Is This How the Entertainment Industry Works? (GL) - Chapter 16

The next day, Yan Zhen noticed that the eyes of all the staff members looking at her were clearly unfriendly. Meanwhile, Fang Hexu, the one who had started the trouble, was watching her with a smug look on her face.

Yan Zhen knew that Fang Hexu must have said something to cause everyone to misunderstand her. However, she wanted to win the championship and stand by the Eldest Princess’s side; naturally, she wouldn’t be defeated by rumors. This was a competition of strength, so as long as she showcased her best abilities, that would be enough.

Today’s content was once again an editorial shoot. But unlike the first day, the location was in a forest. Contestants had to find a perfect angle in the woods to inspire the photographer and produce a stunning high-fashion photo. The time limit was three hours.

Yan Zhen put on her makeup and changed into a grayish-white gauze dress. The fabric was thin; from a distance, it looked as if a layer of mist was draped over her body. Yan Zhen had a “baby face” with spirited eyes, and with the makeup, her features became more distinct—a beauty that balanced between maturity and innocence.

Holding her skirt, she picked up a branch from the path, making marks as she walked.

Her photographer didn’t have a good impression of her because everyone had heard Fang Hexu’s words yesterday. No one liked a girl who bullied her classmates in school. The photographer didn’t offer Yan Zhen any guidance and simply sat lazily on a rock.

Yan Zhen planned to head south. The south was damp with many types of mushrooms and plenty of sunlight, making it easier to take beautiful photos. The photographer clearly knew this.

She stopped Yan Zhen: “Everyone is going south. Are you all planning a party or something?”

Yan Zhen paused; she felt that made sense. She performed a divination based on the marks she had made on the trees and found a good direction: “Then let’s go north.”

The photographer wasn’t particularly happy about going north either. “I’m too lazy to walk. We’ll just shoot right here.”

Yan Zhen: “???”

“It’s too tiring,” the photographer said. “Just find a big tree to lean against, and we’ll finish early and rest.”

The photographer wasn’t afraid of offending Yan Zhen. Her own daughter had suffered from school bullying, which was a terrible thing that left her daughter with psychological shadows to this day. After hearing Fang Hexu’s story last night, her feelings toward Yan Zhen could almost be described as hostile. She felt she was upholding justice and didn’t believe she was in the wrong.

“Well? Pick a spot.”

Yan Zhen said, “Alright, then please wait a moment for me.”

She looked around, continuing to draw and mark with her branch. After walking a short distance, she felt a strong surge of spiritual energy (Lingqi). Forests never lacked spiritual energy.

She waved to the photographer: “I choose this big tree.”

The photographer walked over without much enthusiasm. Yan Zhen patted the trunk, which was now covered in runes she had drawn at some point, faintly glowing with golden light. Vines spiraled around, and sunlight filtered through the leaves to form beams of light, creating a sharp contrast with the dark roots.

The photographer was momentarily stunned.

Yan Zhen stood by the tree, closing her eyes to feel the flow of spiritual energy. Instantly, floating dust particles around her vibrated slightly, becoming clearly visible under the shafts of light. The photographer immediately pressed the shutter.

The screen displayed a photo that was tranquil yet possessed a hidden wildness. It was a shot that could go straight onto the cover of a top international magazine.

The photographer’s attitude did a 180-degree turn: “Do you want to try lying on the branch?”

Yan Zhen: “…”

By the time they finished several shots, only an hour had passed. The photographer looked at the images in the camera, utterly shocked: “I think you are definitely the most spiritual contestant I have ever seen.”

Yan Zhen: “Thank you for the compliment.”

This is art, the photographer thought. Could someone who produces a photo like this really be a bad person? Her eyes were just too clean. So clean she didn’t seem like someone of this world, as if she were looking down upon all living beings from the clouds—a look of pride tempered with a hint of compassion.

…Is she a Buddha?

The photographer felt as if she could hear Buddhist chants in her ears; a golden light seemed to break through the haze, making her feel reborn.

