Kapitel 23: 023, don't fall in love with my brother

Autor: You Yi Machinenübersetzung

Two days after the interview that day, Zhou Liqing and Qian Mengfei were called by Sky Shadow Media for another interview. Three days later, Xiwan and Zhou Liqing received a contract text message from the company's human resources team. Qian Mengfei had obviously failed.

Initially, the two of them wanted to comfort Qian Mengfei, but she waved her hand and said, "I was accompanying the princesses to their destiny. It's good that you were chosen."

Zhou Liqing was so touched that she went forward to kiss her. Qian Mengfei pushed her away disdainfully and said in a rather funny manner, "If Xiwan wants to kiss me, I'll accept it."

Xiwan was stunned. Zhou Liqing stomped her feet. "That's so annoying." The two of them started to fight.

Sun Huayu, who was on the side, said to Xiwan, "Congratulations to both of you. I went online and found out that Sky Shadow Media is an outstanding company."

The next day, Xiwan and Zhou Liqing went out together to sign the contract with Sky Shadow Media.

For the past week, Xiwan basically just stayed in her dorm and worked hard on the project. Even her meals were brought back by her roommates. She worked so hard on the project that she almost forgot to eat and sleep. Her other roommates were also influenced by her seriousness and worked hard on the project. For a time, dorm 506 was filled with the atmosphere of a top student.

One of the main reasons why Xiwan worked so hard was that she would definitely be filming this year. Once she started filming, she'd probably be too busy to attend classes and study. If she did it probably now, she could relax afterward. Although a diploma was not of much use to her, no matter what, since she had possessed Jiang Xiwan, she had to get this diploma no matter what. Otherwise, she would let down what her predecessor had been working on for many years. She could wait a little bit longer to walk into the entertainment industry. She would not be scolded as an actress for being smart.

In those days it was rare for her to appear on the campus boulevard. Many passersby recognized Xiwan and her friends when they did stroll down the street. Several people reached for their phones to take photos.

While Xiwan was still confused, Zhou Liqing waved at the people who took the photos. "Take a look with your eyes! Don't post it on the internet."

Obviously, it was the after-effects of the popular Weibo post.

Standing outside the school gate, Zhou Liqing said, "Hey, my Weibo now has 50,000 fans."

Xiwan didn't reply.

"After that post was leaked, a lot of people followed me, but most of them were asking about you. Xiwan, are you really not going to open your Weibo?"

Xiwan shook her head. "Let's talk about it when the time comes."

She had never liked Weibo. There were too many plagiarized marketing accounts, and most of the posts from actors and friends were boring daily routines. The more popular accounts were obviously being curated by a marketing team. They were acting cute and playing down-to-earth every day, they were clearly wearing a mask. It could fool the fans, but it wouldn't fool Xiwan.

There were many things that were clearly good that a publicist could turn into something bad. There was also reason and evidence; it was hard not to believe. There were also many things that were clearly bad that could be turned into something good, making the public think that this good was the work of Tianshan Xuelian.

There were too many fake posts on Weibo, and scrolling past them annoyed her.

The incident six months prior, for instance, where the public thought their favorite couple was exposed by the man having an affair. This matter was true. Everyone in the entertainment industry knew about it, but they did not say it out loud. They did not expect it to be exposed by Weibo's gossip account because both the man and the woman were considered top-notch. They were also the model couple in the public's heart, so the netizens couldn't accept it for a moment. The comments and reposts went up within seconds. In less than half an hour, they were on the hot searches, but they were all canceled in a second. Then, the tables were turned...

He was even called the best man in history. There were also many brainless fans who wanted to expose him and get an apology. This was the power of public relations. A black was washed into white. The man was clearly a scumbag, but he became a loving, good man, and a good husband. Then, like a stone thrown into a lake, it only rippled, and then there was no movement. The matter was forgotten.

She was sick of microblogging, and she couldn't do it, so her microblogging was all managed by the staff. But she didn't want to lower her IQ by making really bad chicken soup for her fans. She didn't want to be a down-to-earth actress with a mask on; under her orders, the staff had to abandon the down-to-earth. or chicken soup-selling methods. It became a photo routine instead.

Her microblogging became: posting pictures, pictures, and more pictures! Basically, one microblog post a week, one picture of her, and it wouldn't budge. However, as long as she posted a Weibo post, this post would become the most popular post of the day and week. Her fans felt powerful adoration towards her.

"You don't like WeChat and don't have a Weibo Account. That's so boring."

