Chapter 451 - 237: The Treatment of the Company’s Top Actress

In the conference room.

Gu Pan took less than a minute to get into character.

She pulled up a chair and sat directly across from Zhang Xiaobo.

In the script, this climactic scene was a three-person sit-down meeting.

Xu Huanshan admits he has wronged his family and hopes Gu Jia will meet with Lin Youyou to talk.

After Gu Pan sat down, she looked at Zhang Xiaobo.

Her eyes held none of the hysteria a typical woman would have after being betrayed.

Aside from her slightly red-rimmed eyes, she appeared perfectly calm on the surface.

’This is it!’

Zhang Xiaobo’s eyes lit up.

He hadn’t expected that beneath her "flower vase" exterior, Gu Pan’s acting was actually quite good.

Zhang Xiaobo recited his lines from the script: "Why, for all these years, have you never let Xu Huanshan eat dinner or play the soccer he loves? Xu Huanshan is not happy with you at all!"

Watching from the side, Lin Meishan couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly.

An actress with subpar skills would have easily broken character and laughed.

But Gu Pan possessed an acting skill of 89, comparable to a seasoned veteran who had been acting for half their life.

Naturally, she wouldn’t make such an amateur mistake.

"Where do you get the confidence? What self-righteous delusion makes you think you can save this man?"

"The man you’ve fallen in love with is nothing more than a man I’ve molded, a man who bears my shadow."

Gu Pan’s line delivery was also stunning.

It made the few industry insiders present nod repeatedly in approval.

"Take a look. All these photos are of our dinners together."

"So many photos, so many nights we’ve spent together."

Zhang Xiaobo continued reciting Lin Youyou’s lines from the script, pushing the phone over.

In the original drama, this part of the scene was also a mini-climax.

But Gu Pan’s performance remained steady.

Not only was her line delivery stunning,

but she also perfectly portrayed the domineering energy of confronting the other woman.

After watching Gu Pan’s performance, Zhang Xiaobo found himself with a headache.

If Gu Pan had performed poorly, there would be nothing to discuss.

Given his relationship with Lemon Film and Television, he could have ensured Tong Yao’s position as the female lead remained secure.

The problem was, Gu Pan’s performance was too stunning.

As a director, his professional ethics told him...

...he shouldn’t turn down such a good actress.

But in the real world, things were never that simple.

"Ahem, President Chen, Miss Gu’s performance is indeed very good."

"But the story we’re filming this time is about people in their thirties."

"I’m worried that Miss Gu’s life experience might not be a good fit for this character."

Zhang Xiaobo forced himself to come up with a flimsy excuse.

"Director Zhang, I think Panpan is quite suitable for the role of Gu Jia. Why don’t you reconsider?"

Chen Fei had seen Gu Pan’s acting with her own eyes and knew she was more than capable of handling the female lead role.

Naturally, she wasn’t going to give Zhang Xiaobo the chance to do someone an easy favor.

At the end of the day, this drama was an independent production by Lemon Film and Television.

Hearing Chen Fei lay down the law, Zhang Xiaobo had no choice but to listen.

"Ahem, then we’ll do as President Chen says. The role of Gu Jia will be played by Gu Pan."

Zhang Xiaobo silently apologized to Tong Yao in his heart. ’It’s not that I didn’t try to help you.’

’Who could have known Gu Pan’s financial backing was even more powerful!’

’Bringing her own funding to the production... how the hell are we supposed to compete with that?’

"President Lin, let’s go upstairs to discuss the specific details of our collaboration."

"Of course. Panpan, you chat with Director Zhang for a bit."

Before Lin Meishan left, she gave a meaningful look to the two female bodyguards accompanying them.

With the bodyguards there, she naturally wasn’t worried about Gu Pan being taken advantage of.

「 」

Upstairs, in the president’s office.

Chen Fei poured Lin Meishan a cup of coffee and began to brief her on the show’s production budget.

