The car pulled up in front of a nearby KFC.
They took a seat, and on the table were two sets of non - spicy hamburgers.
"Gosh, it's been ages since I last had KFC," Hou Lei remarked with a sigh.
Qiao Yinuo chewed on her hamburger gloomily. On her phone screen, the show "Antique Appraisal" was playing as usual, and she had earphones in. After swallowing the food, seemingly upon seeing something on the show, she started mumbling:
"Just look at this base. It's clearly man - made!"
"What are you talking about?" Hou Lei glanced at the screen of Qiao Yinuo's phone.
She paused the video and held the phone up for Hou Lei to see. "Take a closer look at this vase. The foot ring area—isn't that an attempt at artificial aging?"
As the saying goes, laymen watch the fun. Hou Lei, being a complete layman when it came to antiques and collectibles, could only smile and nod. He didn't dare say anything else.
What if he said the wrong thing and got sneered at by someone in the know?
Qiao Yinuo continued muttering, "The blue - and - white appreciation vase with the ×× mark has a muddy blue - and - white color, rough painting, loose porcelain body, carelessly written marks, and obvious signs of artificial aging on the foot ring. It's a modern imitation antique."
This was the standard language used by the experts on the "Antique Appraisal" show. Qiao Yinuo could follow this pattern and write out appraisals for artifacts. In fact, given any artifact from previous episodes, she could recite the experts' appraisal opinions.
That show was popular for quite a while, but then for some unknown reason, it went off the air. When the show first aired, Qiao Yinuo was still in primary and junior high school. Her family would turn on the TV at the exact time every day to watch it.
Qiao Yinuo's uncle - in - law was also an avid collector. He even appeared on this show. He brought a folk - kiln bowl he claimed was from the late Ming Dynasty. The experts identified it as a genuine item and even estimated its value. After winning a prize on the show, he would always talk about it at family gatherings.
After finishing her hamburger, Qiao Yinuo turned off the video on her phone and asked Hou Lei, "Do you think A Ze still has a chance?"
"A chance for what?" Hou Lei asked.
"Of course, to land this role!"
Hou Lei didn't hold out much hope. "I bet Mr. Zhao doesn't take it seriously at all."
Qiao Yinuo's previously uncertain guess was now confirmed. Even though this character could drive the whole plot forward, it was a very insignificant minor role with a low payment. Would Mr. Zhao really let Luo Yize take on such a small job so easily?
As the company's boss, he had to consider the company's interests first. How could he let his own artist take on such a small gig?
As a screenwriter, why did she have to think so much and believe that this role was only suitable for a certain person?
People in the film and television industry were just like white - collar workers. Every project they took on and every plan they made had to be related to the word "profit". Without profit, there would be no cooperation. Everyone wanted to make money and gain benefits, so they chose to cooperate after considering the interests of both sides.
The minor roles in a play were like interns doing odd jobs in a company. Their value was limited. But sometimes, an insignificant minor role could become the highlight of the whole show. Don't underestimate its smallness. In fact, many people had managed to establish themselves in the film and television industry through these seemingly unimportant minor roles.
The next morning, Qiao Yinuo, who was in the middle of revising the script, received a call from Hou Lei.
"How did the negotiation go?"
"It's been decided. Luo Yize will play this role."
"And then?"
"There's a condition. Luo Yize wants to give you a chance to appear on - screen. They've arranged a love scene for you two."
Hearing this, Qiao Yinuo hung up the phone and stood there in shock.