I became famous in the entertainment industry by burning incense

Jinli then maintained a stable reading life for a period of time.

She absorbed knowledge diligently at university and didn't join any production teams, so she was able to focus wholeheartedly on her studies.

To accommodate her schedule, the reading session originally scheduled by Director Chu for the afternoon was moved to the evening.

The days passed quietly and uneventfully.

One day, Jinli suddenly received a WeChat message from Jian Liting.

She invited herself to participate in a play.

The play is called "The Abyss," and it's an original anti-corruption drama from a certain city.

Jinli was somewhat surprised when she received this WeChat message.

Because she was studying at Tsinghua or Peking University, people in the industry knew she needed to focus on her studies, so they didn't invite her to any events related to the industry.

When Jian Liting invited her to participate in a play, Jinli subconsciously felt that this was not a simple matter.

The last time she contacted Jian Liting, Jian Liting said that she was being suppressed by her company and could not participate in good events.

Even if the production company approaches her, the company will recommend her to other celebrities.

Currently, she can only make a living by performing in plays.

Perhaps because the possibility of the play becoming a hit is too small, the company doesn't want to push her too far and cause a stalemate, so she and the company have maintained this stalemate.

Based on her previous experience dealing with Jian Liting, Jian Liting is a somewhat proud person. If she hadn't suffered from a mental illness, she would have continued to work as an actress.

Even if I don't achieve massive success, I will strive to maintain a good reputation in the industry and continuously hone my acting skills.

Jinli felt at the time that this was an actor with a strong sense of conviction.

Her facial features also suggest that she is a late bloomer.

Before achieving great success, one will encounter many ups and downs.

But as long as you can get through it, a rainbow will appear after the storm.

Jinli thought for a moment, then sent a message asking: "[Did something happen to you?]"

She did not receive a reply immediately.

An hour later, her phone vibrated. Jinli opened it and saw that Jian Liting had replied.

Her reply was a bit complicated.

Jian Liting: [That message was sent to a group of celebrities in the industry, but I only got a few replies. You were the only one who asked if something had happened. All the other replies were rejections.]

My feelings are a bit complicated. I feel that after so many years in the entertainment industry, I am still all alone, lonely and helpless, without even a single friend.

Those people I used to consider friends now avoid me like the plague.

Chien Li-ting: [But I really had no other choice. The reason I sent this WeChat message to the group was not to test the extent of my relationship with those celebrities, but to ask for help.]

Chien Li-ting: [It seems like someone in the industry doesn't like me and is deliberately targeting me, making it impossible for me to get roles in popular and best-selling stage plays.]

I haven't worked for two months, and if I don't perform in a play soon, I won't be able to support myself.

That's why I sent out a mass WeChat message with a try-it-and-see attitude, hoping to get help from one or two people to join this play and revive it...

Jian Liting explained the cause of the matter very clearly, and Jinli could sense the self-mockery and despair beneath her extremely restrained words.

She couldn't help but recall Jian Liting's previous appearance, noting the faint vertical line between her eyebrows.

At the time, she felt that if the vertical line continued to deepen, it would affect her career and even force her to give up and stop pursuing acting.

However, the vertical lines we saw at the time were very shallow, which only represented one possibility, and it was highly unlikely that it would happen.

So she didn't take it seriously.

Now, hearing what Jian Liting said, the vertical line between her eyebrows seems to have deepened considerably.

Jinli made a voice call directly.

Jian Liting answered the call quickly.

Jinli said calmly, "Don't rush, tell me the specific reasons. Who do you think you offended? You should have someone in mind who you suspect."

And how did that person target you? What about your company? Did they really do nothing? Did you seek help from your company?

A bitter smile crossed Jian Liting's face.

She wouldn't ask Jinli for help unless it was absolutely necessary.

She sent a mass message to many celebrities, having already put aside all pride and face, in order to find a way out.

"The person I offended was probably a newcomer that the company was heavily promoting. She had only been in the industry for a year, but she was very popular and had some acting skills."

Her first idol drama was a minor hit, and the company gave her all my resources. She filmed at least three dramas a year, so she didn't have to worry about not having any roles to play.

I don't know how I offended her. For the past year, she's been targeting me in every way. Later, she even tried to sabotage the play I was supposed to be in, and even tried to bribe people to stop inviting me to act.

Jian Liting took a deep breath, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes.