"The currently projected production and marketing cost is 120 million. We can offer Universal Entertainment a one-third investment share."

"Deal. What about the billing?"

Lin Meishan agreed immediately without a second thought.

’It’s a mere 40 million. As long as it can make Gu Pan famous, a few endorsement deals will easily recoup the investment.’

Chen Fei said with a smile, "The top-billed female lead is Jiang Shuying, that was decided long ago. Mao Xiaotong is the second female lead, and Gu Pan is the third."

Lin Meishan argued her case, "I have no objection to Jiang Shuying being the main female lead, but Mao Xiaotong’s role doesn’t seem to have as much screen time as Gu Pan’s, does it?"

Don’t think Lin Meishan was being unreasonable.

In the entertainment industry, fighting over billing was as normal as it gets.

During promotion, for example, there would definitely be a difference in focus.

The top-billed female lead would certainly receive more promotional resources.

Even between the second and third female leads, their status was different.

"Then Gu Pan will have second billing, and Mao Xiaotong will have third."

Chen Fei didn’t want to offend Universal Entertainment either.

Besides, Gu Pan was bringing her own funding to the production.

Asking for second female lead billing wasn’t unacceptable.

"A pleasure doing business with you!"

Lin Meishan extended her hand, satisfied, and then chatted with Chen Fei about the acting fee.

Although she was now a female lead, Gu Pan was a newcomer, so her fee definitely wouldn’t be very high.

Her fee of 7 million was 8 million less than the main female lead, Jiang Shuying.

It was only 2 million more than the third female lead, Mao Xiaotong.

And that was only because of her second-billing status.

「 」

Downstairs, Zhang Xiaobo had also accepted reality.

From a logical standpoint, Gu Pan joining the cast...

...would definitely help raise the show’s popularity to another level.

Gu Pan’s looks alone far surpassed Tong Yao, who was previously cast.

As for popularity?

One was a third-tier actress, the other a newcomer.

There wasn’t much of a difference.

"President Lin."

When Zhang Xiaobo saw Lin Meishan walk in with a smile, he didn’t put on airs like before.

To make it in the entertainment industry, the one thing you can’t afford to offend is capital.

This industry lacks good scripts.

Not talented directors.

"Director Zhang, President Xu has already decided that our Panpan will be playing the role of Gu Jia."

"Universal Entertainment will also be investing 40 million as a co-producer for the show."

Lin Meishan shook hands with Zhang Xiaobo.

The information revealed in her words secretly astonished Zhang Xiaobo.

’Spending 40 million to launch a newcomer.’

’The last person in the industry to do that was... who was it again?’

’Oh, Da Tiantian!’

’But unlike Da Tiantian, who has no acting skills, Gu Pan’s performance was nothing like a student from the Beijing Film Academy.’

’It would be more believable if she came from the Central Academy of Drama, which is packed with good actors.’

’She has acting skills, looks, a great figure, and someone willing to throw money at her career.’

’She’s a shoo-in for the next A-list star!’

The industry is very pragmatic; everyone flocks to whoever is about to get famous.

Zhang Xiaobo didn’t dare put on airs anymore and was all smiles and jokes with Gu Pan.

’Who knows, we might have a chance to work together again in the future.’

「 」

Leaving Lemon Film and Television, Gu Pan was still basking in the pleasant surprise of landing the first major role of her life.

"Panpan, your audition performance was flawless. I honestly didn’t expect you to have such amazing acting skills."

Lin Meishan’s gaze towards Gu Pan was also filled with a certain fervor.

Although she had managed several popular young actresses,

at best, they were only second-tier starlets.

The Gu Pan before her already displayed all the essential qualities of a top-tier actress.

A cool and glamorous aura, superb acting, a hot body, excellent bone structure, perfect features...

If she couldn’t make such promising talent famous,

then she might as well just hang it up.

"You’re too kind. I still have a lot to learn."

