Chapter 149 Jiang Moli's daily life in retirement in the new era...
After Jiang Moli retired, someone who had co-starred with her in "Dream of Red Mansions" came to see her. That person was Ruan Songling, the actress who played Shi Xiangyun.
Ruan Songling is older than Jiang Moli. She's been trending online lately, having been invited by a company to star in the TV series "Auntie's Good Days." The company also considered Jiang Moli, but she declined. Ruan Songling hoped Jiang Moli could act with her, and she did, starring in the series.
It's worth noting that Ruan Songling, despite her age, is still primarily known for her role as Shi Xiangyun. She hasn't had many other notable roles, unlike Jiang Moli, whose works are all classics. After starring in "Dream of the Red Chamber," Ruan Songling appeared in a number of television series, all of which were relatively unknown.
Now that the Internet is well developed, clips of some old film and television works have been put online, and some old actors have become popular again.
For "Auntie's Good Days," the studio didn't invest heavily in the production, simply wanting familiar actors to star in them. Occasionally, a TV series like this can still generate some ratings and sell well.
The distributor of the film and television company has already contacted CCTV. As long as the filming of this drama is good, it will be broadcast on CCTV Channel 8. With the purchased TV station, the drama is relatively stable.
The TV dramas on CCTV don’t pay much attention to the cast, but the quality of the TV dramas cannot be too bad.
Jiang Moli refused. The director and producer remembered that Jiang Moli and Ruan Songling had filmed together before, so they thought of asking Ruan Songling to find Jiang Moli. Ruan Songling also came to find Jiang Moli. If the two of them could get together to film, that would be very good.
"The film and television company is very optimistic about you." Ruan Songling said.
The two of them were in a restaurant outside. Jiang Moli had already rejected the film and television company.
"I'm not good at acting in everyday situations like this," Jiang Moli said. "I've read the script and it doesn't suit me. This drama leans towards comedy, and I don't have a strong sense of humor."
"Let's give it a try." Ruan Songling said.
"No need." Jiang Moli refused, "You can ask someone else."
"Ah." Ruan Songling said, "The director said that you often shoot movies and have a certain degree of fame. If you can..."
"It's just that little bit of fame." Jiang Moli waved her hand, "It's not worth mentioning. You should find someone else. I have other roles. After filming a movie, I need to take a break. I'm old now, and I'm not as good as I was when I was young."
Jiang Moli ultimately refused the role. She knew her level, and if she had to force herself into a comedy, it would be difficult. If it were just a few scenes, Jiang Moli would be fine. But if it were many scenes, it would be difficult for Jiang Moli to do well.
The aunties in the script are all quite funny and hilarious. Jiang Moli knew she wouldn't be able to play the role. It wasn't because she wasn't well-maintained, it was simply because she was the wrong type. At her age, Jiang Moli didn't think about challenging herself.
Jiang Moli mostly acts with young people, whose acting skills are still okay, not terrible. When Jiang Moli is on the set, everyone respects her very much, and no one says that she is not as well-known as others, so those people do not respect her.
In recent years, Jiang Moli has performed well in film and television works and has won awards in the film industry. Jiang Moli does not intend to work too hard. She is not short of money, but she still needs to spend more time with her family.
"You're really not coming?" Ruan Songling asked, "We can find a few more acquaintances."
"No, no need." Jiang Moli said, "If it's just a few scenes, a cameo is fine, but more than that is not possible."
Jiang Moli knew that it was not easy for these older actresses to get together to star in a TV series. She would not participate in the starring role, but it was still okay for her to make a few cameo appearances. Ruan Songling and Jiang Moli had not seen or contacted each other for many years. They contacted each other occasionally, and that was it.
"Dream of Red Mansions" was released in 1987, which is more than 30 years ago.
Some actors have already faded out of this circle and no longer stay in it.
Ruan Songling had not performed in opera for a long time, so she would participate in TV dramas whenever she could. This TV drama was a good opportunity for Ruan Songling, as the film and television company was willing to let her play the leading role.
The film and television company still hopes that Ruan Songling can get Jiang Moli to agree. With Jiang Moli's participation, the ratings of this drama will definitely be better.
Unfortunately, Jiang Moli still didn't want to, and Ruan Songling couldn't force her. But Jiang Moli said she could make a cameo appearance, which was not bad either.
"Okay, then you have to come and make a guest appearance." Ruan Songling said, "I'll talk to them."
"Okay." Jiang Moli said.
When Jiang Moli returned home and told Sheng Jiahao about this, Sheng Jiahao was still very shocked.
"The crew is here so early." Sheng Jiahao said.
