Is This How the Entertainment Industry Works? (GL) - Chapter 10

Han Xiaomeng asked, “What’s your Alipay?”

Yan Zhen froze. “What is Alipay?”

Han Xiaomeng: “…”

Lu Ming: “…”

Yan Zhen didn’t allow credit, so the two of them had to run to the ATM in the center of the village, withdraw 5,000 in cash, and hand it to her.

In the following days, Han Xiaomeng found that her life had indeed become smooth. The food was fragrant, her clothes felt new, and even the photos taken of her seemed to be in more vibrant color; she felt so moved she wanted to cry.

She found Yan Zhen to thank her. “I’m so sorry. I saw how young you were and misunderstood you as a fraud.”

Yan Zhen replied, “It’s no matter. I am young, and I don’t look like a serious fortune teller.”

Han Xiaomeng pulled out a bank card and offered it to her. “This is an extra gift of thanks.”

Yan Zhen didn’t take it. Han Xiaomeng insisted.

Yan Zhen said, “I have already accepted your 5,000, so our accounts are settled. If I take more of your money, I will not find peace.”

Han Xiaomeng thought for a moment. “Then I’ll use this money to buy a divination from the Master.”

Yan Zhen said with a beam, “Now that, I can do.”

She tucked the card into her pocket and asked, “What do you wish to seek?”

“My career,” Han Xiaomeng said.

Yan Zhen drew a Taiji Bagua on the ground, added a few strokes, and asked, “What are the eight characters of your birth (Bazi)?”

Han Xiaomeng reported her birthday.

Yan Zhen said, “You entered school at five, experienced family upheaval at ten, were taken in by a benefactor at fifteen, and lived a displaced life at seventeen. You are exceptionally precocious, and thus your destiny arrives early.”

Her words sounded like she was talking to herself, and she had said some of it before, but Han Xiaomeng was still profoundly shocked. Many things she had forgotten herself were brought back to her by Yan Zhen’s reminder—horrible things that had happened in those years.

Han Xiaomeng kept her composure and pressed, “When does my ‘destiny’ arrive?”

Yan Zhen pointed to the “Qian” (Heaven) position and said with a smile, “This very year.”

Han Xiaomeng breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Zhen gave one more hint: “When I first calculated the fate of this film, it was like mud that couldn’t be propped up. Now, however, the Zi Wei star (the Emperor star) is rising, looking to break through the horizon. If you can, just perform your best in the play.”

In other words, this movie was very likely to become a hit. Han Xiaomeng understood and thanked her profusely. “Thank you, Master! If I become famous, I will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life!”

Yan Zhen waved her hand. “Everyone has their own fate. There is no need.”

Consequently, during the rest of the filming process, Han Xiaomeng performed at 200% of her capacity. Director Wang exclaimed that it was a miracle. “Incredible! The female lead is so vivid; I suspect you could win a Golden Statuette for this.”

Han Xiaomeng dropped her usual arrogant attitude. She replied with restrained pride, “It’s alright, just a normal performance.”

Two days later, it was time for Yan Zhen and Han Xiaomeng to act out a scene together. It was the moment the mother and daughter recognize each other.

The scene seemed simple but was actually full of complexity. First, the daughter’s emotions break down upon seeing her mother after many years. However, the scene also had to foreshadow her later actions—deceiving her mother for money to help the village—so the “eye acting” requirements were very high.

As the daughter’s role became powerful, the actress playing the mother couldn’t be too weak, or the scene would lose balance. Director Wang explained it to them for a long time before they started filming.

The moment they began, the two locked eyes. Yan Zhen’s gaze was bottomless, as if thousands of stories were hidden within. She called out in a raspy, weak voice, “Finally…”

Han Xiaomeng entered character instantly. She felt a surge of crisis and her acting power exploded to 500%. She called out “Mom” three times, her expression changing with each one.

The first time, her face was hesitant and raw. The second time, tears flickered and fell, as if she were reminiscing or battling her inner self. By the third time, her expression was calm—like a ski slope after a blizzard: clean, flat, and perfectly flawless.

Director Wang looked at the camera and said, “Hey, this won’t do.”

He had thought Yan Zhen’s first look was good, but compared to Han Xiaomeng’s three subtle “moms,” there was a gap. The assistant director also shook his head. “Han Xiaomeng is trying to suppress the newcomer.”

However, to their surprise, the next shot was a complete reversal. As the camera cut to Yan Zhen’s eyes, Director Wang’s own eyes widened.

What was he seeing?!

It was a pair of truly extraordinary eyes. The surroundings were quiet; everything was contained within those eyes. Those dark pupils seemed to hold the stars and the sea, using a suppressed pain to completely overshadow Han Xiaomeng’s earlier explosive performance.

“Excellent!” Director Wang couldn’t help but shout.

