How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 135 He went up and slapped her [3rd update, please subscribe]

"Would he agree?"

After watching Zhou Xingxing's car leave, Zhang Yuqi slipped back into Wang Yao's office and asked expectantly.

Actually, she was quite conflicted about this job change.

On one hand, it's thanks to Stephen Chow's recognition and support; if he hadn't chosen her to star in "CJ7," her life might have taken a completely different path.

However, if the company hadn't later arranged such a narrow career path for her, she wouldn't have wanted to part ways.

"I don't know, but it feels very likely. But it's best to keep the initiative in our own hands; that way I'll feel more at ease," Wang Yao smiled.

"Oh dear, I have to do some street photography at the airport later, I don't have time to keep you company." Zhang Yuqi said with a hint of annoyance, turning away from Wang Yao and pulling away from him.
"What do you think of my suggestion?" Wang Yao sat back in his boss's chair.

“I’m not afraid to slap him, I’m afraid that after I slap him my reputation will be ruined and you won’t want me anymore.” Zhang Yuqi said with a mournful expression, her words carrying a double meaning.

“Your life is your own. Anyway, I’ve taught you the methods. It’s up to you how you decide. At worst, you’ll just have to pay a penalty for breach of contract. I’ll lend you the money first. You can definitely earn it back by working with me for two years.” Wang Yao said with a warm smile.

"You! You're a scumbag!" Zhang Yuqi had hoped to hear some comforting words, but this man's mouth was full of self-interest!
She rushed over and bit his arm hard.

"Tsk, you're a dog, aren't you?" Wang Yao gently pushed her away, frowning as he spoke.

"Hmph, who knows where they'll bite next time. I'm off." Zhang Yuqi smiled smugly and strode away.

She's going to the capital to do something big.

"I heard Stephen Chow is here? Really?!" Not long after Zhang Yuqi left, Zhao Liying ran up to her.

After joining the company, she not only has a dedicated operations team, but also a professional stylist from the show to help her with her styling. Now she has finally shed her simple and rough naivety and has a touch of the sophistication of a female celebrity.

Because she has a sweet style, her recent clothing style has changed a lot. She wears a high bun, a JK-style dress, over-the-knee cotton socks, and lace-trimmed leather shoes, looking every bit the energetic young girl.

"Are you a know-it-all? How do you know this news?" Wang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly.

He was very discreet when he arranged to meet Stephen Chow, just to avoid causing a disturbance, since there were two other film crews shooting there.

For these industry insiders, Stephen Chow is an absolute icon, almost a god-like figure.

"I found out from the security guard. The old man said he saw Stephen Chow," Zhao Liying said excitedly.

"Yes, we talked about something. Don't tell anyone," Wang Yao said, frowning.

This girl even bribed the security guard; she's got pretty good social skills.

"Mmm, Mr. Wang, is there a chance we could work with Stephen Chow? Could you get me his autograph? My mom loves him." Zhao Liying clasped her hands together, mimicking a puppy wishing someone a Happy New Year.

“Wait for another chance. Didn’t you film today?” Wang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Filming is finished. PD Li didn't give me many lines, because he was worried that if I talked too much, it would cause misunderstandings and make the editing difficult." Zhao Liying chuckled.

“Okay, then you can be a little mascot. It just so happens that Yu Zheng is coming later, so you can catch up,” Wang Yao said with a smile.

"Then I'll go greet him." Zhao Liying was overjoyed upon hearing this and excitedly ran out again.

Wang Yao felt that she had too much energy and that he could assign her more work.

A moment later, Yu Zheng's cheeky voice and Zhao Liying's booming laughter came from outside.

"Mr. Wang, it's nice to see you again. Have you lost weight recently?" Yu Zheng greeted him with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.

"It's been hot lately, so it's good to wear less clothing. Editor Yu has gotten quite plump." Wang Yao's gaze passed over Yu Zheng's shoulder and landed on Yang Mi behind him.

"Hello, Mr. Wang, it's great to finally meet you." Yang Mi wore her signature fake smile, secretly marveling at the youth of this behind-the-scenes boss.

It's been almost a month since she was invited by Ji to sign with Xinghuo as a studio, and this is the first time she's actually met the boss behind the scenes.

