The film and television city starts from the courtyard

Xiao Mu felt that Zhao Shucheng's words were a bit too serious and that he thought too badly of people.

"Director Gu, surely not? This production team seems quite professional, especially with Director Zhang Junzhuo as the producer. Didn't you praise her for her eye for scripts before?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Of course I'm not saying the script is bad, or that the production team is unreliable. I'm just reminding you not to act on your own in the future, and to be especially careful when signing contracts."

"I understand, I will definitely be more careful in the future."

Zhao Shucheng also knew that Xiao Mu was a newcomer and had not yet gotten used to the work and life of an artist. Although she had impersonated Yao Menggui and lived on set for a period of time, and even participated in some events in Yao Menggui's place, all of that was arranged by Chang Ming, and she was even using Yao Menggui's name, so naturally she wouldn't encounter such a thing.

"It's good that you know. Alright, now that the contract is signed, then prepare well. By the way, the premiere of 'Under the First Snow' is in a few days. You'll come with me to attend."

Xiao Mu hesitated upon hearing this, and asked, "Director Gu, is it appropriate for me to go? You know, I've always used my sister's identity to interact with the crew before. What if something happens..."

"You don't need to worry about that. I have a solution. All you need to do is prepare carefully and get to know the directors and producers in the industry. That way you'll have more opportunities."

"Okay, Director Gu, I will definitely do my best."

Mo Xiangwan, however, was having a bit of a run of bad luck. She was busy dealing with Lin Xiang and Xu Ling's work, but when she returned to the company, she was met with a big surprise.

Fan Mei, with whom Mo Xiangwan had a past grudge, was suddenly signed to Qili Culture and became a colleague—and the boss's wife personally signed her. This made Mo Xiangwan very uncomfortable, as the other party didn't seem to consider her feelings at all.

It's worth noting that Mo Xiangwan was Fan Mei's agent back then, but they broke up because Fan Mei felt that Mo Xiangwan was just a junior agent at the time.

Even though Mo Xiangwan went to great lengths to find suitable resources for her, including drinking and helping out everywhere, and treating her with utmost sincerity, even developing a stomach ailment as a result, Fan Mei felt that the other party couldn't give her what she wanted. So, for a little benefit, she renewed her contract with someone else and even turned around and accused Mo Xiangwan of not paving the way for her.

This made Mo Xiangwan feel very disheartened, as if she were a modern version of Mr. Dongguo and the ungrateful wretch. So, although she didn't target Fan Mei, she didn't want them to become colleagues in the future.

But the boss lady didn't care about any of that. Even though she knew that Fan Mei and Mo Xiangwan didn't get along, she still wanted to sign the contract. Her purpose was to make her presence felt at the company every now and then, so that everyone would know who the real boss lady was.

Of course, she did this on purpose to disgust Mo Xiangwan, since Mo Xiangwan's friend Guan Xuan was actually dating her ex-husband Yu Jiang.

Although they had already divorced, for the sake of the company's interests, they never made the matter public, and even had to put on a loving act with Yu Jiang in front of the public.

Fan Mei was unaware of Zhu He's ulterior motives. Instead, she felt that Mo Xiangwan had stolen her opportunity, so she naturally wanted to get revenge. Therefore, at the company, she acted as if she was the only one who was favored, just to give Mo Xiangwan a hard time.

Mo Xiangwan naturally didn't accept such a show of force, but before he could refuse, Zhu He approached her and asked her to take good care of Fan Mei, since she was the one he had signed with, and to help Mo Xiangwan plan her career.

Even though Mo Xiangwan clearly stated her refusal, saying that she was not Fan Mei's agent and had no reason to do such a thing.

He said with congratulations, "Xiang Wan, you can't think like that. You're the artist director of our company, and all the artists in the company are your employees. I don't expect you to be completely devoted to Fan Mei, but you should at least treat everyone equally, right? I heard that Fan Mei was going to join the 'Embrace Me' crew, but Lin Xiang, who is under your management, snatched her away? I don't want this to happen again. After all, these are all people from the company. If news of discord among the company's artists spreads, it will be detrimental to the company in every way."

"I understand, I will!"

"That's good. Forget about the female lead who's embracing me, but I think Fan Mei would be perfect for the second female lead. What do you think?"

Mo Xiangwan frowned upon hearing this, knowing that the other party was deliberately making things difficult for her. After all, she had previously agreed with Hao Mai that the male and female leads would be Luo Feng and Lin Xiang, and the second female lead would be an artist from Hao Mai's company. If Fan Mei were to go now, Hao Mai would definitely feel that he had tricked him, and there would definitely be another confrontation.

