Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Hu Xiaoxiao sized up Yan Weikang a few times. He was in his thirties, thin, and wore glasses, looking quite refined. Only occasionally did a deep look appear in his eyes.

"First of all, I am very grateful that your company thinks highly of me," Hu Xiaoxiao said. "However, I feel that my acting skills are not refined enough, and I haven't filmed many TV series. Even if I include my extra roles, or the one cameo role, I only have two shows. So I don't think it's very suitable for me to work in the film industry with my current abilities."

She will venture into the film industry; it's one of her plans.

However, she is very methodical in her work.

Her current plan is to thoroughly understand the television industry before considering other options.

Charlie was just about to promote her when she went off to the film industry. It's likely she'll never get any decent roles on television again.

Because of the contract issue, the TV station had always given her the cold shoulder. She had to fight for all her resources herself, and she managed to win the contract by seizing opportunities and working hard enough.

She had finally managed to get the TV station's management to overlook her contract issues by using her own strength and value, but now she was going to try to get into the film industry, which was a completely murky industry. Hu Xiaoxiao was unwilling to accept this.

"Miss Hu, is your self-worth not clear enough?" Yan Weikang sat on the sofa, his hands crossed on his knees, leaning slightly forward, looking at Hu Xiaoxiao with a smile and admiration. "Miss Hu's first time playing the female lead made the TV series a huge hit. When 'The Grandmaster' ended, the streets were deserted, and everyone was watching the show. With such achievements, Miss Hu is a legendary figure in the entire Baogang entertainment industry."

Yan Weikang changed his posture, placed his hands on the armrests, leaned back on the sofa, and crossed his legs. "I watched Ms. Hu's drama from beginning to end. Your acting skills are flawless. You can completely handle the movie scenes."

Outside the coffee shop, a bougainvillea was in bloom, its branches covered with bright red flowers that were a delightful sight.

Hu Xiaoxiao picked up her coffee and took a small sip.

Instead of putting down the coffee in his hand, he gently felt its temperature with his fingertips.

"Mr. Yan, if I go into the film industry, will you give me leading roles?"

Yan Weikang replied, "With Miss Hu's fame and looks, she's the obvious choice for the lead role. Furthermore, I'll arrange for our company's most famous male actor to co-star with you. What do you think of this sincerity?"

Hu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "What kind of drama is it?"

"Our company is going to start a film next month, the subject of which is about a gangster. Ms. Hu has never seen a gangster movie before, has she? This kind of subject is very novel, and no one has made it yet. Ms. Hu can be the first to try it."

"A gangster? I thought it was a gangster girl." Just as I thought.

Hu Xiaoxiao put down her coffee and took a tissue to wipe her fingertips.

Yan Weikang laughed. "Miss Hu is so humorous."

“No, I’m serious,” Hu Xiaoxiao said, looking at Yan Weikang.

Yan Weikang observed Hu Xiaoxiao for a while, then chuckled and said, "You want to make a film about a gangster girl? The film market mainly targets male audiences, nobody watches gangster movies."

"It's not that I necessarily have to be a gangster, but the female lead I want to be in is a movie where the female lead is the main character, not a vase to complement the male lead." Hu Xiaoxiao bluntly said, "Your new movie is about gangsters, and you say it's to make me the female lead, but actually you want to use me to promote the male lead."

Hu Xiaoxiao immediately understood that this film, with its unprecedented subject matter, was risky and had a small audience; they were simply trying to mitigate that risk by hiring her.

For any subject to become popular, there must be a series of stepping stones that die before it can become a hit. She is not willing to be the first stone to die, paving the way for others to walk on.

Of course, she wouldn't rule out considering movies with a purely female lead. After all, leading ladies in the film industry are highly valued and have a very high level of prestige.

But without even seeing the script, Hu Xiaoxiao could guess that the movie Yan Weikang was talking about was about a character like Lan Xinya.

She can film Lan Xinya, but it's just filming a pretty face; why would she need to sign with a talent agency?

Where can't a pretty face act? If she takes on roles herself, she avoids middlemen.

If the agency wants to act as her middleman but can't bring her any profit, what's in it for her? Is she just trying to get more people to share her money?

“I understand, Miss Hu doesn’t want to be just a pretty face.” Yan Weikang’s smile faded slightly. “But isn’t the role you’re playing now also just a pretty face? Zhou Bijun’s acting is good, but in the end, isn’t she just there to support Ren Shaohua?”

“Yes, you’re right.” Hu Xiaoxiao said directly, “But this isn’t something you should be saying to me when you come to sign me. Yan Sheng, you’ve seen it yourself. For roles like the ‘decorative’ role you just mentioned, I can find acting opportunities on my own without signing with any company. If you want me to sign with your company, shouldn’t you show me some value? Please tell me, what value can you offer me that will appeal to me if I sign with your company?”

Does she even need to sign with an agency if she wants to play a decorative role? She can just go to the audition. A decorative role is nothing; she can play any kind of part anywhere. Wanting to sign her without wanting to put in any effort is wishful thinking.

"So, Miss Hu doesn't think highly of our company?"

"No, your company is so powerful, why would I look down on it? It's just that I don't like the conditions you offered."

Yan Weikang lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, looking intently at Hu Xiaoxiao through the smoke, his voice deepening: "I admire Miss Hu's ambition, but as someone in the film industry, I advise you not to be so naive. Ninety-nine percent of film directors are men, almost all investors are men, producers are men, and even the majority of moviegoers are men. A woman wants to be a leading lady in the film industry? Miss Hu, although you are very talented, you are also very naive."

“Being naive isn’t a bad thing. For me, life is very simple: just be happy,” Hu Xiaoxiao said.

Yan Weikang stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette heavily on the saucer of his coffee cup. "Ms. Hu, would you like to reconsider?"

"No need." Hu Xiaoxiao lost interest in continuing the conversation, raised her hand to call the waiter, and paid for their coffee.

Yan Weikang remained seated, giving a faint smile. "I hope Miss Hu stays in the television industry. If she comes to the film industry, I'll give her a lesson."

Hu Xiaoxiao smiled back at him and said, "I like going to class because I can learn a lot."

After saying that, Hu Xiaoxiao took her bag and left.

Yan Weikang watched Hu Xiaoxiao's departing figure—beautiful, elegant, and sexy. She was indeed unique, but—

A proud woman?

He's seen a lot.

In the end, they're all the same.