Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

Liu Yuehua and Jiang Wen walked out side by side.

"Apart from her, Chen Hong's face and the amount of buzz she generates are definitely the highest."

Jiang Wen said as he walked.

"If all else fails, Mei Ting is also an option. I think her acting skills are the best among them, but she doesn't generate much buzz."

Liu Yuehua didn't respond; he was rapidly weighing the pros and cons of a publicity stunt versus the risks of a delay.

Just then, the phone rang; it was Tian Zhuangzhuang.

"Yuehua, is the audition over?"

"Come to XXXX Restaurant."

"I organized a gathering, and Brother Kai was there too."

"Chen Hong auditioned today, and Brother Kai accompanied her. After the audition, he stopped by to have tea with me."

Old Tian lowered his voice and directly revealed the truth behind the two of them appearing together this time.

"Brother Kai is currently preparing to shoot a fantasy blockbuster called 'The Promise,' which has a huge investment."

"Chen Hong came to audition for you today, but she didn't really intend to act in it. She just took advantage of your current online popularity, where you're the most controversial celebrity, and wanted to generate some buzz for the film 'The Promise' in advance. When we meet later, be careful what you say."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yuehua told Jiang Wenyi about the situation.

After hearing this, Jiang Wen finally revealed a sly and wicked sneer.

He leaned closer to Liu Yuehua, lowered his voice, and whispered some gossip from within the industry.

"Yuehua, Kai and Xu Qing have a history of grudges."

"Before, there were many rumors about Kai and Xu Qing, but in the end he chose Chen Hong."

"Huh? Wait a minute, why did I hear it was Ni Ping?"

"Yes, Ni Ping was involved too, but that's a different matter."

"Our great poet Chen is quite the ladies' man."

Why do you call him a great poet?

"It's nothing, please continue."

"Chen Hong is a competitive woman, cunning and resourceful, and extremely jealous."

"How about we cast Chen Hong? She's got tons of buzz, and you can work on her acting skills later."

"When we get to the dinner table, go and point at Xu Qing. I guarantee he'll point right every time."

Liu Yuehua's eyes lit up instantly; it's good to have a weakness.

Just before leaving, I ran into Liu Yifei and her classmates coming back to tidy up the classroom. When Liu Yifei saw Liu Yuehua, she gave him a sweet smile.

Liu Yuehua smiled and patted her head.

"Go back and tell your mother that I won't be coming home for dinner tonight."

Jiang Wen watched from the side with envy.

"How come you always seem to get all the good things?"

Half an hour later, in a private room at the XXXX Restaurant.

Pushing open the door, I saw Tian Zhuangzhuang sitting in the host's seat.

Chen Kaige sat in the main seat, dressed in his pretentious and meticulous traditional Chinese jacket, exuding the air of a great art director who was pointing out the flaws of the world.

Chen Hong sat next to him, and she was indeed a beauty of unparalleled grace. Even without much makeup, her beauty, comparable to that of one of the Four Beauties of ancient China, was still striking.

"Teacher Tian, ​​Director Kai, Producer Chen."

Liu Yuehua adopted a very humble attitude, showing none of the arrogance he displayed when he was out in public, and politely greeted everyone.

Chen Kaige put down his cup, smiled, and nodded.

Before this, he looked down on commercial directors like Liu Yuehua who made their fortunes through borderline marketing and hype, feeling that they were polluting the elegant art of film.

However, before inviting Chen Hong to audition, Tian Zhuangzhuang showed him the outline of the script for "The Flying Man".

This theatrical stage structure, with its long takes that tear apart reality and illusion, precisely hits the G-spot of Chen Kaige's artistic youth.

He had to admit that this notebook was quite sophisticated, far superior to Lu Chuan's affected and whiny writing.

"Sit down, Yuehua," Chen Kaige said, adopting the airs of a senior.

"Old Tian showed me the script. The ideas are quite wild, and the courage to deconstruct classical drama is quite bold. I just don't know if your skill in handling long takes can support such a heavy subject matter."

Liu Yuehua seized the opportunity and immediately picked up his wine glass, showering the other party with blatant and skillful flattery.

"My camera handling skills are just average; I'm basically a beginner in this industry."

"I came here today specifically to seek advice from you, the only Chinese winner of the Cannes Palme d'Or." Liu Yuehua said sincerely.

"Fan Yi in this thunderstorm is the key to the play within a play."

"A large number of people came to the audition today. Director Jiang Wen and I are really unsure about who to choose. We need to ask you, my senior, for guidance."

The title of China's only Palme d'Or winner is Chen Kaige's greatest pride in his life.

Looking back now, it might be the only source of pride I have in my life.

Liu Yuehua's compliment was perfectly placed. Chen Kaige's face instantly lit up with joy, and his pride was fully unleashed.

"Casting depends on bone structure and the character's inherent qualities."

Chen Kaige adopted the airs of an elder and began to speak at length.

"Of the people who auditioned today, Chen Hao is too frivolous and has too much of a television feel. Yuan Quan is too cold, like a nun, lacking the tension of incest. Neither of them will do. Mei Ting is somewhere in between, not quite good enough for either."

"Master Uncle, your words hit the nail on the head." Liu Yuehua nodded repeatedly, then changed the subject and laid out a deadly bait.

"Actually, after thinking about it for a long time, Professor Jiang and I decided that Xu Qing was the person we liked best."

"I think her portrayal of Fan Yi perfectly captures the arrogance of a privileged young lady from a wealthy family, coupled with her inherent lust. What do you think?"

When Xu Qing was mentioned, Chen Kai, who had been speaking fluently just moments before, suddenly stammered.

His eyes darted away unnaturally for a moment, then he picked up his teacup, took a tactical sip, and stammered incoherently.

"Xu Qing... Xu Qing does have certain qualities... she does possess some spiritual energy..."

"Hmph!" A cold, clear snort came from the side.

Chen Hong's composure vanished, and she gave Chen Kai a cold glance, her eyes filled with a strong warning.

Chen Kaige froze, his survival instinct instantly overriding any discussion of art, and immediately changed the subject.

"Of course, if we're talking about commanding the scene, Xu Qing's presence is a bit weak."

"If you ask me, among all the people who auditioned today, no one can compare to Chen Hong sitting next to you in terms of the depth of classical tragedy."

Chen Kaige started frantically trying to make amends, praising his wife to the skies.

Chen Hong originally just wanted to use Liu Yuehua's connections to gain some fans and generate buzz for "The Promise," and she had no intention of acting in such a torturous film that wasn't even a leading role.

But now things have changed. Liu Yuehua is actually going to give that outstanding role to Xu Qing? To the woman that Chen Kaige once longed for?

The woman's jealousy and the female producer's competitive spirit perfectly overlapped at this moment.

"Yuehua." Chen Hong picked up her wine glass, looking at Liu Yuehua with a half-smile, her tone carrying a hint.

"Xu Qing is okay at playing delicate, chivalrous women in martial arts novels, but can she really pull off a role like Fan Yi, which requires explosive emotional intensity?"

She raised a glass and immediately revealed her trump card.

"I've also read the script for 'The Flying Man.' To be honest, this kind of rebellious drama isn't something just any actress can pull off."

"Since Brother Kai thinks I'm suitable, Director Liu, if you really have the guts to film this, I can definitely get you the role."