This celebrity is absolutely wicked.

Chapter 17: Why are there leaders inspecting the film set?

The total cost of this online movie was only a few million yuan, and the actors they hired were not very famous.

It was mostly actors from Chang'an Entertainment plus some extras.

Everyone's idea was simple: to complete the task.

As a working person, all I need to do is complete the tasks assigned by the client and earn my pay.

As for creating artistic value, let's put that aside for now.

So, not only those playing supporting roles, but even the lead actors didn't treat this as anything particularly important.

The story itself isn't very complicated; as long as the characters are portrayed on the surface, that's enough.

That's enough.

The role that Lu Ran is going to play today was also chosen for him from the script by Meng Yichuan.

It has more screen time than typical characters and is more distinctive.

If a seasoned veteran who specializes in playing this type of role were to play it, he could probably pick it up with just a glance at the script.

He's just playing a villain who runs a billiards hall and lends money at exorbitant interest rates.

Even so, Meng Yichuan still said, "Take it out, let me see it."

Some staff members who were debugging the equipment also cast curious glances over.

Several people who looked like extras joined in.

Lu Ran took out an executive jacket from the bag.

"Director Meng, this is what I'm thinking..."

Lu Ran explained to Meng Yichuan why he chose this outfit for Lu Jie.

Meng Yichuan didn't pay any attention at first.

His idea was that as long as Lu Ran didn't bring out clothes that were too outrageous, he would let him have his way.

It's clear from the company's plans that they will concentrate their resources on Lu Ran in the future.

The young master's cameo appearance in their drama was just a way to gain prestige.

As he listened to Lu Ran's story, Meng Yichuan's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"That's why I chose this outfit for Lu Jie."

After Lu Ran finished speaking, Meng Yichuan immediately asked, "Then why does Lu Jie still engage in usury and other illegal activities?"

How could someone who aspires to be a civil servant allow themselves to fall into depravity?

Lu Ran explained, "Because his purpose in taking the civil service exam was never to serve the people. In fact, his goal was different from most ordinary people who wanted to find a stable job. He just wanted to become an official."

"When he failed the exam for two consecutive years, he said, 'If you let me pass the exam, I'm sure I'll be a good official. Why make me take the exam?' But in reality, he thought that life after passing the exam would be like smoking cigarettes and bringing Moutai home."

"This is Lu Jie's true thought; he's only after money."

Meng Yichuan pondered Lu Ran's words.

"As long as I get ashore, I'm sure I'll be a good official. Once I'm ashore, I'll be smoking this cigarette as usual, and I'll still bring Moutai home."

Meng Yichuan read it once and immediately burst out laughing.

Not only did he laugh, but everyone around him burst into laughter.

They even made a catchy rhyme about it.

None of this was written in the scripts.

Li Quan said somewhat anxiously, "Meng Sanpai, I'm new to acting, so I have a lot of ideas. Please don't mind them."

Meng Yichuan raised his hand instead: "Don't interfere with my academic exchange with Lu Ran."

Li Quan's eyes widened in surprise.

So I've become the other woman/woman?

But he could tell from Meng Yichuan's expression that Lu Ran wasn't talking nonsense; he had hit the nail on the head.

Meng Yichuan ignored the rude agent and his expression became warmer.

Lu Ran, who is clearly the crown prince, put so much thought into playing a small cameo role, while the director didn't even think this much.

In today's entertainment industry, let alone this situation, some big-budget TV dramas don't even have their lead actors read the script; they just wait to come to the set and film.

It's also possible that they won't even come to the film set.

Meng Yichuan continued, "So after failing the exam for three years, he went from one extreme to the other."

Lu Ran added, "Not only that, he also wanted to find the thrill of wielding power in these underlings, so he made them call him Director Lu."

Meng Yichuan felt as if he had found a kindred spirit.

Being a director involves more than just doing your job well; you also manage a team.

Anyone who has been a leader knows that teams are difficult to manage, as everyone in a team has their own ideas.

Meng Yichuan was once a director with dreams, but he gradually declined over time.

But he seemed to see his former self in Lu Ran, and perhaps even more so.

