Huayu, my cheat code is a bit strange.

Chapter 45 is full of scheming (Please read on, please recommend, please do everything!)

By 2002, Chaoyang District had become an undeniable force.

As the most dynamic emerging business district, numerous high-rise buildings have sprung up, creating a stark contrast with the gray walls and green tiles of the old town.

Hairun Film & Television, Huayi Brothers, and Zhongbo Media—companies that will one day shake up the entire entertainment industry—are quietly accumulating strength here.

So when Gu Xiao learned that You Jianming had set up a branch of Qiangshi Film Industry here, she wasn't surprised.

Following the address on the business card, he found an unremarkable office building.

Enter the lobby, go to the front desk, and give your name and phone number.

After confirming the appointment, the woman in the suit politely guided him to the elevator.

The elevator ascended smoothly, and the numbers kept changing.

Gu Xiao's face remained expressionless, but she was silently weighing the pros and cons in her mind.

In fact, last night he had already roughly figured out the cause and effect of what had happened in the past few days.

The only thing that's uncertain is You Jianming's attitude and what role the other party played in all of this.

The elevator made a soft sound, and the metal doors slowly opened.

Gu Xiao composed herself and stepped out.

The glass doors of Qiangshi Film Studio were open, and the receptionist, who seemed to have been notified in advance, immediately stood up upon seeing him and led him with a smile to an office deep in the corridor.

Pushing open the door, the first thing that catches the eye is a huge floor-to-ceiling window, with the street scene of Chaoyang District unfolding outside the window.

You Jianming was standing by the window with his back to the door, talking on the phone.

"Yes, the script reading time will be set according to this schedule. Please double-check the actors' schedules; I don't want any problems after filming begins."

Hearing the noise, You Jianming turned around, saw Gu Xiao, pointed to the single sofa against the wall, indicating that he should sit down first, and then continued to say a few more words into the microphone before hanging up.

"Very punctual."

You Jianming sat down in the main seat on the sofa, placed his phone on the coffee table, and looked at Gu Xiao with a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction.

Gu Xiao skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point:

"Mr. You, before signing the contract, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

You Jianming seemed to have expected this, and while boiling water to make tea, he gestured for Gu Xiao to continue.

"The Story of a Noble Family is a big production with a strong cast. Logically speaking, a supporting role like 'Ouyang Yujian' with such a significant amount of screen time shouldn't have been given to a newcomer like me with no experience."

Gu Xiao looked at You Jianming with a cold gaze and said in a serious tone, "I want to know who recommended me to you? Or rather, who gave you my name?"

The tea boils, and wisps of steam rise.

You Jianming leisurely warmed the teacup, his expression playful:

"Your participation in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is a major event that has shocked the film and television industry. It would be difficult not to know your name, right?"

Gu Xiao said, "Dong Jie has never heard of me, nor have the female assistant and makeup artist in the photography studio."

You Jianming choked for a moment, glanced at Gu Xiao, and said with a smile, "You've already got the role, what's the point of worrying about this?"

Gu Xiao lowered her eyes slightly and said in a calm tone, "Entering this circle, it's impossible not to offend people, but you have to know who you've offended, right?"

He said coldly, "Otherwise, wouldn't we die without even knowing who killed us?"

……

……

The office was deathly silent.

For the first time, a look of astonishment appeared on You Jianming's usually composed face, and his hand, which was making tea, trembled slightly.

With his spiritual vision activated, Gu Xiao took in this series of reactions. He understood what was happening, but couldn't help but feel a pang of self-mockery.
"Such a roundabout way of putting it, you really think highly of me." You Jianming gave him a deep look, pushed a cup of tea in front of him, and said:

What does it mean to have offended someone?

Gu Xiao's thoughts began to surge, her memory frozen on that day in the conference room at Beijing Film Academy.

He began, “A project as big as ‘The Story of Jin’ is bound to have a lot of people and a lot of end credits songs. The fact that I received the role of ‘Duan Yu’ and then met you in less than five days is too abrupt and too purposeful.”

Gu Xiao said self-deprecatingly, "I've said before that I know my own limitations. You came in such a hurry, I really can't think of any other reason besides being asked to do it."

The smile on You Jianming's face gradually faded. He put down the teapot, folded his hands on his knees, and said, "Continue."

Gu Xiaojing met his gaze: "I'm not too clear on the specifics, but I imagine it's related to the actors' contracts."

"Oh?"

A glint of light flashed in You Jianming's eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Director Zhou chose me to play Duan Yu not only because of my appearance, but more importantly because I could cooperate with the crew throughout the production and have flexible hours."

Gu Xiao's gaze was cold as she said, "Once I sign with 'The Story of a Noble Family,' I'll be stuck with this production for the entire summer. If the contract also includes a domineering reshoot clause, then the role of 'Duan Yu' will forever be out of my reach."

You Jianming leaned back slightly on the sofa cushions, looking at the boy in front of him with a completely new perspective for the first time.

He suddenly chuckled softly, shook his head, and said in a complicated tone:
"I thought I had overestimated you as much as possible, but I still underestimated you."

Seeing You Jianming's tacit agreement, Gu Xiao felt a little strange.

He asked, puzzled, "You're a big shot in your own right, why would you need to cooperate with others to scheme against a newcomer like me from the Beijing Film Academy?"

You Jianming looked at him with a half-smile and asked in return:
"If I weren't ruthless enough and didn't nitpick, do you think I could have become a big shot in this area? Could I have established myself in the capital?"

Gu Xiao was speechless.

Okay, what they said makes sense.

The business world is like a battlefield; it's about advantages and disadvantages, not about good and evil, right and wrong.

Seeing that he had figured out the key point, You Jianming stopped beating around the bush, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with a more serious tone:

"Since you've brought it all up, I might as well be frank with you. The person who contacted me is indeed someone from a certain TV station, someone with considerable influence, and they offered me a lot of things."

He said, “We agreed that I would use a supporting role contract to keep you in the company, and then I would contact Zhang Jizhong and Zhou Xiaowen. Once you are completely disconnected from the ‘Tianlong’ crew, I will adjust your role based on seniority. The role of ‘Ouyang Yujian’ will still be played by the person I initially selected.”

Gu Xiao listened quietly, her fingertips unconsciously tapping twice on her knees.

Despite having some suspicions, hearing this almost blatant scheming firsthand still made him feel uneasy.

He looked up at You Jianming and said in a calm tone, "Judging from the conversation in the conference room that day and what happened on set yesterday, it seems you have other ideas."

You Jianming did not answer directly.

He picked up the teapot on the table and slowly poured himself a cup of tea.

"Gu Xiao".

He blew on the tea foam, looked up at the boy, his gaze deep, and asked, "In your opinion, what's the most valuable thing in the entertainment industry?"

Gu Xiao thought for a moment, "Talent?"

You Jianming scoffed, "Talent isn't something that people can just recognize. If the experts and judges say you have it, then you have it; if they say you don't, then you don't."

Gu Xiao muttered to himself, "That's really blatant." Then he asked, "Connections?"

You Jianming shook his head. "Project production can rely on connections, but ultimately it's the audience who pays the bill."

Gu Xiao was getting annoyed. "I don't know."

You Jianming looked into the boy's eyes and slowly said:
"The most important thing in the entertainment industry is—to stay clear-headed!"

(End of this chapter)