Tycoon: I Have an Unlimited Modifier novel Chapter 451

Chapter 451: Chapter 237: The Treatment of the Company’s Top Actress

In the conference room.

Gu Pan took less than a minute to get into character.

She pulled up a chair and sat directly across from Zhang Xiaobo.

In the script, this climactic scene was a three-person sit-down meeting.

Xu Huanshan admits he has wronged his family and hopes Gu Jia will meet with Lin Youyou to talk.

After Gu Pan sat down, she looked at Zhang Xiaobo.

Her eyes held none of the hysteria a typical woman would have after being betrayed.

Aside from her slightly red-rimmed eyes, she appeared perfectly calm on the surface.

’This is it!’

Zhang Xiaobo’s eyes lit up.

He hadn’t expected that beneath her "flower vase" exterior, Gu Pan’s acting was actually quite good.

Zhang Xiaobo recited his lines from the script: "Why, for all these years, have you never let Xu Huanshan eat dinner or play the soccer he loves? Xu Huanshan is not happy with you at all!"

Watching from the side, Lin Meishan couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly.

An actress with subpar skills would have easily broken character and laughed.

But Gu Pan possessed an acting skill of 89, comparable to a seasoned veteran who had been acting for half their life.

Naturally, she wouldn’t make such an amateur mistake.

"Where do you get the confidence? What self-righteous delusion makes you think you can save this man?"

"The man you’ve fallen in love with is nothing more than a man I’ve molded, a man who bears my shadow."

Gu Pan’s line delivery was also stunning.

It made the few industry insiders present nod repeatedly in approval.

"Take a look. All these photos are of our dinners together."

"So many photos, so many nights we’ve spent together."

Zhang Xiaobo continued reciting Lin Youyou’s lines from the script, pushing the phone over.

In the original drama, this part of the scene was also a mini-climax.

But Gu Pan’s performance remained steady.

Not only was her line delivery stunning,

but she also perfectly portrayed the domineering energy of confronting the other woman.

After watching Gu Pan’s performance, Zhang Xiaobo found himself with a headache.

If Gu Pan had performed poorly, there would be nothing to discuss.

Given his relationship with Lemon Film and Television, he could have ensured Tong Yao’s position as the female lead remained secure.

The problem was, Gu Pan’s performance was too stunning.

As a director, his professional ethics told him...

...he shouldn’t turn down such a good actress.

But in the real world, things were never that simple.

"Ahem, President Chen, Miss Gu’s performance is indeed very good."

"But the story we’re filming this time is about people in their thirties."

"I’m worried that Miss Gu’s life experience might not be a good fit for this character."

Zhang Xiaobo forced himself to come up with a flimsy excuse.

"Director Zhang, I think Panpan is quite suitable for the role of Gu Jia. Why don’t you reconsider?"

Chen Fei had seen Gu Pan’s acting with her own eyes and knew she was more than capable of handling the female lead role.

Naturally, she wasn’t going to give Zhang Xiaobo the chance to do someone an easy favor.

At the end of the day, this drama was an independent production by Lemon Film and Television.

Hearing Chen Fei lay down the law, Zhang Xiaobo had no choice but to listen.

"Ahem, then we’ll do as President Chen says. The role of Gu Jia will be played by Gu Pan."

Zhang Xiaobo silently apologized to Tong Yao in his heart. ’It’s not that I didn’t try to help you.’

’Who could have known Gu Pan’s financial backing was even more powerful!’

’Bringing her own funding to the production... how the hell are we supposed to compete with that?’

"President Lin, let’s go upstairs to discuss the specific details of our collaboration."

"Of course. Panpan, you chat with Director Zhang for a bit."

Before Lin Meishan left, she gave a meaningful look to the two female bodyguards accompanying them.

With the bodyguards there, she naturally wasn’t worried about Gu Pan being taken advantage of.

「 」

Upstairs, in the president’s office.

Chen Fei poured Lin Meishan a cup of coffee and began to brief her on the show’s production budget.

"The currently projected production and marketing cost is 120 million. We can offer Universal Entertainment a one-third investment share."

"Deal. What about the billing?"

Lin Meishan agreed immediately without a second thought.

’It’s a mere 40 million. As long as it can make Gu Pan famous, a few endorsement deals will easily recoup the investment.’

Chen Fei said with a smile, "The top-billed female lead is Jiang Shuying, that was decided long ago. Mao Xiaotong is the second female lead, and Gu Pan is the third."