She hadn't even met him in person, yet he had already arranged for her to play the lead role on a satellite TV show. This treatment made her feel flattered and somewhat inexplicably emotional.

Finally, my value in the professional field has been recognized.

"Hello, Miss Yang. I've been quite busy lately and haven't had a chance to meet. I'm so glad to meet you, thanks to Editor Yu. Please make yourself at home; we're all family here." Wang Yao nodded in greeting.

"Mr. Wang, your company's office environment is truly enviable. I heard that this row of villas is all Tianhuo's site? Using villas as offices, I'd love to come and work for you," Yu Zheng said with a smile.

“The working environment is better, so employees can work harder. And the rent is much cheaper than that of a core office. There are also many commercial shops or villas in this area. If Editor Yu is interested, he can consider moving here as a neighbor. Besides, the town is a filming location,” Wang Yao introduced.

“Okay, Mr. Wang will put me in charge later,” Yu Zheng said in a friendly manner.

"Just tell me which part you're interested in, and I'll take over the investment promotion for this area," Wang Yao said with a smile.

Yu Zheng's smile froze. What was originally just a casual compliment might actually be coming to fruition now.

"Mr. Wang is also in the real estate business?" Yang Mi asked, somewhat surprised.

Although she has been trying to find out about Wang Yao's background recently, first through Tang Yan, then through Qin Lan of the Teddy family, and now through Yu Zheng, the information about him is still very vague. Is he a second-generation rich kid with a mysterious background?

"I'm just helping with investment promotion and earning a small fee as an intermediary." Wang Yao waved his hand. "You've already discussed the script, right? No problem?"

“It’s specially tailored for her, so there’s definitely no problem.” Yu Zheng handed over a script.

"I think it's quite interesting, but I feel a little embarrassed to be paired with Shishi." Yang Mi smiled awkwardly.

Actually, she and Liu Shishi had a good relationship, but unfortunately, Cai Yinong was in between them. "It's okay, you can tell her it's just the same topic, not the same style. Instead of waiting for her to see the news, you might as well give her a heads-up beforehand," Wang Yao said dismissively.

"Won't this alert the enemy?" Yu Zheng asked cautiously.

"Anyway, our release is fast, so we might as well take advantage of the free traffic in the early stages. It's always good to be prepared for the worst." Wang Yao waved his hand, took out the product information cards that needed to be integrated into the show, and pasted them on the corresponding plot points. "These are the products that need to be subtly integrated into the show. We can go back and make some changes and then start filming."

"President Wang has already raised the funds?" Yu Zheng asked, somewhat surprised.

Normally, after the script is completed, it needs to be approved and finalized, and the production list, cast and other materials need to be prepared before investors start raising funds. After all, 2000 million is not a small amount. Even if only 30% prepayment is required to start production, I have never seen such efficient investors.

Even he himself wasn't that confident about the script.

“Time is money, right? Once the script is approved, we can sign the contract, make the payment, and start filming. Ms. Yang, is your schedule okay?” Wang Yao asked.

"Mr. Wang, just call me by my name or Mimi. Ms. Yang is too formal. Besides, you can decide my schedule." Yang Mi quickly waved her hand and said with a smile.

“Okay, Liying, take Yang Mi to visit the two film sets, let her get to know the other colleagues in the company, and while you’re at it, let PD Li see if there are any suitable scenes for her. Since we’re already here, let’s not waste the opportunity,” Wang Yao said with a smile.

Knowing that Wang Yao had something to say to Yu Zheng, the two of them tactfully got up to say goodbye.

Yu Zheng looked at Wang Yao with anticipation.

"Editor Yu, could you take a look at this script for me?" Wang Yao handed over a copy of the script.

"22.22? Okay, that's a poetic name." Yu Zheng paused for a moment after taking it.

The title of this script feels a bit abstract.

"This script is my idea. I'll have a Korean screenwriter enrich it first, and then a domestic screenwriter will adapt it," Wang Yao explained the script outline.

"Is it a coming-of-age story about a Chinese girl studying abroad? Is Mr. Wang eyeing the popularity of 'Du Lala'?" Yu Zheng quickly discerned the key elements from the outline and the relatively short script.

"What else can Yu Bian see?" Wang Yao narrowed his eyes, his smile subtle.

