Signing In At The Civil Affairs Bureau, I Was Rewarded With A Gorgeous Wife

An hour later, Director Ma picked up his coffee and took a gentle sip, moistening his throat before speaking, "How do you feel?"

"This script is fantastic!"

Xiao Wan appeared somewhat excited. She smiled and said, "I thought the original novel was already very good, but I never imagined that the adaptation could be so brilliant!"

"Heh, to be honest, this role actually wasn't supposed to be yours," Director Ma said leisurely. "It's just that for certain reasons, I feel you're more suited for this role, and I overcame all objections to cast you. Do you understand how much I've sacrificed?"

Xiao Wan fell silent upon hearing this. After a moment, she said earnestly, "Since Director Ma trusts me so much, I will definitely play the part well and not let you down!"

Xiao Wan was not oblivious to the implications in Director Ma's words, but she'd already made up her mind not to stoop to the level of those who traded their bodies for roles!

Director Ma scoffed and gave Xiao Wan a once-over, admiringly thinking that this girl was full of vitality, something unmatched by the women who had been in the entertainment industry for many years. It was almost irresistible not to have a taste of such a woman!

"Xiao Wan, I've been in the industry for many years and have made numerous female actresses famous," Director Ma said, hiding the desire in his eyes. "You could be the next one. But why should I push you specifically?"

With that, Director Ma gestured for Assistant Yang to leave first. He then sat up straight on the sofa and said seriously, "Whether this role is yours depends entirely on your thoughts!"

Director Ma thought he had made himself perfectly clear. Surely Xiao Wan would understand his meaning, right?

After all, Xiao Wan was only a step away from fame—if she was willing to take that step, her future success would be undeniable.

Watching Xiao Wan's silence, Director Ma added fuel to the fire, "Xiao Wan, we are all adults here. You also must understand that in the strict entertainment industry, nothing comes without effort. Any gift given has its price set in the middle of the market."

"Actually, to me, anyone could play the second female lead; I'm not a director who is picky about actors. If you want the role, you have to be willing to give something up!"

Having said that, Director Ma waited for Xiao Wan's reply.

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Xiao Wan still didn't speak. Director Ma grew impatient. He took a room card out of his jacket pocket and slid it across to Xiao Wan, saying, "You're a smart girl; you must know what this means. I'll be waiting for you!"

As Director Ma stood up to leave, Xiao Wan finally spoke, "Wait."

A surge of ecstasy ran through Director Ma. Success!!!

He had finally tamed this little wild horse!!!

Yes, which girl in the world could resist the temptation of fame?

And he happened to provide the necessary channel!

"Xiao Wan, you...."

But what followed was Xiao Wan placing the room card over the coffee cup and then letting it go with her fingers.

"Plop!"

The room card fell into the coffee.

"Sorry, but I'm just stubborn. I don't care for handouts!" Xiao Wan said indifferently.

She had thought Director Ma genuinely came to discuss the script, but now it was clear that he hadn't put away his dirty thoughts.

Director Ma was enraged by Xiao Wan's actions, his eyes bulging with fury.

Since his career took off, he had never been insulted like this!

Did she think he was a Buddha made of clay that could forgive her over and over again?!

He watched Xiao Wan sling her backpack and walk away, and through gritted teeth, he shouted at her retreating figure, "Xiao Wan! Since you're so unappreciative, then don't even think about making it in this industry anymore! To tell you the truth, the actress initially cast for the second female lead was blocked by the company for offending someone she shouldn't have.

I see you're not far from walking the same path!"

Xiao Wan didn't stop in her tracks at his words, on the contrary, she felt a sense of relief throughout her body and her footsteps were exceptionally light.

Even if she could never participate in the beloved performing arts again, adhering to her principles was more important than anything!

"Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!"

Director Ma, furious, raised his coffee cup and smashed it on the ground. The waiter, upon seeing this, wanted to come over and stop him, but was intercepted by Assistant Yang with a stack of money.

Assistant Yang carefully stood next to Director Ma and asked, "Xiao Wan..."

"Don't fucking mention that bitch to me again!" Director Ma's eyes were bloodshot as he said viciously, "She thinks she can do whatever she wants just because she's got some looks? I'll make her understand the consequences of not taking me seriously!"

"You, contact the people from all the entertainment companies right now, tell them that Xiao Wan has a bad character and to be cautious about using her!"

Assistant Yang was also seeing Director Ma this enraged for the first time. He couldn't help but feel a silent pity for Xiao Wan. Knowing Director Ma's influence, this was essentially a ban across the entire network.

On the other side.

After leaving the café, Xiao Wan's heart was filled with unspeakable bitterness.

The dream of being an actor was one she had nurtured since she was a child, and giving it up now felt incredibly hollow.

"Xiao Wan! Are you really going to give up on your dream? Without Director Ma, there are other crews, even if you have to start as an extra, there's still hope!"

Xiao Wan bolstered herself in the depths of her heart. Right, why should the whole industry be deemed filthy just because of one bad element within? She believed that with her unrelenting effort, there surely would be a director who would recognize her exquisite acting skills!

She hurried back home and, taking advantage of the early daylight, copied her resume over twenty times and then cycled through various crews.

At the first audition, the stagehand was very polite and told her to go home and wait for notification.

At the second audition, the assistant director arrogantly threw her resume into the trash can.

At the third audition, the screenwriter, citing that Xiao Wan did not fit the character in the script, promptly kicked her out.

At the fourth audition, the director didn't even look at her, but merely pointed towards the door, asking Xiao Wan to leave.

The fifth, the sixth, the seventh...

After thirteen auditions in a row, Xiao Wan finally understood what Director Ma's 'consequences' were.

Her acting career had been cut off; these crews would not offend a renowned director at Tianyu Company just for a nobody like her.

It seemed she really had to wake up!

...

At Tianyu Company, in the CEO's office.

Lu Guan listened to Director Ma's work report with a bit of a headache.

According to Director Ma, casting would take more than ten days.

But what's most precious in a film crew?

Time!

Once production starts, every minute and every second costs money! A waste of more than ten days could easily mean a loss of hundreds of thousands!

"Old Ma, I've read the script, and there shouldn't be such difficulty in finding a female supporting role, right?"

Hearing Lu Guan's words, Director Ma said earnestly, "President Lu, this film has an investment of a hundred and sixty million. If we choose third- or fourth-tier small stars, it won't boost the impact at all. But if we go for those second-tier actors, they fear messing up the role and damaging their own reputation, which makes it difficult for me..."