"Yes, it was that early." Jiang Moli said, "She said that to everyone she knew before. I think she is still very suitable for participating in the TV series. I can't help her that much. There is no way for her to play a role with more scenes, so I can only make a guest appearance."
"Are you worried about your family?" Sheng Jiahao asked.
"No, there's nothing at home that I need to worry about." Jiang Moli said, "My children and grandchildren don't need me to take care of them."
Jiang Moli's son and daughter-in-law gave birth to two children, a boy and a girl.
The country allowed for a second child, so Sheng Haoxuan and his wife had two children. It wasn't Jiang Moli who forced them to have a second child, but they felt that a child would be lonely alone, and having a sibling would be much better, and siblings could help each other.
Jiang Moli would go next door to take a look when she was free, but would not go there when she was not free.
Sheng Haoxuan and his wife live in the house next door, so it is very convenient for them to get back and forth.
"It's this drama, it's really not suitable for me." Jiang Moli said, "After reading the script and feeling the lines, I feel that I can't act out that feeling. It's not that I can't challenge some roles when I'm older, but not all roles are easy to challenge."
Some people are naturally funny and are perfect for comedy. They just stand there and make others laugh. But Jiang Moli, standing there, doesn't have a natural sense of humor, so no one else finds her funny. Jiang Moli thought that if she didn't perform well, the film and television company might not make this type of TV series anymore, and it would be better to let those who are more suitable play the role.
"The roles I'm currently playing are those of shrewd wives," Jiang Moli said. "Either I'm trying to trip up the male and female protagonists, or I'm helping them scheme against others. These are fast-paced plots. I'm really not good at everyday, comedic roles. If I could do it well, I'd go and join them."
Jiang Moli didn't look down on the actors she had filmed with before. She thought Ruan Songling and others were all good. It was just that Jiang Moli was not suitable for the role, so she refused.
The people at the film and television company might have thought that if Ruan Songling came to Jiang Moli, she would probably agree. In fact, Jiang Moli didn't plan to act no matter who came to her or whether there was any favor involved.
"It's hard for actresses to get such important roles now that they're older," Jiang Moli said. "They're mostly roles for elders. If we perform well, these elders will be remembered. If we don't perform well, no one will blame us. In the eyes of those people, the male and female leads are the ones who carry the ratings."
Jiang Moli never worried about the ratings of the TV series or the box office of the movie. She was not the lead actress, so she did not need to worry about so many problems. Jiang Moli was just a supporting role, so she just had to do her job well.
"A guest appearance is actually fine." Jiang Moli said, "The film and television company needs to promote it, so they still have a way to promote it. It's not like they have no way to promote it."
"Are you being soft-hearted?" Sheng Jiahao said.
"It's not that I'm soft-hearted," Jiang Moli said. "It's a mutual support between women. I can still do a few scenes, and she can still report to others, so it doesn't count as her accomplishing nothing."
"You have a really good relationship with them." Sheng Jiahao sighed, "Back then, you didn't shoot the film for very long, did you?"
"It wasn't filmed for a long time, but they were really nice," Jiang Moli said. "We kept in touch occasionally. If they didn't really have something to do, they wouldn't have contacted me. This drama isn't a terrible one, it's just that the audience for it might not be that big."
People like Ruan Songling may be able to get more pay, but it is estimated that they can only star in this TV series and it is basically impossible for them to star in other TV series in the future.
Jiang Moli's heart is as clear as a mirror. These days, TV dramas generally revolve around young people. Even when there are middle-aged women as the protagonists, they're usually period dramas or melodramas about family life. Jiang Moli is quite old, and so is Ruan Songling.
"At that time, many of them did very well," Jiang Moli said. "In order to perform well in the TV series, they studied the script and learned the etiquette rules for a long time. They were very serious about their work and worked together to get it done."
Jiang Moli admires these people. They are still working hard to make more money so that they can enjoy their old age. Jiang Moli doesn't think these people are doing a bad job. If she needs to make a guest appearance, she will do it.
Later, Jiang Moli actually went to make a guest appearance.
When Ruan Songling told the director and others that Jiang Moli wanted to make a cameo appearance, they were very happy. They were all familiar actors, so they could still attract some audiences to watch.
The filming took place in the south of the city, but in a residential complex on the outskirts of the city, not in the city center. There are both indoor and outdoor scenes.
On the day Jiang Moli finished filming her guest role, she ordered a meal for everyone.
"You only made a few dollars from your guest appearance, but you bought so many things." Ruan Songling sighed.
"Money isn't what's important." Jiang Moli said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a long time. It would be nice if we could eat more together."
"Okay, we won't be polite with you." said the others.
