Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

Chapter 92 You are Tian Xiwei?

The lighting in the photography area was so bright that it was a bit dazzling.

Lin Shen stood in front of the backdrop, while Manager Zhou was communicating with the photographer about the last set of camera positions.

Zhang Ruonan was pulled by the makeup artist to touch up her makeup and change into the last outfit of the day: a loose, off-white knit sweater paired with light-colored trousers, making her look soft and gentle.

"Ruonan, come here!" Manager Zhou waved to her.

Zhang Ruonan quickly ran over and stood next to Lin Shen.

The person in charge, Zhou, pointed to a prop chair next to him: "Last group, you two sit there, be natural, just like friends chatting. Ruonan, move closer to General Manager Lin, yes, like that."

Zhang Ruonan sat down next to Lin Shen as instructed, the two of them very close together.

The photographer called out from behind the lens, "Okay, Mr. Lin, please turn a little to Ruonan's side, and put your hand—well, just casually on the back of the chair. Ruonan, look up at him, smile, and be natural."

Lin Shen turned to the side and placed his hand on the back of the chair behind her.

Zhang Ruonan raised her head and met his eyes.

"Click"

The shutter clicked.

The photographer was still calling out, "Okay, next shot. Ruonan, move a little closer to President Lin. President Lin, why don't you try putting your hand on her shoulder? Be natural, don't be too deliberate."

Lin Shen's hand slid off the back of the chair and gently rested on Zhang Ruonan's shoulder.

Zhang Ruonan's body visibly stiffened for a moment.

In her previous photoshoots, she mostly worked with female models and rarely had physical contact with male models.

Moreover, this person is Lin Shen.

Zhang Ruonan felt the temperature on her face rising rapidly, and her ears turned uncontrollably red.

Lin Shen noticed her reaction and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

The girl's ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

He smiled but said nothing, simply maintaining the pose and cooperating with the photographer's request.

"Good! Very good! One more shot. Ruonan, look towards President Lin, with a gentler gaze. Yes, that's it!"

Zhang Ruonan tried her best to look natural, but her heart just wouldn't slow down.

She could feel his hand still on her shoulder, her gaze on her, and the distance between them so close it was almost negligible.

"Click"

"Okay! That's a wrap!"

The voice of the person in charge, Zhou, was like a lifeline. Zhang Ruonan quickly stood up from her chair, took half a step back, and created some distance.

"Thank you for your hard work!" She bowed to the photographer and Manager Zhou, her voice still trembling slightly.

Lin Shen also stood up from his chair, patted his clothes, and looked at her: "Good shot."

Zhang Ruonan's face flushed slightly again: "Th-thank you, Teacher Lin—"

Lin Shen smiled, said nothing more, and turned to walk towards the rest area.

Zhang Ruonan stood still, took a deep breath, and then ran quickly towards the locker room.

She needs to be alone for a while.

In the dressing room, Zhang Ruonan looked at her still flushed face in the mirror and couldn't help but pat it.

Zhang Ruonan, Zhang Ruonan, you're so pathetic!

They were just taking a normal photo, why are you blushing?

Zhang Ruonan took a few deep breaths before changing back into her own clothes.

She tidied her hair in front of the mirror again, and only after confirming that there were no problems did she push open the door and go out.

Over at the work area, Lin Shen was surrounded by a group of young girls.

It was a signing session arranged in advance by Xiaohongshu employees.

Lin Shen stood there, pen in hand, signing each sheet one by one, a gentle smile on his face, occasionally looking up to chat with them.

"Mr. Lin, could you please sign a TO signature? Write it down for me!"

"Okay, what's your name?"

"Me! Me! Me too, Mr. Lin!"

"Take it one at a time, don't rush."

Zhang Ruonan stood not far away, watching this scene.

Lin Shen signed autographs quickly, but after signing each one, he would look up, smile, and say "thank you for your support," showing no sign of impatience whatsoever.

She suddenly understood why so many people liked him.

It's not just his good looks, but also his comfortable aura.

"Teacher Zhang!"

A voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

Zhang Ruonan turned her head and saw Yang Chaoyue walking towards her with a smile on his face.

"A leap forward?" Zhang Ruonan was a little surprised.

Yang Chaoyue walked up to her, smiling, and asked, "Are you free later?"

Zhang Ruonan was taken aback for a moment: "Huh? Yes, yes, what's wrong?"

Yang Chaoyue glanced over there; Lin Shen was still signing autographs and hadn't noticed them.

