"Mr Mo, you wanted to see me?" The director's face was twisted by his boot-licking grin, something that many people in the industry were well-versed in. His chubby hands were placed formally behind his back, and there was no trace of the fierce Director Li from before. Seeing this, Mo Rui Han sneered in disdain, and Director Li paled at the sight of this.
Although Mo Rui Han was an actor, his position as CEO of Feng Yi, and sole heir of the Mo family made many people in the industry fear him. But most people would agree that even without all that shiny backing, Mo Rui Han's popularity as an actor was enough to make almost anyone listen to him. After all, with his good looks and talent, he had garnered a huge fanbase that was extremely dedicated to him and him alone. It was said that so long as a movie had Mo Rui Han, they were guaranteed to break box office records.
So although Mo Rui Han had not invested any money for this movie, the profit that he could bring in was something to take into consideration as well.
Knowing this, Director Li was extremely stressed, afraid of ruining his mood and losing such a valuable asset.
"I want you to change the female lead," said Mo Rui Han seriously. Even though he was technically just making a request, the way he had said it made it seem like a final decision. He pinned Director Li with a hard star, waiting for him to react.
"..." Director Li had to take some time to process Mo Rui Han's words.
"M-Mr Mo... you want me to change the female lead?" He asked hesitantly, surprised by the request. He had been ready to accommodate Mo Rui Han since he was such a big deal, but he hadn't thought that Mo Rui Han would make such a big request.
"Did I stutter?" Snapped Mo Rui Han, his face impatient, making Director Li gulp audibly.
"No... it's just... May I know why?" Director Li was trying to understand. Perhaps he could come to a compromise. It was true that Mo Rui Han was powerful, but he was not investing or backing this movie right now. In fact, it was StarTime that had put in a whopping 90 million on the condition that Xia Ting got the role. He couldn't go against StarTime... but he couldn't exactly go against Mo Rui Han either.
"No."
"..." Director Li wanted to pull his hair out. He couldn't even know the reason?! Before Director Li could respond, Mo Rui Han continued with another demand.
"Change it to Liu Xing Yu."
Who?
Director Li had to search his mind for a face to match the name. Liu Xing Yu, Liu Xing Yu, Liu Xing Yu...
Your mother!
It was that extra from before. ****! Why would Mo Rui Han ask for her as the lead?
Director Li suddenly felt a sinking feeling within him. Don't tell me... that girl actually has some connections?
That thought irked Director Li. But outwardly, he was hyper aware of the cold stare Mo Rui Han was giving him. Smiling, Director Li tried to appease him.
"Mr Mo... I understand but she's got no experience... giving her the lead role is too much, don't you think?"
"Are you going to change it or not?" Mo Rui Han said straight up. His tone conveyed that he was not here to waste time.
"..." Director Li hesitated to give a response, but to Mo Rui Han, anything apart from the word 'yes' was the wrong answer.
"Then I'm not acting in this movie."
Director Li's jaw dropped. Sweat began to head at his forehead, as in reached a nervous hand up to dab at his temple.
"You— you've already signed the contract..." mumbled Director Li in a desperate attempt to keep Mo Rui Han.
"Do you think I can't afford to breach it?" Sneered Rui Han.
Director Li cursed left and right in his mind. He was messing things up for everyone just because of one useless girl?! Director Li knew that if Mo Rui Han wanted to get out of the movie he could with just a word, and that would be disastrous for the success of the movie. But how was he supposed to go against StarTime? They were practically funding the whole movie!
Director Li had intended for this movie to land him a Golden Dragon Award this year. Although his films were successful commercially, they fell short critically. Xia Ting may not be the best actress, but Director Li was overconfident that with fancy sets and special effects, that would not impact his chances at winning!
"Mr Mo... please be reasonable..." Director Li was practically begging. "The current female lead is from the company that is our biggest investor right now... Surely you understand... I can give that girl the third lead— no, SECOND lead, if you want!"
"I want her as the female lead."
Director Li felt like he was going to go mad from the amount of stress he was in. Thankfully for him, Mo Rui Han extended a lifesaving hand.
"How much?"
"What?" Director Li wasn't sure what he was asking.
Mo Rui Han's forehead creased in impatience, but otherwise, his face remained impassive.
"How much are they investing?"
"90 million..." At the thought of that amount, Director Li wanted to cry. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Everyone in the industry knew that Mo Rui Han was a man of his words. He was not like all the loud and boastful people in the industry. Mo Rui Han was all action, very little talk. Losing Mo Rui Han would mean losing out on billions of dollars in profit, but losing StarTime's investment meant that the movie couldn't even be made!
"Feng Yi will invest double that amount, and we will handle any problems you have with StarTime. So make Liu Xing Yu the female lead." Mo Rui Han's time left no room for argument. As if he was already sure of Director's Li decision, he turned his back on him and walked off, like a king walking away from his subject.
In his shock, Director Li managed to chase after Mo Rui Han.
"Mr Mo, what about Xia Ting?"
"Don't care." And just like that, Mo Rui Han left him behind.
Director Li could only stand there in shock. Who was Liu Xing Yu that Mo Rui Han would go through all this trouble for her? The money was nothing to someone like Mo Rui Han, but it was still shocking that he would spend this much on an unknown actress. Could they have some special relationship...?
The gears in Director Li's mind started moving. For someone to make it in the industry, they had to know who they could offend and who they couldn't, and Director Li was no different. Seeing this, he made a mental note to be more wary around Liu Xing Yu.
Although he still felt disdain for her, especially now that she's getting the role, he was still happy about the big investment. His brows furrowed when he thought about Liu Xing Yu in the starring role, but the even bigger budget meant that he could probably cover her bad acting up with even more effects and tricks. This was even better than before!
Taking out his cellphone, he made a phone call to a higher-up StarTime Entertainment to inform him of the change.
Although they were dissatisfied, when he mentioned Feng Yi and Mo Rui Han's name, they stood down immediately and agreed to put Xia Ting in the second role instead. They didn't like that their authority had been completely overrun, but it was Mo Rui Han, and StarTime entertainment was just a mid-tier company.
After coming to an agreement, Director Li hung up and shuddered. Mo Rui Han was indeed a terrifying force in the industry!