Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 391 The show begins

During the Warring States period, Duke Wen of Teng once asked Mencius, "Teng is a small state, situated between Qi and Chu. Should we serve Qi or Chu?"

Thus, the phrase "between Qi and Chu" came to be used to describe the dilemma of being caught between opposing forces.

For Da Mimi now, she faces the same problem.

Should we engage in military affairs?
Is this a matter of concern?
One is a fierce actress who rose to prominence in the late 1990s, leading the fashion industry in China's entertainment sector and possessing considerable commercial value. She is her senior and resourceful figure at Huayi Brothers.
One is a rising star who burst onto the scene at the beginning of the millennium, a top-tier actress in the Chinese entertainment industry, backed by Lu Kuan and the aircraft carrier giant Wenjie Holdings, and is her nominal best friend.

What can I do?

Nine-tailed fox Da Mimi naturally wants to have her cake and eat it too.

She not only wanted their friendship and resources, but also wanted to find opportunities to sow discord between these two top actresses and Boss Lu.

If you keep wielding the hoe, the corner of the wall will eventually loosen. If the person in front doesn't fall, how can you have the chance to overtake them?
Bingbing fell from grace at Huayi, and she was confident she could rise to power by stepping over Li Binbin and others.
Liu Yifei has fallen in the race of young actresses—

Although the chances are slim, she is definitely the strongest competitor after her best friend.

By some stroke of luck, I might be able to enter that person's heart, or even just their eyes, or even their bed!

Big boobs definitely have the confidence to conquer him.

However, after saying this, she was disappointed not to see the expression she had expected on Liu Yifei's face.

Even if you show the slightest emotional fluctuation, it wouldn't be in vain that I acted like a villain.

Xiao Liu smoothed the hem of her Suzhou kesi skirt at her hips, her face still calm and collected: "I'm not China Mobile, how can I control whether Fan Bingbing calls him or not?"

Then they changed the subject: "How's the preparation for 'The Forbidden Kingdom' going? The action scenes must be tough."

"Oh? Yeah, it was tough. Director Yuan Heping was the action choreographer for the film crew, and he often used you as an example to encourage me!"

In this installment of "The Forbidden Kingdom," Huayi Brothers' role as a financial backer has gained some importance due to the alliance between Ahri and Wendy Deng.

Wendy Deng acted as an intermediary, connecting Hollywood film companies and CAA, and Old Ma, driven by his love for kung fu, gave his full support.

With the help of Yang Mi's boyfriend from Beijing Film Academy and the powerful financial backing of the Jin family, she turned the tide and defeated Zhang Ziyi and others, winning the role of Golden Swallow.

Of course, this was also the result of Liu Yifei giving up voluntarily.

Otherwise, no one could surpass her in playing this type of role that requires a young female warrior to carry the weight.

Yang Mi is still persistent. She failed to achieve her goal on the set of "Curse of the Golden Flower" last time, which can be understood as the relationship between the three of them not being officially established at that time.

Now that you're Lu Kuan's official girlfriend, shouldn't you just call Boss Lu right in front of her and question him?

Or perhaps at a banquet, he'll angrily point his finger at a leading lady and shout: "Stay away from my man from now on!"
How did we suddenly switch to another topic?

Liu Yifei, you have such a big heart! It's bigger than my breasts!

When one plan fails, Da Mimi immediately changes her role and style, transforming from a scout into an emotional expert.

She leaned closer and whispered, "Xixi, but don't overthink it. Fan Bingbing and Wenjie do have some collaborative projects, so it's normal for them to have business dealings."

Liu Yifei looked at her with a half-smile: "I didn't think much of it."

"If I overthink every phone call, with his flirtatious ways, how many brain cells would I have to lose?"

"Honey, having a great boyfriend means you have to keep a close eye on him, but there's no reason to guard against thieves every day."

She leaned close to Yang Mi's ear, looking down at Xuezi, the nine-tailed fox, who trembled with each step, and whispered with a smile:

“A sexy girl like you, Mimi, with a great figure, is exactly his type.”

The celestial beauty suddenly grabbed Yang Mi's delicate shoulders: "If the washing machine bothers you one day, you have to tell me, and I'll deal with it!"

"Uh...hehe, no, no." Da Mimi was teased by her best friend, and her white breasts heaved. She didn't know how the topic had veered off course again.

Xiao Liu stared at her with wide eyes, a playful look on her face: "Hmm? Won't you tell me?"

"No! No!" Big boobs waved her hands, her breasts becoming even more voluptuous with Xuezi's presence. "I mean, Director Lu wouldn't do that. He's a good man."

