Chapter 60

You are Shen Teng?!

Oh, yeah, I am……

How could you be Shen Teng?

Ah? I……

Sorry, let me take a moment.

The stage play version of Happy Twisted Dough's Crazy Stone was in rehearsal; in the afternoon, Chen Ci met Shen Teng himself and the other actors backstage as promised.

At first sight of the person, he was dazed; the person before him had delicate features, handsome looks, and skin so tender it seemed water could be squeezed out—could this really be Shen Teng?

Originally, Chen Ci had roughly worked out Shen Teng's character image on his way here.

As a result, after all this, how are we supposed to play it?

Chen Ci gave a wry smile: 'I didn't expect Director Shen to be so young……'

I also didn't expect Director Chen to be so young; when Director Ning introduced himself on the phone, I thought I had misheard.

Shen Teng wasn't just being polite; he lamented that even the post-80s generation is making movies now?

However, once Shen Teng learned about Chen Ci's family background, he suddenly felt that everything was so natural……

What did Director Ning say about me?

Huh? Besides being young, promising, handsome and suave, there doesn't seem to be anything else.

He really has an eye for people.

Ah? Right, Director Chen, please have a seat……

In just a few short sentences, they each deepened their understanding, especially regarding thick‑skinnedness.

Chen Ci glanced at the spacious venue: 'Sit, where?'

Shen Teng hurriedly said: 'Sorry, I misspoke; let me first introduce Director Chen to our two executive directors, Yan Fei and Da Mo……'

Over there they had already lined up; it was clear they were well prepared, and Shen Teng introduced them one by one.

Many familiar names appeared; besides Director Shen Teng, for example, those two executive directors—didn't they direct the movie Summer Holiday?

Moreover, many veteran actors of Twisted Dough, as well as many acquaintances, such as Zhang Yang, Wei Xiang, and Qian Fu Ge, etc.

Happy Twisted Dough is indeed full of talent, but there's one actress who left a deep impression on Chen Ci who apparently isn't present today.

Could it be that she hasn't joined Happy Twisted Dough? That shouldn't be the case……

After greeting several people in turn, Chen Ci faced Shen Teng again: 'Happy Twisted Dough is overflowing with yang and lacking yin—why are there so few actresses?'

Shen Teng smiled and replied: 'It's just that our play has few female roles; the others are waiting across at the hotel.'

What is the hotel waiting for?

They're waiting to welcome Director Chen; the preparations were rushed because time is tight, Director Chen, please don't mind……

Chen Ci originally thought saying they didn't need to eat would be fine, but given their warm hospitality, he might as well go get to know the other Twisted Dough actors……

Brothers and sisters, I brought Director Chen Ci here!

Bang bang!

As soon as the Gate opened, two strings of confetti fireworks exploded beside my ears, and immediately I saw people forming a circle in the room, all bowing to Chen Ci.

Director Chen Ci good.

The scene before me inexplicably reminded me of the line 'Boss Wang good!' from the movie *Hello Mr. Billionaire*.

Faced with this warm welcome that still had a hint of rustic charm, Chen Ci felt a bit torn between laughter and tears.

That said, the atmosphere in the room was still not bad.

No wonder, coming from a comedy background, they didn't break character even once.

Going around and greeting everyone, wow, there were even more acquaintances.

Dachun, Xunian… and that actress Chen Ci had previously thought of, all were included.

Shen Teng chimed in: 'Director Chen Ci, do you still have that idea?'

Chen Ci paused, then instead of answering, he asked back: 'When Ning Hao came before, did you guys do this to him? What was his reaction then?'

'Before, we went to Ning Hao's studio to find him.'

'That's a pity; we should have let him see that too—then I guess your collaboration would have fallen through.'

""

Seeing the embarrassment in Shen Teng's smile, Chen Ci patted his shoulder and laughed: 'Haha, just joking.'

Haha……

Shen Teng was about to laugh along, but Chen Ci had already stepped forward, facing the Twisted Dough crowd.

'I'm very happy today, but time is limited, so let's skip the pleasantries—you all probably know why I'm here.'

Chen Ci turned his head, exchanged a glance with Shen Teng, who gave a slight nod.

Chen Ci then said: 'On behalf of the Sewing Machine Band film crew, I sincerely invite you to audition for the crew. Soon Director Shen will send everyone the role details and my acting requirements.'

Chen Ci suddenly switched to being decisive and efficient, and Shen Teng hadn't quite reacted yet.

After a moment's pause, he continued: 'Ah, right—don't worry, Director Chen Ci, everyone in Twisted Dough, up and down, takes this collaboration very seriously.'

'Alright then, let's set the audition time for one week from now; everyone should prepare early. I won't bother you further—I'll leave it at that for today.'

After Chen Ci finished speaking, he turned his head and looked toward Shen Teng again.

He hesitated a bit, but still nodded: 'Then Director Chen Ci, you go ahead and get busy…'

Fortunately, when they left, they didn't do any farewell ceremony, which would have been too awkward.

As for his coming and going in a hurry, Chen Ci didn't care much about how the Twisted Dough people would gossip about him behind his back.

The entertainment industry is just a place of fame and profit; everything relies solely on 'strength'.

Those with strength will naturally have others follow them; otherwise, everything is meaningless.

He walked out of the gate, Shen Teng following him all the way, and finally called out to him.

Chen Ci, wait……

Oh, Shen Teng, I'll give you the script in a moment.

Chen Ci, besides the script there's also something else……

Anything else?

Shen Teng paused, as if organizing his words: 'Chen Ci, can our cooperation this time go a bit deeper?'

Shen Teng spoke while curling a 'subtle' smile at the corner of his mouth, making it hard not to think lewdly.

How exactly do you mean 'deeper'?

It's like this, Chen Ci: can our cooperation this time not be limited to just actors……

What, Twisted Dough wants to invest?

Cough……

Shen Teng gave an embarrassed cough; they don't have the money to mess around with movies.

Chen Ci misunderstood; forget it, I'll just say it straight.

You should have said it straight earlier.

Chen Ci's blunt, cold honesty left Shen Teng stunned again.

Well, actually our Twisted Dough creative team also wants to go to Chen Ci's set to gain some experience……

Saying this, Shen Teng suddenly puffed out his chest and shouted loudly: 'When the time comes, Director Chen can boss them around; they'll do any work, no pay needed, just give them boxed meals.'

Chen Ci stroked his chin stubble expressionlessly: 'Boxed meals……'

Seeing this, Shen Teng gritted his teeth and stamped his foot: 'Fine, let them bring their own……'

Haha.

Chen Ci finally couldn't hold back his laughter and patted Shen Teng on the shoulder.

I'm not some exploitative capitalist either; I'll just pay them according to this year's Jingcheng minimum wage standard.

Huh? The minimum……

According to the Jingcheng minimum wage standard raised this July, it's no less than 4.36 yuan per hour and no less than 730 yuan per month……

Chen Ci is really generous.

It's all I should do; Shen Teng, any other questions?

There wasn't supposed to be any……

Shen Teng's gaze at Chen Ci grew gradually strange; after a brief hesitation he murmured softly: 'Our actors' paychecks probably aren't also calculated by the minimum wage, are they……'