Chapter 36: Clinging to a Thigh!

Back in the dormitory.

After greeting his two roommates, and under their envious gazes, Cheng Sheng didn't bother unpacking the luggage Qiao Shan had left on his bed. He simply set the suitcase aside and lay down to rest.

Having flown back from Venice and dealt with the principal and school leadership for half the day, he was exhausted.

Before long, Cheng Sheng fell asleep.

He was sleeping, but whether inside or outside the school, things were bustling with excitement.

Many students at the Central Academy of Drama wanted to see him after hearing that Cheng Sheng had returned.

After all, once they graduated, they hoped Cheng Sheng might look after them.

If they could establish a connection with Cheng Sheng, they wouldn't have to worry about finding work after graduation.

"Baihe, are you close with Director Cheng? Can you introduce me to him?"

Shen Jiani, a student in the Class of '02 Acting Department and in the same class as Bai Baihe, said while pulling at Bai Baihe.

As an outstanding student of the acting department, Shen Jiani actually had the opportunity to appear in one of Cheng Sheng's films. The school had even spoken to her, mentioning that an important supporting female role was being reserved for her.

Unfortunately, because she had accepted a role in the TV drama *Plain Life*, she had declined the school's kind offer.

Furthermore, she actually held a bit of disdain for Cheng Sheng's films in her heart; she believed the rumors online and felt his movies would flop.

She thought that if she acted in this film, it would be very detrimental to her future reputation.

In fact, after learning that Bai Baihe had accepted a role in Cheng Sheng's film, she had even felt a hint of mockery toward her.

But when she finished filming *Plain Life* and returned to school, only to learn that Cheng Sheng's film had triumphed in Venice, she was completely stunned.

Regret surged through her so intensely she felt like jumping off a building.

She had actually missed out on such a magnificent film.

A massive opportunity had been laid out before her, yet she failed to cherish it... it was a chance to make a name for herself internationally!

Instantly, she felt a profound sense of loss, and even in her dreams at night, she was filled with remorse...

Since she had missed the chance to be in Cheng Sheng's film, she could not afford to miss the chance to meet him.

She would cling to him; she would latch onto his success.

While on the set of *Plain Life*, Shen Jiani had realized that the entertainment industry is a circle. Without connections or help, it is extremely difficult to gain a foothold.

Moreover, to continuously climb within this circle, one needs supporters even more.

As a student who hadn't even graduated, although she was lucky enough to land the female lead in *Plain Life*, it didn't provide much long-term help.

And there was no guarantee she would even become famous after the drama aired.

What she wanted most now was to meet Cheng Sheng and latch onto this powerful figure, so that she would not lack film resources in the future.

"Jiani, I'm not that close with Director Cheng. We just know each other," Bai Baihe said with a look of difficulty.

Internally, however, she was secretly mocking her and had no intention of introducing her to Cheng Sheng.

Previously, when Shen Jiani landed the female lead in *Plain Life*, she had boasted about it loudly in class; Bai Baihe still remembered how smug she had looked.

At that time, Bai Baihe had felt very envious and jealous.

But now, she wasn't envious at all; instead, she felt like Shen Jiani was a clown.

So what if she landed the lead in *Plain Life*? She had rejected Cheng Sheng's film.

Now, she was turning around to beg for help to meet him.

***

Huayi Company.

"Sister Hua, I heard Cheng Sheng is back from Venice?"

Fan Shuangbing walked into Wang Jinhua's office and spoke.

Sitting there, Wang Jinhua looked up and said, "Close the door."

Fan Shuangbing closed the door.

"Bingbing, I know what you're thinking, but some things don't happen just because you want them to. President Wang has already arranged work for you, and President Wang will also send someone to recruit Cheng Sheng's interest. You just need to do your job well."

As the first professional manager in the country, Wang Jinhua saw through Fan Shuangbing's intentions at a glance.

But since Fan Shuangbing had only recently signed with Huayi, the Wang brothers had already made arrangements for her. They certainly wouldn't grant her extra resources; after all, if they did, how would the other artists react?

If every artist acted this way, how could the company be managed?

Although Wang Jinhua often disagreed with the Wang brothers, she agreed with them on matters like this.

"Sister Hua, isn't there any other way? If I could play the female lead in Cheng Sheng's next film, I could definitely rise to the first tier. It would be good for the company too. When the time comes, all the endorsements and salaries I earn will go back to the company as commissions."

Fan Shuangbing was very ambitious about her career; she would never let an opportunity to climb pass her by.

It wasn't that she hadn't approached the Wang brothers, but she understood even better that the Wang brothers valued Li Shuangbing more.

Sister Hua, however, was good to her, which was why Fan Shuangbing came to her, hoping that through her, she might get a chance at the female lead in Cheng Sheng's next film.

Hearing this, Wang Jinhua did not answer immediately, as she had her own considerations.

In 2000, she and the Wang brothers founded Huayi, and she served as the President.

With her strength, in just four years, nearly half of the stars in the entertainment industry were with Huayi.

Many of these stars had been personally signed by her.

At this point, Huayi could be described as the largest talent agency in mainland China. The achievements of people like Li Shuangbing and Fan Shuangbing were inseparable from her early cultivation.

Back then, Li Shuangbing won Best Actress at the Singapore Film Festival with *Going Home for New Year*, which set her on the path of a "serious actress."

The reason Li Shuangbing skyrocketed was entirely due to Wang Jinhua's efforts.

Because after Li Shuangbing read the script for *Going Home for New Year*, she refused to act no matter what. It was Wang Jinhua who personally persuaded her, ensuring she didn't miss that opportunity.

Additionally, Fan Shuangbing's rise to fame was also thanks to Wang Jinhua, which caused the nearly forgotten "Golden Lock" to be mentioned once again.

Beyond that, Wang Jinhua had also made many stars famous, such as Mei Ting in *Parents' Love*, and Tong Dawei through *Jade Goddess*, and so on.

Wang Jinhua had single-handedly brought Huayi to its peak, but she had also developed conflicts with the Wang brothers because of it.

The friction between the two parties had existed since the company's inception.

Although Wang Jinhua served as the President of Huayi, the real power lay in the hands of the Wang brothers.

Power struggles!

Whether in ancient courts or modern corporations, they always existed.

When opinions differ, the cracks grow wider, and the conflicts become more acute.

Especially in the past year, Wang Jinhua had realized that she no longer had much say in Huayi; the Wang brothers had been slowly reclaiming her authority.

Disappointed in the Wang brothers, Wang Jinhua intended to leave Huayi and start her own venture.

But she didn't want to leave in such a pathetic manner, nor did she want to be kicked out by the Wang brothers.

Next year would mark the expiration of her five-year contract with Huayi. She would leave Huayi, and she would give the Wang brothers a surprise.

With this plan in mind, Wang Jinhua rarely interfered in company affairs anymore. The most she did was maintain emotional connections with the company's artists.

(End of Chapter)