Liu Yifei covered her mouth and chuckled, "Right? You have more confidence in him than I do."

"Uh...no, it's just..." Da Mimi was really in a panic. Her usual quick wit and silver tongue had vanished.

You shut-up, just say it!

"Okay, okay, I was just kidding. You're all my best friends, how could I not trust you?" Liu Yifei gently patted her back, seeing that she had given her enough of a nudge.

Just then, a hostess came over with a smile and came to Yang Mi's rescue: "You two, get ready to walk the red carpet."

“Okay, let’s go.” Liu Yifei winked playfully at her best friend, clearly unaffected by Fan Bingbing’s news, and gracefully walked towards the red carpet first.

Yang Mi swallowed hard, her posture shifting dramatically in just a few minutes.

The perfectly packaged tip from her best friend was countered and countered, leaving her caught in a dilemma by a joke that seemed both true and false.

Da Mimi is not stupid. She has managed to climb to her current position with a background that can be described as ordinary, and she has also managed to win some benefits by playing both Bingbing and Liu Yifei. This shows her skills and shrewdness.

Given time, he might very well become the next Bingbing.

However, compared to the current Liu Yifei, she pales in comparison.

Yang Mi watched coldly as her best friend walked onto the red carpet first, enveloped in the cold white halo of the spotlights, while Liu Yifei walked forward with composed steps.

The ink-colored landscape on the long silk dress flowed gently with the sway of her waist, and the shawl draped over her shoulders resembled the dyed clouds.

As she turned to respond to the reporter's calls, the ink bamboo pattern embroidered on her collarbone flickered in and out under the spotlight, like the shadows of bamboo brushing against snow-white rice paper in the moonlight.

Standing in the shadows of the waiting area, Yang Mi unconsciously clenched her fists.

She had specially chosen a burgundy deep-V fishtail dress today, but at this moment she felt that the rhinestones on her chest were as glaring as cheap shards of glass.

Even if she didn't want to admit it, Liu Yifei, dressed in an elegant ink-wash style, exuded a noble and refined air that seemed to make her own revealing and flamboyant attire seem like vulgar and common.

The long lenses and tripods on both sides of the red carpet resembled axes and hooks from the age of cold weapons, ready to ambush this top-tier actress from all sides. The excited shouts of the photographers rose and fell in waves.

"Consort Yi, look to your left!"

"Sissi, please turn to the side to show off your skirt!"

The red carpet inside lacked the frenzied shouts of fans in front of the China World Hotel, but the unanimous attention from various celebrities made it all the more intriguing.

Just like Yang Mi's complex gaze, it contained affection, envy, and jealousy, but her face was always adorned with a gentle and warm smile.

Such is the nature of competition in the entertainment industry.

There wasn't much of a rule about the order of the red carpet today; it was basically first come, first served. If someone wanted to be the last one to arrive, they could just arrive a little late and no one would mind, since it wasn't a film festival red carpet.

The real climax, where everyone is vying for attention, will come during the auction and the subsequent awards ceremony.

Could they become the top bidders or the top bidders who have contributed the most to charity today?
Can you outbid others for your favorite item?

Does anyone support you or film your stuff?
Are there any wealthy men willing to pay for female celebrities, like buying a yellow sapphire necklace at Sotheby's in New York to win their girlfriends' favor?
Liu Yifei walked through the red carpet and amidst a barrage of cameras and microphones into the main banquet hall.

Inside the grand banquet hall, more than ten crystal chandeliers hang from the high dome, their warm golden light intertwining with the cool glow of the ice screens to create an elegant atmosphere.

She arrived rather late, and was "intercepted" by Yanzi, Huang Xiaoming, and others who spent half a day chatting and showing concern for her.

When Xiao Liu gracefully entered, the scene before her eyes was already a bustling and thriving marketplace of fame and fortune.

Celebrities, wealthy businessmen, leaders from relevant government departments and charity federations, fashion magazine editors-in-chief, well-known media outlets, cultural figures, and luxury goods dealers...

All things considered, the celebrities who made today's event shine are clearly at the very bottom of the food chain and in terms of sophistication.

Jia Yueting, the rising star in the video industry and who will be returning to China next week, is clinking glasses with Wang Xiaowang, the young master of the veteran entertainment company Huayi Brothers.

The unfamiliar Shanxi black money tycoon took the initiative to approach and befriend Director Jia, Director Feng Xiaogang, and other directors.
A group of unfamiliar second- and third-tier female celebrities surrounded Bingbing and Zhang Yu, trying to stand out even for a Vogue supplement.
Several Asia-Pacific directors from foreign luxury brands were also present, discussing event collaborations with Zhuang Xu, president of Blogcn and Weibo, who was sitting at the same table.

