Si Jingyi's latest project in preparation is called "Guilty."
It's a suspense film, created by the talented and beautiful writer Shao Xue.
Shao Xue rose to fame at eighteen, and now at just twenty, she has become a top-tier author whose works are highly sought after for adaptation.
Every book she publishes becomes a hit when adapted into movies or TV series.
Therefore, the rights to her books are extremely competitive.
Si Jingyi wanted to purchase the film and television adaptation rights for "Guilty," and he and his team negotiated with Shao Xue for nearly half a year.
A month ago, Shao Xue finally relented and agreed to let Si Jingyi proceed with the production.
However, the condition was that the actors he selected had to meet her approval. She is very strict about casting, not wanting untalented celebrity actors to ruin her work.
The male and female leads chosen by Si Jingyi had already received Shao Xue's approval.
Now, as long as a few key supporting roles were finalized, he could sign the rights agreement with Shao Xue.
"Sister-in-law, the original author of this series is very strict about casting, otherwise I'd just cast you as the third female lead directly," Si Jingyi explained to Wen Yan as the sports car stopped in front of the hotel where the auditions were being held.
Wen Yan had come from the Si family and had slept the whole way.
She opened her drowsy, beautiful eyes and spoke lazily, "Sticking to the rules is fine."
With her acting skills, she didn't need any backdoor connections at all.
Si Jingyi brought Wen Yan to the audition area.
Although only a few supporting roles for "Guilty" remained undecided, many actors and actresses still came to audition.
Almost all of them were more famous than Wen Yan.
Wen Yan drew a number; she was the sixth to enter.
"Sister-in-law, good luck."
Wen Yan shrugged, "Is it really one million for the third female lead role?"
"Yes, if you think it's too little, sister-in-law, I can supplement it from my own pocket later."
Wen Yan smiled, "It's plenty, plenty."
As the director, Si Jingyi needed to go in as a judge.
Wen Yan felt a bit bored. She stood at the door, watching the performances of the actors auditioning ahead of her.
The first was a popular young actress.
She looked pure and innocent, the white moonlight in the hearts of many male fans.
Wen Yan opened her gossip system.
[Oh my, this pure-looking young lady actually likes smelling the bloody scent on used sanitary pads. She sniffs them every time she changes, getting excited each time she does.]
[Not long ago, the young lady secretly dated a boyfriend outside the industry. The boyfriend secretly recorded a video of them getting intimate. The boyfriend likes gambling and has accumulated a lot of debt. Recently, he plans to sell the young lady's video to his creditor!]
[To prevent the video from being leaked, the young lady later became the creditor's kept woman. Years later, she was secretly photographed by the media, ruining her image. In a fit of anger, she ended up marrying the creditor's father, becoming the creditor's stepmother, and then had someone crush the parts of her ex-boyfriend that produced little tadpoles.]
[Satisfying! That's how you deal with scumbags!]
Sitting on the judges' panel, Si Jingyi unconsciously tightened his legs.
That innocent and harmless young lady on stage would become so ruthless years later?
But after going through so much, becoming ruthless was probably forced upon her, right?
Aside from her somewhat perverse habit of liking to smell sanitary pads, her acting was actually quite good.
He should find some time later to warn her about her ex-boyfriend secretly recording the video, to see if she could take preventive measures.
After the second auditioning young lady introduced herself, Wen Yan continued her gossip.
[Her acting is good, but she can't be kept. She knowingly became the other woman and also evaded taxes. Later, she will be banned. Anyone who hires her will end up with their series unable to air, suffering huge losses.]
Before the second actress finished her performance, Si Jingyi had already marked a cross next to her name.
An hour later, it was Wen Yan's turn to audition.
Si Jingyi gave her a short scene. Just as she was about to go on stage, sudden commotion came from the entrance of the audition room.
"Director Si, there's no need for you to continue auditions. Miss Shao Xue has sold the film and television adaptation rights for 'Guilty' to me."
Wen Yan lifted her eyelids.
A young man with a rebelliously handsome (roguish) look and an arrogant expression walked over accompanied by several people.
The man was Wen Yan's biological second brother, Wen Yiheng. He was Si Jingyi's university classmate, and after graduation, both became somewhat famous directors.
Their directing styles and chosen themes were quite similar, and their abilities were on par.
Since university, the two had been competitors.
