Rebirth: Spoiling the Obsessive Film Emperor Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Resources

Among those who wanted to leave, besides the artists, there were also several agents.

Most of those agents had been working at Huansheng before Yin Chengjue came, managing several artists each. Their departure meant taking the artists under their wing along with them.

Among these artists were some popular A-list and B-list male and female stars. Their departure didn't just mean losing artists; it meant losing several glittering golden geese.

For any company, having its carefully cultivated money-makers uprooted represents a huge loss, as if bloody holes were dug in its heart, with blood gushing out.

But Yin Chengjue didn't even bat an eye. He just sat in his chair, legs crossed, fingers interlaced and resting on his knee, his expression calm as if he were enjoying a leisurely break.

His demeanor left many artists and agents, who had been hoping to catch a glimpse of his changing expression, momentarily dazed.

The man today was wearing a mist-blue custom suit, paired with a black and white tie. The light blue collar hugged his fair neck, and above his perfectly shaped jawline sat a handsome, striking face.

Sitting among such a group of handsome men and beautiful women, he was in no way inferior—in fact, he outshone them all. One glance and people couldn't look away.

The crowd signed their papers one after another. Assistant Guan organized both sign-in sheets and placed them before Yin Chengjue.

Yin Chengjue lifted his eyes slightly, picking up only the list of artists who had chosen to stay. He scanned it briefly, somewhat surprised.

The number of people who stayed was double what he had anticipated.

Among them, surprisingly, were several agents and their artists who had been working here before he took over Huansheng.

A bunch of old foxes! Yin Chengjue thought to himself.

If one observed closely, they would notice that most of those who stayed were artists and agents who had signed with Huansheng after Yin Chengjue began managing it.

At first glance, it might seem that these newer artists and agents, lacking deep roots, significant money, or offers from other companies, couldn't afford the penalty fees and had no choice but to stay, waiting for their contracts to expire before seeking other paths.

But upon deeper reflection, one could discern that this situation resembled a major reshuffling.

Old leaves fall so new ones can grow.

Once those who had signed with Huansheng before Yin Chengjue took over paid their penalties and left, who would remain but the newcomers who signed later?

Those people had been there so long they'd formed their own circles with extensive connections, sometimes beyond Yin Chengjue's control. But once they left, Huansheng Entertainment, from top to bottom, would truly be managed entirely by Yin Chengjue!

"I believe everyone's schedules have recently cleared up," Yin Chengjue said slowly. "I have several scripts here, and for certain roles, the company has already negotiated with the production teams—they'll be cast by us..." Yin Chengjue continued, "Luo Cang, do you think you can play the male lead in Journey Back from the Sea?"

Silence. No response.

Yin Chengjue, who had been trying to look impressive: "..."

"Luo Cang." Yin Chengjue looked at the name on the list and called again, wondering to himself if he'd mispronounced it.

"Ah! Yes, it's me!" Luo Cang, who had been kicked by his agent, finally raised his hand. "S-sorry, I'm not used to my stage name yet..."

Yin Chengjue glanced at the young man who had raised his hand.

Hmm, a fresh face with good looks.

Yin Chengjue: "What's your real name?"

Luo Cang scratched his head: "I, I'm Luo Dazhuang..."

Yin Chengjue: "...Luo Cang, do you think you can play the male lead in Journey Back from the Sea?" Yin Chengjue asked again.

Luo Cang grinned: "President Yin! As long as I can act in something, I'm not picky! I can definitely do well!"

His agent chimed in from the side: "I guarantee I'll make him thoroughly familiarize himself with the plot! Don't worry, boss!" This would be the first lead role drama for the first artist he'd ever managed—no matter how melodramatic the plot, he'd make sure his artist excelled!

"Journey Back from the Sea?" Fang Nan, who had already been leading his artists toward the door, froze at the entrance upon hearing this.

Fang Nan managed two A-list male artists, and one of them had just recently auditioned for the male lead's role in Journey Back from the Sea.

Of course, they had wanted the male lead role too, and had pleaded persistently with the director. But the director in charge of auditions had repeatedly indicated that the male lead role was already internally decided and not open for auditions. While the male supporting role was good, there were many participants in the auditions, with fierce competition. Fang Nan's male artist still hadn't received confirmation on whether he'd landed the supporting male lead role.

For A-listers like them, while drama offers weren't hard to come by, landing truly satisfying, high-quality projects was another matter entirely. Firstly, with their status, any drama they took meant playing the male lead or second lead—falling below these positions would upset fans and give haters reason to mock them for depreciating value.

