Chapter 745: The Domineering Director Zheng

Although Jian Liting hadn't filmed for a while, she had been honing her acting skills by performing plays for the past few years, and her handling of micro-expressions was even better than the self of a few years ago.

Just after auditioning for a while, Zheng Chengxin immediately made a decision and said thunderously: "It's you. Film tonight, can you?"

Jian Liting also agreed very refreshingly: "Okay!"

She agreed so quickly, which made Director Zheng a bit puzzled.

After the audition

"Your schedule must be very empty lately; I asked you to come over to film today, and you rushed over immediately.

And when I asked you to start filming tonight, you didn't have a single objection, and you even agreed without asking about the contract."

Director Zheng asked skeptically: "Aren't you afraid that I'll give you a contract with a price significantly lower than the market rate and cheat you?"

Who would have thought that Jian Liting's answer would be so frank.

"Director Zheng, if you really wanted to cheat me, there would be no need to go to such great lengths, making me audition and then asking me to join the crew to film immediately.

You only need to send me an invitation to act in a movie, and I would sign it without even looking at the script. Even if the price were low, or even if it were a free, unpaid role, I would be willing."

She looked steadily at Director Zheng Chengxin, a trace of self-mockery crossing the corners of her mouth.

"You probably don't know that I haven't received any acting roles for two years. With no roles to play, I've only been able to rely on performing in stage plays to make a living."

Zheng Chengxin was stunned for a moment, then said with some disbelief: "You haven't filmed in two years? That's not right!

Your acting skills are quite good; why haven't you received any roles in two years? Did something go wrong?"

He looked Jian Liting up and down several times and asked suspiciously: "Could it be that your conduct is poor and you've ruined your reputation in the industry?"

Jian Liting immediately denied it: "No, there is no problem with my personal character or quality; it's just that my company doesn't want me to film."

Director Zheng didn't understand: "Why doesn't your company want you to film? With your acting skills, you could take on anything from idol dramas to realistic subjects on the market. You are fully capable of playing them. As long as you are willing to lower your asking price, it's impossible to have no roles."

As the conversation reached this point, Jian Liting hesitated for a moment and decided to speak her true thoughts.

The excuse she had originally prepared was that the company didn't see much profit in her, so they decided to reallocate her resources to younger stars who could bring the company greater benefits, and that she had been phased out.

But when faced with Director Zheng's sincere gaze, she suddenly didn't want to brush it off anymore.

Anyway, she would make this matter public sooner or later, so what harm was there in revealing it to someone in the industry?

In her eyes, having suffered from a mental illness was not a shameful thing.

She was just sick, just like having a common cold or cough.

She was sick, and then she was cured.

She is now cured, and has long been able to mention the past without shame or reservation.

Jian Liting: "It might be because the illness I once had made the company feel embarrassed."

Director Zheng blurted out: "An illness that makes people feel embarrassed—is your private life very chaotic?"

Once these words were out, Jian Liting was left speechless by Director Zheng's train of thought.

She clarified with a blank expression: "I don't have a boyfriend, nor do I have a partner. I have been single since birth, thank you."

Fearing she might hear some other earth-shattering news from Director Zheng's mouth, she quickly continued:

"When I was in school, I was bullied, which left me with a long-term shadow and led to depression.

After entering the entertainment industry, I hid my sad past, thinking I could face it strongly and that as long as I followed the company's steps, everything would go smoothly.

Until a few years ago, when I took on a drama also related to school bullying, the accumulated mental illness erupted all at once. I closed myself off to an extreme degree, which led to having to be replaced halfway through filming.

Now I am cured, and I want to write a book about my past experiences to share with more people, hoping they can draw some strength from me."

Zheng Chengxin nodded repeatedly as he listened, feeling relieved, and the expression on his face relaxed.

"That's a good thing, quite good. The probability of stars suffering from this kind of mental illness is actually quite high.

I have several friends in the industry who have also had this illness; it just wasn't as severe as yours, but they have always been receiving treatment."

Seeing that he was not repulsed, Jian Liting felt a little more at ease, and the following words were easier to say.

"But my company does not agree with me doing this. They think it doesn't fit the image I've cultivated in the past and are very afraid that I will have a scandal.

