Chapter 175

On the set of "Changle Palace," the director stared gloomily as the floor manager called Li Li Xunfang.

The floor manager wiped his sweat and waited for quite a while before Li Li Xunfang answered the phone.

He hurriedly said: "Hello, Teacher Li. I would like to ask when you will be coming to the set. Everyone else is waiting for you to start work!"

The assistant said vaguely: "Teacher Li is currently filming a variety show and is temporarily unavailable. Wait two hours before calling back."

The floor manager hurriedly said: "Wait, don't hang up yet. I want to confirm Teacher Li's time. She has to record the show in the morning, but she should have time in the afternoon, right? She has to come to the set; so many people are waiting for her to start work."

The assistant checked the schedule and said quickly: "There's no time in the afternoon either; she'll only be free in the evening. But she has to get up early tomorrow morning to rush to another place for an announcement, so Teacher Li needs to rest in the evening.

Your crew shouldn't arrange her scenes this month; film the others first. That's it!"

"Hey, wait!" Before the assistant could finish speaking, the phone was hung up.

The floor manager looked at the director and shrugged.

He had the speakerphone on, so the director heard everything; it couldn't be faked.

He had been practicing with the assistant for the past few days, but Li Li Xunfang never had an opening in her schedule, and the director still thought he was incompetent.

But was that really the case?

It was clearly that Li Li Xunfang didn't want to film!

The director had a gloomy face and filmed the A-group's scenes first. Originally, he was in charge of the B-group, which filmed all the important scenes for the leads and supporting actors.

Now that the lead hadn't arrived, the B-group couldn't film at all, so he could only film the location scenes with the A-group.

As for the assistant director in charge of the A-group, he was just resting on set!

The fact that "Li Li Xunfang isn't coming to the set to film" quickly spread throughout the "Changle Palace" crew; both the staff and the actors were discussing it.

"Li Li Xunfang really isn't afraid of being scolded by the director. She's so arrogant; she says she won't come, so she doesn't, making the whole crew wait for her," an actor gossiped.

Another actor said: "There's no helping it. Look at our crew; the most famous one is Li Li Xunfang, and the others are all third or fourth-tier stars. Even the male lead is only a third-tier actor. When I heard Li Li Xunfang was going to take this drama, I was stunned!"

"Yeah, how could she take a liking to a production like this? It shouldn't be!"

"The entire crew's investment came because the investors saw Li Li Xunfang's fame. If others don't come, the director can replace them, but if Li Li Xunfang doesn't come, the director can only wait."

Some actors were already starting to worry about the drama.

What they didn't know was that even the director was on edge.

But what he feared was that Li Li Xunfang would quit and breach the contract!

As long as Li Li Xunfang was willing to film, the director would agree to any conditions she proposed; that was the effect of fame.

The entire crew was able to prepare so smoothly only because Li Li Xunfang had joined.

Others couldn't see it, but the director knew it very well.

He had made many efforts to start filming this drama, but he couldn't get any investment.

As a result, once Li Li Xunfang signed the contract and the news was released, the matter that had been stuck for half a year was pushed forward within two months.

The director sighed, endure, must endure!

The "Changle Palace" crew was miserable, while Li Li Xunfang's external variety show career was booming.

#Li Li Xunfang's extreme survival challenge eating insects! #

#Li Li Xunfang says she doesn't like exercise, prefers controlling her diet#

#Li Li Xunfang is too intense playing games! #

#Li Li Xunfang's stunning Chunfang makeup! #

……

Ever since her variety shows started gaining momentum, her team had also been very effective, almost getting a top-twenty trending topic every day.

If managed properly, she could even squeeze into the top ten.

Everyone in the industry knew Li Li Xunfang's team was operating this.

She hadn't moved at all during the crazy summer season, and now that the summer was over, she had to start making up for it.

It just so happened that other first-tier stars had enough exposure during the summer season and weren't participating in the September promotional campaigns, so basically no one was competing with Li Li Xunfang.

In the lounge.

Lian Lian Baozhi heard Lu Shanjie talking about what had happened recently and couldn't understand why Li Li Xunfang's team was buying trending topics every day.

"Didn't she snatch two dramas from Jin Li? She should be entering the crew in September, right? Is she still desperately running variety shows? Can she handle it?"

