A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

Bai Mengyan quickly put down her chopsticks and sat up a little straighter.

Zhang Ruonan, who had been listening quietly, also became nervous. It was the first time she had ever seen a Taoist priest tell tales to someone.

"Of course, it's my career." Bai Mengyan put down her chopsticks, her expression becoming more serious.

"Master, do you think I should leave the capital and focus entirely on being an actor? I'm actually a little undecided right now."

Moving is a big deal, and there's no set start date for the next drama. What if I go there and there's no acting job? I'll just be waiting around doing nothing.

Chen Shouyi smiled and asked, "Feeling lost?"

"I'm not really confused," Bai Mengyan honestly shook her head.

"Actually, I don't really want to go. Moving is too much trouble. Besides, I have a lot of friends in Beijing, but I won't know anyone in Nanjing. Anyway, it doesn't feel like I absolutely have to go."

After she finished speaking, she realized she had talked too much and laughed twice, feeling embarrassed.

"Oh dear, the director hasn't even been decided yet, and I'm already getting worried."

Chen Shouyi looked at her and thought that although this girl had not studied acting, the fact that the director of the short film recommended her to act in the next drama meant that she was not just a pretty face and had some talent.

Moreover, she did indeed rise to the top tier of web dramas step by step through her acting skills. In terms of versatility alone, she is stronger than many acting students.

Sending her to Nanjing isn't impossible, but then we'll only be able to communicate via WeChat if we want to meet in the future.

Given her talkative nature, WeChat would certainly keep coming, but it's ultimately not as convenient as being in person. You can't rely entirely on the internet to build a relationship.

Developing relationships locally is the best approach.

Moreover, the female lead for "A Love So Beautiful" has not yet been decided; many people have been screened but no suitable candidate has been found.

Although Bai Mengyan's appearance is not that of a traditional sweet girl, her energy and naturalness make her perfectly capable of playing a naive and innocent girl.

Moreover, the show is currently in the pre-production stage, so the timing and schedule match up perfectly.

As Chen Shouyi was pondering this, Bai Mengyan suddenly blinked and looked at him expectantly:

"By the way, Master, will you still be acting in the future? Our director is still looking for a male lead!"

She laughed first, then scratched her head sheepishly, "But you probably wouldn't be interested, Daoist Master, hahaha..."

"Benefactor Bai," Chen Shouyi interrupted her laughter, "have you signed with a talent agency yet?"

"Huh? A talent agency?" Bai Mengyan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "What company do I have? Does the Taobao shop I signed with before count?"

Zhang Ruonan, who was standing by, almost choked on her own saliva. This Taobao shop owner is too honest.

Chen Shouyi's lips curled up. No company signed? That makes things easier.

"Better late than early. Forget about the male lead you mentioned, but I do have a female lead in a drama that would be perfect for you. Want to give it a try?"

"Huh?!" Bai Mengyan's smile froze on her face, her mouth agape.

Zhang Ruonan was quietly eating her food when she heard this, so she looked up and glanced at Bai Mengyan.

She didn't react much. After following Liang Yin around Shanghai for these past few days, she already knew that Chen Shouyi was not only a signed artist, but also an advisor to the incubation center.

Bringing someone in is within the normal scope of work. Besides, judging from the way the Taoist priest and Bai Mengyan were talking, they were clearly old acquaintances.

Bai Mengyan opened her mouth, pointed at herself, then at Chen Shouyi, her expression changing from stunned to confused:

"Taoist Master, what—what did you just say?"

"Didn't you hear everything?"

"The female lead?" Bai Mengyan's voice rose an octave. "You said there's a drama that wants me to play the female lead? Really?"

"Whether it's true or not is up to you." Chen Shouyi looked at her expression and couldn't help but laugh. "What's wrong? You were just saying your director was looking for a male lead, but now you're scared?"

Bai Mengyan took a deep breath, her expression shifting from bewilderment to surprise to joy, and finally settling on excitement.

She placed her hands on the stone table, leaned forward, and stared wide-eyed:

"But, but why me? I'm not a professional, and my short film hasn't even aired yet."

"Who says the female lead has to be a professional?" Chen Shouyi said.

Bai Mengyan opened her mouth, but couldn't find any words to refute it.

Chen Shouyi looked at her: "We are preparing a campus drama, but the female lead hasn't been decided yet. I looked at the role requirements, and your appearance and temperament are suitable."

Bai Mengyan subconsciously looked at Zhang Ruonan, who nodded at her, confirming that this was not a joke.

Bai Mengyan opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. Unusually, she didn't laugh, but instead thought about it seriously.

This was a win-win situation for Chen Shouyi.

He was already lacking an actress to play Chen Xiaoxi, and Bai Mengyan taking the initiative to come to him at this time can be considered a matter of fate.

Moreover, she is a system-certified person. Now that we have assigned her to a suitable role, we will be closer to each other in both our cultivation and daily life.

Chen Shouyi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked completely calm and collected.

"So, are you interested?"

Bai Mengyan snapped out of her daze, her eyes shining brightly, and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! Of course!"

She asked eagerly, "What drama is it? When is it filmed?"

"A campus drama, tentatively scheduled to start filming in early August," Chen Shouyi said.

Bai Mengyan's eyes grew brighter as she listened, then she suddenly seemed to remember something:

"Wait, wait, early August? That's not long! I haven't acted much, can I really act?"

"That's why I had you finalize the signing first," Chen Shouyi said.

Bai Mengyan was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath, her carefree expression softened, and her tone became much more serious: "Daoist Master, thank you."

Chen Shouyi waved his hand: "No need to thank me. Prepare well for this role yourself. I've given you the opportunity; the rest is up to you."

"I will!"

Zhang Ruonan, who had been silent for a long time, raised her glass and said, "Congratulations!"

Bai Mengyan quickly raised her glass and clinked it with hers, smiling even more happily than when she arrived:

"Thank you, thank you! Maybe we can even act together in a movie sometime in the future, you're so beautiful."

Zhang Ruonan smiled, her eyes crinkling at the praise, and the frustration she felt from the cooking mishap was completely healed.

Compliments from beautiful women are incredibly effective.

Shouzhuo stood up and started clearing the dishes, his movements so swift and efficient it was as if he were a completely different person.

Chen Shouyi glanced at him but didn't say anything. This kid was truly quick to pick up the ropes; he didn't need anyone to urge him.

Zhang Ruonan poured Chen Shouyi a cup of tea and placed it beside him, and then refilled the cup in front of Bai Mengyan.

Bai Mengyan accepted the gift with both hands, thanked her with a smile, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, asked curiously:

"Master, which company produced that show you were talking about?"

"It's Juku, a subsidiary of Huace Media," Chen Shouyi explained. "When I went to Shanghai before, I signed a contract with them."

Bai Mengyan blinked: "Wait, Daoist Master, you've already signed the contract?"

"Um."