Chapter 106: Too Many Pretty Girls, Casting Feels Like the Emperor Choosing Concubines

The open casting for "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" began soon.

Actually, what's called open casting is just accepting resumes from the public, then screening out candidates with decent qualifications before moving on to interviews.

The production team split into two groups: one handled open casting, mostly for publicity; the other was responsible for the actual pre-production of "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies."

Contacting TV stations for collaboration, assembling the behind-the-scenes crew, refining the script, selecting filming locations, constructing sets, designing costumes and props—countless tasks piled up.

The pre-production period for many dramas is longer than the actual filming.

As the overall producer and lead investor, Yan Li had to oversee both groups.

In the morning, he met with the costume and makeup team to discuss looks; in the afternoon, he reviewed actors' resumes.

"The screenwriter's concept is excellent—the seven fairies correspond to the seven colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. This immediately highlights and distinguishes each character. You must also put effort into color design for the makeup and costumes."

"First and foremost, they must be beautiful—do whatever looks best."

"This is a mythological drama with comedic elements, so we don't need to worry about ancient or modern styles—just make it beautiful."

"For makeup and costumes, especially for the seven fairies, we've allocated ample funding, so don't make anything look cheap. Emphasize the fairies' elegance and opulence, and capture that celestial aura…"

Yan Li spoke at length, laying out his requirements. The costume and makeup designers exchanged glances, and a bearded man raised a concern.

"Director Yan, if we base the main colors on the seven rainbow hues, the saturation will be high, the palette overly vibrant, and the style too fairy-tale-like—this conflicts somewhat with your request for elegance and refinement."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Yan Li glanced at Wang Xiu and asked.

Wang Xiu was an old acquaintance from "Heroes of Sui and Tang"—back then, Yan Li had already recognized Wang Xiu's strong foundation in makeup and costume design.

For this pre-production of "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies," Yan Li had brought him on as the lead costume director.

"The idea of pairing the seven fairies with the seven colors is sound, but I don't think we should dump all the colors onto their bodies at once—it's too monotonous. Focus on key elements."

"Colors have weight and lightness; we can use strong-weak color combinations to create more depth."

"We can also use neutral-toned garments paired with colored accessories to highlight their status."

"Meanwhile, I believe each of the seven fairies has a distinct personality—makeup and costumes should reflect each fairy's individual traits."

"For example, the eldest fairy is the big sister and associated with red—her design should be dignified and authoritative. The youngest fairy is the little sister; deep purple doesn't suit her—light purple better conveys playfulness and liveliness…"

Yan Li nodded slightly. Wang Xiu was indeed the right choice—he understood makeup design, dared to speak his mind, and took his work seriously.

Since that was the case, Yan Li said no more: "You're the professional—design however you see fit. I've stated my requirements; I'll judge the final result."

"You'll see."

Wang Xiu was full of confidence. In terms of professional skill, he had no doubts—if he weren't just technically skilled and lacked leadership, he'd have led his own team long ago.

Yan Li entrusted him with full authority over the makeup and costumes for "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies," knowing he wasn't good at managing teams, so he assigned him a deputy to assist.

Such trust and promotion made Wang Xiu want to offer himself in gratitude—but Yan Li warned him to get lost.

So he could only work hard, pouring all his energy into perfecting the makeup and costumes for "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" to repay Yan Li's recognition and support.

…

After the costume meeting, Yan Li rushed to a dinner appointment to treat Li Bingbing's sister, Li Xue.

There was no choice—Li Bingbing was still filming, and a phone call couldn't clarify the details; he had to speak with Li Xue first.

Although Li Xue was currently just an assistant and Wang Jinhua was Li Bingbing's official agent, aside from resource coordination, most of Li Bingbing's business affairs were now handled by Li Xue.

When Yan Li arrived, Li Xue had already ordered the dishes and was waiting, her gaze toward him tinged with a hint of resentment.

"I've asked you out several times and you ignored me—unless something urgent came up, would you never have reached out again?"

"That's not my fault—your sister told me not to contact you."

Yan Li looked innocent. Li Bingbing had repeatedly warned him not to pursue her sister.

Li Xue glared at him: "You listen to your sister?"

Li Bingbing still hoped Yan Li would become her agent, but Yan Li had ignored her entirely.

Yan Li smiled faintly and said nothing—some things are better left unsaid.

He wasn't particularly interested in Li Xue, but they were at least friends, and their relationship was decent—he couldn't just tell her outright that he wasn't attracted to her, so he used Li Bingbing's words as an excuse.

Sensing his meaning, Li Xue pursed her lips, fell silent for a moment, then shifted to the matter at hand.

"My sister can take this drama, and the pay is negotiable—you spent a lot helping us gather information earlier, but could we reduce her screen time? Her schedule is extremely tight."

Yan Li fell silent—he'd anticipated this.

Li Bingbing agreed to help, but wouldn't compete for the female lead—she'd take a minor supporting role with little screen time.

Many stars handle favors this way: uninterested in a project but unable to refuse.

So they minimize their scenes, film intensively, finish quickly, and leave.

The considerate ones help promote it; the purely indebted ones act as if they never appeared—never mention it.

"How much time can your sister give me?"

"One month."

Li Xue glanced at Yan Li's furrowed brow, bit her lip, and said: "I'll try my best—I'll squeeze out forty days for you."

