Entertainment from Divorce

The next day.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the eighth floor of the dazzling entertainment building, casting long shadows on the marble floor of the corridor. The air was filled with the fresh, gentle fragrance of osmanthus blossoms that the administration department had just replaced.

Sasha stood in front of the president's office, her fingertips unconsciously clutching the hem of her beige trench coat, her heart pounding like a rabbit.

Three minutes earlier, she had just finished organizing the promotional materials for her new drama in the artist department office when she received an internal call from Chen Ye.

"Sasha, President Tan wants you to come to the CEO's office on the eighth floor now."

That one short sentence made her instantly nervous.

Sasha graduated just two or three years ago and is considered a promising new generation actress being groomed by Brilliant Entertainment.

Two years ago, she became a sensation for her role as Zixia Fairy in "A Chinese Odyssey". Her affectionate almond eyes and lively and playful expression made her the "white moonlight" in the hearts of countless viewers.

But precisely because this role was so deeply ingrained in people's minds, the subsequent roles she played failed to break free from the framework of "spirited girl," and she always wanted to find an opportunity to break through her own limitations.

Tan Yue, as the company's CEO, was also her mentor.

It was Tan Yue who overruled all opposition and cast her, a recent graduate, as Zixia Fairy. Sha Sha has always remembered this kindness.

Tan Yue is just too busy on weekdays, and apart from press conferences and company annual meetings, she rarely has the opportunity to see him alone.

This sudden summons filled her with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. She kept wondering: Was it an offer for a new role? Or was there a problem with the publicity?
Taking a deep breath, Sasha raised her hand and gently knocked on the office door, her fingertips turning slightly white from nervousness.

"Come in." Tan Yue's voice came from inside, calm and gentle, instantly dispelling her unease.

As I pushed open the door, the warm light from the office gently enveloped me.

Tan Yue sat behind a large mahogany desk, with several documents spread out in front of him and a steaming cup of green tea beside him.

He looked up at Sasha, a gentle smile playing on his lips: "Sasha, sit down."

Sasha sat down awkwardly in the black leather chair opposite the desk, her hands on her knees, her back ramrod straight: "Mr. Tan, you wanted to see me?"

"How's the recent promotional campaign going? Are you tired?" Tan Yue didn't get straight to the point, but instead inquired about her recent situation, his tone like an elder giving advice to a younger person.

"It's alright, not too tiring, and the audience feedback has been quite good." Sasha relaxed a bit and responded with a smile, "It's just that sometimes I have to rush to several cities a day for promotional events, so it's a bit hectic."

"Thank you for your hard work." Tan Yue nodded, picked up a blue folder from the table, and pushed it in front of her. "I've called you here today because I'd like you to try out a role."

Sasha's eyes lit up instantly, her gaze falling on the folder, her heart racing again: "President Tan, what... what role is it?"

"I wrote a script for 'The Three-Body Problem,' which I plan to adapt into a TV series." Tan Yue's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight. "I want you to try out the role of Ye Wenjie in her youth."

“The Three-Body Problem?!” Sasha suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with shock and ecstasy.

She had heard that the company was preparing a big-budget hard science fiction drama, but she never expected that the script was written by Tan Yue, let alone that she would have the opportunity to audition.

"Don't get too excited yet, this role is not easy to play." Tan Yue looked at her excited expression and his tone became more serious. "Ye Wenjie is one of the core characters of the whole drama. In her youth, she experienced a lot. She has the simplicity and kindness of an intellectual, but also the confusion and despair after being hit hard by reality. She is not like the spirited girls you played before. Her personality is very complex and her emotional layers are very deep."

Sasha nodded vigorously, her hands gripping the folder tightly until her fingertips turned white. "Mr. Tan, I understand! I will definitely seize this opportunity. No matter how difficult it is, I want to give it a try!"

"I believe in your potential." Tan Yue smiled and opened the script in front of him.

"Let me tell you about a scene from her youth that she filmed at the Red Coast Base."

He slowly narrated the plot, his voice deep and magnetic, vividly portraying the oppressive atmosphere of the Red Coast Base and Ye Wenjie's inner struggles.

Sasha listened intently, as if she could already picture the young girl in blue overalls, her eyes filled with complex emotions, gazing into the distance alone in the empty base.

"There aren't many lines in this scene; the emotions are mainly conveyed through eye contact and micro-expressions." Tan Yue closed the script. "I'll give you half an hour to prepare. It's in the dressing room next door. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have."

"Thank you, Mr. Tan!" Sasha stood up, took the folder, bowed deeply, turned around and walked quickly towards the lounge, her steps light and quick.

