Chapter 23

Bai Yin's official photo shoot is out.

She wears a vermilion smoke veil dress, with a Tang dynasty hairpin holding up her hair, and a peach blossom makeup with a delicate pink flower hairpin on her forehead.

Historical dramas are a challenge for actors' looks, as many modern-looking stars may not look good in ancient costumes. However, Bai Yin's facial structure is exceptional, with stunning features and a touch of charm in her narrow eyes and brows. She looks like a beauty walking out of a Tang painting.

She is undoubtedly the best dancer in the Tang dynasty.

There is no one better.

As for the casting of newcomers in "Ni Chang," netizens have mixed opinions. Initially, most people were skeptical, but after the release of Bai Yin's official photo, many people exclaimed that they loved it.

"This official photo is so beautiful! This is exactly what the female lead should look like in my mind!"

"She is a goddess of an actress! Her looks...if she doesn't become popular, it's just not fair."

"Come on, the entertainment industry is full of beauties. We need to see her talent."

"She is a great dancer, but that doesn't mean she can act. Let's wait and see."

"I support the decision not to cast a popular star. Nowadays, popular stars have no acting skills but demand high salaries. It's not worth it."

There are all kinds of comments online, but the majority of voices are neutral.

Compared to netizens, the investors of "Ni Chang" are very unhappy with Zhao Xun's decision to cast a newcomer as the female lead. Some investors even threatened to withdraw their investment if Zhao Xun insisted on using a newcomer.

The pressure from investors put Zhao Xun in a difficult position. On the one hand, he was certain that Bai Yin was the perfect fit for the role of Yan Huan. On the other hand, investors wanted to use their recommended actress as the female lead. After all, if the show became popular, the female lead would reap many benefits.

Therefore, there was a disagreement between the investors and the director that seemed irreconcilable.

Zhao Xun, standing from an artistic perspective, negotiated with investors multiple times, hoping they would meet Bai Yin and then make a decision.

On the weekend, Bai Yin received a call from Zhao Xun, asking her to quickly prepare and come to the Shenghe Grand Hotel.

Zhao Xun set up a trap and invited several investors to persuade them to use a popular actress instead of a newcomer.

This was Bai Yin's only chance.

Only if the investors nodded their heads would Yan Huan truly belong to her.

Bai Yin was originally planting a peony sapling in the small garden. Upon hearing this, she immediately washed her hands, picked a black dress from the closet, and applied delicate makeup.

"Tang Ka! Tang Ka!"

While Bai Yin was leaving, Tang Ka was using pliers to secretly remove the earthworms from the garden, trying to suppress his nausea.

Hearing Bai Yin's call, he quickly threw away the pliers and resumed his professional and cold butler expression, coming to the front door and asking formally, "Madam, what can I do for you?"

Bai Yin, in a black dress and black high heels, with her arms pulling at her suspenders, looked both charming and lovely.

"Bring Chen Huaixiao's car out and take me to Shenghe Grand Hotel."

Tang Kashun nodded obediently and said, "A while ago, the young master put several cars in the garage. Which one would you like to use?"

"Can I choose any of them?"

"Of course, the young master gave me all the keys, so you can use any of them."

Bai Yin thought for a moment and asked, "Which one does he use most often?"

"The Bugatti Veyron supercar. He often uses it to participate in races, and it's very cool to drive. Does madam want to use this car?"

"A racing car is not necessary." Bai Yin thought for a moment and said, "Just bring out the one he uses the most for business."

Soon, Tang Kashun drove a shiny Maybach to the doorstep and lowered the window. He said to Bai Yin, "Madam, please get in the car."

Bai Yin opened the car door and sat comfortably, smiling and saying, "I remember there was only one car in the garage before."

"The young master loves cars and has collected many limited edition sports cars. It's just that he used to live in the company and wouldn't come home for half a year, so these cars were all kept in the company's exclusive underground garage."

As Tang Kashun drove, he explained slowly, "Recently, he has been coming home more often, so the few cars he uses most frequently have naturally been brought back."

Bai Yin shrugged, "Does he often use this car?"

"Yes, madam. The young master uses this Maybach when he attends business meetings, banquets, or red carpet events for film and television awards."

"Nice."

Through the rearview mirror, Tang Kashun saw Bai Yin's smile and seemed to be plotting something mischievous again.

He knew not to ask too much about things he shouldn't, so he silently did his job.

Half an hour later, the Maybach stopped at the entrance of the Shenghe Grand Hotel. Bai Yin was in no hurry to get out of the car. She asked Tang Kashun to park the car in the most conspicuous location at the entrance and then observed the surroundings through the dark glass window.

