“That means you’re a stage performer. The more cameras and the more audience there are, the less nervous you become.” Su Yanxi found Zhou Tong and put on the windproof jacket Zhou Tong had given her. “Are you going to visit your friends again? There will be media interviews at nine o’clock, so don’t miss it.”
"No problem, I'm just going to say hello, I'll be back early!" Chen Yongyan waved, "See you in a bit!"
Su Yanxi waved and walked towards the lounge with Zhou Tong. Seeing Zhou Tong's mischievous grin, he couldn't help but ask, "Sis, what are you laughing at? Why are you looking so sneaky? Did I do something wrong today?"
"No, you and Xiao Chen both performed exceptionally well today." Zhou Tong took out his phone and showed Su Yanxi the real-time feedback. "You two are really good at building suspense. Look, everyone's saying they're looking forward to the broadcast. The clips posted on the official Weibo account are also getting good numbers of likes, shares, and comments. The response has exceeded expectations."
"Wow, that's great!" Su Yanxi blinked. "Since it exceeded expectations, why are you making that face? The way you're looking at me makes me feel like there's something behind your words."
Zhou Tong couldn't suppress his laughter. He quickly led Su Yanxi back to the lounge before daring to speak frankly.
"Song Jinlan!" Zhou Tong exclaimed excitedly, patting Su Yanxi's shoulder repeatedly after closing the door. "Song Jinlan is hilarious—he didn't even come today!"
"Didn't come?" Su Yanxi asked in surprise. "Is she sick?"
"The reason given was tonsillitis, which caused a high fever. But I heard from the staff that he missed rehearsals yesterday, so—" Zhou Tong drawled, continuing with a wicked grin, "he's definitely not sick, but rather scared after realizing he can't beat you!"
Su Yanxi chuckled and sat down in the chair: "I thought it was something serious that made you so happy, sister? Oh, it's just this."
"That's it?" Zhou Tong sat down as well, then excitedly patted Su Yanxi's arm. "Isn't that enough? You don't know, the whole backstage is happy when he's absent! Song Jinlan is picky and demanding, and he's annoying wherever he goes! Now that he's not coming, you've done a public service!"
"It's just one absence, it can't be that serious, right?" Su Yanxi remained modest, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Thinking about it, it makes sense. I poached his entire team, and now he's all alone. Where can he find prestige or people to vent his anger on? He has nothing, so of course he can only be absent."
"Serves him right!" Zhou Tong clapped his hands in delight. "He's been causing trouble in the industry for days, and finally he's met someone who can teach him a lesson! Seeing him get his comeuppance and admit defeat makes me incredibly happy!"
"That's not enough. One absence isn't enough to quell my anger. I hope he'll miss all events—and never cause trouble in the entertainment industry again." Su Yanxi snorted, then took the opportunity to ask Zhou Tong, "Sister, you spend a lot of time with Song Jinlan, so you should know a lot about him, right? Can you tell me what his private life is like?"
"If his family is just rich, it shouldn't be enough to make him do such evil, right?"
In fact, Su Yanxi could have easily investigated and found out Song Jinlan's background. With his mother-in-law and brother and sister-in-law as his trump cards, what trivial matter in the entertainment industry wouldn't he know?
But Su Yanxi didn't want to trouble her mother-in-law and brother and sister-in-law with something as trivial as Song Jinlan. Asking Zhou Tong, Song Jinlan's former agent, directly was faster than conducting an investigation.
Zhou Tong, who had worked with Song Jinlan for over a year, did indeed know quite a bit about Song Jinlan's private life. Previously, out of professional ethics, she hadn't dared to tell Su Yanxi; but now that she'd been asked about it, she couldn't contain herself.
"Of course, he's not just rich! From what I've observed, although he comes from a well-off family, he's not exactly one of the most outstanding in the entertainment industry, where wealthy people are everywhere."
"His advantage lies in his connections. There are many factions in the entertainment industry, and having connections means you can get ahead and have resources. But as for where his connections came from... I'm not quite sure."
