How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 470 I'll take this role.

The car slowly drove out of the parking lot and arrived at director Han Xiaohua's studio forty minutes later.

Zhang Wen didn't go up immediately. He took out the script from the document list and quickly flipped through it.

Since eating the immortal peach, not only has his physical fitness been comprehensively improved, but his mind has also become very active. He can read the script at a glance and quickly finished reading the first few episodes.

No wonder Liu Haiyang chose her; to be fair, the story is not bad.

By showcasing the growth and struggles of contemporary youth in the urban environment, the series focuses on the integration of reality, including career, emotions, and ideals, and conveys inspirational spirit and reflections on life.

Zhang Wen deliberately looked up Jiang Ke on his phone and found that, just as Liu Haiyang had said, she was indeed a very famous screenwriter with more than a dozen works to her name and had won the Best Screenplay Award. She had a high level of popularity and influence in the television industry.

He also noticed that this person shared the same idea of ​​making money: after a TV series became popular, the script would be adapted into a novel, and then the novel would be adapted into a TV series after the actor became famous.

It seems we're all on the same page.

However, the script does have its flaws.

On the one hand, it overly idealizes youth, using a pink filter to package life's moments, excessively beautifying them; on the other hand, it features melodramatic plots and Mary Sue characters, lacking originality and failing to evoke genuine resonance.

It's quite a coincidence that his next script is also an urban youth drama, expressing the same core message.

It seems that this is not only a contest between Liu Haiyang and Chen Mingyuan, but also between him and Jiang Ke.

interesting.

Zhang Wen stuffed the script into a file bag, then put it into his briefcase before getting out of the car and heading to director Han Xiaohua's studio.

"Ding!"

The elevator doors slowly opened, and Zhang Wen stepped out.

"Teacher Zhang, you're here!" the pretty receptionist said warmly.

"Hmm, you've become even more beautiful since I last saw you," Zhang Wen said with a smile. "Is Director Han here?"

"Yes." The pretty girl nodded happily. "Teacher Zhang, you came at the perfect time. The post-production of the drama 'Perfect Days' has just been completed, and we're celebrating right now."

After speaking, he pointed to the office at the end of the corridor, where cheerful conversation could be faintly heard.

Zhang Wen walked over and pushed open the door to see Han Xiaohua handing out red envelopes to her employees. There were also some gift boxes piled up next to her, and the outer packaging contained fruits, chocolates, skin care products, and the latest mobile phones.

Upon seeing Zhang Wen enter, Han Xiaohua immediately handed the red envelope in her hand to her secretary and warmly greeted him.

"Brother Zhang, you've come at the right time. Post-production for 'Perfect Days' is complete. Once it's submitted for review and gets the distribution license, it can be broadcast."

Han Xiaohua looked very happy; he couldn't wait for the drama "Perfect Days" to air tomorrow and meet the audience as soon as possible.

"Director Han, thank you for your hard work," Zhang Wen said.

"You're too kind. This is my job, and I'll only feel at ease if it's handed over to me later." Han Xiaohua asked as she pulled the person towards the office, "Have you contacted any TV stations? I know a few leaders there, do you need me to introduce you?"

"Thank you, Director Han, but I've already made a choice. If all goes well, it should be with Beijing TV," Zhang Wen replied.

Han Xiaohua was stunned for a moment before realizing that the young man in front of her had an unfathomable background. He not only had close relationships with many business tycoons, but also with many television stations.

The most typical example is the Future Girls group, which has appeared on variety shows on Beijing TV, Hunan TV, and even the New Year's Eve Gala of China TV.

"Haha, Brother Zhang, you really have connections," Han Xiaohua said with a smile.

The TV series had already secured a broadcasting platform before even obtaining a distribution license; this is something most people can't do.

Even he doesn't have that ability.

"It's mainly Director Han. Your presence guarantees both quality and viewership. As soon as the TV station heard you were the director, they immediately became interested in this drama," Zhang Wen said earnestly, flattering him.

Han Xiaohua couldn't stop smiling. Although she didn't know if what the other person said was true or false, she found it very pleasing.

The two walked into the office, praising and complimenting each other.

As soon as the door closed, Han Xiaohua personally brewed a cup of tea and placed it in front of Zhang Wen, saying, "Brother Zhang, have some tea."

Zhang Wen picked up his teacup, took a symbolic sip, and then took out Jiang Ke's script from the briefcase next to him and handed it over, saying, "Director Han, I brought a script with me today and would like you to take a look."

