Chapter 26: A Thoughtful Boss

Chapter 26: A Thoughtful Boss

The production supervisor had seen it all, having dealt with many temperamental stars in the past. He was well-prepared for Tang Fei's potential outburst, given her notorious reputation.

However, Tang Fei's reaction was surprisingly calm. The extended shooting hours didn't seem to bother her. She referred to the schedule, cross-referencing it with her script to locate her scenes. Tomorrow, she was penciled in for five scenes, all of which were mere supporting roles. This arrangement allowed her time to acclimate and warm up to the crew, indicating that the scheduler had taken her needs into consideration.

In response to his thoughtful planning, Tang Fei offered a smile. But behind her charming grin, the production supervisor nervously swallowed, wondering if this was the calm before the storm or a strategic move of politeness before demanding action.

As Tang Fei noticed one scene requiring the lead actress to sit and brew tea, her brow furrowed slightly. The production supervisor, observing her discreetly, inwardly sighed, fearing the worst.

"There's an issue," Tang Fei pointed out, referring to the scene at hand.

Here it comes! As expected, there would be a problem! The line producer kept a watchful eye on Tang Fei, ready to showcase his agility as a plump individual at any moment. He had heard the rumor about her knocking out a two-hundred-pound man with a single punch; weighing in at around one hundred and eighty pounds himself, he reckoned that he would barely survive 0.92 of her strikes.

"In this scene, Su Yang engages in a debate with his classmates about the ranking of heroes and mighty figures in the world, thereby revealing the global landscape and the protagonist's intelligence. Su Yang's analysis of the state of the world is based on information gathered from peddlers and wandering storytellers, which aligns with reality about sixty percent. Li Xiuyun sits by, brewing tea, ready to offer a cup to Su Yang when he feels thirsty.

The book and script don't explicitly state which dynasty this story is set in. Could you tell me which historical period the literary planner has anchored this fictional tale to?"

Huh?!

The production manager's slight flab trembled. Weren't they supposed to focus on the eighteen-hour schedule? Was she already in character upon arrival? Did she delve into the script within ten minutes?

"I'd like to know which dynasty's elements are used for props, set design, costumes, and styling?

In my vision, utilizing behaviors and etiquette from the same era would give the characters a complete system of actions, making their inner logic smoother. It'll provide a sense of realism for the audience, preventing them from perceiving it as superficial or hollow.

Tomorrow's scene involves tea ceremony and seating manners. Would it be a stool or a cushion for props? Should I practice cross-legged sitting or kneeling?"

Tang Fei had plenty of questions. She pondered over her performance for the next day, not lowering her acting standards just because she was a mere background actor. Joining the crew wasn't her refuge; she loved acting and the feeling of immersing herself in different roles and experiences.

She hoped that someone would remember the characters she portrayed.

Compared to her original world, this world's history had changed. Her previous historical knowledge could assist her, but she couldn't rely solely on memory. After some thought, she requested, "I'm currently offline and unable to search for information online. Could you trouble yourself to bring me some materials on seating manners and tea ceremony?"

"Of course, I'll bring them to you right away, Teacher Tang. Please wait a moment." The production manager looked at Tang Fei with confusion, wondering who she was and where he was. Why wasn't Tang Fei angry or throwing a punch, but instead, so polite and amiable? He shook his head as he walked away.

Was it fake? Was Tang Fei actually a method actor, with only the performance in her eyes? What about her lack of professionalism he heard about? Was he dreaming?

Was it an act? If her acting was truly as bad as in those meme videos, how could she manage to pull it off?

In this world, it seemed fairness was a luxury, where talent outweighed effort. Despite Tang Fei's relentless endeavor, her acting skills remained subpar.

She was so passionate about acting; he couldn't crush her spirit or let the cold reality extinguish her burning aspiration for the craft.

Once upon a time, he had dreams of becoming an actor himself. But the harsh realities of his appearance and physique doused his fiery enthusiasm, leaving not even a wisp of smoke behind.

A protective instinct stirred within him, a tender concern for the vulnerable, helpless, and pitiful Tang Fei. Steeled in his resolve, he strode forward with purpose, the sound of his footsteps echoing on the ground.

After walking some distance, he remembered his mission and dialed Zhou Weichuan's number.

"Mr. Zhou, Teacher Tang is doing well. She's reviewed the revised schedule you prepared, and she has no objections."

"Mmm, she accepts everything. Teacher Tang is very serious; she dove straight into reading the script without any fuss."

"How is her mood? Is it stable?"

"That's good to hear. If there are any issues, please keep me informed." Zhou Weichuan put away his phone and glanced at the person sitting across from the coffee table.

Civilization Hua, nearing sixty, took good care of herself and appeared to be in her forties. There were barely noticeable wrinkles on her face, and her figure was as well-maintained as when she was young.

Zhou Weichuan had been at the residence of retired all-time best actor Civilization Hua, nestled deep within an upscale villa district in the northern part of the capital city for quite some time.

After a period of reminiscing and casual conversation, it was time to get down to business.

"Uncle Wen, I have a rather awkward request," Zhou Weichuan rose to refill Civilization Hua's tea. The fragrant aroma of the clear brew wafted up as Civilization Hua lifted his teacup to sniff. "If you knew it was an inconvenient request, why bring it up to dampen the mood?"

"I was merely being polite, Uncle Wen. Please don't take it seriously," Zhou Weichuan said with a shared laugh between them.

"You, just like your mother. Polite on the surface but full of cunning thoughts inside," Civilization Hua mentioned Zhou Weichuan's mother, causing both of them to pause momentarily before subconsciously dismissing the comment and continuing their actions.