"I'll try my best!"

"It's not about trying your best, it's about making sure you succeed."

While Mo Xiangwan was still worrying about this matter, she received another message from her boss, Yu Jiang: the company was preparing to co-produce a period drama with Hezhong, and "Embrace Me" also needed to be finalized as soon as possible.

After much deliberation, she felt that the best solution was to have Yu Jiang collaborate with another investor to give Qili the rights to produce "Embrace Me." This would guarantee the project's profits and quality, and also allow Fan Mei to play the second female lead, thus silencing Zhu He and Hao Mai.

As for new projects, since the company is currently producing its two shows on its own, it will be too busy to handle them all, so it can collaborate with Hezhong on productions.

Upon hearing Mo Xiangwan's words, Yu Jiang hesitated for a moment. He knew that the public's attention to Director Chen's new work would bring considerable profits. Of course, he was also very dissatisfied with Zhu He's frequent interference in the company's affairs, which would also allow him to remove Fan Mei from the leading lady position. So, he readily agreed.

Fan Mei's agent was naturally dissatisfied with this outcome, as was Zhu He, so they demanded that Mo Xiangwan compensate Fan Mei.

Mo Xiangwan didn't want to cause chaos in the company during this period and delay her work. Suddenly, she remembered the new project that Zhao Shucheng had prepared before, and the protagonist Fan Mei seemed to be very suitable.

Zhao Shucheng saw Mo Xiangwan appear in the studio and said with a smile:

"Xiang Wan, you're a rare guest. What, are you planning to assess Xiao Mu and sign him?"

Mo Xiangwan shook her head and said, "I'm in a real mess right now, and the contract signing will have to wait. I came to see you today because of work. Have you decided on the female lead for the script you wrote before?"

"Not yet. The script is finished, and I'm preparing to have the actors audition and then submit their applications. What's up?"

"How about I recommend someone to you?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "I remember telling you before that Lin Xiang isn't suitable for this role. She might be suited to a quirky, mischievous character, or a wildly beautiful one, but I can't find any similarities between her and a career woman like Ye Lanqiu."

"I'm not talking about Lin Xiang, of course, I'm talking about Fan Mei."

Zhao Shucheng paused for a moment, then said, "Fan Mei, I remember you two had a conflict before, have you reconciled now?"

"Of course not. Fan Mei has signed with our company. I think that although we have conflicts, it doesn't prevent her from being a good actress. I think she is quite suitable for this role."

Zhao Shucheng laughed and said, "There should be more. You probably also have a little wish that Fan Mei would be cursed and even suffer a terrible death in the storyline, right?" "You say so, but she's definitely a suitable choice, and the pay is reasonable, isn't it?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Are you serious?"

"Of course, if I wasn't serious, I wouldn't have come to you to talk about this."

Zhao Shucheng said, "I can give her an audition opportunity, but whether she can seize it depends on herself."

"Of course, no problem. Then it's settled."

"it is good!"

Mo Xiangwan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Zhao Shucheng agree. She had given Fan Mei a chance; whether it would work out was up to her. Anyway, she had done as Zhu He had said, so if it didn't work out, she couldn't blame herself.

Although he caused Fan Mei to lose a leading role in a TV series, he also gave her a new film by a director who won the Venice Film Festival Award, so it should be considered even.

Upon receiving the news, Fan Mei looked at her new agent with some shock and asked curiously, "Is Mo Xiangwan very familiar with Director Gu?"

The agent said, "It is said that Mo Xiangwan signed an agent contract with Director Gu. Although she doesn't have much work usually, their relationship should be quite good, otherwise it would be impossible for him to sign a contract with her."

Fan Mei nodded thoughtfully, suddenly looking forward to meeting Zhao Shucheng and wanting to know what Mo Xiangwan had up her sleeve.

Soon, such an opportunity came. "Under the First Snow" had been submitted for review and was ready to hold its premiere. Mo Xiangwan felt it was necessary for Fan Mei to meet Zhao Shucheng, so she planned to take her to the premiere.

Xiao Mu, wearing the evening gown Zhao Shucheng had chosen for her, linked arms with Zhao Shucheng as they walked down the red carpet.

The reporters initially thought Zhao Shucheng had come with Yao Menggui, and Yao Menggui's fans were also chanting her name. It was Zhao Shucheng who revealed Xiao Mu's identity.

