Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 286 Fan Bingbing Arrives
"Xuehua, you've finally arrived."

Qiong Yao saw the middle-aged woman and immediately went to greet her.

"I had some things to do the other day, but I finally had some free time today, so I came to check on the casting process."

The person who came was Liu Xuehua, one of the earliest actresses to star in Qiong Yao's films. She had also received an invitation from Qiong Yao to come and see if she could play the role of the Empress.

At the same time, recommend someone to the "Princess Pearl" production team.

"There are too many people, and many actors haven't been confirmed yet."

Qiong Yao was exhausted these past few days, and complained with a smile: "Director Cao's reputation is too great. Many people come here because of Director Cao, and many of them are his movie fans and music fans."

"Director Cao, you've really worn Qiong Yao out."

Liu Xuehua and Cao Jian knew each other before. They greeted each other and then pulled the young girl behind them to the front: "Qiong Yao, Director Cao, what do you think of this little girl? Should we arrange a role for her in your drama?"

"She has big eyes, is quite good-looking, and has good skin."

Qiong Yao looked the little girl up and down, then said to Cao Jian, "I think she looks a bit like Jin Suo, what do you think?"

"You feel the same way I do."

Cao Jian nodded in agreement. The girl in front of him, though young, looked pitiful and had a bit of baby fat, exactly like a little maid.

If she doesn't play Jin Suo, who will?
The little girl is none other than the future famous Fan Bingbing.

Two days ago, Liu Xuehua said that she would recommend herself to Qiong Yao.

Almost everyone in the entertainment industry knows that Qiong Yao and Cao Jian were selecting actors in Yanjing. The young actress Fan Bingbing has been excited for days about the possibility of meeting the legendary Boss Cao.

When I arrived at the audition today, I saw Director Cao being very polite to an elderly man, which gave me a good impression of Cao Jian.

After entering the room, he secretly observed his idol, Cao Jian.

When she discovered that Qiong Yao had to consult Cao Jian for his opinion, she immediately concluded that this man must be a truly reliable big shot.

Upon hearing that she might play Jin Suo, Fan Bingbing quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Director Cao, thank you, Aunt Qiong Yao."

"A very good little girl."

Qiong Yao was naturally pleased to see such a beautiful girl and couldn't help but compliment her. Then she discussed the selection of an empress with Cao Jian.

Outside the door, many girls were waiting for their auditions.

They discovered that Li Mingqi was chosen to play Rong Momo without even having to audition.

Li Mingqi is very famous in China, which is fine, but Liu Xuehua brought a little girl who was chosen as Jin Suo without even having to audition. This made many people unhappy.

We traveled so far and hard, taking the train and waiting for several days, finally getting through the first round, only to find that we have one less role to choose from. Why?
Based on connections?

Although relationships are important in the entertainment industry, you shouldn't have mentioned holding public auditions to select actors in the first place.

This is all just hype.

"So, relationships are the most important thing after all. Let's go, let's not waste any more time!"

Two strong-willed girls grumbled something in the queue and then tried to leave.

Cao Jian was talking to Liu Xuehua in the room, completely unaware that someone had started complaining, and continued to attend to his business.

But as soon as the two dissatisfied girls stepped out, they were surrounded by several reporters.

How did your auditions go?

"What audition? The audition is just a publicity stunt. The director and screenwriter choose actors based entirely on connections. It's better not to participate in such an audition."

As soon as the two girls finished speaking, the reporter's eyes lit up with excitement.

This is big news.

The casting for "My Fair Princess" and Cao Jian's writing of a promotional song for the World Cup have been widely discussed these past two days, and almost everyone knows about them.

News of public auditions being staged and then leaked behind closed doors is definitely more attention-grabbing.

People love this kind of gossip news.

The reporters immediately pressed, "Could you elaborate?"

"A famous actress from Taiwan brought a little girl, and without even an audition, she was cast in a very important role by Qiong Yao. Isn't that just using connections?"

"Yes, since the auditions are open, everyone should at least be given a chance. Even if it's someone introduced by a friend, they should at least try their acting skills. We are very dissatisfied with this decision."

The reporter happily wrote down these words and asked about some details from earlier before being satisfied.

