After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 394 - 385: Xu Qingmei Recommends a Newcomer

Chapter 394: Chapter 385: Xu Qingmei Recommends a Newcomer

The production manager experienced, for the first time in his life, how fast time can fly!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

But he still hadn’t found a candidate that could satisfy Director Wei.

With heavy dark circles that anyone could see were filled with resentment, standing there, even Wei Xiao found it hard to criticize him.

However, the dark circles around his own eyes weren’t much lighter than the production manager’s, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Whenever he wasn’t busy in those three days, he was racking his brains to find a candidate, staring at photos of male actors until his eyes blurred, and meeting a few in person. They weren’t necessarily inferior to the previously selected actor; they just couldn’t meet the standards he had in mind.

He’d rather burn some money and hold another open audition than settle.

Why? Because he’s a Virgo!

"There are only four days left, in four days we set off for Liangchuan. Where am I supposed to magically find such a person?"

The production manager struggled to hold up his drooping eyelids, gulped down a mouthful of strong black coffee, shuddering at the bitterness, "Director Wei, there’s a singer from Ningjiang, good-looking and well-built..."

Wei Xiao lit a cigarette to perk himself up, blew out a smoke ring, and interrupted, "A singer? I’m looking for an actor!"

"It’s just, really out of..."

The sudden knock at the door interrupted the conversation in the room again.

Wei Xiao extinguished the cigarette, exhaled a breath of smoke, "Come in."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door was pushed open, a staff member, holding a vibrating phone, jogged in, "Director Wei, you left your phone outside, and it rang."

"If it rings, just hang up. Do I need to teach you that?"

"But, but the caller ID shows Xu Qingmei."

The impatience on Wei Xiao’s face paused.

After taking the phone and seeing the name displayed on the screen, he fell silent for a moment.

If he remembered correctly, this number was saved around the time Xu Qingmei just returned to the country.

But ever since that unhappy incident more than three months ago at the "Empress Yuan Zhao" audition site when she left unhappily, and later joining the "Qingcheng Legend" crew, during this long period, this was the first time she had actively contacted him.

This call surely wasn’t just idle chit-chat.

What could the purpose be?

Thinking of this, he swiped to answer the call.

"Hello, Ms. Xu, it’s Wei Xiao."

"I’ve had no answer for so long, I thought Director Wei didn’t even want to take my call," Xu Qingmei teased with a light laugh on the other end, but in reality, she sat upright and stiff from head to toe.

Only because sitting across from her was a man quietly sipping red wine in black embroidered clothes.

"How could that be? I just left my phone outside, wasn’t holding it. The staff just brought it to me. But Ms. Xu’s sudden call did catch me a bit off guard. Is there something you needed?"

Xu Qingmei cautiously glanced at the hand holding the wine glass not far away, took a deep breath, and spoke, "I heard an actor who was about to join your crew got into a car accident. I assume the past few days have been quite stressful for you. I won’t waste your time, I’ll get straight to the point. My studio recently signed a newcomer who has very good qualifications. I initially read the script for ’Empress Yuan Zhao’ and feel he fits quite well for the role of the Beiman Prince. Director Wei, if you could do me a favor, find some time soon to meet him?"

Wei Xiao wasn’t surprised that Xu Qingmei knew about the mishap with his crew’s actor. After all, it had been a few days and rumors had already started online.

If someone cared enough, it wasn’t hard to find out.

What surprised him was that Xu Qingmei actually called to recommend an actor to him.

And it was a new artist signed by her studio, worthy of having Xu Qingmei personally make the call.

This newcomer only had two possibilities: either they had strong backing or great potential.

After pondering for a moment, he replied, "Of course, I have to give Ms. Xu some face. But let me just say upfront, I still need to see if he’s right for the role. If he’s not, then I would have to say sorry upfront."

