Chapter 47 Short Film Director

One take.

On the monitor, the effect of the simulated fight was even more stunning than the real fight, and Xiang Wanxing's eyes, filled with complex emotions, were the finishing touch.

"Cut! Perfect!"

Ling Wei put down the walkie-talkie, turned around and bowed deeply to the bewildered director: "It's all thanks to your guidance, Director! Without your encouragement and letting go, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to perform! You are the mastermind behind everything!"

The director, looking at this guy whose expression changed faster than flipping through a book, felt a lump in his throat: "..."

I'll cultivate you my ass!

After filming wrapped, Xiang Wanxing quietly moved next to Ling Wei, who was packing her things, and whispered, "Director Ling?"

Ling Wei looked up.

Xiang Wanxing looked at her, her eyes clear and firm: "I'll do it with you."

Ling Wei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled like a cat that had just stolen some cream, and hooked her arm around her shoulder: "What? After being rescued by a hero, you've decided to repay him with your body?"

Xiang Wanxing shook her head earnestly.

"Hmm?" Ling Wei raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

“It’s because,” Xiang Wanxing smiled, her eyes crinkling, “that you’re radiant when you’re behind the monitor. I feel like following you is the right thing to do.”

Caught off guard, Ling Wei clutched her heart.

Damn it, I came here to flirt, but it feels like I'm the one being flirted with instead.

Ling Wei's scenes on set ended after two days, while Xiang Wanxing's filming will take several more days to complete.

Before leaving Hengdian, the two solemnly exchanged contact information.

"Director Ling, I'll come find you as soon as I finish filming here."

"No problem, I'm ready anytime."

The huge weight that had been pressing on Ling Wei's heart regarding "Ziwei Star" was finally lifted.

After her annual leave, Ling Wei returned to her workstation at Yaojiang TV feeling refreshed. Even the sound of her typing on the keyboard had a light and cheerful rhythm, and she exuded a pleasant aura from the inside out.

The change was so obvious that even Yingzi, who worked at the next desk, couldn't help but take a second look, not to mention Zhou Han, who always glanced at her unintentionally.

During lunch break, Zhou Han, carrying a teacup, casually passed by her workstation. He paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on her noticeably upturned lips: "What good thing happened?"

Ling Wei looked up from the computer screen, her eyes sparkling: "Yes, it's amazing! I've found my soulmate!"

Zhou Han was taken aback by her childish choice of words, and frowned slightly: "???"

Ling Wei raised her chin smugly: "Hmph, you don't understand."

Zhou Han: "......"

A colleague chuckled and said, "That's right, Director Zhou. There's a generation gap every three years. You're practically in the Mariana Trench now. You don't understand young people's ways."

Zhou Han: "......"

He took a deep breath and turned to leave.

"Hey, Director Zhou, wait a minute!" Ling Wei called out to him, indicating that she wanted to talk to him privately.

Her tone became serious: "I was just about to ask you that. I heard that the station recently launched a new 'Yaojiang Short Drama Investment Program' to support a number of high-quality short drama projects and is recruiting producers from across the station..."

Zhou Han was naturally aware of this. It was a strategic move by the station to respond to market changes, aiming to leverage the platform's advantages to enter the short drama market, incubate IPs, and cultivate a new generation of producers.

However, it is not a personnel transfer in the traditional sense, but rather a "project-based" operation. The selected core members are still affiliated with their original teams, but are seconded to new projects to expand their territory.

If Ling Wei wants to participate, she must get permission from his direct superior.

Zhou Han's gaze calmly fell on her face: "Hmm. What, are you interested?"

“Yes! I want to sign up.” Ling Wei answered without the slightest hesitation.

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Tao, the assistant director who had been eavesdropping nearby, stumbled and almost dropped his thermos.

He suddenly leaned in, his face screaming, "Are you crazy?"

"What?! Our 'Chase Order' is at its peak right now, you're a key contributor to the show, and your future is bright. Why are you going to do short dramas?"

That thing looks hot right now, but who knows how long it'll last? The waters are too murky; it's much more reliable to steadily build a presence on a top-rated variety show!

He was genuinely considering Ling Wei's feelings. Ling Wei didn't refute him, but her gaze passed over Zhang Tao and looked firmly at Zhou Han, as if she were making a silent entrustment.

Zhou Han looked back at her with his deep eyes, and he saw a familiar flame in her eyes, the kind of light he had seen in the mirror when he decided to revive "Pursuit Order".

He said in a deep voice, "Okay. I've approved your application."

Zhang Tao: "Boss, you..."

His face was filled with heartache, as if he saw a promising young talent about to go astray.

Ling Wei's face instantly blossomed into an incredibly bright smile: "Thank you, Director Zhou!"

Seeing her undisguised joy, a hint of a smile flashed in Zhou Han's eyes, but he said seriously at the same time, "Don't thank me too soon. Write the plan according to the standards of the 'Pursuit Order.' If you mess it up, don't say it's someone I trained."

"Understood!" Ling Wei replied loudly, sat back down at her workstation with great enthusiasm, and immediately threw herself into the new battle.

Her journey has only just begun.

A few days later, Zhang Tao rushed to Ling Wei's workstation, pointing at the computer screen: "Quick, look at the OA announcement! You've been selected! You've been selected!"

Ling Wei immediately clicked on the link, her heart pounding. Her gaze swept over the announcement, and when she saw her name, she instantly jumped up from her chair, her voice filled with surprise and delight: "I really got chosen—"

However, that elation abruptly halted when his gaze fell upon the position that followed, and his tone plummeted eight octaves: "...Assistant Director?"

She deflated instantly like a punctured balloon, slumping into the chair with a small patch of dark cloud gathering above her head, ready to rain at any moment.

Seeing this, Zhang Tao quickly patted her shoulder to comfort her: "Oh, it's okay. How can a newcomer be the director right away? Being an assistant director is already great. So many people would kill for that position."

Ling Wei looked up at him listlessly, her eyes filled with resentment.

Yingzi, who was standing nearby, quickly took out a small pastry and stuffed it into Lingwei's mouth: "Here, eat something sweet, and you'll feel better."

As Ling Wei chewed, she mumbled in grief and indignation, "Waaah... If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, Ling Dawei, this short drama would have been shrouded in eternal darkness!!!"

Zhang Tao's lips twitched.

It's a living example of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)!

In the afternoon, Ling Wei was called into Zhou Han's office. She stood in front of the desk with her head drooping and looking listless.

Zhou Han glanced at her but didn't say anything. He casually pushed a brand-new employee badge in front of her with his long, slender fingers.

Ling Wei picked it up with little interest, and her eyes widened instantly—the name tag clearly read: "Short Drama Project Department, Group C, Project Leader (Director)".

She looked up abruptly, both surprised and delighted, at Zhou Han: "What... what's going on?!"

Zhou Han leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and said in a calm tone, "I talked to the person in charge. I said that if the core members of our 'Pursuit Order' team can't have absolute control over the project, then I'd rather keep that person for myself."

Then, he casually added, "Perfect timing, they desperately need someone capable of handling things."

Ling Wei instantly understood that Zhou Han had used his and his team's influence to elevate her status.

Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she cheered and almost instinctively jumped in front of Zhou Han, opening her arms to give him a hug. But at the last moment, she slammed on the brakes, realizing that it seemed inappropriate.

In a moment of urgency, she raised her hand and gave Zhou Han a light punch on the shoulder: "Thanks, Director Zhou!"

Zhou Han was slightly taken aback by her gratitude, then chuckled and shook his head helplessly: "...Go back to work."