Chapter 6
The two had only been gone for a dozen minutes when the production team the dean had mentioned arrived.
Yu Miaomiao's eyes were vacant as she pondered the proposal for a public welfare project. She was not used to having nothing to do, but she didn't even have her phone with her, otherwise she could have browsed forums and looked at code.
There was a loud bang on the door, followed by the dean's warm voice: "Sister Xu Lan, what brings you here? You didn't even tell me."
She archived the half-finished project plan in her mind and looked up.
The dean and a woman in a business suit gave each other a warm hug.
The woman had short, neat hair and a tall figure. Behind her were two composed young men, one carrying a camera and the other a laptop.
"It's been a long time since we last met, so I thought I'd drop by to see you," Xu Lan said in a clear voice.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the dean got down to business, saying, "I'll take you inside."
After taking a few steps forward, Xu Lan turned around and froze in place, staring intently at one spot.
"Sis, what's wrong?"
Following Xu Lan's gaze, the dean saw Jiang Chengyi and Yu Miaomiao sitting on the sofa.
The former was resting with his eyes closed, while the latter happened to meet Xu Lan's focused gaze before turning to the dean.
His brows furrowed slightly, as if asking: What's going on?
The dean, not knowing what was going on, waved his hand in front of Xu Lan's eyes, "Sister, what are you looking at?"
Xu Lan ignored him and strode towards Yu Miaomiao, saying eagerly, "Hello, what's your name—"
The words came to an abrupt halt.
Because Yu Miaomiao suddenly stood up from the sofa, backed up against the wall, and hugged the cat cage in her arms even tighter.
A wary voice: "What are you trying to do?"
Xu Lan realized her mistake and apologized, "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself."
She handed over a business card. "My name is Xu Lan. I am the head of the publicity department of Maomaole Pet Food Co., Ltd., and also the producer of the public service announcement video that Maomaole collaborated with City A to film."
After a pause, he stated his purpose directly: "I think the two students perfectly fit our casting criteria for the promotional video, and I would like to invite you to participate in the promotional video."
Yu Miaomiao held the business card between her fingertips, glanced down at it, and suddenly realized a detail in the other person's words:
Two?
Xu Lan then handed another business card to Jiang Chengyi, who had opened his eyes at some point.
"Sis, why did you choose the upper role?"
The dean walked over; he had also heard what had just been said and sounded surprised.
“I was also very surprised. The production team spent four months casting, but still couldn’t find an actor that satisfied me. I didn’t expect to find one with you.”
The dean hesitated: "They are both students at University A. Although they look like actors, they have never studied acting."
Xu Lan responded to the dean with a smile, while also explaining to Yu Miaomiao and Jiang Chengyi.
"This promotional video doesn't have much of a performance element, or rather, we prefer to find amateur actors with zero experience to show the most original state."
"Both of you have that kind of quality I've been searching for..."
She carefully chose her words, describing it as "an extremely pure temperament."
“I’ve looked for many actors, but none of them gave me the same feeling as you guys.”
“Your style is a perfect match for the promotional video I envisioned.”
“I know that you two must have some concerns about this sudden invitation. This is the project proposal for the promotional video. If you have any other information or questions you would like to know, please feel free to ask.”
She was sincere and took two documents out of her bag and handed them to the two men.
Yu Miaomiao took a copy and started flipping through it.
The dean put his arm around Jiang Chengyi's shoulder and said, "Old Jiang, this is a great opportunity! This is CatCatLe's biggest marketing project this year. The promotional video will be broadcast on the provincial TV station!"
Seeing that Jiang Cheng had flipped through a few pages without moving, he understood. He turned his back, held up five fingers, and whispered, "It's not written in the project proposal, but as far as I know, the lead actor's salary is at least this much."
The former did not verbally refuse, clearly indicating that he was interested.
Jiang Cheng raised several questions, which Xu Lan patiently answered one by one.
The conversation between the group did not escape Yu Miaomiao's ears, and she chuckled silently.
She still thought that the people she considered her competitors were different from ordinary people who were greedy and vain.
I never expected they were birds of a feather.
She closed the file, and the female producer immediately realized what was going on, smiling as she asked, "Young man, do you have any questions?"
Yu Miaomiao didn't care about the pay, nor did she care about the questions Jiang Cheng asked about "filming time," "mandatory nature," and "source of animal actors."
She keenly discerned a piece of information from the female producer's words and the information in the project proposal.
"Is this a charity project?"
“You could say that.” Xu Lan didn’t understand why the other person would ask this question, but still gave a detailed answer.
"This promotional video was theoretically a joint production of CatCatJoy, the A Municipal Government, and the A Municipal Stray Animal Rescue Center. Besides promoting CatCatJoy's products, its greater purpose is to advocate for adoption instead of buying and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) instead of feeding stray cats."
Is it influential?
“Of course,” Xu Lan said proudly, “the promotional video is promoted through both online channels and traditional media, so the coverage is very wide. After it goes online, the rescue center will hold a stray cat adoption event to continue to expand its influence.”
