Huayu Chef

018 Da Mi Mi wants to rise to the top!

Yang Mi is very popular right now.

At the beginning of last year, he established his own studio and released his first solo music album, "Close to Me," crossing over into the fields of singer and producer.

He rose from 92nd to 13th on the Forbes China Celebrity List, earning tens of millions of yuan annually.

At the 26th China TV Golden Eagle Awards ceremony, she won the Most Popular Actress Award.

She once purchased 30 shares of H&R Century at a price of 1.2 yuan per share and is currently a star minority shareholder of H&R Century.

At the beginning of this year, she had just finished filming "Tiny Times 1-2" directed by Guo Jingming, and immediately joined forces with Huanrui to film "Micro Era", bringing in all of her artists to the production team. The filming of this drama will start in a few days.

It can be said that Yang Mi already has the financial resources.

To avoid being recognized, Yang Mi chose a table in the corner of the dining area, facing the wall and with her back to the dining area. To her left was the food service area, and to her right were two rows of four-person tables and the store entrance.

Huang Mengying sat opposite her.

Zhang Jinxuan sat next to Yang Mi so that it would be convenient for him to go back to the kitchen to work.

Three braised food platters were served. Yang Mi put on plastic gloves, picked up a tiger-skin chicken foot, and started to gnaw on it. The chicken foot was tender enough that it fell off the bone with a gentle suck, and the fresh, fragrant, spicy braising broth gushed out, instantly awakening her taste buds and making Yang Mi feel refreshed and hungry.

"Your skills are amazing! These tiger-skin chicken feet are absolutely superb," ​​Yang Mi exclaimed in admiration.

"Yang Mi's internet speed is really fast."

"I watched the video you filmed after Mengying forwarded it to me; it's quite talented. By the way, you're so professional at being a gigolo, why don't you open a gigolo shop?"

"Is this brothel legitimate?"

Yang Mi and Huang Mengying burst into laughter. Huang Mengying almost choked on the braising sauce in the duck wings and said coquettishly, "Senior brother, don't tell jokes while eating."

Zhang Jinxuan picked up a duck head, munching on it as he said, "Roast duck restaurants are considered capital-intensive catering businesses. They require large investments and have high costs. There are also many roast duck restaurants in Beijing, making the competition fierce. You won't be able to stay in this business for long."

Huang Mengying asked curiously, "Senior, what are you planning to film next? It's okay if you don't want to say."

"Junior Sister Mengying has spared no effort in promoting 'Wild Kitchen' for me. I am extremely grateful. There is nothing I cannot say. I will definitely tell you everything I know. Next episode will be about the Willow Banquet."

"Willow Feather Banquet?" Huang Mengying and Yang Mi asked in unison.

"That's right."

Yang Mi asked in surprise, "The kind of cold willow tassel salad that we people in Beijing eat?"

"Yes, has Senior Sister tried it?"

"I've tried it. It tastes alright, but it's a bit bitter."

"Willow catkins contain oxalic acid, so blanch them in hot water or blanch them before cooking. If they taste bitter, it means they weren't cooked properly."

Huang Mengying was greatly shocked and asked, "Can willow catkins be eaten?"

"It's edible. The texture is almost like meat. Junior Sister Mengying, you've never tried it before, have you?"

"I've never eaten it before."

Zhang Jinxuan then extended an invitation: "Tomorrow, Zhuangzhuang and I are planning to film the second episode of the Willow Tassel Banquet. If Junior Sister Mengying is free, why don't you come and have some fun with us?"

"The first episode got almost a million views, and the second episode will probably get even more, which will give Mengying some exposure."

"It's just that I'm very poor. The filming team is a makeshift operation, very basic. I can't afford to pay you a fee. I can only cover transportation and three meals a day."

Yang Mi said unhappily, "Hey, you invited Mengying but not me?"

"I'd be thrilled if Senior Sister Yang Mi wanted to go, but you probably wouldn't be interested. Besides, we don't have any experience hosting a big star like you, and we're severely lacking in manpower and funding. We'll definitely invite you to film a few episodes when things are better, and you can even be a regular cast member."

Yang Mi was just joking. She said that instead of filming "Wild Kitchen," she would be better off doing commercial performances to make money. She casually replied, "It's a deal. If you don't invite me, I'll settle the score with you."

"Don't worry, senior sister, I'll definitely treat you," Zhang Jinxuan assured, patting his chest. Then, he changed the subject and asked, "Could you please help me retweet this on Weibo?"

Yang Mi readily agreed, "I'll turn around after I finish eating."

"Thank you, senior sister."

Zhang Jinxuan was overjoyed. With Yang Mi, a top-tier actress born in 1985, attracting attention, the popularity of "Wild Kitchen Episode 1: Peking Duck" would definitely reach new heights, and its value would be no less than that of a low-profile trending topic.

Therefore, he was even more grateful to Huang Mengying, and asked sincerely, "Junior Sister Mengying, do you want to go?"