The camera continued. The mother Yan Zhen played was excited and pained, yet she maintained the dignity of a career woman. Though her actions were unrefined, in terms of aura, she was still a king. Upon seeing her daughter, the veins on her temples throbbed with excitement, but she didn’t dare be reckless, fearing it was a dream. So she suppressed it—suppressing her impending emotional explosion and the bitterness of her past memories.

The moment Director Wang looked through the lens, he was reminded of a classic film. Yan Zhen here was like the imprisoned old emperor in that movie. Only someone carrying the weight of a nation’s hatred could perform with such emotion.

This isn’t just a family drama anymore—this film has been elevated!!

After finishing, Director Wang excitedly called Yan Zhen and Han Xiaomeng over to watch the footage. Han Xiaomeng took a breath. Recalling her performance, she felt it shouldn’t be too bad, but she also felt a bit guilty toward Yan Zhen. She had meant to get along harmoniously with Master Yan, but for some reason, her acting power just exploded.

She walked over with a mix of pride and unease, but after watching, she fell silent. She had thought she acted well, but compared to Yan Zhen’s acting, the sheer impact of it completely crushed her.

Han Xiaomeng marveled inwardly: As expected of a Master. Not only is she an expert in metaphysics, but even her acting is top-tier. Is she a thousand-year-old monster in disguise?

A crowd rushed up to flatter Yan Zhen and Han Xiaomeng, asking how they interpreted their roles and why they could act so well.

Xu Fengmei happened to walk by and saw the commotion. She took off her sunglasses to chat with Director Wang. “It’s quite lively here.”

Director Wang was startled but greeted her with a smile once he saw it was her. “Isn’t it? The lead actress has been completely transformed.”

“Oh?” Xu Fengmei’s eyes flickered.

Director Wang and the cinematographer carefully replayed the footage. Xu Fengmei asked, “Mind if I join?” Director Wang certainly didn’t.

On the screen was a pair of dark, heavy eyes. The camera pulled back, and the speaker let out the word “Finally.”

Xu Fengmei’s heart jolted violently. She realized something instantly, took a few steps back, stopped watching, and left in a hurry.

Four days later, Yan Zhen finished her first role and collected her wages—a meager 5,000 yuan. Next door, The General’s Command also finished filming.

Yan Zhen went excitedly to find Zhao Baoshang. Zhao Baoshang was sitting on the steps by the door. Seeing Yan Zhen, her face soured. “What are you doing here?”

Yan Zhen said with a smile, “I missed you.”

“Truly shameless,” Zhao Baoshang said. “Who gave you permission to come find me?”

Yan Zhen asked, “Wasn’t it you?”

Zhao Baoshang bristled. “When did I say that!”

“That night we practiced the scene—”

Zhao Baoshang felt that night was too embarrassing and refused to admit it. Seeing that Yan Zhen was about to bring it up, she quickly said, “It was clearly you who begged to come see me.”

Yan Zhen: “…” Fine.

Zhao Baoshang added, “Even if you come to the Imperial Capital, I won’t have time to see you. I’m very busy.”

Yan Zhen said, “That’s okay. I’ll come find you when you’re free.”

What an obedient little fan, Zhao Baoshang thought. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly before she quickly suppressed it. “You really are headstrong. Can you just not live without me?”

Yan Zhen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. In the short term, she could leave, but in the long term, she truly couldn’t. According to her divination, the Eldest Princess’s “Death Calamity” would occur within the next two years—but not right now. Thus, she felt safe letting the Princess return to the Capital alone for now.

But she couldn’t wait too much longer. She had to be by the Princess’s side to ensure her safety.

“When I’m not around, you must be careful,” Yan Zhen urged, thinking of Zhao Baoshang’s frequent injuries. “I’ll come find you after the College Entrance Exam.”

Her tone was soft and deep. Zhao Baoshang’s ears turned red instantly as she stood up. “W-what are you saying?!”

She had only heard lines like that in those over-the-top romance dramas. Why was Yan Zhen saying this to her? They hadn’t known each other for long. Was it something she had done earlier that gave this girl the wrong impression? Zhao Baoshang suddenly felt a heavy sense of guilt.

She was just about to touch Yan Zhen’s hand to tell her to give up when she caught sight of a string of red beads on her own wrist. Her gaze dimmed, and she turned her head away. “Come whenever you want.”

Yan Zhen patted her chest. “I won’t make you wait too long.”

The two said their goodbyes. Zhao Baoshang left by car. The air conditioning in the car was set very low, and she felt a bit cold, touching the back of her hand. She suddenly thought of the warmth of Yan Zhen’s hand touching hers that night.

Zhao Baoshang kicked the seat in annoyance and cursed under her breath: I forgot this person already ‘took advantage’ of me. Just you wait until you get to the Capital—I’ll see how I’ll get my justice then.

Author’s Note:

Zhao Baoshang: You took advantage of me.

Yan Zhen: You took advantage of me too. We’re even.

Zhao Baoshang: Did I?? I forgot. I’ll have to do some “practical recollection” later.