bdsm-fiction Chapter 18: The Nurturing System?
Chapter 18: The Nurturing System?
Inside a private dining room!
Yang Mi and Xu Lang sat at the dining table, neither of them in a hurry to eat the food on the table, the atmosphere having moved beyond the stage of small talk.
Yang Mi took a contract from his assistant, handed it to Xu Lang, and gestured for him to open it and take a look.
Xu Lang took it, opened it, and found it was a casting call for the period drama "Swords of Legends," which was currently being filmed.
An ancient costume drama adapted from a popular game was initially viewed with caution by the industry, but thanks to the golden brand of Yang Mi, it became a hot topic even before filming began.
But only Xu Lang knew what kind of phenomenal storm this drama would create after it aired, instantly making half of the newcomers famous.
If one didn't know beforehand how powerful this drama would become, Yang Mi's invitation alone would have been an immense temptation.
Knowing in advance that this drama would become a phenomenal hit, the allure for Xu Lang reached its peak.
"Gu Jian Qi Tan, Yin Qian Shang?"
Xu Lang was a little surprised. He first poured Yang Mi a full glass of wine, then put the contract aside and said:
"Honey, if I'm not mistaken, your show should be halfway through filming, right?"
"What about the actors who were originally cast?"
Yang Mi picked up the wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and sighed softly.
This drama is an internal production of H&R Century Pictures, and as one of H&R Century Pictures' artists and bosses, she is very dedicated to the entire production.
Now an unexpected situation has arisen, forcing her to find a replacement actress at the last minute. She has many friends in the industry, and she can find the right person to take her place with just one phone call.
But she deliberately left this position for Xu Lang, not for any other reason than that she had been paying attention to Xu Lang for some time.
After contacting the director and Yu Zheng of the "The Return of the Condor Heroes" crew, she learned that Tang Ren had also taken a liking to Xu Lang. She arranged for Liu Shishi to come and investigate, but was refused.
She didn't bring her original printed agency contract; instead, she brought a film/TV role.
First, use acting contracts to bind people.
She wanted to bring Xu Lang into her team in a different way, to cultivate talent for her future independent studio.
"Something unexpected happened!"
She downed the wine in her glass in one gulp, put the glass down, and said:
"Xu Lang, I've been following you for a while now. Your acting, both dramatic and action scenes, are excellent."
"Just consider it a favor to come and experience the crew. The pay will be standard industry rates, absolutely no shortfall. How about it?"
Xu Lang was quite interested in the character "Yin Qianshang". Although he didn't have many scenes, they were all very demanding on his acting skills.
This is a role with a dual life: a free spirit, a heavy drinker, and a character who needs to portray a carefree, humorous, and cynical streetwise persona.
Another identity is that of the serious shaman "Feng Guangmo", who needs to portray a sense of responsibility, solemnity, as well as the confusion and pain of losing his memory.
"Honey, trust me, I'll do my best, but I still need to finish filming 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' in a week..."
Yang Mi waved his hand and smiled:
"No rush. I've already asked Director Li. You'll wrap up filming here next week, so come over then. I'll help you move your scenes back a bit."
Xu Lang stood up and raised his wine glass:
"Sister Honey, I won't say much more about my thanks; it's all in the wine!"
"I'll do it, you can do whatever you want!"
He drank it all in one gulp, his eyes filled with gratitude; Yang Mi did not hesitate either, and drank his wine in one gulp as well.
The dinner that followed seemed like casual conversation, but in reality, every word was witty and pointed.
Yang Mi attempted to probe Xu Lang's career plans and agency intentions, employing skillful rhetoric and proceeding cautiously step by step.
But she soon discovered that the young man was slippery, his answers were always watertight, and he even steered the conversation toward industry trends, completely disrupting her rhythm.
What she didn't know was that the sunny and handsome young man in front of her was actually a middle-aged man who had been struggling in the entertainment industry for many years.
After several rounds of exchanges, Yang Mi himself got drunk first.
