Actresses

Chapter 22 Guidance

Shi Jiahe even felt a little guilty, thinking to herself, "I really underestimated my sister's perspective just now." Memories of Ran Jie's kindness from the past flooded back.

"Sis, the point of coming out is to relax, don't think too much about it. You can put work aside for now," Shi Jiahe comforted her softly.

He Yuran put down her phone and sighed. "You're out there running around every day, worrying about me. What would I look like if I didn't take some action myself? I was thinking of contacting some actors I know to see if I could book their schedules for the future, at least to sound them out. But hey, they're all incredibly busy. Or they just want to chat with me. I may not have any acting work, but that doesn't mean I'm that free."

"That's all their fault, they're not ambitious!" Shi Jiahe said briefly before getting to the point. "Sis, how about we go to a hot spring, then have some drinks and chat? After all, it's rare for everyone to get out of here, and the kids in the studio are really touched. Why don't you take this opportunity to talk to them for a bit?"

"Okay. A little drink will help me sleep better." He Yuran thought for a moment, "Why don't you guys come to my room? We can take turns soaking."

Shi Jiahe was delighted. If He Yuran didn't mind, then of course it was fine.

Without further ado, he called everyone from the other room over. The seven of them squeezed into a suite, with drinks and snacks laid out in front of them.

Ding glanced around and said softly, "I'd like to say that without Jiahe, there wouldn't be this team building event today. Let's let Jiahe say a few words first, okay?"

Then everyone solemnly clapped and said, "Good, good, good."

Shi Jiahe immediately gripped the ground with her toes, thinking to herself, "Ding Yi, you're pushing me onto the shelf again... But this matter is also very delicate. With the boss here, I can't be off-kilter in what I should say and do."

She thought for a moment and then began, "Well, the specific itinerary and arrangements were all meticulously planned by Sister Ding. She worked the hardest, but she never talks about these things. But we all see it and remember it."

Ding smiled but didn't say anything.

Shi Jiahe raised a glass of wine. "Then let me say a few words first. Although this isn't our first team building activity, it seems like the first time we've sat down and had such an open and honest conversation. I was even thinking that if we stripped the boss bare, we could be more candid with each other."

Everyone burst into laughter, and He Yuran said, "Seriously."

Shi Jiahe smiled and said, "Okay, okay."

"I suggested this team building event, and I also chose the location, but! All the money came from the boss, so I propose that this toast be to our dear Sister Ran, so that we can stay in such a nice hotel in Gubei Water Town, and finally we don't have to come here to work or go on gigs anymore."

He Yuran waved his hand. "Oh, what's the point of making money? I'm only happy when everyone's happy. Otherwise, people will call me a bastard behind my back, hahaha."

Shi Jiahe said, "No, no matter which artist in this industry is a bastard, our Sister Ran is definitely not! Our Sister Ran is the only shining pearl. If anyone dares to say a bad word about you, I would go out and fight with anyone and go to jail for you."

Several children started making a fuss, and everyone raised their glasses to toast the boss.

"Because of what you said, I'll drink this cup in one go too." He Yuran said, getting a little excited, her eyes sparkling.

Shi Jiahe knew that her boss was always easy to please, especially when others showed her genuine affection in public and gave her face; she was even more pleased. But wasn't crying a bit of an exaggeration?

"I've never said these things to anyone before, because I never intended to. Actually, ever since I became famous and had the ability to start my own business, every year agency or film company has approached me about splitting contracts or trying to sign me. They offered all sorts of conditions, but I refused them all. I've always kept my studio completely independent. It's not that I don't want to work for a big company—it's less stressful and seems more professional—but I think you have to give something in return for what you want, right? If I'm always tied to someone else, I can't have my own team, someone who's as genuinely caring as you are. Or even in a big company, I only deal with a few specific people every day. In the end, what I need is a small team centered around me. So why take the long way around? I don't want any changes in that regard." "After I figured this out, whenever anyone brings up agency contracts with me again, I'll say, 'Sorry, I already have the best team I can manage.' Then other actors will say, 'Are you kidding? How many people are in your studio?' I won't argue. In their eyes, of course, we're a small operation, but are big companies any better in their eyes? I've seen too many colleagues dissatisfied with their agencies. Can you name a perfect agency in this industry? No! The more I see, the less I want to be that kind of artist. We can't just use others without considering their strengths, right? Now I'm the boss, I'm responsible for everything I do. I personally selected each of you, and I believe we're the best team right now. If there's anything wrong, it's my fault. Okay! I've said a bit too much. If you don't work hard later, blame me... Never mind, I'll finish this drink first."

