Chapter 701: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 702: Marginal Person in a Farming Novel (4)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

(The novel name is randomly made up, no reference to any real celebrities intended～)

The plane landed directly at Jing Shi Airport; Shen Yao called her editor in charge, and the two agreed on a time and place to meet two days later, before taking a taxi back to her residence.

Naturally, she couldn't stay at home for the time being; after not returning for several months, who knew how dirty it had become.

Shen Yao simply chose a well-reviewed hotel to stay in, and while at it, contacted a cleaning company to clean her residence, waiting until she finished her current work before going back.

The newly launched novel was currently doing very well, but its content involved ancient, sinister, and strange matters, and coincidentally, what Shen Yao wrote was captivating, as if she had experienced it herself (she indeed had experienced it); no matter how popular it was, it was difficult to adapt into a script, but publication and manga could be considered first. However, since the novel had been serialized for a short time and had few words, everything was still in the planning stage.

Taking the room card into the booked room, Shen Yao put down the luggage she was carrying, then went downstairs by herself to have a simple meal.

Perhaps because the hotel was good, or because there were events in Jing Shi in March, she saw downstairs an idol group surrounded by a crowd.

The group had five members, each with their own characteristics; they became explosively popular as soon as they debuted, and the brokerage company named Huadie also rose with the tide. Trainees signing up came like carp crossing the river, each wishing they would become the next explosively popular idol.

'A bit interesting. I've seen their singing and dancing; it's just mediocre, but the fans like them so much that they can say anything.' The system simply couldn't stand those praises online; they really liked to lie with their eyes open.

'That's how fans are. Or rather, fans who can't distinguish truth from falsehood and have no personal living space are the money bags screened out by the group.' Because fans who couldn't do that weren't considered pure fans, so how could they be treated as leeks to be harvested by the brokerage company?

Turning her back on this group of people before her, Shen Yao picked up a plate and took the food she liked to eat, then found a seat near the window and sat down.

Mm

The room fee of up to four digits a day was indeed worth it; the food here tasted really good.

Shen Yao was satisfied with the quality of the food this time and secretly decided that she must enjoy herself more in the future. She would soon have a considerable income coming in.

If she didn't spend money, could she still give birth to children? Shen Yao had finally returned to modern times, so naturally she would enjoy herself as freely as possible. After all, technological progress was meant to free people's hands so they could enjoy life; it absolutely must not be putting the cart before the horse.

System:...

She should just say she liked eating, drinking, and enjoying life and didn't want to suffer hardship. Why look for so many high-sounding excuses?

The system felt the host was dishonest but only dared to mutter silently in its heart. After all, compared to the host, it was easier to handle.

After eating and drinking her fill, Shen Yao stood up to return to her room for a nap. But just as she reached the doorway, she heard arguments and screaming coming from the innermost spot.

Other guests in the hall who had come to eat also all raised their heads to look.

'Host, they're fighting, they're fighting!'

The system shouted out with a cry, the whole system excited as if emitting white vapor.

Shen Yao:...

'It's that group, called something AD, I don't remember. Anyway, because of the fans surrounding and blocking them, they started fighting over a disagreement. Hehehe...'

The system laughed like a mouse that had stolen sesame oil, its thieving, mousy expression making people unable to look.

Shen Yao turned and left. After returning to her room, she saw the push notification at the top of her phone—it was the fresh news that had just happened downstairs.

Yo ho~

As expected, the paparazzi are everywhere!

Below the push news was attached an on-site video, with real punches landing on flesh. Their tempers were quite explosive.

The number of posts in the comment section increased at an incredible speed, with frame drops appearing almost every three seconds, showing the power of this explosively popular group.

'Wow, the agent is lecturing them, pointing at the phone screen and looking very irritable. They're discussing how to smooth this matter over, but it should be difficult. The video released is too high-definition...'

The system clicked its tongue while speaking, and Shen Yao lay on the soft bed with her eyes closed, resting her mind.

Anyway, it's entertainment industry business. Outsiders think those inside are pure and spotless, but actually those inside are just as bad, with no shortage of dirty things. Because money comes fast in the entertainment industry and it's easier to earn, the news that can explode in the entertainment industry are all small fry; those with big scoops are all suppressed.

The system learned from listening on the side that although the group had five members, only two had risen through their own strength. The remaining three each had their own backing: either their families had money, or their families had connections, or their families had both money and connections.

