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

"You...you're not joking?" Ning Hao's voice was hoarse.

"I never joke around, especially when it comes to money," Yu Le said calmly.

"I'll film it." Ning Hao finally conceded, but he still stubbornly held onto his last shred of pride as a director. "But I have one condition."

"explain."

"You can't just throw a bunch of random people with connections into the production crew and give orders!"

Yu Le smiled.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead took two things out of his pocket.

One was a printed script, and the other was a thin contract.

He placed the script on the editing table first, then stacked the contract on top of it, making the bottle of iced cola jump with a thud.

"Apart from the female lead and a few main supporting roles, I've already decided on them. As for the lighting, cinematography, art direction, and production management, you'll have to assemble your own team."

"My job is only to do two things: pay for the movie and watch it at the end."

Yu Le unscrewed the lid of the cola and took a sip. The carbonated bubbles burst in his mouth, making him squint his eyes in pleasure.

"Furthermore, I won't interfere with your filming techniques. As long as you can capture the footage I want, you can do whatever you want with it."

These conditions... are like a windfall!

Ning Hao picked up the not-so-thick script with suspicion.

Youth film?

He actually looked down on it a bit, but he still patiently opened it.

A few minutes later, the doubt and impatience on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a sense of focus and concentration.

When he turned to the last page, he let out a long breath, his eyes filled with complex emotions—the script was a good script, realistic and moving, full of youthful excitement and regret.

If this is filmed well, it will definitely touch the hearts of a large number of people.

He was tempted.

A good script, plus an investor who doesn't interfere and even provides funding—this is almost every young director's ultimate dream.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Yu Le pointed to the contract below.

Ning Hao picked up the thin contract; the terms were so simple they could be described as lenient.

There's only one rather domineering clause: a five-year contract with Xianyu Entertainment.

But for a director who has just graduated and is barely able to afford food, is this a big deal?

Some of his senior classmates graduated five years ago and haven't even touched the director's chair of a proper film.

I've got a great script with a multi-million dollar investment to film right from the start, what more could I ask for?

Yu Le struck while the iron was hot.

He pulled a thick envelope from his pocket and casually tossed it onto the contract.

The envelope was bulging and unsealed, revealing a corner of bright red banknotes inside.

"Here's 100,000 yuan. Signing fee." Yu Le's tone was as calm as if he were saying it was just 10 yuan. "After you sign, take this money, go change your clothes, and have a good meal."

One hundred thousand yuan! In cash!

In an era when Beijing's housing prices were only a few thousand yuan per square meter, the visual impact of 100,000 yuan was simply too great.

Ning Hao's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He glanced at the dilapidated basement, at the computer that looked like it could break down at any moment, and then at the bright red banknotes on the table.

Art is precious, but freedom is even more valuable.

If it's for money... then both can be abandoned.

"Where's the pen?" Ning Hao asked.

Three minutes later.

Yu Le put away the signed contract with satisfaction, and looked at Ning Hao who was counting the money, feeling overjoyed.

Get it!

.......

Finding actors for the other roles was also very easy.

On Hu Ge's side, Yu Le had Yang Nuo contact him, and Tang Ren readily agreed.

After all, Hu Ge is just a newcomer right now.

If a movie lead role with a multi-million dollar investment were offered to her, Cai Yinong would have to be out of her mind to refuse.

Shu Chang was overjoyed to learn that Uncle Yu had asked her to star in a movie. It was unclear whether she was happy because she could make a movie or because she could eat the delicious food Yu Le made.

I've got these two sorted out.

Yu Le took out his phone and found the number he had saved for a long time but hadn't dialed much.

"Beep...beep..."

When the call connected, Cui Xinqin's distinctive, somewhat authoritative voice came from the other end.

"Feed? Who?"

"Teacher Cui, I'm Liu Qianqian's parent, Yu Le." Yu Le's tone was incredibly obedient. "Isn't summer vacation almost here? I was thinking of assigning some 'summer homework' to our Class of 02 students."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"What kind of trouble are you trying to cause?" Empress Dowager Cui was clearly still wary of this student's parent who "didn't play by the rules." "Last time you took Qianqian away to film a movie, who are you planning to mess with this time?"

