MACRM Chapter 21

Lin Zhu put away his phone.

There was no need to think much, the company’s intentions were already clear.

Zhong Yao was at a crucial stage in his rising career. These kinds of resources and support were things that would have to be put in place sooner or later. Since the company was showing signs of goodwill, it was only natural for them to send a full management team over before the conflict between both sides broke out openly. This was a textbook crisis management move.

As for the new agent… it wasn’t really surprising either.

An agent wasn’t just the artist’s representative, but also the company’s. To a company, whether an agent was obedient and willing to cooperate with the company’s overall plans — ensuring the artist obeyed — was often more important than the agent’s professional skills.

Zhong Yao’s contract was still with Canxing Entertainment. Even setting aside the massive penalty for breaching the old contract, his public image hadn’t yet fully stabilized. Canxing was still seen by the public as the generous former employer who had paid his overseas tuition three years ago. If things escalated into an open falling out, both sides would suffer.

There were a lot of delicate factors to consider. Lin Zhu exhaled softly and looked toward the set.

In the crowd, Zhong Yao was still listening as Wei Geping, flushed with frustration, explained the scene to Zheng Lingyang.

Perhaps sensing Lin Zhu’s gaze, Zhong Yao happened to look up. The focused, concentrated expression in his eyes briefly softened into the familiar gentle warmth. From a distance, he gestured for Lin Zhu to go sit under the shade to avoid the sun.

“Zhong Yao! Stop looking for your agent everywhere. You’re here to act!”

Wei Geping, once in a mood, would lecture anyone in sight. His attention shifted instantly as he turned his fire on Zhong Yao. “How much can you tone down this scene? It won’t work like this! Run through it twice more. If it still doesn’t work, rein it in. Don’t turn around and start putting on airs for the camera! And the camera crew, stop sticking to him! Give the male lead the shot! Male lead, understand? One, two, three, four, five!”

Zhong Yao, now demoted to fifth male lead, withdrew his gaze, calm as ever. “I’ll be careful.”

Zheng Lingyang looked mortified, unable to lift his head under Wei Geping’s scolding. The thought of using Zhong Yao to do a CP hype was now long dead.

Zhong Yao had always been professional. It wasn’t his intention to steal the scene. Wei Geping knew that, and Zheng Lingyang certainly did too.

When it came purely to acting skill, trained actors didn’t differ that much. But Zhong Yao’s talent was exceptional. Not just his appearance and figure, but also his natural sense for the camera and his ability to immerse himself in a role. After three years of honing his craft, his performance flowed naturally, seamlessly. It was only normal that others found it hard to match him.

In ordinary scenes, he could rein himself in. But in an unspoken battle of presence like this one, he couldn’t suppress too much. Since this was the first take of the scene, he wasn’t sure how far Zheng Lingyang could cooperate, and had already been holding back. Even so, the effect still wasn’t ideal.

Zheng Lingyang had been so thoroughly overshadowed that he was numb, no longer even capable of feeling competitive or jealous. Listlessly, he promised, “I’ll do my best…”

When casting for the role, Zheng Lingyang had already been considered an excellent young actor. It was only in comparison that he now looked lacking.

Both of them had good attitudes, leaving Wei Geping with nowhere to vent his temper. Frowning, he said in a low voice, “Alright, get ready for the second take! Zhong Yao, you—”

He looked over and saw Zhong Yao’s gaze still fixed on the young agent now sitting under the parasol. Finally, he lost it on the spot. “I know it’s hot! I know! Stagehands, go buy ice cream for Zhong-laoshi’s agent! And you! Focus on acting! Eyes back here!”

Lin Zhu, who had been carefully staying away from the shooting area to avoid hearing the deadly line “You act worse than the agent,” found himself caught in the crossfire: “…”

Zhong Yao coughed lightly and, as if well-practiced, took out some money for the crew. “Buy for everyone, it’s hot, please eat together.” 

He’d done things like this many times recently, but it was the first time the director had caught him in the act. Everyone ducked their heads, stifling laughter. The crew member took the money with a cough, thanked him, and hurried off set.

……

That small, unexpected episode lightened the tense atmosphere considerably. When filming resumed, the results were much better than before.

This was a key scene from the first half of the drama, one that would be used in trailers and promotional clips. Striving for perfection, Wei Geping had them shoot it seven or eight times before finally letting everyone rest.

Zheng Lingyang, already crushed of all confidence, stumbled back to his rest area, where cold drinks and electric fans awaited. His assistants quickly stripped off his costume for ventilation without him needing to lift a finger.

For Zhong Yao, conditions like this were nothing. He casually shrugged off his stifling coat and looked around for Lin Zhu, only to realize the young agent was no longer under the parasol.

A sharp-eyed crew member jogged over. “Zhong-laoshi, your company’s team just came over saying they wanted to see you. Our set doesn’t allow random outsiders in. There was a bit of a scuffle, so we asked Lin-laoshi to go deal with it…”

Zhong Yao frowned, about to speak, when several enthusiastic assistants bustled over to tidy up his rest area.

