Chapter 9: Signing the Contract

Chapter 9: Signing the Contract

An Wen wasn’t the least bit surprised when Deputy Director Zhang came to speak with her. She had deliberately worn a white dress today to align with the character of Qing Sha.

Following Deputy Director Zhang into the Main Palace, she saw Ye Qiaofeng, who had already stubbed out his cigarette and was sitting properly in his chair. The moment An Wen entered, his eyes swept over her from head to toe.

Perfect! Absolutely perfect!

This girl carried an innate aura of noble elegance, her eyes clear yet coolly detached. She was breathtakingly beautiful—practically Qing Sha in the flesh.

Ye Qiaofeng rubbed his hands together excitedly, pinching his thigh to confirm this wasn’t a dream.

A gift from the heavens! It seemed all those years of charity work hadn’t been in vain. Good deeds really did bring rewards—the heavens had eyes!

"Hello, young lady. My name is Ye Qiaofeng. May I ask yours?" Ye Qiaofeng said to An Wen.

"My name is An Wen. I’m a student at Di Cheng No. 1 High School. Today, our Volunteer Department is helping the Film Academy distribute questionnaires. May I ask why Director Ye called me here?" An Wen replied calmly, neither submissive nor overbearing.

"You recognize me?" Ye Qiaofeng asked.

"Very few in the country wouldn’t recognize Director Ye."

Yet even fewer who knew his identity would speak to him with such unshaken composure. Ye Qiaofeng’s favorable impression of An Wen grew even stronger.

"Since you know my name, you must also know I’m currently filming Ding Qian Kun. My crew is urgently in need of an actress for a role, and I think you’d be perfect. Would you be interested?" Ye Qiaofeng softened his voice as he spoke, startling Deputy Director Zhang, who shivered beside him.

To him, Ye Qiaofeng looked like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, wagging its tail.

"I’ve read the original novel of Ding Qian Kun. Which role are you referring to?"

"You’ve read the original? Wonderful! Then you must know Qing Sha!"

"Of course I know Qing Sha. Director Ye, you can’t possibly mean… you want me to play her?" Even someone as composed as An Wen was momentarily stunned.

"Exactly! You’re beautiful, and your aura is perfect. You’d be ideal for Qing Sha. Are you interested?" Ye Qiaofeng said gently.

This… An Wen couldn’t possibly refuse. Dazed by Ye Qiaofeng’s question, she replied, "I… suppose I’m interested."

"That’s fantastic! Zhang Ziteng! Bring the contract over!" Ye Qiaofeng declared.

An Wen was bewildered. Was this really happening so casually?

Zhang Ziteng was also taken aback and whispered, "Bring it now?"

"Now!" The command was sharp, devoid of any trace of the gentleness he’d shown An Wen.

The contract was brought over, and An Wen, still in a daze, signed her name. Under Ye Qiaofeng’s warm smile, she walked out with the script and her copy of the contract.

"Keep in touch!" Deputy Director Zhang even ran out after her to remind her.

Holding the contract and script, An Wen was overwhelmed by a sense of unreality. She had read the original novel and analyzed Qing Sha’s character for so long, believing she had prepared thoroughly. Yet now, she had landed the role simply because of her face.

Now she finally understood why, in her past life, no matter how hard she worked, certain roles never fell into her hands.

This damned looks-obsessed world!

As Deputy Director Zhang returned from outside, whispers spread through the crew: "That girl just now—seems she signed a contract with Director Ye."

The actress playing Yi Xinxin scoffed coldly and said, "Deputy Director Zhang just had her on the phone. She's nothing more than a bedroom plaything, something the investors shoved in."

"Is that so?"

"Obviously. Otherwise, why would Director Ye sign a contract with just anyone on the spot?" the actress retorted.