Chapter 50: Screening of “University Dream”
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
“And the most important thing is that Xue Yu has reached a bottleneck.” He Wei spat those words with disdain.
Yun Xiangxiang was nearly choked by her own saliva. Was it OK for He Wei to talk about Xue Yu like he was a hopeless case?
That was Xue Yu. Someone who had won every award in the country and three best actors in a leading role award for international level A-list movies.
He gave Yun Xiangxiang a faraway gaze, “That is why you must never become like him.”
Yun Xiangxiang gulped. Even she who was always calm didn’t know what to say.
There was a galaxy between her and Xue Yu. He Wei’s tone that implied that she must surpass Xue Yu had given her a lot of pressure.
She really wanted to work hard and go to greater heights. However, she didn’t have such great capability and ambition.
“I have arranged a year’s worth of business for your senior. So I can focus on you if there are no unexpected circumstances happening. I will follow you most of the time.”
He Wei was issuing a statement to Yun Xiangxiang, “But considering that you want to finish your studies, I will do my best to arrange your work to be during the holidays.”
The first half of his words sent a chill down Yun Xiangxiang’s spine. The latter half was exactly what she wanted. Only He Wei had the capability to say that they will arrange her work to be during the holidays.
In other words, people will need to wait for her and not the other way round.
Yun Xiangxiang nodded graciously.
Satisfied with Yun Xiangxiang’s response, He Wei continued, “You started excellently. I watched the three movies you played in. Two of them weren’t bad. Try your best to play in at least one movie a year after this.”
“We will not consider anything about television first. I’ll handle any endorsements. I have assembled your team. They will be here at night and follow you from today onwards. You’ll handle their pay.”
“Can you give me a hint?” Yun Xiangxiang asked.
She had a team in her previous life too. She knew what the rates were in this industry. However, the people He Wei assembled were different.
He never asked for the background or academic qualifications for the people he hired. He only looked at what they could do. It was actually hard to keep people who had talent.
She remembered that Xue Yu’s cameraman only graduated from junior high. However, his filming skills were superb.
There was a hint of a smile in He Wei’s eyes. He raised one finger, “Assistants shouldn’t be paid less than this.”
That gesture meant that the salary shouldn’t be less than ten thousand yuan!
Assistants only got six to seven thousand yuan in their industry. Three to four thousand yuan was common. But He Wei was saying that even an assistant must be paid at least ten thousand yuan. Then the others…
However, Yun Xiangxiang still agreed to it without flinching.
“I got two assistants for you. One will take care of your meals; the other will run your errands.” He Wei continued, “Cameraman; make-up artist; nutritionist…”
He Wei briefed her about the people that will follow her in the future. He then handed their resumes over to her. He actually assembled such a team in such a short time. Did he prepare this earlier or was he really this awesome?
Yun Xiangxiang didn’t pry any further about the pay for the others. Since assistants were paid twice the market price, then she would follow this rate for the others.
She waited for her assistant’s arrival after expressing her opinion. She signed a contract with her assistant before letting them prepare everyone else’s contracts.
He Wei’s meetup with her was simple. He didn’t arrange her itinerary and left hurriedly.
Around three in the afternoon, a vogue young lady who looked to be around twenty and a guy who was wearing formal attire who looked around twenty-five or twenty-six reported for duty to Yun Xiangxiang.
“Boss, I’m Wang Yong. I’ll be responsible for your meals from now on.” The guy who looked fair and neat introduced himself first.
Yun Xiangxiang was surprised. She thought that the lady would be responsible for her meals. It was unexpected…
“Sister Xiang, call me Coco. I’ll be in charge of the trifling matters in your everyday life from now on.”
Coco lifted her arm, “I might look scrawny, but I’m very powerful. I can lift a twenty kilogram luggage with one hand and still walk fast. I learnt Chinese kickboxing and have won as a champion in it before.”
“Boss, I know how to make all the dishes of the four major cuisine style [1]. Dabbled in both Chinese and Western desserts. I’m learning how to make medicinal cuisine now.” Wang Yong immediately introduced his skills too.
Yun Xiangxiang thought that ten thousand yuan a month for these kinds of talents might be too little. No wonder He Wei had her allocate at least that much.
Yun Xiangxiang decided to put them in probation for two months in the end. The salary during the probation period would be fifteen thousand yuan. They could negotiate their wages based on their performance during the probation period after they had confirmed their employment.
Since Coco was here, Yun Xiangxiang handed the affair of welcoming the other members to her. She had her reserve a place for everyone to have dinner and getting to know each other.
Coco simply knew everything. She quickly got everyone’s contact information and got along with everyone in a jiffy. She easily knew everyone’s tastes and what they couldn’t eat. Coco reserved a spot based on everyone’s situation.
Yun Xiangxiang chatted with every one of them for a bit during the official meetup at night. She wanted everyone to call her Xiangxiang and not to be too formal, since everyone was older than her.
She took Coco and Li Jie, the make-up artist to the filming team the next day. She didn’t use the make-up artist of the filming team ever again. She didn’t have to do most things herself from now on too.
She had Coco take care of everything. Coco’s socialising skills truly changed the way Yun Xiangxiang looked at her. She only used a day to familiarise herself with all the staff in the filming team.
Wang Yong made all her three meals and sent it to her in a thermal insulation lunch box. Wang Yong’s cooking skills were superb. He talked with the nutritionist before preparing the meals. It even came with some fruits and desserts.
Yun Xiangxiang felt that she gotten the most bang out of her buck of these people. They increased her efficiency greatly.
Yun Xiangxiang’s parents brought both her brothers to visit her on the fifth of July.
Yun Xiangxiang was just planning to find two reliable people to take them to have fun when Min Yankai and Jiang Zexun took the initiative and offered themselves.
Yun Xiangxiang rejected them tactfully. What do these young nobles knew about the joys of the common folk like her parents?
She had Coco find a professional tour guide to lead them and stayed at the same hotel with her at night.
At this moment, “University Dream” was already screening in a few cities. It wasn’t going to air at such a scale initially. Naturally, this happened as the Huan Yu Century Entertainment pulling some strings behind.
Han Jing took charge of the roadshows alone. Yun Xiangxiang already worked hard for her first place in the exam. Han Jing wanted to let her film in peace without delaying her entrance into university.
Reviews for the film were gradually released by the night of the seventh of July. Most of them were saying that the movie was a must watch for students.
Senior film critic Wei Dongsheng also expressed his views publicly: I saw hope; I saw dedication; I also saw bitterness and hardship.
“University Dream” was too hyped up before it was released. I actually didn’t think of it highly in the beginning. I was taking a stance of being critical about it when I was asked to take part in the screening. However, I must admit that it is a film that hits the deepest part of your heart. Even if it was a bit immature and weak in its plotline.