Chapter 054: Discussion

After returning from the filming of "Feminine Beauty," Gao Xiang lined up a few modest events for Song Wan. Soon after, the day arrived for officially signing the contract for the variety show "Rise Up, Stars," discussing the detailed recording process for the first three episodes, and—most importantly—introducing the seven permanent cast members to one another.

Of these matters, the face-to-face meeting was what Song Wan cared about most. If the guests didn’t meet in advance and only realized during filming that they didn’t know each other, it would be painfully awkward. This was especially true since the other six had already achieved tremendous success in their respective fields, while Song Wan had only just begun to make a name for herself with a single TV drama.

She arrived at Mango Television more than an hour early. The program’s director was fully prepared and hurried out to greet her and Gao Xiang the moment he saw them. “Why are you here so early?” he asked, his delight barely concealed.

Gao Xiang replied, “Director Yang, you’re too polite. Song Wan is a newcomer; it wouldn’t do to have the other veterans waiting for her.”

The director welcomed them into the meeting room and handed each a contract. “Take a look. If you have no objections, we’ll sign right away.”

Gao Xiang accepted the contract, gave Song Wan a reassuring glance, and started skimming through it rapidly. She had handled all the negotiations with the production team herself and was far more familiar with contractual pitfalls than Song Wan, who felt completely at ease.

Director Yang, knowing they needed to discuss, excused himself under the pretense of other work.

Within minutes, Gao Xiang finished reading and handed the contract to Song Wan, shaking her head with a smile—everything was in order.

Song Wan, reassured, skipped over the payment details and turned directly to the minimum screen time per episode: just fifteen minutes, including group shots.

She looked at Gao Xiang, uncertain. Wasn’t that too little? Each episode was at least ninety minutes long, wasn’t it?

Gao Xiang glanced at the contract and immediately understood her confusion. Sighing, she explained, “You’re too new; this is the best I could negotiate.”

Considering the stature of the other guests, Song Wan understood. “Is there any way to change it?”

Gao Xiang finally smiled. “This is a variety show, after all. If you stand out, you could easily get more screen time than anyone else. I asked the director—fifteen minutes is just the minimum.”

Relieved, Song Wan replied, “That’s good,” and set the contract on the table.

“Not going to read the rest?” Gao Xiang asked.

Song Wan shook her head. “You know this stuff better than I do, Sister Gao. I trust you.”

They were already bound together by mutual interest—Gao Xiang wouldn’t harm her. And if not Gao Xiang, Song Wan trusted Jin Youqian and the financial muscle of Imperial Entertainment.

The next to arrive, unsurprisingly, was Wu Jin, a wildly popular rising actor. Led into the meeting room by Director Yang, he was startled to see two people already there. Realizing it was Song Wan and Gao Xiang, he relaxed and greeted them both.

Song Wan stood. “Hello, Wu Jin. Hello, Brother Zhou.”

Wu Jin and his agent exchanged glances and responded in unison, “Hello, Song Wan. Hello, Sister Gao.”

Gao Xiang greeted them with a cool nod. “Hello.”

Neither Wu Jin nor his agent seemed to find anything odd about this arrangement.

Counting it up, Song Wan realized the most powerful figure in the room was, in fact, her own agent. The thought almost made her smile, but she quickly regained her composure, going unnoticed.

Wu Jin took a seat across from Song Wan. When he got a good look at her, he couldn’t help but pause, surprised by her beauty. His agent nudged him discreetly, snapping him out of his trance. Leaning close, Wu Jin whispered something in his agent’s ear.

His agent then looked Song Wan up and down, his gaze flicking over Gao Xiang as well, before turning back to Wu Jin with a slight frown. “I’ll talk to the production team, but no promises.”

Wu Jin sighed, resigned. “Let’s not force it.”

His agent managed a small smile before turning to Gao Xiang, his expression serious. “Sister Gao, I have a proposal I hope you’ll consider.”

Gao Xiang looked up. Seeing their hesitant expressions and recalling their earlier reactions, she instantly guessed their intention. She shook her head sharply. “No.”

Pair Song Wan and Wu Jin as a fake couple? If President Jin found out, he’d probably tear her apart.

Wu Jin was momentarily stunned, then tried to explain, “I just—”

Gao Xiang raised a hand to cut him off. “I know—you want to collaborate, to create a couple storyline for publicity, right?” She met their eyes, unwavering. “We won’t deliberately manufacture a ‘couple’ dynamic. It would do more harm than good to Song Wan’s future.”