Jiang Moli knew several people here, having acted together before. A few people from the Dream of the Red Chamber crew had come, mostly guest appearances. Ruan Songling was the lead, and there was another actor with a more significant role.
After entertaining the guests, Jiang Moli went back home and never came to the crew again.
After about half a year, "My Good Days as an Aunt" was finally broadcast on CCTV-8 and online platforms. Although its ratings were not the highest among all the dramas broadcast by CCTV-8 that year, it was in the top three, which is a good result.
When "My Good Days as an Aunt" was broadcast, Jiang Moli went to watch it specially.
"This drama is pretty good." Jiang Moli said.
"Yes, it's okay." Sheng Jiahao sat next to Jiang Moli. He seldom watched these TV series, but if Jiang Moli said it was good, then it had to be good, not bad.
"You probably don't like watching this kind of stuff." Jiang Moli said, "They're all middle-aged women."
"I'll watch it with you." Sheng Jiahao said.
Jiang Moli also plays an auntie in it, a fashionable auntie. The script written by the screenwriter is good, and Jiang Moli's scenes are still interesting. They are not abrupt, nor are they dull.
Sheng Haoxuan's son and daughter all know that Jiang Moli is an actress. Jiang Moli has never forced them to watch the TV series and movies she starred in. Sheng Haoxuan and his wife will take their son and daughter to watch them.
Jiang Moli's granddaughter loves to sing opera. She sometimes comes to learn from Jiang Moli, but most of the time she follows other teachers. Jiang Moli is very talented and hardworking. Although her granddaughter is young, as a teacher, she knows how to teach students, and sometimes she gets annoyed by them.
In order to prevent her granddaughter from hating her, Jiang Moli felt that she only needed to occasionally guide her granddaughter and not be too strict with her. The child herself felt that her grandmother was more tolerant of her, so it would be better for her to learn from other teachers.
Jiang Moli sometimes thought that it would be great if her granddaughter could achieve something in opera in the future.
At the beginning, when Teacher Lu saw Jiang Moli's outstanding achievements, she was satisfied. Teacher Lu did not think that other grandchildren had to sing opera. With someone as outstanding as Jiang Moli, it would be too difficult for future generations to reach Jiang Moli's level in opera.
Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao watched a TV series. They were in the backyard again. Without Jiang's father and mother, it felt a little lonely. Jiang Moli looked at the vegetable plots and often thought of Jiang's father and mother. If Jiang's father and mother were still alive, they would also watch the TV series starring Jiang Moli, regardless of whether Jiang Moli was the lead actress or not.
In addition to acting in TV dramas and movies, Jiang Moli also participates in variety shows related to opera. She is not participating alone, nor is she there to be a judge. Jiang Moli mainly works with others to promote opera. Many young actors sang opera when they were young, and these people also participate in this program with Jiang Moli.
Everyone gave the audience knowledge about opera and performed opera for them.
Since the development of the Internet and the advent of live short videos, many local drama troupes have posted opera excerpts online, and some have even broadcast them live.
Jiang Moli occasionally posts a few lines from opera she sings, but she doesn't upload much. She doesn't focus on managing her so-called account, whether she has fans or not. She doesn't think about selling goods through live streaming. For a veteran actress like Jiang Moli, it doesn't matter whether she has many fans online or not; everyone knows her talent is there.
Although Jiang Moli is so old now, she can still sing opera well. She is in her sixties, but she looks like she is in her forties.
He Jingxian often posts clips of her singing and performing on the Internet. Before she retired, He Jingxian had not participated in opera performances for many years, but she still had a small wish in her heart, which was to hope that more people would see her singing opera.
So He Jingxian started filming her own segments. She had some money, so she could hire someone to help her with filming and editing. He Jingxian ended her adoption relationship with her adopted daughter, so she no longer needed to give her property to her. As for how much property she would leave to her three daughters, that was a matter for the future. He Jingxian needed to make her own life better, and she couldn't always think about leaving more for her biological daughters.
He Jingxian didn't visit her biological daughter, and her biological daughter rarely visited her. He Jingxian didn't think much about her biological daughter, and didn't think that she had to come over. She was quite open-minded.
He Jingxian frequently posted clips, and she accumulated a following. Someone asked her to livestream products, but after two sessions, she stopped. She realized she didn't have the skills to livestream the products, and most importantly, the products weren't that good. She wasn't so short of money that she had to livestream the products. She occasionally accepted advertisements, inserting them into her videos, and stopped livestreaming.
The purpose of inserting commercials is to pay the filming crew and editor.
He Jingxian wasn't filming 365 days a year, nor could she spend all her money at once. Of course, she still had to find a way to make money. With these commercials, she could make some money and fill the gap, so He Jingxian had no other ideas.
