Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 29

Chapter 29 Transformers is Free, but Transformers Aren’t!

January 21, 2025

Chapter 29 Transformers is Free, but Transformers Aren’t!

“Liu Lili, you know her, right?”

“Know her? She’s incredibly famous.”

“Then why did you have that expression just now?”

“Oh, I just thought that such a famous director is filming this drama, it seems that Aunt Qiong Yao attaches great importance to this drama.”

“Of course…”

Ma Xun’s surprised expression didn’t escape Ye Quan Zhen’s sharp eyes.

Thankfully, this guy got away with it.

There was no other way; given the director’s identity, it would have been strange if Ma Xun hadn’t been surprised.

Shouldn’t it be Uncle Sun accompanying her?

I can’t be wrong.

Speaking of this Liu Lili…

Her background is quite impressive.

Liu Lili is Taiwan’s most famous female director.

She collaborated with Qiong Yao a long time ago.

On dramas like *Misty Rain*, *Several Red Suns at Dusk*, and *By the Water*.

And recently, she collaborated with Qiong Yao on *Plum Blossoms*, including *Plum Blossom Brand*, *Ghost Husband*, and *Between the Clouds and Water*.

Hong Jie starred in the last one.

All three caused a huge sensation at the time.

The “Roaring Emperor” and De Rong starred in all three, reaching the peak of their popularity.

Shen Yi was credited as the director of these three, but they were actually teacher and student.

After that, Shen Yi also directed *A Dream of a Curtain*.

Famous line: You only lost a leg, but she lost her love!!!

To be honest, Ma Xun really couldn’t agree with the values presented in Qiong Yao dramas.

But, there was no way around it.

They were hugely popular at that time.

One hit after another, even during their peak period.

When the dramas aired, it was the most harmonious time for families in mainland China.

Because the wives were all wiping away tears, they didn’t have time to argue.

Such explosive popularity represented tremendous success.

Liu Lili and Shen Yi, the teacher-student duo, were the golden partners of Qiong Yao.

From this perspective, *The Return of the Pearl* should indeed have been directed by them.

But Ma Xun was absolutely certain that the director of this drama was…

“A Zhen, have you heard of a director named Sun Shupei?”

“Him? Why mention him?”

“I saw his name in *Justice Bao*; he seems to have worked with Liu Lili before. Isn’t he involved this time?”

Ye Quan Zhen, unsuspecting, thought for a moment before answering, “Maybe, but I really haven’t heard of him.”

That answer was sufficient.

Ma Xun then recalled the numerous casting changes surrounding *The Return of the Pearl*.

That Li Tingyi matter…

Later, Qiong Yao even wrote an article specifically about the casting changes.

Interestingly, there was something special about the article.

It’s said that…

Qiong Yao didn’t come to mainland China; she only heard about it.

So who did she hear it from?

Suddenly, Ma Xun smiled; he figured it all out!

“A Zhen, I think we can do a lot of things.”

“Ah? How? Do you mean I should try to get a role?”

Ultimately, Ye Quan Zhen was just an actress. This was probably the only thing she could think of.

And there was still a problem.

“But Aunt Qiong Yao doesn’t like me at all.”

She was quite honest.

Ma Xun remembered that Ye Quan Zhen was later mistakenly thought to have starred in a Qiong Yao drama.

That was a television series called *Spring of the Kapok*.

In fact, this drama had nothing to do with Qiong Yao.

At most, it had a Qiong Yao style.

“Who said you’re going to act in this drama?”

“Ah? So you mean…”

“Currently, the mainland side coordinating with Qiong Yao’s team is a television station, right?”

“It seems to be Hunan Television.”

“The economic channel, which is considered Channel 2.”

“Yes, that’s right. Oh, why are you mentioning this television station?”

“I’ll ask you, why do television stations make dramas?”

“Um, for ratings?”

Ye Quan Zhen, trying to think, looked a little dazed.

Ma Xun smiled and said, “Actually, it’s to have programs to broadcast.”

In other words, to create ‘content.’

Upon hearing this, Ye Quan Zhen naturally nodded.

Ma Xun continued, “The leader of the economic channel, I remember it’s Ouyang Changlin, he’s a person with a strong enterprising spirit and reformative drive. He’s made the economic channel very successful. If he could create even more good programs, he would definitely support it.”

These words…are strange.

“Ma Xun, what exactly do you intend for me to do?”

Ye Quan Zhen’s face clearly showed: Just tell me already.

Ma Xun could only smile, “Organize an audition show. This audition will be to select actors for *The Return of the Pearl*.”

