November 19th, Friday …
Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao would be coming to Jingzhou tomorrow. It was a Saturday, and Pei Qian could host a welcome dinner at Ming Yun Private Kitchen.
Today, Pei Qian hailed a cab and went to the South High-Speed Railway Station to look at a few buildings.
Finally, he settled on a well-renovated house. It was more than 140 square meters, and its price was about the same as Pei Qian had expected.
What's more, Pei Qian was paying in full, so the price was slightly lower. According to the five percent discount, the total price was 1.63 million yuan.
However, the house was not completed yet. He would have to wait until March next year.
Property prices would start to rise in the next two or three years. Good houses were all sold in advance. They would be snatched up before the house was handed over. If he waited until the house was handed over, he might have to buy a second-hand house.
That was something he had no choice.
Thus, after some consideration, Pei Qian decided that this house was the most suitable. Although it was a forward house, he still decided to buy it.
In any case, Pei Qian was not in a hurry. His parents were living in a small place, but they had lived there for so many years. A few more months would not make a difference.
What's more, even if he handed over the house, he would have to work on the inspection, renovation, and furniture for a few more months. He could not rush it.
Now that he had bought the house, he felt much more at ease.
The only thing he was unhappy about was that he only had two hundred thousand yuan left in his Personal Wealth. Pei Qian could only sigh. He was back to square one.
However, it did not matter. As long as he could incur losses during this settlement cycle, he could earn back the money for the house in minutes!
…
After a busy day on Friday, Pei Qian signed the house purchase contract and went straight to bed.
On Saturday afternoon, Pei Qian asked the company's chauffeur, Little Sun, to send him to Ming Yun Private Kitchen. There, he waited to receive Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao.
Both of them were flying in the afternoon. Zhang Zuting arrived slightly earlier and had already gone to the hotel to rest. Lu Zhiyao arrived slightly later, but Pei Qian arranged for someone to pick him up. After settling down in the hotel, he came to Ming Yun Private Kitchen for dinner.
In addition, Zhu Xiaoce, as the director of the movie, had to accompany them as well. He had already arrived early.
Pei Qian and Zhu Xiaoce ate snacks in the private room as they waited.
Pei Qian noticed that there were two printed scripts in the briefcase beside Zhu Xiaoce. He was probably preparing them for Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao.
Pei Qian was having a headache over the script as well.
Previously, Zhang Zuting had said that he wanted to read the script, but Pei Qian had managed to fool him.
This time, Lu Zhiyao would most likely request to see the script as well.
Pei Qian also knew that these two actors were picky about scripts. They were not the kind of people who would shoot whatever they wanted as long as they had enough money. Thus, they would definitely not be able to fool them with the script.
Old Zhang's side was relatively easier to deal with. After all, they were friends and were willing to cooperate.
Lu Zhiyao was not related to Pei Qian, and he had a certain status. How could he casually accept a movie from an unknown director? Even if they had enough money, they would still look at the script before deciding whether or not to act.
Thus, Pei Qian was a little worried.
But looking at Zhu Xiaoce's appearance, he didn't seem worried at all. Instead, he seemed to have a card up his sleeve and was full of confidence.
Pei Qian felt that this was quite ridiculous. Why did Zhu Xiaoce look like he was holding a Nobel Prize in Literature when he held such a trashy script?
Pei Qian probed. "Director Zhu, Lu Zhiyao is probably here to ask about the movie script. When that happens …"
Zhu Xiaoce did not wait for Pei Qian to finish speaking. He patted his chest and said, "Boss Pei, don't worry. That's not a problem!
"Your script is so well-written. Lu Zhiyao might like it more and more the more he reads it. He might even take the initiative to lower his salary and join you!"
Pei Qian: "…"
Wasn't he being too optimistic?
However, things had already come to this. Pei Qian could not ask too much. He could only act according to the situation after they met.
Before long, the company's seven-seater van arrived. Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao alighted and walked into Ming Yun Private Kitchen with the help of a waiter.
Both of them brought an assistant with them as they followed behind.