"Oh? Is this your new script? I'd love to take a good look at it." Han Xiaohua took the script with great interest and eagerly began to read it.

Actually, when filming for "Perfect Days" wrapped up, he wanted to ask this guy Zhang if he had any plans to write a new script. You know, in the film and television industry, good scripts are something you can only dream of.

As a director, and an ambitious one at that, I naturally want to collaborate with good screenwriters as many times as possible.

Zhang Wen simply smiled, said nothing, picked up his cup and continued drinking tea, waiting for Director Han's comments on the script.

Han Xiaohua's fingers flipped through the pages rapidly, but the smile on her face gradually disappeared, and even became somewhat serious, her brows furrowing tightly into a "川" shape.

After a while.

Han Xiaohua finally couldn't hold back and looked up, asking in confusion, "Brother Zhang, is this the script you wrote?"

"Director Han, what do you think? Just say what you really think, don't hold back," Zhang Wen said.

That's what he said, but Han Xiaohua still thought about it and carefully considered his words before speaking, "Brother Zhang, your script this time is far inferior to 'Perfect Days'."

He sighed after speaking, his expression a mixture of regret and disappointment.

Experts always stop short of revealing the truth, so he didn't continue.

Although he had only watched the first three episodes, the clichéd plot and the unrealistic and overly idealistic content made it impossible for him to continue watching.

If this were filmed, wouldn't it be met with a barrage of criticism from the audience?
They were all written by the same person, so how can there be such a big difference between the beginning and the end?
Zhang Wen had expected this, and waving his hand while suppressing a laugh, he said, "Director Han, you've misunderstood. This is not the script I wrote. It was sent to me by Liu Haiyang, the vice president of our company. He wants you to be the director of this drama. The script was written by Jiang Ke."

“Jiang Ke?” Han Xiaohua frowned, her tone turning cold. “At first, her writing was passable, but after she became famous, she mostly wrote claustrophobic scripts, and her values ​​were questionable. Go back and tell Liu Haiyang that I’m not taking this script.”

Zhang Wen realized that Director Han not only looked down on Jiang Ke's script, but also on Jiang Ke herself. So he didn't try to persuade her, but took out another script from his briefcase. "Director Han, here's another one. Take a look."

"It wasn't given to you by Liu Haiyang, was it? Didn't you and Li Lehua and Liu Haiyang have a falling out?" Han Xiaohua asked curiously. He didn't want to continue reading, feeling it was a waste of time, but he was too embarrassed to refuse Brother Zhang's request, so he reluctantly accepted the script.

“Li Lehua has already made compensation, so why should I hold onto it? Nobody turns down money, right?” Zhang Wen explained.

"That's true." Han Xiaohua nodded, then flipped through the script again.

Compared to their previous attentiveness, this time their attitude was noticeably perfunctory; they even turned the page without carefully reading the introduction.

However, after reading a few pages, the page-turning speed gradually slowed down, and the body unconsciously straightened up, the expression changing from casual to full concentration.

For a moment, the only sound in the office was the rustling of papers turning over.

Han Xiaohua's gaze was fixed on the script, and she even forgot to drink the tea that was placed beside her.

Seeing Director Han Xiaohua's expression, Zhang Wen smiled, thinking that he could save himself some breath when trying to persuade her later.

Half an hour later, Han Xiaohua reached for the teacup, but without paying attention, she knocked it to the ground.

"Snapped!"

The cup broke, and the tea spilled all over the floor.

Han Xiaohua finally came to his senses. He glanced at the broken teacup on the ground but ignored it. Instead, he turned to Zhang Wen and said excitedly, "Brother Zhang, this script is excellent, more than ten times better than Jiang Ke's. Who wrote it? Please help me make a connection. I must make this film. I'll agree to any conditions, no matter who the investors are."

Zhang Wen met Director Han's eager gaze and couldn't help but laugh.

He hadn't even started persuading them, and they were already eager to film it? Sure enough, no director can resist the allure of a good script.

"Director Han, I wrote this script," Zhang Wen revealed the answer.

"You wrote it?"

Han Xiaohua's eyes widened, and she remained stunned for a full three seconds before she reacted.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhang Wen's shoulder, shaking him hard, and said excitedly, "Well, well, I thought it was some reclusive master making a comeback, but it's you, kid. 'Perfect Days' was amazing enough, but this script is a whole new level. I really don't know how your brain works. Let's make this clear, you have to film this script."

"Director Han, to be honest, the reason I came to see you today is to invite you to direct this script." Zhang Wen stopped acting and spoke the truth directly.

