The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 39 Lack of Educational System

"A group of losers banding together."

Huang Li, with his sharp tongue, tried to reason with Sun Li: "Who isn't a loser? What kind of image does Shen Shandeng have? He's an angry young man, a radical youth, a rebel, and a business-obsessed person. He can't get up once he falls down, and you're the only one who treats him like a treasure."

“Is it true that China Film Group is in charge? You don’t need to worry about China Film Group projects.” Sun Li retorted, “Shen Shandeng already has fans, and he rose to his position step by step through education. His personal image is not what you describe.”

Huang Li scoffed: "What good is a public image! The film industry is all about connections. His reputation in the industry is already ruined, and the academics hate him."

"So you kicked me when I was down," Sun Li said with a hint of sarcasm.

Huang Li said righteously, "He deserved it. He was so arrogant and challenged the rules of the entire industry. He brought it on himself."

Sun Li said, "But China Film Group values ​​him."

Huang Li continued to refute Sun Li: "Do you think Han Sanping can control everything? He's quite controversial, and he might just slip up one day. Like I said, Shen Shandeng can't withstand any setbacks."

Sun Li was unconvinced.

In the end, it's just playing a role, such a simple thing, yet Huang Li suddenly rose to the level of a fan club.

"Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, and Chen Kun have joined the cast. And Wu Jing is supporting it with all his money. Are they all confused, and you're the only smart one?"

“I’m really smart.” Huang Li didn’t think it was sarcasm and replied matter-of-factly, “I said, they are all losers.”

"Fan Bingbing, what kind of image does she have? Huayi has no place for her and has left, they're looking for a new employer."

"Chen Kun ran out of acting roles and semi-retired from the entertainment industry to pursue music."

"Huang Xiaoming is a good person, but that's about it. His company is mediocre, and like Chen Kun, his career is coming to an end."

"Wu Jing is even worse off. Like actors of my generation, he can only wander around in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, like a headless fly."

“Sun Li, listen to me! In this industry, the most important thing is connections. I’m not criticizing you, but Tangren, where you used to work, started from behind the scenes in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and is the most marginalized part of the television industry.”

"You still need to keep your eyes open. Just wait and see. One failure and Shen Shandeng will show his true colors, and the monkeys will scatter when the tree falls."

Sun Li retorted angrily, "So what if you have connections and resources?"

"I really do have some." Huang Li didn't know what modesty was and said slowly, "We agreed that after we got married you would go back to your family and not think too much. I'll give you pocket money."

Huang Li would never allow his wife to continue working in the entertainment industry.

Who lets their beautiful wife mingle in that circle? He knows all too well what kind of men are in that circle; just look at himself.

Moreover, if Sun Li meets more people, builds her own network, and has a career, would he still be able to express his love from afar?
Huang Li stared at Sun Li, applying pressure; he knew her well.

In their past relationship, after winning each other's hearts, it was always the other who made concessions.

"I can earn it myself!" Sun Li thought to herself, but she still felt discouraged.

After putting her daughter to sleep, Sun Li made a phone call to her boss and good friend, Cai Yinong.

"Sister K".

Sun Li felt a little wronged, as she had been in a bad mood ever since giving birth.

Cai Yinong's English name is Karen, and those close to her call her Sister K.

"Lily, what's wrong?" Cai Yinong asked with concern.

Sun Li and she are not only colleagues, but also good friends. They have witnessed each other's careers.

"Sister K, how's 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio' going?" Sun Li asked, first inquiring about the other person's work.

“That’s great. There’s a really good newcomer, Liu Shishi. I’m thinking of signing her,” Cai Yinong said.

As a mainland Chinese, Cai Yinong has definitely made a name for herself behind the scenes in Hong Kong's entertainment circle; she's got some skills.

Tangren's dramas are generally broadcast in Taiwan. Cai Yinong comes from the Hong Kong entertainment circle, and most of Tangren's bosses and behind-the-scenes staff are also from the Hong Kong and Taiwan circles.

Tangren's main connections are with Hong Kong and Taiwan. In its early years, Tangren used actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan to play male leads.

However, it's clear to anyone with eyes to see that Huayu Entertainment's future lies in mainland China, so Tangren Media is gradually shifting its focus to the mainland.

Nowadays, managing an artist is more profitable than acting. After painstakingly cultivating a top star, she got married, had children, and retired from the industry at the peak of her career. Cai Yinong can't keep waiting and is looking for a replacement.

"That's great, let's have dinner together sometime."

Sun Li's voice was somewhat low; she had tricked her best friend a bit.

Cai Yinong, who used to be a manager, is now a boss, but she is still very perceptive. Sensing that Lily was in a bad mood, she asked, "Lily, is there something you want to tell your sister?"

Sun Li explained her dilemma.

Upon hearing this, Cai Yinong was not very surprised.

Sun Li had already anticipated this when she got married.

From the perspective of balancing the relationship, the woman should certainly have a career, otherwise she will have no say in the family.

It's impossible for Sun Li to say she lacks ambition, but she knows Huang Li better. He has a high standing in the industry and is a teacher at the Beijing Film Academy. Between the two of them, Sun Li is completely under Huang Li's thumb.

Cai Yinong sighed, knowing full well that this was a private matter between the couple: "There's nothing your sister can do to advise you. The entertainment industry is a mixed bag; being a good wife and mother might not be a bad thing."

The next day.

Sun Li arranged to meet Shen Shandeng at a coffee shop for a chat.

It was a key project for China Film Group and an opportunity for the big screen. Even if she refused, Sun Li still wanted to make things clear in person.

