Chapter 364: Not Wanting to Clash Schedules, Better to Strike While the Iron is Hot

After hearing Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie's explanation, Jin Li and Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang realized that *My Mediocre Life* wasn't something that could just be filmed whenever one pleased.

Without any public attention, it was difficult to secure investment for this type of film, leaving it reliant on official subsidies.

But once there was attention, everything from investment to site selection and set decoration would require a great deal of effort, making a quick start to filming very difficult.

Seeing that Chenxi Entertainment was always urging for filming to begin, Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie tentatively asked, "Does Jin Li have any other engagements later that might clash with the schedule for this drama?"

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang pondered for a moment and said, "I won't hide it from you. Jin Li has obtained an audition opportunity for Director Chu Chu Chenliang's commercial film. Although it's only for the second female lead and the role isn't very heavy, we aren't sure how long he will need to film."

"If she passes the audition, it will likely take another month or two of waiting. Jin Li wants to film *Mediocre* first, and by the time she's halfway through and the workload isn't as heavy, it will be just right for her to go film Director Chu's movie."

She changed her tone: "Of course, since Jin Li hasn't auditioned yet, Director Chu might not even want her. We are just being cautious and thinking ahead about these concerns."

Upon hearing the name "Chu Chu Chenliang," Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie's heart skipped a beat.

*Damn it, is a big director like Chu Chu Chenliang going to compete with me for her? How could I possibly win against Director Chu? *

But upon hearing "second female lead" afterward, Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie felt slightly relieved.

He had seen every one of Director Chu's films; the audience mainly went for the special effects, which was a hallmark of his commercial films.

However, unlike other directors of commercial films, Director Chu would at least discuss some spiritual core and convey positive values, which is why some of his films were called "both good and popular" by the outside world.

Although Director Chu tried his best not to make every character in his films a stereotype, no matter what, the second female lead's screen time could never compare to the first.

Based on his previous experience as a gopher on commercial film sets, Jin Li's screen time as the second female lead would likely be very minimal.

Even with Jin Li's high popularity, she wouldn't necessarily be favored in Director Chu's film; after all, Director Chu's status was set in stone.

If Jin Li didn't film it, there were plenty of stars lining up to do it, even for free.

Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie pondered, "Actually, the investment and venue I mentioned will take half a month to finalize, but that's only a rough estimate. If we really want to polish everything, it will take at least a month or two."

"How about this: let Jin Li go to the audition first, see what Director Chu's arrangements are, and let her film the blockbuster first. It won't be too late for her to join our crew after she finishes."

Neither Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie nor Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang mentioned the word "schedule-clashing." Being able to finish one project and immediately start another was the best-case scenario.

But if the schedules of both parties overlapped, then schedule-clashing would be inevitable.

Although directors generally dislike actors clashing schedules, it was an unavoidable reality.

The more popular an actor, the tighter their schedule.

Either the actor films two dramas at once, or the production team weighs the options to see if they are willing to delay filming for the actor.

Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie clashing with Chu Chu Chenliang... Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie had enough self-awareness to know that the one who would have to back down definitely wouldn't be Director Chu.

As for Jin Li, his entire drama had been revitalized by her, so he dared not have any opinions about her.

Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie took the initiative to say, "You don't need to worry too much. The *Mediocre* crew can delay filming for Jin Li. It won't be too late for her to join the crew after she finishes Director Chu's film."

"It just so happens that this will give *Mediocre* more planning time to make it even more perfect. There are many ideas I only have a rough plan for, and I was worried about not having enough time. I actually wanted more time."

Jin Li pondered for a while and said, "Actually, I still don't want to clash schedules. It's best to keep the filming separate as much as possible. If I pass Director Chu's audition, I will tell him about this."

Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie felt a bit grateful. If Jin Li was willing to speak to Director Chu, it proved that in her heart, the *Mediocre* crew was equally important.

Otherwise, who would care if his drama clashed with a big director's film? If she could delay, she would; if she couldn't, she just wouldn't film it!

Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie, not knowing what he thought of, said, "I have a friend who used to be an assistant for Director Chu. He can help me put in a good word, so I'll talk to him about it."

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia was off today. Not only did she have a meal with He He He Yixuan, but she also attended the public class arranged by the company for the weekend with her.

After class, the two opened a dance studio to practice.

Recently, He He He Yixuan had been noticeably much freer. Gong Gong Gong Jiajia felt this the most, because every time she asked her out for dinner recently, she was able to come.

