After lunch, Quan Jiu and Xiang Fei followed Zhao Wei to "Xiao Kou Chang Kai".
Zhao Wei asked the two to wait in the lounge while he went to arrange the interviews. However, although he was the manager of the artist department, the signing of artists was not solely his decision. Other relevant responsible persons were also present for the interviews. Among them, Wei Tian was one of the main decision-makers.
Zhao Wei went to Wei Tian's office and briefly explained the situation. To his surprise, Wei Tian was not receptive. She immediately refused with a stern face, "The people for this year have already been signed. There are countless people trying to get in through the back door every year. Do we have to give everyone a chance? Then we might as well not do any work and just open the back door for people all day long."
Zhao Wei frowned displeasedly, "Nine is a well-known screenwriter both domestically and internationally. The people she recommends must have some talent."
Wei Tian scoffed, "Everyone who comes to interview at Xiao Kou Chang Kai has some talent. Besides, we don't know how much of the overseas fame is inflated. Domestically, it's true that there's a lot of buzz, but we haven't seen any actual works. It's a typical case of 'great fanfare, little result,' very impressive, but we don't know how capable they really are. It's one thing for the public to blindly follow and worship, but for Manager Zhao to do the same is a bit unbecoming of your position."
Zhao Wei, who usually didn't get along with Wei Tian, retorted unhappily, "Haven't you seen the film and television dramas Nine created overseas? How can you say such ignorant things?"
Wei Tian let out a contemptuous snort, "Do you know how deep the waters are overseas? Who knows how many screenwriters are behind those scripts?"
"You're arguing for the sake of arguing, why should I waste my breath on you?" Zhao Wei shot back.
Wei Tian angrily said, "Did you report this to the leadership before acting unilaterally? You're arguing for the sake of arguing, I think you're the one who's a brainless fan."
Zhao Wei stopped arguing and turned to head for the company's general manager's office. Before long, Wei Tian received a message from her superiors, asking her and Zhao Wei to conduct the interview together.
Wei Tian was so angry that she threw her mouse and, muttering curses irritably, headed towards the interview hall. "Fine, let's go see how disgusting this so-called 'ugly monster' really is."
On the way, she happened to meet a few acquaintances. Seeing her unhappy expression, they asked a few questions. Wei Tian, wanting to vent her anger, exaggerated, "Nine brought someone to get in through the back door. Zhao Wei must have received some benefit from her to have persuaded Director Wu to have me conduct the interview."
Upon hearing it was Nine, everyone became curious. "The mysterious screenwriter Nine from the internet? She's here? What does she look like? Some people even say she's actually a man, a cross-dresser."
Wei Tian calculated her next move and incited them, "Then you all go with me and see the true face of this legendary person." Who wouldn't like to watch a spectacle? The group changed direction and headed towards the interview hall together.
Upon arriving at the interview hall, Wei Tian was surprised to see that even Director Wu was present to observe. She quickly put on a smiling face and went forward to greet Director Wu and other leaders. The onlookers, caught between staying and leaving, stood awkwardly at the doorway and called out to Director Wu.
Director Wu smiled kindly and said, "If you want to watch, everyone can come in." With the boss's word, the onlookers had no choice but to bear the pressure and take seats in the back row.
After sitting down, Wei Tian suddenly had a brilliant idea and suggested with a smile, "Director Wu, since this is an exception, why don't we call Li Gui to come? With a comparison, it will be easier to judge."
Li Gui was an artist newly signed by "Xiao Kou Chang Kai" this year. Wu Qian thought for a moment and agreed, "That's fine. Since it's an exception, he must at least be better than Li Gui to be considered."
Zhao Wei frowned and glared at Wei Tian, his eyes full of resentment. Li Gui was someone Wei Tian had strongly advocated for, but in reality, he didn't think highly of Li Gui. Li Gui had talent, but his disposition was too impetuous, and he was not the type of person to settle down and do things. Now, he hadn't become famous yet, but once he had the opportunity to become famous, he would undoubtedly change. It was a pity, but no one knew what tricks Wei Tian had played behind the scenes, but in the end, Li Gui became the best candidate.
Meanwhile, the staff had already gone out to call Li Gui. Li Gui soon arrived at the interview hall. On the way, he was informed by the staff that he would be competing with a newcomer who was getting in through the back door. Li Gui was displeased and showed it on his face. It wasn't until he entered the interview hall and saw Director Wu present that he put on a smile.
Everyone took their seats and curiously looked towards the stage. Xiang Fei took a deep breath and calmly walked onto the stage. The gazes of everyone in the audience turned towards him, but after seeing his appearance, their expressions changed.
Wei Tian sneered, "This is the person who got in through the back door? It's laughable. She laughed and said, "This person's appearance is truly comical. Just looking at him makes one want to laugh." This was sarcasm disguised as praise.
Li Gui also snorted with disdain, thinking that such a person was worthy of comparison with him. It was indeed ridiculous.
"Is this Nine's relative?" Wei Tian looked at Zhao Wei. "Why isn't Nine here? Wasn't she the one who recommended him? She should at least show her face."
Zhao Wei ignored her and said to Xiang Fei on stage, "Please introduce yourself."
Xiang Fei took the microphone from the staff and said loudly, "Hello everyone, my name is Xiang Fei. I am a student of the Performing Arts Department at A University, and I love comedy. Thank you all for giving me this precious opportunity."
"Why did you choose acting?" Wei Tian picked up the microphone and said without mercy, "With your appearance, choosing the acting industry is equivalent to a suicidal act."
Xiang Fei smiled and said, "Just now, when I walked onto the stage, I only took a few steps, but eleven out of the thirteen people in the audience were laughing. This shows that I have a face that is blessed by heaven, and it would be a shame not to enter the acting industry."
As he finished speaking, the audience burst into laughter. Zhao Wei, while laughing, took out copies of the script written by Quan Jiu and distributed them to everyone present, and then gave one to Xiang Fei. Finally, he explained to everyone, "This script was written by Nine. Apart from me, everyone here is receiving this script for the first time, including Xiang Fei. Furthermore, this is also the topic for this interview. Xiang Fei, you can start preparing while everyone is reading the script. And since it's an exception, our requirements for you will definitely be higher. Li Gui will perform after you. He will have more time to prepare than you, and he will even watch your performance first. He might even get better inspiration from your performance, thus performing better than you. However, even so, if your performance does not surpass Li Gui, we still will not sign you. Do you understand?"
Xiang Fei nodded, "I understand." If he wasn't better, why would they sign him?
"Hahaha..." A burst of laughter suddenly came from the hall. Some people looked over and saw it was a spectator in the back row. She awkwardly pointed at the script in her hand, "It's too funny." Others also picked up the script and started reading. After a moment, the entire hall was filled with bursts of laughter, sharing, discussion, and applause. In short... everyone's emotions were very excited.
Wei Tian was disdainful, thinking, "How good can a script be? I don't believe it." But when she picked up the script and started reading, it was as if it had a magnetic force, drawing her to continue reading. And as she read, without exception, she laughed until her stomach hurt. People who do comedy generally have high laugh thresholds; they have seen too many funny jokes and have gradually become numb. But this script undoubtedly made them's eyes shine, unique and distinctive. At this moment, everyone had the same thought in their hearts: worthy of Nine.