No. 108 Melon
The card game among several directors ended with Director Yu winning three games in a row by himself.
Director Yu happily counted the dozen or so dollars he had won, but no one dared to play too much, as it would be considered gambling.
Zhang Shaoteng anxiously glanced at the time on his watch, then looked towards the lobby. This Starry Night was sponsored by Kassel, and Lin Cha was clearly the spokesperson for Kassel, so it was impossible for him not to come.
But after waiting for a long time, there was no sign of her. Instead, Lin Churou brought Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi to Zhang Shaoteng.
"Director Zhang." Lin Churou greeted politely.
"Chu Rou, you're here!" Zhang Shaoteng smiled and shook hands with Lin Chu Rou, then introduced her to the other directors, "Lin Chu Rou, you're the female lead in my next movie, and Hong Yun is the male lead. They've already auditioned, and if nothing goes wrong, they'll sign the contract in two days!"
Zhao Jinnan teased, "Director Zhang's lineup is aimed at winning awards!"
"That's right!" Zhang Shaoteng was very proud. He was very confident in this script, which he had been polishing for three years. He also had confidence in his directing ability. Now that Lin Churou had joined the female lead, and he could get funding from Tianyu, everything was perfect.
The only problem is that an actor might be caught red-handed, potentially affecting the show's broadcast. Previously, this was a potential bombshell, and the director and producer couldn't background check everyone. But now, as long as Lin Cha joins his project, Zhang Shaoteng is confident his production will be flawless!
"Director Zhang, I heard that there are still a few roles for our film that have not been decided yet." Lin Churou's voice was neither hurried nor slow, soft and pleasant to the ear. "We at Tianyu have many artists, you may want to consider it."
Lin Churou took a step back and let Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi come forward.
"These are all excellent talents from Tianyu. I remember the roles of the heroine's two sisters haven't been decided yet, Director Zhang. Our Tianyu artists are definitely capable of playing these two roles!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shaoteng glanced at Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi.
The two of them were very friendly and after Lin Churou introduced herself, they greeted Zhang Shaoteng obediently, their eyes full of admiration for Zhang Shaoteng.
But Zhang Shaoteng thought about it carefully and shook his head. "I can consider the role of the eldest sister, but forget about the second sister. I already have an idea for that role."
I have an idea
Lin Churou frowned.
She had read the script. Apart from the heroine, the most outstanding character in the script was the second sister. Although she didn't have many shots, almost every one of them was a highlight, and the dramatic tension in every scene was extremely strong. If she could play this role, and if her work won an award in the future, she would at least win the Best Supporting Actress award.
I didn’t expect that Zhang Shaoteng actually had a choice.
"Mr. Zhang, haven't you signed the contract yet?" Lin Churou had already promised resources to Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi. After all, she was the financial sponsor. If she couldn't get the role now, it would be a huge loss of face. So she continued to persuade Zhang Shaoteng, "Maybe my artist can perform better."
Zhang Shaoteng glanced at Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi again and shook his head. "It has nothing to do with her acting skills. As long as she agrees to play the role, it's definitely hers! Besides, in terms of acting, I don't think the two people under your command can perform better than her."
Zhang Shaoteng had already witnessed Lin Cha's acting skills during the audition for Painted Bone. Back then, in order to promote Chen Like, he had deliberately said that Lin Cha's acting wasn't good enough. But he knew exactly what Lin Cha's acting was, and even Lin Churou was a far cry from her.
Lin Churou's face showed a bit of embarrassment, and Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi's faces also looked unhappy.
But Lin Churou quickly adjusted her mindset.
Zhang Shaoteng said this, which means he must have invited some senior with excellent acting skills. After all, it is an art film, so of course it needs a lot of veteran actors with good acting skills to support it. Besides, the role of the second sister is indeed difficult to grasp, so it is not surprising that Zhang Shaoteng has this idea.
If she is really a senior in the entertainment industry, maybe when they are filming together, Lin Churou can ask her to learn acting skills and let her guide her! There will be more hope for her to enter more important projects in the future.
It's just that Zhao Yuanyuan or Chen Yi will have one less resource, and the loss is not her. What's the big deal? She can just use some online drama resources to supplement them later. Tianyu starts filming online dramas every year, and online dramas often have hundreds of people in them. It's not a big problem to squeeze in two people.
Lin Churou politely said to Zhang Shaoteng, "Oh, I'm sorry, Director Zhang. I thought these two roles hadn't been decided yet. Now that they've been decided, I can't interfere. I'm just wondering which teacher you've hired. I'd love to meet her and learn from her!"
