Chapter 209: Chapter 207: If I Had Even a Single Peanut, I Wouldn’t Get That Drunk

While they were talking, Fang Chenyi suddenly remembered the A-rank screenplay he’d gotten. As luck would have it, a filmmaker was sitting right in front of him.

He reached into the backpack beside him, pulled out a thick stack of paper—the screenplay—and handed it to Wan Li.

Wan Li froze, stunned. ’His new chairman wrote a screenplay himself? Chairman Fang has a hobby like this?’

Wan Li’s mind started racing. ’If the quality is just average,’ he wondered, ’how am I supposed to critique this later?’

"Here, take a look. If it’s worth filming, then film it. If not, it just means I don’t have the talent for it, and we can just drop the whole thing."

Bai Menghan and her sister watched the exchange between Fang Chenyi and Wan Li. Principal Wang and the team members were, of course, at a separate table.

Bai Menghan gave Fang Chenyi a curious look and asked in surprise,

"Chenyi, you can write screenplays? When did you write it? I never even noticed."

Fang Chenyi felt a wave of embarrassment. He and Bai Menghan were living together now, so she, more than anyone, would know what he did with his time.

"Heh, back when I was working, I’d come back to my rented apartment at night and just write a little in my spare time. It was just seeing Old Wan today that reminded me about it, so I took it out."

Bai Menghan didn’t doubt Fang Chenyi’s words at all. She had only asked out of simple curiosity.

Bai Mengyao, on the other hand, let out a gasp of surprise.

"Wait? You used to have a job and live in a rented apartment??"

This time, before Fang Chenyi could answer, Wan Li suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet.

The loud noise startled everyone in the middle of their lively conversation, including Fang Chenyi.

Wan Li, now standing, instantly realized he had lost his composure again. He quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of apology to everyone, then pointed to the screenplay in his hand and said with a sheepish grin,

"My apologies, my apologies. It’s just... Chairman Fang’s screenplay is so unbelievably good! I lost control of my emotions for a moment. I’m so sorry, so sorry."

Hearing this, everyone relaxed. They had been wondering what had gotten into the man.

But all eyes were now fixed on the thick stack of papers in Wan Li’s hands, their expressions filled with confusion.

Fang Chenyi glanced sheepishly at the excited Wan Li and gestured for him to sit down before asking,

"So, Old Wan, is the screenplay any good?"

At this, Wan Li got excited all over again and looked ready to shout at the top of his lungs. Catching himself, he quickly reined in his voice and tried to speak calmly.

"Good? It’s more than good—it’s perfect! It’s been years since I’ve lost my composure like this. The quality of this screenplay is just off the charts! I’m telling you, a screenplay like this isn’t just good for the domestic market—it’s a world-class, top-tier script! I had no idea you had such amazing talent, Chairman Fang!"

Even with his thick skin, Fang Chenyi couldn’t help but blush at Wan Li’s effusive praise.

Overhearing their conversation, Principal Wang’s interest was piqued. He turned and asked Wan Li,

"Uncle Wan, is Brother Fang’s screenplay really that good?"

Wan Li nodded emphatically. "It’s incredible. An absolutely top-tier screenplay!"

With that said, he hugged the screenplay tightly to his chest, as if afraid Principal Wang would snatch it from him.

Principal Wang was intrigued, but seeing how Wan Li was clutching it like a protective parent, he could only shake his head and dismiss the thought of asking to see it.

Fang Chenyi chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "Heh, keep praising me like that, Old Wan, and my head’s going to swell. Since it’s filmable, you should go back and assemble a production team. Oh, and since we’re making it, we have to make it the best it can be. Don’t skimp on the budget. Just make sure you don’t give me any of that ’Fighting Qi materializing into a horse’ nonsense."

"Haha, you can rest assured, Chairman Fang! I’ve only come across one screenplay this good in my entire life. A plot with ’Fighting Qi materializing into a horse’? Give me a single peanut and I still wouldn’t be drunk enough to pull something like that, haha. To be honest, Chairman Fang, I want to direct this film myself! Haha."

Fang Chenyi laughed as well.

"I’ll leave that up to you. As long as you can handle the workload, I wouldn’t even mind if you played the male lead. Oh, right, speaking of actors, there’s one thing I must insist on. The cast for this film must be seasoned, skilled actors—true thespians. Don’t even consider any of those young pretty-boy idols who are all flash and no substance."

At that, Fang Chenyi seemed to remember something and turned his head to look at the sisters, Bai Menghan and Bai Mengyao.

"Mengyao, didn’t you say you want to be a star? If you’re willing, you can go with Old Wan for an audition. He can find a suitable role for you to cut your teeth on. Menghan, how about you? Are you interested?"

The moment she heard this, Bai Mengyao was so excited she looked ready to dance for joy. This was the famous Baida Film and Television! She couldn’t even get into the tiny Sanqiang Entertainment, and now, all of a sudden, she was going from the minor leagues straight to the majors!

She started nodding furiously like a chicken pecking at grain, stammering out that she was willing. Bai Menghan, however, just shook her head with a resigned look.

"I think I’ll pass. I have no intention of becoming a star. Besides, I’m still a student. I should focus on my studies."

Fang Chenyi breathed a silent sigh of relief. ’To be honest, I really don’t want my future wife to be in the public spotlight as a celebrity. It’s not like our family needs the money.’

He turned his gaze back to Wan Li.

"Old Wan, once the production team is assembled, give her sister a screen test. If she has talent, give her a role to try out. No problem, right?"

Wan Li naturally wouldn’t object. He said it was no problem, but he grumbled inwardly, ’The screenplay is yours, the company is yours... what problem could I possibly have?’

With that matter settled, everyone returned to their meal. But no matter how exquisite Char’s culinary skills were, Wan Li couldn’t taste a thing. His mind was completely consumed with preparations for the new film. The fact that the CEO of a major group with a market cap of nearly twenty billion could get this excited was a testament to just how perfect the screenplay was.

The meeting between the two families was, naturally, a joyous occasion. And since the elders from both sides came from rural backgrounds, their happiness was simple and direct, with no hidden complexities.

This meant that by the end of the meal, Father Fang, Father Bai, and Menghan’s second uncle were all blissfully sloshed.

But judging by their cheerful expressions, it was clear they were more than satisfied with the match between Fang Chenyi and Bai Menghan.

Perhaps because he hadn’t had his fill, Father Fang, slurring his words, made plans with his new in-laws to continue drinking that evening.

In the end, Mrs. Fang helped a stumbling Father Fang back to Villa No. 1 to rest, while Mrs. Bai and Menghan’s second aunt had no choice but to help their own two men back to Villa No. 2...

Once almost everyone had left, Principal Wang sidled up to Fang Chenyi, a sleazy grin spreading across his face as he spoke.

[To be continued...]