Chapter 59: Sister, I don't want to try anymore!

The good news was that she had foreseen a future character of her own that would break through and become a massive hit.

In other words, she, Jing Tian, would eventually become famous through her own ability in the future.

The bad news was that this character was named Si Teng, originating from a web series titled *Rattan*, and its broadcast date was March 8, 2021.

According to the user manual for the character premonition opportunity, she would be prioritized to foresee information regarding the character closest to her current timeline, along with all relevant film and television content.

In other words, she wouldn't shoot to fame until March 2021.

"Me, of all people? Jing Tian?"

"To think that I won't become famous until thirteen years later, in 2021, by acting in a web series."

"Isn't that just ridiculous!"

Jing Tian felt that this matter was utterly surreal.

Yet, out of trust in her supernatural ability, she knew it was a fact.

To tell whether a celebrity is truly popular or not depends not on the backing of capital, but on the grassroots audience.

Capital was immensely powerful, but it could not brainwash the public; there were plenty of people whom capital failed to lift up.

At this moment, Jing Tian realized the ultimate truth: "Minor fame depends on a push, but massive fame depends on destiny."

"No, wait, maybe it's just because I've kept too low a profile."

Jing Tian thought of how she recently passed on the opportunity to play the female lead in *The Legend of Sun Zi*.

Perhaps she had wanted too much to succeed on her own and hadn't utilized enough resources, thus missing out on early opportunities?

Jing Tian decided that she could have Lu Zheng invest in major productions and collaborate with top-tier stars like the Two Chows, Jet Li, and the Four Heavenly Kings.

If she played the female lead or a significant supporting role in every single one of those films, she refused to believe she wouldn't catch fire.

Weren't all those "Muse of Zhang Yimou" and "Muse of Stephen Chow" overnight sensations because of a single film?

If all else failed, she would invest in Hollywood blockbusters and make a forceful entry into Hollywood!

In an instant, Jing Tian's mind raced through countless thoughts.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Zhang Li stood frozen at the doorway just as he returned to his dorm at the Beijing Film Academy.

[Jing Tian used her financial power for your sake... Perfect Character Experience Opportunity +1]

The voice echoing in his mind gave him a sense of unreality.

Was Jing Tian having Starlight Pictures invest in *The Message* and securing him the role of Bai Xiaonian through internal arrangements?

The next moment, he received the answer.

[October of the third year of the Republic of China (October 1914), you were born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.]

[In the twenty-second year of the Republic of China, you graduated from Beiping National Art College.]

[In the twenty-fourth year of the Republic of China, you served as a Second Lieutenant Aide-de-Camp and Counselor in the Wuhan Headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.]

[Nominally you were the commander's aide-de-camp, but in reality, you were the male favorite (known as a "Tuerye") of the puppet army commander-in-chief.]

[You possessed delicate, fair features, with an excess of refined gentleness, striking silently and invisibly.]

[You were once a celebrated Kunqu opera star, brilliant, dazzling, and set apart from the crowd.]

[In the twenty-sixth year of the Republic of China...]

[In the twenty-ninth year of the Republic of China...]

Zhang Li reviewed Bai Xiaonian's brief life like watching a passing panorama from a god's perspective.

Yet it also felt as though he had experienced Bai Xiaonian's emotions firsthand from a first-person perspective.

Immediately afterward, he noticed changes occurring on his personal panel.

[Absolute Pitch, Singing (Masterly), Acting (Proficient), Xu Changqing Character BUFF... Bai Xiaonian Character BUFF]

[Bai Xiaonian Character BUFF]: When activated, complete immersion into the role of Bai Xiaonian with a temperament boost. Duration: one hour. Cooldown: twenty-four hours.

"With this, I won't have to worry about not nailing the performance even if I secure the role." A sharp glint flashed across Zhang Li's eyes. "No one understands Bai Xiaonian better than I do."

The cast of *The Message* featured powerhouse actors like Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu, Huang Xiaoming, Wang Zhiwen, Ni Dahong, and Duan Yihong, all of whom delivered incredible performances.

