Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 57

Chapter 57: The Ping Family’s Strong Stance, He Xiujing Relents! (Fourth Update)

2025-01-21

Chapter 57: The Ping Family’s Strong Stance, He Xiujing Relents! (Fourth Update)

“Why are you following me?”

“No, no reason.”

“Heh… Even if you don’t say it, I can guess. It’s because of the talent show, right?”

“You already know, then why are you asking?”

“Hey, are you giving me the side-eye?”

“Why can’t I?”

“Do you still want a chance in the talent show?”

“You, you wouldn’t…?”

“Little sister, guess what I do?”

Bingbing, the stalker, was caught red-handed by Ma Xun.

Of course, there was no way to prosecute her, so he simply took her to a coffee shop to chat over drinks.

At this moment, Bingbing… that’s right, she had completely forgotten about her mother.

However, this conversation was too closely related to the talent show, and she had to hash things out with Ma Xun.

“What do you do…?”

It was a guessing game of identities.

Bingbing first accused, “You deceived me!”

“Deceived you?” Ma Xun smiled.

“You’re not a talent scout!”

Bingbing’s words were strong and forceful.

Ma Xun shook his head with a smile, “Sometimes I’m almost like a talent scout.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I, Ma Xun, have indeed discovered many future stars, and among the female stars, I and them… cough, I don’t need to elaborate.

Bingbing clearly didn’t believe it, “Don’t try to trick me! A talent scout couldn’t possibly have your level of power.”

Hey, this girl could actually see his power.

This time, Ma Xun became more serious, “If I say I’m a big boss, would you believe me?”

This statement stunned Bingbing.

The possibility of this man being a big boss wasn’t small.

However, one thing didn’t seem to fit.

“You’re too young.”

Bingbing actually had another unspoken sentence, you’re also too handsome… but she couldn’t say that, of course!

Ma Xun laughed, “Young isn’t a problem. There’s no rule saying you can’t be a boss before a certain age.”

Bingbing’s heart churned. She had vaguely guessed that Ma Xun was unusual.

During the initial selection, those high-ranking officials had all smiled at Ma Xun.

“Then…”

“When I said I would make you a star, I wasn’t lying. I’m not someone who likes to deceive people.”

Ma Xun said this without blushing or hesitation.

Bingbing believed him, “Then, then…”

Ma Xun teased her, “Regret it? Now you want to be promoted by me?”

“No!” Bingbing immediately shook her head.

Actually, she did want that, but she couldn’t admit it.

Fortunately, Ma Xun moved on to the next topic.

“Let’s talk about the talent show.”

“Oh, okay.” Bingbing wanted to discuss this.

“Which role are you aiming for?”

Actually, for the female actors in this *Return of the Pearl* talent show, there were ultimately two “grand prizes”:

Little Swallow and Ziwei.

The other roles were insignificant.

They simply weren’t included in the talent show.

This was all Ma Xun’s idea.

He didn’t want it to turn into something like the *Dream of the Red Chamber* talent show.

That talent show was truly absurd.

It was full of shocking gossip, and most importantly, many of the actors chosen in the talent show.

Didn’t end up acting in the *New Dream of the Red Chamber*.

Only a few actors participated in the end.

The result was widely criticized by the audience.

Since you’re holding a talent show, you should let the chosen ones act in the show.

That kind of handling was simply infuriating.

Back to the *Return of the Pearl* talent show.

Little Swallow was playful and mischievous, while Ziwei was gentle and graceful.

They were two extremes.

Therefore, the candidate actors could be divided into two groups.

This made it more interesting.

Which direction did Bingbing choose?

“Ziwei.”

Ma Xun knew she would choose this.

“You don’t have a chance.”

That blunt statement instantly stunned Bingbing.

Actually, there was some inside information here.

Ma Xun remembered that in the original timeline, Bingbing had said she was offered the role of Ziwei.

But later, director Sun Shupei came out and said that Bingbing’s original role was Jin Suo.

There was no need to dwell on who was telling the truth.

Because the role of Ziwei itself had changed, and at the time of the change, someone might have told Bingbing that she would play Ziwei, which was possible.

Let’s set that aside and return to the present talent show.

Ma Xun had a bottom line.

He didn’t like Ruby Lin, so he definitely wouldn’t let her play Ziwei.

However, not giving it to Ruby Lin didn’t mean giving it to Bingbing.

Ma Xun had someone else in mind.

Bingbing didn’t know any of this, she was thinking from a different angle.

“You, you wouldn’t be able to control everything, would you!”

Her tone was clearly annoyed.

But Ma Xun was unfazed, “Getting angry with me is useless. You should be able to see that this talent show is just for show.”

Bingbing understood. She had realized it long ago.

It was all a sham!

But, but… did she have absolutely no chance?

“You mean…” Bingbing’s face flushed.

Ma Xun understood instantly. He smiled, “Little sister, you’re a bit naive. I did say I would make you a star, but I was partly joking back then. Didn’t you also think I was a talent scout then?”

His words were honest enough. At the time, Ma Xun had indeed been joking.

But now, to Bingbing, she was at an age where she couldn’t hide her feelings.

Whatever she thought immediately showed on her face.

Ma Xun found her quite amusing, her joy and anger were all openly displayed.

He continued, “Since we’ve talked this far, let me be clear.

I also have principles.

The people I promote must be my people.”

Ma Xun had repeated this sentence many times, and he was becoming increasingly proficient.

Upon hearing this, Bingbing’s expression changed again.

This Ma Xun was too much!

He had actually said it so directly.

Ma Xun seemed to be able to see through her thoughts, adding,

“Don’t have any illusions about me. I’m not a good person.”