She turned around and said with a smile, "I was ruthlessly abandoned by Brother Shen. He's having dinner with Boss Mao and the others tonight, and I have to take care of my own dinner."

This is my first time in Shanghai, and I don't know where to eat. Could you recommend some places, Professor Zhang?

Zhang Ruonan blinked, then realized what she meant: "Oh, okay! What do you want to eat?"

Yang Chaoyue thought for a moment: "Hmm—anything that tastes good is fine. What do you usually eat?"

"I usually—" Zhang Ruonan thought for a moment, "I study in Hangzhou and I'm not very familiar with Shanghai—how about we find a shopping mall? Or what kind of cuisine do you want to eat? I'll see if there's anything nearby?"

Yang Chaoyue laughed: "Then let's go to the mall, something simple will do."

Zhang Ruonan nodded: "Okay, shall we leave together later?"

Yang Chaoyue nodded and glanced at Lin Shen again.

Over there, Lin Shen finished signing the last sheet, handed the pen back to the employee next to him, and waved to them with a smile.

"Thank you everyone, you've worked hard."

Goodbye, Mr. Lin!

"Please come again next time, Mr. Lin!"

Lin Shen turned around, his gaze sweeping across the photography area and landing on the two girls standing in the corner.

He walked over, and Zhang Ruonan quickly stood up straight, while Yang Chaoyue also stopped smiling.

"Brother Shen," Yang Chaoyue called out.

Lin Shen nodded and looked at Zhang Ruonan: "See you tomorrow."

Zhang Ruonan was stunned for a moment, then realized that there was still one more day of filming tomorrow.

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Teacher Lin."

Lin Shen smiled and glanced at Yang Chaoyue. Yang Chaoyue understood and blinked.

Lin Shen didn't say anything more, turned around and walked towards the elevator, where Mao Wenchao and Qu Fang were already waiting.

Zhang Ruonan watched his figure disappear behind the elevator doors before turning her gaze away.

Beside him, Yang Chaoyue had already approached with a beaming smile: "Teacher Zhang, shall we go too?"

Zhang Ruonan nodded, and the two walked outside together.

In the elevator, Zhang Ruonan asked curiously, "Chaoyue, how long have you been following Teacher Lin?"

"It's been almost a year," Yang Chaoyue said.

"So you usually go with Teacher Lin?"

"Yes, wherever Brother Shen is, I'm there," Yang Chaoyue said frankly. "Flying everywhere, to film crews, events,..."

The brand goes wherever there's work.

Zhang Ruonan nodded, a little envious.

The elevator reached the first floor, and the two stepped out. The evening breeze of Shanghai hit them, carrying a hint of early winter chill.

The two found a restaurant in the mall, ordered a few dishes, and chatted while they ate.

Yang Chaoyue has a big appetite, which surprised Zhang Ruonan. She looks thin and small, but she eats without hesitation.

"Delicious!" Yang Chaoyue picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, his eyes lighting up.

Zhang Ruonan smiled: "As long as it tastes good."

After finishing their meal, Zhang Ruonan was about to pay the bill when Yang Chaoyue stopped her, saying, "No, no, no, I'll pay."

"No, no, it was agreed that it was my treat."

"No way, I'm just here to freeload, how can I let you pay?" Yang Chaoyue quickly scanned the code to pay.

Zhang Ruonan felt a little embarrassed, but she didn't argue anymore.

The two people came out of the store and stood at the entrance of the mall.

Yang Chaoyue suddenly spoke up: "Teacher Zhang, I have a question for you."

Zhang Ruonan looked at her.

Yang Chaoyue smiled and asked, "Have you considered signing with a company?"

Zhang Ruonan was taken aback: "Huh?"

"Well—" Yang Chaoyue carefully chose his words, "Have you ever thought about becoming an actor? Or a full-time model?"

Zhang Ruonan blinked, a little confused: "I—I hadn't thought about it, I just wanted to earn some extra money as a side job."

Yang Chaoyue nodded and didn't continue the topic.

"Okay, I'll head back now. See you tomorrow." She waved to Zhang Ruonan.

Zhang Ruonan nodded: "See you tomorrow, drive carefully."

Yang Chaoyue turned around, took two steps, then turned back: "By the way, Teacher Zhang, let's add each other on WeChat? It'll be easier to keep in touch."

Zhang Ruonan paused for a moment, then took out her phone.

The two scanned the QR code and added each other as friends.

Yang Chaoyue looked at the name that popped up on his phone screen and smiled: "Zhang Ruonan, I've got it."

After saying that, she waved and jogged away, disappearing into the night.

