Chapter 71: Frantic Heartbeat: What Kind of Top-Tier Treatment Is This?

The film set where Qiu Qiwen is located is for a period drama.

Although she is a top-tier female star, she is not a professionally trained actress after all; even though she can land leading roles, the productions are never large-scale.

Like this period drama, strictly speaking, it is an ancient idol drama.

The plot does not need to be too rigorous or outstanding; as long as it is unremarkable but passable, focusing on handsome men and beautiful women is enough.

As for the role of the third female lead, it is actually quite insane.

The third female lead is an innocent and fragile princess who loves the male lead wholeheartedly and silently does many things for him, the Commandery Prince.

If this first female lead had not appeared, the princess would have achieved a happy ending with the Commandery Prince.

Unfortunately, there are no "ifs."

After repeated sacrifices yielded no return, the princess heard news that her beloved was about to marry; at that time, the dynasty suddenly faced a massive upheaval, forcing her to marry into a foreign alliance.

The process of the political marriage was naturally miserable.

First, the princess was abused by the male lead → he said he would save her and take her away, but ultimately failed to rescue her, held back by certain matters and unable to appear, leaving her no choice but to marry far away.

Then she was abused by a foreign vassal king → the kind that tortures both body and soul; even her pregnancy was terminated because the vassal king felt that Central Plains blood tainted the purity of the royal line.

Under this double blow, the princess turned dark and began a journey of indiscriminate killing.

She first used a beauty trap to make a father and son in a small foreign nation kill each other, and brothers slaughter one another.

Once the killing was nearly complete, she returned to the Central Plains, stirring up waves of blood and rain.

By the time the plot reaches this point, the princess will inevitably become the final major villain.

But just as she was about to kill the male lead, she learned that he actually felt immense guilt for failing to rescue her.

He had rushed over at the time, but was intercepted by people sent by the Emperor, suffering severe injuries in the process.

Well.

The princess no longer wanted to kill him.

Not only did she not want to kill him, but at a critical moment, she also blocked a blade for him, dying to save him!

Trading one life for another, truly unmatched.

Why say this?

It is because when the princess was young, she was framed and fell into the water; unable to swim, she should have died then, but was saved by the young Commandery Prince, and from that moment on, her heart belonged to him, meeting the Commandery Prince meant ruining her life.

After reading the script, the first person Qiu Qiwen thought of was Jin Li.

It was not that Jin Li's personality was very similar to the princess, but rather that innocent, worldly-ignorant state of the early stages; Jin Li's face and personality could completely hold it.

Innocent and guileless!

Qiu Qiwen looked at the anxious crew members, pondered left and right, and decided to wait a little longer.

She would wait just one day.

If the crew still could not find anyone after a day, it would not be too late to ask Jin Li then.

Since there was no third female lead, the filming schedule originally planned for the afternoon was forced to cancel, so Qiu Qiwen simply returned to her hotel to rest.

Shortly after returning, her assistant came over and said, "Sister Qiwen, the information you asked me to investigate has some leads."

On the other side, inside Chenxi Entertainment.

Today, every employee in the company had only one feeling: their humble home was illuminated by glory.

What virtue or ability did they possess to actually witness the reunion of the Pink Girl Group once again!

Although one member, Ji Qinglian, was missing, turning the six-person group into a five-person group, it still allowed everyone to feast their eyes.

Plus, all five had tacitly worn clothes of the same style; walking through the company, chatting and laughing, the air everywhere was overflowing with the scent of youth.

One agent said emotionally, "My youth has returned!"

Another agent, eyes teary, asked, "Is the company really not considering forming a girl group?"

Zou Da snorted lightly, "Stop dreaming. Do you think any girl group can reach the height of the Pink Girls? Don't end up forming a girl group only to worry every time you see them, fretting over why they aren't famous yet."

Someone's eyes darted, and they leaned in to whisper, "So, Brother Zou Da, is there a possibility, just maybe, to poach the entire Pink Girl Group over?"

Zou Da helplessly spread his hands, "I don't know." Then he changed his tone, "But our President Xiao is already working hard on it."

When a tycoon makes a move, you immediately know if they have the means!

After the five gathered at Chenxi Entertainment, Sui Lingfang received them; they chatted while touring the company, and then were received by the boss.

President Xiao smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, wearing a Tang suit and holding prayer beads, without a shred of bossy arrogance.

