"It's absolutely true. If it's convenient for you, Miss Ming, please come to Dongying to sign the contract at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Then keep it confidential for the time being and cooperate with the crew in promoting the film."
"No problem, um, see you tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Ming Wei couldn't help but smile and nodded heavily when she met Lin Nuan's expectant gaze.
“Ahh, our Weiwei is going to be famous!” Lin Nuan was even more excited than Mingwei, and ran over to hug Mingwei and rock her.
Mingwei said “hush” and the two of them ate hotpot first and then celebrated at home.
“Weiwei, let me tell you, in the original novel, the master and the princess have only one kissing scene, you must cherish it.” After the excitement, Lin Nuan started to act frivolously.
"Didn't they say he never shoots kissing scenes?" Ming Wei asked, leaning against the sofa.
Lin Nuan chuckled: "You are so beautiful, maybe Mu Tingzhou will be attracted to you and be willing to give you his first screen kiss."
Ming Wei threw a pillow over. She was filming to earn extra money, so it would be best if she didn't kiss, even if the other person was Mu Tingzhou.
~
Mingwei is expected to play 40 episodes, and the package price is one million. For a new actor with no fame or experience, this salary is very generous. In addition, according to the producer, after the broadcast of "The First Assistant of the Ming Dynasty", Mingwei's popularity will soar, which is the biggest gain of Mingwei's joining the group. The salary is only a short-term benefit.
Mingwei asked a lawyer to help her look over the contract, and after confirming that there were no problems, she signed and joined the team.
The costumes for the female lead were made according to the size of the original actress. Mingwei was about the same height as the actress, but just a little fatter. The designer pinched Mingwei's arm and felt that she still had room to lose weight, so he decided to only redesign her hairstyle, which just gave Mingwei time to train her acting skills and filming common sense.
After a month of intensive training, Ming Wei lost ten kilograms and then went to Hengdian with several staff members, where the crew had already started filming.
That night, the producer hosted dinner for several important actors to help Mingwei get acquainted with the other actors as quickly as possible.
Mingwei was a junior in the entertainment industry. She went downstairs early and waited in the hotel lobby. After sitting for five minutes, she saw a handsome boy of eight or nine years old walking towards her with his assistant. Mingwei searched for the actors and recognized him as the actor who played the little emperor in the play, Qin Lei. The boy had a clean and delicate smile and was very likable.
Mingwei stood up and greeted, "Xiaolei."
"Sister Ming, you are so beautiful." Qin Lei said sweetly.
"You are handsome too." Ming Wei smiled and praised him, "This is my first time filming a movie, please take care of me in the future."
Qin Lei blushed shyly.
The atmosphere was livened up by the presence of children. Ming Wei was generous and polite when she saw the other celebrities who came one after another. These veteran actors had different personalities. They were kind to Ming Wei, a young girl, but not too enthusiastic. After all, everyone relied on their strength to speak. Ming Wei was too good-looking and had just debuted to take on a big drama, which was suspected of being a backdoor.
"Sister Ming, that's Brother Chen Zhang."
Everyone had already moved to the restaurant. Ming Wei sat with her back to the restaurant entrance. She turned her head when she heard the words and saw her "prince consort" in the drama.
Chen Zhang is 24 years old this year and is one of the newly popular young actors. Compared with some vase-like men who only have good looks but no acting skills, although Chen Zhang's acting skills cannot be compared with those of Mu Tingzhou, who has won the Best Actor Award, his dedication and hard work and increasingly mature performance have won the recognition of many professional film critics.
Mingwei felt that she was the weirdo in the crew and was destined to become a vase.
"Ms. Ming, nice to meet you."
Just as she was distracted, Chen Zhang had already arrived in front of her. He was wearing black trousers and a white shirt, looking as clean as a big boy. When he smiled, there was a shallow dimple on his right cheek. His black eyes smiled as he looked at her with undisguised interest and amazement.
"Hello." Mingwei said a little stiffly. She was not used to dealing with these celebrities.
