Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 54: A Young Man Arrives in Beijing's Elite Circle

The night passed.

August 7, early morning.

The summer sun was already high in the sky, and sunlight filtered through the air, falling on the chaotic streets of the capital.

Wang Sheng, dressed in a simple white vest, trousers, and Warrior sneakers, jogged out of the residential area where Li Xiaoran lived.

He first went to the convenience pharmacy outside the community.

The saleswoman, wearing a white coat, wasn't fully awake yet. She yawned and took a small paper bag from the glass counter, which had the words "Beijing Third Pharmaceutical Factory" printed on it.

"Take one tablet at a time for three consecutive days."

The eldest sister gave her instructions as a matter of routine, her gaze lingering for a second longer on Wang Sheng's young and handsome face, carrying a hint of knowing wisdom.

Wang Sheng paid the money with a normal expression and put the small paper bag into his pocket.

Then they went to a breakfast stall and bought freshly made fried dough rings, soy milk, and sugar-coated fried dough that Li Xiaoran had mentioned liking. They wrapped them in oil paper and carried them back home.

……

When I pushed open the door to Li Xiaoran's rented apartment, the curtains were still drawn, the light was dim, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance and a lingering ambiance.

Li Xiaoran was still curled up in bed, fast asleep. Her long hair was spread out on the pillow, revealing half of her fair and beautiful profile.

Wang Sheng quietly placed the breakfast on the small coffee table in the living room, walked to the bedside, leaned down and gently patted her shoulder: "Xiao Ran, wake up, eat breakfast before you go back to sleep."

Li Xiaoran groggily hummed, opened her eyes, and saw Wang Sheng. She instinctively gave him a lazy yet sweet smile, reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, her voice still hoarse from just waking up: "What time is it...why are you up so early..."

"It's almost eight o'clock. I bought some fried dough rings and sugar-coated fried cakes; they'll get cold if we don't eat them soon." Wang Sheng kissed her forehead, taking advantage of her momentum, and then pulled her up: "Go wash up first."

After Li Xiaoran finished washing up and sat on the sofa in her nightgown, eating the still-warm sugar-coated fried dough in small bites, Wang Sheng took out the small paper bag from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

"what is this?"

Li Xiaoran asked vaguely while biting into her pancake.

"Birth control pills. Produced by Beijing No. 3 Factory."

Wang Sheng spoke calmly, unscrewing the lid of the soy milk and handing it to her: "Take one slice at a time, today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, for three consecutive days. Remember to take it after meals to reduce gastrointestinal reactions."

Li Xiaoran stopped chewing abruptly, her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, all the way to her ears.

She swallowed the food in her mouth abruptly, almost blurting out, "You... how are you so skilled?!"

The question came out with seven parts embarrassment and three parts jealousy that she herself was unaware of.

Wang Sheng didn't respond, but just looked at her and said earnestly, "This is for your own good. We're both still young, and our careers are just starting. It would be a waste to spend our prime years getting pregnant and having children. If you get pregnant, an abortion would be even more harmful to your body."

He paused, a playful smile curving his lips, his tone softening, tinged with a teasing reproach: "Besides, who told you to hug me so tightly at the end yesterday? Hmm?"

"you!"

Li Xiaoran's face flushed even redder, filled with shame and anger. She grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at Wang Sheng: "Wang Sheng, you bastard! You got the benefit and you're still acting innocent! I...I...that was the first time! Unlike you! You're so experienced! Tell me honestly, how many girls have you fooled?!"

Wang Sheng smiled and caught the cushion, offering no explanation, but simply letting her vent her frustration by hitting herself a few more times.

When she paused her movements and stared at him, slightly out of breath, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Li Xiaoran struggled symbolically for a couple of moments before giving in and leaning against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Xiaoran".

Wang Sheng's voice lowered, carrying a rare seriousness: "Emotional companionship, material needs—as long as it's within my ability, I can give you everything. As for whether we can go all the way..."

He loosened his grip on her slightly, looked into her eyes, and said frankly, "Let's see how fate brings us together."

These words were like a tiny needle, gently pricking Li Xiaoran. It hurt a little, but strangely, it made her even more awake. She suddenly tilted her head back, opened her mouth, and bit his shoulder lightly, leaving a shallow tooth mark. Then, before Wang Sheng could react, she kissed his lips.

