Chapter 124

Seeing Lin Nan arrive, Huang Bo began to grumble and complain incessantly.

Good grief, Ning Hao can save several million just on the actors' salaries this time.

He's really milking those actors he's worked with before for all they're worth.

"This was all exchanged for favors, right, and Lin Dao's face, haha..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan knew Ning Hao absolutely wasn't joking; this guy was a real piece of work.

"How far along is the preparation now?" Lin Nan asked with a dark expression.

"The costumes and styling are all fine, it's just that there's been a situation with the casting."

"What kind of problem?"

"The male lead is hard to pick; he needs to have that ruffian, hoodlum temperament, but also the aura of an honest man, since he ends up on the 'right' path in the end."

At this moment, Huang Bo chimed in. "I think I could play it, but Ning Hao insists I'm too old and ugly, which is really infuriating..."

"Don't speak."

Lin Nan interrupted Huang Bo, muttering to himself: "Ruffian temperament, honest man, a small-time character with a positive image! Doesn't he have two of those right under his own nose?"

"Lin Dao, what's wrong?" Huang Bo asked.

Lin Nan looked at Ning Hao, "How about I have some people come over for an audition?"

As soon as the words were out, both Ning Hao and Huang Bo were stunned.

"You don't mean Zhang Yi, do you? He... he's okay, we can let him try." Ning Hao pondered for a moment and agreed.

"Not just one; add the one I just signed a few days ago, have them both come."

"Lin Dao has that much confidence in your own employees? Alright then, have them come over.

But there's no such thing as stuffing people in on my set..."

Ning Hao cautioned jokingly.

…………

When they returned to the company, Zhang Yi and Lei Jiayin were already waiting in the office.

Lin Nan watched the two of them chatting and laughing, clearly hitting it off.

Truly birds of a... like-minded feather.

"Lin Dao, you didn't make it clear on the phone, give us the lowdown now. You've definitely read the script, hehe."

Zhang Yi was an old hand, speaking up directly.

Lin Nan glared at him, annoyed. "It's a role in Ning Hao's new movie; it fits your temperaments very well. I told him to let you both audition."

Zhang Yi and Lei Jiayin's eyes, which weren't very big to begin with, instantly widened, and they both sat up straight.

"I didn't expect such a good thing right after signing with the company, haha."

Lei Jiayin rubbed his hands together, looking eager to try.

"There's one male lead, you two go compete, based on ability. Don't embarrass yourselves by both getting eliminated."

Lin Nan's gaze wandered between the two, saying maliciously.

Zhang Yi and Lei Jiayin looked at each other, feeling a bit awkward; they had just been chatting well, and now they were rivals.

"Lin Dao, both getting eliminated, that definitely won't happen. Can we go now?"

"Go ahead."

Lin Nan waved his hand; he was quite looking forward to the result.

……

The script review for *Painted Skin 2* was much faster than the first one.

The media reported it first, and within half an hour, it had spread throughout the industry.

"Latest movie news, the sequel to *Painted Skin* is out..."

"*Painted Skin 2*, an Oriental fantasy romance film."

"Screenwriter: Lin Nan. Producer: Lin Nan Film Industry."

There was very little information about *Painted Skin 2* online, and it wasn't even known if Lin Nan was the director.

But that didn't stop every production company from paying attention to this matter.

China Film, Wanda, Enlight, Western Film, Ning Film.

Several investors from *Painted Skin 1* couldn't wait to call.

Especially Western Film and Ning Film; since *Painted Skin* was released in April 2008, nearly two years ago, this film remained their most profitable investment.

Now that they saw the shadow of a sequel, how could they not be anxious!

"Lin Dao, you have to take care of your fellow countrymen..."

……

Han Sanping was quite direct on the phone: when will it start, what's the budget, what's the investment share...

Shanghai Film, which had fallen behind during the first film, also hoped to get on board this time.

Several companies were eager to take it all on, all wanting to know Lin Nan's specific arrangements this time.

"Hehe, there's a feeling of being pushed forward by others."

Huang Xiao tentatively asked Lin Nan if it was the original cast this time, but Lin Nan only told him to wait for news.

Zhou Xun, on the other hand, had been told about this by Lin Nan before, so her mindset was much steadier now.

"Let me know after you've set the filming time, so I can reserve the schedule for you."

Zhou Xun's tone was lazy, giving the impression she hadn't woken up yet.

"Have you been drinking again?" Lin Nan could tell Zhou Xun's state over the phone.

"I did have a little, but didn't my agent tell me the *Painted Skin 2* script passed review? I put down my glass and called right away..."

"I thank you, you go ahead and keep drinking."

"Alright then, see you later. *Hiccup*..."

Good grief, Lin Nan truly admired Zhou Xun; was she raised in a wine vat in her past life?

There were quite a few companies eyeing *Painted Skin 2*, and even more actors.

Lin Nan had an announcement issued externally, saying it would be made public when the project was established, which finally settled many actors down.

……

"Didn't you go ask him if there's a role suitable for you this time?"

