FIMA Ch36: Hidden Passion

“Gu… Gu Siyuan?” Xie Jinzhao was stunned by this sudden action.

But immediately after, he feigned calmness, blinked his eyes, and chuckled unhurriedly: “What, do you also think my suggestion is worth considering?”

Gu Siyuan looked at the person beneath him. His eyelashes were trembling non-stop like a frightened butterfly, yet he still stubbornly glared with his big eyes and talked tough. Gu Siyuan couldn’t help but let out a few low chuckles.

Xie Jinzhao truly flew into a humiliating rage this time: “What… what are you laughing at?”

Holding back his laughter, Gu Siyuan said in a deep, low voice: “I’m laughing because the ancients truly didn’t deceive me. The beauty described in the Odes of Wei actually exists in reality, and Jinzhao is exactly like that. I just wonder, this ice-like skin and jade-like bones, for whom do they inspire pity…”

“My ice-like skin… and jade-like bones?” Xie Jinzhao cast a sidelong glance at him, his smile alluring, intentionally drawing out his tone: “Regarding this, how would you know?”

Gu Siyuan scoffed. His large palm, holding the slender waist, rubbed gently a few times: “Mr. Xie’s memory is truly quite poor. Have you forgotten that when we first met, I was the one who bathed you? At that time, I had already seen your entire body. Finally, when I dried you off, I even personally measured every single inch…”

When he said the last sentence, his voice gradually became light and ethereal. Coupled with the temperature of the large palm on his waist, it was as if he was directly hooking the person into an illusory memory—where, at that time, he was being stroked inch by inch by this person’s rough, large palm.

“…” Xie Jinzhao.

Fuck.

Clearly, from the very first time they met, Gu Siyuan had looked cold, arrogant, noble, and unapproachable. As it turned out, it was all fucking fake. Inside, he was an out-and-out massive closet pervert. Are society and human hearts nowadays all this complex?

Right at this moment, Gu Siyuan’s palm holding his waist moved again, shoving Xie Jinzhao, blanket and all, to the inner side of the bed.

Subsequently, he took out another blanket from the cabinet, covered himself with it on the outer side, and lay down to sleep.

“Speak, what exactly is the matter?”

Xie Jinzhao picked at the thin blanket that had been slept warm by this person, and said slowly: “I’m nervous.”

Gu Siyuan didn’t understand at first. After a long while, he asked in confusion: “Nervous about going to the production crew tomorrow?”

Xie Jinzhao nodded: “Mn.”

Gu Siyuan turned his head to look at him: “This isn’t your first drama, and the investment isn’t large either. Why are you like this? Is it because of the lingering trauma from your last drama?”

Xie Jinzhao didn’t speak.

Gu Siyuan understood.

The drama Xie Jinzhao aired two months ago was a female-centric professional drama adapted from a published IP.

Of course, although it used the title of a professional drama, everyone understood that the professional parts were incredibly disconnected from reality. The main plot was actually romance, and the original work had been padded and altered until it resembled nothing of the sort.

The female lead was Qian Yi, an actress whose seniority and status were a tier higher than Xie Jinzhao’s. Qian Yi was thirty years old this year. She debuted in a hit costume drama and later took the leading role in several major dramas, possessing an extremely high degree of national recognition.

Previously, wanting to break through her acting limits and elevate her commercial value, she switched to filming a few movies. But it was true that there was an invisible wall between the TV drama and movie markets. Regardless of whether she played the lead or a supporting role, all those movies flopped. Not to mention the box office, they didn’t even receive any critical acclaim within the industry.

And this female-centric professional drama was Qian Yi’s comeback work to the TV drama market after failing in films and remaining silent for a year.

Originally, it was highly anticipated by thousands, but no one expected that the final product would have such an effect. Various idiotic scenes and retarded lines were mocked so widely that it reached outside their usual circles.

However, Qian Yi had representative TV drama works and high national recognition, so the public wouldn’t be too harsh on her. But the hostility had to be vented somewhere, so Xie Jinzhao, the high-traffic male lead, naturally became the best outlet.

Although this drama was invested in and produced by Qian Yi’s company, the second male and female leads were from Qian Yi’s company, and the screenwriter was also from Qian Yi’s company.

But the audience didn’t need to see these details. Whatever the mistake, it was definitely the traffic star’s fault.

Whenever it was brought up, people’s impression was just ‘that terrible drama Xie Jinzhao acted in’. Many black fans even took the opportunity to trend the hashtag #XieJinzhaoGetOutOfTheEntertainmentCircle#.

It was precisely because this drama’s reception was so poor that Xie Jinzhao wanted to fade out of the audience’s sight for a period of time.

And in the original world line, the reason Xie Jinzhao was almost instantly universally condemned without any power to fight back after groundless scandals like nude photos broke out—was exactly because it happened shortly after this drama finished airing, when the audience’s impression of him was extremely negative. It was highly combustible, triggering at the slightest touch.

Thinking of Xie Jinzhao’s ultimate ending in his past life, and then thinking of the lively, arrogant Xie Jinzhao of recent days…

An ignorable wave of tender affection rose in Gu Siyuan towards the person beside him.

