Huayu: Returned Overseas Chinese

"what?"

Chen Jingming exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Zhang Jiandong and asked in confusion:

"Didn't the audition go well just now? Why do we have to re-select? Are there a few roles that need to be re-selected?"

Upon hearing Chen Jingming's words, Zhang Jiandong immediately slapped his forehead and said:

"They all need to be re-selected. Doesn't your company have any actors or directors?"

"No, we do have an acting department, but what does it matter?"

Chen Jingming took out cigarettes and offered two to Lin Dan and Zhang Jiandong. After the three lit their cigarettes, Zhang Jiandong looked at Chen Jingming and asked speechlessly:

"Don't tell me you just recruited people randomly from the general public for your acting department?"

Chen Jingming was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously turned his gaze to Lin Dan. Lin Dan basically handled all the daily affairs of the company, and he rarely asked about them, focusing all his energy on the script and his studies at school.

Lin Dan slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and began to explain:

"Director Zhang, the acting department does indeed recruit from the general public. Is there some problem with that?"

After hearing this, Zhang Jiandong's face showed an expression of "I knew it," and he said helplessly:

"Everyone says the film and television industry is closed off. Why is it closed off? Because people in the industry stay within this circle all year round and basically don't come into contact with outsiders from other industries."

The intricacies of this process are best understood by those veterans who have worked in the industry for a long time. Like those extras managers outside film schools—as long as you give them a complete character biography, they can accurately match the most suitable candidate, you understand?

"Director Zhang, I understand what you mean."

Lin Dan nodded after listening, then looked at Zhang Jiandong and said earnestly:

"Director Zhang, could you help me introduce some people in the industry? We're open to discussing benefits and compensation. Jingming and I are new to the film and television industry, and to be honest, we're figuring things out as we go."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiandong forcefully stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, his tone helpless:

"Let's make do for now. Since you've already taken on this script, I'll take care of the casting. I can help you find suitable candidates, but seasoned professionals in the industry might not be willing to join a new private company like yours."

"Director Zhang, thank you so much!"

Chen Jingming quickly stepped forward, grasped Zhang Jiandong's hand tightly, and thanked him repeatedly.

"Alright, time is tight. I'll go back and issue the audition notices. We'll have a unified second audition tomorrow afternoon. I'll be going now."

Zhang Jiandong withdrew his hand, quickly packed his belongings, gave them some instructions, nodded to the two of them, and left.

After only the two of them were left in the room, Chen Jingming and Lin Dan exchanged a glance and simultaneously revealed a bitter smile.

"Mr. Chen, you need to find professional people to manage the operation of a film and television company. The management model of ordinary enterprises is simply not suitable for the film and television industry."

Lin Dan looked at Chen Jingming and gave him a serious reminder.

Chen Jingming nodded slowly upon hearing this:

"I understand. I'll go to the school later to check on things. If Director Zhang is willing to recommend someone, we'll accept them all. You can never have too many talented people."

Lin Dan nodded in agreement, then got up to say goodbye and left.

The experience of just one day had a huge impact on this MBA graduate working in the industry. The underlying rules and intricacies of the film and television industry are never something that outsiders can easily master.

······

After seeing Lin Dan off, Chen Jingming quickly gathered his thoughts, calculated the time, and drove to keep his appointment.

The car slowly came to a stop in front of the New Century Hotel. Chen Jingming got out of the car, straightened his clothes, and stepped into the hotel lobby.

"Brother Jingming."

Chen Jingming turned his head at the sound and saw Liu Yifei sitting in the waiting area, raising her hand and smiling as she greeted him.

"Yifei, Aunt Liu."

Chen Jingming quickly stepped forward and greeted him with a smile.

Liu Xiaoli nodded slightly, her expression gentle, and said politely:

"Jingming, it's really kind of you to make this trip. My daughter and I will just have a simple meal; there's no need for anything extravagant."

Chen Jingming responded with a smile:

"Aunt Liu, you've just returned to China, so it's only right that we host a welcome dinner for you. I've booked a private home-style restaurant not far from here; the food is light and easy on the stomach. Let's head out now."

