Emily Thompson was full of exasperation, dialed the phone and tossed it into Brian Foster's arms. Brian Foster took it, and after identifying himself, the other party's attitude became very polite and friendly. Brian Foster offered a very formal apology to President Jiang and especially thanked President Jiang's daughter, saying he hoped to meet her backstage at the next concert to thank her in person.

The other party was clearly not expecting things to unfold this way and was stunned for a moment. Although Brian Foster didn’t explicitly state the reason for refusing, everyone in the business world is shrewd; after a moment, he just laughed heartily a few times and finally said, “My daughter’s taste in people really takes after me.”

After hanging up, Brian Foster let out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t very good at this kind of official communication, but the result wasn’t bad.

Emily Thompson covered her forehead with her hand, feeling like the duck in her hand had just flown away. “Do you know how important this opportunity is? This is a film by Alan Brooks, and the collaborator is Adam Bennett.”

“I know, but Sister Emily, if I really got into the crew through Dingming, what do you think would happen afterward?”

Seeing Emily Thompson not answering, Brian Foster continued, “If you wanted to dig, with your connections you could definitely find out the capital behind David Parker. Likewise, others could dig into us. Even if my relationship with Dingming is just based on a special fan, that’s not what the public wants to see. Netizens want juicy gossip, they want to see a sugar daddy scenario. The truth doesn’t matter at all.”

“You probably want to say, no matter what, just get into the crew first. But for an artist like me, with so many labels—traffic, idol, lots of fans, poor acting skills—it’s already hard enough to tear those off.”

Brian Foster looked serious. “I don’t want to add another label of being kept by a sugar daddy or become a meme. My fans work hard every day to fight off rumors.”

That last sentence actually made Emily Thompson laugh. She didn’t say anything more, picked up her bag, said a few words to the other team members, and then left the studio.

0901’s voice appeared again: “Mr. Foster, do you really want to make such drastic changes to the plot?”

Brian Foster: “Why not? Isn’t it just like editing a post? I’m a revision maniac.”

0901: “…It’s not that you can’t, but the consequences will be unpredictable.”

Brian Foster: “It’s fine. Just having knowledge of the character relationships and some unchangeable plotlines is already cheating.”

0901: He really is easily satisfied.

But those words just now, Brian Foster had said with some reservation. In reality, his true purpose was still focused on his mission.

If he wanted to change Ethan Carter’s BE ending, he had to establish a more positive image for him from the very beginning. Although it’s hard for a traffic star to shake off negative stereotypes in the public eye, it’s safer to avoid things that could become “dirt” in the future.

Also, bringing in capital to join the crew was the main reason why Adam Bennett was cold and harsh toward Ethan Carter in the first half of the original story. To successfully complete the side mission, Brian Foster had to change this plotline. Even if he couldn’t act with Adam Bennett in the end, it was safer than being disliked from the start.

Because he really couldn’t guarantee that the Ethan Carter he played could turn the other party’s extreme dislike into affection.

0901: “Mr. Foster, you really have zero confidence when it comes to relationships.”

Brian Foster was a bit surprised. “You can hear my thoughts?”

0901: “Because I’m your designated AI.”

Brian Foster let out an “oh.” He couldn’t refute 0901’s assessment. He really did lack confidence, which is probably why he’s been single all these years purely on his own merit.

Chapter 6: The Ultimate Showdown of Looks and Acting (Part Six)

After finishing the shoot, the members quickly left the studio. A lot of fans were gathered outside and immediately swarmed forward. The assistants blocked them until everyone got into the car safely.

“So tired!” Luke Harris leaned his head against the car window. “We still have to record the OST later. I feel completely drained. Chad Sullivan, you’re recording a show today too, right?”

Chad Sullivan nodded. “But I’m a mentor, so I mostly just talk. It’s much easier than being a contestant.”

Hearing this, Luke Harris started wailing again.

“梦泽, you should take a nap when you get back,” Eric Grant said, looking at the dazed Brian Foster. “You look totally out of it.”

“I heard that Director Brooks is really strict. If actors don’t perform well, he’ll scold them to death, keeps shouting ‘cut,’ and doesn’t care about your schedule at all. You have to act until he’s satisfied.” Luke Harris poked Brian Foster’s cheek and comforted him, “It’s fine if you can’t go. For idol artists like us, joining his crew is basically suicide.”

Chad Sullivan spoke up: “Come to think of it, Alan Brooks’s last film won an award too, right?”

“Yeah, he’s one of the most awarded directors in recent years. By the way, the film Adam Bennett won his award for was also directed by him. He played a psychopath, haha.”

“He’s really impressive, isn’t he? Wasn’t he only twenty-one at the time?”

“These days, playing a psycho, someone with split personalities, or dementia is the easiest way to win an award.”

Everyone was chatting enthusiastically, but Brian Foster seemed to have been struck by something. He took out his phone and started searching for the film that Adam Bennett had won the award for.

“Child.”