In 2007, Lao Ma, Pan SOHO, Shi Yuzhu and others had not yet contributed that classic illustration, but the ukiyo-e style on site was already evident.

"Sissi!"

As the hostess led Liu Yifei to her seat, a familiar female voice suddenly called out to her.

Xiao Liu turned his head and was quite surprised to see Jiang Yiyan smiling brightly.

Several years ago, Liu Yifei was cyberbullied by Zhou Jun, Hua Yi, and Song Zude. Jiang Yiyan, who was ignorant of her own limitations, kicked her while she was down online and was eventually trampled on by powerful figures and fell into obscurity.

After falling to the ground and turning into flowers, it wandered between Huayi and Chengtian, without making any progress.

In this mortal world, I've sold my face countless times, reaching the pinnacle of humility, yet I never imagined I'd still be at tonight's banquet.

One can only marvel at the resilience of female celebrities.

Jiang Yiyan, seemingly having never had any ill feelings towards her, got up and walked over: "Qianqian, let me introduce you."

"This is Mr. Wu Kebo, General Manager of Chengtian."

"You definitely recognize this person, Professor Chen Daoming."

Xiao Liu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he couldn't quite grasp the thought process of his former classmate.

To flaunt the return of the dead?
Liu Yifei hadn't paid much attention to Jiang Yiyan, though she had vaguely heard her classmates from the Class of 02 mention her recent situation.

She glanced at Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin, who were sitting at the same table. The two had just met outside, and now they both frowned in unison.

Zhu Yawen, a male celebrity, shook his head at Liu Yifei without making a sound, seemingly trying to express something.

Several reporters, like hired executioners, surrounded him. Wu Kebo stood up and laughed, "It seems that the 02 class of Beijing Film Academy's Performing Arts program will become a famous star class, along with the 96 class."

"With Miss Liu leading the way, she and Yi Yan are like two beauties from the class of 02. Add to that actors like Ya Wen and Luo Jin, who are both talented and good-looking, and I think Teacher Wang Jingsong will be enjoying the same treatment as Teacher Cui Xinqin back then!" The reporters' cameras clicked non-stop, and the other minor celebrities at the table also lavished praise on him, echoing the words of the CEO of Chengtian.

Jiang Yiyan's smile widened, and she shamelessly clung to Liu Yifei's arm: "Qianqian, Mr. Wu is joking. How can I compare to you?"

"When Sissi acted in Director Lu's movie, we were still in school and didn't even know what the film crew was like! Haha!"

Jiang Jianzhu once used this sentence to make the straightforward Xiao Liu, who was on the same show with him, roll his eyes in exasperation.

However, times have changed, and saying it now has no effect whatsoever.

They don't need classes because they have Berlin Film Festival Best Actor winners and directors who have won half of the film awards guiding their acting skills. They've already surpassed you actors of the same age in terms of professionalism.

It's just that it still sounds a bit annoying, like flies buzzing around incessantly.

What are Wu Kebo and Jiang Yiyan, this entertainment company boss and artist duo, doing here, singing and dancing together?
Bingbing was sitting at the main table not far away, and he knew what kind of trick they were up to with just one glance.

The fact that several reporters had noted down in their sketchbooks, "Two outstanding actresses from the 02 class of Beijing Film Academy's Performance Department, shining at the Bazaar Charity Night," says it all—it's an attempt to create hype.

Whether Liu Yifei saw through it or not, she couldn't withstand this kind of subtle attack.

You can't very well give Jiang Yiyan, who's always so subservient and obsequious in front of you, a cold shoulder right now, can you?

Isn't this exactly what the latter wanted?

Jiang Jianzhu wished Xiao Liu would slap her across the face.

The redder your face is, the redder you'll be tomorrow.

Xiao Liu smiled slightly at the two of them, but didn't say much. He just reached out to Chen Daoming, who was watching the show with his arms crossed, and said, "Hello, Teacher Chen. Lu Kuan often praises your acting skills to me. It's great to finally meet you today."

Chen Daoming still exudes the aura of the Eighth Prince, and he seems rather indifferent to today's young actors.

They're all experts at hype, but none of them have any real acting skills.

This Liu Yifei seems to be quite diligent, but Chen Daoming learned from Jiang Yiyan that Liu was a resource-rich person who had gotten along well with everyone, and she had also suppressed him, her classmate.

Actors of Feng Yuanzheng and Chen Daoming's generation don't pay much attention to gossip, so this preconceived notion made them look rather indifferent: "You flatter me, Director Lu, you are too kind. I don't deserve such praise."