Zhou Weichuan showed Civilization Hua the trending video on Weibo. "Someone is using your name to undermine a newcomer and leveraging your influence to incite online harassment. I believe this could harm your reputation."

"A newcomer?" Civilization Hua shook his head. "When I met this young lady, I hadn't retired yet. She's not exactly new anymore.

Back then, I advised her that hard work alone wouldn't make her an actress. Don't believe those motivational quotes that say effort guarantees success – they don't apply in our industry. Without talent, all your efforts are futile.

Talent is the 1, while hard work adds zeros behind it. Without that 1, all the effort in the world will still amount to nothing. It would be better for her to switch to working behind the scenes.

Now she's being cyberbullied – is it because of your company's casting decision? Weichuan, I'd rather use my reputation to knock some sense into you. Without acting skills but with just a pretty face, one might manage to hold viewers' attention for a minute-long advertisement, but never for an hour-long drama.

What use is fame to an old retiree like me? If it's ruined, so be it. As long as it serves as a wake-up call for you.

"Auntie Civilization, perhaps you misjudged. Some people's talents might not have been activated yet. Given time, they awaken. Have a look at this." Zhou Weichuan played the video of Tang Fei's audition for Li Xiuyun's role for Civilization Hua.

"I believe that manipulating the plot to sabotage a co-actor undermines the industry's ecosystem. No one is perfect; everyone has flaws. Sometimes, a single mispronounced word can be exploited to label someone illiterate. The exchanges become not about professional competence but rather about how much money one has, what background, and what support one can rely on. It becomes a contest of how much one is willing to spend to silence critics or tarnish opponents' reputations."

Our industry has flourished alongside the rise of our motherland, with abundant funding; yet, owing to various malpractices, the quality of many productions has, paradoxically, declined compared to when resources were scarce.

Uncle Wen, I believe that such short-sighted tactics, which recklessly undermine the healthy development of our industry, are not something you should endorse or sacrifice your reputation for."

Zhou Weichuan pressed his hands together and exhaled slowly. Civilization Hua was attentively watching Tang Fei's performance on his phone, pausing and rewinding repeatedly.

"It's like she's a different person. I remember her old style – it wasn't easy to imitate. I must admit, I misjudged her. She's truly suited for acting now." Putting down his phone, Civilization Hua asked, "Weichuan, you say my reputation is at stake. But wouldn't acknowledging my mistake and renouncing my previous judgment damage your Uncle Civilization's reputation?"

A slight flush appeared on Zhou Weichuan's face. He knew that such an admission might harm Civilization Hua more. After a moment of contemplation, he looked up and said, "She has a bright future. I don't want to see a promising seed, capable of growing into a towering tree, stifled by too much mud."

Civilization Hua nodded in agreement. While there might be other opportunities for her to break through, this reasoning wasn't solid. It was the broader industry perspective that softened his stance.

Slanderous attacks seemed to target only one individual, but they actually tainted the entire industry. Engaging in mutual accusations and wasting resources on matters that brought no benefit to either individuals or the environment was indeed a corrupt practice.

Zhou Weichuan raised the stakes further, "I've already signed her."

"What?" Civilization Hua's thoughts were disrupted. Tang Fei's situation was complicated, and signing her carried too much risk. Ninth Point wasn't a small company; there was no need to take big risks for small gains. "How could you be so careless?"

"You can think of it as me seeking excitement by deliberately choosing the hard mode," Zhou Weichuan lifted the teapot to pour a second cup for Civilization Hua. "Uncle Wen, nowadays, the atmosphere is restless, with everything driven by money and the quest for quick profits. Nobody wants to climb the mountain step by step. They all want to take the cable car straight to the top. I want to be the one who walks up gradually."

"You young ones have high aspirations." Civilization Hua laughed in spite of himself. "You've already signed her, yet you're still spouting nonsense. Offering me tea is just a pretense. What you really want is for me to clean up your mess. If my reputation can help boost yours, then it'll be worth it.

"However, let me give you a word of advice. I've owed three of my awards to Yao Hui. In this industry, those who win remember their debts. Others besides me will come after. Are you planning to keep begging them? You should find an opportunity to reconcile."

"Uncle Wen, both you and my father believe in making money through harmony," Zhou Weichuan put down his teacup, speaking earnestly and solemnly. "But Yao Hui isn't that kind of company. When you show them kindness and respect, they take it as fear. I respect those who respect me and do business harmoniously with them. But when it comes to the cancerous tumors in the industry, allowing them to grow unchecked will eventually lead to malignancy. It's best to remove them early."

"Young people are always so aggressive. Go, you irritate me. A formal industry, and you call it a tumor. Even in retirement, you won't let me have peace." Civilization Hua ushered him out. "Remember to tell me when you need me to coordinate for a public statement."

"Thank you, Uncle Wen." Zhou Weichuan bowed, acknowledging the sacrifice Civilization Hua was willing to make to his reputation by offending his previously amicable partner, Yao Hui.

"Not that you were supposed to bring wine? Tea is too mild. Don't make the same mistake next time." As Civilization Hua sent Zhou Weichuan off, he lowered his voice.

"Alcohol? The doctor said your liver isn't good! Do you not care about your life?!" Mrs. Wen's thunderous shout echoed from behind, causing Civilization Hua's expression to shift. "Alan, you misunderstood. I said I've been sitting for too long, sending someone out."

Civilization Hua signaled discreetly to Zhou Weichuan, who then bid farewell to both Civilization Hua and Mrs. Wen, sweetly addressing her as Auntie Wen as she descended the stairs.

Mrs. Wen playfully winked at Zhou Weichuan, while Civilization Hua, his face beaming with smiles, turned to appease his wife. Unaware of their silent exchange, he was yet to realize that he had been completely sold out by both parties.