Ying Chengqi was making an impassioned speech while Jiang Li listened absent-mindedly.
After the meeting, when the lead actors got up to leave, Ying Chengqi called out to Jiang Li and asked her to stay behind.
Ying Chengqi deliberately sat opposite Jiang Li and said in a rather humble tone, "Lili, seeing that the movie is about to start its publicity campaign, we need you to put in more effort and energy."
Jiang Li nodded and replied with a smile, "I understand. Don't worry. I'll try my best with all the necessary publicity..."
"That's not actually what I want to say," Ying Chengqi hesitated, looking like he had something to say but held back. "Let me be straight. I still don't want to give up the domestic market."
Jiang Li was stunned and didn't understand the meaning behind his words.
The movie hadn't passed the censorship. Without approval, it couldn't be screened smoothly in the country. So where was the domestic market?
Ying Chengqi looked at her nervously. "Since our movie is going to be screened abroad, I took the opportunity to inquire. They said that if there's a strong enough call from domestic fans, we can skip the import process and directly screen it in the country."
Jiang Li said, "That's good news."
"However, since it will be screened abroad first, the domestic popularity is still insufficient. So I discussed with several responsible people and we plan to do some hype... You know, this is also a necessary publicity process for movies."
By this time, Jiang Li already had a bad feeling in her heart. "So, Director Ying, how do you plan to do the hype?"
All the proper publicity channels had been utilized. To boost the movie's popularity, hype was the most commonly used method in the entertainment industry.
Hype usually involved things like romances, personal characters, and life experiences.
Ying Chengqi knew about Jiang Li's past relationship with Xiao Yanzhi. How could he dare to play on her love life? And her character was beyond reproach.
So, only her personal experiences could be exploited to evoke sympathy.
Ying Chengqi rubbed his hands awkwardly. "How's your illness recently? Are you still seeing a psychiatrist?"
Jiang Li immediately understood.
They planned to have her expose her mental illness to gain the favor of fans and audiences. And since it involved mental issues, it might attract attention from more fields.
In short, they planned to make Jiang Li the attention-seeker.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ying Chengqi continued to persuade her, "Lili, out of our personal friendship, I really don't want to use this method. But you know, The Embroidery Lady has had a rough journey. And it didn't have to be this troublesome, but then you..."
He stopped halfway and sighed. "Forget it. I'm just giving you a suggestion. I hope you can think about it."
Jiang Li closed her eyes.
Ying Chengqi also felt that what he was doing was not right, but in order to get more attention for his work, he had no choice.
Even good wine might be overlooked if it's in a deep alley.
In this era where bad money drives out good, if one chooses to be aloof, it means others can easily use despicable means to climb over them.
The world is a muddy pool where right and wrong are hard to distinguish.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Li asked calmly, "Is this a decision made by you and several main responsible people?"
The main producer was Jiang Entertainment, so Xiao Yanzhi must be among them. This proposal might not have been put forward by him, but he should have known about it.
Her voice was flat, showing no emotion.
Ying Chengqi nodded. "Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn't come to put pressure on you. I know it's difficult for you... But Lili, as a director, I'm also in a tough situation."
Jiang Li felt a stone in her heart gently fall.
She wasn't overly disappointed.
But she still couldn't help feeling a bit tired. It seemed that another straw had lightly fallen on the pile weighing on her spirit.
"I'll go back and think about it and give you an answer as soon as possible."
Jiang Li stood up and said in a cold voice, "I'll try my best to cooperate with the movie's publicity. After this movie is completely over, Director Ying, you don't need to contact me anymore."
"Goodbye."
Ying Chengqi's heart tightened.
As a director, he knew better than anyone how talented the actress sitting in front of him was. If she continued in the acting industry, she would definitely be a shining star in history.
But she was a fallen star.
No matter how brilliant a fallen star once was, it would eventually turn into a dull stone.
---
When Jiang Li came out, she ran into Lu Zhanji waiting for her at the door.
This was the only drawback of autumn in Beicheng. It either snowed or rained. In just a short while, a large area of the ground was already wet.
She didn't bring an umbrella, so she had to stand under a shelter and wait for the rain to stop.
"Jiang Li," Lu Zhanji walked up to her and looked into her eyes. "The rain is getting heavier. Let me take you home."
Jiang Li looked up at his face.
Lu Zhanji was the sunny and handsome type. He had a wide fan base, and there were many women who liked him.
Once this movie was released, he would surely become extremely popular.
If nothing unexpected happened, his acting career would become smoother in the next few years.
Jiang Li was momentarily distracted and didn't reply to him immediately.
"Then... I'll leave first," Lu Zhanji thought she was rejecting him when she didn't say anything, so he turned around and was about to go.
Before leaving, he seemed to remember something and said, "Jiang Li, although it's not my place to say this - this is your last movie."
Since it was her last movie, she should contribute even more.
It seemed that Lu Zhanji also knew about the conversation between Ying Chengqi and her.
Jiang Li couldn't help but wonder if everyone else knew and hoped that she would make the choice they expected.
She didn't have an umbrella, and she didn't want to wait for the rain to stop either.
Jiang Li walked into the rain and headed towards the bus stop while getting wet. There were pedestrians running past in a hurry, but she remained unmoved.
She walked very slowly.
Until a car stopped beside her.
Xiao Yanzhi knew that they were having a meeting here today. He didn't come here to run into Jiang Li by chance. He just couldn't control himself and wanted to take a look at her from afar.
But the moment he saw the figure outside the car window, his heart suddenly turned cold.
Why was she standing outside in the rain alone?
So he got out of the car, grabbed her arm directly, and stuffed her into the car.
Jiang Li sat beside him, took the towel he handed her, and said, "Thank you."
"Why were you standing in the rain?" Xiao Yanzhi's voice was calm, and he tried his best to suppress the concern and worry in his tone.
Jiang Li's answer was simple, and she didn't even ask why he suddenly appeared there. "I didn't bring an umbrella."
Xiao Yanzhi was silent for a moment and then asked, "Where shall I take you?"
Before Jiang Li could speak, Xue An added, "It must be back to Ruiyuan. Sister Jiang Li has been..."
Suddenly, he felt a chilling look and immediately shut up.