Secondly, their fees were high. Some production teams with tight budgets would rather find fresh faces from performing arts schools, saving money for post-production.

Journey Back from the Sea was adapted from a popular IP novel, featuring the popular "upgrade-style" genre (fast-paced stories where the protagonist rises quickly), giving readers a strong sense of satisfaction and empowerment, with a broad original fanbase. The production team also had sufficient funding to hire A-list and B-list artists to boost viewership.

But they weren't the only ones eyeing this tempting prize—after all, dramas with built-in traffic, good plots, funded production teams, and roles that wouldn't diminish an artist's status were truly rare!

Fang Nan still hadn't confirmed whether his male artist would get the male supporting role in Journey Back from the Sea, yet suddenly learned that his boss—or rather, former boss—had, with a few words, given the male lead role to a newcomer in the company who wasn't even eighteenth-tier and had only played a few bit parts!

Even if the newcomer has looks, so what? Does he have the status? Does he have the fanbase?!

Not just Fang Nan, but the A-list male artist under him who had auditioned for Journey Back from the Sea was also stunned, looking back and forth between Yin Chengjue and the new artist who had just received the role but seemed only mildly pleased—clearly, the artist didn't yet understand the drama's value, simply happy to finally play a lead role.

Fang Nan blocked the doorway, making it impossible for those behind him to exit. But now, no one wanted to leave anyway. Those who had planned to sign and go had simultaneously stopped in their tracks.

Yin Chengjue continued speaking, his tone as calm as ever: "...The Xiao An Collection female lead, You Shu. This drama has many action scenes for the female lead. I heard your family runs a martial arts school."

You Shu had signed with the company just a week ago, had only attended one week of training classes, and hadn't taken any drama roles yet. Hearing Yin Chengjue's words, she thought he was assigning her as a stunt double for the female lead, and nodded emphatically: "Yes! I can definitely do well as the female lead's stunt double!"

Yin Chengjue: "It's the female lead." He glanced at her face and nodded: "Your looks are passable."

You Shu panicked slightly: "Playing the female lead? What if I don't perform well?"

"Then cram intensively," Yin Chengjue said. "Do you think you can do it?"

You Shu gritted her teeth. "I'll do it!" Even if it means giving it my all!

For the next half hour, Yin Chengjue assigned new dramas to most of the artists who stayed. Even those who didn't get direct assignments had scripts given to their agents for the agents to arrange auditions.

These scripts ranged from blockbuster popular IPs to completely new, unheard-of original scripts, but overall, they represented a tremendous amount of resources!

With these resources—especially those with built-in fan traffic—as long as the newly signed artists acted earnestly and avoided causing trouble, how could they not become popular?

Moreover, these artists were young; many were fresh out of performing arts schools. They lacked neither looks nor talent, and they possessed something that veterans who'd spent years in the industry lacked: youth!

They might not become famous from this one drama, but they had many more dramas waiting in their future!

Every great drama doesn't just tell a compelling story—it also captures the youth of the actors who brought it to life, preserving in each frame their most radiant and handsome moments.

For some, those most beautiful and handsome days have quietly slipped away with the untouchable passage of time, but for others, they're just beginning.

Yin Chengjue finally finished reading the prepared content. He put down the list and turned his head slightly toward the group still standing dumbfounded at the door.

"Huansheng Entertainment is just getting started."

Fang Nan finally snapped out of his shock, his face showing the anger of being deceived: "Yin Chengjue, you deliberately played us?" If the company had the capability to negotiate so many roles, then why, during this period when so many negative revelations about Huansheng flooded the internet, did Huansheng's PR remain as if dead, completely failing to rebut?

They had to wait until they'd accepted olive branches extended by other companies, paid their penalties, and collectively jumped ship, only then did Yin Chengjue produce these things! There could be no other explanation than deliberate intent!

Yin Chengjue moved his feet, swiveling his chair to face them. He propped his elbow on the armrest, resting his chin on one hand, his jaw lifting slightly: "If I said yes, what could you do about it?"

Yin Chengjue: "These were all choices everyone made themselves, weren't they? When the company faced a crisis, some chose to stay, some chose to leave." Yin Chengjue tapped lightly on the list lying on the table, the corners of his mouth curving upward. "I respect your choices, but you can't, just because you chose to leave, resent your former company for quickly recovering and developing after your departure, can you?"

"Ah! Look at my memory." Yin Chengjue rubbed his brow. "Donghuang Qingyan has recently started transitioning, preparing to independently produce a new drama. With that gimmick, surely this drama will be a huge hit, right?"