It was very common for celebrities to bring assistants with them. After all, most celebrities were very busy and needed someone to help them. Otherwise, they would not be able to handle everything on their own.
Both of them only brought one assistant with them when they went out. That was already quite low-key. Some popular actors brought eight or ten assistants with them when they went out. They enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by stars at all times.
This was Pei Qian's first time seeing Lu Zhiyao in real life. Before this, he had only seen his photos and movie clips online.
Pei Qian's first impression of Lu Zhiyao was: handsome!
Actors were also divided into those who looked good on camera and those who did not. Some actors looked good on camera, but in real life, they were so beautiful that their entire bodies seemed to glow. Ordinary handsome men and beautiful women could not compare to them. On the other hand, some actors were not particularly eye-catching in real life. However, with their makeup, they could greatly increase their looks on camera.
Lu Zhiyao was a little more special. He was very handsome in real life, but he did not look that good in movies.
Pei Qian had to admit that actors really relied on their affinity with the audience. Some actors were very good-looking, but the audience did not like them. There was no other way.
"Boss Pei! Long time no see. "
Zhang Zuting quickly walked forward and shook Pei Qian's hand.
"Boss Pei, nice to meet you."
Lu Zhiyao followed closely behind.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Pei Qian led everyone to the private room and took their seats.
It was still the largest private room on the third floor of the villa. Zhang Zuting looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the afterglow of the setting sun shining on the boundless swimming pool outside. He could not help but think of the first time he had come.
This scene really made one … salivate uncontrollably.
Zhang Zuting thought of the delicious food he had eaten the last time and could not help but yearn for it. He could not wait to eat.
However, Boss Pei was not looking at Zhang Zuting or Lu Zhiyao. Instead, he was staring at Zhang Zuting's assistant.
You were the one who remembered the location of Ming Yun Private Kitchen and attracted all the ballers in Jingzhou City!
Boss Pei was very angry, but there was nothing he could do. On account of Zha Zhuti, he would not argue with you.
Pei Qian introduced Director Zhu Xiaoce to Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao. Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, and the dishes were served.
Although Lu Zhiyao had eaten many good things before, he still looked surprised when he saw the dishes here.
Before he came, he had heard that there was a very good nameless restaurant in Jingzhou City. However, he did not have high hopes. After all, he had been filming all over the country. What kind of good restaurants had he not been to?
However, when he really ate it, he realized that the dishes here did not lose to the best restaurants he had been to. In fact, the environment and service were even better!
Once the food entered his mouth, Lu Zhiyao's depressed mood dissipated a lot.
Lu Zhiyao had been autistic at home for a few days after his new movie failed. He had not planned to take on any new movies in the near future.
The previous movie had such a good cast, but it had failed. Was he going to make another one and it would fail again?
He could not take it.
In fact, Lu Zhiyao had not decided whether to take on this movie or not. Relatively speaking, he had come to Jingzhou to relax, not to work.
However, at this moment, Lu Zhiyao felt that Boss Pei valued him as he watched the dishes being served one after another and enjoyed the attentive service of the waiters.
At first, he had only wanted to come and take a look. However, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed after eating.
As the saying went, Lu Zhiyao had not decided whether to take on this movie or not. However, he should take the initiative to chat.
At that thought, Lu Zhiyao took the initiative to say, "Boss Pei, Director Zhu. Let's talk about this movie briefly. "
"To be honest, I have been feeling down recently, and I have not been in a good state. Mr. Zhang, you must know that an actor's state has a huge impact on their acting skills. I had been declining before mainly because I was worried that I would not do well in this movie and cause trouble for everyone.
"What's more, I'm now the 'poison in the box office'. I was afraid that I would implicate you."
Lu Zhiyao did not say anything definite. He put on a more humble attitude first. If he rejected in the end, both parties would not lose face.
As for whether to make this movie or not, he had to read the script and understand the other party's sincerity before making a decision.
If it was a bad movie, he would reject it. If he felt that there was hope for it to be a small success, he could give it a try.
Pei Qian smiled. "Don't say that. I think your talent has been seriously buried, Mr. Lu!
