Chapter 124: He Yixuan's Transformation: A Decade of Fortune Unknown, The Sprint for Artists' KPIs Begins!

After Gong Jiajia and Jin Li departed,

Sui Lingfang took He Yixuan to attend an audition.

In the car, He Yixuan hesitated for a moment before asking a question:

"Sister Fang, since Sister Jin Li has such a close relationship with March Sky, aren't you worried she might instead be poached by Tianding?"

Sui Lingfang smiled and stated decisively, "There's no need to worry about that; Jin Li is not that kind of person."

She paused, "Besides, Tianding Entertainment couldn't possibly offer a higher price than Chenxi; no one in the entire industry could."

When Chenxi Entertainment signed Jin Li, the timing was quite special.

At that time, President Xiao was making a massive push into the cultural and entertainment sector to boost Chenxi Entertainment's reputation and needed a flagship star.

Since Jin Li's various metrics were perfectly suitable, she was selected, and the contract signed was no different from an act of charity.

Not to mention that for the three years after signing Jin Li, due to her health issues, Chenxi Entertainment had been supporting her without requiring work.

Given Jin Li's character of repaying kindness with kindness,

no matter how large a stake Tianding Entertainment offers, as long as she is happy staying at Chenxi Entertainment, she will absolutely not leave.

Sui Lingfang had this much confidence.

Sui Lingfang collected her thoughts and said, "Let's not talk about Jin Li anymore; let's talk about you."

"Do you feel confident about this audition? Would you like me to run lines with you?"

He Yixuan took a deep breath and said somewhat nervously, "I've rehearsed with my teacher several times; she said my acting skills are fine."

"As long as I'm not too nervous and perform normally, I won't make any mistakes."

"By the way, Sister Fang, do you know how Sister Jin Li usually acts? If possible, I'd like to learn from her."

He Yixuan had summoned great courage to ask this question.

In the past, her temperament was too mild, and she dared not express her own ideas in front of Sister Fang.

But Gong Jiajia was completely different from her; the two had entirely different natures.

Gong Jiajia's personality was more direct and also more dynamic and vigorous.

He Yixuan observed this with great envy.

She also wanted to learn from Gong Jiajia and be a bit more direct.

Hearing this, Sui Lingfang looked somewhat surprised and glanced up at her.

The former He Yixuan would never have asked her such things, only thinking about what she herself needed to do to perform better.

Sui Lingfang thought for a moment and said, "I really want to help, but when it comes to acting, Jin Li relies more on talent."

"Xi Mengze also took on a drama and attended a meeting with Jin Li and me; he asked Jin Li about her acting techniques, and Jin Li's answer at the time was:"

"'I didn't do any special practice; once I got the script, I felt it should be acted this way, so I acted it this way.'"

"Unexpectedly, the result was quite good, with both the director and the screenwriter praising it."

He Yixuan understood and said softly, "So Sister Jin Li is a naturally gifted actress; then there truly is nothing to learn, she's really amazing."

She lowered her head, concealing the complex thoughts in her eyes.

He Yixuan could not distinguish whether this was admiration, jealousy, or a sense of powerlessness from knowing she could never catch up.

On the other side,

Jin Li and Gong Jiajia arrived at Tianding Entertainment.

Someone was already waiting on the first floor.

It was an agent who had been working for not long, who led the two of them to the March Sky recording studio.

This agent was very talkative.

However, he mainly chatted with Gong Jiajia, not daring to strike up a conversation with Jin Li.

Finally, Gong Jiajia and this agent exchanged business cards.

After the agent left, Jin Li said thoughtfully,

"I was wondering why Sister Fang specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you before we came, fearing you might be poached by Tianding Entertainment."

"Now it seems Sister Fang's concerns were quite well-founded; you turned out to be more popular than I expected."

Gong Jiajia pressed her forehead, feeling that her previous behavior had been somewhat rash.

She had indeed felt very nervous after arriving at Tianding Entertainment.

Seeing someone chatting with her, she had proactively engaged in conversation to alleviate her nervousness.

Gong Jiajia hurriedly handed her business card to Jin Li and asked remedially, "Then should I voluntarily hand it over?"

Jin Li shook her head: "No need, keep it; just consider it expanding and accumulating your network."

Seeing that Gong Jiajia was still very nervous, Jin Li, fearing she might overthink it, patted her shoulder and said freely, "Don't take it too seriously; I'm not as worried as Sister Fang."

"Whether an entertainment company is good or bad, artists have eyes to see for themselves."

"Some companies, although they have good resources, once they sign an artist, only provide standard resources; if they can lift the artist up, they do, otherwise they just cast them aside."

"While other companies, although their resources are lacking, will go all out for every artist."

"Ultimately, choosing what kind of company requires artists to conduct a comprehensive and cautious investigation."