Gu Pan had great ambitions of her own.

Only by becoming the most famous female star in the industry would she be worthy of standing openly by Qi Sheng’s side.

"As long as you can maintain this humility, I can rest easy."

Lin Meishan glanced at her phone and suddenly smiled playfully. "The boss is here."

"The bo... boss?"

Gu Pan almost had a slip of the tongue but corrected herself just in time.

"That’s his car."

Lin Meishan pointed to a black GMC luxury van not far away.

Just then, Qi Sheng rolled down the window and waved at them with a smile.

Overjoyed, Gu Pan got into the van, surprised that Qi Sheng had come secretly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was worried your audition might not go well, so I came especially to comfort you."

Qi Sheng would never admit that he couldn’t stand the unrestrained demands from that group of women back home.

Compared to Chengdu, there were fewer people here in Shanghai.

Besides Qu Man and Zong Rui, there was just Jiang Wanqiu and Gu Pan.

With just the four of them, Qi Sheng wasn’t afraid at all.

But back in Chengdu, with more than ten of them coming at him together...

...even with his Physique of 95, he could barely handle it!

"Mwah! Love You!"

Gu Pan gave Qi Sheng a happy kiss.

Only then was she in the mood to look around the luxury van.

"Is this a new van you bought?"

During her time in Chengdu, Qi Sheng had taken her out for drives in various different cars.

But this was the first time she’d seen a luxury van like this.

"It’s not mine, it’s your van."

Qi Sheng waved with a smile, saying goodbye to Lin Meishan who was outside.

"My van?"

Gu Pan froze, feeling overwhelmed by the favor.

"This van must be very expensive, right?"

"It’s alright, only 2 million. You’re the top lady of Universal Entertainment. It wouldn’t be right for you not to have a van."

"This van costs 2 million?"

Gu Pan was stunned. It wasn’t that she had never heard of celebrity vans.

But an entry-level GL8 was only about 200,000 to 300,000, right?

Only A-list stars would dare to splurge on this level of luxury van.

And yet, she was still a newcomer but was already receiving the treatment of an A-lister.

She had to admit, Qi Sheng truly doted on her.

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. After this show is done, I’ll arrange other resources for you."

"My advice is to film a few TV series first to build up your popularity."

"Once you’re popular enough, you can take on the big screen."

"Mhm, I’ll listen to whatever you say."

Without needing to be asked, Gu Pan operated the partition function, separating the passenger cabin from the driver’s cockpit.

As a female star being heavily promoted by her sponsor,

she naturally understood how to show her "gratitude."

Gu Feng was driving in the front, his skills exceptionally smooth.

In a 2-million-yuan luxury van, the entire ride experience was top-notch.

Even Gu Feng and the others could only faintly hear a few small sounds.

When they arrived at the Banyan Tree on the North Bund.

Qi Sheng and Gu Pan, who was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, got out of the car together.

Although she wasn’t famous yet, she had the foundation of an absolute beauty.

Just in case, Lin Meishan had told Gu Pan that from now on, she had to be mindful of her privacy.

"Hello, Boss."

Qi Sheng waved his hand. "Carry on with your work."

He took Gu Pan’s small hand and headed straight for the private elevator to the presidential suite.

Once inside the presidential suite, Gu Pan quickly took off her hat and sunglasses.

"Whew, that’s exhausting!"

Gu Pan wasn’t even famous yet, but she was already getting a taste of a celebrity’s troubles.

Fame is a double-edged sword.

It allows them to earn more money.

But their privacy is also completely exposed to the public.

"To prevent you from being followed by paparazzi after you get famous, let’s try a few new moves."

Gu Pan: "Huh???"

Two of her handprints appeared on the presidential suite’s floor-to-ceiling window.

Fortunately, she wasn’t famous yet.

If she were famous and the paparazzi actually caught a picture of that, she could forget about her acting career.

She might as well just go home and prepare to have babies like An Xin.