Hearing Wang Chenghui address her first, the excited Ye Haitang immediately responded, "You flatter me, Mr. Wang." Neither humble nor arrogant, this was the strategy Ye Haitang and Li Shangfeng had discussed just before coming in.
If one were too enthusiastic or too ingratiating at the start, it could backfire.
Wang Chenghui nodded slightly and continued on the topic, "I'd really like to meet this young singer and the master pianist if I have the chance." After that, Wang Chenghui finally turned to the matter of casting, "Many people have come to me about this role, and I have very high requirements for it. If you're not prepared, or if there are other issues, let's not waste time."
The implication was clear, and Ji Yuanlong, who had come prepared, didn't take it to heart. He was certain of his victory today.
