Zeng Nian looked at Fang Miaomiao with gentle eyes. "You're different from what others say."
Fang Miaomiao also curved her lips upwards. "People's descriptions aren't always 100% accurate. Nothing beats understanding something for yourself to reach a conclusion."
"Then, Miaomiao, I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation in the time to come."
"A pleasant cooperation."
After discussing the script and actors for a while, Zeng Nian's gaze shifted to Wen Yan'an, who was reading a book to the side, remaining silent.
"Nian Jie, stop right there. He's just a child." Fang Miaomiao didn't need to guess what Zeng Nian was plotting.
"Children are great, child stars." Zeng Nian blurted out. "As long as he signs with us, within two years, I'll make him a red-hot child star. What do you think, Miaomiao?"
"No, no," Fang Miaomiao shook her head decisively. "An'an still needs to go to school. Moreover, his future path should be his own to walk. I won't be overly involved."
"School and acting don't conflict, especially since he's young, so school should be no problem."
"Still no." Fang Miaomiao continued to shake her head, her eyes unwavering.
What a joke. Setting aside whether An'an liked the job of a child actor, if Old Madam Ran found out she had brought her grandson into the entertainment industry, she'd scold her to death.
Don't think she didn't know that Old Madam Ran had no regard for her, believing the entertainment industry had no future. And since she herself had no fame in a futureless field, there was even less for Old Madam Ran to look up to.
Well... perhaps there was her face. In Old Madam Ran's eyes, this face was also that of a vixen.
"Nian Yi, I'm sorry. An'an might not be able to agree to your idea." Wen Yan'an closed his book and looked earnestly at Zeng Nian. "I don't have much interest in entering the entertainment industry for now."
"Besides, I have school to attend, and there are things I enjoy that I haven't pursued. So, I'm very sorry."
"Ah, is that so?" Zeng Nian looked a little disappointed and knew she couldn't force it. She nodded. "Alright, An'an, if you're ever interested in the future, tell Nian Yi. Nian Yi can find some scripts for you to have fun with, how about that?"
Perhaps after a taste, he'd start liking acting.
"Okay, thank you, Nian Yi."
His soft voice, combined with a face that had long since lost its baby fat, gave an impression of comfort no matter how you looked at it.
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
Zeng Nian immediately turned her attention back to Fang Miaomiao. "Miaomiao, do you need a teacher?"
"A teacher?"
Zeng Nian nodded. "A retired elder from the theater world, someone with a certain standing in it."
"Nian Jie?"
Meeting those clear, serious eyes, Zeng Nian sighed softly. "Alright, I'll be honest. That elder has a student who signed an unfair contract with Feng He. He wants to switch agencies from Feng He, but Feng He has been holding him back. Coupled with the fact that no company dares to oppose Feng He, it's been delayed. You know an actor's prime period only lasts a few years. Feng He is deliberately holding him back, wanting to ruin him."
"That male actor's teacher, the elder I just mentioned, wants me to help find an opportunity for that male actor to break free from Feng He."
Fang Miaomiao's brow furrowed slightly. "So, Nian Jie, you want us to go up against Feng He?"
"Not to go up against them, but I want to sign him," Zeng Nian said solemnly. "His acting is excellent, and it shouldn't be wasted under Feng He's oppression."
Fang Miaomiao looked at Zeng Nian, whose eyes were slightly teary, and leaned back on the sofa. "Is there something between you two?"
"There's no relationship between us."
"Nian Jie, I don't like being lied to."
Zeng Nian lowered her head and was silent for a moment. "He helped me before, and his teacher also helped me."
"So, you want to sign him to repay a favor, or is he using that favor to ask for your help to leave that place?"
"No, no," Zeng Nian shook her head, her usual confidence and air of assured victory replaced by nervousness and unease. "This has nothing to do with him. I'm asking for your help myself, and I believe he can do it."
He could escape that fiery pit and shine brightly on the stage of acting once again.
Fang Miaomiao looked at her, then was silent for a moment before finally letting out a laugh. "Nian Jie, don't be so nervous."
"Miaomiao, you?" Zeng Nian was taken aback.
Fang Miaomiao spread her hands. "As I said, signing artists is your responsibility."
Zeng Nian paused, then quickly reacted and thanked her sincerely.
"You're welcome," Fang Miaomiao waved dismissively. "I hope he lives up to your request."
For such a decisive and strong woman to bring up something like this on her first meeting with the boss, it was clear he was someone very important.
Zeng Nian nodded. "He won't let you down."
"Alright, I've seen this studio and we've talked enough. For anything else, you'll need to speak with the person in charge of managing the studio."
"I know."
"Then, can An'an and I leave now?"
"Of course."
After seeing Fang Miaomiao off, Zeng Nian finally let out a sigh of relief and slumped on the sofa for a while before returning to her desk to continue her work.
"Mom, why did you agree to Auntie Nian's idea just now?"
"Perhaps I trust her," Fang Miaomiao said lightly.
"Is that so?"
"What else?"
When she was looking up Zeng Nian's information yesterday, Wen Zhiyan had also sent her a file on Zeng Nian, which detailed her relationship with that male actor.
They were somewhat complementary. Unfortunately, after Feng He changed its management, everything changed. Zeng Nian was gradually marginalized, even suppressed. That male actor also had his scripts snatched, pushing him to the brink of being blacklisted.
She had watched some of the male actor's performances later. He acted exceptionally well. With just a little spark, it was impossible for him not to become immensely popular, even winning awards.
This was also why she agreed to Zeng Nian's request to help him with his contract termination.
While adding splendor to an already flourishing situation is good, offering a helping hand in times of need leaves a much deeper impression.
"Mom, I feel like you're tricking me with what you just said."
Fang Miaomiao roughly ruffled Wen Yan'an's hair. "You're still young, you don't understand. The male actor Nian Jie mentioned is indeed very good."
Wen Yan'an thought of something. "Is it that uncle I saw in many clips you watched last night?"
"Yes, An'an is so smart."
"Mom. I also think that uncle's acting is very good."
Fang Miaomiao chuckled. "You even know what good acting is?"
Wen Yan'an grumbled a few times. "I'm not an idiot."
"Oh, yes, yes, yes," Fang Miaomiao replied perfunctorily, nodding.
Seeing her perfunctory response, Wen Yan'an grumbled a few more times before saying, "We're getting in the car, Mom. Uncle Da Chen is already here."
Back at Yu Yuan.
Liu Yan had also just arrived at the entrance of Yu Yuan.
"Good day, Madam Wen. Good day, An'an."
"Mm," Fang Miaomiao nodded. "An'an, you go practice your movements and swimming knowledge with your coach first. Mom will be there later."
"Okay, Mom."