Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 18 Not Signing with a Brokerage Firm
"Don't be shy, have a seat."

"Thank you."

Chen Xiu settled into her chair and looked up at Fang Ying, who was sitting opposite her.

The other party is the general manager of Juku Media, the production company of "My Sunshine", and also the producer of the TV series. He produced "Boss & Me" last year.

In the future, she will also be responsible for producing phenomenal hits such as "Love O2O", "Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms", and "Go Go Squid!" Calling her a top-notch producer is not an exaggeration at all.

Tang Yan just told Chen Xiu that "Producer Fang is looking for him," referring to Fang Ying.

The reason why someone would specifically come to the film set to find a newcomer like myself seems quite obvious...

A thoughtful look flashed in Chen Xiu's eyes, but she didn't reveal her thoughts on her face. She just waited silently for Fang Ying to speak.

While Chen Xiu patiently waited for the other party to speak, Fang Ying was also sizing him up.

Judging solely from physical appearance, Fang Ying's evaluation of Chen Xiu is even higher than that of Zhang Tangzhu Han, with whom she had just collaborated last year.

Moreover, compared to Zhang Han's greasy handsomeness, Chen Xiu's cool and aloof demeanor after putting on glasses actually makes her seem more elegant.

"Excuse me, could you please take off your glasses?"

Upon hearing this request, Chen Xiu hesitated for a moment: "Take off your glasses?"

Fang Ying nodded, wanting to conduct a more thorough assessment.

"Yes! I want to see what you look like without your glasses. These glasses are non-prescription, so they shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"It doesn't matter, I'm just curious why they would do that."

Even so, Chen Xiu still took off her glasses and put them on the table, then pulled her bangs back with her hand so that Fang Ying could see her more clearly.

Ma Weiwei commented that Chen Xiu exudes a powerful aura when he doesn't wear glasses; Meng Ziyi also said that her first impression of Chen Xiu was that he seemed a bit arrogant and condescending...

The two evaluations are actually consistent.

At this moment, Fang Ying also had a similar feeling.

"Without your glasses, you look like a CEO of a large corporation, but with them, you appear gentle and refined. It seems you have a wide range of roles in modern dramas, and with your well-defined features, you should also look good in period costumes. You're a promising talent."

"Producer Fang, are you saying this because you want to sign me?"

Not wanting to waste too much time on pretense, Chen Xiu simply stated Fang Ying's purpose.

Seeing Fang Ying's slightly stunned expression, he continued, "I'm sorry, I have no plans to sign with a talent agency. If there's nothing else, I'd like to leave now."

"Wait a moment."

Fang Ying raised her hand to stop them, and her expression returned to normal.

"The fact that you can see through my intentions shows you're a smart person, so let me be clearer. You should know that Juku Culture's parent company is Huace Pictures, right?"

"The first TV drama stock to go public in 10 years, everyone in the industry knows that."

"I'm talking to you about signing a contract, not because I want you to sign with Juku, but because I want you to sign with Huace."

"You want to sign me on behalf of Huace?"

Chen Xiu said noncommittally.

Let alone the fact that he would never sign with a talent agency, even if he wanted to, he would definitely not choose Huace.

According to his memories from his previous life, Huace has always valued dramas more than artists, and his style is somewhat similar to Daylight Entertainment. Artists who join him will not lack roles, but it is difficult for them to benefit from the popularity of his work.

Xiao Zuojing, one of the future four little actresses, also became famous on her own merits; Hua Ce did not play any role in her career.

While Chen Xiu was mentally assessing Huace's strengths and weaknesses, Fang Ying thought he was intimidated by the company's reputation, so she immediately resorted to packaging and making grand promises. "Wu Qian, who is partnering with you, signed with Huace last year. She will have targeted resource packages in the future. Your qualifications are much better than hers. If you sign with Huace, the resources you will receive will be better than hers."

"Can you guarantee me a role as the second male lead in a high-quality TV series within six months?"

Chen Xiu blurted out, and from Fang Ying's suddenly frozen and then surprised and doubtful gaze, he understood even more clearly how difficult the task given by the system was.

Fang Ying's expression clearly conveyed a meaning.

This idea isn't a question of whether it's possible or not; you're fucking dreaming!

Chen Xiu shook his head with a wry smile, sensing that he would have to resort to some unconventional methods to complete the mission.

"Mr. Fang, just take it as a joke."

"That's right! Young people need to be more down-to-earth and not aim too high. As long as you sign with Huace, you'll have a role as the second male lead in the future..."

"No, you misunderstood. What I meant was that even if Hua Ce could offer me the second male lead role, I still wouldn't want to sign the contract."

Upon hearing this, Fang Ying's relaxed, fake smile immediately froze.

Chen Xiu knew that her way of refusing was impolite, but expressing her stance quickly would save him from some unnecessary formalities.

The two looked at each other, neither of them speaking.

A moment later, Fang Ying, having realized what was happening, wanted to say: "Young people don't know their own limitations!"
However, when she met Chen Xiu's deep and calm eyes, she immediately felt that he was not a young man who would speak recklessly.

Moreover, judging from their brief initial meeting at the coffee shop, Chen Xiu gave Fang Ying the impression of being a worldly person, not an ordinary newcomer who could be easily fooled into signing a contract with just a few coins.

Having figured out these two points, Fang Ying's intention to make harsh remarks vanished.

"Tsk, not signing with an agency and still wanting to play the second male lead... Your expectations are too high, Hua Ce can't provide them."

"I know, but I'm not going to lower my standards, nor do I intend to sign with a management company. I hope my abrupt rejection just now didn't embarrass you."

Chen Xiu nodded to Fang Ying, then slowly got up, left the coffee shop, and walked towards the entrance of the creative park.

The pair of glasses without prescription were left on the table. By the time Fang Ying noticed them, Chen Xiu had already disappeared.

However, it was originally a prop from the film crew, so it's only right that it be kept.

……

With filming completed, Chen Xiu officially left M50 Creative Park.

The work at Didi only requires phone communication; the important thing is the Series D funding round, which can be done without returning to Beijing.

ByteDance's financing agreement has been signed, and all that's left is to transfer the money won from the World Cup to Zhang Yiming in installments.

Meng Ziyi has already gone back to Northeast China for summer vacation...

For now, there's no need to focus too much on either career or relationships.

Chen Xiu urgently needs a quiet place to sort out the extra information in her mind. First, she needs to write out the script for "Detective Chinatown" to steal the original owner's luck, and then she needs to plan how to complete the tasks given by the system.

After thinking it over, he decided to take a taxi home.

Standing on the street, Chen Xiu flagged down a taxi, got into the passenger seat, and gave a place name.

"Driver, to the Yuyuan intersection."

"Oh, I see. The young man went home?"

"Yes! I'm off work and going home."

(End of this chapter)