Unlike a month ago, when it wasn't that she had to film, it was that she had signed up for an acting class, or that she was going to the grand theater to watch a senior perform... anyway, she could never be asked out.

Seeing that this dance practice was about to end and it was dinner time again, Gong Gong Gong Jiajia looked at He He He Yixuan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

He He He Yixuan looked up at the large mirror in front, and without turning her head, said, "Ask whatever you want. You've been wearing that bitter-melon expression all day today. I feel uncomfortable just looking at you."

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly, "I saw the news online. I heard that Ruiyu Entertainment got the third female lead role for *My Mediocre Life*, and it was specifically given to them by Chenxi Entertainment. Since the company can give it to other companies, why can't they give it to you? Do you want to apply to Sister Fang?"

He He He Yixuan said indifferently, "If the company wants to give it to me, they will naturally give it to me. If they don't intend to, no matter how I ask, I won't get it. There's no need to try."

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia said uncomprehendingly, "Why? Opportunities have to be actively fought for. If you don't express your thoughts to Sister Fang, how will she know what you want?"

He He He Yixuan curled her lips in a cold sneer. *Why hadn't she fought for it? *

It was just that between Jin Li and her, the manager chose Jin Li.

She had chosen not to fight for the past two years because she had seen through it.

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia also thought of the rumors circulating in the company and said hesitantly, "He He Yixuan, before, Sister Jin Li's status wasn't stable yet, so it wasn't easy to give announcements to other artists. This would also make Sister Jin Li feel that the company didn't value her."

"But everyone is different now. Sister Jin Li's status is very stable, so it doesn't matter if her announcements are given away. I've already taken on several music variety shows that Sister Jin Li didn't want, and Sister Fang didn't say anything."

"I think you should communicate with Sister Fang. If you talk it out properly, Sister Fang will definitely help you arrange it. Charity begins at home, you know! People say *My Mediocre Life* is a guaranteed hit!"

He He He Yixuan finally turned her head to look at Gong Gong Gong Jiajia and said three words calmly: "You don't understand."

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia stamped her feet, almost dying of anxiety because of He He He Yixuan.

"Forget it, forget it. It's my meddling. You're just a stubborn mule. Why don't you make it clear to Sister Fang! Would it kill you to fight for an opportunity? Is it even forbidden to ask?"

He He He Yixuan: "How do you know I haven't asked?"

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia said anxiously, "You were only rejected once!"

He He He Yixuan turned her head back and tried to stretch her body: "But you don't know how harsh her criticism was the time I was rejected... Gong Gong Jiajia, it's not that I don't want to fight for it, but Sister Fang has never given me that opportunity."

Gong Gong Gong Jiajia didn't understand, Gong Gong Gong Jiajia was deeply shocked, and Gong Gong Gong Jiajia felt that their managers were not the same person!

In her eyes, Sister Fang was clearly a very easy person to communicate with.

"You... forget it, I can't win against you. Anyway, I'll just remind you. If you don't want to say it, then don't." Gong Gong Gong Jiajia said with her brows tightly knit.

On the internet, the popularity of *My Mediocre Life* had also been noticed by Chu Chu Chenliang's team.

They had once again witnessed Jin Li's influence.

—Bringing a drama back from the dead; this was Jin Li's influence.

The producer, who had collaborated with Chu Chu Chenliang many times, saw the trending topics online these past few days and had privately approached Director Chu several times to ask him.

"Why don't we change Jin Li's second female lead role to the first? I think she is perfectly capable of playing the first female lead. She has both traffic and acting skills."

But every time, he would receive a firm refusal from Chu Chu Chenliang.

"Why don't we just let Jin Li be the first female lead?"

In the spacious conference room, the assistant director, who had collaborated with Chu Chu Chenliang on many films, said this.

Chu Chu Chenliang:...

He said, "Do you know how many people I've rejected, and how many times I've rejected them?"

The assistant director shook his head and said honestly, "I only know that many people must have asked you, but you haven't Match Match Match Match Match Made a move yet, so you definitely haven't agreed."

Director Chu didn't put on an act with him and said crossly, "If you know I won't agree, then why bring it up?"

The assistant director was stubborn: "Bring it up more, and maybe your mind will be swayed. Anyway, Jin Li is very popular right now. If that drama hitches a ride on her, it will be a hit!"

Chu Chu Chenliang: "I think you've been reading too many metaphysics posts. Why don't I give you my birth date and time, and you find a master to calculate it for me to see if people related to water will bring me luck next year."

Water... that could only be Jin Li, because Jin Li is a koi fish!

