Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 154: Real villain or hypocrite?

Hu Fei is the chief editor of CCTV's Western Channel.

Tong Liya performed classic dance pieces such as "The Girl from Loulan" and "Why Are the Flowers So Red" on his show in January.

At this time, Tong Liya had been training in the Northern Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe for two years. She had performed all over the country with the dance troupe and had also appeared on big stages such as CCTV.

Gradually, I began to yearn for the outside world.

She wanted to be admitted to the Central Academy of Drama and stay in Peking.

Hu Fei and she were from the same hometown, and he introduced her to the China Song and Dance Troupe, where she stayed in Peking to prepare for the exam.

Later in life, Tong Liya was officially recruited by the song and dance troupe in 2004. In the same year, she entered the 04 acting class of the Central Academy of Drama and was a classmate of "Qiu Ya".

Yu Dong's Baoli Bernardo is now very famous, and there are signs that it is developing in all directions including production, distribution and theaters.

Hu Fei also wanted to make friends with him, and now he needed help from him.

As for the little girl...

Being from the same hometown, Yu Dong said that he would take her to meet a popular director, and he was helping her.

Well, that’s the logic.

As a matter of urgency, we have to make the decision. The bid closing time is 12 noon tomorrow and we have to take action tonight.

Yu Dong rushed to Hu Fei's office with his assistant and secretary, and Tong Liya was sitting on the chair.

Yes! It’s her. She’s sure to make Lu Kuan crazy!
"Hello, little boy, I'm Yu Dong from Bernardo."

Tong Liya stood up politely and shook hands. She didn't know why Brother Hu called her here so urgently. He just said on the phone that there was something very good.

"That's right, little boy. My friend's entertainment company is looking to sign directors and actors recently. I think you're a perfect fit and would like to recommend you to him."

Tong Liya nodded in confusion. She had her own plans for her future, but she was still a little surprised to plunge into the entertainment industry so suddenly.

"This director's name is Lu Kuan. I'm sure you've heard of him, right?"

“Drum washing machine???”

Hu Fei's face changed drastically: "Xiao Tong, you are wrong, that's all nonsense on the Internet!"

Yu Dong also swore, "I've known Director Lu for over ten years. I can guarantee with my character that he's definitely not that kind of person!"

Tong Liya had been in the dance team for a long time and was not used to dealing with people in society, so she apologized with a red face.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Yu. I've been reading too much gossip online lately. I don't think it should be true. It's all just paparazzi talk."

No wonder!
How can it be a good thing if he can have a scandal with a 15-year-old girl?

"Boss Yu, Brother Hu, are you looking for me?"

Yu Dong's true intentions became clear: "Little boy, you want to get into the Central Academy of Drama, right?"

"Ah."

"Director Lu is a student of the directing department at the Beijing Film Academy and a Golden Lion Award winner. He's very familiar with the deans of all the departments at the Beijing Film Academy, and the same applies to both the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama. Why don't you consider the Beijing Film Academy?"

"As long as you can join his company and become a signed artist, Director Lu will always spare no effort in promoting you. Look at that Liu Yifei, she's only 15 years old!"

"It's only been a few episodes of 'Golden Age' and she's already more popular than the lead actress Dong Jie. Aren't you envious?"

Tong Liya was a little speechless.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn't envious. She had long been tired of running around with the dance troupe. Who wouldn't want to study hard, become an actress, and make a lot of money?

Progress is the most primitive instinct of human beings. Everyone wants to be famous, and there is nothing wrong with that.

But she is not ready to do anything for Hong.

"Boss Yu, I don't want to go."

Yu Dong's face froze, and he continued to coax, "Lu Kuan's company has signed four or five male artists, but no female artists. He is also asking our friends in the circle to look for new people."

"His company has signed a number of directors this year and is preparing to enter the film and television industry in a big way. It's a perfect time for you to go there!"

"If it weren't for your brother Hu guaranteeing you, saying you're smart and pretty, and that you're interested in this field, we wouldn't have approached you, would we?"

Tong Liya sneered in her heart when she saw him talking so eloquently.

She is not a virgin anymore and has seen a lot of dark things over the years. How did several girls in the dance team quit the team without any word?