Watching her retreating figure, Tan Yue smiled helplessly.

He had always noticed Sasha's talent and explosive power, but he hadn't had a role that would allow her to break through.

The character of young Ye Wenjie has both emotional depth and a wide range of personality traits, which is a good opportunity for her to showcase her talents. Hopefully, she can seize this opportunity.

Half an hour later.

Sasha returned to the president's office.

She had taken off her trench coat, revealing a simple white knit sweater underneath. Her hair was casually pulled back, revealing her smooth forehead and softly shaped jawline.

Unlike her previous restraint, her eyes were much calmer now, with a faint melancholy hidden in them, already bearing a resemblance to Ye Wenjie.

"Ready?" Tan Yue asked.

"Hmm." Sasha nodded, took a deep breath, walked to the open space in the center of the office, and slowly closed her eyes.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again, and her expression changed instantly.

Her once bright almond-shaped eyes were now misty, filled with a hint of timid unease. She lowered her head slightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, like a child who had just arrived in an unfamiliar environment.

She slowly raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the empty office as if she were surveying the main control room of the Red Coast Base. Her eyes were filled with curiosity, but it was quickly replaced by a barely perceptible fear.

"I...I'm Ye Wenjie, a new researcher." Her voice was soft and trembling slightly, but she tried her best to remain calm. "I will work hard and won't cause any trouble for anyone."

She pursed her lips slightly, her mouth was tight, and her knuckles turned white from the force, perfectly portraying Ye Wenjie's nervousness, unease, and forced strength upon arriving at the Red Coast Base.

Then, she walked to the window, her back to Tan Yue, her shoulders slightly slumped, as if she had shed all her pretense.

She slowly raised her hand, touching the cold glass, her eyes gazing into the distance, filled with longing and a hint of despair, as if she were missing her relatives far away in the capital, and feeling lost about her unknown fate.

This scene had very few lines, relying entirely on eye contact and body language, but Sasha's performance was exceptionally moving. In particular, the fleeting tear in her eyes when she turned away conveyed Ye Wenjie's inner pain precisely without being deliberately sentimental, earning Tan Yue's silent approval.

A few minutes later, the audition ended.

Sasha returned to her original appearance and looked at Tan Yue somewhat nervously: "Mr. Tan, I...I'm done acting."

Tan Yue didn't speak immediately, but tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, lost in thought.

It must be said that Sasha's progress has exceeded his expectations.

Compared to her ethereal performance as Zixia Fairy two years ago, her acting skills have matured considerably. She can not only accurately grasp the character's emotions but also convey the character's inner world through subtle movements.

Especially the depth in her eyes, which is completely unlike that of a young actress who has only graduated two or three years ago.

But to call it perfect is still far from enough.

"Overall, it's not bad." Tan Yue raised his head and said objectively, "You captured Ye Wenjie's vulnerability and forbearance, and your eye acting was also very good. It's better than I expected."

Sasha smiled happily upon hearing the praise, her eyes sparkling.

"But the details weren't handled well enough." Tan Yue's tone turned serious as he changed the subject.

"Although Ye Wenjie is fragile, she is a top student from a prestigious university, and she has the pride and resilience of an intellectual at heart. When you acted her just now, you emphasized her timidity too much and ignored her pride."

Sasha listened attentively, took out her notebook, and quickly jotted down Tan Yue's comments, nodding occasionally. There was no dissatisfaction on her face, only a strong thirst for knowledge.

“This role is very challenging; it’s not something you can master in a short time.” Tan Yue handed her the complete script of “The Three-Body Problem.”

“This is the script. Take it back and read it carefully. Try to understand Ye Wenjie’s growth trajectory and inner changes. When you feel that you truly understand this character, come back and audition with me.”

"Thank you, Mr. Tan!" Sasha accepted the script with both hands, as if receiving a heavy responsibility, her eyes resolute. "I will definitely study the script carefully and live up to your expectations!"

"Go ahead. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Director Lu Chuan anytime." Tan Yue waved his hand, watching Sasha walk briskly out of the office with the script in her arms, a sense of anticipation rising in his heart.

Sasha has great talent and understanding. As long as she can calm down and study the character, she will definitely be able to play the role of young Ye Wenjie well.

After Sasha left, the office returned to silence.

Tan Yue leaned back in his chair, picked up the green tea on the table, took a sip, and his gaze fell on the character introduction of Ye Wenjie in the script, his brows furrowing slightly.

A preliminary direction has been taken for the young Ye Wenjie, but the candidate for the older Ye Wenjie has not yet been decided.

