"Congratulations on the wrap!"
"Clap, clap, clap, whoosh..."
Amidst the applause, Chen Ming, still in costume and wearing a wig, grinned to reveal a set of white teeth as he bowed to thank everyone around him.
Tsui Hark handed him a red envelope and patted his shoulder. "Great job, A-Ming. Stay a couple more days to join the wrap party."
"Thank you, Director Tsui. Could we exchange contact information?"
Chen Ming seized the opportunity to pull out his phone. As a seasoned background actor from his previous life in Hengdian, he knew the importance of networking. Since he didn't have an agent, he had to handle these things himself.
There was no harm in being thick-skinned, especially since his diligent performance on set had been plain for all to see.
"No problem. A-Cai, bring me my phone!" Tsui Hark shouted to his assistant while adjusting his sunglasses.
After saving his contact details, Chen Ming said goodbye to every actor and crew member on set. Over this period, he had made sure to learn the surname of every staff member; at the very least, addressing them as "Teacher" whenever they met made them feel respected.
Never underestimate these people—the lighting crew, the makeup artists, even the production assistants—they all had their own roles to play.
After saying his farewells, Chen Ming returned to the hotel and called Brother Dajin.
"Brother Dajin, did you finalize the copyright issue?"
"I’ve secured it for 250,000. The other party mentioned they wanted to adapt it into a film or TV series, and I agreed immediately. Didn't you say you were confident in this script from the start?" Brother Dajin’s gravelly voice rang out from the other end.
Chen Ming was stunned. He hadn't expected Brother Dajin to move so quickly, and he hadn't even mentioned the money.
"My paycheck has arrived. It's a bit of a hassle to get to the bank from the film studio, but I’ll find time tomorrow. We've wrapped up here, so I'll be heading back in a couple of days."
As he spoke, Chen Ming felt a strange sensation. Had he unknowingly started to think of Hengdian as home?
"That’s a minor detail. Tell me, do you know Teng Huatao?"
Chen Ming set aside his sentimental thoughts and suppressed his excitement. "The one who directed *Dwelling Narrowness*, right? His father is Teng Wenji of the Xi'an Film Studio."
Hearing this, Chen Ming felt relieved. It was good that Teng Huatao had reached out. While Teng’s actual talent was average, he had a good background and a solid team, especially the cinematographer, Cao Dun, who had worked on *The Noble Family* and *Dwelling Narrowness*. History had shown that once Teng Huatao left that team, his projects tended to flop.
Brother Dajin sounded surprised. "I only found that out after doing some digging. Little Chen, tell me the truth: what exactly is your background?"
Chen Ming rolled his eyes. "I’m the reincarnation of Qin Shi Huang. Brother Dajin, if you give me a million, I’ll gather my old troops and rebuild my empire. I’ll even make you the Second Prince for your trouble."
"What the hell is a 'Second Prince'? Shouldn't I be the First Prince since I’m a founding member starting from scratch with you?" Brother Dajin joked back.
"Brother, listen to me. Even though we have the copyright, it might be tricky for me to get a lead role. Let me run a plan by you." Chen Ming grew serious. "The investment won't exceed ten million, and it won't be from a single source. If we pool a million or so and you go talk to him, we must secure the male lead. We can even count my salary as part of the investment to see if we can close the deal."
"Got it. I've got a handle on it. If he contacts me again, I’ll handle the negotiations."
At this time, *Naked Marriage Era* hadn't aired yet, and Wenzhang hadn't skyrocketed to fame. Even if Old Teng wanted to use his own people, the fact that Chen Ming was bringing capital into the production meant a deal wasn't impossible.
One does their best and leaves the rest to fate. If all else failed, they could just resell the copyright. Getting a part wasn't just about auditions.
As for how to scrape together a million...
At the wrap party.
"Brother Jet Li, I’ll drink to this first. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. I know you were trying to guide me; otherwise, how could I have held my own against you on set? You really put your heart into mentoring the new generation of actors." Chen Ming stood beside Jet Li with a glass in hand, speaking with genuine emotion. He felt his acting in that moment surpassed even the system-granted role of the eunuch.
"You... I tell you, Little Chen, hahahaha! You’re just buttering me up. The young are always fiercer in a fight..."
"Now, now, why so modest? It's no wonder everyone says your generation of martial artists has the most integrity—we can't even hope to catch up!"
"Hahahaha, brother, you can't say that."
"I’m just being honest. It looked like we were evenly matched, but I was sweating bullets. If you hadn't secretly gone easy on me, I don't think I could have handled it."
"You know, in the last few years, yours is the most enjoyable sparring I've had with an action actor. Your Baguazhang is the most authentic I've seen."
At the banquet, Zhou Xun watched in stunned silence as Chen Ming and Jet Li traded drinks. She watched as they shifted from "Teacher and Little Chen" to "Big Brother and Little Brother," until Jet Li insisted on dragging Chen Ming out to become sworn brothers in the cold night air. Finally, the two walked off with their arms around each other's shoulders to discuss something.
This kid... there was something uncanny about him.
The next day.
"Ugh... Brother Dajin, I'm fine. I had a bit too much to drink last night. I borrowed two million from my big brother. I told him I only needed one, but he insisted on the two, saying I was looking down on him. Don't worry, go ahead and negotiate with them."
"...Little Chen, aren't I your big brother?"
"Then lend me two million, you invest one, and we'll split the shares 55-45. How about that?"
"I'm out here trying to be a real brother, and you're trying to outsmart me?"
"Hahahaha."
After hanging up, Chen Ming gulped down a bottle of mineral water. He fought off the hangover, washed up, and sat silently on the hotel bed, lighting a cigarette while staring at his Nokia.
After a long moment of zoning out, he finally dialed his mother's number.
"Mom..."
"Little Chen? Are you just waking up from a night shoot? Why do you sound so muffled?"
Hearing her familiar voice, Chen Ming couldn't hold it together. He thought of his mother from his previous life, who had raised him alone, enduring hardships and supporting him unconditionally, and his heart ached.
She only ever cared about his health, always afraid to say too much for fear of annoying him. She never asked about his career, fearing it would bruise his fragile pride. She always shared good news and kept the bad to herself. How could he, her son, not tell?
*A mother's heart is filled with love, wishing only for her child to thrive.*
Taking a deep breath, Chen Ming tried to keep his voice steady. "Mom, I’ve made some money. I was in a movie by a big Hong Kong director, and I even worked with Jet Li and Zhou Xun!"
He deliberately made his tone sound excited.
But instead of the expected joy, there was silence on the other end of the line.
"Mom? Too happy for words?"
"Little Chen, you can't be doing anything illegal or improper... if things aren't working out, just come home. I can always feed you, can't I?"
Chen Ming couldn't help but laugh through his tears.
"Mom, it's real. My paycheck this time is 300,000. I'll send you 100,000 in a bit; you'll finally see some of that money back. If you don't believe me, I'll show you our photos when I come home for the New Year."
"Is that true?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"Okay, okay, that's good. When can I see this movie on TV? You keep the money, I have enough here."
"Well... it will likely be in theaters first. Just take it. After this role, other productions are already looking for me."
"Alright then... I'll save it for you. You must remember to thank everyone properly. Don't get arrogant..."
This time, Chen Ming didn't feel the slightest bit impatient. He listened to every one of his mother's nags, responding earnestly until she was done, only then hanging up the phone.