Chapter 120

After finishing the discussion on Xi Mengze’s acting plans, Sui Lingfang brought up Jin Li’s.

Jin Li’s stance remained firm: "Let’s wait until Director Zhong Wentai refines the script for that film and sets a schedule."

Sui Lingfang felt a bit of a headache.

Ever since the plot of *Ruyi Langjun* aired yesterday, the part where Jin Li turns dark had exploded in popularity, making both the industry and netizens recognize her acting skills once again.

Consequently, the number of scripts coming Jin Li’s way had increased even more!

Previously, she had been approached not only for "big heroine" dramas, but even more so for dramas with relatively weak and simple heroines.

Now, things were different.

Almost every script coming her way featured a protagonist, and all of them were of the decisive, "big heroine" type.

Sui Lingfang was envious of this traffic and hoped Jin Li would capitalize on it.

Sui Lingfang advised: "But Director Zhong Wentai is currently busy with the public welfare charity film, so he might not have the energy to revise the script.

I estimate it won't be finished in less than two or three months, and you could take on another heroine drama during this time."

Jin Li shook her head, "I can't take any."

She counted her schedule for Sui Lingfang, "The only known commitment is *Leisurely Slow Life*, which requires filming once every half month, and I also have to do a live-streamed roast every week.

If I join a production now, I might not be able to find the time to film, and I also need to set aside time for my studies; this would make my schedule too tight.

On the other hand, if Director Zhong Wentai’s drama is finished in a month, what would happen then? Would I miss out on it?

Do you think it's better to film a heroine drama now that might not be a hit, or to wait a little longer?"

Jin Li’s attitude was clearly to wait.

And Xi Mengze also supported Jin Li’s decision.

She said: "Sister Fang, because of her health, Jin Li has never relied on the quantity of her work, but on quality.

Filming three or four dramas a year doesn't compare to one hit movie every two years. Compared to the uncertain costume drama market, Director Zhong Wentai’s ability is more trustworthy."

Sui Lingfang pondered for a while, still finding it hard to choose.

This was actually a common problem for agents.

Rather than talking about a wonderful future, agents tend to prefer that artists grasp the resources currently at hand.

Because, in essence, an artist is a commodity.

Commodities have shelf lives, and only a few can remain popular for a long time.

Most people just try to cash in while they are hot.

At this moment, Jin Li suddenly said: "Sister Fang, you’ve contacted Director Zhong separately about the public welfare charity film, haven't you?"

Sui Lingfang shook her head: "No."

It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she didn't know how to bring it up with Director Zhong.

Of course, she hoped Director Zhong could give Jin Li and Xi Mengze a fast track, a guarantee for the next project.

But how to use and offer that favor was the problem.

Jin Li said: "How about this, just mention to him when the script will be ready; I’ve turned down many heroine dramas just to wait for his script."

Sui Lingfang’s eyes flickered, and she immediately understood what she meant.

"So your idea is to use the favor of waiting to trade for a spot in the public welfare charity film?"

Jin Li smiled: "Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.

But whether Director Zhong recognizes this favor and is willing to grant it depends on him."

Jin Li never thought of herself as some hot-shot star; Director Zhong Wentai might just think she should wait.

If she didn't wait, there were plenty of people who could replace her.

Then the reminder Sister Fang sent would be worthless.

Sui Lingfang sighed, "Alright, I just hope you carry enough weight in Director Zhong’s heart!"

That evening.

Sui Lingfang sent a message to Director Zhong.

The wording wasn't exactly the same as what Jin Li said, but it was close enough.

The next day, Director Zhong replied.

He simply replied with a few words: [Will be finished within two months]

Sui Lingfang felt reassured.

She not only felt that the literary drama project was a sure thing, but even the public welfare short film was highly likely.

News about the public welfare short film hadn't leaked in the industry yet, and the list was still being selected.

As for Jin Li, a few days later, she was the first to welcome the live-streamed roast for *Leisurely Slow Life*.

This time, the production team didn't set the live-streaming venue in the two companies.

Instead, they specifically booked a private room in a restaurant, continuing to let everyone eat while they streamed.

This time, everyone was tasting traditional famous dishes from various provinces, starting with Lu cuisine and Zhe cuisine.

[Sweet and sour carp, hibiscus chicken slices, Longjing shrimp, lotus leaf steamed pork... what kind of food show is this again??]

[I want to eat it so bad, kill them and let me take their place!]

[Where is this a roast live stream? This is clearly a mukbang!]

Jin Li, Qi Guan Mingzhu, Sanyuetian, and others appeared in the live stream.

