Chapter 24: A Talent Agency Comes Knocking

In the afternoon, Mother Su, in a rare display of mercy, took Chen Jin for a tour of the Forbidden City. In truth, it was she who wanted to sightsee; after all, having finally made it to the Great Imperial Capital, she had to capture some images as a memento to prove she had been there. Chen Jin served as her royal photographer for the occasion.

Aside from waiting for the release of the preliminary results from the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama, Su Wanyu had already mapped out their entire itinerary.

"Son, as soon as the Central Academy of Drama's preliminary results are out, we’re heading back!" she said to Chen Jin as they stepped out of the Forbidden City. "We’ll take the afternoon train!"

"Oh," Chen Jin replied dismissively. He felt confident about his performance in the preliminary exams for both the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama; he was almost certain to be called for the secondary auditions. If his mother wanted to go home, she could go alone—he had to stay. He treated her words as mere background noise. He was determined to sink his roots deep into the Imperial Capital and become a hardworking beast of burden, contributing his share to the nation’s future. He had picked up the term "beast of burden" from his future autobiographical film, interpreting it as a synonym for a wage earner—though having only seen the film once, his understanding was perhaps a bit superficial.

*Buzz, buzz, buzz!*

Just as the mother and son hailed a taxi, Su Wanyu’s Nokia N85 began to vibrate inside her bag, accompanied by a familiar ringtone.

"A Beijing area code?" Su Wanyu slid the cover open and pressed the handset to her ear. "Hello, who is this?"

"Are you... Chen Jin’s mother?" A sharp, decisive female voice came through the line.

"Yes, I am. Who might you be?"

"My surname is Chang. I’m a talent agent. I’d like to ask if your son has considered a career in the entertainment industry. I’ve represented many famous artists, such as Sun Li, Liu Huohua, and Jiang Wenli..."

"A talent agent?" Su Wanyu was startled. She glanced at Chen Jin, who was looking at her, and gestured toward the phone. Chen Jin shrugged; he was just as baffled. How had an agent tracked them down so quickly?

"Haha, I’m calling to see if you have time to sit down and talk in person," the voice continued. "I assume since you let your child apply to art school, you have your sights set on him becoming a star. I happen to have some credentials in this area and can offer you and your son some advice. I know quite a few people in the industry—I'm well-acquainted with the leadership at the Central Academy of Drama."

Though Chang Jihong’s tone was casual, her words carried weight. She certainly had the credentials. She had been active in the industry since the late eighties; she might not have known everyone, but she was definitely one of the top agents in the Beijing circle. By the turn of the millennium, aside from Wang Jinhua, she was the only other major player. While there were many up-and-comers now, Chang Jihong’s connections and network were beyond question.

Hairun was one of the most famous film and television companies in the country at the turn of the millennium, a leader in television production, responsible for hits like *Drawing Sword*, *Case Closed*, and *Jade Goddess of Mercy*. The artists signed to the label had all been groomed by her. Having recently parted ways with Hairun to strike out on her own, she needed fresh blood to serve as the face of her new firm, alongside the established stars she had brought with her.

Jiang Wenli, one of the examiners for this year’s Central Academy of Drama auditions, was part of Chang Jihong’s own machinations. Chang was now backed by Stellar Megamedia, the largest private media conglomerate in the country—Huayi might have had the fame, but its scale could not compete with Stellar. Furthermore, the boss behind Stellar was a formidable figure who navigated both the public and private spheres, owning everything from the "Heaven on Earth" club to the Stellar cinema chain and the Huairou Film Base. Now, Stellar wanted to enter the talent management business, and their interests aligned perfectly with Chang Jihong’s.

She was certain that no sensible parent would turn down a meeting. However, Su Wanyu caught a gesture from Chen Jin and said, "I’m sorry, Agent Chang, but my son took these exams behind my back. I never intended for him to go into the entertainment industry!"

That was actually the truth, but Chen Jin was stunned to hear it. *Damn, Mom, I told you to refuse, not to lie! Are you serious right now?*

"Oh?" Chang Jihong was clearly confused. "T-took the exams behind your back?"

"Yes, and we’re heading home immediately!"

Chang Jihong was speechless. She didn't understand—not at all. In their phone call earlier that afternoon, Jiang Wenli had praised this examinee to the skies. How could a student like that, whose family supposedly didn't support him, have even made it to the audition?

"So, you aren't planning to have him attend the secondary auditions for the Central Academy of Drama, either?"

Su Wanyu was being grilled, and her brain was getting a bit foggy, but she answered firmly, "Yes, that’s right—"

"Mom, don't say that! What if I pass the second round?"

"Uh..."

Chang Jihong realized that must be the student, Chen Jin. She had thought Su Wanyu was just brushing her off, but now it seemed... there was some genuine dysfunction between mother and son.

"Don't you see that an agent has already come looking for you?"

"I performed very well in the preliminary!" Chen Jin insisted.

Chang Jihong laughed. "That’s right. In fact, the teacher who examined you is one of my artists."

Chang Jihong wasn't afraid of Su Wanyu knowing. Su Wanyu frowned, but replied, "I'm sorry, let me discuss this with my son and I will call you back."

"Very well, this number will reach me."

Chang Jihong hung up and shook her head, smiling. It was the first time she had encountered such strange parents. Art school, but the parents don't approve? And he performed well? This student was something else—learning the craft in secret? Based on what Jiang Wenli had said, he was a student with immense acting talent. An artist like that would be easy to promote with the right packaging.

On the other side of the line, Su Wanyu looked at Chen Jin. "Xiao Jin, are you truly confident you'll pass the Central Academy of Drama’s preliminary?"

"Yes, and I'm confident about the Beijing Film Academy, too!"

"Then why were you waving me off earlier?" Su Wanyu had thought his gestures meant he lacked confidence.

"I don't want to sign with an agency this early. They’re all just indentured servitude contracts! If I have to sign, I want to make sure it’s worth it... though it’s obviously better not to sign at all."

Although Chen Jin didn't know who Chang Jihong was, he guessed that news of his audition had leaked, and her calling his mother immediately was a clear attempt to snatch him up before he was established. If he signed while he was still a nobody, that would be fine, but if he became a star later—and he was certain he would—wouldn't they be making a fortune off him? Chen Jin had that much self-confidence; after all, he had his system. Though he was only eighteen, the role-playing and autobiographical films had matured his mindset significantly. He had to handle agency matters with caution.

"Huh?"

As Chen Jin pondered, the virtual system panel before his eyes showed that his task progress had jumped to 30%!

[Task: Attempt to audition for a significant role. (In progress, 30% complete.)]

*Holy crap, it jumped 25%? It was only at 5% at noon!* Chen Jin remembered clearly, as he had checked it earlier.

"What is going on?!"