There were several times when Tong Liya saw bruises on their knees in the dormitory, and she didn't even have the courage to say hello.

"I'm not going. If I can't be an actor, I'll just keep dancing."

Yu Dong winked at Hu Fei, and the latter had no choice but to leave.

"Liya, I'm not bad to you, am I? I'll give you a solo dance performance and help you get a tryout with the song and dance troupe. Whether you can stay there next year is crucial!"

"Liya, I hope you can think about this carefully. This will be good for all of us."

"If this goes wrong, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you stay in the National Dance Company."

Tong Liya was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that Hu Fei, who she thought was a righteous man, could say such a thing!

If I don't agree to them, I will have to continue wandering around with the Northern Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe and will never be able to realize my dream of becoming an actor?
Hu Fei also sighed secretly in his heart, thinking that he had been screwed by Fatty Yu this time. How would he face Tong's father in the future?
However, he, a director and editor who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, is nearing the end of his career.

Now he only hopes that the leader of the film channel that Fatty Yu helped him contact can help him. This is also his last chance.

Thinking of his wife and daughter who are eagerly waiting for him to solve the household registration and schooling problems...

I'm only sorry for the little boy.

Tong Liya felt heartbroken when she was betrayed by her trusted fellow villager.

"Okay, I can go."

She raised her head and stared at Hu Fei, her eyes red: "Brother Hu, I don't need you to take care of me anymore. Thank you very much."

Hu Fei avoided her gaze guiltily and rubbed his hands awkwardly.

Yu Dong said excitedly: "Okay! Xiaotong is a smart guy! Go back and get ready. I'll have the driver pick you up in the evening."

Not only did Tong Liya's face become more gloomy after hearing these words, but Hu Fei also frowned.

Could you please tone it down for a bit? Could you not be so blunt?

It made him, the big brother, act like a beast.

"Oh no! Blame me, blame me. I didn't explain clearly."

"Director Lu is having dinner with a bunch of friends at his own courtyard house tonight. They're all the stars of his new movie, Shoplifters, like Feng Yuanzheng and Zhou Xun. It's a great time to go now!"

Tong Liya finally realized that she almost thought she was going to have sex tonight...

The future female star's self-esteem was shattered into pieces and then pieced back together with great difficulty, but it was difficult to get it back to its original state without a single crack.

Gongjian Hutong, Ice House Palace.

Liu Yifei is also here today. "The Story of a Noble Family" started airing in March, and her EP was released at the same time.

Because all the songs were written for her by Lu Kuan, the record contract was signed with Wenjie, and the distribution was entrusted to Mei Yin in Hong Kong.

Lu Kuan asked her friends Jay Chou and Zhang Yadong, who are in the music circle, and their relationship to promote her, taking advantage of her previous popularity.

At present, more than 10,000 copies have been pre-sold in the Peking area, and the album has entered the top ten of the monthly rankings in the Peking Audio-Visual World.

This result is already very good for a newcomer. This is just the pre-sale. With the popularity of "Gold Powder" and the intensification of online publicity, the result will definitely not be bad.

The most gratifying data is that CDs account for 60% of these copies. This is because the distributor threw out a gimmick that a Golden Lion Award-winning director personally directed the MV.

In fact, he was just a producer, directing the filming with the fashion vision of later generations.

"Xiaolu, are you really going to cook for yourself today?"

The little girl was not used to seeing him wearing an apron.

"What are you questioning? Come and pick some vegetables!"

Liu Xiaoli has just visited the decoration of a courtyard house. She also bought one in the adjacent alley, but construction has not yet started.

"Xiaolu, how about auntie help you? There are too many people here tonight."

Lu Kuan didn't originally call many people, just Li Mingqi, Feng Yuanzheng, Zhou Xun, and Fan Bingbing from the "Shoplifters" crew.

There are also several male artists in the industry, including Lu Yao, Sun Wenwen and the newly hired Zhong Lifang.

He is not often in the company, but when he is occasionally free, he will invite the executives to have a meal and drink together to improve cohesion.

Just now, Fatty Yu suddenly called and said he wanted to bring a friend along and added two more pairs of chopsticks.

If you calculate it, there are probably nearly twenty people in their twenties, and it would be impossible without help.

