Chapter 88: Looking Good
Not only did Yin Chang turn down the other commercial collaborations that wanted to feature Shao Junling, but he was also determined not to let the little guy make any more appearances. After all, his background was sensitive, and Yin Chang couldn't afford any risks.
After that, the two brothers returned to their respective lives.
Not long ago, after talking to Mi Xiu, Yin Chang decided to give acting a try and asked Yao Manhuai to keep an eye out for suitable scripts for him.
A month later, Yin Chang picked a movie from the pile of scripts Yao Manhuai sent him, and Yao Manhuai helped him make the arrangements.
It was said that the producer and director of this script originally came for several D-list actors from the New Star Entertainment company, just looking to recruit some extras.
The director was a semi-newcomer who had only directed two films, and the investment for this script was not large. When they found out that Yin Chang had picked this script, the entire cast and crew were shocked and repeatedly called Yao Manhuai to confirm it was true. After all, Yin Chang's popularity was approaching Mi Xiu's, and a celebrity like him could not be afforded with just a small amount of money.
Yao Manhuai confirmed that it was true and when they asked for the reason, she said, "Because he read the script and really liked your story..."
The director asked nervously, "Then which character does Yin Chang want to play? If it's the male lead... it's a bit difficult because we've already cast Jiang Li. If we replace him..."
Yao Manhuai interrupted, "No, he doesn't want to play the male lead."
The director was both surprised and happy, "He doesn't want to play the male lead? Then which character does he want to play?" They had suitable candidates for male second and male third, but if Yin Chang wanted it, there would be no problem. After all, he was a celebrity with guaranteed box office returns.
Yao Manhuai answered, "The blind man."
"Huh?" The director couldn't believe it. "The blind man?"
Yao Manhuai sighed, "Yes..."
The script was a love story, and also a tragedy, but the overall tone was warm-hearted—The beautiful female lead suffered amnesia after a car accident and forgot everything she had before. The female lead was optimistic and started a new life after her recovery and her favorite thing to do was to take a walk in the nearby park every day.
She met the male second, male third, and male lead on the way... and the "blind man" that Yao Manhuai mentioned was at most a fourth male role. When the female lead went to the park for a walk, the blind man was there feeding the pigeons. He witnessed the development of the female's love life as a passerby.
It was not until the end of the movie that the audience learned that the blind man and the female lead were a couple before losing their memory in the same car accident. After the accident, the female lead lost her memory while the blind man went blind. For the female lead's happiness, the blind man gave up their relationship.
He went to the park near the female lead's house every day at a fixed time, sitting on a fixed chair just to hear her singing as she passed by. After hearing the female lead accept the male lead's confession, he got up quietly and disappeared in the crowd.
…
The reason why Yin Chang liked this script was because of the "blind man".
Because everything the blind man did perfectly embodied his understanding of love—loving someone is not about possessing them, but about wanting to see them happy. If one can't provide happiness, it's better to let them go.
Actually, when Yin Chang told her he wanted to take on this script and play the role of the blind man, Yao Manhuai was also quite surprised. She even wondered how she had mixed in such a third-rate script among the others she sent. But in the end, it was picked by Yin Chang.
Others wanted to play the male lead, or the male second, just to increase their exposure, but Yin Chang treasured a role that didn't even have a line.
Indeed, the blind man had almost no lines in the movie. He only needed to sit in the park and feed the pigeons, and then shed two lines of "touching" tears before the final curtain call...his biggest role would probably be in the flashback with the female lead, which would last no more than three minutes.
To help Yin Chang with some contract details, Yao Manhuai specially brought the producer and director to have a meeting.
Actually, Yin Chang was only playing a fifth male auxiliary character. Normally, there was no need for face-to-face discussions on any issues, just phone calls. But because a celebrity like Yin Chang agreed to play an auxiliary role, the situation was not normal...that's why they brought the screenwriter to the meeting.