“Hmm, the three sisters have different personalities, but they complement each other. The later setting is 2032? Food delivery, online loans, and digital devices sound very novel and futuristic, um,” Yu Zheng racked his brains to praise.

"What do you see as the main plot?" Wang Yao's smile deepened.

"The main plot is why the female lead racks her brains to go abroad and become a female host in Japan? Judging from the plot, it's like a golden phoenix flying out of a small mountain village, a female growth theme, right?" Yu Zheng pondered.

"Editor Yu, have you heard of the Diaoyu Islands movement?" Wang Yao asked.

"Never heard of it." Yu Zheng was taken aback.

"That's good." Wang Yao smiled subtly and took the script back.

"But there's one line in it that's quite good, very charming," Yu Zheng said, scratching his head as he chewed.

"You must wait patiently, and wait some more, to see when the grapes will ripen."

Yang Mi and Zhao Liying are acquaintances, both having made guest appearances in "The Dream of Red Mansions". However, neither of them is favored by Li Shaohong, and they are often used as negative examples to reprimand each other on set.

Li Shaohong had been annoyed with Yang Mi for a long time. It wasn't that Yang Mi was poor or had bad acting skills, but rather that she felt Yang Mi was "cheap and cunning." She could clearly act in an 80-point role, but she always just made do with a 60-point role. She also liked to take on multiple roles at once, which was a kind of exasperating frustration.

The reason I dislike Zhao Liying is simply because of the competition between her and Huayi Brothers. At the time, both she and Li Xiaowan wanted to sign this promising talent, but Zhao Liying was wholeheartedly following Hao Ru and spoke unpleasantly, which indirectly offended her.

Li Shaohong has a personality that cherishes talent like her own life. She wants to keep all the good things for herself and will destroy them if she can't get them. However, this personality has also caused her to suffer a major setback in her career from last year to this year. Yang Mi was able to terminate her contract because of this opportunity.

Yang Mi never expected that instead of becoming colleagues with Zhao Liying at Rong Mansion, she would become colleagues with Wang Yao. After hearing that Zhao Liying had been "sold" to Wang Yao by Hao Ru, her feelings became even more complicated.

"Who exactly is this CEO Wang? Why is he making such a big fuss over a variety show?" Yang Mi exclaimed in amazement after visiting the "Grey Clothes" crew and seeing that there were at least a hundred people of various backgrounds, including many Koreans.

"I don't know, but it's really impressive. You guys were even talking to Stephen Chow about a collaboration before you came." Zhao Liying turned her head and forgot Wang Yao's instruction not to make a fuss.

"Stephen Chow? Oh, that's not surprising. When I attend director Wang Jing's events, I often hear them making phone calls. Sister Ji even said that he is one of the behind-the-scenes bosses of Kanpianer.com." Yang Mi shared the gossip in a low voice.

"No wonder the resources they signed are so good; even a C-level actor like me got a cameo role in a movie," Zhao Liying said in surprise.

“I’m a bit better than you. I’m a B-level. I heard that to get promoted, you have to consider revenue and workload, which makes it quite stressful.” Yang Mi smiled.

"I'm just doing my job honestly, getting roles and making money is enough. See that tall, exotic beauty? That's Gulnazar," Zhao Liying introduced her to her main colleagues one by one.

Looking at the faces, each with its own unique beauty and style, Yang Mi breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a subtle sense of urgency. "President Wang has a good eye for talent. These girls could all be campus beauties at our Beijing University of Electronic Science and Technology."

"Hey, they really are all from Beijing University of Electronic Science and Technology, so they're your juniors," Zhao Liying said with a smile.

"Tsk, it's true what they say, new talents replace the old." Yang Mi sighed, then paused, noticing Huang Shengyi entering. "Why is she here too?"

"I heard she came here to 'get Wang's money'; she even invested in this show," Zhao Liying said in a low voice.

"Huh? She's not with Yang?" Yang Mi's eyes widened, and she quickly covered her mouth.

This is truly huge gossip news!

But just as she took out her phone to share this with her Teddy sisters in the QQ group, she discovered that Huo Siyan had revealed an even bigger piece of gossip.

"Wow! Big news! Zhang Yuqi went to Beijing to see Wang Xiaofei, only to find him picking up girls at a club. She went up to him and slapped him. The Beijing entertainment circle is in an uproar!"

(End of this chapter)