Chapter 12: Desensitization Therapy
On the large screen, the PPT advanced frame by frame.
The assistant director explained, “From the current market analysis, this movie is destined to be different from conventional commercial films. We can’t estimate the box office; it’s too niche for the market, and there is very little data for us to reference.”
Lu Ciheng twirled his pen, speaking casually, “In other words, the money I invest might be a total loss?”
The assistant director subconsciously looked at Xie Shibai, who was sitting quietly leaning against the chair back. Considering Xie Shibai had told him to tell the truth before coming, he simply admitted frankly, “Yes, the probability of losing money is forty percent.”
This was the highest probability he had analyzed based on similar types of movies.
Lu Ciheng pondered. “Forty percent…”
Xie Shibai’s gaze rested on Lu Ciheng, staying quietly before moving away. The treatment method proposed by Chen Yi echoed in his mind. After zoning out for a few seconds, he spoke, “We understand if you want to regret it.”
Lu Ciheng chuckled lightly. “Why would I regret it? I’m just someone who likes challenging things. I’ll invest.”
The assistant director’s tense emotions relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief in his chair.
The investor was finally secured.
Lu Ciheng flipped through the project book. After several pages, he still didn’t see the cast list he wanted to see. “However, as the biggest investor, can I ask a few questions?”
Xie Shibai: “What questions?”
Lu Ciheng asked, “Are the actors confirmed? Are the two male leads decided?”
The assistant director slapped his forehead. The project book was done too hastily; he hadn’t had time to update the leads in half a day. He hurriedly said, “One is booked. Now only the other character, Chen Feng, hasn’t been decided yet.”
He quickly adjusted the PPT backward, revealing the newly filled cast list. Xie Shibai’s name was prominently listed under the movie’s lead, Jian Mo.
Lu Ciheng’s brow raised slightly. “Teacher Xie, you’re acting yourself?”
Xie Shibai asked calmly, “Why, is there a problem?”
Lu Ciheng’s lips hooked up. “How could there be? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Teacher Xie act. As the biggest investor, can I bring capital to recommend an actor?”
Xie Shibai frowned deeply. He hadn’t expected Lu Ciheng to make such a request, but considering that investors in the entertainment industry almost always recommended one or two actors, it was normal from a businessman’s perspective.
“Who do you want to recommend?”
As long as it wasn’t an important role, he could consider it.
Lu Ciheng spoke unhurriedly, “I recommend myself to play Chen Feng.”
“…?”
Xie Shibai had prepared himself for an unpleasant discussion about casting, but the result was Lu Ciheng recommending himself.
The director sitting aside scoffed first. “I’ll say this first, no matter how much money you invest, bringing someone into the group has to go through my approval. You can play Chen Feng, but you have to audition according to normal procedures. If you meet the standards, I’ll consider letting you come.”
Lu Ciheng was fine with whatever process; his acceptance was high. He cared more about the result. “Of course, no problem. When do we start the audition?”
Xie Shibai spun the pen in his hand. Looking at Lu Ciheng, who was in high spirits and looked ready to perform a segment for the director on the spot, he pressed his lips together and opened his mouth, “Our pay is very low.”
It wasn’t a big production to begin with, and most of the budget was on production. The actors’ pay was compressed to be very low, and Xie Shibai acting himself saved the expense of one lead actor’s salary.
Lu Ciheng was indifferent. “It’s fine, I can do it for zero pay.”
Xie Shibai looked at Lu Ciheng strangely, understanding less and less what he wanted to do.
Investing in a high-risk movie and starring as a lead for no pay. Having just won Best Actor, it was the time when he had the highest topic visibility. Once he entered the cast, he wouldn’t be able to take other roles for six months. Moreover, Lu Ciheng’s popularity was not low; him starring was practically free promotion.
Although the director had a straightforward temper, he also knew that if Lu Ciheng participated, the movie’s success rate would be greater. Plus, he had watched Lu Ciheng’s movies; the new Best Actor’s acting skills went without saying. Bringing his own heat for zero pay—it was like a pie falling from the sky.
“Cough, zero pay still requires an audition!” he said uprightly.
The assistant director’s eyes lit up looking at Lu Ciheng. He couldn’t help but say, “Old Wen, now you’re being insensible. What audition? I think he’ll do. You don’t have a say in financial matters; today, I call the shots.”
“He still has to audition,” the director insisted.
The assistant director was speechless. “Didn’t you say before that Lu Ciheng is very suitable for the role of Chen Feng?”
Lu Ciheng smiled. “It’s fine. Why don’t we audition right now?”
After confirming the investment, next was refining the script and reviewing the plot. The screenwriter and director were very familiar with each other and had collaborated many times, so their control over the script was excellent.
Xie Shibai was the provider of the script. While the other side was auditioning, the screenwriter kept communicating with him.
Lu Ciheng’s audition went very smoothly. The director already felt Lu Ciheng was suitable for the role of Chen Feng, and coupled with his zero-pay participation, after the audition went without issues, the assistant director naturally slammed the table to confirm it.
