Chapter 92: If they were a little bolder, perhaps they could have ordered two extra dishes. (6/10)

The recording of the variety show Street Dance Has It drew to a close.

Because several commercials and promotional clips still had to be shot for the naming sponsor, Su Mu and Qian Jida stayed a few extra days in Capital City.

Along the way, they also went to visit Liu Yadong. After all, he had helped Su Mu produce a single, and thanks were only proper.

And at the very end, of course, came the meal with Zhang Huaimou.

That was a serious matter.

A matter worth twenty-one million.

The two of them had once worked in miserable tandem and, by sheer force of collaboration, turned a ghost story and a police procedural into copyright fees totaling twenty million.

It was indeed worth a proper celebration.

They had originally wanted to bring along Zhuang Yan and Wang Ou Yi, two veteran heavyweights as well.

Unfortunately, neither of them was in Capital City.

They were said to be performing a stage play in another city, so for now they never crossed paths.

A high-end restaurant was chosen.

The waitresses wore fitted cheongsams, their figures drawn in tight and graceful lines. If one were brave enough to forgo an underlayer, perhaps another dish could have been ordered for free.

"Is that enough, Mr. Su Mu?" the waitress asked, her cheeks faintly flushed. Naturally, she knew who the person before her was.

Su Mu looked up at her.

"Enough. Truly enough."

The waitress left the private room.

Zhang Huaimou had brought a cup of tea, then smiled. "Have you looked at the script from the Kiwi Fruit side?"

Su Mu nodded. "I have. A historical piece, about Xin Qiji."

Zhang Huaimou took a small sip, then let out a long sigh. "Actually, if the history of our ancestors can be filmed with grandeur, it is bound to be a first-rate masterpiece. What a pity that, more often than not, those authoritative film festivals abroad do not quite recognize it.

"Just think of a man like Xin Qiji, a hero of his age, full of bold spirit, his poetry surging with passion and concern for the world. That is the true face of heroism one ought to see.

"Eight hundred li of roasted meat shared among the battalions, fifty strings of music sounding beyond the frontier, autumn drills on the battlefield! Tsk, tsk.

"Su Mu, this role is crucial for you. You must find the real essence of Xin Qiji, that fire in his bones, if you are to make it work.

"If in the future you want to step onto the silver screen, then the roles you choose will need greater depth and distinctiveness. Only then can they bring out what is unique about you."

Su Mu listened humbly.

In truth, what Zhang Huaimou said was exactly what he himself had been thinking.

Throughout the film and television world, actors who can draw audiences to the box office are always those with personality, those with clear and unmistakable labels.

Of course Su Mu had to go through that process too.

So at present, he was also searching for his own singular mark.

It was connected to acting, certainly, but not fully expressed by acting alone.

It was a kind of natural bearing, something that had to be sought patiently and felt out gradually.

"Director Zhang, let me toast you. Thank you for your help before."

Zhang Huaimou smiled. "Ah, let's not bring that up between us. It wouldn't sound good if it got out. But if you really want to thank me, then I do have a request."

"Please, Director Zhang."

"I know you can write scripts, and very well too. These past two years I've been looking for a work that can make an impact at overseas art film festivals. It doesn't need to be wildly imaginative; it needs genuine artistic substance. I wonder whether you have any other works or ideas?"

Hearing this, Su Mu inwardly sighed.

After knowing Zhang Huaimou for so long, he naturally understood some of the great director's ambitions.

He had nearly swept the domestic awards.

Yet he had never managed to touch the major international film and art prizes, and for the past few years it had remained a thorn in his heart.

Only, Su Mu could not very well say that in truth he was merely someone who liked to pick up someone else's finished banquet from the table.

"Director Zhang, the two scripts I sold before were already everything I had. And it's hard for me to write something else in the short term. You know how it is; inspiration depends on luck."

Zhang Huaimou was not surprised. "I know. That's why I wanted to reserve you in advance. Of course, works like the commercial scripts you've written before don't count. If you ever write something more rooted in the real world, then let me see it first."

"All right, no problem."

Zhang Huaimou nodded in satisfaction. "Director Chen Anzhi is an old friend of mine. I already told him about you yesterday. When we shoot Xin Qiji, he'll look after you. Later I'll set up a group chat, and you can get acquainted."