He raised his hand and stroked the person’s cheek, his fingertips gentle, and then rested his hand on his head.

Xie Jinzhao’s heart softened slightly, feeling that he had actually misunderstood Gu Siyuan; this guy also had a very gentle side.

However, in the next instant, the large palm on his face exerted a slight force. Xie Jinzhao was forced to turn his head to look at Gu Siyuan. At the same time, that familiar, cold voice sounded: “Since that’s the case, are you planning to quit the entertainment circle?”

Xie Jinzhao was stunned, stammering: “It hasn’t… hasn’t reached that point, right?”

Gu Siyuan scoffed: “Although you were initially discovered because of a university campus singing competition, I’ve seen your singing and stage performances. They don’t hold any advantage in the entertainment circle; you’re purely relying on your face to carry you. More than half of your fans were attracted by that explosive hit campus drama. If you don’t continue acting, they will quickly run away. Then what will you rely on to stay in the entertainment circle? Having thick skin?”

“…” Xie Jinzhao.

He came here to seek comfort, right?

Why did it sound like he was an absolute piece of trash with a hopeless life?

Gu Siyuan asked again: “Are you afraid of getting scolded again after this drama finishes filming and airs?”

Xie Jinzhao puffed out his cheeks like a steamed bun and didn’t speak.

Gu Siyuan said: “If you’re so afraid, why don’t you quit the entertainment circle? Reluctant to leave because the money comes fast?”

Xie Jinzhao glared at him.

Gu Siyuan acted as if he didn’t see his gaze, continuing: “If you’re really that afraid, then quit. You don’t have to worry about money. I can base it on your average income from previous years and pay you the exact same amount every year from now on.”

Xie Jinzhao yanked down the large hand pinching his cheek, lunged fiercely onto Gu Siyuan’s body, straddled his waist, and said viciously: “I like acting.”

Gu Siyuan raised his hand again, pressed down on his nape, and stared at him coldly, forcing him to meet his gaze: “I’ve never seen anyone afraid of something they like.”

Pressed down by the arm on his neck, Xie Jinzhao’s entire body was plastered against Gu Siyuan. His waist was sore, and his heart felt uncomfortable.

He suddenly felt a boundless sense of grievance: “But I just like it.”

Gu Siyuan’s arm relaxed slightly, and his tone softened a fraction: “We should have already discussed this topic a few days ago, but it seems you’re still very obtuse. What is the fundamental duty of an actor?”

Sniffling, Xie Jinzhao said: “Choosing scripts and performing.”

Gu Siyuan asked: “Then what do you think of the script and the male lead’s character setting in Brocade Robes and Jade Capital? Are you capable of playing this role?”

Xie Jinzhao thought of the script he read earlier, as well as the acting training Gu Siyuan had given him these past few days: “The script is very good. I think I can act it, and I really want to act in it.”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “Then that’s enough. That is the limit of what an actor can do. By the way, do you know why, out of so many actors in your last drama, only you were scolded the worst? Because you don’t know how to shift the blame.”

Xie Jinzhao frowned, only feeling that Gu Siyuan was about to utter some earth-shattering nonsense.

And sure enough.

Gu Siyuan’s tone remained calm: “Since there’s no problem with the script now, and no problem with you, then if the drama still turns out terribly after it airs, and people even scold you, you must learn to shift the blame so you don’t take the hit. When the time comes, just spend some money to buy PR articles saying that I, your manager, forced you to act in a low-budget script for the money, and that the director and screenwriter were constantly adding and changing scenes for the sake of their cronies. Say that you are purely a victim. You have so many fans, can’t you even get this little voice out there? What are you afraid of…”

Xie Jinzhao was dumbfounded.

This operation is truly something else; what a great manager.

Gu Siyuan looked at him: “Any more questions?”

Xie Jinzhao shook his head, reacting quickly: “No.”

“Very good.” Gu Siyuan nodded, then slightly lifted his chin, signaling for the person sitting on him to get off.

Xie Jinzhao was completely bluffed by him.

Just as he was about to climb off the man’s waist, suddenly, the corners of his lips curved up. Lowering his eyes to look at this man’s handsome-to-the-extreme face, he said in a long, drawn-out tone: “By the way, does what you just said about giving me money every year still count? What does that mean, Mr. Gu? Are you trying to… keep me as your sugar baby?”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Do the young people nowadays, with their good-looking faces, all have such dirty and violent minds on the inside?

What goes on in their heads all day long?

…

That night, Xie Jinzhao slept very well, all the hesitation and fear in his heart completely dissipating.

When he woke up the next morning, he found himself curled up in Gu Siyuan’s embrace. Facing that person’s suspicious gaze, he very calmly flirted right back.

After eating breakfast, he and Gu Siyuan took their pre-packed luggage and boarded the flight heading to the film studio city.

The drama Brocade Robes and Jade Capital was a fictional historical costume drama. The main plot was the story of the male and female leads working together to solve cases and ultimately exposing the true culprit behind the scenes.

There weren’t any particularly outstanding or beautiful outdoor scenes needed, so they only had to stay in the Hengdian World Studios the entire time. This coincidentally saved a lot of costs.

