Chapter 81 Reminiscing [VIP]
Chapter Summary: I opened the document that was sent to me.
Ji Binghe paused, knowing that this matter couldn't be kept secret for long, and made Mu Zhi's veiled question more concrete by asking in return: "You mean to ask if the boss's mother is the retired famous actress He Shuhui, right?"
The agent is really straightforward.
Mu Zhi was slightly taken aback, then nodded calmly.
On the night of the Lunar New Year, Mu Quan heard his agent mention director Wan Zhou. Later, he watched classic films at home and saw many of Wan Zhou's classic films.
This includes a film starring He Shuhui.
She was a very popular movie star at the time, and she was very beautiful and charming.
Out of curiosity, I searched for He Shuhui.
It was discovered that He Shuhui had a past marriage with the chairman of the He Group, a relationship that caused a great stir 30 years ago.
She couldn't help but recall the conversation she overheard between the chairman's wife and her eldest son at the previous annual meeting.
The events were almost connected.
Ji Binghe remained silent for a moment, then revealed a fact that Mu Zhi had probably already guessed.
"That's right, President He's biological mother is He Shuhui."
I thought Mu Zhi would press the matter further.
After hearing this, Mu Zhi simply gave a soft "oh" and didn't try to find out more.
A restaurant in the northern part of the city that has been open for more than 30 years.
Inside a private room.
After the last dish was served, the waiter left and closed the door.
"During the time my mother was sick, she mentioned this restaurant's Kung Pao Chicken many times, saying she missed the taste of Kung Pao Chicken from this restaurant."
“I flew to Beicheng specifically to pack some for her to take back. It was a 5-hour journey, and by the time I got back to the hospital, it was cold. I heated it up and brought it to my mom, but she said it didn’t taste like the one she remembered.”
Later, He Zhiyue realized that what her mother missed was not the taste of Kung Pao Chicken.
Rather, it refers to that period of time in the past.
This restaurant has been completely renovated.
But Wan Zhou still has a deep impression of the restaurant from his memory.
When he met He Zhiyue's mother, He Shuhui, he was a relatively unknown director in the industry. He relentlessly pursued He Shuhui, a popular movie star at the time, and handed her a script, arrogantly inviting her to play the lead role in his film.
The two arranged to meet at this restaurant.
We ordered three dishes, one of which was Kung Pao Chicken, which He Shuhui loves.
“That day, I lost the money for my meal in my pocket, and your mother ended up paying the bill.”
Recalling the past, a smile appeared on Wan Zhou's serious face.
The next second, the smile vanished, replaced by sadness and desolation in his eyes.
Her voice trembled slightly: "I knew nothing about your mother's illness from beginning to end; I always thought you had gone abroad..."
The news was only learned after the person passed away.
It took several inquiries before we could even lay a bouquet of flowers at her grave.
He Shuhui has always been an incredibly ruthless woman.
Aside from loving herself, she probably gave all her love to her son.
He Zhiyue remained silent for a long time before speaking: "We didn't go abroad. My mother lied to you."
She didn't want any further connection with the past. Our accidental encounter, your second visit, her lying about going abroad—in reality, we moved to a different city and rarely contacted my grandfather.
Wan Zhou was shocked to hear this. He poured himself a cup of tea with a wry smile, but the bitterness in his mouth only intensified.
"My mother is proud to the core. After retiring from the entertainment industry, she often struggles with herself but refuses to go back to the old ways."
She hid her illness from others until she collapsed and was hospitalized... She didn't want anyone to know she was sick, so she kept it a secret. When she passed away, according to her wishes, her funeral was also held in a very low-key manner.
When sad topics are brought up, people's mood becomes unusually heavy.
Dishes that look, smell, and taste delicious taste bland.
Wan Zhou took off his glasses, tore off a tissue to wipe the oil stains that might have gotten on the lenses, pinched the bridge of his nose, and put his glasses back on.
I'd like to talk about something lighthearted.
Looking at He Zhiyue in front of her, she forced a smile and exclaimed, "In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much. I remember the first time I met you, you were only... 15 years old?"
"Yes, 15 years old."
Although He Zhiyue was a minor at the time, he could tell that Wan Zhou liked his mother.
Being young and naive, he naturally hoped to have a father by his side, just like other children.
Unfortunately, Mom said, "Uncle Wan Zhou is just a friend of mine."
Even without a father, he can grow up well under his mother's care.
A mother's love is no less than that given by other children's parents.
Knowing that his mother didn't like him mentioning his father, he gradually stopped bringing it up.
Wan Zhou hesitated for a moment, then asked He Zhiyue.
"To protect you and to ensure you grow up like any other child, your mother kept your existence a secret from the public, from that person... cough, that is, from your biological father."
"Didn't we not want you to go back to the He family?"
Two years ago, Wan Zhou saw that Lanxing Media was trending on social media.
Only then did I learn that He Zhiyue had come to Beicheng and reunited with that man and his son.
He Zhiyue said calmly, "Before my mother passed away, she told me about her background and gave me the right to choose."
She left me a handwritten letter, telling me that I could come to Beicheng to see my father once I had thought it through, so I came.
When Wan Zhou heard He Zhiyue talk about this matter and mention his biological father, his tone was extremely indifferent, even cold.
There wasn't a trace of emotion in his voice.
Wan Zhou knew that although He Shuhui had raised He Zhiyue on her own, he had met the mother and son by chance more than ten years ago and could see that He Shuhui had provided a very good environment for He Zhiyue's growth.
He Zhiyue has no feelings for that person and believes she wouldn't choose to return to the He family for money.
"Xiao Yue, what do you want to do by choosing to return to the He family?"