Cai Yi looked at Hu Ge and pressed him.

The latter was somewhat helpless, "I asked, Lin Dao said it's not urgent yet, there might be adjustments later."

In Cai Yi's view, "not urgent" and "there might be adjustments" meant, in all likelihood, Hu Ge had no chance! After all, Shanhai Media was currently signing people...

Lin Nan was on the phone at this moment.

Jiang Xuerou said she had seen a very different kind of girl.

"How is she different?"

Lin Nan was actually quite interested; at this moment, Yue Jun and Jiang Xuerou should be at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

"A very pretty girl, soft and sweet."

Jiang Xuerou's choice of words left Lin Nan a bit at a loss; soft and sweet?

"Why, does Director Jiang have an idea?"

"I do have some thoughts, but Director Yue says there are very few in the industry who sign this type, fearing they are hard to cultivate."

"Then is she pretty or ugly, why is she hard to cultivate?"

Lin Nan was a bit confused by what was said.

"She is pretty, but she's from an ethnic minority, and a bit different from our kind of beauty. I don't know if it will be hard to find roles when she acts..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan roughly understood; Yue Jun and Jiang Xuerou each had their own considerations, and neither was wrong.

"Is there a photo? Send one to my email, I'll take a look."

"Alright, I'll send it to Lin Dao later."

Jiang Xuerou hung up the phone, looked at the girl beside her who looked quite obedient, and smiled.

"Let's take a photo now. If Lin Dao agrees, we can sign you."

"Mm, I'll take it."

The girl smiled, and she was indeed quite pretty, attracting the gaze of many students around who were checking the admission list.

Yue Jun was talking to the teacher in charge of reception at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and seeing Jiang Xuerou really go to seek Lin Nan's opinion, he didn't say anything more.

"Director Yue, are you going to sign this student?"

"Director Jiang made a call, it depends on what Lin Dao says. This girl should have passed the final exam, right?"

"Mm, she passed. She applied for the drama and film major, just waiting for the college entrance exam results."

Before long, a photo was taken, and using the office computer at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, it was sent out.

…………

Lin Nan looked at the photo on the computer screen, along with the personal information sent over, and was stunned for a moment.

Good grief, can you even pick up someone like this?

"Then let's sign her?"

On the other side, the teacher from the Shanghai Theatre Academy was talking to the girl.

"Lin Nan Film Industry, you should know them, right?"

"Mm, teacher, I know."

"If you're lucky enough to sign with them, work hard. This counts as being ahead of many people."

Jiang Xuerou's phone vibrated, and she hurriedly answered it.

"Hello, Lin Dao... Mm, alright, I understand."

"Agreed?" Yue Jun asked, and several people nearby also looked over.

Jiang Xuerou nodded with a smile.

"Let's find a quiet classroom, some things need to be made clear."

A group of people, including the girl and her family, were taken to a nearby classroom, leaving behind only envious gazes.

"Shanhai Media's agency contracts are generally divided into two types. Mature artist contracts and newcomer contracts.

You don't need to know about the former, the latter is what you should understand."

After Jiang Xuerou finished speaking, she saw the girl instantly perk up, looking very solemn.

"The newcomer contract is for 5-8 years. There will be a growth period. In the beginning, there will be almost no acting offers, but you will be given a salary, and you can study well at school..."

After Jiang Xuerou said this, even the teacher from the Shanghai Theatre Academy felt this treatment was very good.

"Different signing durations have different treatments and plans. How long do you choose?"

Jiang Xuerou directly handed the decision-making power to the girl and her family.

This move left the teacher from the Shanghai Theatre Academy dumbfounded; there really is such an agency?

Jiang Xuerou had talked to the girl twice before. When she saw her for the first time, she had the intention to sign her, and it was only today when the results were posted that she spoke to Lin Nan about it.

A few minutes later, the girl and her family made their decision.

She was a bit nervous, yet excited as she said: "I choose eight years."

Yue Jun couldn't help but glance at this little girl; another lucky one!

"That's the 2+6 model. For the first two years, the company will almost not arrange any announcements or acting offers for you.

But if there is a suitable opportunity that you want to use to train yourself, you can also refuse based on your own situation."

The girl nodded earnestly, "I can sign the contract today."

A smile appeared on Jiang Xuerou's face; she had already gained the other party's trust in the first two meetings, and this time it was a matter of course.

"Director Yue, the contract."

…………

Zhang Yi returned looking dejected.

"Lin Dao, what's wrong with you, you look quite happy?"

"Nothing, signed another newcomer. What, did Ning Hao eliminate you?"

Lin Nan looked at Zhang Yi's expression and guessed the result.

"It wasn't Director Ning who eliminated me, nor was it Lei Jiayin, it was my own age that eliminated me."

Zhang Yi smiled like he was crying.

"Director Ning said I'm five years older than Lei Jiayin. My acting skills originally had a slight advantage, but then I was pulled back by those 5 years of youth he has, it really frustrated me to death..."

For this reason, even Lin Nan didn't know how to comfort Zhang Yi.

……