Mimi Admits Her Mistake

"Sister Xiaowan, you have to help me secure the role of Chen Mo."

Chen Kun once again made his position clear.

Unlike Fan Bingbing, who handled matters according to regulations, Chen Kun had gotten his hands on the character sketches, the role script, and the complete screenplay ahead of time thanks to Da Mimi's connections.

Chen Kun had received formal film school training and had solid script-reading skills.

After reading it, he felt the script was good—not merely good, but exceptionally good, incredibly good!

He consulted some acquaintances afterward, and they all felt the same way.

Moreover, Chen Mo, the protagonist of The Grand Director, seemed practically tailored for him.

Though he was a eunuch, there was no excessive sense of novelty or grotesquery about him. Instead, he was optimistic and contented, slowly climbing upward.

He grew from a youth satisfied with nothing more than white steamed buns into a peerless eunuch of the age—both wise and brave, deeply calculating, and ruthless when he struck.

The character's core driving force was tremendously strong: growing stronger, surviving, taking control of his own fate. That also meant the character's internal structure was sturdy enough to give him ample room to create.

Then, every key promotion in the character's life was closely tied to major historical events—the Great Rites, the early reforms of Jiajing.

Historical events provided opportunities and trials for the protagonist. Those major events became the anchors and catalysts of Chen Mo's growth, deepening the character.

From Emperor Wuzong's death in the 16th Year of Zhengde (1521) to the 16th Year of Jiajing (1537), when Chen Mo successfully investigated the great Jiangnan case, a full sixteen years passed.

Chen Kun had specifically asked someone to look into Ming history. The choice of the 16th Year of Jiajing was definitely not a simple one.

After that came the southern tour, then the fire. Jiajing's body and mind suffered grave problems, followed by palace upheaval, where the waters ran deep and the clouds were strange.

Before the 16th Year of Jiajing, however, the atmosphere of the Jiajing reign had been steadily rising.

Considering the script's commercial nature and Shen Shanden's personal statements, it was not hard for Chen Kun to guess the intention behind it.

They had deliberately selected this spirited and vigorous period, then let the protagonist Chen Mo blend into history, gradually shifting his perspective from observer to participant, then to one who took the lead.

From bewilderedly witnessing Emperor Wuzong's death, to personally experiencing the turbulence of the Jiajing reign, to actively participating in—and even exploiting—crises, it showed his growth and his deepening understanding of the nature of power.

From a minor figure caught in the vortex and drifting with the current, to a great figure capable of stirring the vortex itself, Chen Mo's personal arc was already beautiful enough. Combined with the history beneath his feet, it gained an added grandeur.

A character like this!

Perfect in a way never seen before!

Everything was for the sake of the character's charm!

It gave Chen Kun all the room he could want to perform; he was even afraid he might not be able to carry such a character.

"Don't worry. You need to have faith in yourself," Li Xiaowan consoled him helplessly.

Chen Kun was being too anxious.

There was nothing Li Xiaowan could do about that.

Chen Kun's acting career had reached its peak, with almost nowhere left to go. He had no choice but to turn toward music.

Rongxinda could no longer offer him much help.

This time, it was still through Da Mimi's connections that he had been able to make contact with the The Grand Director project so early.

Chen Kun calmed himself and said, "Director Shen has too many options. Look, news came out today that Fan Bingbing has joined. This is also a key China Film Group project, and there's another major project coming afterward. Whoever gets in on this project first will have the advantage later."

"Of course I'm not bad, but Huang Xiaoming, Jaycee Chan, and Lu Yi—they can all do it too. Chen Mo isn't burdened with too much yin energy, and he's the male lead in a purely commercial film. The role has enormous appeal."

"Wu Jing has already joined for zero pay, taking on several additional positions and even investing a sum of money. That shows just how sought-after this project is. As long as it proves viable, one million is a ticket that earns blood profit."

"Even if it fails, it won't be a loss. As long as we can establish a connection, China Film Group has also emphasized nurturing the New Generation. One failure means there will be a next time."

"Quality commercial film resources are so scarce right now. With Fan Bingbing choosing to join, this project's weight in the eyes of other first-tier young actors will rapidly increase."

