【Chapter 015】 “That Face of Yours… If You Don’t Make It in Entertainment…”
After Jing Shun signed the contract with the production team, he officially received the confirmed schedule for the first round of filming.
The filming location was right there in Hai City, so getting there was quite convenient. Even so, Jing Shun arrived at Studio No. 1 of Hai City TV Station ahead of time.
Yu Xiuzhu, his nominal manager, accompanied him.
The moment they entered the studio lobby, a familiar greeting came from nearby.
“Xiuzhu, you two are already here?”
“…”
Jing Shun and Yu Xiuzhu turned toward the voice at the same time.
The man who approached looked to be in his early forties. His black padded jacket made him look solid and rather stocky, and he wore a pair of glasses over his somewhat fleshy face. He walked toward them with a beaming smile.
Jing Shun did not recognize the unfamiliar face, but Yu Xiuzhu returned the greeting.
“Producer Meng, hello.”
Seeing the questioning look in Jing Shun’s eyes, he took on the role of introducing them.
“Xiao Jing, this is one of the program’s producers, Meng Zhide.”
“Producer Meng, this is the Jing Shun I mentioned before. He’s a contracted artist with our Zhulin Entertainment Agency.”
“Oh~”
Meng Zhide adjusted his glasses slightly, his gaze lingering on Jing Shun’s legs for a moment.
Once Jing Shun confirmed the man’s identity, he put on a polite smile.
“Hello, Teacher Meng. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jing Shun. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to participate in the recording.”
Meng Zhide got a clear look at his face, and his interest grew even stronger.
“You’re too polite.”
There were quite a few child stars in the entertainment industry, but many of them were shooting stars that appeared only briefly—
No matter how much natural talent a young actor possessed, growing up and going through puberty could still cause them to “grow crooked” or “lose their looks,” eventually making them disappear from the public eye altogether.
Nowadays, there were very few actors and entertainers who had debuted as child stars and were still active in the industry.
Meng Zhide had met countless people, and Jing Shun’s facial features and complexion were both outstanding.
“I’ve seen some of your work from when you were a child. You’ve only grown more refined and handsome. Not bad.”
“…”
Faced with Meng Zhide’s sudden compliment, Jing Shun was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yu Xiuzhu helped smooth things over.
“Producer Meng, this is Xiao Jing’s first time participating in this program. Please look after him, and give him a few more shots during the later stages of filming.”
“Of course, of course.”
Meng Zhide smiled and gestured for them to walk inside together.
“You two came too early. The other guests and their teams are still on the way. How about sitting in my lounge for a bit? We can have a chat.”
Jing Shun exchanged a glance with Yu Xiuzhu. Given Meng Zhide’s position, it was difficult to refuse.
“Sure. Sorry to trouble you, Producer Meng.”
…
“Please enjoy, teachers.”
The assistant placed the coffee they had bought on the coffee table, then tactfully withdrew.
Meng Zhide picked up a cup first and started the conversation.
“Actually, we have Jing Shun to thank for stepping in at the last minute to fill the vacant guest position. Xiuzhu, you two really helped the production team out of a jam!”
“If we get the chance another day, I’ll have to treat you both to a meal.”
“Producer Meng, you’re too kind.” Yu Xiuzhu was accustomed to the way people in the entertainment industry spoke and handled the exchange with ease. “Xiao Jing even said on the way here that he felt like he’d gotten lucky.”
Jing Shun also understood the importance of etiquette.
“Teacher Meng, if anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me thanking you and the production team.”
Meng Zhide broke into a smile, clearly pleased by their words.
Ding~ Ding-ding~
Yu Xiuzhu’s phone rang, interrupting the conversation.
Seeing the name on the screen, he stood up apologetically.
“Producer Meng, it’s Sister Yin calling. I’ll step outside to take it.”
The “Sister Yin” he referred to was Yu Yinhe, another producer of the program.
Meng Zhide nodded.
“Mm, go ahead. That gives me a chance to chat with Xiao Jing.”
“Mm, Xiao Jing, sit here for a bit.”
Yu Xiuzhu patted Jing Shun on the shoulder, then quickly walked outside and answered the call.
The lounge door was left slightly ajar.
Jing Shun looked at Meng Zhide sitting not far away, a hint of awkwardness and uncertainty creeping into his eyes.
He had spent his childhood surrounded by people on film sets. In the past, he had never been afraid of interacting with strangers and could strike up a conversation with anyone. But things were different now—
During the years after the accident in his previous life, his disabled legs had led him to secretly reject and avoid all normal social interactions. Gradually, he had become less willing to communicate with outsiders.
Now, suddenly sitting across from a producer in the industry, it was impossible to say he wasn’t nervous.
Meng Zhide noticed the emotions Jing Shun was trying to hide between his brows. He picked up an unopened cup of coffee and moved closer before sitting down.
“A little nervous? Have some?”
Jing Shun did not like coffee, but out of politeness, he still accepted it.
“Thank you, Teacher Meng.”
Meng Zhide showed concern.
“I saw the trending news about the accident on Weibo before. I really felt sorry for you. Xiuzhu mentioned that you’re having surgery next month? Are the chances of recovery good?”
At the mention of this topic, Jing Shun’s gaze dimmed slightly.
Even though Professor Song had said the chances of a successful recovery were very high, the shadow of his previous life still remained. He did not dare make any guarantees about his future.
Jing Shun did not feel comfortable confiding too much in an outsider, so he simply answered, “Yes, I’m having surgery. For now, I don’t know what my recovery will be like afterward.”
If he recovered well, there was still hope for his future.
If his recovery was only average, perhaps…
“This might be my last chance to appear in public for work.”
Jing Shun came back to himself and steered the conversation back to the program.
