Rebirth from the Ashes

Yu Yuanxi and Shen Xi stopped in their tracks.

Wang Cai cheerfully gazed at Shen Xi. “Young lady, you can really act. Are you an actress?”

He had never seen her before. No way would he overlook a talented actress like her in the entertainment industry. She would be a hit by now if she went into showbiz.

There could only be one reason – she had never acted despite having the whole package.

Lil’ Yu might have talents, but he needed guidance in the beginning. Unlike Lil’ Yu, the girl was born to act and needed no instructions.

Shen Xi shook her head. “No.”

Having gotten into the topic, Wang Cai could hardly suppress the excitement stirring in him. “I wonder if you’d be interested in acting?”

Shen Xi gave a flat-out refusal. “No.”

“Showbiz is where the money is. Please reconsider.” Wang Cai was feeling down in the dumps. There was no need to point out the profitability of the entertainment business because everyone had a ballpark of the kind of paychecks actors received. Enough said.

In a place like showbiz, wads of dollar bills would be raining down if people were able to get their name out there. Many dreamed of stepping into the land of glitz and glamor; an example of such people were the extras working in the film base every day.

Shen Xi grinned. “I’m not short of cash.”

Wang Cai choked on his words. What more could he say other than wearing her down? “It’s such a waste of your talent if you don’t go into acting. Truly, you are a great actress.”

Shen Xi replied, “I’m not interested.”

While she was firmly turning the director down, the nearby crew members and extras were gobsmacked. The extras, in particular, were astonished that there was actually somebody who did not want to go into showbiz nor make the money and be a hit.

Everyone built castles in the air, imagining themselves to be a diamond in the rough that was yet to be discovered. Every dog had its day and one day, someone would pick them out of the crowd, recognize their talent, and make them a star.

However, not everybody had such an opportunity as it was one in a million. The fantasy was not all impossible in the past, but it proved a difficult feat in the current climate.

Yet now, Mr. Wang was telling the fangirl what the extras had always wanted to hear. To their surprise, she rejected this once-in-a-lifetime offer with ease.

That was right.

It was apparent to them that the fan could not care less about the money and fame Mr. Wang was talking about. Her detachment seemed to exude straight from her very core.

“Call me if you ever come around.” Wang Cai may say so, but he was not going to throw in the towel just yet. He should not be all over her face if he was trying to win her over as it would only do more harm than good if he p*ssed her off.

Time was on his side. Since she was Lil’ Yu’s fan, Wang Cai could slowly sell her on the idea through Lil’ Yu. This was the best way to go about it.

Shen Xi had no intentions of going into showbiz. Otherwise, she would already be there and not wait until now. As the founder of Cosmos Entertainment, she had more insight than anyone else about what Wang Cai was saying.

As he watched Shen Xi take off with Yu Yuanxi, Wang Cai made up his mind to make Shen Xi reweigh her options. If showbiz was not her thing, she could simply focus on acting and become a real actress.

It was no longer as straightforward with actors nowadays. Many of them were mediocre in the art of acting, but they packaged themselves well and had money as well as the fans’ support to back them up. They were still sought for movie roles even if they were sh*t.

This was particularly true in the TV series circle. It was a pity that the quality of the actors and TV series was going downhill right to the dumps.

This phenomenon would only worsen with the injection of money and the rise of fan management. Down-to-earth actors who were not into promoting themselves had become rare finds.

As for her indifference, Wang Cai refused to believe that anybody would be so unaroused by fame, power, and money. There must be some sort of incentive to draw her in. Maybe she would realize her love for acting and choose to become an actress once she started the shoot.

With Shen Xi leaving alongside Yu Yuanxi, He Xiang the manager respectfully tagged along behind them.

Yun Jinping returned with the group of fans bearing bubble tea when she heard from one of the crew that Shen Xi was called by the director to work as an extra. Watching Yu Yuanxi approaching with a little beggar, she recognized instantly that the beggar was her darling daughter. “Xixi.”

Shen Xi smiled at her as she jogged over and gave a twirl in between. She asked, “Mom, what do you think of my makeup?”

Yun Jinping nodded happily. “Looks great. I bet your dad won’t be able to tell that it’s you if you went home looking like that.”

Shen Xi took it seriously. “The clothes belong to the production team. I can’t wear this back.”

Yun Jinping enjoyed a chuckle and handed both Shen Xi and Yu Yuanxi a bubble tea each. “Lil’ Yu, is it a lot of work?”

Yu Yuanxi grabbed the beverage and grinned at her. “No.”

Yun Jinping carefully eyed Yu Yuanxi. The young man was handsome, to begin with, but the pale blue brocade brought out his cavalry and charm.

She was caught in the moment of a daze when he smiled. It was like looking at her husband during their youth when they had their wedding photos taken.

Her husband should be wearing red for the wedding photoshoot, but he went to find himself a blue brocade to put on.

His appearance and build were similar to the young man before her eyes. The only difference was the young man was more good-looking and refined than her husband.

After sharing a word, Yun Jinping accompanied Shen Xi for makeup removal and a change of clothes. She could not be going around in a beggar outfit!

The other fans immediately flocked at the emergence of their idol. They chatted and asked for autographs and photos. One of the perks of liking an idol who had not made it big was that the idol was unassuming and friendly enough to engage in some one-on-one time.

This was a luxury and would only come by at a time as such. The opportunity would not present itself when the idol hit it big. It was not to say he would change, but rather he would not be able to attend to every single fan once his fan base grew.

Yu Yuanxi greeted them warmly and welcomed all requests for photos and autographs. As a rookie, he knew where he stood, and he was content to have fans like them.

“Mr. Yu, we have gotten into a bit of a situation with Ms. Xia. She’s still on makeup, so Mr. Wang’s bringing forward your scene to shoot first. You should head there now.” The assistant director came over.

Yu Yuanxi looked abashed at his fans. “Are you leaving now? If you’re not in a hurry, let me treat you to dinner once the shoot is over.”

He then looked to Yun Jinping and Shen Xi, who had returned from freshening up and a change of clothes, to inquire about the same.

The fans were in no rush since they were planning to spend the night here before leaving first thing in the morning. Ecstatic by the invitation, they bobbed their heads in agreement.

Yun Jinping nodded with a smile. She was good with anything as long as it did not interfere with his shoot. She came here to check on him anyway.

Yu Yuanxi broke into a smile. “Don’t just wait up for me. Explore the place. There are many ongoing shoots and renowned actors here.”

The fans shook their heads in unison. They did not care for other celebrities because they were here only for him and to see him. After giving their word to the associate director about keeping mum about the shoot, they were allowed to watch Yu Yuanxi at work.

Holding Yun Jinping by the arm, Shen Xi tailed behind Yu Yuanxi.

On set, Wang Cai was on another rampage. With the shoot about to begin, they were missing an important extra who was still nowhere to be found. Wang Cai looked around the room and his eyes lit up when he spotted Shen Xi with Yun Jinping. He pointed at her and said, “Stop the search, she’s the one.”

The girl was a true feast to the eyes with beauty matching an unworldly angel. The role of Ling Yao was made for her.

The associate wanted to say something but did not have the heart to break the news to the already boiling Wang Cai. ‘Open your eyes, Mr. Wang. She’s the little beggar from earlier!’