Entertainment Industry: I am a top-tier movie star

Chapter 26 Rejecting Yang Mi

The backstage area after the performance was bustling with noise.

Everyone's face showed a mix of excitement and exhaustion from the completed performance.

Naza was chatting with a few girls.

Wang Hao and his classmates were discussing the details that had just been shown on stage.

Chen Nianbei stood alone by the window, slowly unbuttoning the buttons on his long robe.

Sweat had soaked through his undershirt, making it sticky and clinging to his back.

Acting is mentally exhausting, especially a play like "Thunderstorm" which is extremely emotional. Finishing a scene feels like running a marathon.

"Nianbei".

Teacher Li's voice rang out from behind.

Chen Nianbei turned around and saw Teacher Li standing at the door.

"Teacher Li."

"Come to my office for a moment."

Teacher Li said, "Senior Yang Mi wants to meet you."

The noise in the classroom instantly subsided. Several students who were nearby turned around, their eyes filled with surprise and envy.

Naza also looked over, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't speak.

Chen Nianbei nodded: "Okay."

He followed Teacher Li out of the classroom, through the corridor, and to the floor where the teachers' offices were located.

The evening sun slanted in through the window at the end of the corridor, casting a long golden ribbon of light on the floor.

Teacher Li stopped in front of a door, knocked, and then pushed it open.

"Mimi, they're here."

The office was small and simply furnished.

A desk, two bookshelves, and a few chairs.

Yang Mi sat on a chair by the window, having taken off her sunglasses, and was looking down at her phone.

Hearing the noise, she looked up and her gaze fell on Chen Nianbei.

Teacher Li smiled and said, "You guys chat, I have something to do."

After saying that, he left and gently closed the door behind him.

Only two people remained in the office.

The sky outside the window gradually darkened, and the lights in the distant teaching building came on.

Yang Mi put down her phone, looked Chen Nianbei over for a few seconds, and suddenly smiled:

"She looks even better without makeup."

Chen Nianbei smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, senior."

"This is not a compliment, it's a statement of fact."

Yang Mi was very direct, "You acted well just now. Especially the last scene, the part where Zhou Ping breaks down, you controlled your emotions very well."

"There are still many shortcomings," Chen Nianbei said.

"It can talk."

Yang Mi raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll be frank with you."

She paused, then leaned forward slightly: "Teacher Li should have told you that my studio has just been established and I'm currently looking for new talent."

I thought you did a good job after watching your performance today.

Chen Nianbei didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.

"If you'd like, you can sign with my studio."

Yang Mi stated it bluntly: "The contract is for six years, and the profit-sharing ratio will be the standard, but I will try to secure more resources for you. You'll start at a higher level than most newcomers."

That's a very practical statement.

Yang Mi is currently very popular, which can indeed provide newcomers with a higher starting point.

Chen Nianbei remained silent for a few seconds.

The office was quiet; you could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window.

"Thank you for your kindness, senior."

He finally spoke, his voice steady, "But I don't plan to sign with any studio for the time being."

Yang Mi narrowed her eyes.

She hadn't expected this answer.

Given her current popularity, if she were to proactively ask to sign a new artist, the other party should agree.

Rejection? This was the first time she had encountered such a situation since establishing her studio.

"Can I ask why?"

Her tone remained the same, but her eyes sharpened.

I want more freedom.

Chen Nianbei spoke very frankly, "Once you sign with a studio, you'll be restricted in how you accept roles, events, and even how you speak and act."

I'm still young, and I want to try different paths.

Yang Mi stared at him, as if trying to determine whether his words were true or false.

After a while, she suddenly laughed: "You certainly think long-term."

"It's not about the long term, it's about the present."

Chen Nianbei said, "My senior sister has also gone through this stage herself, so she should know that actors feel more at ease when they have more say in the matter."

That's a very clever thing to say.

This both expressed a refusal and gave Yang Mi a helping hand.

Yang Mi leaned back in her chair and looked at the young man in front of her again.

She is indeed exceptionally good-looking.

It's the kind of bone structure and skin that makes someone famous.

The acting was good; you could tell from the performance on stage just now that there was real skill involved.

Moreover... I heard from Teacher Li that he has already accepted roles for Kong Sheng and Lu Yang.

