a little when he looked at her. She stood up politely and asked, "Hello, who are you?"
"My name is Ma Chengyou, and I'm also an actor in "The Great Taoist Priest", the second male lead. At the same time, I'm also one of the investors of this movie. Miss Hu, you can just call me Brother You." Ma Chengyou introduced himself.
Hu Xiaoxiao thought about it. Isn't the second male lead the same one who played the scholar in "The Great Heavenly Master"? From this point of view, Ma Chengyou's image is quite consistent with the scholar. "Hello, Brother You."
Ma Chengyou smiled widely and said, "I'm very fortunate to meet Ms. Hu. I've already chosen someone for the role of Fox Demon, but since Ms. Hu is interested, I'll talk to the director and try to keep the role for her."
"Thank you, but I'm reading the script and haven't decided whether to act or not," said Hu Xiaoxiao.
"Then Miss Hu, please take care of it first. I'll be busy for a while and then treat you to lunch at noon." After looking at Hu Xiaoxiao lustfully for a few times, Ma Chengyou went to the workshop and found Zheng Pingxin.
Zheng Pingxin had just finished a task and saw Ma Chengyou and said, "Now that you're here, I have something to tell you. I don't think it's appropriate for you to suggest that Jin Aili play the fox demon."
Ma Chengyou crossed his legs and placed them on the table, leaning his entire back against the backrest of the chair. He took out a cigarette and lit it with a lighter. "Why is it not suitable? I think it is quite suitable."
"Her acting skills are not good, and her image is not good either." Zheng Pingxin shook his head.
Ma Chengyou took a drag on his cigarette and said in a frivolous tone, "What's wrong with bad acting? She's willing to take off her clothes, and it's cheap, so we can save a lot of money."
"This is a serious film," Zheng Pingxin said with a hint of anger. "Before, you insisted on adding an intimate scene, and I tolerated it. Now you want Jin Aili to take off her clothes in the drama. Do you want me to make this a pornographic film?"
If the other party had not invested a lot of money in this movie, Zheng Pingxin would have wanted to kick him out.
Ma Chengyou snorted disdainfully, "Director Zheng, I call you Director Zheng respectfully, but do you understand the market? Who would watch a movie these days if there aren't many passionate scenes? Do you want your movies to keep flopping? You've already had two flops, and you want a third one? If this one flops again, you'll be out in the street."
"I'd rather sleep on the streets than make that kind of film," Zheng Pingxin said with a dark face. His previous films were all about chivalrous warriors, righteous and upright, and the audiences had always remembered him as a righteous hero. How could he possibly stoop to such low standards and make that kind of film? If he wanted to, would he be so broke as he is now?
Zheng Pingxin believes that there are some bottom lines that cannot be crossed.
Seeing Zheng Pingxin getting angry, Ma Chengyou finally compromised. "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you, hero of justice. Do you want Hu Xiaoxiao to play the fox demon?"
Ma Chengyou thought of Hu Xiaoxiao's pretty face, which was much prettier than Jin Aili's. He remembered that in the script, he had an intimate scene with the fox demon. Didn't he make a profit?
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