Chapter Sixty: What a Coincidence

"But..." Tang Wei was about to object when she suddenly realized her hand was tightly held by Li Xiaowan. Feeling the warmth in her palm, an inexplicable ache welled up inside, and she forgot what she meant to say.

Seeing Tang Wei's subdued expression, Li Xiaowan sighed softly and spoke in a gentle, hushed voice, "You're still young, just stepping into this world, thinking that his kindness is true affection for you. But... in this vast entertainment industry, is there still room for 'true feelings'?"

"Gu Zhi, he isn't just anyone. His mother is a renowned powerhouse from Shenxian. Why else would he dare drop out, write books, and make films at such a young age? Is it merely because he has talent? Hah, without his parents supporting him, could a mere youngster make a name for himself in Beijing's film scene?"

As she spoke, Li Xiaowan tightened her grip on Tang Wei's cold hand, her voice lingering, "Are you worthy of him?"

Tang Wei trembled all over, her wrist quivering so much she nearly dropped her umbrella, the delicate snowflakes cascading from its surface.

Li Xiaowan wasn't finished. She pressed on, "You must understand, your fame is fleeting. In a few months, when people don't see you, they'll easily forget you. Small celebrities like you emerge in droves every year. Once Gu Zhi truly comes into his own, these young stars will be lining up to throw themselves at him."

"Just the other day, Hua Yi's Golden Locket started making moves. Her tactics far surpass yours, and she's so alluring too—do you think your classmate Gu can resist her?"

"I... I don't know..." In the end, a thousand tangled thoughts collapsed into just one: I don't know.

Li Xiaowan, sensing the moment was ripe, finally revealed her main point: "In this world, women ultimately must rely on themselves. Beauty is temporary; only genuine strength can secure our place forever.

You join Rongxin, and I will spare no effort to help you rise. Then you'll have the standing to speak to him as an equal—and if you still want him, you can win him back."

"Win him back?"

"Yes, if you have the ability, why not?"

A spark flashed in Tang Wei's dim eyes, as if she had grasped a crucial thread.

"Finally, it's working," Li Xiaowan silently rejoiced. She had gone to great lengths to win Tang Wei over, thoroughly investigating both Gu Zhi and Tang Wei beforehand.

She and Li Shaohong had both been captivated by Tang Wei's elegant, gentle demeanor, believing it suited Rongxin's film style perfectly, and would be ideal for Li Shaohong's projects. With proper cultivation, she might even become the next leading lady.

Top actors and stars were exactly what Rongxin desperately needed. Despite the company's current prestige, only two artists truly carried its name: Chen Kun and Zhou Xun.

Rongxin excelled in film and television production; in truth, Director Li Shaohong was the core. Compared to other companies, their weakness had always been in talent, which was now their main focus.

That was why Li Xiaowan humbled herself, coming personally to the Central Academy of Drama to convince Tang Wei to join Rongxin.

This year had produced only one truly popular newcomer: if Tang Wei could be secured and promoted further, Rongxin would gain another pillar.

Much of what Li Xiaowan had said to Tang Wei was half-truth, half-exaggeration, all meant to thoroughly undermine her resolve.

Signing with Rongxin and still winning Gu Zhi back? Utter nonsense!

In the entertainment world, everyone’s eyes are fixed on profit—this was the 'truth' Li Xiaowan had always believed.

By her logic, Tang Wei was nurtured by Gu Zhi; he had personally intervened to keep her. If she joined Rongxin now, it would be a betrayal. Someone invests in you to make money; if you switch teams, you’re cutting off their livelihood.

Cutting off one's income is tantamount to killing their parents, and in some people's eyes, that 'equals' should be replaced with 'exceeds.'

Li Xiaowan was certain that, in time, conflict between Gu Zhi and Tang Wei would be inevitable, and the best outcome would be a prolonged estrangement.

This was precisely one of her intended goals.

In Li Xiaowan's view, only artists who have severed their emotional ties are truly good artists.

Plenty break contracts in this industry, and the law is still imperfect; a piece of paper rarely outweighs the word 'affection.'

If Rongxin were to cultivate Tang Wei, they would certainly want to keep her firmly in hand.

Tang Wei was now hooked—how long until the net was drawn tight?

"Win him back..." Tang Wei murmured with her head bowed, her voice so soft only she could hear.

"What did you say?"

"Why shouldn't I try to win Gu Zhi back now, instead of waiting until I've risen in status?"

She suddenly lifted her head, gazing straight at Li Xiaowan, her eyes once again alive.

Li Xiaowan was caught off guard, struggling to respond, and quickly said, "There's such a gap between you two now; what makes you think you can win him back?"

"Why must I catch up to him? He's always been more accomplished than me, and more accomplished than most. Not everyone wants to surpass him.

Besides, I'm not any less attractive than Gao Yuanyuan or Fan Bingbing—so why can't I win him back now?"

Li Xiaowan was speechless, momentarily at a loss.

What is this? Wasn't she already hooked? How did this little girl suddenly get clever again?

Fortunately, Li Xiaowan was a veteran of many battles; when it came to verbal sparring, she had never lost.

"I'll ask you just one question: how long has it been since you two last met?"

As soon as those words left her lips, Tang Wei felt as though she’d been struck hard, her spirit instantly drained.

But Li Xiaowan didn’t relent, firing a barrage of questions:

"How long has it been since he came to see you?"

"How long since he reached out to you on his own?"

"Isn’t he with Gao Yuanyuan every day now?"

"Now tell me, how do you plan to win him back?"

Head down, silent.

Hadn’t she promised just one question? Why so cruel...

Seeing Tang Wei was utterly dejected and unable to speak, Li Xiaowan decided to add the final spark.

"Sister Shaohong's new drama, 'Orange Blossoms,' has already cast its leads: Huang Sanshi and Zhou Xun. They’ll sing the opening and closing songs."

Tang Wei, still immersed in sorrow, was puzzled by this sudden, unrelated news. Was Li Xiaowan hinting she might replace Zhou Xun? The thought flickered and was dismissed—no one could take Zhou Xun’s role, especially not a newcomer like her.

Sure enough, Li Xiaowan continued, "Replacing the lead is difficult, so let's not trouble ourselves. But having Zhou Xun sing one less song is doable."

"If you join Rongxin now, you’ll sing the ending theme, 'Spring Gone, Spring Returns.' The company will also release it as a single, and later include it in your album."

As she finished, Li Xiaowan saw Tang Wei visibly stunned, knowing her words had hit their mark. A smile crept onto her lips.

A theme song and an album—surely now she couldn’t refuse!

At last, the time to draw the net had come.

Li Xiaowan tightened her grip, ready to lead Tang Wei out of the campus to sign the contract.

But before she could move, an unfamiliar voice sounded from around the corner.

"Ah, what a coincidence. I was hoping our Tang Wei could sing a song for us, too."