Fang Miaomiao's eyes flickered.
She remembered this drama had approached her in her previous life too. However, she was filming another project at the time, and the company had unilaterally rejected it, citing low pay.
The production crew had no choice but to find another actress.
When the movie was released, she only learned about it then. Although she was angry, there was nothing she could do. For her past self, this was arguably the most regrettable thing.
She hadn't expected that after all the twists and turns, she would have the chance to act in this drama after all.
She had to admit, the condition thrown out by Chen Tianming was incredibly tempting.
"What do you think?"
Seeing her silent, Chen Tianming's heart churned with anxiety.
After a moment of thought, Fang Miaomiao looked at Chen Tianming and shook her head, saying, "No, I'm at a disadvantage."
"You're at a disadvantage?"
Good heavens, this young lady probably didn't know her current standing in the industry. It had already been a decision made under pressure for him to secure a leading role for her.
"Mhm."
Fang Miaomiao nodded obediently, "Director, don't think I'm easy to fool just because I'm pretty. The market for post-apocalyptic films in our country isn't great."
Domestic audiences were notoriously picky about such films. They demanded both plot and special effects; if either was lacking, they would be fiercely criticized.
"Who told you that?" Chen Tianming's expression was complex. After a long pause, he finally said, "The plot of my script is flawless, impeccable."
"Mm-hmm, the director is right."
Her docile demeanor, giving the impression of "I think whatever you say is right," left Chen Tianming speechless.
"How about this, one million," Chen Tianming surveyed his surroundings, then moved closer to Fang Miaomiao, holding up a finger to indicate a number. "For your salary, what do you say?"
"Before or after tax?"
Chen Tianming: "..."
Someone please shut this young lady up.
He took a deep breath and said, "After tax."
"After tax, huh."
Fang Miaomiao's natural tone almost made Chen Tianming lose his breath: "You actually dare to ask for that much."
"I might not be good at other things, but I'm thick-skinned."
Chen Tianming rolled his eyes. "No need to remind me, I can see that."
Finally, after their "friendly and pleasant" conversation, the female lead of "Apocalypse Rebirth: I Am the Great Villain" was confirmed. Fang Miaomiao also had to obediently complete the variety show "Let's Travel Together."
The second episode, Fishermen's Village.
"Today, our mission is to do our best to prepare a seafood feast for the program crew," Fang Yan Huan announced with a smile, revealing the first day's task. "We need to prepare the seafood ingredients this afternoon, and then gather in the courtyard at 5 o'clock to prepare dinner."
"Yan Huan, what are the standards for this seafood feast?" Wang Qing asked.
"Of course, the more, the better," Fang Yan Huan replied. "Given that there are quite a few people in the production crew, they've decided to give us a starting fund of two hundred yuan."
Upon hearing this, Wang Qing and Shen Jiani were stunned.
Shen Jiani forced a smile. "Huanhuan, that's not how you joke."
What could two hundred yuan do? Even her cheapest lipstick cost more than 200 yuan. This production crew was really stirring things up.
Forget a seafood feast, with 200 yuan, they probably couldn't even afford a single crab leg.
Fang Yan Huan spread her hands helplessly. "Initially, the production crew's starting fund was 100 yuan. I pleaded and pleaded, almost wearing my lips thin, before they increased it to 200."
"Director, you're really making things too difficult for us," Wang Qing said with a tearful expression, looking at the cameraman. "This is too much."
"Exactly, Director. Why don't we just rename this show 'Me and My Baby Go on a Budget Trip'?"
Chen Tianming proudly raised his megaphone. "Jiani has given me a very good suggestion. Next time I launch a variety show, I'll invite you and the children for a budget trip."
"That's hardly necessary."
"Besides the requirement of being filling, are there any other criteria for this seafood feast?" Cui Yongsi, the child, raised his hand and asked the crucial question.
"Little Si Si asked a very good question," Fang Yan Huan said with a smile. "The seafood feast at the end has to be made by ourselves."
"Does it mean 'do it yourself and you'll have plenty to eat'?" Chen Panpan, who was slumped on the table, eagerly raised her hand. "I can do it myself, I'm very capable."
"I'll do it with you."
"Me too, me too." Xu Bao'er saw the drool on Chen Panpan's face and handed her a tissue to wipe it off.
[Sob, these kids are too adorable. What should I do? I'm an anti-marriage person.]
[Bao'er is really like an older sister, taking care of everyone younger than her. I really like her.]
[I've noticed something. In these participation segments, Fang Miaomiao minimizes her presence as much as possible. I've never seen her speak up proactively. I don't even know why she's on this show.]
[Here come the clowns to talk about her. When she talks more, you call her attention-seeking and a green tea. When she talks less, you call her unengaged. How bored are you people? You have the final say on everything.]
[Please go back to your master's live stream. You're just bad luck here.]
"Since everyone knows what the afternoon entails, let's discuss departing on time in half an hour."
As she spoke, the production crew brought out two hundred yuan and placed it in the middle of the table.
Strangely, no one was willing to reach out and take the two hundred yuan.
This made Chen Tianming both amused and exasperated. "Tsk, why the lack of enthusiasm? It's 200 yuan, which isn't a small amount."
"Director, you've given us such a difficult challenge, we need some time to think about how to satisfy everyone's stomachs with this 200 yuan."
Cui Mantong sighed and placed her arm around Cui Yongsi's neck. "Si Si baby, I can't do it."
Although she didn't know much about prices, she was absolutely certain this was impossible.
Cui Yongsi looked at his domineering mother helplessly and suggested, "Why don't you consider asking Dad?"
Before Chen Tianming could stop her, Cui Mantong sat up straight and looked at Cui Yongsi earnestly. "How can a person always rely on others without working? If I asked your father for everything, wouldn't I lose face?"
After saying this, Cui Mantong, determined to save face, turned and threw herself into Fang Miaomiao's arms. "I can't do it, absolutely can't do it."
Fang Miaomiao couldn't help but laugh and cry, holding Cui Mantong in her arms with affection. "Don't worry, I'm here."
[Okay, I'm weak. I admit it, at this moment, I shipped it.]
[Good heavens, I just realized I might have shipped the wrong couple. It turns out our Mantong can also be a clingy little bird.]