After finishing the phone call with Cesare, Jiang Se was no longer sleepy. Xia Chaoqun probably didn't know the news yet, so Cesare informed her privately in advance tonight.
Xia Chaoqun always sleeps late, so when Jiang Se called, she answered the phone quickly.
"Something?" Even though Jiang Se's call came suddenly, Xia Chaoqun's voice remained calm, as if there were no ups and downs. When she spoke, she must have pressed the speaker button on the phone and put it on the edge of the table. Her voice sounded a little far away, and the rustling sound of flipping through the documents could be heard. Through the phone, Jiang Se could almost imagine the scene of Xia Chaoqun sitting in the study working before going to bed.
"Did I bother you, Sister Chaoqun?"
"It doesn't matter what time you call, it's not a bother."
After she finished speaking, she put her pen on the table, making a light click, and picked up the phone:
"After Federer signed you as his spokesperson, many brands were interested in contacting you." Jiang Se got Federer's endorsement, which was like getting a stepping stone to open the door to the fashion industry.
After securing a top luxury watch brand like Federer, which is the most difficult to sign, many high-end brands will consider cooperating with Jiang Se. Xia Chaoqun no longer contacted some light luxury brands on Jiang Se's behalf, even if they offered a higher price. Xia Chaoqun was also worried that if Jiang Se lowered his profile, it would arouse Federer's taboo. Big brands hate it most when their spokespersons contact low-end products while endorsing their products, which would lower their brand style.
But the amount of information sent in was still very large, and she had to review them one by one. In addition, there were a bunch of scripts selected by the company, which also needed her to review before being handed over to Jiang Se.
In fact, Xia Chaoqun is also very busy and has almost no time to chat.
"Why are you still awake so late?"
She looked at the time. It was almost eleven o'clock. When Jiang Se was not working, her schedule was always very regular. Xia Chaoqun had set rules for her, hoping that she would try to go to bed at ten o'clock when she was not working and maintain a good schedule.
Jiang Se has always been very self-disciplined. She almost always follows through on many things she is told to do. It is rare that she hasn't turned off her phone to go to bed at this time tonight. Xia Chaoqun couldn't help but guess:
"Is it for Lin Xiwen's script?"
She remembered that Jiang Se had met with Lin Xiwen today and accepted Lin Xiwen's script. She wondered if Lin Xiwen's script was good, which led her to call at this time.
"no."
Jiang Se shook his head:
"I haven't read Director Lin's script yet. Cesare called me an hour ago and told me that I auditioned for Prisoners, Sister Chaoqun."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Chaoqun on the other end of the phone paused for a moment. Cesare's call was not only good news for Jiang Se, but also for Xia Chaoqun. She quickly reacted:
"I'll call Angie later and tell her to prepare your information."
The investors of "Prisoners" should call us soon, and then we will discuss the specific signing time, location and other aspects.
Jiang Se hung up the phone and looked at the information bag that Lin Xiwen handed to her today. She hadn't opened it yet, but there was no need to open it now.
After she decided to take on the role in "God's Redemption", she would no longer consider Lin Xiwen's new film. She sent Lin Xiwen another message and asked him to meet her tomorrow.
This time, the meeting place with Lin Xiwen was at Shangjia Company. When Jiang Se brought the folder, Lin Xiwen's eyes darkened.
"I shouldn't have asked." He smiled bitterly, "But since you refused not through the company or the agent, but came here in person, Sese, in my heart, I also regard you as a friend. Excuse me for asking, is it that the story doesn't suit your taste, or do you have no confidence in me?"
He held the folder, looking somewhat helpless.
“Neither.”
Jiang Se shook her head. Ms. Li, Lin Xiwen's assistant, poured her a glass of warm water. She looked up and smiled and thanked him, then said bluntly:
"You are not an outsider. This matter happened very suddenly, so I feel it is necessary to explain to you in person why I cannot take this role. It is not a problem with the script, nor is it that I don't have confidence in you, but a scheduling problem that cannot be adjusted."
When she said this, Lin Xiwen's expression became much better, no longer as depressed as before. Jiang Se then said:
"After the French Film Festival this year, the reason I stayed in France was not only because I signed a contract with Federer for endorsement, but also because I auditioned for Cesare's new film. After the audition, there was no news until May, so I planned to take on another role."
She briefly recounted what happened on that day's audition, and when Lin Xiwen heard this, she looked as if she had suddenly realized something.
When Assistant Li heard the word "Cesare", his face was filled with disbelief.
"But before going to bed last night, Cesare called me and told me that I had passed the audition and would soon join the crew, so I could no longer take on your new film." She stood up and bowed, "It has nothing to do with your film. After confirming the release date, I haven't opened the script yet. I'm sorry, Director Lin."
