diymy Chapter 72 No such person found
Chapter 72 No such person found
Zhang Baizhi turned and ran.
Her high ponytail swung in an arc behind her, and she stepped on the hem of her school uniform, causing her to stumble and almost fall to the ground.
The assistant reacted quickly, catching her as the two stumbled back into the school.
Ren Pingsheng stood at the school gate, facing the reporters.
"Dear teachers, please do not enter the filming location," he raised his hand, his voice not loud, but clear enough.
Dapeng and Baike stood on either side of him behind him, completely blocking the door.
Qiao San was even more direct; shoving it there was more effective than a door panel.
A male reporter with a camera rushed to the front, "Can you reveal some specific information about your production team? What role does Cecilia Cheung play in your production?"
Ren Pingsheng did not answer this question.
"Let me introduce myself first. I am Ren Pingsheng from Shengping Vision Media, and also the director of 'Report to the Boss,' 'Unexpectedly,' and 'Men's Diary 1.'"
The reporters' attention was drawn to the name, and several of them exchanged glances. Someone started searching for the name on their phone.
"We are currently filming a movie called 'Old Boys,' and the male lead is Da Peng, who is also Dong Chengpeng, a disciple of Zhao Benshan." He patted Da Peng on the shoulder.
"As you all saw just now, Teacher Shen Yang is here to support his junior."
Several microphones were thrust out at once.
"Director Ren, could you reveal some details about the plot of this movie?"
"The story of two middle-aged men pursuing their dreams," Ren Pingsheng carefully chose his words, only saying what he could, "about the youth and regrets of our generation."
"Is the Zhao family's entire troupe involved in a project invested in by Ben San Media?"
"No, it's about how we view our own work throughout our lives. The Zhao family troupe emphasizes unity, and Dapeng is the most qualified to speak on this."
Dapeng chimed in, "Yes, my master is very supportive of me, and my fellow disciples take great care of me. I'm grateful."
The reporters were led to talk about the movie and Zhao Benshan's troupe for a few minutes, but some were still persistent.
"Director Ren, you haven't answered Cecilia Cheung's question yet."
Ren Pingsheng glanced at the reporter and smiled.
"Ms. Zhang should respond to this matter herself. I am not in a position to speak on her behalf. However, I can say that the cast has not been finalized yet, and it is not convenient to disclose it at this time."
This statement is even harsher than a direct denial.
The reporters pressed for more questions, which Ren Pingsheng brushed off briefly before dismissing them, citing the need to avoid delaying the filming schedule.
When I returned to the set, Cecilia Cheung was gone.
The assistant stood at the door of the dressing room, her face ashen.
"Director Ren, Cecilia said she wasn't feeling well and left through the back door to go back to the hotel."
Ren Pingsheng nodded. "Okay."
No further words were needed.
Zhang Baizhi's scenes were not filmed today.
But Ren Pingsheng had already gotten what he wanted.
……
Over the next two days, the news unfolded as expected.
The titles are incredibly varied.
Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Cecilia Cheung was secretly spotted on the set of a film in Yanjing, sparking rumors of a comeback.
"Xiao Shenyang, Dapeng, and Zhang Baizhi gather in a mysterious film crew. After 'A Simple Noodle Story,' is Zhao Benshan's troupe crossing over into filmmaking again?"
"Cecilia Cheung's first public appearance since the sex scandal, dressed as a student in a school uniform, sparks controversy."
The first two comments were relatively normal, but the third comment included a picture of her turning and running away from behind, and you can imagine what the comments section was like.
"Wearing a school uniform? She still has the nerve to wear a school uniform?"
"Please, stop polluting our eyes."
"Isn't it embarrassing that Xiao Shenyang is in the same production crew as her?"
The curtains in the hotel suite were drawn tightly shut.
The assistant paced back and forth in the room, his phone ringing incessantly, all calls from Hong Kong.
"Sister Cecilia, Brother Tingfeng asked if you want to go back to Hong Kong to avoid trouble for a while."
Zhang Baizhi huddled in the corner of the sofa, her knees drawn up to her chest, staring at the laptop on the coffee table.
The screen was still on, displaying the entertainment section of a major portal website, where her photo of fleeing in a panic was featured prominently.
"Go back? What for?" Her voice was dry, as if she hadn't drunk water for days.
"At least... I don't have to face these things."