Xiwan smiled. "So what if it's boring? This is what I like."

Zhou Liqing was touched by Xiwan's smile. "Oh, you're so beautiful!"

Xiwan didn't thank her for the compliment.

"Sigh, I keep thinking that you're getting more and more beautiful. I used to think that you were beautiful too, but now you're especially beautiful."

"Huh?"

Perhaps it was because she saw the confusion in Xiwan's eyes, Zhou Liqing said, "In the past, you only came and went in a hurry. You didn't stay in the dormitory too much and basically spent most of your time working part-time outside. I once asked you to work part-time as a model, but you shook your head and refused, saying that you didn't want to enter this industry and that it was too messy." Zhou Liqing tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear. She sighed and continued, "Actually, as long as we keep our hands clean, what's there to be afraid of?"

Xiwan didn't expect her predecessor to be unwilling to enter the entertainment industry, but thinking about it, she did the right thing. No matter what, her looks were too outstanding. In addition, she did not understand the industry at all. Even if she wanted to keep herself clean, it would be slightly difficult. Her predecessor was not like her, who knew the entertainment industry well. Moreover, she wanted to seek revenge on the woman that ruined her life. That would make the road ahead more difficult to navigate.

At this moment, hearing Zhou Liqing's slightly naive words, she only smiled slightly although she did not agree. After all, the current Zhou Liqing was still a simple person who lived in an ivory tower of ignorance. She did not know that many times, she would not be able to control herself. One had to know that in the entertainment industry, there were more monks than porridge. The resources and methods that kept people in the entertainment industry were all behind the scenes and being operated by a team or company. If you wanted to be famous, you would more or less be involved in dark deals. Otherwise, why would they give you the resource?

Zhou Liqing did not know about this, and Xiwan didn't want to talk to her about it now. No matter what, it was always good to hold onto innocence. Xiwan hoped that she could always be like this.

However, Sky Shadow Media was not bad. They were not known in the industry for being run by a pimp. She thought of the decision-maker; he was as pure as a mountain, and as elegant as flowing water. Presumably, he did not care about such dirty tricks.

Then she shook his head and laughed at herself for being silly again. Did Xiwan really think that after meeting him twice, she knew what kind of person he was? What's more, if he can influence areas of the entertainment business, how can things be simple or straightforward?

But there was always a voice in her heart telling Xiwan that he was a man who disdains inferior means.

'I don't care,' Xiwan thoughts raced, repeating themselves over again in her head, 'I don't care, I don't care, I don't care!'

Xiwan pursed her lips and smiled. "I don't know what gloss is on my lips today. It's so sweet."

"Rose-flavored lip gloss. Mwah!" Zhou Liqing giggled, stepping forward without noticing because she wanted a kiss.

Xiwan quickly pushed her away. "I like men."

"Hahaha, really? Really?" Zhou Liqing laughed, "Xiwan, have you ever liked anyone since you were young? I'm really curious, who catches your eye?"

'Zhou Liqing is very gossipy,' Xiwan thought.

Xiwan was stunned for a moment, and the familiar face flashed by. Seeing Zhou Liqing looking at her with sparkling eyes, she pushed her away again and said, "It's a pity that you don't want to be a paparazzi in the gossip society." Zhou Liqing's eyes were shining.

"Really?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Really."

Xiwan did not entirely believe Zhou Liqing's answers.

Both girls remained silent.

* * *

Jiang Xiwan and Zhou Liqing arrived at the entrance of Sky Shadow Media's building.

The two of them walked straight inside, now familiar with the building. As they entered, someone came to greet them. "Hello, are you here to sign the contract?"

The two of them nodded. They were given piece of paper from a small pile. "Please follow the address on it." Then, seeing that another person had entered the door, the woman that greeted them walked over with a smile.

Xiwan and Zhou Liqing followed the address on the paper. When they reached the door they saw many people coming out with a contract in their hands, their faces full of joy.

When they saw Xiwan and Zhou Liqing, they also nodded at them in a friendly way and left.

Then, a gorgeous beauty walked out. Xiwan had an impression of this person. It was the person who said that Zhou Liqing was not afraid of her tongue when she first entered. Unexpectedly, she also entered.

That person obviously recognized Xiwan and Zhou Liqing too. He snorted and started walking down the stairs.

Zhou Liqing looked at her back and said, "What are you being so arrogant for?"

Xiwan patted Zhou Liqing's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her and said, "Alright, let's go in."