I argued with the company several times, but to no avail, so the company cut off all my resources and turned to wholeheartedly promoting newcomers. They want to quickly produce a newcomer to replace my position."

Zheng Chengxin suddenly realized; he understood completely now.

"No wonder I've rarely heard news of you in the past two years, and haven't seen you join any crews. So, you were being frozen by your company."

Jian Liting nodded, "That's why I cherish every opportunity. The reason I was worried about the company intercepting the deal when we talked on the phone earlier was also because of this.

I was worried that the company wouldn't let me go and wouldn't allow me to take this role, after all, my management contract is still with the company and doesn't expire until next year. I was also worried that if they knew I had resources through you, they would find you and force you to replace me."

She said self-mockingly: "This kind of thing hasn't happened just once or twice. Every time I finally managed to take on a drama and the contract was signed, I thought it was settled.

But when it was time to start filming, I was told not to come anymore, and the crew had replaced me with other artists from the company."

Jian Liting's expression turned stern, "Director Zheng, it was my fault for not being clear with you before the audition. Now that you know everything, do you still want to use me?"

Zheng Chengxin saw the determination in her eyes and suddenly smiled.

He first said affirmatively: "You are a good actor. I see an actor's conviction in you, so I believe that as long as you take on a role, you will work hard to polish it well, without me needing to urge you."

Then, he changed the subject: "'Desperate Counterattack' is my life's work. To film this, I even mortgaged my house, so I won't let anyone destroy my life's work, not even an entertainment company."

Zheng Chengxin waved his hand and said heroically: "Just stay in the crew and film with peace of mind. Without my permission, no one can take you away from the crew.

As for your company, I will talk to them, don't worry."

Jian Liting's hand hanging by her leg couldn't help but clench tightly; only this action could reveal the restless thoughts in her heart.

But she was still a little worried, so she didn't sign a contract with the crew.

This way, if her company comes knocking later, she will have a reason to explain that she was helping out for free.

If the company wants to sue the crew, they won't be able to, because she is working for free.

That night, Jian Liting left the crew and returned to the hotel. She specifically called Jin Li to thank her for being willing to help her and for providing her with such a good opportunity.

This is a movie!

And a big production directed by Director Zheng!

If it were a few years ago when she still had some fame in the industry, she could only film TV dramas and it was hard to reach the level of movies.

At that time, she had the heart to enter the film industry, but the company wouldn't let her take any roles other than the second female lead.

In the company's eyes, her commercial value could not be damaged.

For the sake of a movie, barely playing the second female lead was already the maximum concession.

If possible, the company wanted her to take the first female lead role in movies too.

But Jian Liting knew that was impossible.

A few years ago, she clearly had the opportunity to enter the film circle, but under the company's strenuous demands, it kept dragging on, and she could never find a good time.

Unexpectedly, now, at her lowest point, she had touched the opportunity of the film circle instead.

And all of this was brought by Jin Li.

If there were a benefactor in her life, then without a doubt, Jin Li was her greatest benefactor.

Jin Li couldn't help but raise her eyebrows upon hearing her thanks, and asked with interest:

"So you filmed tonight, didn't sign a contract with the crew, and Director Zheng guaranteed to you that he would handle your company, letting you film properly?"

Jian Liting: "Yes, that's what he said. I don't know how my company will react; I'm waiting for my manager to call me."

Jin Li smiled: "It's already 10 PM. If it were me, I wouldn't wait; I'd just turn off my phone and recharge.

You probably have a morning shoot tomorrow, right? According to Director Zheng's habits, once he catches a good actor, he will make the most of them and make you film more. You should prepare yourself mentally for that."

Jian Liting hesitated: "Then I'll turn off my phone too."

Jin Li: "Go ahead. With Director Zheng stepping in, things might not be as bad as you imagine."

Jian Liting closed her eyes and lay on the warm and comfortable bed.

She thought that because she hadn't joined a crew for many years, she would be too excited to sleep.

But as soon as she lay on the bed, exhaustion surged like a tide, and she quickly entered dreamland.

The next day, she turned on her phone and didn't receive any calls from the company.

Jian Liting was a bit confused.

Did the company agree, or do they not know yet?

Never mind, hurry to the crew to film first.

