Chapter 56: A Day in the Life of the New Top Star at Solar System Pictures

"Is the contract signed?"

Zhang Qianjun looked at the man in glasses in front of him and asked.

Li Yanjing nodded.

"It's signed. A 3-to-7 split for the first three years, a 4-to-6 split for the next four years, and a 5-to-5 split for the final five years. Twelve years in total."

Zhang Qianjun did the math in his head.

"What the hell, that's highway robbery. You can only keep 41.7% of your total income over a 12-year career. No wonder everyone ends up setting up their own personal studio."

Li Yanjing looked at his boss, thinking to himself that this was basically insulting his own management.

"Qianjun, these terms are already very favorable for us. You have to remember that we guarantee them acting roles. Countless newcomers would jump at the chance."

Zhang Qianjun suddenly burst out laughing.

"It reminds me of a joke: An idol group sells an album for 100 million. The distribution channels take 40 million first, the music platform takes 30 million, leaving the company with 30 million.
Taxes are 2 million, album production costs 5 million, leaving 23 million.
With a 3-to-7 split, the group gets 6.9 million. Split among the seven members, that's 980,000 per person.
After the artists' personal income tax of 45%, they each take home 540,000."

Zhang Qianjun stopped smiling and stared at Li Yanjing.

"We aren't that ruthless, are we?"

Li Yanjing hurriedly shook his head.

"Of course not, of course not. We don't have platform and distribution fees to deduct."

"Alright then, what is Reba doing?"

"We assigned an assistant to her, and she's currently getting familiar with the company."

Heh, Zhang Qianjun let out a sneer.

"Does our company even need a dedicated orientation given its scale? Does it take ten minutes to walk around the whole place?"

Meanwhile, Reba's assistant, Tang Qiuling, was walking around with her and giving a tour.

"Sister Reba, you can just call me Xiao Ling. The company has five departments in total: film production, talent management, security, the president's office, and general administration.
Currently, the talent management division has spun off to establish Saturn Entertainment.
The largest department is film production, followed by the security team.
Film production is currently managed directly by the boss himself, the security department is headed by Brother Zhou Chongshan, and the president's office is run by Chen Xiaoyu."

Reba was a bit curious.

"What's the background of these two?"

Assistant Xiao Ling casually explained, "Zhou Chongshan is the boss's driver, and Chen Xiaoyu is the boss's assistant."

Then, Xiao Ling lowered her voice and said to Reba, "Sister Reba, try not to cross Chen Xiaoyu. Everyone in the company says she's a smiling tiger—not someone to be trifled with."

Reba raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding this boss's assistant even more interesting.

After showing Reba around several offices one by one, assistant Xiao Ling took her down to the basement garage.

Reba was somewhat puzzled.

"What are we doing down here?"

"President Li said you should pick a car for your future use."

Reba was momentarily taken aback and felt a bit awkward.

"I don't know how to drive..."

"It's fine, a driver will be assigned to you," assistant Xiao Ling explained casually.

Entering the basement, the first thing that caught Reba's eye was the Mercedes S-class that had picked her up earlier. Then, guided by Xiao Ling, she saw an RV and two Mercedes-Benz camper vans.

Nearby were three Audi sedans and an SUV.

Xiao Ling pointed at the two camper vans.

"Sister Reba, take a look. One is brand new, and the other was bought last year. But the older one is more luxurious.
And whenever you need them, the Mercedes S-class and the A8 are also at your disposal."

Reba was a bit perplexed.

"Doesn't the company only have a handful of people? Why are there so many cars?"

Assistant Xiao Ling shrugged.

"Probably because the boss likes them.
In the boss's own words, Audis ward off evil spirits. If several Audis turn on their high beams at the same time, even zombies would be blinded."

Reba couldn't help but smile, her lips curving upward.

"Then what's the deal with these non-Audi cars?"

Assistant Xiao Ling looked left and right, then whispered, "The RV, the older camper van, and the big Benz all used to belong to the boss's ex-girlfriend."

Reba's gossip radar instantly spiked.

"Kan Qingzi? Did they really break up?
There's been a rumor online that they split up right after filming *So Young*."

Xiao Ling nodded.

"They broke up. It probably happened right before the Spring Festival, and all these cars came back to the company after the holiday.
Kan Qingzi used to visit the company all the time, but I haven't seen her once since the Spring Festival."

Reba's curiosity was fully ignited.

"Then who is his girlfriend now? Could it be the legendary Liu Yifei?"

Xiao Ling shook her head.

"Probably not. The boss's girlfriends have a telltale sign: they come to the company alone, and word is Liu Yifei has never been here.
Supposedly..."

Suddenly, the sound of approaching conversation echoed, and Xiao Ling quickly shut her mouth, pulling Reba into the elevator.