"In the eyes of others, you're the poison in the box office, but to me, you're the most suitable male lead candidate for this movie!
"I have high hopes for you."
Lu Zhiyao knew that Boss Pei was most likely saying this out of courtesy.
However, he was still moved by Boss Pei's sincere eyes.
From the looks of it, Boss Pei was being very sincere!
It was really hard to find a confidant.
"Boss Pei, I'm ashamed that you trust me so much.
"Boss Pei, Director Zhu, I feel your sincerity. However, can I take a look at the script first? "
Indeed, he had to read the script.
Pei Qian also knew that Lu Zhiyao would probably not agree to act if he did not read the script. He could only look at Zhu Xiaoce and ask him to hand the two scripts to Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao respectively.
Lu Zhiyao wiped his hands with the hot towel that the waiter handed him. He solemnly took the script and read it carefully.
Pei Qian watched Lu Zhiyao's expression change from anticipation to confusion to shock and finally to sluggishness. He felt that something was wrong.
Lu Zhiyao simply flipped through the script and did not know what to say for a moment.
Such a script was really rare!
Of course, he could not say that he had never seen such a script before. Many European and American literary films also had some specious plots. However, he had never seen such a script in China …
Lu Zhiyao had never acted as a male lead like this in his acting career.
Wasn't this a little too tragic?
He had been a bootlicker at the beginning, but he could not even take over. He had finally become rich, but he turned around and abandoned his old love. In the end, he was schemed against and became a pauper again.
When had Lu Zhiyao ever suffered such grievances?!
The male leads that he had taken on in the past were all winners in life. They were surrounded by beautiful women and had smooth careers.
Even if it was a tragedy, it had to be a magnificent and magnificent death.
Even if it was a supporting role? They were often the kind of cute and charming villains.
This movie, on the other hand, was said to be a male lead, but the male lead was too tragic! He was neither cute nor pitiful. After listening to the story, it made people feel disgusted.
Lu Zhiyao looked at Pei Qian. "Boss Pei … this script …"
He did not know how to describe it at that moment.
Pei Qian felt that something was wrong when he saw Lu Zhiyao's expression. Indeed, this' poison in the box office 'script had a dissuasive effect on this' poison in the box office '…
Come to think of it, he might have failed in his previous films, but he had either acted as a hero or an overbearing CEO. At the very least, he had been a rich second-generation heir or an elite in the workplace who did not have to worry about food and clothing.
Now, he had to act as a pauper, a bootlicker, and an ingrate. How could he be willing to be played?
Pei Qian looked at Zhu Xiaoce, indicating that it was time for Director Zhu to act.
In any case, no matter what he said, he had to exaggerate the script first to stabilize Lu Zhiyao's mentality!
However, before Zhu Xiaoce could speak, Zhang Zuting slapped his thigh. "Good script! This script is too good!
"I've been making movies for so many years, but I've never seen a script with such deep meaning!
"This is a bitter satire. It criticizes the excessive obsession with consumption, the impetuousness of society, and the alienation that money has on people. This script is very deep and worth savoring!
"Boss Pei, where did you find this scriptwriter? His standards are really high! "
Zhu Xiaoce answered timely, "Boss Pei wrote this script himself."
Zhang Zuting was filled with respect. "I didn't know that Boss Pei was so talented! Capable people do more work indeed!
"That's not right, Boss Pei. The script has already been written. Then why didn't you answer me when I asked you on the phone? "
"Oh … I understand. It's because you want to be humble and keep a low profile!
"Boss Pei, it's not wrong to be humble, but it's not good to be too humble. It's because we're very close. If it were any other actor, they might not have come once they heard that there was no script. That would be such a pity!
"Just based on this script alone, I would do it even if I didn't get paid, much less pay!"
Pei Qian looked at Zhu Xiaoce, confused. Then, he looked at Zhang Zuting. This development was completely beyond his expectations.
What was going on …?
Initially, he had only prepared Zhu Xiaoce as a pawn to fool Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao.
However, Zhang Zuting was too smart and took the initiative to be a pawn. The three of them worked together to trick Lu Zhiyao!
