Chapter 35: New Mission and A Desperate Leap

Chapter 35: New Mission and A Desperate Leap

In the northern district of the capital city, in the high-end garden villa area, Maple Welcome Park, developed by the renowned real estate company Ink Impression. The largest standalone villa within the park served as one of the residences for the butler family.

Guan Yun, who was rumored in entertainment news to be recuperating at home due to health issues, was actually under house arrest by her elder brother.

Yesterday, she spent the entire day weeping in her room, but Guan Yin remained unmoved. Today, she changed tactics, attempting to cajole and wheedle her way out, which slightly softened Guan Yin's expression.

At this moment, Guan Yun was sprawled on the back of a grand sofa on the first floor, with her head resting on her arm as she watched Guan Yin work.

"Brother, when can I go out? I still have work to do."

"Xiao Yun, I object to you continuing your career in the entertainment industry, and I especially dislike your involvement of Guan Mo in your affairs," Guan Yin replied without lifting his head, his brows knitted together.

"You're not going to help me, fine. But why stop Second Brother from helping?" Guan Yun pouted.

"Now you're feeling wronged? In recent times, both you and Guan Mo have been involved in spreading rumors, smearing others, framing innocent people, excluding those who disagree with you, manipulating public opinion, and even bribing production crews to harm others."

"I only targeted Tang Fei. She was the one who used unfair means to snatch the role."

"Merely targeting one person. What about in the future? Will you use this method whenever someone displeases you?" Guan Yin kept typing on his keyboard, but his expression darkened once more.

At barely twenty years old, Guan Yin had taken over the company left by his parents and supported his younger siblings, who were still in primary and secondary school. He was more of a father figure than an older brother to them.

Guan Yun shrank back. "Big Brother, please don't be angry."

"I'll try to communicate with Shen Fan and terminate your contract. You and Guan Mo can come back to the company to help me."

Guan Yun didn't dare to argue, so she pulled out her ultimate weapon. With teary eyes, she gazed at the enlarged family photo hanging in the hall. In the picture, she was seated on her father's lap while her mother embraced his shoulders from behind, and her brothers stood on either side, crouching down slightly.

She sniffled and looked at Guan Yin pitifully.

Guan Yin felt a pang in his heart. He sighed. "Watch this video and think about who's playing tricks."

He handed his phone to Guan Yun and played the viral video of Tang Fei's fame across the internet.

"You've been in the entertainment industry for five or six years and starred in four TV dramas. One movie that cost Yao Hui all its marketing efforts only grossed five hundred million at the box office. People with less talent have surpassed you. Yet, you're still preoccupied with things unrelated to acting.

Little Yun, do you really love acting? Or do you just enjoy the glamorous aspects of the industry, the thrill of being adored by the masses?"

Guan Yun accepted the phone with disdain, but upon watching the video, she was left in a daze, lost in thought.

Countless voices and images swirled within her mind. There was Tang Fei, who had been unapologetic towards her; Tang Fei, who, despite lacking any foundation, was more arrogant and free-spirited than she was; Tang Fei, whose acting skills were at the bottom of the pile yet still dared to seek extra lessons from Civilization Hua.

Could this person in the video be the same Tang Fei?

She couldn't recall that this was Tang Fei while watching the video – her immersion in the character had made her own presence almost negligible.

Despite having just announced her withdrawal as a fan of Spiritual Frenzy, Guan Yun was still moved, delighted, and approving of Li Xiuyun's flawless portrayal. She couldn't help but feel that she had lost a race. Just when she thought she was nearing the finish line, Tang Fei had surpassed her. Frustrated, she suspected foul play, but as she ran, she realized she had already been lapped – it wasn't about drugs, but a vast disparity in their abilities.

Her assumptions of cheating or rule-breaking proved groundless. In the end, only she was left embarrassed, her face burning with shame.

"Brother, I still love acting," Guan Yun held onto the phone tightly. Tang Fei's performance had shattered her beliefs, threatening the fragile confidence she had built up within herself.

"Do you still want to stay in the entertainment industry?"

"Brother, I'm a trained professional. I know more than she does. With hard work, I can definitely do better than her."

"It's commendable to recognize the disparity and strive harder. You can make full use of resources, connections, and capital. I hope you do so with integrity and engage in healthy competition. No matter how murky the entertainment industry may be, it's not an excuse for you to immerse yourself in its darkness or soil your own reputation," said Guan Yin, patting Guan Yun's head affectionately. "My little sister, she's as clear and transparent as crystal in my heart."

Guan Yun leaned against Guan Yin's embrace with teary eyes. He paused his work, holding her in his arms and sighing.

For a moment, he was lost in thought. Amidst the ethereal music playing on his phone, Tang Fei still gracefully approached, her eyes lowered in a charming smile.

Five years ago, when Guan Yun signed with Yao Hui, Guan Yin had also inked an investment cooperation agreement with the company. That day, as he conversed with Guan Mo in the elevator, Tang Fei stood behind them, rolling her eyes in a manner that left a lasting impression on him.

"The entertainment industry is closed-off, divided into factions, and steeped in nepotism. I don't have high hopes for Yun in this world," Guan Yin hadn't paid attention to the person behind him at the time; he was solely worried about his sister.

Guan Mo spoke carefree, "Big Brother, don't worry, with me watching over her, no dirt or shady characters will touch Yun. She's not one of those backgroundless actresses who consider a single compromise as modesty. The kind who'd knock on every door in a production team at midnight, even counting the moles on the props master, just for a minor role—Yun belongs to a different realm than them."