In his mind, he had already decided on the headline for tomorrow's entertainment section: "The production team of 'Princess Pearl' engaged in shady dealings, casting actors entirely based on connections."

With this breaking news, my bonus for this month is in the bag!
Cao Jian was unaware that the "Princess Pearl" production team might become even more popular tomorrow. At that moment, he was discussing the selection of the Empress.

"Sister Xuehua, I know you are a good actress, but the Empress in this drama is a major villain, so I think we should skip it this time."

In Cao Jian's mind, the Empress in "Princess Pearl" was played by a woman surnamed Dai, and she performed very well.

"If it's not a good fit, then forget it. We can work together again in the future if there's an opportunity."

Liu Xuehua wasn't disappointed. Her main purpose today was to visit her old friend Qiong Yao and recommend Fan Bingbing to her.

If I could get the role and work with the legendary Cao Jian, that would be the best, but it's okay if I can't.

She stood up and shook hands with Cao Jian, then said to Qiong Yao, "Then I'm entrusting Bingbing to you. Please take good care of her."

"Do not worry."

Qiong Yao agreed, but when she returned after seeing her friend off, she found that Cao Jian was already chatting enthusiastically with Fan Bingbing.

"This Xiao Cao, he gets all sorts of ideas whenever he sees a pretty girl."

But when I got there, I found out that Fan Bingbing had met her idol and was excitedly asking for an autograph. She also said that she didn't have much acting experience and asked Cao Jian to teach her.

"After all that, it turns out the girl took the initiative."

Qiong Yao shook her head speechlessly. This Cao Jian really knew how to win a girl's heart.

Not only did he win over his beloved student Chen Derong, but he also flirted with Lin Xinru, whom he thought was quite promising, and now he's attracted Fan Bingbing.

Being handsome and rich is really great.

More than thirty people auditioned that day, and they were all top-notch beauties.

However, what made Boss Cao happiest was that Fan Bingbing had finally arrived.

Not only did it arrive, but it was even more beautiful than I had imagined.

Her skin was so tender, you could practically squeeze water out of it.

How could Boss Cao not like someone like that?
Now that Fan Bingbing is here, do you think you can just run away?

The next morning, Cao Jian was having a dream while holding Zhang Baizhi in his arms when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Who is it, so early?

It's the dead of winter in Yanjing right now. Although the room is warm, the blankets are even more comfortable, especially since I can hold a beautiful woman in my arms.

"Director Cao, something's happened."

The assistant at the door sounded a little anxious, as if something serious had really happened.

Cao Jian impatiently got out of bed, put on his pajamas, opened the door, and saw his assistant holding a morning newspaper. He asked, "Did someone say something in the newspaper?"

"Yes."

Seeing that his boss had guessed the gist of the matter immediately, the assistant admired him and said urgently, "Someone in the newspaper said that our production team was rigging the casting process, and that the public auditions were just a gimmick to attract attention. They accused us of having no sincerity. If this continues, it will affect the reputation of our show."

"Oh."

Although the assistant made it sound very serious, Cao Jian simply said "Oh," took the newspaper, and said, "I know, you can go back now."

After saying that, he returned to his room.

"???"

The assistant was completely bewildered. How come the boss wasn't nervous at all about such a big thing?
Or are they already confident of success?

Otherwise, how could he be so composed?
In the room, Cao Jian lay back on the bed, playing with Zhang Baizhi in one hand and reading the newspaper in the other.

News about the casting of "My Fair Princess" is very eye-catching.

But how many behind-the-scenes manipulations are there in the entertainment industry?

There are countless examples of people getting into productions by bringing their own money, using connections, or relying on their physical attributes; it's just that these things are not openly discussed.

Although the story about "Princess Pearl" has been brought up, it's not really a big deal.

But if word gets out, it will definitely affect its reputation.

The original show had a viewership rating of over 40%. If our own show drops in ratings, it would be embarrassing.

After thinking for a while, he came up with an idea.

Bingbing, I'm here!

A mischievous chuckle suddenly ran through him, and he jumped out of bed, ready to knock on Fan Bingbing's door.
(End of this chapter)