Kang Li gasped, blurting out, "You're nine? How is that possible?" Realizing his slip-up immediately, he tried to cover it up, but it was too late, so he decided to voice his suspicion.
"How could nine be so young? I've seen every play she's created; it shouldn't be the work of a young person." His doubt was unconcealed.
Quan Jiu didn't mind, directly presenting her script. "A name is just a pseudonym; what matters is whether the script suits you."
Wang Can, as the director, also had perfectist demands of actors. As he sat down, he sighed, "Your face is too perfect for the camera. Have you considered acting?"
To have such a perfect face and work behind the scenes, as a director, he truly felt it was a waste.
Quan Jiu chuckled softly, "I haven't considered it, and I'm not cut out for it."
Wang Can felt a pang of regret.
Quan Jiu handed the script to Wang Can. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize there were others here, so I only prepared one copy."
Kang Li waved his hand. "It's fine, just tell us the outline of your script."
Quan Jiu smiled confidently and said unhurriedly, "This is a story that begins with the protagonist committing murder."
Wang Can nodded. "Starting with such a hook can indeed better pique the audience's interest and make them anticipate the subsequent twists and truths. However, this kind of opening isn't entirely novel. Are there any special twists later on?"
Quan Jiu continued, "It's not a twist, nor is it a deliberate obfuscation. The protagonist I've created did indeed kill someone at the beginning."
"Oh?" Wang Can's interest immediately piqued. "That's quite fresh. What happens next?"
"Although the protagonist killed someone, it was a perfect crime. Even though all suspicion pointed to the protagonist, there was insufficient evidence for conviction, so the protagonist was never convicted."
Wang Can was already getting excited. "A high-IQ crime, that's very interesting. But since it's the protagonist, they can't be purely a villain. The protagonist must have some difficult circumstances, right?"
Quan Jiu smiled. "As expected of Director Wang. The protagonist killed because of a car accident involving her family. Although the accident was accidental, the perpetrator showed no remorse.
The protagonist, stimulated by this, killed the perpetrator. This is also the beginning of the story, and the protagonist was considered a suspect and repeatedly summoned.
With each encounter with the police, the protagonist leads them into a trap, uncovering one corrupt official after another. In the end, the police discover that these officials and these events are all connected. The story concludes with the protagonist orchestrating a plan for the police to uproot a series of corrupt individuals."
Wang Can eagerly flipped through the script. "Using oneself as bait and meticulously planning, step by step, to lead the police to uncover corrupt officials triggered by the car accident. Interesting. It's different from the usual suspense genre tropes. If the protagonist's plan is set up cleverly enough, this drama will definitely be a huge hit."
Quan Jiu pointed to the script. "The specific plan and setup depend on the script, but I've only completed eighty percent of this script so far. Director Wang can read the completed portion first, and I'll strive to give you the complete script by next week."
Wang Can was completely immersed in the script. It was a while before he suddenly snapped back to reality. "Ah? Oh, okay, okay. Take your time with your writing. The ending requires more meticulous work; many good dramas are ruined by poor endings, which is truly a shame."
"In that case, I won't disturb you any further." Quan Jiu stood up to leave.
Wang Can had to close the script. "Let me walk you out."
On the way down in the elevator, Wang Can earnestly advised again, "Being able to write scripts means you have a visual sense in your mind. Some screenwriters even have a natural talent for acting because of it. You might want to consider it. I wasn't joking earlier. To be honest, I hope I haven't offended you, but your face is too much of a waste not to be on screen."
Quan Jiu smiled and shook her head. "I'm quite content now, and I have my own profession."
Wang Can didn't press the matter further and escorted Quan Jiu to the company's main entrance before bidding farewell.
After returning to his office, Kang Li took out his phone from his pocket and asked, "Did you hear everything?"
A voice replied from the phone, "I heard."
"It's a shame there wasn't an extra copy of the script. How you handle it is up to you," Kang Li said. "I'll get the script as soon as possible."
The voice on the phone hummed and hung up.
Kang Li lingered in his office for a moment before heading to Wang Can's office.
"Director Wang, nine's script is very interesting. I'm quite eager to see it. Can you let me read it first, just for an hour?"
Wang Can repeatedly shook his head. "No, no, I'm completely engrossed in it right now. I'll let you see it after I finish."
Kang Li frowned. After a moment's thought, he said, "Then can I take a photo of it to read?"
Wang Can looked up strangely. "Are you in a hurry? Also, how can you casually photograph a script that's about to be signed? You're really going backward in your old age."
"I'm just too eager. Fine, let me see it as soon as you're done." Kang Li, helpless, had to retreat. After leaving, he took out his phone and sent a message: [I can't get the script for now.]
...
As night gradually fell, Wang Can, completely immersed in the thrilling and exciting script, was oblivious until a phone call pulled him back to reality. He checked the time and realized it was already nine in the evening.
Wang Can closed the script, feeling unsatisfied, and instinctively answered the call.
"Hello, Director Wang, it's Zhao Zhen. You weren't satisfied with the previous script, so I've rewritten another one. It's a story about a murderer fighting corruption, absolutely novel."
When Wang Can heard it was Zhao Zhen, he was about to hang up. But after hearing Zhao Zhen's words, he paused. "A murderer fighting corruption? Tell me the outline?"
Zhao Zhen immediately launched into a passionate description. As Wang Can listened, his expression grew increasingly somber. By the time Zhao Zhen finished outlining the story, he asked in a deep voice, "Who did you hear this from?"
Zhao Zhen sounded confused. "I didn't hear it from anyone. I created this after being cooped up at home for a month. I'm almost finished with the draft. What's wrong? Have you seen a similar script, Director Wang?"
Wang Can remained silent.
Zhao Zhen paused, then feigned surprise. "Oh dear, has my script been plagiarized by someone? To be honest, Director Wang, I lost the USB drive with my original manuscript. Fortunately, I had a backup. I thought it was unlikely for the USB drive to be found by a screenwriter by chance, so I didn't pay much attention. Has someone already used my script to approach you for collaboration?"
Wang Can looked at the script in his hand and, after a long pause, said, "This matter is still uncertain. How about this, bring your script to the company to see me tomorrow."
Zhao Zhen sounded troubled. "Director Wang, it's really inconvenient. I have things to do tomorrow and the day after. How about the day after tomorrow?"
"Then you can send me the electronic version now," Wang Can continued.
Zhao Zhen chuckled. "Director Wang, it's not that I don't trust you, but... the electronic version is my draft. I can't just give it to you. Don't worry, I'll definitely bring the script to see you the day after tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Wang Can immediately dialed Quan Jiu's number.
Quan Jiu had just put Mimi and Tutu to bed and found it strange that Wang Can was calling at this hour.
"Hello, Director Wang, have you finished reading the script?"
"Has your script been leaked?" Wang Can asked directly.
"Leaked? Impossible. My drafts are all stored on my computer, and the security system is very robust. It's impossible to be stolen. What's wrong?"
Wang Can was extremely puzzled. "Do you know Zhao Zhen? She just called me, saying she's created a script, and from her description, it's exactly the same as yours."