Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

A few days later, Li Xiang walked out of Beijing Railway Station carrying his suitcase.

I had just squinted to adjust to the sunlight when I saw Sister Zhou and Xiao Jiang standing on tiptoe, peering out from not far away.

Upon seeing him, Xiao Jiang immediately called out, "Brother Xiang, over here!" The voice pierced through the crowd, and Li Xiang heard it clearly.

Sister Zhou also quickly came forward and, together with Xiao Jiang, took the suitcase and backpack from Li Xiang's hands.

"How was your rest?" Sister Zhou asked with concern.

"Fortunately, I feel quite at ease resting at home."

"Everything has been arranged in Beijing as well." Sister Zhou stepped aside to lead Li Xiang towards the parking area.

"School hasn't started yet, and staying in a hotel isn't very convenient. There are some studio apartments near the office that companies rent long-term. How about we stay there for now?"

Li Xiang was naturally happy that the company had arranged accommodation for him, saving him a lot of trouble.

He nodded immediately: "Then I'll have to trouble you."

After getting in the car, Sister Zhou continued, "I know you don't need a full-time stylist right now, but the company has still found you a styling consultant."

"Let's meet sometime to chat about everyday outfits. This will help you find a style that suits your personality, so you can appear more appropriate in public in the future."

Li Xiang was taken aback for a moment, then realized: "Are you worried that I'm dressed too casually?"

Sister Zhou smiled slightly: "It's not entirely a matter of chance. Your status is different now than before. Even if you go out in private, you might still be recognized."

Finding a consultant to guide you isn't about making a big fuss; it's about finding a style that suits you—something comfortable yet tasteful. That's always a safer bet.

"Okay, whatever you say, anytime is fine."

"Let's set it for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. The location is a coffee shop near the office. I'll go with you then."

Sister Zhou chuckled softly, then looked at Li Xiang, "You know, the company approved a considerable amount of clothing allowance for you."

"This money is just sitting there anyway. If we don't spend it, wouldn't we be saving the company money for nothing? We can't afford to lose that."

Li Xiang also smiled at these words, not because he was greedy for such a small advantage, but because he could tell from Sister Zhou's words that she was trying to get closer to him.

After all, this is a clear distinction between the company's interests and his own, especially in front of the other two members of the team...

He certainly wouldn't let such thoughtfulness go to waste. "Alright, then I'll accept it without hesitation."

Seeing that Li Xiang agreed, Sister Zhou continued, "There's one more thing. If you're going to visit Director Zhang soon, remember to call me."

Mr. Zhao specially prepared some gifts, taking this opportunity to greet Director Zhang. Director Zhang is your mentor; this friendship may be private.

But now that you're a member of Huace, even if you don't engage in those formalities, you should still show the proper respect and courtesy. It's better for everyone that way.

The car turned into a quiet residential area and slowly stopped in front of an apartment building. Xiao Jiang got out first and picked up her luggage. Sister Zhou led Li Xiang into the apartment.

"The apartment is a two-bedroom unit. The master bedroom is spacious and has an ensuite bathroom. It's fully furnished and equipped with appliances. If you need anything, just tell Xiao Jiang and he'll get it for you."

Opening the door, the room was clean and tidy, and sunlight streamed in through the window, making it bright and warm.

Li Xiang walked to the window and looked down. Several old trees swayed in the breeze, their leaves rustling.

"It's pretty good, even better than I expected." He turned around and said to Sister Zhou and Xiao Jiang, "Thank you for your hard work in arranging all this."

"It's all we should do." Sister Zhou smiled and waved her hand. "You should rest for a while. If you're tired, lie down. I'll call you for dinner tonight."

Li Xiang pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No need to wait until tonight. I'll take a shower, and then we'll go to Director Zhang's studio."

"It's a good opportunity to introduce you to the people at the studio. The movie hasn't been released yet, and there's a lot of communication to go through. Getting to know each other sooner will make things easier in the future."

"That's even better." Sister Zhou's eyes lit up.

"Going to see Director Zhang right after returning to Beijing is very courteous; he'll definitely be happy. Okay, go take a shower first, I'll go prepare the gift for Director Zhang right away."

Li Xiang responded and, after Sister Zhou and Xiao Jiang left, turned around and found a change of clothes.

While taking a shower, the warm water washed away the fatigue of the journey, and he mentally went over what he would say to Director Zhang later.

