76 Worried That He Would Not Cherish the Opportunity 2
Zhou Yanshen asked his secretary to send the scripts in. âThese are all major productions. No matter which character he plays, he will have a very high chance of making himself known.â
âThese are not suitable.â
âThen what kind do you want?â
âJust an ordinary one.â Lin Jiao pushed the scripts back. âHeâs still a C-list actor now. These arenât for him.â
Zhou Yanshen asked his secretary to change again.
While Lin Jiao was reading the new batch of scripts, he slowly lit a cigarette. âThese are the worst productions I have. Are you sure you want it?â
âPositive.â
Lin Jiao selected two that she would be interested in watching.
She picked up the glass and took two sips of lemon tea, asking, âWhatâs the next step?â
âWhen he chooses a role, weâll sign the contract.â
âDoesnât he have to go through an audition?â
âNo need.â Zhou Yanshen crossed his legs and puffed out smoke. âIâll just send him into the production team.â
âThatâs too easy for him.â
âAre you afraid he wonât cherish the opportunity?â
âIâm also afraid heâll get too comfortable.â Lin Jiao did not plan to do what Pei Yilan said, âI think itâs better to test him before giving him a role that he can take on.â
Zhou Yanshen understood her concerns.
He took a photo of the script and sent it to his secretary. âThen Iâll leave two audition slots for him. Whether he can pass or not will depend on him.â
âAlright.â Lin Jiao put down the glass.
After getting a rough understanding of the entertainment industry, she picked up the script and prepared to leave. âBrother Yanshen, donât tell Uncle.â
âI wonât.â Zhou Yanshen sent her to the elevator. âBe careful on the way. Tell me when you arrive.â
Lin Jiao nodded.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the assistant, who had been waiting for her, ran over.
âMiss, can I add you on WeChat?â She showed Lin Jiao her work pass.
âWhy?â
âThere is something I have to tell you.â
Lin Jiao looked at her suspiciously. âWho asked you to approach me?â
âA female actor.â
âWhat is she up to?â
âIâm not sure.â The assistant hurriedly took out her phone, afraid that Lin Jiao would leave. âAdd me and Iâll help you ask.â
Lin Jiao was speechless.
She rejected gently, âIâm sorry, I donât like adding strangers.â
âThen can I leave your photo number?â
âIâm afraid not.â
The assistant caught up with her and nagged in her ear like a bee, âMiss, can you do me this favor? Please.â
âWhat will happen to you if I donât?â
âIâll be reproached.â
Lin Jiao could not bear to see someone getting into trouble because of her.
She read out a string of numbers, thinking that she would decide what to do after the female actor explained her intentions.
âThank you!â The assistant was so grateful that she wanted to bow to her. âMiss, youâre really kind.â
âYouâre welcome.â Lin Jiao smiled faintly.
On the way back, she called Pei Yilan. âI got him a shooting opportunity.â
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âJiang Ye, you got a job!â Yang Qifeng walked into the ward and handed the script to him excitedly.
âTwo scripts?â
âYes, you can try both.â
Jiang Ye, who once had a hard time finding even one shooting opportunity, held the script tightly in disbelief. The frustration he felt was gradually replaced by joy.
He flipped to the first page with trembling fingers. When he saw the names of the director and screenwriter, he was puzzled.
âHow did you secure this opportunity for me?â
âFrom a friend.â
âWhich friend?â
âYou wonât know him even if I tell you.â Yang Qifeng raised his chin at the script. âHurry up and read it. The audition is next Monday.â
Jiang Ye took out the second script.
He stared at the directorâs name and had an answer. âItâs from Pei Yilan, right?â
Yang Qifeng could not bring himself to lie to him.
He put down his briefcase and sat on the sofa. Just as he was about to talk to him about the pros and cons, the script was thrown at him and landed at his feet.
âDid you ask for my opinion?!â Jiang Yeâs hoarse voice was mixed with emotions that even he could not tell.
He questioned Yang Qifeng with bloodshot eyes, âI said I donât want to use her. Why are you still doing this?â
Yang Qifeng picked up the scripts and patted the dust off it.
He did not care about being shouted at by Jiang Ye and said calmly, âI only asked her for two audition chances. Whether or not you can get selected is not decided yet.â
âSo?â
âItâs not a big deal. You are going too far to say we are using her.â
âNot a big deal?â Jiang Ye sneered.
He felt like he was being strangled. It was hard to breathe. âIâm not the one who owes her a favor. Of course you donât think itâs a big deal.â
âYou can return the favor.â Yang Qifeng looked squarely into his eyes. âBut if you lose this opportunity, you are done for.â
âItâs not the deadline yet, is it?â
âWill you only compromise when you get slapped in the face by the brutal reality? Jiang Ye, you have no choice.â
These words were like a punch to Jiang Yeâs heart.
He covered his pale face as tears streamed down.
He hated himself for being incompetent and for needing the help of others to get a job.
He also hated himself for not having the gut to just quit.
âSheâs coming to see you after work.â Yang Qifeng placed the script by the bed. âDonât think too much about it. Itâs best to let nature take its course.â
Jiang Ye did not respond.
Just like when he was young, he huddled against the wall with his arms clasping around his knees, like an injured puppy silently licking his wounds.
With the last bit of evening glow gone, the entire ward was shrouded in darkness.
Pei Yilan, who came to visit, pushed the door open and entered, bringing him the light he needed and yearned for the most.
She stood by the bed and called out softly, âJiang Ye?â
âUm.â Lights started to gather up in his dim eyes.
âI thought you were asleep.â
âNo.â Hearing the sound of plastic bags being opened, Jiang Ye sat up on the bed.
He looked at the food on the table and felt a lump in his throat. âWhy are you so good to me?â