Bingbing was only in her teens, but she fully understood what he meant.

Illusions… She admitted she had thought about it.

Perhaps Ma Xun was a big brother figure who would help her.

But now…

This man who claimed not to be a good person was the reality!

Bingbing got up and left… without saying a word.

Ma Xun didn’t say anything either.

He didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

Because this was the entertainment industry.

Moreover, he hadn’t lied, nor had he deceived young Bingbing.

If she couldn’t even handle this, then she shouldn’t even try to enter this circle.

But thinking about the later Bingbing…

[Note: This sentence is omitted due to its inappropriate nature.]

“Brother! Awesome!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted Ma Xun’s thoughts.

“Dude, what’s up? Why are you so late?”

It was Sun Donghai, this guy was all smiles, giving off a very annoying vibe.

“Brother, I actually came early.” Sun Donghai sat opposite Ma Xun, in the seat Bingbing had just occupied.

Ma Xun raised an eyebrow, “You came to watch the show?”

“Damn! That was amazing!” Sun Donghai was truly annoying, but then he said, “Did you pick up another college girl? This one seems even younger than the last one.”

“Damn!” Ma Xun cursed, “Your mouth is like a gossiping old woman! Why are you so fond of gossip?”

Sun Donghai wasn’t angry at being scolded, instead he laughed, “I’m impressed! However, we’re on two different paths. I like mature ones, you like younger ones, we complement each other.”

Damn!

Ma Xun was amused by his words, “Is there such a thing as complementary?”

“Yes.” Sun Donghai’s mouth couldn’t stop once he got on this topic, “Mature ones have big breasts, while younger ones… even those around twenty are too small.”

Ma Xun shook his head helplessly, “Stop talking about this! As if you haven’t seen a woman in eight hundred years.”

“Okay, okay, let’s talk about something serious.”

Actually, Ma Xun thought to himself: Even those in their early twenties can have big ones, it’s just that they are already mine.

“I’ve completely figured out the talent show.”

“Really?”

“Don’t you trust me with my work?”

“My brother is the best!”

“You need to go find Long Wu to do something next.”

“Ah? No problem, but this old guy’s attitude recently…”

“Don’t worry, it’s not about that. You do this…”

Ma Xun whispered a few words to Sun Donghai.

Soon, Sun Donghai went off to do his business with a smile.

Watching Sun Donghai’s disappearing back.

Ma Xun knew his plan was complete.

But for some reason, Bingbing’s pretty face appeared in his mind again.

That expression on her face… was it disappointment?

Disappointed in me?

Forget it, let her be disappointed.

…

“What? Two rebroadcast rights?”

“Yes, that’s Ma Xun’s offer.”

“Too much! Two rebroadcast rights, this is a Qiong Yao drama!”

As soon as Ye Quan returned, she told He Xiujing about Ma Xun’s offer.

These two rebroadcast rights weren’t a small matter.

Qiong Yao dramas were extremely popular at the moment.

Two rebroadcast rights were worth at least twenty to thirty million.

This referred to the two rebroadcasts after the premiere on Hunan TV Channel 2.

Twenty to thirty million was the most conservative estimate.

It was equivalent to Ma Xun directly asking He Xiujing for twenty to thirty million!

He Xiujing not getting angry was already considered very well-mannered.

However…

“A Zhen, I know that we’re facing strong competitors now, but this Ma Xun is also very aggressive. You must help me.”

He Xiujing said, holding Ye Quan’s hand.

Normally, a woman’s hand is very soft.

But Ye Quan felt that… it was not as warm as the prince’s hand.

She couldn’t say that now, so she gently patted He Xiujing’s hand.

“Of course I’ll support you, but the reply to them…”

He Xiujing felt a little relieved, then thought for a moment and said, “Once.”

Ye Quan nodded.

She was secretly smiling in her heart. He Xiujing’s “once” was exactly what the prince had expected.

That’s right, this was the broken windows effect.

Thus, the *Return of the Pearl* and “Xiangjiang Girl” talent shows officially began!

The television station decided on four episodes.

For recording, they set a four-day plan.

This kind of variety show wasn’t difficult, four days should be enough.

In other words, the results would come out soon.

And on the first day.

“Hello everyone!”

“We miss you!”

Wu Bai and Zhang Zhenxu appeared, and the two instantly livened up the atmosphere!

The recording, of course, had an audience.

Whether they were given tickets or were local students.

Their popularity was very high.

And these two were He Xiujing’s people!

So on the first day, He Xiujing had the upper hand.

However, the good times didn’t last long.

The second day’s recording, another eye-catching figure appeared.

“Hello everyone, I’m Li Tingyi.”

A big-eyed sweet girl appeared!

Her target was Little Swallow.

Li Tingyi, a Taiwanese actress, whose debut role was in *Bao Qingtian*.

In short, she was Liu Lili’s person!

And she had another label.

“I previously filmed a movie with Big Brother.”

Big Brother? Big Brother Jackie Chan!

Jackie Chan girl?!

This was huge.

Liu Lili, or rather, the Ping family.

A major reversal!

He Xiujing was almost instantly panicked.

Because the true protagonists of this *Return of the Pearl* were Little Swallow and Ziwei!

What should she do?

Li Tingyi was on the opposite side, and the other Ziwei…

Currently, Li Tingyi had the highest popularity!

She wasn’t He Xiujing’s person.

“A Zhen, twice, twice is fine!”

He Xiujing’s change of heart made Ye Quan smile inwardly.

The prince had truly foreseen everything!

There’s another chapter coming soon, please wait.

(End of Chapter)

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