Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala
Chapter 30 - The Key Card Again, Yang Mi: I’m So Eager to Improve!

Chapter 30  The Key Card Again, Yang Mi: I’m So Eager to Improve!

Bzzz bzzz~

The phone rang.

Qu Yiming glanced at the caller ID.

It was from Uncle Ben.

“Hello, Master?”

“I’m at the company.”

“Afternoon? I’m free.”

“Alright, I’ll be there on time. See you this afternoon.”

The conversation was over in a few short sentences. Uncle Ben had called to inform Qu Yiming that they would meet with the Spring Festival Gala director, Jin Yue, in the afternoon.

After Rural Love 3 started filming, Jin Yue had already visited the set to check on the progress and briefly discussed the Spring Festival Gala plans with Uncle Ben.

Since the director of the Spring Festival Gala was confirmed, Qu Yiming hadn’t received any invitation from the event’s production team. He thought they had ruled him out entirely.

Qu Yiming put his phone down, spun around in his office chair, and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows, murmuring, “Should I still go for the Spring Festival Gala?”

There hasn’t been a skit on the Spring Festival Gala more exciting than No Lack of Money in the future. Even Uncle Ben himself hadn’t been able to produce a skit to match No Lack of Money in the last two years of his career on the Gala stage.

The closest to it was the skit Support or Not, performed by Xian Ma Xuan and Shen Teng & Ma Li in the 2014 Spring Festival Gala. That skit could be said to be the last real star-making moment on the Spring Festival stage, introducing the golden duo of Shen Teng and Ma Li. From then on, the Gala stage stopped making stars. Now, it wasn’t about who appeared and got famous, but who was already famous and appeared.

Support or Not succeeded in large part due to Uncle Ben’s guidance, and that became his indirect final masterpiece on the Spring Festival stage.

After some thought, Qu Yiming finally decided, “I’ll submit the script and see. If it passes, I’ll do it; if not, I’ll move on.”

……

By midday, at a members-only restaurant in the Fourth-Ninth City. In a private room, Yang Mi and Zeng Jia had arrived early.

“Mimi, how should I start the conversation?” Zeng Jia asked nervously.

Yang Mi shot her an exasperated glance. “You’re the agent. Why are you asking me?”

Zeng Jia: “Do you think asking for one leading role or second female lead per year is too much?”

“Shoot for the stars! Big demands, big returns. You’ve got to have some confidence, Sister Zeng!” Yang Mi cheered her on.

Zeng Jia sighed.

“But this is Qu Yiming we’re talking about. He’s a top director who can create the best film and TV resources on his own. I’d say if he can get you a second or third female role each year, that’s already impressive.”

Yang Mi: “If Zhang Tianai can do it, so can I.”

As she spoke, she took off her coat.

Hmm?

Yang Mi slipped off her jacket.

Hiss!

Zeng Jia stared at her, confused at first, then…

“Tsk… Now that’s what I call top-tier resources.” Zeng Jia commented, eyeing her closely.

She then added, “Do you think you can really pull it off?”

Yang Mi blushed slightly, her gaze a little uncertain.

“Qu Yiming is so handsome, young, and talented. If he’s willing, I don’t think I’ll be losing out at all!”

Although she hadn’t taken any shortcuts, she’d certainly heard plenty about how some people had made it big in the industry. Whether through rumors or whispers, the methods they used weren’t exactly secret.

Rather than handing over her ‘clean body’ to some 40-50-year-old capital, it seemed a better idea to choose someone younger, more handsome, and more talented, especially when she did have the option.

Zeng Jia raised an eyebrow.

“How far are you willing to go for this?”

Yang Mi’s eyes darted nervously.

“I’ll do anything… as long as it’ll help me improve.”

Zeng Jia’s face blanked.

“…You seriously might sign a 10-year contract, huh?”

Yang Mi grinned sheepishly.

“Maybe, but what else can I do? I’m too eager to progress.”

Zeng Jia shook her head, exasperated. Suddenly, a sound of footsteps approached, crisp and quick.

Click!

The door to the private room was pushed open. Both Yang Mi and Zeng Jia turned their heads. A man in a mask, hat, and sunglasses appeared. As he stepped inside and removed his disguise, a sharp, versatile face emerged—someone who was clearly not short on charm.

“Director Qu!”

With starry eyes, Yang Mi and Zeng Jia both stood up immediately and bowed to greet him. As they did so, Qu Yiming couldn’t help but suck in a breath.

Hiss~

That low, almost imperceptible gasp wasn’t lost on Yang Mi. She knew she’d made a solid impression. Qu Yiming waved his hand. “Please, sit down, sit down…”

“Thank you, Director Qu.”

After expressing their gratitude, the two women sat down. Yang Mi shifted slightly in her chair, trying to subtly adjust herself, but in doing so, she caught Qu Yiming’s attention again. He raised an eyebrow.

Yang Mi couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

I still got it.

“So, Director Qu, what would you like to eat? It’s my treat…”

Yang Mi pushed the menu towards him.

Qu Yiming glanced at it and replied casually, “Anything is fine, you can decide.”

“Alright. Sister Zeng, please order three medium-rare filet mignon sets for us,” Yang Mi said.

“Okay,” Zeng Jia replied, standing up to go speak with the waiter.

Once Zeng Jia left the room, the atmosphere became quieter, just the two of them left in the room.

Qu Yiming scanned the room carefully. He wondered if Yang Mi had hidden cameras somewhere.

Not noticing anything strange, Yang Mi spoke up.

“Director Qu, are you looking for something?”

Qu Yiming shook his head.

“Nothing. By the way, when does your contract with Rongxinda expire?”

Yang Mi responded, “March next year.”

Qu Yiming then asked, “Do you have any plans for the future?”

Yang Mi flashed him a coy smile.

“To star in your new movie as the female lead, would that be considered a plan?”

Qu Yiming answered honestly, “You’re not really suited for the big screen, but you could play certain roles in commercial films.”

“Certain roles?”

Yang Mi was slightly puzzled.

Qu Yiming continued, “Roles like those that are seductive or charming, but those kinds of parts rarely become iconic for an actress.”

Oh no, only leaving a big impression on Director Qu, huh?

Yang Mi bit her lip, frustrated.

“What about TV dramas?”

Qu Yiming calmly replied, “There’s great potential there.”

“Hm?”

Yang Mi perked up.

“Director Qu, are you planning to make a TV drama? Is that why you’ve been paying attention to me?”

“No, not really. My artists are all suited for TV dramas. I just happened to notice you.”

Yang Mi leaned forward, reaching for Qu Yiming’s right hand on the table.

She spoke in a soft, alluring tone, “Please, give me a chance.”

Qu Yiming felt something pressed into his hand.

It was a business card. Yang Mi’s gaze was full of yearning, the unspoken message in her eyes clear—I want to improve..