Lu Shanjie raised an eyebrow: "She can handle it, why wouldn't she?

The crew specifically found a body double for her; she only needs to have the double walk through the positions for her. Use the double for the back view and her real self for the front view, wouldn't that work?"

Lian Lian Baozhi tsked, "If she films like that, can that drama even continue?"

Lu Shanjie: "The director can add scenes for the supporting actors. If the lead really can't finish filming, just move the scenes to the supporting actors. Anyway, Li Li Xunfang's role in the crew is just a reassurance for investment; the director should be very clear about that."

Lian Lian Baozhi suddenly thought of something and asked: "What about Jin Li? What is she doing? Isn't she competing with Li Li Xunfang for the Fang Fei spokesperson role?"

Lu Shanjie shook her head: "Don't know, she's quite low-key."

Outsiders didn't know Jin Li's movements, but Li Li Xunfang knew very well.

After all, she had a mole inside Fang Fei.

The first day Jin Li arrived at Fang Fei for training, a mole told Li Li Xunfang.

This was also the reason why Li Li Xunfang decided to vigorously develop variety shows and increase her exposure.

She didn't want to lose to Jin Li and could only start with external announcements.

Li Li Xunfang felt that as long as her fame was greater than Jin Li's, and her exposure and reputation were better than Jin Li's, even if Jin Li walked the runway for Fang Fei, it wouldn't mean she didn't have a chance to fight.

After all, brand spokespeople are judged by comprehensive data.

A mere runway show couldn't affect the big picture.

……

Time flew by, and it finally arrived at September 21st!

Jin Li arrived in Paris, France.

Paris is particularly busy for two months every year, which are the Spring/Summer Fashion Week and the Autumn/Winter Fashion Week.

However, not all brands set up their shows in Paris.

Some brands find the venues too small or not original enough and will go to other countries to hold shows, such as running off to New York, London, Milan, etc.

But regardless, as one of the fashion capitals, Paris attracts a huge number of tourists every year during fashion week.

And after Jin Li arrived in Paris, Paris still had many traces of the Olympic Games that had ended just last month (closed on 8/11).

Olympic platforms visible everywhere, limited edition Olympic Eiffel Towers, and various figurines, small colorful flags, and city road signs specifically designed for the Olympics...

Although the Olympics had ended, the city seemed to still be immersed in the Olympic carnival, and the people couldn't forget it.

Unfortunately, Jin Li didn't have time to appreciate the local customs of Paris.

She only hurriedly looked at some scenery and then threw herself into the busy preparations. As the last one to appear, although she didn't need to strictly time her runway walk, she had to carefully design the curtain call movements.

Arriving a day early, Jin Li rehearsed for a whole day.

From morning to night, without stopping.

Jin Li had originally brought two books, thinking about studying in her spare time.

As a result, she didn't have time to open these two books until the day of the show.

It was too busy, even busier than on a film set.

There were many emergencies at the show, and Jin Li felt she benefited a lot just by watching how those people solved them from the sidelines.

Big and small things came in a swarm—

Either this model was sick, or that model couldn't be reached, and then the clothes sizes were wrong, the shoe sizes were wrong, some belt suddenly couldn't be found...

Jin Li took a break from her busy schedule to complain to Gu Cheng, who was studying with her: "I feel that anyone who dares to do a runway show must have a strong heart. Many unexpected things happen every day, and those things sound outrageous!"

Gu Cheng couldn't help but ask: "How outrageous?"

Jin Li said in a low voice: "I heard, and I also heard this from others, that a male model went out drinking at night, got into some trouble, and just didn't come to walk the show."

Gu Cheng: "..."

Jin Li: "A female model actually caught her boyfriend cheating at a bar, was heartbroken, and said she wanted to quit the industry and wouldn't walk the show."

Gu Cheng: "..."

Jin Li: "There's also someone who said the food wasn't to her taste, vomited for several days, and then found out she was pregnant, so she quit immediately; someone went out to play and was scratched by a stray cat, leading to an inability to walk the show; someone was poached by a competitor and refused to stay no matter what..."

Gu Cheng wanted to say something but stopped, and finally said earnestly: "Besides rehearsals, stay in the hotel and don't go anywhere!"

