Ridiculous Pay
After saying everything, Ronald realized that he was being a little emotional, and he waved his hand,
ending the topic abruptly. “Let me lead you there.”
Soon, they all reached Jack’s trailer, and Jack placed down his script to greet them. “Why are you here?”
“We’re here to visit you,” Alexander said. “I heard that you’re having a hard time at the set recently.”
Elise gave Jack a nod and greeted him before walking over naturally and picking up his script to flip
through it.
Meanwhile, Jack cast Ronald a stare and said in disgruntlement, “The entertainment industry is a trap.
Nobody can be popular all their lives. At least, I can still pick my own scripts. If this doesn’t work out, I
can work behind the scenes, focus on writing songs, and still support myself.”
“Since when did you, the best actor, lower your requirements so much?” Elise said teasingly and placed
the script back on the table. “This drama is not bad.”
A faint smile appeared on Jack’s face. “I’m not lowering my requirements, but just sticking to my bottom
line. There are way too many crappy films and dramas which were proposed to me. If I wanted to make
money, I could have accepted all of it, but I don’t want to ruin my own name.”
Patting him heavily on his shoulder, Alexander praised, “You’re right. It’s quality over quantity.”
Jack grinned and asked directly, “Why are you looking for me?”
Shrugging, Alexander raised his brows and gazed at Elise, who was opposite him. “Your future sister-in-
law has something to ask you.”
Elise rolled her eyes playfully at him; she hadn’t told him anything earlier, so how did he know that she
had something to say?
Despite that, she didn’t hold back and said straightforwardly, “I’m here on behalf of a variety show. They
would like to invite you as their resident guest. I wonder if you’d be interested in that.”
“Well, you know that I don’t attend variety shows.” Jack turned her down politely.
“I know that, and so do the producers. However, it’s obvious that it’d be an interesting show since it’d be
your first variety program, Mr. Best Actor,” she said, analyzing the purpose of the production team
honestly.
Amused by her honesty, Jack said jokingly, “Nobody negotiates like that. Now that I know how much I’m
worth, aren’t you afraid that I’ll ask for a ridiculous pay?”
“I’m not afraid of that, but just afraid that you won’t accept the offer,” Elise said earnestly. “Actually, the
best time for a screen actor is merely a few years. Regardless of how good a script is, it will take at least
a year from filming until its release. In addition, a drama only attracts one type of audience, but it’s
different with variety shows. No matter the demographic, they would be attracted to a certain aspect of a
variety show. I’m just thinking that, rather than being suppressed in the film and television industry, isn’t it
better to find yourself another way out? Are you sure you don’t want to think this over?”
Lowering his gaze, Jack thought it over, but he still didn’t change his mind. “I’ll give it a pass. I really like
this character now, and I would like to play him well. In addition, I don’t have a single funny bone. Acting
is my biggest enjoyment. I guess I’m going to have to disappoint you.”
“Since you have your own goals, then I’m not going to force it,” Elise said pleasantly. “Don’t worry about
me explaining it to the producers because I’m close with them, and they won’t blame me.”
Only then did Jack feel assured. “That’s great.”
After all, Elise helped out a lot to get him back in the public eye, and he should have agreed to any of her
requests. However, as it concerned his professional principles, he could only apologize and repay her in
the future.
More importantly, he couldn’t imagine himself like those variety show guests, who could reveal all their
emotions in front of the camera naturally. If he messed things up at that time, it would only affect Elise
negatively. Therefore, he decided to turn it down directly.
After that, he took out a few music sheets so that Elise could show him some pointers, and they chatted
for a while until the director called for him. Then, they all left the trailer.
When the car rolled out of studio city, Alexander asked with a suppressed smile, “Actually, you’re the
producer, aren’t you?”
An embarrassed grin crept onto Elise’s face. “I can’t hide it from you, but yes, I’m planning to film a reality
show. However, I’m not experienced and am a newbie in the field. It’s unknown if this plan can come into
fruition, so it’s better to use someone else’s name for a risky business so that the invited person can
make an objective decision. I’ve thought about it. Only variety shows can spread the fastest and most
effectively to the entire country, and even the world. This saves more time than organizing a concert or
producing a movie.”
Alexander nodded in agreement and tilted his head at her. “You can tell it honestly to Jack, actually. He
won’t turn you down.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to cash in a favor from him and
hinder him from pursuing his dream in life. That would be so selfish.”
At this point, there was nothing else Alexander could suggest. My girl is always so considerate of others
all the time. I wish she could be a little more selfish, though.
“So, which identity will you be using to face the public? Sare, Lily, or H?” Alexander asked instead.
“None of them. You’ll find out when the time comes,” she said, smiling secretively.
He chuckled softly. “I look forward to it.” Then, he recalled something and stopped the car at the side of
the road. Turning his body sideways, he said in a serious tone to her, “But the spot for the first sponsor
has to be mine.”
Thinking that he was too impatient, she was tickled and helpless at the same time. “Nothing has been
done yet. What are you getting so excited about?”
“Of course I’m excited. This is the first time my wife is making a serious investment. I have to show some
support as well,” he said, pride written all over his face. “Furthermore, when it comes to investment, the
earlier you participate, the more stakes you get distributed afterward. I’m not doing this for you, but for
my marriage fund.”
Placing her arm around his neck, Elise narrowed her eyes purposely and asked, “So, how much money
have you saved until now, Mr. Griffith?”
Raising both his brows, he looked the other way and evaded the topic. “This is a man’s secret. I can’t tell
you, but…” He paused. Then he pressed his forehead against hers as he said affectionately, “That little
bit of money is enough for you, my wife, to start a business if you want. If you don’t, you won’t have to
worry about life as well.”
“Who’s your wife? We haven’t gotten a marriage certificate yet!” Pushing him aside, she narrowed her
eyes again suddenly and looked at him from the corner of her eyes. “What if I lose the money?”
“Oh,” he said, putting on a sorry look. “I’m more worried about what would happen if you don’t lose the
money. I have so much money, and I wonder how long it’d take to finish spending it.”
Laughing, she said, “You’re not talking about business with me, but showing off how rich you are!”
“Am I? I don’t think so,” he answered with a straight face. “I think what’s most worthy of showing off for
me is having a good girlfriend who’s capable of spending and earning money. With a wife like this, what
else can a man ask for?”
“Cut it off, you smooth talker,” she said, casting him a look of disapproval, but the smile on her face was
sweeter than honey.
Recollecting his expression, Alexander looked more solemn as he said, “Ellie, just do it. I’ll be your
backing.”
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