In the end, she had no choice but to call her boyfriend to pick her up.
As Xu Lang walked out of the restaurant, letting the early autumn breeze caress his face, he looked at the contract in his hand.
It feels unreal!
Rebirth, incredible luck—
What absurd vocabulary, to actually hit myself with it.
The image of that lucky koi girl flashed into my mind; her life also seemed like a rebirth—
I checked the timetable, it was 22:23.
There are eight unread messages from her on my phone that I haven't replied to yet. I'll send her one back:
"Are you off work yet?"
She's on the night shift today!
"Get ready, Brother Lang, I'm a little hungry. Can you come out? I'll treat you to a late-night snack!"
"Okay, I'll come find you!"
……
The lights were dim at the entrance of the milk tea shop.
There are only two people in the shop, Yang Chaoyue and another colleague; the proprietress is not there.
The two had originally planned to go out for a late-night snack, but Yang Chaoyue suddenly said she had something to do, so her colleague had to leave first.
Before the shop door was closed, Yang Chaoyue sat alone in a chair waiting, with two cups of milk tea on the table in front of her.
Her eyes were fixed on the cars passing by on the street. Sometimes she would fix her hair or put on some color for her lips, appearing a little nervous and reserved.
His eyes couldn't hide his inferiority complex!
When a handsome face appeared in front of her, she immediately smiled sweetly and walked over with two cups of milk tea.
"Brother Lang, you're here!" Her steps were light, and she tried to appear as natural as possible as she handed over the milk tea.
"Here, I made it myself!"
Since meeting Yang Chaoyue, Xu Lang has been ordering milk tea for the crew every few days, and Yang Chaoyue always delivers it personally, so they are quite familiar with each other.
But this was the first time the two had met alone late at night.
Xu Lang didn't stand on ceremony, took the milk tea, picked up the straw, poked it in, and took a sip:
"Chaoyue, where do you usually go for late-night snacks?"
Yang Chaoyue approached the electric scooter, handed it the key, and said:
"You ride, I'll show you the way!"
Xu Lang straddled the back seat with his long legs, while Yang Chaoyue carefully sat on the back, her fingers gripping the rear rack, not daring to touch his waist.
"I often go to a roadside barbecue place, but the environment is just so-so... If you don't like it, shall we go to another place?"
"No need, something down-to-earth is better." Xu Lang twisted the accelerator.
Under Yang Chaoyue's direction, they arrived at a roadside barbecue stall.
She wanted to drink alcohol, but Xu Lang refused, citing her being a minor. Instead, he brought her a bottle of orange juice, which they shared.
Yang Chaoyue talked most about her boss and colleagues, and also asked Xu Lang about his experience as an actor.
"I wish I could be an actor too. I've heard actors make a lot of money. Xu Lang, do you think I could be an actor?"
Xu Lang looked her over. The girl's face hadn't fully matured yet, but her features were already exquisite, especially her eyes, which shone as if they held stars.
What's even more remarkable is her unadorned, vibrant energy, which would definitely appeal to audiences in a variety show.
"I think you're good at chatting, so you could try variety shows. If you want to act, I can teach you some basic skills later."
"If you have time, you can go to the film set and see how others act. After I finish filming next week, I'll take you to audit a class so you can experience it for yourself."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chaoyue instantly became excited:
"Really? Then I'll have to ask for leave in advance!"
Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she suddenly leaned closer, saying jokingly:
"Brother Lang, if I ever become a successful actor, you'll be my benefactor! I have no way to repay you except by offering myself to you... Hahaha!"
Xu Lang chuckled, raised his orange juice glass, and clinked it with hers:
"You're only fifteen. Don't think about these things. Grow up well, learn well, and if you still want to go down this path in three years, I'll help you."
His tone was gentle, yet carried the weight of a promise.
Three years is enough time for him to polish this rough gem into its initial form.
A nurturing/developmental system?
Thinking about it, I'm actually starting to look forward to it.