Huayu: This director specializes in promoting young actresses.

Chapter 74 Tian Xiwei "beats" Liu Haochun

Tian Xiwei stared at the geometry problem in her workbook that had just been explained, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Something's not right," she suddenly said, pressing her hand against the workbook. "Haochun, are you having trouble understanding this? The more I listen, the more confused I get."

Liu Haochun's cheeks flushed instantly, and his fingers tightened around the pen: "I... I only know this one question. I happened to have done it before and seen the standard answer."

"What?" Tian Xiwei slammed her workbook on the table like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "You only know how to do one problem? Then what did you promise to help me with? Were you kidding me?"

"Didn't I just explain a math problem to you?" Liu Haochun shrank back, her voice tinged with grievance. "Besides, you've always studied academic subjects, while I've practiced dance since I was little. It's not really right for you to ask me for help with a math problem..."

"Hey, I've got a short temper!" Tian Xiwei was speechless, then angrily pounced on Liu Haochun, pulling her down onto the bed. "So, Liu Haochun, you look so innocent and cute, but I never expected you to be so wicked! You dared to lie to me? I'll fight you to the death today!"

She straddled Liu Haochun, reaching out to tickle her armpits, yelling, "I'll teach you to lie to me! I'll teach you to say you only knew one problem! I'll tickle you until you beg for mercy!"

Liu Haochun laughed out loud as she was tickled, tears welling up in her eyes. She struggled and cried out, "Xiaotian! Let go! It tickles so much! I didn't mean to... I can help you with other things! I'm good at English, can I help you write your English essay?"

"No way!" Tian Xiwei continued working, "I can write my own English essay! I want you to help me with my math!"

The two rolled around on the bed, making a mess of the sheets. Tian Xiwei's hair was disheveled and smeared all over her face. One of the buttons on Liu Haochun's pajamas was ripped open, revealing her slender collarbone.

In the midst of their playful banter, Tian Xiwei suddenly reached out and pinched Liu Haochun's waist: "Tell me! From now on, will you listen to everything I say?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Liu Haochun laughed until he was breathless. "I'll do whatever you say! Let go now..."

Ultimately, this "war" ended with Liu Haochun signing a series of "unequal treaties," including that she would be responsible for buying breakfast for the next week and that he would do her laundry, etc.

Liu Haochun lay sprawled on the bed, rubbing his arm, which had been pinched red, filled with regret. He had agreed too hastily, his mind filled with Lin Feng's smiling words, "Haochun is really amazing," without considering that he had no idea how to do math problems.

Now that he'd come to his senses, looking at Tian Xiwei's smug face, he felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn't helping; it was clearly finding himself a little tyrant.

"Hmph, that's more like it," Tian Xi patted her cheek slightly, "If you dare to lie to me again, it won't be as simple as just a tickle!"

Li Yitong lay on Lin Feng's chest, her fingertips gently tracing his collarbone, where the faint marks she had left from biting him that afternoon still remained. "At Xiao Tian's house today, did you notice that Hao Chun was acting a little strange?" she suddenly asked, her voice slightly hoarse from just waking up.

"Hmm?" Lin Feng lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "Something's not right?"

"When she looked at you," Li Yitong snuggled closer to him, "it didn't look like she was looking at her boss, it was more like..."

Lin Feng chuckled softly, "You're overthinking it. Hao Chun is shy; he blushes easily when he sees anyone."

The next morning, in the temporary office of Fengrui Film & Television, Lao Yang was reporting on his work while holding a stack of documents. "President Lin, the new venue has been decided in the Beijing Film Cultural and Creative Park. It's a three-story detached building, 1200 square meters. When they heard that we are your company, they gave us a 20% discount on the rent."

He pushed the floor plan over, saying, "We'll have to do the renovations ourselves. It'll probably take two months, and we'll try to move in before November."

Lin Feng looked at the blueprints and tapped his fingertip on the area designated for the "Screenwriting Department" and "Editing Room": "Make the meeting room bigger; we'll be holding script meetings frequently in the future. Also, provide two break rooms for the employees."

"Okay!" Old Yang quickly wrote it down. "By the way, hiring is a bit tricky. We've received quite a few resumes, but the experienced ones all think our company is too new. On the other hand, quite a few students from the Beijing Film Academy have come, but they're all newcomers and haven't had much practical experience."

"It's okay to be a newcomer," Lin Feng leaned back in his chair. "As long as you have a good foundation and are willing to learn, that's fine. We'll standardize the written test and interview process and let the person in charge screen candidates, choosing those who are passionate about creative work."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Our company doesn't employ idle people, nor does it bury talent. Giving newcomers opportunities is the only way to retain them."

Old Yang nodded in agreement and was about to leave when Lin Feng called him back: "Call Senior Brother Zhou Ming here."