Upon receiving Sun Li's invitation, Shen Shandeng put aside his current tasks and went to meet her in person.

This actor already had a certain level of fame before getting married and having children, and the movie "The Eunuch" needs an actor like him.

"Sister Li, it's only been a short time since we last met, but you've lost a lot of weight."

Shen Shandeng shook hands with her and inquired about her health.

Sun Li smiled and ordered him a drink: "Looking after a child is stressful and tiring." Shen Shandeng looked around: "Where's Duoduo?"

Sun Li said, "My mother-in-law will help take a look."

After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Shandeng got straight to the point: "Sister Li, let me briefly introduce the 'The Eunuch' project. To be honest, this project is an attempt to upgrade the Chinese film industry and also a way to find a new path for costume blockbusters and blockbuster strategies."

"Have you seen the demo of Su Xiaoxiao's character? This character has two sides and is very challenging. I'm only at ease with the addition of a talented actress like Sister Li."

Sun Li listened to Shen Shandeng's introduction and wanted to speak several times, but she was too embarrassed to say anything.

After Shen Shandeng finished speaking, she whispered, "Duoduo is too young, I can't play this role."

Shen Shandeng's face immediately darkened.

They're just messing with him. If they didn't intend to cooperate, they could have just said so by phone or email. Why bother calling him out and wasting so much of his time?

"That's regretful."

Shen Shandeng's tone turned cold.

Sun Li said apologetically, "I understand this is a good opportunity. Thank you for thinking of me as your older sister. Let's work together again in the future."

Shen Shandeng had completely lost interest in talking, but still maintained his politeness and said, "The crew has a lot of things waiting for me, let's talk again when we have a chance."

After saying this, Shen Shandeng got up to take his leave.

There's really no need to continue the conversation. Calling me "sister" makes me feel like I'm really her sister, and it's a bit awkward.

Perhaps pregnancy has made him stupid; Huang Li tried to get involved when the project was first established, and even now he's giving interviews and making sarcastic remarks about him. If it weren't for Sun Li's own fame and the help she gained from joining "The Eunuch," Shen Shandeng wouldn't have bothered to deal with her.

Seeing that the drink hadn't been touched, Shen Shandeng was about to leave. His attitude was completely different from before, and he turned hostile on the spot.

Sorrow welled up from my heart.

After getting pregnant and giving birth, her career was ruined, and she felt guilty towards Cai Yinong. At home, she was being lectured by Huang Li, and there were also conflicts in her relationship with her mother-in-law. This morning, she was constantly being nagged.
I couldn't help but cry.

Why is she the one suffering both at home and outside?

Why is it that the better people are the ones who suffer the most?

"Stop crying, or people will think someone bullied you." Shen Shandeng sat down helplessly.

Thankfully it was a public place. If it had been a private place, he was really worried that she might have suffered from postpartum depression and done something rash, and then things would have been very complicated.

"sorry."

Sun Li quickly explained, "I just felt really embarrassed, so I wanted to make things clear in person."

Shen Shandeng admonished, “I’m very busy, unlike you who has so much free time. Next time this happens, you can send an email to the casting director or assistant director. If you feel you can’t explain it clearly, you can make a phone call. There’s no need to go through all this trouble if there’s no follow-up.”

"No one's business should be delayed; this is basic common sense in the workplace."

Shen Shandeng discovered that after a lecture, Sun Li's emotions gradually stabilized.

Some people are just naturally sensitive; Sun Li probably has a less-than-ideal upbringing; and Shen Shandeng is eccentric.

He continued, "I understand how you feel. Being out of touch with society for two years can be discontinuous."

"But this period of time is not long. Core skills and professional qualities will not disappear. Market environment changes are the norm, and even those who have been working for a long time need to continue learning. You should focus on improving yourself."

"If you don't want to be in the spotlight, you can act in plays or something. Of course, you also need to master communication and collaboration tools as soon as possible."

Sun Li felt better after being scolded.

"Thank you, I feel much better now that someone has spoken to me."

"So be it."

Shen Shandeng waited until she calmed down before leaving.
After finishing her coffee, Sun Li thought for a moment and typed a text message: "I'm really sorry this time. Can we still chat like friends in the future?"

Shen Shandeng received the text message, but did not reply.

Back on set.

Ma Youde came over to report on public opinion trends: "The controversy over 'weak countries have no art' has cooled down among the general public, but the debate within the industry has not disappeared, and several film weekly magazines are still arguing about it."

Those who support Shen Shandeng talk about industry and technology.

Those who criticize him often do so from an artistic perspective.

These artists use jargon and concepts repeatedly, talking about metaphysics over and over again, without mentioning the current state of the domestic film industry or the lessons learned from the development of foreign film industries, or rather, they don't understand them.

It was hollow and boring, but the sound was quite loud.

"It's old news, ignore it, it's just another way to generate buzz."

Shen Shandeng read the message but did not reply, refused to be interviewed, and said he was in seclusion making a film when asked.

"Once the brand awareness is established, information about the project will be released in stages. The involvement of Huang Xiaoming and Chen Kun creates a rhythm that allows netizens to feel involved."

"A sense of participation!" Ma Youde muttered to himself, taking notes in his notebook as he felt he had learned a lot.

The Spring Festival is approaching.

After arranging the holiday, Shen Shandeng personally approached Chen Hao to fill Sun Li's vacancy.

"Good sister."

When Shen Shandeng needed something from someone, he never lacked proper etiquette.

Chen Hao retorted bluntly, "Shen Shandeng, how dare you show your face in front of me!"

Hearing the resentful tone, Shen Shandeng was taken aback.

(End of this chapter)