Chapter 266 Career
"Mr. Yuan personally invited you?!" Zhang Hongyu stood up with a thud. The voice on the phone sounded particularly shocked.
This afternoon, Huayao Xingyu just received a dinner invitation from WP. Although they received three invitations, since only one was handwritten, it was not convenient to bind other members.
After making their decision, the agency reluctantly allocated one of the precious spots to Zhang Hongyu. He served as the photographer and accompanied Ji Shao to the dinner with Huayao's manager.
Zhang Hongyu felt a bit flattered after securing the spot. The WP dinner was a real networking event. Just being able to get in through an artist's connections was a real bonus. And for him, dinners of this caliber were where news flowed the fastest within the industry, which suited his taste perfectly.
After much thought, he was itching to share his joy. But Zhang Hongyu knew he couldn't post something like this on social media so quickly. He had to wait until the dinner, then casually send a message with the address.
After racking his brains, Zhang Hongyu realized that he had no choice but to share his thoughts with a friend who wouldn't beat him up out of jealousy. At that moment, the first person who popped into his mind was Zhou Xiao.
I called, intending to play dumb and ask Zhou Xiao if he knew about the WP dinner. Unexpectedly, I heard these words from him:
"The WP dinner? I know that. You're invited too?"
Zhang Hongyu's raised smile froze, and he hadn't finished the second half of his sentence yet. The key was Zhou Xiao's "also"! What did "also" mean? Could it be that he was not the only one who had the invitation?
"Oh haha, yeah, I got it too! Then we can both play together again... ahem, we'll have company!" Although Zhang Hongyu was curious, he was also happy for Zhou Xiao. The key point was that he could tell Zhou Xiao directly about the news he heard at the dinner party! He wouldn't be misunderstood as showing off!
Zhang Hongyu had also watched her short film today and couldn't help but agree that the invitation was impeccable. While Zhou Xiao's collaborations with WP haven't been many, the quality is key. Not only would it appeal to wealthy women, but even he'd want to buy a similar piece for his family and friends.
Thinking of this, Zhang Hongyu was a little curious about when Zhou Xiao got the invitation letter. The speed was almost the same as the treatment given by the brand to the artists. Then, he received Zhang's shocked face at the beginning.
Zhou Xiao deftly moved the phone a little further away, rubbed his ears, and said helplessly, "Aren't you guys?"
In fact, it wasn't. The difference was already evident in the invitation itself. The invitation Huayao received was printed, with the exception of the artist's name, which was handwritten by the president of WP China. This handwritten signature was actually the result of Huayao's extensive prior collaboration with the brand.
As for why they'd do such a thankless task, it was naturally to make it look more presentable when it hits trending searches. After all, simply typing and handwriting the post would get them noticed by netizens. The PR fees were worth it.
Zhou Xiao's invitation was handwritten by Yuan Zhili, WP's deputy general manager. Although her position was lower, she was WP's contact person for the entertainment industry and media.
Zhang Hongyu didn't doubt Zhou Xiao's words, and a tear fell from the corner of his eye (no. He said with a slightly sad tone, "I'm not. I'm a bundle and a gift, half of the buy-one-get-two-free deal."
…
A few days later, Zhou Xiao brought her camera to a photography base in the suburbs. She had left early today to take a photo shoot for Di Jiangtong.
In the middle of summer, even the mornings can be scorching. Zhou Xiao was very satisfied with the long-lasting electric fan and parasol he had on hand. The newly customized accessories were both beautiful and practical! As expected of a system product, they were truly top-notch!
After getting out of the taxi, Zhou Xiao's eyes lit up when she saw the figures ahead. She was quite familiar with one of the people in front of her: Di Jiangtong, who had just contacted her in the car to announce his arrival. She hadn't expected to run into him at the base entrance by such a coincidence.
"Teacher Di!" Zhou Xiao trotted over to catch up with the three of them, and saw Di Jiangtong, who was wearing the three essential pieces of clothing for an artist going out (a hat, sunglasses, and a mask), being sandwiched between two people, one on each side.
"You two go together. Teacher Zhou and I will go together." Di Jiangtong quickly broke away and took Zhou Xiao's arm. After brushing against the electric fan, his eyes lit up and he asked, "What brand is this? The wind is icy cold and there's no sound!"
Although Di Jiangtong is no longer the under-the-radar celebrity she once was, she still finds it hard to bear being treated this way. Previously, she was ignored at New Town, but now she's being treated with such respect. It can only be described as a sweet worry. Although she feels that her fans never notice her bare-faced appearance in private.
Because she's a singer, her manager is more focused on her career. Worried about her being recognized offline, they thoughtfully prepared a standard three-piece outfit. But in terms of details, they didn't even provide a parasol for sun protection, making her look even worse than the person on the right.
"This is the support item I will give out at the NINE STAR concert." Zhou Xiao heard Di Jiangtong's question and held up the electric fan in his hand for her to look at carefully.
