Chapter 144
Chapter 144
In the original storyline, Yan Jue had helped dissolve the original owner’s talent contract after she became his mistress. Then, after the original owner gained her acting teacher’s recognition, she signed up with a much better production company.
Jun Zishu felt that the current company had a narrow vision and a bizarre thought process. If she didn’t know better, she would think that the company was actively trying to ruin its talents. After all, for the sake of attracting publicity, there was nothing too shameless the company wasn’t willing to do.
Moreover, the company was no different than a blood-sucking vampire, squeezing their talents for everything they got while paying them as little as possible. The idiocy of the company’s management was beyond belief.
The current situation was another example of the company’s brain-dead management. They would be meeting Yu Fanshu in a moment, yet Big Sis Ming, or Zhao Chenming, insisted that Jun Zishu make herself look like Yu Fanshu as much as possible. Did the woman think that Yu Fanshu would get a sense of familiarity from seeing a nearly identical face and feel happy about it?
Jun Zishu bet that her manager really thought as such.
Was this person really alright in the dead?
Who would feel happy about seeing an imitation of their own face? Not to mention, this imitation had a terrible reputation online.
It might be fine if their natural faces looked similar, but going as far as to put on similar makeup was simply excessive.
“Are you saying that I’m hurting you?”
Zhao Chenming’s face sank, and the makeup artist stopped her actions.
Jun Zishu didn’t talk back and simply stared at her manager in silence.
“Continue the makeup.”
“Please remove it for me.”
“Are you trying to go against me, Jun Ling?”
“I just think you’re making the wrong decision.”
“Are you the manager, or am I the manager?”
“But this is my future.”
There wasn’t just one makeup artist in the room, but three instead. There was also a costume assistant and Chenzi.
Zhao Chenming originally wanted to explode in a fury after hearing Jun Zishu’s words, but she held back her anger after noticing the gossiping looks on the others’ faces. She didn’t want to become the talk of the town tomorrow for arguing here.
“Do what she wants and remove her makeup.”
The makeup artist nodded and quickly removed all of Jun Zishu’s makeup. Then, she reapplied a thin layer of makeup on Jun Zishu’s face.
“A refreshing and natural look would be good. Give me two braids as well,” Jun Zishu said.
The makeup artist was very skilled, and she made Jun Zishu look like she was back in her teens. Paired with her attire of a t-shirt, a pair of denim hot pants, and a pair of white canvas shoes, Jun Zishu looked even more like a young and lively girl.
Jun Zishu’s current appearance was completely different from the path the original owner took. In the past, in an attempt to mimic Yu Fanshu, the original owner had tried to make herself look like an aloof and elegant immortal. Unfortunately, she lacked the temperament to match her appearance, and her terrible acting skills only worsened her image. Now that Jun Zishu had decided to deviate from Yu Fanshu’s path, she naturally needed to look and dress differently from Yu Fanshu.
“Okay, let’s go.”
…
After getting into the nanny van and making sure that there were no more outsiders around, Big Sis Ming finally exploded.
“What was with you in the dressing room just now, Jun Ling? Do you think you can go against me now that you got the chance to attend this variety show?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Big Sis Ming.”
Jun Zishu didn’t want to start an argument with her manager right now. It wouldn’t benefit her in any way to do so. After all, she still lacked the ability to escape from this idiotic production company’s grasp.
“You’d best not mean that. I brought you up from the ground up, so I know what kind of child you are. You’ve always been very good and obedient,” Zhao Cheming said as she patted Jun Zishu on the shoulder, a cold smile appearing on her face.
Jun Zishu was aware that her manager didn’t like her very much. Specifically, Zhao Chenming disliked the original owner. After all, no manager would like a failed celebrity. Not to mention, the original owner didn’t help the situation by having such terrible acting skills. As a result, Zhao Chenming would often pick on the original owner.
“Did you remember everything I told you before? Be sure to make Yu Fanshu happy, got it? If you can get Yu Fanshu to produce you, you’ll shine 100%. If you still can’t shine even with Yu Fanshu’s help, you might as well pack your bags and go home.”
“I know.”
“By the way, how is your mother’s condition?”
After finishing the business talk, Zhao Chenming’s face eased up a little when she saw that Jun Zishu had started behaving again. So, she started asking about Jun Zishu’s family affairs.
“She has already undergone surgery. She should be awake by now.”
“Oh… What about your mother’s operation fees?”
“I borrowed it from someone.”
“Who?”
“A friend.”
“Are they an insider?”
“Outsider.”
Seeing that Jun Zishu had no intention of saying too much, Zhao Chenming didn’t press the issue.
…
The van eventually stopped in front of a cafe, and Zhao Chenming stepped out of the vehicle with Jun Zishu and Chenzi behind her.
Upon entering the cafe, Jun Zishu instantly spotted a woman sitting on the distant sofa sipping on a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, as soon as she laid eyes on this woman, Jun Zishu felt her heart shuddering slightly.
The other party was indeed a beautiful and outstanding woman. Even if a person didn’t know about this woman’s history, they would be able to tell that she was someone extraordinary at first glance.
Yu Fanshu was wearing chiffon today, and she let her hair hang down on her sides. She gave off a warm and tender aura, very much different from the image she usually portrayed.
“Hello, Miss Yu. I am Zhao Chenming, Jun Ling’s manager. This here is Jun Ling,” Zhao Chenming introduced herself and Jun Zishu.
“Hello,” Yu Fanshu responded to the greeting, her eyes stopping on Jun Zishu.