"You should know her, she is..."
Before he finished speaking, there was a slight noise coming from the hallway. Zhang Shaoteng looked up and saw Lin Cha, wearing a champagne-colored Cassel haute couture dress, had already arrived at the Starry Night waiting room.
She was wearing high-end jewelry worth nearly 10 million yuan from Kassel, and even though the lights around her were dim, she still looked radiant.
However, after just a few months of not seeing each other, Zhang Shaoteng suddenly felt that Lin Cha seemed to be different from when he first met her.
*
Because he and Shen Zui were the last to appear, Lin Cha arrived later.
Think about it, there are so many big names gathered here today, and she is just a newcomer. Even if she can barely squeeze into the first-tier, she will be a first-tier star waiting to become a big star. It doesn’t matter whether she comes early or late.
However, she didn't know that the waiting room became lively the moment she appeared.
Many celebrities saw the lines of words that appeared on her head. Some of them were their favorability ratings, and some... were reminders that they were kicked out of the melon-eating position.
[Pei Hongyun has been removed from the "Eat Watermelon" friend position]
【Zhang Shaoteng has been removed from the "Eat Watermelon" friend position】
【Zhao Jinnan has been removed from the "Eat Melon Friends" position】
…
Zhang Shaoteng and Zhao Jinnan's eyes widened and they turned to look at Director Feng who was secretly eating a small cake on the side.
Director Feng's eyes were as bright as bells.
"Hey! I'm still here!"
Although his favorability is less than 60, only a pitiful 47, he is also among Lin Cha's friends!
Director Feng was very proud. "Looks like Cha Cha's next project will be with me!"
Zhang Shaoteng and Zhao Jinnan were furious and glared at Director Feng, "Heitui!
unlucky!"
Isn't it just because Director Feng and Lin Cha had more opportunities to spend time together during the filming of Painted Bone? If they were given time, they could also get a seat at the table!
Zhang Shaoteng was unwilling to give up. Even if he didn't have a spot to watch the drama now, he would definitely have a spot on the set later. Then he would know which scumbag would ruin his project!
Zhao Jinnan also thought so. Even though his favorability was not high, it did not prevent him from hearing Lin Cha's thoughts when he was filming gg for Lin Cha and Shen Zui last time.
I just can’t hear it today!
Whoever can get the next project cooperation from Lincha will be the real winner!
The two immediately rushed to Lin Cha.
"Cha Cha! I have an art film coming up next. Are you interested in trying it?"
"Cha Cha, I'm planning a Xianxia TV series. It's a super IP. If you want to come, you can choose any role you want!"
Director Feng, unwilling to fall behind, also rushed forward, "Cha Cha, I'm currently working on a sci-fi comedy! You promised me last time that you'd work with me again! Come join me on the set!"
Lin Churou was left aside by Zhang Shaoteng and couldn't believe it.
She is obviously Zhang Shaoteng's financial backer. Zhang Shaoteng was not very enthusiastic when he saw her just now. Now that Lin Cha is here, he rushes up to her like a dog.
Lin Cha... Lin Cha is just an abandoned daughter of a wealthy family. Why does she deserve this?
Lin Churou couldn't contain her jealousy and suddenly stepped forward to grab Zhang Shaoteng's hand and asked, "Director Zhang, the role of the second sister is reserved for Lin Cha."
"Of course!" Zhang Shaoteng said firmly. "It's a pity that Lin Cha's schedule has been so full lately that I couldn't contact her. I only came here immediately after I knew she was coming to Starry Night!"
Lin Churou's hands froze and her body swayed slightly.
Zhang Shaoteng actually...actually came here for Lin Cha
It’s fine that Lu Yanyan defended Lin Cha before, and it’s fine that Chen Zui stood by Lin Cha, but why do people like Zhang Shaoteng, Zhao Jinnan, and Director Feng also think so highly of Lin Cha!
What kind of drug did she give them?
Lin Cha thought that he could sneak in quietly and would not attract much attention, but he did not expect that as soon as he appeared, three directors surrounded him.
She was at a loss, rubbing the tip of her nose awkwardly. "Whether I can act... I'm not sure. You should ask my agent; she arranges my schedule."
"A guest appearance is fine!" Zhang Shaoteng said first, "Cha Cha, I have a super challenging role, and it really needs you!"
"She's not the protagonist!" Fang Yueyao came in not far behind Lin Cha, dragging her long crescent-white skirt as she trotted to Lin Cha.