He said, "If you have anything you don't understand, you can ask Jin Li; if Jin Li has anything she doesn't understand, she can ask her agent at any time; I have already told her this."

Jin Li nodded repeatedly; facing the boss, she still felt a bit constrained.

Yu Lina, Qiguan Mingzhu, Gong Zitong, and Xi Mengze also nodded like chicks pecking at rice; compared to Jin Li, they were much more natural and generous.

President Xiao said, "This is your first visit to Chenxi Entertainment; the company is small, and there is nowhere impressive to entertain you. How about this: I own a mountain-top resort hotel that only opened for business last month; there are very few people there."

Today, I will have them cancel all reservations and privately book it for a few days; you all go there to play for a few days. There are over fifty types of hot spring pools, plus saunas, swimming pools... if you want a spa, just call the staff anytime."

Yu Lina and the others' eyes lit up, and they praised in unison, "President Xiao is so generous!"

"Jin Li, having a boss like you is truly blessed!"

"China's best boss!"

Praised until his heart bloomed with joy, President Xiao repeatedly told them to play for a few more days, not to worry about expenses, since the hotel was under his name anyway.

Jin Li felt she hadn't even reacted before she was already packed up and sent to the resort hotel.

As her agent, Sui Lingfang was originally supposed to accompany them.

But she felt that with her present, the others would feel restrained, so she did not join in the fun.

Before leaving, Sui Lingfang held Jin Li's hand, gazed at her deeply, and said with sincere words, "Jin Li, I have managed you for three years; in these three years, I haven't treated you poorly, have I?"

Caught off guard by this sudden "sincerity," Jin Li was stunned and said softly, "Sister Fang, can you please speak normally?"

Sui Lingfang choked up, and all her emotions about playing the sympathy card vanished.

She resumed her normal tone and said earnestly, "Fine, I'll be straight with you, Jin Li. My performance results for the next few years depend entirely on you!"

Jin Li blinked. "Should I take on more jobs to support you, then?"

Sui Lingfang said with exasperation, "You support me? With that frail body of yours that can't even take care of itself?"

Jin Li felt embarrassed. "...It's not that exaggerated. I've gotten stronger recently!"

Yet her tone was so milk-fierce and fierce that it lacked any persuasiveness.

Sui Lingfang said, "As the saying goes: There is no corner that cannot be dug out, only a hoe that does not work hard enough. With those few teammates of yours, if you put in a bit more effort, you can dig them all over.

One radish, one hole; for every radish, there is a hole. Chenxi Entertainment can accept them all. Just work hard and dig, dig, dig for me!"

Jin Li smiled, a very sweet smile.

"Sister Fang, you should have said so earlier. Don't beat around the bush with me. It's just about the treatment..."

Sui Lingfang said, "President Xiao personally came to host your teammates. Is that sincerity enough? As long as you can dig them over, we can discuss the treatment!"

"Jin Li!"

The others had already walked far away before realizing Jin Li hadn't kept up, and they called out to her repeatedly.

Jin Li said, "Coming, coming!"

She nodded at Sui Lingfang to reassure her, then turned and ran over.

Sui Lingfang hurriedly said, "Slow down, don't run so fast, or you'll get dizzy!"

Yu Lina, Gong Zitong, Xi Mengze, and Qiguan Mingzhu were all waiting for Jin Li at the foot of the mountain.

The distance from the mountain foot to the summit was quite long; walking would take who knows how far, so they planned to take the sightseeing car up.

President Xiao had sent someone to arrange everything, and a butler was waiting beside the sightseeing car.

With outsiders present, no one said much, merely discussing the scenery.

Upon reaching the mountain top, the butler departed.

Yu Lina was the first to relax her demeanor and asked with great interest, "Baby Li, is your boss always this generous?"

Qiguan Mingzhu walked toward a viewing platform ahead.

The floor of the viewing platform was specially made of transparent glass; looking down from there, one could see continuous rolling mountains all around, shrouded in clouds and mist, with a majestic terrain.

She took a deep breath and sighed, "No wonder everyone likes to run to the forests during holidays. This forest oxygen bar is so comfortable; it feels like both body and soul have been cleansed."

Gong Zitong took out her phone and started taking photos repeatedly.

Not only did she take photos, but she also liked to post them in the group chat, maliciously tagging Ji Qinglian with every single post.

Jin Li's phone vibrated incessantly.