A man in a suit walked up, smiling broadly as he extended his hand. “Zhong-laoshi, I’ve heard much about you. I’m Hou Chengbin, an agent from Canxing Entertainment. I used to manage Chang Xi and Jiang Yiqi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

“Hello.”

Zhong Yao cut him off in a flat tone, ignoring the offered handshake. His gaze swept over to an assistant who was about to clear away a lunchbox, and he suddenly called out, “Don’t touch that!”

Startled, the assistant fumbled, knocking over the insulated lunchbox. A half-melted Häagen-Dazs spilled out.

Quick as a flash, Zhong Yao strode over and rescued the lunchbox, barely saving half the ice cream.

He didn’t actually eat such things often. He’d only learned this brand was good after overhearing some younger actors chatting about it.

The less picky Lin Zhu was, the more Zhong Yao wanted to give him something nice. So whenever the crew went to buy snacks, he’d tell them to get one Häagen-Dazs specially for Lin Zhu, charging it to his own account.

Unfortunately, the young agent seemed equally stubborn about saving the treat for him.

Thinking of how Lin Zhu always tucked the ice cream away in the insulated box, waiting for him to finish filming so they could share it, Zhong Yao’s heart softened. He carefully cleaned the spilled ice cream, salvaged the untouched half, and took a spoonful.

Hou Chengbin’s outstretched hand hung in the air. Forcing a laugh, he tried, “Zh-Zhong-laoshi is frugal and has the traditional virtues of an established, veteran actor… Please, allow me to introduce myself, I’m—”

“Please wait a moment.”

Zhong Yao cut him off again and called over the assistant director, handing him his phone. “You’re the agent for Chang Xi and Jiang Yiqi. I’m familiar with them, they’re rising young actors who’ve done excellent work.”

Hou Chengbin blinked, looking between them. “Zhong-laoshi, what are you—”

Expression cool, Zhong Yao ate another spoonful of the ice cream Lin Zhu had saved for him. “Perhaps you don’t understand. In the old rules of our industry, unless agents are officially liaising, an actor should not have private contact with another artist’s agent. It gives a bad impression.”

Assistant director: “…”

Hou Chengbin: “…”

His prepared pitch had been completely choked off. He forced a smile. “Y-yes… but you misunderstand. I’m not anyone else’s agent anymore. I transferred my last artist just yesterday.”

Unfamiliar with the assistant director, and nervous at the sight of him holding up a phone recording the exchange, Hou swallowed and pressed on.

“Our company’s management system is well-structured. We have both agents and executive agents. Xiao Lin is your assigned executive agent. He directly supervises your work, accompanies you to events, negotiates fees and contracts. I’ve been busy with handovers until now, so I’ve only just arrived…”

A few days ago, the company had tried to exploit Zheng Yi’s popularity at Zhong Yao’s expense, only to have him turn the tables and ride the wave instead. Anyone with sense could guess Lin Zhu had been shielding him. Rumors had already outlined Zhong Yao’s potential trajectory. There was no way the company would let the two of them keep working seamlessly together.

Frictions were frictions, no matter how many olive branches they extended, they couldn’t fully mend the rift.

With only a year left on his contract with Canxing Entertainment, and Lin Zhu supporting him, Zhong Yao could secure his footing in no time. Once that happened, Canxing would have no hold over him.

Keeping Lin Zhu by his side would only make him harder to control, but removing him outright might provoke a strong backlash.

So today they’d shown up unannounced, deliberately stirred up trouble with a few young people to force Lin Zhu rushing over to deal with it. They were hoping to seize the opportunity, contacting Zhong Yao, and trick him into accepting the company’s ambiguous explanation. 

Such tactics wouldn’t fool a young artist; but with older, slightly out-of-date actors who still had marketing value, they often got lucky.

When Zhong Yao debuted, having a single agent was already a luxury, let alone a whole team. He might not grasp all the intricate politics, and thus, could be tricked.

After all, resources were in the agent’s hands. If Lin Zhu became merely the “executive agent,” no matter his skill, he’d be constrained and forced to follow company orders.

A bit guilty, Hou coughed and produced the contract he’d prepared. “The company’s been in disarray lately, and we are sorry to have troubled you lately. We’ve drafted a new contract… Once you sign, the full management, PR, and assistants will be at your service immediately.”

Wiping his sweat, he added, “Xiao Lin will still be your executive agent, it’s just that I’ll be helping him. I’ll handle company negotiations, and he’ll still accompany you. This way, you can focus on your career without distractions…”

The assistant director, not versed in agency politics, brightened. “Isn’t that good? You two can’t cover everything, having a full team will be easier.”

Zhong Yao remained unmoved, glancing idly at the contract. “Between an executive agent and an agent, which has more authority?”

Hou Chengbin’s expression shifted. Remembering the higher-ups’ instructions, he lied through his teeth. “O-of course the executive agent…”

“Good.”

Zhong Yao calmly finished the last spoonful of ice cream, set down the lunchbox, and looked toward the figure pushing through the crowd at a run.

“You can go. Ask the executive agent to talk to me instead.”