Boss Lu gave up the opportunity to show off his skills on his own: "That's great, thank you for your help, Aunt Liu."

"This kid is getting polite."

Liu Xiaoli also understood his temper. Just don't provoke him at work and don't easily bring bad luck to him. At other times, he looks no different from an ordinary college student.

Very easy to talk to.

"Director Lu is very easy to talk to. Just act naturally later. Today we are just meeting for the first time."

"Ah."

Tong Liya wrung her hands nervously. The chilly wind of early spring chilled her whole body.

The large round table in the south room restaurant was filled with cold dishes, and a barbecue grill was set up in the yard.

Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing and others chatted and laughed while grilling and eating, not looking like celebrities at all.

Tong Liya observed them curiously. This is Zhou Xun, that is Fan Bingbing, and there is also the movie emperor Mr. Feng and the veteran actor Ms. Li Mingqi!

There are idols and there are talented people. Is this the entertainment industry?

"Boss Yu is here? Director Lu is cooking in there. He just scolded you, saying you're just eating for free instead of doing your job."

The one making the joke was Zhou Xun. She had a close relationship with Lu Kuan, so no one blamed her for her rude words and actions when she was joking.

"What? I brought a gift, I didn't come empty-handed, why is he scolding me?"

Yu Dong gestured to her with the two plastic buckets in his hands.

These are all raw liquors secretly brought out by the winemaking workers at the Wuliangye Distillery in Yibin, and are not available on the market.

Fan Bingbing suddenly laughed and said, "Boss Yu, if you hadn't mentioned wine, I would have thought the gift you were talking about was this beautiful woman!"

Everyone looked at Tong Liya, and some of them looked her up and down, making people want to cover their faces and run away.

Her face instantly turned pale, and she felt ashamed of being stripped naked in front of everyone.

Why did everyone want to step on her and completely crush her already shattered self-esteem?

She was already beginning to regret it.

Yu Dong chuckled awkwardly twice without answering. He put the wine on the dining table and took Tong Liya into the kitchen.

"I need salt, why are you giving me sugar? Oh, you're really in the way, Xiao Liu, get out of here!"

Boss Lu is extremely dissatisfied with the artists of Red Star Studio, saying that they are lazy and ignorant and can only cause trouble.

Concubine Liu Yi stuck out her tongue and prepared to harm Liu Xiaoli again.

When I turned around, I saw Fatty Yu with an exotic beauty.

The alarm sounded.

"Hello, Yifei, hehe."

Yu Dong greeted her. He didn't know what the relationship between Lu Kuan and her was, but it always felt right to be polite.

"Hey, Director Lu, you really cook for me yourself?"

When Lu Kuan turned around, he saw Zhang Da's face.

"Coming?"

She glanced at his empty hands again. "You came here empty-handed? Go back! There are no chopsticks for you."

He rubbed his eyes that were stung by the onions, and his vision became misty as if he saw a beautiful woman again.

"Oh, I wronged you. Let's go out and talk."

The three of them walked into the yard and Yu Dong lit a cigarette for him.

"Let me introduce you. This is Lu Kuanlu, the most popular director in China right now."

Boss Lu wiped the soot off his face and said, "Haha, it's about the darkest."

Yu Dong introduced Tong Liya, who also introduced herself tactfully.

"Hello, Director Lu. My name is Tong Liya, and I'm an actor in the song and dance troupe. Nice to meet you!"

Boss Lu shook her delicate little hand and glanced at Boss Bona who was secretly observing him.

Haha, that stinky Fatty Yu is here to pay tribute to himself.

"Little boy, can you cook?"

Tong Liya was stunned for a moment: "I know how to guide you."

"Okay, the lamb we just took out of the refrigerator should be thawed. Go stir-fry some cumin lamb, or whatever you're good at."

Boss Lu took off his apron and handed it over.

Lu Kuan's finger touched her lightly, and Tong Liya's body stiffened in fear. She glanced at Yu Dong out of the corner of her eye, then forced herself to calm down.

"Yeah... I'm sorry, Director Lu, I was too nervous."

Fatty Yu also rubbed his hands and said awkwardly: "The girl is too young, she was intimidated by your aura, hehe."

