Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 51

Chapter 51 Li Xiaoran, Chen Jing? A Cursory Glance!

2025-01-21

Chapter 51 Li Xiaoran, Chen Jing? A Cursory Glance!

*The Return of the Pearl* and the “Xiangjiang Girl.”

The current public announcement is that two talent shows are being held concurrently.

The reason given is resource efficiency.

This is perfectly acceptable, as such talent shows have never been held in China before.

This is our first time, so we can do it however we want.

Moreover, the “Xiangjiang Girl” talent show is extremely simple.

Kang Jianmin serves as the judge.

If he approves, they will then consider audience suggestions.

And that’s it.

In fact, although the “Xiangjiang Girl” is the female lead in *That Mountain Man, That Dog*, her role isn’t extensive.

Moreover, just like the father, mother, and son in the film,

this “girl” doesn’t have a name.

She’s just a Dong ethnic minority girl.

However, this lack of a name is a subtle hint.

Since the whole family is nameless, conversely,

nameless individuals belong to that family.

This implication is quite interesting; whether anyone noticed it remains unknown.

But the two talent shows are already underway.

Early this morning, Ma Xun arrived at the Beijing Film Studio in his Mercedes-Benz.

…

Bingbing and her mother were once again in the Capital City.

Passing the Beijing Film Studio’s gates again, she felt inexplicably melancholic.

“Don’t overthink it, you’ll definitely get selected in this talent show.”

“Mom, don’t always say that, we should remain humble and cautious.”

“Nonsense! It’s just a preliminary round now. With my daughter’s looks, if she can’t even pass the preliminary round, there’s definitely foul play!”

“Mom~”

Bingbing couldn’t help but tug on her mother’s arm, urging her to speak less.

Actually, after her previous college entrance exam failure,

her mother was furious and inquired about many things.

Some said that because of a particular candidate last year, the examination was stricter this year.

This made Bingbing’s mother even more convinced that there was foul play in the college entrance exam!

She kept bringing this up lately.

As for Bingbing herself… she had also been brooding.

Although her performance on the exam day was average,

it shouldn’t have been impossible to even pass the preliminary round.

Besides, how did her senior sister get in last year?

Now, she heard that her senior sister even lost her admission ticket last year.

This inevitably leads one to suspect foul play.

In fact, rumors of foul play in such exams are rampant.

And now it’s happening to their mother and daughter… Hm?

Bingbing saw someone.

It seemed to be that scout.

The one who made Gao Yuanyuan famous…

Why was he here?

Could there be foul play?

Bingbing’s thoughts were natural.

After all, Gao Yuanyuan passed, but she failed.

But this talent show… wouldn’t she fail again?

With a nervous heart, Bingbing walked towards the Beijing Film Studio.

She didn’t want Ma Xun to see her.

Hm?

That guy is looking at other girls, and he’s looked at several of them.

…

Ma Xun was here to be a judge.

Of course, he didn’t intend to be a judge for long.

He just wanted to observe the preliminary round. Besides, the Capital City’s preliminary round was held at the Beijing Film Studio.

He could take care of some other things at the same time.

Unexpectedly, before even entering, he discovered several promising female stars.

He didn’t need to look at Gao Yuanyuan and Hao Li.

Besides, neither of them came in a Mercedes-Benz.

It’s too flashy.

Wait a minute.

Isn’t that Chen Jing?

She’s the “Xiangjiang Girl.”

Ma Xun couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

This girl is truly young.

And those peach blossom eyes, the aura of a first-generation heartthrob—perfect.

And it wasn’t just Chen Jing.

Ma Xun soon spotted another girl.

Isn’t that Li Daba?

Oh, she can’t be called Daba yet; she’s still Xiaoran.

She’s here too.

Ma Xun felt quite pleased.

…Why was he pleased?

However, along the way… wait a minute.

Ma Xun thought of a phrase.

Enjoying the Scenery.

His surname is Ma, and he’s indeed seen a lot of “flowers” along the way.

Too appropriate!

Only, Ma Xun didn’t know that Bingbing, not far away, had seen his “enjoying the scenery.”

Bingbing felt that there must be foul play here!

Ma Xun didn’t pay attention, and after observing the “flowers” for a while, he entered the Beijing Film Studio.

This time, for the preliminary round, they simply borrowed a room.

As soon as Ma Xun entered, he found two people inside.

“Mr. Ma is here.”

The first was Kang Jianmin, who came not only to be a judge.

“Mr. Ma, come, come, have a seat here.”

Han Sanping, the director of the Beijing Film Studio, was also smiling happily.

They were already familiar with each other.

But now their relationship is even closer.

Han Sanping and Kang Jianmin also had a good relationship. When Kang Jianmin came to the Capital City before,

he consulted with this head of the Beijing Film Studio about investing in *That Mountain*.

Now, *That Mountain* has a perfect partnership with the postal service.

Han Sanping and Kang Jianmin’s attitudes towards Ma Xun were exceptionally warm.

“Mr. Ma, you are truly a great talent!”

“Brother Kang, have you learned some new tricks?”

“Absolutely! I used to work in isolation, but after chatting with Mr. Ma a few times, I suddenly felt enlightened. The success of our film today is entirely thanks to Mr. Ma!”

Kang Jianmin had a bit of intellectual reserve before, but now he praised Ma Xun,

without any reservation!

There’s no way around it; it’s not easy to deal with the postal service these days.

Kang Jianmin didn’t expect that this film, before even starting production, had already been elevated several levels.

It’s clear that some department wants to use this film to make a big statement.

All these changes were absolutely thanks to Ma Xun!

Han Sanping had naturally heard all about it, and they had collaborated before.

Now, he was all smiles.

