Chapter 44 - 43: Something is definitely up with her

Chapter 44: Chapter 43: Something is definitely up with her

Hearing this, Xiao Ran smiled apologetically. "I haven’t just been married, I’ve also been divorced."

Hearing him say that, it wasn’t just Director Zhang; even Vice Director Liu beside him looked astonished. ’Wow, divorced already at his age?’

’Sure enough, exceptional men are never short on women!’

But Vice Director Liu added with a touch of humor, "It seems exceptional people are always ahead of the curve."

They were all seasoned veterans, tactful in both word and deed.

No one asked why he got divorced, much less pried about gossip like whether he had any children.

"By the way, Teacher Xiao, would you mind letting me see the revised storyline first?" Liu Min was the first to speak.

’She’d been waiting two days for this. For people like them, time was money, so the sooner, the better.’

At her words, Xiao Ran quickly handed over the documents in his hand, saying humbly, "It’s just a rough draft. Please take a look, and if there’s anything that doesn’t feel right, we can discuss it."

Director Zhang let out a hearty laugh. "See? This is what a real writer is like. Not like some people who write absolute garbage but still think they’re creating true art, when it’s really just a load of crap."

It was an undeniable fact that there were many people like that, and not just among writers. Every industry had its share of such self-important individuals.

Xiao Ran knew this was just the usual professional back-patting. He smiled. "You’re too kind. My skills aren’t anything special, so I just try to make up for it with hard work."

’Then again,’ he thought, ’I’m just taking their money to solve their problems.’

’After all, they did deposit a very real 2.9 million for the copyright fee right into my account.’

’Even the best product has to come with after-sales service, right?’

’I can’t just take the money and run.’

’Besides, wasn’t there a ten-thousand-yuan fee for my trouble for every scene I revised?’

Truth be told, Xiao Ran didn’t have much money on him at the moment, as he was saving to buy a house. He had revised two sections so far, earning him twenty thousand yuan. That should be enough for them to move and furnish the new place with some simple things.

Those words struck a chord with Director Zhang. ’Since the beginning of time, nine out of ten literary types have been arrogant, and it’s even worse in the entertainment industry. The moment they get a little bit of fame, they start looking down their noses at everyone. It’s rare to meet someone like Xiao Ran.’

’Just talking with him was a pleasure.’

Director Zhang smiled. "By the way, Mr. Xiao, to be frank, we’re planning for this to be a major New Year’s series, launching on January first. It’s also a show centered on a strong female lead, so I’d like to hear your thoughts on who should play her."

After all, it was nearly August. If filming officially started in August, it would take at least four months to wrap up. Factoring in another month for network review, dubbing, and editing, the schedule was extremely tight.

Xiao Ran was taken aback for a moment. ’I’m just the writer, isn’t casting the director’s job?’ But since he’d been asked, he gave it some serious thought.

"I think anyone with a resolute, fairly assertive personality could work, really."

"On our end, we’ve shortlisted two candidates for the lead. One is Mimi, and the other is Zhou Xun—Sister Xun. Which of the two do you feel is more suitable?"

Since this was a major New Year’s series, the lead actress had to be someone who could carry the show.

While both actresses command a high fee, they also bring in massive viewership. One is a powerhouse of popularity, the other a powerhouse of talent. Both are heavy hitters.

Xiao Ran was stunned. ’Damn, they’re aiming for such an A-list cast?’

’That’s Ai Qi for you,’ he thought. ’I was expecting some third-rate starlet. I have to admit, their choices for the lead actress alone are a huge surprise.’

Remembering that Yan Xici was a huge fan of Yang Mi, Xiao Ran said without thinking, "Let’s go with Sister Mi, then."

’It’s not like I’m an industry insider, and I don’t care about their fees.’

’But I know Yan Xici likes her, so on a gut level, I hope she’s the one who gets to play the lead in this show.’

Hearing this, Director Zhang nodded. "To be honest, that’s what I was thinking too."

’She’s a ratings magnet, after all.’

With that, he took a stack of photos out of his bag and placed them in front of Xiao Ran. "These are basically headshots from actors who’ve auditioned, mostly for supporting roles. See if any of them match the image you have in your head."

Of course, as the director, he already had his own ideas.

But since they had spent a fortune and wanted to do it right, they had to be absolutely certain.

At that, Xiao Ran picked up the photos from the table and began looking through them carefully, one by one.

Meanwhile, Liu Min had quickly finished reading the draft Xiao Ran had given her. The more she read, the more delighted she became. ’Getting the author himself to make the revisions really was the best decision.’

’His grasp of the characters’ psychology is just incredible.’

Liu Min looked up, her face full of delighted admiration. "This is absolutely brilliant!"

’She had a gut feeling that if they could film this, it would be a massive hit!’

Hearing Liu Min’s endorsement, Director Zhang and Vice Director Liu were also in high spirits.

Vice Director Liu stood up. "Alright, we’ve covered the important stuff for now. Let’s get some food on the table and continue while we eat!"

Director Zhang nodded. "Right, let’s eat and talk."

"Waiter, you can start bringing out the food."

While they waited for the food to be served, Xiao Ran took out his phone and found Yan Xici’s contact photo.

Her profile picture was of Chibi Maruko-chan; she had loved watching that show since she was a little girl.

Xiao Ran: Got some good news for you. The lead actress for the adaptation is Yang Mi. What do you think? Surprise!

Outside, neon signs flickered and city lights blazed, painting a picture of bustling prosperity.

Back at her apartment, the girl sat in the dark. She had been sitting there for a long time, her heart heavy with gloom. She couldn’t put a name to the feeling; it was like a jar of mixed spices had been overturned inside her.

It was utterly complex.

The distraught girl had been sitting there for a full four hours, still with no idea what to do.

She didn’t feel any particular excitement when she saw the message.

She didn’t even know how to respond.

Yan Xici: Oh. Got it.

Reading her reply, Xiao Ran could clearly sense her unhappiness.

After all, Yan Xici was a simple person who wore her heart on her sleeve. Even without seeing her face, he could read her emotions clearly in the tone of her message.

Xiao Ran: Are you still upset about your sister?

Yan Xici: No.

’It wasn’t that she was trying to be tough. It was just that some things were impossible to talk about—especially with him.’

Xiao Ran: Something’s definitely wrong!