Chen Zhang politely shook hands with her, but after letting go, he suddenly gently touched the top of Ming Wei's head, his eyes teasing: "Now it's time to be polite. From now on, let's call each other by our names. Mr. and Miss is too formal. You and I are going to get married."
His teasing was natural, and Mingwei relaxed, smiled and nodded. Just as she was about to sit down, she caught a glimpse of another figure appearing at the door.
It was Mu Tingzhou. He was wearing a casual black round-necked shirt, but he looked as noble and graceful as an emperor. He walked leisurely in the garden, with a hint of aloofness, but not disgusting.
"Mr. Mu." Ming Wei moved outside the dining table, her words revealing a hint of involuntary respect. Not only her, but other juniors in the same crew with Mu Tingzhou would do the same when facing the best actor.
Mu Tingzhou simply nodded.
"Tingzhou, sit here." The producer pointed to the empty seat on Mingwei's left and said, "Mingwei is a newcomer. She and Chen Zhang will have the most scenes together. Please take care of her in the next few months... Come, Mingwei will toast everyone first, especially Tingzhou and Chen Zhang. Other actresses don't have the chance to play a couple with them."
Mingwei could drink quite well, so she toasted everyone first, and then toasted Chen Zhang and Mu Tingzhou individually.
Chen Zhang has cool and handsome features, but he is actually very approachable and takes good care of Ming Wei, which invisibly brings Ming Wei closer to the veteran actors. Mu Tingzhou didn't say much after he sat down, as if he was dragged in to make up the numbers, but he was content with his own way, as if he lived in another world that belonged to him.
After eating and drinking for nearly an hour, the party was about to end. In addition to responding to other people's questions, Mu Tingzhou finally took the initiative to say something.
He wiped the corners of his lips with a napkin, put it away, and looked up at Ming Wei: "Miss Ming, please stay."
Everyone, including Mingwei, was stunned. No one knew what Mu Tingzhou wanted to do. He just turned his head to look out the window without giving any explanation.
Chen Zhang gave Ming Wei a questioning look.
Mingwei shook her head, looking confused.
Mu Tingzhou's strange temper was well-known in the circle, but he was a decent person, so Chen Zhang and others left with peace of mind.
"What can I do for you?" Ming Wei asked cautiously. She was not as nervous as she was now even in front of the most serious clients.
Mu Tingzhou nodded his chin slightly and said, "Sit down."
Seeing that he wanted to have a long talk, Mingwei sat back in her original position obediently, about half an arm's length away from Mu Tingzhou.
"Mr. Mu, would you like to order anything else?" the waiter asked attentively after clearing the table.
Mu Tingzhou looked at Mingwei, and Mingwei politely shook her head.
Mu Tingzhou ordered a bottle of red wine, and the waiter considerately prepared two glasses.
"Ms. Ming was engaged in translation before?" Mu Tingzhou asked calmly after taking a sip.
This was a question that she already knew the answer to, but Mingwei nodded anyway and seriously reintroduced herself as an Italian translator.
Mu Tingzhou looked forward: "Why did you switch to acting?"
Mingwei pursed her lips.
She thought she had a good temper. Mu Tingzhou had asked her to stay for no reason, and she agreed out of respect. Now Mu Tingzhou asked her questions but didn't even look at her, treating her arrogantly like a subordinate. Mingwei didn't owe him anything, so she said directly: "Mr. Mu, do you have anything else to do? It's late, and I have to prepare for tomorrow's filming."
"I just need you to answer a few questions." Hearing that she was unhappy, Mu Tingzhou still looked indifferent, but he was finally willing to look Mingwei in the eye. His deep black eyes looked at her without any emotion: "Acting cooperation requires tacit understanding. I want to get to know my colleagues in the next few months better."
Well, this reason is barely acceptable.
Ming Wei thought for a moment and said to the attractive red wine in the goblet: "A friend of a friend suggested that I audition, so I went with the attitude of giving it a try. Joining the crew was a pleasant surprise, but I'm not sure whether I will change my career." Lin Nuan has already imagined her future as a famous star. Ming Wei likes to be down-to-earth. Of course, it would be great to have both fame and fortune, but the job of acting is very unfamiliar to her, and whether she can stay in the role for a long time is not up to her alone.