“Hello, I am Coco, Fanshu’s manager,” Coco greeted.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Coco. Sure enough, you look just as young and beautiful as rumored,” Zhao Chenming greeted Coco with a compliment.
“Fanshu prefers a quiet environment, so let’s continue our conversation outside and give Fanshu and Jun Ling some space. What do you think? Is that okay?”
“Of course, of course.”
Afterward, Zhao Chenming and Coco left the cafe. Chenzi also followed them and closed the door behind her.
After they were alone, Yu Fanshu tapped her finger against the armrest as she observed Jun Zishu.
Yu Fanshu had a strange feeling when she looked at Jun Zishu. She felt as if this wasn’t the first time they had met. Yet, it was a fact that this was the first time she had met Jun Zishu.
In addition, Yu Fanshu felt that the person sitting across her gave off a completely different feeling than her photos online. When Yu Fanshu looked at Jun Zishu’s photos and videos online, the feeling she got from this person was awkwardness, helplessness, and mediocrity.
However, after meeting with Jun Zishu, Yu Fanshu found that the other party behaved very calmly. Jun Zishu gave off the feeling of a calm and gentle breeze that carried the fragrance of flowers.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure.”
Jun Zishu selected a drink on the electronic menu and submitted her order.
“You do realize what our meeting today is about, right?”
“Of course. I’m quite surprised, to be honest. How are you feeling?”
“Mhm, I’m good already, thanks for asking.”
“I thought that you wouldn’t like me very much and that I’d be fortunate if you didn’t get mad at me after learning about what I’ve done. I never expected you to agree to attend such a variety show with me. Honestly, there’s such a huge gap in our popularity that I feel guilty having you participate in this show with me.”
“Nonsense. I am the one who agreed to do the show first. I’ve never tried attending a variety show before, so I thought I could give it a try. Not to mention, isn’t our nickname very popular online right now?”
“That nickname…” Jun Zishu lowered her head and smiled awkwardly. A moment later, she lifted her head and put on a serious look as she said, “Regardless, welcome back, Miss Yu. Also, I am sorry.”
Jun Zishu felt that whether it was her or the original owner, both of them had done more or less the same thing—leeching off of Yu Fanshu’s fame. The only difference was the number of times they had done so. Also, compared to the original owner, Jun Zishu had taken things to a much bigger scale.
“I would be lying if I said I don’t mind it at all. In fact, I minded it a lot before meeting you, and my opinion of you was terrible.”
Yu Fanshu wasn’t surprised by Jun Zishu’s apology. She also knew what Jun Zishu was apologizing for.
“Does that mean you’ve changed your opinion of me after seeing the real me?” Jun Zishu said jokingly, only to see Yu Fanshu nodding in response. Then, she sighed and said, “You have a very good temper, Miss Yu.”
“That depends on the person I’m dealing with.” Yu Fanshu tilted her head, giving off a somewhat cute appearance. Then, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Actually, we don’t look very much alike. Although I did get a feeling of similarity when I first laid eyes on you, we have completely different styles…”
“Between you and me, my manager wanted to make me look like you today, but I rejected her idea,” Jun Zishu said as she twirled her braids and shrugged.
“Your company doesn’t seem to be marketing you properly. In fact, if your PR management was a little better, public opinion about you online wouldn’t have been so lopsided.”
“The treatment my company has provided me with has indeed been superficial, but there’s nothing I can do to get away. I’m thinking of negotiating a dissolution after I get a little better,” Jun Zishu said helplessly.
After listening to Jun Zishu’s account, Yu Fanshu nodded thoughtfully and started making some considerations.
“I heard that you wanted to meet me to check our compatibility for the variety show, Miss Yu. So, what do you think of us now?”
“I think we’ll make a good pair.”
“Actually, I’m afraid that you’ll lose your fans once news of this gets out. Moreover, if we do this show, it’ll be even harder for us to get rid of that nickname, so I’ll probably continue to leech off your fame. Just thinking about it makes me feel vain.”
They would truly be tied together if they attended this variety show forever. In the future, any achievement Yu Fanshu made would most likely lead to Jun Zishu being mentioned as well.
“But you should also know that this has its disadvantages. If you fail to make any achievements of your own, you might have to live in my shadow forever,” Yu Fanshu said as she took a sip of her coffee.
At this time, the waiter brought a cup of coffee over and served it in front of Jun Zishu. Then, the waiter bowed and quickly walked away.
After the waiter left, Yu Fanshu placed her hands on her knees and leaned forward slightly. Then, she locked eyes with Jun Zishu before asking, “Do you plan to stay like this forever?”
“What?”
“Do you plan on relying on my fame and your infamy to continue mingling in variety shows, play in minor acting roles, and get cursed on the internet? Do you really want to go on like this all the time?” Yu Fanshu asked.
Yu Fanshu knew that netizens would have more examples to use as comparisons once she resumed her activities. At that time, the criticisms Jun Zishu received would definitely become much harsher.
“Of course not. I will change.”
“By sharpening your acting skills?”
“Yes.”
“If you are willing, you can learn from me.”
“You are too kind to me, Miss Yu.”
Jun Zishu was a little surprised. Since they first met, Jun Zishu had not sensed an ounce of malice from Yu Fanshu. She could only feel the other party brimming with goodwill.
Is Yu Fanshu a holy mother? Jun Zishu felt that there should be a halo on top of Yu Fanshu’s head.
“You have my name attached to you, so it is only natural that I want you to perform better.”