Chapter 15#
【Chapter 015】#
Jing Shun signed the contract with the production team and officially received the confirmed time for the first round of filming.
The filming location was in Hai City itself, which made the trip quite convenient. Even so, Jing Shun still arrived early at Hai City Satellite TV’s Studio No. 1.
Yu Xiuzhu, his nominal agent, came along with him.
As soon as the two entered the recording hall, a familiar greeting reached them. “Xiuzhu, you’re already here?”
“…”
Jing Shun and Yu Xiuzhu both looked toward the source of the voice.
The newcomer appeared to be just over forty. A black cotton-padded jacket made his figure look stout and solid. Behind a pair of glasses on his fleshy face, his eyes crinkled in a smile as he walked over to them.
Jing Shun didn’t recognize this unfamiliar face, but Yu Xiuzhu responded to the greeting. “Producer Meng, hello.”
Meeting Jing Shun’s questioning gaze, Yu Xiuzhu acted as the go-between. “Xiao Jing, this is one of the show’s producers, Meng Zhide.”
“Producer Meng, this is Jing Shun, whom I mentioned before. He’s also a signed artist under Bamboo Grove Agency.”
“Oh~”
Meng Zhide gently pushed up his glasses, his gaze lingering briefly on Jing Shun’s legs beneath the lenses.
Jing Shun confirmed the identity of the visitor and put on a polite smile. “Hello, Teacher Meng. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jing Shun. Thank you very much to you and the production team for giving me this opportunity to record.”
Meng Zhide saw his appearance clearly and became even more interested. “You’re too kind.”
There were quite a few child stars in the entertainment industry, but many of them were merely flashes in the pan—
No matter how talented a young actor was, as they grew and developed, they could easily “grow crooked or decline,” eventually completely disappearing from public view.
Nowadays, the number of actors and artists who debuted as child stars and remained active in the industry was pitifully few.
Meng Zhide had seen countless people, and Jing Shun’s bone structure and skin texture were among the best. “I’ve seen your childhood films and TV works. You’ve grown more and more exquisite and beautiful. Not bad.”
“…”
Faced with Meng Zhide’s sudden praise, Jing Shun was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yu Xiuzhu helped him respond. “Producer Meng, this is our Xiao Jing’s first time on this show. We hope you’ll take good care of him and give him more screen time later.”
“Easy, easy.”
Meng Zhide smiled and gestured for them to walk inside together. “You came too early. The other guest teams are still on their way. How about we sit in my lounge for a bit? Chat?”
Jing Shun and Yu Xiuzhu exchanged a glance. Given Meng Zhide’s status, it was hard to refuse.
“Alright, then we’ll trouble you, Producer Meng.”
…
“Teachers, please enjoy.”
The assistant placed the purchased coffee on the coffee table and tactfully withdrew.
Meng Zhide picked up a cup first, starting the conversation. “Actually, this time it’s thanks to Jing Shun stepping in to fill the vacant guest spot at the last minute. Xiuzhu, you’ve done the production team a huge favor!”
“If I get the chance another day, I’ll have to treat you both to a meal separately.”
“Producer Meng, you’re being too polite.” Yu Xiuzhu was well-versed in entertainment industry rhetoric and handled it effortlessly on Jing Shun’s behalf. “Xiao Jing just said on the way here that he felt like he was the one getting lucky.”
Jing Shun also knew his manners. “Teacher Meng, if anyone should treat, it should be me thanking you.”
Meng Zhide laughed heartily, clearly pleased with their words.
Ding~ Ding-ding~
Yu Xiuzhu’s phone rang with an incoming call, interrupting the conversation.
He saw the contact name on the screen and stood up with slight apology. “Producer Meng, it’s Sister Yin calling. I’ll step outside to take it.”
The “Sister Yin” he mentioned was another producer of the show, Yu Yinhe.
Meng Zhide nodded. “Sure, go ahead. That’ll give me and Xiao Jing a chance to chat casually.”
“Mm. Xiao Jing, wait here for a bit.”
Yu Xiuzhu patted Jing Shun’s shoulder and quickly walked out the door, answering the call.
The lounge door was left slightly ajar.
Jing Shun looked at Meng Zhide not far away, a hint of awkwardness and unease creeping into his eyes.
He had grown up surrounded by film crews. In the past, he had never feared interacting with strangers and could easily strike up a conversation with anyone. But times had changed—
In the years following the accident in his previous life, he had secretly rejected and avoided all normal social interactions due to his disabled legs, gradually becoming reluctant to communicate with outsiders.
Now, suddenly sitting opposite a producer from the industry, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous.
Meng Zhide noticed the emotion hidden in Jing Shun’s brow. He picked up an unopened cup of coffee and moved closer. “A bit nervous? Want some?”
Jing Shun didn’t like coffee, but out of politeness, he accepted it. “Thank you, Teacher Meng.”
Meng Zhide showed concern. “I saw the trending topic about the on-set accident on Weibo before. I really felt sorry for you. I heard from Xiuzhu that you’re having surgery next month? What are the chances of recovery?”
When this topic came up, Jing Shun’s gaze dimmed slightly.
Even though Old Professor Song had said the chances of a full recovery from surgery were high, the shadow of his past life still lingered. He didn’t dare make any guarantees about his own future.
Jing Shun found it inconvenient to confide too much in an outsider, so he simply answered, “Mm, surgery is scheduled. For now, I don’t know what the recovery will be like.”
If recovery went well, there was still hope for his future.
If recovery was only average, perhaps…
“This might be my last public appearance for work.”
