Overnight Hit: Vicious Stepmother and Genius Son
Chapter 377

Chapter 377: 377

With Ye Zhenzhen’s current influence in the circle, she was merely someone with a bit of online popularity who had blown up overnight—her actual abilities had yet to be showcased. A directorial team that often wins awards would not take an interest in her, a small-time celebrity who, just a month before, had been widely criticized online.

Director Fei chuckled on the other end of the line, "That’s right, Zhenzhen, after I finish shooting Lemon Channel’s child variety show, I plan to jump ship to work with Director Qi. I’ve known him for several years now, and in two more months, when ’Legend of Dusk Clouds’ starts filming, I will be one of the assistant directors. So, you should understand what that means. Believe me, even if it’s not the leading role, the second female lead is definitely yours."

In Director Fei’s mind, Ye Zhenzhen had long been the leading lady.

Having heard this, Ye Zhenzhen could somewhat guess that everything Director Fei was saying was a prelude. After all, she had just had Liu Rui decline the third season of the child variety show that afternoon. Now, Director Fei immediately called her, and it was about the resources she desired.

She smiled and said, "Then let me thank Director Fei first. You’ve helped me so much, Director Fei, I don’t know if there’s anything I can help you with in return."

In this industry, it’s all about give and take. If she could really secure a role in ’Legend of Dusk Clouds’ through Director Fei, then taking Xiao Chen to participate in the child variety show for a few days would be acceptable.

Just now on the phone, Director Fei had said that he wanted to jump ship, but the child variety show wasn’t finished yet.

"Hahaha, Zhenzhen, I enjoy talking with someone as clever as you. So let me come straight to the point. Today, the station dragged me into a long meeting, with the implication being that they hoped I could discuss with you the possibility of bringing Xiao Chen and President Song to participate in the third episode of the child variety show..."

Ye Zhenzhen thought: As expected.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Director Fei had only gotten halfway through his sentence when he let out a deep sigh and continued;

"Zhenzhen, originally the station planned to leave it up to you whether you wanted to attend the third episode or not, but now that your husband’s identity has gone public, I’ve been under pressure from higher up to convince you to bring your husband for participation. I really had no choice!

But no matter whether you go or not, I respect your decision. However, regarding the role in ’Legend of Dusk Clouds,’ I will definitely secure it for you—you have the talent for it."

From his words, Ye Zhenzhen could sense Director Fei’s sincerity. Although he was only a variety show director, he had some capability. She had been acting for many years in her previous life and had some insight into the ways of directors.

With the conversation having reached this point, Ye Zhenzhen could also imagine that if Director Fei wanted to leave Lemon Channel, he would at least have to pay some price.

"I understand, Director Fei. Regardless of whether I get to act in ’Legend of Dusk Clouds’ or not, I will do my best to accommodate your work. However, I can’t guarantee whether my husband will indeed go. If my husband doesn’t go, would it be okay if I just take Xiao Chen with me?"

Director Fei was taken aback for a moment but then immediately nodded, "That’s fine, that’s fine. Just do your best, and I thank you in advance, Zhenzhen. I’ll send you the address and time to meet Director Qi by tomorrow noon."

But it would be better to bring the child’s father along—that way, he could get out of Lemon Channel more quickly...

"You’re too polite, Director Fei. Let’s talk when we meet tomorrow."

"Okay, we’ll talk later."

...

After hanging up with Director Fei, Ye Zhenzhen received a WeChat photo from Song Jinze. It was full of pictures of people from Chenguang heading to the mountain area where Jingjing was located, transporting supplies for the children.

Song Jinze: [Don’t worry. Everything has been taken care of. I’ll be home before 11 PM. You should rest early, good night.]

Ye Zhenzhen’s lips curved slightly as she replied, [Thanks, try to drink less at the reception.]

Song Jinze responded quickly, [Mrs. Song, as I’ve said, no need to thank me with words.]

Ye Zhenzhen: ...

For some reason, the image of the man kissing her that day because of that sentence emerged in her mind...

Song Jinze: [Oh, let’s understand it in a different way. I’ve gotten Mrs. Song’s intention now. I know and have taken note, wait for my return.]

Ye Zhenzhen: !!!

What else does he know now?

...

Qiu Wanshuang’s agent updated a Weibo status:

[Today, Sunday, Sister Shuang spent a fulfilling and joyful day with Xiao Tuantuan. Seeing the smiles on the children and the elderly made us all very contented!]

Nine-grid photos attached: They show Qiu Wanshuang’s interactions at an orphanage and a nursing home, giving toys and daily necessities to the children, trimming the elders’ nails, and cooking for them.

Following this update, her Weibo also released a 10-minute video and tagged Jingjing, who had posted a video that morning, indicating that anyone needing help could contact Qiu Wanshuang’s team.

Qiu Wanshuang has a very good reputation in the industry, and she has a four-year-old daughter, Xiao Tuantuan.

She often takes her daughter to do charity work, and always takes her along whenever she has time.

Today, after her agent published these updates, the comments were completely different from usual; before, they were all about forwarding and praising Qiu Wanshuang, but today it changed:

[Sister Shuang is so kind. Whatever she does, she does it personally, and it’s truly great, and we have our Xiao Tuantuan too.]

[To be honest, Ye Zhenzhen snatches Sister Shuang’s resources behind her back, while Sister Shuang quietly does charity work. Some people claim to be kind and do good deeds, is this what they call kindness?]

Inside a private club.

"President Song, stop looking at your phone all the time. Have another drink!"

Song Jinze looked at the speaker, his lips curled into a light smile, and raised a hand to decline the drink, "No need, the wife at home has strict rules, she just checked in on WeChat and told me not to drink."

The expression on the face of the person offering the drink was exceptionally vivid; he laughed with a ’hehe,’ "Alright then, we’ll drink on our own."

"After I leave Jiangcheng tonight, I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to drink with you again,"

And Qi Qin was a trump card director in the drama circle, with a very resounding reputation. He won the Magnolia Award for Best Director two out of three years, and both the lead and supporting actors of their team had won awards, making them very much in demand.

Chen Ke and Liu Rui had tried to connect Jiang Lu with top production teams and script resources before Ye Zhenzhen became famous, but despite putting in a lot of effort, they didn’t achieve any results. After all, the other party considered their agency too small and their artists not high-profile enough.

Now that Director Fei was willing to make the connection, Ye Zhenzhen felt quite happy inside, but everything had to be on equal terms. She politely said, "Director Fei, thank you, but I do know my place. The kind of actors Director Qi Qin’s dramas look for are those with the stature of award-winning actresses, and I’m afraid I don’t quite measure up yet!"

Now that Director Fei was willing to make the connection, Ye Zhenzhen felt quite happy inside, but everything had to be on equal terms. She politely said, "Director Fei, thank you, but I do know my place. The kind of actors Director Qi Qin’s dramas look for are those with the stature of award-winning actresses, and I’m afraid I don’t quite measure up yet!"