Chen Kun was not optimistic.

If he had chosen to join when the project had only just begun to stir, then it would have counted as a personal favor to Shen Shanden. But now, he was the one being chosen.

"Don't forget Huang Xiaoming. Shen Shanden went to university in Qingdao, and you can hear how deeply he feels about Qingdao from that song Goodbye Qingdao. Huang Xiaoming's predicament is much like mine. He's the sort who would work for free, or even put in his own money."

Chen Kun voiced his greatest concern.

The current situation was that all the first-tier young actors lacked quality film resources. As more and more favorable news emerged from the The Grand Director project, there was no telling whether vicious competition would arise.

Li Xiaowan was speechless inside.

She understood. Chen Kun wanted to join for zero pay. This was just too—

It was bad for Rongxinda's interests.

Was she supposed to thank Shen Shanden for that?

"Shen Shanden has been banned from the Hong Kong and Taiwan circle by John Woo. Other actors might be fine if they participate in this project, but as the male lead, you'll definitely be remembered for it."

Chen Kun laughed. He was not afraid of being banned at all; whether he was banned or not made no difference. He asked in return, "Will I get a reward if I don't participate? Even now, will the Hong Kong and Taiwan circle give me resources? Look at how badly we mainland young actors have been suppressed."

Li Xiaowan fell silent.

Mainland male actors, especially young actors, had been suppressed day after day, year after year, for a decade. It was no different from being banned. Under those circumstances, talking about offending someone was simply laughable.

"This is Sister Xiaowan, and this is Brother Kun."

Da Mimi introduced them. "This is my boyfriend, Shen Shanden."

"Sister Xiaowan." Shen Shanden shook hands with Li Xiaowan, then with Chen Kun. "Da Mimi calls you Brother Kun, so I'll call you Brother Kun too."

"Director, just call me Chen Kun or Kun." Chen Kun hurriedly clasped his hand with both of his.

After they took their seats.

Li Xiaowan teased, "One of Rongxinda's golden flowers has been plucked by you."

Da Mimi felt embarrassed, but her heart was sweet all the same.

Her boyfriend was being far too impressive. The boss and the company's top star were each more courteous than the last.

After the pleasantries.

Chen Kun took out a small notebook and handed it to Shen Shanden. "Director, this is a character dossier I made myself."

Li Xiaowan called for the dishes to be served. "Haha, shall we talk while we eat?"

She still felt that the opportunity was rare and hoped to squeeze a few more Rongxinda people into the The Grand Director project.

Ignoring the look Li Xiaowan gave him, Chen Kun knew this project was genuinely important to him.

He was also quite dissatisfied with Li Xiaowan.

Da Mimi would definitely get a role. If he then took the male lead as well, Rongxinda would already be making an absolute killing. Why did they have to be so greedy?

"Chen Mo's career progression follows the typical promotion path of Ming Dynasty eunuchs: Junior Eunuch Attendant, Personal Attendant, Imperial Attendant, Assistant Director, Junior Director, and Keeper of the Seal. The sixteen-year span also gives every stage sufficient time to settle in and demonstrate his abilities."

"It is deeply tied to historical events. Emperor Wuzong's death plants the hook of a mystery; the Great Rites Controversy serves as Chen Mo's political awakening; then he takes part in the Jiajing reforms and achieves his own meteoric rise."

Shen Shanden listened cheerfully as Chen Kun analyzed the character, knowing Chen Kun was not getting away now.

At this point, Chen Kun had also reached a dead end with no road ahead.

The Story of a Noble Family had won the ratings championship, The Knot had earned him a Golden Rooster Awards nomination for Best Actor, and he had won the Huabiao Awards' Outstanding Actor Award—then there was nowhere left to go.

It should be said that young leading men in mainland China were all having a rough time these days. Their misery resembled one another's, and they were all a little like the future Hu Ge—or perhaps Hu Ge was like them.

As for Hu Ge having to flee overseas because of his loose mouth, that had to be said: if he had been given film resources like Eddie Peng, Ethan Juan, or Mark Chao, would he have left?

He would have shamelessly stayed behind.