Mu Tingzhou nodded slightly and unconsciously turned the wine glass with his right hand.
His palms were large, his knuckles were white and slender, and at the same time contained a kind of strength, which was definitely not the kind of white that a pretty boy wore, which was more delicate than a woman.
"One last question." Mu Tingzhou put down his wine glass and stared at Ming Wei with inquiring eyes. "Based on what Miss Ming just said, can I assume that Miss Ming's main motivation for joining the crew was fame or pay?"
Mingwei felt like a thorn in her back.
She couldn't give a specific reason, but she had a feeling that if she admitted that she did it for fame and fortune, Mu Tingzhou might be unhappy.
Mu Tingzhou is difficult to get along with now. What would an unhappy actor look like
"What about Mr. Mu?" Ming Wei asked back cautiously, "Why did Mr. Mu take this role?"
Mu Tingzhou smiled, a very brief smile: "I like the script and I trust the director's ability. This is the fundamental reason why I took the film. The salary is just a reasonable compensation for my labor."
In other words, he's not doing it for the money, no matter how noble it is.
But Mingwei is a vulgar person. She is willing to admit that she is vulgar and said calmly: "I don't think so much, I just want to make some extra money."
“Then you might lose your job.”
Like a hunter who hunts at the right time, Mu Tingzhou poured himself a drink and disdained to look at Mingwei again. He said indifferently, "Every industry has its professional ethics. I can accept new partners with immature acting skills but passionate about acting. For people like you who film purely for fame and fortune, I am not ashamed to associate with them."
Mingwei was so angry that she was shaking all over, so what Mu Tingzhou meant was that because of her impure motives, Mu Tingzhou wanted to act like a big shot and ask the crew to fire her
"I signed the contract." Ming Wei pretended to be calm, refusing to lose momentum.
Mu Tingzhou chuckled: "If the actor's acting skills are not good, the crew can unilaterally terminate the contract."
Ming Wei glared: "How do you know my acting is not good?"
Mu Tingzhou stood up and looked down at her: "She is an unprofessional actress. I don't think she has any acting skills."
Ming Wei was furious and anxious. Being fired from the crew was a thousand times more embarrassing than failing the audition. But with Mu Tingzhou's status, even if she shamelessly asked the boss lady of Dongying for help through Lin Nuan, she might not be able to stay. Besides, Ming Wei didn't want to take advantage of Lin Nuan's relationship.
The only way is to persuade Mu Tingzhou.
"Seeing is believing, Mr. Mu, shouldn't you give me a chance to perform?" Ming Wei stood up and looked up at the high-ranking actor. "Of course, if you are so conceited that you don't need to see my performance, then I will quit the group immediately and won't delay you from finding another partner."
Mu Tingzhou tilted his head and looked over.
Mingwei's eyes were bright and she did not flinch at all.
"Okay, I'll give you one day to prove yourself."
With one last look at Mingwei, Mu Tingzhou turned and walked away. After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped, put one hand in his pocket and said to Mingwei with his back to her: "Since you are a newcomer, I will give you a tip. The most basic and difficult skill in acting is to immerse yourself in the character and the plot. Only when an actor is immersed in the role will the audience be attracted by you. If you just want to fool people, then leave as soon as possible."
So as not to embarrass him.
Of course Mingwei was interested. She wondered how much extra money she could make by filming. She just didn't have the confidence.
The car arrived. Mingwei wandered outside the Dongying Building for a few minutes before she went in.
There were still more than ten minutes before the audition. Dozens of beauties were arranged to wait in the lounge. Ming Wei sat alone in a corner, memorizing the audition lines given to her by the staff. It was just a few lines and the content was not complicated. After memorizing it, Ming Wei secretly observed the others. Most of them were wearing makeup and looked like they were in their early twenties.
"Song Yao is here too." Two girls in the front row were whispering to each other, discussing the beautiful lady in sunglasses who had just walked in. "Hey, all the big stars are willing to reduce their pay, so we definitely have no chance, we're just runners-up."
