Chapter 33: No Sense of Reality

Sui Lingfang was momentarily stunned; this was the first time she had heard such words from an artist's mouth.

The entertainment industry is rife with conflicts of interest; although close friends exist, it is all too common for a best friend today to leak secrets to entertainment reporters tomorrow.

As a senior who had already enjoyed a wave of fame, Jin Li not bullying juniors or snatching their assignments was already quite commendable.

Sui Lingfang had heard in the industry about those "living bodhisattvas" who still care enough to ask juniors if they are facing any difficulties in their recent development, and she knew such people existed.

But those individuals had long since reached high positions; with their reputation and status firmly established, they could help others without reservation and with nothing but sincerity.

But Jin Li was different.

Jin Li had only just regained her popularity, and her fanbase was merely at the lower second-tier level.

Although she currently completely overwhelmed He Yixuan in terms of resources, in terms of her actual standing within the entertainment industry, her lower second-tier status still fell short of He Yixuan's.

This was why she had previously told Jin Li that some assignments looked good, but the attitude of those approaching her was insincere; the reason lay right here.

Clearly decent assignments, yet they deluded themselves into thinking they could sign Jin Li as a spokesperson at a lower second-tier price.

There are many things where one might say it a certain way, but actually doing so is impossible.

Just like Jin Li now; holding a lower second-tier status, it was impossible for her to actually accept lower second-tier assignments.

Sui Lingfang had not driven this time; upon leaving, she had specifically brought her assistant to sit in the back row with Jin Li.

She carefully sized up Jin Li, confirmed that Jin Li was speaking from the heart, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"You... ah, forget it. You genuinely consider others, but others may not treat you with the same sincerity; be a bit more cautious next time."

Jin Li laughed upon hearing this. "Sister Fang, I'm not indiscriminately spreading kindness or helping just anyone. First, He Yixuan was raised by your own hands; you know her character."

"If she weren't a good person, you wouldn't have kept mentoring her all this time. I trust you on this point, and therefore I trust her."

"Second, it relates to my health. I know that after my surge in popularity, many assignments come knocking, but I cannot strive like a normal person; there are many assignments I simply cannot take."

A hint of cunning flashed in her eyes as she spoke with great vivacity: "Isn't it better to keep the benefits within the family? Rather than letting opportunities meant for me go to artists from other companies, it's better to benefit people within our own company."

"When the CEO signed me with such a high profit-sharing ratio, wasn't it to build me into a living billboard, attracting high-quality trainees to our company and creating a positive cycle? I think distributing the assignments I can't take is a good thing too."

Sui Lingfang glared at her indignantly. "What, your popularity hasn't even fully solidified yet, and you're already plotting how to generate revenue for the company? Should I also issue you a 'Model Worker' plaque to commend you?"

Jin Li cheerfully picked up the thread.

"Don't say it wasn't possible; I wouldn't dare claim 'Model Worker,' but if you dare issue the award for 'The Employee Who Worries Most About the Company,' I dare to accept it."

"It's just that my health is poor; if I were a bit healthier, I would work part-time as a manager, distributing all the assignments that come to me but which I cannot take to the artists under my care, guaranteeing they never lack work!"

Sui Lingfang rolled her eyes. "You dream on; even if you recommend them, the advertisers might not want them!"

After some banter, the atmosphere relaxed. Jin Li took a stack of test papers out of her bag, intending to continue practicing problems.

Although she had worshipped Mazu in the morning and her physical condition was quite good now, who knew if the afternoon shoot would be arduous.

Just in case, it was better to practice problems first, striving to extend this state a little longer.

Half an hour later, Jin Li arrived at the branch office of Duomi Cosmetics.

Duomi Cosmetics' headquarters was in Dongcheng, with a branch in Nancheng; considering Jin Li's health issues, Duomi had not asked her to make the special trip to Dongcheng.

Their photographers from headquarters personally led the team to Nancheng, demonstrating immense sincerity.

After sitting down, Jin Li spoke very little; mainly, Sui Lingfang communicated with the person in charge opposite them, discussing various matters.

It took half an hour of discussion before everything was settled.

At this point, the Nancheng manager looked at Jin Li and asked somewhat shyly and embarrassedly: "Um, Jin Li, could I get an autograph and a photo with you later?"

The Nancheng manager was a middle-aged man; suddenly striking a "coquettish and shy" pose left Jin Li stunned for a moment before she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Good, of course, no problem."

The manager spoke incessantly: "Hey, four years ago I was also a group fan of Pink Girls; back then, my favorite was Ji Qinglian."

"At that time, I was working at Duomi, thinking that if Duomi could invite you all to be spokespersons, I would be content just to see you from afar."

"Who would have known that you disbanded just one year after debuting? Back then, I even joined others in spamming the Blog Square, accusing that black-hearted company of being inhuman!"

Recalling the past, the manager felt himself rejuvenated by a few years.

The photography team was still preparing, and Jin Li would not be shooting so soon, so she listened patiently.

What was this feeling...

It was a bit rare, and also a bit delightful.

This was not a fan shouting support through a screen on the internet, but a real person, standing right before her, at a distance so tangible.

Listening to him mention his past days of chasing stars, Jin Li's thoughts drifted. The person he spoke of was not herself, but someone else.

So the original Jin Li had possessed so many fans...

The manager did not reminisce for long; after chatting for just ten minutes, the assistant called him away to handle other matters.

The photography team was still making preparations, with the shoot scheduled for the afternoon, so the two returned to the car first.

Sui Lingfang said, "Staying in the car is stifling; how about I book an hourly room for you at a nearby hotel so you can rest?"

Jin Li nodded. "Alright."

She was not of a frugal and austere nature; provided it made her comfortable, she did not mind spending a little money.

She couldn't take earthly money with her anyway; simply put, it felt unreal.

However, after being in the star business for so long, one basically loses any real sense of money.

As the saying goes, spending money is like flowing water, and earning money is also like flowing water.

Sui Lingfang booked the hotel and took Jin Li upstairs.

Upon entering the room, Sister Fang saw that she was lost in thought and not immediately practicing problems, so she couldn't help but ask: "Do you dislike that manager? Why have you been in this state ever since you heard him speak?"

Jin Li came back to her senses, shook her head, and sighed: "It's not dislike; I just feel a bit unrealized. So the real me truly had so many fans! I don't know if it's because I've been away too long, but it feels a bit incredible."

Sui Lingfang smiled. "Then adapt more; there will be more and more of this in the future."

(End of Chapter)