Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 77
by Little PandaAmusing Ourselves to Death
Manager 14
Queen
After Xin Lan asked Qin Yuyan about the specific building, she discovered they were actually in the same building.
“What a coincidence, could we possibly live on the same floor?”
Xin Lan joked, after all, the probability was too small.
“I live on the twenty-seventh.”
Xin Lan raised her eyebrows – this was truly a triple coincidence: same community, same building, same floor.
One could only say, fate was truly mysterious.
Qin Yuyan was overjoyed beyond expectation. This apartment was one she had chosen when viewing the property, never expecting such a pleasant surprise today.
Xin Lan escorted Qin Yuyan home, watching as she entered her door.
The floor had three households in total, with Qin Yuyan living on the far left and Xin Lan on the far right.
Qin Yuyan entered using her fingerprint and made an inviting gesture toward Xin Lan.
“No need, I’ll come by next time when I’m free. It’s just a short distance anyway. I need to head back to the company first – contact me if anything comes up.”
Xin Lan jingled her car keys and shook her head at Qin Yuyan.
She wasn’t here for a social visit and tea – she needed to hurry back to work at the company.
She intended to secure the female lead role in 《Xiaoman》 for Shen Yun. As long as no one with financial backing snatched the female lead, their chances were quite good.
She drove out of the residential complex and sent Shen Yun’s schedule to Zhou Qinqin.
After completing these tasks, she drove back to the company.
After a busy afternoon, Xin Lan returned home.
Without checking if Qin Yuyan was home, she removed her makeup, took off her suit, had a shower, changed into casual clothes, ran her fingers through her hair, combed it smooth, and tied it into a low ponytail.
Her current appearance looked several years younger than before. After finishing up, she applied light makeup in front of the mirror, grabbed a small bag matching her outfit, packed some essentials inside, and left.
When she drove to the location, three people were already seated there.
“Ah, you’re here, quite punctual too.”
The woman wearing glasses took Xin Lan’s hand and led her into the private room from outside, while Xin Lan smiled and greeted them.
“Lin’er, I was wondering why you invited us both to dinner, so it was to introduce a friend.”
The speaker was a middle-aged man with slightly long hair tied in a small ponytail at the back of his head, exuding an artistic air. He smiled at Xin Lan with an appraising look.
“You make it sound like I’m so stingy. I’d invite you both to dinner even without introducing friends, right, Zhang-dage [大哥 | dà gē | respectful term for older male]?”
Lin Xiu pushed her glasses frames, speaking to the man sitting beside her.
Unlike the long-haired man next to him, the one called Director Zhang had a clean-cut crew cut, appearing quite steady and composed.
“Let me introduce everyone – this is Xin Lan, a senior manager from Xingtu Entertainment, this is Director Zhang Haishan [張海山 | zhāng hǎi shān], and that’s Editor Song Qing [宋青 | sōng qīng].”
Lin Xiu made the introductions and had Xin Lan sit beside her.
When Zhang Haishan and Song Qing heard where Xin Lan was from, they both looked her over, their gazes lingering on her face.
“Director Zhang, Teacher Song.”
Xin Lan smiled and greeted them politely.
Lin Xiu had chosen a huoguo [火鍋 | huǒ guō | hot pot restaurant] location, where red oil [紅油 | hóng yóu | spicy oil base] bubbled in the pot, and meat slices could be cooked and retrieved within seconds.
Several bottles of alcohol were placed in front of Xin Lan, and without unnecessary talk or other topics, they began eating and drinking.
After three rounds of drinks, Zhang Haishan and Song Qing’s expressions had become much more agreeable than before.
Many Chinese affairs are settled at the drinking table, and many relationships are formed this way.
Lin Xiu was here to act as an intermediary, to build connections, so halfway through the meal, she made an excuse and slipped away.
After Lin Xiu left, the atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.
Zhang Haishan’s face was flushed red from drinking. He narrowed his eyes, his hand propped on the table.
“Miss Xin, I’ve always been straightforward and blunt. Let me be clear – we can discuss anything, but commercial films and forcing actors in are off the table.”
Zhang Haishan was a relatively famous director whose films were all of high quality. Logically, such a prominent director’s films should easily attract investment, but Director Zhang refused to make commercial films.
“That’s fine. Although Editor Lin introduced me as from Xingtu Entertainment, I’m not representing Xingtu this time. I couldn’t make you shoot commercial films or force actors in even if I wanted to.”
Xin Lan joked, and the previously tense atmosphere warmed up again.
Knowing her alcohol tolerance well, Xin Lan calmly encouraged Zhang Haishan and Song Qing to drink.
When Zhang Haishan started showing signs of intoxication, Xin Lan finally brought up her real purpose.
“I heard Director Zhang is planning to shoot a new film?”
Zhang Haishan waved his hand with a bitter smile.
“To be honest, I’ve had this script for nearly half a year now. I’ve wanted to start preparations for a long time, but the funding just isn’t there. Getting investment isn’t actually difficult, but they always want to meddle,” Director Zhang’s brows were deeply furrowed. “Those concerned about money think the film’s investment value is low, while those who don’t care about money want to insert their own people. As for me, I’d rather have nothing than settle for mediocrity, and I won’t accept those who just stare blankly [幹瞪眼 | gàn dēng yǎn | incompetent].”
“Manager Xin certainly has good sources. Old Zhang is indeed planning to start filming, but as he said, we’re short on funds now.”
Song Qing, who hadn’t drunk as much as Zhang Haishan, held his wine glass while watching Xin Lan, his expression unreadable.
