Chapter 11

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

This was a very common move in the production crew, and it was also one of the best moves. If Yang Shan wanted to really integrate into this team, she really had no right with her level as a newcomer with her lack of status. Tang Xiaoxiao could only help her secretly to try hard to win over the staff of the production crew with cold drinks and food.

Tang Xiaoxiao personally handed out the cold drinks to the members of the crew, while earnestly saying to them with a smile, “Everyone, I’m really sorry. Shanshan is still young and it’s her first time acting. I’m really sorry for wasting so much of your time and energy. I’ll apologize on behalf of Shanshan, please don’t be too hard on her.”

Liu Cheng, the director’s assistant of the production crew, took over the cold drink and said as he ate the snack, “Thank you, Beauty Xiaoxiao. My throat is already dry from talking so much just now.”

“You don’t need to thank me. It will be considered thanks if you take care of our Shanshan!” Tang Xiaoxiao handed out the cold drinks and said with a smile.

Liu Cheng curled his lips and glanced at Yang Shan, who was not far away and still crying. “Her? Pfft, it’s a waste of my time! Xiaoxiao, with your beauty, you would definitely be popular if you entered the entertainment industry. It’s much better than serving this missy, right? Don’t blame me for being so direct, but compared with you… this girl is really too green.”

Tang Xiaoxiao gave a faint smile and explained in a gentle voice, “Shanshan is still a child, so you should be the bigger man here. The situation will be much better once you let her get familiar with life in a production set.”

“Child?” Liu Cheng nodded slightly. “That’s right. How can a student like her know how people work? By the way, Xiaotang, how old are you?”

“I’m twenty.”

Liu Cheng almost spat out the drink in his mouth. He glanced at Tang Xiaoxiao’s luscious figure, eyes sweeping across her curves as he swallowed imperceptibly. “20 years old… You don’t look like…”

Ignoring Liu Cheng’s wandering gaze, Tang Xiaoxiao took the initiative, picking up two bottles before she strode over when she saw that Director Cao Hao was still discussing the film with Cheng Mu. As she approached them, she said with a smile, “Director Cao, take a rest before you resume the shoot. The weather is a little hot now, here’s some mung bean drink to cool yourself down… I asked your assistant just now and know that you don’t really like sweets, so I brought you a bottle of mung bean water. Cheng Mu, you only drink tea, right? This is Mesona herbal tea, have a sip to see if it’s good?”

Cao Hao took the mung bean water and shook his head with a smile. “Xiaoxiao, that’s thoughtful of you. I appreciate it. This mung bean water is only sold in a small town more than 30 kilometers away from Le Yang Studio. You went more than 30 kilometers in order to buy this drink, and went all around Le Yang to help Yang Shan gain favors with everyone. As a manager… you are absolutely competent and professional. I’m happy to be convinced by you.”

Even after her intentions were exposed, Tang Xiaoxiao did not feel embarrassed at all. Instead, her smile seemed to grow wider. “I have no choice. Director Cao, I’m in this position so I have to be responsible. Since I have become her manager, I have to do my best.”

Cao Hao hesitated for a moment and tried to persuade her. “Xiaoxiao, I want to ask you a slightly personal question. Have you signed a contract with Yang Shan? You have to think carefully about this. If you haven’t signed a contract, it’s not worthwhile to be so… Don’t blame me for speaking out of turn, but you might not know that a few days ago, the top manager in our country, Ye Yuxin, jumped off a building and committed suicide because the artists she had cultivated personally jumped ship to another company. Think about it, after so many years of friendship and all that kindness that Ye Yuxin had given them, these people still betrayed their manager despite having contracts binding them. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Hearing this heartfelt speech, Tang Xiaoxiao’s eyes moved around and she smiled gratefully before she pretended to be frank. “Director Cao, thank you for your concern. I understand what you’re saying. The entertainment industry is what it is, I can only do what I can. Since I have already promised her, I have to do my best. Besides, Shanshan and I have been friends for so many years and I believe she won’t be so heartless.”

When he heard this, Director Cao shook his head helplessly and did not say anything more. He admired this girl very much. He would only say this much, after all, he could not control whether Tang Xiaoxiao listened or not.

For a manager, the early termination of an artist’s contract meant an ugly betrayal. There was little possibility of the two parties maintaining good relations afterward and it was one of the biggest taboos of a manager.

All this time, Cheng Mu had been silent by the side, as if he was deep in thought.

“All right, Director Cao, Cheng Mu, I won’t disturb you anymore. I’ll help Shanshan prepare her mood. It’s her first time acting and I apologize for the trouble she has caused you and the rest of the crew.”

Cao Hao laughed and scolded with a smile. “You’re quite smart. It’s a pity you don’t want to enter the industry.”

…

When she found Yang Shan, that girl was hiding in a corner and crying her eyes out. Seeing Tang Xiaoxiao coming over, she quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and as her voice warbled anxiously, “Xiaoxiao, the director is not going to use me anymore, in that case… shall we pack our bags and go home today?”

Her despondent words made Tang Xiaoxiao furious. Useless!

“Shanshan, are you stupid? Can’t you see that Director Cao in a fit of anger and threatened you on purpose? You’re the female lead he has carefully selected. He would never change the female lead so easily. As long as you act well, the director won’t make things difficult for you.” Tang Xiaoxiao could only try to persuade her.

“But… I really can’t act well.” Yang Shan sobbed. “When I think about the camera, I get so nervous that I forget everything.”

Tang Xiaoxiao took Yang Shan’s hand and looked at Tang Shan with her moving eyes. “Shanshan, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Have you forgotten about your ambition? You want to be the best star and let many people fall at your feet. The lens is nothing, the eyes of the others are nothing as well. Forget about everything beside you. You have to remember that you’re the most dazzling star!”

“I…”

“Shanshan, you can do it!” There was a charming smile on Tang Xiaoxiao’s lips and she said, “You’re a natural-born actress so the director picked you, and not me, isn’t that right? Because you’re a natural-born actress, you’re the female lead, and I’m just your manager, right?”

Hearing this, the gloom in Yang Shan’s eyes gradually disappeared and her heart jumped. That’s right. Tang Xiaoxiao was so beautiful but she was only worthy to be her manager and serve as a contrast to her. She was not a female lead, she was just a manager!

Yang Shan gradually pulled herself together, exuding her usual self-confidence when she heard this. Then she nodded and gave Tang Xiaoxiao a brilliant smile. “Xiaoxiao, you’re amazing. You must help me become the most dazzling star in the future!”