As soon as they saw Yin Chang and Yao Manhuai, the director nervously exclaimed, "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. I'm really glad you chose us. We specifically brought the screenwriter here today so that Yin Chang, we can discuss the script and make changes on the spot, such as adding scenes for your character, or even changing the story to a dual male lead."
Yin Chang: "..."
Yin Chang: "Uh, thank you, but it's not necessary. I'm satisfied with the current script. This will be fine."
Regarding adding scenes, Yao Manhuai had also asked him before. However, he felt that even though he had taken training courses for a while, he was still an inexperienced newcomer. Playing a passerby character like this wouldn't be too challenging for him. Moreover, although his role had limited screen time, he essentially served as a "background prop." Whenever the main actors had scenes together, he would be sitting there. In fact, he appeared throughout the movie, which would allowed him to closely observe and learn from other professional actors.
Yao Manhuai had initially been concerned that the script wouldn't be suitable for Yin Chang, but his reasons convinced her otherwise.
She cleared her throat and addressed the production team, "Everything is fine, there's just one thing..."
Producer: "Feel free to make any requests!"
Yao Manhuai said, "I noticed in your proposal that the shooting period is being delayed due to financial issues. Apart from the funding problem, are there any other issues? Such as conflicts with the schedules of other main cast members?"
The producer hesitated and replied, "Actually, none of the main cast members are big stars, so we can adjust their schedules. It's purely a funding problem. The main investor for this film won't release the funds until July next year, which has caused the entire production team's schedule to be pushed back."
"Oh," Yao Manhuai interlocked her fingers and understood, "But honestly, our Yin Chang only has availability before July next year. That's the biggest conflict we see at the moment. So, can you accept Yin Chang bringing in the funding and start shooting earlier?"
Producer, Director, and Screenwriter: "..."
Damn, not only was he willing to take on a role with an extra's pay, but he was also bringing in funding? This was incredible!
In the end, the producer and director shed tears (of joy) while signing the contract with Yin Chang.
In the evening, after a busy day, Yin Chang returned home and found a pile of small gifts on his bedside table. There were folded origami cranes, little stars, and even a complete set of Three Kingdoms hero cards...
Curiously, he picked up a glass jar filled with hand-folded little stars and went to the study to ask Shao Junling, "Is this yours?"
"Um," Shao Junling turned his head, "They're from classmates."
Yin Chang realized the little guy now had his own "fans" and would inevitably receive various gifts.
Seeing Yin Chang lost in thought, Shao Junling thought he might be making assumptions, so nervously added, "It's not protection money. They insisted on giving these to me. There are a few I don't even know. They asked their classmates to bring them to me, but I couldn't find the gifters later."
"Well, since they were given to you, why did you put them on my bedside table?" Yin Chang smiled.
Shao Junling twisted his head back. He grabbed his pen, and faced his workbook in front of him. He muttered softly, "Not useful."
...Did that mean it would be useful for him, an adult?
Yin Chang leaned over, cupped Shao Junling's head and kissed his hair. "Thank you, I appreciate the gesture..."
A rush of warmth brushed by Shao Junling's ear, then quickly receded. The gentle smiling voice softly pierced his eardrums, and sent shivers down his spine.
Yin Chang casually placed the can of small stars on the bookshelf above Shao Junling's head. Then he turned back and brought the other gifts over, one by one placing them in the empty space on the bookshelf. "These are gifts from others. You should keep them for yourself."
Shao Junling didn't look at him, but the reddened earlobes revealed that the little guy was distracted.
Yin Chang rubbed his head and smiled, "Focus on your homework. After you finish, tell me about your day I'll be waiting for you in bed."
Shao Junling: "......"
After washing up, Yin Chang laid in bed and played with his phone. He thought about how Shao Junling had just clarified to him that it wasn't protection money. He laughed because he remembered warning him not to accept protection money and the little guy seemed to have taken this to his heart.
He was quite satisfied with how much his little brother valued him. Yin Chang propped up his head and squinted at Shao Junling in the study.