He Zhiyue knew that Wan Zhou was a trustworthy person, so she turned to look at Wan Zhou and smiled, "My mother left with regrets. The He Group originally had a part of my mother's hard work."
As her son, I have to help her get it back.
Wan Zhou was speechless, not surprised by the answer.
He knew a little about what He Zhiyue had mentioned. More than 30 years ago, the He Group was not as large as it is now. It was just a large company that had experienced cash flow problems. It was He Shuhui who took on acting roles as a model worker and paid that person for the money.
He even personally helped that person secure a large business deal, which helped the company recover.
Wan Zhou wanted to persuade He Zhiyue, but he didn't know how to start.
He Zhiyue poured Wan Zhou another cup of tea and placed it in front of him.
That's enough catching up; it's time to get down to business.
"Uncle Wan, I remember when we first met, you asked me if I was interested in entering the entertainment industry. My mother didn't want me to study acting, so I chose to start a film and television company."
Next, He Zhiyue revealed the purpose of his meeting with Wan Zhou.
"Uncle Wan, I heard that you have a movie in the works, but the female lead hasn't been cast yet."
Mu Zhi, who watched the movie with us today, is the female lead in "Back to 17," and she's an actress our company is heavily promoting. What do you think of Mu Zhi?
Wan Zhou: "You want me to cast her as the female lead in the next movie?"
"Uncle Wan, you've seen Mu Zhi's film work and met her in person today. If you think the role is suitable, I hope to give Mu Zhi an audition opportunity."
If He Shuhui hadn't agreed to star in it, Wan Zhou's movie wouldn't have even been able to secure funding, let alone become an instant hit after its release.
He owes his success today to He Zhiyue's mother.
I owe someone a favor.
He Zhiyue had no intention of using his favor to make things difficult for Wan Zhou:
"Uncle Wan, I'm trying to get an audition opportunity for Mu Zhi. If her audition performance isn't up to par or there's a more suitable actress, don't consider me; you can eliminate her."
One second, director Wan Zhou was told to select people fairly and impartially.
The next second, He Zhiyue confidently supported her artist: "But I believe that as long as the role is suitable for her age, Mu Zhi can definitely do it."
My grandfather praised Mu Zhi, saying she was extremely talented in acting, a very principled actress with a powerful and infectious performance style.
Wan Zhou: ...You even brought up Old Master Feng.
However, He Zhiyue's words were true.
"Back to 17" is Mu Zhi's first film. She was able to portray the character "Zhou Can" in a way that resonated with the audience, which shows that the existence of this character is not easy.
Wan Zhou is getting old and rarely goes online.
However, his team members would keep him updated on current events in the industry.
Wan Zhou knew that "Back to 17" had done well at the box office and that audiences had given Mu Zhi a good review of her acting skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have accepted He Zhiyue's offer to make a film.
Mu Zhi's new movie is doing well. Her acting is good, and her appearance goes without saying. She has a beautiful face that is very suitable for appearing on the big screen.
She is still an artist under He Zhiyue's company.
Wan Zhou couldn't refuse He Zhiyue.
He's gotten to this age, and he has no relatives by his side. He Zhiyue is her son, so he called He Zhiyue "Uncle".
It's just an audition opportunity, of course I'll accept it.
He Zhiyue knew in her heart that Wan Zhou would not refuse her.
In fact, he had not originally planned to come and find Wan Zhou.
Lanxing Media's foray into the film industry has not been very smooth.
The film industry is divided into several circles, each forming alliances, and behind the major capital groups lies a complex web of interests.
If you can't get into the circle, even if you have money, you can only follow behind others and play along, getting the meat while others get a sip of soup.
He needed a knife to cut a hole, and Mu Zhi was that chosen knife.
Currently, Mu Zhi's personal brand and influence as an actress are completely insufficient in the film industry. Even if she makes a few more films, it will be difficult to obtain good film resources.
If Mu Zhi could land the lead role in a famous director's film, she would truly have both feet firmly planted in the film industry.
Muzhi is backed by Lanxing Media, which also represents Lanxing Media's strength.
He Zhiyue held a betting agreement in his hand, and Lanxing Media couldn't wait much longer.
Wan Zhou: "After the audition is arranged, I will have my assistant send you the information."
He Zhiyue: "Uncle Wan, could you send the script to my artist to take a look?"
The next day.
Donghuafu residential complex, 6th floor.
Mu Zhi forgot her phone when she went out. She had just returned from a run at the gym in the community when she heard her phone vibrating on the sofa as soon as she entered the door.
He quickly walked over, picked up his phone, and saw that it was a call from his boss, He Zhiyue.
This was the first time He Zhiyue had called her.
After watching the movie last night, she had dinner with her agent and went home, and that was the end of it.
The boss called today; it must be related to Director Wan Zhou's new film.
After Mu Zhi answered the phone, He Zhiyue on the other end didn't waste any words and got straight to the point.
"I just sent you a document on WeChat."
"It's director Wan Zhou's new play script, take a look."
"Director Ji will inform you of the audition time and location later."
It seems that Director Wan Zhou sent the script to the boss.
There was no need for the boss to go through the complicated process of sending the document to the agent and then having the agent send it back to him. It was an unnecessary detour, so the boss sent it directly.
Upon hearing the news of the audition, Mu Zhi was overjoyed: "Sorry, I came back from the gym and forgot my phone, so I haven't seen the message yet."
"I'll look into it right away, thank you, Mr. He."
"You're busy, good luck with the audition."
He Zhiyue called to let me know, and then hung up.
Mu Zhi sat on the sofa, holding her phone in both hands, and opened her WeChat chat with He Zhiyue.
I opened the document that was sent to me.
[Author's Note]
Both Zhibao and Xiaoyue have their own career paths to pursue, and Xiaoyue's career path serves Zhibao's (doge).
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
