059

For Andrew Yan, writing a script was not difficult. Before he started writing, he wanted to clarify one thing: did this younger sister back out at the last moment, or did she plan from the beginning to use this method to get rid of her own sister?

He went to verify it in his own way, and although Jasmine wanted to help, she was harshly rejected.

"There's no need to overdo it, let's divide the work."

"You're in charge of investigating and writing the script, what about me?"

"Embody the role of a Avenger, get into character, play her well, and use your influence to attract more audience to the movie theaters."

"All of that can be done after getting the script, what about now?"

"Find investors, prepare for this project."

...

Soon after, Jasmine updated her Friend Circle.

[Thinking of starting a new project, any interested friends?]

After posting this, her phone received numerous comments in a row.

[Here here here!]

[Count me in. Jasmine, take me with you! Let's get rich together with a good project.]

[I have some spare money, can invest a little million, sis, take me along.]

[The youth film hasn't been released yet, and you're already preparing for a new project? Can't you take a break for a few days?]

[I want to watch the movie about Ben blowing into the sky, talking about first love. Give me a definite answer on when it will be released so I can prepare to buy tickets.]

Ben didn't notice it at the time, but when he saw it, there were already seven or eight people queuing up, and those were just the ones he had added as friends. Who knows if there were others he didn't know signing up below.

Isn't this situation unfair to him?

He pitifully called: "Is my dog licking posture not standard? Are we not happy working together on this youth film? After building such a strong foundation, can't you think of me first? You've really hurt my feelings."

Although faced with such accusations, Jasmine was not guilty --

"If it was a profitable project, I would definitely think of you first, but I don't know if we'll make money this time, and this project will definitely require a bigger investment than the youth film."

"What kind of film is it?"

"A suspense thriller."

"Adapted from a best-selling book?"

"No, I customized a script with Bro Yan."

Bro Yan?

Andrew Yan?

Such a high-level writer also takes customized orders???

"Miss, how much did you give him?"

After thinking about it, Jasmine thought they shouldn't have talked about benefits: "Don't think of Bro Yan as someone unapproachable, he's actually quite easy to talk to."

"Andrew Yan? Easy to talk to? ... If he's considered easy to talk to, then there's no difficult person in this world. Do you know how he criticized himself when interviewed as an editor? He said he's both an angel and a devil, extremely difficult to handle. If the manuscripts he receives didn't consistently exceed expectations, he was ready to stage a real-life murder of the author."

Ben clicked his tongue as he spoke: "The two of you are so strange, you were so incompatible before, and suddenly you have such a good relationship."

"Just say the misunderstanding was resolved."

"But last time you said you were annoyed not just because of his grandmother, but also because he always treated female characters as tools."

"I asked him about that too."

"How did he explain it?"

Jasmine:...

"He said in his novels, the criminal and the detective are his own two reflections, he simulated and deduced these two roles, but he wouldn't simulate bystanders or provide clues. The female lead and other characters are tools. The difference is that one exists to drive the plot, while the other is to boost sales."

...

...

This is too real.

"The great writer really trusts you, not afraid that speaking the truth will be exposed."

Jasmine sighed: "I think he doesn't trust my integrity or character, but believes in my insight and ability to seize the moment."

Ben laughed heartily.

After laughing enough, he said, "If it was someone else's project, I would definitely scrutinize it carefully. Andrew Yan writing the script and you personally acting, why would I need to think twice? It's a guaranteed win, right?"

"How about I count you in for a million?"

"Deal! If someone drops out later, I can add more. I never expected you two to collaborate on a suspense thriller film. I saw online someone said they saw you and Yan author at the airport and asked if you were dating."

Jasmine felt her scalp tingle: "Talking about horror stories in broad daylight? Dating Bro Yan, what if we break up? I'll end up being covered in asphalt?"

"Normal breakups shouldn't be... cheating might be the end of it."

"Stop! don't say anymore."

Jasmine was about to hang up the phone, but Ben remembered: "Wait, wait, there's one more thing. After discussing with the director, we're planning to schedule the movie after the college entrance examination, around mid-June. What do you think?"

"What's there to think about? I'll go along with you guys."

"I mean, the female lead has to cooperate with the movie promotion, right? We should appear on a couple of variety shows, right? Which ones do you want to go on?"

Jasmine understood his meaning, knowing that every time there's a new drama or movie, they have to promote the on-screen chemistry. Usually, she's willing to cooperate, but this time it's different: "I think we should directly put up promotional posters at bus stops and subway stations, especially in university towns, put up more of them. Later, we can hold some preview screenings, build word of mouth, and let the media and social media promote us."

"Sure, let's do it all, and go on variety shows to cover more ground."

"I don't want to go on. In the previous film 'Wait for dawn,' although Ding Man sacrificed herself for the country, she was actually in love with He Ming. In that situation, it was okay for me to promote the on-screen chemistry. But in this film, the main characters end up breaking up in the end, right? If we sweet talk on variety shows and then the audience is deceived when they see the actual ending, I would be furious. No matter how good the movie is, I would be furious."

"Okay, okay, I'll increase the poster placements, and before the release, we'll come up with some kind of gimmick to boost the hype."

*

Ben relayed Jasmine's words to the director and the actor playing the male lead, Bi xiao, who played Ning Hao.

The two big shots who were getting a share of the profits couldn't say no, could the director force them to go on? Thinking about their internal viewing experience, this film could attract a lot of audience attention without this step.

The director accepted it gladly.

But the male lead couldn't accept it.

God knows he had been exercising a lot recently, just to show his appeal in front of Jasmine during the variety show promotions.

