Entertainment: A whirlwind marriage with a fairy-like mother at the start!

"No!"

Li Dawei flatly refused.

"What kind of nonsense is it to cast a Korean in a Chinese drama? I just don't believe that in such a vast country as China, we can't find a Bai Xiuzhu?"

Just then, a clear singing voice suddenly came from a computer in the corner.

"Each time, I find strength amidst hesitation and loneliness..."

Li Dawei frowned: "Who's playing music? Turn it off, it's too noisy."

The assistant in charge of organizing the data was startled and hurriedly tried to close the webpage.

"etc!"

Li Dawei's gaze inadvertently swept across the computer screen, and he suddenly froze.

On the screen, the simple music video for "Invisible Wings" was playing.

In the picture, Liu Qianqian is wearing a white T-shirt, standing under a tree, with her chin slightly raised and her eyes filled with an air of unyielding pride.

That expression.

That kind of pride—holding your head high even when you've been wronged.

That kind of otherworldly, aristocratic air.

Li Dawei slammed his teacup down on the table with a thud, splashing tea all over the table.

He rushed to the computer, pushed the assistant aside, and stared intently at the screen.

"Who is this?" His voice carried a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

"Huh?" The assistant was taken aback and stammered.

"This...this is a newcomer who has recently become very popular online, named Liu Qianqian, a freshman at Beijing Film Academy."

"Liu Qianqian..."

Li Dawei pondered the name repeatedly, watching the girl's every smile and gesture on the screen.

Like.

so similar.

This is Bai Xiuzhu in his mind!

That slightly chubby baby face, that natural charm, and that air of nobility that emanates from within.

This is the rich heiress who you both love and hate!

"Quick!" Li Dawei whirled around and yelled at the casting director, "Find her! I need her contact information! This is the Bai Xiuzhu I want!"

The afternoon of the following day.

Li Dawei's face, etched with arrogance and a thirst for quick success, was pressed against the slightly chipped wooden door of the Liu family's house.

Behind him was a casting director carrying a briefcase; both of them were covered in sweat, and their breathing could be heard through the door.

As soon as Liu Xiaoli opened the door a crack, Li Dawei eagerly handed her his business card.

The business card was gleaming gold, with the five characters "Director Li Dawei" printed on it.

"Li Dawei? From 'The Story of a Noble Family'?"

Liu Xiaoli held the gold-embossed business card, her hand trembling slightly.

As someone in the industry, she naturally knew that this was CCTV's major production this year, a Republican-era idol drama with an investment of 40 million yuan, a coveted opportunity that many people would kill to get into.

Before she could react, Li Dawei had already squeezed in through the crack in the door. His bloodshot eyes scanned the room like radar, finally locking onto Liu Qianqian, who was curled up on the sofa eating duck neck.

"So alike! Absolutely so!"

Li Dawei slapped his thigh, almost kneeling down in excitement. "This is Bai Xiuzhu straight out of the book!"

Liu Qianqian hadn't swallowed the duck neck in her mouth yet, her cheeks were bulging, and she looked at the strange uncle who had suddenly barged in with a blank expression.

She subconsciously shrank behind Yu Le and wiped her oily hands on Yu Le's gray T-shirt.

Yu Le swatted away the oily paw with disgust and lazily raised her eyelids.

"Director Li, right? What are you doing barging in like this? Trespassing is a crime punishable by detention!"

Only then did Li Dawei notice the unseemly man on the other side of the sofa.

Despite wearing baggy shorts and flip-flops, his nonchalant aura actually put a bit of pressure on this famous director.

"Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!" Li Dawei wiped his sweat, pulled over a small stool as if they were old friends, sat down, and spread his briefcase on the coffee table.

"I came here with sincerity! The second female lead! Baek Soo-joo! As long as Sissi agrees, this role is hers!"

The casting director quickly added, "Her role is second only to the female lead, and her character is exceptionally well-developed—a wealthy heiress who has returned from studying abroad, bold and decisive in love and hate. She's sure to attract fans!"

Yu Le scoffed.

Daring to love and hate? Isn't that just a scapegoat who gets dumped by the male lead, then relentlessly pursues him, and ultimately becomes a stepping stone for the main couple's love?

but……

Yu Le glanced at Liu Qianqian, who was eavesdropping.

This girl's acting skills are so bad that she'd struggle with other roles, but playing a spoiled, socially awkward young lady like this is practically a natural fit for her.

She doesn't even need to act; just standing there, rolling her eyes, is Bai Xiuzhu herself.

"How is the payment calculated?" Yu Le cut to the chase.

Li Dawei was stunned for a moment.

Why doesn't this parent play by the rules?

Don't we usually start by talking about art and ideals?

Why are you talking about money right away?

"This..." Li Dawei hesitated for a moment, then held out one hand, "Fifty thousand. After all, he's a newcomer, this is already the maximum price."

Yu Le didn't respond, but said casually.

"Fifty thousand? Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"

"Director Li, your film is a big production with a budget of 20 million."

"With Chen Kun as the male lead and Dong Jie as the female lead, are you really going to give the second female lead only 50,000 yuan? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by your peers?"

Li Dawei smiled wryly: "Mr. Yu, that's not how you calculate it. After all, Qianqian doesn't have any works yet; this is a good opportunity for her to gain experience and prestige..."

"Opportunities are mutual," Yu Le interrupted him, pointing to Liu Qianqian's face. "You've been wandering all over Beijing for so long, have you found anyone more suitable than her?"

"Besides, this girl already has a lot of buzz; 'Invisible Wings' is still at the top of the charts. You're just riding on our coattails, you know?"

Li Dawei was speechless.

"I won't ask for much, 80,000," Yu Le quoted a price. "My child still needs to go to school; who will compensate for the loss if their studies are disrupted?"

Li Dawei gritted his teeth, looked at Liu Qianqian's face, and made up his mind: "Fine! Eighty thousand it is! But there's one condition: you have to join the crew this week. This film can't wait!"

"make a deal."

The two parties quickly signed the contract. Li Dawei looked at Liu Qianqian's name on the contract and finally said goodbye and left, satisfied.

Looking at the contract in her hand, still smelling of ink, Liu Xiaoli felt like she was dreaming.

Eighty thousand yuan.

In the past, this amount of money would have been equivalent to the price of several designer handbags, but at this critical juncture, it has greatly alleviated her current predicament.

The key point is that this opportunity is the stepping stone for my daughter to enter the real entertainment industry.

In her eyes, all of this was brought about by Yu Le.

Just then, Yu Le spoke up as well.

"Alright, stop looking. Looking won't make two more appear."

Yu Le finished gnawing on the last duck neck, grabbed a tissue to wipe his hands haphazardly, and then slumped onto the sofa with a comfortable sigh.

"Pack your bags, you're joining the crew tomorrow. It's cold in Tianjin, so pack a couple more warm clothes for Qianqian."

Liu Xiaoli carefully put the contract into the cabinet, then turned around to look at the man who had no manners at all.

If it were in the past, she would definitely have scolded her for "sitting and standing improperly".

But now, it looks pleasing to the eye no matter how you look at it.