Lin Muci returned to the hotel with Lin Cuiping, who proceeded to fill her closet to the brim.
She felt a headache coming on.
"I'm still a newcomer... wearing so many big brands isn't good..."
Ms. Lin Cuiping, however, was beaming with delight.
"Who says Xiao Ci is a newcomer?"
"Your movie 'Peerless Beauty' has already grossed one billion at the box office! Although Zhao Lan is the lead, your pairing is the most popular... otherwise, they wouldn't have you doing livestreams all the time!"
Ms. Lin Cuiping had a rather clear grasp of the situation.
She nodded with a smile and continued speaking to Lin Muci.
"Don't worry, some people adopt a wealthy heiress persona; that's just an act, bound to crumble eventually. But Xiao Ci, you are genuinely from a wealthy family yourself, what do you have to fear?"
"Speaking of which, it's quite funny. Lu Keke's group actually dares to pursue a wealthy image. It makes me crack up. What kind of wealthy family is she from? A beggar's fortune?"
"They keep hinting that they want to compete with 'Era Girls'. I can't even be bothered to read those promotional articles!"
Lin Muci felt a touch of curiosity.
Why wasn't Lu Keke giving up yet?
...
[New Mission.]
[New Song Challenge! Achieve over one billion cumulative global views for the MV of your second single!]
[Successful completion of the mission will reward you with one hundred points!]
System prompts popped up in Lin Muci's mind. She opened the mission details. Her current global fame had unknowingly reached twelve percent!
The massive success of 'Peerless Beauty' had indeed helped boost her popularity.
Furthermore, her livestreams with Ling Qianhe, coupled with various rumors and whispers, suggested she was the female lead in the new film rumored to feature a dual Best Actor cast. Her fame was soaring.
She was undoubtedly the rising top female star with over ten million fans across the net.
Lin Cuiping was incredibly proud, constantly boasting about how remarkable their Xiao Ci was.
Lin Muci received a torrent of praise from Ms. Lin Cuiping.
Finally, when she went out shopping again, she glanced at her phone. Her agent was already urging her to hurry.
...
Moments later, on the Walk of Fame.
A quartet convened.
She, Ling Qianhe, He Yunru, and Hanks were seated together, discussing her next project, 'I Am Thriving in the Villain-Abusing World'.
This was a single-female-lead film, with the protagonist requiring a significant performance. Producer He Yunru, to ensure Hanks understood, explained in fluent English.
"This is a... not-so-traditional film. Firstly, this film doesn't have one male lead – of course, the storyline consistently features the same man, but we need different actors to portray him."
"And each character requires subtle micro-expressions to allow the audience to understand that the male protagonist's soul has remained unchanged from beginning to end."
"Therefore, this demands extremely high standards. My bottom line is that the male actors must be experienced."
"Excellent, outstanding actors with exceptional acting skills."
"Fortunately, in my eyes, you all possess such qualities, far exceeding my expectations, and are the most outstanding candidates I can think of!"
Ling Qianhe remained unmoved.
Hanks was equally laid-back.
They were all seasoned professionals, so no need for pleasantries. Being individuals who had won Best Actor awards, they were accustomed to flattery.
Ling Qianhe was there for Lin Muci.
Hanks, on the other hand, owed Ling Qianhe and Lin Muci a favor. The incident with the misfired hunting rifle still made him shudder.
If he had died from that rifle, he would have truly become a global laughingstock, his fans only seeing him in framed photographs.
He was only in his thirties; he still had a bright future ahead of him.
Thinking about it, he felt immensely grateful.
Hence, he was willing to listen to He Yunru discuss the production.
There were only a few core points: who was cast in the film, and how the payment would be handled.
He Yunru, living up to her reputation as a woman who had inherited a wealthy family and possessed exceptional capabilities, got straight to the point.
"I want to invite Lin Muci to be the female lead in my film. Director Li Ping will direct; you should all be very familiar with him, a world-class Chinese director."
"This caliber will absolutely not make you feel undersold!"
"As for the remuneration, since I am not short on funds now, I can offer market rates. You are all considered top-tier Hollywood A-listers, and we can use a model of film salary plus profit sharing. I wonder if you'll be satisfied with the figures."
Thirty million US dollars plus profit sharing.
It was indeed a remarkably high price! It was rare for a film to offer such a substantial sum. Typically, a film that could secure an international Best Actor award winner was considered to have... poured in everything it had.
Actors of this caliber were simply too expensive!
Only a woman as affluent and generous as He Yunru could quote such a high price.
Hanks was satisfied. He had no further demands.
Following his breakup with his supermodel ex-girlfriend Vivian, he had been listless and hadn't taken on any new projects for a considerable period.
He was pleased with this offer.
It was also fitting for his status.
"Agreed. My agent can sign the contract with you."
He Yunru hadn't expected Hanks to be the easiest to deal with.
She looked at Ling Qianhe. He remained silent for a moment, a hint of thoughtful contemplation appearing on his exquisitely perfect face.
"Then... what about Lin Muci?"
He Yunru faltered.
"She's a newcomer. Let's follow the industry's rules. Newcomers have their own pricing..."
Ling Qianhe replied with a half-smile.
A serious expression surfaced on his exquisitely perfect face, and a bright, intelligent light gleamed in his eyes.
"But she is the protagonist, the soul of the film. From the structure of the screenplay, both my role and Hanks' role serve her as the protagonist. We are essentially tools for her character, aren't we?"
"I believe she deserves an offer of ten million dollars plus profit sharing!"
Although it was the truth.
Having Ling Qianhe state it so plainly, He Yunru could only offer a wry smile.
"However, offering a high price to a newcomer is difficult to justify to the shareholders. She has only acted in one film, and that too as a supporting role. She hasn't won any awards, nor is there sufficient evidence to prove she possesses strong box office appeal. In such circumstances, there's no way we can offer her more than ten million US dollars..."
"That's a price only international A-list movie stars can command."
"Please don't put me in a difficult position."
Lin Muci hadn't expected Ling Qianhe to negotiate the price for her.
In reality, regardless of the price, even the lowest figure, she would have accepted. For her as a newcomer, the price wasn't important; the opportunity to make a film was the most precious. However, Ling Qianhe clearly didn't think that way. Ling Qianhe's lashes fluttered slightly.
He was unyielding.
"A film salary of ten million US dollars, plus ten percent of the box office profits."
"I believe this is a suitable offer for our female lead."
He Yunru gasped, looking at Ling Qianhe in disbelief!
She felt Ling Qianhe must be insane to quote such a fantastical price!
Even Lin Muci's agent wouldn't dare to be so audacious.
Ling Qianhe continued.
"My offer and hers can be bundled. I can reduce my film salary, but I want to ensure her profit share. This is what she deserves as the female lead. I hope you understand that she is the soul of your film, so no matter what, she needs to receive the best treatment."
He wanted to fight for the best for Lin Muci.
He raised his eyes and looked at He Yunru.
"This is also my sole condition for joining your film."
"I want her to have the best crew, and I want your film to become a true masterpiece for the ages!"