Chapter 186: Tang Fei, the Puppet Master

Chapter 186: Tang Fei, the Puppet Master

Lu Xian's agent was deeply honored by the nine o'clock invitation for Lu Xian to play one of the leading roles in a drama produced by Nine Points Production.

She began making arrangements to visit the finest club in Chang'an when Tang Fei and Zhou Weichuan planned their meeting, but was halted by Lu Xian: "Sis Baby, Tang Fei is right here, why bother going to a club?"

"Am I not here too? Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Where's your mind wandering off to? We're going to a proper place." Sister Baby frowned, her willow-like eyebrows arching upwards as she put her hands on her hips. "Lu Xian, you need to seize this opportunity. They said they want to discuss a role with you. Go change into something more energetic."

Lu Xian has been acting in the industry for seven or eight years, with all who have collaborated praising his work. However, due to limitations in his appearance, he has consistently found himself cast in supporting roles.

Without even glancing at the script, Chairman Zhou Weichuan himself came to discuss at nine sharp – this level of attention directly sent Lu Xian's agent into a state of elation.

After she had polished Lu Xian to a slick and glossy finish, Tang Fei and Zhou Weichuan arrived at the hotel in person to find her, without her having secured a room reservation.

That surprise, that sense of being valued, made Sister Baby feel blissfully ecstatic.

Within the company, she managed a few supporting actors. In her decade-long career as an agent, she had never managed to propel anyone to stardom, thus consistently finding herself in a marginalized position.

Whatever the topic, Elder Sister Baby would agree without hesitation. Let alone playing Xunzhu, she'd be convinced into signing a contract on the spot for any role, even that of a janitor monk.

She shook hands with Tang Fei and Zhou Weichuan, seeing them off with an exaggerated smile that lingered on her face, refusing to fade.

Ah, you're finally getting your chance, Lu Xian! You're really stepping into the spotlight now that Zhou Weichuan himself has come to extend an invitation. What a tremendous honor this is for you.

It must be because you were behaving well in your foster care that he visited frequently. And in one of those visits, he discovered you."

Lu Xian was truly impressed by the sycophantic demeanor of his agent.

No wonder they haven't been able to groom anyone all these years; they seem to have some issues with their wit.

"Sis Baby, please be more clear-headed. Can't you see this? Tang Fei is the one steering this conversation, and Zhou Weichuan is here to lend her support."

Not to mention the supposed visits from his foster mother, Zhou Weichuan was practically living on set; it wasn't so much visiting as it was attaching himself to the production, circling around Tang Fei just like an assistant would.

Anyone who has been in contact with them knows full well that Tang Fei is as good as the meat in Zhou Weichuan's pot—no one can have a taste, and those who have played opposite Tang Fei as romantic partners have almost all faced his reprimands.

At least six people, playing his younger brother, warned me not to stir up any romantic pairings. Otherwise, the lawsuits over reputation rights would be utterly exhausting."

"Obviously, I can tell that much, but you have to put on a show outside!" Sister Baobao tried to save face by pretending she wasn't as naive as she seemed. "With this title, I'll have leverage when taking on roles in the future."

Is the chairman of Nine Points busy at nine o'clock?

When Zhou Xianfeng was around, he was truly occupied. He would spend his time networking over dinners, attending business events to show support, participating in meetings to establish strategies, initiating projects in meetings, reporting progress in yet more meetings, allocating resources, seeking investments, and maintaining ties with various associations. He was seldom home, from dawn till dusk.

During Zhou Weichuan's presence, weekly video conferences were held to address issues that required his personal attention, review weekly reports and financial indicators from various departments and companies. Beyond these obligations, the remainder of his time was dedicated to assisting Tang Fei, with her assistant and stylist Min Kai overseeing all aspects of her publicity, external collaborations, and styling.

With such a hands-off approach, only steering the broader course, the operation ran smoothly at nine o'clock without any issues.

Several days later, Brother Baobao, Lu Xian's agent, could evidently no longer boast about the board chairman himself extending a nine o'clock invitation.

Considering all the main actors from Dragon Eight Sagas, including the supporting character Nine Points Chairman, have attended, and even the actor for Yao Hui's role was invited, what else is there to boast about?

Over the past few days, Tang Fei and Zhou Weichuan have been tirelessly inviting guests, so much so that Tang Fei hasn't even had the time to check her college entrance exam results, leaving the public speculating endlessly about how poorly she must have performed. It's been three days since the scores were released, yet they're still being secretive about it; journalists can't seem to dig up any information.

