594: Chapter 594 Let me help you choose a girlfriend before you look for one

"Hey! Heh heh! Someone who can smoke can't beat someone who has never smoked?"

Xu Zhen didn't know what to say.

When he tried the Acting himself just now, he wanted to show Lin Chuyan eighteen different ways to smoke, but no matter how he did it, it just felt wrong.

Yet now, looking at Wang Yongqiang, the guy only used one posture, sitting perfectly still, handling the changing situation with steadfastness. But for some reason, the feeling that came across was just right. His entire demeanor, combined with Wang Yongqiang's appearance, fit the vibe of the character Lin Chuyan described perfectly.

Is this what talent is?

"That's it." Lin Chuyan was very satisfied; he almost shouted, "Hello, Brother Shu."

However, Wang Yongqiang had high standards for himself: "Director Lin, I can practice more. If I learn to smoke first and practice for a few months, I should be able to act a bit better."

Lin Chuyan: "Brother Shu—no, sorry, Yongqiang—do you want to come work for me?"

"I do!" Wang Yongqiang didn't hesitate at all.

Facing Lin Chuyan, as an extra, he really shouldn't hesitate. Hadn't he traveled all night by car just for this moment? Unlike Wang Bo, this time Lin Chuyan didn't even need to make any empty promises; he was even more anxious than Lin Chuyan.

However, Lin Chuyan couldn't control what others thought, but he would still clarify what he needed to guarantee and the confidence he needed to give: "I'm heading to Los Angeles tomorrow, so I can't take you with me. How about this: you go to Beijing, go to my company, and I'll have my manager arrange things for you. You'll start getting a salary, and I'll look for suitable roles for you to audition for."

Auditioning in the name of an artist from Lin Chuyan's company versus Wang Yongqiang auditioning on his own were completely different concepts.

Wang Yongqiang was truly honest: "Taking a salary—is that appropriate?"

"It's appropriate. Everyone has it; Brother Bo and Director Li have it too, and Acting fees are calculated separately." Lin Chuyan then introduced him to the other artists in the company. "I'll introduce you to them tomorrow; they are filming right here."

Wang Yongqiang smiled happily, not sure if it was because he could go to the set and meet new friends, or because he had suddenly been hit by a pie falling from the sky.

Lin Chuyan was even happier: Starfire had gathered two grassroots generals, Wang Bo and Wang Yongqiang; this was truly the arrival of spring. Takeoff, absolute takeoff.

However, in the final stage of this meeting, he still had one thing to entrust to Wang Yongqiang.

"By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"

Wang Yongqiang smiled shyly: "With someone like me, and not being good-looking, what woman would ever like me?"

"It has nothing to do with looks," Lin Chuyan explained. "You know Director Du Qiyu, right? Director Du. He once told me a sentence: he said this world has too many traps for men like us..." [Note: See Chapter 290 for details.]

"Have you thought about it? What about after you become famous? After you have money?" Lin Chuyan continued to emphasize, "Looks are the least important thing. What matters is that you have money and you are honest. You think they are coming for you as a person, that they genuinely like you and want to spend their lives with you, but actually..."

Lin Chuyan sighed and shook his head.

This conversation completely baffled Wang Yongqiang: Brother, I haven't even started filming yet. I haven't even signed the contract, and you're telling me this? Is it really necessary?

Wang Yongqiang asked because he didn't understand: "Director Lin, did something happen between you and Teacher Ruan...?"

Xu Zhen: "Yeah, try to think positively, Director Lin. You and Teacher Ruan are such a perfect couple. Did you have a fight? With things the way they are between you two now, what about 'mr. & mrs. smith'..."

Wang Yongqiang and Xu Zhen looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief: The fairy-tale couple that everyone in the entertainment industry envied and who flaunted their love every day—had they broken up? Were the two of them actually the first to know the inside story? Sure enough, every family has its own difficult problems. Sometimes what you see is not what is really happening. Behind the scenes, it turns out it's all a mess...

Their minds raced, and in an instant, countless thoughts flashed through.

Lin Chuyan: "..."

Damn it, I'm trying to help you! Why are you suspecting me?

"Stop overthinking, okay? When I was with her, I had nothing... Our relationship is very good..." Lin Chuyan explained briefly and hurriedly brought the topic back, pointing at Wang Yongqiang. "I'm talking about you! I'm worried that you're too honest and will be swindled by women in the future. By then, when you lose both your money and your person, it'll be too late to cry!"

Wang Yongqiang was still smiling naively, not taking it seriously: "I know, Director Lin, but that's nowhere near happening yet."

Lin Chuyan said earnestly: "I'm saying this because you are now part of the company, and naturally, I have to look out for you. If there's any scandal, it will affect the company, right? Also, I can tell you haven't dated much. I know people like you too well. Once you get carried away and get swindled, it will be hard for others to talk you out of it. So, while the company has high expectations for you, we also have a requirement: that is, before you find a girlfriend, you must let me—ahem, let the company—vet her. Can you do that?"

"Yes!" Wang Yongqiang agreed readily, his face still smiling.

Never mind something as ethereal as this; as long as Lin Chuyan wasn't asking him to commit murder or arson, he could agree to it. Although he felt it was a bit strange, he was a complete newcomer and didn't understand these things, so he didn't think too much about it.

Lin Chuyan nodded and took the opportunity to eliminate all potential future troubles: "Very good. The company has already assigned a manager to Brother Bo. Later, when you start filming, I'll assign one to you too. In short, you don't need to worry about the manager aspect."

Wang Yongqiang was so moved: What virtue or ability do I, Wang Yongqiang, have? Director Lin has thought of everything for me?

That wasn't all. Lin Chuyan thought for a moment and added: "Are you tight on money? Should I have the company advance some to you? After you go to Beijing, the company will cover your food and housing, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Wang Yongqiang was indeed not well-off, but he still had enough for travel expenses to Beijing and some living expenses. But that wasn't important; what was important was the food and housing!

If it weren't for the fact that Lin Chuyan was already married, and that the person he married was Ruan Xingyu... Wang Yongqiang would have started to suspect the other party had some strange ideas about him—wasn't Lin Chuyan being a bit too good to him?

After Wang Yongqiang clearly expressed that he didn't need a salary advance, Lin Chuyan didn't nag him: "Alright, that's settled then. The company has staff meals; just go when it's time, don't be shy. The artist apartment is also ready-made; it's a waste not to live there, so don't be polite with me. If you have any questions, just contact me directly on WeChat, or contact Brother Yue, who is my manager. In short, just wait for my news with peace of mind! I will definitely help you pick your first role carefully."

Xu Zhen, who was listening silently from the side, didn't know what to say. He was, of course, happy for his friend that Wang Yongqiang could be valued by Lin Chuyan, but this was too exaggerated and outrageous.

Shocked, stunned, unable to understand: Holy crap, Yongqiang needs the company's approval to date? What does that mean? Is Director Lin training Yongqiang like an idol trainee? Damn, is this really Spark Film? There's something wrong with this company! Could Teacher Wang Bo be receiving the same treatment? No, with these two's looks, is it really necessary...