Kong Sheng is a well-known figure in the TV drama industry, while Lu Yang is a rising star in the film industry. To be noticed by both of them at the same time, one must either have extraordinary abilities or have powerful connections.

Or, both.

Yang Mi has been in the entertainment industry for so many years and knows that some people and some things cannot be forced.

Forced relationships are never sweet, and you might even offend the wrong people.

"OK."

She finally said, "Everyone has their own ambitions, and I won't force you."

Chen Nianbei breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for understanding, senior."

"but,"

Yang Mi changed the subject, "Since you performed well today, I'll give you a chance."

She took a business card out of her bag; it was a formal business card with the studio's logo printed on it.

"I'm currently preparing for a drama called 'Swords of Legends,' a project by H&R Century Pictures, and I play the female lead."

Yang Mi said, "There's a role in it, it's not a big part, but it's quite outstanding. If you're interested, you can audition for it."

She placed the business card on the table and pushed it in front of Chen Nianbei.

Chen Nianbei looked at the business card and a thought struck him.

"Swords of Legends" was a hit fantasy drama in 2014, starring Yang Mi. Li Yifeng became a top star overnight because of this drama.

He knew all too well the impact of this drama in his past life.

"What role?" he asked.

"Ling Yue," Yang Mi said, "has a small role, but the character is well-developed, and if played well, he can easily become a breakout star."

Lingyue.

Chen Nianbei remembered.

This character is very popular in the original work. He is calm, composed, loyal and righteous, and is a typical example of a beautiful, strong and tragic character.

Although she didn't have as many scenes as the male lead, her performance was indeed memorable.

"Audition time?"

"February 1st," Yang Mi said. "The address is on the back of the business card. Just tell me your name when you get there."

Chen Nianbei picked up the business card and carefully put it in her pocket: "Thank you, senior."

"You're welcome."

Yang Mi stood up. "I'm just giving you a chance, but whether you can seize it depends on your own abilities."

She also walked to the window and looked at the deepening night outside.

"This circle is neither too big nor too small."

She suddenly said, with a hint of regret in her voice, "Today you reject me, but tomorrow I might be begging you to cooperate. So... think twice."

This is a very insightful and magnanimous statement.

Chen Nianbei also stood up: "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Yang Mi turned her head, glanced at him, and suddenly laughed: "You're quite an interesting person."

"Is there?"

"have."

Yang Mi said, "When most newcomers meet me, they're either too nervous to speak or too excited to speak coherently. But you were calm, like you were meeting an ordinary senior student."

"A senior is a senior, after all," Chen Nianbei said.

Yang Mi was stunned for a moment, then laughed even harder:

"Go ahead and prepare well for the audition. If you get the role, maybe we can work together."

"it is good."

Chen Nianbei walked out of the office and gently closed the door behind him.

The corridor was quiet. The sun had completely set, and only the city lights in the distance cast a hazy glow on the horizon.

He touched the business card in his pocket; the hard edge of the card was a bit rough on his hand.

Yang Mi... is more sociable than he imagined.

They refused to sign the contract but still gave him an audition opportunity.

There's a reason this woman has been popular for so long.

He walked back down the corridor, his mind racing.

Filming for "Brotherhood of Blades" will begin next week and will last for two months.

The audition for "Gu Jian Qi Tan" was on February 1st.

My phone vibrated when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

It was the one with the tied-up hair who asked: "Are you done talking? How did it go?"

Chen Nianbei replied, "We've finished talking. We didn't sign a contract, but they gave me an audition opportunity."

Naza replied instantly: "I knew it! Huh? What show is it?"

"The Legend of the Ancient Sword, starring Yang Mi."

"You've got another role!!!"

Three exclamation marks were enough to express her excitement.

Chen Nianbei smiled and typed: "I haven't been selected yet, I just went to audition."

"You can definitely do it!"

Naza asked with certainty, "Then where are you now?"

"Back to the dorm right now, from the teaching building."

"Let's have dinner together! To celebrate the success of the performance!"

"it is good."

Putting away her phone, Chen Nianbei walked down the stairs.

He took a deep breath and quickened his pace.

The road ahead is long, but every step is taken firmly.