America: My Time

Chapter 1191 Persuasion
Chapter 1181 Persuasion

"Teacher, Mr. John is so easy to talk to! He decided on the MGM role with just a word, and the resources the company originally offered were already quite good, but they wanted to increase them, even including opportunities to collaborate with Hong Kong. It's unbelievable!" The ambitious Zhang Ziyi couldn't help but say to her teacher as she left John's residence, her eyes gleaming. For her, ambition didn't lie in the company's compensation, but rather in the resources the company controlled and the opportunities she could gain.

"In your eyes, this is a big deal, but in their eyes, it's just a small matter. Phoenix Group is only a part of their business. It's good that you have ambition; ambition is what drives you. But ambition alone is useless; you also need ability. Otherwise, even if opportunity knocks in front of you, you won't get it. Hollywood is different from ours. Without ability, even if you're given an opportunity, it's useless. Do you think Yu Feihong got the role so easily because everything was really that easy? If you think that, you're very wrong. She has excellent qualifications and experience filming in the US, which is the most important thing. Otherwise, why do you think Wang Jinhua would recommend her so strongly?"

Zhang Ziyi only saw the opportunity, but Teacher Chang Li saw what lay behind it. If Yu Feihong had no ability at all, Wang Jinhua would never have directly approached John to make the recommendation, because if it failed, she would be affected. Asking someone without ability to participate in the filming was playing with fire.

Of course, Ms. Chang Li was unaware that John also knew Yu Feihong, which is why he so easily agreed to Wang Jinhua's suggestion without conducting any investigation. However, this was indeed an opportunity, and as Ms. Chang Li said, opportunity is important, but personal ability is even more important; otherwise, even if the opportunity is right in front of you, you won't be able to seize it!

"Teacher, are you familiar with Mr. John?" Zhang Ziyi quickly changed the subject. From her observation, her teacher and John had a good relationship, which gave her some ideas!
"I wouldn't say I'm familiar with him, I'd only say I have some understanding of him, but we're not as close as you think. The only person I truly know is that old lady. Also, let me remind you, ambition is a good thing, but don't try to play any tricks on him. You have absolutely no chance against him. He's not as simple as you think. In your eyes, Phoenix Group is a behemoth, but in his eyes, it's nothing. He also controls two other media and entertainment groups like that: Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures. Although I don't know much about him, I do know some of the general situation. This is what we were told by our superiors, and it's also because of that old lady. This Mr. John is a true financial tycoon in the United States, one of the top financial tycoons, on par with Morgan and Rockefeller! If you're thinking of messing with him, you'd better not even try; it'll be pointless!"

"Why?" Zhang Ziyi still harbored some fantasies due to her ambition, after all, this was a great opportunity to rise to the top in one step.

"A conglomerate, do you understand the power of a conglomerate? As a conglomerate tycoon, the pressure he faces is far more complex than you think, and he's never short of beautiful women. Do you think you can gain his approval, or the approval of his family? Once you truly understand his power, and how extraordinary he is, you'll understand everything I'm saying!"

At this point, Teacher Chang Li sighed softly. She knew that no matter how much she said, it would be useless; she wouldn't make Zhang Ziyi give up. In her view, Zhang Ziyi had absolutely no chance. Such a powerful figure wouldn't accept an ambitious person like Zhang Ziyi. In contrast, the laid-back Zeng Li had a better chance.

Ambition is often not an asset, but rather an obstacle. Teacher Chang Li understands this, but young people like Zhang Ziyi don't, because they haven't experienced the harsh realities of society, haven't truly witnessed the darkness within this industry, and don't know the wickedness of human nature.

Although Chang Li is just a teacher, she has a good understanding of the entertainment industry and knows its cruelty and madness. She understands that ambition alone is useless; sacrifice is also necessary. The entertainment industry today is not what it used to be. With the influx of Hong Kong people to the mainland and societal changes, this circle has evolved rapidly and become incredibly volatile.

