Inside the studio, a black geometric set was erected, and Jiang Xianxian, dressed in a red dress, stood in the set like a rose bathed in sunlight.
As Jiang Xianxian walked along Yun Dai Creek to the computer directly connected to the camera to watch the live footage, her eyes were sharp, lacking the charm that a rose should have.
Moreover, this is a year-end issue, so it needs to have a softer, more gentle feel.
She interrupted, "Allan, I'm sorry, I came to talk to Xianxian."
Allan is known in the industry for his unique style, stubbornness, and distinctive vision, with big names lining up to collaborate with him.
Seeing that it was Yun Daixi, he felt he had to give her some face. He put down his camera, pouted at Yun Daixi, and replied with a smile, "Finally, someone's come to keep an eye on your people."
Yun Daixi quickly led Jiang Xianxian to the next room.
The door had just closed when he said, "Speak up, what's wrong? If it's just a feeling of boredom, calm down here before you go out."
"It's pretty boring," Jiang Xianxian said, standing in front of the mirror and fixing her hair. "I only realized when I got here that I might not even be on the cover. Qiao Zhinuo from our rival just came and left, and she's still ahead of us in the order."
When we first talked to "Feng Hua" magazine, it was agreed that it would be the cover.
"Maybe he's here to shoot another book, and even if it's the same one, it has nothing to do with Allan. He just takes the job and it's not up to him to decide where the photos are taken. You shouldn't give him the cold shoulder."
Jiang Xianxian's tone was disdainful: "You're so sure because when you walked past me, you made a few sarcastic remarks, saying that I picked up what she left behind, and that it's not certain who will be on the cover."
There was another sentence she felt was unnecessary to say, which was about Gu Li'an, saying that Jiang Xianxian clearly wanted to hook up with a rich man, so why did she send a lawyer's letter?
"Take a professional approach and treat this like a movie shoot. No matter what happens, you have to laugh when the director tells you to."
Jiang Xianxian smiled and said, "Easy for you to say."
Yun Daixi's tone carried a warning: "If you don't change, you'll just be replaced by someone who's better than you, and there's no benefit in that."
Jiang Xianxian was a little sullen and stopped talking.
Yun Daixi turned on her phone to check the time. After exactly five minutes had passed, Jiang Xianxian calmed down a bit and said, "Just focus on filming and do your best. I'll take the footage to talk to them about 'Feng Hua' tomorrow."
After saying that, he pulled Yun Daixi out to apologize to Allan and asked him to take another set of photos.
He then instructed his assistant to buy everyone a cup of coffee.
Today I'm destined to make others work overtime.
Filming resumed, and Yun Daixi remained seated quietly in front of the computer.
When the coffee arrived, he personally served coffee to the staff on site.
Jiang Xianxian saw this and realized that she had been a bit impulsive. She gradually got into the zone and finally returned to her normal level.
After filming wrapped, Yun Daixi treated everyone to a meal. It was indeed our own artist's unprofessionalism that caused everyone to work overtime today.
Hearing that the big star Jiang Xianxian was willing to join the dinner party, everyone in the studio became interested. Although Allan had seen many celebrities, he couldn't resist the persuasion of his team members and had to agree to go along.
This was a business dinner to build rapport; after a simple meal, Yun Daixi personally escorted Jiang Xianxian home.
Before leaving, Yun Daixi added, "Next time you encounter something like this, remember to think it through before you act."
Jiang Xianxian lay on the sofa like a dead fish, stretched lazily, and shouted, "Why do you always meddle in so many details?"
"If we're not careful, we'll all fall. In this industry, every recruitment is a death sentence."
Jiang Xianxian regretted giving Yun Daixi room to lecture her again, and quickly begged for forgiveness: "Okay, okay, I behaved very well after you said that today, so you should go back and rest. You've worked hard today too."
Yun Daixi was also tired and too lazy to lecture anymore. Just as she was about to leave, Jiang Xianxian called out to her: "Sister Daixi, do you have some kind of relationship with that President Gu? How come he doesn't sue you even though you've been using him like this?"
"He was Sai Jinhua's friend."
She casually gave a reason that seemed plausible, then opened the door and left.
-
The next morning, Yun Daixi took the sample to the "Feng Hua" office, where the editor-in-chief, Zhang, happened to be free.
She knocked on the door and entered, smiling obsequiously. Yun Daixi placed the photos on her desk: "Editor-in-Chief Zhang, please take a look. These were just taken by Xianxian yesterday."
