Chapter 44: New Year's Eve Gala

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"A-Gu, what I'm about to say will be very direct, and it might make you a bit uncomfortable."

Zhang Songwen spoke bluntly.

When it came to acting, he was extremely harsh and serious.

He wouldn't lie just to comfort Gu Qing by saying he performed well simply because they were on good terms.

After all,

To deceive an actor is to harm an actor.

"Teacher, please speak plainly. I came here to find my shortcomings."

Gu Qing's attitude was earnest.

"Alright."

Zhang Songwen nodded and said, "You are not suited for acting."

"..."

Gu Qing's expression froze.

"Songwen?"

Even Zhou Yiwei, who was standing beside him, was stunned. He never imagined his good brother would say something so blunt.

"A-Gu, you should understand that actors are divided into two types."

Zhang Songwen explained of his own accord, "One type is the academic school, like Yiwei and me. We come from professional training backgrounds, have studied theoretical knowledge systematically, and are skilled at using techniques to shape characters.

The other type is the experiential school. If you know TVB, many of their actors rely on empathy and immersive experiences to shape their roles.

For example, if they are playing a blind person, they truly experience the life of a blind person. This relies more on talent.

And you possess neither!"

"Teacher, am I beyond saving then?"

Gu Qing gave a bitter smile, feeling the blow.

"You are savable."

Zhang Songwen's expression softened, and he said warmly, "A-Gu, have you noticed that your ability to imitate is exceptionally strong?"

"Imitate?"

Gu Qing listened, feeling a bit muddled.

"Exactly."

Zhang Songwen picked up the teapot and refilled his cup. "Ever since you learned the 'Four-Square Step' from me last time, almost every time you walk, it is exactly the same as when I was teaching you. That is talent!"

"An actor relying solely on imitation will find it hard to achieve greatness, because their goal is to break through themselves to transcend the character."

Zhang Songwen smiled. "But you are different. You are a pure newcomer; the audience won't be too critical of you. As long as you can imitate well, it will be more than enough to act in an idol drama."

"Songwen is right," Zhou Yiwei nodded in agreement.

"Teacher, do you watch many films? Who should I imitate?"

Gu Qing asked readily.

"I don't watch many films."

Zhang Songwen laughed and shook his head.

It was a strange little joke that made Zhou Yiwei chuckle while rubbing his nose.

"As for who to imitate..."

After finishing the joke, Zhang Songwen thought seriously. "The character of Sha Qianmo you are playing, although he is a man, his behavior and mannerisms are like a woman, yet he must also maintain an air of dominance..."

As a native of Guangdong, Zhang Songwen had been active during the peak of Hong Kong entertainment. A certain figure immediately surfaced in his mind

"Dongfang Bubai!"

"A-Gu, you can study Sister Ching-hsia's Dongfang Bubai. The style she portrayed fits your character perfectly."

Zhang Songwen spoke with anticipation. "The ambiguity of gender, the combination of tyranny and vulnerability, and the conflict between power and emotion—if you can master these three points, you will definitely play the role well!"

"Dongfang Bubai from *Swordsman II*?"

Gu Qing blinked, recalling clips he had seen in the past.

Truth be told,

The character positioning of Sha Qianmo was indeed very similar to the version of Dongfang Bubai played by Brigitte Lin.

"I happen to have the old VCDs at home. A-Gu, you can learn while watching. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask us."

Zhang Songwen found the old discs.

The three of them began watching the old movie together.

"The movement of flicking the sleeve, the sharp and cold gaze when seeing an enemy, and the joy and tenderness when encountering Linghu Chong..."

Leveraging his advantage in memory, Gu Qing watched the entire movie, etching every movement and emotion of Brigitte Lin's Dongfang Bubai into his mind.

"Teacher, I have a question."

Gu Qing said, "When Sister Ching-hsia played Dongfang Bubai, she was a woman playing a man, so her movements had to be very domineering. But the character I am playing leans towards the feminine. Should I deliberately use 'orchid fingers' when I speak, or cover my mouth when laughing to highlight Sha Qianmo's feminine side?"

