Chapter 68 Deterioration [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Forced to assume malice
"Zhizhi, I'd like to talk to you alone, is that a good time?"
The restaurant we came to was chosen by Zhou Jingzhu. It's famous for its beef and creative dishes. It's a members-only place, so it offers a lot of privacy.
This floor has a large balcony, which has been transformed into a small rooftop garden.
Mu Zhi and Zhang Mengyu saw that no one was in the small garden, so they went in. There was a small table and chairs set up there, with just enough for the two of them to sit down.
Before speaking, Zhang Mengyu took a gift box out of her bag and pushed it in front of Mu Zhi.
"Zhizhi, I saw this necklace while shopping the other day and I think it would suit you very well. You would look beautiful wearing it."
"A small gift, I hope you like it."
Mu Zhi saw the "Yao Nai'er" logo printed on the gift box. A necklace from this luxury brand costs at least five figures.
Mu Zhi is a brand ambassador for the Yao Nai'er makeup line, and Zhang Mengyu gifted her a necklace from the brand, the intention of which was somewhat obvious.
"Thank you, I appreciate the thoughtfulness of this gift."
"But I can't accept the gift. I think this necklace would suit you just as well, and you would look beautiful wearing it."
Mu Zhi gently pushed the gift box back in front of Zhang Mengyu.
"Mengyu, you might as well just say what's on your mind."
He had a rough idea of what Zhang Mengyu wanted to talk to him about.
I had previously learned from Zhou Jingzhu and Liu Cai that Zhang Mengyu was going to film a movie, which was most likely related to acting.
However, she is a newly popular actress who has not yet established herself in the industry. I wonder if there is anything she can do to help Zhang Mengyu?
Seeing that Mu Zhi insisted on not accepting the gift, Zhang Mengyu had no choice but to give up.
Zhang Mengyu reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before explaining to Mu Zhi why she had chosen to become an actress.
"At 24, I chose to start from scratch and participate in the talent show again as a new trainee. I was ridiculed as an old comeback idol. Age is a sword hanging over the heads of female idols."
To be honest, I had the idea of transitioning to acting before I participated in "Chasing the Light Girl".
There are too few opportunities for idols in China. Even if they debut as part of a group, they might not get any good work for at most two or three years.
“But acting is different; I can act until I’m 30 without any problem.”
A hint of surprise flashed across Mu Zhi's eyes. She hadn't expected that Zhang Mengyu's participation in the talent show again was to pave the way for her transition to acting.
After debuting as a member of the girl group Five Flowers for the second time, Zhang Mengyu's manager quickly secured her a role as the second female lead in a low-budget historical romance web drama, with a fairly substantial salary.
I successfully joined the crew at the beginning of this year.
Before joining the cast, Zhang Mengyu took more than a dozen one-on-one intensive acting lessons during her two-month break in her schedule, showing her determination to play the role well.
After joining the crew, she could manage one or two scenes a day for the first two weeks, but later she sometimes had to film three or four scenes a day, and the pace was too fast for her. She was particularly struggling with scenes where the character was a bit more complex.
The director and fellow actors pointed out that her acting was too stiff and awkward, and sometimes she didn't fully understand the character, resulting in inappropriate emotions.
Acting in front of the camera is not an easy task.
Those two and a half months of filming were difficult and arduous, but fortunately, we managed to finish filming successfully in the end.
The agent comforted Zhang Mengyu, saying, "All newcomers go through this. As you act in more dramas, your acting skills will gradually improve."
However, after the broadcast of "The Bell Ringer" starring Mu Zhi, Zhang Mengyu, who was also a newcomer, found that there was a huge gap between her acting skills and Mu Zhi's, as if there was a Himalayas between them.
Two days ago, Zhang Mengyu overheard Zhou Jingzhu's phone call and learned that she had a gathering with Mu Zhi. Tonight's encounter was a deliberately staged one, all for the purpose of meeting Mu Zhi.
The first thing Zhang Mengyu wanted to ask Mu Zhi for help with was...
"Zhizhi, could you please give me the contact information for the acting coach you hired?"
Mu Zhi: "...I didn't hire an acting coach."
Zhang Mengyu was surprised by this answer and stammered, "No acting teacher?"
Then I remembered something. Yes, Mu Zhi had performed a talent show during the talent show, showing that she could cry in a second. It seems that, just as Director Xu Tao said in the written interview, Mu Zhi is a naturally gifted performer.
"Zhizhi, you have such a talent for acting that you can easily make a living as an actor. I envy you so much."
Mu Zhi frowned slightly and said, "Talent is certainly important, but I think the most important thing is to spend a lot of time understanding the character."