"Thank you, Director Zhang!"

The meal went quite well.

After a few rounds of drinks, Su Mu saw Zhang Huaimou off first, and only then returned to the hotel.

Qian Jida and Little Orange were in the living room scrolling through their phones.

Seeing Su Mu come back, Little Orange blurted out excitedly, "Su Mu, Su Mu! Quick, look at the trending list! You're trending again!"

Su Mu was a little puzzled. Hadn't he been very restrained lately?

Aside from putting on a show for the production team, he really hadn't made any waves.

How had he ended up trending?

Could it be that while dining with Zhang Huaimou just now, he had been photographed seeing something he shouldn't have seen?

"Does it have something to do with me?"

Little Orange nodded vigorously.

Qian Jida said, "All right, stop teasing him. It is trending, yes, but it doesn't matter much. Mainly, Giant Elephant officially announced that your contract with the company has expired."

At that, Su Mu understood.

In truth, when most companies reach the end of an artist's contract, they do not make a big announcement about the departure.

Unless the split is ugly and ends up in court, which might stir up some heat, a normal departure would not be made into a spectacle.

Su Mu just didn't understand what Giant Elephant was trying to do here.

He sat down on the sofa and took out his phone to check the microblog.

By now, his microblog had more than thirty million followers, with every sign of reaching forty million by the end of the year.

Microblog trending list:

Trending No. 1: Unknown, most beautiful, enough... UZI!

Trending No. 2: EDG-UZI is now connecting...

Trending No. 3: Next July! Hollywood's War Shadow is coming!

Trending No. 4: The official statement from Giant Elephant Media...

Trending No. 5: Su Mu parts ways with Giant Elephant!

Trending...

Looking at the trending list, Su Mu saw that although there were only two entries, and neither was marked hot in red, they had still made it into the top ten.

It seemed the netizens were quite concerned about where he would go next.

Su Mu opened Giant Elephant's official account.

"Giant Elephant Media: @Su Mu, all final procedures with our company have been completed, and the contract has been formally terminated. Over the past four years, we have kept each other company, and we also hope that @Su Mu V can have a better development on his future path in the performing arts. Giant Elephant will always bless every artist!"

[Comments:
Su Mu? Su Mu has terminated his contract? Whoa, isn't Giant Elephant doing fine?
Please read carefully. It was a peaceful split, and they are blessing each other.
Brother Su Mu, where are you going next? Please don't go to those disgusting companies, or you'll be squeezed dry!
Su Mu should go to Sky Star, or maybe New Wave. Those two companies are full of handsome men and beautiful women!
Sky Star is one thing, but New Wave? What does that even mean? A place that got rich off internet celebrities deserves to sign Su Mu? Don't be ridiculous!
Hey up there, watch your mouth. What is wrong with internet celebrities? Did they eat your rice?
Stop arguing. My idol is going independent!
Independent? Ha, don't be silly. In this day and age, how many people can actually fly solo?
Yeah, aside from the Hong Kong star Hua Tsai, I haven't seen many who could go all the way on their own. Without capital behind you, where do the resources come from?
In a year or two it'll sink for sure~]

Right now, netizens were still discussing Su Mu's contract termination with great fervor.

After reading it, Su Mu only gave a helpless smile and did not take it to heart.

Qian Jida said, "That Zhou Wanming really has a bag of tricks. When emotional appeals failed, he decided to put on a virgin's memorial arch for Giant Elephant before you leave, fearing you'll bite back after you're gone."

Su Mu smiled. "Forget it. Let him do what he wants. We'll terminate the contract tomorrow, and then open the studio."

Little Orange cheered, "Yay! Do I get my own office?"

Su Mu said, "Master Zhu might get one. As for you, forget it."

Little Orange blinked. "Ah? Y-you... hmph, bad boss!"

Thanks to everyone for the support! There will be another update tonight, and the ten chapters will be finished then!

Book recommendation: I Hunt Alone

Recommendation: A very innovative type, leaning toward the realistic life of a wilderness hunter. If you're interested during the free period, take a look.

The end.