Chapter Sixty-Two: Ge Daqian

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In fact, during this period, Liu Qingshan had already considered the matter of hiring an agent. Even without Lawyer Wang’s suggestion, he had no intention of employing a big-name agent. If it became absolutely necessary, he would at least drastically limit the agent’s authority, because no matter how capable the agent was, they would never understand the secrets he carried.

He always believed that, for him, this profession could only act as a constraint; after all, how could someone who didn’t know his strengths possibly help him realize his true potential? As for the more important question of a management company, his plan was to sign himself under his own studio first. This was crucial for his future development.

Actors, when entering the industry, have no formal employment, no fixed income, and sometimes not even social insurance. There is no such thing as being recruited by a company. All actors live off the boxed meals provided by the crews, spend their own savings, and must fend for themselves when there’s no work. As for social insurance, you either go without or find a place to attach yourself to.

This was precisely Liu Qingshan’s ultimate goal: as long as he had a place to be affiliated with, that would be enough. He was confident that, even without a management company’s operations, he could still find acting opportunities for himself.

Moreover, acting in other people’s film and television projects was only the beginning of his career. Once his studio upgraded into an entertainment company, he would start participating in productions himself.

These thoughts, of course, could not be easily explained over the phone; he trusted that, eventually, he would find a chance to explain everything clearly to Jin Xishan.

“Since you’ve managed to get the Capital TV Station involved in filming, does that mean we’ll be able to watch the footage on television the very next day?”

Even if Jin Xishan didn’t fully understand his true intentions, she could still grasp the most pressing concerns at hand.

Liu Qingshan patiently explained, “Sister Huizhen’s influence isn’t that great—especially when it comes to the personal ups and downs of someone obscure like me. To put it simply, they’re agreeing to film out of personal relationships, but whether it can actually be broadcast will depend on further assessment after the fact.”

“I thought so. Capital TV is a major provincial station; why would they bother with a small-time actor’s gossip?”

“Public platforms must ensure their proper operation and healthy development; strictly enforcing management regulations is a basic principle. Content selection is even more important, and using public resources for private gain is an absolute taboo!”

“It’s rare that you understand all this, so why go to such lengths to choose this kind of exposure?”

“Even provincial stations have entertainment news segments, don’t they? The people Sister Huizhen found for us aren’t news journalists. If our evidence for clarification is solid, it’s perfectly normal for them to give us a ten-second entertainment news snippet, even if they trim it down.”

“The lawyer who gave you this idea—didn’t he ever think about misusing... what’s that saying?”

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“Public office for private gain.”

“That’s right, did he never consider the seriousness of misusing public resources?”

“Using public office for private gain refers to personally appropriating state or public resources. How does my meeting with a reporter relate to that accusation? Besides, it’s just an entertainment report.”

“All right, as long as you understand my concern. I believe with Sister Huizhen’s sharpness, she’d never let you get confused.”

“To be honest, all I need is to borrow some publicity. Besides, there’s some involvement from Brother Chen Long here. He’s an international superstar, and that’s actually why Capital TV is willing to agree.”

“The key is that the evidence you have is very positive.”

“Exactly. And, more importantly, we’ve brought in entertainment reporters, not investigative journalists. That makes all the difference. In any case, only positive reporting can generate public attention and uncover meaningful insights.”

“Fine, you have my approval. But you must remember this: at the press conference, don’t try to steal the spotlight. Stay calm, argue your case rationally, and don’t do anything foolish in the heat of the moment!”

It had to be said, it felt wonderful to have someone genuinely care for him. Even long after Liu Qingshan put down the phone, a smile lingered at the corners of his lips.

Especially for someone like him, who had lost all family, whose background and future were fraught with hardship, a small figure from the very bottom of society. That night, he found he had no desire to sleep at all, sitting alone on the sofa until dawn.

Before the sky was fully light, Liu Qingshan changed into a set of sportswear and began his daily morning exercise, a routine he never skipped. Exiting the east gate of the residential complex, he was at the famous Sanyuan Bridge. Jogging along the wide, unfamiliar streets, his emotions were a mixture of awe and gratitude.

Who would have thought that just months ago, he was a nameless extra lost in the crowd, and now, in the heart of the country, he had found a home?

Phoenix City in 2004 was no match for those truly luxurious Beijing residences, but it was still considered a high-end community. From the excitement of last night to this morning, he was both quietly proud of himself and trying hard to adapt to his new environment and changing mindset.

These were feelings he couldn’t easily share with others, lest he be labeled a show-off or an overnight upstart.

But he greatly enjoyed this quiet happiness, just like his morning jog. Occasionally, he would stoop to pick up a piece of litter and toss it into a trash bin, savoring the simple joy.

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This good mood lasted until 9 o’clock, the time he had agreed to meet with Big-Bearded Zhang’s team.

Even after taking the long route—from Sanyuan Bridge by subway to the meeting place—it only took a little over forty minutes.

Clearly, Liu Qingshan hadn’t timed his departure perfectly, as he still had to wait over ten minutes upon arrival.

Fortunately, the office of the production team investing in “The Return of the Condor Heroes” was not in the main building, but in an annex about a hundred meters away from the Guoshi Building, so there were no armed guards at the entrance.

As luck would have it, just before nine, he happened to run into Big-Bearded Zhang at the door.

Accompanying him was a middle-aged man, who, upon introduction, turned out to be Ge Daqian, a department head at the national channel, responsible for market research and organization in film and television production.

At that moment, Liu Qingshan didn’t realize the significance of this man, only knowing that he represented the main investor in “The Return of the Condor Heroes.”

But judging from the deference Big-Bearded Zhang showed Ge Daqian, it was clear that he held a position of considerable importance at the station.

It was only after sitting down in an office that Liu Qingshan truly perceived the man’s authority.

Yet Ge Daqian’s manner was extremely approachable, though his words were direct and unvarnished: “I hear you’re holding a press conference today?”

Receiving the teacup that Ge Daqian handed him, Liu Qingshan carefully recounted the circumstances.

“So that’s how it is,” Ge Daqian said, pacing the room with his arms folded. “So your evidence comes from Chen Long’s crew? Does it match the actual situation?”

“Director Ge, since the outcome will be clear this afternoon, I suggest we postpone signing the contract by a day. After all, there have been some negative reports about me, and the cast of ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’ cannot afford to have anyone dragging the production down for personal reasons.”

Once he understood the situation, Liu Qingshan immediately offered his opinion.

After all, since the reputation of the national television station was at stake, not even the brightest prospects for “The Return of the Condor Heroes” could justify major errors in casting.