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A beauty stood next to Mr. Gong, a familiar face indeed. It was none other than Xiao Wenwen, who had just finished her last audition.

Xiao Wenwen was hanging onto Gong Qiang’s arm and coyly said, “I don’t care, you promised me that you would let me play the female lead. You need to keep your word”.

Her coquettish voice was really endearing. Gong Qiang who fell for it, assuringly said, “Don’t worry, I promised you and I certainly won’t go back on my word”.

Xiao Wenwen glanced at Mr. Lu who stood next to her, ignoring everything with a nonchalant expression.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Lu and Mr. Gong.” Wu Chao warmly greeted them.

“This is Director Yu and here’s Zhou Yingdi.”

They exchanged pleasantries and then walked into the private room.

Once everyone was seated and formalities done, Xiao Wenwen secretly pinched Gong Qiang’s thigh under the table. Mr. Gong cleared his throat and said, “This lady next to me, Xiao Wenwen, is very promising. I think she would be perfect for the female lead. What do you think, Mr. Wu?”

It was time to begin the hard sell.

“Well…” Wu Chao looked at Yu Dawei, who remained silent. He found himself in a predicament.

“Mr. Gong, Ms. Xiao just finished her audition, and she indeed performed very well. You have great taste.”

Being a producer, the ability to flatter and cater to major investors is a necessary skill.

If the conditions didn’t exist, he’d create them just to flatter.

Not giving anyone else a chance to speak, Wu Chao continued, “Mr. Gong, Mr. Lu, our movie has the best director, actors, screenplay team, special effects team, and we’ve even invited Qu Feitai as the music director for the movie. Qu Feitai usually doesn’t accept film and TV songs, but this time it was because of Director Yu. I doubt there has ever been a must-explode team like ours in film history.”

Gong Qiang was naturally moved by his words, after all, who would say no to more money.

Yu Dawei, Zhou Zhengru, and now adding Qu Feitai, it’s practically a no-fail combination.

“You know, the background of our movie is set in the end of the world, which requires a lot of special effects. Every frame costs money, plus we will be shooting on location at Yulong Snow Mountain. This will require a considerable amount of manpower, resources, and money. According to our initial budget, we still need this much…”

Wu Chao showed two fingers.

Yu Dawei was nonchalantly drinking tea.

Zhou Zhengru was smiling.

Producing indeed wasn’t for everyone.

“Two hundred million?” Gong Qiang was surprised.

“What if we lose…”

“Ah, Mr. Gong, you’re also in investor. High risk always accompanies high profit. Plus, with our current team, how could there be any flop? You can rest assured.”

As someone who often did film and TV investments, Gong Qiang wasn’t ignorant, this configuration was indeed setting up for a big box office hit. In his moment of hesitation, he felt a small hand pinch his thigh. Xiao Wenwen whined, “Mr. Gong~”

Gong Qiang grabbed her meddling hand, cleared his throat, and said seriously, “The investment is no problem, but Wenwen, she has to be the female lead, otherwise there’s no deal.”

A smug look flashed behind Xiao Wenwen’s eyes.

Wu Chao instinctively looked at Yu Dawei.

From his perspective, it didn’t matter who played the female lead. Xiao Wenwen was not so bad that it would ruin the movie. With Yu Dawei’s personal instruction, it couldn’t go too wrong. The key was the investment, it was enough to dispel all concerns about the budget. But these old artists wouldn’t consider such practical problems.

Yu Dawei leisurely sipped his tea. All eyes were on him, waiting for his answer.

Gong Qiang said, “Director Yu, Mr. Wu just said that Wenwen’s audition performance was not bad. It shouldn’t be a problem for her to play the female lead. I will add another 100 million afterwards, what do you think?”

“The female lead and the second female lead have already been determined, there’s a role left for the third female lead. I wonder if Miss Xiao is interested?” Said Yu Dawei casually.

The third female lead?

Xiao Wenwen’s face changed instantly, they were just palming her off!

Gong Qiang got up from the table with anger, “The third female lead? That won’t work, she must be the female lead. Otherwise, forget about the investment. I will withdraw all the investments I made before.”

This was a blatant threat, but Yu Dawei would not be known as Yu Dawei if he was afraid of him.

“Oh, so you think the third female lead role is beneath you. Well, I guess my little temple can’t enshrine your big Buddha.”

Everyone at the scene was stunned, except for Yu Dawei himself.