Tong Liya looked at the apron in her hand and suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this road guide was different from the rumors.

On the way here, she had already imagined a thousand scenarios of meeting him, including how the other party would pounce on her like an animal...

It’s just cooking, it’s not difficult!
She smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples, and she seemed to have walked out of the bitter cold winter into spring.

Fan Bingbing came over with a plate in his hand: "Director, the skewers are ready to eat."

Wasn't she also observing silently?
This beautiful lady from northern Xinjiang with her graceful eyebrows and elegant appearance is so lethal that I guess her washing machine will have to work again!

I once thought of having Lu Kuan all to myself when she was a second-tier actress and Lu Kuan was a worthless little charlatan.

Now she is still a second-tier actress, but she is already a Golden Lion Award-winning director, and everyone in the circle wants to curry favor with her because she has resources.

What does she have exclusive?
It’s a pity that she didn’t meet him earlier. If she had met Lu Kuan when she was fifteen or sixteen...

"Thank you, Bingbing. Please don't send it here. Mr. Yu is fat and is trying to lose weight."

Yu Dong's face froze and he retracted his outstretched hand.

Boss Lu saw through my thoughts and pointed at me.

Doesn't he like it?

Did I flatter the horse by hitting the wrong horse?
Boss Lu motioned him to come to the veranda, and the two of them stood there and smoked.

"Old Yu, do you have any misunderstandings about me?"

It was the first time that Yu Dong saw Lu Kuan's expression like this. He squinted his eyes and looked down at him, his face shrouded in smoke, dark and unclear.

"Hey... Director Lu, I'm here to bring a friend's kid to visit the pier. She's also interested in the entertainment industry..."

Lu Kuan looked at him calmly and continued (ed.).

He is a gaming fan, but that doesn't mean he would do such disgusting things that are tantamount to coercion.

The actresses who had relationships with him were either adults attracted to each other like Jiang Qinqin and Yu Feihong.

Or it could be a clear-cut equal exchange like Fan Bingbing, where each party gets what they need.

I have never said that I have used my power to oppress or force anyone.

If Yu Dong had used coercion to send the girl, he would have looked down upon such despicable behavior which was no different from raping or seducing a spy.

Yu Dong, you are willing to give up your daughter for resources today. So, in the future, for greater benefits, can you also sell me Lu Kuan without blinking an eye?

Besides, one must be on guard against others. Who knows if Yu Dong is planting thorns around him?

Fatty Yu’s reputation in later generations doesn’t seem to be very good.

"Hey! Director Lu, you really misunderstood. No one forced her! The little girl came here of her own accord!"

Boss Lu smiled, patted him on the shoulder and left.

"I'll ask her."

The temperature in Beijing in March was very low. Yu Dong touched his forehead and saw that it was covered with sweat.

Looking at Lu Kuan's back as he left in a leisurely manner, for a moment I couldn't tell whether he was a hypocrite or a real villain.

No, I have to find a chance to say a few words to the child.

Both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal to their heart's content. Zhou Xun envied the spacious courtyard house, especially the "sky garden" on the second floor.

She asked Lu Kuan for Xu Kaitong's contact information, and Fujie was ready to arrange a set for herself immediately.

Yu Dong and Tong Liya said a few words and left. Most people had left the yard, leaving only the hired aunt to clean up the mess.

When Boss Lu was drunk, he saw that only Tong Liya was left standing at the door.

Her face looked awkward and embarrassed, not knowing whether to leave or stay, and there was a kind of clumsy cuteness to it.

"Wait for me to take you there?"

"No, no, you must be kidding, Director Lu."

Boss Lu gestured for her to sit on the bamboo chair in the yard.

"You want to get into the Chinese Drama Academy, right?"

"Yes, Director."

"Just now at the dinner table, I introduced Teacher Feng to you. They have many acting teachers who run tutoring classes at the People's Art Theatre. You can sign up."

"Dancing and acting are two different things."

Tong Liya nodded obediently, and her heart was pounding as she watched the cleaning lady close the gate.

He won't want...

Occasionally, a chill breeze of early spring blew across the courtyard, slightly dispelling the drunken feeling that had settled over the road.

