Lin Muci and Yang Weiyang, along with two others, were heading to an overseas radio station.
Everything was ready. The stage lights dimmed, and it was time for the global broadcast.
At this moment, the entire world was watching.
...
Domestically, countless teenagers were watching the live stream.
[Is this their first performance of the third single? I'm so nervous, my heart feels like it's going to jump out!]
[Who says it isn't? I'm genuinely super nervous, ahhhh!]
[The third single is truly god-tier! Lin Muci is also god-tier. She's a divine girl, and I'm not exaggerating at all!]
The lights gradually brightened, and dry ice created an effect of swirling dark clouds. The girls emerged from the mist, their beauty so striking it sent a tremor through everyone's hearts.
"Phoenix eternal is the phoenix."
"We will ultimately be immortal and glorious."
"Time flows, cities crumble. Glory turns to naught, all past prosperity fades into the years."
"We are the miracle within this elegy, the sole eternity after prosperity has fallen—"
"As a phoenix, the phoenix never dies."
"The heart beats passionately forever."
"Burn to your heart's content in the flames."
"I am the one and only empress in this world."
Lin Muci looked directly into the camera, her gaze resolute and composed!
An empress had arrived!
With golden eyeshadow and golden irises, the phoenix wing special effects behind her suddenly unfurled, as if the true Artemis had descended!
A beauty so devastatingly gorgeous it could shatter worlds!
Audiences worldwide simultaneously let out sighs of deep emotion.
She was simply too beautiful!
...
In the audience seats, Hanks was also present to show his support.
He had previously filmed a scene with Lin Muci, and since he had an event to attend that day anyway, he decided to drop by.
Beside him sat an elderly gentleman, the internationally renowned director James.
This acclaimed director suddenly glanced at the girl on stage.
He found himself intrigued.
He asked Hanks,
"Didn't you praise this girl to me before? You said you thought she showed a lot of promise among the new talents emerging in the film industry worldwide recently?"
James thought for a moment and then said,
"I think I saw one of her live broadcasts… what was it called? 'Endless Slaughter'?"
"I was very impressed by the man in it."
"Isn't that the legendary Eastern genius Ling Qianhe? I've always wanted to collaborate with him."
"I have a role for an Eastern superhero, and the lead hasn't been cast yet..."
"She's that young girl who collaborated with Ling Qianhe, right?"
Hanks looked at the renowned director James beside him with some surprise. He paused slightly, then suddenly chuckled and asked James,
"Eastern superhero?"
"Are you sure?"
James was, of course, quite confident.
"What, you want this role too? But this is targeted towards the Eastern market..."
Hanks scratched his head. This European and American film emperor wasn't interested in the role himself.
Rather, he felt he could play matchmaker.
"I know Ling Qianhe."
"As for the young girl on stage, I know her too. Why don't I introduce you both, Director James?"
...
As Lin Muci walked off the stage, she was still slightly out of breath.
The choreography Ling Qianhe had devised for them was quite challenging.
Yet, she had completed it flawlessly!
She stepped off the stage.
She saw a familiar and handsome figure walking towards her.
"Xiaoci, let me introduce you. This is the renowned director James. He has a project he wants to discuss with you."
Yang Weiyang and the others' eyes widened in shock.
Even their manager, who was about to approach, was stunned.
Renowned director James?
It was actually James?
Yang Weiyang frantically pinched Lin Muci's arm.
Her astonishment stemmed from the director's incredibly high status – seven Oscar nominations for Best Director and three wins.
Furthermore, he had personally propelled several actors to become film emperors, and even Hanks's own Best Actor award was secured through a successful transition in one of his films!
Before his transition,
Because Hanks was exceptionally handsome, he was typically typecast in roles that capitalized on his looks.
However, only in James's films,
James unearthed Hanks's full potential, transforming him into a near-legendary figure.
With his masterful portrayal of a schizophrenic clown-like tragic figure – a madman, a serial killer, an escaped pharmacist – he clinched the Best Actor award.
It could be said that he was a guarantee of accolades.
And such an absolute titan in the film industry had approached Lin Muci?
Yang Weiyang and the others were ecstatic.
If not for the presence of this cinematic giant, they would have probably burst into screams.
They immediately pushed Lin Muci forward a couple of steps, then stepped back simultaneously.
They quickly followed their manager, fearing they might delay Lin Muci's conversation with Director James if they lingered.
The other three girls and their manager promptly withdrew.
Hanks led her to a small side room at the television station and then also departed.
Only Lin Muci and Director James remained.
She politely nodded to the director and mentally queried her system.
"Is this director someone reliable?"
This point was very important to Lin Muci.
The system paused for a moment before beginning its explanation.
"That, it's really difficult to say."
"He is indeed a god-tier director, but the projects he currently has are not particularly suitable for you."
"Moreover, his attitude towards the East is rather subtle."
"He is a typical Western supremacist. His past successes have also fostered his arrogant and conceited personality."
"Therefore, Director James fundamentally doesn't believe in Eastern actors!"
