Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala
Chapter 8 - This is a notice.

Chapter 8 This is a notice.

“I know you’re not short on money, old man. Don’t look at me like I’m young, but I’ve summarized that life can be quite short. Sometimes, it feels just like sleeping. You close your eyes and open them, and the day’s gone.”

“Close your eyes, and don’t open them, and this life is gone.”

“…”

“Grandpa, I don’t mean anything bad.”

“What does that mean?”

“What I mean is, you shouldn’t value money too much. Money is just an external thing. The most painful thing in life is, you know, when you die and haven’t spent your money.”

“The most painful thing in life is that when you’re alive, you run out of money.”

“…”

The Spring Festival Gala was still being replayed, again and again. In the afternoon, at a three-person household in Beijing, they were having lunch while watching the Spring Festival Gala replay.

The daughter, 23-year-old Yang Mi, looked at the TV and muttered in dissatisfaction, “Just one night and he became famous. What luck.”

In Harbin, 19-year-old Zhang Tian’ai was watching the Spring Festival Gala replay with her family. She had seen “Not Short of Money” several times but still got hit with the jokes.

Hearing her daughter’s laughter, Zhang’s mother said, “This Benshan Media is quite close to home. It’s a shame they don’t have an evening program at Benshan Art Academy, otherwise, working for Benshan Media would be great.”

Zhang Tian’ai said, “I’ve already signed up for the Northern Film School’s exam.”

In short, with the Gala being replayed again and again during the New Year, the entertainment circle and many people who watched the Spring Festival Gala nationwide had heard of Qu Xiaoming.

It was said that some bosses were willing to offer two million to have Qu Xiaoming perform at one event. This was already the top price for a commercial performance in the country. But Qu Xiaoming had been busy writing scripts and variety show proposals. He didn’t have time for commercial performances.

As he saw cash slipping away, the company’s executives couldn’t sit still. They repeatedly raised the topic of Qu Xiaoming’s commercial performances with Benshan, but Benshan would only respond with, “We’ll talk after the New Year.”

A few days later, the company’s executives didn’t hear about any commercial performances for Qu Xiaoming. Instead, they received news about a new project for the company in the coming year.

“What’s this? Planning to make a movie? Qu Xiaoming as the director, screenwriter, and lead actor?”

“Collaborating with Liaoning TV to produce a comedy variety show?”

“What about ‘Benshan Happy Camp’?”

“Zhao, aren’t you being a bit too biased towards Qu Xiaoming? Yes, I admit he contributed to this year’s Spring Festival Gala, but that doesn’t mean we should blindly support him!”

“…”

In the meeting room, sitting at the head of the table, Benshan looked at the executives bickering.

“I’m not suggesting anything, nor am I asking for your suggestions. I’m just informing you.”

“What about the national tour?”

Zhang Jiahao, who was responsible for planning Qu Xiaoming’s national tour, asked awkwardly. Benshan looked at him.

“How many shows have you arranged?”

“One hundred and thirty-three…”

Zhang Jiahao wanted to explain, “It’s not that many…”

Benshan frowned.

“Keep thirty shows and postpone the tour until May. For now, the company should support Qu Xiaoming to finish the movie.”

“Isn’t this too reckless?” The company’s CFO couldn’t help but speak up.

Benshan laughed.

“Qu Xiaoming’s commercial performance price is two million now, higher than my appearance fee. Do you think he won’t make the company back this 15 million?”

The head of the artist department said, “But two million is just the current price. What if Qu Xiaoming’s popularity fades in the future?”

“Then he’ll be back on next year’s Spring Festival Gala. I believe in his ability. Now, let’s discuss the next topic,” Benshan said.

The attendees exchanged glances, feeling helpless. But they had no choice. Qu Xiaoming’s popularity was unmatched, and he was talented, not to mention being favored by Benshan.

Under Benshan’s strong leadership, the project to collaborate with Liaoning TV on a variety show passed as well. The production resources would be provided by Liaoning TV, and Benshan Media was responsible for inviting and organizing the participating teams, which was essentially a labor intermediary. This project would benefit all the company’s artists.

That afternoon, the company’s artists were informed. When they heard that the company was investing 15 million in a movie starring Benshan and Qu Xiaoming, the older artists in the company were stunned. The younger artist was getting too much attention!

Although the movie’s main roles were Benshan and Qu Xiaoming, many supporting roles would be given to the company’s artists, which comforted everyone.

Moreover, everyone was happy about the comedy competition project. Getting on national TV meant they could increase their visibility, and their offline performance fees would go up.

Qu Xiaoming, I could replace him!

The senior artists, re-energized, began to form teams for the competition. In Qu Xiaoming’s proposal, he suggested that the company’s artists should form their own teams of five to seven people to compete, rather than being assigned by the company. This suggestion was adopted.

As for whether it would end up being a “strong team” versus “weak team” situation, that was not Qu Xiaoming’s concern. Right now, he had to focus on filming the movie.

In his previous life, Qu Xiaoming had seen many web movie directors who transitioned to theatrical movies, only to fail miserably. But fortunately, he had a strong mentor…

In 2009, when Benshan was at his peak, his connections in the industry were extensive.