Actresses

Chapter 26 Rules

"What's wrong with the fans? It's just a matter of getting an autograph and taking a photo. Can't we just appease them?" He Yuran asked, puzzled.

Stone looked troubled.

Zhuang Pan plopped down angrily, her tone tinged with impatience: "I can handle things at work, but following me to my personal outings, even dinners, is so annoying! Sometimes I really want to say, stop following me, don't you have your own things to do?"

Stone frowned upon hearing this and said from the side, "Panpan, we can't say things like that. And we shouldn't think like that either."

"Why can't I say it? Can't I say it's annoying? Everyone has to pretend, acting all close to their fans. But who really knows who? Sometimes I think this industry is so fake, the people are fake, it's all fucking fake."

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "You guys, whose popularity is boosted by your fans, dare to say things like that? If this gets out, you'll be skinned alive! If anyone with even a slightly malicious heart recorded you, they could use that information to blackmail you. Forget it, I could never do that."

"Is Teacher Zhuang in a bad mood today?" Shi Jiahe asked, trying to smooth things over.

"It's my fault, it's my fault for bringing Panpan here. It would have been better to gather at home, at least that would have been more comfortable," He Yuran said.

"Oh, Ran-jie, I'm not angry at you. I think my period is coming soon, and I'm really irritable. Please don't be angry." Zhuang Pan still had a bitter face.

"Is something bothering you?" He Yuran walked over and sat down, asking with concern.

"It's not because of us, it can't be because of your boyfriend, can it?" Shi Jiahe said with a smile.

Unexpectedly, this seemingly joking remark was like a boulder thrown into a lake, immediately triggering a chain reaction. Zhuang Pan abruptly looked up and said, "Do you guys know something? Jiahe mentioned that drama to me just now, and I immediately felt that you were doing it on purpose!"

Shi Jiahe thought to herself that she should take the blame herself and not let Ran Jie take it.

She looked hesitant, but nodded. "Well... how should I put it? Teacher Zhuang, well... I overheard it by accident."

"Did he go out and tell someone?" Zhuang Pan's eyes widened, but her expression didn't seem angry; instead, it looked rather happy and expectant.

Shi Jiahe pondered the meaning behind the question. It seemed the man had mentioned it to someone before, but Zhuang Pan didn't appear to object.

She blinked quickly. "My friend saw it, but I'm not sure."

"Who? Where? What friend?" Zhuang Pan asked a series of questions.

Shi Jiahe glanced over and saw He Yuran looking at her nervously. She thought to herself, "I'm going all out now. It's time to break through this barrier."

Shi Jiahe clearly pronounced Zhuang Pan's boyfriend's name.

"My friend went on vacation and saw him at the hotel with...someone who looks a lot like you."

Zhuang Pan was visibly stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at He Yuran: "Sister, did you call me today to talk about this? He cheated on me."

He Yuran was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "It's really not! Sister Panpan, I really came to talk to you about the play. I really don't know anything about this boyfriend of yours. I don't know him at all."

"Oh dear! You guys have confused me. What's going on?" Zhuang Pan screamed, rubbing her head.

Seeing that Zhuang Pan's condition was getting worse, Sister Stone quickly tried to comfort her, then looked up at the two of them and said, "Let me tell you! Jiahe, stop keeping us in suspense. We've actually been having a lot of trouble lately. The two of them have been arguing about breaking up because the guy's side refuses to go public. It's been going on and on, and Panpan's emotions have been greatly affected. And since you already know, I won't hide it from you. After the guy became famous, his team has been making even more demands, telling us that the two of them shouldn't see each other for the time being."

"How dare they make such a request?" He Yuran said.

Shi Jiahe held her head and whispered in He Yuran's ear, "It's normal for the management team to make this request, especially for male artists. It's basic practice to avoid being photographed in a relationship during their rising career, and the best thing is, of course, not to meet at all."

"That's something you should only mention to your own artists. Talking to female artists is just plain stupid!" He Yuran didn't even bother to lower his voice, and Shi Jiahe's head throbbed from the shock.

