Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Jiang Mingyue had bad luck in her career in her previous life.
Faced with immense competitive pressure, all she could do was seize the opportunity, no matter how slim the chances, she would do her best to grasp it.
Therefore, after guessing that Fu Xiachuan was behind the public addition of scenes, she did not take pride in her accurate judgment of people, but immediately devoted all her energy to filming.
The standout in this play is Jiang Mingyue. Neither Sang Zhuo nor Yin Manman wanted to accompany Jiang Mingyue. They scattered as soon as they finished filming their scenes, leaving only a large number of supporting actors and extras to accompany Jiang Mingyue to complete her shots.
After the filming was completed, it was already past eleven o'clock.
Director Liu said, "Pack your things, your flight is at 7:20 tomorrow morning. Go back to Hengdian and sleep some more." He pointed to Jiang Mingyue, "You'll go with Xiao Zhang and the others tomorrow, the tickets are already bought. Don't oversleep."
"Okay, I won't be late."
Jiang Mingyue was initially worried about wasting more time on set, but the thought of leaving early the next morning and not having to see Fu Qian's disappointing face made her beam with joy, and she looked radiant even late at night.
*
I brought only a few things, and packed them up quickly. After that, it was the usual routine: removing makeup, exercising, showering, and skincare.
After setting her alarm, Jiang Mingyue climbed into bed, still smiling in her sleep.
The next day, she packed her things and went straight to find Zhang Xin with her suitcase. She followed Zhang Xin closely like a little chick following its mother hen, making Zhang Xin laugh at her.
After boarding the plane, even though she was already tired of seeing clouds, Jiang Mingyue still played along, saying, "This is my first time on a plane, the clouds outside are so thick!" before finally looking tired and closing her eyes.
She wasn't sleepy at all, but to avoid unnecessary conversation, Jiang Mingyue put on an eye mask and pretended to be asleep.
Despite saying she wasn't sleepy, Jiang Mingyue actually fell asleep very quickly, and she even slept soundly.
I wasn't woken up by the flight attendants until the plane was about to land.
After collecting their luggage, they followed Zhang Xin to the familiar Hengdian.
The production team of "Seven Stars Align" had plenty of money, and the set they rented in Hengdian was exquisitely built. After Jiang Mingyue toured around to familiarize herself with the environment, she went back to her room to read the script.
Over the next few days, she worked as quickly as possible to finish the remaining minor roles.
Jiang Mingyue was preparing to return to Ningcheng as soon as possible to participate in Lan Xu's MV shooting when Zhang Xin unexpectedly came over with a smile.
“Mingyue, I’m so eager to go home because I’m thinking about you. Don’t go yet, I’ve found you some good jobs,” Zhang Xin said, getting straight to the point.
Jiang Mingyue looked troubled: "Director Zhang, what's wrong? I've already told my mother when I'm going home."
If it's not a legitimate job, you can use this excuse to decline, without having to show your face or worry about offending anyone.
Zhang Xin didn't hide anything from her and said directly, "Director Liu told me to take care of you. You're a very good actor and have a low-key personality. There's nothing I can do for you on set. I thought about it and decided I couldn't just take advantage of you for nothing—the two other film crews happen to be short of small roles with only a few scenes. I had the casting director come over to check you out while you were filming these past few days, and there were no problems. You can just show your face, finish a role in half a day, get paid, and leave. Consider it extra money."
Whether it's a leading role that can boost fame or a minor role to fill in, Jiang Mingyue will never let go of any opportunity to act.
She immediately changed her tune: "Thank you, Director Zhang. I'll call my mom right away and tell her to come home after a few days of vacation."
Over the next two days, Jiang Mingyue visited five film sets, playing three courtesans who played the zither in ancient brothels, one courtesan who sang in a nightclub during the Republic of China era, and one beautiful DJ who worked in a nightclub in modern times. Then, she quietly flew back to Ningcheng with her salary of about 10,000 yuan.
—The economy class airfare was provided by the production team of "Seven Stars Align".
