45: Chapter 45 First Steps into the Film Industry

Li Qian and Chen Shaoping walked out, leaving the office to Director Lin.

"Da Ping, what are your thoughts? Isn't it a bit early for our company to enter the movie industry?"

Li Qian was a bit worried; sometimes taking too big a step could lead to problems.

"Sister Qian, I know what you're worried about. A script like today's doesn't require much investment. Even if it loses money, the company can afford it."

"Besides, I don't think it will lose money at all. I have absolute confidence in the scripts I write."

"As for Director Lin, don't mind his appearance; he's very talented."

Chen Shaoping spoke with a strong sense of confidence that continuously rubbed off on Li Qian.

"Alright then, I'll listen to you. After all, you're the boss," Li Qian said with a smile.

Li Qian dismissed her doubts and gave Chen Shaoping her full support.

"By the way, where is Sister Ying?"

"They should be in the recording studio."

"Shall we go take a look?"

"Let's go."

The two of them soon arrived at the recording studio, only to see Zhang Ying and Yang Mengmeng staring at Zhou Bule inside the booth with their mouths wide open in surprise.

"Hey!"

"Are you two dazed?"

Chen Shaoping used both hands to pat each of them on the shoulder, startling the two who were intently listening to the song.

"Brother, you're so mean! You scared me," Yang Mengmeng complained, though her voice lacked any real bite.

Zhang Ying was more direct, giving his waist a sharp pinch.

"Hiss!!"

"Sister Ying, let go, let go!" Chen Shaoping begged for mercy, wincing in pain.

"Scaring people like that could kill someone! You said it yourself, did you forget?" Zhang Ying released him and gave Chen Shaoping a sidelong glance.

Then she turned back to Chen Shaoping and praised him sincerely, "But seriously, you're amazing! Where did you dig up such a diamond in the rough? His vocal range is so wide even I'm envious."

Zhang Ying put the headphones on Chen Shaoping, while Yang Mengmeng gave hers to Li Qian.

Zhou Bule's singing voice came through the headphones.

"I will try to let go of the past, no matter how beautiful it was,"

"I will also try not to remember how you once surrounded me with love,"

"That feeling of deep affection..."

...

Once the song ended, the two of them took off their headphones.

Li Qian murmured, "He really is extraordinary."

Zhou Bule walked out of the recording booth. Seeing Chen Shaoping and Li Qian there, he looked a bit shy.

"CEO Chen, CEO Li."

Zhang Ying walked over and said solemnly to Chen Shaoping, "Da Ping, I feel like if you gave him just one of the songs from my album, he would become an instant hit. How about..."

"Sister Ying, there's no need for that. Right now, the company's top priority is your album."

"As for Zhou Bule's songs, don't worry, he'll have his share."

"Moreover, as long as the movie begonia is released, the theme song he sings is bound to be a hit."

Chen Shaoping didn't take Zhang Ying's suggestion; he had plenty of songs.

He already placed great importance on Zhang Ying's album, and now he cared even more.

He wanted to see what kind of reward the system would give if Zhang Ying truly became a Diva through this album.

Although Zhang Ying felt she could become a Diva even with one less song...

...seeing Chen Shaoping's serious expression, she swallowed her words.

"Sister Ying, you guys keep practicing. I'm taking Mengmeng with me."

Yang Mengmeng followed Chen Shaoping and Li Qian out of the recording studio.

"Brother, where are you taking me?" Yang Mengmeng asked.

"To introduce you to a role, though it's just a supporting one."

Yang Mengmeng jumped for joy and said loudly, "Brother, I love supporting roles too! Director Feng said I should practice more, and he'll let me play the lead in his movies in the future."

"Is that so? Director Feng thinks so highly of you."

"Of course."

Li Qian looked at the two of them; anyone who didn't know better would surely think they were biological siblings.

The three of them arrived at the office, and Director Lin had already finished his calculations.

Chen Shaoping didn't know how he calculated it, but he was certainly fast.

"CEO Chen, I've calculated the investment. It will be at least 500,000."

"Aside from some necessary props, it's mainly for the actors' salaries."

"As for my compensation, I'd like 10,000 plus 8% of the net box office profit."

Seeing Chen Shaoping and the others enter, Director Lin stood up from the sofa and spoke impatiently.

"Sister Qian, what do you think?" Chen Shaoping asked.

Although Li Qian didn't know much about it, she hadn't heard of a movie being made for 500,000 in years.

Many movies easily had investments of a hundred million or even several hundred million.

When Director Lin said 500,000, her subconscious reaction was that the investment amount was very low.

"I think it's fine. Both the total investment and his requested compensation are considered low in the industry."

Chen Shaoping nodded and looked at Director Lin, "If we sign the contract today and I give you all the money, how long will it take to finish filming?"

"CEO Chen, are you aiming for the National Day slot?" Director Lin asked back.

"Director Lin, is it possible?" Chen Shaoping pressed.

Director Lin chuckled, looking as if he were filled with energy. "CEO Chen's thoughts align perfectly with mine. Even if I don't eat or sleep for this month or so, I guarantee the task will be completed."

"Good!"

"I'm recommending someone to play 'Jingjing' in the movie, but the decision to use her or not is up to you." Chen Shaoping pushed Yang Mengmeng forward.

"Director Lin, I can do an audition. I just acted in one of Director Feng's movies, though it was a supporting role." Yang Mengmeng greeted Director Lin and went over her resume.

After hearing this, Director Lin was already calculating in his head: if she was actually good, could he get away with paying her no salary or a lower one?

After all, she was introduced by the boss.

"Sure, we'll do an audition after signing the contract."

The subsequent contract matters were left to Li Qian.

At Chen Shaoping's insistence, she was also credited as the Executive Producer for this film, mainly playing a supervisory and coordinating role.

...

Four Seasons Spicy Hot Pot Restaurant.

It wasn't mealtime yet, so there weren't many people.

Han Minde was leisurely scrolling through videos on a lounge chair, letting out weird "he-he" chuckles.

Chen Shaoping had been standing behind him for several minutes, but he still hadn't noticed.

Chen Shaoping hadn't expected someone could make such a sound just by watching videos of people catching fish in leased ponds.

It would be better to watch beautiful women fishing; with black stockings and tight clothes, the triangular nets would surely be varied.

Now that would be a sight for sore eyes!

"Hey! You idiot, why are you lying here instead of working?" Chen Shaoping roared.

Han Minde was so startled that his phone dropped and hit his head, and he scrambled up from the lounge chair.

He punched Chen Shaoping in the chest. "You're not at work, yet you come here to scare me?"

The punch sent Chen Shaoping back a few steps, and he rubbed his chest in pain.

Han Minde was the shortest among the four of them, but he was very sturdy. In terms of strength, Chen Shaoping and Wang Bo were no match for him.

Only Tian Jun could compete with him.

Clutching his aching chest, Chen Shaoping regretted joking with Han Minde and complained.

"Aren't I here for work right now?"

"Couldn't you hit me a bit lighter? That really hurt."

Han Minde looked aggrieved and said helplessly, "I already held back ninety percent of my strength, otherwise you'd be heading straight to the hospital."

Then, with a gossipy look, he continued, "So, is some big shot coming to my restaurant today?"