I became famous in the entertainment industry by burning incense

The news about Chien Li-ting had been trending on social media for several days, but it has finally come to an end.

The online buzz was overshadowed by new topics, but some netizens, including Jian Liting's fans, remained interested in what would happen next.

One day, the fan club suddenly revealed:

Chien Li-ting has reached an agreement with the company that she will take a break after filming Director Zheng's film and continue to focus on stage performance.

In the second half of the year, she is very likely to collaborate with a popular celebrity on a stage play. Stay tuned!

The netizens who follow Jian Liting's fan club are all long-time fans who have been following Jian Liting for several years and have always been concerned about her career development.

Seeing that the president of the fan club seemed to have exclusive information, many people left messages to inquire.

Director Zheng's film is adapted from a very popular original work, and Jian Liting's role in it will definitely bring her a lot of exposure after the film's release.

Shouldn't her company strike while the iron is hot and quickly get her more film and television roles, so that when the movie is released, there will be other shows to follow, further solidifying her popularity?

Why do you want to act in plays? I'm not very interested in plays, and the threshold for appreciating them is quite high.

[Who is the popular star she's working with? Could it be Jin Li? I heard that Li Ting got this movie role because of Jin Li's recommendation.]

Fans left many questions in the comments, but the president of the fan club only cared about revealing information and then never went online again.

She will only go online and announce it when Jian Liting has new revelations.

In real life, Chien Li-ting did indeed resolve the dispute with her company regarding her role in the film.

The solution was proposed by Chenxi Entertainment.

Although Jian Liting had already signed a letter of intent with Chenxi Entertainment, she had not yet terminated the contract, so Sui Lingfang could not represent her. However, she provided Jian Liting with an efficient solution.

Sui Lingfang believes that avoidance is not a good approach.

Don't think that running away is shameful, it's useful.

In real life, some things can be delayed, but some things cannot.

Especially regarding the contract, everything is written very clearly in black and white.

If she continues to drag this out, her company might take legal action, which would also implicate Director Zheng.

Even though Director Zheng doesn't seem afraid of their lawsuit now, it will eventually become a minor stain on the "Desperate Counterattack" production team.

Sui Lingfang bluntly said, "Since Director Zheng has given you the opportunity to act, I think you'd better not repay kindness with enmity, and resolve your issues with the company as soon as possible."

"After all, you're not an artist under Director Zheng's management, so his influence is limited and he can't fully represent your stance."

A bitter smile crossed Jian Liting's face. "Sister Fang, I am very grateful that you came to the film crew in person to find me, sign a letter of intent with me, and were willing to offer me a solution."

To be honest with you, I can't reach an agreement with the company.

They want me to leave the "Desperate Counterattack" production team, but I haven't told them yet. I haven't signed a performance contract; I've been helping out on set without pay.

Sui Lingfang pondered for a moment and nodded slightly: "Your method is acceptable, but it can only provide temporary relief and will not ultimately solve the problem."

After all, your contributions to the production were real, and even without a contract, you can still sue to recover your payment later.

She paused deliberately at this point, "Can I understand why your company doesn't promote you, but instead promotes other newcomers?"

She didn't believe that Jane Liting was unaware of the problem; she just guessed that Jane had no intention of changing it, which was why the company had completely abandoned her.

Jian Liqin remained silent for a while before telling her her thoughts after recovering.

Then the company objected, and eventually the company completely banned all her film contracts, and even commercial advertisements were not allowed to be accepted.

After listening, Sui Lingfang looked at her with a hint of disappointment: "Are you stupid? You clearly have a better solution, why do you have to choose a lose-lose method?"

If you want to publish a book, then go ahead and publish it secretly. Focus on both your film and television career and your business ventures. Once you've signed a bunch of contracts, if you don't film, you'll have to pay huge breach of contract fees. What can your company do to you then?
But you rushed to say you wanted to publish a book right after you recovered.

"Back then, your work hadn't resumed, and you'd been out of the spotlight for a year or two. If the company didn't make an example of you then, when would they?"

Jian Liting listened in a daze.

She never expected that Sui Lingfang would analyze things in this way, and she never expected that while expressing her own thoughts, she could also take another path.

According to Sui Lingfang, the company certainly didn't want to pay an exorbitant breach of contract fee, so they had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

They might even go to great lengths to handle the public relations after her book is published.

But now, she has embarked on a path of being completely blacklisted by the company.

Jian Liting was filled with remorse and wanted to slap her head hard!