“Mr. Ma, let me put it this way, as long as I, Han Sanping, am here, the doors of our Beijing Film Studio will always be open to you.”

Wow! Listen to that!

In fact, the Beijing Film Studio has been losing money for many years.

Ma Xun thought of what Yu Dong had said later: He can still remember the days when they couldn’t pay salaries!

“You two are too kind, I can’t take all the credit; I just made a lot of efforts.”

This means that he made a lot of connections.

But to Han Sanping and Kang Jianmin’s ears… Good! Excellent!

“You can’t say that, it’s hard work even without credit.”

“That’s right, Mr. Ma looks tired, thinner.”

He… has lost some weight.

But Ma Xun was thinking: Xu Qing’s full and plump figure is simply irresistible!

This can’t be discussed further.

The three of them were flattering each other when a few more people entered the room.

As soon as they came in, Ma Xun recognized them.

Liu Lili and Shen Yi, this master-apprentice pair, had arrived.

Their mutual hostility was palpable.

But Ma Xun also noticed someone else.

A petite young woman, the capable assistant of Director Ouyang.

Long Danny.

She was only in her twenties, but this woman was quite formidable.

“Greetings to the leaders, I’ll introduce everyone.”

Obviously, Ms. Long had done her homework and was acquainted with Han Sanping and the others.

Han Sanping also knew Liu Lili, as she’s a very famous female director from Taiwan.

She had also filmed in the Capital City before.

This made things easier, everyone was familiar.

However, the palpable animosity between Liu Lili, her apprentice, and Ma Xun was evident.

“We must conduct the selection fairly and impartially!”

“Of course.”

“I’m afraid some people will insert their own people.”

That sarcastic remark—who was it aimed at?

Ma Xun knew that this female director might be experiencing menopause, maybe even suffering from menstrual disorders.

No need to waste words with her.

“Let’s begin now!”

…

Finally, it was her turn.

“Mom, I’m going.”

“Be steady!”

Bidding farewell to her mother, Bingbing followed a group of girls into the room.

It was quite similar to the college entrance exam.

Well, it was modeled after the college entrance exam.

This was much more efficient.

But upon entering…

Ah?

Bingbing couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.

Why was that scout here?

Fortunately, each judge had a name tag in front of them.

His name was Ma Xun?

Bingbing knew Liu Lili, but she had never heard of this Ma Xun.

But the preliminary round was already underway.

The first girl was remarkably tall, even enviable.

“Hello teachers, my name is Li Xiaoran.”

Ma Xun naturally noticed Bingbing, but he was more captivated by Li Xiaoran.

No wonder.

The Li Xiaoran before him was pure and lovely.

Her beautiful face aside, it was her figure.

Not as curvaceous as she would later become, but definitely well-proportioned, with a graceful height.

Fresh out of Beijing Dance Academy, she was indeed outstanding.

Then there’s Chen Jing.

This batch of girls was very good.

Li Xiaoran introduced herself and then performed her talent.

A graduate of Beijing Dance Academy, she naturally danced.

Her skills were impeccable.

Ma Xun led the applause.

“Excellent, we’ll take this girl.”

Although his decision was quick, Ma Xun felt it was right.

Han Sanping and Kang Jianmin immediately nodded.

But!

“No, this girl is too tall, it will be difficult to find male actors to act opposite her.”

Liu Lili interjected.

It was true, there was a point there.

Actresses over 1.7 meters tall are inconvenient to match with actors.

And this time, *The Return of the Pearl* has actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and they are all short.

The two Little Tigers couldn’t possibly act opposite Li Xiaoran.

Ma Xun was about to speak…

“Ms. Li, you may leave.”

Shen Yi directly dismissed her!

Everyone understood.

Liu Lili and her apprentice were confronting Ma Xun.

Clearly, it was because of what had happened before.

Seeing this, Ma Xun smiled.

“Teacher Liu, we are still in the preliminary round, there’s no need to be so strict.”

Liu Lili also smiled.

“Even though it’s the preliminary round, we must be strict.”

Disrespectful?

Damn it!

Ma Xun cursed inwardly, but how could he possibly be suppressed by this master-apprentice pair?

He knew this talent show wouldn’t be peaceful from the start.

But he didn’t expect them to act so quickly.

And so aggressively.

Then don’t blame me!

Immediately, Ma Xun pointed to a girl.

“You, you’re through to the next round.”

The girl pointed at was stunned!

“Me?” Her large eyes had a hint of cuteness.

It was Chen Jing!

Liu Lili, of course, immediately objected, shaking her head and saying, “This girl’s facial features have a seductive look, we don’t want this type.”

Seductive look?

She’s a heartthrob!

How could she not be seductive!

Rejected by Liu Lili again?

Ma Xun smiled and turned to Kang Jianmin, “Teacher Kang, what do you think of her?”

Kang Jianmin instantly understood, “Excellent! Very good! This girl has the feeling of a minority girl, she can be a candidate for our ‘Xiangjiang Girl’!

What’s your name?”

“I, my name is Chen Jing.”

That’s right, I’m choosing for ‘Xiangjiang Girl’!

Are you, Liu Lili, overstepping your bounds?

This was a clever move!

Even Han Sanping was about to applaud.

Liu Lili was slapped in the face, her embarrassment evident.

It can be said that Ma Xun had won back his position, and the master-apprentice pair from Taiwan dared not act rashly again.

But the open conflict between them terrified Bingbing.

She suspected foul play, but it turned out to be all foul play!

Chen Jing’s name was mentioned, and she was selected.

This, this…

Bingbing trembled…

I apologize for the delay in this chapter.

I received some good news, this book will be going on sale soon.

I won’t say much more, I’ll go write now, everyone, judge my performance after the book goes on sale!

(End of Chapter)

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