Since I had just signed with a new company, there were some things I really needed to discuss with the director, which would also help improve our relationship.

After drying off and changing, Zhou Jie had already tidied up the gift boxes.

Two boxes of exquisitely packaged tea, paired with a small painting by a contemporary artist—I'd heard that Director Zhang often enjoys these kinds of things, and this one is quite elegant and unconventional.

"Let's go." Li Xiang picked up his coat, and just as he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something, took out his phone, and called Uncle Wang.

"Hey, Uncle, I'm back in Beijing. I'm staying in a studio apartment arranged by the company."

He leaned against the entryway cabinet, his tone relaxed, "Where are you? When are you free? Let's get together for a meal?"

A slightly noisy background voice came from the other end of the phone: "I'm in Shanghai these past few days, I won't be back in Beijing until next week. You rest for now, we'll talk when I get back."

"Okay, then you go ahead with your work, remember to take a break."

Sister Zhou was also ready. Seeing that he had hung up the phone, she asked, "Is Teacher Wang busy?"

"Yeah, I'm in Shanghai. I won't be back until next week." Li Xiang opened the door. "Let's go to the studio. I'll show you the way."

The car wound its way through the old residential area before finally stopping in front of a rather old-fashioned, simple office building.

Sister Zhou and Xiao Jiang looked at the mottled exterior walls and the bicycles parked haphazardly at the entrance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

It's really hard to associate this place with the studio of a famous director.

Li Xiang pretended not to notice their expressions and walked straight inside with the fruit he had just bought.

After opening the slightly ajar security door, it was quieter inside than I had imagined.

The hectic pace of the film's preparation period has subsided considerably, presumably because Director Zhang gave most people a break.

But his senior sister, who was an assistant director, didn't have that kind of vacation privilege.

She was sitting at her workstation, writing something with her head down, when she heard the noise and looked up, her eyes meeting Li Xiang's.

She put down her pen, glanced at the two people behind Li Xiang, and said teasingly, "Oh, junior brother, you've upgraded your equipment quite a bit, haven't you?"

Li Xiang and she had a very good relationship, so he didn't stand on ceremony and said with a smile, "I already have a company, I can't keep going it alone, can I?"

Pointing behind her, she said, "This is Sister Zhou, my executive agent; this is Xiao Jiang, my personal assistant."

Then he walked over to Fu Lulu and solemnly introduced her: "This is my senior colleague, Ms. Fu Lulu, who is also a key figure in Director Zhang's studio—"

"Don't flatter me..." Fu Lulu interrupted with a smile, turning to Sister Zhou and Xiao Jiang and extending her hands.

"Let me formally introduce myself. I am the executive director and casting director of Zhang Yimou's studio. Li Xiang is a bit impulsive at times, so I'll have to trouble you two to keep an eye on him."

This unexpected remark only made Sister Zhou's smile widen. "Director Fu, you're too kind. It's just what we should do."

After shaking hands, Fu Lulu didn't say anything more and directly pulled Li Xiang to the side.

"Tell me quickly what happened? Why did you suddenly sign with Huace? Their strength lies in TV dramas, and they're practically blank in the film industry."

"The way you're talking makes it sound like I have all the choices. Don't forget, my debut film hasn't even been released yet. What kind of person am I?"

If you sign with those film companies, you'll only be sitting on the sidelines for a year or two, and your popularity will completely fade away. Then, you'll be at their mercy.

To be honest, I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. The company's reputation isn't really important; what matters is that they give me real opportunities.

"What I lack most right now is opportunity—opportunity to continuously build my portfolio. Whether the company has a prestigious reputation isn't that important."

"It's good that you know what's going on." Fu Lulu breathed a sigh of relief, then glanced at him again, her tone tinged with concern.

"I'm just afraid you'll get all swayed by their sweet talk."

She leaned forward and lowered her voice: "But you have to understand, TV drama stars are easy to promote. You can become a familiar face by starring in a few popular dramas."

But the film industry is different. To become an actor who can carry a film at the box office, you need years of honing your skills and real talent to even stand on your own.

"Don't put the cart before the horse and waste a perfectly good starting point for movies, only to be fooled into making those mindless idol dramas—"

That would truly be wasting the opportunity we have now.

Having said that, Fu Lulu didn't say anything more, but simply patted Li Xiang's arm:

"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. You know what's going on."