Sigh

'Look, what does this show? It shows there's really money to be made in the entertainment industry.' Otherwise, why would they send their dearly loved and pampered children into the entertainment industry if there were no benefits? Who would be willing to suffer hardship?

System:...

'These people are really interesting. Right now they're still blaming each other and shifting responsibility.' 'One cultivator doesn't want another to die, right?' Is there any teammate loyalty at all? They tell fans they're as close as family, but that's worlds apart.

'A teammate having trouble isn't the same as oneself having trouble. Besides, a group is just a stopgap measure; the final result must be going solo to become a star.' Do they really think one person earning money split among five would make people willing? Everyone isn't stupid; they definitely would rather enjoy the benefits alone.

Opening her eyes, she looked at her shiny palm, and Shen Yao suddenly clenched it.

She told the system not to bother her if there was nothing important. Since it was so lively outside, she might as well watch properly. Her body urgently needed rest.

Hearing this, the system left with an obedient expression. After all, without the host, it still had all sorts of fun and was completely not bored.

By the time Shen Yao had rested, the internet already had clarification statements and lawyer statements from the group. The exposed content was naturally false; they were just forced to counterattack. It was clearly sasaeng fans crossing the line, not their fault.

Mm

Whether passersby bought it didn't matter. Anyway, the fans bought it very well. Below, there were even various posts calling for a boycott of sasaeng fans, following along.

Boycott?

This thing was like weeds seen everywhere; it couldn't completely disappear, just like human hearts—it was all desire.

Boredly putting down her phone, Shen Yao stayed quietly in the hotel until the day arrived for her appointment with the editor.

She took a taxi straight to the destination. Shen Yao wore a black coat, wishing to cover herself from head to toe tightly.

Yang Tiantian was downstairs. Seeing Shen Yao come over, she hurriedly went up to welcome her.

'... The production company is Fengyun Film and Television, also an old-brand company in the circle, with strength and quite a few good directors. The director in charge this time is Tian Yu. He has directed many excellent works before...'

Yang Tiantian spoke while walking, and only by the conference room doorway did she barely finish telling Shen Yao all this basic information.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao had seen the works of several directors. Tian Yu's works happened to fit her aesthetic. After all, this book 'Palace Intrigue' was not a normal novel leaning toward harem fighting. Or rather, it wore the shell of harem fighting, while the content inside involved power struggles, especially the close connection between the front court and the rear harem, different from what other works revealed.

'After all, what the novel writes are all my personal experiences.' She fought never against those harem women whose fate was not their own, but against that high and mighty emperor. She wanted to rise to power, so the person sitting in the position had to come down. Otherwise, what could be done?

Shen Yao never engaged in female rivalry; if she had such a tendency in the early stages, it was only borrowing a knife to kill — letting the Emperor eliminate trouble for her. Later, her butcher's knife turned unmistakably toward that obstructive Emperor blocking her path.

Both sides met formally in the conference room; the production company's people were also interacting with Shen Yao for the first time. Their previous impression of Shen Yao was built entirely through this novel; now faced with a living, breathing person, they found it hard to connect the novel's author with the person before them.

No other reason — simply that Shen Yao was too beautiful. Such looks could make a name in the entertainment industry, yet she was a talented woman.

Talented woman?

Shen Yao smiled without speaking, thinking she had merely completely recounted her life experiences from another world; it hardly counted as being a talented woman — she should be considered a truth-seeking recorder.

Truth-seeking recorder? Why does it feel like the author herself is a bit too immersed in her role?

A staff member from the production company frowned, then asked Shen Yao about the style of this novel — why did it give such a strong sense of immersion?

To a certain extent, their company wanted to buy the copyright to this novel precisely because the story took an unconventional approach, striking enough to draw attention.

"Perhaps in some time-space, the story within is actually unfolding," she said. How could she forget what she had personally experienced? Imagining out of thin air and seeing with one's own eyes are two entirely different feelings.

"Author Shen really knows how to joke," this staff member didn't quite believe it.

The director beside them, however, showed some interest. He smiled and asked Shen Yao about the novel — whether the male and female leads had the true love that current readers care about.

"Of course there is. Without true feelings, how could false intentions be mixed in?"

Shen Yao smiled, using the bottled water placed to the side — half-drunk — to represent true and false feelings. "The Imperial Palace, that kind of place, has always been cruel.