The kiss carried a hint of defiance, yet was also filled with an indescribable infatuation.

The morning light shone through the gaps in the curtains, outlining the figures of the two people nestled together.

……

After all that fuss, and seeing that Li Xiaoran obediently took the medicine as instructed and finished breakfast, it was almost nine o'clock.

Wang Sheng stood up and made an excuse: "I have to go back. I have an appointment to discuss some business today."

Li Xiaoran stood up and saw him to the door, her eyes filled with reluctance as she clutched his sleeve: "Will you come over again tonight?"

"We'll see." Wang Sheng pinched her cheek. "Go inside and lock the door."

After closing the door, Li Xiaoran leaned against it, listening to Wang Sheng's footsteps gradually disappear as they came downstairs. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, like a spilled palette of colors.

She walked to the window, quietly lifted a corner of the curtain, and watched Wang Sheng's tall figure walk quickly out of the community.

"Was I... too proactive?" she murmured to herself, her face flushing again.

Although Wang Sheng is handsome, has a great physique, and possesses physical abilities that make people blush and their hearts race, his career is also thriving...

Li Xiaoran recalled the gossip she had recently heard.

People in the industry have jokingly called Wang Sheng the "Executive Deputy Director" of the Beijing Film Studio, and it is said that even Han Sanping has to listen to his opinion when making decisions.

The development of the Beijing film circle mainly relied on two creative platforms: one was the Beijing Television Art Center, led by Zheng Xiaolong and with Wang Shuo as the core of the creative team, and the other was the Beijing Film Studio.

It is rumored that Wang Shuo has been blacklisted by higher authorities and has disappeared without a trace.

His departure did indeed impact the creative capabilities of the Beijing Television Art Center, but fortunately, Zheng Xiaolong promoted many candidates, so the situation remained relatively stable.

But the situation is less certain for Beijing Film Studio.

Wang Sheng rose to prominence unexpectedly, and with his ability to make money and the full support of the Beijing Film Studio, he gained unprecedented influence within the studio.

Wang Sheng may not be able to influence the "factory logo".

Before the relevant policies were introduced in 2002, the film production license, which represented the production and distribution rights, also known as the "studio mark," was the core passport and scarce resource for Chinese film production and was monopolized by state-owned film studios.

Private capital can only obtain the opportunity to legally and compliantly make movies by "affiliating" with film studios. Most banks, investors, or partners only recognize this "studio logo".

There are many talented people in Beijing's elite circles; it's easy for them to obtain a Beijing Film Studio logo through family connections.

When the Beijing Film Studio was not doing well, it often rented out its logos; most film studios with film production licenses did this.

What truly made people in Beijing's elite circles take notice of Wang Sheng was that he indirectly controlled the production support system of the Beijing Film Studio. The skilled workers on this production line, their children, and relatives all relied on the path to wealth that Wang Sheng had created for their livelihood.

No matter how talented the director and screenwriter are, they can't conjure up a complete film crew and a complete production support system out of thin air.

Yes, you can borrow manpower from other film studios, and you can use the production line of Shanghai Film Studio, but if you rent the 'studio logo' of Beijing Film Studio and start working in Beijing, do you not need the people of Beijing Film Studio? Do you not need the equipment of Beijing Film Studio? Do you not need the production line of Beijing Film Studio?

Its heart is awkward!

Even if the factory manager doesn't take action against you, we will unite to report you. We refuse to believe that there are no hidden agendas in what you filmed.

In addition, the Beijing Television Art Center project will also utilize the production support system of Beijing Film Studio.

Considering all this, it doesn't seem like an exaggeration to say that Wang Sheng has already controlled half of the Beijing entertainment circle.

With this thought, Li Xiaoran's slight hesitation and shyness were instantly suppressed by a stronger determination.

A man like this—young, handsome, resourceful, and with a bright future—would never lack women in his life.
If we don't take the initiative and seize the opportunity, are we just going to wait for others to take advantage of our weakness?
"Yes, we have to take the initiative!" Li Xiaoran nodded vigorously at her reflection in the window, her eyes hardening.

(End of this chapter)