When I was cast in "The Bell Ringer," filming was scheduled to begin in a month. I spent three days recording variety shows and shooting lipstick commercials, and the rest of the time was spent memorizing the script and figuring out the character.
"During the two months of filming 'The Bell Ringer', I didn't take a single day off."
She wasn't saying these things to show off how much she had sacrificed.
Rather, they hoped that Zhang Mengyu would be moved by what she heard.
Mu Zhi hadn't been following Zhang Mengyu's schedule, but Zhang Mengyu had trended on social media when she joined the cast in February. During filming, Mu Zhi had seen Zhou Jingzhu and Liu Cai mention in their group chat a couple of times that they had recently participated in some Five Flowers reunion event.
In the two months before joining the team, I only took a dozen or so crash courses.
I took leave during filming to attend an event.
Having a strong desire to play a role well, but not wanting to spend too much time on it, while claiming "I really want to play the role well," is nothing short of a joke.
Zhang Mengyu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this.
Newcomers are constantly emerging in the industry, and companies are constantly injecting fresh blood. If she doesn't have any exposure for two or three months because of a movie, she might disappear from the public eye after filming wraps up. The biggest worry is that if she doesn't work, all her fans will leave.
Therefore, Zhang Mengyu had to juggle the group schedule of Five Flowers, her individual schedule, and filming, making sure she didn't neglect any of them.
Zhang Mengyu pretended to listen to Mu Zhi's words and nodded perfunctorily, "Yes, you're right. I will definitely spend more time studying the character in the next film."
She knew that even if Mu Zhi really had a very good acting teacher, as the saying goes, "Teach your apprentice and you'll starve yourself," and their relationship was just so-so, so she didn't expect Mu Zhi to recommend him easily.
Next, Zhang Mengyu directly stated the main purpose of her visit to Mu Zhi today.
"Zhizhi, I heard that a TV series is going to start filming in two weeks, but the actress who played the third female lead has to withdraw from the role due to unforeseen circumstances. The production team is going to hold an audition in a couple of days, and I really hope to get the role."
"Could you please help me?"
Mu Zhi:?
"Do you want me to help you understand the character and increase your chances of passing the audition?"
As soon as I finished asking the question, an idea flashed into my mind.
The next second, the idea was confirmed.
Zhang Mengyu revealed, "I want to audition for the spy drama 'The Edge of the Blade,' Zhizhi. I know you were cast as the female lead a long time ago, and the male lead is Yin Xiuran, the TV King from the same company as you."
Could you please put in a good word for me with Director Pan? If I can get this role, I will definitely do my best and learn a lot from you on set.
I will definitely repay this favor many times over in the future!
Mu Zhi was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
Zhang Mengyu's request somewhat overturned Mu Zhi's impression of her.
Three months ago, Mu Zhi passed the audition for "The Edge of the Blade".
It's been decided that she will play the female lead.
At the time, only she and Yin Xiuran were confirmed as the lead actors; the rest of the cast had not yet been announced.
Later, Mu Zhi did not inquire about the cast of other actors.
Firstly, she trusted the director's casting judgment, and secondly, she had no right to interfere with the casting process.
We'll find out when the script reading begins.
Therefore, Mu Zhi was unaware of the replacement of the third female lead.
With her current status, she really has no right to interfere in the casting process.
If Zhang Mengyu is asking for an audition opportunity, Mu Zhi can contact Director Pan Yan to see if she can get one for her. Whether she passes the audition will depend on her abilities.
But Zhang Mengyu's words just now clearly indicated that she wanted to get the role directly through Mu Zhi's connection.
That's giving her way too much credit.
"I am not aware of the change of actress for the third female lead in 'The Edge of the Blade'."
"Mengyu, if you're looking for me to try and get an audition, I can try my best to help."
In fact, based on what Mu Zhi had read about the script of "The Edge of the Blade," the third female lead was a mature and charming woman who had been working in the entertainment industry at Meigao Dance Hall for many years. She only cared about money and was very self-protective. She became jealous when she saw the man she secretly loved and the female lead stealing her limelight at the dance hall, and she tried to trip her up both openly and secretly.
He was initially a villain, but by the end of the story, he had a great awakening. For the victory of the revolutionary cause, he not only put aside his grudges with the female lead, but was even willing to sacrifice his own life.
To play this role, one must both make the character detestable and feel that she is vivid, real, and unpretentious, ultimately achieving a successful "redemption."
Actors aged 30 and above would be more suitable for the role.
After thinking for a moment, Mu Zhi decided to share her thoughts on the character with Zhang Mengyu.