"I’m well aware of Director Wei’s principles," she had learned them firsthand, Xu Qingmei stifled a laugh that almost escaped her lips, "But I’m confident my newcomer will absolutely satisfy you."

"Good, then I’m looking forward to it!"

In a few brief words, they arranged a meeting time and then hung up almost simultaneously.

As Xu Qingmei put down the phone, she stood up and spoke again in a respectful tone, "Sir, your manager and assistant..."

"You don’t need to worry about those. I only use people I find convenient. You just handle their onboarding."

Xu Qingmei felt a chill run down her spine, "Yes."

On the other side, as soon as Wei Xiao set down his phone, he turned to meet the shiny eyes of the production manager, "Director Wei, is it..."

"Xu Qingmei’s studio’s newly signed artist, and it’s a guy, you know?"

In the next moment, he received an honest shake of the head.

"Go check it out."

Hearing Xu Qingmei speak so confidently piqued his curiosity.

If the person he met in person tomorrow indeed turned out impressive, even though they were introduced by Xu Qingmei, he was prepared to accept him.

In his view, making the script into a great production was the top priority.

All personal grudges had to step aside in front of creating a show he was satisfied with.

A few minutes later, the two of them found themselves looking at a rear-view photo released just yesterday by Xu Qingmei’s studio, facing each other dubiously.

The production manager, seeing that there were no other photos, couldn’t help but exclaim, "Not a single frontal picture, keeping it this mysterious? But just from this rear view, the body proportions indeed aren’t bad!"

"This back view does seem quite good, probably not photoshopped," Wei Xiao also nodded in agreement, "With this, our expectations are certainly raised!"

Wei Xiao even suspected at this point, could Xu Qingmei be doing it on purpose?

First releasing a back view photo in the studio’s name, then calling to recommend the person to him — could she have calculated that he’d check up on this newcomer?

As for Xu Qingmei recommending her studio artist to his crew, after careful thought, Wei Xiao concluded it probably wasn’t some sinister plot.

After all, whether this person is ultimately chosen was up to him. Xu Qingmei likely just wanted her newcomer to have a strong start.

Although the role of the Beiman Prince wasn’t extensive, in terms of the character’s status and role in the show, from his director’s perspective, it was still quite brilliant.

Xu Qingmei, being an Actress, could surely see that as well.

If played well, it could certainly be a breakout role, and as the boss of the studio, Xu Qingmei could naturally profit from this.

In the business world, there’s no permanent enemy; as long as there’s interest, a handshake and a smile can happen anytime!

"So, should we continue looking for actors?"

Faced with the hopeful, resting eyes of the production manager, Wei Xiao instantly transformed into a ruthless Director Wei, "Until it’s absolutely settled, continue."

Production Manager: "..."

He truly hoped now that the actor recommended by the Actress would completely satisfy Director Wei so he too could be relieved!

*

"You’re really not going to try out?"

Pei Xinyuan’s hand paused while taking a drink, looked up at Han Jiaojiao, who had asked her the same question during almost every meal for the past two days, pursed her lips, and shook her head, "No."

In these three days, she had calmed down completely, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt there was a big trap in it, to the point where she even wanted to hide from Cheng Qian, who occasionally came over to find her.

She admitted she couldn’t handle that kind of enthusiasm!

The cold drink bottle against the back of her hand sent a shiver through her body.

Han Jiaojiao placed the drink in Pei Xinyuan’s hand, crouched down close to her, looked up, and whispered: "Then, Xinyuan, could you introduce me to Teacher Cheng? I think I’m not bad either. Since you don’t want this opportunity, could you let me give it a try?"

Pei Xinyuan abruptly met Han Jiaojiao’s eyes looking at her, "You..."

The words of advice stuck in her throat.

In Han Jiaojiao’s eyes at this moment, she saw a determination to gamble everything.

Her thoughts were instantly muddled.

She couldn’t help but start reflecting: should she never have told Han Jiaojiao about Cheng Qian seeking her out?

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.