Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Three days after the email was sent, Ma Huateng had not replied.

It's okay, just plant the seeds in the soil and leave the rest to time.

Ren Pingsheng closed his email and continued to bury himself in the final audio-visual proofreading of "Old Boys".

This is a work that relies on background music to drive emotions; even a bicycle bell in the background must be precise down to the frame.

He stared at the screen, and out of the corner of his eye, a steaming cup of coffee was gently placed beside him.

"Um... I saw everyone was busy, so I just made myself a cup of coffee."

Tong Liya stood to the side, wearing a loose beige sweater and jeans, completely covered up.

She wasn't wearing makeup today, her face was clean and natural, but her expression was somewhat unnatural, even a little awkward.

Ren Pingsheng glanced at her, then looked at the calendar.

It's been a week since filming wrapped.

"What brings you here? Don't you have to go to your next film set?"

"No need!" Tong Liya quickly waved her hand, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the screen. "I just... wanted to ask how the sound recording was for my crying scene?"

"fine."

"Really?" She took a half step forward. "I couldn't control myself and cried a bit too much. I was worried that my breathy voice would be too loud during the recording and affect the post-production."

"It doesn't matter, the recording was very clean."

Tong Liya nodded, "If the crying scene needs to be reshot, I can come over anytime."

She paused for a moment, then added, "It's free."

After saying that, she found a stool nearby and sat down. As soon as she sat down, she said, "What about the scene of me riding a bike? Was I going too fast? It was windy, and my hair was all over my face. I was riding fast, so I don't know if it looks natural on camera. If it's not good enough..."

"Naturally," Ren Pingsheng stopped what he was doing and interrupted her, "it's even better than I expected."

"real?"

"real."

Tong Liya breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumped a little, but she still showed no sign of leaving.

Her gaze swept around the studio before finally settling on Ren Pingsheng's computer screen.

"Director Ren, when will 'Old Boys' be released online?"

"March 17th, the second day of the second lunar month."

"Is there anything I can do to help with the promotion? I can post on Weibo and my blog. I don't have many followers, but I can post every day. You can decide what to post..."

As she was talking, she stood up again and walked to the side to start tidying up the scattered lunch boxes and paper cups on the table.

Bai Ke peeked out from behind the screen, glanced at Tong Liya, then at Ren Pingsheng, his expression somewhat strange.

"Teacher Tong, did you make a special trip today just to ask these questions?"

Tong Liya held an empty paper cup in her hand, her smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

"I just... wanted to confirm, because I was afraid my photos weren't good enough and would cause you trouble."

Xiao Ai peeked over from her workstation, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

The atmosphere in the studio suddenly became somewhat subtle.

Ren Pingsheng turned his chair around and looked at the girl in front of him who was obviously making conversation and forcing herself to do something.

"Tong Liya,"

She was still holding the empty paper cup in her hand when she suddenly turned around.

"Sit down," Ren Pingsheng said, pointing to the chair opposite him.

She hesitated for a moment, then obediently sat down, placing her hands on her knees like a student who had done something wrong.

Ren Pingsheng handed her a bottle of mineral water. "You didn't come here today just to ask about these things, did you?"

Tong Liya's expression froze for a moment. She took the water, her fingers unconsciously picking at the plastic film on the bottle.

"What's wrong?"

She lowered her head and spoke after a long pause, "This is the first time I've received a film offer."

The voice was so soft that Bai Ke and Xiao Ai unconsciously quieted down.

"This is also the most enjoyable filming experience I've had since graduation, so I want to..."

Her words trailed off there; her lips moved, but the rest of her thoughts seemed stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

Ren Pingsheng didn't urge her; he waited for her.

Tong Liya looked up, her expression complex, mostly awkward, with a hint of embarrassment.

"So I wanted to ask if you have any new projects coming up."

Saying those words actually made her feel more relaxed.

"Did Sister Wang send you?"

Tong Liya did not deny it, but quickly added, "Not entirely, I wanted to come myself."

Tell me about it.

"Sister Wang said... she's looked into your profile. She said you're very prolific; you've filmed four projects in less than a year. She said the next one might start soon, and that I should take the initiative so I might be able to get a role."

She looked down at the tips of her shoes, her voice growing softer and softer.

"After graduation, I've been running around Hengdian, but the things I filmed didn't make much of a splash when they aired. Sometimes I wonder if it's because I'm not good enough or not suited for this industry."

The studio fell silent, with only the sound of traffic outside the window.

Ren Pingsheng could understand the meaning behind her words.

For a young actor without any representative works, finishing filming means losing their job.

Today you're in the spotlight, tomorrow you might be forgotten in your contacts.

This kind of thing is all too common in the industry. How many actors finish filming a movie and feel that the director appreciates them, looking forward to the next collaboration, only to find that the director has already gone to find someone else?

"Where's Sister Wang?" Ren Pingsheng asked. "Isn't she helping you find roles?"

Tong Liya pursed her lips and gave a wry smile. "Sister Wang has been busy dealing with Sister Zhenni's affairs lately. Sister Zhenni's new drama, 'The Legend of Zhong Kui,' has just started airing and the ratings are pretty good. Sister Wang is busy with her every day."

That's just how realistic the entertainment industry is. It's the norm to elevate the powerful and belittle the weak. Agents have more than one person under their management, and resources will always be prioritized for those who can make money.

Those who can't get a spot have to find their own way.

"Once 'Old Boys' is released, you won't have to be afraid anymore."

Tong Liya didn't answer, but Ren Pingsheng heard her sniffle softly.

The silence lasted for a while before Bai Ke wisely pulled his head back behind the screen, and Xiao Ai also lowered her head and pretended to work.

Tong Liya was clearly trying to adjust her state, and when she spoke again, her tone had changed to a bright and cheerful one.

"Director Ren, I'll trust you this once."

"Go back and get some rest. You can go out and have fun for half a month if you want," Ren Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, picked up his coffee and took a sip. "You'll be very busy in half a month."

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously, as if she had heard some kind of promise in those words.

She stood up, smiled and waved to Bai Ke and Xiao Ai, "Sorry to bother you, I'm leaving now."

He turned and walked towards the door, but stopped when he reached it, his hand already on the doorknob.

"This is truly the first time I've received a film offer. From my debut until now, I've always gone to auditions myself, or Sister Wang used her connections to get me in."

She turned to look at Ren Pingsheng, her clear eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and seriousness.

"Director Ren, why did you contact me?"

Ren Pingsheng was stuffing a cookie into his mouth when he heard this. He chewed it twice, but before he could swallow, he mumbled something indistinctly.

"Because you're pretty."

Tong Liya's face flushed red instantly. She opened her mouth slightly, then opened the door and ran out.

The door closed behind him, and the footsteps faded into the distance.

The studio was silent for two seconds.

Bai Ke peeked out from behind the screen again, looking at Ren Pingsheng.

"Brother Pingsheng".

"Um."

What you just said...

"What's wrong?"

Bai Ke's lips twitched twice. "Are you sure you're talking about the reasons for casting, and not something else?"

Ren Pingsheng broke open the second cookie without changing his expression.

"Otherwise, how can someone who isn't good-looking play the school beauty?"