Chinese Entertainment: Becoming a Superstar After a Breakup

"I'm not kidding you, you're not allowed to take pictures, understand?" Dilraba shook Shen Ze's shoulder and emphasized. She had laughed while they were talking earlier, and she was afraid Shen Ze was joking, so she said this.

"I understand. If you can do it, I can definitely do it too." Shen Ze was still willing to make the effort, but he didn't care if it would cause difficulties on his path to the top. After all, movies and TV dramas don't necessarily have to have intimate scenes.

"Baby, do you think the company will blacklist me if I expose our relationship today?" Dilraba suddenly asked.

"It can't be that serious. What are you thinking about all day? The company isn't against you. They'd rather not make any money themselves than blacklist you." Shen Ze was also curious about how the company would handle this matter. He didn't believe that they would blacklist you outright. The company wasn't crazy. They wouldn't suppress a rising star like Dilireba just because of something like this. However, they would definitely take some measures.

The next day, the measures were implemented.

"Sit down, wait for me a moment." In Zeng Jia's office, Shen Ze was summoned to the company. He watched as the other party was handling some documents, and wondered to himself if this was a show of force.

"Is there anything you want to say? About relationships, work, or any troubles?" Zeng Jia asked after a while.

"Not for now." Shen Ze was taking a wait-and-see approach, depending on the situation; he was in a passive position anyway.

"Then let's just ask directly, are you dating Reba?" Zeng Jia asked.

"Yes, we're talking." Shen Ze had this expression on his face, which puzzled Zeng Jia. What was he so proud of?

"You're quite honest. Why didn't you say so before?" Zeng Jia asked.

"We feel that dating is a private matter, and the company hasn't said that dating needs to be reported. If necessary, I can report it now," Shen Ze said.

"Because of you, she rejected the company's job. You're also an artist. Do you think this is good for a newcomer's future?" Zeng Jia asked.

"We don't know the benefits for the future yet, but right now, she's unwilling to participate in this work. If we force her to film, the results might not be very good." Shen Ze's words were both soft and firm. Although he was the leader, he still had to say these things carefully.

"You've got some ideas, Shen Ze. You're not a three-year-old. I've seen your resume. Even though you haven't graduated, you must have experienced the feeling of hitting walls everywhere."

Every job is something that everyone should take seriously. You are being chosen, not having the right to choose.

Dilraba is a very promising artist. If she continues on this path, she will definitely become more and more stable. But now, she has put a shackle on herself. Do you think that's appropriate?

Shen Ze, the company doesn't object to you two dating, but why don't you try to persuade her, or perhaps you two discuss whether you can be truly responsible and dedicated to your work?

Dilraba is an artist that the company is focusing on developing, and a lot of resources will be allocated to her. The company isn't a pimp, so please don't be so sensitive.

Take this shoot with Wei Guang, for example. Putting aside the possibility of conflict between colleagues if Wei Guang found out, this kind of contact should be quite normal for artists.

The reasons I'm contacting you this time are twofold: first, to ask about your relationship with Reba, so the company can prepare contingency plans to prevent any unexpected situations; and second, to have a heart-to-heart talk with you.

The company treats everyone fairly, but Dilraba broke through first. Dramas like "Swords of Legends" don't come around every year, and you're not guaranteed to be a part of them.

"Now that Reba has the opportunity to advance her career, as her boyfriend, don't you want her career to improve?" Zeng Jia asked.

"President Zeng, I'll look into this matter later. I don't know much, but whatever choice she makes, I will support her. Reba is not my vassal, and I have not asked Reba to fight against anything, nor can I do that."

"As for her career, I hope it gets better and better, but personally, I feel that if I let her take on projects that she has a mental block about, even if they are filmed, the results might not be very good," Shen Ze said.

"I understand. Go back and think about it." Zeng Jia glanced at Shen Ze after hearing what he said and let him go.

It seems Shen Ze supports Dilraba. He's too young, a student fresh out of university, thinking love conquers all. But she believes he'll change. Love—should an adult believe in that? To be honest, it's a little funny to see this coming from Dilraba and Shen Ze.

"It feels like being the villain, just like in a TV drama. The characters are genuinely good and beautiful, and they're in love, but the villainous company insists on breaking them up, right?" After Shen Ze left, Zeng Jia's phone rang. It was Yang Mi's voice.

She had been listening the whole time. She knew there was going to be a talk today. She had originally wanted to see what was going on up close, but her schedule required her to go back to Hong Kong to see her children, so this was the only way she could do it.

"What are you saying? This is for their own good. How old are they? If they don't film intimate scenes, do they really think the entertainment industry is their own home, where they can pick and choose whatever they want?"

"Especially Reba, after 'Swords of Legends,' she finally made some appearances and was in the prime of her career. Why did she suddenly come here?" Zeng Jia said.

"Is there any way? How can we solve this?" Yang Mi asked curiously.

"It's just an immature view of relationships. Start with Shen Ze. He's not very famous right now, so he'll understand the realities of society," Zeng Jia said.

"By the way, 'The Coffin in the Mountain' won an award. The company isn't planning to try and win over the director, since he has that connection," Yang Mi said.

"Let's wait for an opportunity. The company has contacted us, but they were quite polite. We still need an acquaintance to introduce us," Zeng Jia said.

……

"It's nothing, I just wanted to understand you. As an actor, you're chosen, but you don't have much control over your career, that's what I meant." Shen Ze went home and told Dilraba about what happened at the company.

"Yeah, you did the right thing. Don't worry about it anymore. Everyone knows anyway. It's almost Qixi Festival. Where are you planning to take me? I'm free anyway," Dilraba said.

It's not that she has nothing to do; it's just that she wasn't originally scheduled to participate in the couple photoshoot, so the role went directly to Li Xirui. Jiaxing is still capable of handling this.

Neither of them was unhappy about the company's affairs, but they both knew that they both had some lingering doubts about how the company planned to handle the situation.

The day after Qixi Festival, Dilraba was summoned to the company again, this time to face Zhao Ruoyao.

"Hey, the costume photos for 'Love in the Backlight' are great. Filming is about to start. This is your first leading role, so you have to do a good job."

"The male lead is your classmate. You two must have worked together many times in school, right? There shouldn't be any major problems. Go back and go over the script. I've already sent you the complete script," Zhao Ruoyao instructed.

"OK."

Watching Dilraba leave, Zhao Ruoyao sighed. Dilraba, being a star is about creating dreams. As the female lead, especially in a romance drama, how could she not have intimate scenes?