"I don't know much about drama. I've only learned a little on the spur of the moment," Jiang Li had a clear understanding of herself and didn't intend to boast in the slightest.
Du Shiming didn't bother with formalities either. He nodded with a smile and said, "From a professional's perspective, it can only be considered entry - level. However, Teacher Jiang's acting talent is truly rare."
With a beaming face, he continued, "I heard that Teacher Jiang is eager to break into the Huacheng market recently. As your fan, I must do you this favor."
What he meant was that he was going to help her.
Hearing this, Jiang Li slowly sat up straight and replied calmly, "Businessmen don't talk about feelings but focus on interests. Boss Du, just tell me your requirements."
Jiang Li was always very perceptive when it came to human relationships.
Human relationships were hard to define and always emphasized reciprocation.
Going back and forth like this could easily lead to entanglements.
If one wasn't clear - headed for a moment and took advantage of "favors", they might have to pay it back a thousand or ten thousand times in the future.
Rather than that, it was better to talk about interests straightforwardly.
Keep public and private matters separate.
Du Shiming found it interesting that Jiang Li was so calm and clear - headed. He laughed sincerely and said, "Teacher Jiang, you're the only person I've ever met who doesn't want to take advantage of others."
"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world," Jiang Li smiled slightly and said softly, "It's easy to take advantage for a while, but when it's time to pay back, you'll have to give up your flesh and blood."
No one understood this truth better than her.
Seeing her true attitude, Du Shiming didn't beat around the bush anymore. He laid his cards on the table and said bluntly, "You guessed right. I do want you to help me with something."
Hearing this, Jiang Li looked at him.
"You should know that Baijiao's main development direction is actually stage plays like drama and theater. At present, the company's revenue also comes from these," Du Shiming said.
Jiang Li nodded. She had done her homework before coming.
Baijiao's predecessor was Baijiao Music Workshop, the most well - known drama troupe in the country.
Later, it gradually expanded and developed other fields, but its economic focus was still on theater performances. It could be said to have remained true to its original aspiration.
"This May, an international drama festival will be held in the UK. Taking this opportunity, our Baijiao plans to compete for the Golden Button Award and build our international reputation," Du Shiming continued.
Jiang Li listened quietly.
"However, so far, we're still short of a role coach," Du Shiming said as he refilled Jiang Li's teacup. "I wonder if Teacher Jiang would like to come and help us?"
When saying this, Du Shiming's tone was very sincere.
Jiang Li was silent for a while, as if weighing her options.
"I'm not sure if I can do it well," she said seriously, "In the acting industry, I'm always a student. I'm not sure if I'm a qualified teacher."
Moreover, someone had told her personally that she was not suitable to be a teacher.
"It doesn't matter. You can give it a try first," Du Shiming said straightforwardly, "You won't know if the shoes fit until you try them on; you won't know if you're suitable to be a teacher until you start teaching."
Jiang Li looked up at him and said, "Boss Du is right."
Since they had reached an agreement on the conditions, Du Shiming was very generous and said that he would soon arrange for several of Baijiao's regular partners to contact them.
The cooperation was quickly established. At least a door had been opened, and there was room and opportunity for development.
However, Jingyi was still not very happy. She propped her chin up and looked distressed. "Even if the company's operations are on the right track now, we still haven't managed to cooperate with Vitaly."
Judging from Xiao Yanzhi's style of doing things, even if they opened a branch now, it wouldn't change his original order.
If they couldn't sign Vitaly, they had to pack up and go back.
At least for now, they didn't want to go back. There were still many things to do.
Jiang Li was always calm. She unscrewed the water bottle on the table and took a sip. She said calmly, "Let nature take its course. Worrying constantly is a meaningless self - consumption."
Most of people's anxiety and impatience came from a lack of ability.
Although Vitaly hadn't agreed, Jiang Li had plenty of patience.
Haste makes waste.
...
"Mr. Sheng, it's exactly as you said," Du Shiming held the phone and reported the situation to Sheng Shuocheng, "Teacher Jiang is not willing to accept my help at all. She's very high - minded and a person of integrity."
Sheng Shuocheng was sitting in a teahouse sipping tea. When he heard this, he quietly curled his lips into a faint smile.
That girl wasn't stupid.
If you wanted to compete with her, you had to have a hundred tricks up your sleeve.
The tea in the exquisitely crafted ceramic teacup was fragrant. Sheng Shuocheng took a sip and then said leisurely, "Then handle everything officially. Do it in the way she thinks is appropriate. Don't let her think you're deliberately helping her."
Du Shiming agreed and then asked carefully, "Granny Cheng had another illness last week. She's been clamoring to go back to the old house in the hospital. What do you think?"
It was quiet on the other end of the phone. After a long time, there came a sigh, full of helplessness and melancholy.
"Find some people to send her back to the old house. Take care of her on a daily basis and make sure she doesn't get into trouble."
"Okay, Mr. Sheng. I'll send someone to do it right away."
Since agreeing to Du Shiming, Jiang Li often went to watch their drama rehearsals.
Over time, she understood some of the ins and outs of the industry.
Especially when she saw the conversations and interactions between the characters on the stage and the changes in their expressions, she always had an indescribable impulse.
She wanted to continue acting in dramas.
There was no multi - take filming, no chance for retakes, and no need to schedule shooting. It all depended on on - the - spot performance, and there was no room for regret.
There was no chance to regret.
Perhaps she liked acting in dramas more than acting in movies or doing commercial endorsements.
She even asked Sister Chen specifically.
"Do you want to change careers?" Sister Chen asked her in return.
Jiang Li was puzzled. "Is this considered a career change?"
Sister Chen had been busy running business recently. Now she was also the main person in charge of the branch company, mainly responsible for business matters, and was usually very busy.
"Of course it is," she quickly signed the document and then looked up to explain to Jiang Li, "Screen actors and stage actors are not in the same industry at all."
"Screen actors need fans, traffic, popularity, and attention. They also need the support of capital, so they always need to maintain their personas."
"Stage actors only need to perform each show well. They focus on the on - site performance of the characters, not the actors themselves."
Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes gradually lit up.
Before she could say anything, Sister Chen immediately poured cold water on her. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to."
"I don't agree with you changing your job to act in dramas."