At noon, the first half of the second episode of *Leisurely Slow Life* had already aired, sparking widespread discussion online.

At the start of the stream, Chen Lin acted as the host, asking about popular questions raised by netizens online.

Chen Lin looked at a small card: "This is for Jin Li. Jin Li, when you first started the stream and went abroad, your complexion wasn't very good. Did you not receive notice in advance? You seemed a bit frightened."

Jin Li replied: "The production team indeed didn't tell me we were going abroad to film, but they asked for my passport, so I guessed we might be filming abroad."

She looked at the camera and smiled: "I see many netizens concerned about my health, thank you for your concern.

I felt my health had improved, which is why I dared to fly directly without asking the production team about the location. I didn't have a fever after arriving, and everyone took great care of me."

Chen Lin asked a few more questions in succession, and all the named stars answered.

Of course, some stars chose not to answer, saying they would reveal it when the show aired.

Everyone was eating and drinking while watching them visit a Daoist temple to pray as soon as they arrived abroad.

A cameraman caught Jin Li making a phone call.

Chen Lin asked curiously: "Are you talking to your agent?"

Jin Li glanced at it and shook her head: "No, I think I was calling the Daoist Culture Protection Association at that time; the Daoist temple there was a bit dilapidated and needed repairs."

Chen Lin was stunned: "You can do that?"

Jin Li smiled: "Of course, Daoism attaches great importance to Daoist culture abroad, but they don't have enough manpower to investigate."

She called out on the show: "If you are abroad and find some Daoist temples that are dilapidated and not repaired, you can call the Daoist Culture Protection Association; they will send people to investigate and communicate with the local government."

[666, it's a pity Daoism doesn't have an image ambassador, otherwise Jin Li would definitely be one]

[Starting to worry for Chenxi Entertainment...]

[I won't be surprised if I hear news of Jin Li becoming a nun in the future (laugh-cry)]

Meanwhile, at Chenxi Entertainment.

Sui Lingfang really didn't know about this; hearing Jin Li talk about it in the live stream, she couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis.

Thinking of something, she immediately called her assistant.

"Did you get the invitation for the Longhu Temple Zhongyuan Festival?"

The assistant was at Longhu Temple at the time, communicating with the Daoist priest.

Receiving Sui Lingfang’s call, she looked distressed.

"It's hard, Sister Fang! The priest said the temple ceremonies are for regular visitors who come to burn incense every year, or for people who have made outstanding contributions to Daoist culture.

Invitations for these major festivals at Longhu Temple are by invitation only and are not sold."

Sui Lingfang raised an eyebrow and asked in a low voice: "Go ask that priest how much money it takes to get an invitation."

The assistant said subconsciously: "But the priest doesn't take money!"

Sui Lingfang said, frustrated: "Are you stupid? I'm not trying to bribe the priest; I'm talking about a donation, understand? Donate directly to Longhu Temple!"

The assistant understood.

Sister Fang’s method was still the best!

After hanging up, the assistant ran back to talk to the priest.

She looked left and right, and seeing no one around, she pulled the priest aside and asked:

"Can a donation of ten thousand yuan get an invitation to the Zhongyuan Festival ceremony?"

The priest said slowly: "Lay practitioner, everyone has their own fate, let's forget it."

The assistant held up three fingers, "How about thirty thousand?"

The priest pondered for a while, "Lay practitioner, Daoist practice values natural sincerity; one should not force it—"

The assistant held up her whole hand, "How about one hundred thousand, all donated to Longhu Temple. My client just wants to make a contribution to Longhu Temple, no other thoughts."

The priest said decisively: "Of course, Longhu Temple welcomes all good men and women to come and burn incense."

The scene returned to the live-streamed roast.

Gu Cheng saw Jin Li eating sweet and sour carp the whole time, so he simply put the last piece into her bowl.

Chen Lin "tsk-ed" and said in a low voice: "Partial, only giving to the sister, not taking care of me, the little brother."

The next second, Qi Guan Mingzhu also put a piece of hibiscus chicken for him, urging: "Eat quickly, if you don't eat it, it'll be gone."

Chen Lin’s eating speed obviously increased.

[Chen Lin is doing this on purpose in front of Qi Guan Mingzhu, right? Hhh, he just wants his sister to serve him!]

[I'm done for, this is so good, I want to ship it!]

[Why not consider doing a dating show (shy)]

[One is the brother spoiling the sister, the other is the sister spoiling the brother. If you ask me which is better, I'm going all in on both!]

[The sister-brother shippers are satisfied!!]

The variety show ended with the slogan Jin Li and Qi Guan Mingzhu had thought of.