Jiang Yiyan chuckled inwardly, thinking, "Finally, someone of high moral character isn't fawning over you, this proud daughter of heaven, is he?"

The TV series "Our Youth That Has Nowhere to Go", produced by Chengtian, is scheduled to premiere on Zhejiang Satellite TV next year.

The production team is currently preparing to start filming and casting. This is a project orchestrated by Chen Daoming through Cheng Tian, ​​and he is in charge of it.

The female lead was recommended by Wu Kebo, and Jiang Yiyan, a newcomer with a strong literary and artistic temperament, has been tentatively chosen. They also plan to create hype around the casting process.

In her previous life, Jiang Yiyan had a rumored affair with Chen Daoming. In this life, it seems she has completely sold herself to Chengtian, who has Japanese investment background.

Liu Yifei laughed, seemingly oblivious to the situation: "Before the filming of 'The Sky of History' wrapped up, there was a one-shot scene. He used your scene on the small boat in 'My Heart Flies' as a model to teach me."

"In that scene, you were injured and lying on a small boat, rowing unsteadily ashore."

"Because the shooting situation is very complicated, the shooting time must be controlled very precisely. If we miss the beautiful sunset, we can only shoot the next day."

"As a result, in the final long take, your character never left the frame, maintaining an excellent angle and position with the camera, and even designed an action for the director as an editing point."

Xiao Liu delivered these words in a gentle and graceful manner, showing a junior actor's respect for his senior in terms of professional skills.

There was no blatant flattery or fawning in her words, nor did she need it.

With the sedan chair being carried by many people, Chen Daoming could no longer maintain his composure. This established actor, then the "Chairman of the China Film Association," stood up and remarked with emotion:
"China is not lacking in good teachers, but rather in actors who can settle down and professionally study their craft."

"Although I haven't had much communication or collaboration with director Lu Kuan, I can tell that he takes film very seriously and is also a director who is very good at directing actors."

"To be frank, I hope that you excellent young actors can take more time to mature and improve yourselves in a down-to-earth manner."

Jiang Yiyan, who hadn't even had time to gloat for long, frowned slightly, and the reporters were also led astray.

The topic was changed to "Outstanding young actress Liu Yifei exchanging acting tips with veteran actor Chen Daoming", which completely deviated from Jiang Jianzhu's original intention.

"Yes, that's what I'm planning to do too." Xiao Liu nodded and smiled. "I've already signed up for the Beijing People's Art Theatre's recruitment starting next month. I'm going to refine and improve my experience from the past few years through stage performances."

"I want to truly internalize the guidance I received from working with these outstanding directors."

Chen Daoming's eyes lit up: "Great! That's really good. It seems we old fogies have been meddling in other people's business. You young actors of this generation are all ambitious and idealistic."

Liu Yifei deftly steered the conversation off-topic, glancing at her frowning old classmate before turning to Chen Daoming in a nonchalant tone: "Teacher Daoming, I overheard your interview in the waiting area just now. Are you currently preparing for a TV series?"

Chen Daoming paused for a moment: "Ah, yes, a romance drama."

"If there is a suitable role, I can try out for it, if it doesn't conflict with my schedule at the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

Jiang Yiyan's fingernails were so sharp they could dig into her palms, so she naturally couldn't say in public that she got the lead role through Wu Kebo's underhanded tactics.

He could only watch helplessly as his smiling old classmate delivered a fatal blow, seemingly casually but subtly.

If she really wants to take it, who can compete with her?

The architect was getting impatient and could hardly contain himself. He turned his head and gave his boss a pleading look, afraid that Chen Daoming, this stubborn old man who believed "the show is bigger than the person," would actually start to consider it carefully.

Jiang Yiyan herself was able to gain his favor by being packaged as a cultured young woman with refined acting skills.

Wu Kebo shook his head slightly, indicating that she should not be impatient, this is only the beginning.

He's the owner of one of the top three companies in the industry, so he naturally has a more macro perspective.

Chen Daoming had just showered the person with praise when the person then offered to audition. Even if he was still a bit awkward, he couldn't very well refuse outright. He smiled amicably and said, "You're most welcome, but TV dramas are not like movies. I'm afraid you might not like them."

"No, such a great learning opportunity, I'd be happy to take advantage of it as long as time allows..."

"Xixi! You can't do this!" Jiang Yiyan blurted out, her expression changing drastically, her tone somewhat harsh and out of control.

Her lips suddenly tightened, her nostrils flared uncontrollably, and her fingernails dug deeply into the soft flesh of her palms, turning bluish-white from the excessive force.

