Top Dupe CH 034 Luo Yu VS Ou Juntao Part 1
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Is it a call from the crew? Was Brother Luo not chosen?" Ye Shengyi asked nervously.
Sister Cui hesitated to speak, forced out a smile and said: "It's not the call from the crew... Let's eat first, and then we'll talk after we finish the meal."
Ye Shengyi breathed out and patted his chest, “Phew! With my carefully crafted appearance, coupled with Brother Luo's looks and acting skills, how could he have lost the role! If… if he did, then there must be something fishy!”
Luo Yu looked at Sister Cui's expression, and combined with what he recalled from the timeline of his previous life, he guessed that this call should be from Bo Wenyuan's secretary.
"Sister Cui, did Weiwei tell you that Zhuque Media doesn't plan to renew my contract?" Luo Yu lifted the teapot and refilled the hot tea for Sister Cui.
"You… how did you know?" Sister Cui looked up at Luo Yu.
At this time, Luo Yu's expression did not change. He was lifting the teapot in one hand and holding his sleeve with the other hand, just like a painting.
With such superior conditions and such temperament, yet Zhuque Media did not want him. This was not only ungrateful, but also short-sighted.
"What's not to know? Is it so hard to guess Bo Wenyuan's thoughts?" Luo Yu smiled.
"I just don't understand what Bo Wenyuan is thinking. You didn't have any good news before, but the recent hot searches are all positive comments about you by the crew of "Counterattack". I don't believe Bo Wenyuan hasn't heard that Lin Yue values you so much. Once "Counterattack" is released, you will be very popular! If Zhuque Media doesn't want you, there will definitely be other companies rushing to sign you!"
"But even if I finally have success, how much profit could I bring to Bo Wenyuan? I am far less valuable than the few online dramas that the company is cooperating with Dijun Media on. Believe me, Bo Wenyuan also hesitated when he decided not to renew the contract with me. After all, there are no artists in the company who could be trending as much as I am."
However, compared to Luo Yu's uncertain future, Bo Wenyuan would rather seize the actual benefits provided by Dijun Media.
"Then... what should we do?" Sister Cui hadn't found a new company for Luo Yu yet.
Even if they decided to work alone, it was not easy to survive in this circle without certain funds or background.
Luo Yu held his chin and smiled, "What do you mean what should we do? I was originally worried that Bo Wenyuan would not let me go and wanted to take advantage on both sides. Now he is bent on following Dijun Media, even if "Counterattack" has made me famous. How much help can someone with Bo Wenyuan's IQ give me? If, like five years ago, he plans to strike while the iron is hot and force a bunch of rubbish roles on me, I will be covered in rubbish again. The fact I can go to the audition for "Counterattack", and then the audition of "Storm", is all thanks to Bo Wenyuan not thinking about me."
After Luo Yu finished speaking, Sister Cui suddenly felt enlightened.
As long as there were good roles, even if you don't become a big hit, you could still make a living in this industry.
It was better than being exploited by Bo Wenyuan. This guy would only throw out the fresh rice in Luo Yu's bowl, and then stuff a bowl full of indigestion-inducing leftovers.
Oh, now there weren't even leftovers.
Ye Shengyi, who was looking at the boiled fish and wondering if he could move his chopsticks, also spoke, "Although I am not from Zhuque Media, I am also Brother Luo's exclusive makeup artist today, and the feeling I have is like... my daughter has married the wrong man and the scumbag is finally willing to get a divorce, so it makes no sense for the parents to still want to beg the scumbag not to divorce, right?"
"Ahem… this metaphor is a bit… hehe… but it's not wrong."
Luo Yu rewarded Ye Shengyi with a large spoonful of boiled fish.
Sister Cui nodded and said, "That's right. Putting it that way, I suddenly long for Bo Wenyuan to ask us to finish the process earlier. Otherwise, when "Storm" informs us that you passed the audition and Dijun Media wants to suppress you again and send Bo Wenyuan to reject the crew for you in the name of the company, now that's a headache!"