Huang Mengying was slightly tempted, but hesitated, and asked Yang Mi, "Sister Mi, what do you think?"

Yang Mi said nonchalantly, "Go if you want to. Like Junior Brother Zhang Jinxuan said, this is a chance for exposure."

Huang Mengying smiled sweetly and said politely, "I've never filmed this kind of video before. I'll have to trouble you tomorrow, senior brother."

"No trouble at all. I'll send you a copy of the shooting script later so you can prepare in advance. Dress up nicely tomorrow; you'll look good on camera, which will benefit your personal image after the broadcast. Don't wear high heels; you'll be walking a lot tomorrow, and it will be tiring."

"When will we be filming tomorrow?"

"Come to the store between 8 and 9 o'clock to have breakfast together. We'll leave no later than 9 o'clock."

"OK."

After the two finished talking, Yang Mi interjected, "Junior Brother Zhang Jinxuan, you're opening a restaurant and making videos now, aren't you going to be an actor anymore?"

Zhang Jinxuan laughed and said, "Sure, I don't get many acting offers these days. I'm just sitting at home doing nothing, living off my savings. Opening a shop will earn me some hard-earned money, and I can audition again if I get the chance. I've recently seen a role I like. My senior sister is very knowledgeable, so please give me some advice."

Yang Mi asked with great interest, "What role?"

Huang Mengying also looked at Zhang Jinxuan with curiosity.

Seeing that there was no one else around, Zhang Jinxuan whispered, "Baili Tusu, the male protagonist of 'Gu Jian Qi Tan'."

A strange light flashed in Yang Mi's bright, beautiful fox-like eyes, and she said in a cryptic tone, "You really dare to think that?"

Zhang Jinxuan frankly stated, "A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier, and no actor doesn't want to be a lead actor. The open voting for actors in 'Swords of Legends' is an opportunity for us."

Yang Mi said without any mercy, "Don't even think about it, you won't get this role. Huanrui has invested a huge sum of money in this project, they're not going to promote an outsider. Even if they were going to promote an outsider, they would find a well-known actor, you're far from qualified."

The drama "Gu Jian Qi Tan" was jokingly called "Gu Jian Qi Tan Collapse Chronicles" by netizens because of the many scandals involving its actors.

Zhang Jinxuan did some research and found that Xu Haiqiao was originally slated to play Baili Tusu, but his agent reportedly sabotaged the role. Then Li Yifeng volunteered, but the producers and directors were initially dissatisfied, thinking he was too wooden. Yang Mi put in a few good words for him, and since he was an artist under Huanrui Media, he got a great deal for nothing.

The show became an instant hit.

So it's not that there's no chance at all; the key is Yang Mi and Huanrui's attitude, and how they operate is a big question.

Zhang Jinxuan wasn't very confident, so he settled for second best and asked, "What about the character Ling Yue?"

"Ling Yue?" Yang Mi thought for a moment and asked, "Baili Tusu's senior brother?"

"right."

The original version of Da Xi Hong was played by Hong Kong actor Chan Wai-ting. He got the role after signing with Arno Studio, which was the predecessor of Noxin Media. At that time, it was a branch of Huanrui, so he was essentially one of their own.

After playing the role of Da Xi Hong, Chen Weiting gained popularity in mainland China. He acted alongside actresses born in the 85s such as Zhao Liying and Liu Shishi, and enjoyed a period of fame.

After experiencing a plastic surgery controversy, Zheng Shuang made a comeback with this drama and became unstoppable, becoming a force to be reckoned with, even on par with the post-85 actresses. Unfortunately, she ruined her own career.

People today can't imagine how popular "Swords of Legends" will be, but Zhang Jinxuan saw the potential and wanted to ride the wave.

So far, Yang Mi has brought the biggest network bonus from "Wild Kitchen," while "Swords of Legends" is the most promising project for Zhang Jinxuan.

"The character Ling Yue..."

Yang Mi hesitated. If she helped Zhang Jinxuan win the bid, she would most likely succeed, because she had already reached an agreement with Huanrui to have her studio affiliated with Huanrui on the 31st of this month. Therefore, all the artists she signed could be included in the "Swords of Legends" production team.

The question is, why should she help Zhang Jinxuan?

"Junior Brother Zhang Jinxuan, have you ever thought about signing with a talent agency?"

Zhang Jinxuan remained calm, having already vaguely guessed Yang Mi's intentions. From inviting Huang Mengying to film "Wild Kitchen" to proposing to compete for the lead role in "Swords of Legends," he was demonstrating his value and expressing his demands, all of which were paving the way for Yang Mi's question.

Being a vocational high school graduate at Beijing Film Academy is merely an entry ticket. Without substantial capital and connections, one still needs a contract of servitude to enter the core circle.

As Yang Mi said, film and television companies spend huge sums of money to make movies and TV series. If they don't promote their own people, why should they promote an outsider like you?

The entertainment industry is very exclusive; outsiders can't get good resources within the industry.

"Senior, I'm so obscure, no agency will sign me."