Naturally, the bigwigs of the capital didn't think much of a newcomer with no reputation, so Zhao Dao invited her to this banquet to impress them with her strength.

But Bai Yin knew that the capital didn't care if she had any acting skills. Even if she portrayed the lead character in "Ni Chang" perfectly, these bigwigs probably wouldn't give her a second glance.

In plain terms, she was just a companion at this dinner party.

To be more blunt, she might even have to sacrifice her looks to please them.

Before she came, Zhao Jun had said something meaningful on the phone, "Bai Yin, you're a smart person. In the entertainment industry, nothing is clean."

Zhao Dao really hoped that she could star in "Ni Chang," but his abilities were limited. The only thing he could do was to help her make connections.

And Zhao Jun was absolutely convinced that even if these bigwigs were used to seeing all kinds of handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry, someone with Bai Yin's looks could easily win them over.

Bai Yin clearly understood the nature of this dinner party.

But she still had to come, she had to...

"Ni Chang" was her chance. With such a big production and so much buzz, as long as she could seize the opportunity, her goal would be one step closer.

However, she couldn't really muster the courage to risk everything and confront Chen Huaixiao head-on, no matter how brave she was. So she drove Chen Huaixiao's car out and waited for the big shots to arrive before getting out of the car.

The car that Chen Huaixiao often rode in must have been very familiar to the big shots in the circle. Bai Yin's goal was to make them unsure of the nature of her relationship with Chen Huaixiao, whether they were friends, relatives, or something more intimate. That way, they wouldn't dare to make too many waves.

She couldn't be too straightforward, but she couldn't say nothing at all. This was her only chance tonight: to use her husband's influence to successfully secure the role of Yan Huan.

...

Tang Ka saw that Bai Yin didn't get out of the car and was waiting for something, and he probably understood what was going on. So he patiently waited with her.

Soon, Bai Yin saw Zhao Dao's car drive up and park on the opposite side of the road. He got out of the car and greeted several well-dressed investors, and they crossed the road together.

Bai Yin watched through the window, ready to get out of the car and bump into them when they got closer. But at this point, Tang Ka's phone vibrated.

On the phone screen was a short message from Chen Huaixiao: "You have thirty seconds to take her away, or you're done."

Tang Ka was taken aback and turned his head to look at the hotel. He saw Chen Huaixiao's cool and tall figure on the terrace on the second floor. How could he forget that there was a business banquet at the Shenghe Hotel on the itinerary he prepared for the young master today?

Chen Huaixiao had excellent vision and must have noticed the Maybach parked illegally at the door for a long time. Bai Yin waited for the right moment to push open the door and get out of the car, but Tang Ka immediately stepped on the gas and drove the car out.

"Tang Ka, what are you doing!" Bai Yin was shocked. "Stop the car!"

"I'm sorry, madam."

Tang Ka didn't stop the car and drove onto the elevated bridge, explaining, "The young master is also at the hotel, and he probably wouldn't want you to attend such a banquet without his knowledge."

Bai Yin was angry that she had missed this opportunity. "I have an agreement with him to not interfere in each other's lives. Tang Ka, stop the car immediately!"

"Madam, please go back. This banquet is not just a simple business dinner, you'll be bullied."

"How much does Chen Huaixiao pay you in a month? I'll pay double. Take me back now!"

"It's not about the money." Tang Ka said. "You really shouldn't go."

Bai Yin saw that this man was also loyal and couldn't be easily bribed. "Tang Ka, Chen Huaixiao only asked you to take me away, right?"

"Yes."

"Good, you've already taken me away." Bai Yin saw a large shopping mall nearby. "Stop the car now, I want to go shopping."

"Madam."

"Are you trying to restrict my personal freedom?"

Tang Ka couldn't interfere with Bai Yin's actions, so he parked the car by the roadside. "I'm very sorry, madam."

Bai Yin didn't have time to argue with him and got out of the car, hurriedly running towards the Shenghe Hotel in her high heels.

Zhao Xun sent a message to Bai Yin: "What's going on? You're late?"

Bai Yin replied: "Sorry, Director Zhao, give me five minutes, I'm almost there."

Zhao Xun said impatiently: "Hurry up."

Bai Yin hailed a taxi on the roadside and got in hurriedly, saying to the driver: "Shenghe Hotel, please hurry."

The driver started the car and drove off.

Soon, a message came from Chen Huaixiao: "Listen to me and come home."

Bai Yin was furious that Chen Huaixiao ruined her good mood, and she tapped out a few words angrily: "Chen Huaixiao, from today on, we're done!"

Chen Huaixiao replied: "Done with our 'desire' or done with our 'grace'?"