This caused an uproar among the reporters and fans present, and one reporter seized the opportunity to ask:
"Director Gu, we know that you brought Xiao Mu to the premiere instead of Yao Menggui, who plays the female lead. Is there some kind of conflict between you two?"

Zhao Shucheng said with a smile, "Of course not. The male and female leads should be together. Besides, Xiao Mu has signed with my studio and will be my employee in the future. I'm just bringing him here to broaden his horizons."

"Director Gu, did you sign Xiao Mu because you thought she would surpass Yao Menggui?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "I just felt that Xiao Mu had a talent for acting. Plus, I was writing a script about twins, and the appearance of the two sisters, Xiao Mu and Yao Menggui, gave me inspiration, so I signed the contract."

"Director Gu, are you planning to invite Xiao Mu and Yao Menggui to co-star in your new film?"

"It's tentative. After all, my new project has been finalized, and this script will be my next work. Of course, I'm also looking forward to Xiao Mu and Yao Menggui starring together."

"Director Gu, did you choose to have these two people act together for publicity or to generate buzz?"

Zhao Shucheng smiled at the reporter who raised the question and said, "Of course not. I just think that playing two roles, although it tests an actor's skills, can actually help them portray the characters better if they are twins. After all, even if twins look the same, their inner personalities and ways of expressing themselves are different. Besides, in my script, the younger sister pretends to be the older sister to help her older sister. Later, the brother-in-law discovers the truth, and then, by a series of coincidences, the older sister pretends to be the younger sister and lives with the brother-in-law. Of course, I can't reveal the specific plot details, so you can look forward to it."

Although the reporters didn't know the full plot, what Zhao Shucheng said had already made them somewhat expectant. They wondered what kind of performance Yao Menggui and Xiao Mu would deliver if they were to actually star in the show.

After all, it's not uncommon for one person to play two roles in film and television dramas, but it's rare for two people to have roles and try their best to portray each other.

Just then, Yao Menggui also arrived on the red carpet.

Yao Menggui naturally saw Xiao Mu and knew that the public had always been curious about the relationship between the two sisters, so she took the initiative to walk up to Xiao Mu as a good older sister.

Zhao Shucheng knew it wasn't convenient for him to be there, and besides, Xiao Mu himself would have to face reporters sooner or later, so he hurriedly left.

Yao Menggui was there portraying the deep sisterly bond, but the reporters and fans were discussing it amongst themselves. Previously, because Zhao Shucheng was present, their focus was on Zhao Shucheng, so they didn't say anything.

But now that Yao Menggui and Xiao Mu are standing together, they have the same face but completely different temperaments, making them feel that Xiao Mu is just riding on Yao Menggui's popularity because of their similar faces. In fact, if it weren't for this, Zhao Shucheng would never have signed Xiao Mu.

Of course, there are also people with dark minds who think that Zhao Shucheng's signing of Xiao Mu's contract was ill-intentioned, and that maybe he couldn't have anything happen with Yao Menggui, so he simply found a substitute to appear by his side.

The main creative team of the film crew also came to the red carpet at this time. Li Jin had a conflict with Yao Menggui of the crew before, but she did not have the courage to go against her.

Hearing the discussions at the scene and seeing Yao Menggui's identical face, she deliberately stepped on Xiao Mu's evening gown, causing Xiao Mu to fall on the red carpet without warning, embarrassing herself on the spot.

Although Yao Menggui felt very pleased, she still pretended to help Xiao Mu up and took him backstage to tidy up.

Once backstage, Yao Menggui's expression immediately changed. All her previous concern vanished, and she instead began to mock and criticize Xiao Mu, saying he shouldn't have coveted something that didn't belong to him.

Tian Sisi never expected that she would see Yao Menggui's two-faced behavior, which she had only followed along out of concern for Xiao Mu, and even witness her sister being treated so badly. She immediately wanted to stand up for Xiao Mu, but Xiao Mu stopped her.

"Sisi, don't be impulsive. Today is the premiere."

"She shouldn't treat you like this, considering all the things you've done for her before."

Xiao Mu said, "Don't say anymore. Actually, it was all my own choice, and my sister didn't do it on purpose either."

"What can I say about you?"

"Okay, Sisi, I'm actually doing pretty well now. Look, I signed a contract with Director Gu, and I'm even about to join the cast of the sister film to 'Under the First Snow.' Maybe we'll even be able to film together then." (End of Chapter)