What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 17

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed. During this time, Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing hadn’t met many times, as they were both busy with their respective work.

Pei Yuanxi had been occupied with script preparations. Since she had decided to properly shoot this script, everything related to the crew had to be organized by the studio. Finding a good director with an open schedule wasn’t an easy task, and sometimes Pei Yuanxi had to negotiate personally.

After a period of time, she had finally sorted out the overall structure. The remaining detailed issues were handed over to the studio to handle.

At the same time, the news that Pei Yuanxi was personally setting up a film crew had spread, and many actors were secretly inquiring about it.

Even the major entertainment moguls couldn’t sit still. Forget about the quality of the script—if the film made money, everyone would be happy. Even if it lost money, that was normal for investments. Moreover, their main goal was to latch onto Pei Yuanxi’s success for the sake of showing their appreciation and trust in her talent to the entertainment giant, Mu Xi.

“Look, your second miss’s crew isn’t even fully set up yet, but I’m already investing—how much I admire and trust your second miss’s talent!”

Before, they couldn’t do much when Pei Yuanxi focused solely on acting, but now, with this opportunity right in front of them, the dinner gathering had been arranged.

“Yuanxi, is it okay for me to join you for tonight’s dinner?” Gu Qing asked, furrowing her brows.

Even though she had traveled here from another world, she could roughly understand that the people attending this dinner were the big players who practically owned all the land in the entertainment industry.

Pei Yuanxi casually gestured with her arm for Gu Qing to link hers. “It’s no big deal. This is just a circle of fame and profit. All dealings here are for benefits. The reason they’re so eager is to show off in front of Mu Xi. I’m here to represent Mu Xi’s interests.”

At this point, Pei Yuanxi smiled lightly. “Bringing you here isn’t just to let you make an appearance. I want them to clearly understand that you’re mine. The entertainment industry is still mostly theirs, and sometimes, when it comes to resolving things in the industry, their words carry more weight than ours.”

“Besides, the entertainment industry’s gossip isn’t something you can just avoid. If you want to walk the path of being an actress, you’ll have to deal with them sooner or later. Since there’s a chance to experience this world now, it’s better to use it early. Otherwise, I might just turn you into a flower in a greenhouse.”

Gu Qing’s heart trembled. Was Pei Yuanxi… planning for her future?

This was the feeling of being cared for and cherished by someone, wasn’t it?

She gently lowered her gaze and said, “I won’t be a flower in a greenhouse. I won’t disappoint you.”

Pei Yuanxi chuckled. “Of course, I trust that you won’t disappoint me. Let’s go. If we don’t hurry, they’ll start getting impatient.”

Pei Yuanxi led Gu Qing into a private room, greeting everyone as she entered. “Sorry, I made a detour to pick someone up. I hope no one minds?”

As soon as the moguls saw the host enter, they quickly stood up. When they heard her words, they couldn’t help but sneer inwardly: “We’re afraid you might think we’re small-minded and didn’t even bring a companion, but you, on the other hand, look so carefree.”

However, the moguls kept up their appearance and laughed heartily. “How could we mind? Yuanxi, you’re thinking too much. Please, take a seat.”

They were about to direct Pei Yuanxi to the main seat, but Pei Yuanxi, not standing on ceremony, sat down and said, “Gu Qing, you stand for a moment. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Seeing Pei Yuanxi sit down, the moguls who were just about to take their seats stood up straight again.

Pei Yuanxi leisurely waved her hand. “Why is everyone still standing? Come on, sit down. If you all keep standing, I won’t dare to speak anymore!”

One of the moguls, pretending to be serious, said, “Yuanxi, now you’ve really got me. We’re all family here. How can we have someone standing while you introduce them?”

Pei Yuanxi nodded, pulling Gu Qing to sit down, then continued, “This one talking is Gu Qing. She just joined my studio a few days ago, and from now on, my focus will be entirely on her. Brother Wang, don’t forget about her when you come across good resources, okay?”

The mogul, Mr. Wang, quickly waved his hand. “No, no, of course not. Resources depend on Master Han.”

Pei Yuanxi snickered, as if just realizing who Mr. Wang was referring to. “Oh, Master Han, you’re here too! You’ve been quiet the whole time, making me feel bad for chatting too much.”

Master Han squinted and said sarcastically, “Yuanxi, we haven’t seen each other in a while, but you’re still as charming as ever. After winning Best Actress, isn’t it time for you to find someone to fall in love with?”

Pei Yuanxi waved her hand dismissively. “Still too early, still too early. I’m not even close to 30. But, Master Han, you’re still as strong as ever. I heard you recently picked up an unknown actress named Xie Ying. Am I right?”

Master Han shook his head slightly. “Yuanxi, where did you hear that? I don’t even know anyone by the name of Xie Ying.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine. I knew Master Han wouldn’t have such poor taste.” Pei Yuanxi casually nodded.

The rest of the people at the table, seeing the conversation getting tense, began to sweat nervously. They had heard about Xie Ying when the news broke earlier. They were wondering who had dared to provoke Master Han, only to find out it was one of his own people. When Master Han heard about it, he immediately got rid of Xie Ying, and after that, it was as if she had disappeared without a trace from the entertainment industry.

No one expected that Pei Yuanxi would still bring it up, making it clear she hadn’t forgotten about the incident.

