Chapter 36: Mysterious Recommendation Letter (3)
The next day, Li Qi called Lan Jinyao to organise a meeting with the new Director. That person had a rather strange stage name; Big Fish. When they were on their way to meet him, Lan Jinyao kept pestering Li Qi to find out why he didn't use his real name. Li Qi told her that she would understand why later on when she met him in person. Then, when they arrived at their destination, Lan Jinyao looked at the manâs facial features which were slightly hidden underneath his cap, and her eyes widened in surprise.
âThis is the so-called new Director recommended by Director Chang?â
Didnât they say that he wasnât famous? Werenât they saying that he didnât have any previous works? Then what was up with this scenario in front of her? To think that the King of Acting had changed professions and was now a Director!
âLi Qi, do you know him? Heâs Alan, the male lead of the movie âBloodâ from many years ago. Heâs the one who was crowned the King of Acting after filming that movie! Why would Chang Sheng say that he was a rookie? Thatâs utterly unfathomable.â
Lan Jinyao had never expected that she would get to see this person here as sheâd thought that heâd never set foot in the entertainment circle again. After all, so many years had already passed.
She was so excited that she didn't even notice that her fingernails were jabbing Li Qiâs skin.
Li Qi frowned and shook her hand away. He then remarked with a dumbfounded expression, âI didn't realise that your taste is so similar to that of Jinyaoâs. This actor stepped down many years ago. Now, most likely only a few people still remember him. Itâs unexpected that youâd know who he is.â
Even Chang Sheng, a first-class Director of the entertainment industry didnât know who Alan was. To think that a shallow woman like Chen Meimei would actually be able to recognise him was a surprise.
The moment Lan Jinyao heard Li Qi mention her real name, the smile on her face froze for an instant and her expression became somewhat unnatural.
âHello, Chen Meimei!â
The man removed his cap and revealed the face of a man in his thirties before extending his hand towards Chen Meimei.
Oh, this was her idolâs hand! Lan Jinyao seized his hand and was reluctant to let go. If it werenât for the fact that Li Qi coughed twice beside her, she probably wouldnât have let go of his hand.
While Lan Jinyao and Alan were discussing the roles on their end, Chang Sheng, on the other hand, was holding onto a letter as he entered Blue Hall Entertainment to look for Chen Meimei. After waiting in the office for a long while with the envelope in his hand, there was still no sign of Chen Meimei.
As far as he knew, Chen Meimei ought to be at the company by now!
When another ten minutes had passed, Chen Meimei had still not appeared. Instead, he happened to bump into Shen Yu. Shen Yu was actually just passing by the office on his way to look for an artist, but heâd surprisingly run into this busy bee. It was entirely unexpected for him to visit the company, so he immediately walked in and greeted him.
âDirector Chang, how did you have the time to come over today? Could it be that youâve got your eyes on a certain artist of ours?â
Chang Sheng awkwardly smiled and replied, âIndeed, I came here today to look for Chen Meimei. Iâve just started shooting A Thousand Years Of Tears, and someoneâs already recommending a new artist to me for a role. Moreover, the recommended artist was Chen Meimei. This favourâs really hard to decline! Hence, I came here today to talk to Chen Meimei about this matter.â
âSomeone recommended Chen Meimei?â Shen Yu's curiosity was immediately roused upon hearing what Chang Sheng had said.
As far as Chen Meimei was concerned, she didnât have many connections, yet someone actually recommended her? That person was certainly not simple, as he or she had managed to make even Chang Sheng give some leeway this time.
Shen Yu asked again, âDirector Chang, didn't you say yesterday that youâve already recommended Chen Meimei for a new drama?â
âHaha, the production of that new drama wonât start so soon as the roles havenât been finalised yet. Granted, although Chen Meimei landed the lead role, it doesnât really matter because when sheâs finished filming my drama, thereâs still enough time for her to shoot the new one!â As he was talking, realisation struck him, and he continued, âOh, right! Wasnât Chen Meimei going to meet Big Fish today?â
Shen Yuâs curiosity grew after hearing those words, so he asked, âWhoâs the person who recommended Chen Meimei? Would you mind divulging this to me?â
âHa, there nothing to hide even if I tell you. You also know that person as she used to be under the banner of your company; Lan Jinyao!â
âLan Jinyao...â
Shen Yu abruptly stood up while asking, âYouâre saying it was from Lan Jinyao? But, isnât she already...â
âYes, sheâs already passed away. I was also startled at first when I received this letter, but the date shown on it is from before her death. I reckon that the two girls knew each other and that the recommendation letter was also written from back then. Besides, Jinyao was originally appointed as the female lead, so it could be that since the two were on good terms, she wanted to recommend Chen Meimei for a role in the same drama!â
âThose two were on good terms?â Shen Yu furrowed his eyebrows as he questioned Chang Sheng. Were Chen Meimei and Lan Jinyao close to one another? How come he wasnât aware of this? However, they were so close that sheâd even written a recommendation letter for Chen Meimei!
He wanted to ask more questions, but Chang Shengâs phone rang, and he had to excuse himself. Not long after hanging up, he said to Shen Yu, âIt's regrettable, but today I still have some matters to attend to so Iâll leave first. As for that matter, could I trouble Director Shen to speak to Chen Meimei about it?!â
Shen Yu immediately agreed. âOf course, thatâs no problem at all! Itâs just...Director Chang, could I have a look at the letter in your hands?â
Chang Sheng shoved the letter into Shen Yuâs hands before he started to walk away, adding on his way out, âThereâs no issue with the handwriting; itâs Jinyaoâs for certain. Although I donât think very highly of Chen Meimei, I do believe in Jinyaoâs insight. Iâm sure that she wouldnât let me down.â
â¦â¦
No matter what, a deceased personâs wishes should be honoured, and not to mention, the friendship between the two couldnât be overlooked. When Shen Yu received the letter, he ran straight to Fu Bainian's office. As soon as he entered, he saw Fu Bainian sitting behind his desk, so he threw the envelope on his desk. He was panting as he said, âMake a guess: who do you think wrote this letter?â
Fu Bainian looked up and glanced at the blank envelope. He stared expressionlessly at Shen Yu and said, âA group of new people just joined the company. Since youâre so idle at the moment, you can go and take a look!â
Shen Yu waved his hand. âThatâs not important; whatâs important is this letter. I just received it from Chang Sheng. Itâs a recommendation letter written by a certain person for Chen Meimei, and itâs for a role in A Thousand Years Of Tears. Donât you want to have a look?â
âSomeone wrote a letter of recommendation for Chen Meimei? Director Chang really went through a lot of trouble as he personally came over to deliver this letter to us. Chen Meimei mustâve been rejected firmly this time, so she ought to have given up by now!â
âNope, thatâs not the case at all! Chang Sheng came over today not only to deliver this letter but to also inform Chen Meimei that she could go and report to him for a role.â
After speaking for so long, Shen Yu noticed that he was slowly being led off-topic by Fu Bainian, so he quickly said, âThatâs not the main point, the main point is the person who wrote this letter. Do you know who that person is?â
âWho?â Fu Bainian asked in response.
To tell the truth, he was slightly curious since that person had made such a significant impact on Chang Shengâs decision.
Shen Yu laughed and said, âItâs the person you love the most; Lan Jinyao!â
Upon hearing that personâs name, Fu Bainian froze and his gaze locked on the letter.