This time, with Si Jingyi preparing to film "Guilty," the industry predicted he would win next year's Best New Director award.
Wen Yiheng had been searching for a project that could rival "Guilty."
But after searching for half a year, he couldn't find one.
Just when he thought "Guilty" would truly make Si Jingyi famous in the director's circle, his sister Wen Yue had their eldest brother save Shao Xue's father, Shao Weiliang.
Not only was Shao Weiliang willing to do business with the Wen family, he also introduced him to his daughter, Shao Xue.
Shao Xue is a genius writer. As long as he could cooperate with her, he would surely secure his place in the director's circle and leave Si Jingyi far behind!
Following behind Wen Yiheng were Wen Yue, Shao Xue, and several young actors.
"Those who want to act in 'Guilty,' come to the room next door for auditions. Miss Shao has already sold the rights to me."
Si Jingyi rushed over, his handsome face livid.
Frowning tightly, he looked at Shao Xue, "Miss Shao, we had an agreement. You've seen my sincerity. How could you suddenly sell the rights to Wen Yiheng?"
Shao Xue wore a long white dress, her jet-black, silky hair cascading over her shoulders. She appeared quiet, gentle, and beautiful, with a slim figure, exuding the aura of a literary young woman.
"Director Si, I'm sorry. Director Wen's eldest brother saved my father. The Wen family are our lifesavers. I will be cooperating with Director Wen long-term from now on."
"We only had a verbal agreement, so there's no breach of contract. Please understand."
Si Jingyi gritted his teeth so hard they almost shattered.
Wen Yan crossed her arms, leaning lazily against the doorframe. She chuckled lightly, "Director Si's team spent effort finding actors, arranging locations, hiring screenwriters to revise the script. The media photographed him meeting with you several times, all convinced he would film your 'Guilty.' And now you casually say there's no breach of contract? Such great legal awareness."
Si Jingyi might be a love fool, but he is diligent and driven in his career.
He showed great sincerity to Shao Xue. Back then, to meet her, he stood outside her building all night. It even rained that night, and he ended up in the hospital the next day.
He brought up signing the rights agreement several times, but Shao Xue kept assuring him that the film and TV rights for "Guilty" would definitely be sold to him.
If she hadn't made those firm promises, why would Si Jingyi have gone to such great lengths?
Hearing Wen Yan's words, Shao Xue's expression changed slightly.
Wen Yiheng had noticed Wen Yan earlier but had been treating her as transparent.
In front of outsiders, he was unwilling to mention this biological sister of his.
She was incompetent in all the refined arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—rude, unruly, and overly competitive.
She couldn't compare to Yue Yue in anything, yet she loved competing with her.
He thought she would behave better after marrying into the Si family, but instead she became even more sharp-tongued and annoying.
"Wen Yan, shut up! You have no right to speak here!"
After yelling at Wen Yan, Wen Yiheng turned to Shao Xue with a smile, "Don't mind her, she's just a country bumpkin with no manners!"
Wen Yan curled her lip, "Your mouth is quite foul. Did you forget to wipe it after using the toilet?"
Pfft—
Si Jingyi laughed out loud. His tall, defiant figure stepped in front of Wen Yan, shielding her behind him.
How strange, even stinking dog poop can talk now.
Wen Yiheng saw Si Jingyi and Wen Yan teaming up to perform a double act, berating him together. His face turned ashen with rage.
Had Si Jingyi lost his mind?
After Wen Yan married his elder brother, wasn't Si Jingyi the one who seemed to dislike her the most?
"Si Jingyi, don't you dare act tough with me here. In short, Miss Shao Xue will no longer cooperate with you. If you kneel down and beg me now, call me 'Daddy,' I might just put in a good word for you. Perhaps I could persuade Miss Shao Xue to give you one more chance at collaboration."
As soon as Wen Yiheng finished speaking, the actors behind him all burst into laughter.
A vein throbbed on Si Jingyi's forehead.
He already suffered from an irritable temper, and at this moment, his blood was boiling with fury. Just as he was about to lose control and throw a punch, suddenly—
[Oh wow, there's some juicy gossip!]
Si Jingyi's clenched fist, ready to strike, was forcibly pulled back.
Wen Yiheng was well aware of Si Jingyi's explosive temper. He had already arranged for reporters to be secretly filming from a hidden corner.
If Si Jingyi dared to hit him, he would utterly ruin his reputation!
