Chapter 33
Rebirth from the Ashes
Lil Chairman Shen was peeling and eating some prawns slowly. Her eyes seemed as they were covered with a thin layer of frost. No one could tell what she was thinking about.
Director An Lin listened with a grimace.
These days, the investors were the big bosses and he could not afford to offend the people who funded him.
âMiss Cloud, if you have no objections to our suggestions, do edit the script by next week.â
âDirector An, we hope to start filming as soon as possible. Letâs begin early next month. Two months of filming should be sufficient!â
âAs for the cast, letâs recruit average actors. Expensive ones are out of the question. No need to look for the second female lead for we already have someone in mind.â
The investors were used to bossing others around. They were the ones who supplied the money, so other people had to obey them. The director and the screenwriters were nobodies in their eyes. To the investors, they had already done a great service by informing them about their final decision.
âHave you finished?â Shen Xi picked up a napkin gracefully and wiped her fingers. She smiled. âIf you have, itâs my turn to speak!â
âLet us know your opinions, Miss Cloud.â Producer Zhang regarded her with a grin.
This screenwriter was very beautiful, indeed. Young girls were often supple and a treat to the eyes.
The rest of the men gazed at Shen Xi with lustful intentions.
âWhoâs the screenwriter? You or I?â Shen Xi asked.
âOf course youâre the screenwriter, Miss Cloud. Weâre laymen and are unfamiliar with the subject.â If not for her pretty face, Boss Chen would not have been so patient with her.
âThen Iâll tell you what I think.â Shen Xiâs lips curved upwards, but there was no sincerity of a smile. âIâm the screenwriter and I request full control over the script. Not a single word is to be edited in my script.â
The investors smirked as they listened to her. What an ignorant little dummy. She must have a screw loose to fail to understand reality and to be so demanding.
âDuring the course of filming, you must obey my requests and change the current fixed period of shooting. I want this show to be filmed and released simultaneously. This is for the benefit of our show and itâs the best way to prevent leaks and piracy.â
The investorsâ expressions darkened. Who did she think she was to start making demands?
âAll of the cast members must be handpicked by me,â Shen Xi continued nonchalantly.
The investors were fuming with rage.
âMoreover, I donât want a screenwriterâs fee. I want fifty percent of the showâs profits.â Shen Xi lowered the napkin in her hand and grinned. âIf you have no problem with that, we can sign the contract.â
âI think that you havenât learned your place yet, Miss Cloud.â Producer Zhang ignored her words. âDirector An, you ought to teach her how to talk to us.â
âSheâs a student and a young girl who hasnât stepped into society. Thus, sheâs too idealistic. Donât take her words to heart, Producer Zhang.â An Lin panicked and did not expect her to be so offensive. He tried to de-escalate the situation. âYou must be joking, right, Miss Cloud?â
It was his first time meeting a newcomer as fearless as her.
In Chinaâs film industry, the screenwriter belonged to the lowest rank and had not much say in things.
Changes were made when the director said so.
Changes were made when the investors said so.
Changes were made when the actors said so!
âDirector An.â Shen Xi stopped smiling and her expression was replaced with a scornful jeer. âDo I look like Iâm joking?â