Su Yanxi frowned: "Sister Tong doesn't know either?"
“When I first met him, he already had a lot of connections and resources. That’s why I eventually got to know him and signed a management contract with him – back then, his reputation in the industry wasn’t so bad.”
“When I first started working with him, although he often lost his temper and acted childishly at work, which made things difficult for me, we were generally able to get along. He wouldn’t verbally belittle me or go crazy and curse at me all the time. It was only after he won the Best Actor award that he became more and more irritable, as if he had become a different person.”
Chapter 177
"Was your personality different before and after winning the Best Actor award?" Su Yanxi asked, resting her chin on her hand. "Could it be that you experienced something, suffered a major blow, and that's why...?"
“Definitely.” Zhou Tong suddenly lowered his voice and said directly, “I think he was dumped after being a mistress.”
Su Yanxi was stunned: "Huh?"
“I’m guessing, but I think it’s 90% correct. Although I don’t like to pry into celebrities’ private affairs, I have eyes and ears, and I can observe for myself.”
According to Zhou Tong's recollection, when she first met Song Jinlan, Song Jinlan already had incredible resources and spent money lavishly. At that time, Song Jinlan would often interrupt her work to answer phone calls, chatting and laughing intimately with the people on the other end.
Song Jinlan's so-called "Best Actor" title was most likely obtained for her by the person on the phone—the wealthy man who kept her as his mistress.
"Why do I say Song Jinlan's Best Actor award is questionable? First, Song Jinlan's acting skills are adequate at best, not outstanding or remarkable; second, the script for his film was tailor-made for him! From the selection of material and screenwriting to directing, filming, and post-production editing, everyone had to revolve around him, and there were also supporting actors with mediocre acting skills playing supporting roles in the film. With this combination of factors, how could he not shine?"
Someone with better acting skills than Song Jinlan might not be able to find such a suitable, tailor-made script. Even if they did, the chances of them receiving the same treatment as Song Jinlan are slim.
"It must be his wealthy backer who spent a fortune to commission a niche film for him. After the film is completed, it will first be shown in a limited number of countries abroad, using the niche subject matter to garner a wave of nominations and awards overseas, thus giving it a veneer of prestige. Then, with the added hype, it will be released in mainland China. A film that was originally mediocre, at most a six or seven out of ten, will immediately be hyped up to an eight or nine out of ten after the hype and the veneer of prestige!"
The year Song Jinlan entered the mainland awards competition happened to coincide with several truly deserving Best Actor and Actress winners taking a break from acting, resulting in very few competing works. Thus, Song Jinlan, with three parts talent, three parts luck, and four parts financial resources, secured the Best Actor title for herself.
"The Golden Film Awards that year were pretty much a mixed bag, but the title of 'Best Actor' still carried weight. After winning Best Actor, Song Jinlan should have had even better opportunities, but... afterwards, her career plummeted?"
"Resources have deteriorated, and the cash flow has dried up. One month, we almost couldn't pay salaries, and several employees were threatening to resign."
Although the funding problem was later resolved and some resources returned, things could never return to the explosive growth that Song Jinlan had initially experienced. Song Jinlan's temper also worsened after that.
Su Yanxi initially only frowned slightly, but then her expression turned serious, her brows furrowing tightly: "So something really happened. If we could figure out what happened in the past, it would be very beneficial to us."
It's likely that kind-hearted beauties are especially favored and loved by the heavens. The moment Su Yanxi finished speaking, a soft knock sounded on the lounge door.
"Hello, excuse me. I'm looking for Su Yanxi, an actor from the 'Red Flower' drama crew. Is he here?"
The voice was soft and gentle, and Zhou Tong couldn't make a judgment after listening to it. Su Yanxi, on the other hand, stepped forward to open the door without hesitation, and her face lit up with joy the moment she saw who was outside.
"Zhong Yi, you actually came to see me?"