After a few pleasantries, his eyes met Liu Xiaoli's several times, and he could always sense the scrutinizing look in her eyes. This invisible pressure made Chen Jingming inexplicably flustered, and he just wanted to get to the restaurant as soon as possible.

"Jingming, you're a big liar! You promised to treat me to a big meal when you came back! You've been eating bland food every day in America, and it's still the same now that you're back in China. Look at me, I've lost weight from starvation."

Liu Yifei puffed out her cheeks and complained with a face full of dissatisfaction.

Liu Xiaoli raised her hand and gently patted her head, scolding her impatiently:

"What? Still thinking about indulging in lavish meals? All that hard work you've put into improving your physique and studying your profession over the past six months, are you going to let it all go to waste because of one meal?"

Liu Yifei immediately concealed her hurt expression, reached out and took Liu Xiaoli's arm, feigning weakness and acting coquettishly:

"Mom, I was just saying it casually, I didn't mean to overeat."

"That would be best. If you've made up your mind to pursue acting, and you can't even maintain the most basic self-discipline, then there's no point in applying to the Beijing Film Academy and suffering for nothing."

Liu Xiaoli snorted coldly, picked up her handbag from the sofa, and slowly walked towards the door.

Watching her mother's retreating figure, Liu Yifei quietly tugged at Chen Jingming's sleeve and quickly followed, muttering softly:

"I just want to eat something nice."

Chen Jingming followed behind the two, shaking his head helplessly.

The three of them set off by car, heading towards a private restaurant not far away.

The car drove smoothly for a moment before finally stopping at the entrance of an old alley. The three of them got out one by one and walked slowly into the quiet alley.

"Jingming, are there any restaurants in this remote alley?"

Looking at the dimly lit alleyway, Liu Yifei subconsciously moved closer to Liu Xiaoli and asked curiously.

"Yes, it's a small, privately owned restaurant. The owner is very honest, and the food is excellent. I've been there several times before."

Chen Jingming led the way, explaining patiently with a smile.

Liu Xiaoli didn't mind the simple environment at all; on the contrary, she was quite understanding. Many people in the industry prefer such secluded and niche places because they offer a high degree of privacy and are particularly convenient for chatting or discussing business.

The thought had barely formed in their minds when the group had already reached the courtyard gate.

Chen Jingming reached out and pushed open the wooden door of the courtyard house, then strode inside.

Old Li, the busy owner in the kitchen, looked up and greeted him with a smile:

"Mr. Chen, you're here?"

"Old Li, I'm sorry to trouble you again."

Chen Jingming nodded politely.

Old Li waved his hand and laughed heartily:

"You're a frequent patron of my business, so there's no need for such formalities. Please come in and have a seat, and help yourself to some tea."

Chen Jingming nodded slightly and gestured for the two people behind him to enter. The group then entered the east wing and took their seats.

He picked up the kettle and carefully poured tea for the two of them.

Looking through the open wooden window at the scattered rockery and greenery in the courtyard, Liu Xiaoli smiled slowly:

"This place is indeed elegant, with a tranquil and comfortable environment."

"Aunt Liu, this restaurant only serves two tables of customers each night, it's very niche. My roommate brought me here, otherwise I wouldn't have known that there was such a good place hidden in the alley."

Chen Jingming said with a smile.

Liu Yifei picked up her teacup, took a sip, and couldn't help but interject:

"Brother Jingming, when I passed by the kitchen window just now, I smelled a rich aroma of chicken soup. It smelled so good!"

"What, you're already craving it?"

Chen Jingming joked with a chuckle.

Liu Yifei readily nodded in acknowledgment:

"I really craved it. You know, when I was in the US, what I missed most was authentic Chinese food. But most of the restaurants in Chinatown have been modified. Apart from a few Sichuan dishes that were passable, the rest of the dishes all tasted different and were far inferior to the taste in China."

"Then you should drink more chicken soup later to replenish your energy. Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, and Old Li's chicken soup is especially excellent. The soup is made with a variety of seasonal Chinese herbs, which is his family's old recipe, and the recipe is different for each season."

As Chen Jingming took out the tableware and divided it for the two of them, he explained it to them in detail.

Upon hearing this introduction, Liu Yifei's eyes lit up instantly, sparkling. She quietly turned to look at her mother, and seeing that her mother didn't object, she was overjoyed.