"There's a deep-rooted arrogance!"
Lin Muci listened quietly to the system's explanation.
"So, if he's so arrogant and looks down on Eastern actors, why did he ask Hanks to find me?"
The system quickly provided an answer to this question.
"Because the East is rising too fast!"
"In the past, they believed they were the world, they were everything – the center of the universe."
"Now, the rise of the East has shown them another possibility."
"Especially as our market continues to expand, who would refuse money? So, he also wants to come to the East to make a fortune."
"To replicate their successful formula."
"And reap immense profits."
"That is his objective."
"That's why he wants to talk to you."
Lin Muci nodded, and the elderly gentleman opposite her, after scrutinizing her, also nodded with considerable satisfaction.
He spoke, his tone and intonation indeed as arrogant as the system had described.
He looked at Lin Muci, adopting a condescending air, and said,
"I have an opportunity that I believe you will greatly desire."
"I have an audition, for the fifth female lead in a science fiction film..."
"We need an Eastern girl."
"I guarantee that this science fiction film will be a high-tech production that, at your country's current level, you absolutely cannot achieve."
"You can consider it, because the opportunity to collaborate with such an outstanding team as ours is, for you, almost equivalent to ascending to heaven."
"You will never get a better chance than this!"
Lin Muci looked at him, seeing the attitude of bestowing a favor.
She smiled.
Then Lin Muci said,
"No."
She raised her head, her voice full of confidence.
"We have our own good films too."
"We also have good science fiction films. Your collaboration opportunity is not the only one for me."
Wu Minlong's science fiction films, like the globally sensational Eight Stars series, were a testament to that!
She mentally queried the little system,
"Is the film Director James is talking about of a high caliber?"
The little system began searching for information.
"Let me see. If it's Director James's new film this year... Ah, it's the film 'Tomorrow's Crisis'. This film is rumored to become the biggest shame of his directing career."
"It clashed with Wu Minlong's 'Escape from Earth' sci-fi film series. Initially, overseas media favored his film, mocking Wu Minlong's movie as utterly worthless."
"But then 'Escape from Earth' became a massive hit, while 'Tomorrow's Crisis' suffered a Waterloo. It's rumored to contain content that allegedly demeans other races, igniting a firestorm and leading to a global boycott and a box office disaster."
"He had previously publicly declared that Wu Minlong's ambition was delusional."
"Saying that the East couldn't possibly produce good science fiction films."
"And then he was severely, severely proven wrong!"
The little system informed Lin Muci of the behind-the-scenes drama in a particularly excited tone, then its voice turned a bit proud.
"So, Host, you don't need to worry!"
"Heh heh, go ahead and boldly reject his film. It's just a hot potato that brings bad luck to whoever takes it."
Hearing the little system's words,
Lin Muci nodded.
She now had a clear understanding.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at the so-called super director from Europe and America, then she said,
"I'm sorry, I only want to act in our own science fiction films."
"Your film is beyond my reach."
Her tone was humble. One couldn't give them any grounds for criticism.
But her words were resolute!
"After all, I am just a newcomer. Although Director Li Ping appreciates me and I've acted in his film as the female lead."
"I still feel I have many shortcomings and areas where I need to learn!"
"So, I'm not suitable to audition for the fifth female lead role in your film."
Her statement made Director James's expression turn somewhat unpleasant.
Because internationally,
Director Li Ping's fame was actually no less than his own.
In fact, at one awards ceremony, Director Li Ping's film had won Best Picture, surpassing the film he had directed that year.
James hadn't expected that this young girl before him would be the female lead in Li Ping's new project.
And his invitation for her to audition for the fifth female lead...
Instead, it made him appear overconfident.
James took a deep breath and then said in a low voice,
"It's okay if you're not willing."
He paused.
"There will be opportunities for collaboration in the future."
"However, I am very curious about what your and Director Li Ping's work looks like... It should only be some minor, unknown roles, right? After all, if the female lead is you, no SSS-level actor would likely participate; perhaps he's repaying a favor?"
His attitude remained extremely arrogant!
Just then, Hanks walked over from outside.
He was still a bit worried, knowing that James was almost like a "tyrant" in the film industry.
He was concerned that James might make Lin Muci feel mistreated.
So he specifically explained,
"Xiaoci is incredibly talented. In her new film, Ling Qianhe and I are both her male leads!"
"Director James, you were on vacation and might not have caught this news, but this film has a massive investment, and the investors are very optimistic about her potential."
"She is also currently the full-line spokesperson for the Carnell brand, not inferior to any A-list female star..."
"Her salary is not much lower than ours; she's definitely at the A-list level."
"Director James, you mustn't bully her."
"Although Xiaoci is a newcomer, her potential is limitless. If Director James has a suitable female lead role, you can also consider Xiaoci!"
The incredibly charming handsome man winked, only to see Director James's face turn a little green.
He didn't quite understand why.
Huh?
Director James.
Why is his face so upset?
The girl he fancied is exceptionally outstanding.
Isn't that a good thing?