Just as she was talking, Sister Cui's cell phone rang again. This time it was really a call from the crew of "Storm", saying that the role of Huo Haoyan had been confirmed to be given to Luo Yu, and that the remuneration and related contracts could be negotiated tomorrow.
When Sister Cui heard the news, she almost jumped on the table and hugged Luo Yu.
"This is really a blessing in disguise!"
Let that dog Bo Wenyuan regret it!
Ye Shengyi reminded: "Keep calm, Sister Cui, keep calm. Before the termination contract is finalized, don't let that Bo... Bo Qinglang know that Brother Luo won this role. Otherwise, he will think of this or that and make it difficult for Brother Luo!" (TN: play on Bo Wenyuan's name, Bo Qinglang literally translates to fickle lover/scumbag)
"What the hell is a Bo Qinglang!" Sister Cui didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Don't worry, I will keep my mouth shut."
"Okay, now that these major events have been concluded, let's eat!" Luo Yu said loudly.
While they were having a lively dinner, on Gu Xiaowei's side he had just finished today's shooting and returned to his room.
He fell back on the bed a little tiredly and turned on his phone. The first thing he did was to open WeChat, but the people who sent him messages were makeup artist Brother Yan and his agent Meng Yu.
He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, as if some expectation had been disappointed.
He first clicked on his agent's message, which was about other scripts he had come across. He replied that he was still filming "Counterattack" and would not read other scripts for the time being. Then he clicked on Brother Yan's message.
[The audition look styled by my apprentice for Luo Yu. Isn’t he handsome?]
Gu Xiaowei seemed to suddenly regain some energy, sat up slowly, and clicked on the attached photo.
After the photos were loaded and the screen turned on, the whole room seemed to suddenly become brighter. The person on the screen was handsome and elegant, with a look of composure that stood firm despite the storm.
Gu Xiaowei enlarged the photo and could clearly see the young man's facial features and expression. His aura was completely different from Bai Ying's, making it difficult to figure out——just how many sides did he have?
"The hair was cut short… what a pity..."
Gu Xiaowei stretched out his hand, as if lifting a strand of someone's hair in the void.
At the same time, photographs of Luo Yu by a certain crew assistant when he was attending the audition also found their way into Ou Juntao's hands.
He was sitting alone in the office on the top floor. Late at night, the lights outside the floor-to-ceiling windows were bright.
When agent Hao Xiang came back with the newcomers this afternoon, he mentioned to him that Luo Yu also went to audition.
As a veteran agent of the company, Hao Xiang also knew that Ou Juntao suppressed Luo Yu, but he still expressed his true feelings when he saw Luo Yu in person——which was astoundment.
When he came to Chairman Ou's office, Hao Xiang reported on today's audition and said bluntly: “Chairman Ou, I still think that even if we could make Luo Yu lose some roles, Dijun Media also has competitors, and they would still give Luo Yu opportunities! With Luo Yu’s superior conditions and ability, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes famous.”
"Nonsense. Don't I know what he looks like?" The air pressure around Ou Juntao was very low.
Hao Xiang saw Ou Juntao's impatience and sighed in his heart. Dijun Media had already reached a lack of talents. There was something he had to say: “Chairman Ou... this is really not just a matter of looks."
At this point, Ou Juntao raised his hand to signal Hao Xiang not to say any more.
Hao Xiang felt very regretful. Even half a year ago, if Dijun Media was willing to extend an olive branch to Luo Yu again, the other might be willing.
But now, for Luo Yu, it was better to choose a medium-sized brokerage company like Vision Media than Dijun Media.
Not to mention that Lin Yue may have recommended Luo Yu to Xinghan Pictures.
That night, Ou Juntao's secretary went to the crew of "Storm" to inquire and confirmed that the role of Huo Haoyan was given to Luo Yu.
Ou Juntao's secretary also hinted to the crew that if Luo Yu was replaced, Dijun Media would be willing to send someone over for free.
But unexpectedly, the crew said that director Xu Han was very determined, and the producer and assistant director were also very satisfied with Luo Yu. Even if they paid the crew instead, it would be difficult to replace Luo Yu.
In other words, unless Luo Yu made a principled mistake, he could not be replaced.
