How to capture the evil villain? I choose to be his mother!

Chapter 458 The Most Disliked Actress's Mother in the Entertainment Industry (70)
Li Sheng firmly demanded that a contract be prepared, and insisted that Zhu Wen sign the contract before leaving.

He looked as if he was afraid Zhu Wen would run away halfway through.

Li Sheng's eagerness to get involved has certainly broadened everyone's horizons.

His assistant director ultimately didn't dare to disobey Li Sheng's wishes.

Actually, the assistant director just wanted Li Sheng to go through the motions of auditioning, even if it was just to save face for the other actors.
However, Li Sheng's good temper was only reserved for Zhu Wen.

To everyone else, he was the infamous tyrant on set, not allowing anyone to voice any dissent.

This left the poor assistant director racking his brains, wondering how to explain things to the actors behind him...

"So, it's settled like this?"

[They want to sign the contract on the spot? Isn't that a bit too hasty?]

[This shows that Director Li is truly satisfied with Zhu Wen! This is the first time I've seen Director Li like this!]

Wait a minute, hasn't Cheng Qin already auditioned? So Director Li didn't choose Cheng Qin, but chose Zhu Wen instead?

[Wow, I've found a juicy tidbit... Look at this post, it's a selfie from the dressing room that Cheng Qin posted two minutes ago, captioned 'Waiting for the flowers to bloom,' is she subtly implying that she's waiting for an audition?]

So, Director Li didn't even watch Cheng Qin's performance before choosing Zhu Wen? Wow, he must be incredibly satisfied!

[What if it's the audition and they're just waiting for the results?]

[No way, with Cheng Qin's status, if she were to wait for the results, she would definitely go home and wait!]

[Exactly, judging from Cheng Qin's expression, she doesn't seem to be waiting...]

……

The contract was completed very quickly.

Because it was just a simple letter of intent.

Specific details of the contract, such as the actor's salary and publicity share, need to be drafted by a lawyer hired by Zhu Wen; it's not something that can be signed casually.

Judging from Li Sheng's satisfied attitude towards Zhu Wen, his salary this time probably won't be low... Of course, that's not important.

Once Zhu Wen finishes filming this movie, she'll be able to instantly become a top-tier actress! Overnight fame is not a dream!

Oh wait, it seems she already became an overnight sensation...

Zhu Wen quickly signed the contract.

"I hope to see the full contract soon."

Zhu Wen then raised his own request at the appropriate time.

Li Sheng smiled throughout, showing not a trace of dissatisfaction.

“Okay, once the contract is signed, I’ll send someone to deliver it to you immediately, by next week at the latest. After you’ve finished reading it, I’ll arrange a script reading session, at which time you can meet your other co-stars.”

He patiently and kindly explained that he would be auditioning for other supporting roles in the next few days, so he couldn't spend more time talking to Zhu Wen about the movie and the character.

Zhu Wen didn't take it seriously: "There's still plenty of time."

Li Sheng nodded in agreement: "That's true."

The two had a pleasant conversation and were about to leave.

Zhai Ling hesitantly approached Zhu Wen.

She glanced quickly at Li Sheng, then lowered her head shyly.

Li Sheng was one of her dream directors, and she watched his most famous works over and over again!

Unexpectedly, she's now actually standing opposite Li Sheng, and her mother even wants to collaborate with him...

Zhu Wen will introduce this in due course:

“This is my daughter, Zhai Ling.”

Although Zhai Ling was famous before, it wasn't enough for Li Sheng to remember her.

He only glanced at her a few more times out of curiosity because of Zhai Ling's identity:
"I didn't realize your daughter was so grown up."

Zhu Wen calmly introduced:

She was twenty, and I was forty.

Li Sheng nodded with a smile:

"Hello, Xiaoling. Hmm, may I call you Xiaoling?"

He seemed to see himself as a friend of Zhu Wenping and others, and thus treated Zhai Ling as a close junior. Zhai Ling was flattered and overwhelmed, grasping Li Sheng's hand and shaking it up and down.
"Hello Director Li! You're my fan... no! I'm your fan!"

Her face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed, and she looked extremely shy!

Zhu Wen chuckled softly.

Li Sheng also let out a good-natured laugh:

"It's okay, it's normal for a little kid to be a bit nervous. But, is Xiaoling acting as your mom's assistant?"

To fit the role of an assistant, Zhai Ling dressed very simply today and carried a large canvas bag filled with water bottles, tissues, documents, and various other items—a typical assistant look.

So Li Sheng guessed it at a glance.

Zhai Ling hesitated for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes, I'm my mother's assistant..."

"Temporary assistant."

Zhu Wen added a sentence at the opportune moment.
“She was originally an actress, but she's been having some trouble lately and is taking a break from work, which is why she's recording this variety show with me and acting as my assistant. If there's a suitable role in the movie, the director can give her a chance to try out.”

Zhu Wen's attitude was incredibly natural and fluent, as if it were the simplest of little things.

But Zhai Ling was so frightened that she froze.

The reason she didn't introduce herself as an actress was because she was worried that Li Sheng would think she was implying something.

But now... there's no need for any hints! Her mother just asked for it directly!

"Ah...ah! I, I didn't mean that! I...I actually..."

Zhai Ling was so nervous that she became incoherent, and sweat even broke out on her forehead.

[Zhai Ling: Shut up! Hurry up and tell me!]

It seems Zhai Ling is really nervous.

What's the big deal? Why did I ask?

[Yes, just like Zhu Wen, be open and generous.]

Zhai Ling was probably worried that it would affect Director Li's impression of her mother.

If Zhai Ling can really seize this opportunity, wouldn't that be like ascending to immortality?

Indeed, even supporting roles in Li Sheng's films are enough to make young actresses scramble for them!

But Director Li probably won't agree, right? I heard he's always been very picky!

……

The facts have once again proven them wrong.

Li Sheng was only somewhat surprised:

"So Xiaoling is an actress too? What a coincidence!"

When Zhu Wen asked him if he could give Zhai Ling a small role, he was very generous.
"Great! It just so happens that the fourth female lead is the female lead's daughter. It would be perfect if you two, mother and daughter, acted together!"

It seems that Li Sheng was the one who was pleasantly surprised!
Moreover, he wasn't just saying it casually; with a wave of his hand, he had someone bring over the letter of intent for Zhai Ling to sign again.

Zhai Ling was completely bewildered throughout the entire process; she couldn't even remember how she had signed her name on the contract.

wait wait wait!
So she's going to act in Li Sheng's movie?

Even if she only played a minor role, how could her dream not have been fulfilled?

In an instant, ecstasy overwhelmed Zhai Ling, causing her to burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Thank you, Director Li!"

Zhai Ling smiled radiantly.

Li Sheng waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing.

Just as Zhu Wen and the others were about to leave, a commotion suddenly broke out at the door.

Immediately afterwards, a figure barged in.

"Director Li! I'm Cheng Qin!"

She was panting, and her eyes were a little red.