Jin Li smiled: "I'm safe. Sister Fang, Xiao Cheng, and Chen Qin have all come over. I bring two people with me whenever I go out now."

While speaking, Jin Li was called by someone else, and she had to hang up her chat with Gu Cheng.

On the other side, at Gu Cheng's place.

After hanging up the call, he looked down at the script, still that "Assassination."

Today was a rare day off.

Yan Yan Xingdong had just gotten up and went to the living room to find something to eat when he saw Gu Cheng.

"You're still pondering over this 'Assassination'? Didn't they say it couldn't be filmed? Guang Ge already told you to turn it down."

Gu Cheng pondered: "I haven't been that busy lately. I picked up the script again and still feel it's a pity that this drama wasn't filmed."

Yan Yan Xingdong said pessimistically: "It is a pity, but as a TV series, the scale is a bit too large. When the script was handed over, I felt it was dangerous."

As it turned out, it was just as he expected; it only lasted for two months before the drama was aborted.

Gu Cheng couldn't help but say: "If the scale is too large for a TV series, what if it's filmed as a movie?"

Yan Yan Xingdong thought for a moment and said uncertainly: "A movie? I actually think that could work, but is the director willing to change it into a movie?

Not to mention whether the director can change it, even if it's changed, it's not certain that investment can be secured. Movie operations are different from TV series operations."

After Yan Yan Xingdong finished speaking, he took a bottle of milk from the fridge and poured a glass to drink.

After finishing it, he turned his head and saw that Gu Cheng was still pondering, and suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart.

"Wait, you wouldn't happen to be... wanting to invest in it yourself, right?"

Gu Cheng smiled slightly at him: "I have that intention."

Yan Yan Xingdong: "... You're truly crazy!"

September 23rd, the Fang Fei show was officially held!

Fang Fei is famous for its cheongsams, bringing the unique characteristics of Chinese cheongsams to the international stage, making many people develop a strong interest in Chinese cheongsam culture.

Fang Fei's cheongsams are heading to the international stage.

This show also used cheongsams for display, adopting bold color blocking instead of a single base color, with the theme of "Rendering."

Using cheongsam as a base, it rendered ink and wash paintings, showcasing the splash-ink, blank-leaving, subtle, and meaningful style of traditional Chinese culture.

Using the gorgeous rendering of Dunhuang, it showcased the classical elegance of the mysterious Dunhuang style of goddesses flying and goddesses descending.

Using the rendering of embroidered flowers and birds, it showcased the magical craft of embroidery to the whole world, leaving people amazed!

The show was divided into three nodes, each with a unified style, and within the big framework of "Rendering," it was divided into three small unifications.

And at the end of this show, Jin Li appeared.

She wore her elegant long black hair down, put on a gown named "Fire," and walked steadily into the show.

"Da, da, da..."

The show suddenly became very quiet. When Jin Li went on stage, she felt everyone's gaze was fixed on her.

She seemed to have become the center of the world, and those pairs of eyes and those people under the stage flashed past her eyes like fleeting shadows.

It was as if ten thousand colors were drifting, and even the drumbeats of the music followed her departure.

In the end, only she was walking alone.

By the time Jin Li came back to her senses, she had already finished walking a lap of the show and was pulled by the hand by Dai Xueling, returning to the stage together for the curtain call.

The flashing lights formed a blinding world, and Jin Li endured, unable to close her eyes, maintaining a smile.

After coming off the stage, she blinked many times, feeling like she was going blind.

Her eyes turned red after a while.

As the chief designer of this show, Dai Xueling still had to wander around, accepting compliments from others.

The models quickly changed their clothes backstage; everyone was silent. The noisier it was before the show, the quieter it was after the show.

Jin Li was dazed for a while, then quickly found a changing room to change her clothes and also quickly removed her makeup.

To be honest, she didn't even know what her makeup looked like today.

Before going on stage, the backstage was like a fight, with another pile of situations. After the makeup artist finished her makeup, they rushed off to do makeup elsewhere.

Jin Li was immediately arranged to put on clothes and had no time to look in a mirror.

Thinking about it now, Jin Li also felt it was incredible; how could there not even be a mirror?

Was this to prevent models from constantly nitpicking their makeup in front of the mirror?

And changing clothes was the same.

It was very difficult to put on, but very simple to take off; she could handle it by herself.

"Jin Li!"

