How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 6 You Be a Naan

Normal negotiations are all zero-sum games.

First, use coercion (show strength/boast), then use enticement (propose conditions/make empty promises). The ultimate goal is to control and exploit the other party's value so that you can win.

However, Wang Yao prefers to use a different approach in negotiations.

It means letting the other party win so that you can profit.

Only by making the other party feel like they've won can you change their fixed mindset and stance, and gradually guide them toward your own goals.

There's no need for the east wind to suppress the west wind; what's more important is figuring out how to make the wind blow.

Tianhuo Media is backed by Meishe Company, which is not only a leading company in the modeling industry but also the closest to the entertainment industry. For Nazha and her daughter, such a company is undoubtedly a step up.

However, despite this seemingly high-status situation, Nazha's mother still did not agree to sign the contract and even showed some resistance. This can only mean that the other party has clearly refused to cooperate, and no amount of coercion or enticement will work.

In this situation, what Wang Yao needs to do is break down barriers, amplify the other party's concerns, and then offer reasonable suggestions and solutions.

"Mr. He must have already introduced our company to you yesterday, so I won't go into details. Our company is not a traditional model agency; we are a planning and packaging company. We tailor our services to each client's specific needs."

"We need to develop different career paths and areas. For example, the company can't just let Ms. Nazha follow the modeling route; that would be a waste. At the very least, she should enter the entertainment industry like Sister Li Ai," Wang Yao said methodically.

“The entertainment industry? That must be even more complicated,” Nazha’s mother frowned.

Naza, however, seemed to have been triggered by a keyword, snapping out of her daze, her beautiful eyes shining as she stared intently at Wang Yao.

Children who benefit from their appearance from a young age often have an inexplicable yearning and confidence in the world of fame and fortune, feeling that they were born to be the center of attention and the focus of everyone's gaze.

"It's simple in some ways, and complicated in others." Wang Yao smiled. "Actually, being a celebrity boils down to one word."

"What?" Naza blurted out curiously.

"Money," Wang Yao said with a light laugh.

"Huh?" Naza blinked.

Naza's mother frowned and fell into deep thought.

This child speaks too sharply.

"If you have money, everything becomes simple; if you don't have money, things become complicated," Wang Yao continued.

"The role of a talent agency is to categorize and price talented and ambitious people as commodities for sale. So, the question you need to consider is very simple. If the goal is money, then it's very simple. But if it's a dream, then it's complicated."

“This girl’s dream since she was little has been to dance. Unfortunately, she’s not very talented. We didn’t expect her to become a big star and make a lot of money. We just wanted her to be able to do what she loves peacefully. But now that you mention it, this path doesn’t seem to be suitable for an ordinary family like ours,” Nazha’s mother sighed.

Naza hesitated, blinking her big eyes and looking at Wang Yao pitifully.

“Auntie is right, but there’s more than one path in life, and no one knows if it’s suitable until they’ve walked it. You only know if the shoes fit after you’ve worn them,” Wang Yao said with a light laugh.

“Boys can take risks and try new things, but it’s too risky for girls,” Nazha’s mother said, frowning.

Naza's eyes instantly dimmed.

"Auntie, why don't you listen to my opinion?" Wang Yao said with a smile.

“Okay, go ahead,” said Naza’s mother.

"No matter which path you choose, a diploma is the most important stepping stone." Wang Yao picked up a chopstick. "Nazha has excellent qualifications, and with her status in northern Xinjiang, she can try applying to art colleges in China. It's January now, so although it's a bit tight, there's still time for art exams."

沪戏报名截止是26号，30号艺考，中戏报名截止是2月10号2月12号艺考，京电报名截止2月16号，2月28号艺考。”

"Is it too late? Although she passed the provincial joint entrance exam, her academic performance is really poor. I'm worried she won't get into a good school or major, so I thought I'd come out to see what's going on." Nazha's mother was tempted by this, because Nazha is only a senior in high school. The most important thing is not what path she chooses, but that she can get into a decent university. As for what path she should choose in the future, four years of university is enough time to consider it.

Wang Yao's suggestion directly addressed her needs.

“Given Naza’s qualifications, once she passes the art exam, there are many ways to handle the rest. Of course, this will require money,” Wang Yao said with a smile.

"Mom, I'm doing okay in my studies," Naza said in a muffled voice, sounding both timid and anxious.

"Shut up." Nazha's mother glared at her, then turned and asked, "Can your company do that?"

"Auntie, don't worry, let me explain the second step. Signing with a talent agency is like handing over the initiative in your career development, because the company needs to invest in training new talent, and these costs will be converted into debt."
However, without signing with the company, it's extremely difficult for ordinary people like us outsiders to get by, so signing is definitely necessary, but we can actually decide for ourselves how to sign.

Our company's expertise lies in modeling, so we can have Nazha sign a contract solely for her modeling career. This way, she can gain experience while ensuring a certain income. A three-year contract would be ideal, allowing her to terminate it after graduating from university, thus avoiding any impact on her future development.

"You can do it like this?" Naza's mother's eyes lit up. The reason she didn't want Naza to sign a contract so early was that she knew very well that everyone in the world of fame and fortune was driven by profit, and she didn't want her daughter to become a commodity with a price tag.

