I Helped My Best Friend with Her Romance—and Fell for the Enemy’s Strategist - Chapter 70

Lin Ruocheng looked around the voice acting studio.

It was quite warm, and the design was particularly minimalist.

Not bad. Xu Qingzhou was also sizing her up as he poured a cup of hot water and handed it to her.

“Have some water first, then we can discuss the voice acting for your game.”

“Alright. Actually, it’s like this, I have a game character that I feel would suit your voice very well, so I’d like to invite you to voice this role for me. Here’s a draft of the contract for you to review.”

“I’ve counted a total of three hundred lines. Since this is a 3D yuri interactive otome game, there are quite a few interactions and dialogues. I’m offering seven hundred yuan per line, would that be acceptable? If the price isn’t suitable, we can discuss it further. I’m flexible.”

Lin Ruocheng had collaborated with others before.

Her quotes were usually around this range.

In fact, sometimes she even felt it was a bit low.

She knew that in this industry, female voice actors generally earned less than their male counterparts and had fewer opportunities.

Voice acting for games was somewhat better, so whenever someone approached her for collaboration, she would quote a higher rate, seven to eight hundred yuan per line.

For one person voicing one role, the total quote would usually be around two hundred thousand yuan or more.

In the voice acting circle, game dubbing was the most lucrative.

Because payment was made per line.

Anyway, she wasn’t short on money. Most importantly, she had already secured the most expensive one… Fu Yanxi.

It wouldn’t bankrupt her outright.

Fu Yanxi’s voice truly came at a premium.

She charged per word.

For game recordings, it was eighty yuan per word, which was quite expensive.

As for radio dramas, her rate started at twenty thousand yuan per episode.

So yes, it was expensive, very expensive.

“How much? Seven hundred yuan?!”

This was the first time Xu Qingzhou had encountered such a generous client.

Seven hundred yuan per line?

The industry standard was usually around one to two hundred yuan per line.

Even if she came from a wealthy family, wasn’t this a bit too extravagant?

“Yeah, seven hundred yuan per line. I think it’s quite reasonable. Well-known male voice actors get four hundred per line, so what’s wrong with female voice actors getting seven hundred?”

“That’s two hundred yuan more. I’m just giving female voice actors more opportunities. Recently, I’ve added two more roles and am looking for two new-generation female voice actors.”

It was difficult for female voice actors to break through. Even with the support of yuri radio dramas nowadays, opportunities were scarce. Some clients would rather pay more to hire established female voice actors to boost visibility, like her, for instance.

Lin Ruocheng was a businessperson, and businesspeople prioritized profit. Initially, she had planned to hire two authoritative female voice actors to lend prestige to her game.

The remaining roles could be filled by anyone.

So, she preferred to create more roles and offer more opportunities to newcomers.

As for money…

Wasn’t the point of earning money to spend it?

Besides, she had a feeling the game would be a huge hit. Once it took off, the money would come flowing back, wouldn’t it?

“If you feel it’s not suitable…”

“Suitable, suitable, it’s more than suitable! As for the other two new voice actors, leave it to me. I know a few female voice actors with solid skills. When should we sign the contract?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Deal.”

Lin Ruocheng entered the room and sat obediently on the stool.

She looked around, here and there, feeling quite fascinated.

“Hold on, Wanru, your breath control is off. It should sound a bit hoarse, carrying a suppressed, restrained moan.”

Despite Xu Qingzhou’s seemingly casual demeanor earlier, when it came to professional matters, he was undeniably charismatic.

A woman’s greatest charm shines through when she excels in the career she loves.

Charm doesn’t come from makeup, but from inner confidence and self-assurance.

Fu Yanxi always felt a bit nervous and uncertain when facing herself.

But once she stepped into the recording booth, it was like she became a different person, completely in her element.

Indeed, people truly glow when they’re in their area of expertise.

The transformation was immediate.

Lin Ruocheng waited from 2:30 in the afternoon until 6:00 in the evening.

A full three and a half hours before the first episode of the audio drama was finally recorded.

It wasn’t that the recording was slow, but she witnessed firsthand how demanding voice acting could be.

Her heart ached even more, wondering how Fu Yanxi had managed to come this far.

“Fu Yanxi has an exceptional voice. I knew right away when I first heard her, I was captivated by her talent and brought her into the voice acting world. She started at sixteen and has been doing it for four years now. Watching her improve feels a bit like seeing my own daughter grow up.”

Xu Qingzhou ordered a few cups of milk tea.

As the two voice actors emerged from the recording booth, Fu Yanxi spotted Lin Ruocheng first.

Lin Ruocheng inserted a straw into one of the cups and handed it to her.

She ruffled Fu Yanxi’s hair affectionately and praised her girlfriend.

“You did amazing, so professional.” She had glanced at Fu Yanxi’s script earlier, filled with dense notes.

That was the result of hard work.

The remaining cup was given to the other voice actor and her own assistant.

“Not bad at all, keep it up. You’ve improved a lot compared to before.”

“Thank you, senior.”

Since Wanru had other matters to attend to, she left promptly.

Only the three of them remained, and soon the assistant left as well.

“Want to grab a meal together?”

“My treat.”

“Is the iron rooster finally shedding feathers? This is a rare sight.”

“Fu Yanxi! Are you asking for a spanking?”

This was the first time Lin Ruocheng had seen such a lively side of Fu Yanxi.

It felt like she understood her a little better now.

“Director Xu, are you a lesbian?”

“Me? Don’t joke around, how could I be a lesbian? Don’t fall for me, I’m just a legend! Not every yuri voice actor is a lesbian, okay? I’m straight, defending the last bastion of straight women!”

Xu Qingzhou brushed it off dismissively.

What nonsense.

How could she possibly be a lesbian? Just because she’s unmarried and considered an “old leftover woman” doesn’t mean she’s a lesbian!

Besides, she didn’t even consider herself an “old leftover woman,” did she?

She just turned twenty-nine, not even thirty yet!

Who said everyone who hangs out with lesbians has to be one? Straight women exist too, you know!

“I still want to focus on making money, so when would I have time to look for a partner? My motto is: I won’t look for anyone, and no one should look for me either. Isn’t that freeing? No one to tie you down, carefree, do whatever you want.”

Xu Qingzhou was remarkably carefree.

Opening the car door, she noticed a small gift on the back seat.

Clearly, it was a little inside joke between the lovebirds.

She paid it no mind, dinner came first.

The gift could wait.

She’d deal with it after settling in.

“Director Xu, what would you like to eat? Let me treat you for this meal.”

Lin Ruocheng fastened her seatbelt, thinking it’d be better if she paid.

After all, she was planning to invite Xu to voice a character in her game, treating her to a meal seemed appropriate.

It would also be a chance to get to know each other better.

Xu Qingzhou’s voice was quite distinctive.

“Then let’s go somewhere expensive. Don’t worry, your Xiao Xi is loaded, you won’t bankrupt her.”

Four years in the industry, one billion-yuan audio drama per year.

Countless girls’ “wife” and “husband.”

Just go ahead and listen to that audio drama, and you’ll be stunned into silence.

The first to break into the mainstream.

To be remembered and passionately supported by so many in just the first year, truly a testament to their extraordinary talent.

The three of them found an upscale Western restaurant and finished their meal.

Lin Ruocheng stood up to pay the bill.

Xu Qingzhou rushed to settle it instead.

Seeing that neither of them had returned for a while, Fu Yanxi walked over.

“Maybe… I should pay?”

The two of them stepped aside in perfect sync, making way.

“Then you do it.”

Fu Yanxi: “…”