"You have only just signed with Chenxi; I don't worry that you will breach your contract and leave."

"On the contrary, I encourage you to look around more, understand the current state of the industry, and then decide in ten years whether to continue down this path."

Gong Jiajia asked in confusion, "Sister Jin Li, what do you mean by deciding whether to continue down this path in ten years?"

The contract she signed with Chenxi Entertainment was for ten years.

Could it be that after ten years, she would most likely not renew her contract, or even leave the entertainment industry?

For Gong Jiajia, who had just made up her mind to venture into the entertainment world, "giving up the entertainment industry" was simply impossible.

Jin Li carefully glanced at Gong Jiajia, studying her eyebrows and eyes.

She replied, "It's nothing; I was just speaking off the cuff."

The entertainment industry is not as easy to navigate as you imagine; perhaps in ten years, you will hold different views.

By then, the connections you accumulate in your youth could provide significant assistance. Whether you continue on this path or switch careers, they will prove useful."

Gong Jiajia nodded blankly.

She had only come to practice singing and record a demo, with no intention of discussing such distant future matters with Sister Jin Li.

But Jin Li was different.

Jin Li glanced at Gong Jiajia again.

While observing Gong Jiajia, she simultaneously noted her facial features.

Who could have guessed that this young girl, who now seemed so determined to chase her dreams, would experience a major shift in fortune ten years later and embark on a career completely different from her current one?

One could only say that life is unpredictable.

A trace of contemplation flashed through Jin Li's eyes, and she gently shook her head.

However, Gong Jiajia's decade of great fortune was still far away; intervening changes might occur, and nothing was certain.

It could be left for future observation!

Jin Li thought to herself: Later, when I find some free time, perhaps I could write a book based on Gong Jiajia—

"Human Observation Diary."

Inside the small recording booth.

Jin Li set aside all her thoughts and joined Gong Jiajia in singing the Pink Girls' group song, "Little Star Wish."

The song was cheerful and lively, fitting young girls' fantasies about a beautiful life; its melody was pleasant, and its lyrics were catchy.

When it was released three years ago, it instantly became a street anthem played everywhere.

Wherever one went, one could hear it; people of all ages and genders could hum a few bars.

It was also around that time that netizens labeled "Little Star Wish" as a catchy pop song.

Nowadays, the reputation of such catchy pop songs is mixed.

Although their content may not necessarily be high quality, their popularity is invariably high.

Not to mention that three years ago, the term "catchy pop song" carried far more negative than positive connotations.

Therefore, when "Little Star Wish" was first released, it somewhat damaged the Pink Girls' public image.

But looking at it now.

Those former catchy pop songs have instead become the youth of an entire generation.

With the internet now highly developed, people encounter vast amounts of information daily; communication is no longer isolated, making catchy pop songs increasingly rare and precious.

For many singers, the lifelong goal is simply to produce a few catchy pop songs.

Jin Li and Gong Jiajia practiced for a full three hours.

Here at March Sky.

They had just finished recording a scheduled appearance and boarded the manager van.

Zhang Guang was also in the vehicle, discussing the results of their recent appearance.

He said happily, "The luxury brand [Yu Lin Ling] expressed satisfaction with your attitude, attire, and dedication during your last appearance."

After preliminary negotiations, the company has confirmed that [Yu Lin Ling] intends to select you as their brand ambassadors."

So, young men, starting today, you can focus all your efforts on securing [Yu Lin Ling]!"

Chen Lin let out an "Ah," rubbing his hair with a slight headache.

He recalled the hellish period from previous campaigns for brand endorsements.

During that time, they not only had to handle regular scheduled appearances but also numerous unconventional ones.

These unconventional appearances were all aimed at securing brand endorsements.

If such efforts yielded results, it would have been acceptable.

Back then, they worked day and night, targeting ten brands, yet ultimately secured endorsements from only three.

Even so, Brother Guang still called their track record brilliant.

In the industry, many artists strive hard only to secure one endorsement, while many others come away empty-handed.

Yan Xingdong, recalling those busy days past, also asked with a headache, "How intense is the campaign for this endorsement? Must we exert our utmost effort to secure it?"

Zhang Guang replied without hesitation, "Of course. Next month marks the start of the third quarter. If you can secure the [Yu Lin Ling] endorsement right at the beginning of Q3,"

"not only will you maximize the KPIs for the third quarter, but I can also guarantee you relatively free time for rest."

"That's a full three months; don't you all want a good rest?"

Luo Yi lowered his eyes and sighed, rarely complaining.

"Which company makes its artists chase KPIs? And which company measures its artists' KPIs by luxury brand endorsements?"

"I don't know whether Tianding overestimates March Sky or simply doesn't treat March Sky like human beings."

He had no objection to handling regular scheduled appearances.

But unconventional appearances would not only disrupt the artists' schedules but also keep them in a state of high tension.