"Supposedly, the boss has a woman named Ye Qing. The boss takes her everywhere he goes, and the female lead in *Operation Mekong* is Ye Qing."

Hearing this, Reba raised her eyebrows again.

"The boss really likes casting his girlfriends as the female lead?"

Xiao Ling nodded in agreement. At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and a tall man with a crew cut and a full beard stepped inside.

Seeing him, Xiao Ling quickly greeted him, "Director Liu, hello."

The man addressed as Director Liu nodded at Xiao Ling, gave Reba a quick, appraising look, and they all rode up to the company together.

As soon as they stepped into the office, Reba heard Director Liu shouting, "*So Young* is officially slated for a June 1st release. I heard from the people at China Film Group that you were the one who set the date?
How should we handle the promotional campaign this time?"

Zhang Qianjun walked out of his office looking impatient.

"I already said I follow the organization's arrangements. Shouldn't the distribution department be in charge of promotion? Why come ask me!"

Liu Chang wore a ingratiating smile.

"Isn't it just out of habit? You're the male lead of *So Young*, are you really not going to get involved at all?"

Zhang Qianjun shook his head.

"Not getting involved. When you take an actor's pay, you don't stress over a producer's job. They should have thought of this when they didn't leave me a single share."

Seeing Zhang Qianjun's attitude, Liu Chang dropped the subject of *So Young* and instead began discussing matters related to *Keep You Safe*.

After exchanging a few words, Reba heard Zhang Qianjun call out for all key creators to come in for a meeting.

Through the wooden blinds of the meeting room, Reba saw three-and-a-half men file out of a nearby office and enter the conference room along with Director Liu and Zhang Qianjun.

Standing across the conference room's blinds, Reba watched as the six people half-circled around a projector screen and began their discussion. She originally wanted to find Li Yanjing to ask about her schedule for the rest of the day.

Suddenly, she saw Zhang Qianjun wave at her. She looked around in confusion, hesitant to believe he was calling her.

Zhang Qianjun took two steps to the door of the conference room, pulled open the glass door, and said, "Reba, come here. Hurry up."

Confirming he was indeed calling her, Reba broke into a small trot and entered the meeting room. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt ten eyes fixated on her.

Zhang Qianjun immediately reached out and began introducing everyone to Reba.

"Liu Chang, director of *Keep You Safe*;
Li Kai, production manager, also overseeing the lighting and props departments;
Han Qiming, director of photography;
Wen Muye, assistant director;
Micky, styling director."

Then, he announced to the group, "Dilraba, the company's first signed female artist, and the female second lead in *Keep You Safe*. From now on, in the company's projects, female leads will be given to Reba first; we'll only consider outsiders if she's not suitable."

The people in the meeting room were polite enough to break into unanimous applause.

"Welcome, welcome! We hope our Big Sister will take good care of us all from now on."

These words brought a deep blush to Reba's face.

"Please don't say that, teachers. I'm just a newcomer, and I count on everyone's guidance."

Zhang Qianjun wanted to correct Reba, but thinking that everyone in the industry addressed people this way, he let it slide—after all, she wasn't him.

The interrupted meeting quickly got down to business.

Liu Chang first introduced the preliminary casting selections.

"Qianjun, as you mentioned before, we've contacted both *Laughing Comedy Room* and *Mahua FunAge*, and most of them are interested in participating.
As for Jia Bing whom you brought up earlier, he's currently with the Zhejiang Quyi Troupe. He might be a bit tricky; we'll need approval from the troupe's leadership."

Zhang Qianjun nodded slightly.

"It's fine. Wang Xun can play Jia Bing's role if needed. What about the child actor?"

Li Kai took over the conversation.

"For the role of your daughter, we lean towards Jiang Yiyi. She's the tallest, and her facial features resemble yours the most. Zhao Jinmai is too much on the younger side, and Zhang Zifeng really doesn't look like you at all."

"Alright, then it's her. When working with child actors, keep in mind that kids are different from us."

Zhang Qianjun expressed his agreement and asked, "Who are we casting for President Feng's female lead?"

"We'd like to use Yan Ni."

Zhang Qianjun frowned slightly.

"Yan Ni? Is she expensive?"

"Not expensive. Her film fee is very low."

"Alright, then it's settled."

The director and everyone else nodded in agreement while Li Kai took meeting notes simultaneously.

Liu Chang pointed at Tony's character card and asked, "Qianjun, should we send an invitation to Zhu Yilong for this role?"

Zhang Qianjun pictured it in his mind for a moment.

"Should be fine. Use him if his schedule aligns.
Oh right, have Li Xian make a cameo appearance as the female lead's boyfriend, Feng Qiangqiang."

After discussing a few more characters, the main cast of the entire film was finalized.

Watching from the side, Reba's pretty eyes flashed with wonder.

"So... this is what so-called movie casting is actually like?"