Upon returning to Ningcheng, Jiang Mingyue immediately went to the hospital to visit Liang Shuanglan and inquired about her mother's condition from the attending physician. Then, she called Gu Yifan.
Gu Yifan answered Jiang Mingyue's call almost instantly: "How's the filming going? Are you back yet? I've already taken care of your contract for appearing in Lan Xu's music video. When are you available? Lan Xu is available this week and next Wednesday and Friday, so we can start filming anytime."
As expected of a top agent, she handles things so smoothly.
Jiang Mingyue sighed inwardly and praised without any reservation: "Brother Gu, I took a flight yesterday afternoon and went to see my mother. I'll be fine starting today."
Realizing she hadn't revealed enough information, Jiang Mingyue added, "I was afraid the production team would delay things, so I took fourteen days off during the ten-day shoot. There are still four days left to film."
Gu Yifan: "Okay, I'll contact Lan Xu's agent to see which day the filming can be scheduled for. Wait for me a moment, go charge your phone, I have something else to discuss with you later."
Gu Yifan hung up after he finished speaking.
Jiang Mingyue believed that every word spoken by a capable veteran agent like Gu Yifan had a deeper meaning, so she obediently plugged her phone into the charger.
About ten minutes later, Gu Yifan called back and said directly, "Filming starts at nine o'clock the day after tomorrow. I'll come pick you up—are you alone right now?"
"No."
Gu Yifan: "Not in public places either?"
Jiang Mingyue: "I'm in the small apartment that my mother and I rent."
Gu Yifan's voice turned serious. He ordered, "Turn off all recording and video equipment. Don't keep any copies."
Jiang Mingyue assured, "I did not record any audio or video."
“Very good. I know you have a computer. Listen to me, don’t go online to search for any news about you, 'Seven Stars Alignment,' or anyone related to you. Tomorrow I will arrange for you to have a meal with Yin Manman and Young Master Fu and take some photos. Don’t ask why, don’t inquire. After the shoot, if anyone interviews you, don’t answer anything, not even say ‘I don’t know.’”
After Gu Yifan finished speaking, he repeated his request, lowering his voice: "Did I make myself clear?"
Jiang Mingyue immediately realized that Yin Manman had definitely caused trouble!
She quickly agreed, "I understand, I won't ask any more questions."
Gu Yifan nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, this will only benefit you. It's better if you don't know anything."
"Okay," Jiang Mingyue assured her.
“I also got you a toothpaste ad. The price isn’t high, but it’s for a well-established domestic brand with a great reputation. It’s a two-year contract with a 500,000 yuan salary.” After saying that, Gu Yifan asked a few words of concern, “Flying back and forth in economy class within a few days must be exhausting. Get some rest, I won’t take up any more of your time.”
Goodbye, Google.
After ending the call, Jiang Mingyue immediately turned on her computer and searched for messages from Yin Manman with a clear objective.
Not searching?
She's not a real 18-year-old female college student, how could she be so obedient?
The entertainment section of the portal website featured a news story about Yin Manman on its front page, with a sensational headline: "Meeting Two Men in One Day." The story included two photos taken at different times, showing Yin Manman, different men, and two different hotels. Without any unnecessary words, the article directly accused Yin Manman of having a chaotic private life.
"It's really not surprising at all." Jiang Mingyue cleared her browsing history and turned off her computer.
Yin Manman's private life is indeed chaotic and prone to scandals; however, Jiang Mingyue doesn't believe that with Gu Yifan around, Gu Yifan can't suppress these news stories with his connections and money.
There are plenty of celebrities in this industry who have gone far beyond what Yin Manman has done; it shouldn't be her turn.
Unless, Gu Yifan no longer wants to care about Yin Manman.
Jiang Mingyue leaned back and lay flat on the bed, her thoughts slowly clearing up.
Gu Yifan was on the side of the second young master He Rui when he was with Xingyou. Now that He Rui is going to come to Xingchen Film and Television Entertainment Company with Fu Xiachuan, Gu Yifan will definitely follow He Rui. So the artists that Xingyou trained will lose their meaning to him.
Coincidentally, Yin Manman showed obvious interest in Fu Qian, and during her time on set, she stayed close to him every day.
