Chapter 5
Chapter 5
A week later, Cheng Cheng received a notice asking her to go to the company.
At the company, Cheng Cheng met Mr. Zhao, Tong Ziqian and her agent Tao Jie.
In the conference room, they sat on both sides of the long table, and the other three sat opposite Cheng Cheng.
The person she was facing was Director Zhao.
Mr. Zhao is over fifty years old, and his face is a little swollen due to excessive cosmetic surgery. The apple cheeks on both sides of his nose remind Cheng Cheng of the boiled chicken breast he had eaten in the morning.
Director Zhao announced the audition results to Cheng Cheng: "The audition results for 'Nine Heavens Mysterious Moon' are out, and Tong Ziqian has been selected."
"Yeah." Cheng Cheng was mentally prepared and nodded calmly in acceptance.
Director Zhao: "The company's audition opportunities are limited, and I won't let you waste them."
Cheng Cheng originally thought he was here to receive a notice today, but unexpectedly he also took on a big pot.
“.......”
That wasn't the end of it. Director Zhao continued to criticize, "The company spent a lot of money to enroll you in acting training, and I don't know how you learned it." After criticizing Cheng Cheng, he praised Tong Ziqian, "Thank goodness Ziqian worked hard and got selected."
Cheng Cheng remained silent.
It was just a few sarcastic remarks, she could listen to them.
At this time, a man pushed the door open and walked in.
"Xiao Chen?" Cheng Cheng was a little surprised when he saw his assistant and asked, "Why are you here?"
Xiao Chen is tall and fat, with a simple and honest face. When he saw Cheng Cheng, he lowered his head and said nothing with guilt.
"Excuse me, Xiao Chen. Let me speak." Director Zhao took over the conversation and said directly: "You don't have a job now, so you don't need an assistant. On the contrary, Zi Qian——"
"She's going to join the team soon. We're short on manpower, so Xiao Chen will be assigned to her first."
"Transfer it to her first...then what should I do?" Cheng Cheng seemed to have heard something absurd, and laughed out of anger.
"You don't have a job now, so it would be a waste to have an assistant. It's better to give it to someone who needs it more." Director Zhao said easily.
Cheng Cheng: "So, just because she passed the audition, she can steal my assistant?"
Director Zhao said sarcastically, "Why are you in such a hurry? Once you have a job, the company can assign you another one."
"Cheng Cheng, don't be angry," Tong Ziqian apologized to Cheng Cheng hypocritically, "I really didn't mean to steal your assistant, but I have to join the crew for several months of filming. You've read Zi Yan's script, and I have a lot of scenes... I really need help here, and I also need a male assistant to protect my safety. I feel more at ease with Xiao Chen around." Tong Ziqian patted her chest while speaking, and her pretentious look made Cheng Cheng feel nauseous.
Cheng Cheng was almost sickened by her affected acting.
She folded her arms and leaned back in her chair, rolling her eyes to the sky. "She's just a third female character, but she's being given such a big fuss. If you didn't know better, you'd think she's the female lead."
"You!" Tong Ziqian was easily angered.
"Hey, pay attention to your image management." Tong Ziqian's agent Tao Jie stopped her in time.
Then he turned around to face Cheng Cheng and glanced at her from head to toe: "No. 3 female role is nothing, but you who didn't even get the No. 3 female role... what are you then?"
Cheng Cheng: "You all know how this role came about. Don't think I don't know!"
Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming tense, Director Zhao suddenly changed his attitude and acted as a peacemaker.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing, Cheng Cheng—"
"Actually, I called you to the company today because I have something more important to tell you."
"What's the matter?" Cheng Cheng took a deep breath. It was not time to have a falling out yet, so she calmed herself down and asked calmly.
Director Zhao didn't speak directly, but first played the emotional card: "Tell me honestly, how has the company treated you in the past three years since you joined?"
Cheng Cheng looked wary: "...normal."
"..." Director Zhao was choked up and paused before continuing, "The company has invested heavily in training you and is incredibly kind to you. You should be able to sense that."
"As for the company, we are planning to launch a new project soon."
"We are planning to open a new group broadcasting department. Simply put, it will be a live broadcast of dancing."