The "Eight Trigram Heroes" project has been the focus of the industry's attention, and Zhou Weichuan's level of attention reflects the importance placed by Jiu Dian. Investors are eager to get involved, but upon learning that the main characters of "Eight Trigram Heroes" are all hired from outside or are newcomers, the investors have become hesitant.

Is Nine Points Entertainment out of their mind, not having Tang Fei, the ratings sensation, in front of the camera but instead putting her in charge of behind-the-scenes tasks like casting, costumes, props, martial arts choreography, art design, and music?

The director, Fang Zhao, was indeed the most skilled in action scenes among the young directors at Nine Points, but he was only thirty-five years old with two major works to his name. Nine Points hadn't yet established a studio for him. His reputation for being an expert in action scenes was based on online films; he had yet to prove himself in the realm of television dramas.

Isn't this meant for practice?

Eighty percent of the investors have pulled out.

It's impossible to tell how many people have sought out Zhou Xianfeng.

By the banks of a private reservoir, nestled amidst the lush mountains and clear waters of a vacation villa, Zhou Xianfeng donned a fisherman's hat as he fished alongside a group of old comrades.

Someone came to lodge a complaint, to which Zhou Xianfeng shook his head and said, "I've handed over the family business; if he can ruin it, let him ruination be complete, for then I will find solace in my newfound peace."

This family enterprise is now in Zhou Weichuan's hands; he may do as he pleases with it. He refuses to interfere anymore, acknowledging that it was his excessive involvement that exacerbated the tension between them. Now, with the decision to step back, Zhou Weichuan appears much more agreeable in his eyes, regardless of the aftermath.

As for Tang Fei, who insistently demanded to oversee the Tian Long Ba Bu project behind the scenes, her mind held three or four versions of the finished product, enabling her to provide mature and systematic suggestions on costume design, props, music, and martial arts choreography. With her involvement, progress in all aspects of the production leaped forward rapidly.

In terms of casting, with countless commentaries and the precedents set by veteran actors from the past, her appreciation and understanding of characters surpass those of anyone present.

Tang Fei possesses a profound understanding of most characters, rendering it unnecessary for her to act them out herself. Instead, she takes charge, meticulously steering the overall production towards excellence. She ensures each role is imbued with depth and vitality, so much so that the moment the music plays, the audience can vividly envision every character. She orchestrates martial arts sequences to be graceful and fluid, encapsulating Xiao Feng's boldness and magnanimity, Duan Yu's elegant yet clumsy charm, Mu Rongfu's masterful affectation, and the extraordinary handsomeness of Xu Zhu.

In fashion design, Tang Fei is so skilled that she can illustrate each character, with the original drawings meticulously preserved by Zhou Weichuan.

While discussing the development of a hit game, they also feel honored to have received a set of drawings personally created by Tang Fei. They're eager to have them printed into a character illustration book for their personal collection.

Ever since Tang Fei began her endeavors behind the scenes, it has been outsiders and fans alike who claim that her talent is wasted off-screen; they vow to boycott unless she returns to playing the ethereal goddess they adore!

And the behind-the-scenes team members all gazed at Tang Fei with starry eyes, filled with admiration and reverence!

How is it that she has knowledge in a little bit of everything!

In Zhou Weichuan's eyes, Tang Fei was nothing short of a celestial being descending to earth. And as Zhou Weichuan shadowed her every move like a devoted follower, this formerly distant yet gentle small boss became infinitely more approachable.

Tang Fei was also jokingly referred to as the boss lady.

It happened so naturally that Zhou Weichuan seemed to have woven a vast web, ensnaring Tang Fei in a perception where, wherever she went, people saw her as his girlfriend. Despite no overt confession or official togetherness, it was as if the world had already inscribed them as a couple.

At this, Tang Fei could no longer hold back.

She approached Zhou Weichuan, saying, "Boss, I feel the need to talk to you about something that's been troubling me lately."

"What's the matter?"

"Why do you follow me every day?"

Zhou Weichuan smiled.

"How can you find it amusing, Chairman? Are you that idle?"

Zhou Weichuan reined in his smile and said gently, "Wherever you wish to talk, I also want to have a serious conversation with you."

"Come to my office," Tang Fei said, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.

"Very well."