Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

With Su Guanyun, a local strongman, leading the way, things went exceptionally smoothly from then on.

Business registration, taxation, and all sorts of cumbersome procedures were handled smoothly with a green light at every turn.

Those staff members who usually had stern faces at the service windows all became very polite when they saw Su Guanyun.

Zhang Ze has truly come to understand the power of connections.

All the procedures were completed in one afternoon.

The studio's name is very simple: Zhang Ze Studio.

After finishing his business, Zhang Ze once again declined Su Guanyun's invitation to stay temporarily at Baiyun Temple.

He didn't want to owe too many favors, and he also had other things to do on this trip, so staying at the Taoist temple would be inconvenient.

Su Guanyun didn't insist, only saying that Zhang Ze could contact him anytime if he had any difficulties. After leaving his contact information, he took Zhang Ze to a five-star hotel in the city center.

Upon moving into the spacious executive suite, the first thing Zhang Ze did was call Yang Mi.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Hey, Master Zhang, you've arrived in Shanghai?" Yang Mi's cheerful voice came through the phone.

Zhang Ze walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the dazzling city night view outside. "I just arrived today. I've taken care of my business, and now I'm just waiting for your good news. How did the appointment with President Cai go?"

"Don't worry, no problem." Yang Mi agreed readily. "Don't you trust me to handle things? I'll send you the address and time later. Tomorrow at noon, at a private restaurant on the Bund."

Thanks.

"A verbal thank you isn't enough," Yang Mi scoffed on the other end of the phone. "Don't forget the two meals you owe me!"

"You loan sharks!" Zhang Ze shouted.

It was supposed to be one meal, but it's already two meals in just a few days. The interest rate is too high!

"You disagree?" Yang Mi immediately smiled smugly. "Then let's just say three meals a day. With interest compounding, if you keep delaying, I'm afraid you'll never be able to pay it back in your lifetime."

Zhang Ze quickly surrendered, "Okay, okay, two meals it is, I'm scared of you."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Mi sent a text message a short while later, containing the restaurant's address, private room number, and reservation information.

Zhang Ze looked at his phone and couldn't help but chuckle.

This girl is really a clever little devil.

The next day, Zhang Ze arrived at the private restaurant located in an old villa on the Bund, following the address.

The environment is serene and has an antique charm.

Led by the waiter, he entered a private room called "Listening to the Rain".

A woman dressed in a Chanel suit and with exquisite makeup is sitting in the main seat drinking tea.

She looked to be in her thirties, with a capable demeanor and a strong, assertive air about her, as if she had long held a position of power.

It was Cai Yinong, the CEO of Tangren Film & Television.

When she saw Zhang Ze push the door open and come in, Cai Yinong paused for a moment, and a look of amazement flashed in her eyes.

What a handsome young man!

He had a tall and straight figure, and well-defined features, especially his eyes, which were so deep that they seemed to see right through people's hearts.

Yang Mi is no exaggeration; with just her face, she could dominate the entertainment industry.

"Mr. Cai, hello, I'm Zhang Ze." Zhang Ze extended his hand.

"Hello, please have a seat." Cai Yinong snapped out of her reverie, shook his hand gently, and pointed to the seat opposite her.

She subtly observed Zhang Ze, silently nodding in approval.

This young man is not only good-looking, but also has a very calm demeanor. He is not at all flustered or nervous in front of himself, which is a quality that ordinary newcomers cannot possess.

The two didn't exchange many pleasantries. After the waiter served the dishes, Cai Yinong got straight to the point.

Yang Mi told me that you are very interested in the characters in "Chinese Paladin 3".

She put down her chopsticks and leaned back slightly in her chair. "However, to be honest, we already have the main roles for this play in mind."

Zhang Ze listened quietly, unsurprised.

"So," Cai Yinong changed the subject, her shrewd eyes fixed on him, "I can only give you one audition opportunity."

"But I also have one condition."

"I hope you can sign with Tangren."

That was her real purpose.

With such outstanding looks and being highly recommended by Yang Mi, she naturally wanted to recruit her.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ze gently shook his head.

"Mr. Cai, I'm afraid I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

Instead of directly refusing, he used a more mystical approach.

"Tangren is a good company. In the next few years, it will definitely become very popular with its fantasy dramas and produce many popular artists."

"Unfortunately, your company's horoscope is not very compatible with mine."

"Short-term cooperation that is mutually beneficial is naturally a good thing."

"But if they are tied together for a long time, it will probably be harmful to both of them."

This explanation left Cai Yinong speechless.

She initially thought this was just Zhang Ze's excuse, but as she listened further, her expression gradually became serious.

How did this kid know that Tang Ren would be focusing on fantasy dramas for the next few years?

This is part of the company's internal strategic plan!

"For example, although Hu Ge is the company's mainstay, his contract is about to expire, and the renewal process may not go smoothly."

"Liu Shishi is a promising talent, but unfortunately the company hasn't given her enough resources, so she hasn't become a big star."

Zhang Ze calmly raised several internal questions that only Tangren's top management knew about.

Each one of them precisely hit Cai Yinong's sore spot.

Her expression changed completely; she could no longer regard the young man in front of her as an ordinary new actor.

She suddenly remembered what Yang Mi had said mysteriously on the phone.

"Mr. Cai, let me tell you, Brother Ze is no ordinary person; he's a true master!"

Is it...

Cai Yinong's heart was in turmoil, and her gaze toward Zhang Ze was full of scrutiny and inquiry.

"So, you really can calculate?"

Cai Yinong originally opened her company in Hong Kong, where people tend to believe in these superstitious things. Some famous celebrities even spend a lot of money to find masters to help them interpret their fates.

However, some things are simply inexplicable.

"I know a little bit." Zhang Ze picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and remained composed.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly became subtle.

Cai Yinong remained silent for a long time, seemingly weighing something.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke again, her tone much more serious.

"Okay, Zhang Ze, I'll give you a chance, and I'll give myself a chance too."

"Take a look at Tang Ren for me. If he can really help the company solve its current problems, you can choose any character in 'Chinese Paladin 3' except for the main character!"

Zhang Ze smiled slightly; this was exactly what he had been waiting for.

"The fate of the company's artists is a matter of morale and interests. It's an open strategy, and I can't help with it; the cost would be too high."

He made it clear that he would not get involved in these complicated internal personnel disputes.

"But I can point out a clear path for Mr. Cai regarding the bottleneck in the company's development."

"Oh?" Cai Yinong leaned forward, showing great interest. "I'd like to hear more."