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

By the end of October, the weather in Huairou was already quite cold.

Lin Shen's car drove into the film and television base at 7:30 sharp. The sky outside the window was just beginning to brighten, and the studio area where the film crew was located was already bustling with activity.

The stagehands pushed equipment carts back and forth, the lighting crew set up lights, and several extras wrapped in military overcoats squatted against the wall smoking.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Yang Chaoyue jumped out of the passenger seat. By the time Lin Shen got out of the car, she was already discussing the schedule with the production manager.

"Good morning, Brother Shen." A passing stagehand nodded in greeting.

"Good morning," Lin Shen replied and walked towards the dressing room.

As he walked through the photography studio, he could feel several eyes on him.

It wasn't the excitement or curiosity of before, but something else—a scrutiny, or perhaps gossip.

Rumors in the entertainment industry spread faster than the flu.

By this morning, most people who needed to know about Feng Xiaogang's Weibo post from last night probably already knew.

Moreover, the official announcement of "Mr. Six" was made just yesterday, and rumors of Lin Shen's refusal to act had already circulated in the industry. Feng Xiaogang's decisive action effectively put the matter on the table.

At the entrance to the dressing room, Liu Tianzuo was standing there holding a cup of soy milk. When he saw Lin Shen coming over, his eyes lit up.

"Hey, Shen'er!"

Lin Shen paused, finding the form of address rather novel.

Liu Tianzuo walked over, looked him up and down, and then patted him on the shoulder:

"Okay, it's alright. I find those things online annoying, don't take them to heart."

Lin Shen laughed: "Brother Zuo, what could possibly be wrong with me?"

"That's good, that's good." Liu Tianzuo took a sip of soy milk. "Director Feng, he can be impulsive, but don't take it too far..."

He paused, seemingly realizing that whatever he said wasn't quite right, so he simply waved his hand, "Hey! I've said too much, you know what I mean anyway. Let's film!"

After saying that, he took the soy milk and left.

Lin Shen watched his retreating figure, while Yang Chaoyue whispered beside him, "Brother Zuo is actually a pretty nice guy."

"Hmm, it's not bad."

As soon as Lin Shen sat down after pushing open the dressing room door, another person appeared in the mirror's reflection.

Tang Yan.

She arrived early today, and her makeup was already half done. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and she was leaning against the dressing table.

"Good morning, Teacher Lin."

Lin Shen glanced at her in the mirror and nodded: "Good morning, Sister Tangtang."

Tang Yan didn't leave after saying goodbye; she just leaned against the wall, waiting for the makeup artist to apply Lin Shen's foundation before finally speaking:

"Lin Shen, I have a question."

"Um?"

Do you even know who you've offended?

Lin Shen looked at her in the mirror, waiting for what she would say next.

"Feng Xiaogang, Guan Hu, Huayi." Tang Yan held up one finger at a time. "You should know the weight of these names when they're put together."

She paused for a moment: "Huayi is now the number one film and television company in China, that goes without saying."

Those people in Beijing's entertainment circle usually seem busy with their own lives, but when something really happens, they stick together more tightly than anyone else. If you turn down a role with Feng Xiaogang today, you might not even get a chance to see a bunch of other roles tomorrow.

That's a very honest statement.

Lin Shen was well aware of Huayi's importance. In recent years, Huayi had been at its peak, having almost completely dominated the industry chain, from film production and distribution to artist management and cinemas.

The Beijing film circle is deeply entrenched, and with the screenwriters, directors, and producers they've cultivated over the years, they are indeed one of the most influential forces in the domestic film and television industry.

It's quite risky for a newcomer to the entertainment industry to offend them, from another perspective.

Unfortunately, Lin Shen is no ordinary newcomer.

Lin Shen smiled and said, "Sister Tangtang, are you worried about me?"

Tang Yan rolled her eyes: "Do you think I'm bored?"

"So you want to hear what I have to say?"

Tang Yan did not deny it.

Lin Shen leaned back, and the makeup artist's hand paused for a moment in response to his movement before continuing.

"Have you seen Director Feng's Weibo posts?"

"nonsense."

"So what do you think he was cursing about?"

Tang Yan thought for a moment: "I'll scold you for being ungrateful and for turning down his role."

Lin Shen shook his head: "That's not right."

Tang Yan raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled.

"If he was really angry that I refused the role, he could have scolded me long ago. Why did he wait until the official announcement to release the news?"

"Because he needed this opportunity. He announced the lineup, with Kris Wu taking over, and then posted a veiled message on Weibo. That way, everyone would know that I was the one who 'didn't know what was good for me' first, and that they were 'forced to change the lineup.' Plus, by dragging me into it, the buzz went up, so they didn't lose out either way."

Tang Yan was taken aback. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about this, but Lin Shen spoke of it so casually, as if he didn't care at all.

"Since you know that, why are you still so calm?"

"So what should I do?" Lin Shen looked at her in the mirror. "Post something on Weibo to argue? Say, 'Director Feng, you misunderstood. I really just had a scheduling conflict, not that I looked down on you guys.'"

Tang Yan didn't respond this time.

"Would it even be useful to post it?" Lin Shen continued. "He said I'm somewhat attractive but lack bone structure, so am I supposed to jump up and say I have bone structure, and give a live broadcast of what my bone structure looks like to prove myself?"

Tang Yan was speechless for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

"You have such a mouth..."

"Just telling the truth." Lin Shen closed his eyes, letting the makeup artist continue.

"What he wanted was for me to engage in a heated online argument. If I responded, the buzz would naturally build, and their movie would get publicity. And what did I get besides being labeled as disrespectful to a senior?"

The dressing room fell silent. Tang Yan looked at him and suddenly felt a little unfamiliar with him.

She always thought Lin Shen was the kind of person who was smart but didn't show it off, easy to talk to, didn't cause trouble, and was polite to everyone.

But these few words today showed her another side of the story.

It's not cleverness, it's clear-headedness.

Sober enough to detach oneself, see through others' schemes, and then choose not to get involved.

"Alright." Tang Yan sat up. "As long as you know what's going on, that's fine. I thought you were going to cry. I was worried for nothing."

Lin Shen opened his eyes and stared at her: "Sister Tangtang, are you so worried about me?"

"I'm worried you'll slow down the production schedule." Tang Yan snorted, turned and walked out, but stopped at the door and looked back at him.

"But seriously, aren't you planning to do anything about Huayi? They have plenty of people."

Lin Shen smiled and said, "I'll do my thing, and they'll do theirs. We'll each go our own way."

Tang Yan stared at him for a while, then said nothing more and went straight out the door.

The makeup artist then dared to speak: "Ms. Lin, close your eyes for a moment, there's still a bit of... "

Lin Shen closed her eyes and let the makeup brush sweep across her face.

Yang Chaoyue, who had been standing to the side without saying a word, leaned over and whispered:

"Brother Shen, what does Teacher Tang mean by this?"

"Just out of curiosity, and incidentally, to make a good sale."

"And what she just said..."

"It's true," Lin Shen replied calmly. "Huayi is indeed number one among film and television companies now, and the Beijing film circle is indeed very united. But so what?"

Yang Chaoyue didn't understand, but she knew that Brother Shen really didn't take it to heart.

After finishing her makeup, Lin Shen stood up and stretched her shoulders.

"Let's go."