Bai Yin retorted: "Done with both! Welcome to Platonic marriage :)"

Chen Huaixiao said confidently: "I can resist, but I'm afraid you can't." Bai Yin couldn't help but think of his cold, handsome face and his almost perfect physique.

She wasn't sure if she could resist him.

Chen Huaixiao teased: "Ha ha."

...

Bai Yin rushed to the Shenghe Hotel, where Zhao Xun was waiting for her at the door, reproaching her all the way: "Can't you be more mindful? Even if you're an A-list actor, you can't keep investors waiting!"

"Sorry, Director Zhao, there was a bit of an accident on the way."

"Is everything okay now?"

"Yes, it's fine."

At the door of the private room, Bai Yin adjusted her appearance and dress, put on a smile, and pushed the door open.

Several investors were already very impatient, and as soon as they saw her, they started to complain: "She's not even famous yet, but she's already acting like a big shot. I don't think we need to talk anymore. This is just too much..."

But when they saw Bai Yin, their words died on their lips like a broken string.

Bai Yin's features were flawless to begin with, and after being carefully groomed, she blossomed with even more stunning beauty, her eyes sparkling.

The bigwigs looked at her straight on, finally understanding why even directors like Zhao Xun were recommending her so strongly.

Just in terms of looks, ten Song Anti's combined would not be enough.

At the dinner table, Zhao Xun vigorously recommended Bai Yin and showed the investors her audition video, saying that her acting skills were absolutely solid.

The bigwigs glanced at her audition video, then looked away, their focus still fixed on Bai Yin's face.

Zhao Xun signaled to Bai Yin.

Bai Yin immediately stood up and respectfully toasted the investors.

Throughout the dinner, she maintained a calm and poised attitude, even though her smile was somewhat reserved...

One of the investors put his hand near Bai Yin's, testing the waters, but she immediately recoiled as if she had been shocked.

A strong disgust rose in her heart.

Except for Chen Huaixiao, every man who touched her made her feel...extremely disgusted.

The bigwigs were "battle-hardened" and didn't need to make the situation too embarrassing. They could see that Bai Yin wasn't interested in that kind of thing.

She wasn't willing to sacrifice or sell herself, but she still wanted to get the coveted female lead role. That was just too easy.

The bigwigs' attitudes also cooled down, and in front of Bai Yin, they spoke frankly:

"The investment in 'Ni Chang' is huge, and it's absolutely impossible to use a newcomer for the female lead."

"The risk is too high."

"Compared to newcomers with acting skills and those without skills but with popularity, the latter is more popular with the audience. That's just how the market works."

Director Zhao complained indignantly, "Even if a popular star has a large following, if their acting skills aren't good, the audience will be disappointed. That's also why so many costume dramas have been getting extremely low scores in recent years. The script is one thing, but a big part of the responsibility...falls on the actors."

"We've been in this industry for so many years, Director Zhao. Do you think you understand the market better than us?"

"I don't understand the market, but I know that only by making conscientious film and television works can we live up to the trust of the audience who spend money to watch them." Zhao Xun had some backbone and said resolutely, "The reputation I've accumulated over the years can't be ruined by unskilled popular stars. If you insist on not using Bai Yin, then as a director, I can't take this project. Please find someone else."

Bai Yin couldn't believe that Zhao Xun would stand up for her to such an extent, and she was deeply moved.

Several investors furrowed their brows.

They could disregard a newcomer actress, but someone like Zhao Xun, a well-known director with a good reputation in the industry, was not so easy to find.

Investors are experienced old foxes, and naturally, they wouldn't easily back down.

The investor who had just touched Bai Yin earlier smiled and said, "Since Director Zhao is vouching for this newcomer actress, we also believe in Director Zhao's judgment. Director Zhao pursues sentiment, but we investors pursue economic benefits. We still have doubts about whether this newcomer actress has the ability to play the female lead."

Zhao Xun immediately said, "I can have her perform a scene on the spot. I promise it won't disappoint you."

"That's not necessary," the investor waved his hand and said to Bai Yin, "I heard that Chen, the CEO of Canxing Media, is in the next private room. If you can invite him over to have a few drinks with us, then the female lead role is yours."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Xun's face immediately turned pale.

Who was Chen Huaixiao? He wouldn't give face to anyone.

Bai Yin, a newcomer with no reputation, how could she possibly invite this big shot over? She didn't even have the qualifications to meet him...

The investors looked at Bai Yin with smiles, making a casual joke and hoping that she would back down.

However, Bai Yin stood up and said firmly, "I hope you will keep your promise."

After speaking, she walked out of the private room without any hesitation.

The big shots looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.

Could it be true that there was someone so stubborn?