Reporters have the keenest sense of smell; in a short time, several broadcast cameras and interview cameras approached, all of which were media outlets authorized by the organizers, including Wenjie Video.

Wu Kebo, his face dark, gave Jiang Yiyan a sharp look and gently patted her arm: "Yiyan, what are you saying?"

Jiang Yiyan suddenly realized what was happening. Looking at the seemingly harmless little white flower in front of her, the nightmares of the past seemed to fall like an iron curtain, representing the entertainment industry class she could never cross.

She swallowed hard, and facing the cameras practically slamming into her face, she said awkwardly, "No, Sisi, what I meant was..."

Jiang Yiyan felt her world spinning, and two vertical lines involuntarily appeared between her brows.

Her lower eyelids twitched slightly, and her normally deliberately crescent-shaped smiling eyes now had nowhere to hide.

If it were someone who wasn't so jealous of Xiao Liu, they wouldn't be in this predicament right now.

Jiang Yiyan's painful memories—the suppression, slaps, and humiliation she suffered because of Liu Yifei—rushed to her side in each of her beds, one after the other, flooding back to her mind.

It almost choked the female literary youth to the point of being unable to breathe.

The world of fame and fortune is essentially a jungle law. You started this conflict on your own initiative, and now someone's simple words have thrown you into disarray. No one will sympathize with you.

"Consort Yi, why aren't you seated yet? You're the only one waiting."

Zhuang Xu had been watching the commotion from the main table. Now, seeing that Jiang Yiyan's neck veins were bulging, he worried that she might harm Liu Yifei, so he smiled and walked over to check on the situation.

Xiao Liu smiled and said, "Oh, I ran into an old classmate. We chatted for a while."

Liu Yifei maintained the same expression throughout, her smile as subtle as ink spreading on rice paper, undiminished.

She tilted her head slightly, her black hair brushing past the pearl earring, the lines from her jaw to her neck resembling a meticulously drawn portrait of a lady, even the curve of her throat as she swallowed exuded a calm and graceful rhythm like jade porcelain.

"Mr. Wu, Mr. Daoming, please excuse me." Xiao Liu nodded to Jiang Yiyan, who was extremely embarrassed and awkward, and had no interest in continuing to kick her while she was down.

If it weren't for her sudden appearance and barking, I wouldn't even have bothered to glance at her.

Liu Yifei followed the presidents of Blogcn and Weibo, who were there to protect her, to the head table, leaving only her slender back view for the celebrities who had been watching the drama from the front row.

Bingbing felt the red wine in his mouth becoming increasingly astringent, and dared not relax his vigilance in the slightest against his enemy, who was four or five years younger.
Yanzi was so excited she couldn't contain herself. Even as an ancient flower, she couldn't help but marvel at Xiao Liu's quick wit and sharpness.

She is like a gentle, blunt knife, wrapped in a stunningly beautiful exterior. Her seemingly relaxed conversation has already turned her provocateurs into a tormented beast.

Su Chang was not surprised, and sighed that Liu Xiaolv, whom Boss Lu had mentioned, had started bullying people again;
Da Mimi looked thoughtfully at Jiang Yiyan, who looked dejected, and suddenly realized that her own embarrassment at failing to sow discord was just as unbearable.

This top-tier actress, making her first public appearance since returning to the Chinese entertainment industry, has subtly given everyone the opportunity to redefine her.

It really left a deep impression.

On the evening of November 25th, in the top-tier social scene in China, such probing and counterattacks were just a tiny, insignificant detail.

Here, every smile could be a sign of weakness, and every polite greeting could conceal a probing edge.

The scarcity of resources determines the brutality of competition.

The carefully maintained public persona is often at odds with one's true self in private; the elegance and composure in the spotlight often require strategic planning behind the scenes.

The entertainment industry is like a battlefield without gunpowder. The struggle for discourse power, the shaping of image, and the positioning of resources are all completed through seemingly accidental interactions, resulting in fatal shifts in offense and defense.

Liu Yifei was seated at the main table, and before she could even greet the guests at the same table, Su Mang had already taken the microphone and gone on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! The 5th Bazaar Charity Gala is now officially open!"

The female editor was extremely excited, and her last sentence was delivered in a harsh, throat-singing style, which sounded like a startled gong to the celebrities and big shots present.

Yanzi, Bingbing, and the others who came today with special purposes were all on high alert, and all the entertainment reporters and other people who were waiting to see the drama unfold were also eagerly anticipating it.

Waiting for the show to begin.

(End of this chapter)