After confirming to take on the movie, Jiang Se would not consider taking on other film contracts at the same time unless the film was completed. Her frankness made Lin Xiwen appreciate her even more.
He could also tell that Jiang Se was not making excuses, otherwise she wouldn't have to make this trip in person.
It is a rare opportunity to star in a big-budget movie directed by a top director like Cesare, but what is commendable is that she was able to tell him the truth, and after she was sure that he could not take over her movie, she did not even open the script and maintained her respect for him.
The folder was sealed very well, and the red thread at the seal was melted into the wax. Jiang Se's words should not be lies. Lin Xiwen thought for a moment and still pushed the script to Jiang Se:
"Sese, I really like your personality." He praised: "When we worked together on "Beijing Events", I felt that you had a very good personality."
She was the first one to arrive among the actors. She was still a newcomer at that time and had shortcomings in acting. She would spend a lot of time trying to figure out and watching other people's performances, asking the director for advice, discussing the psychology of "Doukou" with Hou Xiling, and analyzing her ideas, all in order to better present "Doukou".
"I know you're going to take on a movie directed by Cesare and may not be free for the time being, but I'm willing to wait."
As soon as Lin Xiwen finished speaking, Assistant Li beside him couldn't help but widen his eyes and shouted subconsciously:
"Director Lin..."
"You are an actor worth waiting for, Sese." Lin Xiwen ignored the assistant's shout and glanced at the script again:
"The crew is actually in the process of preparing for the production, and there is still some time before the actual filming. You can take on the film directed by Cesare first. After the filming is finished, if you have read this script and are originally going to join the crew, you can join at any time." He spread his hands, "If you are still not interested in the script, I will contact other people and will not embarrass you."
Lin Xiwen's sincerity is evident on his face, but this would put him in a very passive position. The preparation of a film takes a lot of time, and time arrangements with the actors also need to be made in advance.
If Lin Xiwen gave priority to Jiang Se and missed out on others during this period, the film might be trapped in an endless wait and might not even start filming within a few years. It might eventually come to nothing, wasting Lin Xiwen's hard work.
"Director Lin, this may put you in a very passive position." Jiang Se frowned, and Lin Xiwen smiled and said:
"I understand."
He has been in the entertainment industry for many years, and he understands the consequences of making such a decision better than Jiang Se, which is equivalent to gambling.
"But I still want to fight for a chance for this movie instead of settling for second best." What's more, after filming Cesare's movie, if Jiang Se is still willing to take on Lin Xiwen's new film, his status and position will be much higher than it is now, and the impact it will bring will be difficult to estimate.
Lin Xiwen still insisted that Jiang Se accept the script, and after the filming of "God's Redemption" was completed, they would see if Jiang Se was willing to accept the script.
Jiang Se had emphasized to Lin Xiwen that if he didn't like the script, he might still reject it in the end, but he still insisted on his original plan, so Jiang Se accepted the script.
"God's Redemption" has already contacted Century Galaxy and confirmed the cooperation proposal. With Jiang Se's advance notice, Xia Chaoqun had already prepared the information and documents early and booked a flight to Rome on Friday.
After signing the contract for this film, she might have to spend at least half a year abroad. Before leaving, she went to see Feng Zhongliang and said goodbye to him.
After knowing that Jiang Se was going on a long journey again, although Feng Zhongliang was a little reluctant, he also respected her choice. He just told her to take good care of herself and said goodbye to the Pei family. He did not mention Jiang Se to quit the entertainment industry as before.
Originally, the most difficult thing for Jiang Se to marry into the Pei family was to remember the complicated relationships between the noble families, as well as the relatives and friends of the Pei family, both big and small.
But because Jiang Se had the advantage of being reborn, she had been moving around in the Pei family with Feng Zhongliang since she was young, so this most difficult part was actually the easiest for her. She had been learning lessons on posture and etiquette, and she was doing much better than Old Lady Pei expected.
So when Mrs. Pei learned that Jiang Se was going abroad for work, she did not make things difficult for him. Instead, she simply gave him a few instructions.
After arriving in Italy, Jiang Se first met with the people from Borgia Company to sign the contract. "Prisoners" has been confirmed to be renamed "God's Redemption" and the filming will start around the beginning of next year.
During this period, Cesare had to prepare for the filming of the second part of "The Lost City". After confirming the contract and the role of Shireen, Jiang Se joined the crew of "God's Redemption" with a salary of US$200,000.
Jiang Se’s current net worth in China is far more than this amount, but fortunately, the reason why she took on the role in "God's Redemption" was not just to make money.
As soon as the contract was signed, Cesare put forward his own requirements. He asked Jiang Se to join a boxing training and gain at least ten pounds of weight at the beginning of "God's Redemption".
She is tall and thin, and maintains a good fitness habit, but is very strict with her diet, which makes her look graceful but not strong.
“Shirin appears in ‘God’s Redemption’ as a wounded female warrior.”