"Look at what you're saying, do you think I'm that kind of person?" Yu Le chuckled. "I just started a project, a youth film, not a big investment, just over ten million. The director is Ning Hao from our school's cinematography department. I was thinking, why not keep the good stuff in the family, and let our classmates get some experience with the supporting roles and extras?"

"How much?" Cui Xinqin's voice rose noticeably by an octave.

"Twelve million," Yu Le reported the number with utter nonchalance.

The sound of a thermos clattering against the table came from the other end of the phone.

In this day and age, twelve million is the absolute pinnacle for a youth film that hasn't even started filming yet.

Many junior and senior college students would wear out their shoes running for a few thousand yuan in sponsorship for a short film, or drink until they had a stomach hemorrhage with the assistant director for a minor role with just one line.

Now, a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast can be delivered right to your doorstep.

In addition, the filming took place at the end of the semester, just before summer vacation, when there were fewer classes, so the school was supportive.

"Bring your director to school tomorrow morning," Cui Xinqin said firmly. "I'll personally make room for you to cast the actors."

"Alright, I'll do as you say."

After hanging up the phone, Yu Le felt happy.

The power of capital can sometimes be so simple, unpretentious, and dull.

Early the next morning.

The atmosphere inside the Beijing Film Academy's acting department building was somewhat eerie.

At this time of day, everyone is usually practicing their morning exercises, and the loud shouts can scare away the birds in the trees.

But today, the rehearsal room was unusually quiet.

Those with good connections had already received word of it.

"Have you heard? Liu Qianqian's parents are coming to our class to cast actors!"

"Really? What are they filming? A TV series?"

"A movie! I heard it cost tens of millions to make! And it's directed by our school's senior, that eccentric genius Ning Hao!"

A group of teenagers gathered together, their faces flushed with excitement.

For freshmen, joining a film crew is an unattainable dream, let alone a big-budget movie like this.

In the corner, Jiang Yiyan was tidying her practice clothes in front of the mirror.

Today, she specially chose a light pink bodysuit, which made her already slender figure even more charming.

Listening to the whispers around her, she gripped the comb tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly blue from the force.

It's Liu Qianqian again.

It's Yu Le again.

These two names were like her nightmares, following her wherever she went.

"Tch, so what if she has a rich dad?" A follower who always followed Jiang Yiyan around said sourly, "What's so great about that? If someone gave me ten million, I could play the lead role too."

Jiang Yiyan glanced at her through the mirror, a gentle yet melancholic bitter smile on her face.

"Don't say that. Sisi is lucky; we can't be envious of her." She spoke softly, like a small white flower swaying in the wind and rain. "Let's just focus on practicing our skills. Opportunities will come eventually."

That sounds grand, but it's actually incredibly sour.

The classroom door was pushed open.

Cui Xinqin walked at the very front, exuding an aura of authority.

Three people followed behind him.

One is Ning Hao, with messy hair and dark circles under his eyes like a panda, yet he is full of energy.

The other was Yu Le, dressed in a simple casual suit, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed and carefree.

At the very back is Liu Qianqian, who is as well-behaved as an elementary school student.

"Quiet down, everyone." Cui Xinqin clapped her hands.

The entire venue fell silent instantly, and dozens of pairs of eager eyes shone like searchlights on Yu Le and Ning Hao.

"Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Yu from Xianyu Entertainment, and he's also the investor in this project." Cui Xinqin pointed to Yu Le. "This is a rare opportunity, so all of you better stay focused and don't embarrass our Class of 02."

Yu Le smiled and waved his hand, not at all shy, and pulled over a chair to sit down backwards, resting his chin on the back of the chair.

"Don't be nervous, everyone." Yu Le smiled and looked around. "When I cast people, I don't look at anything else, I just go by first impressions. The script is about high school life, so you can all just play yourselves."

As he spoke, he pulled a crumpled list from his pocket and tossed it to Ning Hao.

"Let's begin."