Chapter 129: Targeting Fan Bingbing

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(Thanks to brothers Longhun, Long Shao, and An Chao for their repeated rewards, and thanks very much to “Ming Yong Tomato” for the reward. Much appreciated. The Black Car will continue to work hard!)

After all, this was a banquet, so Wu Xiang couldn’t be interviewed for too long; everyone was mainly here to drink. Of course, the reporter naturally conducted a freewheeling interview—how could one miss such an opportunity? That’s how news is made.

However, although Wu Xiang was done being interviewed, he had other matters to attend to.

“Director Wu, Brother Bo’s side still refuses to sign. What do you think we should do?” A medium-height young man with a sharp look whispered into Wu Xiang’s ear.

“He won’t sign? What the hell is he playing at?” Wu Xiang knew exactly who he was talking about. This young man was now under Li Xue’er’s management. Li Xue’er and Wu Xiang had co-founded an entertainment company called “Gathering Talent Cultural Brokerage Ltd.” Frankly, the name sounded a bit outdated, but a good name was easier to sustain.

With a company established, you needed people, and this young man was a talent agent named Li Zheyang, responsible for signing Huang Jibo. Originally, he should have been going through Li Xue’er, but since she had no leverage over Huang Jibo, she simply let him come ask Wu Xiang directly.

So why was Huang Jibo refusing to sign?

Li Zheyang was also puzzled. Many others had already signed, including many new faces. Huang Jibo was supposed to have a good relationship with Director Wu; why wouldn’t he sign?

“I don’t know either.”

“No problem, I’ll go ask him,” Wu Xiang understood—probably Huang Jibo had his reasons, and he would have to handle it himself.

Holding two glasses of red wine, Wu Xiang strode purposefully and soon stood before Huang Jibo, handing him a glass. “Hey Brother Bo, what’s going on? Got any issues with me?”

Huang Jibo had already spotted Wu Xiang approaching and naturally took the wine. His reply was interesting: “Yes! I do have issues!”

Though he said that, there was no anger on his face. Wu Xiang was curious, “What kind of issues?”

He just wanted to understand why Huang Jibo wouldn’t sign. After all, becoming a star under the company’s wing wasn’t a small thing. Huang Jibo was already a shareholder of 307, so Wu Xiang wasn’t stingy—he wasn’t planning to hog everything since that would stifle everyone’s initiative. But of course, Wu Xiang was the majority shareholder, having invested the most.

“It’s not a big issue,” Huang Jibo set the tone first. “I just feel that under your management, my roles are limited. I want to go out and try, challenge myself, and explore different characters.”

Wu Xiang listened and couldn’t help but feel this guy was bullshitting him.

“What limitations? What have I restricted you from? Every character you’ve played fits you well.”

Wu Xiang was speaking honestly—he truly cast roles based on who suited them best.

“That’s exactly why! I’m telling you, I want to challenge myself, really!” Huang Jibo shook his head, signaling that he wasn’t listening.

Wu Xiang was at a loss. “Brother Bo, be honest with me. What’s really going on?”

“I just want to go out, get some fresh exposure,” Huang Jibo kept emphasizing. Could it really be true?

“So you’re not filming the next project?”

Wu Xiang could hear it now—could it be this guy had found the artistic spirit?

“Not yours. Your projects are mostly male-centric dramas, boring and uninteresting,” Huang Jibo seemed finally ready to reveal the truth.

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“Male-centric dramas are boring?” Wu Xiang was stunned.

“Yeah, what’s so great about a bunch of big men? This time, I’ve accepted a role, and they were very straightforward!” Huang Jibo’s face lit up with a smile.

“How much?” Wu Xiang asked about his pay.

“30,000 yuan per episode for a TV drama!” Huang Jibo’s small eyes nearly disappeared in his grin.

“Damn!” Wu Xiang was speechless—so this kid had found a good gig. Well, actually, it was fine. Wu Xiang was happy if his friend could develop better opportunities. After all, Wu Xiang wasn’t paying much, so it was normal for him to take other jobs.

But nowadays, 30,000 yuan per episode? Who was that generous?

“What drama? Who’s so generous?” Wu Xiang was curious.

Huang Jibo smirked arrogantly. “How can I say you don’t have the guts? This is just me getting what I deserve. The show is called ‘Lucky Star Pig Bajie.’ Heard of it?”

