NMBJ2 - 31

Xitang slowed her car, gazing through the window at the mannequins dressed in spring outfits. Years had passed, and she was no longer that naive girl. Now, the item she used most frequently was a soft leather tote bag, durable and foldable, perfect for carrying scripts and moisturizing sprays as she traveled between airports, hotels, and sets.

But at this moment, gazing into the shop window, she felt transported back to her eighteen-year-old self, eyes still gleaming with desire. This longing was no longer for the ability to walk into a store and buy a new designer bag. Instead, she yearned to become part of the pinnacle of fashion artistry, to collaborate with the best and contribute to the greatest art of this era.

Half an hour earlier, Ni Kailun had leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Adam privately hinted to me that Phoebe has suddenly taken an interest in you. She personally requested you to be the Greater China ambassador."

Xitang was stunned. After a long pause, she finally said, "How could this happen to me?"

It was common knowledge among the company’s senior management that since Xitang rose to fame, Adam Philips, the director of the Shanghai boutique, had been in contact with the company. However, their interactions were limited to invitations to events and fashion shows. During her last visit to Paris for a show, she wasn’t even seated in the front row. The brand already had a watch and jewelry ambassador for the Greater China region who had been working with them for five or six years. At the previous fashion week, Xitang had seen her chatting cheerfully with Phoebe, the chief design director, surrounded by a crowd of people. Over the years, rumors had solidified her status as the most favored domestic actress of the brand.

Ni Kailun mentioned that it was only in the past two to three months since Huang Xitang resumed filming this year that the Paris headquarters suddenly expressed interest in signing her. Last month, Ni Kailun flew to Beijing to meet with the vice president of the Greater China region, bringing back a contract that the company's lawyers were currently reviewing. It seemed almost certain to go through.

Ni Kailun was extremely cautious about this matter, only revealing a tiny bit to Xitang at this moment. She understood the value of this contract—a genuine endorsement deal with a European blue-blooded luxury brand. These brands meticulously evaluated celebrities for endorsements and considered their long-term development over several years. Reportedly, the previous contract holder was a Korean actress who had taken Asia by storm, and that was three years ago. If Xitang succeeded her, her massive posters would appear in duty-free shops at airports, shopping malls, fashion magazines, and luxury store windows across Asia.

Xitang generally didn’t concern herself much with matters outside of acting. While the number of endorsements she had wasn’t high compared to other popular actresses in the country, the quality of her endorsements was strictly controlled by both Ni Kailun and herself. Whenever an endorsement deal came up, Ni Kailun would always ask if she liked it. This careful commercial control, while sacrificing some income, ensured that her reputation wasn’t overly exploited.

Her mood tonight was particularly complex and tinged with vanity—different from the joy of signing a good movie. This was a new world, a symbol of status and identity within the industry, indicating that the artist would ascend to the top tier of the fashion circle.

Ni Kailun whispered to her, "Things have been basically settled these past two days; it’s just waiting for your signature. If this deal goes through, the company will make an incredible amount in just one quarter this year."

"Your lawyer insisted on negotiating the renewal before signing the endorsement. So your conditions are likely to be approved by Boss Thirteen."

In the new contract with the company, Huang Xitang regained partial control over her management rights and increased her share of the remuneration. The lawyer said there shouldn’t be any major issues with the renewal.

Xitang rested on a folding stool at the filming site.

The late March spring sun was radiant. Xitang held an umbrella, wearing a fitted cheongsam, which made sitting on the narrow stool uncomfortable. The stylist came over to fix her hair. For this role, she had permed her hair into curls and styled it into a pompadour.

Taking advantage of her break, Ah Kuan brought over a stack of packages sent by the company.

Starting this year, besides Assistant Ah Kuan and the driver, Xitang hired another assistant in Shanghai to handle some film offers and financial matters. Ah Kuan remained her personal assistant, earning a salary comparable to that of second-tier stars in the production team.

When Ni Kailun visited Hengdian, she teased Ah Kuan, "Kuan, if I give you a vacation, will you go back home to pick cotton?"

Ah Kuan, from Nantong, had parents who farmed cotton back home. When he first applied for the assistant position with Xitang, he said he could only work for two months because he needed to return home for the cotton harvest season.

Ah Kuan shyly covered his mouth and laughed, "Oh, Sister Kailun, please stop teasing me."

Ah Kuan opened the document bag, and Xitang flipped through it. It was the company's renewal contract.

Seeing it, Ah Kuan was also happy for her: "After dragging it out for so long, Boss Thirteen has finally agreed."

Xitang smiled, lowered her head to sign. The lawyer had already informed her yesterday that everything was settled. The company acted swiftly, sending it over today.

That night, Ni Kailun delivered good news: "Paris has confirmed the endorsement signing date. I’ve already notified your assistant."

Still filming at the set, they couldn’t be too ostentatious. Though Xitang was pleased, she only celebrated by having dinner with Ah Kuan after wrapping up the day’s shoot. Ah Kuan invited her driver along. This man had been with Xitang for nearly a year, silent and loyal, like an ever-present shadow. Artists’ lives were often upside-down, and the security in Hengdian was mixed. Sometimes when Xitang asked Ah Kuan to buy something late at night, having him around made her feel especially secure. He shared her surname, named Huang Shiwu, and Xitang usually called him Brother Huang.

Since her mother’s passing, Xitang had been emotionally depressed, compounded by the ongoing contract issues with the company. It had been a long time since she felt so relaxed. After finishing dinner, it was nearly midnight. Xitang and Ah Kuan had a few drinks, laughing and holding hands as they staggered down the street.

Huang, the driver, carried two large backpacks, closely following the two women.

The next day, Xitang went to work on set. It happened to be raining, and she wandered around in a pink transparent raincoat. Wang Yiren, who played her superior in the drama, suddenly stood in front of her, lifted her raincoat hood, and stared at her face for a while before ominously saying, "Boss Xi, your eyebrows are black. Be careful of losing money."

Xitang kicked the track that the production crew had just laid, nearly falling over.

Filming a TV series for two to three months was normal. People on set had various ways to entertain themselves. Nightclubbing and card games were common, and keeping spirit dolls or fortune-telling wasn’t unusual either. Yiren had once done a bone reading for her, predicting she wouldn’t marry until she was 42, which made Xitang burst into tears.

Wang Yiren hugged her with a smile: "Don’t be afraid, big sister is here."

Xitang quickly covered her face with the script, pleading pitifully: "Sister, can your deity wish me some good luck?"