Since Gu Yifan is going to Xingying with He Rui, why doesn't he use Yin Manman to drag Fu Qian down with him and ruin their reputations at the same time?
If we could also give a boost to Jiang Mingyue, a newcomer favored by Fu Xiachuan, that would be killing two birds with one stone, and would be an even better outcome.
Having figured out the ins and outs, Jiang Mingyue smiled and felt completely at ease.
It's not that Jiang Mingyue is sensitive or scheming, but rather that she's seen too much of what's going on in this industry. It's all the same old routine. The staff who serve the celebrities are all very dedicated, but they will also betray the celebrities they've served without hesitation the moment they switch sides.
As the new day began, Jiang Mingyue ate breakfast and put on a shirt and loose casual pants.
She had long, black hair that was loose and flowing. Although a makeup artist could have entered the "three-bedroom, one-living room" studio to do her makeup, she deliberately only applied skin cream and then stopped.
When Gu Yifan picked up Jiang Mingyue, he looked her up and down and instructed the woman who came with him, "Put some light makeup on her. She's a child and doesn't know any better. We can't let her be photographed with her bare face like this. It'll be embarrassing."
Jiang Mingyue put on her acting skills, her large, clear eyes darting between Gu Yifan and the woman who was clearly a makeup artist, but she didn't ask anything.
Youth is your greatest asset.
Eighteen-year-old Jiang Mingyue's skin looked amazing after a full ten hours of sleep. The makeup artist only applied a thin layer of foundation, then deepened her facial contours, drew inner eyeliner, applied invisible false eyelashes, and then rubbed on some tinted lip balm before stopping.
"Let's go, get in the car, we'll go to the hotel to take some photos, and that'll be the end of today's business." Gu Yifan didn't explain why, he only gave Jiang Mingyue specific instructions.
Just as she had promised Gu Yifan on the phone the night before, Jiang Mingyue completely complied with his arrangements.
Several people arrived at the hotel in a van. Jiang Mingyue immediately recognized it as the hotel where Yin Manman and Fu Qian had been photographed.
She glanced around.
It was very quiet, perhaps because the gossip had been going on for more than two days, and no one was guarding the place anymore.
Gu Yifan led her to a table and sat her down. Several Western dishes were quickly placed on the table.
"Don't eat it, it's just for the photoshoot," Gu Yifan explained.
Jiang Mingyue nodded: "I ate breakfast this morning, I'm not hungry."
"Even if you're hungry, just bear with it. No, you'd better not eat anything today." When Gu Yifan changed his words, his tone was very soft, and his voice was muffled and unclear, making it difficult for people to hear him clearly.
The weather was still warm, but Yin Manman arrived late, wearing sunglasses, after all the food on the table had gone cold.
Yin Manman carried a 22-inch suitcase.
Yin Manman took off her sunglasses, her face drooping.
Even though several days had passed, the deep black lines under her eyes still revealed that Yin Manman had not had a good time these past few days.
She ordered Jiang Mingyue in an unpleasant tone, "Move over and sit in one of the seats."
Jiang Mingyue turned to look at Gu Yifan.
From the instant Yin Manman appeared, Gu Yifan's face darkened.
He angrily rebuked, "You can't even remember where you were sitting that day? Go sit to the right of Jiang Mingyue, that's where you were being secretly photographed."
Yin Manman's face showed an embarrassed expression for a moment, but she quickly smoothed her hair and sat down in the position Gu Yifan pointed out as if nothing had happened, picking up the fork on the table and playing with it: "How could I remember that?"
Gu Yifan ignored Yin Manman and called to the photographer, "Could you please come over and take a few photos?"
The photographer took several shots from different angles and nodded to Gu Yifan.
Gu Yifan's expression finally softened a bit. After looking at the photos, he nodded and said to Jiang Mingyue, "Miss Jiang, thank you for your help today. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
Gu Yifan pushed the suitcase that Yin Manman had brought to Jiang Mingyue, indicating that she should take it.
What is it?
Jiang Mingyue took the box and found it to be quite heavy.
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