“That show?” Wu Xiang certainly had heard of it—it was the sequel to the previous “Brilliant Pig Bajie,” a very successful series with outstanding ratings. He recalled Huang Jibo was the lead, playing a very vivid pig character—more pig-like than Bajie.

“You know it?” Huang Jibo was surprised by Wu Xiang’s reaction. Could this guy really know about the show?

“Of course,” Wu Xiang replied casually, then suddenly remembered, “Aren’t there some pretty female stars in that show?”

“Haha...” Huang Jibo laughed slyly.

Damn! Wu Xiang finally found the main reason why Huang Jibo refused to sign and chose to act in this Pig Bajie show—it wasn’t about the 30,000 yuan per episode, but about the actresses!

“Brother, I’m telling you, I have my eye on Fan Bingbing. Look at her—big eyes, heart-shaped face, so enchanting, a real enchantress. And she’s tall, just look at her figure. I figured, why not use the filming opportunity to get to know her...” Huang Jibo’s face turned dreamy; if you didn’t know better, you’d think he was reminiscing about some romantic past.

Wu Xiang’s expression was complicated. “Fan Bingbing? Do you really think you could get her?”

Honestly, anyone familiar with the industry would find it unbelievable if they hadn’t heard the rumors about Fan Bingbing. She was the subject of countless stories—who didn’t have a thing for her? No doubt she worked hard, but the gossip was endless: today this one, tomorrow that one... so many stories.

But were they true?

Wu Xiang really didn’t know.

He had only heard others talk; he’d never met her. Wu Xiang worked in anti-Japanese dramas, and Fan Bingbing rarely acted in those. Her status was high, and Wu Xiang had little contact with her.

But if Wu Xiang had to comment on the rumors, he thought one saying was quite accurate:

Too beautiful to have friends.

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Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, the point was the same: this woman was stunning—that was the root of it all.

“...Hey, if I walked beside her and she, like a delicate bird, leaned into me, I’d show off my masculine charm. Picture that—doesn’t it feel right? A woman like her—imagine what she’d be like in bed? I’d even teach her some cooking skills. Just think about those days...” Huang Jibo grew more animated as he spoke.

“Have you not slept?” Wu Xiang had to interrupt; this guy’s imagination was running wild.

“Why would I sleep during the day?” Huang Jibo looked puzzled.

“Who would go for you?” Wu Xiang almost shouted, not meaning to be rude, but the odds were just too low—and their appearance gap was obvious. Well, Wu Xiang wasn’t superficial, but this was too much.

“How do you know she wouldn’t go for me? Didn’t you say looks don’t matter much in chasing girls? I’ve been sticking to what you told me, and it’s working pretty well,” Huang Jibo said proudly.

Damn, Wu Xiang regretted ever letting him play A Tai. This guy had been thoroughly spoiled!

‘If something goes wrong later, will I get implicated for incitement?’ Wu Xiang thought, breaking out in a cold sweat. ‘No, I have to stop this tragedy from happening!’

“Brother Bo, why don’t you just find someone ordinary, someone you can settle down with?”

“Xiangzi, to be honest, I like women who look like goddesses. She’s perfect.”

“I’m telling you, you don’t match her at all. Don’t waste your time dreaming.”

Wu Xiang no longer cared; he had to be blunt to get through to him.

“I know I don’t match her looks, but that’s not the point. Love isn’t about looks. Besides, a man’s appearance is just an accessory—the real focus is his character and strength. Don’t I have strength? For example, if I signed with you for this drama, would you even let me act?”

You have to admit, Huang Jibo had a point. Logically, that made sense. And given their current status in the industry, Huang Jibo was far ahead—Fan Bingbing wasn’t yet a queen, just a soldier.

“...” Wu Xiang couldn’t stop him; he was out of options. Making up lies to fool him? That wouldn’t work.

The real question was: could those two ever become a couple? If they did, maybe the later events wouldn’t happen. But the answer was clear—Wu Xiang knew they hadn’t even been rumored together.

That was a past life, though. Now there was some hope. After all, Huang Jibo had been armed with Wu Xiang’s powerful theories of love, so maybe he really could win over Fan Bingbing. That would be interesting—very, very interesting!

In fact, Wu Xiang already had plans for a new drama and wanted Huang Jibo to play an important role. This new project wasn’t for just anyone. For example, Huang Xiaoming wouldn’t fit—he was too handsome, not rustic enough.

But now, Huang Jibo was determined to chase his enchantress, so Wu Xiang would have to find someone else for his new drama.