Just as Fu Meihua and Pan Yuerou were chatting, Pu Rong and Xiao He also finished the autograph session. Pu Rong moved closer to Xiao He and asked quietly, "Do you know that Pan Yuerou?"
Xiao He withdrew his gaze from that direction, "I don't know her."
"Then why were you staring at her so intently?"
Xiao He rested his chin in his hand, pondering, "I just think her temperament is particularly suitable for playing a certain role."
"You actually care about this kind of thing?"
"Mainly because the studio has been doing investments recently," Xiao He replied. "That production team has been missing an actor and hasn't started filming yet."
It was a palace intrigue drama with content that leaned toward internet sensibilities and had very novel concepts. The female lead was the delicate, innocent type - although physically weak and sickly, she was extremely intelligent, skilled at disguising herself, and would stop at nothing to use all the resources around her to climb higher, fitting the image of a palace intrigue villainess.
Xiao He had confirmed this project was adapted from an online novel IP, with a quite good script. Although most of the main creative team members were still relatively young, their individual abilities and achievements were genuine. As long as they could produce it competently, it would definitely be profitable. For this reason, Xiao He didn't hesitate to invest more money and even coaxed Ma Qianyou to serve as executive producer to help oversee the project.
The only headache was that none of the actors they had approached so far were quite suitable for the female lead role.
Either their appearance wasn't right, or their temperament and acting skills weren't up to par. Anyway, the production team had tried several actors, all ending in failure.
Xiao He was almost starting to suspect that Ma Qianyou's unlucky streak was acting up again.
But this time, while sitting in on the lecture, he seemed to have really found a suitable candidate—
Someone who could attend lectures here definitely had good acting skills, and this appearance and temperament perfectly matched the female lead...
Xiao He felt he might really be hitting the jackpot this time.
That project had finally found the right person—which meant it could start making money for him soon.
Great, great, feeling wonderful! Find someone sooner, start filming sooner, then get paid sooner! Hehe!
Xiao He quickly lowered his head to send Liu Rulan a message, asking her to come take a look. If suitable, have Liu Rulan make contact.
After Xiao He finished sending the message, Teacher Gao Zhenxia and several other teachers finally arrived.
Xiao He immediately put away his phone and began listening attentively to Gao Zhenxia's speech.
It had to be said, these veteran teachers from Beijing Drama Academy truly lived up to their reputation. Their understanding and perspectives on acting were very worth learning from. Although Xiao He's original purpose for entering the industry wasn't pure, he still hoped to do his best in whatever field he entered. These teachers' sharing showed Xiao He the diversity of acting and more possibilities, giving him more confidence in his future performances.
Finally, Gao Zhenxia invited Xiao He and Pu Rong to perform a classic film and television scene on stage, serving as examples for the other students.
The result naturally won enthusiastic applause from the entire audience.
This class lasted the entire afternoon, only officially ending around six in the evening.
Xiao He and Pu Rong went to chat with Zhuo Jianhua and Gao Zhenxia to catch up, while Liu Rulan, who had already received the message, after understanding the general situation, intercepted Pan Yuerou and Fu Meihua at the corridor corner.
"Sorry to bother you."
Liu Rulan looked at the girls before her, her gaze focusing particularly on Pan Yuerou. Her expression softened as she handed out her business card, "I'm Liu Rulan, an agent from Linghui Studio. Perhaps you know me."
Pan Yuerou certainly knew Liu Rulan, but her face turned somewhat pale, wondering if Liu Rulan was approaching her because of the previous incident with Su Shengxi.
Fu Meihua, however, was very excited, covering her mouth while gently shaking Pan Yuerou, "It's Xiao He's agent!"
Liu Rulan immediately noticed Pan Yuerou's discomfort and raised an eyebrow slightly, but didn't probe into the young girl's thoughts. She directly stated her purpose to Pan Yuerou, "We have a production project where the female lead role suits you very well. Would you be interested in learning more? It's a palace intrigue script, and we guarantee you'll receive very good treatment."
It was like a script falling from the sky! And the female lead role at that!
Fu Meihua looked excitedly at Pan Yuerou, about to signal her to quickly agree, but then her expression froze.
She suddenly remembered that recently another production team had been negotiating with her friend. Reportedly it was a big production with large investment. Although not the female lead, just the female supporting role, the director was famous and the project had substantial investment. As long as Pan Yuerou accepted it, it would still be a very good opportunity.
So Fu Meihua quickly spoke up to ask Liu Rulan about her production team's investment and main creative composition on behalf of her friend.
After Liu Rulan briefly explained the situation, Fu Meihua's expression became much more reserved.
On one side was the female supporting role in a big production with large budget, on the other was the female lead in a small production with limited budget... Comparatively, the former production project was clearly more attractive.
She felt her friend should go to the better production team.
However, Pan Yuerou thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement to Liu Rulan's invitation, "Okay, I can do it."
"Yuerou!"
Fu Meihua gasped in surprise, not expecting Pan Yuerou to agree so readily. She quickly made meaningful facial expressions at her, "Don't you want to think about it more carefully?"
But Pan Yuerou was quite firm, "I can do it."
Liu Rulan glanced at Fu Meihua but didn't pressure them forcefully, simply nodding, "Someone will come tomorrow to discuss the detailed contract with you. You can think about it more."
Then she took her leave and departed.
Only after Liu Rulan walked away did Fu Meihua say anxiously, "Yuerou, why did you agree so quickly? What about 'The Legend of Zhaohua'?"
"I owe Xiao He and them a favor because of some previous matters," Pan Yuerou said. "I haven't been feeling too good about it, so accepting this script can be considered making up for my mistakes."
By then taking less pay and working hard to perform the role well, it could be considered atonement for her younger self's "poor judgment."
"But, but you can't joke about your own future like this!" Fu Meihua said excitedly.
"No, don't worry, Meihua, I'm really being calm," Pan Yuerou patted Fu Meihua's hand, knowing her friend was genuinely concerned for her, her expression quite gentle. "Actually, I have my own considerations. Liu Rulan's judgment has always been good, and this is Linghui Studio's first investment project - it definitely won't be too bad."
"On the contrary, I've already looked into 'The Legend of Zhaohua.' Actually, you can tell from the name that it mainly revolves around the female lead's story, with other characters having very limited screen time. Even playing the female supporting role might get fewer scenes than the female lead's maid."
Moreover, that production team had conditions—once agreeing to play this role, Pan Yuerou's management contract had to be signed with the entertainment company behind their production team.
Pan Yuerou hasn't graduated yet, and she isn't very keen on binding her contract at this time.
So actually, Linghui Studio's production team is more suitable for her.
While comforting Fu Meihua, Pan Yuerou silently resolved in her heart to work hard in the production team.
On the other side, Xiao He had no idea that he had an anti-fan (former) preparing to work hard to atone for him. After leaving the classroom, he happened to see Liu Rulan.
"How did it go?" Xiao He immediately asked.
"Not bad, high probability of success."
"That's good," Xiao He breathed a long sigh of relief. "This way the production team is finally complete and can start filming anytime."
Liu Rulan chuckled lightly, "What? Were you worried the production team would have problems?"
"Not exactly."
Xiao He thought back to Ma Qianyou, looking up somewhat wistfully, "Mainly, if the production team doesn't start filming, I'm worried our old friend Ma Qianyou really has some metaphysical bad luck about him, and our small operation can't handle it."
Liu Rulan: "...You certainly have a lot on your mind every day."