The two of them entered the door. Jian Fang and Chen Ye, who had met Xiwan the last time, were already inside. When they saw Xiwan and Zhou Liqing, they were very friendly.

Chen Ye took out a contract from his desk and handed it to Zhou Liqing for her to sign. Jian Fang took a contract from her briefcase for Xiwan.

After the two of them finished had read their contracts and confirmed that there was nothing wrong with it, they signed their names. Then Jian Fang and Chen ye shook hands with them one after another. "Congratulations on becoming part of Sky Shadow Media. I hope that your road to future stardom will be smooth."

The two of them nodded.

Jian Fang said, "From tomorrow onwards, you will come to the company to undergo body, voice, performance, dance, and other training courses. This will last for three months. Only those who are qualified can graduate and go on to perform. Those who are not qualified can continue to train. However, if you fail more than four times, then the company will terminate the contract with you. Do you understand?"

Xiwan nodded to show that she understood.

A company needed to make money after all. The investment in physical training was a huge expense. If a one-year training course wasn't enough for someone to graduate, then maybe that person wasn't suitable for the entertainment industry.

"During this period, you can consider renting a house nearby or living in the company's staff dormitory. After you've thought about it, you can report it to manager Chen tomorrow," Jian Fang said, looking over at Chen Ye.

The two of them nodded again and left the room. After Zhou Liqing walked out, she could not help but say, "So strict! I thought signing a contract would make you a star."

Xiwan smiled. "How can it be so simple? Every year, Sky Shadow recruits 100 trainees, but in a good year only a dozen of them will be able to advance to the B-list. Maybe one of them will advance to the A-list. But that's very impressive fo an entertainment agency. As long as they can train one A-list artist every year, the operation of the company would not suffer a loss."

"So complicated!" Zhou Liqing was speechless. She hadn't known about this before. She thought that after signing a contract with an entertainment agency, the company would arrange jobs for her. She didn't have high requirements, so she just started doing the old routine.

"Why do you think that Sky Shadow Media has grown to be as formidable as the old company, Huafeng Media, in just a few short years?"

Zhou Liqing thought for a moment and nodded. "I will work hard."

Then, the two of them arrived at the fifth-floor hall. This was the training base for body-building courses, and apparently they had not arrived early. There were already quite a number of people at the venue. Some were sitting, some were stretching, some were chatting, and some were playing on their phones.

There was a female coach wearing a bodybuilding outfit at the front of the hall, looking at everyone with a smile.

Ten minutes later, the originally spacious training base was filled to the brim. Xiwan could count about a hundred heads.

Only then did the female coach pick up the microphone on the ground and turn on the speakers. "Alright, handsome men and beauties, please be quiet for a moment."

In an instant the originally noisy environment became much quieter.

The female coach with satisfaction. "Now, I will read the names. If I call your name first, please come and stand in the front row."

"Jiang Xiwan."

Xiwan did not expect to be the first one. She calmly walked to the first row under everyone's gaze.

The female coach nodded. "Li Hui."

"Huang Can."

"Jin Xian."

"Shao Qiu."

The coach took a breath.

She read out for ten people with her next breath. Afterwards, she stopped shouting and pointed to a small cubicle opposite her. "The ten of you, go next door to classroom two tomorrow."

The rest of the people were talking amongst themselves animatedly. Some of them had seen Xiwan before and knew that she had been taken out by manager Chen alone. No matter how unhappy they were, they could only grin and bear it.

Shortly after everyone dispersed.

When they were walking out the door, Zhou Liqing turned to Xiwan."Darling, I knew you had the potential to be a superstar. From now on, I'm going to rely on you," she said with a smile.

Before Zhou Liqing could finish her sentence, she heard a small giggle. She turned around and saw that it was the woman who spoke through her nostrils. She took large strides forward.

Zhou Liqing said, "The ghost won't go away."

"Why are you guys here?"

This voice was very familiar. Xiwan turned her head and saw that it was indeed Li Yan. She was wearing a fiery red chiffon A-line dress, which made her skin look white as snow.

Zhou Liqing didn't know much about Li Yan, but she knew that she didn't like this prideful young lady, so she asked bluntly, "Don't tell me you've got a contract too? What kind of logic is that?"

Li Yan ignored Zhou Liqing. She only looked at Xiwan, who was wearing a light yellow shirt and a pair of white jeans. She rolled her eyes. "Don't fall for my brother, right? You scheming b*stard!"