Jing Shun snapped back to the present and steered the conversation back to the show. “Teacher Meng, although I’m not as mobile as others, I’ll try my best not to cause any trouble for the production team.”
“Hey, what’s this about trouble?”
Meng Zhide pushed up his glasses and offered words of comfort. “Life is long. Who doesn’t experience pain or illness? Isn’t it enough if someone is willing to lend a hand?”
As he spoke, he suddenly patted Jing Shun’s thigh. “Even if you don’t fully recover, it’s fine. If I come across a suitable opportunity in the future, I can still recommend you.”
The pressure of his palm rubbing against Jing Shun’s leg came through the fabric, and Jing Shun immediately felt a wave of discomfort.
But before he could say anything, Meng Zhide had already withdrawn his hand, leaning back casually against the sofa. “With a face like yours, it’d be a shame not to stay in the entertainment industry.”
“…”
Jing Shun’s thoughts paused. He felt something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Before he could figure it out, the lounge door opened again.
Yu Xiuzhu walked in, followed by a woman with a cold, striking appearance—Yu Yinhe.
Yu Yinhe glanced at Meng Zhide lounging on the sofa and gave him a crisp instruction. “Old Meng, it’s time. You’re in charge of today’s pre-recording meeting. Don’t forget.”
“The other artists and the styling team should be arriving soon. I’ll take Xiuzhu and Jing Shun upstairs first.”
Although both were producers on the show, Yu Yinhe held more authority within the production team.
Meng Zhide had no choice but to comply. He stood up. “Mm, got it. I’m going.”
Yu Xiuzhu walked over to Jing Shun and gently patted the back of his wheelchair. “Xiao Jing, time for hair and makeup. Let’s go.”
Jing Shun felt a wave of relief. “Okay.”
…
Hai City Satellite TV’s Studio No. 1 was quite large, spanning six floors in total. The production team’s exclusive reception area was on the fifth floor.
While waiting for the elevator, Yu Yinhe took the initiative to talk with Jing Shun. “Jing Shun, if you encounter any inconvenience during the recording, just let us know directly.”
“Taking care of every guest is what the production team should do. Don’t be afraid to trouble us.”
“Also, once the show’s episodes air, I’ll have people monitor online discussions in real time. We won’t maliciously use your physical condition as a marketing gimmick, so you don’t need to have any psychological burden.”
With just a few sentences, she resolved the lingering concerns in Jing Shun’s mind.
Gone was the awkwardness he had felt dealing with Meng Zhide. He sincerely thanked her. “Thank you, Producer Yu.”
“No need to be so formal.” Yu Yinhe glanced at Yu Xiuzhu beside her, shedding some of her usual coldness. “Xiuzhu treats you like a younger brother. Taking care of family is only natural.”
Hearing this, Yu Xiuzhu chuckled. “Then I’ll thank ‘Little Aunt’ first.”
“Hey, stop that. Outside, you have to call me ‘Sister Yin.’” Yu Yinhe raised an eyebrow. “Don’t go calling me ‘Little Aunt’—it makes me sound old.”
As she spoke, the elevator doors opened.
Yu Yinhe stepped in first. “Come on in. I’ll take you to the fifth floor.”
“Mm.”
Yu Xiuzhu pushed Jing Shun’s wheelchair inside.
Jing Shun watched the slowly rising elevator numbers and couldn’t help asking, “Sister Yin, who are the guests participating in today’s recording?”
The production team wouldn’t officially announce the observation room guest lineup until tonight. Since Jing Shun had joined at the last minute, he didn’t have complete information about the other guests. He only knew that the host of the observation panel was Yan Tao.
Yan Tao was Hai City Television’s leading host, having presided over nearly a hundred variety shows, both big and small.
Seeing his curiosity, Yu Yinhe came straight out with it. “The four companies participating in the show will send representatives as flying guests. For the regular observation room guests, we’ve invited singer Chun Hui, and Yami—she’s a young idol who debuted through our station’s talent show last year.”
It made sense for the station’s program resources to flow to their own artists.
Yu Xiuzhu recalled something. “By the way, has Fu Changting confirmed? Is he coming?”
“…”
Jing Shun’s heart skipped a beat at the name.
If the first two regular guests were a singer and an idol—areas he wasn’t very familiar with—then Fu Changting was someone he knew quite well.
Fu Changting was a powerhouse actor at the peak of his popularity in the current entertainment industry, a three-time Golden Award winner for Best Actor!
Back then, he had skyrocketed to fame playing the male lead in the xianxia drama Dream of the Divine. Over the following decade, Fu Changting seemed to become a guarantee of high ratings—every film or TV show he starred in enjoyed varying degrees of success.
The reason Jing Shun knew Fu Changting so well was that they had collaborated twice in the past—
Ten years ago, Fu Changting played the adult male lead in Dream of the Divine, while the younger version of that character was played by Jing Shun.
Later, the two, nine years apart in age, also played brothers in another TV drama. Of course, Jing Shun’s role as the younger brother was minor, appearing only in the male lead’s memories.
Yu Yinhe nodded. “Mm, it was a tough negotiation. A TV drama Fu Changting is about to start filming has investment from Hai Television. Him appearing on our show is essentially a behind-the-scenes resource swap.”
Ding-dong.
The elevator arrived on the fifth floor.
Jing Shun actively maneuvered his wheelchair out. Just then, he heard the sound of the adjacent elevator doors opening. He turned to look and saw another group of people walking out of the left elevator bay.
Leading them was a tall man wearing sunglasses. His thin lips were slightly pressed together, exuding an imposing aura.
Jing Shun blinked, and then he heard Yu Yinhe beside him laugh. “What a coincidence. Speak of the devil, and he appears.”