"Yes..."

Zhang Songwen was about to nod.

"No need. Just be yourself."

Zhou Yiwei, however, offered a different perspective. He studied Gu Qing's features and appearance, saying, "Male actors usually play cross-gender roles because their physical appearance cannot reach the delicacy of a female actress.

Therefore, they must use exaggerated body language and intentionally pinch their voices to let the audience recognize they are playing a woman, but the effect is generally poor and can easily disgust the audience.

But your appearance naturally fits the character, and your voice is clean and clear. If you become affected and artificial, it will backfire. Just act according to Dongfang Bubai, and there won't be any problems."

"A-Gu, Yiwei is right. I didn't consider that thoroughly," Zhang Songwen echoed.

"I understand. Thank you, both teachers."

Gu Qing felt he had gained a great deal today.

Just then,

His phone rang; it turned out his little assistant had already sent a reminder.

Sister Li was calling, urging him to return to the company.

"A-Gu, it's getting late. You should head back first. We won't keep you for dinner," Zhang Songwen said, standing up upon hearing the voice.

"Teacher, I will come to see you again when I have time."

Gu Qing prepared to leave.

"Yiwei, what do you want to say?"

Seeing Zhou Yiwei's hesitance, Zhang Songwen asked in confusion.

"Can I... take a photo with your student?"

Zhou Yiwei wanted to go back and brag to his wife.

"Of course, Teacher Zhou."

Gu Qing gave a sincere smile and made a peace sign for the camera.

"A-Gu, let me have one too. I'll go show off to my other friends that I have a top-tier student."

Zhang Songwen also asked for a group photo.

……

As the van entered the company's underground garage, Gu Qing was silently reciting lines to his phone's memo app.

In the reflection of the car window, his arms and fingers were unconsciously rotating his wrists, practicing the movements of Dongfang Bubai flicking and retracting her sleeves.

Upon returning to the company, his manager explained why she had been so anxious to get him back.

"Baby, you're going to participate in the Moon Stage New Year's Eve Gala!"

Li Li was extremely excited; as she walked, her high heels seemed capable of punching holes in the floor.

"With *Keep Running* being so popular, participating in a New Year's Eve gala isn't surprising," Gu Qing reacted calmly.

"But what if you also get to sing a solo song?"

Li Li said, glowing with excitement, "The *Keep Running* production team just communicated with me. Their final episode is planned to have a Wuxia theme. The song they originally intended for you didn't quite fit the theme, so they arranged for you to appear at the New Year's Eve Gala instead!"

"The order is also good, placed third from the end. The penultimate slot is the grand finale for your *Keep Running* group."

To appear in the final slots of a regional satellite TV New Year's Eve gala meant one was undoubtedly a big-name, top-tier star.

Gu Qing's opportunity was inseparable from the recent "anti-explosion" incident.

He had crushed the "Bees"—who were also among the top stars—into a disorganized mess!

Although, in reality, the XO fans had done most of the heavy lifting.

But as the central figure of the "anti-explosion," Gu Qing was the one who benefited the most, gaining the recognition of numerous investors regarding his commercial value.

"Okay, I understand," Gu Qing said. "Sister Li, can I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything, baby! Even if you want the stars in the sky, I'll pluck them down for you," Li Li replied coquettishly.

"Can you help me contact Senior Brigitte Lin's manager?"

"In my upcoming filming, I might interpret the character of Dongfang Bubai based on her previous portrayal."

Gu Qing expressed his concern. "Could you obtain the Senior's consent?"

"Brigitte Lin?"

Hearing this heavyweight name, even Li Li was startled.

She was the superstar who had exploded in popularity across all of Asia during her youth.

If Gu Qing had said he wanted to meet her, Li Li would have likely refused without a second thought.

But if it was just asking a manager to pass on a word as a tribute to a senior's acting, then given Gu Qing's current status as a top star, it shouldn't be difficult.

After all, if a top-tier junior suddenly said they loved a role she played, she would likely be very happy.

"No problem," Li Li agreed immediately.

……

……

(End of Chapter)