Chapter 66

Li Yao waited for her response, but she remained silent, so Li Yao quickly changed the subject when the waiter knocked on the door and entered the room.

"Forget about that for now, let's eat! I'm hungry too."

The food was prepared by professional chefs and the ingredients were of high quality, so the taste was not bad. Qin Wei focused on eating and could only occasionally hear casual conversations between Li Yao and Xu Mingchuan.

After they finished eating, Li Yao turned to Qin Wei and said, "Do you remember the first time we had Western food together?"

Qin Wei didn't answer.

"Forget it, you can't remember many things. Let me tell you! It was when you were sixteen years old, and it was the first time you received payment for your acting."

Li Yao said to her, "It wasn't a breakthrough role, but a supporting role in a low-budget TV drama. Everyone thought you would start as the female lead and entered the production with financial backing... No, you started as the supporting actress with no assistant, and I, who had just entered the industry, accompanied you.

We had to shoot an underwater scene for the role, and you even got slapped by the female lead. We worked tirelessly for a week without much rest, only sleeping in the car or during makeup sessions. We had to memorize lines while waiting on set. The role wasn't significant, but it was tough. When you received your payment, you treated me to a Western meal. I said back then that we would get better and better.

Eventually, you had fewer scenes in that drama, but luckily, a famous director noticed you and cast you as the second female lead in his new drama, with a fairy-like character. It became a huge success.

Qin Wei, when everyone said you became famous overnight, I knew how hard you had worked..."

Perhaps due to the effect of alcohol, Li Yao rambled on about the past, and Qin Wei listened with mixed emotions. She realized that Qin Wei wasn't naturally lucky either and had worked hard for her dreams. What about herself?

She couldn't help but think about her experiences in her previous life. Had she not worked hard enough in her previous life?

"Qin Wei, think about it carefully," Xu Mingchuan said to her. She looked up at him, and he remained sober despite not drinking.

Qin Wei still didn't answer.

Was her decision already made?

Xu Mingchuan didn't know, so he could only force a smile and say, "Although we've known each other for many years, we've never worked together. If possible, I hope you can give me a chance. There will be a large-scale talent show recording in a while, jointly organized by several companies with excellent resources. I'm working hard to secure opportunities for you... Since emotions can't sway you, let's talk business.

I heard from Li Yao that you want to go back to school, and I think it's a good idea. Education is crucial for your future choices. There's still plenty of time before the next semester starts, and it takes time for the school procedures to be completed and approved. During this period, it's enough to participate in the recording of this variety show as a summer job before school starts. I can offer you compensation that will only increase, not decrease."

Although she still didn't speak, Qin Wei lowered her head, pursed her lips, and thought hard. Xu Mingchuan could sense that she was starting to be tempted.

Seizing the opportunity, Xu Mingchuan continued his persuasion, "The villa you're currently living in is rented. I'm already in contact with the landlord and plan to buy it. As long as you're willing to cooperate with me, the house will be yours."

Qin Wei looked at him skeptically and guarded, asking, "What are you trying to gain from this, Mr. Xu?"

She may have misunderstood...

Xu Mingchuan hurriedly explained,

"It's all for profit. I'm not doing charity either. If you participate in the competition, we will sign a contract. Through you, I will also make money. You should know that Anxing Entertainment is just a small business of the Xu Group... I won't go into detail about the rest. If I were you, I would seriously consider this summer job."

It was getting late, and Li Yao had drunk too much. To avoid suspicion, Xu Mingchuan called separate cars to send them home, and he waited for another half an hour before leaving himself.

...

Qin Wei went home and couldn't sleep all night, pondering over it. Honestly, she couldn't help but be tempted by such a huge benefit. One could say she was intensely tempted.

After all, who doesn't like money?

What she feared were the various unsavory practices in this industry, the hidden rules, the internal strife, the public pressure, the distortion of truth, and so on.

But if it was just a part-time job for the summer, she could consider it.

Moreover, the other party showed sincere intentions, and she had a lifetime ahead of her. No matter what she did in the future, she would need money. If she could earn money while avoiding risks, she wouldn't reject it either.

Qin Wei called Li Yao, and he took a long time to answer.

"Li Yao, come over quickly. Let's talk about the competition."

"Little ancestor, I have a headache... Competition? You're actually planning to compete?"

"If you don't come, I'll find another manager. You can go back to sleep."

Qin Wei was about to hang up the phone when she heard him urgently say,

"No, no, no! Ancestor! You're my true ancestor..."

Beep, beep, beep... In less than half an hour, Li Yao took a taxi and arrived. Since he had a spare key, he opened the door himself. When he saw that Qin Wei was still there, he sat on the floor and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Qin Wei glanced at him and went to the fridge to get him a bottle of sparkling water.

Qin Wei unscrewed the water and handed it to him, then asked somewhat sadly,

"Am I so heartless in your eyes? Did you actually believe it?"

Li Yao took the water, took two sips, and felt a bit relieved as the burning sensation in his throat eased. After catching his breath, he said to Qin Wei,

"Trust, why wouldn't I trust? We've been cooperating from the beginning, and we've come this far relying on trust all these years. Even if you say Steve Jobs has come back to life, I'll go find him right now to buy you a couple of iPhones."

"I actually need a new phone. Go buy one for me now."

Saying that, Qin Wei also took a bottle of water for herself.

"Let's talk about business first. What exactly did President Xu say about the competition?"

Li Yao was surprised that she showed interest. Just last night, her attitude was firm, and she didn't want to participate in any programs at all.

Li Yao restrained his curiosity for now and said to her,

"It's probably a talent show for female artists who have already debuted and gained some popularity."

Qin Wei had never heard of such a talent show before. Previously, they were all for trainees, giving them a chance to debut.

Qin Wei sat down and expressed her confusion, "You said this kind of talent show is for female artists who have already debuted. Why are they still being selected? I don't quite understand."

By now, Li Yao had recovered. He got up, walked over, and sat on the sofa, saying to her,

"It's simple. As the industry competition becomes increasingly fierce, nurturing new talent carries risks and requires a lot of effort. Established artists have the skills and a fan base; they only lack a platform or luck."

Upon hearing this, Qin Wei understood.

Their thoughts were correct. These female artists who have already debuted have stood the test of time. They started as newcomers, accumulated popularity, and eventually created their own works. They are the genuine talents who have emerged from the crucible.

Qin Wei said, "So, the goal is to become popular?"

Li Yao applauded her with admiration, saying, ""Well done, my artist. You're clever."

Qin Wei then asked him, "What is the content of the competition? Acting skills or something else?"

Instead of answering, Li Yao asked her, "Do you know about girl groups in China and abroad?"