After Su Wan heard this, she immediately looked toward the director.
"Director, I remember I have a scene later—when I enter the palace there's a little palace maid. I think she's perfect for it; why not let her try?"
Since Su Wan had personally spoken up and it was a favor owed to Jiang Cheng, the director naturally wouldn't refuse such a small request.
Not only would he not refuse, the first time he'd asked Xu Yan he'd already been hinting that he could give her a role.
Let alone a bit-part palace maid with only a handful of scenes—even if an investor wanted to force in a second female lead, he'd be powerless to stop it.
The director answered with a smile, "Of course that's no problem! Still, though this little maid has a few lines, her total screen time really isn't much. How about I pick a few more suitable candidates for you?"
Seeing an acting chance handed to her so quickly,
Xu Yan instinctively looked at Jiang Cheng.
At that moment Xu Yan could hardly believe what was happening.
After all, she'd only mentioned it casually.
She'd never imagined things would go so smoothly and so fast.
She'd actually landed a role just like that!
What she'd said had simply been a spur-of-the-moment remark.
What Xu Yan didn't know was that
in this complicated world of prosperity,
many things ordinary people chase with everything they've got, bloodying their heads against locked doors, remain forever out of reach.
That's because the gatekeepers decide, based on their own subjective judgment, whether those ordinary folks deserve a shot.
If they feel giving an opportunity to a nobody isn't worth it,
then that nobody may never get the chance they dream of.
But for people with power and influence, the situation is completely different.
As long as you have money, even a casual joke
will be remembered like an imperial decree.
People will rack their brains and move heaven and earth to make it happen,
hoping only that you'll think favorably of them or remember their tiny contribution.
Take the palace-maid role the director mentioned—just a few fleeting shots.
For most ordinary extras,
it might take years of grinding and begging.
Yet a huge number still end up never landing even such a scrap of a role.
But beside capital, it was as simple as today:
a throwaway line, and those around you read between the lines and get it done.
Jiang Cheng gave a slight nod. "Let her try first. She's from Beijing Dance Academy, still a junior, an excellent dancer, sweet-looking, good character. If the test goes well, keep her in mind for future roles."
Hearing this, the director nodded eagerly, face wreathed in smiles.
"Absolutely, absolutely! The girl's image is outstanding. After her screen test I'll recommend her to friends in the business. With her looks, she'll get plenty of chances."
Jiang Cheng smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.
After all, he'd brought Xu Yan himself.
Whether they were special friends or just acquaintances,
unless the director planned to quit the industry,
he wouldn't be stupid enough to try any casting-couch tricks with her.
Xu Yan, standing to one side, was already bursting with joy.
Who were these people?
Huang Xuan and Su Wan.
One a powerhouse actor, the other the hottest young starlet around.
Her very first acting job would be alongside them,
and there'd be a second chance after that.
How could she not be thrilled?
Her face flushed, her words came out in nervous stammers.
She thanked the director and Su Wan repeatedly: "Th-thank you, Director, thank you, Sister Su Wan! I'll work hard!"
After a few pleasantries Jiang Cheng asked Huang Xuan for a couple of signed photos for Xu Yan,
then sent them off.
Only Su Wan stayed to take selfies with Xu Yan.
After a few happy snaps Su Wan said, "You're so lucky. If you shoot this well, you might blow up."
Xu Yan's star-bright eyes gazed at Jiang Cheng, her heart full of gratitude.
Softly she said, "I've never acted. I hope you'll guide me."
Su Wan glanced at Jiang Cheng, mimicking Xu Yan.
"Don't worry, it's not hard. I'll teach you. Your part is small, but from how I read the script, the role is great."
"Often it's not the size of the role but how well you play it. Some tiny roles are lovable; act them well and the audience remembers you forever."
Sure enough, Su Wan's sincere, professional words felt like a spring breeze to Xu Yan,
making her gratitude grow even deeper.
Xu Yan's lovely face bloomed in a radiant smile.
Excited, she said, "Sister Su Wan, you're so kind. I don't know how to thank you."
Su Wan turned to Jiang Cheng again.
Meaningfully she added, "Chairman Jiang's friend is my friend."
Jiang Cheng knew exactly what Su Wan meant.
He gave a faint inward shake of his head and asked, "What time do you wrap tonight?"
The moment the words left his mouth, anticipation flooded Su Wan.
A shy flush tinted her cheeks.
She thought for a second, then answered eagerly,
"Just one more take and we're done, but I'll need time to remove hair and makeup."
Jiang Cheng mentally calculated.
Then he nodded solemnly. "All right. Contact me the second you're off. We've got some… work matters to go over in detail."
When she heard the word "detail," Su Wan's body gave an involuntary tremor.
She steadied herself, a strange sensation racing through her.
So Jiang Cheng and Xu Yan weren't actually involved.
If they were,
he wouldn't have brought her here and then asked Su Wan over for "detail."
With that thought, Su Wan's eyes sparkled like water.
Softly she said, "Okay, I'll be quick."
Deep inside, Xu Wan was thinking,
"Wow, I thought someone as rich as you wouldn't have to grind anymore. I never expected you still pull all-nighters."
To her, Su Wan was her benefactor,
and Su Wan's sincere willingness to help looked so upright
that it never crossed Xu Yan's mind there might be anything unusual between Su Wan and Jiang Cheng.
Xu Yan said, "I heard removing hair and makeup takes forever, and you still have to work? That's rough."
Su Wan replied with a grin, "Yeah, no choice. Chairman Jiang is super dedicated; he burns the midnight oil all the time. Sometimes he keeps at it the whole night."
Xu Yan gaped, her gaze snapping toward Jiang Cheng.
"Wow, I thought once you're rich you can stop hustling. I can't believe you still stay up all night."
As she finished, Jiang Cheng shot Su Wan a half-smile.
"No way around it: great power, great responsibility. Even when you want to stop, others won't let you."
At that, Su Wan almost blurted out,
"I beg you to stop every time—have you ever listened?"
The words reached her lips before she bit them back.