Chapter 46: Always Want to Get Something

Director Zhao’s expression was hard to describe.

Honestly, it wasn’t the first time he had encountered situations where financiers tried to force people into his crew.

However, Lu Beichen hadn’t even invested in his film and still had the audacity to try and squeeze his girlfriend into the cast. This left Director Zhao speechless.

Lu Beichen’s parents had helped Director Zhao when he was down and out, but Lu Beichen had not.

As a well-known director, he wasn’t like the small hotel manager whom Lu Beichen could easily threaten. Lu Beichen didn’t have that kind of power.

“Director Zhao, I know it’s tough to get into your crew,” Lu Beichen began. “But you promised to repay my family. Surely you don’t go back on your word?”

Director Zhao looked at Lu Beichen with an indescribable expression. “Are you sure this is the favor you want to use up?”

Lu Beichen nodded. “Of course.”

Director Zhao frowned. “Alright, I’ll arrange a maid role for her.”

“A maid?” Lu Beichen was very dissatisfied. “I heard there’s a princess role. That role doesn’t have many scenes. Can’t you give that to Wanwan?”

“A princess?”

Director Zhao was more shocked than Lu Beichen.

He looked at Xia Wanwan in disbelief. “Her?”

Honestly, if it were a TV series, putting Xia Wanwan in a small supporting role wouldn’t be an issue.

But this was a movie.

The princess role in the film, though not extensive in scenes, had very high requirements. It was for a beauty who could captivate the entire nation, someone whose looks had to surpass even the leading actress.

Director Zhao had spent months auditioning local university beauties and hadn’t found a suitable candidate.

Yet, Lu Beichen wanted his girlfriend to take on such a role?

Xia Wanwan bit her lip, tearfully looking at Lu Beichen. “Beichen, am I not good enough?”

“No,” Director Zhao firmly rejected. “Absolutely not. This film has very high aesthetic standards, and I can’t let anyone ruin that.”

To be honest, giving her the role of a maid was already a huge favor in Director Zhao’s eyes.

Many well-known actors wanted to appear in his films.

For a newcomer like Xia Wanwan, he was already being very generous.

It wasn’t that Director Zhao was being harsh; he was just very particular.

The big screen demanded perfect bone structure, and even the slightest flaw would be magnified.

Xia Wanwan’s eye corners clearly showed signs of surgery, and her nose had the marks of a composite rhinoplasty. Once on screen, these flaws would be magnified tenfold.

Offline, she was a delicate little beauty.

On screen, she wouldn’t even match the beauty of other maids.

Director Zhao was very confident in his choice of Mu Ruo for the princess role: “The actress for the princess role has already been decided. I’m very satisfied with her and have signed a contract. There’s absolutely no way I’ll replace her.”

Hearing this, Xia Wanwan’s bitterness surged up inside her.

She wiped away her tears and turned to run away.

Lu Beichen felt humiliated in front of his woman and was extremely displeased with Director Zhao. “Director Zhao, I never thought you would treat your benefactor this way.”

With that, Lu Beichen ran after Xia Wanwan.

Director Zhao sipped his goji berry chrysanthemum tea.

He couldn’t believe that the Lu couple had such a son.

Using favors to make threats… If Lu Beichen’s parents found out, they would be utterly embarrassed.

Director Zhao suddenly remembered that today was the day Mu Ruo started her training with the crew.

He needed to check on her progress.

When Director Zhao arrived, the instructor was guiding Mu Ruo by holding her arm, directing her movements and expressions: “When you raise your hand, look at the tip of your finger with a soft and alluring gaze, but not too soft. There should be a hint of disdain. Your character is a princess, so when you look at anyone other than your brother, there should be a sense of superiority.”

Following the instructor’s guidance, Mu Ruo performed the movement perfectly on the first try.

The instructor praised her, “Very good. Not only are your movements precise, but your expression is also on point. You’re capturing the essence of the character. Mu Ruo, have you studied dance before?”

Mu Ruo nodded, “I’ve had some training in the past.”

“But your posture still needs improvement. You don’t walk like an ancient woman. You must focus on correcting this during the training period.”

Watching their interaction, Director Zhao was very pleased.

This was the actress he had chosen.

In this day and age, even a little receptionist kept by a rich second generation dares to demand a role as a stunning beauty in his crew.

In contrast, the more he looked at Mu Ruo, the more satisfied he was.

After the session, Director Zhao talked with the instructor.

The instructor was also very pleased with Mu Ruo.

Recently, she had been instructing a popular young actress in another crew. That actress had many opinions, despite not having any dance background. She insisted on adding and deleting movements, even lecturing the director on how to direct, demanding that he follow her instructions.

In comparison, Mu Ruo’s humility as a newcomer was a pleasant surprise.

After discussing with the director, the instructor left late. She had some family matters and needed to go home. As she walked to her car, she overheard a few other actors from the crew gossiping.

“You’ll see, that Mu woman will definitely drag the entire film down.”

“She’s just a vase some investor squeezed in.”

“Her attitude is terrible. She even looked down on the hotel receptionist yesterday.”

The instructor frowned, disgusted by their backbiting.

Though she hadn’t known Mu Ruo for long, she trusted her own judgment of people.

Hearing the car engine start, the gossipers quickly dispersed.

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At the Fu’s house.

The house was as cold as ever.

Mu Ruo’s presence had added a different atmosphere to the luxurious and exquisite villa.

Once she left, everything naturally returned to its original state, and it was back to the cold, unwelcoming Fu’s house.

Butler Li observed various news updates: “Mr. Fu, Madam has joined Director Zhao’s crew. Didn’t you invest in that film?”

Fu Jianzhi held a glass of wine, his expression dark and indifferent.

Butler Li continued, “Madam has no experience. Joining such a crew, she might get bullied.”

The entertainment industry is notorious for its tendency to bully newcomers. Butler Li wasn’t sure how Mu Ruo managed to join, but he knew that someone like Mu Ruo had a high chance of being bullied.

Butler Li thought for a moment, “If you put in a good word, it might help her a lot.”

“No need,” Fu Jianzhi replied coldly. “If she has any issues, she can come to me directly.”

Of course, it would come at a price.

Fu Jianzhi had never been a benevolent person.

He wouldn’t do anything without some benefit in return.

He always had to gain something in the end.