Sui Lingfang noticed that something was wrong with her expression, so she quickly stopped her, hugged her in her arms, and gently patted her shoulder.

"I was exaggerating. Don't be too sad. The method I mentioned is just one of the best paths, but it's not easy to implement. It's just a hypothetical scenario."

Your agent seems to know your whereabouts very well. She might have found out as soon as you contacted the publisher in the early stages of the book's release.

If she finds out, she'll definitely try everything to cut off your schedule and minimize any negative impact, so don't be too upset.

After comforting Jian Liting, Sui Lingfang said calmly and sharply, "Besides, even now, you're not completely without options."

Jian Liting stared blankly at her, then sobbed softly, "They've taken everything from me. I only have less than three million left in my bank account. What can I do? I can't do anything with this little money!"

Sui Lingfang's voice came from beside my ear: "Since you're already filming in Director Zheng's crew, why not take advantage of Director Zheng's influence and call the company directly to negotiate, using Director Zheng to threaten them!"
It's common for people to borrow someone else's power; there's nothing to be ashamed of. I believe Director Zheng would be happy to have you use his influence.

Look, you've been trending on social media for so long, but your company hasn't launched a massive campaign to smear you. They're wary of Director Zheng.

After all, he's a big-name director in the film industry. If you offend him, your company's artists can forget about ever getting a piece of the film pie again.

Jian Liting looked at her with teary eyes, "But I was only playing the fourth female lead in the crew (she didn't know the role had been changed). If it weren't for Director Zheng's intervention, I probably wouldn't have been able to stay in the crew."

How can I explain myself so they'll believe that Director Zheng will protect me to the end?

Sui Lingfang glanced at her, focusing on her delicate features.

The entertainment industry is never short of beauties; countless beauties have different styles and charms.

Chien Li-ting was able to rise to the top tier of celebrities through her own hard work, and her beauty is also undeniable.

After all, given the size of her company, it would be quite difficult for her to spend money to build relationships.

Jane Li-ting's features are striking, reminiscent of a Hong Kong-style beauty with a touch of the past.

Just by standing there, you can tell she has a story to tell.

If she were to film some retro or nostalgic movies, her face alone would probably be enough to make her a sensation.

Sui Lingfang said thoughtfully, "I have an excuse—no, a reason—that I think your company will accept." Jian Liting asked blankly, "What?"

Sui Lingfang: "You told your company that you were dating Director Zheng and that you were his girlfriend, which is why he decided to let you play the fourth female lead in the film 'Desperate Counterattack'."

What's wrong with letting your girlfriend star in your movie? Isn't that perfectly normal?
You can act a little arrogant and fearless, so as not to arouse their suspicion. After all, they don't know whether Director Zheng released so many revelations and created so much buzz for you because he really admires your acting skills or because he's interested in you.

After you hit them with a stick, give them a sweet treat.

Tell them that Director Zheng knows your contract hasn't expired yet and won't be terminated until next year, so he's only letting you film this one movie. He'll promote you further after your contract expires.

Jian Liting frowned, her face full of disapproval. "No, I don't want to do that. It will affect his reputation. Director Zheng has been very good to me. I can't repay kindness with enmity."

Sui Lingfang shook her head: "I'm just being blunt with you, but you don't have to be so blunt when you express yourself to them."

Don't say you're Director Zheng's girlfriend. Just tell them you have a good relationship with him and are a female friend he gets along well with. Use a slightly ambiguous tone.

You've acted in so many dramas, you must have had some ambiguous scenes with other male actors, right? Just talk about that ambiguous feeling.

Seeing that Jian Liting was hesitant and unable to make up her mind, Sui Lingfang's tone became slightly harsher.

"Liting, there are so many rumors, both true and false, in the entertainment industry. Why don't you take advantage of Director Zheng's influence?"

You haven't personally acknowledged your relationship with him, and whether your company believes it or not is another matter.

"Once your contract expires next year, you can release some subtle information to let them know that you and Director Zheng have broken up, right?"

Sui Lingfang had only initially proposed an idea, but the more she talked about it, the more feasible it seemed.

This will not only quickly resolve the current problem, but also prevent Jian Liting from being subjected to further severe suppression by the company.

Maybe when the time comes to terminate the contract, it can be done smoothly and without any trouble.

"Besides, if you feel sorry for Director Zheng, when you become famous in the future, you can voluntarily lower your salary, or act in his movies for free like you are now. He would be overjoyed."

