Chapter 27: Being rejected at the first audition

"She brought money with her to join the group. Can you do that? Not to mention her, didn't even the female lead bring money with her to join the group? Now it's all about capital. Whoever has money has the final say. Do you have the looks to find capital investment? If you do, you can be the female lead, too!"

The person who was speaking was a young actress who could only play the role of a mother. She was also sarcastic and mocking, even the third female lead who had just spoken.

The third girl continued to sarcastically reply, "I don't have that ability."

At this time, an old lady came in and said as soon as she entered the door: "I just heard that an investor seems to have withdrawn its investment. This play will not..."

She seemed a little sad.

The third female lead threw the script heavily onto the conference table. "Look! Because of that scandal, even the investors are withdrawing their investment! It looks like this drama can't be filmed! Why are you still trying it out? It's a waste of time!"

At this time, the door of the conference room was pushed open again, and it was the director and screenwriter.

Director Li happened to hear what the third girl said, "That's right, I don't want to use you either. If your agent and I weren't friends, I would have absolutely disagreed. Pack up and leave!"

The third girl's face turned red instantly.

"Why are you still standing there? Do you need me to carry you away?" Director Li seemed to be really annoyed by the sudden withdrawal of investment from the investor.

The staff came forward and forcibly took the third woman away.

Seeing that there was no room for maneuver, the third female lead still said sarcastically before leaving: "I don't think it will be possible for your drama to start filming! If you don't let me go, I won't stay!"

Director Li sneered, "Then you don't have to worry about it. The withdrawal of investment may not be a real withdrawal, but do you know that there is actually another large amount of capital investment? I was thinking of paying for a famous star. Thank you for making room for him!"

Director Li smiled immediately after he finished speaking. He ignored the dumbfounded third female lead and excitedly announced, "There is another good news. Although Luo Shuxian has quit, Qin Shuochen will be in the role!"

Qin Shuochen? Although he is not a top star, he is at least more than twice as popular as Luo Shuxian.

But doesn’t he only act on the big screen?

The meeting room was silent for a moment, and then someone couldn't help but cheer out loud.

The third female lead didn't want to leave, and was forcibly dragged away by the staff. She immediately burst into tears: "Director Li, I was wrong! I was wrong! Please let me participate!"

Qin Shuochen walked in at this time and raised his hand to greet Shi Wan: "Sister! I'm here!"

Everyone's eyes fell on Shi Wan, wondering about the relationship between them.

"I just came in and ran into Jiang Yifeng. I heard that he seemed to be here to withdraw his investment. When I rushed back last night, you had already left. I heard from my sister that you didn't give him any face at all and left in disgrace?"

Qin Shuochen seemed to be unable to read people's expressions and told everyone in public that the investors withdrew their investment because of her lateness.

As expected, everyone looked at Shi Wan with some resentment.

If she didn't know that Qin Shuochen was a simple-minded person and had no bad intentions towards her, she would have suspected that he did it on purpose.

Shi Wan rolled her eyes at Qin Shuochen in her heart, but the only one who could support her now was this tactless Qin Shuochen, so she couldn't push him away at this time.

Director Li gave the staff a wink and the staff opened the door again.

Lin Yurou walked in.

Director Li explained: "The cast has not been finalized yet, so today's audition is a good opportunity to see who is more suitable for which role."

Shi Wan straightened her back and became nervous again. Although she had capital behind her, it was all from tricks and not real capital of hers!

Unlike the female lead and Lin Yurou, she has someone really backing her up.

She also wanted to curse: Evil capitalists!

The director and screenwriter sat down and began to audition.

Shi Wan was really grateful to the big money sponsor who invested in her role, otherwise she might not even have the chance to audition today and would have been eliminated.

The audition went generally smoothly, except for the fact that it was too late.

The actors who were acting opposite her were all very perfunctory. It was like she was auditioning and was always performing a one-man show. Although her acting skills were good, it was awkward when no one took the role.

The director also noticed it and frowned slightly. They were protesting silently, wanting the director and screenwriter to see that their collaboration was unpleasant and to replace Shi Wan.

After the audition, the director did not let them go back to rest immediately, but looked at Shi Wan.

It was late and he was sitting upright.

No matter how thick-skinned Qin Shuochen was beside her, he noticed something unusual and looked around at everyone's expressions.

At this time, the director spoke up: "Shi Wan, what do you think of today's audition?"

Shi Wan sat up straight, smiling, and replied calmly: "Director, I think you should ask them what they think?"

Although she herself could not see her own emotions and expressions during the performance, she could tell from the screenwriter's eyes that her performance was definitely in line with the screenwriter's wishes.

At today's audition, Shi Wan and Lin Yurou both auditioned for the role of the second female lead. It was a very funny scene, but Shi Wan couldn't laugh because she was the one being excluded.

"I didn't want to replace you because of Mr. Zhan's face, but..." Director Li glanced at all the actors present, "If the actors can't cooperate well with each other, my play can't be filmed smoothly."

In fact, conflicts between actors often occur, but most of them are smart and won’t show it on their faces.

The reason why these actors today can target Shi Wan so obviously is more because of what Director Li said at the beginning - withdrawing investment does not necessarily mean real withdrawal of investment.

Then he brought Lin Yurou in very specifically.

This sentence is profound, but this action is clear.

Those savvy people in the entertainment industry understood it all. What it meant was that if Shi Wan was replaced by Lin Yurou, Jiang Yifeng would not withdraw his investment.

Although Shi Wanwan had never met Director Li in her life, she felt that Director Li was a very capable director because the short web drama "The Legend of Chiffon" became a masterpiece. She has always admired such directors who are truly responsible for the play.

But... she couldn't comment on anything, after all, money is the most important thing! Without money, you can't shoot, let alone have a dream.

Shi Wan suppressed his displeasure, still smiling, and asked, "How much is Jiang Yifeng going to invest?"

Qin Shuochen finally understood and sneered, "Director Li, I acted in the film for free. In your eyes, is it not as good as Jiang Yifeng's investment?"

This is a low-budget web drama, and everyone knows it. Qin Shuochen's salary for a big-screen role may be enough to cover the cost of the entire web drama, so Qin Shuochen's words are not considered to be embarrassing for Director Li.

Director Li was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lin Yurou, feeling a little embarrassed.

Qin Shuochen did appear in the drama for free, but the pay he originally planned to pay the male lead was not high! If he could get Jiang Yifeng's funds now, he would not only be able to spend a lot more money to improve the quality of the web series, but also spend a lot of money on publicity.

Many times, publicity is even more important than the quality of the work itself. This is no longer the era where good wine needs no bush.

"Boss Jiang said that he can make additional investments. Xiao Qin, I can arrange for Shi Wan to play the third female lead! There is a vacancy for the third female lead, so you should consider it for me. The more money I get, the more room I can play. This is not only responsible for the play, but also for you actors. Don't you agree?"

Shi Wan pursed her lips, patted Qin Shuochen's leg, and told him to stop talking.

"How much does Jiang Yifeng plan to invest?" Shi Wan asked.

Director Li replied: "It was 10 million before, and now it has been increased to 15 million."

"Then how much was the additional amount that Zhan Rongchuan added that day?"