The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

"Um, Qingxu, we know you're handsome, but you don't need to be so narcissistic."

Luo Jin, standing nearby, asked curiously, "You mean Stephen Chow is afraid you'll overshadow him?"

"Impossible. In Stephen Chow's movies, he's always the lead, and everyone else is just a supporting actor... Hmm, you mean being too handsome is actually a disadvantage? It seems like there's never been a very handsome supporting actor in Stephen Chow's movies."

Ji Qingxu chuckled and said, "Why not? Isn't Andy Lau handsome?"

"Hey, Andy Lau is so famous, and he's one of the two male leads. I'm talking about the other supporting actors, who mostly play ugly roles. So you can't accept playing ugly characters?"

"Definitely not. Qingxu is a professional actor; how could she not accept playing an ugly character?"

"Qingxu, tell us about it."

Ji Qingxu pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands. "I'm asking you, did you go when he came to our school to select students?"

"Yes, everyone in our class went, but he just glanced at us briefly and then let us leave."

"That's why, it'll be the same if I go."

These words surprised all three of them.

Why?

"He came to the school to select people this time. Do you know what role he's selecting?"

"Um, the homeroom teacher said it's to select the female lead and some suitable male supporting actors."

"Besides the female lead, were any other candidates chosen?"

"No, it's just that our senior, Huang Shengyi, was chosen as the female lead. You mean Zhou Xingchi came to our school this time to choose the female lead, and the male supporting roles were just a pretext?"

"I don't know, but you've all seen quite a few of Stephen Chow's movies. Let me ask you, have you ever seen a male supporting actor with a very handsome appearance in his films?"

"That's a bit of an overstatement, I remember..."

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Yawen scratched her head and looked at Luo Jin and Lu Fangsheng, "Do Stephen Chow's movies have any male characters with handsome looks?"

The two thought for a moment and then shook their heads. "I don't know. I don't think there are any actors like that that have left a deep impression on me."

Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "Of course, what I said is a bit absolute, but looking at Stephen Chow's movies over the past decade, the actors are either veteran actors who frequently work with him, or they are the kind of people with rather unique and memorable appearances. How many people with unusual appearances do you think can get into the Beijing Film Academy?"

"Damn, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep all night. I thought I could be chosen by Stephen Chow and become an overnight sensation."

"I even bought a special outfit to prepare for my martial arts performance."

"I was even wondering if they would choose me for a minor role."

"Hahaha!"

Listening to the three's discussion, Ji Qingxu suddenly thought of someone, "Didn't Huang Bo from the dubbing class next door go to the audition?"

Upon hearing the name, the three of them burst into laughter again.

"They went, just like us."

"Qingxu, what you just said is also wrong. Look at Huang Bo's appearance, isn't it quite unique? Even Zhou Xingchi didn't like him."

Ji Qingxu laughed and said, "Could it be that it's too unusual and Zhou Xingchi is afraid of being overshadowed?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them burst into laughter, bending over backwards.

That last sentence was obviously a joke. After all, Ji Qingxu remembered that Huang Bo later played Sun Wukong in Stephen Chow's movie, but at that time Huang Bo was already a well-known first-tier actor.

As for whether Stephen Chow chose Huang Bo for his film because of his looks, acting skills, or fame, Ji Qingxu speculates that fame was a bigger factor.

After laughing, Zhu Yawen asked expectantly, "Qingxu, do you think we freshmen have a chance to be noticed by a big director?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and shook his head. "I don't know. I've never acted in a movie directed by a famous director. I'll tell you when I do."

"grass!"

"I wonder if we'll ever have the chance to work with those big directors. I remember some of our seniors from previous years were chosen by them."

"Um, I seem to remember there being more at the Central Academy of Drama."

"Damn, it seems so. Big directors usually select actors from the Central Academy of Drama. Apart from TV series, it seems that few people from Beijing Film Academy have the opportunity to act in films directed by big directors. Damn, is that saying true: the Central Academy of Drama produces actors, and Beijing Film Academy produces stars?"

"There's nothing wrong with being a celebrity. Besides, celebrities also need acting skills. You can't become a celebrity just by having a pretty face. Do you see how bad Xu's acting is?"