The number one legal issue was tax issues... Luo Yu's salary over the years had not been much, and it was withheld and paid by Zhuque Media. In this way, even if there were tax issues, it was Zhuque Media's fault.
As for sex scandals... The only prominent role that Luo Yu had filmed in the past two years was a college student who went to the countryside. The role was that of a character who didn’t even have a scene with a female actress.
And speaking of "Counterattack", even if they slandered him for having thoughts about Xie Shang on the set? A toad wanting to eat swan meat? But if Xie Shang was dragged into the water, who knew how Honghe Film and Television would strike back. Moreover, if Xie Shang clarified on Weibo that Luo Yu had not behaved disrespectfully towards her, the black water would not be poured out anyway.
It was not like they could once again bring up the enmity between him and He Mu, right? He Mu already publicly apologized on Weibo and acknowledged his acting skills. If they continue to bring up those negative materials now, He Mu would easily be attacked by his anti fans.
After thinking about it, he really couldn't find any principled mistakes to lay on Luo Yu.
The secretary could imagine Ou Juntao's extremely unhappy expression, but for some reason she felt that it was time for Ou Juntao to change his concepts and thoughts. If he wanted to tame someone, how could he just rely on suppression? It's okay if this person had nothing but good looks. But as long as one had some ability, they would be difficult to control.
The secretary raised an eyebrow and sent Ou Juntao the photos taken by the crew of "Storm" during Luo Yu's audition.
Ou Juntao was stunned the first time he clicked it.
He originally thought that the stunning effect brought by Bai Ying with long hair was just short-lived, but the man in the photo seemed to be so handsome that he could harvest all the worldly love, hate, anger and obsession.
Luo Yu had become a better self. His beauty had nothing to do with sexual preference. Being used to seeing men and women wearing makeup and powder masks in the entertainment industry, the moment Ou Juntao saw the photos, his mood was like mist suddenly parted by the light of the sky, with just one glance it was impossible to forget.
Luo Yu's heart had also become stronger.
Previously, he deliberately put pressure on Bo Wenyuan to force Luo Yu to give up some roles, and he succeeded.
He knew that the contract between Luo Yu and Zhuque Media was about to expire, and he could ask Bo Wenyuan to reject the role of Huo Haoyan in the name of the agency before it expired.
But this was meaningless, because the director of "Storm" Xu Han was naturally rebellious. As long as he knew that this was not the intention of Luo Yu himself, he could wait until Luo Yu's contract expired before directly signing a contract with him. So for such a meaningless thing, Ou Juntao didn't bother to say another word to Bo Wenyuan.
And Xu Han was not stupid. No agency would refuse such a good role and opportunity to its own actors. Once he analyzed it further, he would know that it was forced by Dijun Media.
"Storm" was a project of Xinghan Pictures, and Xu Han was one of the three major directors under Xinghan Pictures. If Luo Yu refused the role, Xinghan Pictures might have misunderstood that Ou Juntao was deliberately trying to cause trouble. Although there would be no open confrontation, Xu Han would definitely be unhappy and would never give Dijun Media artists any opportunities in the future.
After thinking about it for a while, Ou Juntao found that he was helpless to do anything against Luo Yu.
Luo Yu was no longer as naive as he was a few years ago. It was impossible for him to renew the contract with Bo Wenyuan, so Ou Juntao could not use Bo Wenyuan to suppress Luo Yu.
In fact there was no need to wait for "Counterattack" to be aired. Luo Yu could simply sign with a better company after being introduced by important directors in the industry such as Lin Yue and Xu Han.
An actor like him was Xinghan Films’ favorite.
Ou Juntao's fingers vigorously touched the photos on the screen, his eyes gradually becoming gloomy and obsessed.
If he wanted to own this beautiful skylark, he must first lure it into a cage, making it think that it was free and could fly out of the cage at any time.
When it relaxed its vigilance, he could then close the cage with a "click".
Ou Juntao called his secretary and asked the legal department to prepare a contract with conditions that no one could refuse.
At around nine o'clock in the evening, Luo Yu and company finished dinner, and Sister Cui sent Ye Shengyi home.