Chapter 203: Influence

During the 2005 Spring Festival, Tang Yan went back to Shanghai to spend it.

She has been studying at the Central Academy of Drama these few years, occasionally coming out to guest-star in a few roles, and for most of the time her life is no different from that of an ordinary college student.

In short: carefree!

The company she signed with is currently the most promising Outstanding Rising Film Company in China; she has also starred in a big special-effects film, and after graduation a pile of resources will come her way—who knows how many people envy her to death.

But what Tang Yan is most proud of is her harmonious family, with parents who love her very much.

During winter break, staying at home every day without going out, her parents make all kinds of delicious food for her—it's simply too happy.

That evening, after the family finished dinner, they sat together on the sofa to watch the hot-airing Chinese Paladin.

Tang Yan suddenly pointed at the TV and said, 'By the way, Director Jiang said earlier that after the year they'll film a sequel and have me play a role.'

Her parents immediately grew nervous; Tang's father asked, 'Still a cameo? How long will the shoot take?'

Tang Yan shook her head. 'Not a cameo; I'd be the second female lead.'

Tang's mother frowned, 'Why not the first female lead? Our Tangtang is so beautiful and well-known; acting in a TV drama, shouldn't she be the lead?'

Tang Yan laughed, 'It's not that I'm especially old; I'm only twenty-five.'

'What about Director Jiang?'

'I'm asking about his love life—does he have a girlfriend?'

Tang's mother looked resentful, 'You make it sound like I'm trying to harm you!'

'Then there must always be girls surrounding him, right?' Tang's mother posed the question with the determination to get to the bottom of things.

'Yeah, there are, quite a few!'

'At least you have a conscience!'

Tang's father agreed, 'That's the right idea; people should choose roles that suit them, not just look at screen time.'

Tang Yan laughed, 'I know, Mom, you're just doing it for my own good.'

Tang Yan leaned sideways, put her arms around her father's arm, and giggled, 'Dad still understands me best.'

'How would I know? I spend most of my time studying at school!' Tang Yan said this, already feeling a bit regretful.

'That's pretty good!'

'Is she really that young?'

Tang's mother sighed, then suddenly said, 'By the way, how's that Director Jiang of yours doing now?'

Tang's father replied, 'He's mature and steady—look at what you're saying!'

'Oh my, he's not young anymore, yet he still hasn't found someone?'

Tang's mother wore a puzzled expression, 'He gives me the feeling of being at least in his forties.'

Tang Yan felt a little embarrassed, 'I already said there isn't one!'

Tang Yan laughed, 'It depends on how well the role fits; besides, I quite like the role Director Jiang arranged for me—if it weren't this one, I'd still try to fight for it.'

Tang Yan shook her head, 'Not yet, I guess.'

'Boys should marry when they come of age, girls should wed when they come of age—has he ever asked you out?' Tang's mother wore a gossipy expression.

While filming Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother, she played the Holy Mother Yang Chan, in the drama calling Jiang Heng 'Second Brother,' and off-set she still called him that; their relationship remained fairly close.

But during the two years she's been studying at the Central Academy of Drama, their contact has indeed become less.

She is outgoing and sunny, yet a bit shy; whenever she thinks about hanging around Jiang Heng's side, she feels a psychological barrier, fearing she'll be seen as greedy for money and resources.

Thus, her performance these past years has been consistently laid-back, non-competitive, just waiting for the company's arrangements.

To be honest, watching the hit Chinese Paladin, I also envy Liu Yifei for being able to play Zhao Ling'er.

However, thinking about the role of Zixuan in Chinese Paladin 3, I feel my non-competitive attitude is right, because I really love that character.

……

In Jingcheng, inside a luxuriously decorated residential living room, Liu Yifei sat together with her mother on the sofa watching Chinese Paladin.

Since the show premiered, Liu Xiaoli has watched it every night, and after viewing she goes online to read comments.

Seeing netizens praise it makes her overjoyed; seeing the 'game originals party' curse the reckless adaptation makes her furious.

In the end, Liu Yifei always advises her not to look at the comments—just knowing the show's ratings are high is enough.

In the past, she would definitely not have listened.

But now Liu Yifei is getting older and her fame keeps growing; Liu Xiaoli can also take some of her daughter's advice, so she no longer reads those comments.

Seeing the incredibly handsome special-effects fight of Li Xiaoyao in the clip, Liu Xiaoli suddenly said, 'That guy, he hasn't been pursuing you, has he?'

Liu Yifei blinked, then realized her mother was talking about Hu Ge, and quickly shook her head, 'No, Uncle Xiaoyao is a great guy!'

Liu Xiaoli was displeased and snapped, 'What Uncle Xiaoyao? You can only call one person "uncle," and that's Jiang Heng—you know that, right?'

Liu Yifei was startled, her whole body like a startled quail, and she stammered, 'I know!'

After a pause she added, 'He's five years older than me; I thought I should call him uncle, that's why I did, but I won't do it again!'

Liu Xiaoli sighed and said earnestly, 'The entertainment industry is a den of greed, a place that devours people and doesn't spit out their bones. If no one backs you, we mother and daughter can only get by as best we can. Your godfather can only be relied on for a moment, not a lifetime—Mom is doing all this for your own good.'

Liu Yifei nodded blankly, somewhat understanding what her mother said, yet also not quite grasping it.

But over the years she's grown used to being lectured; if she doesn't understand something, she doesn't dare ask, and she'll naturally get it when the time comes.

As a result, Liu Xiaoli sighed again, 'After Chinese Paladin airs, you should be able to stay hot for two or three years, but if later resources can't keep up, it'll be troublesome.'

Liu Yifei's expression was blank; she didn't understand why her mother was thinking so far ahead.

Right now Chinese Paladin is hot, and her popularity is booming!

'As for Chinese Paladin 3, who's in it?'

Liu Yifei replied helplessly, 'This topic's been brought up several times already, but there's Yang Mi, Tang Yan, and another actress recommended by Tang Ren Company, supposedly named Liu Shisi.'

Liu Xiaoli asked, 'Director Jiang, did he say anything about how he'll arrange things later?'

Liu Yifei felt her brain turning to mush, 'Um, Mom, my management contract isn't with Outstanding Rising Film Company, so they have no obligation to plan my future development.'

Liu Xiaoli heard that, slapped her own forehead, 'This is a mess!'

Immediately she sighed, 'You finally became popular with great difficulty; leaving Hongxingwu (Chen Jinfei's media company) at this time is simply inexcusable!'

Liu Yifei nodded repeatedly, 'Exactly, that's really letting down my foster father!'

Liu Xiaoli heard that, gave a wry smile, thought for a moment, and said, 'You need to get on good terms with Director Jiang, understand?'

'I know, Uncle Jiang Heng is very nice, and he's also very good to me!'

As Liu Yifei said that, Jing Tian's image suddenly flashed in her mind, and she felt a bit unhappy.

I don't know whether that girl is doing it intentionally or not, but lately she's been getting too close to Jiang Heng.

However, with the hot airing of Chinese Paladin, Liu Yifei became the most popular female star of 2005.

Chen Jinfei, the boss of Hongxingwu Media Company, was overjoyed; although he was doing it for Liu Xiaoli's connections, spending money to promote Liu Yifei, he also did so because he saw the potential in his 'adopted daughter'.

Now that the season of reaping has arrived, who wouldn't try to make money? Various commercial performances are scheduled, and they also find a music company to help produce albums.

(End of chapter)