Chapter 973: Chapter 972: There’s Only One Ye Xian This Wonderful
The night was falling, stars and moon shining together, yet the Ye Family’s hall remained silent. Ye Shaowen kept counting the time, one hour, two hours, three hours... It was almost ten o’clock and still no sight of Bo Tingshen and Ye Xian. He was about to dial the phone when he heard laughter at the door.
Both families stood up quickly at the sound, seeing Bo Tingshen holding Ye Xian’s hand, walking down from a cherry blossom-colored supercar. Ye Xian had a sugar-coated haw in her mouth, the two of them were full of affection, inseparable, their brows and eyes filled with sweet smiles.
Ye Zhuoxuan and Xia Hewan relaxed a little, seeing Xianxian’s smile once again; they didn’t need to worry anymore.
Wen Yan and Bo Junfeng felt some relief, and inwardly sighed. Their son turned out to be quite impressive; usually cold and unromantic, yet managed to cheer Xianxian up within a few hours.
"Xianxian."
Xia Hewan walked over as Ye Xian ran over with the sugar-coated haw, "Mom~"
Ye Shaowen, seeing Ye Xian’s regained vitality and smile, coughed twice, and when passing Bo Tingshen, he said lightly, "Thanks!"
Bo Tingshen appeared somewhat surprised, "It’s my duty."
Duty?
Was he so eager to become their son-in-law?
Yet... he did well today. Not only did he cheer up Xiao Yezi, but he also clarified the public opinion storm, neat and efficient, clean and beautiful.
Ye Juncheng affectionately patted Ye Xian’s head, "Hungry?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Right, right, Aunt Liu, hurry up and serve the dishes; today, in-laws... relatives are here!"
Everyone sat at the table chatting and laughing, having dinner while discussing the children’s childhood stories. No one mentioned the online uproar, as if everything had passed, but midway through the meal, the door was suddenly knocked.
The butler opened the door, revealing a middle-aged man in a suit and tie, holding a briefcase, smiling as he asked, "Is Miss Ye at home?"
At these words, the laughter in the living room stopped abruptly, everyone turned around.
Xianxian had just revealed her identity this morning, and someone was already calling her Miss Ye. Was it about the storm?
Butler: "May I ask who you are?"
"Oh, I am Yue Yang, the CBO (Commercial Director) of Skyline Media. It’s late tonight, I came for an important matter with Miss Ye."
"No need."
The butler hadn’t replied, but Ye Shaowen’s voice came, with a frown and dissatisfaction, "Why not discuss business with the company, why approach my sister?"
With Xiao Yezi’s true identity exposed, many contracts would have to be terminated. But he hadn’t expected someone to come knocking; wasn’t this deliberately troubling Xiao Yezi? What were the people below doing?
Yue Yang seemingly understood Ye Shaowen’s meaning, quickly apologizing, "Sorry, President Ye, you misunderstood me. I didn’t come to discuss termination with Miss Ye, but cooperation."
Cooperation?
That’s not acceptable either!
Since Xiao Yezi entered the entertainment circle, a place of trouble, she’s been framed repeatedly, bad things outweighing good. He wanted to take this opportunity to have Xiao Yezi leave the circle.
"Not necessary, Uncle Liu, see him out."
"Okay."
"Eh..." Yue Yang looked flustered, about to be ushered out, hurriedly calling to Ye Xian who was eating with her head down, "Miss Ye, Miss Ye, I came to talk about the prize for the ’Top Flow Competition’ champion, it’d be the first time a domestic actor stars in a Hollywood blockbuster, a milestone in cinema, you surely can’t miss such a good film, missing it would be a delay..."
Ye Xian heard him, slowly raised her head, filled with suspicion.
The champion award of the Top Flow Competition?
Wasn’t there one final episode to record, and the champion wasn’t yet decided?
Moreover, with her true identity exposed, the company should have terminated the contract with Top Flow, right?
And they tailored the movie lead to a man, why contact her? Do they still expect her to play a man when everyone knows her true identity?
And what does being delayed mean, could it be others...