Zhang Ruonan stood there, watching her back, and suddenly felt a little confused.

Sign a company contract?

To be an actor?

She had never thought about these things.

She just wanted to earn more money to help support her family.

But now, Zhang Ruonan recalled Yang Chaoyue's words from earlier.

She shook her head and turned to walk towards the subway station.

Forget it, why think so much? There's still one more day of filming tomorrow.

Meanwhile, at a private restaurant in Shanghai.

Inside the private room, Lin Shen was having dinner with Mao Wenchao and Qu Fang, discussing the follow-up arrangements for the Series B financing.

"Mr. Lin, we'll keep your 4% for you. Once we've finalized things with GGV, we'll sign the contract." Mao Wenchao raised his glass.

Lin Shen touched hands with him: "Okay, my funds are ready anytime."

Qu Fang asked from the side, "By the way, when will your finance team be arranged to come over?"

Lin Shen smiled and said, "We'll arrange it after the agreement is signed. Don't worry, it's all done by professionals."

Qu Fang nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

After chatting for a while, Lin Shen's phone vibrated.

He glanced down at his phone; it was a message from Yang Chaoyue: "Brother Shen, I finished having dinner with her. She's a really nice person. I asked her if she'd ever thought about signing with a company, and she seemed a little confused. I added her on WeChat; we'll talk more later."

Lin Shen replied with a single word: "Okay."

He put his phone face down on the table and continued eating with Mao and Qu.

In late autumn, it gets dark early in Chongqing.

The streetlights in the industrial park are already on, and in the photography area of the Southwest Warehouse, the last set of photos has just been taken.

Tian Xiwei stepped down from in front of the backdrop and rubbed her slightly sore shoulders.

"Xiaotian, you've worked hard today!" The photographer waved to her. "You did a great job, much more natural than last time."

Tian Xiwei smiled and replied, "Thank you, Brother Zhang!"

Today is Friday. She came over right after school and spent more than two hours taking photos, changing into four different outfits.

I'm really tired, but I feel very fulfilled.

After all, each time you take a photo, you get a little closer to your tuition fee.

Not to mention, a sense of camera presence is something that can only be developed through practice.

My teacher once said that during acting auditions, a relaxed demeanor in front of the camera is very important.

She should practice more now; it might come in handy for the art exam later.

"Xiwei, over here!"

The makeup artist beckoned to her, and Tian Xiwei quickly went over and sat down to have her help remove her makeup.

While unloading, I took out my phone to check the time.

It's eight o'clock. Mom should have an hour left before she gets off work.

I'll go find her at the sorting area later and we can go home together.

After removing her makeup, Tian Xiwei packed her things, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and headed deeper into the warehouse.

After walking through rows of shelves, I soon spotted my mother.

Tian's mother was squatting on the ground checking the delivery slip when she heard footsteps. She looked up and saw her daughter smiling.

"Are you done filming?"

"Okay!" Tian Xiwei found a cardboard box nearby and sat down. "Mom, do you have a lot left? I'll wait for you."

"Almost there, almost there, this batch will be all done soon." While checking the order form, Mrs. Tian asked casually.

How long did you shoot today? Are you tired?

"It's alright, not tiring." Tian Xiwei put her schoolbag on her lap. "It went much smoother than last time. Brother Zhang said I've improved a lot."

Aunt Tian nodded, asked no further questions, and continued working.

Tian Xiwei sat next to her mother, occasionally handing her something, and the two chatted casually.

As they chatted, Tian Xiwei suddenly remembered something: "Mom, Singles' Day is almost here, isn't the warehouse going to get busy?"

"That's right," sighed Mrs. Tian. "We've doubled our inventory, and we've been working overtime every day these past few days. But the overtime pay is high, so the more we do, the more we earn."

Looking at her mother's tired face, Tian Xiwei felt a pang of sadness.

She didn't say anything, she just handed over the tape in her hand.

Just then, footsteps could be heard in the distance.

Tian Xiwei looked up and saw several people walking towards her.

The woman at the front was in her thirties, wearing a smart black coat, with short hair and a strong presence.

Next to her was Supervisor Zhou, who was in charge of today's filming, and behind them were two young people carrying folders.

Mother Tian saw it too, and the two of them quickly stood up.

"Manager Zhou?"

Manager Zhou smiled and nodded, then stepped aside to let him pass: "This is Director Su, the publicity director for our Southwest Region."

Director Su?

Tian Xiwei paused for a moment, then stood up as well.

The woman in the black coat had already walked up to her, her gaze falling on Tian Xiwei, and she looked her up and down a few times.