Lu Zhiyao was still very confused. He had only skimmed through the script once and did not understand the key points of the script.
Zhang Zuting continued flipping through the script and sighed. "Boss Pei, if I'm not wrong, this script should have been specially made for Brother Lu, right?"
Pei Qian, "?"
Specially made?
You're thinking too much. I didn't even know who Lu Zhiyao was when I wrote this script …
However, Pei Qian could not possibly tell the truth, right?
He could only smile mysteriously, neither admitting nor denying it.
Seeing this smile, Zhang Zuting was even more certain. He looked at Lu Zhiyao, who was beside him. "Brother Lu, can you tell?"
Lu Zhiyao felt light-headed.
What the hell can I tell?!
Was it specially made for me?
Do I look like a bootlicker?
Seeing Lu Zhiyao's confused expression, Zhang Zuting explained, "Brother Lu, do you know what you lack the most now?
"It's not just a good script and a good character.
"More importantly, you lack a good character!"
Lu Zhiyao still looked confused.
Zhang Zuting continued. "A good character does not refer to a successful character in a movie. You've played such a 'successful person' many times, but the response has always been mediocre. Have you ever thought about why?
"A good character does not refer to a flawless character. Instead, it refers to a character that can highlight your own characteristics to the greatest extent so that the audience can empathize with you and remember you!
"When I was young, I won the Best Actor Award because I played a mental patient.
"The male lead in this script looks like a good-for-nothing, but he's a good character through and through. He's complicated and well-rounded.
"Such a role would be a comprehensive training for your acting skills. What's more, it would allow you to completely break away from the audience's stereotype.
"Why didn't the characters you played in the past appeal to the audience? Personally, I think it's mainly because you're too handsome!
"Because you're too handsome, the audience would think that you're out of character. You're not down to earth, and you don't feel real. It's very difficult to integrate into the movie.
"I think that your looks have become a burden to a certain extent. If you're not willing to let go of this burden, it would be difficult for you to break out of your original mentality when you play these roles.
"If you always play flawless characters, how can you leave a deep impression on the audience?
"That's why I said that this role is tailor-made for you. It's very suitable!
"To be honest, if I were ten years younger, I would definitely play this male lead. Now, I'm old. I can only give this opportunity to you. "
Hearing Zhang Zuting's words, Lu Zhiyao fell silent.
Pei Qian and Zhu Xiaoce fell silent as well.
However, the three of them did not fall silent for the same reason …
Lu Zhiyao was silent because he felt that the words of a Best Actor came from the bottom of his heart. He enjoyed it very much.
No matter how popular Zhang Zuting was now, he was still a much more accomplished senior than Pei Qian.
If even Zhang Zuting thought that this role was good, then it meant that this role was really good.
Zhu Xiaoce sighed. Zhang Zuting was indeed an experienced actor. He was someone who truly understood movies.
From the reactions of the two actors when they read the script, it was obvious that Zhang Zuting's standards were much higher than Lu Zhiyao's!
Pei Qian, on the other hand, fell into a daze.
He had thought that Zhang Zuting would be like Lu Zhiyao, that he would have a strong opinion of the script and that he and Zhu Xiaoce would have to work together to sway him.
However, Zhang Zuting actually liked this script a lot!
Not only did he like it, but he was also helping to sway Lu Zhiyao. He even said things like 'this script is tailor-made for Lu Zhiyao'.
Pei Qian wanted to know if Old Zhang's words were from the bottom of his heart or if he was just trying to sway Lu Zhiyao.
The former?
I don't think that's possible. I purposely wrote this script for the Ten Thousand Poisons. How could Old Zhang, who has acted in many movies, like it?
Yes, it's probably because I'm Zhu Xiaoce's boss and Zhang Zuting's sponsor. It's difficult for these two to objectively evaluate this script. That's why they're praising it so much.
Look, Lu Zhiyao, who I don't know, has no reaction to this script!
Thus, Old Zhang and Zhu Xiaoce must be helping to sway Lu Zhiyao.
Well done!
These two have done a great job today. As long as I can pull the 'box office poison' into the cast, I must give them more money!
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