"Miss Ye, Miss Ye, this film is really worth it, please reconsider!"
As the butler closed the door, Ye Xian put down her chopsticks, stood up, "Wait a minute, let him in."
"Xianxian..."
Everyone at the table worriedly watched her, Ye Xian smiled and shook her head, "It’s okay, I just have a few questions for him."
She was concerned FOR the other three might decline the film because of her. After all, it’s the only Hollywood blockbuster to invite domestic actors as leads so far, it couldn’t be missed due to temporary impulsiveness.
Yue Yang, carrying a briefcase, walked in joyfully, thank goodness! He knew Ye Xian would definitely agree!
As soon as he entered, Ye Shaowen glared at him fiercely, sensing Bo Tingshen’s scrutinizing gaze and everyone else’s stares, his legs started shaking slightly.
President Bo was here too?
Ye Xian saw her first brother, second brother, and the certain werewolf glaring at him, amused, "Let’s talk in the study."
Yue Yang: "Okay, okay!"
"Ah, Xiao Yezi..."
Yue Yang opened the briefcase, laying out the materials, Ye Xian didn’t even glance at them, "What did you mean by champion award earlier? Isn’t the final winner of Top Flow yet to be decided?"
"Well, Miss Ye, as soon as your identity was revealed today, Star Entertainment sent a statement of contract termination to Skyline. Subsequently, the other three members of FOR also expressed their desire to withdraw from the Top Flow Competition taping, so the final winner of this show will be decided based on the total points of the last episode’s guest appearances. You are the undisputed champion!"
So it was like this indeed.
Ye Xian frowned, "I breached my contract with the show and quitting is reasonable, but those three did nothing wrong. They quit because of me, so this movie should go to one of them."
Yue Yang laughed, "But they all believe you deserve the championship. And, if you don’t mind me saying, if not for you, they would have been eliminated in the first two rounds. You might not know, but from the start of the show, our company has had its eye on you. Whether in terms of popularity, acting skills, physique, show performance, or role suitability, you are the optimal choice. We had one last apprehension, but with your identity revealed today, that has completely vanished. Now, I believe this film is tailored just for you."
"What do you mean?"
Ye Xian was puzzled. She made her identity public? And became more suitable?
"Could it be... they want me to play the lead female role as well?"
"You guessed right."
Ye Xian: "???" The capitalist’s level of exploitation is so extreme that even the CEO would shed tears.
Yue Yang: "Please don’t misunderstand. This film doesn’t have a male or female lead, just a protagonist. I won’t say more; you’ll understand once you read the script."
He pushed the script in front of Ye Xian, and upon seeing the title, it read in three bold characters—Mermaid
The authors are two individuals: one of America’s most renowned contemporary realist authors and one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed screenwriters, under whom countless blockbuster hero-themed films have been produced, all grossing billions at the domestic box office.
With authors of such caliber, let alone other elements, this is undoubtedly beyond the reach of any of the dramas she has previously acted in. If it were the past, she would have yearned for this opportunity, but now...
"I’m sorry." Ye Xian pushed the script back. "I’m already considering leaving the industry."
"What?!"
Yue Yang was startled, "Why?"
Though today’s uproar was significant, with her identity revelation, it quickly subdued, and many people felt guilty for misunderstanding her. Despite the fuss, her popularity not only didn’t decline, but her Weibo followers increased! Could it be...
Yue Yang recalled a trending topic on Weibo at noon—The Betrayed Fanbase
Is it because of the fans?
Ye Xian remembered that she initially entered the industry to make money, a lot of it, and later chose to stay because of the fans.
Now she had the money, and the fans were lost. It seemed there was really no reason to stay.
Yue Yang put down the script and looked at her with a fatherly tone, "Ye Xian, do you really think quitting the industry is the best way to apologize? From the start of the Top Flow Competition recording till now, I’ve been watching you through the monitoring screen, and I consider myself half a fan. You are someone who stands unafraid amidst the harshest online criticism, who remains optimistic in the face of adversity, who helps teammates and even competitors. You never give up until the very last moment. There are so many dazzling qualities about you that attract others, and that’s why your fans love you, not merely because of your gender."