Cecilia Cheung closed her laptop. "If I run away now, they'll only write worse things. 'Cecilia Cheung's comeback failed, and she slunk back to Hong Kong.' Do you think that's a good headline?"
The assistant shut up.
Zhang Baizhi closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa.
……
Life Story Studio.
Aside from the scenes featuring the school beauty, filming for "Old Boys" is nearing its end.
"Pingsheng, we haven't heard from Zhijie for two days. Could she have really run away?"
Ren Pingsheng sat in front of the editing table without looking up. "It doesn't matter whether she comes or not. She doesn't have many scenes to begin with. If she really can't come, we'll replace her."
"Who should we replace them with?" Da Peng sat up. "We're almost done filming, where are we going to find a suitable replacement?"
"There is a safety net plan."
In fact, he was more aware of the risks of this film than Da Peng was.
The outside world only saw the miracle of the original version of "Old Boys" becoming an overnight sensation online, as if it were a myth of two grassroots people achieving success against all odds.
But as someone in the industry, Ren Pingsheng knew all too well the capital forces behind it.
The original "Old Boys" is the only feature film in the "11 Degrees of Youth Film Project" jointly launched by Youku and China Film Group.
Han Sanping's name alone is enough to attract media attention, and with the full support of Youku's resources and the months-long pre-release hype surrounding the first 10 short films, "Old Boys" naturally carries the momentum of a grand finale as the finale.
Not to mention the participation of cross-industry celebrities such as Ning Caishen and Zhang Yadong, who bring their own topics and fans.
In an era when Weibo was maturing and influential figures were in dire need of high-quality content to express their sentiments, it garnered an astonishing exposure of over 100 million views.
And now?
In early 2010, the new Lang Weibo had just over ten million registered users, which was one-fifth of the number when the original version was launched.
Sohu and Tencent haven't even entered the market yet, and the star power and user base of the entire internet platform are simply not on the same level.
Without official endorsement and definite platform support, the internet ecosystem is severely inadequate.
This is why Ren Pingsheng had to resort to any means to drag others down with him.
However, now that Xiao Shenyang has successfully sparked a buzz, the issue of the female lead's fame is no longer so critical.
Therefore, even if Cecilia Cheung really backs out, he has a backup plan.
"A backup plan?" Da Peng was taken aback. "You're still hiding someone else?"
"Hmm, a girl from the Central Academy of Drama," Ren Pingsheng glanced at his watch. "I already had Xiao Ai inquire at the Central Academy of Drama this morning. Judging by the time, we should have some news."
He was referring, of course, to Qiu Ya Wang Zhi, who would become an overnight sensation after starring in "Goodbye Mr. Loser".
Although the specifics of her situation before filming "Goodbye Mr. Loser" are unclear, it is known that she was a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama.
Once we find the person, everything else is negotiable.
Just then, the phone on the table rang.
It was Xiao Ai calling.
"Hey, Xiao Ai, have you found the person?" Ren Pingsheng answered the phone.
"The school says... there is no student named Wang Zhi."
"No?"
"Yes, Brother Pingsheng, the school was very cooperative after reviewing our information. They went through the entire list of the acting department and there was no one named Wang Zhi. I was afraid of missing someone, so I even asked the directing department and the drama department, and I went through the lists of the continuing education college and the arts academy, but there really wasn't anyone named Wang Zhi."
Ren Pingsheng frowned.
Impossible, he clearly remembered that Wang Zhi was from the Central Academy of Drama.
Unless, of course, her name isn't Wang Zhi yet.
Changing names is very common in the entertainment industry, especially before and after entering the industry. Many people will change their stage name based on the advice of their agents or their personal preferences.
If "Wang Zhi" is a name she changed later, then she might now be living under any real name he doesn't know, somewhere in the world.
All he knew was a face and a later name.
This is troublesome.
The Central Academy of Drama's acting department, along with other departments, has had at least several thousand female graduates in recent years. He can't possibly go to the school to ask for photos and recognize each one's face, can he?
"Xiao Ai, come back first."
"it is good."
The phone hangs up.
Ren Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
Forget about it for now.
The role of the school beauty must be decided as soon as possible; the longer it is delayed, the higher the cost will be.
If Wang Zhi can't be found, then we'll have to look for someone else.
As Ren Pingsheng was thinking, his phone vibrated again.
He looked down and saw a familiar name on the caller ID.
Gong Yu.