Chen Mingzhang further enticed, "At that time, you'll be a household name, a top star. Commercial endorsements will flood in, and fans will call you 'husband' every day. How glorious!"
He had seen Jian Zhou arrive at the set dressed simply and assumed he was an extra.
Every extra harbored a dream of stardom, yearning for a breakout moment, to soar like a dragon from the earth.
Few could resist such a gilded offer.
To his surprise, Jian Zhou remained unfazed. His reply was still cold, "Not interested!"
He turned to leave.
"Brother, let's talk some more..."
Chen Mingzhang had spent three months auditioning and had finally found a male lead who caught his eye. He wasn't about to let him go easily.
He immediately grabbed Jian Zhou and began to plead incessantly.
Various enticing offers were bombarded in turn.
Jian Zhou's response was always refusal, and refusal again.
Chen Mingzhang grew frustrated, thinking, "I'm a renowned idol drama director. Countless A-list and B-list stars eagerly await a role from me, yet they still can't get one. Now I'm sincerely offering you the male lead, and you have the audacity to reject it. When did extras become so stubborn?"
Jian Zhou, meanwhile, was also seething.
"This young master has money and status. I don't need to be a top star. He's pulling and tugging at me right from the start. Does this older man have some perverse hobby? And he wants me to play the male lead. Is it that kind of male lead?"
The thought of those indescribable scenes sent shivers down Jian Zhou's spine.
Just then, a clear, crisp female voice cut through the air.
"What's going on?"
Jiang Ling, having finished studying the script, was coming to ask Chen Mingzhang when they could start shooting.
She saw Chen Mingzhang pestering Jian Zhou, preventing him from leaving.
Jiang Ling assumed Jian Zhou had accidentally damaged the set's equipment, and Chen Mingzhang was furious, demanding compensation before he could leave.
Chen Mingzhang stared at Jiang Ling in shock. "You... you know this kid..."
Jiang Ling nodded. "Yes, he... he's my assistant..."
Jian Zhou also looked surprised. "You..."
Jiang Ling, knowing what he wanted to ask, said, "Let me introduce you. This is Director Chen Mingzhang. I'm here in Hengdian filming a drama he's directing."
Jian Zhou: "..."
Chen Mingzhang was both shocked and surprised. Recalling himself, he said excitedly, "It's great that he's your assistant! This makes things even easier. I was worried I couldn't persuade this kid to play Shan Junhao. Since you're his boss, please persuade him properly."
"Nani? You... you want him to play Shan Junhao..."
Jiang Ling's eyes widened in shock, her face filled with disbelief.
"What's wrong?"
"No, he... how can he possibly play Shan Junhao?"
Chen Mingzhang retorted, "What do you mean he can't play him? Look at his physique, his demeanor. He's tailor-made for the role of Shan Junhao. I've auditioned for over three months and haven't found anyone more suitable. He's the ideal Shan Junhao in my heart!"
Jiang Ling: "..."
This was utterly preposterous!
Who was Shan Junhao? He was the textbook definition of a domineering CEO!
While Jian Zhou was devastatingly handsome, and her favorite type, his handsomeness belonged to the warm, sunny, puppy-like category. It was miles away from the domineering CEO aura.
Asking him to play Shan Junhao was like asking Lin Daiyu to uproot a willow tree or Xue Baochai to punch a formidable general.