"..."

Listening to the three people's discussion, Ji Qingxu thought about how Stephen Chow came to the school to cast actors for his movie "Kung Fu" earlier this year.

At the time, Ji Qingxu was filming in Zhuozhou. His homeroom teacher called him specifically to ask him to take a leave of absence and go back to school to try. Ji Qingxu agreed on the surface, but in reality, he did not ask for leave to go back.

Kung Fu Hustle is certainly a good movie, and all the characters in it are very memorable, but Ji Qingxu knows he doesn't have much of a chance.

There aren't many suitable roles for Ji Qingxu in "Kung Fu Hustle." Apart from the Axe Gang leader, none of the others are suitable. The Axe Gang leader role is outstanding, but Chen Guokun, who played that role in his previous life, was an artist under Stephen Chow's company. Unless there are benefits that can entice Stephen Chow, no one else has a chance for such a role.

Stephen Chow's fame needs no introduction, but Ji Qingxu, who traveled from the future, didn't have much of a soft spot for him. Stephen Chow's movies as an actor are all classics, but Ji Qingxu in the future mainly watched his movies as a director, and he didn't like any of them. Compared to his movies before "Kung Fu Hustle," they were worlds apart.

Ji Qingxu usually has little interest in approaching these well-known domestic directors unless there is a suitable role for him.

Ji Qingxu is also a very pragmatic person. If there is no relationship or benefit between them, no matter how big or amazing a director you are, Ji Qingxu will just watch from afar.

......

"Qingxu, are you really going? We were just joking before. You work hard to earn money, so be careful with your spending."

Ji Qingxu laughed and said, "It's okay. Money is meant to be spent. I'm fine with just myself. Let's go. You guys have been saying you wanted to go to a bar. Let's go broaden our horizons today."

Seeing Ji Qingxu lead the way towards the roadside, Zhu Yawen and the other two exchanged glances.

"Mule, Old Lu?"

"Let's go. Qingxu is a man of his word. Let's not spoil the fun. We'll invite him back when we get paid for acting in movies later."

"I think the mule has a point."

"What are you doing? Haven't you digested your lunch yet?"

"Here it comes, here it comes."

The four of them then took a car together to Shichahai.

Upon arriving at their destination, Zhu Yawen asked curiously, "Qingxu, why didn't we go to Sanlitun? I heard they say it's the most bustling bar street in Beijing?"

Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "There are a lot of young people in Sanlitun, and they are prone to causing trouble if they drink too much. This place is relatively more artistic and the atmosphere is quieter. Since we have entered this circle, we should pay attention to safety. In addition, the special period has just passed, and the bars here are all located outdoors near the water, so the air circulation is good."

Upon hearing Ji Qingxu's explanation, the three of them suddenly understood.

"Qingxu, you're really awesome. It's like you know everything."

"I know a little bit, just a tiny bit."

"Is this something you learned on set a couple of years ago?"

"right."

The four of them went into a waterfront bar that looked pretty nice.

......

"Phew, this feels so good. The lake breeze feels even better than sitting in an air-conditioned room."

Luo Jin glanced around and whispered, "The owner of this bar isn't simple either."

Hearing this, Zhu Yawen raised an eyebrow. "It's not just here. The owners of bars in Beijing are all extraordinary. Qingxu?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and nodded, "Yes."

"Hey, I've heard that a lot of celebrities in our industry have opened bars in Beijing. Do you think the owner of this bar might be one of those celebrities?"

"Who knows? Unless he comes out and admits it himself."

"I've heard that some bars in Beijing have singers performing on stage from time to time, but this place is more of a quieter bar, so I don't think you'll get any, right?"

"Who knows, maybe a folk singer will come and sing."

"Do you guys think we might have a romantic encounter later?"

Upon hearing Zhu Yawen bring up this topic, Luo Jin and Lu Fang Sheng both showed a hint of anticipation on their faces. Ji Qing Xu smiled strangely and said, "I advise you not to have such thoughts. Whether you'll have a romantic encounter or not is unknown, but I'm afraid of being 'fished'."

Hearing this, the three asked curiously, "What do you mean?"