In everything, people feared comparison. Even if he could deliver what might be considered an outstanding performance, standing alongside those veterans might cause him to be overshadowed, leaving the audience feeling he fell short and dragging down the entire production.

But now, with the BUFF activated, his target was the Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse, Golden Rooster, and Hong Kong Film Awards.

"Not only did she secure the role for me."

"She even ensured I can play it to absolute perfection."

"Jing Tian, having you around is truly my blessing."

Zhang Li suddenly understood those men and women who willingly allowed themselves to be kept by wealthy benefactors.

He even felt like telling Jing Tian, "Sister, I don't want to work hard anymore."

*Buzz~*

A vibration suddenly came from his coat pocket.

Zhang Li immediately took out his phone and answered.

"Hello, yes, this is Zhang Li."

"Right, okay, I'll be right there."

Zhang Li silently praised Huayi's efficiency, or rather, the perks of having powerful backers.

Instead of entering his dorm, he returned to the campus parking lot and drove directly to Huayi Brothers.

Vice President Wang was in charge of the signing process. Upon seeing Zhang Li, he immediately had his secretary fawn over him.

Serving tea, asking after his well-being—the works.

"A-Li, if you write any good scripts, come find me first. I'll definitely give you the industry's highest rate, and you can invest in them too if you'd like."

"Your audition performance for Bai Xiaonian was fantastic. The moment I watched it, I had someone notify you to come sign the contract."

"The film audition and costume fitting are scheduled for January, and filming will officially start around February."

"If you run into any trouble on the crew then, just come to me anytime."

"..."

Vice President Wang was amiable, accommodating, and oozed warmth.

Zhang Li smiled in response, thinking to himself that this man certainly knew how to flatter himself.

If he didn't know the role had been gift-wrapped for him by Jing Tian, he might actually have believed this sweet talk, though he still wouldn't dare accept any favors!

"Director Wang, I have some business to attend to at a production set, so let's chat again when we have time."

The moment the contract was signed, Zhang Li had urgent business to attend to and prepared to leave.

Vice President Wang didn't try to detain him.

"Damn, that's disgusting."

"I'm not Huang Xiaoming."

"Being handsome means you have to protect yourself when you go out."

"As expected, I still have to produce and star in my own works."

Sitting in his car, Zhang Li rubbed his arms.

He couldn't quite swallow the bitterness; a man actually harboring such thoughts about him.

No, he had to do something to cheer himself up.

"Right, I'll go pour my heart out to Shishi."

Zhang Li started the car, planning to head over to Liu Shishi's place.

Before he could pull away, however, a QQ message popped up from Yang Mi on his phone.

[A-Li, you said you were going to visit the set, but it's been almost a month and you still haven't shown up. Have you completely forgotten about your big sis?]

[Even that busy bee Tang Yan manages to find time for filming, so how come a student like you has no time at all?]

[Attached image]

Yang Mi had wanted to send this message for a long time.

Yet a woman's pride made her reluctant to be too proactive.

Today, finally having a legitimate excuse, she immediately took action.

"Visit the set?"

A bright gleam flashed in Zhang Li's eyes.

That was definitely doable, and coincidentally, he wasn't far from the set of *Dream of the Red Chamber* right now.

Zhang Li: [Hehe~]

Yang Mi: [???]

Zhang Li: [Busy right now, chat later.]

Yang Mi: [...]

"What's wrong?"

Tang Yan handed a small piece of cake to Yang Mi.

She had come to visit the set bearing a bunch of small pastries to share with the entire crew.

"That little brat is incorrigible." Yang Mi puffed out her cheeks. "He acts like he's looking down on me."

"Could you be overthinking it?" Li Qin, sitting nearby, chimed in. "A-Li has always been very polite and enthusiastic."

"What do you know?" Yang Mi gave a soft huff. "That's only because you taught him Kunqu opera knowledge, so he found you useful. Once you're no longer useful, he forgets you entirely."

Saying that, she looked at Tang Yan. "Am I right, Tangtang?"

Tang Yan: [...]

I feel like you're taking a dig at me, but I have no proof.