Isn't a koi fish a fish? And fish must live in water.

The assistant director said happily, "Okay, I'll calculate it for you after the meeting. I guarantee I'll calculate it until you're completely convinced!"

"Hey, wait!" Chu Chu Chenliang hurriedly shouted to stop him, "I was just joking, and you're taking it seriously? No, no, even if water really brings me luck, I won't calculate it!"

He explained, "Actually, when *My Mediocre Life* announced in the industry that Jin Li had taken the role, I was already thinking about whether to change the female lead."

"But firstly, the actress cast as the female lead has collaborated with us twice, both times playing supporting roles. I have a good impression of her (a first-tier star willing to play a supporting role at her own status; Director Chu feels she has sincerity), and I've already verbally agreed with her to play the female lead this time. I don't want to suddenly go back on my word."

"Secondly, I haven't figured out Jin Li's acting skills yet. I don't care what other directors think of her; I just want to film her myself and test exactly how much weight she carries."

When he said this, he paused specifically: "If Jin Li's acting is good, and if the film performs well after release, and Jin Li deserves some of the credit, then I will consider her for the female lead in my next film."

The assistant director had nothing more to say.

Every director has a different filming style, and with Chu Chu Chenliang, there were indeed no actors who could play the first female lead right from the start.

All of his first female leads were actresses who had previously played supporting roles under his direction.

Obviously, Jin Li couldn't be an exception.

"Fine, I have no opinion. Let this wind of Jin Li blow for a while longer. However, she has already taken *My Mediocre Life*, and this drama seems to be starting filming soon. Does she have time to film our drama?" the assistant director asked.

Chu Chu Chenliang laughed, "Good fellow, Jin Li hasn't even auditioned yet, and you already want to reserve the second female lead role for her?"

The assistant director chuckled: "I won't speak in riddles. Isn't this audition held for her? It just looks better on the surface. Look at the artists who came to participate; there isn't a single first-tier star."

In the past, when Director Chu's films were released for public auditions, even for a second female lead role, there would be plenty of first-tier stars fighting for it.

Because those stars knew Director Chu's style; playing a supporting role was just to pave the way for a leading role in the next film.

But this time, not a single first-tier star participated in the audition. They also knew better than to play second fiddle to Jin Li.

After Chu Chu Chenliang laughed, he thought for a moment and gave a solution: "*My Mediocre Life* is a rural revitalization film. It's fine if no one pays attention, but once someone does, it won't be easy to start filming immediately. It won't be ready without a month of preparation."

"The director of this drama isn't a veteran, at most he has some experience. I'm afraid the coordination time will be even earlier. It's estimated that our drama will start filming before theirs."

"When the time comes, I will try to film Jin Li's scenes as early as possible. Even if I can't, I can coordinate the filming time with Jin Li's side. Anyway, it won't clash with the *Mediocre* crew."

As a big director, Chu Chu Chenliang hated actors clashing schedules.

But the actresses he collaborated with were all first-tier. Although he tried his best to demand that actors not take on other dramas, he still couldn't stop the actors' restless hearts that wanted to make money.

So he later proposed a requirement: as long as the actor wasn't running between two crews on the same day and didn't have to travel back and forth every other day, they could take on outside work.

For example, filming other dramas on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then filming his drama on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; he could accept that.

At worst, he would just let Jin Li do the same when the time came.

Just after finishing this topic, Chu Chu Chenliang's phone rang, which was a bit unexpected.

This phone number... it sounded a bit familiar!

"Who? Yes, I am. Hmm, hmm, okay, can do. Who is setting the time? Should I? Okay, I'll send it to you later." Chu Chu Chenliang hung up the phone.

The assistant director asked curiously, "Who is it? They want to meet you. Could it be another first-tier actor wanting to compete for the role?"

Chu Chu Chenliang shook his head: "No, this is Ye Ye Ye Ye Weijie's phone, the director who is filming *My Mediocre Life*. He asked my former assistant to put in a good word for him, and he wants to invite me out for a meal."

It just so happens that I also want to talk to her about Jin Li's filming schedule, so let's all meet up in the next few days and invite Jin Li out at that time as well.

By the way, before that, Jin Li's audition must be held; I have to wait until she finishes the audition before making a decision, so hurry up and arrange it for me."

The assistant director said with a chuckle: "Since you're in such a rush, there's no time like the present—let's just hold the audition today!

You know clearly that filming special effects movies requires actors to have a very strong imagination, as most of it is in a non-existent environment, so it's best to arrange a higher difficulty one for her to see her body control."