Returning home in the evening, Xie Shibai prepared to brew himself a cup of coffee as usual when Chen Qisheng’s call came in.
Chen Qisheng: “News from Qiao Yu’s side. Xu Ruixin has been asking about your movements recently. I don’t know who she got the news from, but she knows you are investing in a movie. She also invested in one in Xie Lingxi’s name, but that movie has a very strong team. It’s said the director is aiming for awards.”
Xie Shibai ground the coffee beans into powder. “En, I know.”
Chen Qisheng: “Her thoughts are too obvious; she clearly wants Xie Lingxi to surpass you. I heard she’s been running up and down pulling investments these past few days. Externally, she claims it’s all Xie Lingxi’s doing and she can’t help that her son is young and promising. It’s a pity she quit the entertainment industry back then; with that acting, she’d have won an award sooner or later.”
Xie Shibai: “What about Xingyun Technology that I asked you to keep an eye on?”
Chen Qisheng instantly remembered the main business of the call. “I withdrew the capital as you said. But the deal wasn’t made by your grandfather; it was Xintai Securities who took it for seven hundred million. Someone made a net profit of three hundred million. It couldn’t be that your grandfather instructed your dad to do this, right?”
Xie Shibai’s lips hooked slightly. “Of course. He’s old, not senile. How could he do something like giving away money?”
Chen Qisheng understood. “Then your house should be very lively today. Aren’t you going back to watch the drama?”
Xie Shibai finished brewing the coffee. “If I go back, they won’t be able to get lively.”
After entrusting a few matters, he hung up the phone. Holding his coffee, Xie Shibai encountered Lu Ciheng, who had just come out of the gym.
Having just finished working out, Lu Ciheng had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. The short sleeves wrapped around his solid arms, and his tight waist and abdomen were encased in a fitted black dry-fit shirt. With his breathing, the definition of his abdominal muscles was visible. Even from a distance, one could feel a vibrant source of heat.
Xie Shibai withdrew his gaze and took a sip of coffee, pondering how to propose the idea to Lu Ciheng.
Lu Ciheng noticed Xie Shibai’s gaze, including the glances from previous times. Every time, he would look once and leave, completely unaware of it himself. Those light glances were like feathers, ticking the heart so densely and itchily that one couldn’t concentrate at all.
He blocked Xie Shibai’s path and sighed. “Teacher Xie, is there something on my face?”
Xie Shibai was slightly confused and replied, “No.”
Lu Ciheng touched his chin. “Then what’s with you staring at me hundreds of times today? Could it be you suddenly feel I’ve become handsome?”
“?”
Xie Shibai: “Have you always been this narcissistic?”
Forget it, don’t want to bring it up. This person is so annoying.
Even if his face was decent, paired with that “cow cat” (neurotic) personality, it was a discount.
He turned to leave.
Lu Ciheng kept up with Xie Shibai’s pace, his tone containing a smile. “Wait, Teacher Xie, I was joking, don’t go. Actually, I have a question to ask.”
Xie Shibai stopped. “What question?”
Lu Ciheng’s eyes stared at Xie Shibai, asking unhurriedly, “Naturally, it’s about your contact disorder, Teacher Xie.”
Xie Shibai’s hand holding the coffee cup tightened. “Is there a problem?”
Lu Ciheng’s lips curled up slightly, his tone low and gentle. “When the movie starts filming, we will have a lot of scenes together, and physical contact will be unavoidable.”
“Can you accept having physical contact with me?”
His voice was very slow, like a hunter setting a trap in advance.
Xie Shibai was silent for a few seconds, not expecting Lu Ciheng to bring it up first.
Indeed, as lead actors, their scenes together made up three-quarters of the script, and physical contact was indispensable.
Although Lu Ciheng had a jumpy personality, he really did need to adapt to physical contact with Lu Ciheng in advance, even if this person talked a lot. Only in this way would the progress not be dragged down. Moreover, he didn’t want anyone to discover he had a contact disorder.
“Lu Ciheng.” Xie Shibai sighed as if he really had no choice but to choose him, and slowly asked, “Can you help me with desensitization therapy?”
Surprise flashed in the bottom of Lu Ciheng’s eyes. Hooking his lips and suppressing the urge to agree immediately, he leaned forward slightly, looking straight into Xie Shibai’s eyes, and teased unhurriedly, “Honey, didn’t you say you hated having physical contact with me?”
Xie Shibai: “…”
He turned and walked away without hesitation. “If you won’t help, forget it. I’ll find someone else.”
Lu Ciheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. His arm straightened out, instantly blocking Xie Shibai’s path. Staring straight at him, he drawled, “Teacher Xie, that’s too much. Not even trying to persuade me?”
“You actually want to find someone else? Is there anyone with a closer relationship than us? What if the person you find isn’t well-behaved and sells you out? Is using someone else as reassuring as using me?”
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