Chapter 106: Studies First
In He Wei’s eyes, Yun Xiangxiang was rus.h.i.+ng in where angels feared to tread [1].
He knew that she was someone who could take some hits. It wouldn’t hurt to have her experience more of the world and sometimes fail. It would help her grow.
Even though he cared deeply about Yun Xiangxiang and protected her, he had never spoiled her.
He would naturally stand in front of her and s.h.i.+eld her from the darkness that she shouldn’t face.
However, he would gladly let her take up this kind of challenge that would help her gain more experience and growth.
This was something good for her. Or else he wouldn’t let her read this script.
Naturally, He Wei hoped that Yun Xiangxiang would create a miracle and add a new record to her acting career.
He Wei’s reputation was useful in many situations. On top of that, Yun Xiangxiang’s appearance fit the description of peerless beauty perfectly. She was also scandal-free thus far.
The producer and director decided to have a meal with Yun Xiangxiang three days later after Cao Chi asked Wu Zhao.
“You have three days to prepare,” He Wei relayed the news to Yun Xiangxiang.
“Thank you, Brother Wei. I’ll work hard,” Yun Xiangxiang smiled broadly. She then handed He Wei the sauces she brought with her. “These are sauces that I asked Brother Yong to make. Use them as extra flavors during meals.
He Wei accepted the sauces. There were both vegetable and meat-based ones. He hadn’t received such normal things from anyone in years, but he felt warm inside for some reason.
It meant that Yun Xiangxiang had him in her mind constantly, and wasn’t just trying to ingratiate herself with him.
“I’ll have these,” He Wei put the sauces aside and asked Yun Xiangxiang to have a seat. “The company held a meeting just now. Someone suggested you develop yourself into a well rounded person.”
“Well rounded?” Yun Xiangxiang suddenly recalled yesterday’s concert. “They want me to release an alb.u.m?”
He Wei nodded and handed an iPad to Yun XIangxiang, “Yesterday’s feedback is in here.”
Yun Xiangxiang took the iPad. She hadn’t scrolled the news today. Song Meng would text her about everything important. She might have missed that since she didn’t login to WeChat or Weibo today.
She noticed that a lot of pages made a report on it when she scrolled down. Of course there were some who tried to be fussy, but these were the minority. Most of the reports were full of positive reviews and praise.
Since He Wei would let her see these just like that, then these news weren’t marketing gimmicks done by the company. They were genuine reports by the media themselves.
The most important part was that there was a lot of readers.h.i.+p for every positive report. Their popularity was spectacular too.
Yun Xiangxiang logged in to Weibo. True enough, Song Meng sent a message and link to her. Xue Yu’s concert even got onto trending on Weibo.
The crowd was impressed by Yun Xiangxiang’s singing quality. Lots of fans asked for her to release an alb.u.m; including her fans.
Yun Xiangxiang put the iPad down after finis.h.i.+ng the content carefully, “Brother Wei, I don’t think I want to lose something because I’m gunning for another.
“Continue,” He Wei nodded expressionlessly.
“I still need to study. What I should do most at my age is study.”
She had to bow to reality in her past life. She didn’t have the chips because she didn’t have any qualifications or any other skills. She could only endure and walk the only path she could until the bitter end.
That meant she didn’t have the right nor capital to choose. But it was different in this life.
Her request from life was never enjoyment derived from material wealth. She only needed enough money to eat, stay warm, and have a little left over.
So she wanted to stick to what she wanted to do.
She was only interested in acting. That was why she would act under the condition that she could keep up with her studies.
“The quality of my singing and whether I like singing are two different things.”
Yun Xiangxiang was adamant, “Some people can only let their talents go to waste because of where they are; some choose to give it up because it’s not what they love, nor are their lives hard. I thank the heavens for blessing me with a great voice, but I don’t really want to sing.”
“No matter how spectacular my talent is, I don’t think I can do it well if I don’t work on it because of a lack of pa.s.sion. It might even hinder the work I like because I’m doing work that I don’t. I’ll lose both in the end.”
“You thought it through?” He Wei asked.
“Yes,” Yun Xiangxiang nodded earnestly.
He Wei’s lips curved into an approving smile, “I have denied their suggestions during the meeting. Don’t worry, no one can force you to do anything as long as I’m here.”
“Thank you, Brother Wei. I’ll do my best in acting. I’ll let them understand clearly that your choice is the best!” Yun Xiangxiang was touched.
Yun Xiangxiang was grateful that her agent was the domineering He Wei who would not allow anyone to tell him what to do.
The orders of He Wei, who was pivotal in Huan Yu Century Entertainment, were not to be defied.
Or else she would have to repeat the wrongs in her past life. To do the things that she loathed only for profit.
But she couldn’t fault the company. They needed profit. Actors like them were the company’s tools for making money, after all.
The most rational path for the company to take was to maximize the value they could extract out of those tools.
“You don’t have to pressure yourself too much. You’re still very young,” He Wei was comforted and concerned for her at the same time when he thought about how she pressed her instep just for a performance as a special guest.
He had seen a myriad of people over his many years in this industry. Of course there were dedicated ones; but none were as persevering as Yun Xiangxiang.
A guest’s special performance was usually a few minutes’ worth of appearance. No matter how dedicated someone could be, they wouldn’t go this far by themselves unless requested.
“I won’t stress myself too much,” Pressure meant nothing to her. That thing would never appear in Yun Xiangxiang’s book in this life.
“What if Wu Zhao doesn’t give in regarding the character of Madam Xi?” He Wei was still worried.
He was worried that the blood and sweat Yun Xiangxiang poured would be for nothing. That might affect her mindset. She needed to brace herself prior to that.
“If he doesn’t concede, then I will give up,” Yun Xiangxiang answered clearly.
She did like this character very much, and was willing to give the biggest effort and sincerity that she could muster for it.
But she didn’t forget her current status, after all. She would take care of both her studies and career if she could.
However, if the both of them had any conflict, she must choose to put her studies first.
It would be regrettable to let Madam Xi slip past; but she still had other scripts.
But it would be an irrevocable regret in her life if she missed her studies. Especially Qingdao University’s studies.
She couldn’t break the promise she made to the school. More than that, she didn’t want to see the disappointment in her parents’ eyes.
“I’m glad that you can think that way,” He Wei nodded favorably. “I’m going to do my work if there’s nothing else. Help yourself to anything you need.”
“Hey, Brother Wei,” Yun Xiangxiang stopped He Wei who was standing up. “I b.u.mped into Sister Lan who was taking Lu Huanong and Bo Yan along with her. I think that Lu Huanong might be hostile to me.”
She wasn’t making anything up. That was real. He Wei was her agent. Of course she had to tell these to him in advance.