A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 61 Mother-in-law

Lin Jianlu really didn't expect that with a monthly salary of 1,200 yuan, and only a few decent backup dancers with dance experience needed, so many people would actually submit their applications.

The plan was to recruit six to ten people, but Lao Xue said that in the past half month, he received about three hundred resumes, and after his screening and review, he kept about forty of them.

Two actresses have starred in Lin Jianlu's music videos.

Most importantly, my mother-in-law also came. "She's a national first-class actress, why would she be willing to come and be my backup dancer? I only pay her 1,200 a month, and the lead dancer only gets 1,500!"

Old Xue glanced at Liu Xiaoli's information again, and for some reason, he began to pay close attention—it was common knowledge in the industry that Lin Jianlu liked women older than himself.

But when answering questions, he remained serious. "What you said isn't quite right. 1200 isn't low, is it? The average salary here in mainland China is only a few hundred yuan! And many art groups in mainland China can't even pay their employees. We often have singers from professional art groups submitting their work here. When I chat with them, they even say that they only make two or three hundred yuan a month, which is hard enough to even eat! More than a thousand yuan is not a small amount!"

He paused, then added, "Besides, when we announced the recruitment, you said that for every performance, there would be an extra hundred yuan performance fee! That's very tempting! You're the most popular one, and following you, there's no way we won't have opportunities to make money!"

Ok……

After reviewing the applications, I've shortlisted twelve people, and now I can invite them for interviews.

The shortest is 165cm and the tallest is 169cm. Lin Jianlu had imagined a scene where all these girls would wear specially tailored suits and shorts, or police uniforms with cropped tops and shorts, showing off their long legs and high heels. At that time, they wouldn't even need to dance. They would just walk around on the stage and the audience would go crazy!
Yes, we'll need it for the concert!

This scene can be used in future music videos!

Selling tickets is about making money, it's not shameful!
Looking at the information again, wow, her mother-in-law was born in 1959, only a year younger than Chen Shuhua, but she really looks young—in his past life, he always watched so-called ageless goddesses on Douyin (TikTok) and didn't feel much about it. He himself thought it was mainly because he hadn't been a fan of them when he was young, so he didn't have any sentimental attachment. But after coming to this 1990s, his life had progressed, and he was qualified to meet them in person and talk to these goddesses. Lin Jianlu still had to admit that there really were some women and girls who just didn't seem to age!

Brigitte Lin is over forty and looks a little tired, but actresses like Chen Shuhua, Rosamund Kwan, and even her mother-in-law Liu Xiaoli all look incredibly youthful, like girls in their early twenties.

I'm impressed!

"Sit down! Liu Xiaoli, right? Is your information accurate? Born in 59, 37 years old?"

Seeing it in person, Lao Xue's words made perfect sense. Although she is actually older, my mother-in-law looks really young—she can definitely have more children.

She performed a short classical dance, supposedly a segment from "Chu Rhyme: Lady Xiang," which she was supposed to be a solo piece. To be honest, although she wasn't wearing professional dance costume, her movements were fluid and graceful—wow!

The feeling I had when I first met Chen Shuhua came rushing back!
Ennnn……

Although she is probably quite "old", it's not unacceptable to me!

Play a clip from the music video for "Bei'er Shuang" and ask her to imitate the dance on the spot. Unsurprisingly, her dance lacked the crispness and energy of modern dance or street dance, but it was clear that she had practiced beforehand—almost every girl who was invited to the audition had obviously practiced.

It's such an obvious question, just be a backup dancer for Lin Jianlu!
"That's good. Your basic skills are much better than mine, which is only so-so. However, considering your age, you must have a family, right? If you need to accompany me on tours for extended periods of time..."

Hearing Lin Jianlu's words clearly indicating a willingness to hire her, Liu Xiaoli immediately replied, "I have no problem! I have a child, but he is already nine years old and in elementary school. He is currently living with his grandparents. If it requires a long period of time away for performances, his maternal grandparents can also help take care of him. I have absolutely no problem with that."

The answer was not what Lin Jianlu was concerned about.

I vaguely remember reading entertainment gossip in my past life, and it seemed that Liu Yifei had a pretty powerful father and an equally powerful godfather. This is something I have to investigate beforehand to avoid offending anyone unnecessarily. "I understand, but there's one more thing. Forgive my bluntness, but I'm very willing to hire you. However, you do have a family, and what about your spouse..."

Her answer was simple and straightforward, the kind of blunt and uncompromising: "I'm getting a divorce."

Lin Jianlu was speechless—oh, so this is when they're about to get divorced!
My impression is that Liu Yifei comes from a prominent family. This refers not to her parents, but to her grandparents, who are not ordinary people. Of course, her father is also not simple, at least he is an official. Therefore, even if they divorced, theoretically they should have no shortage of people to take care of them. However, after observing various gossip and filtering out obviously unfounded rumors, it seems that such support was limited.

It's a very simple logic. Lin Jianlu has always felt that no matter how much you boast about your ancestors, as long as you come to the entertainment industry to make a living, it fully demonstrates that your family has already fallen on hard times!
Or perhaps she wasn't valued by her family at all. This isn't about Liu Xiaoli, whose family situation isn't particularly unusual; it's about Liu Yifei!

The entertainment industry is a battleground and a narrow bridge for children from poor families, while true second-generation and third-generation rich kids look down on it.

Well, moreover, facing divorce, it should be the time when the relationship between the two sides is at its most strained.

It was probably a period of hardship.

Otherwise, there's no need to apply for a job for a mere thousand yuan a month.

"Great! You're hired!"

"Um... Hello Mr. Lin, it's like this, I wanted to talk to you in advance, it's just that... I can't guarantee that I will work here for too long, I just... uh, I just need a job right now."

"Oh...I see! A year?"

"Uh, I can't guarantee that."

Lin Jianlu was stunned for a moment—this is ridiculous!

You're applying for a job, but you can't even guarantee a year's worth of work time?
Lin Jianlu shrugged and smiled wryly, "I understand! Then contact us again when you've settled down and want to find a long-term job. I'll still be happy to offer you a job then!"

"Because your dancing is truly amazing!"

After he finished speaking, he even stood up and extended his hand.

Of course, you should be polite to your mother-in-law and leave a good impression.

Liu Xiaoli's expression was initially conflicted, a mixture of regret, disappointment, and reluctance, but she quickly regained her composure, took a few steps forward, and shook hands with Lin Jianlu. "Thank you! Uh, I really like your songs, and I actually really wanted to be your backup dancer for a while. But... due to personal circumstances, I'm sorry!"

Releasing her grip, Lin Jianlu smiled and waved her hand, "It's alright!"

As he spoke, he even took out his business card and handed it to you, saying, "If you're facing a divorce, this must be a difficult time in your life. If you need any help, feel free to call me! I can't help you with big things, but I should be able to help you with small things."

She looked surprised, but still took the business card. "Thank you!...Goodbye!"

"goodbye!"

She turned and left, while Lin Jianlu turned back and sat down.

But just as she reached the door, she suddenly turned back, "If I can promise to stay for at least a year..."

Lin Jianlu looked up in surprise, then chuckled, "Then... welcome?"

She smiled, both happy and a little embarrassed, "Thank you! Because I really need a job right now. I've thought it over, I can work for you for at least a year!"

Lin Jianlu then smiled and stood up a second time, extending her hand, "Then welcome to the team!"

She walked back and shook hands with Lin Jianlu, saying, "Thank you!"

(End of this chapter)