When Zhou Ming came in, he was holding a thermos cup filled with goji berries. "Junior brother, what can I do for you?" He sat down on the sofa, his tone casual and familiar.

Raymond Lam pushed a stack of scripts over: "Senior, take a look at this."

The script cover read "The Best of Us." Zhou Ming flipped through a few pages, his brows gradually relaxing as he gently stroked the pages with his fingers: "This script... is it adapted from a novel? I've read the original; it's really well-written."

"Yes, we bought the adaptation rights last year," Lin Feng said, looking at him. "This is the next drama the company plans to film, and I'd like you to be the director."

"Me?" Zhou Ming looked up abruptly, nearly dropping his thermos. "Didn't you direct it yourself?"

"I'll play the lead role," Raymond Lam laughed. "Senior brother, you've worked with me on two films. I know your abilities. You have no problem with pacing and actor management. All you're missing is an opportunity."

Zhou Ming's hands trembled slightly as he flipped through the script. His eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Ten years had passed. "Junior brother... do you really trust me?"

"Of course," Lin Feng handed him a bottle of water. "If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have given you the script. You're in charge of the whole production—casting, costumes, props, filming schedule—you decide everything. I'll just be a good actor."

Zhou Ming took a deep breath, closed the script, and looked at Lin Feng solemnly: "Junior brother, thank you."

"No need to thank me," Lin Feng patted him on the shoulder. "We're senior and junior colleagues, and also comrades-in-arms in the company. If the company wants to develop, it can't rely on just me alone; it needs more directors who can stand on their own."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, the company just got funding and has plenty of money. Just focus on making the show well, and don't worry about anything else."

Zhou Ming nodded vigorously, picked up the script and started reading again. His fingertips traced the blank space left under "Director: Zhou Ming," and a fire seemed to ignite in his heart. He knew that this was not only an opportunity, but also a weighty trust.

"Oh, right," Zhou Ming suddenly remembered something, "have the male and female leads been cast yet?"

"I'll play Yu Huai," Raymond Lam said, "and Li Yitong will play Geng Geng."

"Perfect! Perfect!" Zhou Ming's eyes lit up. "You two had great chemistry in 'The Beginning,' so you'll definitely be fine playing high school students. With you on set, I feel even more confident."

As Zhou Ming left with the script, his steps were noticeably lighter. Old Yang happened to come in and, watching his retreating figure, whispered, "President Lin, are you really letting Director Zhou direct alone? He's never led a project on his own before."

"Who can do it from the start?" Raymond Lam looked out the window. "When I made my first movie, nobody believed in me either. Giving others a chance is also giving the company a chance."

During lunch, my phone suddenly rang with a "ding," it was a video call request from Tian Xiwei.

"Feed? Brother Feng!" Tian Xi on the screen frowned slightly, her cheeks puffed out as if she had food in her mouth. "I'm telling you, Liu Haochun is playing a trick on me!"

"Oh? How am I going to mess with you?" Lin Feng picked up a piece of chicken and looked at her with interest.

"She promised to help me with my math problems yesterday, but she only knew how to do one! And she'd already seen the answer!" Tian Xiwei shoved her phone in front of Liu Haochun's face. "Look at her, still looking so innocent!"

Liu Haochun was drinking soup when the camera suddenly zoomed in on him, startling him and causing him to cough: "I didn't... I never knew how to..."

"Serves you right," Lin Feng said slowly. "Who told you not to do your homework and try to get someone else to help you?"

"Huh? Brother Feng, you're not helping me, but you're taking her side?" Tian Xi's eyes widened. "You're so mean! I'm ignoring you!" She then slammed down the video call.

The moment the screen went dark, Li Yitong couldn't help but laugh out loud: "That was a ruthless move of yours. Xiao Tian must be furious."

"Let her learn her lesson." Lin Feng pushed the script towards her, "The Best of Us, take a look at the role of Geng Geng, it suits you."

Li Yitong opened the script, her fingertips tracing the name "Geng Geng," and her heart skipped a beat: "Where's the male lead?"

"What do you think?" Raymond Lam raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I'd let someone else act opposite you?"

"Then I'm truly honored." Li Yitong looked up at him, a sly glint in her eyes. "Tell me, how do you want me to thank you?"

Lin Feng put down his chopsticks and beckoned to her with his finger. Li Yitong rolled her eyes at him, but still got up, went to the bathroom to rinse her mouth, and applied a layer of watermelon-flavored lip balm in front of the mirror.

Back in the office, she locked the door behind her, walked up to him, and leaned down to kiss him. The familiar sweetness spread between their lips and teeth, and his hand gently embraced her waist, deepening the kiss.

Only when the scent of the lipstick faded did he press his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse: "This isn't enough."

Li Yitong's cheeks were as red as ripe cherries. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly squatted down.