I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

As we all know, the entertainment industry is full of talented people. While acting skills are a necessity to become a big star under the spotlight, a good figure is definitely another way to become famous.

Many female celebrities in the industry initially rose to fame because of their 'good figure'.

Yang Mi's figure is famously good in the industry; the nickname "Da Mi Mi" is no joke.

Although the movie "The Island" in which she starred was a terrible film, her outstanding figure in the movie made the film a hit, and she became famous because of her good figure.

Then there's Li Xiaoran, the universally acknowledged "Snow White" of the entertainment industry. She has become popular for many years based on her looks and figure. With her fair skin and voluptuous figure, I believe no man can resist her charm.

Zhang Yuqi, handpicked by Stephen Chow as his "Star Girl," possesses exceptional looks and figure. She is poised to become the embodiment of sexiness and charisma, and her straightforward and genuine personality alone has garnered her countless fans.

Needless to say, Liu Yan is a future 'sexy goddess' in China. Her name has long been synonymous with "sexy". Many viewers think of her first when they talk about this word, which shows Liu Yan's status in the hearts of the audience.

Enlight Media should have been able to see Liu Yan's strengths, so why did they abandon her?

Something's not right, absolutely not right.

Cheng Sheng has memories of another world and knows about Liu Yan's future development.

She has always been active in the entertainment industry, and there is no record of her ever working as a personal assistant!

But what exactly is going on with Liu Yan in this world?

Instead of following the course of events in another world, she came to my company to work as a personal assistant. Could it be that my butterfly effect was too strong and influenced Liu Yan?
"Boss, do you remember the movie 'The Promise'?" Xing Aina asked.

The Promise!
Upon hearing Xing Aina's reminder, Cheng Sheng instantly remembered that this seemed to be related to Liu Yan.

In 2002, 22-year-old Liu Yan participated in the "Mango TV Star Girl Selection Contest," which led her to become a host at Hunan TV, thus entering the entertainment industry.

To be honest, although Liu Yan is famous for her sex appeal, her growth story is much more inspiring than that of many celebrities. If she wanted to take shortcuts, she had plenty of opportunities, but she didn't; she chose to work hard.

In 2005, Liu Yan was discovered by Enlight Media. At that time, her mother was seriously ill, and in order to treat her mother's illness, Liu Yan decided to go to Beijing to pursue her dreams.

In order to make money, she chose to break up with her boyfriend, with whom she was already engaged. From then on, Liu Yan devoted herself entirely to her career.

During that period, Liu Yan kept his phone on 24 hours a day. In order to get to the company as soon as possible to start work, he even chose to live right next to the company.

At her busiest, she hosted 12 shows a day.

Since she is not formally trained, Liu Yan needs to strengthen her training in all aspects.

So every day after get off work, she would work hard to learn vocal music and dance.

Even so, Liu Yan suffered his first major setback in his early career.

In 2005, Liu Yan had a rare opportunity—to interview the renowned director Chen Kaige.

At the time, the movie that Chen Kaige was vigorously promoting was "The Promise," which was later called "the worst movie in history."

However, Liu Yan angered Chen Kaige with a question, so much so that he "slammed the table, glared at him, and smashed a teacup."

This wasn't really a big deal; Liu Yan was just asking Chen Kaige, "What if the result isn't as good as you expected?"

It has to be said that Chen Kaige was really petty, showing no respect whatsoever, and directly lost his temper on the spot: "Let me tell you, I am very unhappy with what you said. The question itself is unfriendly. How can you ask me such a question when the film is only 3 days away from being released? You have hurt my dignity."

Liu Yan, perhaps stunned by the criticism, added, "I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that the audience's reaction to 'The Emperor's Shadow' wasn't very good..."

Chen Kaige then slammed the cup on the table: "This is like me throwing a full-month celebration for my child, and you're telling me what to do if the child dies?"

An interview became a stain on Liu Yan's career, but at the time she was still unknown, and media reports only referred to her as "a host." Liu Yan was subsequently "blacklisted" by Chen Kaige.

Although Chen Kaige did not express his opinion, people in the industry tacitly agreed to this "ban," since everyone in the industry gives Chen Kaige some face.

Liu Yan's resources declined rapidly, but Enlight Media, another company, did not give up on her.

But what's wrong with this world?

Enlight Media seems to have simply abandoned Liu Yan.

Since Enlight Media has given up on Liu Yan, Cheng Sheng will snatch him away.

Having read Liu Yan's information from another memory, Cheng Sheng greatly admired Liu Yan's authenticity and frankness.

When she first debuted in 2005, she had a fresh and innocent image as a news anchor. In 2008, she shot a series of photos for "Men's Health" magazine, and the label of "sexy goddess" was instantly attached to her and could never be removed.

She did indeed benefit from those years, with more gigs and more buzz, but the price was that no matter what she acted in, the audience's first glance was always drawn to her chest.

She stated soberly in the interview: "I don't mind being sexy, but I mind being objectified."

She dressed elegantly, appropriately, and beautifully, yet she had to endure unwarranted malice and stares.

Her breasts became her label, but also her shackles.

In 2019, "The Beneficiary" was released.

Liu Yan plays a working-class online female anchor who removes her makeup in front of the camera and delivers a monologue in her local dialect.

In that scene, she was practically playing herself.

"I'm also from Hunan, and my mother is also sick."

"I'm also working hard alone out here, and I also want to have a home."

At that moment, she was not Liu Yan; she was the woman whose back was bent by life, yet she still had to live on with a smile.

For this role, she won the Best Actress award at the 11th Macau International Film Festival.

In her acceptance speech, she said, "I can finally tell everyone that I am actress Liu Yan."

It took her fourteen years to go from "sexy" to "acting skills".

Over the course of fourteen years, she played minor roles, served as a decorative object, and was ridiculed and looked down upon.

But she never said she would give up.

In the 2022 TV series "Meng Hua Lu", she played the cook Sun San Niang. There was a scene where she jumped into a river, wearing coarse clothes, with her hair disheveled, and splashing around in the water without any regard for her image.

After watching the video, one viewer commented, "I almost didn't recognize that this is Liu Yan."

These two roles, one winning an award and the other earning critical acclaim, have one thing in common: neither has anything to do with "sexiness."

She proved one thing with her abilities: I can attract you with my figure, but I want to keep you with my skills.

Based on this alone, Cheng Sheng felt that Liu Yan was more clear-headed than 90% of the female celebrities in the industry. (End of Chapter)