I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

“We share the same values ​​and get along like we’ve known each other for years.” Zhang Meng said sincerely as he introduced her in detail, “Her name is Wan Qian. She has an extremely strong academic background. She graduated first in her class from the Performance Department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy. For three consecutive years during her university years, the plays she starred in were featured at the International Youth Theatre Festival, and she won overseas theatre awards. After graduating in 04, she was directly admitted to the National Theatre of China, where she has been deeply involved in stage plays. Her diction is top-notch in the industry. In addition, she has also released her own album, ‘Universal Gravitation,’ and her vocal skills have also undergone professional and systematic training.”

Li Xiaoran frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "With such an impressive resume, you're a rare talent in the industry. Why would you, a newcomer, need to help you?"

Mentioning this matter, Zhang Meng's face immediately turned indignant, and she clenched her fists as she said, "She had previously refused the unspoken rules of a second-tier director. Under the guise of discussing the script, he privately invited her and made unreasonable demands. Wan Qian refused on the spot and even refuted him in public. That director was narrow-minded and turned around and used his connections to blacklist her. The role of the third female lead was temporarily replaced, and all seven extra and supporting roles that had been confirmed were canceled. She was also internally advised to withdraw from all the filming opportunities she had been offered."

"To be able to discourage the entire industry from participating, it means she has powerful connections." Li Xiaoran instantly grasped the key point, "How did she get the minor role in 'Nine-Tailed Fox'?"

“Only Shengli Film and Television was not constrained by the other party’s connections.” Zhang Meng answered truthfully. “This drama was fully funded by Shengli Film and Television. The internal selection of the cast was not subject to pressure from external connections. She got a supporting role with a few lines by auditioning without any roles, and that’s how I got to know her.”

The coldness in Li Xiaoran's eyes faded as she sorted out the whole story: "I know this director. He has a terrible reputation in the industry and specializes in suppressing new actresses. He has his sister backing him. His sister is the boss of a medium-sized film and television company and has connections covering small and medium-sized production crews. But this kind of power is nothing compared to Shengli Film and Television."

“If you really want to help her, just send the whole story to Cheng Sheng. With just one word from Cheng Sheng, the other party will not only be unable to continue to suppress her, but will even have to take the initiative to apologize. The capital behind him will definitely not offend Cheng Sheng, who is currently riding high, for the sake of a director with a bad reputation.”

Zhang Meng hesitated, repeatedly rubbing the edge of his phone with his fingertips: "Will this cause trouble for Brother Sheng? We haven't known each other for very long, and I'm afraid that if I interfere too much, Brother Sheng will think I'm clueless."

"It's just a small favor, not a trouble at all," Li Xiaoran said confidently. "Cheng Sheng controls the personnel at Shengli Film and Television. Unlocking internal restrictions and making external connections are just a matter of a word for him."

After listening to the advice, Zhang Meng completely put aside his concerns, opened the chat box, edited Wan Qian's experience, the other party's identity, and the whole story of the ban, and sent it to Cheng Sheng in its entirety.

After sending the message, she stared intently at the chat box, holding her breath as she waited for a reply.

Li Xiaoran gently flicked her forehead and reminded her helplessly, "Consider the time difference. It's four in the morning in Los Angeles, right when everyone is sound asleep. He can't possibly reply instantly. He won't see the message until the morning at the earliest."

Zhang Meng slapped his forehead in realization, his face full of annoyance: "I completely forgot about the time difference, I can only patiently wait for daytime."

The timeline shifts to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, at 6 a.m.

The warm golden morning light pierced through the palm leaves, slanting across the light gray asphalt road and dispelling the early morning mist.

The row of detached luxury homes is surrounded by a three-meter-high wall, and the marble fountain in the courtyard constantly sprays water mist, with sunlight refracting into tiny rainbows.

A few white joggers strolled along the street, their shoes crunching over fallen leaves, adding a touch of life to the tranquil affluent neighborhood.

The blackout curtains in the master bedroom were half-drawn, allowing a ray of morning light to filter in and fall on the edge of the bed.

Cheng Sheng slowly got up and turned to look at Scarlett, who was sleeping soundly beside him.

At 22, Scarlett Johansson had not yet experienced the subsequent public opinion storm and appearance anxiety. Her bone structure and skin were at their peak. Her bare face and clear eyes were clean and bright, without the sharpness of later generations. She was as soft as a newly blooming red rose.

With Hollywood's universally acknowledged dream goddess sleeping unguarded beside him, Cheng Sheng couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

Recalling last night, Scarlett insisted on immersing herself in the emotional and physical changes of a young woman unexpectedly becoming pregnant, in order to fully grasp the core of the character in "Juno." She repeatedly studied the details of the script and even requested to experience the character's state on location, which kept her up until late into the night. Seeing the faint dark circles under her eyes, Cheng Sheng felt a pang of guilt.

He gently lifted the covers, stepped barefoot onto the cashmere carpet, and entered the master bathroom alone to wash up.

After a quick shower and shave, I went downstairs to the open kitchen to prepare a Western-style breakfast for four: scrambled eggs, thick-cut bacon, blueberry oatmeal bowl, and freshly ground latte.

Two portions were kept for himself and Scarlett, and the other two were reserved for Chen Hong and Xu Fan.

Once everything was ready, Cheng Sheng picked up Scarlett's black Porsche car keys from the entrance and drove away from the villa alone.

Forty minutes later, the vehicle entered the hotel's underground parking garage and went directly to the top floor, the presidential suite.

Cheng Sheng raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door three times. After a two-second interval, the door opened inwards.

Chen Hong was wearing a wine-red silk camisole nightgown, her long hair casually tied back, with a few strands falling onto her neck. Her eyes and brows held a lazy, sleepy look as she stood quietly at the door looking at him.

Cheng Sheng looked at Chen Hong, whose makeup was disheveled and who hadn't washed up yet, and greeted her in a light tone, "Good morning, Sister Hong, is Sister Xu awake?"

"Come in first." Chen Hong stepped aside to make way for Cheng Sheng, and after he entered the suite, she gently closed the door behind her.

There were cleaning staff sweeping the corridor just now, so Cheng Sheng couldn't show any intimacy.

After closing the door to block out the outside world, he took the opportunity to put his arm around Chen Hong's supple and slender waist, brought his nose close to her neck to take a light sniff, and then gently kissed her cheek, his voice low and gentle: "Sister Hong, I've missed you a lot."

Chen Hong's eyes held a hint of reproach as she rolled her eyes at him, her tone languid: "We just met yesterday, why are you thinking so much?"

"You sit in the living room for a while, I'll go wash up and tidy myself up." After saying that, Chen Hong turned around and went into the bathroom, closing the sliding door behind her.

Cheng Sheng didn't linger in the living room, but went straight to the inner bedroom.

As I pushed open the door, I happened to see Xu Fan changing into his outdoor clothes, his inner garments not yet fully on.

Caught off guard, Xu Fan gasped in surprise, frantically covering his chest with his arms, looking flustered and embarrassed, his ears turning red instantly.

Cheng Sheng smiled gently, not getting too close, and teased in a relaxed tone: "Sister Xu, there's no need to be so nervous. It's not like it's the first time we've met, there's no need to be so reserved."

He stepped forward slowly and gently pulled the bewildered Xu Fan into his arms, his movements restrained and reserved.

Xu Fan's cheeks flushed, her body stiffened slightly, and her breathing became erratic. She could only instinctively lean on his shoulder. (End of Chapter)