"Hmm. Didn't you say you wanted to investigate an actor last time? I've collected the information for you and brought it over." Xu Zhongyi handed over the file folder hidden behind his back, exchanging glances with Su Yanxi and Zhou Tong as a greeting.
Zhou Tong nodded politely and smiled at Xu Zhongyi.
"Oh my god, the file folder feels so thick!" Su Yanxi gratefully tugged at Xu Zhongyi's hand. "Thank you for your hard work, Zhongyi. I'll treat you to dinner when we go shopping another day!"
“No need for all that trouble. Just let me know when there are offline events for ‘Red Flower.’ I’m really looking forward to this TV series; the genre is exactly what I love!” Xu Zhongyi pulled Su Yanxi’s hand back. “I just watched your interactive segment from the audience; it was so funny and cute!”
"Oh dear," Su Yanxi pretended to click her tongue, "Is it really cute? I think you're just teasing me on purpose, aren't you? Would you like to come in and sit for a while? I'll pour you a cup of tea."
"No, I have to hurry back. My husband is waiting for me backstage. If I get back late, he'll be worried." Xu Zhongyi came suddenly and left in a hurry. After saying a few words, he waved and was about to leave. "Bye-bye, see you next time."
Watching Xu Zhongyi's slender figure disappear in a hurry, Zhou Tong asked Su Yanxi curiously, "Who was he? He seemed different from ordinary people; he must be someone extraordinary."
Su Yanxi was busy opening the file folder and casually replied, "Zhao's Film Industry and the daughter-in-law of the Zhao family are good friends in the same circle as me."
"Holy crap?" Zhou Tong was stunned. "That film industry tycoon Zhao family? My god, you really are someone else's young mistress, with every single one of your friends being a big shot?"
"You already know people of this caliber, why are you still trying to trick me into telling you anything?"
Zhou Tong was somewhat dissatisfied.
Su Yanxi winked playfully: "You're my former manager, so your information is more direct and accurate."
Zhou Tong was helpless and unable to utter a word in rebuttal when someone knocked on the door again.
She had to swallow back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, and muttered as she got up to open the door: "Damn it, why are so many people coming to visit today?"
This time, it was Song Yanqi who came, completely covered up, as if he were a thief.
Su Yanxi gathered the documents and looked up in confusion: "Xiao Song, why are you wrapped up so tightly?"
"I... I'm afraid someone will see me coming to see you." Once inside the lounge, Song Yanqi took off his thick black trench coat.
"If you're looking for Xiao Chen, you've come at the wrong time. Xiao Chen went to play with his friends and isn't here right now."
Chapter 178
"I'm not looking for Xiaoyan, I'm looking for you." Song Yanqi stood in front of Su Yanxi somewhat awkwardly, glancing weakly at Zhou Tong.
Zhou Tong shrugged and tactfully opened the door to leave: "I'll wait outside. If anything happens, I'll knock four times to let you know."
Su Yanxi hummed in agreement, and after Zhou Tong left, she smiled gently at Song Yanqi and reached out to pat Song Yanqi's head: "What's wrong? You seem to have something on your mind?"
Surprisingly, Song Yanqi's slightly permed curly hair was very soft, and the feel of it was very similar to...
Petting a Maltese?
Su Yanxi, a natural dog lover, felt healed and gave him another pat as she withdrew her hand.
"Um. I wanted to... I wanted to say thank you." Song Yanqi lowered his head more and more as he spoke, like a child in kindergarten who took the initiative to apologize to the teacher. "Yesterday when I tipped you off, you said I 'did a great job'."
"Thank you for saying those words to me, and thank you for saying you 'didn't misjudge' me. Those two simple sentences gave me a lot of motivation and confidence! So thank you for being willing to believe in me, to believe that I still have a conscience and that I am not inherently bad."
"And also, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for all the bad things I did to you before—I'm really sorry!"
The shy and nervous reaction of the younger generation amused Su Yanxi. As a dog lover, he indeed loved seeing large sled dogs that were good at destroying houses and some irritable small dogs looking aggrieved, with their heads drooping and ears hanging down, obediently apologizing and admitting their mistakes.