The script was his writing, developed through discussions with Zhang Haishan until completion.
No one was more eager than him to see this drama produced, but like Zhang Haishan, he preferred quality over compromise.
“We’ll gather what we can.”
Zhang Haishan took a sullen drink, his face flushed red, clearly drunk.
“I’m being direct here – you surely didn’t set up this meeting today just to ask trivial questions. You knew I was preparing to shoot a film, and you said you’re not representing your company. We’ve drunk this much, so let’s get straight to the point – what do you want?”
“Naturally, it’s so my talent can participate in the film.”
“Do you even know what we’re filming?”
Zhang Haishan snorted with a laugh.
“I don’t, but I believe with Director Zhang and Editor Song, whatever you two produce will be excellent.”
“For Shen Yun?”
Xin Lan raised her eyebrows in surprise as Song Qing waved his phone.
Everyone had their connections, and after Xin Lan’s self-introduction, Song Qing had already asked his contacts about her.
His friend told him this manager had a good reputation, and Song Qing didn’t dislike what he saw, so he continued drinking with them.
The friend also mentioned the talents under Xin Lan’s management, specifically mentioning Shen Yun. Song Qing made a note and baidu-ed it.
She seemed decent enough. If Xin Lan wanted to secure a role for Shen Yun in the new script, as long as her acting was passable and could be polished, Song Qing thought it wouldn’t be an issue.
“It’s not for Shen Yun,” Xin Lan shook her head with a smile, “It’s for a newly signed talent, Qin Yuyan.”
Zhang Haishan didn’t know who Shen Yun was, looking confused when Song Qing mentioned her, and became even more confused when Xin Lan mentioned Qin Yuyan.
“Doesn’t matter who she is, the acting must be up to par.”
Zhang Haishan tapped the table, speaking tipsily.
“Then thank you first, Director Zhang.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
Zhang Haishan looked puzzled.
“Thank you for giving our Yuyan a chance to try.”
Xin Lan smiled, her eyes curving, and Zhang Haishan suddenly understood.
“You… alright, no problem. A trial is fine, but whether she passes or not is another matter.”
From the start of drinking until now, Xin Lan hadn’t directly asked Zhang Haishan for an opportunity – such matters were understood without being spoken, everyone understood the thoughts each held.
For this meal, since Xin Lan brought it up, Zhang Haishan couldn’t refuse without losing face. If it worked out, it would be a pleasant surprise; if not, no harm done.
Zhang Haishan briefly described what kind of film he was making, specifically mentioning there was no female lead.
It was either a pure male lead or dual male lead film, without any prominent female lead role.
“If filming begins, how much more funding is needed?”
Xin Lan spoke seriously. Money wasn’t a major issue – she had earned some from stock trading, and though it wasn’t enough, she could write and sell some software.
Actually, Xingtu could invest, but Zhang Haishan’s films weren’t the type of profitable commercial films that investors preferred. Xin Lan thought rather than trying to convince Xu Fang, she’d better handle it herself.
“Conservative estimate is twenty million.”
When Zhang Haishan said this, there was a hint of hope in his voice. If Xingtu Entertainment invested, he wouldn’t have to worry about money.
But if he had to bow to certain capital interests, he couldn’t imagine what would become of his work.
Twenty million was just a conservative estimate – with some economizing, it could be managed.
“Twenty million…”
Xin Lan pondered, instructing Ling Jiu to calculate the fastest channels to achieve this, considering distributed funding sources and other factors, having her create spreadsheets and corresponding virtual accounts.
Ling Jiu’s processing speed undoubtedly surpassed the technology of this era, and these tasks were mere piece of cake for her.
In fact, if Xin Lan needed, she could seamlessly withdraw money from some wealthy merchant’s bank account and repay it later, but since Xin Lan didn’t mention this approach, Ling Jiu didn’t pursue the thought.
After all, the host had the ability to earn this money, so there was no need to consider such methods.
“How much time do we have?”
“What?” Zhang Haishan was stunned for a moment before quickly realizing, “Half a month at most.”
“So urgent?”
“Gu Zhengrong’s [顧峥嵘 | gù zhēng róng] schedule only allows me to delay this long. He’s my perfect male lead. When half a month is up, even if I have to sell everything I own, I’ll start filming.”
Zhang Haishan downed a cup of wine, exuding a sense of grand spirit.
Xin Lan knew of Gu Zhengrong – a renowned method actor in the industry with undeniable acting skills. Regrettably, his luck wasn’t great. He’d won various awards, but had been a runner-up for Best Actor three times, each time meeting formidable opponents.
Finding desired actors with available schedules was rare enough, let alone someone like Gu Zhengrong, who possessed the skill of a best actor without the title.
Zhang Haishan, having drunk too much, became more talkative.
“Zhengrong knows our situation and offered to film without payment, but given our relationship, we can’t do that. We’re not so poor we can’t afford basic necessities, but we can’t offer too much either.”
“This film must be done well, whether for ourselves, for Zhengrong, or for many others.”
Xin Lan understood – with Gu Zhengrong’s participation, this would certainly be another film submitted for awards.
If Qin Yuyan could secure a role, even without high public recognition, she would make a name for herself in directorial circles.
Moreover, under a capable director like Zhang Haishan, Qin Yuyan would certainly be polished to shine brighter.
“Half a month – I’ll find a way.”
“Will Xingtu participate?”
“If Xingtu doesn’t participate, I’ll invest personally.”
Xin Lan raised her wine glass, speaking with the bearing and dignity of a proud, confident queen.
LP: Re-translated on February 20, 2025
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