Zhang, who has climbed to this position, is definitely not an unreasonable person. Holding the box in his hand, he praised it without reservation: "Gentle yet strong, charming without being seductive, this is the kind of group that everyone will like now."
"I heard from Xianxian that he went there yesterday and happened to run into Qiao Zhinuo." Yun Daixi first let out a name to test the waters.
Zhang Ye's face showed a moment of embarrassment as he said, "I was just about to tell you, but things happened so suddenly that I'm afraid the December cover will have to be given to Qiao Zhinuo. However, Xianxian can be featured in the inside pages, and we will give him a few more pages."
Yun Daixi placed the contract on the table and pushed it over: "It's all in black and white."
Zhang was not afraid and simply said, "We will compensate according to the penalty for breach of contract."
"Editor-in-Chief Zhang, would you mind telling me the reason? Let me know where I went wrong so I can pay attention next time." She maintained a polite smile.
"It's all good," she forced a smile. "You know, in our industry, it's all about capital. These days, our publications don't have the same influence as they used to. Whoever has the funds and the traffic calls the shots."
"Thank you for your guidance, Editor-in-Chief Zhang," Yun Daixi said politely.
Zhang also brought it up: "It's a pity that Xianxian and President Gu are together. I originally thought it was true, but then I saw the official denial."
She went along with it, saying, "How could I possibly be worthy of currying favor with such a big shot as President Gu?"
After putting away Jiang Xianxian's photos, she chatted with Zhang Ye for a few more minutes about the latest gossip and trends in the entertainment circle before leaving.
From these few words, I roughly understood the logic: even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. It seems there are quite a few people eyeing this year-end issue, not just for the picture on the cover, but ultimately for the prestigious status of the final issue.
Those who were envious assumed that Jiang Xianxian was President Gu's person, which was why they dared not touch her.
The moment the clarification lawyer's letter was issued, it seems someone immediately had designs on it.
This is just too much like the entertainment industry.
Yun Daixi cursed inwardly.
Without hesitation, she immediately called the magazine "The Lone Ranger," which she had already declined: "Editor-in-Chief Xin, this is Dai Xi. Last time we talked about hoping that Xianxian would shoot the December cover, I had a plan, but now I'm free. How about we schedule a time to talk again?"
Even if the other party knows such nonsense is absurd, they have no choice but to believe it.
She readily agreed, saying, "It's a good thing you still think of me, Dai Xi."
Jiang Xianxian's status means that appearing on "The Lone Ranger" could actually bring them more viewers.
It's just unknown who was originally scheduled to be replaced by someone like Jiang Xianxian who suddenly appeared.
Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp, and shrimp eat mud.
Yun Daixi had only been in this industry for a few days, but she had already seen through all of this.
-
When the December issue came out, Jiang Xianxian's newly filmed high-end skincare product advertisement also appeared on the streets.
Although the audience of "Lone Traveler" is small, it is mostly highly educated women. The photos taken there are completely opposite to the dark red and vibrant style of "Youth".
It is the implicit beauty of the traditional cheongsam.
The photos sparked various discussions on Yun Daixi's platform, with comments like "So beautiful! I'm going crazy!" and "She can pull off both international and traditional styles."
Jiang Xianxian had never tried this style before, and this performance was also for the director Fan Yan, whom Cheng Wei had introduced to her.
The comments from both online trolls and genuine fans flooded the screen with messages saying she was perfect for period dramas set in the Republican era, which meant that Jiang Xianxian already had a good audience appeal when he was casting for the movie.
Killing two birds with one stone.
On the other hand, good things come in pairs, with one of Lin Sui-huan's films nominated for Best Actress at a film festival.
There was only one thing Yun Daixi never expected.
The cover of this issue of "Feng Hua" also features Jiang Xianxian.
When she received the physical book from her assistant, she was still a little skeptical. She checked the official Weibo account and other channels to confirm, tagging Jiang Xianxian and the studio in all of them.
Most people shoot magazine covers like this for free, just to gain a foothold in the industry.
Having no economic ties, Yun Daixi later abandoned the matter after prioritizing the lesser issue over the greater one.
Now, holding the book, she was shocked. She dialed Zhang Ye's office number and said politely, "Editor-in-Chief Zhang, why did you suddenly change the cover without telling me?"
"You see," the other person said, their tone more flattering than before, "it was arranged by President Gu; he chose the one he thought was the best."