Zhuang Pan glared at Shi Jiahe, gritting her teeth as she said, "It's so annoying! We've been saying we want to go public for a long time, and I'm not afraid, so I don't know what he's afraid of. He told me this year is a crucial year for his career and asked me to wait a little longer. But we haven't seen each other at all recently! So who is the other woman you saw him with? Or should I go out and tell the fans? Let the fans stake it out for me. Anyway, the fans know everything."

"Are you crazy? What fan would want to film their brother-in-law? Fans would rather their sister not have a brother-in-law." Sister Stone said helplessly.

"Sigh, he definitely cheated on me. One hundred percent. No wonder he hasn't contacted me much lately." Zhuang Pan said, her temper increasingly out of control, her lips trembling. "Actually, I know it myself. I have a feeling! You... why do you have to expose me like this!" Then, she turned to look at He Yuran. "Sister Ran, I treated you like a senior, and you called me out today just to say this. I just want to be happy in a relationship. I don't understand what I did wrong? Now, are you happy, satisfied?"

"Panpan, how can you talk to Sister Ran like that? Okay, calm down, I'll take you back." Sister Stone held her down from the side.

He Yuran was also unhappy. "My God, you knew all along but still deceived yourself. It's good that we talked about this today, otherwise you would have kept putting up with the male team's attitude and delaying your entry into the crew. And you're blaming me now, that's hilarious."

He Yuran also stood up, his face dark, and said to Shi Jiahe, "Alright, let's go too."

Zhuang Pan's eyes were filled with tears, and she couldn't speak. Suddenly, she turned around and rushed out the door.

Stone was stunned for a moment, then followed her out in a flash.

While Shi Jiahe was still in a daze, He Yuran frowned and pushed her, "Go and take a look too."

Shi Jiahe quickly said "Oh," and ran out of the private room to follow Sister Shi. Along the way, the waiters looked at the group with surprise. Finally, just as Zhuang Pan was about to reach a crowded public area, the two caught up and grabbed her from both sides.

Zhuang Pan struggled violently: "Let me go, I want to go home!"

Stone whispered, "Don't be silly, darling. What if fans see this, take a picture, and post it online? What about your image?!"

Zhuang Pan paused for a moment, but almost instantly regained her charming and dignified demeanor. She broke free from the two men, tossed her long hair, turned around, and gracefully walked back into the private room.

Stone Sister followed silently behind, while Shi Jiahe said with a look of amazement, "Impressive... You really started at 0 frames. You got into the zone even faster than our Ran Sister."

Stone sighed. "She... when she's out in public, especially in front of fans, she still needs to maintain her appearance."

After listening, Shi Jiahe turned her head and seemed to see a few fans still looking in their direction. She thought to herself, thankfully, no one else saw what happened inside the room.

But one can't help but admire them. Whether it's He Yuran or Zhuang Pan, these actresses who have achieved a certain level of success all possess this ability to switch between personas at any moment. One second they're complaining and whining to their agents in a private room, and the next they transform into the kind of person fans would see in public. Even their smiles are remarkably perfect.

So many people are curious about what celebrities are like in private, but what do they actually gain if they do? Nothing more than shattering some illusions and filters that don't even exist. Everyone is just an ordinary person; the only difference is that a celebrity's words and actions are magnified infinitely. Of course, the power and permission a celebrity receives within a certain circle is also unimaginable to outsiders.

Back in the private room, Zhuang Pan sat down angrily.

He Yuran finally breathed a sigh of relief, closed the door, and said, "Alright, Panpan, don't be angry anymore. I'll apologize to you too, and we'll be even. You already know what's going on, so why are you still making yourself suffer? With your looks and qualities, are you lacking in men? Do you really have to be in a relationship like this?"

"But why can't I date? You always give me this option and that option, as if it's right for a female celebrity to never date and to be busy with her career every day. But I like dating! It's not that I don't care about my career, it's just that I don't want to film right now. What's wrong with that?"

"Alright, alright, Panpan, stop talking. Let's go back first." Sister Shi comforted her from the side, then looked up at He Yuran: "Sister Ran, I didn't know you two had made plans today, otherwise I wouldn't have let Panpan come to see you when she wasn't feeling well. I'll bring her to see you next time when she's feeling better."