Zhou Xun always gets excited when she drinks. Recently, her relationship with Li Yapeng has been in trouble, so she took the opportunity to drown her sorrows in alcohol.

Fatty Yu kept raising his cup. Although he didn't say a word, his meaning was clearly expressed.

He handled this matter in a confused manner and brought some wine to apologize.

"Tong Liya, Yu Dong asked you to come here. What promise did he make to you? Or was it coercion?"

"No...no."

Seeing Lu Kuan's disbelief, he quickly added, "No, really. They just said they would bring me here to meet a famous director and give me some pointers on my future career."

She is still kind-hearted and believes that this world is not black and white.

Since I have no losses and there is no need to anger Yu Dong, I will just sell him off.

Boss Lu smiled, not knowing whether this was the excuse Yu Dong had arranged for her or whether she was just trying to excuse Fatty Yu.

"You've been in the dance team for so many years, and I think you should know what the entertainment industry is like."

Tong Liya didn't know what he meant, so she just responded in a low voice.

"The entertainment industry is a place of equal exchange. If you have talent and economic value, you can exchange it."

"If you have good looks and a good figure, and are willing to sacrifice, you can even trade your body."

"Or both."

"I'm not!"

Tong Liya hurried to argue, she thought Lu Kuan was hinting that she should take off her clothes tonight.

Because she felt that she had no economic value, let alone talent, and dancing was not a performance.

Seeing that she was very immature and had no intention of doing business with him, Boss Lu patted his thigh and stood up.

"The choice is yours. If you want to stay, go inside. If you want to leave, the door is behind you."

The girl from Northern Xinjiang still didn't come to her senses until Lu Kuan's back disappeared into the main door.

"Miss Tong, Miss Tong?"

Ah Fei patted her shoulder and said, "Let's go. The boss asked me to take you home."

Tong Liya then stood up woodenly. For some reason, she had a feeling of loss.

Ah Fei took her to the entrance of the alley.

A Mercedes-Benz turned onto the road ahead, its high beams dazzling the eyes. It was the car of Liu Xiaoli and her daughter.

"Xixi, what did you lose at Xiaolu's house? Why are you so anxious?"

"A...small sachet."

The little girl's face was calm, and she just stared at the high lintel of the Ice Cellar Palace not far away.

She remembered overhearing the conversation between Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing in the corridor at night.

"Xiaolu should be mindful of his reputation. Yudong is so brazen in sending women to trade with him."

Fan Bingbing smiled, not knowing if Zhou Xun was hinting at him: "As a director, you're higher up the food chain than an actor. That's normal."

Zhou Xun shook his head. "This kid was obviously forced into it. If this gets exposed by the media, it won't have anything to do with being a talented and romantic man. It will be a public scandal."

"You just said that too. Why did you say that to her? You almost made her cry."

Fan Bingbing carefully touched up her makeup: "Haha, I was just joking. Let's go, sister."

Transaction... Transaction...

In her eyes, Lu Kuan might be a little romantic and dissolute, but he was definitely not someone who would deliberately abuse the weak.

These two words kept echoing in Concubine Liu Yi's mind, and she wanted to see the truth with her own eyes.

Liu Xiaoli suddenly said, "Hey, isn't that Ah Fei, and the little boy?"

Liu Yifei also rolled down the window: "A Fei, are you seeing someone off?"

"Well, the boss asked me to send Miss Tong off."

"Then you go back, she can just take our car."

Tong Liya said politely: "No, no, no, no one of you needs to see me off, I can go by myself."

Liu Yifei happily opened the car door and jumped out.

"Sister Tong, you're a dancer, and my mom used to be a dancer too. Come in the car, you two can have a good chat!"

Liu Xiaoli didn't know what her daughter was talking about, so she also invited her.

"Let's go, kid, it's just on the way, so don't delay us."

"Oh well."

Liu Xiaoli asked Tong Liya to sit in the passenger seat and urged her daughter: "Hurry up and get your things. Tong is tired from dancing during the day and needs to rest early."

Concubine Liu Yi didn't know when a small sachet appeared in her hand. It was exactly the same as Lu Kuan's, except that it was purple.

"The thing is not lost, I found it, let's go home!"

(End of this chapter)