Traffic Star Development Program

Chapter 8 Unexpected

The Qin Palace in Hengdian is a 1:1 replica of the Xianyang Palace, the capital of the Qin Dynasty. It covers a huge area and is often used by several film crews at the same time.

When Zeng Hao arrived, the crew of "Ban Shu Legend" was taking a break.

He asked a stagehand, "Where is Zhang Tian'ai?"

The stagehand pointed to the dressing room not far away, "Over there, the one in the green palace maid's dress."

Zeng Hao looked in that direction.

A girl in her early twenties was squatting on the steps outside the makeup studio, memorizing her lines from a script.

She was dressed in a light green palace maid's outfit, her hair was styled in a simple bun, and she wore light makeup. Her features were delicate, but there was an undeniable weariness in her eyes.

Zeng Hao walked over and called out, "Zhang Tian'ai?"

The girl looked up, her eyes filled with wariness. "Who are you?"

"Sunshine Entertainment, Zeng Hao." Zeng Hao handed over a business card. "I'm a producer, and I'd like to discuss a project with you."

Zhang Tianai took the business card, glanced at it, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes.

Having worked in Hengdian for so many years, she has seen too many people who use the title of "producer" to deceive others. Some want to cheat people out of money, while others want to cheat them out of their bodies.

"What project?" she asked cautiously.

"A web series, thirty episodes, a historical time-travel comedy, with the female lead," Zeng Hao said directly. "If you're interested, we can find a place to discuss it in detail."

Zhang Tianai was stunned.

Leading lady?

She spent five years as an extra in Hengdian, never getting a leading role, not even a third or fourth female lead. The best roles she ever played were minor supporting characters with names and lines.

Now that someone suddenly offers her the lead role, her first reaction to this unexpected windfall isn't excitement, but suspicion.

"What TV series has your company produced?" she asked.

"I filmed a movie called 'The Lion's Reflection of a Lazy Cat' last year, and I'm preparing to start this new project this year."

Zhang Tianai searched her memory and remembered "The Lion's Reflection of a Lazy Cat". Although it was not popular, it was indeed broadcast online with average ratings.

This shows that the producer is at least not a fraud.

But she still couldn't believe it. "Why me? I'm not well-known in Hengdian. Shouldn't you be casting actors with a certain fan base?"

"Because you're suitable." Zeng Hao's tone was calm. "I've seen some of the roles you've played before. Your acting is spirited, and your image fits the female lead's character in our script. Besides, our production budget isn't high, so we can't afford big-name actors. Finding newcomers is more cost-effective."

Zhang Tianai bit her lip.

She realized that the other party wasn't interested in her acting skills, but rather in her cheap price.

Even so, this was the best opportunity she had had in her five years in the industry.

"I...I'm still filming right now, and I won't finish until tonight," she said, sounding a little flustered.

"It's okay, I'll wait for you." Zeng Hao checked the time. "What time do you finish work?"

"Around six o'clock."

"Okay, I'll wait for you at the entrance of the Qin Palace at 6:30. I'll treat you to dinner after we finish talking."

Zhang Tianai nodded and gripped the business card in his hand tightly.

Zeng Hao turned to leave, but after a few steps he turned back. "By the way, memorize the script and lines. Don't be too nervous when acting, relax a bit."

Zhang Tianai paused for a moment, then subconsciously replied, "Okay."

After Zeng Hao walked away, she looked down at the business card in her hand, her heart pounding.

The female lead.

These three words echoed repeatedly in her mind.

She took a deep breath and picked up the script again, but she couldn't concentrate on it at all; her mind was filled with what the young producer had just said.

At 6 p.m., the crew of "Ban Shu Legend" wrapped up filming.

Zhang Tianai hurriedly removed her makeup, changed back into her own clothes, and ran all the way to the entrance of the Qin King's Palace.

Zeng Hao was already waiting there, holding a printed script outline in his hand.

"Shall we finish talking before eating, or talk while we eat?" he asked.

"Let's eat and chat," Zhang Tianai said, her voice sounding a little nervous.

The two found a Sichuan restaurant nearby and asked for a private room.

Zeng Hao pushed the script outline over, "Take a look at the story synopsis first."

Zhang Tianai took the script and began to read it carefully.

"Go Princess Go" tells the story of Zhang Peng, a modern playboy, who travels back in time to ancient China and becomes Zhang Pengpeng, the Crown Princess. A man who has transmigrated into a woman must survive in the imperial harem, fall in love with the Crown Prince, and outwit the other concubines.

Zhang Tianai frowned more and more as he looked at it.

This script... is just too absurd!

A man transmigrates into the body of a crown princess? Will audiences really buy into this premise?

She looked up at Zeng Hao, "Mr. Zeng, isn't this story... a bit too..."

"Too outrageous?" Zeng Hao chimed in. "Web series are all about novelty and buzz. The more outrageous it is, the more likely it is to become a hit. Just imagine, the male lead opens his eyes to find himself transformed into a stunning beauty and forced to marry the crown prince. That kind of contrast and absurdity is sure to appeal to audiences."

"But..." Zhang Tianai still hesitated.

"Do you know about the web series called 'Unexpected' from last year?" Zeng Hao asked rhetorically.

"I know, it's very popular."

"Was the plot of that drama absurd? Every episode was full of parodies and nonsensical jokes, but it became popular precisely because it was absurd and interesting enough." Zeng Hao paused for a moment, "Go Princess Go followed the same route, except we added historical and romance elements, which broadened its audience."

Zhang Tianai fell silent.

She had to admit that what the other person said made sense.

"The role of the female lead, Zhang Pengpeng, requires the actress to have strong expressiveness and a comedic sense," Zeng Hao continued. "I've seen some of the roles you've played before; your acting style is very dynamic, which is suitable for roles with strong dramatic conflict."

Zhang Tianai's heart was pounding.

She had worked in Hengdian for five years and had fantasized countless times about getting a script for the female lead. But when that moment finally came, she felt an indescribable sense of unreality.

"Mr. Zeng, I...can I really do this?" Her voice trembled slightly, and her mind was blank.

"Whether it's possible or not, we'll only know after filming," Zeng Hao said calmly. "But since I've come to you, it means I believe you can play this role well. Of course, if you don't think you can, I can find someone else."

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant!" Zhang Tianai panicked. "I meant, I will definitely act well, I definitely won't let you down!"

Zeng Hao nodded. "Then let's talk about the specific terms."

He took out a contract from his bag. "This series is expected to be filmed in three months, with thirty episodes. Your salary is 1."

Zhang Tianai's smile froze on her face.

1?

Thirty episodes filmed in three months, and the female lead only received 1 yuan?

She works as an extra in Hengdian, earning tens of yuan a day. In a month, she can easily make two or three thousand yuan, and in three months, she can make at least seven or eight thousand yuan.

They're offering her 1 yuan for three months of acting as the female lead? That's outrageous...

"Mr. Zeng, is this payment...?" she asked cautiously.