Women who enter the palace each have their own purposes. To achieve their wishes, they must fully display their value — family background, offspring, appearance, temperament, talent... The Emperor's satisfaction is the only reason harem women can survive.

Because those the Emperor dislikes fundamentally cannot survive. Such a vicious, cruel environment can torture a person until life is worse than death.

"I also feel there is a trace of true feeling between Emperor Minghui and Shen Zhuo," Director Tian Yu had read this novel long ago. He understood better that if this novel were adapted and filmed well, his resume would gain another credit.

The two discussed the novel's content, especially the parts Tian Yu cared about more — even some details had to be traced to the root. It was practically a Q&A session targeting the novel.

Only after everything that needed to be said was said did Tian Yu ask in a relaxed tone whether Shen Yao had any favorite stars she'd like to recommend for this novel.

Shen Yao smiled and shook her head. "I'm not familiar with entertainment industry stars. If roles truly need to be cast, I suggest finding more people whose appearances match the settings. I've always believed some roles should show whatever age they're supposed to be," rather than blindly pursuing big names and stuffing in people who don't fit the character's traits — one rat dropping spoils a whole pot of soup.

Tian Yu:...

Tian Yu said nothing; the production company people beside him couldn't help but cough.

Mm, this author looks gentle and soft, but the moment she opens her mouth she offends a whole swath of people. The current circle is just this clearly stratified — good resources, good crews, a bunch of big shots all fighting for them.

Not to mention those already old enough to play the parents of the roles, their whole faces are smoothed by filters until not a trace of skin texture remains — like mannequins. Is that really good-looking?

"Rest assured, the crew still has some capability, and certainly won't smash its own signboard," Tian Yu said this script, if filmed seriously, would definitely turn out very well. He wouldn't ruin an opportunity to advance further for a bit of petty profit. Smiling, he said he'd come bother Shen Yao again during casting. Tian Yu and the others left first.

Seeing them leave, Yang Tiantian patted her own chest in exaggerated relief. Just now she hadn't dared say a word during that whole scene — she played the quail, a total background extra the entire time.

But this Author Shen is really amazing — several years younger than herself, yet able to handle a seasoned director and production company personnel with ease. No wonder she's the author who wrote "Palace Intrigue."

Shen Yao felt a bit tired, so she simply led Yang Tiantian out for a big meal.

The two picked a restaurant with good online reviews and extremely strong privacy. Not only was the environment elegant, even the prices on the menu made Yang Tiantian's heart jump.

What happened next made Yang Tiantian even more terrified — because here she ran into a celebrity she could only see across the internet, and one secretly dating while hiding it from fans!

Hiss—

Yang Tiantian subconsciously covered her mouth, barely holding back a cry of surprise.

Seeing this, Shen Yao raised an eyebrow and handed the drink that had been brought over to the other person. "The person who just walked past — you recognize them."

Not a question but an affirmative statement. Shen Yao's observation would never be wrong, especially since she still had the system chattering away in her mind.

Yang Tiantian made a sound of acknowledgment, her expression complex — she had words she wanted to say but hesitated due to the surroundings.

"Speak. The people here are all far away, and that person went into a private room inside — they can't hear you gossiping behind their back."

Hearing this, Yang Tiantian exhaled. "It's Zheng Chengzhou. Recently, relying on the newly aired 'Tian Family Wedding Ceremony,' he circled a large batch of girlfriend fans. His career was just starting to pick up," yet he's actually dating and carrying on ambiguously behind the backs of the fans who spend money to support him. Truly, one cannot judge a person by appearance.

Yang Tiantian has little worldly experience; she thought this rising traffic star was in a romance. In reality, it's not like that at all. The system was currently complaining to Shen Yao about how the private room scene was an eyesore — the person is a proper golden canary kept by a financial backer. How vulgar to call it romance. This is a purely money-and-interest relationship.

Shen Yao pushed the exquisitely plated food before her toward Yang Tiantian, signaling that eating properly was the serious business.

The little interlude just now was merely conversation fodder. Neither of them were Zheng Chengzhou's fans, nor did they have any intention of leaking to paparazzi to earn big money.

After eating, they planned to go home separately. Yang Tiantian had something come up and called a car to leave early. Shen Yao packed two desserts she liked, intending to take them back alone to savor.

As a result of this delay, when Shen Yao went out the door she accidentally collided with an uninvited guest. Not only did she nearly fall, but the desserts in her hand also shattered into several pieces with a crack — impossible to piece back together.

Shen Yao:...