And in terms of acting, he was far better than that Heavenly Banquet fellow, whose Mandarin was so poor it yanked viewers right out of the scene.

Chen Kun praised, "I think the script is even more wonderful. It flows smoothly from beginning to end, brisk and exhilarating."

Shen Shanden nodded. "Payoff. I pay close attention to payoff."

"Yes, exhilaration—that's the payoff." Chen Kun suddenly saw the light. "Brilliant. Director Shen, that's brilliant. The word 'exhilaration' is absolutely spot-on."

"The payoffs are solid. Every one of Chen Mo's promotions comes after years of forbearance, learning, and accumulation, followed by an eruption at the turning point of history. It makes his underdog rise more powerful and more believable. In the end, he chooses an external posting as a garrison eunuch, seizes the opportunity, and investigates a major Jiangnan case, further highlighting the Character Arc."

"This part does not quite accord with history. Garrison eunuchs were abolished in the Eighth Year of Jiajing, but I am still serving the plot here," Shen Shanden said. "What I want is a story about an eunuch rising through the ranks and growing stronger amid the intricate checks and balances between imperial power, eunuchs, and civil officials. Every design, every setting, exists for that exhilarating feeling."

Li Xiaowan tried several times to cut in but could not, so she could only listen.

The longer she listened, the more she recognized what set Shen Shanden apart from other directors.

Shen Shanden simply did not care about artistic depth, nor did he care about the balance of power, nor did he want to explore an individual's struggle within the system. He only wanted to elevate the character's appeal.

And Shen Shanden was not ashamed to say so. On the contrary, he spoke of it with relish.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Shen Shanden said, "I've enjoyed our discussion. Our teams can coordinate afterward. But let me make this clear first: this drama has two leads. If Brother Kun joins, then he and Brother Jing will be co-leads."

"Fan Bingbing will also be billed as a leading star, after all, her standing is what it is."

"I understand, I understand." Chen Kun hurriedly said, "Brother Jing wears many hats, and his attitude toward film is exactly what I need to learn from. I would also like to join this project with no salary."

"Ahem, ahem." Li Xiaowan's throat suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Chen Kun pretended not to see it. "I hope Director Shen can give me this chance."

Da Mimi stared, dumbfounded. Was this really the aloof top star of her company that she knew?

Unexpectedly, Chen Kun did not forget about her either. "Mimi is one of the rare Young Dan Roles with real acting ability. She grew up on film sets from childhood. We should work together more in the future."

"Thank you, thank you, Brother Kun." Da Mimi was dizzy with happiness.

Was he going to introduce resources to her?

This was too exhilarating.

Chen Kun said, "I should be thanking you even more. You thought of me first when something good came up and gave me the opportunity to participate in this project."

"Fine. Let's finalize it as soon as possible." Shen Shanden did not put on airs and agreed on the spot.

He had not expected Chen Kun to lower himself so much. All he could say was that this batch of mainland young leading men truly had it hard.

Li Xiaowan and Chen Kun watched Shen Shanden get into the car.

"Sister Xiaowan, take care on the road."

Da Mimi got into the car, thrilled and shocked all over again.

Was this the status of a director? The status of a director who controlled high-quality resources?

This hutong girl had truly broadened her horizons.

"Sorry. I'm a jealous woman. I won't make trouble unreasonably anymore." Mimi decisively admitted her fault.

Shen Shanden's expression remained unchanged. "I'm just giving them positive expectations. Their positions aren't actually secure. If they fail, they'll be beaten back to their original forms."

"That's still amazing," Da Mimi said admiringly.

With the male lead decided, the principal cast of The Grand Director was initially in place.

Shen Shanden stepped up his communication with Fan Bingbing. As a friend, he wanted to give her a helping hand.

Meanwhile, he also extended an invitation to Sun Li.

There was a Yangzhou Thin Horse role that suited her perfectly, and it was also one of the main female roles.

Her child had turned one, so she could return to work.

Though they had moved away in the past couple of days, they were former neighbors after all. Sun Li had some name recognition before, and she was affordable, capable, and could act. Shen Shanden didn't mind giving her a hand as well.