"Luan Qing's fans are really powerful," Ji Juntao clicked his tongue. "I remember him as a gentle and weak person, but I didn't expect his fans to be like a bunch of Thanos."
"Won't this rubbing against me... be too obvious?" Shang Yechu asked breathlessly as she squatted down. "Your TV station... won't... notice, will they?"
"So what if they can see through it? Shi Shan doesn't care, why should they?" Ji Juntao sneered. "What kind of award is the Ying Shi Award? Outsiders may not know, but those in the industry certainly do."
The television drama industry has long looked up to the film industry. For a film star to act in a television drama, that's like descending to earth!
Shang Yechu actually felt that calling herself a movie star was a bit like patting herself on the back. However, in this world, the thick-skinned get rich while the thin-skinned starve, so although she felt embarrassed, she didn't refute it.
"Qi Ming, teacher, how's the contact going?" Shang Yechu continued.
Qi Ming's value is now vastly different. Especially considering the prestige of this Best Actress award...
For various reasons, mainland Chinese films have gone 100% of the Best Actress award at the Film Festival for eight consecutive years. It's not that they haven't won; they haven't even received a nomination!
Eight years is enough time for a new generation of filmmakers to emerge. Yet, not a single leading lady has appeared!
Discussions about the Film Awards in China have become increasingly subdued, partly due to a lack of hope among some.
Last night, Shi Shan said he would help Qi Ming get the opportunity to play Li Yiming's mother—but that was before the nomination list was announced!
The moment his name appeared on the screen, Teacher Qi Ming no longer needed anyone to act as a go-between.
"Don't worry," Ji Juntao said as he typed, "She has already agreed."
Shang Yechu stood up, leaning against the wall, panting: "What...did you say?"
"Her acting complements and stimulates yours, creating even greater sparks," Ji Juntao read aloud. "Her relationship with you is like that of a grandmother and granddaughter."
"It was a pleasure working with you. She only contacted you to reunite with you after hearing that you would be starring in 'Half a Sky.' It would be a great 'regret' for her if you didn't act in it."
"Ye Chu's acting skills are extremely explosive. She is a top-tier actress in China. Without her, there would be no 'The Mute Woman'."
"The clash between the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actress is also a big draw."
Shang Yechu grimaced at the cheesy sweet talk: "How much does this cost?"
"I'll pay half of your salary upfront. It will be deducted from your account once your salary for 'Half a Day' arrives."
"..."
Veteran artists also need to eat. Qi Ming's salary is not high; by entertainment industry standards, he's practically poor. Ji Juntao, on the other hand, is adept at spending money to apply honey to an old lady's lips.
Shang Yechu calculated how many coins she would end up with and felt a slight pang of heartache: "If I don't participate, will Teacher Qi Ming really not participate either?"
"Keep dreaming." Ji Juntao clicked the mouse. "It's one thing for the leaders of Ruguan TV to believe it, but how could you actually believe it?"
"Besides money, there's something else, right?"
"Of course. I personally took care of everything for Professor Qi Ming regarding the Ying Shi Award. Don't look so gloomy. Although you paid money, I also put in a lot of effort."
Shang Yechu squatted down and counted her current advantages.
"Wei Xuan speaks Ruguan language, and I also speak Ruguan language. 1:1;"
“Wei Xuan is from Ruguan, I am from another place. 2:1;
"Wei Xuan only had Liu Zihang's support, while the director, screenwriter, and producer all voted for me. 2:2;"
"Wei Xuan has many spy drama works, but he has never won any of the four major awards..."
In spy dramas, female characters are mostly peripheral. They may have romantic entanglements, insufficient screen time, or simply be stereotypical figures. Though they may be called leading ladies, they lack the substance. It's difficult for them to win awards.
Wei Xuan worked so hard to get "Half of the Sky" because it was the first spy drama script in her life where she didn't have to play a supporting role. Perhaps she had been waiting for this day for more than a decade.
This is Wei Xuan's tragedy, and also the tragedy of female characters in spy dramas. However, at this moment, it can also be considered Shang Yechu's advantage.
Shang Yechu frowned slightly: "But I have a film award nomination. Let's keep it 2-2. It's pointless."
A very low sigh escaped.
"I got Qi Ming as part of a buy-one-get-one-free deal, and Shi Shan also said he enjoyed working with me. I have even better chemistry with the two important actors."
Ji Juntao asked alertly, "When did Shi Shan say that?"
"During training," Shang Yechu said impatiently, "do you think we only talk about shooting every day?"
"—2:3."
Shang Yechu tried her best to leverage her advantages: "This should be enough, right? I have dirt on me about having plastic surgery, but that's not a moral issue. And it hasn't been exposed yet."
Shang Yechu couldn't put her mind at ease, so she stood up, walked to Ji Juntao's side, and tapped her on the shoulder.
"What?" Ji Juntao was busy and his tone was very impatient. "Speak."
"You still have all that dirt on Wei Xuan that you collected, right?" Shang Yechu patted Ji Juntao's shoulder. "Talk to Wei Xuan's team. If they dare to make a big deal out of my plastic surgery, release all her past statements and scandals."
Ji Juntao grinned: "Oh, aren't you worried that more competitors will squeeze in after Wei Xuan steps down?"
Shang Yechu scoffed, "Back then, Zheng Bohan and Xu Hanwen hadn't voted for me yet, so of course I had to keep a low profile. Now that I have the votes, it's time to use nuclear deterrence."
Political issues are far more serious than cosmetic surgery.
Ji Juntao gave an OK sign.
Previously, Wei Xuan had high hopes and would certainly have fought hard. But now, the roles have reversed.
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