While it hasn't reached the level of frenzy that will follow, it's coming soon—from raising ghost children to using corpse oil lipstick, and so on. Celebrities will stop at nothing to become famous. This is why Teacher Chang Li doesn't want her students to participate in performances during their first semester; she worries they won't be able to resist the temptations and will fall into an inescapable trap, or even directly into danger!
While the Central Academy of Drama has influence, it cannot completely protect their safety. If they were truly in danger, Chang Li, as their teacher, would feel guilty. At this time, the school wasn't as reckless as it would later become, and there was no question of a 'transaction' involved! Just as Teacher Chang Li thought, Zhang Ziyi, with her immense ambition, didn't give up on her ideas because of these words. To her, this was a shortcut, and no matter how small the chance, she had to try. After all, only after striving could she feel at ease and let go. Giving up without doing anything was not what she wanted.

As a student, Zhang Ziyi had no way of knowing about John, this big shot. If even someone like her could know, something was definitely amiss. The more mysterious and unpredictable something is, the more it arouses a woman's curiosity and desire, not to mention the obvious allure of profit! If she could really latch onto a big shot, she could truly rise to the top in one step. How could she resist such temptation? After all, she was an ambitious person. For her, as long as she could get everything she wanted, no price was too high! What Teacher Chang Li worried about was nothing to her! You reap what you sow; without any effort, you naturally won't get what you want!
Having ambition is a good thing; it can take you further. However, it also comes at a considerable cost. It's hard to say whether you've gained or lost, and once you're in it, breaking free isn't easy. Teacher Chang Li has said everything she needed to say to Zhang Ziyi; her choice is not something others can influence.

"Lizi, you might have a good reward. Getting John to speak up could lead to an endorsement deal. It might not be a lot of money, but if it works out, it will save you a lot of trouble on this path. Luxury brands will do their best to promote you. Don't focus on the money; think long-term!"

For a newcomer just entering the entertainment industry, there's no need to haggle over money with brands. What she needs is more exposure and endorsements from major brands, which is a gain in itself. Compared to the influence brought by the brand, the money is nothing.

"Teacher, this probably won't work. Maybe it's just a polite remark!" Compared to Zhang Ziyi, Zeng Li was too indifferent. She didn't care about this sudden opportunity, nor did she take it to heart. In fact, she didn't believe that such an opportunity was possible. Whether it was Chanel or Valentino, such big brands would never choose a newcomer like herself who had no reputation to be their spokesperson. It wouldn't be in the interests of the brand owners!

“If Wang Jinhua were to speak up, the chances of success would be slim. But if John speaks up, things are completely different. Both companies are still his businesses, so even designers will give his boss face. Besides, if your image matches the brand, then it's not a problem!” For these big brands, what they value isn't necessarily fame, but also image. If your image doesn't match the brand, no matter how famous you are, you won't be chosen as a spokesperson. Brands aren't considering short-term profits, but long-term strategies!

Zhang Ziyi was very unwilling that such a good thing had not fallen into her lap, but she was helpless. Not to mention getting John, a big shot, to speak up, she didn't even have the chance to talk to Wang Jinhua, the general manager of Phoenix Group. As a newcomer in the industry, and a student at that, she had no qualifications to talk to a big shot like Wang Jinhua. No matter how much she wanted to get the endorsement, she had no chance!
Beauty is a simple matter. Among the artists signed by Phoenix Group today, there are many beautiful women. Not to mention the three beauties brought by Wang Jinhua, there are quite a few competitors just from the Central Academy of Drama, not to mention those from the Beijing Film Academy. The more Zhang Ziyi understood the true situation of Phoenix Group, the greater the pressure she felt.

"Teacher, what should I do?" Faced with this situation, Zeng Li was also a little at a loss. After all, this was the first time she had encountered such a thing, and she had no confidence at all. Naturally, she had to ask the teacher for advice!

"Don't do anything. Just be yourself. The brand doesn't need you to do anything. Just wait quietly for the results. At this point, the more you do, the more mistakes you make; doing nothing is the best choice." Teacher Chang Li is right. For Zeng Li right now, it's best to do nothing. As a newcomer, the brand doesn't care about her influence; it's about first impressions and charisma. So, doing nothing is the best option!

(End of this chapter)