“Teacher Meng, although I’m not as mobile as the others, I’ll do my best not to cause trouble for the production team.”
“Hey, what trouble are you talking about?”
Meng Zhide adjusted his glasses and offered some comfort.
“Life is long. Who doesn’t have their share of illness and pain? If someone is willing to lend a hand, isn’t that all that matters?”
As he spoke, he suddenly patted Jing Shun’s thigh.
“Even if you can’t make a full recovery, it’s no big deal. If I have any suitable opportunities in the future, I can still recommend you.”
The pressure of his palm rubbing against his thigh through the fabric of his pants made Jing Shun uncomfortable at once.
But before he could say anything, Meng Zhide had already withdrawn his hand. He leaned back against the sofa, looking completely at ease.
“That face of yours… It’d be such a shame if you didn’t make it in the entertainment industry.”
“…”
Jing Shun’s thoughts stalled for a moment. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
But before he could figure out what it was, the lounge door opened again.
Yu Xiuzhu walked in, followed by a woman with strikingly cold and beautiful features. It was Yu Yinhe.
Seeing Meng Zhide sitting idly on the sofa, Yu Yinhe immediately gave him a brisk reminder.
“Old Meng, it’s time. You’re in charge of today’s pre-recording meeting. Don’t forget.”
“The other artists and the styling teams should be arriving soon. I’ll take Xiuzhu and Jing Shun upstairs first.”
Although they were both producers of the program, Yu Yinhe held greater authority within the production team.
Meng Zhide had no way to argue with her, so he could only stand up.
“Mm, got it. I’m going now.”
Yu Xiuzhu walked over to Jing Shun and lightly patted the back of his wheelchair.
“Xiao Jing, it’s time to get your hair and makeup done. Let’s go.”
Jing Shun felt relieved.
“Okay.”
…
Hai City TV Station’s Studio No. 1 was quite spacious, with six floors in total. The production team’s exclusive reception lounge was on the fifth floor.
While they waited for the elevator, Yu Yinhe took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Jing Shun.
“Jing Shun, if you have any difficulties during filming, just let us know.”
“Taking care of every guest is what the production team should do. Don’t worry about causing us trouble.”
“Also, once the program airs, I’ll have someone monitor the online public opinion in real time. We won’t maliciously use your physical condition as a marketing gimmick, so you don’t need to feel any psychological burden.”
In just a few words, she dispelled the concerns Jing Shun still had.
He was no longer as awkward as he had been when dealing with Meng Zhide earlier. He thanked her sincerely.
“Thank you, Producer Yu.”
“You don’t have to be so formal.” Yu Yinhe glanced at Yu Xiuzhu beside her, her expression softening from its usual professional coldness. “Xiuzhu treats you like a younger brother, so taking care of my own family is only natural.”
Hearing this, Yu Xiuzhu smiled along with her.
“Then I’ll thank you in advance, Little Aunt.”
“Hey, stop right there. Outside, you have to call me ‘Sister Yin.’” Yu Yinhe raised an eyebrow. “Don’t keep calling me Little Aunt. It makes me sound old.”
As they spoke, the elevator doors opened.
Yu Yinhe stepped inside first.
“Come on, I’ll take you two to the fifth floor.”
“Mm.”
Yu Xiuzhu pushed Jing Shun’s wheelchair into the elevator.
As Jing Shun watched the elevator slowly rise, he couldn’t help asking, “Sister Yin, who are the guests participating in today’s recording?”
The production team would not officially announce the observation room’s guest lineup until tonight. Since Jing Shun had joined at the last minute, he did not know much about the other guests. He only knew that the observation panel would be hosted by Yan Tao.
The man was one of Hai City Television’s leading hosts and had hosted nearly a hundred variety shows of all sizes.
Seeing his curiosity, Yu Yinhe simply told him.
“The four companies participating in the program will each send a representative to serve as a flying guest. As for the regular observation room guests, we’ve invited the singer Chun Hui, as well as Yami. She’s a young idol who debuted through our station’s talent show last year.”
It was only natural for the television station’s program resources to flow toward its own artists.
Yu Xiuzhu suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, right. Has Fu Changting’s side confirmed yet? Is he coming?”
“…”
Hearing that name, Jing Shun was startled.
If the first two regular guests were a singer and an idol—fields he was not particularly familiar with—then Fu Changting was someone he knew quite well.
Fu Changting was currently one of the most prominent serious actors in the entertainment industry. He was also an award-winning actor who had won all three major acting awards!
Back then, he shot to fame by playing the male lead in the xianxia drama God’s Dream. Over the following ten years, Fu Changting had practically become a guarantee of high ratings. Almost every film or television production he appeared in achieved varying degrees of popularity.
The reason Jing Shun knew so much about Fu Changting was that the two had worked together twice before—
Ten years ago, Fu Changting played the adult male lead in God’s Dream, while Jing Shun played the male lead during his younger years.
Later, the two, who were nine years apart in age, also played brothers in another television drama. Of course, as the younger brother and a supporting character, Jing Shun did not have many scenes. He only appeared in the male lead’s memories.
Yu Yinhe nodded.
“Mm. It took quite a bit of effort to get him. Fu Changting is about to start filming a new television drama, and Hai TV is participating in the investment and production. His appearance on our program is essentially a behind-the-scenes exchange of resources.”
Ding.
The elevator reached the fifth floor.
Jing Shun took control of his wheelchair and headed outside. Just then, he heard the elevator beside them opening. He turned his head and saw another group of people stepping out of the elevator on the left.
At the front was a tall man wearing sunglasses. His thin lips were slightly pursed, and his presence was imposing.
Jing Shun only caught a fleeting glimpse before hearing Yu Yinhe laugh beside him.
“Well, speak of the devil. He really has arrived.”
…