“Back then, Sister Xingyao was handpicked by that person and signed under you. Lin Xuemiao wasn’t so lucky—she got assigned to that notorious Brother Li, who’s famous for exploiting newcomers and has terrible resources.”
Xiao Yu adjusted her glasses. “For the past six months or so, Lin Xuemiao has suffered immensely under Brother Li. Attending drinking parties and putting on fake smiles have become routine for her. She barely managed to snag two supporting female roles in those cringe-worthy web dramas.”
“Now that the dramas have aired, she’s gained a small number of fans who just like her looks. She’s currently in that phase where a petty person gets a taste of success.”
“She’s always been jealous that Sister Xingyao got signed under you. Now that she feels she’s finally made it while Sister Xingyao is still idle, she’s naturally unbalanced and wants to assert herself by stepping on others.”
Having worked with Sister Wang for so long, Xiao Yu had seen it all and had a sharp tongue. She had pretty much guessed Lin Xuemiao’s mindset.
“Hmph.” Sister Wang sneered coldly, putting down her coffee cup. “She couldn’t avoid being assigned to that bald Li due to her own lack of ability, and now she’s learned to take it out on others. But…”
Sister Wang’s tone shifted abruptly. Her sharp phoenix eyes locked onto Shen Xingyao, filled with an almost overflowing sense of frustration.
“Even though her methods are despicable, at least she’s managed to make something of herself! And you?! Shen Xingyao, search your conscience—have I treated you poorly?”
Sister Wang’s words grew even harsher. “Your resources are top-notch! Even a pig would have gained some fans by now!”
“Those resources that slipped through my fingers—others fight tooth and nail for them, but you? You couldn’t hold onto a single one! You ruined every opportunity!”
These were all truths. Sister Wang never handled poor-quality resources; those weren’t even worthy of reaching her desk.
Yet, the original owner had failed to seize even one opportunity, accomplishing nothing at all.
If Sister Wang weren’t worried about her tarnishing the brand’s reputation outside, she would have long ago packed her off to act as the vicious female supporting character in those third-rate, melodramatic short dramas.
At least that would earn the company some money before discarding her.
Shen Xingyao was scolded until she felt utterly humiliated, but she couldn’t refute a single word.
Even though she hadn’t done any of these things, she now had to bear the responsibility.
After Sister Wang finished venting, Shen Xingyao pretended to have a sudden epiphany and declared, “Sister Wang! You’re absolutely right!”
“In the past, I was immature, blinded by foolishness, and didn’t know what was good for me. I failed to live up to your guidance!”
“Please give me another chance. I don’t mind playing supporting roles—even if it’s just a corpse, I promise to lie straighter than anyone else! I’m willing to work hard and take on any difficult or exhausting job!”
This was also Shen Xingyao’s genuine thought. Since she was in this industry now, she had to do her best and earn big money.
This sudden 180-degree change left Sister Wang stunned.
Sister Wang eyed her suspiciously. “What’s gotten into you?”
She didn’t believe a slacker would truly want to turn things around.
“I just feel that if even Lin Xuemiao can make it, then if I, under your guidance, can’t achieve something worthwhile, wouldn’t I be embarrassing you?” Shen Xingyao’s flattery was remarkably smooth.
However, despite her sweet words, Sister Wang was no naive newcomer and could see her desire to make money.
But realizing this actually made Sister Wang feel relieved.
She wasn’t afraid of greedy artists; she was afraid of artists without ambition.
As long as they wanted to make money, they were easier to control.
“Alright, cut out that exaggerated acting,” Sister Wang rubbed her temples and gestured toward Xiao Yu beside her. “Give her the materials.”
Xiao Yu immediately pulled a contract from the pile of documents and handed it to Shen Xingyao.
“This is the recently planned S+ wilderness survival variety show ‘Extreme Survival,'” Xiao Yu dutifully explained. “The permanent guest on this show is Sister Wang’s top star, the newly crowned Best Actor Ye Yunge.”
“Originally, this opportunity wouldn’t have come to you at all. It was Sister Wang who went to great lengths to get you in as a one-time guest star, using the excuse of Ye Yunge ‘bringing along his junior fellow apprentice.'”
Shen Xingyao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly took the contract.
Wilderness survival? She was familiar with that!
She lowered her head and flipped through the contract, reading each line carefully.
Not only did she check the salary and breach of contract terms, but she even scrutinized the insurance clauses.
The more she read, the more astonished she felt.
This contract was as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
There were no messy hidden traps, no overly harsh unfair terms—it was purely a chance to show her face and get paid.
In those small, struggling companies, artists would fight tooth and nail, even to the point of losing their minds, just to compete for such a resource.
And Sister Wang had casually thrown it at her, a so-called “useless” person.
Seeing Shen Xingyao holding the contract, looking left and right with a slight frown, Sister Wang couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
Keep pretending, just keep pretending.
Who didn’t know that Shen Xingyao only had a junior high school diploma and was practically illiterate?
If she could recognize even half of the professional legal terms in this contract, it would be a miracle.
Reading it for so long was probably just another excuse to back out.
“Alright, don’t even think about finding excuses to back out,” Sister Wang crossed her arms, leaned back in her chair, and sneered. “Shen Xingyao, let me make this clear upfront—this is the last chance I’m fighting for you.”
“If you dare cause any trouble on set again, complain about this or that, or even fail to act as a decent ‘pretty face’…”
“Then I’m sorry, but I’d rather tarnish my own reputation than keep you around. I’ll immediately hand you over to Baldy Li, and then you can go keep Lin Xuemiao company.”
Back out?
What kind of international joke was that?!
This was purely a money-making opportunity!
“No backing out! Absolutely not!”
Shen Xingyao picked up a pen and, without hesitation, signed her name on the last page of the contract in two swift strokes.
Sister Wang glanced at the signed contract and finally nodded in satisfaction.
“But don’t get your hopes up too high,” Sister Wang tapped the table, giving her a heads-up in advance. “This is just a one-time guest appearance, with filming lasting about a week. Your salary is only a hundred thousand yuan.”
Sister Wang sighed. “Don’t complain that it’s too little. Aside from the gimmick of being Ye Yunge’s junior fellow apprentice, you’re practically a nobody in this industry.”
“Getting you a hundred thousand is already a favor to Brilliant Media and Ye Yunge. There’s no room for negotiation on the price.”
In Sister Wang’s eyes, a hundred thousand yuan wasn’t even enough to buy a limited-edition handbag—it was a paltry sum.
But in Shen Xingyao’s eyes, this was an astronomical reward!
Best Actor Ye’s reputation was truly worth its weight in gold!
When she saw the payment amount in the contract earlier, she was so excited she bit her finger. Now, hearing Sister Wang say it out loud, she couldn’t even suppress the smile on her face.
“Sister Wang, don’t worry, I’ll definitely give it my all!” Shen Xingyao assured her once again.
Only then did Sister Wang feel slightly relieved. In her view, Shen Xingyao’s previous acting failures were simply due to a lack of talent.
Now, by going to record a variety show, with this face, there is still a chance to make it big.
Of course, it also needs to be paired with her carefully crafted persona: “By the way, you have to remember your persona—you are a delicate and helpless wealthy young lady, understand?”
“In this variety show, you are here to hold Ye Yunge back, highlighting his masculine charm, got it?”