After arriving at the hotel and having lunch, Gu Siyuan and Xie Jinzhao officially met with the director and the others.

Director Wang hadn’t really paid attention to Xie Jinzhao’s type of actors in the past. So, when he first saw Xie Jinzhao and Gu Siyuan arriving together, he momentarily couldn’t distinguish which of the two was the actor—after all, both possessed such exceptionally peerless good looks.

It wasn’t until Gu Siyuan opened his mouth to greet them that he abruptly snapped back to reality. This voice was truly too familiar to him during this recent period; calling it a life-saving voice wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

This pre-filming meeting went very smoothly.

Xie Jinzhao had always been an easy person to serve. As long as it was guaranteed there were no problems with the script, he didn’t make any demands of the production crew. Even for the convenience of communication, he stayed in this budget express hotel along with the other cast and crew members.

Director Wang and the others let out a huge sigh of relief, their impression of traffic stars changing quite a bit.

And what made Director Wang even more excited was that after reviewing their preliminary shooting schedule, sets, and costumes, Gu Siyuan actually decided to add investment.

Brocade Robes and Jade Capital was an A-level investment drama produced by Director Wang’s company and broadcast on the Green Fruit Platform. The total investment from both sides was 110 million RMB, which included the post-production publicity and marketing fees.

Over a hundred million ah—it truly looked like a lot. But in this current era of skyrocketing prices, the daily studio rent and the wages for hundreds of extras and workers would send nearly a million flowing out like water every day.

Therefore, they couldn’t be as meticulous with the set decorations, costumes, and jewelry.

Regarding this, Gu Siyuan, who always strove for perfection, certainly couldn’t agree.

Gu Siyuan looked at Director Wang: “I can invest an additional 50 million.”

The director’s eyes widened.

On current trending searches, you could occasionally see some actors clamoring that they had acting skills but no good scripts to shoot, and no directors or producers seeking them out—especially those top-tier A-list actors.

But honestly speaking, having mingled in the entertainment circle for so many years, even if their family wealth wasn’t in the tens of billions, they definitely had a few hundred million. Their networks were also very rich. If they wanted to film a good script, putting up the money themselves to assemble a team was definitely possible.

But why did they always just shout about it but never be willing to take any action?

Because they were afraid of taking risks.

Data showed that out of all investments, film and television investments had the highest rate of losing money.

As an actor, as long as they followed the steps and finished filming the entire drama, they would have a fixed salary of tens of millions to take home. Even if it filmed poorly and they got scolded a bit, for those A-list actors with stable status, it was merely a painless scratch.

But pulling together a team to produce it themselves? If it didn’t film well, what they’d lose was real gold and silver. With safe money to be earned, who wanted to worry and take that risk?

Director Wang rubbed his hands, unable to resist asking once more: “Are you serious?”

“Mn,” Gu Siyuan nodded.

Director Wang was overly excited, asking hurriedly: “Don’t you need to discuss it with Jinzhao for a bit?”

Gu Siyuan said calmly: “I can make the decisions regarding his matters.”

At this time, Gu Siyuan asked again: “How much is the final reserved publicity budget for this drama?”

Director Wang held up a finger: “15 million.”

Gu Siyuan continued: “There’s no need. Convert all of it into production fees. I’ll take over the subsequent publicity and distribution. Convert this publicity fee and those 50 million together into an investment share and factor it in.”

“Really?” Director Wang rubbed his hands repeatedly in excitement, just wanting to rush up, hug Gu Siyuan, and call him ‘Daddy’.

“That’s great, that’s just great.”

He previously filmed anti-Japanese war dramas and auntie dramas. These absolutely didn’t need any publicity investments; as long as they aired on TV, the uncles and aunties would actively watch them if they found them decent while flipping channels.

So, truth be told, he really didn’t have any special publicity channels on new media and the internet, and was currently stressing out over the upcoming publicity.

And Gu Siyuan, as the manager of the mega traffic star Xie Jinzhao, definitely had connections and experience in this area. When the time came to operate it, it would definitely be much better than his first-time attempt.

Like an emperor, after Gu Siyuan finished inspecting everything related to this drama, he prepared to leave.

He called out to Xie Jinzhao, exchanged a few greetings, and stated that he would come see him again tomorrow.

The female lead Lu Ruowen was running lines with Xie Jinzhao. Seeing Gu Siyuan leave, she asked curiously: “Teacher Xie, doesn’t your manager stay with you?”

“…” Xie Jinzhao.

How was he supposed to explain that his manager couldn’t bear hardships, and was abandoning him, a popular A-list traffic star, to go stay in the only five-star hotel in this town by himself?

He’s just that tyrannical and loaded.

Six days later was the auspicious date Director Wang had found someone to calculate. It was the date for the official start of filming for Brocade Robes and Jade Capital.

And the night before filming started was the day the episode of Who is the Adventure King recorded by Gu Siyuan and Xie Jinzhao went online and aired.

That night, Gu Siyuan also put down his noble airs, squeezed into Xie Jinzhao’s room, and watched this episode of the program with him.

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