"Those outside noodles—" He Yuran said.

"We just greeted each other normally and then left. Actually, Panpan is usually quite normal when she meets fans outside. It's just that she was in a bad mood when she came back from the restroom today, which wasn't like her usual self. I apologize for anything I did wrong, and please don't take it to heart, Ran-jie."

"Oh, no, no, I definitely understand. Artists have their off days too. I even yell at my manager when I'm on my period. Hahaha." He Yuran waved her hand.

Shi Jiahe laughed helplessly from the side.

"Then I'll go out with Panpan first," Sister Stone said.

"I'll go with you." Shi Jiahe stood up and then said to He Yuran, "Boss, wait for me."

Stone Sister first checked Zhuang Pan's makeup and hair, and then pulled down her rolled-up shorts a bit more before walking out with her. Shi Jiahe stood protectively on the other side.

The fans were still outside, mixed with onlookers.

Because Zhuang Pan is more well-known among young people, it was mostly young girls who crowded around her for photos. Several of them looked very young, probably still in middle school. Zhuang Pan gave a standard smile, patiently posed for photos with everyone, and then quickly walked out of the restaurant's main entrance. The car that Stone Sister had arranged beforehand was already parked outside, and Zhuang Pan bent down and squeezed into the artist's section.

Just as Shi Jiahe was about to say goodbye, Shi Tou turned around and said, "I don't think we have WeChat, right?"

"Add it." Shi Jiahe said, then reached into her pocket, realizing with a start that her phone was still in the private room. She hadn't taken it since handing it to He Yuran.

Stone Sister was quick and decisive, opening the "Add Friends" page and handing it over: "Give me your WeChat ID."

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "This guy really wants to add me on WeChat, he's not just being polite." She quickly entered her WeChat ID.

Stone clicked the search bar and looked at the business card, saying, "Is it you?"

Shi Jiahe nodded.

Stone Sister then crouched down and climbed into the car.

Shi Jiahe watched the car drive away, then turned and ran back to the private room. Along the way, she saw several young girls pointing and whispering about her. Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "I'm not a real estate agent for the plaza, you can all just leave now."

At times like these, it's undeniable that being a manager of a top-tier celebrity is far more stressful than managing a regular actor. Female managers of female celebrities have it a bit easier, but female managers of male celebrities can encounter unexpected situations even while simply going out. A friend of Shi Jiahe's, a manager of a popular male celebrity, has a fanbase on social media that's more active than some actors. While out having dinner with friends, she's received several notes from fans. One note read, "You're taking his salary and yet you're doing this? How can you be fair to him?" Of course, there were also well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful notes, such as another one that simply said, "Be nicer to him."

Shi Jiahe felt fortunate that she didn't have to face these things.

However, since she became an agent, there are bound to be gains and losses, and she should be aware of that. Moreover, Shi Jiahe usually tries to keep her distance from the actors when she has work commitments, so even though He Yuran's few fans have managed to take some photos on the street, they have basically never managed to catch her.

Back in the private room, He Yuran was yawning again.

"Sis, let's go back too. You look tired."

"I'm not tired, I'm just feeling melancholy," He Yuran said.

"Moragu?" Shi Jiahe sat down. "Tell me about it."

"Actually, I think what Zhuang Pan said doesn't seem wrong. But how did it turn out like this? Actors have to hide their relationships and dare not announce them."

"Sister Ran, do you have this problem?" Shi Jiahe asked with a smile.

"There was no such thing when I became famous. Everyone openly admitted to being in a relationship. Of course, I just didn't want to talk about it."

"That's because the actors who emerged back then at least relied on their work and abilities. Now, young actors, since they rely on popularity, naturally have to consider the fans' opinions. You can't have it both ways; if you choose this path, you have to accept these rules. If these popular actors had the same professional skills as you, they wouldn't have to be pressured by their fans."

"Sigh, I just don't understand how this industry has become like this."

Shi Jiahe didn't speak, thinking to herself that there were too many things she couldn't understand.

Perhaps it's because people in this industry aspire to be like this.