Shao Junling was busy writing, and was particularly focused when he was doing homework or playing games, so his efficiency was high. During the holidays, Yin Chang was worried about him playing games too much, but now it seemed like he was worried for nothing. That child knew what was important.
... With a work ethic like this, he should be able to succeed in everything he does, right?
Yin Chang's lips curved up slightly. He gazed at Shao Junling’s side profile, and daydreamed about the child growing up under his care and becoming an outstanding man.
In fact, when Yin Chang chose that role, he also considered an advantage that was very important to him - the filming location was in Haicheng, so he could go home every day and see Shao Junling.
Perhaps because he was too tired, Yin Chang gradually became drowsy. He fell asleep as he watched and didn't wake up until he felt a weight beside him.
"Brother," Shao Junling had finished his homework and washed up. His hair was still a little damp. "You fell asleep."
"No, just dozed off for a while." Yin Chang reached out and wiped off the water on his hair.
"I was too slow," Shao Junling muttered regretfully. He snuggled into his brother's arms.
Yin Chang realized he was referring to finishing his homework. He laughed, "What's the rush? If we don't get to talk tonight, we can do it tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere."
This semester, although Shao Junling no longer attended English tutoring classes, he still went to the Taekwondo gym from time to time. According to Fiona, the little guy came back from the gym at 8:30pm today, and it was already good that he could go to bed before 10.
"Is there anything special you want to tell me today?" Yin Chang asked.
"Nothing special, it was pretty much the same as the other days. It's just that we had a grade-level activity class today," Shao Junling said.
"Were you surrounded again?" Yin Chang chuckled.
"Um." Shao Junling sounded a little depressed.
The popularity of "Superstar Life" still had some impact on Shao Junling's life, even though Yin Chang had shielded him from external interference, he'd still become a mini celebrity in school.
Many after-school activities and interest groups in De International were spanned across classes and even grade levels. So now, no matter where Shao Junling went or what he did, people would come up and excitedly surround him, and stare. The outgoing boys and girls would even try to strike up a conversation.
Yin Chang had reminded Shao Junling beforehand to be polite to those who approached him.
But the little kids always said the same boring and repetitive things repeatedly - "Are you Shao Junling?" "Your brother is the superstar Yin Chang?" "I saw you on the show at home!"
The first few times, Shao Junling patiently replied. But when it happened more and more frequently, he became annoyed. He couldn't use force to solve these troubles, so he just felt depressed lately.
"Xue Ziwen doesn't help divide some of the attention?" Yin Chang raised an eyebrow.
"He..." Shao Junling thought for a moment and said dazedly, "He seems pretty happy."
Indeed, compared to Shao Junling, Xue Ziwen was not troubled by these things. He was still laughing and joking with everyone every day, and he got along well with everyone.
"Oh?" Yin Chang could also guess that Xue Ziwen would be better at handling such situations than Shao Junling because of his outgoing personality, "Can't you learn from him?"
"I can't." Shao Junling refused decisively.
Yin Chang snorted and comforted him, "They'll just be curious for a while. But things will get better over time. Even when I wasn't a star, I had to deal with that."
Shao Junling was puzzled, "Why?"
Yin Chang looked at him as if he had asked a silly question, "Because your brother is good looking."
Shao Junling: "......"
Shao Junling: I wouldn't be so slow if I wasn't doing double the homework every day
Yin Chang: When did I ask you to do double the homework?
Shao Junling: Chapter 83, you told me not to waste my intelligence.
Yin Chang: I was referring to the netizens ridiculing you. I wasn't telling you how approach school
Shao Junling: No, your wish is my command! I wanna skip a grade!
Yin Chang: ...... #%$^ ....... Well, good luck.
After Shao Junling and Xue Ziwen appeared on the show, they became very popular in school.
Xue Ziwen: a fish in water.jpg
Shao Junling: real life has become a spy movie - hiding, sneaking around, trembling with fear.jpg