Walking out of the backstage, Sui Sui Lingfang, Chen Qin, and the driver Xiao Cheng were already waiting at the entrance.

Sui Sui Lingfang said excitedly: "You were too beautiful. When you came out, there was an unparalleled impact; I couldn't even imagine that it was actually you!"

Chen Qin was also incoherent: "Yes, yes, yes, too beautiful, like a goddess from heaven descending to earth!"

Xiao Cheng added: "And that dress, I saw many people staring straight at the gown; they were amazed by the creativity of the clothes!"

Jin Li took out her phone, just wanting to search for photos of herself at the show, when she suddenly realized that domestic media shouldn't have reported it so quickly, so she had to give up.

She said: "We're leaving tonight, and we haven't properly seen Paris yet. Let's find a restaurant to have a big meal."

Sui Sui Lingfang agreed: "I'll treat you this time, and I'll find the company for reimbursement when I go back."

Having someone pay the bill made Jin Li even happier.

The subsequent handover was very simple; the gown didn't need to be returned, as it was originally a gift from Dai Xueling, and she just needed to tell Dai Xueling.

Jin Li didn't have any other business collaborations in Paris and didn't accept media interviews, so she could return to the country quickly.

Chenxi Entertainment would look at the subsequent reactions before arranging whether Jin Li should accept media interviews.

While Jin Li was on the plane back to the country.

The news of her walking the show as the last model at the Fang Fei show and being personally held by Dai Xueling to return to the stage to explain the design concept of "Fire" also spread.

Many large media outlets reported it one after another, attaching photos.

【The most stunning scene: Jin Li walks the show for Fang Fei and explains the chief designer's concept!】

【Fang Fei's chief designer says Jin Li's free will perfectly blends with the "Fire" gown!】

【Jin Li appears as a model; she stands on the Fang Fei runway for her first show. Is she going to attack the modeling career?】

【Has the battle for the Fang Fei spokesperson ended early? Jin Li is a cut above!】

Not only did the media praise her, but even netizens were deeply impressed by Jin Li's "Fire" after seeing the photos.

【Fang Fei's show is as original as ever, not doing any so-called future technology; at least they are all things people can wear】

【Jin Li appeared last, and she was actually wearing a gown. So beautiful; it's as if flames are flowing when she moves!】

【The design is amazing; when will it be for sale?】

【Am I the only one who wants to know if Fang Fei is no longer making cheongsams? Why was the last one changed to a gown?】

Many netizens wanted to know the answer to this question.

And Fang Fei's public relations department was well-prepared; the moment the questioning voices came, they immediately refuted the rumors.

Fang Fei: 【Cheongsams are our background color, and they are also the tradition we will always insist on. Everyone doesn't need to worry; we will not only continue to make cheongsams but also delve into more possibilities for cheongsams.

As for the gown that Jin Li @Jin Li wore when she appeared last, it was a work that our chief designer Dai Xueling was inspired by last year, conveying the concept of "freedom and spontaneity," which is also the persistence we at Fang Fei have always had.

Our chief designer not only designs cheongsams but also handles various types of clothing with ease.

Fang Fei will also adjust its relevant strategies next year, expand its clothing territory, and develop more regions.

Welcome everyone to join the Fang Fei family, let's become better together!】

This PR copy was very timely, immediately eliminating the netizens' doubts and focusing more on the clothes themselves.

As the topic went on, many netizens commented one after another, saying that the first cheongsam of their lives was from Fang Fei.

【Hope Fang Fei can get better and better. I really like wearing cheongsams; it makes me feel unique and full of confidence!】

【My first cheongsam was from Fang Fei. At that time, I had to participate in a program, and I decided to wear a cheongsam on stage, which brought me great confidence】

【It's already not easy to insist on making cheongsams; there's no need to be so sensitive. It's fine to launch other clothing styles.

I have observed the sub-brand's clothes, but I always feel they aren't as dedicated as Fang Fei's. If Fang Fei is willing to launch other styles, I will buy them】

Because of this, Jin Li hitched a ride on Fang Fei's popularity and trended for several days.

This trending topic was a national one, and no one dared to suppress it.

That was a luxury brand; no one wanted to offend them, and it wasn't a negative comment anyway.

