Hanks didn't understand why the atmosphere had suddenly become so awkward.
Lin Muci nodded at him.
The movie star wasn't a bad person.
Lin Muci didn't want to make things difficult for him.
"It's nothing, it's just that Director James wanted me to audition for the role of the fifth female lead in his new film. I think I'm still a newcomer and not qualified for his movie."
Hanks' expression turned peculiar.
She was the female lead in Director Li Ping's new work!
For her to be the fifth female lead... while it might be for plot purposes, it also seemed quite dismissive.
James remained silent, his face stern.
Hanks took a deep breath and then gave a wry smile. "It's fine, we're all in the film industry. There will be opportunities for collaboration in the future."
...
He escorted Lin Muci out. In the hallway, he quietly apologized to her.
"I'm sorry, Director James has a notoriously bad temper. If he said anything that upset you, I apologize on his behalf."
"We're friends, and I truly hope you can get good opportunities..."
He even knew to explain.
Lin Muci wouldn't hold a grudge against Hanks.
Although he was a playboy, he wasn't unbearably arrogant.
On the contrary, he was very sociable and made people feel comfortable, like a warm spring breeze.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have dated so many supermodels before.
And every one of them seemed to have been head over heels for him.
But Hanks was truly someone who cared deeply about his craft.
In his past films, to get an Oscar nomination, he was willing to disregard his image, gain or lose weight.
He could even walk down the street with a disfigured face covered in special effects makeup.
He was indeed professional.
Lin Muci didn't have a strong negative impression of him.
He was someone who, apart from being too much of a womanizer, had few other flaws. Moreover, he was very popular in the country, possibly because he was so handsome that people were accustomed to his romantic escapades.
He wasn't married, and dating was his freedom.
Besides, he seemed to have turned over a new leaf.
Hanks sighed.
"I was too thoughtless. I only wanted to recommend a director to you and forgot to mention his temper and personality. I also forgot to introduce you properly, so he must have thought you were some insignificant minor character... Oh well."
"You must have your own social circle and resources."
"My efforts were redundant."
"In your Eastern words, what do you call it? It was me... adding feet to a snake?"
He even knew the idiom "adding feet to a snake."
He was truly knowledgeable about Eastern culture.
Lin Muci looked at Hanks and said,
"I'm not rejecting his offer because of the director's attitude or the role of the fifth female lead. It's because I have a transitional film coming up."
"It's a film directed and starring by a very accomplished film actor from our country, also a sci-fi genre. I've already decided to be in that one."
"That's why I rejected Director James's film."
She could explain the reason to Hanks.
Instead of being angry, Hanks showed more interest upon hearing this.
Unlike Director James's arrogance,
Hanks' stunningly beautiful eyes held a deep curiosity.
"Really?"
"A sci-fi film?"
"Similar to my 'Star Commander' or one with bug races and star fleets?"
This was the kind of sci-fi he imagined.
"That would require a lot of investment."
But Lin Muci pondered for a moment.
"It's not that kind of film. It's more hardcore—hard science fiction."
"It's meticulously thought out, with many details carefully designed, and it guarantees a top-tier global production, the kind that's a feast for sci-fi fans."
She wasn't boasting.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't believe her.
But Hanks, having worked with her, knew this exceptionally pure Eastern girl.
She was definitely not someone who spoke carelessly.
On the contrary.
She was someone extremely steadfast, her word was her bond.
What she said would definitely come true!
So, his curiosity grew.
"Oh? In that case, when you start filming, can I visit the set?"
"I can leave my phone and camera, all electronic communication devices, at home. I promise not to leak any spoilers!"
"I'm just too curious about the hard sci-fi film you mentioned."
"I know many directors want to film this type of genre, but there are very few who can actually do it... the requirements are too high."
Hanks himself was a sci-fi fan, so he was eager.
Lin Muci thought about it.
She felt there was nothing to refuse.
"Sure."
"When I join Director Wu Minlong's crew, you can come visit."
She still had something to say. She remembered that there was a foreign character in the script with a significant role.
To embody the theme of a global community and world harmony.
This foreigner was full of international humanitarian spirit, saving many people.
But in the end, his death was particularly heroic.
Wu Minlong had been troubled about finding someone to play the role.
The acting requirements were very high.
He couldn't afford expensive actors.
He didn't want cheap ones either. He wanted someone whose appearance would elicit gasps of astonishment from the audience!
And the most familiar foreigner to the people of the country—
Hanks was definitely among the top contenders.
