Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 189, Section 187: Two Years

Friday, May 29, 1998.

The sky over Beijing was a clear, bright blue, and the sunlight already carried a hint of early summer heat.

A flight from Nanjing landed smoothly at Beijing Airport.

The hatch opened, and Cecilia Cheung and her team members quickly walked down the gangway.

She wore sunglasses that covered half her face and a simple yet well-tailored Chanel Spring/Summer dress, exuding star power with every step.

Instead of having free time until after the performance tomorrow, she insisted that Li Xiuxiu adjust her schedule and arrive in Beijing a day earlier.

"Zhizhi, the car has been arranged. Shall we go directly to the Beijing Film Studio Guesthouse?"

Li Xiuxiu followed beside her and confirmed in a low voice.

“Hmm.” Cecilia Cheung nodded, her gaze behind her sunglasses fixed on the street scene rushing past the window, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation: “I want to stay there first, so I can meet and talk to Fan Xiaopang and Gao Yuanyuan.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuxiu pondered for a moment.

She knew that Cecilia Cheung had devoted almost all her energy to work and training since her debut, and that she didn't really have many friends of the same age in Beijing.

Fan Xiaopang and Gao Yuanyuan were the first trainees signed by the company. Although they were competitors, they were also considered "one of us" to some extent.

Allowing Cecilia Cheung to interact with them would not only help her relax but also maintain good interpersonal relationships within the company, which is not a bad thing.

“Okay, I’ll arrange it.” Li Xiuxiu agreed and then took out her phone to start coordinating the accommodation.

……

It was past 2 p.m. when the convoy entered the Beijing Film Studio.

The Beijing Film Studio Guesthouse is a slightly old Soviet-style building, but the interior has been renovated and is now quite clean and comfortable.

Cecilia Cheung was assigned to a suite with a private bathroom on the second floor.

"You all go and rest first. I want to take a shower and change my clothes," Zhang Bozhi said to Li Xiuxiu and the bodyguard after putting down her simple luggage.

"Okay, I'll pick you up in an hour?" Li Xiuxiu asked considerately.

"No need, I can walk around by myself. It's within the factory grounds, so it's very safe," Zhang Bozhi waved her hand, her tone relaxed.

After thinking about it, Li Xiuxiu realized that the security in the Beijing Film Studio area was indeed tight, so she nodded in agreement and left with her bodyguard to arrange other matters.

An hour later, Cecilia Cheung emerged from the room looking refreshed.

She changed into a pale yellow floral print sundress with a white lace top over it, and wore simple sandals. Her long hair was draped smoothly over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. She looked fresh and radiant, with a touch of girlish charm.

Instead of going directly to Shengying Media's office, she first went to the trainee area located in the side wing of the main building.

The practice room was empty except for a few unfamiliar young girls practicing dance moves in front of the mirror.

"Excuse me, are Fan Xiaopang or Gao Yuanyuan here?" Zhang Bozhi asked politely.

A girl stopped, wiped her sweat, and replied, "Fan Xiaopang? She just left this morning. I heard she went back to her hometown, Qingdao, to prepare for the college entrance exam. As for Gao Yuanyuan, it seems she's been getting one-on-one tutoring at home to prepare for the exam. She hasn't been coming to the practice room much lately."

A clear look of disappointment flashed in Cecilia Cheung's eyes.

"Oh, I see... Thank you." She thanked him and retreated somewhat reluctantly.

Putting aside that subtle competitive spirit, she actually quite liked Fan Xiaopang's bright and flamboyant personality, and also admired Gao Yuanyuan's pure and gentle temperament.

Being with them gave her a sense of closeness as a “kindred spirit,” allowing her to temporarily set aside the aura of a star and the alienation of her Hong Kong identity.

Unexpectedly, one went back to his hometown, while the other stayed home and studied diligently.

What a...unfortunate coincidence.

With this slight regret, she unknowingly walked to the first floor of the main building of Beijing Film Studio.

The corridor was quiet, and sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

She stopped in front of a dark solid wood door.

A simple bronze sign hangs on the door: "General Manager's Office of Shengying Media".

Her gaze lingered on that line of text for a moment, her expression somewhat complicated.

There was gratitude, curiosity, and perhaps even a slight urge to get closer that she herself hadn't clearly realized.