However, if Wang Yao's plan can be followed, then nothing will be delayed. His daughter can use her modeling experience to see if this is the life she wants, while still being able to go to school and make other plans after graduation.

Even if the contract is terminated, it doesn't matter. At worst, I won't be a model anymore. Anyway, my daughter doesn't have the talent to be a model.

From any perspective, Wang Yao's suggestion is flawless; it can almost be described as considering the issue entirely from Nazha's point of view.

This kind of cooperation is far more acceptable to her than the empty promises and grandiose rhetoric He Ming made yesterday.

At the same time, she became increasingly satisfied with Wang Yao. The fact that he could offer such a suggestion and consider everything so comprehensively showed that this child was truly reliable.

If this were my son, I would have so much less to worry about.

Nazha's mother looked at Nazha with a hint of disdain.

Naza didn't quite understand what Wang Yao was saying, but she could sense that her mother's attitude was wavering. In fact, her mother had already verbally rejected her path of becoming a model and a star last night.

I'm here today to take model photos, purely to give Li Ai face and to establish a good relationship.

But unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better!
Even a stubborn person like my mother could be persuaded!
This brother is amazing!

Naza's eyes were filled with admiration at that moment, and she felt that Wang Yao was radiating colorful bubbles.

“But there’s a problem. Besides being invited by Ms. Li Ai to participate in the variety show, the main reason we’re visiting is for the opportunity to star in a movie. Mr. He promised yesterday that if we sign a contract, he would help Nazha with some planning.” Nazha’s mother suddenly remembered something.

"Film casting?" Wang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly.

He Ming did not disclose this important information.

“It’s casting for director Lu Chuan’s movie ‘The Last Supper.’ Lu Chuan is from our northern Xinjiang region. This news has spread in Urumqi, and many children from northern Xinjiang want to try. If we only sign modeling contracts, won’t this be difficult to handle?” Nazha’s mother frowned.

The King's Feast?
Upon hearing the name, Wang Yao was momentarily stunned, then recalled some unverifiable information he had collected while writing entertainment articles in his previous life.

I won't say much about Lu Chuan; regardless of where he stands, "749 Bureau" and "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe" say it all.

The movie "The Last Supper" was mediocre and unremarkable. The only thing that was later praised was the casting of Yu Ji. Among a group of promising actresses such as Gulnazar, Dilraba, Xin Zilei, and Xu Lu, they chose the most inexplicable one.

It turns out that Naza got this opportunity because Tianhuo recommended her.

“Auntie, you don’t need to worry about this at all. Whether or not you sign a contract, the chances of Naza being selected are extremely slim.” Wang Yao shook his head with a smile.

Naza's mother was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled with relief, "Yes, I was just assuming things."

"It's not that Nazha isn't good enough, it's just that in this industry, being good is the least important advantage. For a film of this caliber, the important roles have already been decided internally. The so-called open auditions are nothing more than a publicity stunt to create a story for promotion, and incidentally, to give the underlings something to do." Wang Yao smiled.
"Moreover, Nazha has no acting experience or background. Even if she is selected, it may not be a good thing. Instead of thinking about these vague opportunities, it would be better to make practical preparations within her capabilities. What do you think?"

“That’s right, it’s important to know your own limitations.” Naza’s mother smiled.

“If Auntie finds this method acceptable, I can go back and discuss it with Mr. He. But regardless of whether it works out or not, you still need to seriously consider Nazha’s art exam. Whether you want to be a star or a dancer, university is really important, even if you have to repeat a year.” Seeing that the other party was willing, Wang Yao was not in a hurry to close the deal.

Because his target wasn't Naza, but Naza's mother.

Gaining Nazha's mother's favor increases her value.

"Xiao Yao, thank you so much for your suggestion. Otherwise, I would have almost delayed my child's development. Let's exchange phone numbers. Even if we don't sign a contract this time, Auntie hopes that Nazha can have a friend like you," Nazha's mother said sincerely.

"I really value Miss Nazha's potential. With such excellent qualities, she's born to be a star." Wang Yao smiled and exchanged contact information with Nazha's mother.

Since the matter had been discussed openly, there was no need for the afternoon's filming. Nazha and her daughter refused Wang Yao's offer to take them home and watched him drive away.

"Mom! I think I can be a star!" Naza hugged her mother's arm and shook it excitedly.

“You should behave yourself. I’ve been telling you to study hard for ages. Now you regret it, don’t you? You think being a star is all about being pretty? Dilraba is so pretty, but she still studies hard! By the way, is she going to participate in that audition too?” Nazha’s mother pinched Nazha hard.

"Ouch, it hurts so much! She didn't tell me about the audition, but it seems like she's coming to take the art exam! Didn't Brother Wang Yao say that as long as I pass the art exam, everything else will be fine!" Nazha said with a tearful, aggrieved face.

It's not that she doesn't want to study, it's just that she really can't concentrate!

"Hmph, with a brain like yours, you'd be completely swindled if you became a celebrity. What was Wang Yao's premise when he said that? Money! Why should he help you? He'd rather not make money off you!" Nazha's mother said, exasperated.

"Huh? So Brother Wang Yao is also going to make money off us? How much money do we have left?" Naza blinked her big eyes.

“I can’t reason with you, you’re making me so angry. Come back with me, I’m going to call your sister,” Nazha’s mother said angrily.

(End of this chapter)