Chapter 148: 144 children, sit tight and don’t move【1 more】
The agent’s hands were trembling.
He could even imagine the sensation it would cause once the film was released.
This would influence not just Hua Country, but the entire world, and it might even drive the development of a series of industries.
The fame reaped would be boundless.
Even the socialites of the capital wouldn’t reject such an offer.
Perhaps Chuguang Media alone wouldn’t be sufficient to catch the attention of a wealthy family, but Universal Film Company was different.
This was world-class.
Those invited by Universal Film Company to act in films were all top actors globally.
In the past fifty years, not a single person from Hua Country had achieved this honor.
Behind Universal Film Company was the support of a powerful financial consortium from O Continent.
Luckily, among Ying Luwei’s marketed personas was one as the next Vera Hall.
Otherwise, such a good opportunity wouldn’t have come their way.
“What?!” The agent, who had been smiling, suddenly changed color, “Why? Wasn’t it all set last week? Although we hadn’t signed the contract, but—”
His words were cut off as the phone went “beep beep beep” and hung up.
There was not the slightest leniency for him being Ying Luwei’s agent.
As the number one entertainment company in Hua Country, Chuguang Media naturally wouldn’t see a wealthy Shanghai family in a different light.
Ying Luwei, noticing his expression, knew something was amiss.
She furrowed her brows, somewhat displeased: “What’s going on?”
The agent looked at his phone for a long while before coming back to his senses: “Chuguang Media said, although they wanted Luwei to audition last week, they have just changed their CEO and are busy transitioning.”
“The new Executive Director took office and took over the film project, saying the role of Vera Hall is not open to casting.”
There was another sentence the agent didn’t dare utter.
The exact words from Chuguang Media were:
As Vera Hall always appears in front of the public wearing a mask, it’s entirely possible to create the character using AI synthesis; there’s no need for a real person.
In fact, they could easily pull someone off from a music academy to play the part, without needing Ying Luwei.
Basically, Ying Luwei wasn’t worthy.
“Why? Why won’t they let her act?” Ying Luwei laughed angrily, “Does the new Executive Director think they are Vera Hall? That they can sway Universal Film and Television Company’s decisions?”
“Although the movie is a joint venture between Chuguang Media and Universal Film and Television Company, with Universal Film and Television Company leading,” the agent sighed, “the role of Vera Hall alone is entirely in the hands of Chuguang Media.”
“Why?” Ying Luwei was both angry and confused, “Vera Hall is from O Continent, right?”
“No, Luwei, I just found out too,” the agent lowered his voice, “inside information from Chuguang Media reveals that Universal Film told them Vera Hall is a Hua Country native.”
“To closely match the historical figure, the casting must also be a person from Hua Country.”
“A Hua Country native?” Ying Luwei was astonished, “How is that possible?”
If Vera Hall were Hua Country native, why wouldn’t she be mentioned in O Continent’s music history?
“How could we possibly know?” The agent shook his head, “Do you know about the large financial consortium behind Universal Film Company from O Continent? It’s said to be a very old family that has funded many artists.”
“Their ancestor was a close friend of Vera Hall, so who can say?”
“Ignorant fools!” Ying Luwei scoffed, “Let’s see how they manage to shoot this movie without me.”
“Luwei, don’t be rash; this role really would be beneficial for you,” the agent thought for a moment, “Chuguang Media said their new Executive Director is right here at the Shanghai branch office.”
“Let’s go meet with them, plead a little, maybe there’s still a chance.”
Chuguang Media, Shanghai branch office.
After making the call, the female secretary cautiously asked, “Executive Director, are we really going to use AI synthesis?”
“Computer technology is very advanced.” Ying Zijin looked up, scrutinizing her for a moment, “You’re tall enough, I think you could play the part with a mask on.”
The flattered secretary: “…”
She was happy to be complimented, but she really wasn’t fit or worthy for the role.
“Executive Director, to be honest, I don’t think there are many suitable candidates for the Goddess Vera role.” The secretary sneakily observed the girl, quickly looked away, and then quickly composed herself, “Miss Luwei is the number one socialite of Shanghai and is also a pianist, she’s quite fitting.”
She wasn’t from Shanghai; she had been transferred from the capital because Chuguang Media had changed their Chief Executive.
Before this, the secretary had learned a bit about Ying Luwei and found that the Shanghai’s top socialite was indeed quite suited to play Vera Hall.
She was a pianist and came from a noble family.
