Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Stood Up Again
Sang Ning felt that Wen Jiu wasn’t the type to boast casually. Weighing the pros and cons in her mind, she realized that countless minor opportunities couldn’t compare to one big breakout moment.
According to Wen Jiu, the filming of this movie should wrap up before the end of the year. Her graduate admissions exam was scheduled for late December, so the timing wouldn’t conflict.
It was just convenient for her to juggle both filming and studying for the exam.
Next year’s Spring Festival release was set for January, and after the movie premiered, there was still plenty of time before the one-year deadline. It was not that tight in terms of scheduling.
"Alright then, just let Director Qin know that I agree. But my acting skills are only at this level, so I might need him to work extra hard to make up for it," Sang Ning agreed with a sigh.
Wen Jiu was thrilled that Sang Ning accepted this opportunity. This was truly an unprecedented chance. The entertainment industry had yet to see a properly established female martial arts star, with most actresses relying on doubles for fighting scenes.
A natural talent like Sang Ning was rare. Given time, she would certainly become the national benchmark for female martial artists—and maybe even a global one.
Wen Jiu had great confidence in Sang Ning. Her acting talent wasn’t as mediocre as she made it out to be; in fact, Sang Ning was very perceptive and quick to grasp concepts.
It could be said that challenges were insignificant in the face of natural ability, especially since Sang Ning herself was also incredibly hardworking.
"If Director Qin hears this, he’ll be overjoyed! Let me congratulate you in advance. Here’s wishing you an early rise as the #1 emerging actress," Wen Jiu offered her most heartfelt blessings to Sang Ning.
At this moment, Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina pushed the door open and entered.
Seeing Sang Ning and Wen Jiu chatting so intensely, Xi Meina couldn’t resist asking, "Sister Wen Jiu, what are you and Sangsang talking about? I thought I heard congratulations. Today’s dinner gathering—anything worth celebrating? Tell us so we can celebrate as a group!"
Wen Jiu smiled faintly. Once Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina were seated across from them, she revealed mischievously, "Sang Ning has decided to star in Director Qin’s new film. After the movie premieres next year, the new-gen top actress will undoubtedly be her!"
Sang Ning frowned, pretending to be displeased, and scoffed at Wen Jiu, "Xiao Jiu, I think your ability to hype things up is getting more and more impressive. I haven’t even entered the set yet, and here you are making grand proclamations. If I fail to become the top actress next year, won’t I just be an embarrassment?"
Xi Meina and Wang Qiuhong were shocked by this announcement. While filming the program, Director Qin had briefly invited Sang Ning to join his new movie.
At the time, they had both assumed it was merely his way of praising Sang Ning’s acting skills—not that Director Qin was seriously offering her the role!
"Ah! I’m entirely jealous, envious, hateful—I’m so envious, my eyes are practically shooting flames!"
Xi Meina pouted, her tiny face scrunched up with dissatisfaction.
"Ugh, I’m so mad with envy too. It’s Director Qin! Every actor dreams of working with him. When will I ever get an opportunity like that?"
Wang Qiuhong propped an elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hands, a look of pure envy spread across her face.
"If you’re already losing your minds now, what will happen when I actually become the top actress? Won’t you go completely insane then?" Sang Ning teased the duo.
Wang Qiuhong quickly pulled out a small notebook and pen from her bag, presenting them to Sang Ning. "Sangsang, then can you sign this for me now? When you’re the top actress next year, I can sell your autograph and make a fortune!"
"Me too! Me too!" Xi Meina chimed in.
The two girls were utterly thrilled, unable to contain their excitement as if they themselves had landed the role.
Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina perfectly demonstrated the idea of reveling in shared joy.
"Since everyone in the acting circle dreams of working with Director Qin, let me ask you both a question," Wen Jiu interrupted Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina.
The duo turned their gaze toward Wen Jiu, their expressions tinged with curiosity.
Wen Jiu paused for a brief moment, then asked, "Would you two be interested in working with me?"
"Sister Wen Jiu, what do you mean?" Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina exchanged a confused glance and asked in unison.
"What I mean is..." Wen Jiu deliberately slowed her speech, teasing them by stopping mid-sentence to keep them guessing.
Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina clenched their fists, eyes bulging wide, holding their breath as they awaited her response.
They were at their limit. Couldn’t their goddess stop playing games with them?
With puppy-dog eyes, the two eagerly stared at Wen Jiu, appearing on the brink of tears.
Finally, Wen Jiu decided not to keep them in suspense and answered, "I heard your contracts with your previous company are about to expire. Once they’re up, are you interested in joining my company?"
For a moment, Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina didn’t quite register what she was saying. They stared in silence, frozen, before the meaning sank in.
When their brains finally processed the content of the offer, they erupted into shrieks of excitement.
Their volume grew louder and louder, nearly threatening to lift the roof off.
The four girls were enjoying hot pot in a private room. Hearing the piercing yells from inside, the server outside began to worry that something terrible might have happened.
For the sake of their guests’ safety, the waitress bravely entered the room, risking potential scolding, "Ladies, is everything alright?"
"Sorry about that! So sorry!"
Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina hurriedly apologized to the server before sitting back down.
The server scanned the room, confirmed nothing unusual had occurred, politely excused herself, and left.
"Is this for real? Goddess Wen Jiu, don’t you dare trick me! I’ve been feeling down after getting eliminated today, and if this is a joke, I swear I’ll jump into the hotpot to end it all!"
Xi Meina walked over to sit beside Wen Jiu, shoving Sang Ning to the side in the process.
Seeing Wang Qiuhong itching to sit closer too, Sang Ning tactfully stood up and allowed her to take the seat.
"Of course it’s real. I wouldn’t joke about something like this. But you should know my company is still in its infancy—if you join me, you might not get access to the same resources big corporations offer. However, I promise I’ll do everything within my ability to secure the best opportunities for you!" Wen Jiu vowed sincerely.
Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina were naturally thrilled to follow Wen Jiu. After all, resources couldn’t possibly be any worse than those from their previous company.
Their participation in the filming of *Who’s the Acting Star?* had been nothing short of a lucky break.
The production team had wanted not only well-known actors but also less popular ones to round out the roster. Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina had been chosen to fill those gaps.
It turned out to be triple good news for everyone. After finishing the hotpot, Xi Meina suggested they continue the night at the bar.
Sang Ning thought going to a bar would be a novel experience for her—why novel? Because she’d never been to one, her lifestyle seemed completely out of sync with that of young people.
With the impromptu nightlife added to their plan, their gathering was bound to wrap up much later than the time Sang Ning had originally arranged for Li Juezhou to pick her up.
Sang Ning sent Li Juezhou a WeChat message:
[Boyfriend, sorry, we’re heading to the second venue now. I’m currently at the Blue Sea Bar, and this might go on until early morning. You should sleep early tonight—don’t bother picking me up.]