"After internal discussions within the company, everyone agreed that you are the perfect candidate."
"You've been in a girl group before, and you're good at singing and dancing, and you have plenty of experience."
"What do you think?"
Cheng Cheng suddenly realized that she finally understood the purpose of today.
It turned out to be the Hongmen Banquet.
First tell yourself the news that you failed the audition, suppress and belittle yourself, and then throw out a seemingly tempting opportunity.
Eager to turn things around, she would want to seize this rare opportunity.
First a slap, then a candy.
This trick is damaging but effective.
Too bad the candy is poisonous.
Cheng Cheng does not look down on live streaming. If there is a job that requires live streaming, she will not refuse, but she is not willing to treat it as a career.
What's more, once live streaming becomes a job, it is very common to be the top of the list.
If she wanted that, she wouldn't have ended up being bullied by Tong Ziqian.
Cheng Cheng refused without hesitation: "Mr. Zhao, thank you for your 'kindness'. I think my personality and abilities are not suitable for this job. Please consider someone else."
Seeing that bribery failed, Director Zhao finally tore off his hypocritical mask and threatened: "Cheng Cheng, I am discussing with you to give you face. Don't be shameless."
"I'll give you a week to think about it."
"If you don't agree, the company will suspend all your acting activities. Don't forget, you signed a seven-year agency contract."
"Be good and listen, and we can discuss everything. Otherwise... you'll be in trouble."
The warning in that last sentence is obvious.
Because she was an amateur when she signed the contract with the company, her share of the profits was very small, and the bulk of it went to the company.
In addition, she now has fewer and fewer job opportunities, and Cheng Cheng has no savings.
If Cheng Cheng was really "frozen" by the company, his life would become a big problem.
When the most practical survival issues are faced.
Cheng Cheng also seriously considered the possibility of live streaming.
But after careful consideration, she felt that this was a test of her obedience from the company. If she allowed herself to be manipulated by the company and let it do whatever it wanted, then she would be forced to do even more outrageous things in the future. Would she have no choice but to agree?
......
Su Qing was sent on a business trip by the company again. When Cheng Cheng called to inform her of this, she was also unaware of it. However, Su Qing said that she would go to coordinate with the company and told Cheng Cheng not to worry.
Cheng Cheng said he was relieved, but he was actually worried.
If Su Qing's words were useful, Tong Ziqian would not appear on the set. If Su Qing's words were useful, Director Zhao would not force her in person.
————————
Miao Hongzhi has been suffering from irritability and unable to eat these days.
The film "Nine Heavens and Mysterious Moon" directed by him was about to start shooting when something went wrong.
The actress who played the second female lead was investigated for suspected tax issues. The news was temporarily suppressed, but it remains a hidden danger.
If they continue to hire people under such pressure, and if the news is exposed after the filming is completed, the entire crew will suffer.
But we had to replace him temporarily and couldn't find a suitable candidate at the moment.
The scheduled start date cannot be delayed, and the schedules of other actors cannot be affected either.
In just a few days, a big blister appeared at the corner of Miao Hongzhi's mouth, and his already sparse hair became increasingly barren.
If he continues to worry, he will not be able to keep the few blades of grass he has left, and he will be called Tian Hongzhi again.
Just when he was in a state of panic, he was told that the president of Galaxy Technology wanted to invite him to dinner, not to discuss cooperation, but to meet him in a personal capacity.
Miao Hongzhi began to feel suspicious.
Although Galaxy Technology is a leading gaming company, it has never been involved in the entertainment industry. What is the point of looking for me?
Since it is not a business cooperation discussion and no other people can be present, it is a private matter.
Although he was completely confused, Miao Hongzhi went to the appointment, thinking that he could not get the job done but could not offend anyone.
The meeting place is a private club that is not open to the public.
Miao Hongzhi arrived at the box first.
This place is quiet in a bustling city, and the furnishings are very elegant. Each room is separated by a screen. Through the antique window lattices, you can see the rockery and flowing water. There is also the sound of piano coming from not far away, which is very peaceful.
Not long after, Zhou Yue was led in by a waiter wearing a cheongsam.
When Miao Hongzhi saw Zhou Yue, his eyes lit up. As a director, he had seen countless handsome men in the circle.