Due to her profession, Mingwei doesn't watch many domestic dramas. She basically doesn't know the first- and second-tier stars who have become popular recently. She may have a liking for them but can't name them. However, she quite agrees with the idea of being a runner-up.
Without any expectations, when it was her turn to audition, Mingwei was calm and only a little bit nervous.
The producer, director, assistant director and other key members of the crew were all there, and when they saw Ming Wei, they were all stunned.
Ming Wei was recommended by the boss of Dongying. Director Zhang had seen Ming Wei's photo. The little girl was wearing an apricot-yellow dress and standing under the willow trees by the lake. She had bright eyes and a beautiful smile, like a little princess who knew nothing about the world. She really fits the role of the heroine. Now seeing the real person, Director Zhang unexpectedly found that Ming Wei was even younger than in the photo, with a sweet oval face, a straight nose, and a long neck. She stood there with a sense of style and posture.
"I've read your resume. Can you play the guzheng?" Director Zhang asked first.
Speaking of the guzheng, Ming Wei couldn't help but curl her lips when thinking of Su Cheng's gentle and graceful mother: "My mother is a guzheng teacher."
"No wonder, a traditional instrument like the guzheng can really enhance your demeanor." Director Zhang said approvingly, flipping through the script and choosing a new part for Mingwei to play. There was only one line of dialogue, and the focus was on emotional expression. The staff went to prepare the guzheng, and Mingwei stood aside, quietly brewing her emotions. Thanks to Lin Nuan's nitpicking about her camera performance when she was a costume model, she actually found some feelings when she thought about the plot of the novel.
The guzheng was brought over. Mingwei took off her coat, sat in front of the guzheng, and put on her nails.
Director Zhang shouted, "Start."
Mingwei opened her eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and concentrated on playing her favorite song: "Spring River Moon Night".
She passed the tenth level of amateur guzheng in high school. Her level is not as professional as her mother's, but she is more than capable of dealing with laymen.
The beauty played the zither, which was a delight to the eyes. Director Zhang listened to a section longer and signaled his assistant to come on stage.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of the zither. Mingwei kept moving her hands and looked up curiously. What came into view was an ordinary man's face, but Mingwei, who had met Mu Tingzhou up close and read the original novel, automatically imagined Mu Tingzhou's ancient costume. At that moment, she seemed to have seen a god. She forgot to play the zither and forgot everything. She stared blankly for a few seconds before jumping up in surprise, looking at the other person with bright eyes: "Master, you came to see me?"
In the play, the previous emperor passed away, leaving behind a 15-year-old princess and an eight-year-old emperor. The Prime Minister also served as the Grand Tutor to raise the little emperor and teach Princess Minghua. The Grand Tutor was cold to the outside world, but he was tender and caring to the siblings. Facing such a mature man, the young princess couldn't help but fall in love with him, and every frown and smile was for him.
The lines were read and the audition performance ended.
Mingwei looked at Director Zhang, who nodded without commenting.
After Mingwei left, the producer asked Director Zhang for his opinion.
"The emotions are superficial and too exaggerated." Director Zhang said honestly, "But the appearance and temperament are both plus points, so let's add them to the final selection first."
The producer was relieved. He was the person in charge of Dongying. It was rare for the boss to recommend a candidate. If she didn't even make it to the final selection, he would have a hard time explaining it to the boss. Fortunately, this Miss Ming had a good foundation and won the favor of Director Zhang with her strength. But then again, Princess Minghua was just a vase in the whole play. She was beautiful enough and her acting skills were not required to be high.
~
Mingwei felt that she and Wang Yingying had a good connection. Just as she came out of the audition room, she bumped into Wang Yingying again.
Wang Yingying wore a snow-white coat and sunglasses, and had a strong aura. As a popular star, she did not need to queue up for the audition and could cut in line at any time. Seeing Ming Wei from a distance, Wang Yingying just felt familiar. As she got closer and closer, she finally confirmed that the woman with the oval face was indeed the mistress who seduced Cheng Yao.
