Chapter 149: This Script Is Excellent

“I’ve suddenly lost interest in the Film and Television Department.”

Chen Fang changed his tune.

He did not want to stay with Le Mi. He always felt that this woman had ulterior motives toward him. Could she be lusting after his body?

Chen Fang imagined the two of them in bed.

Ugh!

The thought alone made him shudder.

What difference would there be between that and writhing frantically while hugging an ice block in bed?

No!

He needed to stay away from her.

Besides, Chen Fang could sense a very strong sense of purpose in Le Mi’s words.

He still preferred the natural, carefree way he was with Ji Mei, simply following his feelings and emotions.

Hearing this, Qian Youlai froze.

Even Xi Yuanyuan looked rather stunned. She had merely reminded Chen Fang not to get too close to Le Mi; she had never said he should sever ties with her completely. Knowing and befriending the granddaughter of a high-ranking official could only benefit Chen Fang.

Le Mi narrowed her eyes slightly, her deep-blue pupils contracting. A cold smile curled at the corners of her lips.

Chen Fang smiled and explained, “Actually, I was just chatting with Yuanyuan. She suggested that the company rebuild its Film and Television Department, and I thought it made perfect sense, so I brought it up casually. Since President Qian already had the same idea, I won’t interfere. I’ll just focus on singing.”

Xi Yuanyuan rolled her eyes at him.

What a bastard!

He had sold her out again.

And besides—

Rebuilding the Film and Television Department had clearly been his idea.

Of course, she could not say any of that aloud.

Xi Yuanyuan could also tell that Le Mi was very interested in Chen Fang, so the best course of action was to take responsibility for his words herself and eliminate one potential rival. Having Wang Situ to deal with was already giving her a headache. If Le Mi, the granddaughter of a high-ranking official, joined the competition, Xi Yuanyuan’s head would truly ache.

“That’s right, President Qian. It was my idea.”

“You know my father is a director, so we often heard about filmmaking at home. After listening to it for so many years, I came up with the idea of rebuilding the Film and Television Department.”

Qian Youlai nodded in understanding.

In that case, Chen Fang indeed had no need to get involved. He only had to sing his songs well.

Qian Youlai was just about to tell Chen Fang to focus on his own work and not worry about the Film and Television Department when Le Mi suddenly spoke.

“Uncle Qian, I want Chen Fang to play the male lead in my screenplay.”

“Chen Fang, what do you think?” Qian Youlai asked.

Chen Fang thought for a moment, but did not refuse outright.

“You’ve finished writing the screenplay?”

“I have.”

Le Mi stared at Chen Fang. More precisely, she was looking at his eyes. Compared with his handsome features, she preferred his eyes even more—brilliant as a river of stars.

Chen Fang held out his hand. “I’d like to read the screenplay first.”

Le Mi took a document from her bag and handed it to him.

A flicker passed through Chen Fang’s eyes.

He had not even agreed to act as the male lead, yet this woman had actually let him read the screenplay. Was she not worried that he might leak its contents?

Then Chen Fang began reading.

No one else in the office disturbed him.

After a long while, Chen Fang closed the document and shut his eyes, pondering for a moment.

Xi Yuanyuan leaned close to his ear and whispered. Her faint breath brushed against his ear, making it itch slightly.

“How is the screenplay?”

At that, Chen Fang opened his eyes and studied Le Mi carefully.

“I accept.”

He placed the screenplay on the coffee table.

The screenplay was excellent.

Whether in terms of plot or character development, it could be called a masterpiece. Even judging it by the standards of his own world, Chen Fang could find very little fault with it.

The moment he said this, Xi Yuanyuan knew the screenplay had to be exceptional.

Some of the aloofness melted from Le Mi’s expression. She no longer seemed quite so unapproachable. Clearly, Chen Fang’s approval of the screenplay had pleased her.

Qian Youlai clapped his hands with a laugh. “Then let us wish the first film produced by our company a huge success!”

Chen Fang knew very well that although the screenplay was excellent, it would take a long time to bring it to the screen.

That had nothing to do with the screenplay itself.

It was simply because Future Star’s Film and Television Department currently had nothing at all.

For now, the film had a director—Le Mi.

It also had a male lead—Chen Fang.

But the other roles had yet to be cast. The rest of the crew had not even been assembled.

At present, the film had only a director, a male lead, and a screenplay.

Everything else was missing.

Of course, if they threw enough money at it, they might be able to prepare the production and begin filming within a short period.

But Chen Fang did not think Qian Youlai would do that. He had already paid a considerable price to bring Le Mi over, clearly hoping to use the name of her grandfather, Le Gusi, to make a splash. Spending even more money would be too great a loss.

Therefore, Chen Fang estimated that the film would not be ready to begin shooting until at least next year.

If they wanted to make the Lunar New Year holiday release, the schedule would be far too tight. The quality of the finished film would suffer, making it not worth the effort.

The group chatted for a little longer.

Then Chen Fang suddenly remembered what had happened online.

It seemed the Internet war still had not ended.

Chen Fang mentioned it in passing.

“Since they were the ones who started the fire, I can’t let it die down so easily. If they want to play, I’ll play along.”

Qian Youlai said it with a broad smile, but the viciousness in his tone made everyone’s heart tighten. This perpetually smiling middle-aged man was not someone to be underestimated.

Since that was the case, Chen Fang said nothing more.

Not long afterward, he rose to leave.

Xi Yuanyuan naturally left with him.

Le Mi, meanwhile, remained in Qian Youlai’s office to discuss recruiting personnel for the Film and Television Department.

“Mi Mi, talk to Chen Fang more. He’s actually a pretty good person. I noticed that he seems somewhat resistant to getting close to you. He probably thinks you’re too aloof and doesn’t dare approach you.”

Qian Youlai was a consummate judge of people. He had long since noticed that Chen Fang did not particularly want to interact with Le Mi. If the screenplay she had produced had not been good enough, Chen Fang certainly would not have compromised.

Le Mi laughed. “Only men without the ability would think I’m aloof. If he can win me over, I’d be willing to smile at him every day.”

Hearing this, Qian Youlai could only smile helplessly.

Win Le Mi over?

He doubted any man could manage it.

As Le Gusi’s granddaughter, she had also grown up abroad. Her thoughts and values were worlds apart from those of people back home.

During all her years overseas, plenty of foreign men had tried to pursue Le Mi, but not one had succeeded. In fact, she had never even met a man who truly interested her.

The broader a person’s experience and the more scenery they had seen, the higher their standards became.

Chen Fang was certainly outstanding.

But there were plenty of men abroad who were even more outstanding than him.

Those men had failed to win Le Mi over, so Chen Fang had even less of a chance.

Qian Youlai assumed Le Mi was only joking. He then shifted the conversation to the Film and Television Department. What the department lacked most urgently was people, and they needed to begin recruiting talent from outside as soon as possible.

……

“Is the screenplay really that good?”

Xi Yuanyuan was somewhat skeptical.

According to her parents, Le Mi was an unquestionable genius.

But in Xi Yuanyuan’s eyes, she was merely a woman in her twenties, the same age as herself.

“If it’s filmed properly, that screenplay could bring in box-office returns at least ten times the production cost, perhaps even more.”

He had to admit it.

Le Mi truly was a woman of remarkable talent.