He Yuran truly lives up to her reputation as a top-tier actress; her words, delivered with such emotion and eloquence, were incredibly moving. As if someone were urging her to drink, she readily downed the glass of wine in her hand, which actually had very little alcohol content.

Everyone present was clearly moved, sighing and expressing their feelings repeatedly.

Xuanxuan, in particular, looked at He Yuran very seriously, and then whispered, "I really should have filmed that part with the boss just now."

Ding Yi patted him on the shoulder, "Hey, don't pat me!"

Although she didn't know if the other person was genuine or acting, Shi Jiahe was indeed experiencing a mix of emotions at that moment. She felt that the boss's words seemed to have convinced not just anyone, not Xiao Zhao, but herself.

Perhaps Xiao Zhao had a reason for asking that question during the day. Perhaps she really did inadvertently reveal signs of possibly resigning in certain details, which is why Xiao Zhao asked that question.

Now, all those slight wavering thoughts that occasionally surfaced over the past few years have vanished.

They became very determined.

Even if you go anywhere else in this industry, you'll never find another celebrity boss like He Yuran. There never will be.

Ding Yi said, "What's there to say? Let's all do it!"

Without saying a word, Shi Jiahe blew up the bottle in her hand as well.

Well, before we'd even exchanged a few words, half the wine was gone.

Ding Yi stood up. "Oh dear, this isn't enough. I'll go to the supermarket and buy some more. Xiao Zhao, let's drink together."

The others wanted to follow, but they were all held down.

Shi Jiahe turned around and said, "Sister Ding, I'll transfer the money to you in a bit."

Ding Yi's reply came from the corridor. "What's the big deal?"

He Yuran suddenly said, "Jiahe, when you told me about Gubei Water Town, I thought to myself, you really have no taste. But today I suddenly feel that you chose a great place. It couldn't be more perfect for us all to come together."

"Why? Because you drank too much?"

"Get lost! This feeling of being both in Beijing and not in Beijing is something you can't get anywhere else. It's like my current situation—I'm in this circle, yet not in it. If I hadn't run into trouble and was still as arrogant as I was a few years ago, I wouldn't be sitting here chatting with everyone like this. I might still be wasting my life drinking and reveling at some party. Don't you agree?"

"Life can't be rewritten, boss. If I could do it all over again, I still hope your career would be even better."

"Alright, stop talking, just drink. It's all in the wine."

"Boss, you're out of drinks. Let's wait for Sister Ding later," Egg said from the side.

So everyone craned their necks to wait for the purchase.

Less than half an hour later, Ding Yi and Xiao Zhao returned carrying several large bags. They had also bought new snacks. This time, there would definitely be enough alcohol; they could drink as much as they wanted.

After they sat down, Ding Yi looked at everyone mysteriously and said, "Holy crap, guess who we ran into in the elevator?"

One sentence was enough to make everyone's eyes widen. Even He Yuran perked up his ears.

"Who? Could it be one of my ex-boyfriends?"

"Not that famous." Ding Yi shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "She was bundled up quite tightly, and she looked like an actress. She was with a woman. But I didn't recognize her; Xiao Zhao did."

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Xiao Zhao. Xiao Zhao smiled shyly and announced the name of the second male lead in a recently popular drama.

"I've never heard of this person's name before," Ding Yi said. "It's kind of you to recognize him at a glance."

"I watch dramas when I have free time. I basically watch a couple of episodes of the dramas that have just started airing, so I happen to remember them," Xiao Zhao explained.

Egg Boy gave a thumbs up, "Teacher Zhao is awesome. This level of professionalism is amazing."

"Who's that woman next to you?" Shi Jiahe asked. "Is she an actress too?"