Yan Li stood up and poured water for Li Xue, picked up food for her: "Help me out—two months. Our investment is huge; if we cut scenes, they'll all be your sister's solo shots—she'd lose out."

Li Xue hesitated, then shook her head: "It's impossible. My sister has two movies waiting—unless she fought hard for this and Hua Jie gave you special consideration, we wouldn't have squeezed out even this much."

"It's not much—ten or fifteen days. There's always a way."

Yan Li urged seriously: "Our actual investment exceeds twenty million yuan—it's a mid-to-high-tier production by industry standards."

"You've read the plot summary—the role is standout. I'm not tricking your sister; this drama will genuinely benefit her. Two months—we'll adjust the script to minimize her scenes while keeping them memorable."

As he spoke, Yan Li pulled a small box from his pocket and slipped it into Li Xue's hand.

"By the way, last time we were shopping, I saw a platinum bracelet—I thought you'd look good in it. Try it on."

Li Xue refused: "Bribing me won't work."

"What's bribery? Even if your sister doesn't take this drama, that's between me and her—does that mean we're no longer friends? Giving a gift is nothing to worry about."

Saying this, Yan Li opened the box and placed a white gold bracelet engraved with snowflake patterns on Li Xue's wrist, nodding in satisfaction.

"I told you it would look good on you."

Li Xue touched the bracelet, her eyes flickering slightly, then finally said: "I can only try—I can't guarantee it'll work."

"I believe in you."

Yan Li continued encouraging her, then picked up some food and placed it on her plate: "How about watching a movie tonight? Terminator 3 is out now."

Li Xue herself couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Your charm offensive is too crude—you flipped your attitude in under half an hour."

"That's not a scheme—it's just friends watching a movie together. Just tell me, are you coming or not?"

"Fine."

Li Xue took a fierce bite of meat—she'd traded her own sister for this perk; if she didn't go, she'd be the fool.

Yan Li wiped his hands with a napkin, then peeled shrimp for Li Xue—he was the one benefiting from her effort, so he had to keep her happy.

…

After dinner, Li Xue didn't go home; she followed Yan Li back to the company to gather some material, giving her an excuse later to persuade Hu Ya and her sister.

Yan Li had no objection—he showed her around Yi'an Film & Television, then took her to his office to rest.

Li Xue held the hot water poured by her secretary Hu Ya, her expression complex: "No wonder Hu Ya signed you but you ignored her—you'd already made it."

"Not exactly."

Yan Li explained: "At that time, my company hadn't even opened yet. I just preferred running my own show over working for someone else."

"You directed 'Conquest' to massive success, and now you've invested twenty million in 'Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies'."

Li Xue looked at Yan Li: "Given time, maybe my sister and I will both come work for you."

"Ah, when you tell your sister, emphasize this: future film tycoon, early investment—guaranteed profit."

Li Xue gave him a disgruntled glare, then nodded shortly: "Strong potential—definitely worth investing in."

"Right. Say exactly that to your sister."

Yan Li smiled: "When I grow bigger, if you two feel uncomfortable at Huayi, come over. Your sister will be the top boss of the company, you'll be head of the talent department—we'll build it up together."

Li Xue snorted, as if seeing right through him: "How many times have you promised this before?"

Yan Li thought for a moment, then said seriously: "I've promised 'top boss of the company' to others—but you're the first I've promised 'head of talent department' to."

Li Xue bit her lip, glanced at him, then awkwardly looked away, flipping through the resumes on the desk.

"Plenty of pretty girls here, huh?"

"Definitely. China's full of talented people—pretty girls are everywhere. Lately, I've been like the Emperor selecting concubines—I'm practically dizzy from choice."

Yan Li nodded in full agreement, and Li Xue's fleeting warmth vanished—she gritted her teeth.

"Pretty girls aren't harmless—watch out, you might sink in a ditch."

Yan Li smiled without replying, handing Li Xue a file from the corner.

"Take a look—these are all confirmed for the second round. Maybe one of them will play your sister in the drama. All strong candidates."

Li Xue flipped through them—their appearances, demeanor, and overall qualifications were indeed stronger than the previous resumes.

Li Lin, born 1980, Performance Department, Shanghai Theatre Academy Class of '97, trained as a Dao Ma Dan, excels in ancient costume roles, notable work: 'Wrong Wedding, Right Husband'

Hu Siyan, born 1980, appeared in 'The Happy Life of Zhang Damin the Chatterbox', 'Iron Teeth and Copper Jaw Ji Xiaolan', 'The Young Emperor'

Yao Qianyu, born 1979, Shanghai Theatre Academy Class of '96, formerly a singer, later acted in numerous films and TV dramas

Sui Junbo, born 1979, Central Academy of Drama Class of '99, skilled in dance, excellent physique, appeared in many films and TV works

Wang Ou, born 1982, graduated from Guangxi Arts School, won multiple modeling awards

Zhao Ke, born 1983, Beijing Film Academy Class of '01, trained in artistic gymnastics and dance, excellent physique

…

Yang Xue, born 1978, Beijing Film Academy Class of '99, appeared in multiple films and TV dramas (PS: recommended by Wang Jinhua)

Li Xue saw the name matching her own and the note beside it, and couldn't help glancing up at Yan Li.

"Hu Ya's already slipped someone in."

"Just a recommendation—nothing else."

Yan Li calmly sipped water: "Now you understand what 'seizing every opportunity' means. Learn well."

(End of Chapter)