He said it so casually, but Ye Quan Zhen frowned after hearing it.

“This show…has never been done before, and what if the selected actors don’t meet the director’s expectations?”

Ye Quan Zhen was right; it had never been done before.

To be precise, audition shows existed before.

Many people consider the ‘Youth Song Competition’ as the ancestor of audition shows in our country.

Of course, there’s some debate about that.

But an audition show specifically to select actors for a TV drama?

That had never been done.

However, Ma Xun knew it wouldn’t be long before it happened.

That ‘Happy Girl’ audition show…

This audition show had a lot of drama.

We all know that Dong Jie was chosen in the end, and there was also an overlooked talent: Bai Baihe.

But in fact, another girl was the true ‘Happy Girl.’

She participated in the audition, and a few months later, she told Zhang Yimou that she was pregnant.

She later became the director’s wife.

Old Mouzi, oh Old Mouzi, you wrinkled fellow, you weren’t so honest after all!

Let’s not talk about him.

Now facing Ye Quan Zhen’s question, Ma Xun first asked a question.

“A Zhen, are you my person?”

Only my person would I tell what to do.

Upon hearing this, Ye Quan Zhen grabbed Ma Xun’s hand very decisively and reached inside her blouse from the bottom hem.

“I’ve been your person for a long time.”

Her words weren’t a lie, but before… you were driving, and you did that, how excessive!

Ma Xun got the answer, and felt the softness and warmth of her abdomen in his hand.

“Good, then I’ll tell you. The audition is just a show. The actors can be decided in advance, and then in the show, we simply make the actor we want the final winner. What’s so difficult about that?”

Ye Quan Zhen immediately understood, “So, it can be like this…”

Backroom deals, it’s common. The Hong Kong Miss and Asia Miss pageants, aren’t they like this?

Ma Xun continued, “And for this audition show, it’s better if the actors don’t meet the director’s expectations.”

That’s strange!

“Why?”

“Liu Lili and Shen Yi, the teacher-student duo, have worked with Qiong Yao for many years. Have you heard the saying, ‘Merit overshadows the master’?”

Ye Quan Zhen instantly understood, “Then, the Jianwen Emperor is…”

Correct, she could think of this historical figure.

Ma Xun gave a name.

“He Xiujing!”

“This…” Ye Quan Zhen was stunned.

It was actually her…

But at this moment, Ye Quan Zhen also understood.

He Xiujing wanted to rise in power; she had to get rid of Liu Lili and her mentor. Otherwise, she had no real power.

Ma Xun continued, “I know Qiong Yao looks down on you, but her daughter-in-law may not. Get along well with He Xiujing. When she’s in trouble, tell her about this audition show. I believe she will readily accept it.”

Ye Quan Zhen nodded, “Use this audition show to legitimately get rid of Liu Lili and her mentor.”

“That’s right.”

But there was still a problem.

“What about this show? It must cost a lot of money, right? Who will do it?”

Hearing this, Ma Xun couldn’t help but laugh, “Didn’t I just mention Station Director Ouyang to you?”

Ye Quan Zhen nodded again, but she still didn’t understand.

Ma Xun had to say, “Station Director Ouyang is a very decisive person. If He Xiujing proposes the audition show, the station director will definitely consider it. But what if this show doesn’t cost them any money? I believe Station Director Ouyang will definitely readily agree.”

Ah?

“No money?” Ye Quan Zhen was dumbfounded; she couldn’t figure out how a show could be made without spending any money.

But Ma Xun smiled, “We’ll do this show. You’ll be in charge of the practical work, I’ll provide the strategies, and we’ll cover the production costs. He Xiujing doesn’t spend any money, Ouyang Changlin doesn’t spend any money, how could they possibly disagree?”

That’s true…but!

“But what about us? Won’t we be at a loss?”

Ma Xun couldn’t resist kissing Ye Quan Zhen’s anxious little face, making her blush.

Then, Ma Xun told a short story.

“In 1987, Hasbro, an American company, donated a 95-episode cartoon series to Shanghai Television for free. This cartoon was *Transformers*. After the cartoon aired, Hasbro’s Transformers toys were in short supply in mainland China.”

Ye Quan Zhen finally understood completely!

And Ma Xun, fearing she still didn’t understand, added, “We won’t charge for the show itself, but the embedded advertisements within the show must be ours. I believe Station Director Ouyang should agree. If he doesn’t agree…”

Before Ma Xun finished, Ye Quan Zhen answered.

“He Xiujing will convince him!”

Good, this cool beauty is quite smart…

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(End of Chapter)

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