They're so cute and adorable!
"So you can say sorry too?" Su Yanxi pulled up a chair so Song Yanqi could sit down next to him. "Since you can say sorry, why don't you say 'sorry' to Xiao Chen as well?"
Song Yanqi obediently let her senior pull her to sit down, her eyes darting around: "I...I dare not. I know how much Xiao Chen hates me; even if I apologize to Xiao Chen, he will definitely not forgive me."
Song Yanqi's obedient yet stubborn and single-minded attitude makes Su Yanxi both adorable and want to pet him, but also gives Su Yanxi a headache and makes him difficult to deal with.
He sighed softly and brought up another matter: "Xiao Song, do you know, I've been keeping an eye on the two of you."
"Us? Do you mean me and Xiaoyan?" Song Yanqi still didn't dare to look Su Yanxi in the eye.
Those beautiful eyes were so clear and captivating in a gentle state that Song Yanqi feared that if she looked at them even for a moment, she would be bewitched and reveal all her secrets and worries.
"There's nothing to pay attention to between Xiaoyan and me, is there?"
"Let me say something from the heart, and I hope you don't think I'm 'showing off my love'." Su Yanxi, having been teased by Zhou Tong so much, automatically offered a reminder first, "Yunzong and I have been in love for seven years."
"Seven years?" Song Yanqi's eyes widened involuntarily. "My God, that's a long time! I... Xiaoyan and I haven't spent a single day together. For over four years, I was the one chasing after her—"
"A while ago, Yunzong and I went through the seven-year itch—we might still be going through it now, but things are much better than before. Because of the seven-year itch, I started to have a lot of thoughts and all sorts of random ideas. I started to imagine many things I had never thought of before; and you and Xiao Chen are one of the many scenarios I imagined."
"I think if Yunzong and I hadn't been so close, and hadn't been able to compromise and get along, we would be like you and Xiao Chen now."
Su Yanxi brushed aside the junior's bangs.
"Call me imaginative or nosy, but I have indeed been trying to bring you and Xiao Chen together. I hope that you two, who fit one of my expectations, can be happy; this makes me feel more at ease and more determined."
Su Yanxi's words touched Song Yanqi deeply.
After all, she's a "veteran of love" who's been in a relationship with her husband for seven years! She must be incredibly experienced and see things more clearly than anyone else, right?
With the support of such a powerful senior, Song Yanqi seemed to have regained his confidence!
But……
"But Xiaoyan and I are ultimately different from Yanxi and other young masters. Xiaoyan doesn't like me at all, she even hates me; it's not a matter of lacking fate or getting along, it's a matter of whether we can be together at all."
"If you've already decided that it's impossible for you to be together, then why are you still pursuing Xiao Chen?" Su Yanxi countered. "You're actually still hoping for something, aren't you?"
Song Yanqi remained silent.
Su Yanxi took the little guy's silence as agreement and reached out to tap Song Yanqi's nose with her index finger: "Silly boy, he actually told you the method a long time ago. He wants you to 'exchange sincerity for sincerity'!"
Su Yanxi recounted what she had overheard on the day filming wrapped up, explaining it to Song Yanqi according to her own understanding.
After hearing the senior's textbook-like, top-notch understanding of love, the blockhead Song Yanqi was so shocked that his pupils contracted. He stood up from his chair in disbelief and excitedly grabbed Su Yanxi's hands.
He looked directly into Su Yanxi's eyes with anticipation, as if he were looking at a god—a god of love who would guide him through his confusion and lead him onto the right path of courtship!
"Really? Yanxi-ge, are you serious?" Song Yanqi was so excited he almost cried. "If I sincerely apologize for my mistakes, will Xiaoyan forgive me and be with me?"
“I can’t be sure it’s true either.” Su Yanxi used a combination of gentle persuasion and careful analysis to straighten the younger generation from the crooked path. “But you can try it yourself and see if it’s true.”