Chapter 8 First Arrival on Set

  Leyang Film and Television Base is one of the larger film and television bases in China, along with Donghai Film and Television Base, they are the two largest film and television bases from the Republic of China era. Every year, there are more than a dozen film and television crews shooting here, and tens of thousands of people chasing their dreams of stardom, earning meager wages of dozens of yuan per day, and receiving boxed lunches. Many people come with dreams every year, but some leave with disappointment and despair, these people are jokingly called "Leyang drifters".

  Upon arrival, Tang Xiao was busy until very late and only after everything was settled did the sky darken. Just then, the drama crew called to say that Director Cao had invited the entire crew for dinner tonight. The three of them rushed to the restaurant once again. Yang Shan wanted to touch up her makeup before going but was cleverly stopped by Tang Xiao, who just smiled and told her that eating was more important, causing Yang Shan to roll her eyes in annoyance. Zhao Le, on the other hand, coldly laughed, not taking it seriously.

  When they arrived at the restaurant, it was just in time. The entire restaurant had been booked by Director Cao Hao, and before everyone could even order, three people had already rushed to the restaurant.

  Yang Shan was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with no makeup on her face, looking fresh and beautiful. Director Cao Hao nodded in satisfaction, this is the kind of pure female lead he wanted. He chuckled and praised, "Shan, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly, I thought you'd put on some makeup or change into another outfit..."

  Having heard Cao Hao's tone of approval, Yang Shanshan playfully stuck out her tongue and gave Tang Xiao a grateful look. "We've got food to eat, what's the point of putting on makeup? As soon as we got off the plane and settled in, Zhao Le said you were treating us to dinner, so we rushed over to support you."

  Yang Shanshan and Cao Hao were not meeting for the first time, so they spoke relatively more casually.

  After some small talk, Cao Hao finally noticed Tang Xiao Xiao following behind Yang Shan Shan. After a moment of astonishment, he didn't pay much attention to it and just jokingly smiled, "Shan Shan, who is this beautiful young lady following you? She's so pretty, aren't you afraid she'll steal your thunder?"

  Tang Xiao couldn't help but roll her eyes, and proactively stretched out her hand, saying seriously, "Director Cao, hello, I'm Tang Xiao, Xiang Xiang's agent."

  "Broker?" Cao Hao burst out laughing, raised an eyebrow, "This miss... as a broker, actually looks so beautiful, don't you think you're being too sinful?"

  Sister, I can bear it!

  Tang Xixi took a deep breath, her bright eyes were clearly angry, but to others, they seemed seductive and charming. Her delicate face, like fine porcelain, was radiant with an irresistible glow and splendor. "My looks are given by my parents, I have no choice. However, Director Cao, if you don't want to look, you can try covering your eyes."

  Cao Hao burst out laughing, and Yang Shan couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle secretly.

  Tang Xiao was so angry that she almost burst, took a deep breath and said, "Okay, Director Cao, if you keep smiling like this, I think we need to discuss the issue of Shan Shan's remuneration..."

  Cao Hao's sneer finally stopped, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. A thought suddenly arose in his mind - this girl should be deceived, right?

  Generally speaking, the problem between agents and directors/producers is always about the dispute over actors' salaries. The reason why directors dare not easily offend agents is that agents have a tight grip on the actors' salaries. If an actor wants to star in a certain movie but the director/producer and agent are at odds, the agent can use the salary as a fatal weakness to confront the production team, and it's always effective. After all, for a movie, the first thing directors and producers need to do is reduce budget expenditures. Agents using salaries to fight with them really leaves these directors/producers helpless.

  Only a true professional entertainment broker would understand this kind of thing, but... how did this girl in front of me guess so accurately?

  As for Cao Hao's confusion, Tang Xiao didn't have the heart to explain it to him and just responded with a charming smile.

  She must be guessing, right? So beautiful and young, how could she understand the rules of this line, Cao Hao guessed.

  "Cao Dao, sorry I'm late," a slightly hoarse voice sounded at the door, with a hint of apology, "I'm really sorry, didn't expect something came up suddenly, and arrived late for dinner."

  Yang Shan and Tang Xiao turned their heads simultaneously, only to see a tall and handsome young man walking in with wide strides, his back against the sunset. His facial features were cast in deep shadows, making him appear exceptionally profound. Under his thick eyebrows, his bright eyes shone with a unique wisdom and calmness. His smile was charming and sunny, his shoulders broad, and his gait steady, exuding an affable demeanor that made people feel good at first sight.

  "What's going on?!"

  Yang Shan covered her small mouth and excitedly yet disbelievingly called out.

  Cheng Mu, one of the young actors in the new generation of Longguo Continent, has excellent acting skills, without any of the arrogance and haughtiness typical of current celebrities. In just a few years since his debut, he has already won several awards for film and television dramas. Although these are only domestic awards, they are enough to prove his strength; He is also kind and approachable, with no airs about him, and is extremely popular among fans. Even back when Ye Yuxin was still around, she had already taken a liking to this future star and had extended an olive branch to him multiple times, but unfortunately Cheng Mu values loyalty extremely highly and refused to leave the company that nurtured him.

  "It's Little Cheng," Cao Hao nodded slightly, took the initiative to walk forward and patted Cheng Mu's shoulder, his expression somewhat mournful, "Go attend Ye Yu Xin's funeral?"

  Cheng Mu's originally handsome face revealed a faint solemnity, shaking his head in dismay. "Yes, I'll go see her off one last time. Although I didn't have much of a relationship with Ye Yuxin, she had looked up to me so much and had thrown out an olive branch multiple times... Who would have thought that with her talent and gifts, facing the betrayal of those closest to her, she would choose such a drastic measure, unhesitatingly choosing suicide? She could have sold the workshop to Shengshi Entertainment and risen again, with her abilities and talents in the entertainment circle, how could she be worried about her future and development? Ah, she was really too impulsive."

  Cao Hao shook his head helplessly and patted Cheng Mu's shoulder, lowering his voice. "Foolish kid, how can it be easy for Ye Yuxin to make a comeback? With the financial resources and influence of Shengshi Group, why would they give Ye Yuxin another chance? It's likely that Ye Yuxin has already seen through this and is disillusioned... Little Cheng, you need to see things clearly. No matter how great Ye Yuxin's abilities and talents are, she's just an ordinary woman without a strong background or financial resources, destined to be consumed by this ruthless society. This is reality. Even if you work harder, have more ability, and more talent, without money and background, you're bound to be played with."

  Cheng Mu hung his head in despair, "Originally, I still wanted to ask her to be my agent when the contract with the company expires... Alas."

  Tang Xiao Xiao, who had always been standing in the back, also slightly changed his expression, and couldn't help but quietly lower his head, with a bitter smile, a hint of desolation flashing at the bottom of his eyes. Yes, in this society, without sufficient wealth, power, and background, one is doomed to be played to death, and he himself was the best example.

  Even if you have talent and ability, what's the point?

  Not yet been forced by Shengshi Entertainment to be at a dead end and abandoned by everyone!

  Maybe...

  Tang Xiao raised her head, and a spark of excitement flashed in her pure black eyes, like the dazzling rays of the sun, almost making it hard for people to open their eyes.

  Maybe I'm already 20-year-old Tang XiaoXiao, should have a better start?

  At that moment, she suddenly felt enlightened.

  Digression

  Woo woo woo la la la... Robbery collection! Although I've corrected the typos once, there might still be some mistakes, please forgive me~