Chapter Fifty-Seven: I Want to Be an Actor

“Ocean of Silent Sorrow?”
Looking at the notebook Chen Nian handed him, Ye Hao was stunned at first, then his immediate reaction was that Chen Nian was trying to squeeze money out of him.

To invest in a film would require at least thirty to fifty million at the minimum—Chen Nian was certainly asking for a lot.

“Heh, Teacher Chen Nian, eight million for two episodes’ appearance fee is already quite generous, don’t you think?” Without even glancing at the notebook, Ye Hao placed it directly on the table.

“If you need me to invest, the most our company’s account can spare is three million.”

He had approached Luo Youdao, who had introduced him to Chen Nian, so any favor owed was to Luo Youdao, not Chen Nian, with whom he merely had a working relationship.

As a qualified investor, did they really think they could take his money so easily?

Not a chance.

Besides, this was a newcomer, a singer trying his hand at scriptwriting—what could possibly interest him?

Chen Nian hadn’t expected Ye Hao’s reaction to be so strong. Coming back to himself, he smiled faintly.

“President Ye, don’t be upset. I’m not looking for you to invest.”

“It’s just that you’re so experienced and well-connected in the industry, I wanted you to take a look at my script and maybe recommend some suitable actors.”

Ye Hao curled his lips, realizing Chen Nian was offering him a way out.

Thinking it over, while he could afford to ignore Chen Nian’s request, Luo Youdao’s face was something he needed to consider. So, he started leafing through the script Chen Nian had written in his notebook.

After only a couple of pages, Ye Hao sensed something was off.

The plot—now this was interesting.

Five minutes later, Ye Hao’s eyes were burning with excitement. He couldn’t put the script down, flipping through it again and again.

This script—this story—even as someone with years of experience navigating the entertainment world, he’d never seen anything like it.

Seeing Ye Hao’s expression, Chen Nian sipped his wine and suppressed a smile.

“Did you really write this?” Twenty minutes later, Ye Hao closed the script, barely able to believe it.

Having read countless scripts, Ye Hao could already tell that if this was made into a film, it would be a sensation.

A massive hit.

Chen Nian said nothing, meeting Ye Hao’s gaze with calm composure.

Ye Hao immediately understood. “Teacher Chen Nian, name your price. I want this script.”

What did it mean to be a successful investor?

This was it.

To these businessmen, where hundreds of thousands or millions changed hands at the drop of a hat, face meant nothing. Profit was king.

As long as you could make them money, they wouldn’t care if you ground their egos into dust.

At Ye Hao’s words, Chen Nian shook his head. “President Ye, as I said, I’m not here to beg for money. I just wanted your opinion.”

“Come on, now.” Ye Hao instantly broke into a wide smile and gripped Chen Nian’s hand.

“Teacher Chen Nian, I’d had a bit too much to drink earlier and said some nonsense—please don’t take it to heart.”

“Just let me know how much you need invested—just say the word.”

“With my ability and my relationship with Uncle Luo, do you really think I’m short of money to make a film?” Chen Nian smiled, countering with a question.

Ye Hao wasn’t offended. He continued to smile warmly. “Teacher Chen Nian, I know you’re not short on funds, but Uncle Luo and I are in different lines of business. For some things, I’m really your only option.”

He wasn’t just boasting.

Luo Youdao’s business empire and Ye Hao’s were worlds apart. While his assets might not compare, in certain fields, even ten Luo Youdaos couldn’t match his expertise.

That was why Chen Nian had chosen to bypass Luo Youdao and come directly to him.

“President Ye, do you really value this film so highly?” With just a few words, Chen Nian took back the initiative.

“As for the film, that’s secondary—it’s mainly because of my relationship with you, Brother Chen Nian. If my little brother comes to me for help, how could I refuse?” Ye Hao thumped his chest, speaking with heroic righteousness.

He seemed to have completely forgotten how he’d just dismissed Chen Nian moments earlier.

“So, Brother Ye, how much do you think this script should be invested with to succeed?” Chen Nian pressed further.

“In my experience, Brother Chen Nian, whatever you invest in this script will pay off, but just how much it pays off—that’s another story.”

Knowing the time was right, Chen Nian didn’t push further.

“All right, since you’re interested, let’s find a time to really sit down and talk. It’s getting late—let’s leave it here for tonight.”

“Yes, I’ll see you out.” Ye Hao immediately stood up, grinning from ear to ear as he saw Chen Nian out of the recording venue.

“What kind of defense style is that?” In the car, Luo Xiaoyi was still passionately defending her village in the game.

When Chen Nian opened the car door, only then did Luo Xiaoyi put away her phone.

“What took you so long? Did you drink?”

Chen Nian nodded. “Had a talk with Ye Hao,” he replied honestly to her inquiry.

Knowing how tired he’d been lately, Luo Xiaoyi didn’t ask further, quietly slipping into her role as his driver.

It was past one in the morning when she dropped Chen Nian off at his apartment.

“It’s so late, it’s not safe for you to go back alone. Why not just crash at my place tonight?” In the car, seeing Chen Nian’s flushed cheeks and smelling the alcohol on him, Luo Xiaoyi blushed, then spat, “Get lost!” and sped away.

Watching her go, Chen Nian smiled and turned to enter the complex.

When he got to his floor, he saw a figure curled up, sleeping by his door.

Chen Nian frowned slightly and walked over.

Seeing who it was, relief flooded his features.

Without a word, Wei Xi had returned to Beijing after half a month away.

“Wei Xi, Wei Xi, wake up—come inside and sleep.” Chen Nian crouched down and gently shook her shoulder.

“Hmm?” Wei Xi woke, rubbing her eyes as she looked at him.

“Chen Nian?” Still half-asleep, she checked uncertainly.

“It’s me.” Chen Nian smiled and nodded.

“Chen Nian, I don’t want to write anymore.” Once she was sure it was really him, Wei Xi spoke up.

“What?”

Chen Nian was caught off guard—writing had always been Wei Xi’s life. Why would she suddenly say that?

But her next words left the still-tipsy Chen Nian completely dumbfounded.

“I want to join the entertainment industry. I want to be an actress.”

“What?”

“What are you talking about?”

“What’s so good about that wretched industry?” As someone who’d fought his way through the entertainment world for two lifetimes, Chen Nian really couldn’t see what drew Wei Xi there…