Chapter 44: Stereotyping

"For now– take a little break. Earlier, I told sister that we should get a better script once we have more merit points." Yang Jingshen chewed the piece of meat and swallowed before extending his hands to pick another. This roast duck was quite delicious. "Being too rushed is also no good ne."

"Hmmm" The table fell silent for a bit after this enigmatic reply from the older man, and for a few minutes after that, only the sound of cutlery clinking against china was heard, besides the subdued slurping and chewing noises. Yang Jingshen was almost starting to believe that this particular conversation was over when Han Qi spoke again.

"I have a script I selected for Siqi. It's also a small web series, but our company priced it higher than My forever spring. He auditioned and got the male lead role before New Year. Why not have Feng Xi join the cast as well? I can give you the script."

Hearing this, Yang Jingshen paused eating for a moment but resumed as if nothing happened as he off-handedly glanced at his cousin. Feng Xue looked hopeful and troubled at the same time. "Is that ok? It's the script you got using your merit points, right?"

"What's wrong with that? It only cost me 13, and haven't we exchanged scripts in the past as well?"

"That's true, but.."

"Little Xue. Don't hesitate to accept this." This time it was Li Yuhan, who had been eating silently until now. "You also took good care of me in the past when I was under your management. There's nothing shameful about accepting help."

"I'm not doing this just because I feel sorry for little Xi or anything. I saw those photos and they were really good. Not to mention, Siqi had been telling how well you acted back at the set." Han Qi paused as he directly glanced at Yang Jingshe. "I wouldn't have given you this help if I thought you were no good. What does little Xi think?"

Seeing the older male's piercing stare, Yang Jingshen felt some respect towards the other in his heart. This man was able to distinguish between what's important and profitable and what's not. Even so, still knew how to maintain good relationships with acquaintances.

Yang Jingshen had been in a bit of disbelief when he first heard his cousin mentioning how this person had many connections. How can someone who didn't manage to go further in his career be able to have a good personal network? If so, why not make use of them to promote himself quickly on the corporate ladder?

But now seeing this behavior, he realized that Han Qi was a person who had a deep mind but was not too calculative. A pity though– such people can't go further in this type of industry unless they have exceptional luck, which, by considering everything that happened so far, this guy apparently doesn't possess.

"I'm fine with it as long as sister is ok." Yang Jingshen threw the ball to his cousin's court. The type of person this Han Qi was– he was smart, and personally not attached to him like Feng Xue. Thus, it was quite possible that the other might see through his facade. So, it would do him no good to show too much of his eagerness here.

"I– brother Han, let me think some more."

It was after dinner and the four of them were seated around a low table in the living room as they played another card game, when Han Qi spoke once again. "I'm not trying to pressure you. Just that, the script I mentioned has a third female lead role that's very suitable for little Xi to act in."

"Yes?"

"The last two jobs of little Xi were quite good. Especially the photoshoot. Stop! Let me finish." Han Qi stopped his junior from talking and continued. "It really is good– a bit controversial, but not bad considering your circumstances. It might even pave way for Feng Xi to enter the fashion circle in the future."

"I know– just that the nature of that website is a bit…" Feng Xue dealt her hand while looking pensive.

"I know what you mean. But the thing is, little Xi's role in 'My forever spring' is also a villainous one. If she doesn't act in a different type of role soon, it might affect her future growth."

This problem– Feng Xue was quite aware of it and it was also one of the main reasons why she was against her cousin selecting this role. If not for the other's lack of confidence in acting at that time, she'd have never agreed with it.

'Such a pity. She acted really well after all. We should have selected a second lead role or the main one.'

Well, there was no crying over spilt milk– but the problem was that her little sister might be automatically stereotyped to act in this type of role in the future by the entertainment circle itself.

The reason for this was none other than Feng Xi's current reputation. After all, her image in the eyes of the public was well… not so good as of now, right? In other words, she was perfectly suited to act as a villain. And in other words, she would match the image of a villain in the audience's heart quite well.

Feng Xue had seen this happen to some actors and actresses in the industry before. They had some nasty scandals, and even if they manage to return, they could only get this type of bad-man role. In other words, there was no turning back for them. The directors would automatically end up assigning these artists to play this type of character.

This was what she wanted to avoid at all costs. It was because, being stereotyped was one of the worst things that can happen to an actor or an actress, and can end up destroying their potential totally. It doesn't matter what type of stereotyping– none of them is good. But, being labeled as a villain character was one of the worst things that can happen.

"This character is the best friend of the female lead, and she also has a separate love interest. So there's no problem of being a love rival or third party in the relationship."

"That sounded quite… wholesome." Feng Xue muttered after hesitating for a bit.

"It is… Well– the character is quite flat. But this is good enough for our current need for whitewashing any stereotyping that can happen. The filming will start on this month's last week, so there's no danger of 'My forever spring' being aired before that."

"Then we might be able to pass the audition and get the role because the public still has no idea about little Xi acting as Zhu Wanyin." Feng Xue perked up the more she thought. This was a good chance. The most important thing at this moment was to give a different character definition to her cousin.

Who cares if it was a one-dimensional character or not? They can later get a good script with the merit points they gather. Coming to a decision, she eagerly turned towards her younger sister, who had been silently playing cards all this while. "Little Xi, what do you think?"

Feng Xi smiled sweetly as she looked at Feng Xue and replied, "I'm ok with whatever big sister says."