That seriousness is just so admirable!
Hearing the laughter around him, Meng Yichuan immediately reprimanded them, "Stop laughing! Lu Ran is right!"

The staff and extras immediately dropped their expressions.

Lu Ran ignored all of that and continued, "So, Lu Jie's character is a bit different from stereotypical villains, and his little gang is also different from the usual gangs."

“For example, other gangs may have a loose organizational structure, but Lu Jie would hold a regular meeting once a week.”

Lu Ran's gaze swept around the billiard hall.

This billiards hall is a real billiards hall, rented by the film crew for shooting scenes, and the props are all very realistic.

"For example, I think if I were Lu Jie, I would hang a slogan on the wall of the billiard hall."

At this point, everyone in the room could no longer hold back.

Are you fucking insane?!
Why does your billiards hall, which is run by criminal gangs, look increasingly red?

The whole room burst into laughter.

Meng Yichuan patted Lu Ran on the shoulder and praised, "Not bad, it seems I really need to give you more screen time."

Originally, Lu Jie didn't have many scenes, but inspired by Lu Ran, Meng Yichuan had a lot of ideas to add.

I just couldn't resist the thought!
We have to include it, even if it costs extra!

This newcomer is something else!

"Go change your clothes and put on makeup, just do as you said."

However, Lu Ran didn't move. Instead, he said seriously, "Director, let's do the audition first."

Meng Yichuan was stunned.

You're very upright, perhaps a little too upright!
You were handpicked by the boss to do a cameo role in the film crew, so even if you act like a complete idiot, nobody will dare to interfere.

Besides, what's the point of auditioning for a minor role in a small online movie?

Meng Yichuan waved his hand and said, "No need, there's nothing to try."

Lu Ran still insisted, "No, we have to try."

Meng Yichuan looked at Li Quan with a questioning gaze.

Li Quan was not surprised at all by Lu Ran's performance.

Lu Ran is acting a bit strangely right now!

"Director Meng, why don't you give it a try?" Li Quan said, winking at him.

Lu Ran just wanted a process.

Meng Yichuan immediately understood. He slowly said, "Okay, now you're Lu Jie. I've finished playing pool here and need to settle the bill." He casually chose a scene, and the scene was very simple.

The people around watched this scene with curiosity.

Such stubborn people are rare these days.

They're all connected by connections, why bother with an audition?

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran immediately immersed himself in the role of Lu Jie.

He has never received acting training, but he can immediately immerse himself in a role.

His expression changed, and he revealed a warm smile: "Seventy-two in total, cash or QR code payment is fine."

Meng Yichuan pretended to take out his phone to scan the QR code to pay.

After making the payment, Lu Ran bowed slightly and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your support of grassroots entertainment."

Meng Yichuan burst out laughing.

This line does indeed fit the image of Lu Jie that he and Lu Ran were just talking about.

His online movie also incorporates comedic elements.

"Alright, not bad, you passed the audition." Meng Yichuan was very satisfied.

He wasn't faking it; he was genuinely satisfied.

Lu Ran's acting skills just now were more than enough.

Lu Ran said thank you.

[10 points earned.]

After Lu Ran went to put on makeup and change clothes, Meng Yichuan looked at a man who was laughing and said, "Stop laughing. Go find an advertising shop right now and make me a banner with the sentence Lu Ran just said on it."

Everyone noticed that something was wrong with Meng Yichuan.

Director Meng seems to have evolved from a state of aimless slacking off to a state of full of energy at work!
"Director Meng, making the banner will take time!" the staff member said.

He meant to hurry up and finish so we could leave work sooner.

That's what they've always done.

Meng Yichuan said with a deep look in his eyes, "This time is well spent, go do it."

Afterwards, Meng Yichuan continued with the arrangements.

"Xiao Liu, try to get some white shirts, suit pants, and leather shoes for the extras to wear."

"Xiao Zhang, rearrange the bar. Remove the bottles and put in a teapot and tea leaves."

"Xiao Li, tear down all these fancy posters and replace them with some Party and government propaganda posters."

Li Quan watched in stunned silence.

Good heavens, is this still a billiards hall that lends money at exorbitant interest rates?

You're making me afraid to come in!
After everyone had finished their tasks, Meng Yichuan said to Li Quan, "You've struck gold!"