"Really? That's great, I'll take the role." Han Xiaohua readily agreed, then, remembering the previous script, she asked疑惑地问道, "First it was Jiang Ke's script, then your own. What's going on? Is Liu Haiyang planning to choose between you and Jiang Ke to film?"

Zhang Wen shook his head upon hearing this. "The company's board of directors wanted Chen Mingyuan to take over the film and television production department. They wanted Chen Mingyuan to work on a TV series project to gain experience. Liu Haiyang naturally couldn't sit idly by, so he also wanted to work on a TV series project to outdo Chen Mingyuan. He offered a high reward and ultimately chose Jiang Ke's script, while Chen Mingyuan chose my script."

After listening, Han Xiaohua had a look of sudden realization. "So that's how it is. It seems that your new deputy general manager at Tianxi Media has a good eye for talent."

Zhang Wen smiled. He didn't know if Chen Mingyuan had any foresight, but it was definitely a very wise choice for him to stand up and try to win him over when he was being suppressed by Li Lehua.

Regardless of Chen Mingyuan's motives, as long as they choose him and support him, he will not let them down.

"Director Han, this drama will begin preparations after the Spring Festival. Do you have time?" Zhang Wen asked.

"Whether I have time or not mainly depends on whether I have a good script. If I don't have a good script, I don't have time. If I have a good script, I have plenty of time," Han Xiaohua joked.

"Director Han, thank you for your hard work."

“Brother Zhang, why are you being so polite with me? We’re not strangers. To be honest, I’m overjoyed that you thought of me first after finishing the script,” Han Xiaohua said earnestly.

"Director Han, I should be thanking you for your favor." Zhang Wen said, standing up. "I have to go back to the company, so I'll be leaving now. Let's have dinner together another day and have a good talk about the script."

"Okay." Han Xiaohua readily agreed.

He didn't keep anyone because he needed to continue reading the script.

Zhang Wen drove back to Tianxi Media and went directly to Liu Haiyang's office.

"Dang Dang Dang!"

"Come in!"

Zhang Wen pushed open the door and entered.

Upon seeing the visitor, Liu Haiyang immediately stood up and came out from behind his desk, asking expectantly, "Teacher Zhang, how did it go? Did Director Han agree?"

"Mr. Liu, I'm really sorry, Director Han didn't agree to take on this script." Zhang Wen returned the file bag containing Jiang Ke's script, his tone carrying just the right amount of apology.

If he didn't dislike being in the public eye, his tone of voice and expression alone would definitely have earned him the Best Actor award.

"No, he didn't agree?" Liu Haiyang's expectation instantly vanished. He paused in his hand as he took the file bag, then asked in confusion, "Why? Although Jiang Ke's script has flaws, it's still top-notch in the industry. Why would he refuse? Did Director Han give a reason?"

"Director Han said he didn't quite approve of Jiang Ke's creative style, feeling that the script was too idealistic and detached from reality, and he was afraid that the audience wouldn't accept it if it were filmed," Zhang Wen said half-jokingly, deliberately concealing Director Han Xiaohua's disdain for Jiang Ke herself.

Liu Haiyang frowned, opened the file folder, took out the script, flipped through a few pages, and muttered, "Detached from reality? Art comes from life but transcends it, isn't that normal?"

Clearly, he couldn't accept this result. After all, Jiang Ke's reputation was undeniable, and this was the result of his careful selection. To have it rejected so directly was like being humiliated from afar.

No, we can't just give up like this.

"Teacher Zhang, can you help me think of another way? You have a good relationship with Director Han, so try to put in a good word for him. We can increase the remuneration. As long as he agrees, we can discuss any terms," ​​Liu Haiyang said.

"Mr. Liu, it's not that I don't want to help you, but you know Director Han's temper. Once he's made up his mind, it's hard to change it. Besides, his schedule is already full, and he'll be preparing for a new drama after the New Year," Zhang Wen said with a wry smile, pretending to be in a difficult position.

"Is that so?" Liu Haiyang's eyes dimmed upon hearing this, and he finally gave up hope.

"Mr. Liu, it's alright. Director Han isn't the only director who can make urban dramas. Does the show not get made without Director Han?" Zhang Wen comforted him.

Liu Haiyang sighed.

It's not that he can't do without Han Xiaohua, it's just that Han Xiaohua was his first choice, and now it seems he has to settle for second best.

"Han Xiaohua, you'll regret this!"

……

(End of this chapter)