She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and gently knocked on the office door.

"Knock Knock Knock-"

A crisp knock echoed in the quiet corridor.

However, there was no response from inside the door.

Cecilia Cheung listened intently for a while; it was quiet inside. She hesitated for a moment, then knocked again with more force.

Still no one answered.

It seems he's not here.

A sense of disappointment crept back into my heart.

Cecilia Cheung pursed her lips, deciding not to wait foolishly at the door.

She turned around, intending to wander around the Beijing Film Studio residential area, hoping to run into acquaintances, or... just take a casual stroll.

……

The afternoon in the residential area was peaceful and leisurely.

Between the tenement buildings, elderly people play chess under the shade of trees, children chase and play in the open space, and the faint aroma of families preparing dinner wafts through the air.

Cecilia Cheung wandered aimlessly, experiencing the vibrant, down-to-earth pace of life that was so different from Hong Kong Island.

Just as she walked around a row of bicycle sheds, preparing to head towards the convenience store, a familiar figure appeared not far ahead.

Wang Sheng was walking in from another entrance to the living area, looking like he had just returned directly from the Beijing Film Academy.

He was dressed in a simple white shirt and khaki casual pants, holding a folder in his hand, and walking with a relaxed pace.

Cecilia Cheung's eyes lit up, and a bright smile instantly bloomed on her face as she quickly went to greet him.

"Mr. Wang!" she called out in clear, crisp Mandarin with a Cantonese accent.

Wang Sheng looked up at the sound of her voice, saw her, and a perfectly measured look of surprise appeared on his face, which quickly turned into a calm smile: "Zhang Bozhi? What are you doing here?"

His gaze swept over her and landed on Li Xiuxiu, who was a few steps behind her, looking slightly nervous.

Wang Sheng's gaze lingered on Li Xiuxiu's face for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly as he felt she looked somewhat familiar.

Seeing this, Li Xiuxiu immediately took a deep breath, suppressed her nervousness, stepped forward, and introduced herself in a graceful manner: "Hello, Mr. Wang, I am Zhang Bozhi's executive agent, Li Xiuxiu. We... met in Lucheng before."

"Lucheng?"

Wang Sheng thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered and said, "Oh, right, you're that reporter. The one who wrote the letter."

“Yes, Mr. Wang. It’s been almost two years.” Li Xiuxiu replied respectfully, feeling a little emotional, not expecting that the other party still remembered her.

Wang Sheng smiled and said casually, "Your career change is quite a leap."

The transition from a local TV reporter to an executive agent for an entertainment company is quite significant.

Meeting his gaze, Li Xiuxiu spoke frankly and sincerely: "I want to get closer to President Wang and learn from him."

She didn't hide her ambition; in front of someone of this caliber, honesty is sometimes more effective than concealment.

Wang Sheng smiled noncommittally and didn't respond to the question.

Cecilia Cheung stood to the side, watching the two exchange words, her head full of questions.

She had no idea that Li Xiuxiu and Wang Sheng had this connection.

Wang Sheng turned to Zhang Bozhi and casually said, "Then good luck to you guys. I have something to do, I'll go first..."

"Wait, Mr. Wang!" Zhang Bozhi quickly called out to him.

"Is there anything else?" Wang Sheng stopped and looked at her.

Cecilia Cheung took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and said with just the right amount of gratitude and anticipation on her face, "I... I'd like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities."

She spoke from the heart; without Wang Sheng's strong support, she would never be where she is today.

Wang Sheng looked into her clear yet tense eyes, then glanced at Li Xiuxiu who seemed lost in thought beside him, and pondered for a moment.

He didn't have any urgent matters to attend to in the afternoon.

"Have a meal?"

Wang Sheng repeated the sentence, then nodded: "Okay. Let's do it now."

He doesn't like to procrastinate.

As he spoke, he waved to Dajun, who was following a short distance away: "Dajun, go and drive the car over here."

Cecilia Cheung was taken aback by his quick agreement, then her face lit up with a delighted smile as she nodded repeatedly, "Okay! Okay!"

Li Xiuxiu stood to the side, watching Zhang Bozhi's undisguised happiness, and then looking at Wang Sheng's calm and composed profile, as if he had just agreed to a trivial matter. She was lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)