Having experienced the vicissitudes of life, the elderly Ye Wenjie has seen through the complexities of human nature. Her heart is filled with regret and relief. She is calm and reserved, and her words and actions are imbued with a sense of detachment from worldly affairs.

Such a role requires a veteran actor with rich life experience and superb acting skills to interpret it, but most of the artists under the company are middle-aged and young actors, and there is simply no suitable candidate.

"Looks like we'll have to look outside," Tan Yue muttered to himself, picking up the landline and dialing Qin Tao's internal line. "President Qin, come to my office."

Ten minutes later, Qin Tao appeared at the office door on time, still dressed in a smart black suit skirt, holding a tablet computer in her hand: "President Tan, you wanted to see me?"

"Sit down." Tan Yue pointed to the chair opposite him. "We don't have a suitable actress within the company for the role of the elderly Ye Wenjie in 'The Three-Body Problem.' I plan to invite a veteran actress from outside. I'm assigning this task to you."

“Okay, Mr. Tan.” Qin Tao immediately took out her tablet computer, ready to take notes. “Do you have any specific requirements for the actors? For example, age, acting style, availability, etc.”

"The actor should be over 60 years old, with a calm and composed demeanor, and the refined elegance of an intellectual." Tan Yue pondered carefully. "His acting skills must be superb, especially his eye acting, which should be able to portray Ye Wenjie's life's vicissitudes and inner complexity. As for the salary, it's negotiable as long as it's within the budget. In addition, the schedule must be compatible with the filming of 'The Three-Body Problem,' which is expected to start filming next month, with a shooting period of about three months."

"I understand," Qin Tao quickly wrote down.

"There are quite a few veteran actors in China who meet the requirements. I will compile their information, including their recent works, acting characteristics, availability, and salary requirements, and help you find suitable candidates as soon as possible."

"Okay, move forward as soon as possible, and it would be best to have a preliminary list by this week." Tan Yue instructed, "The elderly Ye Wenjie is a key role, so we must be careful in our selection to ensure that the actors can accurately grasp the core essence of the character."

"Don't worry, I will definitely screen candidates carefully and try to find the most suitable one." Qin Tao closed her tablet and got up to leave. "President Tan, I'll go organize the information first and report back to you as soon as I have any news."

"Go ahead." Tan Yue nodded, watching Qin Tao's figure disappear through the door, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Tao is always meticulous and efficient in her work, and he always trusts her with any task he assigns her.

After finishing the actor selection process, Tan Yue glanced at the time; it was already 3 PM.

He got up, picked up his coat from the back of his chair, and planned to go to the television drama department to check on the progress of the storyboard for "The Three-Body Problem".

Currently, preliminary directions have been established for the selection of Wang Miao, Shi Qiang, Chang Weisi, and the young Ye Wenjie, while the selection process for the older Ye Wenjie is also underway.

If the storyboard can be completed on time, the goal of starting filming next month should be achievable.

Upon arriving at the TV drama department, the office area was bustling with activity.

The employees were all busy at their respective workstations. Some were drawing storyboard sketches, some were discussing scene designs, and some were checking script details. The air was filled with a tense but orderly atmosphere.

Tan Yue walked straight to the conference room. The door wasn't closed properly, and a heated discussion could be heard inside.

“I think this panoramic shot of the Red Coast Base should be taken from above to emphasize the base’s isolation and oppression, which would fit Ye Wenjie’s state of mind at the time.” This was Lu Chuan’s voice, tinged with a hint of determination.

“A bird’s-eye view can indeed convey a sense of oppression, but the radar antenna at the Red Coast base is a core element, and a bird’s-eye view might weaken the visual impact of the antenna. I think a bird’s-eye view would be better, as it can show the grandeur of the antenna and create a sense of oppression.” Qian Tao’s voice was calm as he offered a different opinion.

“If you shoot from a low angle, the overall layout of the base won’t be shown, and it will be difficult for viewers to understand the structure of the base.”

“I think we can combine these approaches: first, use an overhead shot to show the overall layout of the base, then switch to a low-angle shot to highlight the grandeur of the radar antennas. This way, we can showcase both the environment and the core elements,” another team member suggested.

Tan Yue gently pushed open the door and walked in. The people in the conference room immediately stopped their discussion and stood up to greet him: "President Tan!"

"Please sit down, everyone. Let's continue the discussion. I just came to check on the progress." Tan Yue waved his hand with a smile and found a seat in the corner. "I'd also like to hear about your discussion of the Red Coast Base footage." (End of Chapter)