EBE Chapter 358 Cutting Flesh with a Blunt Knife
Chapter 358 Cutting Flesh with a Blunt Knife
Fang Li lowered her voice: "We've all witnessed Li Fan's abilities and character over this period of time. To be honest, Sister Hui, using Li Fan is riskier than rewarding. For the future of the crew, I think cutting our losses in advance is the best choice."
Li Huijie didn't speak. After a moment of silence, he said, "I understand. Let's change it then. I'll handle the communication with the investors."
"Thank you."
"It's all for the sake of the production crew, and besides, Li Fan's side really..."
Li Huijie didn't say anything, and after hanging up the phone, Fang Li looked at Zhu Shun on the other end.
"Director Zhu heard that? Sister Hui also agrees to change the actress."
Zhu Shun was still somewhat hesitant: "But now that the role has been changed so suddenly, where are we going to find a suitable male lead in such a short time..."
Fang Li remained calm and pushed a document in front of him: "Director Zhu, this is Chengqian's audition footage. Please take a look."
Zhu Shun took the tablet with suspicion and opened the video. In the video, Cheng Qian, who played the second male lead, had a very strong emotional outburst. Although it was just a collection of scattered filming clips edited together, it was still easy to see his unique control over his acting skills.
Especially at the end of the video, a single glance perfectly captures the character's inner conflict and struggle.
"This..." Zhu Shun was stunned. "When did you get all this?"
Fang Li smiled: "It was very early, probably from the second day I joined the crew."
Zhu Shun glanced at Fang Li thoughtfully, then suddenly remembered the time when Li Fan and Cheng Qian were having a conflict when Fang Li first came to the film crew.
"So, you've been paying attention to Chengqian for a long time?"
"He's quite good, isn't he?"
"Chengqian's acting skills are indeed good, but he's not a new face. He's played many roles over the years, mostly supporting roles, third or fourth billing. Using him..."
"Director Zhu, many people just need an opportunity. You should be able to see how hard Chengqian works. Put yourself in his shoes, are you going to use that capitalist mindset to suppress a talented actor like this?"
"........"
---
The actors' dressing room.
Chengqian was unaware that Li Fan had been replaced. He was sitting behind the dressing table reciting his lines when there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Please come in."
He looked up and saw Fang Li standing at the door, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He then quickly stood up, gripping the script somewhat hastily, and nodded to Fang Li: "Teacher Xu, you wanted to see me?"
Fang Li walked in and closed the door behind her: "I have some news to tell you."
Chengqian frowned slightly, appearing calm on the surface, but it was easy to see from his tightening hands that he was still somewhat nervous inside.
"You say."
Fang Li curled her lips into a smile: "Aren't you going to invite me to sit down?"
Chengqian belatedly realized what was happening and quickly pulled over a folding chair, unfolded it, and placed it in front of Fang Li: "I'm sorry, Teacher Xu, I..."
"It's ok."
Seeing Xu Fangli calmly sit down in the chair, Chengqian's heart finally tightened. "Teacher Xu, may I ask if what you're about to say is related to me?"
"of course."
"Was there something wrong with my acting, so...?"
"Chengqian, do you think there's a problem with your acting skills?"
"I......."
Fang Li smiled and said, "Sit down first."
Chengqian's expression was solemn. He paused for a moment and then bent down to sit.
"Don't worry, it's good news."
Fang Li smiled and said, "You may not know this, but Li Fan can no longer play the male lead role due to personal reasons."
"Wha, what?"
“From today onwards, you will play the male lead.”
Chengqian's pupils dilated, thinking he had misheard: "You...you mean me?"
“I’ve seen all your scenes, including the ones that were cut.”
Fang Li looked him straight in the eye and said, "You are more suitable for this role than Li Fan."
Chengqian still couldn't figure out why Li Fan couldn't come. All he could think about was the words "you're playing the male lead." His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice trembled slightly: "Why... did you choose me?"
Fang Li's gaze was gentle yet firm: "Because you are the only one who arrived at the film set at four in the morning to start practicing your lines."
Chengqian's eyes reddened slightly, and he smiled incredulously before his face tightened, revealing a hint of embarrassment: "Teacher Xu, what... Thank you for your recognition, Teacher Xu, but I still want to ask, what exactly happened to Li Fan? Now that the director and producer have changed roles..."
"Don't worry, I came to you after discussing it with Director Zhu and Producer Li. As for Li Fan's matter... it's not convenient to tell you right now."
"......"
Fang Li looked at the man opposite her and said, "Chengqian, I can see your passion for the entertainment industry. Many people who enter this circle forget their initial goals as they go along. I hope you can seize this opportunity. If you become famous in the future, don't forget your current state. Be a good actor and make more good works."
Chengqian's pupils flickered slightly, a hint of emotion hidden in his eyes. He looked intently at Fang Li and nodded earnestly, "Don't worry, Teacher Xu, I will!"
---
After a day of anxious anticipation, Sheng Qianrui finally received her first piece of bad news in the afternoon.
"President Sheng, I just received a notification from the Zhou Ba production team that Li Fan's role has been replaced!"
"Replaced?" She frowned deeply and looked at the assistant across the table. "Li Fan signed a contract, and they've been filming for over half a month. Now they're just going to replace him like that? Do Li Huijie and Zhu Shunzhen think they're something special? Do they even respect Yaoxing anymore?!"
"But they sent a lawyer's letter, saying..."
"Stop beating around the bush!"
The assistant was startled and quickly said, "They said that Li Fan breached the contract first, causing unpredictable risks to the production team. If we do not agree to terminate the contract and pay compensation, they will formally file a lawsuit and go through legal procedures."
"What did you say? Go through legal proceedings? And we have to compensate the production crew for their losses?"
Sheng Qianrui slowly rose from her chair, bracing herself against the desk, her sharp nails digging fiercely into the edge: "What right do they have? Who made this decision?!"
"Director Zhu made the call himself, but I asked around in the crew, and it seems that... Xu Fangli brought up the idea of changing the actor first..."
"Xu Fangli...it's her again!"
Bang!
The items on the table were suddenly swept to the floor, and the assistant was so frightened that he backed away.
"What does she want from me?! This is outrageous! Time and time again!"
"Mr. Sheng, what should we do now...?" The assistant stood by the door with his arms crossed, stammering as he asked her.
Sheng Qianrui felt a sudden darkness before her eyes after scattering the fire, and slumped back into her chair, feeling utterly powerless.
What can she do even if she's angry?
She originally thought that the production team had some dissatisfaction with Li Fan, so she could try to work together with Li Kaixuan to put pressure on the production team to protect Li Fan.
But I never expected that the idea of changing the actor was brought up by that bitch Xu Fangli!
She must have something on Li Fan that happened last night, which is why she dared to act so recklessly.
Sheng Qianrui closed her eyes wearily. Now she finally understood what Han Xi's silence meant.
It's not about letting them go, but about cutting them with a dull knife.
He let that bitch Xu Fangli take revenge on her own, letting that bitch target and humiliate her like that!
Han Xi!
Xu Fangli!
With a snap, Sheng Qianrui broke the pen in her hand.
The assistant stood to the side, too frightened to utter a sound.