"Think about it, people who’ve fallen in love with you unconditionally despite all the past scandals, won’t reject you over one aspect of gender. It’s normal for them to be angry now, but I believe the anger will dissipate, and the love will endure."
"Of course, if you entered the industry on a whim, then as an audience member, I can tell you that you are a rare, talented actor. Haven’t you ever gained anything from acting? Does it all crumble just because you were once a popular idol?"
Ye Xian recalled that she initially redeemed her reputation because of Young President Gu in Business World, and later won the TV Emperor award through Shen Jinyou.
They indeed brought her a lot, including flowers, fame, and applause, as well as an increasingly resilient mindset and confidence.
Sometimes, she felt that every role she played turned into a shard, slowly forming an impervious armor.
"You are now already a TV Emperor. Don’t you want to aim for Movie King, oh no, Movie Queen with this film? This is the first world-class Hollywood blockbuster with a domestic actor playing the lead, set to be screened globally. Once successful, you’ll become a classic and legend in cinema, an international superstar. The film will also be considered for an Oscar. This is something many actors dream of but never imagine. Now the opportunity is right in front of you!"
"Moreover, it’s not just your own honor. It carries the expectations of the entire domestic film industry. No one is more suitable for it than you."
Yue Yang spoke passionately, observing her expressions soften, and then played his trump card, "Actually, at the initial stage of Top Flow’s planning, you weren’t our top choice. After all, the other seven have been popular for many years, and you were just an emerging talent. Your future development was still uncertain. We paid special attention to you not only because your performance was outstanding but also because the show’s official Weibo frequently received private messages from your fans."
"What?"
Ye Xian looked up.
"It’s strange. Even though you are a new-generation talent, your fans are much more proactive than those of the other seven. They check in and report to the official Weibo every day, recommending you. They’re still doing it! I could see how much they want you to win, how much they want you to have good resources and outstanding works. Do you still think they only like you for your gender?"
Ye Xian’s eyes flickered and gradually fell onto the script in front of her. Yue Yang pushed it over, "Miss Ye, I’m sorry to disturb you so late. With the Oscar awards approaching next year, to qualify, we need to have this film released around the Spring Festival, which means we must start shooting soon. You need to decide quickly."
"Furthermore, the film is very demanding. If possible, I hope you can adjust your emotions soon and participate in shooting in the purest and most perfect state."
Yue Yang finished speaking and confidently left.
At the doorway, he saw Bo Tingshen who had been standing there for who knows how long. He bowed repeatedly, "Hello, President Bo."
Ye Xian picked up the script, opened the title page, and saw the movie’s plot introduction.
It was completely different from what she imagined, yet it deeply attracted her.
Perhaps even she didn’t realize how passionate she was about acting.
’Ding—’
Her phone suddenly rang. Opening WeChat, Zhou Lu sent her a short video.
Surprisingly, the person in the video was Huihui.
"Brother Ye, Brother Ye! Oh no, now I should call you Little Fairy Ye! I was punished by my mom and locked in a small room because Blackie poured water on me. My phone was confiscated. I finally did a whole day’s worth of chores to get a few minutes with the phone, only to discover such a huge surprise. Brother Ye, you’re actually a girl; I’m so happy! You know I’m more into girls anyway, haha. I was initially a fan of Cheng Jingshu. If not for you, I wouldn’t be a fan of male stars.
Anyway, I see a lot of fans in the group are angry. Please don’t be affected. I always felt chasing stars should be an unrequited thing because we are the ones benefitting. Imagine, in this world, there’s such a shining star illuminating us, teaching me courage and strength, being my role model, dispelling the doldrums of life. Just thinking of her makes me happy. Sometimes, when I see the light she emits, I feel like I’ve caught some of the starlight too, it’s so healing.
Especially since Brother Ye, you would respond to our affection, unconditionally pampering us, striving to fulfill our requests, making us feel even more blessed!
Even though you’ve deceived everyone about your gender, I’m sure everyone will forgive you. Among thousands of idols, there’s only one amazing Ye Xian."
