Chapter 441: Chapter 440 Ashen-faced
Ice Princess Bai Yaning, the good friend of the Young Miss of the Bai family, was absolutely not someone he could afford to provoke! But now, it was too late for any words; he could only try to grasp at the last straw for salvation. “Grand Steward, give me another chance, please! I certainly won’t dare to do it again! The film isn’t finished yet, and if I leave now, the company’s loss will truly be enormous!”
“Loss?! Cai Yingzhe’s face turned ashen with anger as he pointed at Liu Xueyan and said, “Because of your personal desires, she had to take thirty-something takes for just one scene. And now you’re talking to me about losses?!”
“I… I really just wanted to make a good film…” Liang Zecheng collapsed to the ground, desperately trying to explain.
“Don’t bother explaining,” Cai Yingzhe shouted angrily. “From now on you’d better behave yourself. If I catch you doing such unreliable things again, be careful or I’ll skin you alive!”
“I understand, I understand!” Liang Zecheng, scared out of his wits, fell to the ground, pleading non-stop, “I absolutely won’t dare, I absolutely won’t dare again!”
After all, this was the Bai family’s Grand Steward; it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to make Liang Zecheng’s life unbearable with just a word!
“Mr. Wang Hao,” Cai Yingzhe turned to Wang Hao and asked, “Do you have any other requests? As long as they’re not too excessive, I’ll try my best to accommodate you.”
As for requests, I’m indifferent; what is crucial is what our agent’s sister says.
“That, Sister Xue Yan,” Wang Hao looked at Liu Xueyan and asked, “Do you have any conditions? With Mr. Cai here, if you have any demands, speak up now.”
“I… I don’t want to shoot here anymore,” Liu Xueyan, clearly terrified, said quietly while lowering her head, “I want to leave, but there’s the penalty for breaching the contract…”
It was evident that the numerous NGs had a significant impact on her. Now just standing on set filled her with fear. She was like a frightened deer, trembling at the slightest rustle.
“If you want to leave, you can go at any time,” Cai Yingzhe, realizing Liu Xueyan was genuinely shaken, pointed at Liang Zecheng and exclaimed, “Look! A perfectly fine young lady, and you’ve frightened her to this state?! Now she wants to go, and naturally, I won’t stop her. But leave if you must, the contract cannot be broken! The penalty for breaching the contract, right? You’ll cover it!”
As soon as Cai Yingzhe finished those words, everyone around was stunned!
The members of the crew present quietly commented among themselves–
“True to his role as Chief Steward Cai, too impressive!”
“Yes, and with that, he lets the person go and punishes Director Liang as well; killing two birds with one stone.”
“Wang Hao’s the man, such clout, it’s as if his face is known all the way to the heavens!”
Liang Zecheng also knew that now the matter had blown open, paying off the damages was the best solution. Even if he were unwilling a million times over, he had no choice but to accept defeat and replied humbly, “I accept, I’ll take responsibility for the money!”
“At least you’re sensible!” Cai Yingzhe finally nodded and warned, “Remember this, if I find out you’re forcing others against their will again, think about the consequences yourself!”
Actually, it’s quite normal to have unspoken rules in the film industry; everyone who’s in the business understands it.
The problem lies when someone like Liang Zecheng coerces others into agreeing when they’re clearly unwilling; that’s just unacceptable.
Cai Yingzhe was upset today because of this. Had it been a consensual arrangement, why would he have needed to drive all the way here?
Now that the matter had finally been resolved satisfactorily, Wang Hao turned around, looked at Liu Xueyan with a smile, and asked, “Is everything alright now? With Mr. Cai advocating for you, there’s no need to be afraid anymore.”
“Yes, thank you, thank you,” Liu Xueyan, nearly in tears with gratitude, said, “I’m finally at ease.”
“Well, that’s good,” Wang Hao also knew that with Liu Xueyan leaving the project today, she might not receive her fee due to the contract breach, and where she would go next was a question.
But as Wang Hao hesitated, he suddenly noticed that Liu Xueyan was tall with long legs and a slim waist – she was actually a real looker, pretty much like Liu Yan from his previous life.
And come to think of it, Liu Yan, Liu Xueyan; the names were just one character different…
“Sister Xue Yan,” Wang Hao asked with a beaming smile, “If you don’t have anything planned afterward, how about joining my crew? We just happen to be missing an actor, not a leading role, but still with quite a few scenes. How about it?”
“Really?” Liu Xueyan’s eyes widened upon hearing this, “Can I really take on the part?”
The character of Lan Fenghuang, the Miao sister in The Legend of the Sword and Fairy, was described as voluptuous in the original work, which matched Sister Xue Yan’s figure quite well!
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Wang Hao nodded decisively, “If you agree, I’ll take you back to the set to give it a try?”
With such a formidable figure backing her, Liu Xueyan wouldn’t necessarily have to swagger around on set, but at least she wouldn’t be bullied.
Without a second thought, she agreed, “Okay, when shall we leave?”
“Then it’s settled,” Wang Hao immediately stood up, ready to leave with Liu Xueyan and Xia Xueqi, “The sooner the better!”
“Mr. Wang,” Cai Yingzhe, seeing the three of them about to leave, quickly followed and suggested with a smile as they walked, “If it’s not too urgent, how about we go for lunch?”
“No, no, not today,” Wang Hao shook his head and replied with a smile, “I really mustn’t trouble you. I still have to get her settled back at the set. Let’s do it some other time when I’m free.”
“Alright then, I won’t disturb you anymore,” Cai Yingzhe handed his business card to Wang Hao, saying, “Call me anytime you need something.”
“Got it,” Wang Hao quickly pocketed the card. “Then I’ll be leaving now.”