She could already imagine Ji Qinglian's frantic expression upon returning from her schedule and seeing her phone.

Jin Li said, "Our boss is indeed quite good. He isn't short on money. According to my agent, the president's main business is investment; he manages a private equity fund that has an asset threshold for entry. Anyway, I can't reach that level."

Xi Mengze said, "It's better that you can't reach it. He is the boss and you are the employee; the relationship must be kept clear. If you invested money, the boss would end up serving you, which would feel strange."

Yu Lina looked at Xi Mengze. "We came here by chance, on a whim, but you ran to find Jin Li last night. Do you have something to ask her?"

Xi Mengze smiled. "You can't hide anything from you!"

"I came to ask Jin Li about Chenxi Entertainment. Didn't I mention before that the company I was with previously was utterly boring? They always acted first and reported later, signing contracts on my behalf. I couldn't stay there anymore and wanted to find a better place to retire.

Seeing how well Jin Li is developing at Chenxi Entertainment, I came to conduct an on-site inspection." She paused, revealing her thoughts. "If Chenxi Entertainment is good, this will probably be the one."

Jin Li looked around curiously and said, "Isn't this place famous for having fifty types of hot springs? Let's stop chatting for now. We'll go to the hotel to change clothes, then come down to soak and talk."

In the vast resort hotel, there were still quite many service staff, serving only the five of them.

Everyone felt like "local emperors."

Jin Li was very interested in the hot spring pools.

Red wine hot spring pools, milk hot spring pools, and ice-and-fire dual-nature hot spring pools were all child's play. She was even more interested in the ginseng hot spring pool, the angelica hot spring pool, the complete tonic hot spring pool, and other traditional medicine pools, dragging the others along to experience them.

Yu Lina and the others truly felt that Jin Li's physical condition had improved significantly.

In the past, whenever the youngest member went anywhere, whether for work or play, she would wilt like an eggplant struck by frost after just one hour.

But now, after soaking for two hours, her energy was still so high that she even dragged them to try the rainbow slide in the swimming pool.

Qiguan Mingzhu asked curiously, "Baby Li, do you also want to open a resort hotel in the future? Why are you so interested?"

Jin Li shook her head and said mysteriously, "I'm just experiencing it to improve my fish-farming methods."

"Fish farming?"

The others thought nothing else, assuming Jin Li wanted to contract a fish pond to raise fish. They said, "You can't farm fish like this. With all these entertainment facilities and activities fully equipped, anyone who doesn't know better would think those fish have become spirits!"

Everyone then returned to the main topic.

Jin Li hadn't even exerted any effort yet, but these four hooked fish were already impatiently wanting to jump into her fish pond.

She thought for a moment and said, "As a retirement destination, Chenxi Entertainment is actually not quite qualified. The company still attaches great importance to the artists' development and will create plans for you.

When there are no schedules, they will pull you into small meetings to discuss your personal development. After finishing a schedule, they will also inform you about subsequent assignments.

But there is one good point: the company respects the stars' ideas. Seeking common ground while reserving differences, if you are more dominant than the company, the company will make concessions."

Jin Li thought that with their past reputations backing them, they would often be more dominant than the company.

If it were a minor star, Chenxi Entertainment would be just like any other company.

Being able to arrange schedules for you is already good enough; do you still expect to choose?

Entertainment companies treat top-tier stars, mid-tier stars, and bottom-tier stars differently.

For the top tier, it is cooperation; for the mid-tier, it is dominance; for the bottom tier, it is oppression.

In fact, even in the workplace, this set of rules is followed.

When a project encounters problems, isn't it always the bottom layer that takes the blame?

If the lower level cannot bear it, then let the middle level take the hit.

Unless there is a very serious mistake causing huge financial damage to the company, this fire will not reach the top level.

Xi Mengze asked, "Did they schedule many announcements for you?"

Jin Li shook her head: "My health isn't good, so I don't want to take on too many announcements; so far, I've only accepted one variety show, which is 'PICK~Next Diva.' I participated in three episodes and don't plan to join any more."

"Additionally, there are two endorsements; recently, I've been running announcement events related to those endorsements. Not many—just twice in total this month."

Xi Mengze asked, "And then? That's it?"

Jin Li nodded: "Yes, that's it."

Gong Zitong was also stunned: "With your popularity so high, doesn't Chenxi Entertainment schedule other announcements for you?"