Li Li Xunfang saw the show photos leaked online, especially the one Jin Li wore, and felt a sense of panic.

She knew Fang Fei had invited Jin Li to walk the show; Jin Li had announced this news several months ago, and she also knew Jin Li's gown was a gift from Fang Fei.

But she didn't know that Jin Li was actually the last one to walk!

And this gown...

With Li Li Xunfang's eye, she could tell at a glance that this was definitely haute couture.

Li Li Xunfang gritted her teeth and called her manager, asking her to get her more popular variety shows.

Zhao Rui frowned and said disapprovingly: "Li Xunfang, you've participated in enough variety shows, and you still have to take time to go to the crew for filming every week.

The director's phone calls have reached me; your filming time is too short. If you don't go, all your scenes will be distributed to the supporting actors!"

Li Li Xunfang was silent for a while and said: "Sister Zhao, I will try my best to coordinate. Just get me more variety shows!"

Zhao Rui was also silent, sighing silently in her heart.

She knew what Li Li Xunfang was panicking about. Jin Li not only walked the show for Fang Fei but also wore the only gown that wasn't a cheongsam, and was the last one to appear.

Just as the media guessed, industry insiders could also see that Dai Xueling's favoritism toward Jin Li was overflowing!

Li Li Xunfang was probably going to fail this time.

But until the last moment, who would be willing to admit their failure?

Zhao Rui said: "I will arrange a few more variety shows for you, but in order to give you time to go to the crew, I will arrange the variety shows more densely, running three shows morning, noon, and night. Can you accept that?"

Zhao Rui said this, wanting Li Li Xunfang to refuse.

Variety shows are very physically demanding. Participating in two shows in the morning and afternoon would make one too tired to move at night, let alone participating in a variety show at night?

As a result, Li Li Xunfang said without hesitation: "I'll participate!"

Zhao Rui sighed again in her heart.

Since her own artist had made such a great determination, she couldn't say any cold words, so she only helped her arrange the evening shows to be a bit easier.

Zhao Rui emphasized: "Li Xunfang, you can't run variety shows forever. Since you can act, you must grasp the opportunity to act."

Li Li Xunfang said: "I will act well; it's just that at this stage, I want to run variety shows to increase some exposure."

Time arrived in October.

The news of Li Li Xunfang constantly running variety shows also spread throughout the industry. Smart people knew she was exerting effort for the Fang Fei spokesperson role.

Her battle for the spokesperson role with Jin Li had clearly reached a white-hot stage.

Even Chenxi Entertainment didn't stay laid-back, arranging for Jin Li to wear Fang Fei's cheongsam and take photos every few days.

And Li Li Xunfang was even more intense, not only taking photos and posting soft advertisements but also seizing every opportunity to wear cheongsams to participate in variety shows!

Regardless of who can become the spokesperson this time, Fang Fei definitely won big.

Even netizens felt the unusual atmosphere between these two stars, but they weren't sure what they were fighting over.

Only gossip accounts leaking news in the dark said the two were fighting to get Fang Fei's pie.

At Chenxi Entertainment, Jin Li came over early to check in and read books.

She didn't need to take photos today and could read from morning to night.

Going to the cafeteria for lunch, Sui Sui Lingfang went with her, observing her expression, and said: "You really aren't nervous at all!"

Jin Li was amused: "If being nervous was useful, then I would definitely be very nervous right now."

Sui Sui Lingfang said sorrowfully: "I don't know when Fang Fei will announce the spokesperson. You and Li Li Xunfang can't keep fighting like this. Look at how many soft advertisements you've sent to Fang Fei at the end of last month!"

Jin Li said: "I said there was no need to send them, but you still wanted to."

Sui Sui Lingfang looked serious: "It won't do not to send them. Others have come to provoke us; how can there be no reason to fight back?"

Speaking of posting photos, Jin Li and Li Li Xunfang also had some ill-fated connection.

It might be because they both wore Fang Fei's clothes to take photos, which netizens noticed, and recently they would always compare the two.

It just so happened that their styles were very similar, so it became "literature has no first, martial arts has no second," and the fans of both sides had to determine who was first and who was second.

Because of this, they had quarreled several times.

Of course, Jin Li wasn't provoked into anger at all.

She livestreamed when she should, studied when she should, remained calm and steady, and was as immovable as a mountain.