Because artists never knew whether an unconventional appearance would be assigned during their rare moments of rest.

Moreover, unconventional appearances carried an element of "urgency."

They did not necessarily occur during rest periods; they could very well be squeezed in between regular scheduled appearances.

Last year.

To secure brand endorsements, March Sky undertook three times as many unconventional appearances as regular ones!

Although after completing those appearances, they all received substantial compensation, forcing their wallets to swell threefold.

But that was the striving phase.

They have now entered a stable phase; their endorsements are steady, their schedules are steady, and their condition is mature and stable.

Forcing many irregular schedules upon them would only disrupt their stable state.

Seeing their dejection, Zhang Guang raised an eyebrow and said, "Then I'll call Rain Bell and tell them you have no intention of becoming their spokespeople."

Yan Xingdong exclaimed, "But that's Rain Bell!"

Luo Yi added, "It's a top luxury brand that rose to prominence making Hanfu for Huaguo men, wielding extensive influence abroad. Once one becomes its spokesperson, even just for the Chinese region, that influence radiates globally."

Chen Lin said, "Most crucially, the clothes designed by Rain Bell are damn good-looking. I've been coveting their 'Noble Young Master' series for ages, but I've never managed to borrow any."

Saying this, Chen Lin inevitably turned to look at Gu Cheng, who had remained silent until now.

"Gu Cheng, aren't you going to offer an opinion?"

Glancing at his phone, Gu Cheng replied casually, "I have no opinion, as long as I have time to study."

He was chatting with Jin Li.

Gu Cheng: [Finished your schedule? Are you done practicing?]

Jin Li: [Done. The Tianding staff gave me a card so I can eat at the cafeteria buffet; I plan to take Gong Jiajia with me.]

Gu Cheng: [I haven't eaten yet; I'll eat when I get back to the company.]

Jin Li: [Aren't you having a group meal?]

Gu Cheng: [No, no time for that. Eating at the company feels more relaxed anyway.]

After sending this message, Gu Cheng said to Zhang Guang, "Brother Guang, drop me off at the company first; I won't join the group meal. Jin Li is waiting for me there."

"I'll eat while doing practice problems with her. If anything comes up, just come to the company to find me."

Gu Cheng's words left Zhang Guang speechless.

Earlier, he had heard Chen Lin mention that Gu Cheng had gone mad with studying.

Now, seeing this...

Could it be? Has he truly gone mad?

Was it that he hadn't taken on enough schedules, that he wasn't tired enough, or was studying simply a form of deep relaxation for top scholars?

Suddenly recalling something, Zhang Guang asked, "Wait, did you say Jin Li is there too?"

Gu Cheng replied, "Yes. This afternoon she asked if she could borrow Tianding Entertainment's Dapeng studio for recording. I said I couldn't get that, but I could give her the exclusive small studio of March Sky."

"After finishing her public welfare charity short film this afternoon, she dragged fellow artist Gong Jiajia from our company, and they've been recording in that small studio ever since."

Zhang Guang thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll drop you off at the company first."

Chen Lin was about to say something when suddenly his mouth was covered by both Luo Yi and Yan Xingdong.

A dozen minutes later.

The car arrived at the company gate, and Gu Cheng got out first.

Chen Lin tried to follow, but Luo Yi and Yan Xingdong pressed him back down together, continuing to cover his mouth.

Brother Guang observed their actions without saying a word.

He also got out, instructing his assistant to drive the others to their group meal.

The assistant was one of their own.

Only then did Yan Xingdong and Luo Yi release their grip. Regaining his freedom, Chen Lin said speechlessly, "Why do you two always stop me? I want to go to the company too!"

Yan Xingdong asked, "What would you do at the company?"

Chen Lin replied, "Have fun!"

Luo Yi retorted, "What fun is there? Are you looking to play with Sister Jin Li?"

Chen Lin nodded. "Exactly. I want to ask Sister Jin Li about Sister Zhenzhu's situation. Is that not allowed?"

Yan Xingdong clicked his tongue. "No sense of occasion."

Luo Yi scoffed. "Doomed to die alone."

Chen Lin looked utterly bewildered. "What exactly are you two talking about?"

Yan Xingdong shook his head. "Nothing. We just feel that it would be too boring for only the two of us, me and Luo Yi, to go to the meal, so we want you to come along too."

Chen Lin shuddered with disgust. "Why did you suddenly get so mushy? Can't you be normal?"

"Besides, we could eat at the company cafeteria too; we don't have to go outside."

Luo Yi countered, "What's this? Do you also want to join Gu Cheng and Sister Jin Li for their study session?"

Chen Lin fell silent for a moment, then suddenly realized.

When those two start studying, they recognize no one, not even family.

He coughed, his gaze shifting evasively. "Forget it. Eating outside is fine too."