At this point, the moguls at the table, thinking about their own interests, hurriedly advised, “Yuanxi, Yuanxi, you’ve been talking to Master Han for so long, how about introducing us to Gu Qing?”

Only then did Pei Yuanxi reveal a genuine smile and began to introduce everyone to Gu Qing one by one.

Gu Qing, obediently, greeted everyone in turn.

Once the introductions were done, Pei Yuanxi jokingly said, “There are so many people here tonight. I don’t think my film will satisfy everyone’s appetite.”

Hearing Pei Yuanxi directly enter the topic, the moguls became more alert. Mr. Wang spoke first, asking, “Yuanxi, what kind of film are you making?”

Everyone leaned in, waiting for Pei Yuanxi’s response.

Pei Yuanxi thought for a moment, then replied, “It’s more of an art film. It’s definitely not a commercial one. It’s the type that gets good reviews but doesn’t make money.”

“Yuanxi, will you act in it? If you do, the box office will definitely be fine.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but the lead role is Gu Qing. I’m just making a cameo,” Pei Yuanxi shook her head and continued, “If anyone is here just to make money, they might be disappointed.”

Some people hesitated, while others eagerly asked, “Can it win awards?”

“Domestic awards are a sure thing. As for international ones, I wouldn’t say it’s guaranteed, but the chances are pretty good.”

“What’s the budget?”

“About ten million for the production, and since Gu Qing is a newcomer, we won’t push for too much publicity. Two million will be enough for marketing.”

“Twelve million… couldn’t it be more?”

Pei Yuanxi smiled lightly and shook her head. “What more could we add?”

Suddenly, Pei Yuanxi clapped her hands, her face lighting up with excitement. “Now that you mention it, I’ve thought of some places where we can spend more. The film will need to include city ruins and a high tower in an underground world. Plus, we’ll need some time-related special effects. I was planning on using green screens for the city ruins, but now that you mention it, maybe we should make it more realistic. But I must stress again, this is not a commercial film. If the investment goes higher, we might not make it back!”

The moguls at the table fell into deep thought.

At this moment, Master Han spoke up, “Yuanxi, you don’t need to beat around the bush. Just tell us how much you need, and the rest we’ll split. I know you’re trying to help the one beside you, so we’ll do as you wish. To be honest, you’ve made us a lot of money over the years, so even if this film doesn’t make a profit, we’ll support you.”

Pei Yuanxi, pretending to be touched, said, “I thought you were deliberately looking for faults with me, but it seems I’ve misunderstood you, Master Han. I didn’t expect you to be so clear-headed despite your age.”

Seeing Master Han’s face darken, Pei Yuanxi’s amusement grew.

“Alright, I won’t drag it out. One hundred million. Mu Xi and I will each invest twenty million for forty percent. The remaining sixty percent, you can divide amongst yourselves.”

Mr. Wang immediately slapped the table, saying, “I’ll invest twenty million for twenty percent.”

The other moguls at the table, seeing Mr. Wang make his move, cursed inwardly, but still jumped at the opportunity. Especially after hearing that Mu Xi had a share, they were all eager to get in on the action.

Gu Qing watched all this with slight surprise. Pei Yuanxi secretly smiled and whispered in her ear, “Didn’t expect these so-called moguls of the entertainment industry to negotiate like they’re haggling over vegetables at a market, did you?”

Gu Qing nodded slightly.

By the time the six million share had been divided up, Pei Yuanxi noticed that Master Han hadn’t said a word. She smiled inwardly.

“Master Han, aren’t you interested? If you are, I can offer you 10%.”

Master Han shot her a look. “Yuanxi, don’t count the marketing costs in that one hundred million. I’ll personally cover the marketing costs, so it won’t take up any shares. Consider it me supporting your career.”

Pei Yuanxi had been waiting for this moment. With a smile, she raised her glass. “In that case, I’m truly honored. Master Han, this toast is for you.”

Master Han sighed, resigned, and drank the wine. Pei Yuanxi was right he had let his guard down when he thought Xie Ying would behave. But when she made a scene, it became something much bigger.

In fact, he didn’t even need to be present at the dinner today, but he had come in person to make amends.

Seeing that everything had been settled, Pei Yuanxi had no intention of staying longer. She checked the time and signaled the others.

The moguls, catching her signal, quickly got up to take their leave.

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing bid farewell to everyone, and once they were out of the room, Gu Qing still clung to Pei Yuanxi’s arm.

“Got any questions?”

“Why did you initially tell them that the film only needed ten million?”

“The film’s purpose is to win awards. It won’t be commercially successful, so I needed them to hesitate. If I said one hundred million right off the bat, they would have hesitated. Once they were feeling regretful, I dropped the bomb with the full investment, and then they couldn’t sit still.”

“So you deliberately gave them a number they’d feel bad about later to make them grab at the higher amount?”

“They’re not idiots. Of course they knew what I was doing. But once Mr. Wang went for the twenty percent, the others had no choice but to follow suit.”

“How did you know he’d grab it first?”

Pei Yuanxi smiled. “Because his company is in deep trouble. Just wait and see. Once he transfers the twenty million, he’ll come to me separately.”

Gu Qing thought for a moment. “Mu Xi?”

“Smart. How did you find tonight?”

“An eye opener.”