As for scandals? Please, which director doesn't have scandals with actresses while filming? Not to mention someone like you who just came in to save the day.

To those in the know, you came to save the day. But to outsiders, you were clearly a resource-backed star who squeezed out the original actors and parachuted into the production.

People will definitely suspect that you have a relationship with the director or one of the investors who invested in this film.

If you're still not comfortable with that, you can also have entertainment reporters simultaneously release news that you've been noticed by an investor, creating multiple smokescreens.

This way, your company, based on speculation, will have to believe that you have someone backing you, that you're being protected, and they won't suppress you too much.

Jian Liting was silent for a moment: "You make it sound so easy, but it's actually very difficult to do. Getting them to believe that I have someone backing me is even more difficult."

A resolute glint flashed in her eyes. "Sister Fang, I know you're doing this for my own good, and I know your suggestion can solve my current predicament, but I don't want to keep lying to you anymore."

I'd like to use your method, but I want to discuss it with Director Zheng beforehand. As I said before, I can't repay kindness with enmity.

I will only do this if Director Zheng agrees; if he doesn't, I will find another way to resolve the issue.

Sui Lingfang gave her a deep look, gaining a preliminary understanding of Jian Liting's character.

"Do you know how high the probability is that Director Zheng will agree after he finds out about this? It's very difficult, extremely difficult."

Liting's straightforward and blunt personality in the entertainment industry makes her prone to being taken advantage of and suffering hardships.

Jian Liting forced a smile and said with a bitter laugh, "I know I've been suffering from my own temper, but I don't want to cause any harm to those who have helped me."

Sui Lingfang thought for a moment and said, "Okay, you can tell Director Zheng about this if you want."

Jian Liting's eyes lit up. "I thought you would completely reject me!"

Sui Lingfang smiled and said, "It seems that you can now get an impression of Chenxi Entertainment's style. Compared to the plans made by agents, Chenxi Entertainment pays more attention to the artists' ideas and strives for win-win cooperation with the artists, rather than turning the artists into puppets."

Only in this way will the artist have no complaints, whether they swallow the bitter fruit of their own actions or ultimately achieve success.

Sui Lingfang spoke these words with a calm heart.

In fact, she was not surprised by Jian Liting's choice.

If Chien Li-ting were more tactful, she wouldn't be in this predicament now.

If it were a more tactful artist, there would be many ways to ensure that the company wouldn't give up on her while still allowing her to express her personality within certain limits.

As a top-tier artist, how could the company treat him to this extent...?

This shows that she is not a scheming person.

As the outside world describes her, she is an honest, hardworking, and conscientious actress.

Sui Lingfang changed the subject: "But I have a condition. I'll tell Director Zheng, and you mustn't mention it."

Jian Liting hesitated for a moment.

Sui Lingfang smiled calmly: "I didn't want you to talk to Director Zheng because you're really not good at talking. What if Director Zheng actually thinks you're interested in him and then rejects you?"

"Don't worry, since I've chosen to talk to Director Zheng, I'll make sure all the pros and cons are discussed clearly. He'll understand."

Jian Liting finally nodded.

That evening, after filming the night scene, Sui Lingfang found Zheng Chengxin and got straight to the point:
"I have a solution that will solve Jian Liting's company problems once and for all, and also prevent her company from pursuing any responsibility against your production team."

"Also, if your film is released next year, and if Jian Li is still under contract with her current company, she can be present on set to help with promotion."

Director Zheng asked with interest, "Tell me about it."

Sui Lingfang explained her method of "pretending to be in a relationship to create a smokescreen and mislead people."

Zheng Chengxin thought for a while and said, "Your plan is interesting, but there is a difficulty."

With my influence in the industry, I might not be able to make her company so wary.

I'm just a filmmaker. The Chinese film industry isn't my personal fiefdom. Even if I can blacklist an artist from that company, I can still use other directors of equal standing.

And not to mention, what I say might not work for other directors.

Sui Lingfang smiled mysteriously: "That's true, but what if we add Jinli to the mix? You know that once Jinli opens her mouth, investors all submit!"
If Jinli disapproves of the films and TV series that her company's artists are cast in, and then spreads this information through someone with ulterior motives, what do you think will happen to her company?

Zheng Chengxin gave Sui Lingfang a deep look and exclaimed, "Brilliant!"

"Your methods are too clever!"

The end of the universe is metaphysics; let metaphysics defeat psychology.

—A decisive blow! (End of Chapter)