When will the promotional video be released?
"Except for the actors, the pre-production preparations are basically complete. Filming and post-production will take about a month."
“I accept,” Yu Miaomiao replied quickly. “When will filming begin?”
Rather than starting a charity project from scratch, it's better to participate in a large project directly.
Moreover, her gaze secretly swept over Jiang Chengyi, a flame of desire for victory burning in her heart.
How could I be absent when this human has participated?
Xu Lan chuckled, "At least sign a contract first."
-
The hospital had no shortage of printers, so Xu Lan made some modifications to the contract based on their actual situation and personal opinions, and handed the printed contract to them.
Yu Miaomiao took the contract and carefully read every clause.
Xu Lan then said, "Miaomiao and Chengyi, although you are adults, you are still students. Signing a contract is a big deal."
She suggested, "Should we discuss this with your parents?"
"Need not."
"unnecessary."
Yu Miaomiao and Jiang Chengyi's voices rang out almost simultaneously.
"Some scenes in the film need to be shot in the wild, which is somewhat dangerous."
Xu Lan's gaze swept over the two of them. "I still suggest that your parents find out."
The hospital director offered to vouch for Jiang Chengyi, saying, "There's no need for Chengyi. He's been working with our hospital for over a year and makes all his own decisions. Sister, you can trust me."
Seeing that Yu Miaomiao remained silent, he wanted to smooth things over and ease the tension between the two. He smiled and said, "I think Yu, like Cheng Yi, has been independent for a long time."
"No, my parents are both dead."
After a long silence, the dean tentatively asked, "What about the other relatives?"
"No." The girl's voice was calm, as if she were discussing the weather.
He paused, then added, "I am an orphan."
Throughout the entire process, her gaze never left the contract, so she didn't see the astonished expressions on the dean's and Xu Lan's faces.
The dean, in particular, wiped his face, his expression clearly saying, "I deserve to die."
At this moment, Yu Miaomiao spoke up: "I have no objection to the contract."
She signed the document without hesitation and placed it on the table, saying, "Let me know when filming starts."
He then got up to leave.
"etc."
A hand was placed across Yu Miaomiao's body.
Jiang Cheng put down the contract and stood up as well.
"Yu Miaomiao".
He slowly read out the girl's name, his phoenix eyes fixed on her. "You probably forgot, we only resolved the contract issue just now; the matter between us hasn't been resolved yet."
-
Yu Miaomiao certainly hadn't forgotten; she just hoped Jiang Chengyi would.
But this tactic clearly won't work.
Jiang Cheng stood in front of the girl, his tall figure like a wall.
Recalling the gruesome sight of her forehead being bruised and red from the impact, Yu Miaomiao involuntarily took a step back, looked up warily at the other person, and pondered a solution.
Having just resolved a weight on her mind, she was in a great mood and eager to get back to writing code. Not wanting to waste time arguing with Jiang Cheng, she decided to be direct.
She said bluntly, "The reason you're stopping me is simply because you're worried about... Meow Meow's condition."
It was truly shameful to loudly proclaim the name I had given my original self.
But Yu Miaomiao quickly composed herself. "You state your request, and I'll judge whether it's acceptable, okay?"
Seeing Jiang Cheng open his mouth, she almost anticipated what he was going to say and immediately added, "Sterilization is not an option."
The girl's firm stance made it clear to the other party that she had no choice but to compromise and propose that the animals not be allowed to roam freely and that the windows be sealed off.
Yu Miaomiao agreed to everything quickly, her mind set on getting it over with as soon as possible.
Whether it will be implemented is uncertain.
Jiang Chengyi seemed to be able to guess what she was thinking, and said, "Yu Miaomiao, let's add each other on WeChat, and I'll ask you to send me the photos later."
She frowned slightly. "You don't believe me."
"It was just out of concern."
She sneered, "Since you care so much, I might as well raise it for you."
Seeing Jiang Cheng hesitate, seemingly considering the feasibility, Yu Miaomiao hugged the cage tightly and blurted out, "Dream on! Meow Meow doesn't like you at all, how could she let you keep her!"
-
One week later, on October 1st, it was sunny with a light breeze.
Upon receiving a message from Xu Lan, Yu Miaomiao rushed to the opening ceremony site: Maomao Le Animal Hospital.
The hospital closed for a day specifically for this reason.
Although it was just a small promotional video shoot, the opening ceremony was still very solemn.
In the very center are Xu Lan and a round-faced middle-aged man, who is the director of the promotional video.
Yu Miaomiao and Jiang Chengyi stood on either side of the director and producer, respectively.
While accepting interviews from several media outlets, Xu Lan observed Yu Miaomiao beside him. Seeing that she was calm and composed under the flashing lights, without the slightest panic, he couldn't help but secretly praise her, thinking that he had discovered a good talent.
After the opening ceremony ended and the media dispersed, the lighting and camera crew began adjusting their equipment in preparation for filming the first scene.
However, an accident occurred during the filming of the very first scene.
The animal actors went out of control.
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