It's not uncommon for young actors to date before they become famous; in fact, it's quite common. After all, good-looking young people have nothing better to do than date. Those who spend all their time reading are a minority. Those with strong time management skills can even have several relationships simultaneously.

"Hmm, she's quite pretty, but I don't know her name. I don't recognize her," Xiao Zhao said.

"Hey, tell me again what that guy's name is?" He Yuran, who hadn't said a word until now, suddenly asked.

Xiao Zhao repeated his name again.

"Are you sure you don't know the woman next to you? But you've seen every drama currently airing in the Chinese entertainment industry, and you know all the actors."

"I'm sure."

He Yuran suddenly stood up. "You guys keep talking, I'm going out to make a phone call."

He then took his phone and went to the restroom.

Shi Jiahe was a little puzzled, wondering if something had come up at the last minute.

A moment later, He Yuran returned and sat down cross-legged again. "Cheating. Verification complete."

The remaining six people spoke almost in unison, and even the usually composed Sister Jun couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!"

"Boss, who are you asking about?" Ding Yi asked.

"Hey, why don't actors gossip about each other? That guy's girlfriend is Zhuang Pan, they've been together for over a year, I didn't expect him to do something like this so soon after becoming famous."

Eggboy was the first to scream. "Zhuang Pan is really famous! Holy crap, how could he do this? He has such a beautiful girlfriend and still cheated on her."

"That's childish of you to say, because that's just your opinion. From a male actor's perspective, the one thing this industry has no shortage of is beautiful actresses," Ding Yi said with a smile. "What kind of effect would that have? Like a mouse falling into a rice jar, or a cat falling into a fishpond."

"No, that's dangerous for the cat too," Xuanxuan said.

While the others shook their heads or sighed, feeling indignant on Zhuang Pan's behalf, Shi Jiahe's heart suddenly stirred.

Zhuang Pan is one of the more influential young actresses, but it seems she hasn't been on any projects for a while, and there hasn't been much news about her lately. I don't know why.

"Sister Ran—" Shi Jiahe winked at He Yuran.

He Yuran nodded, stood up, took her phone, and walked back to the restroom. Shi Jiahe followed her in.

"What's wrong? What good thing are you holding back?"

"Hey, sister, watch your manners... Just wondering, are you close to Zhuang Pan? Could you bring her into our production?"

"Are you crazy? Don't you think I've been rejected by this traffic enough?"

"But didn't you contact her before?"

He Yuran was taken aback. "Uh, that's true."

"Then why haven't you contacted Zhuang Pan? Can you tell me the reason?"

"I don't like her," He Yuran said after a pause. "I've dealt with her before, and I think she's a bit abnormal. And look at her, she has this boyfriend, and she's still love-struck."

"Sister Ran, I have something to say that you might not like to hear—"

"Then let's not talk about it."

"Hey sis, dating isn't illegal. I thought she did something to you, but it turns out you just don't like her. But what if she gets a role in our show? If you don't try, we'll miss out on an opportunity. To tell you the truth, I met with the platform's producer the other day, and she told me that with our cast, we need a popular actress. I think we should try asking Zhuang Pan."

He Yuran had been frowning, but after a while, she suddenly seemed to realize something and said "Oh," looking at Shi Jiahe.

"Is this all you didn't tell me? No wonder you were so strange that day, suddenly coming to see me. Were you trying to tell me that finding Jiang Fan was useless, and that you needed to find someone else to generate traffic? You brought everyone all the way to Gubei Water Town, making me spend money and go through all that trouble, just for these two sentences?"

Shi Jiahe was too lazy to even raise her blood pressure. She thought to herself, "My boss, these are two separate things." But there was no way to explain it. Oh well, she'd just have to take the blame. So she kept smiling.

"Sister Ran, look, some things happen because they're preordained. Don't we always say that fate provides guidance? The fact that our team ran into this guy at the hotel proves that you and Zhuang Pan are definitely destined for each other. Don't you agree?" Shi Jiahe started spouting nonsense with a straight face. "And it just so happens that the platform's people told me at this crucial moment that we need traffic. Could this guidance be any more subtle?"

Then, He Yuran blinked hard and suddenly said, "It seems... to make sense, huh?"