Now it was Li Quan's turn to be smug.

"My judgment is definitely correct."

Meng Yichuan sighed: "It's a pity he wants to sing. He was born to be an actor; he has too much talent."

Li Quan didn't speak, but silently wondered to himself, "Is it possible that he's also a very good singer?"

An hour later, the original billiard hall had changed its appearance.

There were newspapers and magazines, teapots and tea leaves at the bar, and Party and government propaganda posters were pasted on the wall.

The extras' clothes were also changed.

The only thing missing is the banner, which hasn't been finished yet.

Especially Lu Ran, who was sitting next to the bar, was holding a glass with a handle in his hand, which was filled with tea leaves.

He was dressed in an executive jacket and leather shoes, looking just like someone who works within the system.

Of course, this kind of attire is actually a stereotype within the system, but it doesn't matter when making online movies; what's important is that the audience can immediately tell what the person does.

Li Quan looked around at the pool tables, then at Lu Ran, and felt a sense of distortion in the world.

You're telling me this guy in the executive jacket is the owner of a billiard hall and a loan shark?
"Lu Ran, are you really alright?" Li Quan asked with concern.

This is the only singer in the entire company, and he's supposed to be recording the second episode of "Future Singer," so we can't let anything happen to him here.

Lu Ran coughed lightly twice and said calmly, "Comrade Li Quan, please watch your form of address."

Li Quan tentatively asked, "Director Lu?"

Lu Ran nodded and looked at Li Quan calmly: "Comrade Li Quan, your ideological awareness is still not enough."

"Alright, you can play now, I'm going out for a smoke."

Li Quan felt that Lu Ran exuded an eerie aura.

He had just reached the first floor and was about to light a cigarette when a sports car pulled up by the roadside, and a man who looked to be in his thirties got out.

This man had dark skin, sharp eyes, and a ruthless look.

The man leaned his head into the sports car, kissed the woman inside, waved goodbye, and only turned around after the woman's car had driven away.

Upon seeing Li Quan, the man's face immediately lit up with joy, and he said happily, "Brother Quan, you've come!"

"It's alright, no rush. It's not ready inside yet."

Li Quan handed the man a cigarette and said, "My man will be acting with you today, so please bear with him."

This man is Zheng Yunxiang, the actor who plays the male lead Chen Mo.

Zheng Yunxiang took the cigarette, and the two of them stood at the exit of the billiard hall and smoked.

"Don't worry, Brother Quan. We're all on the same side. Our common goal is to finish making this movie well," Zheng Yunxiang said slowly.

That's one of the good things about small companies; there aren't many conflicts between employees.

Li Quan was relieved. Zheng Yunxiang was an experienced actor, and a martial arts actor at that, several levels above Lu Ran.

Lu Ran and Zheng Yunxiang even have a dialogue, so it's easy for them to lose their connection.

Li Quan asked curiously, "Was that your girlfriend just now? The one you had dinner with last time?"

"The person I ate with last time has already broken up with me. This is someone I just met a couple of days ago."

No sooner had Zheng Yunxiang finished speaking than Li Quan exclaimed, "What a scumbag!"

"Don't slander me. I take every relationship very seriously."

Zheng Yunxiang's eyes looked sincere, not like he was lying.

After the two finished their cigarettes, Zheng Yunxiang said, "Let's go, Quan-ge, introduce me to that newcomer."

Zheng Yunxiang was also quite curious about Lu Ran.

After all, she's the only singer in the company, and he's never met her before.

If Lu Ran has any questions during filming, he will definitely do his best to help.

When Zheng Yunxiang entered the billiards hall, he immediately spotted Lu Ran sitting at the bar.

Meng Yichuan was sitting next to her, and he seemed to be talking to Lu Ran about something.

This isn't a lecture, this is a report!

His expression changed instantly, and he turned around in a panic, grabbing Li Quan's clothes and whispering in Li Quan's ear, "Brother Quan, what's going on? Why are there leaders inspecting our filming?"

Li Quan realized what was happening and pointed at Lu Ran, saying, "This is Lu Ran, one of my artists."

Zheng Yunxiang was filled with questions.

(End of this chapter)