Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 68 "I'm not a director controlled by capital!"

"Director Zhao, three guests are looking for you."

"Who is it? Do you have an appointment?"

"No, they came straight up—"

The assistant's voice carried a hint of strangeness, and Zhao Yanxi couldn't help but chuckle. Just as he was about to ask who was so "all-powerful," he looked up and saw a beautiful mother, daughters, and sisters standing in the doorway. His face immediately lit up with a delighted smile: "Qianqian, Auntie, when did you get back?"

The assistant obediently withdrew and closed the door behind her.

"Director Zhao, can't you really see me?" Shu Chang whispered.

"Oh, Changchang's here too! Sorry, I didn't notice her earlier~"

"Don't you dare bully Changchang~~" Liu Yifei said, while looking around Zhao Yanxi's office: "Director Zhao, this office is pretty good, it has the air of a billionaire!"

"Haha, not bad, not bad. Come on, Sisi, please take a seat~"

Zhao Yanxi stood up and offered the boss's chair, and Liu Yifei didn't stand on ceremony, smiling sheepishly as she sat down. Her gaze fell on the spreadsheet on the computer screen and was immediately drawn to it.

Zhao Yanxi smiled and gestured for Liu Xiaoli and Shu Chang to sit down on the guest sofa next to them.

"Auntie, what kind of tea would you like?"

"Last time I visited Mr. Han, I got some pre-Qingming tea that's hard to find on the market. Would you like to try some?"

"Okay, thank you for your help." Liu Xiaoli replied gently.

Before the tea was even brewed, Liu Yifei's delighted voice came from the other end: "Yan Xi, you want me to play Xiao Wei?"

Liu Yifei had read the script for "Painted Skin" before, so she naturally knew that the character "Xiao Wei" was innocent yet charming, naive yet cruel and bloodthirsty, and devoted to love but ignorant of worldly rules.

This is exactly the kind of contradictory and challenging role she has always longed to try.

However, Zhao Yanxi had previously said that her image and temperament were not quite suitable, and she also admitted that her acting skills were not yet sufficient to handle such a complex transformation, so she did not insist further.

But to her surprise, Zhao Yanxi still listed her name after "Xiao Wei" in the cast list for "Painted Skin".

"What, don't you want to act?" Zhao Yanxi asked with a smile.

"Yes! Of course I want to!" Liu Yifei blurted out, then hesitated, "But didn't you say before that I wasn't really suitable?"

"There's nothing unsuitable about it," Zhao Yanxi said casually. "I'm the director, so whether it's suitable or not is up to me."

Are you happy? Are you excited?

Of course I'm happy, of course I'm excited!

Despite her joy, Liu Yifei couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Since Zhao Yanxi initially felt she wasn't quite right, he must have had his reasons. Now, because he likes her, he's decided to cast her, but she might not be the best choice for the role.

If she negatively impacts the entire production, investors and moviegoers will likely be disappointed in Zhao Yanxi.

"Yan Xi, maybe we should just forget about it."

Liu Yifei suddenly spoke up, and Liu Xiaoli and Shu Chang, who were watching the scene from the side, looked over in surprise.

My dear daughter (best friend), a big-budget female-centric drama with a 1.6 million yuan investment, are you just going to throw it away like that?!

Zhao Yanxi noticed the conflicted look on Liu Yifei's face and quickly understood her concerns. She couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Qianqian, you don't need to think so much."

"I'm not the kind of director who's controlled by capital. I am the capital myself, and I don't need to care about anyone else's opinion."

"Even if it goes against the world's will, even if it makes me an enemy of all the audience—I'm going to choose you. My play is your play, and no one is more suitable to be my leading lady than you."

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, you're really brave, bro!"

Shu Chang's eyes started to sparkle with excitement, while she kept a wary eye on her godmother.

After "singing love songs in front of his mother," is he going to "confess his love in front of his mother" next?!

However, she was surprised to find that her godmother seemed to be inexplicably excited as well?

Well, what Director Zhao said was indeed exciting.

"However~"

Zhao Yanxi suddenly changed her tone: "If you're sure you want to play this role, then you'd better be mentally prepared!"

"What kind of mental preparation?"

"Get ready to be lectured and scolded by me on set!"

"Although your acting skills are not bad for your age, they are still a bit immature to me. Letting you play this role is also a test for you."

Zhao Yanxi said earnestly and solemnly, "You are a piece of raw jade, and I am a carving knife, specially made to carve you into a piece of raw jade."

"Don't worry, director!"

Liu Yifei held her head high and said proudly, "I will definitely be obedient on set. You can scold me all you want, I will never talk back."

"We can't use force either," Zhao Yanxi added.

"Don't take action."

"Don't hold grudges!"

"Never hold a grudge!"

"good!"

Zhao Yanxi clapped her hands and laughed, "Then I'll just announce it directly!"

Before finalizing the role of Xiao Wei, Zhao Yanyue had already met with several other suitable actors and conducted a brief audition.

The main cast includes Jiao Enjun as Wang Sheng, Yan Danchen as Pei Rong, and Zhang Jin as Pang Yong.

Zhao Yanxi didn't hesitate at all when she handed over the role of Xia Bing to Sun Li.

Although "New Shanghai Bund" has not yet been released, Sun Niangniang's popularity and fame are no less than any first-tier actress thanks to the hit work "Happiness Like Flowers".

A leading actress with hit works, high national popularity, and both acting skills and audience appeal, is more than capable of playing a third female lead in "Painted Skin".

Originally, Zhao Yanxi had considered giving this minor role to Shu Chang instead of Liu Yifei.

However, like Huang Xiaoming, Shu Chang was also busy filming "The Deer and the Cauldron," and Zhao Yanxi didn't want to delay filming because of her—and since Xiao Liu hadn't said anything, there was no need to wait for her.

As for the other minor supporting characters, Zhao Yanxi didn't care much.

We'll ask Enlight Media then. Old Wang signed several beautiful female hosts from the host competition last year, and Liu Yan seems to have been one of the supporting actresses in "Painted Skin".

Liu Yan could use her looks to generate some buzz for the movie.

Jiao Enjun, Yan Danchen, Sun Li and others entered and exited Yanxi Film and Television one after another. After Liu Yifei and her daughter returned from Japan, they went straight to Yanxi Company. These photos were taken by media reporters who were waiting outside the company.

Rumors are flying everywhere, both inside and outside the industry.

Some say the cast for "Painted Skin" has already been decided, while others say auditions are underway.

Mu Deyuan from the academy also called Zhao Yanyue to inquire about the casting process.

"Teacher, you don't usually care about these things," Zhao Yanxi asked with a smile.

"Sigh," Mu Deyuan rarely showed a slightly embarrassed smile, "Professor Cui from the Performing Arts Department asked me to ask a question."

"Have you finalized the roles for 'Painted Skin' yet? Her two disciples, Chen Kun and Zhao Yanzi, want to give it a try."

"I'm sorry, teacher," Zhao Yanxi shook her head and said, "The roles have already been decided, and I'm just about to announce them."

"Okay, then forget it."

Zhao Yanzi wasn't too bothered by the rejection.

My reason for wanting to act in "Painted Skin" was to take this opportunity to get to know and befriend Zhao Yanxi, a promising director.

Otherwise, with just a Berlin Silver Bear, Zhao Yanzi wouldn't have needed to pull strings to inquire.

"Let's release it."

After hanging up with Wang Zhonglei, Zhao Yanxi immediately instructed Yang Siwei to release the casting information to prevent others from continuing to covet it.

"receive!"

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