99: Sign Zhou Yiwei!

Yanjing, Zhang Songwen's residence.

Recently, Zhou Yiwei had been staying at his place.

"Songwen, I think I should leave Yanjing." Zhou Yiwei looked at Zhang Songwen with a dejected expression and said.

"Why? You've held on for so long. Why do you suddenly want to leave?" Zhang Songwen asked, looking at him with a complex gaze.

Lately, Zhou Yiwei had been out of work and was out of money. He had been relying entirely on Zhang Songwen's assistance these past few days; otherwise, he would have been sleeping on the streets long ago.

"I want to go back home and look for opportunities," Zhou Yiwei said bitterly.

But Zhang Songwen knew clearly that Zhou Yiwei just didn't want to keep bothering him.

After all, he had been freeloading food, drinks, and a place to stay at his home all these days.

Deep down, he had his own dignity and pride; he was unwilling to rely on a friend's charity.

This was a stubbornness in his bones; he wanted to establish a foothold in this circle based on his own strength.

However, the cruelty of reality often forces people to bow their heads. Since finishing his last project, he had been in a state of being unable to find work. His acting fees weren't much to begin with, and even with frugal spending, they only lasted a few months before running out.

Seeing that he was about to sleep on the streets, Zhang Songwen took him in.

But now, he could no longer comfortably continue eating and living off Zhang Songwen.

He wanted to go back to his hometown to see if he could find a job to get by, and then return once he had some money.

Zhang Songwen saw this and felt anxious for him.

He knew that Zhou Yiwei's acting skills far surpassed his own; it was just that he hadn't had the chance to showcase them.

"Yiwei, don't be in such a hurry. If you look for a few more days, you'll find something," Zhang Songwen said. "Just consider it a favor to me."

Hearing Zhang Songwen say this, no matter how much Zhou Yiwei cared about his pride, he knew he couldn't refuse.

So he nodded.

"Alright, Songwen, I'll look for a few more days."

Seeing him agree, Zhang Songwen breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he knew that if he still couldn't find anything in a few days, even if he continued to urge him to stay, Zhou Yiwei wouldn't remain; his heart wouldn't allow him to do so.

Zhang Songwen thought about how he could help Zhou Yiwei resolve his current difficulties.

He really couldn't bear to see someone as capable and hardworking as Zhou Yiwei be buried.

Right now, Zhou Yiwei lacked roles to play. As long as he had work, he would have an income and a goal, and then he wouldn't think about leaving Yanjing.

After thinking for a long time, he finally thought of a way.

And that was to recommend Zhou Yiwei to Director Chen.

However, Zhang Songwen didn't know if Director Chen would agree.

He knew he was being selfish by doing this, but he had no other way.

He could only treat a dead horse as if it were alive; if Director Chen agreed, Zhou Yiwei wouldn't have to leave Yanjing.

Thinking of this, Zhang Songwen plucked up his courage and dialed Director Chen's number.

"Teacher Songwen, is something the matter?" On the other end of the phone, Director Chen's voice sounded a bit puzzled.

After all, Zhang Songwen rarely called him normally. Calling so suddenly now meant there must be something.

Zhang Songwen took a deep breath and laid out his thoughts: "Boss, I have a friend whose acting is very good—definitely not inferior to mine—but his luck hasn't been great lately and he hasn't been getting any roles. I was wondering, is our company still hiring? Could you give him a chance to come and try out?"

Hearing this, Chen Le was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected Zhang Songwen's business to be this.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Oh? Is that so? Then bring him over. I happen to be at the company today. If his acting is decent, I can sign him."

Hearing him agree, a smile appeared on Zhang Songwen's face.

At this point, Chen Le had also roughly guessed who the friend Zhang Songwen mentioned was; in all likelihood, it was Zhou Yiwei.

This was also the reason he agreed to let Zhang Songwen bring the person over.

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Songwen immediately told Zhou Yiwei the good news.

When Zhou Yiwei heard the news, he was both surprised and moved.

"Songwen, I... I don't know how to thank you!" Zhou Yiwei's face was full of emotion.

He knew that Zhang Songwen was helping him, and he couldn't let this friendship down.

This help was very important to him. Zhang Songwen had pleaded for an opportunity for him, and whether he could grasp that opportunity would depend on himself.

This method wasn't charity, which made it acceptable to his heart.

"The Boss is at the company right now. Tidy yourself up, and we'll head over in a bit," Zhang Songwen said with a smile.

"Mhm!" Zhou Yiwei nodded.

Chen Le's name was now like thunder in the director's circle—a bona fide up-and-coming Great Director, and very young too.

Zhou Yiwei knew this opportunity was rare. If not for Zhang Songwen's help, he might not have even been able to come into contact with Chen Le.

Subsequently, he quickly tidied up his appearance, making himself look much more energetic.

Then they took a taxi together to the company.

Entering the company building, Zhang Songwen familiarly led Zhou Yiwei to Chen Le's office.

As soon as they entered, Chen Le recognized Zhang Songwen and nodded with a smile. But when his gaze fell upon Zhou Yiwei, he couldn't help but look a few more times.

Although Zhou Yiwei's life had been tight lately, the determination in his bones hadn't diminished in the slightest.

"Boss, this is Zhou Yiwei, my good friend," Zhang Songwen introduced.

Chen Le smiled and reached out to shake Zhou Yiwei's hand. "Hello, Zhou Yiwei. You and I have met a few times before. I just heard Teacher Songwen mention you, saying your acting skills are very good."

Zhou Yiwei smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Thank you for the praise, Director Chen. I feel my acting is just average, not as good as Songwen says!"

He was very nervous at this moment, constantly telling himself in his mind not to be nervous and to perform well, as this opportunity was extremely rare.

Chen Le nodded and gestured for the two of them to sit down.

Afterward, he began to ask Zhou Yiwei about his acting experience, the types of characters he excelled at, and other questions.

Zhou Yiwei answered them one by one, his words revealing his love and persistence for acting.

After listening, Chen Le couldn't help but feel a bit more admiration for Zhou Yiwei.

He knew that in the entertainment industry, there weren't many people like Zhou Yiwei who were both capable and willing to work hard.

Especially since Zhou Yiwei was a late-blooming actor.

He still remembered a saying that had been circulating online in his past life: 'Ten years as an Extra, nobody asks; one sentence about adding money, and the world knows.' This sentence was used to describe Zhou Yiwei.

His portrayal of 'Money-Adding Brother' Ding Xiu in 'Brotherhood of Blades' gave people an impression that could be described as deeply ingrained.

Although he became famous through internet memes, being able to go viral is a form of strength.

Moreover, the company indeed needed more actors like Zhou Yiwei to bolster the team.

Thinking of this, he said, "Zhou Yiwei, I think your conditions are very good. I can sign you."

Hearing this, a flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Zhou Yiwei's eyes.

He hadn't expected that he would actually be signed. Seeing Chen Le hesitate earlier, he had thought he had no hope.

"Thank you, Director Chen! I definitely won't let your expectations down," Zhou Yiwei replied excitedly.

"It's fine. Since Teacher Songwen recommended you, I'm certainly at ease!" Chen Le nodded.