“I brought this up with my agent, but she just told me to bear with it.”

When I complained to other senior executives in the company, they didn't take it seriously. Instead, they told me that the person was young and didn't know any better, and that I was a senior figure in the industry and shouldn't bother with a newcomer.

Sending this group WeChat message is my last act of defiance. If no one responds, I'm going to fight the company to the bitter end!

Jinli raised an eyebrow, her boldness in love and hate reminiscent of Jian Liting's style.

She had always believed that Jian Liting had a wild streak deep down, but it was usually suppressed.

If she really followed the company's arrangements, she wouldn't have insisted on publishing a book and writing about her previous treatment experience.

They certainly wouldn't be indifferent to their past and reopen old wounds in front of everyone.

She was supposed to be a carefully crafted puppet of the company, with her every move monitored.

Jinli pondered for a moment and then said, "I understand. Now I just want to ask you one thing: do you still enjoy acting? Do you want to continue in this field?"

Jian Liting paused for a moment, then nodded firmly.

"I love acting, and I want to continue acting. It's a career I'll love for my whole life. Even if I stray from it along the way, I believe I'll come back someday!"

Jinli couldn't help but smile.

Her smile was bright and radiant, like a ray of warm winter sun breaking through the long-standing gloom and illuminating the earth.

She suddenly brought up another matter, "Liting, actually, the first time I met you, I thought I had a strong connection with you."

Jian Liting looked completely bewildered. "What?"

Jinli got back to the main topic: "When is your play scheduled to be performed? Let me see if I'm available."

Jian Liting was still a little taken aback.

After a long pause, she finally said, "You...you've agreed?"

Jinli said calmly, "I need to confirm the time first, otherwise I might not be able to make the arrangements."

Jian Liting's breathing quickened, a flush spread across her face, and she clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with elation.

She succeeded! She finally met someone willing to lend her a hand!
At this moment, she suddenly remembered the situation a few years ago, when Jinli had helped her when she was at her lowest point.

Regarding the timing, Jian Liting couldn't confirm yet, but she assured Jinli that she would definitely choose the time when Jinli was most available.

As long as Jinli is willing to join this play, there's no need to worry about it being canceled. It will definitely be able to be performed smoothly, and it might even become a hit.

Jinli also received the script for the play "The Abyss" on the same day.

After reading it, she breathed a long sigh of relief.

This play presents the complexities and greed deep within human nature to the audience without reservation, and through the main characters' path to depravity, warns of the danger of losing sight of "small details".

Because the play involves real-life events, it needs to be reviewed by relevant departments before it can be performed publicly.

Chien Li-ting must have put in a lot of effort to get this play.

Her carefully selected plays are also very effective in stirring the emotions of the audience.

These are essential elements for a hit stage play.
-
When Sui Lingfang called her to tell her about her work arrangements for the weekend, Jinli told her about taking on the play.

Fangjie was stunned for a moment, then asked in bewilderment, "A stage play? Why did you decide to take on a stage play? I remember you weren't interested in stage plays."

Jinli said calmly, "Because I hadn't looked into it in detail before, it wasn't very appealing to me."

But after learning more about it recently, I feel that stage plays are quite interesting, so I plan to take on this role to hone my skills.

Sui Lingfang casually said, "Sure, if you're interested, give it a try. Send me a copy of the production team and cast list for the play you're taking on, and I'll have my team investigate."

Jinli: "Uh..."

Seeing her so hesitant and stammering, Sui Lingfang immediately became alert.

"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient to talk about it? What kind of play did you accept?"

Jinli blinked innocently, "It's a very serious play. The script is absolutely fine. It's just that the production team and other actors are still in the preparation stage. The actors we know so far are me and Jian Liting."

Sui Lingfang: ...

"I thought you were genuinely interested in theater, and I even wanted to help you pick out some excellent scripts so you could hone your acting skills. Turns out you were just there to help the poor?"

Jinli: "Uh..."

Sui Lingfang has a strong impression of "Jian Liting".

After all, I had met this actor before when I was working on the TV series "Assassination".

She felt quite sorry for Jian Liting after learning about her illness.

She recovered from her illness, but for some reason, Jian Liting's company has been suppressing her and preventing her from gaining exposure. In the last two years, she has become virtually unknown.

If Jinli hadn't mentioned that name, the actor might have been completely forgotten by her after a while.

