Chapter 32: I am actually insanely good at League of Legends... I'm serious.

Chapter 32: I’m Seriously Good at Playing League of Legends...

“Can you write lyrics too?”

“A little bit.”

“Why didn’t you say so before?”

“You never asked.”

After Roman and Mei Yanfang left, Wu Yu began to understand why the two had come to Shengteng.

Still, despite this understanding, Chen Ping’s talent shocked Wu Yu.

Writing lyrics for two top-tier actresses.

You have to realize—

Behind such leading actresses, there are countless talented lyricists, even some top masters. Yet, it was Chen Ping who got the opportunity.

But Chen Ping’s talent was precisely what caught the attention of these two leading ladies.

Moreover, the few lyrics he created were truly classics.

Yet Chen Ping’s response made Wu Yu roll her eyes: “What do you mean, ‘you didn’t ask’? When you signed, you should have told us about your talents. If we’d known you were so gifted at writing lyrics, your contract would definitely have been better than it is now.”

“Sister Wu Yu, are you saying I could have gotten more resources?”

“Of course.”

“By the way, Sister Wu Yu, I actually have another talent.”

“What talent?”

“Playing video games.”

*Pfft...*

Wu Yu was amused and exasperated by Chen Ping: “Playing games is a talent?”

“Of course it is. You know how popular live streaming is now. Some professional gamers are really making waves. Let me tell you, I’m wicked good at League of Legends. Want me to show you sometime?”

“Get lost…”

Chen Ping had defeated her with that.

However, after learning about Chen Ping’s talent in lyric writing, Wu Yu went to see Wang Jin in his office.

At that moment, Wang Jin received a call.

The caller was Cheng Liang, head of Penguin Video.

Though Cheng Liang, an internet industry insider, wasn’t very familiar with people from talent agencies,

the internet was becoming ever more integrated into daily life, and the entertainment industry was becoming more internet-oriented.

For example, a series of internet platform original dramas had prompted talent agencies to strengthen cooperation with these platforms.

When Wang Jin learned that Cheng Liang was inviting Chen Ping to join one of their original variety shows, he couldn’t sit still.

Chen Kaige, Gao Xixi, Roman, and Mei Yanfang... and now Cheng Liang from Penguin Video.

Each of these people was a heavyweight.

And all of them were gathered here because of Chen Ping.

“Wu Yu, what exactly is going on with Chen Ping?” Wang Jin asked anxiously as Wu Yu entered his office.

“Director Wang, it’s like this: Chen Ping has an incredible gift for lyric writing…”

“That’s my fault. Chen Ping once covered ‘Pure Stream’—I thought it was just a cover, and I even asked him whether he wanted to be an actor or a singer. He said he wanted to be an actor, and that singing was just a hobby. I never expected he’d be so talented at writing lyrics.”

As Wu Yu explained, Wang Jin’s feelings were complicated.

He was amazed by Chen Ping’s lyric talent but was also pondering how the company could keep him.

Clearly,

with Chen Ping’s current three-year contract, there was little binding him.

The company wouldn’t allocate many resources to him, nor would they manage him closely.

If Chen Ping had only acting skills before, that might have been acceptable.

But acting is not just about skill; it’s about the commercial rules of the entertainment industry.

However,

sometimes talent transcends those commercial rules.

Take Chen Ping’s lyric talent, for example.

Two leading actresses had both commissioned songs from him.

With such talent, even if he left the agency, Chen Ping would do well.

So,

here lay the dilemma:

Should the company provide resources or not?

Providing resources would require renegotiating the contract, something Chen Ping would definitely refuse.

But withholding resources might push him to leave.

Roman and Mei Yanfang’s visit today wasn’t simply about commissioning songs.

If mishandled, the company would not only offend Roman and Mei Yanfang but also lose a genius.

“Wu Yu, how have you been getting along with Chen Ping lately?”

“Pretty well,” Wu Yu said thoughtfully. “Though we haven’t given him many resources, I told him at signing that the three-year contract was very flexible. I believe he understands. Besides, Chen Ping has a great mindset. Most actors couldn’t have endured the past two months like he did.”

“I noticed that too,” Wang Jin nodded. Without a clear model for working with Chen Ping, he said, “Keep communicating with him. As for changing the contract, we’ll discuss that later. Meanwhile, have Chen Ping prepare—he’s got a variety show coming up.”

“A variety show? Director Wang, you want Chen Ping to gain exposure through a variety show, then…”

“No ‘then’ about it. The show’s producer called me personally and specifically requested Chen Ping.”

“No way.”

Wu Yu could hardly believe it.

Today, Chen Ping had shattered all her preconceptions about rookie actors.

She was wondering if this guy even needed to sign with an agency.

“I don’t think so either,” Wang Jin shrugged. “Now you understand how to handle Chen Ping in the future.”

...

“Chen Ping, Director Gao Xixi has invited you to audition for the ‘Chu-Han Legend’ set.”

“For which role?”

“Han Xin.”

“That’s a powerful role.”

Chen Ping was excited.

“Don’t you find it strange?”

“Strange how?”

“Don’t you want to know who recommended you to the ‘Chu-Han Legend’ team?”

“Who?”

“Chen Kaige.”

“Oh…”

Chen Ping nodded. He had already guessed this.

A few days ago, Chen Feiyu had called him and hinted at it.

“Also, Penguin Video has an original variety show, and they specifically want you to join.”

“What kind of show?”

“An actor-focused one.”

“Like ‘I Am the Actor’?”

“Yes, but this time the director they invited is more high-profile, and the budget is much bigger.”

“What’s the show’s name?”

“‘Actors, Please Take Your Positions.’”

After learning about these two big opportunities, Chen Ping returned to his apartment.

Lin Guanlin and Aliya had already taken on several roles and gone to the set, leaving Chen Ping alone.

Though excited inside, Chen Ping gradually calmed himself.

He was aware of the company’s changing attitude toward him.

But he also knew that the chance to audition for Han Xin and to appear on ‘Actors, Please Take Your Positions’—though reasons to celebrate—were tied to Chen Kaige’s recommendation, Roman’s backing, and his own steady mindset.

Because of this calm, Chen Ping realized that these were just small steps in his acting career.

Compared to some big stars and actors, he was still nothing.

Although Roman had told him upon leaving that if he felt uncomfortable at Shengteng, he could leave anytime and she’d handle things,

Chen Ping remained level-headed.

Shengteng hadn’t given him many resources, but they hadn’t treated him unfairly either.

If this peaceful coexistence could continue, Chen Ping thought it was quite good.

Shaking off his thoughts, Chen Ping focused on the role of Han Xin and the variety show ‘Actors, Please Take Your Positions.’

No matter what the future held, improving his skills was undoubtedly the right path.

(End of chapter)