This filming lasted for two days straight.

Two days later, Jian Liting's company finally received the message sent by Director Zheng.

Both the company president and Jian Liting's direct manager were very surprised.

Director Zheng just told them about a settled matter, rather than discussing inviting Jian Liting over to film with them.

He looked very overbearing, and they didn't know where such righteous confidence came from.

The company president said in a deep voice: "Jian Liting is an artist of our company, she hasn't terminated her contract yet, and her management contract is still with the company. How can Director Zheng be so sure that we will let Jian Liting go film?

That is the 'Desperate Counterattack' crew. Such a good opportunity, why give it to a Jian Liting who is almost non-existent? If it were given to a young star with good momentum in the company, how great that would be; it could further consolidate popularity and influence."

The president looked at the manager and said coldly: "Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Jian Liting lately? Ruin all her stage play performances and don't let her appear in front of the audience again.

It would be best if she took this opportunity to quit the entertainment industry. If she could propose to terminate her contract with the company, that would be even better; the company could also earn a sum of liquidated damages."

The manager said with a puzzled face: "I've been watching her; I've already made it so she can't get any stage play performances.

I also don't know how she got connected with Director Zheng. After all, I also have young stars with good development on hand. If I had the resources for 'Desperate Counterattack', why wouldn't I give it to other artists I have, but give it to her?"

The president stared coldly at the manager, "If you had been watching her properly, how could you have let her appear in Director Zheng's crew? You should have cut her off when she bought the plane ticket.

I don't care how Jian Liting got this opportunity; she is your artist. You find her, make her exchange the resources with other artists, so that she can still smoothly terminate her contract with the company later, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite!"

The manager's face was full of bitterness.

She didn't know what to say either; she hadn't received any news at all, and Jian Liting had just quietly climbed onto Director Zheng's ship like this.

And looking at Director Zheng's attitude, I'm afraid he won't fire Jian Liting.

The president says it lightly, but it's her who has to run her legs off!

The manager had no choice but to buy the next flight to the Film and Television City.

She wanted to go to the crew in person to explain to Director Zheng and see if the cooperation could be extended to other artists in the company. If not, then Jian Liting could not continue to stay in the crew to film.

If the company doesn't allow her to take it, then she can't take it.

What the manager didn't know was that while she was on the plane, the company president couldn't hold back and had already called Zheng Chengxin.

At that time, Director Zheng was filming a very important scene. Because his personal phone kept ringing, he had to interrupt the filming rhythm and answered the call in a bad mood.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he asked with a fiery temper: "Who is it!"

"It's me, Director Zheng. I am the president of XX Entertainment, and I want to talk to you about Jian Liting. She is an artist under my company—"

"I don't have time to talk to you now." Director Zheng refused decisively, "I'll show you a few things in a while. After you finish reading them, call me again at 8 PM, and then we'll talk properly."

After Director Zheng hung up the phone, he dialed other people's numbers.

He had already communicated with those people in advance about what to do, so this time he only said one thing when he called: "You can start now."

Before long, a certain paparazzi in the entertainment industry suddenly broke the news.

[Explosive! A well-known director blasts a certain entertainment company, saying they only care about earning the artists' termination fees and don't care about the artists' lives at all. Even first-line artists have been frozen, and first-line artists are facing sky-high termination claims!]

[Breaking news! Director Zheng recently criticized a certain entertainment company because of the crew's casting. He said that he was clearly very good to the actors, but the company took advantage of the situation, demanded to change artists, and even demanded to increase the performance fees!]

[Breaking news! The actors of 'Desperate Counterattack' are in trouble again. It is suspected that the management company behind a certain artist demanded a last-minute role change and also demanded sky-high announcement fees!]

These revelations appeared abruptly and immediately occupied the hot searches of major social media platforms. At the same time, many staff members, whether true or false, commented and broke big news.

[Decoded in seconds, it's talking about Jian Liting and the company behind her]

[Hiss—is it actually Jian Liting? Even a first-line artist like her can't escape the company's sky-high termination fee?]

[Is Jian Liting planning to jump ship, or did she offend someone? There has been no news of her for two years.]

[Jian Liting's company looks like a small workshop; it's not surprising that they would cheat their artists like this]