Gong Qiang’s face turned ashen. “Yu Dawei, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, what are you getting cocky about? If I withdraw my investment, you’ll be left with a hole in the sky, and it’ll be too late for you to beg me.”

“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.”

“You…”. Gong Qiang, finding Yu unable to be coaxed or persuaded and feeling that he could no longer save face, stormed out in anger.Xiao Wenwen hurriedly followed him, assuming that Yu Dawei would eventually admit defeat, and that his obstinance was only temporary. The filming was about to start; the investors withdrawing their money was no trifling matter.

“Director Yu… what should we do?” Wu Chao was so on edge that he was breaking into a sweat. He wanted to chase after Gong Qiang, but glanced at Yu Dawei’s expression and feared he would make him angry.

The famed director was indeed a quirky character, not afraid to offend investors.

Yu Dawei picked up his chopsticks, “Why the rush, let’s eat.”

Across from him, Lu Ze looked at Yu Dawei and laughed, “Director Yu, I admire your firm and straightforward attitude, and your resistance to being manipulated by capital firms. I have even more faith in this film now. In fact, on behalf of Zhoufan Film Industry, I will add an extra 50 million to our investment.”

Wu Chao hastily replied: “Mr. Lu, you’re straightforward indeed. Rest assured, we won’t let you suffer a loss.”

Lu Ze smiled: “Director Yu mentioned earlier that the lead actress has been decided. Is she a promising newcomer?”

Zhoufan Film Industry also had a new talent they wanted to promote. Lu Ze had come with an agenda today, but after witnessing the earlier scene, he hesitated.

Dealing with a hot-tempered director wasn’t easy.

“A complete novice,” said Yu Dawei.

“A novice? Although I trust Director Yu’s discernment, isn’t it too risky to use an amateur for such a large investment? I’ve heard that Director Yu is especially skilled at coaching newcomers. We have a rookie at our company. Wondering if she would fit Director Yu’s selection criteria?”

The familiar tactic resurfaced.

Yu Dawei, not one to mince words, backed down: “The lead actress has been finalized. There won’t be any changes.”

If he wanted to withdraw investment, let him do so.

Lu Ze was surprisingly patient, not getting upset, and continued smiling.

“The rookie that Director Yu has chosen must be outstanding. I’m very curious to meet her.”

Investors wanting to meet the lead actress was a standard requirement.

Yu Dawei paused, “I’m sorry…”

Before he could finish, Zhou Zhengru, who had gone to the restroom, walked in. He whispered something into Yu Dawei’s ear, who raised an eyebrow, “Call her in then.”

Zhou Zhengru nodded his head and left the room again.

Yu Dawei said leisurely, “Mr. Lu, didn’t you want to meet our lead actress? It so happens she’s dining in this restaurant as well.”

Lu Ze raised an eyebrow.

Wu Chao was dumbfounded, there was no place for him to interject.

Soon, Zhou Zhengru led a girl in. Lu Ze squinted as he sized her up.

The girl was tall and slender, poised, and composed. Simply from her appearance, she looked quite striking.

But her face wasn’t especially beautiful. Compared to the myriad of beautiful actresses in the entertainment industry, she wouldn’t stand out.

The only thing that was distinctive about her face were her eyes, clear, bright, and starry.

Ye Zhen bowed in greeting, “Hello, Director Yu. Hello, Mr. Wu.”

She didn’t recognize the man across from her, so she just nodded at him in greeting.

Lu Ze clicked his tongue: “So, this is the lead actress chosen by Director Yu. In my opinion, she is nothing special.”

Ye Zhen kept her eyes lowered, unaffected by his contemptuous remarks.

Yu Dawei pointed to the seat beside him, indicating for Ye Zhen to sit down.

Ye Zhen obediently sat down.

“When it comes to who I’ve chosen, it’s nobody’s place to interfere. Mr. Lu, you’ve seen her, are you satisfied?”

Lu Ze replied solemnly: “Director Yu, I suggest you consider my proposal seriously.”

The mood suddenly became tense.

In the neighboring private room.

“I put in a lot of effort to secure Ye Zhen as the lead actress. How are you going to thank me, Ming Jing?”

Ming Jing smiled: “How would you like me to thank you?”

Qu Feitai gave Bai Ziyan a cold glance, but his voice softened when he looked at Ming Jing.

“Ignore him. Ye Zhen was chosen due to her own ability.”