Wu Jin’s expression soured. He’d thought the director might veto the idea, but hadn’t expected to be shot down by the other party’s agent right from the start. Creating onscreen couples was standard marketing now—a win-win. Why refuse?

Before he could argue further, Director Yang entered with a tall man in his thirties.

Song Wan immediately stood, excitement shimmering in her eyes. “Hello, Brother Guo.” Worried he wouldn’t know her, she added, “My name is Song Wan. I’m a newcomer.”

Wu Jin stood to greet him as well.

Guo Feng paused, then broke into hearty laughter. “I know you! My wife is a big fan of your character, Miao Yu.”

Song Wan lit up. “Really? I’m a huge fan of your wife. I watch every one of her diving competitions.”

Guo Feng’s smile grew even warmer. “If she knew Miao Yu liked her and that we’d be on the same show, she’d probably jump for joy on the spot.”

Guo Feng was the Olympic champion invited by the show—a man who had shattered the long-standing drought of Asian victories in track and field, breaking the world record and winning Olympic gold in the 110-meter hurdles, and not just once. If not for his recurring injury, he could have continued to win more glory for the nation. He was the pride of the country.

Song Wan’s admiration for him and his wife was sincere—they were both legendary athletes, national heroes whose reputations inspired universal respect.

Wu Jin felt a bit awkward, but since this wasn’t being recorded, he quickly recovered and sat back down.

Gao Xiang noted this and shook her head inwardly.

She asked Guo Feng’s agent, “Why are you here so early?”

Given Guo Feng's status, he should have been among the last to arrive.

The circles they moved in were different, and even with equivalent achievements, each person's presence felt distinct. Guo Feng might not understand these nuances, but his agent certainly should.

Normally, Gao Xiang wouldn’t have bothered asking, but Song Wan’s eagerness prompted her to do so.

Guo Feng answered before his agent could. “I just wanted to be early, in case of traffic. Wouldn’t want to be late.”

After some small talk, the comedian and crosstalk actor Zheng Fang—known for his perennial appearances on the Spring Festival Gala—entered. Then came Qin Hui, the singer who had performed at the Grammys twice; Qing He, the nation’s top TV host; and Li Fan, the triple-threat film, television, and music emperor.

Each new arrival couldn’t help but glance at Song Wan—the sole female in the room. Because of her striking looks, everyone treated her kindly, not looking down on her as a newcomer.

When everyone was finally assembled, Song Wan’s face was nearly aching from smiling, but she felt a surge of relief. Thankfully, though all were superstars, their temperaments were good.

Gao Xiang, watching, shook her head with a smile. Still so young, she thought. Yet, this innocence made Gao Xiang feel even closer to Song Wan. If Song Wan had been too shrewd, needing no guidance, Gao Xiang might have seen her as just a business partner.

Oblivious to this, Song Wan watched as Director Yang distributed outlines for the first three episodes.

“These are just summaries, but they describe what we hope to achieve. Any objections?”

She’d always known reality TV had scripts, but never imagined she’d one day hold one herself. The script didn’t assign specific lines or actions, but it did specify what kind of atmosphere to create at certain moments, how many laughs or dramatic highlights each game should have, and so on—thorough, if not overly detailed.

Realizing how orchestrated the variety shows she’d watched actually were, Song Wan felt almost disillusioned.

Sensing her discomfort, Gao Xiang patted her hand. “This is normal. At least they haven’t given everyone a fixed persona.”

Song Wan fell silent, quelled her unease, and seeing the others take it in stride, bent her head to read carefully.

After half an hour, everyone was finished.

Director Yang looked around, nervous in the presence of so many stars. “Any questions or concerns?”

Song Wan and Gao Xiang exchanged a glance and shook their heads first. The others, after consulting with their agents, did the same.

Director Yang breathed a sigh of relief. “In that case, see you all on the 15th for the first shoot.”

—

Everyone except Song Wan and Gao Xiang left.

Song Wan couldn’t help asking, “With so many big names, aren’t the producers worried about clashes during filming?”

Gao Xiang frowned, then shook her head. “We’re all adults—no one wants to sabotage the show. For most of them, this is their first real variety show. They’re probably even more worried than you about damaging their reputations.”

Song Wan nodded. “True. Their reputations have been built over decades—there’s no room for error.”

With that thought, she finally felt at ease.