Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

This sudden change of attitude caught the audience off guard, as did the program staff.

After the performance, someone came up to Hu Xiaoxiao and asked, "Miss Hu, your acting was wrong. You were supposed to be playing Lan Xinya, how could you use Lan Xinya's appearance to play Zhou Bijun?"

Hu Xiaoxiao blinked and said, "I didn't perform wrong. Zhou Bijun also has the look of Lan Xinya. When she went to steal Ren Shaohua's secret manual, she used the identity of Lan Xinya."

The staff were speechless, but then thought that the program would probably be good, so they let it go.

After the opening performance, apart from the last segment of the show where everyone had to go on stage to sing together, Hu Xiaoxiao had nothing else to do.

Hu Xiaoxiao then went to the venue to watch the show and learn from the stage performances of the superstar singers. Their stage presence was captivating, and there was much to learn from them.

Hu Xiaoxiao went to find a seat in the last few rows of the audience. These seats were inconspicuous and occupied by some unknown artists, so the camera would almost never focus on them.

Those seated at the very front, closest to the stage, are either high-ranking executives, special guests, or artists with high status in the industry. For example, top singers, actresses, and television stars are all seated in the first few rows.

Hu Xiaoxiao didn't have a specific seat; she could just sit wherever there was a seat available in the back.

She saw Zhu Wanwen sitting in a corner watching the performance, so she went over and sat down next to her.

Zhu Wanwen smiled at Hu Xiaoxiao and said, "Your glance back and change of expression just now surprised me."

Seeing that no one was paying attention to this, Hu Xiaoxiao whispered to Zhu Wanwen, "The production team was afraid that I would steal the spotlight, and because of the popularity of 'The Grandmaster,' they had no choice but to let me go on. So they made me play the most unremarkable character, Lan Xinya, and I deliberately acted out a little."

"Did the production team give you any trouble backstage?"

"Since it's already aired, it's too late for them to make things difficult now."

"It's only you." Zhu Wanwen felt envious. Only Hu Xiaoxiao dared to openly engage in underhanded tactics. Anyone else would have been blacklisted countless times by now.

However, it must be said that Hu Xiaoxiao's abilities were also something Zhu Wanwen greatly admired, admitting that she was far inferior to him.

Zhu Wanwen could understand the complicated feelings some higher-ups had towards Hu Xiaoxiao. She was simply too outstanding; they couldn't bear not to use someone so excellent. But after using her, they were also frustrated because Hu Xiaoxiao was just too good at causing trouble.

Fortunately, Hu Xiaoxiao knows how to conduct herself and acts with discretion, or rather, she only causes trouble a little bit short of the line. But when you look at her, it seems like she hasn't done anything wrong.

Zhu Wanwen then said to Hu Xiaoxiao, "Your acting skills have improved too quickly. We studied together with Teacher Xia Qing and went to the training class together, but you have already graduated, while I am always just a little bit behind."

"It's probably because I learn things quickly."

"I noticed that you learned things very quickly during the Miss Hong Kong pageant. Even your teachers were surprised by your progress. They didn't expect you to learn acting so quickly as well." You were also very diligent.

Zhu Wanwen consulted with Teacher Xia Qing along with Hu Xiaoxiao, so she knew more and was more aware of Hu Xiaoxiao's hard work behind the scenes than others.

Hu Xiaoxiao comforted Zhu Wanwen, saying, "Take your time to learn, and you'll gradually accumulate knowledge and skills."

Zhu Wanwen nodded, "I will."

"I believe you will do just as well in the future," Hu Xiaoxiao said with a smile, "because you are the smartest girl I have ever met."

Zhu Wanwen doesn't seem to have much talent; she's not particularly gifted at dancing, her singing is just average, and she learns acting slowly. But Hu Xiaoxiao has known Zhu Wanwen for over a year and has already seen that Zhu Wanwen is very intelligent, has clear goals, knows exactly what she wants, and is good at seizing opportunities.

She is a very purposeful and very clear-headed woman.

This is also why Hu Xiaoxiao and Zhu Wanwen get along so well; she feels that the two are somewhat similar in personality. However, she is a bit more flamboyant, while Zhu Wanwen is more reserved.

On stage, one round of performances has already finished. Next is an awards ceremony, where the Most Improved Artist Award will be presented.

Hu Xiaoxiao asked Zhu Wanwen, "Do you think Athena can win the award?"

Zhu Wanwen answered affirmatively, "Yes."

Hu Xiaoxiao immediately asked, "Do you know something inside?"

“I know a little bit about it. Athena will win the Best Newcomer Award. It was something Linda traded with others for.”

"How to change?"

Zhu Wanwen lowered her voice and said, "Yuna has a 50% chance of winning Best Actress this year. But because it's only 50%, Linda thinks the odds are too low to maximize her benefits, so she made a deal with other high-ranking officials in private. Linda gave up Best Actress this year in exchange for Best Newcomer Award to Athena."

Hu Xiaoxiao was taken aback: "Youna agrees? Isn't that a huge loss?"

“Agreed, of course I would agree, and it’s not a loss at all.” Zhu Wanwen said, “Although Youna gave up the Best Actress award this year, Linda has already made a deal for her. Next year’s Best Actress award is guaranteed to be Youna, and we will also put together a big-budget film that will allow Youna to win the award, tailor-made for her.”

One is a 50/50 chance, with a high probability of winning nothing; the other is a 100% chance of winning an award, and a perfect script tailor-made for her. Anyone with a brain would choose the second option.

Moreover, this move can also win favor with the higher-ups and leave a good impression on them.

Taking a step back and gaining more is indeed a worthwhile trade-off.

Hu Xiaoxiao glanced at You Na sitting in the front rows. Perhaps she already knew what was going on. You Na was dressed very modestly tonight, and although there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, she was generally happy.

Hu Xiaoxiao's gaze inadvertently fell on Athena sitting behind You Na. Athena had changed out of her performance costume and put on a formal gown. It seemed that Athena also knew that she could win an award tonight.

Hu Xiaoxiao observed that Athena didn't seem particularly spirited; she had a smile on her face, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Hu Xiaoxiao asked Zhu Wanwen, "You're so well-informed, you should know what's been happening to Athena lately. She always seems distracted, like she has something on her mind. But when I ask her, she doesn't like to talk about it."

"They must have fallen out," Zhu Wanwen guessed. "It seems like they had a big fight."

"How come I didn't know?" Hu Xiaoxiao belatedly realized, "Are they dating?"

Zhu Wanwen looked at Hu Xiaoxiao with a hint of speechlessness: "You're incredibly smart at work, no one can compare to you, but in life, you're always careless. We've been playing with Athena for so long, and you haven't noticed anything at all?"

Hu Xiaoxiao thought back and finally remembered some details: "When did they get together?"