"Director Zhang, with our Cha Cha's acting skills and popularity, she should at least play the female lead. Even in a big production like "Falling Flower Song", Cha Cha is the female lead! How can you have the nerve to let her play a supporting role?"
Zhang Shaoteng was startled and pondered for a moment.
Is it because the role he prepared was not the female lead, so Lin Cha was unwilling and did not take the role?
But... he has already decided on Lin Churou as the female lead, and Tianyu has decided to invest.
"I'm the heroine! I'm the heroine!" Zhao Jinnan said first, "Cha Cha, I haven't decided on the heroine yet. Come on, I'll let you be the heroine!"
Zhao Jinnan couldn't be happier to have an actress like Lin Cha, who has the looks, acting skills, and fame, as the female lead. What else could he choose?
Director Feng also spoke up, "Lin Cha, come to my place! I'll give you my female lead, too! Think about it, this is a sci-fi comedy, much more prestigious than a TV show! It's definitely worth it than going to Director Zhao's place!"
"It's obvious that my heroine in the fairy tale is more prestigious!"
"TV series will never be as good as movies!"
“My script is good!”
“My script is even better!”
Director Feng and Zhao Jinnan quarreled like elementary school students over Lin Cha.
Zhang Shaoteng's work is for awards, so the investment won't be very high, and no matter the number of views or box office, it will definitely not be as good as Feng Dao and Zhao Jinnan's.
He had no advantages to begin with, and all he provided was a supporting role...
Zhang Shaoteng immediately made up his mind. "Cha Cha! If you want to play the female lead, that's fine! What's the point of filming too many of those fast-food popcorn dramas? Only award-winning works like mine have real substance! Join my crew!"
“Ah, this…”
Lin Cha couldn't give an answer. Her development direction was determined by the company and Chen Yun. She thought Chen Yun's plan was very good and she didn't want to change it casually.
But Lin Cha didn't have the courage to reject three directors in a row, and could only smile awkwardly but politely.
…
Lin Churou was completely stunned.
Zhang Shaoteng was actually willing to give up the heroine for Lin Cha!
You know, what Zhang Shaoteng gave up was not only her, but also Tianyu's investment!
In his mind, Lincha was so important that he didn't even need to invest!
Lin Churou bit her lips, and blood oozed from the corners of her lips.
Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi behind him heard all this and couldn't believe it.
That's Lin Cha, the one who was kicked out of the Lin family. How come she became such a hot commodity in the entertainment industry?
Lin Churou was unwilling to give up. Seeing that Lin Cha hadn't replied to Zhang Shaoteng yet, she grabbed Zhang Shaoteng and pulled him aside. "Director Zhang, didn't we agree that I was the female lead? How can you go back on your word? If you do this, why would Tianyu invest in you?"
"Ms. Lin, we haven't signed a contract yet. It's just a verbal agreement," Zhang Shaoteng said calmly. "Lin Cha is very important to my film. Anyone can be replaced, but she must be there."
Lin Churou gritted her teeth and threatened, "Zhang Shaoteng, aren't you afraid that I will withdraw my investment?"
Zhang Shaoteng was still trying to convince Lin Cha to join, but when he heard Lin Churou's words, he got angry and looked at her with disdain. "Ms. Lin, I'm not some down-and-out director. I haven't had any flops, but I have made some box office hits. Do you think a director like me can't get investment?"
"Your investment from Tianyu is just a side thing for me. It allows me to avoid a dinner party, but that's all. If I can get Lin Cha, I can talk to a few more investors. Do you really think you are so important?"
"Don't even mention you. I haven't even signed a contract with Pei Hongyun. If Lin Cha doesn't like Pei Hongyun, I can replace him in a minute! Even the best actor can do this to me, so who do you think you are!"
Zhang Shaoteng knows very well that actors only increase the exposure of his works, and if his acting skills are better, the work can be presented more effectively.
But with so many actors in the entertainment industry, Zhang Shaoteng never thinks that actors are irreplaceable.
Even if it was Pei Hongyun who could provide acting skills and exposure, he would be willing to give up, not to mention Lin Churou, a female star who only had a pretty face and average acting skills.
"Ms. Lin, not everyone has to kowtow to capital. If I can't find you to invest, I can still find Tianyao and Xinghui. Don't take yourself too seriously."
After Zhang Shaoteng finished speaking, he rudely shook off Lin Churou's hand and went to the front to win over Lin Cha.
Only Lin Churou was still standing there, her face turning pale and blue, looking particularly embarrassed.
*
Lin Cha didn't know how to refuse the directors. When she saw Zhang Shaoteng coming back, she felt her eyes go dark.