Melancholy, youthful, mature, handsome...I'm already aesthetically fatigued.
The most outstanding thing about Zhou Yue is not his handsome features, but his temperament.
This kind of temperament is not trained in front of the mirror or performed in etiquette classes, but is the temperament of being in a high position for a long time.
"I've heard that Mr. Zhou is young and promising. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved." Miao Hongzhi was flattering him, but also giving sincere praise.
"Director Miao, you are too kind. You are truly talented."
Miao Hongzhi: “…” With Zhou Yue’s wealth, he felt embarrassed to continue praising his talent.
"Director Miao, are you feeling a little irritated lately?" Zhou Yue asked with concern when he saw the conspicuous big bubble at the corner of Miao Hongzhi's mouth.
"Yes, the drama is about to start filming, so I'm busy." Miao Hongzhi said briefly.
Zhou Yue took the teacup from the waiter and poured a cup of tea for Miao Hongzhi himself: "Have some tea, it will help you get rid of internal heat."
“.......Thank you..” Miao Hongzhi was a little flattered and quickly took it with both hands.
Zhou Yue didn't let the atmosphere get awkward. He took the menu from the waiter and handed it to Miao Hongzhi, saying, "I ordered a few special dishes. I don't know if they suit your taste. Please take a look and see what you like."
Miao Hongzhi was preoccupied with something and had no appetite, so he just ordered a few dishes at random.
After we took our order, the waiter left with the menus and closed the door.
There were only two people present, and Miao Hongzhi directly raised the question that had troubled him all day -
"Mr. Zhou, I'm a rough man and I don't beat around the bush. What do you want to see me about today?"
Seeing Miao Hongzhi being so straightforward, Zhou Yue skipped the time for politeness and smiled and nodded in agreement: "I do have a small matter that I would like to ask for your help."
"Please speak." Miao Hongzhi said that he was willing to hear the details, but in his heart he was thinking that to make Zhou Yue personally ask for help, this matter... must not be a trivial matter.
“That’s it…”
After Zhou Yue finished speaking, Miao Hongzhi's expression cracked.
"You mean..." Miao Hongzhi tried hard to suppress the twitching corners of his mouth. He seemed to suddenly not understand Chinese. "You want me to replace the heroine of 'Nine Heavens Mysterious Moon' with Cheng Cheng... uh, a newcomer who has never acted before?"
"Yes." Zhou Yue didn't think there was anything wrong with it at all.
"Don't worry about the money. I can—"
"It's not about money." Miao Hongzhi felt powerless as if he was talking to a deaf person.
If he couldn't afford to offend the person opposite him, Miao Hongzhi would have started cursing.
He really wanted to say: Can you outsiders stop having these unrealistic fantasies? Do you think you're acting in a domineering CEO novel? You're always talking about being the heroine. How many heroines these days don't have backing? The capital behind them is not cheap.
If the role was still vacant, it would not be impossible for him to boldly use a newcomer, but since the female lead has already been decided, it would affect the entire cast.
Miao Hongzhi patiently explained to Zhou Yue, "Mr. Zhou, it's not that I don't give you face. I've already decided on the female lead, and Jiang Wantong's acting skills and popularity are no match for Cheng Cheng. The female lead is nothing special. If I suddenly change roles, not only will I be unable to explain myself to the others, but Jiang Wantong's fans will tear me apart first, and Cheng Cheng won't be in a good situation either."
"Is this what you want to see?" Miao Hongzhi asked back.
Zhou Yue fell into deep thought, as if he was carefully considering the truthfulness of Miao Hongzhi's words.
Miao Hongzhi proposed another plan: "Do you think this will work? I promise that next time there is a suitable play, I will first consider Cheng Cheng as the female lead."
Zhou Yue didn't say anything.
Miao Hongzhi thought he was dissatisfied, and his heart sank. He really didn't want to offend Zhou Yue, but he couldn't agree to this request. Just as he was worrying about it, Zhou Yue suddenly said, "Do you have any other roles in this play that have more scenes than the third female lead, or you can add more scenes later."
We’ll talk about the future later. The key is to get rid of the anger you’re feeling right now.
Miao Hongzhi’s eyes lit up:!!!
The second female lead has been chosen.
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