Jin Li countered, "Like what kind of announcements?"

Qiguan Mingzhu said, "Variety shows and the like."

Jin Li replied, "They did schedule one; 'PICK~Next Diva' is currently the hottest variety show, and I've already appeared in three episodes—that's enough."

Xi Mengze asked, "What about other variety shows? Just that one?"

Jin Li nodded matter-of-factly: "If I'm going to appear on one, it should be the hottest. The others aren't as popular, so why bother? I told them I find recording variety shows exhausting and don't want to take any more, so Sister Xiang stopped scheduling them for me."

The other four exchanged glances, all feeling this was somewhat outrageous.

This company wasn't just respecting the artist's wishes; damn it, this was top-tier caretaking plus nanny service!

Xi Mengze asked again, "You say you don't want to take them, and they just don't schedule them?"

Jin Li nodded: "Exactly; otherwise, how would I have time to come out and play with you guys? I'm not a workaholic like Qinglian."

"Wow," Yu Lina whispered softly, "What should I do? I'm already wildly tempted!"

Xi Mengze clapped his hands, his expression invigorated: "Excellent, I've made my decision!"

The group enjoyed themselves thoroughly for an entire afternoon and evening.

Playing for three days was impossible; even playing for two days was out of the question.

Although everyone else was in a semi-retired state, they still had announcements; comparing schedules, they discovered that currently the most popular, Jin Li, actually had the fewest announcements.

Jin Li once again stirred up a wave of resentment, so everyone engaged in a pillow fight.

Since they would part ways the next day, Jin Li cherished this vacation time and did not start a live stream for studying.

She discovered that playing seriously could also yield the effect of achieving twice the result with half the effort, helping to maintain energy.

It was past ten o'clock at night.

Before resting, Jin Li finally had time to check her phone and found several messages from Gu Cheng.

Jin Li replied to every single one.

Shortly after, Gu Cheng initiated a video call, which Jin Li answered.

She was wearing very ordinary casual clothes, had no makeup on, and her face looked clear and beautiful.

Gu Cheng appeared to have just finished an announcement; his hair was styled, he wore some makeup, and he was currently removing it with makeup remover.

Male stars don't dawdle over removing makeup like female stars do; mainly because their makeup isn't so elaborate, so a few casual wipes with a cotton pad remove it all.

"Are you tired from playing?" he asked.

Jin Li shook her head and smiled: "Not tired, quite happy."

Gu Cheng asked curiously, "You aren't sleeping together?"

"No, that would be too tiring; I'm afraid we wouldn't rest well if we slept together. With separate rooms, everyone can rest very well."

"But what about you? Are you still doing problems this late?" Jin Li countered.

Previously, Gu Cheng had sent her a problem to solve when she had time, so Jin Li assumed he was still studying.

Gu Cheng also shook his head: "I'm not doing it; I already know how to solve that problem. I happened to scroll across it while resting, felt it was quite classic, so I sent it for you to solve."

Jin Li's expression turned solemn; Gu Cheng, as a study partner, was truly beyond reproach.

She felt somewhat ashamed; studying itself isn't scary, what's scary is when someone smarter than you is also working harder than you.

Jin Li said seriously, "I'll do it right away and send you the solution process."

Gu Cheng said, "No need to rush so much; you can do it tomorrow."

Jin Li replied, "That won't do; anyway, one problem won't take much time, so I'll solve it before resting."

After the casual chat ended, Gu Cheng asked about her announcement schedule.

Her announcement itinerary was no secret and nothing to hide; it always boiled down to just one or two items.

Currently, the only confirmed one was a livestream to aid farmers in a few days.

On the video screen.

Gu Cheng waited for Jin Li to continue speaking; after waiting a while with no response, he couldn't help but ask, "Is there more?"

Jin Li shook her head: "No more."

Gu Cheng exclaimed loudly, "No more?"

Jin Li nodded: "Really, no more."

Gu Cheng said, "...Do you want to change agencies?"

A picture of sincere questioning.

Jin Li burst out laughing, "No, I'm doing quite well at Chenxi Entertainment; I like it very much. It was me who asked them not to schedule too many for me, so I could free up some time to study."

Gu Cheng's brows relaxed: "That's more like it; I was starting to think the company was blackballing you!"

He thought for a moment and asked, "Then do you have time next month?"

Jin Li asked, "May? What's going on?"