“I’m already your fan,” the photographer said. “Even though I still dislike your personality, the art you express has me captivated.”

Yan Zhen: “…Thank you, regardless.”

Three hours later, the competition ended, and everyone rushed back to the skyscraper. The contestants picked their most satisfying photo to be used for judging. Yan Zhen chose the very first one.

The twenty-two contestants stood on stage. After a while, Yu Lian and three other judges walked out. Yu Lian always had a smile on her face: “Look at you all. Every one of you has the exquisite face of a forest elf.”

The contestants smiled.

“But I don’t know if you can all express the feeling of an elf. We’ll find out in a moment when we see your editorial photos.”

The first to be called forward was Contestant No. 1. Her photo showed her twirling her skirt in a field of flowers.

The Black judge said bluntly, “Very weak. Very ordinary. If this photo didn’t appear on a giant screen, I might think it was a Taobao poster from ten years ago.”

The blonde judge said, “What we need you to show is character, not a dress. In this photo, I can’t even see your face clearly.”

The serious male judge said, “This photo would be thrown into my shredder.”

After the three finished, Contestant No. 1 was nearly in tears. Yu Lian saved her: “Dear, first of all, your thinking was good. There are mountains, rivers, and trees in this photo; one can indeed tell it’s a forest.” She paused. Contestant No. 1 listened with bated breath. Yu Lian continued, “Unfortunately, besides that one merit, everything else is a flaw.”

That’s right, it was that cruel. This was a competition. Contestant No. 1 clenched her fists in despair: “I thought this photo contained everything of the forest.”

“Clearly not enough,” Yu Lian said.

The next two were also roasted. Then came Xu Weiwei. Her photo was beautifully composed, dominated by yellow; her youthful and lively energy made the judges’ eyes light up. She was sweet and cute, and her choice of bright yellow showed good self-awareness, earning her a decent review.

Next was Fang Hexu. Fang Hexu had disguised herself as an animal—perhaps a leopard or some other hunting creature. While everyone else showed their ethereal side, she conquered the judges with wildness and sexiness.

Then it was Yan Zhen’s turn. When she went up, her photo appeared on the giant screen. It was a photo dominated by cool tones, but with shafts of pale yellow light falling at the edges, and the golden dust around her body ensured the photo wasn’t monotonous.

The Black judge stood up immediately: “OMG, a Night Elf! You are absolutely a real elf.”

The blonde judge said, “I like the runes on the tree trunk; it adds a great sense of mystery.”

The serious male judge said, “I can feel a sense of religious ceremony, but what are you trying to express? Holding a ritual in the forest?”

Yu Lian laughed loudly: “Exactly! Didn’t you know? This contestant is a Celestial Master.”

The serious male judge was stunned: “Really?”

Yu Lian said to Yan Zhen: “I’ve seen your Weibo; the science posts on there are very useful. I tried them, and I do feel much more energized.”

Yan Zhen smiled.

Yu Lian said, “It was truly not easy for you to take such a photo. Because your photographer today was biased, she didn’t cooperate well with you. This was a lapse in our work, but it is also a situation you will face in the future. You overcame the problem well; it’s worth extra points.”

Yan Zhen stood below the stage listening. Her well-behaved appearance improved the judges’ impression of her.

The Black judge said, “I heard many stories about you last night. I don’t know the truth or falsehood of those matters, so I can’t judge your private life. But artistically, you performed exceptionally well.”

“Friend, why are you stealing my lines again?” Yu Lian joked, then looked at Yan Zhen. “Since you are a Celestial Master, do you have any predictions for me?”

Yan Zhen glanced at Yu Lian and said with a smile: “Go home early; it’s not safe at night.”

Author’s Note:

Yan Zhen: Princess, I took a really badass high-fashion photo!

Zhao Baoshang: Wearing too little. Truly improper. Bad review.

That night:

Zhao Baoshang: …You can wear even less.