She immediately understood what it meant.
Editor-in-Chief Zhang, of course, was not surprised. She naturally assumed that her rumored boyfriend had given her a surprise, spending a fortune to win her favor.
For her and Jiang Xianxian, it wasn't so bad.
I've never seen a female celebrity simultaneously occupy the covers of two of the most prestigious magazines' New Year's editions.
Its glory was unparalleled for a time.
It had been almost half a month since they last met at Sai Jinhua's house.
She suddenly remembered that Sai Jinhua's umbrella was still in Gu Li'an's car.
Yun Daixi made a call, not holding out much hope, thinking he would hang up and call back like last time.
"Hey." She took a deep breath.
The voice on the other end was still as cold as ice: "What is it?"
"I'm here to thank you again for the 'Feng Hua' magazine thing."
Gu Li'an answered the phone and casually opened the tablet. A photo of Chi Muye holding her at the airport lit up. He pinched his thumb and forefinger and slowly zoomed in on her face.
He had seen the photo when he brought Yun Daixi back from the photoshoot that day. Now, he was looking at it to wonder if her expression on the other end of the phone was any different from her expression in the photo when she was in another man's arms.
Yun Daixi heard no sound from the other end, her heart pounding as she waited for his response.
After a long pause, he finally replied, "I can't let my driver make a wasted trip."
This reason was so perfect that Yun Daixi had no reason to refuse.
"Then, when are you free? My master's umbrella is still in your car." She wanted to find a reason to meet.
"I've already personally sent it back." The other end of the line was a complete refusal.
"You've helped me so much, should I treat you to dinner again?" A new reason immediately popped into my head.
"I've already said it, it's for my own sake."
Yun Daixi felt that he was always so unpredictable, sometimes close and sometimes distant, unpredictable in mood. He had clearly helped her, but he insisted on keeping her at arm's length.
"Okay, I'll hang up now."
Having gone through the proper etiquette, Yun Daixi quickly hung up the phone to avoid bothering him further.
After thinking for a moment, he opened a shopping app and ordered over a hundred philosophy books. He asked Jessica to deliver them to the Mercury headquarters building and give them to him on their next meeting.
Looking back, she didn't even know which of Gu Li'an's companies he frequented each day, or which office he spent the most time in.
I only know about the luxury homes he bought through rumors, and there's no definite information about them.
-
The company had several happy events at the end of the year, and Chi Muye's concert went smoothly. Yun Daixi organized a dinner and karaoke party for everyone.
The location was the same as before; we booked out the entire "Night Rose" bar, where Chi Muye used to perform.
Eat and play at the same time, and those who want to go on stage can sing a couple of lines.
On this day every year, everyone drinks until they drop.
Chi Muye was urged by everyone to go on stage and sing a song in praise of Yun Daixi.
He didn't refuse and actually went.
Sitting on the high stool on the stage, I felt like I was back in those days.
As the intro began, Chi Muye said to Yun Daixi, "This song is for someone I've liked for a long time."
Screams immediately erupted from the audience.
"I can't keep you, I can't keep your soul, I can't keep everything about you..."
Chi Muye, who usually sings upbeat songs, was completely different when he sang this Jacky Cheung song.
The lights were dim, a spotlight shone on him, and there was not much other accompaniment, just an acoustic guitar.
Her clear voice calmed everyone down.
When they came off the stage, everyone cheered, "Where can't you stay? Sister Daixi is right here."
Chi Muye shouted, "Yes, they can never escape!"
"Right?" He nudged Yun Daixi with his shoulder, looking into her eyes, which were already brimming with tears.
It's completely different from the kind of tears that Yun Daixi holds in her eyes during her performance.
She hadn't truly cried in a long time because she knew it was useless; none of the things she faced every day could be resolved with tears.
After a while, it seems like I've forgotten how to cry.
For a moment, I was even a little envious of Chi Muye in front of me.
After several rounds of drinks, everyone was quite drunk, but as usual, Yun Daixi didn't drink too much on this day.
She had to remain sober to handle the situation, fearing that others might drink too much and trigger an emergency.
She suddenly remembered what Gu Li'an had said that day.
"Being numbed by alcohol makes one prone to dangerous situations."
It turns out that, from some perspectives, they are the same kind of people—
Extremely insecure.
Chi Muye stood beside her, and only after everyone else had been settled into their cars and they were the only ones left did he speak:
"Can you come stay at my place tonight? You promised me."