Gu Cheng said, "We plan to record a group variety show; we're missing two fixed guests and would like to invite you as a guest, and we also hope you can recommend one person to join."

Jin Li pointed a finger at herself: "Invite me?"

"Am I suitable? Perhaps you should invite someone with greater traffic and more seniority?"

Gu Cheng was speechless.

After a long while, he finally said, "Do you misunderstand your own popularity? Right now, the most explosive female star is none other than you, and the one with the best reputation is also none other than you."

"Our variety show invited you; if you agree to participate, it's an honor for us. If you decline, that's perfectly reasonable. Jin Li, your status isn't as low as you imagine."

Jin Li smiled awkwardly.

She was used to being ignored; suddenly exploding in popularity, she hadn't quite processed it yet.

She pondered, "I have no scheduled appearances in May, but I need to discuss this with my agent first. Also, my health is quite weak; I'll need rest if the recording stretches too long, and the intensity shouldn't be too high."

Gu Cheng nodded. "We've already considered that. The variety show aims for a relaxed atmosphere without any grueling games, which is exactly why we decided to invite you."

Jin Li said, "Alright, I'll give you an answer after I speak with Sister Fang. As for recommending others, that's easy; I'll ask around for you tomorrow."

The next day.

Jin Li had just seen off the four who had arrived like a whirlwind and hadn't yet spoken to Sister Fang when another person came knocking.

It was Qiu Qiwen.

She called to deliver two pieces of news.

"There's word on the matter you asked me to investigate. The casting for the drama 'Great Sheng Dynasty' was finalized mid-last month, with filming starting at month's end; squeezing someone in now would be very difficult."

Jin Li frowned; the production team's preparation speed was much faster than she had anticipated.

It seemed that book couldn't be entirely trusted.

With her, a passerby who wasn't supposed to die, still alive, the plot had changed, more or less.

Qiu Qiwen shifted gears, "However, this drama encountered difficulties when filming began; several actors quit, including a top-tier female star. If you want to join the production, I can make an introduction for you."

Originally, she had intended to recommend Jin Li to join her own drama production.

But 'Great Sheng Dynasty' had a much larger investment. Putting herself in others' shoes, if she had no scheduled appearances and wanted to join a drama, she would also choose 'Great Sheng Dynasty'.

Jin Li said, "No, it's not me who wants to join; it's Qinglian. Could you help make an introduction for her?"

Qiu Qiwen was puzzled, "Ji Qinglian?"

"Yes."

Qiu Qiwen thought for a moment, "Alright, tell her to give me a call."

Online rumors were indeed just rumors.

While filming the variety show, she had felt that Jin Li and Ji Qinglian had a very good relationship.

Now seeing this, the two were indeed close enough to pull resources for each other.

Why didn't she have such a sister who could "develop rifts" with her?

Qiu Qiwen shifted gears again, "What about you? Do you want to join a drama production?"

Jin Li replied, "I have no plans in that regard for now."

Qiu Qiwen said, "My current drama production has encountered some issues; the actress playing the third female lead suddenly withdrew right before filming started, and the team is scrambling to find a replacement."

"But finding someone with a suitable image is quite difficult; that role relies heavily on the actor's looks, not just anyone can play it."

"If you're interested in acting, why not come take a look? I can send you the script to review. The role is quite interesting; if you perform well, it might even become a classic."

Jin Li asked curiously, "How many days of filming would be required?"

Hearing a hint of interest, Qiu Qiwen perked up, "One week would suffice. If your schedule doesn't align, we can coordinate with the production team to film for a few days first and complete the rest later."

The third female lead's screen time wasn't extensive to begin with.

Nowadays, filming moves quickly; saying one week was just accounting for Jin Li being a newcomer, hence the generous estimate.

For a seasoned professional, three or four days would be enough to finish.

This role focuses on emotion; there are several scene transitions supported entirely by emotional delivery, so filming it would be somewhat exhausting.

But if one can grasp it, it could indeed become a classic; she wasn't misleading her.

Thus, after seeing everyone off and returning from her vacation, Jin Li dropped three major pieces of news on Sui Lingfang, who was sitting in her office.

First, Xi Mengze intended to join Chenxi Entertainment.

Second, she might be going to film a drama.

Third, a variety show had invited her as a guest.

Finally able to guarantee a noon update with confidence!

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(End of Chapter)