Hopefully, Zhang Mengyu will understand the role clearly before making a decision.
They didn't want to act for any other reason.
Mu Zhi's honest words, however, made Zhang Mengyu feel somewhat embarrassed.
In Zhang Mengyu's eyes, she was just a supporting actress.
She was offered lead roles in scripts, but she was willing to set aside her pride, not caring about the size of the role, the character's personality, or being a supporting character to Mu Zhi, and was even willing to play the third female lead.
They wouldn't even help with this.
Zhang Mengyu felt that Mu Zhi's remarks, which implied that the role was not suitable, were a criticism of her acting skills.
Mu Zhi also started out as an idol, and now that she's famous, she looks down on the contestants who debuted in the group.
Zhang Mengyu tore off her gentle mask, stuffed the gift box back into her bag, and stood up. "No need, I'll think of something else myself."
"I have something to do, I'll be going now."
Back in the private room.
Zhou Jingzhu and Liu Cai asked Mu Zhi why it took her so long to go to the restroom.
Mu Zhi explained that she had been delayed by a phone call and was about to tell them that Zhang Mengyu had already left.
As a result, Zhou Jingzhu said first, "You went to the restroom, and Mengyu said she had something to do and left first."
Mu Zhi: ? Zhang Mengyu doesn't want Zhou Jingzhu and Liu Cai to know that she's asking for her help?
When it's time to end the game.
Zhou Jingzhu hesitated for a moment, then quietly gave Mu Zhi a heads-up before leaving.
"Mengyu... knew I was in talks about a brand endorsement deal, and subtly tried to find out more about the contract details with the brand from me. Later, she became the brand's star promoter at a very low promotional price."
This blocked Zhou Jingzhu's endorsement.
Zhang Mengyu refused to admit that her team contacted the brand after Zhou Jingzhu, and even less so that she deliberately snatched the endorsement at a loss after learning Zhou Jingzhu's endorsement price.
They thought that endorsement fees were confidential and no one would find out.
Six months later, Zhou Jingzhu's agent saw the brand's financial report and Zhang Mengyu's endorsement price, and found out.
Since this incident, Zhou Jingzhu has not openly broken ties with Zhang Mengyu, but she has begun to be wary of her.
I'm home.
Mu Zhi called her agent to inquire about the audition for the third female lead in "The Edge of the Blade".
"I heard the assistant director tell me what happened. The actress who was originally going to play the third female lead found out she was pregnant last week. It was very sudden, and she ultimately decided to withdraw from the role."
So the production team arranged an audition..."
Mu Zhi didn't mention Zhang Mengyu, but her agent did.
"Yesterday, the assistant director contacted me and mentioned Zhang Mengyu's agent, saying that Zhang Mengyu wanted to audition for the third female lead."
After reviewing the application materials, Director Pan felt they were unsuitable and politely declined.
Ji Binghe was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone before continuing, "The reason the assistant director told me about this is because Zhang Mengyu's agent brought up your relationship with Zhang Mengyu, hoping to use your connection to get the role."
Ji Binghe had never heard Mu Zhi mention Zhang Mengyu, nor had she mentioned this matter to her agent.
Knowing that it was someone else using their name, Mu Zhi was very likely kept in the dark.
Since Mu Zhi was unaware of the matter, it was best to remain completely unaware and not reveal it to Mu Zhi.
Today, however, the phone rang and suddenly asked about the third female lead.
Did Zhang Mengyu contact you today?
Although it was a question, the agent's tone was very confident.
Mu Zhi didn't hide anything anymore and told Zhang Mengyu about her meeting and the favor Zhang Mengyu had asked her to do.
Ji Binghe listened to the phone call.
"I've seen all sorts of people in this circle, and sometimes I can't help but speculate with malice."
Zhang Mengyu used her relationship with you to try and get the audition, but failed and didn't tell you. She contacted you not to help with the audition, but to offer you benefits in an attempt to get the role directly, treating you like a tool.
Ji Binghe could even predict that since Mu Zhi and Zhang Mengyu both came from the show "Chasing the Light," if they acted in the same drama together, they would inevitably be linked together with Mu Zhi to create buzz after the show aired.
Fortunately, Mu Zhi soberly refused.
Mu Zhi: "I know."
She knew very well that it was difficult to have friendships in the entertainment industry.
Long-lasting friendships can only be established when there is no conflict of interest between the parties. For example, her friendships with Zhou Jingzhu and Liu Cai.
The three individuals have taken different career paths and can each excel in their respective fields.
Once there is a conflict of interest, the relationship can easily deteriorate.
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