Lin Meishan argued her case, "I have no objection to Jiang Shuying being the main female lead, but Mao Xiaotong’s role doesn’t seem to have as much screen time as Gu Pan’s, does it?"

Don’t think Lin Meishan was being unreasonable.

In the entertainment industry, fighting over billing was as normal as it gets.

During promotion, for example, there would definitely be a difference in focus.

The top-billed female lead would certainly receive more promotional resources.

Even between the second and third female leads, their status was different.

"Then Gu Pan will have second billing, and Mao Xiaotong will have third."

Chen Fei didn’t want to offend Universal Entertainment either. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Besides, Gu Pan was bringing her own funding to the production.

Asking for second female lead billing wasn’t unacceptable.

"A pleasure doing business with you!"

Lin Meishan extended her hand, satisfied, and then chatted with Chen Fei about the acting fee.

Although she was now a female lead, Gu Pan was a newcomer, so her fee definitely wouldn’t be very high.

Her fee of 7 million was 8 million less than the main female lead, Jiang Shuying.

It was only 2 million more than the third female lead, Mao Xiaotong.

And that was only because of her second-billing status.

「 」

Downstairs, Zhang Xiaobo had also accepted reality.

From a logical standpoint, Gu Pan joining the cast...

...would definitely help raise the show’s popularity to another level.

Gu Pan’s looks alone far surpassed Tong Yao, who was previously cast.

As for popularity?

One was a third-tier actress, the other a newcomer.

There wasn’t much of a difference.

"President Lin."

When Zhang Xiaobo saw Lin Meishan walk in with a smile, he didn’t put on airs like before.

To make it in the entertainment industry, the one thing you can’t afford to offend is capital.

This industry lacks good scripts.

Not talented directors.

"Director Zhang, President Xu has already decided that our Panpan will be playing the role of Gu Jia."

"Is this a new van you bought?"

During her time in Chengdu, Qi Sheng had taken her out for drives in various different cars.

But this was the first time she’d seen a luxury van like this.

"It’s not mine, it’s your van."

Qi Sheng waved with a smile, saying goodbye to Lin Meishan who was outside.

"My van?"

Gu Pan froze, feeling overwhelmed by the favor.

"This van must be very expensive, right?"

"It’s alright, only 2 million. You’re the top lady of Universal Entertainment. It wouldn’t be right for you not to have a van."

"This van costs 2 million?"

Gu Pan was stunned. It wasn’t that she had never heard of celebrity vans.

But an entry-level GL8 was only about 200,000 to 300,000, right?

Only A-list stars would dare to splurge on this level of luxury van.

And yet, she was still a newcomer but was already receiving the treatment of an A-lister.

She had to admit, Qi Sheng truly doted on her.

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. After this show is done, I’ll arrange other resources for you."

"My advice is to film a few TV series first to build up your popularity."

"Once you’re popular enough, you can take on the big screen."

"Mhm, I’ll listen to whatever you say."

Without needing to be asked, Gu Pan operated the partition function, separating the passenger cabin from the driver’s cockpit.

As a female star being heavily promoted by her sponsor,

she naturally understood how to show her "gratitude."

Gu Feng was driving in the front, his skills exceptionally smooth.

In a 2-million-yuan luxury van, the entire ride experience was top-notch.

Even Gu Feng and the others could only faintly hear a few small sounds.

When they arrived at the Banyan Tree on the North Bund.

Qi Sheng and Gu Pan, who was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, got out of the car together.

Although she wasn’t famous yet, she had the foundation of an absolute beauty.

Just in case, Lin Meishan had told Gu Pan that from now on, she had to be mindful of her privacy.

"Hello, Boss."

Qi Sheng waved his hand. "Carry on with your work."

He took Gu Pan’s small hand and headed straight for the private elevator to the presidential suite.

Once inside the presidential suite, Gu Pan quickly took off her hat and sunglasses.

"Whew, that’s exhausting!"

Gu Pan wasn’t even famous yet, but she was already getting a taste of a celebrity’s troubles.

Fame is a double-edged sword.

It allows them to earn more money.

But their privacy is also completely exposed to the public.

"To prevent you from being followed by paparazzi after you get famous, let’s try a few new moves."

Gu Pan: "Huh???"

Two of her handprints appeared on the presidential suite’s floor-to-ceiling window.

Fortunately, she wasn’t famous yet.

If she were famous and the paparazzi actually caught a picture of that, she could forget about her acting career.

She might as well just go home and prepare to have babies like An Xin.