Second Take On Romance - The A-List Actor Wants Me-Chapter 274 : Assessment At CNC Studio (1)

The entertainment industry was a ruthless battlefield where giants devoured smaller players. Mergers and acquisitions were a common tactic in this cutthroat business, much like any other business.

While the top management levels of both companies in question were aware of such power shifts, the lower management levels and the talents usually found out way too late -- after their companies had been acquired by the bigger ones.

The moment the acquisition took place, all talents signed with Beihai Entertainment were asked to report to the CNC Studio headquarters for a very simple reason -- CNC Studio adopted a completely different recruitment standard and management style, which required the talents to undergo CNC Studio’s official assessment examination in order to continue staying in the company.

Upon his arrival at CNC Studio’s headquarters, Shen Jingwei was asked to report to the talent management section on the second floor.

Shen Jingwei initially thought that he would need to ask for directions as soon as he arrived on the second floor, but it turned out that it was not necessary. The entire second floor of the headquarters was reserved for the talent management section.

The waiting room featured a sleek registration counter and numerous cozy seating nooks. The rich, red carpet, adorned with intricate golden floral patterns, stretched across the floor, inviting the talent candidates to indulge in a moment of tranquility right before they were ushered into small private rooms at the opposite end of the registration counter.

Shen Jingwei approached the registration counter, upon which a stylishly dressed woman with a sleek updo rose to greet him.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" she asked in a friendly tone.

"My name is Shen Jingwei from Beihai Entertainment. I am here for an assessment."

The lady noted down his name before handing him a form against a clipboard to fill out.

"Do you bring your portfolio with you?"

"Yes."

The lady took Shen Jingwei’s portfolio with thanks.

"Kindly take a seat and fill out the form. I will call your name when your turn arrives."

"Thank you."

Shen Jingwei turned toward the small nooks and selected one of the empty seats at the back of the room.

Pen poised over the form, he calmly looked into his surroundings.

Beihai Entertainment was a small entertainment company with a small pool of talents. Although Shen Jingwei had been with Beihai Entertainment for over four years now, he was not acquainted with the actors and actresses in the waiting room at all.

Many of his contemporaries had either left the industry, seeking greener pastures in more powerful agencies, or had faded into obscurity after falling victim to the industry’s ruthless nature.

This new wave of talent, a youthful and eager generation, was just beginning their journey in the entertainment business. Their youthful exuberance and unyielding ambition were a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of the industry, where fresh faces constantly emerged, only to be replaced by the next generation.

But now a big storm had swept them all off their safe havens, forcing them to survive in a selection process, for which they were not prepared at all.

Naturally, they all looked rather terrified. If they failed the assessment, they had to start anew in another entertainment company.

Shen Jingwei began filling out his basic information into the form.

After a while, someone came to sit next to him.

"Hey. Psst."

Shen Jingwei raised his head and came face-to-face with a man in his thirties, a complete stranger in a dark blue suit.

"Yes?"

"Are you here because your agency was acquired by CNC Studio?" the stranger whispered urgently.

"Yes," Shen Jingwei answered as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Do you want to get into CNC Studio?"

"..."

Interesting question.

If he had the choice, he might go for Yunhuan Entertainment instead. Unfortunately, his boyfriend was signed with CNC Studio and he still expected to reprise his role as Xie Jianyu in season four of "Dance Of The Dragons".

At the very least, he needed to give CNC Studio some face.

"Yes."

The stranger’s eyes gleamed with excitement, similar to a car dealer spotting a potential customer.

"In that case, I would like to offer you my assistance. I can guarantee your entry to CNC Studio against a small fee."

"..."

Shen Jingwei had to rub his lips to hide his blooming smile.

"Oh? How much?"

"Not much, just 10,000 RMB."

Shen Jingwei almost choked on his saliva. Seeing his reaction, the stranger quickly revised his offer.

"Since you are good-looking, I will reduce the price to 8,000 RMB."

Shen Jingwei let out a little cough.

"Sorry, I am not interested."

"You are not? Why? Is 8,000 RMB not worth your successful acting career?" freeweɓnøvel~com

Shen Jingwei pursed his lips. CNC Studio was a giant player in the industry, but it still offered no talent a guarantee for success. How many aspiring actors and actresses arose every month and how many of them remained after only a year?

"I am sure that I will do just fine on my own," Shen Jingwei declared.

The stranger scoffed at his answer.

"If you think that your pretty face will take you far, then you are just a daydreamer. This offer is only valid today. If you don’t accept it today, you won’t have another chance of entering CNC Studio."

Shen Jingwei’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile.

"No, thank you."

The stranger glared at him, clearly annoyed by him.

"You are going to regret it. I know Shang Ruohai personally. One word from me and his secretary is going to kick you out of this building. Do you know Shang Ruohai? He is the son of the CEO!"

Shen Jingwei opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say even a word, an authoritative voice announced himself at the entrance of the waiting room.

"Is there a Shen Jingwei here?"

Shang Ruohai took off his glasses and scanned the entire room for the man he was looking for.

When his gaze landed on Shen Jingwei, he muttered, "There you are."

Shen Jingwei casually turned his head to look at the stranger in the dark blue suit. His face, pale as the moon, was etched with fear.

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