Flipping through photos of female actresses under Chuguang Media, Ying Zijin, upon hearing this, didn’t even look up: “She has body odor.”
The secretary was baffled: “???”
“So—” Ying Zijin picked out a few photos of actresses she found acceptable and pushed them forward, indifferently, “Let these ones audition.”
The secretary took the papers and sighed with admiration, “Executive Director, you have a really good eye, picking all the company’s trump cards.”
This Executive Director was very young, but also decisive in her methods.
She had been in the company for only one day, yet had managed to sort through a lot of information already.
There really was no need for Ying Luwei to act anymore, after all, once the mask was on during the acting, nobody knew who was behind it.
And among these female actors, there was an international movie queen whose appeal was much greater than that of Ying Luwei.
Ying Zijin gathered several documents, stood up, “If there’s anything else, just go to the General Manager.”
She realized that she really didn’t want to handle company affairs.
It was better to watch dramas every day for visual and spiritual pleasure.
The secretary hurriedly followed behind the young girl, seeing her out.
The change of the new Executive Director at Chuguang Media was only known internally by a few people.
After all, even before the change, they didn’t know who the Executive Director was.
This change made no difference to them.
Indeed, many employees noticed the girl, but they all mistook her for a new actress signed by Chuguang Media.
They were stunned by her beauty, but soon got back to their busy schedules.
Chuguang Media became Hua Country’s number one entertainment company precisely because its employees were dedicated and did not engage in private matters during work hours.
All departments were incorruptible from top to bottom, and the company provided the greatest benefits to their artists.
Even movie queens and kings who left to set up their own studios would not talk behind Chuguang Media’s back; instead, they would recommend their juniors.
However, in recent years, Chuguang Media had withstood the impact of several smaller companies.
Included among them were Starry Entertainment, owned by Shang Yaozhi, and Skywalk Media, established by Jiang Corporation.
But no matter what underhanded tactics any of these companies used behind the scenes, they still couldn’t shake Chuguang Media’s position as the leader in the entertainment industry.
Also, because Chuguang Media had strong support, its artists did not have to be forced into attending social drinking parties.
However, Chuguang Media had high standards, and without talent and spirit, one could not get in.
Even the hundred-person talent show “Youth 101” that went viral at the beginning of the year did not see Chuguang Media sending any trainees to participate.
Fu Yunshen sat in the Maserati waiting for her, asking lazily, “Kid, how do you feel about taking office as the new official?”
Ying Zijin leaned against the car window, gazing at the scenery on the roadside, pondered for two seconds, and said, “It’s more relaxing to be a student.”
But it did let her find out that Universal Film Company was preparing to shoot a movie about the musical history of O continent.
Bringing up the name Vera Hall again, Ying Zijin also thought more about the past.
All the musicians she had consulted had, without exception, received support and funding from the Lorentz Family.
Someone who only loved money and saw it as life knew this about her identity as well.
Three hundred years ago, the Lorentz Family was the king of Jade Ice Cui, holding vast fortunes, with gold as common as mud.
The outside world only knew that the Universal Film and Television Company was supported by a large financial consortium from O continent, but didn’t know which one, though there were many speculations.
And now that Chuguang Media was cooperating with Universal Film Company, she also learned that it was the Lorentz Family standing behind Universal Film.
Ying Zijin was deep in thought.
Could it be that she had been discovered, otherwise, why would they suddenly produce such a movie?
But even if her Divine Calculation ability hadn’t recovered, they wouldn’t be able to find her.
She could still retire in peace.
“Hmm, of course, you’re not of age yet,” Fu Yunshen tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, pondering, “Brother will find someone to help you manage. You just need to sit back, watch your favorite stars, and collect the money.”
He prepared to send the kid home before visiting Old Master Fu.
After the complete eradication of the toxins, there were some side effects, but Old Master Fu’s body had no more problems.
Hair that had turned completely white from vitality returning had darkened a lot.
If owed such a huge favor, he truly didn’t have a way to repay it.
An entertainment company couldn’t be compared to someone’s life.
The car started, speeding away into the distance.
Ying Zijin was about to rest and rejuvenate, but suddenly, she lifted her head sharply.
At the same moment, the Maserati slammed on the brakes, making a 360-degree turn.
A shrill, piercing sound echoed out.
The abrupt turn startled the other drivers around.
Fu Yunshen’s peach blossom eyes narrowed, the smile hidden away, leaving only a chilly aura.
“Yaoyao, sit tight and don’t move.”