"Originally, if you could get the role in 'The Astrologer,' it would guarantee your popularity and acting skills, and you wouldn't have to worry about making a living when you return to the big screen in a few years."
However, what's done is done, and we can only continue down the path of filmmaking. In recent years, the film market has declined, and good films are becoming increasingly rare.
This script is excellent, it takes an art-house approach, so it probably won't be released in China, but the director is Qian Jiu. You've probably heard of him; when he's involved, awards are practically guaranteed. It won't just be a Best Newcomer award.
Seeing that Gu Zhong had no intention of resisting, Ling Yan felt relieved and analyzed the pros and cons with her word by word.
"I don't understand or care about business and marketing, so you can handle it, Sister Yan. This script is great, and I'd like to film it."
Gu Zhong stroked the script cover and answered earnestly, his eyes full of trust and determination.
"Okay, I'll contact them right away. Gu Xiaozhong, prepare well; no one can steal this opportunity from us."
After receiving a positive response, Lingyan immediately invested all the funds withdrawn from "The Astrologer" into this film, much like a foolish emperor who built a star-picking platform for his favorite concubine, spending lavishly just to win her favor.
However, something that happened recently took Ling Yan by surprise. Despite her complete blockade of Ge Tan's resources in every way, he still managed to join the cast of "The Astrologer." Although he was only a minor supporting actor, the significance behind it and his future prospects were extraordinary.
It seems someone is protecting Ge Tan. Does Liu Wanjun's family background have that much influence? And is Ge Tan worth such a bet?
Ling Yan decided to leave the snake alone for the time being, as the company acquisition was nearing completion. Soon, she would be able to legitimately present all the resources to Gu Zhong.
Gu Zhong, led by Ling Yan, stood obediently in front of Qian Jiu, making the great director Qian frown.
"This... Sister Ling? You really want Gu Zhong to try out for this role?"
He poked at the script with his finger, his face showing exaggerated shock.
His behavior was understandable, given his innocent appearance; it simply didn't fit the image of a meticulous, mad, and obsessive high-IQ criminal from the script.
They are not exactly the same, but at least they are completely unrelated.
"Director Qian, you've been directing for so many years, you must understand the principle of not judging a book by its cover better than anyone else. Whether it works or not, we'll only know after we try."
Seeing Lingyan's unwavering resolve, Director Qian finally relented.
Upon trying it, I was astonished by its incredible quality.
Director Qian never expected that a newcomer without formal training could bring such a complex character to life so vividly.
"This isn't just a gift from heaven! It's like heaven has given her eighty percent of the world's spiritual energy! This is such blatant favoritism!"
"What about Director Qian?"
"This drama is completely tailor-made for Gu Zhong! She's the one! There will be no changing my mind! It's not just about the money; the entertainment industry these days is desperately lacking talent like her!"
Director Qian patted his chest and gave his assurances while frantically winking at his assistant, urging him to prepare the contract, as if he was afraid that if he was a step too slow, Gu Zhong would be snatched away by someone else.
"Director Qian, it's a pleasure working with you."
The drama "Chasing the Light" has been in preparation for a long time. As soon as Gu Zhong signed the contract, Director Qian stuffed a bunch of plot and character analyses into her mind and she joined the crew a week later.
After handing the difficult young actor over to Director Qian, Ling Yan breathed a sigh of relief, able to continue focusing on her domineering CEO career and finalizing the acquisition.
Quietly, a share swap that was enough to shake the entertainment industry was completed.
Only a very few people knew that the giant company Starlight had changed hands.
"Starlight has changed hands?"
A woman dressed in a matching burgundy suit, lounging lazily in a thick executive chair, removed the slender cigarette from her thin lips.
The swirling smoke rose upwards, bypassing the beauty mark at the corner of her eye, and passing over her naturally affectionate peach blossom eyes.
Who is it?
Her sexy and alluring voice made the men in the room momentarily lose themselves in thought, but they quickly snapped back to reality.
This person is not someone they can even dream of.
"The mastermind behind Yaoyang Technology is this person."
The secretary standing to the side swiped open the screen in her hand, opened the document card, and handed it to her.
"She's really interesting, no wonder..."
Looking at the dignified and composed woman's photo on the screen, the woman sitting at the table couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"President Xia, this person..."
Some people frowned, clearly having experienced firsthand how difficult this opponent was.
"It's a pity that I was a step too slow."
Mr. Xia pushed aside the tablet in front of him, his words filled with regret, yet also with nonchalance.
"It's just starting a new game, take your time, no rush."