Even though she suffered losses at the hands of heretics, a person who could fight for the temple was definitely not a delicate woman.
Cesare took out a bag of information:
“This is the storyboard I drew.”
Jiang Se opened the file. He had already drawn the scenes in which Shireen appeared. Cesare had very good artistic skills and the scenes were clear at a glance. Even the hidden greed in Andre's expression was painted vividly. However, only Shireen's body and head were shown, and her facial features were shrouded in a layer of shadow.
"It's up to you to control the inner emotions of this character, but at least he can't be weak and fragile."
Jiang Se knew what was going on and nodded.
Cesare's eyes were gentle. It was not easy for Chinese actresses to enter the international market, but he believed that Jiang Se was a special one among them.
It's not just because she lowered her price to take a role that only has a few shots. After all, it's not difficult to do this. Many people are willing to give up their pay for the opportunity, such as Tao Cen from Hua Xia.
But the difficulty lies in the willingness to put in the effort behind a role that only has a few scenes. This is what Cesare values.
There are not many shots of Shireen, and after the final editing, she probably only appears for a few minutes, but for this she needs to put aside all her work and devote herself to physical training and boxing fighting for more than half a year.
She gladly accepted all of this, and this was the most important reason why Cesare was willing to ensure that she joined the team.
At this time, Tao Cen had already flown to Australia for a week.
"The Lost City" was about to start filming here. The two concert tickets for the 'Time' band that she gave to Cesare in France finally came in handy, and he successfully joined the crew of "The Lost City".
Cesare is still in Rome, reportedly delayed by something, so the start of filming has been postponed to the middle of this month.
Tao Cen came here early to enjoy the sunshine and beach and taste the fine wine here.
There were many men and women with great figures walking by the beach with surfboards in their arms. Chen Jiao took out some sunscreen and applied it on them, unable to hide the smile on her face.
Because of Cesare's praise for Jiang Se that day, Chen Jiao was worried that the role of Tao Cen in "The Lost City" would be snatched away by Jiang Se. However, Tao Cen was more powerful in the end and still got the role.
It is conceivable that with the release of the first and second parts of "The Lost City" in the future, Tao Cen's fame will reach a whole new height in the country.
The fact that she had cooperated with Cesare twice in a row was enough to overwhelm Jiang Se.
"If anyone in the company wants to be comparable to you, Sister Tao, I'm afraid they will have to work hard for another ten years!" So what if she got Federer's endorsement, or Cesare's praise? In short, Tao Cen has the last laugh now!
Tao Cen lazily lay on the beach chair, squinting his eyes, not knowing whether he fell asleep or not. He ignored her words, but the assistant next to him nodded.
Jiang Se was in the limelight some time ago. The box office of "Devil" and Federer's endorsement made people around Tao Cen a little indignant, and the company's attitude also leaned towards Jiang Se.
Now that Tao Cen is working with Cesare for the second time, the staff around him are proud.
"It's hard to say even ten years. Being able to work with a director like Cesare twice requires not only luck but also Sister Tao's ability. Both are indispensable." Jiang Se missed "The Lost City" and he would never be able to catch up with Tao Cen anyway.
"I really want to see how Jiang Se would feel if she knew that even though she squeezed out Sister Tao at the French Film Festival and sat down with Cesare to talk, and let Cesare praise her movie, in the end, Cesare still chose Sister Tao for the collaboration."
Chen Jiao narrowed her eyes and paused while applying sunscreen:
"I have already contacted the reporter of Huaxia Information in China and passed on the news that Sister Tao is going to shoot "Lost City". I am afraid that the headlines in China tonight should be quite good."
As soon as she finished speaking, an assistant had already clicked on the news. The news that Tao Cen would continue to star in "Lost City" had indeed spread throughout the country. The headline of the Huaxia News read:
Jiang Se missed out on playing Cesare in "The Lost City", and the famous director favored Tao Cen more!
In the news, the news that Tao Cen defeated Jiang Se to star in "Lost City" again made Tao Cen's fans cheer.
Several assistants smiled. Tao Cen frowned and straightened up. The sunglasses on her head slipped down a little because of her movements. Compared with the others who looked happy, it was really hard for her to smile. Just as she was about to speak, the phone of one of the assistants next to her rang. The young male assistant took out his phone:
"It's Mr. Zhou from the company calling."
The Zhou Sheng he was talking about was Luo Ao's special assistant and one of the people who came out of the Century Galaxy secretariat. He knew some inside information, was biased towards Tao Cen, and had a very good relationship with Tao Cen.
While the assistant was talking, he answered the phone. Soon the smile on his face froze. After hanging up the phone, he looked at Tao Cen and bit his lip:
"Sister Tao, Mr. Zhou said he just heard that Jiang Se went to Rome..." (To be continued)