Lu Yanyan and Sun Qianqian are not stars, so they did not attend the red carpet. Chen Yun is going to take Gu Xingcan and other trainees from "The Light of Tomorrow" to Korea for training in the next two days, so she did not come to the scene either.
Fortunately, Director Wei of "Song of Fallen Flowers" also came. Seeing Lin Cha squeezed among several male directors, he immediately rushed over.
"You're trying to poach me! Cha Cha is going to film 'Song of Falling Flowers' with my crew. I'll be there for at least a month! We're a big show, don't even think about letting her take over!"
Lin Cha, as if she had found a savior, hid behind Director Wei and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes! It's not good to overlap!"
"Guest appearance! Just guest appearance!" Zhang Shaoteng did not give up. "It will only take a day or two!"
Lin Cha glanced at Zhang Shaoteng.
[Let's not do that. The male lead is Pei Hongyun, and there's no telling how much blood and gore there will be! If Pei Hongyun's affair with a scumbag is exposed, then all our hard work will be in vain.]
The pay in the entertainment industry is paid on a regular basis, for example, a deposit is paid first, a second payment is paid when you join the crew, another payment is paid halfway through the filming, another payment is paid when the film is completed, and finally a final payment is paid before the film goes online.
Therefore, no matter how much Ren Zhang Shaoteng talked about it, there was a hidden danger, and Lin Cha was probably unwilling to go.
Among the directors present, only Director Feng and Director Wei had a seat to watch the show, and at this moment they looked at Zhang Shaoteng with sympathy.
What about the good lineup?
It was a disaster right from the start!
Zhang Shaoteng didn't understand what was going on, but when he felt the sympathetic gazes around him, he realized something was wrong.
He cautiously nudged Director Feng next to him and whispered, "There's a problem with my crew..."
Director Feng looked gloating, but nodded sympathetically.
"Who?" Zhang Shaoteng racked his brains, thinking. He had only interviewed a dozen actors so far. Who was the problem? The freshman from college, or the veteran supporting actor who had been acting for eight years, or...
"He's your male lead."
Director Feng's voice was long and slow, and Zhang Shaoteng's face was horrified, as if he had been struck by lightning and it took him a long time to recover.
*
Seeing that several directors were persistent and insisted that she join their new drama, Lin Cha had no choice but to ask Chen Yun for advice.
Chen Yun, who was far away on the other side of the ocean, answered Lin Cha's call and offered a solution, which would indeed allow Lin Cha to take a few days off to guest star in several directors' projects.
Because those directors offered important roles, and starring in them would be a highlight, Chen Yun discussed it with Director Wei, who agreed to let Lin Cha take a few days off to shoot.
Lin Churou finally kept her position as the heroine, only because Lin Cha was not interested in her.
This result did not make her very happy. When she looked at Lin Cha, she still felt hatred in her heart, and her lips became increasingly white from being bitten by her teeth.
Fang Yueyao followed Lin Cha excitedly, "Cha Cha, you'll be joining the crew next week, right? I'll also be filming 'Song of Falling Flowers' the week after next! We'll see each other again then."
"You're acting too!" Lin Cha was very happy to hear Fang Yueyao's news. "But aren't you filming that criminal investigation drama?"
"I only have a small role in 'Song of Falling Flowers'! Just a dozen or so shots! It's also a cameo," Fang Yueyao said. "Since you want to act, of course I want to be with you! If I hadn't accepted this criminal investigation film earlier, maybe your supporting actress role would have been mine!"
Fang Yueyao was vexed by not getting the supporting female role in "Falling Flower Song". Not being able to get close to the European Emperor was the biggest loss in her life!
"Hahaha," Lin Cha smiled awkwardly, "It's okay, we're both in Hengcheng, we can have dinner together."
"Yes!" Fang Yueyao nodded vigorously. "When you go out to eat, don't forget me!"
"certainly!"
The two chatted for a while, and soon, a staff member came over and told Fang Yueyao that she would be the first female star to perform.
On the red carpet, the appearance position is extremely important. Fang Yueyao is not at the position where she can be the last one to appear, but it is also great to be the first one to appear.
"Cha Cha, I'm going to touch up my makeup," Fang Yueyao stood up and called the makeup artist over. She pulled two heat pads from her handbag and placed them on the hem of her skirt. "Oh, it's freezing outside. Honestly, I'm just thinking of putting on a thick cotton-padded jacket!"
"It's only a few dozen meters, it will be over soon." Lin Cha comforted.