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Author's Note:
First day back at work… I don’t want to go to work, I can’t seem to get back into the swing of things QAQ Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2021-05-03 23:29:54 and 2021-05-05 23:30:53!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: 1 bottle from the wind;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 38 Agent and Movie Queen (Part 10)
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Mergers and acquisitions involve so many things that Lingyan was busy for quite a while before she was able to find some time to visit Gu Zhong on set.
"Sister Yan!"
Gu Zhong, who had just finished filming, rushed over to her as soon as he saw her, like a fledgling returning to its nest.
Catching the tall guy who charged at her, Ling Yan almost lost her balance and stumbled backward, nearly falling, but was caught by the long arm of the person in front of her.
Her heart soared and then plummeted, as if she had just ridden a rollercoaster. She could only feign a fierce glare at the culprit to hide her panic.
"Wow, busy man, you've come to visit the set? Leaving your own kid here for a month without a trace, how heartless!"
Qian Jiu poked his head out of the photography studio and made a few jokes.
Gu Zhong, standing to the side, perfectly cooperated by striking a pitiful, tearful pose, looking exactly like an innocent girl abandoned by a scumbag.
"Okay, okay. Stop fooling around..."
Lingyan helplessly covered her eyes, not wanting to see Gu Chong with such a frail appearance, his face covered in blood and his fierce makeup. It was truly an eyesore.
"Sister Yan, you've changed!"
Holding back the tears welling up in his eyes, Gu Zhong lowered his voice and solemnly accused her.
"Here you are, the Dehexuan shrimp dumplings and siu mai you've been craving..."
As if by magic, Lingyan pulled out a food box from behind her back, announcing the names of the dishes. Before she could finish speaking, the gluttonous cat snatched it away with lightning speed.
"Sister Yan! You still love me after all! God knows, in this godforsaken place, I'm so sick of eating boxed lunches."
Gu Zhong eagerly lifted the lid of the box, complaining all the while.
"Hey? Don't look at me! This place is in the middle of nowhere, we're lucky to even have a boxed lunch."
Qian Jiu received a glare from Ling Yan and couldn't help but cry out that he was innocent.
"You've worked hard. We'll be waiting for you to finish filming. Order whatever you want to eat."
Gu Zhong's ravenous eating was so endearing that Ling Yan couldn't resist the urge to feed him.
While Gu Zhong was engrossed in the food, Qian Jiu winked at Ling Yan and pulled her aside.
"Director Qian, what's wrong?"
He looks so mysterious, it makes me feel like he's up to no good.
"Sister Ling, well... how should I put it?"
Qian Jiu took off his baseball cap with some distress, revealing his shiny forehead.
"Just say it."
Adjusting the gold-trimmed cufflinks on her white shirt, Ling Yan glanced in Gu Zhong's direction again.
"Gu Zhong... has great talent and aptitude, and he can get many scenes right in one take. But... there are some minor issues."
Qian Jiuyuan's round, red face scrunched up, as if she were truly stumped by some difficult problem.
"What?"
Ling Yan then turned her attention to him.
"The most captivating part of the show is that subtle, ambiguous romantic subplot. But Gu Zhong just can't pull it off! We've been stuck on that scene for days!"
"How could that be? Isn't Taoyao doing just fine?"
Ling Yan was somewhat incredulous. Gu Zhong had become a sensation thanks to the popularity of his previous film's on-screen couple. "Peach Blossom" was also a romance film, so how could Gu Zhong not be able to act in romantic scenes?
"It's still quite different. In that film, the peach blossom fairy was lively yet untouched by worldly dust, innocent and naive, unaware of love, and the emotions I felt weren't as profound. This time it's different! Intense! What I want is intense yet repressed, helpless and desperate love and hate!"
The volume gradually increased, and Director Qian seemed to be driven crazy by Gu Zhongqi's peculiar inability to act.
"...After today's filming is over, I'll go talk to Gu Zhong."
Ling Yan pinched her brow in distress. She never expected that Gu Zhong's acting skills had such a shortcoming: he couldn't portray deep love. No matter how perfectly he portrayed other aspects of a character, it would still be incomplete.
"Hello, Sister Ling."
When she returned to Gu Zhong's side, a rather sharp and capable-looking woman was sitting next to her.
She was still wearing the police uniform from the drama, so she must be another female lead. Seeing her approach, she quickly stood up and greeted her politely.
Another pair of chopsticks was added to the food box on the table, and the snacks inside had already been completely eaten.
"Gu Xiaozhong, a new friend?"
Feeling somewhat displeased, as if she had seen a carefully prepared gift being given away to someone else, Lingyan's questions carried a hint of coldness.
"Sister Yan, this is Shen Yue. She's a very nice person!"
Gu Zhong seemed to sense her unhappiness, so he jumped up and snuggled up to her, hugging her elbow and blinking innocently.
"I still need to prepare for my next match. Ah Chong, Sister Ling, you two chat."