"Growth in such an environment is problematic," Guan Yin shook his head.

Tang Fei, standing behind them, seemed ready to throw her disdainful gaze at them. "It's only because you're dirty that you see dirt in others. Those with backgrounds are often dirtier than those without."

Only then did Guan Yin realize their conversation had crossed a line. He quickly apologized, "That's not what we meant. If we've offended you, please accept our apology."

The elevator doors opened, and Tang Fei pushed them both off balance with her hands. "Hypocrisy!"

Guan Mo attempted to confront her on the spot, but Tang Fei's immense strength prevented him from doing so; his arm remained bruised for days after being pushed away.

Perhaps there was a peculiar connection that day?

Exiting the parking lot, he spotted Tang Fei's high heel stuck in a drainage grate. The image of such a strong woman struggling with a stiletto struck him as somewhat comical.

He pulled over and got out of the car, intending to watch the spectacle unfold and perhaps offer her a ride to alleviate the situation.

Coincidentally, just as he reached Tang Fei's side, she forcefully pried the grate loose. Losing her balance, she fell backward into his arms.

He instinctively caught her, brushing against her arm in the process.

Tang Fei turned around, her delicate face contorted with rage as their eyes met.

As he was pushed to the ground by Tang Fei's struggle to free herself, she, too, lost her balance and landed on top of him.

Her anger visibly mounting, Guan Yin clarified, "You stumbled into me. I didn't do anything."

Recalling the elevator conversation and how they viewed actresses without connections in the entertainment industry, Tang Fei's anger flared. Looking at Guan Yin, she fumed, "Dirty scoundrel, I can punch 200 pounds with one fist. I could take three of you. Don't even think about any ill intentions, hm!"

She rose to remove her other high heel and left barefoot.

Back then, he didn't know Tang Fei; it was Guan Yun who constantly mentioned her that he eventually connected the dots. He had no idea that Tang Fei's bold advances towards him were caught on camera.

A week ago, he saw Tang Fei again at his investment conference, where she appeared more elegant and radiant. Now, in the video, she exuded a different aura.

"Tang Fei's acting skills have improved significantly," Guan Yin mused, patting the younger sister in his arms. "Wait until the storm passes before you return. Don't get entangled with Yao Hui's actions."

"I'll follow Big Brother's advice," she replied obediently.

...

At a golf course in Shanghai, the Business Director of the internationally renowned luxury women's fashion brand, Bella, played alongside Zhou Weichuan.

"Brother, it's not that I don't respect you. If you had presented market research or falsified data on Tang Fei, that would've been something. I can't convince others in a meeting based on empty claims."

Zhou Weichuan swung his club, sending the ball soaring high. "It's just a sponsorship. I didn't ask for an endorsement. Your rejection seems rather ruthless."

"You want to leverage our brand's value to boost the artist's worth. Our brand can't afford that. Being associated with Tang Fei would likely decrease our brand value."

"No room for negotiation?"

"Friendship is friendship, business is business."

"Tell me, is it because Yao Hui has some deal with you?"

The brand's business director chuckled. "Yao Hui is the Chinese regional business agent for international superstar Miro. Our company is currently in talks with her."

Zhou Weichuan nodded and took the towel offered by the attendant to wipe his sweat. "There aren't many people in the country who recognize international stars."

"For luxury brands, it's not about popularity. They can't rely on sales volume, right? They seek exclusivity and class. Tang Fei is too rustic."

"We should make a bet." Zhou Weichuan clenched his back teeth. "I'm betting on my judgment and Tang Fei's sense of fashion."

"I'll bet with you. I know you'll go talk to 'Du Mei' about sponsorship. With your relationship, there won't be any problems.

For your signing ceremony, Yao Hui will definitely invite the most vicious fashion critics. Zhou Weichuan, I'm particularly curious about how you'll look when you lose." The business director seemed particularly delighted. "I have a keen eye for people. Tang Fei lacks sophistication; she's not suited for the fashion industry. You should plan her career along the lines of a delicate and refined lady."

"The stakes are up to the other party to propose."

"No problem."

...

At the Jiangzhou Film Studio, Tang Fei's performance improved day by day. She entered her character's state more swiftly, and NGs (No Good takes) were almost non-existent. Xu Jianguo, who was known for his strictness in the industry, couldn't help but praise her every now and then after three days of shooting: "She's bound to make a name for herself in the future."

"This young lady is diligent and clever."

"She has ample knowledge and knows how to grasp the essence of her character. It's only been three days since she joined the team, yet she's already more familiar with the script's background than most of you."

"It's a breeze explaining scenes to her; she grasps them quickly!"

One of the originally planned three rotating film crews had been canceled due to Tang Fei's swift progress. Director Xu, who was renowned for his rigor, often allowed her to nail a scene on the first take, eliminating any doubts about her within the crew.

By 5 PM that afternoon, Tang Fei had completed her shooting tasks and was sitting in the makeup room, removing her makeup. The production manager, taking over He Zhou's duties, had specially prepared a sweet soup with red dates and goji berries, even including a straw.

As she sipped the sweet soup, a caption appeared before her eyes.

"Triggered Quest: Outshine All Others"

"In the palace, there are whispers questioning your grace and demeanor, Your Highness. It is advised that you attend the ceremony adorned with attire that perfectly embodies your unique aura, thus silencing the doubts."

"Mission Reward: A Five-Star Costume Card, 'Cloud-Sewing Robes.'"