When Jiang Moli was browsing her phone, she would sometimes see He Jingxian's short videos, which were pushed to her by big data. Jiang Moli took a few glances and thought that He Jingxian's life was not bad.
Zhou Yiran put on reading glasses and looked much older than Jiang Moli.
When the two of them were sitting together having afternoon tea, Zhou Yiran sighed, "If someone said I was your mother..."
"How is it?" Jiang Moli asked.
"I have to say a few words to them. Am I really that old?" Zhou Yiran said, "When we stand together, you really look a lot younger. You used to work a lot harder."
"Maybe it's because I don't take care of the children often?" Jiang Moli asked, "and I don't help the children with their homework much?"
"..." When Zhou Yiran was young and tutoring her children, she was really irritated by them. The children's homework was really difficult to tutor.
Zhou Yiran is not thinking about tutoring her grandchildren with their homework now. She doesn’t want to tutor them at all. She just wants to live a more relaxed life.
"Actually, raising children can be fun." Jiang Moli said, "It's good to grow old naturally."
"You didn't get any cosmetic injections." Zhou Yiran said.
"No," Jiang Moli said, "After getting those injections, there are often side effects, and your cheeks tend to become stiff. As an actor, your facial expressions need to be vivid. If they're stiff, you won't be able to make any expressions, and the audience can see it."
It doesn't mean that all older people who look younger have had injections, they just take good care of themselves. Actors are all like this, their looks matter, so they have to take good care of their faces, they rely on their looks to make a living.
"A few days ago, I wanted to get the shot, but then I decided not to," Zhou Yiran said. "It scares me when I see it. There were also people online saying things like growth after the shot, which is really scary. Some people's faces were even rotten, so horrible, they looked like zombies."
"Then don't fight." Jiang Moli said, "It's normal for women to love beauty. But I still think it's better to age naturally."
Some people in the entertainment industry have plastic surgery, specifically bone shaving.
Jiang Moli didn't dare to do that. In her past life, everyone had their own beauty, and there were beauties with all kinds of face shapes. But now, those people like oval faces. When Jiang Moli watched TV dramas, sometimes she couldn't tell who the women were.
Jiang Moli only needed to take a look, she didn't need to tell them apart, as long as she could tell them apart when acting. Nowadays, skin smoothing filters are very serious. Even if someone has yellow skin, after using filters, they become very white, almost like white skin.
Many people who watch those videos have come to believe that fair skin is the only natural color, and their aesthetic standards have changed. If someone with yellow skin and a few freckles appears, many people subconsciously consider them unattractive. In fact, many beautiful women in the past looked just like that, with yellow skin and a few freckles, and this didn't hinder their popularity. Nowadays, filters smooth out skin and even erase certain facial features, making everyone appear completely white and flawless.
Zhou Yiran did not go for medical beauty treatment. She was not afraid of looking older than Jiang Moli. It was okay to be a little older. It was nothing.
"Many of our former classmates look much older than you," Zhou Yiran said.
"It doesn't matter what, as long as you're healthy, there's no problem." Jiang Moli said.
"Yeah." Zhou Yiran nodded. "Besides He Jingxian, there are many others who are doing short videos."
"Go ahead and control the traffic of the new era." Jiang Moli said, "Even when you're old, you can still have aspirations."
Some people asked Jiang Moli why she didn't go home to take care of her grandchildren when she had already achieved so much, and asked her why she still wanted to act.
When Jiang Moli heard such a question, she found it ridiculous. Men are young until they die. Men can continue to develop their careers, so can women not continue to develop their careers? Of course, Jiang Moli also wants to develop her own career. As long as she wants to do it, she will do it.
Jiang Moli did not need other people's consent to do these things. People like Sheng Jiahao supported her actions. They all felt that Jiang Moli should live her own life instead of being locked up by other people and things.
When Sheng Haoxuan's wife was pregnant, she didn't ask her mother-in-law Jiang Moli to take care of her. There were so many servants at home, it was enough, and Jiang Moli didn't need to do anything else.
As she got older, Jiang Moli starred in TV dramas and became a bit famous. She was a golden supporting actress, and many crews liked to ask Jiang Moli to act. Jiang Moli took on few roles because she knew she was getting old and didn't need others to remind her.
The former Queen of the Kingdom of Daughters, the former Xiao Qiao, the former Pan Jinlian... Jiang Moli has played many wonderful roles, and there are many short videos about Jiang Moli. When Jiang Moli's new drama was released, someone also edited Jiang Moli's clips.
Although Jiang Moli is not a top star in this era, she is very satisfied.
This kind of life is still very good. Jiang Moli is satisfied with this kind of retirement life. She has something to do but is not too tired.
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