The people of the country were quite fond of this playboy.
If he appeared in Wu Minlong's film, it would undoubtedly be a sensation.
However,
Hanks himself might not be willing.
But whether Hanks was willing or not would not matter.
Once they got to the set,
dragging him along would be absolutely possible!
Lin Muci raised an eyebrow at Hanks, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The cool, aloof girl
instantly transformed into a cunning little fox.
"You're always welcome to visit the set."
...
Hanks escorted her back to the hotel. As soon as she reached her room, Ling Qianhe's video call came through.
Lin Muci answered Ling Qianhe's video call.
On the other end of the call, he appeared to have just showered, his hair still wet.
But he looked exceptionally alluring.
The wet-haired Qianhe evoked images of his perfect physique after a shower.
Ling Qianhe listened as Lin Muci recounted her experience after arriving by plane today.
She mentioned the furious Ma Yingying.
She spoke of the highly acclaimed stage performance that drove foreign audiences wild.
She mentioned—the less-than-pleasant meeting with Director James.
Ling Qianhe's gaze remained tender as he watched her. When he heard her say she planned to "trick" Hanks into filming a scene, a smile curved his lips.
"It's not bad to have him come over."
"Didn't you teach him a few Chinese phrases?"
"Gong Xi Fa Cai." (Wishing you prosperity)
"I am an idiot."
"I think they could all be useful."
Lin Muci propped her chin up, gazing intently at Ling Qianhe's excessively handsome face on the screen. Under the soft, warm yellow light, he seemed to radiate brilliance.
That face...
It was too beautiful.
Every time they were in bed.
He held her tightly and kissed her...
She wanted to be angry.
But looking at his face, because it was so beautiful.
She found it hard to stay angry.
Ling Qianhe pursed his lips. His lips were a soft pink, like petals, making one want to pluck them.
This man.
He was very good to kiss.
His lips were soft.
Lin Muci heard him say,
"Don't pay too much attention to what Director James said."
"I know that sci-fi project he mentioned is not worth mentioning, and it's not his project. What he really wants to do is an Eastern fantasy superhero theme."
"He approached Chen Fei."
"He wanted to contact me because, in this market, I have the most influence."
"They want to open up the Eastern market, so the best choice would be me."
"However, their attitude was not good, it could even be described as bad."
Ling Qianhe paused.
A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
"I have no right to decide on the script. I have no right to profit sharing."
"I would only be their puppet, filming according to their script."
"Moreover, the remuneration they offered was quite average. Their reason was that I had no prior experience playing an Eastern superhero, so they had to be the lead decision-makers!"
Lin Muci hadn't expected that.
James not only had such an attitude towards her, a "newcomer,"
but also towards Ling Qianhe, who had won several Best Actor awards internationally, possessed peak global popularity, and could arguably be called the world's hottest male idol.
"Are they crazy?"
"If they give us nothing, why should we film for them?"
Ling Qianhe's eyes were full of sarcasm.
"Perhaps, this is what they consider—an advantage."
"I will not agree to their terms. Rather than being restrained, it's better to start my own venture. I've already told Chen Fei that I won't agree to their demands. They should seek someone else."
"They were furious, saying our film was bound to fail."
Lin Muci rubbed her chin, very curious.
"Which film is bound to fail?"
"'I'm Flourishing in the World of Abusing Scum'?"
Ling Qianhe nodded.
"Although it hasn't been released yet, Western critics are quite pessimistic. These so-called industry big directors are eager to see us fail, especially since Director Li Ping, along with me and Hanks, have a newcomer as the female lead."
"They believe this team cannot succeed."
Ling Qianhe strongly disliked such talk.
Who said his little Muci couldn't succeed?
His little Muci would become the most successful female star in history.
She would also become the most successful female idol in history!
Lin Muci hadn't expected that there would be so much gossip behind the scenes.
So many so-called industry insiders were waiting to see Ling Qianhe fail.
Back then.
He had always collaborated with her, this "newcomer."
So, he had actually borne a lot of pressure.
Would he face cold mockery from these industry insiders?
But he had never revealed even a word of it.
Lin Muci looked at his smug and proud exquisite face on the screen. Her heart pounded. Under the light, his proud, exquisite face seemed to possess an incredible magic.
He stared deeply at Lin Muci.
"I miss you, baby."
"Wifey baby. My treasure."
"You will succeed."
"I believe in you." Da Feng Online Novel
"Baby, I love you."