The fan is a pale purple with a minimalist design. Wind speed is paramount, with the adjustment knob shaped like a chinaberry flower. This makes it a friendly option for fans who don't want their 3D friends to know they're fans.
Di Jiangtong nodded in realization, and without further ado, she took Zhou Xiao's arm and headed for the studio they had previously booked. She had brought two people with her: her agent and a stylist she'd worked with before. Knowing they were hiring a photographer who was a big name in the industry, they were both quite excited.
When Zhou Xiao and Di Jiangtong arrived at the studio, they saw the agent and stylist already sorting out the props they brought in the studio's own dressing room.
Seeing the clothes in the suitcase already hung on the iron, Zhou Xiao waved Di Jiangtong in for the styling. Then she began to survey the studio, a virtual reality installation. The Instagram-style small bedroom looked refreshing. She casually gathered the awkward props in the room into a nearby bamboo basket before setting down her camera and adjusting the lighting.
After an unknown amount of time, the dressing room door opened. Zhou Xiao, sitting in a chair, looked up and saw Di Jiangtong, who had finished applying her makeup. He wore a white vest, a gradient blue and white striped shirt, and simple denim shorts. His soft, dark brown, medium-length hair seemed to be tied up in a simple bun, but the scattered strands betrayed his subtle intentions.
The saying "fame nourishes people" is not just a saying. Di Jiangtong's originally dull features have gradually become more memorable, and with today's outfit, Zhou Xiao proudly said it was a great photo opportunity!
The camera shows Di Jiangtong, step by step, being guided. Not an actress, she's always somewhat unconsciously shying away from the camera. Fortunately, Zhou Xiao was guiding her, which helped alleviate some of her nervousness.
Just as Di Jiangtong began to enjoy the shoot, the real action had begun. Inside the studio, the stylist took advantage of a break to touch up her makeup. Zhou Xiao didn't put down her camera; instead, he took the opportunity to capture Di Jiangtong laughing at something she hadn't heard.
Under the camera, Di Jiangtong laughs without restraint, his eyes curved like crescent moons, and his grinning mouth exudes a sense of comfort. He is soothing and approachable, leaving people feeling completely irresistible.
Zhou Xiao looked at Di Jiangtong, who had been holding the props from the beginning but was just fiddling with it. He suddenly asked, "Teacher Di, can you play the ukulele?"
Di Jiangtong was a little surprised, but the instrument was not difficult for her. She could still play her own songs. She nodded and replied, "A little bit."
At Zhou Xiao's signal, the sound of a ukulele began to play in the studio. Di Jiangtong sat on the wooden floor, her head bowed as she hummed softly. Before she knew it, the filming itself seemed to have faded into oblivion.
The delicate complexion of the character adds to the atmosphere at this moment. Di Jiangtong, immersed in his own field, is very involved, and Zhou Xiao also speeds up the shutter speed. The lens is a blend and display of tranquility and gentleness.
…
"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Zhou! See you at the next MV shooting!" Di Jiangtong waved his hand and responded to Zhou Xiao who had already got into the car. Then he stopped and watched the other person's car disappear at the end of the road.
Her agent went to the garage to drive the car, and next to her was the stylist who was in charge of her makeup. Seeing Di Jiangtong comfortably took out a small electric fan and leisurely blew the air, she finally couldn't help but ask, "How did Sister Tong get an appointment with Teacher Zhou? I heard she's not that easy to get an appointment with."
Di Jiangtong fiddled with the electric fan Zhou Xiao had given her before she left and said slowly, "Really? Maybe Teacher Zhou and I have a mutual understanding and a tacit understanding... He agreed as soon as I asked. Didn't I find a treasure?"
She felt a little regretful about hiring the makeup artist in front of her. Scratching the back of her head, she remembered that he had repeatedly asked the photographer if he was Zhou Xiao before the shoot. At the shoot, she had accidentally seen the glittering ambition that almost blinded her eyes.
But that wasn't a problem! Di Jiangtong reached out and patted the makeup artist's shoulder, heading for the car her agent had driven. However, she remembered that celebrities used to be the most sought-after talent. The backstage staff all hoped to improve their status by following a promising talent.
Nowadays, however, something seems to have changed. Fans, in particular, are no longer content with simply having couture. Their expectations for photography and makeup are gradually rising, sometimes even prioritizing them.
As Di Jiangtong was walking, a joke suddenly popped up in his mind -
My Lord, times have changed!
Di Jiangtong couldn't help but burst out laughing as she imagined it. A smile curved her lips as she hummed the song she'd played in the studio earlier. She was in a rare good mood at the moment. Why was Zhou Xiao invited? Need I explain? Of course, it was because they were friends!
As she thought about it, the smile on her face grew wider. She also prepared a little surprise for Zhou Xiao.
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