Now, as soon as Jinli mentions it, she remembers everything.

Sui Lingfang said seriously, "Jinli, our influence in the entertainment industry is limited. It's good enough if we can take care of ourselves. It's difficult to help others every time."

I'm worried that if you help her, you'll get into other trouble, and she might not even appreciate it.

Sui Lingfang's thoughts were even more straightforward, but she didn't say them aloud.

She thought to herself, "Jian Liting isn't an artist under Chenxi Entertainment, so why should she help artists from other companies?"
If Jinli is to help, then the company would have to acquire Jian Liting to make it a worthwhile deal.

This actor is quite good at acting, but he has a very bad relationship with his company and is quite unlucky. He is the type of person whose talents are not recognized.

Besides, the saying "Everyone sweeps the snow from their own doorstep and doesn't care about the frost on someone else's roof" is so common.

You can't help just anyone. We're not the world's police; we have to maintain peace in the entertainment industry.

Jinli understood Fangjie's underlying meaning.

She thought for a moment and said, "I remember that Jian Liting's contract with her former company will end next year. Do you want to talk to her about it beforehand?"

This was said very cryptically, almost explicitly stating the words "poaching".

Sui Lingfang was somewhat tempted.

In her opinion, Chien Li-ting is a top-tier artist with real talent. Who would complain about having too many top-tier artists on hand?

Top-tier celebrities usually have no shortage of gigs and a good reputation, so their agents can get a stable commission every month.

Sui Lingfang quickly made a decision: "Send me the script first, and I'll contact Jian Liting at some time to see what she thinks."
-
After hanging up the call with Sister Fang, Jinli habitually opened WeChat and posted on her Moments.

Suddenly, she came across an urgent notice sent by director Zheng Chengxin.

The production team of "Desperate Counterattack" is urgently recruiting for the fourth female lead (the original actress withdrew from the production due to health reasons). Interested parties please contact us privately! Referrals of actors with available time are welcome and will receive a generous referral fee! For details, please call 135XXX, address: XXX Film City.

Upon seeing this post on her WeChat Moments, she immediately took a screenshot and sent it to Jian Liting.

Jian Liting first replied with a question mark, and then quickly sent a voice message.

She asked with concern, "Can I do it? I'm afraid the company will interfere and give the opportunity I worked so hard for to that rising star in the company."

Jinli replied in voice message: "Go and try it out first, Director Zheng may not hire you."

"If he hires you, your company won't dare say anything. He's a well-known director in China, after all. Your company would be too busy supporting him to dare go against him."

With a firm decision in mind, Jian Liting dialed the number in the screenshot.

When Director Zheng heard it was her, a scene flashed through his mind.

"I remember you. You acted in a period drama before. Although the results were average, your performance earned you a nomination for Best Actress that year."

Tears welled up in Jian Liting's eyes. "Yes, yes, it's the TV series 'The Road Home'."

In fact, this drama was a highlight of her acting career, earning her a nomination for "Best Actress" that year.

Unfortunately, talent couldn't compete with capital, and the "Best Actress" award that year was ultimately won by someone favored by capital.

Jian Liting was surprised that Director Zheng still remembered her.

Director Zheng then remembered more things about Jian Liting.

A few years ago, she was a promising first-tier actress. Although none of the dramas she starred in became huge hits, they all received good reviews. She was considered a very stable artist in the industry, and you wouldn't go wrong using her.

I don't know why, but she's been quiet for the past two years, and I haven't heard from her since.

Director Zheng quickly said, "I need you to come to the set today for an audition. If you can, we need to start filming today."

Jian Liting's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was one of the few opportunities she could seize.

She also said frankly, "I'll fly there right now, but Director Zheng, my company might not agree to let me take on this role."

Director Zheng frowned: "What do you mean? If you're not going to answer, why did you call me in the first place?"

"No, no, no, you've misunderstood."

Chien Li-ting quickly explained, "It's not that I'm unwilling to accept the role, but the company won't let me. They don't want me to accept it. If they knew I had your resources, they might contact you and recommend my role to other actors in the company."

Zheng Chengxin's brows relaxed, and he said firmly and decisively, "You don't need to worry about this. I'll talk to your company. You should come over here right away."

"Okay, Director Zheng!"

Jian Liting replied quickly, feeling her palms sweat profusely as she gripped the phone. (End of Chapter)