Seeing this slogan again, not to mention the netizens' reaction, the stars themselves laughed out loud.

Jin Li said: "This was Pearl’s suggestion, I only listen to her."

Qi Guan Mingzhu immediately added: "Yeah, she didn't say anything, she just added a billion adjectives to what I said."

Chen Lin followed the show’s flow and began to preview the next episode.

Chen Lin thought for a moment: "The next episode is also quite exciting, should we be able to see us acting cute?"

[Acting cute?!!]

Gu Cheng echoed: "We can also see us bargaining with fans."

Yan Xingdong: "Almost had my clothes pulled off, it was very difficult to protect myself."

Luo Yi: "Others are having a barbecue, I'm drinking tea; others are selling goods, I'm watching the show; others are resting, I'm moving bricks."

When it was Jin Li and Qi Guan Mingzhu’s turn, their one-sentence previews were much shorter, but the content was more valuable.

Jin Li: "Got confessed to."

Qi Guan Mingzhu: "Almost got kissed."

The next second, the live stream went black.

The production team ended the live stream without warning.

[Ahhh, you damn production team, come back, I promise I won't kill you!!]

[Would it kill you to leak one more sentence T^T]

[Good heavens, I thought this episode would be boring, it seems the essence is all concentrated in the next one!]

[Hello, this is the Space-Time Administration, we have adjusted the time forward by one week for you. During this period, you have spent Children's Day, the Dragon Boat Festival, and a weekend holiday, welcoming the start of the second half of the second episode of *Leisurely Slow Life*]

After recording the roast, Jin Li and the others parted ways with Sanyuetian.

Qi Guan Mingzhu hitched a ride in Jin Li’s car and didn't call for the company car.

After getting in the car, she suddenly said: "It feels a bit strange not seeing Mengmeng today, I’ve already gotten used to her accompanying us during the stream."

Jin Li originally wanted to say "Are you addicted to being abused?", but suddenly her heart stirred, and her spiritual platform felt as if it had been touched by something.

She took the opportunity to pinch her fingers and calculate.

Ever since she played murder mystery games, she discovered that she still had some ability in calculating the Nine Palaces, Eight Trigrams, and the Mysterious Gate.

In order not to appear rusty, she would pinch and calculate from time to time.

After calculating, Jin Li’s expression was a bit strange.

Xi Mengze’s recent fortune was a mix of fire and danger.

What kind of fortune was this? It was both extremely auspicious and extremely ominous.

Jin Li said: "Mengmeng seems to have had something happen recently, and I haven't seen her running any errands."

A few seconds later, both of their phones suddenly "ding-donged."

Opening them, Xi Mengze was already going crazy in the [Pink Girl] group chat.

Mengmeng: [What do I do (going crazy) (fear) (terror)]

Mengmeng: [Screenshot.jpg]

Mengmeng: [Didn't they say I was going to be a challenger singer? Why did they suddenly change me to a starting singer?!]

Mengmeng: [No wonder I’ve been restless these past few days, waking up in the middle of the night; it turns out I was tricked into being a starting singer!!]

Jin Li and Qi Guan Mingzhu looked at each other.

Qi Guan Mingzhu: "Sure enough, there’s a problem, what do we do?"

Jin Li shrugged and said with a giggle: "Cold mixed scrambled eggs, hurry up and contact Director Hong Xiao to see if we can reserve VIP front-row seats."

Qi Guan Mingzhu also smiled meaningfully: "You’re right, she hasn't been on stage for so many years, we can't miss it."

Fortunately, Xi Mengze didn't know what they were thinking.

Otherwise, she would definitely have collapsed and said—

"A bunch of suckers!!"

After Xi Mengze finished going crazy in the group, she called Sui Lingfang.

She had also just received the news.

It was now mid-June; if she had to be on *I Am a Singer* in July, she would need to prepare at least 5 songs, and 10 would be safer.

She didn't have much time left!

But more importantly, wasn't it agreed that she would be a challenger? When did she become a starting singer?

Sui Lingfang had also received the message from the production team, but she was busy and hadn't seen it.

It wasn't until Xi Mengze called that she checked the text message.

Sure enough, she had changed from a challenger singer to a starting singer!

Sui Lingfang’s first reaction: Could such a good thing really happen to Xi Mengze?

Second reaction: She definitely has to go, what a great opportunity!

However, on the surface, she still tried her best to appease the rioting Xi Mengze.

Sui Lingfang suppressed the corners of her mouth and said calmly: "Don't panic, I’ll go ask for you right now to see what’s going on."

Secretly, she was calculating how to increase the appearance fee and how to raise it.