It's the end of November now and there are strong winds outside, which is not very friendly to female stars.
As they were talking, Lin Cha noticed that the staff went to notify the next artist to perform. She glanced and found that the person who appeared after Fang Yueyao was Lin Churou.
Fang Yueyao recently got the lead role in "Painted Bone" thanks to a lucky break, and was promoted to a first-tier star. But Lin Churou was not so lucky. The rural variety show she organized suffered a disastrous defeat. After several attempts to frame Lin Cha were exposed, she can no longer even maintain her status as a second-tier artist.
Her position on the red carpet was after Fang Yueyao, and the two followers she brought with her, Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi, also followed behind Fang Yueyao.
Lin Cha opened the melon-eating system and frowned involuntarily.
【really……】
Fang Yueyao noticed something was wrong and asked the makeup artist to touch up her makeup while asking Lin Cha, "What's wrong?"
Lin Cha frowned and stood up, helping Fang Yueyao straighten her floor-length, moon-white skirt. She patiently instructed, "Your skirt is long. Try to walk faster later. If you walk too slowly, someone might step on you..."
[God damn it, Lin Churou's two henchmen are upset that you appeared before her and are planning to step on your skirt and embarrass you by exposing yourself!]
[I can't be too direct... Damn it, Yaoyao, why are you wearing a tube top? A camisole would be much better...]
Lin Cha helped Fang Yueyao lift up her moon-white strapless dress. The long dress outlined Fang Yueyao's graceful figure, but Lin Cha always felt it was a little dangerous.
[Can this thing... be sewn together?]
Lin Cha is studying this matter seriously.
Fang Yueyao couldn't help laughing.
"Chacha, why are you so cute!"
Then, she turned her gaze to the whispering Lin Churou and others. Isn't it just a little trick on the red carpet? Fang Yueyao has walked so many red carpets and is not afraid of it anymore.
"Alas," Lin Cha thought Fang Yueyao hadn't listened, and was quite depressed. "I'm talking to you about serious matters! Pay attention!"
"Don't worry!" Fang Yueyao patted Lin Cha's shoulder, not even looking at Lin Churou and others not far away, and said confidently, "With Cha Cha here, I'm sure nothing will happen to me."
*
A few minutes later, the Weibo Starry Night red carpet officially began.
Fang Yueyao, as the first female star to appear on stage, attracted everyone's attention. She wore a moon-white strapless long dress and rhinestone-studded high-heeled shoes. The moment she stepped onto the stage, flash lights went on and off, illuminating this sleepless night.
[Wow, Yaoyao is the first to appear! Yaoyao looks so pretty in this dress!]
[D’s Spring and Autumn Haute Couture Bar Fang Yueyao is so beautiful in her outfit! Fair skin, beautiful face, long legs! Let me lick her]
[My sister’s legs are not legs, they are the spring water along the Seine River]
[Oh my god, Fang Yueyao is wearing a tube top. Is she really not cold? I feel cold just looking at her!]
[It’s cold, but Yaoyao looks really good in this outfit!]
[Fang Yueyao is so pretty, it makes me look forward to "Painted Bones" even more. Please hurry up and release it. I really want to watch it!]
…
Fang Yueyao's appearance set the red carpet off to a fantastic start. As the first female artist to walk the red carpet, her makeup and styling were impeccable, a flawless show.
When the audience saw Fang Yueyao appear, they began to look forward to the next stars to take the stage.
Following closely behind Fang Yueyao were Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi.
They should have been behind Lin Churou, but Lin Churou thought of their plan and deliberately let them go in front.
If something really happens to Fang Yueyao, everyone will blame Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi. She is just the fourth innocent female star to appear.
Not only that, seeing the first three people so embarrassed, she, the fourth female star to appear, was able to attract the audience's attention with her elegant posture even though her position was not good!
Not long after Fang Yueyao appeared, Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi followed closely.
Normally, there would be a considerable distance between the stars appearing on stage, which would be convenient for the surrounding reporters, media and fans to take pictures. However, Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi walked very quickly after they came on stage. In just a few seconds, they were behind Fang Yueyao.
Fang Yueyao's long skirt that dragged on the ground was very eye-catching, making her tube top dress look shaky, as if it would fall off with a slight pull.
Zhao Yuanyuan and Chen Yi didn't care about that. After catching up with Fang Yueyao, they stepped hard with their high heels and successfully stepped on Fang Yueyao's skirt!
Fang Yueyao walked in front without any investigation.
If I take one more step forward, I'll either fall flat on my face or be exposed!
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