The few months of filming in winter were the happiest for Bi Xiao. After the movie wrapped, although he occasionally saw Jasmine in the group chat, she was much less active.

In recent times, it was either sending red envelopes or holiday greetings, almost no casual chatting.

Some time ago, Bi Xiao gathered the courage to chat with her privately, and she seemed approachable, answering work-related questions, but it didn't feel as close and casual as when they were filming together.

At that time, they often rehearsed scenes over video calls.

Now, when he video-called her, she would always decline, saying it wasn't convenient and preferred texting.

Bi Xiao felt that Sister Jas was deliberately keeping her distance from him, which was probably a display of professional ethics, beneficial for both parties, but he felt uncomfortable about it.

He didn't know if he was too deep into his role or if it was just a young bird syndrome.

Maybe both, how should we put it?

Those who enter this industry are thinking of stepping on others to climb up, the competition within the circle is fierce, often helping others is equivalent to harming oneself, many people in the industry appear friendly in public but are quite cold in private.

Bi Xiao was a newcomer, but he had faced some setbacks.

Until he passed the audition and became the male lead in Jasmine's movie, he had learned more in those few months than in one or two years at school. Jasmine not only rehearsed scenes with him but also patiently corrected his mistakes, focused on details, imparted practical filming techniques, taught him how to analyze characters, and quickly establish a character.

After the movie was finished, Director Lin said they were all promising talents with a bright future.

But if it wasn't for Jasmine's selfless help, he wouldn't have been able to act in this way.

During those months, he received a lot of kindness, which made him have a lot of goodwill towards Jasmine. Whenever he had time, he watched Jasmine's works, followed her on Facebook, and kept up with her daily life.

The more he knew, the more distressed he felt, Sister was really too cute.

Of course, there were also downsides—

Why did she have so many high-quality men around her?

Yu Yang, Chi Yan, Ben, and a bunch of super-rich second-generation guys, and the great writer Andrew Yan...

Big sister went to pick up Andrew Yan's machine. Are they really dating?

Bi Xiao often gets lost in his thoughts privately, thinking that he must present his best self to his sister next time, only to be informed that the variety show promotion plan was canceled.

Ask why?

The explanation given was that Jasmine felt that promoting this movie with a romantic angle was not suitable.

"Just promoting the movie without any gimmicks?"

Director Lin patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry about missing out on these variety show opportunities. Once our movie becomes a hit, you'll be a star, and there will be plenty of programs inviting you. Have some confidence in our movie, you'll become big."

Bi Xiao laughed along at the time, but felt sad when he went back.

Unable to sleep at night, he curled up in bed and messaged Jasmine on WeChat.

[Is sister mad at me?]

[/Poor thing/poor thing/poor thing]

- [?]

- [What's wrong?]

[The director said you turned down the variety show promotion, did you not want to go with me?]

- [I had something come up, it's inconvenient.]

- [Also, mature boys shouldn't act cute with others casually. People who understand will know we have a platonic friendship, those who don't might think you have feelings for my sister.]

[Sister Jas is my ideal type, my ultimate goddess! Beautiful, kind-hearted, and makes great work!]

- [You have good taste, little brother.]

- [Great!]

...

On the path of unrequited love, Chi Yan will not be lonely. Just starting out in the industry, the fresh little brother also tasted the bitterness of liking a strong-willed girl.

Even after saying goodnight to each other, Bi Xiao still couldn't understand how such a person existed.

She could break your heart without saying a harsh word, and you couldn't bring yourself to blame her.

Feeling down about missing the chance to work together, the fresh little brother was comforted by the male and female leads from the movie.

They said, "You're so lucky to have sister Jas in your first movie. If it was with a bad woman, she would've just taken advantage of you. Sister went as far as turning down the promotion just to help you focus on your role."

"You don't need that? She's just too nice to hurt your young heart. You'll understand her later. Not everyone is willing to let go of a tempting offer. If you were with a different woman, you would've been used already."

Bi Xiao: ...

What kind of twisted comfort is this?

This is like being cursed for eight generations to be working with these male and female leads.

"Worry about yourself, Tang Wen. What if the audience tears apart your character once the movie is out?"

Tang Wen said with a smile, "What's wrong with getting criticized? I've eliminated a wrong answer from my life for my baby! It's all for love!"

Bi Xiao: "Who do you think is the wrong answer?"

Tang Wen: "Whoever fits the description, that's who."

...

Jasmine never dreamed that the chaos from her previous movie was still ongoing and hadn't ended yet.

Recently, those three still contacted her. Jasmine chatted more with Tang Wen and even recommended roles to her.

Tang Wen didn't hesitate to promote the movie to her classmates at the film school. Whenever they asked her about her experience filming this movie, she would always mention how delightful it was to work with sister Jas and how lucky she felt to get the role.

She listed many heartwarming aspects.

This led those around her to envy her and wish they could audition for Jasmine's projects, wanting to experience the feeling of being uplifted by her.

Some even went to anonymous forums with many industry insiders and posted --: 

"Does anyone know what Jasmine's next movie will be?"

-- She did a Republican drama on a variety show, then moved on to a spy thriller. After a palace intrigue drama, she's now doing a historical drama. Following this pattern, it's likely her next movie will be a horror film.

-- Is she really going to do a domestic horror film with her status? That's unlikely.

-- She's done youth films before, so what's not possible?

-- True.

This post sparked discussions, but no one provided a concrete answer, showing that the industry hadn't heard anything yet.

Jasmine indeed hadn't planned to announce this news too soon, fearing it would divert attention from the upcoming movie. She intended to wait until "After You" finished its run, and the box office results were out before making any announcements.

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