"Are you here for the audition too?" Wang Yingying asked unexpectedly through her sunglasses. After asking, she came to her senses and sneered, "It's different with a sponsor." When she became successful and famous, wasn't Cheng Yao's contribution also part of it
Ming Wei was too lazy to pay attention. When they passed by, Wang Yingying grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear: "I'm not as good as you in seducing people, but compared to acting... you really overestimate your abilities."
Mingwei turned her head and saw that Wang Yingying had already let go of her hand and continued walking forward.
Ming Wei was unhappy, but she really had no confidence in her acting skills. However, everyone was not in the same circle, so there was no need to use her own weaknesses to challenge others' strengths.
“How’s it going? Is there any hope?” Lin Nuan called her just after returning to the apartment.
"Give up. I'm not that kind of person." Ming Wei deliberately said harsh words to extinguish her best friend's over-inflated expectations.
"I'll go and ask around later."
Ming Wei quickly stopped him: "No, I don't want to use the back door again. Anyway, the money I earn as a translator is enough to support myself. Acting depends on luck. It's not worth owing others for extra money." This audition is a good opportunity, but it is not essential.
After ending the call, Mingwei heated a cup of milk, then opened her notebook and watched the popular drama "Feng Yi" starring Wang Yingying.
The opening is the background story, Mingwei fast-forwards and only watches Wang Yingying's scenes. Wang Yingying is a typical melon-seed beauty, and her ancient costume is very beautiful, but from the audience's perspective, Mingwei can only give her a score of seven. Given the old-fashioned plot and the Mary Sue lines, Mingwei died heroically after persisting for half an episode.
Mingwei collapsed on the sofa. Although she had no hope, she couldn't help feeling restless.
There is a phone call from Cheng Yao.
Ming Wei answered the phone and said before Cheng Yao could speak: "Be a man and be quick. If you keep pestering me, I will only look down on you."
There was silence on the other side.
Mingwei hung up the phone and put Cheng Yao on the blacklist. Mingwei felt even worse. She drank the milk in one breath and went shopping with her bag.
While Mingwei was shopping in the mall, the crew of "The Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty" finished the preliminary selection of the female lead. In fact, the crew had already prepared, but the previous female lead unexpectedly became pregnant and regretfully withdrew. In order to catch up with the filming schedule, the crew immediately held a meeting in the afternoon for the final selection.
After half an hour of discussion, only two photos remained on the big screen, one of Ming Wei and one of Wang Yingying.
In the seven-member meeting, three people supported Wang Yingying, arguing that Wang Yingying is very popular now, has her own fans, and her acting skills are competent for the role. The three who voted for Ming Wei thought that Ming Wei had a young face and a classical temperament, and looked more in line with the character of Princess Minghua, and there was no problem with her being a vase.
"Three to three, it's Director Zhang's turn." The producer leaned back in his chair and looked at Director Zhang.
Director Zhang clasped his hands together, pondered over the photo for a minute, and suggested, "Tingzhou and Princess Minghua are a half-matched couple. Why not let Tingzhou see which one he is more attracted to?"
Six people agreed, and Director Zhang contacted Mu Tingzhou's agent, Xiao Zhao, on the spot.
Xiao Zhao received the photo, smiled, walked to the edge of the swimming pool, and said to the man who had just finished a round of freestyle swimming: "Princess Minghua has finally been selected. Director Zhang, please make the decision." He squatted down, raised the phone in front of Mu Tingzhou, and introduced the first photo: "This is Wang Yingying, I saw her at Guiyun Tower that day."
Mu Tingzhou had a blank expression on his face.
Xiao Zhao slid to the second photo: "Complete newcomer, not famous."
He was testing. If Mu Tingzhou really had no special feelings for Miss Ming, then based on Mu Tingzhou's usual attitude towards women, he would definitely not recognize that the girl in the photo was the Italian translator.
"Newcomer." Mu Tingzhou climbed ashore, revealing his perfect body, sexy abdominal muscles, slim waist and long legs.
Xiao Zhao laughed with an ambiguous tone: "Reason?"