Zhang Jingwen grew up in a privileged family, with her parents and family doting on her relentlessly, which fostered her high self-regard and disregard for others.
From a young age, she enjoyed the feeling of being in the spotlight, envied, adored, and admired by everyone.
From elentary school performances to middle school, high school, and college, she was always the center of attention.
As a result, she always wanted to beco a star since high school. However, her family was against it, insisting she complete university before finally compromising under her persistent crying pleas and threats. Her family gave her money to set up a personal studio, and even provided her with five million for startup capital to let her try her best.
If she succeeded, her family wouldn't oppose her staying in the entertainnt industry. But if she failed, they wouldn't finance her further, and hoped she would find a stable career early and then marry a good husband.
Initially, she was quite lucky. Her first drama, in which she invested, was "Immortal Destiny", where she played the female lead and instantly beca a hit.
At that ti, her confidence in her career soared, believing she could beco one of the top actresses in the country, and perhaps even gain international fa. She even planned to start learning spoken English for that purpose.
As it turned out, her second drama still hasn't aired successfully, and while her third one did premiere, it received a barrage of negative reviews, nearly wiping out her hard-earned reputation with the audience.
By now, she had spent almost all the money she earned, including her savings over the years, making it impossible for her to invest in another project. Other people's film projects naturally wouldn't cast her as a lead, and even landing the second or third female lead roles was difficult.
Her family started trying to persuade her again to find a proper career, such as starting a clothing or costics company with their funding, or simply attending so socialite gatherings to find a wealthy husband.
But the family's suggestions and arrangents were not what she wanted at all. She simply wanted to be a star and enjoy being worshipped and focused on by countless people.
Therefore, she was eager to star in another drama as the female lead, regain her popularity, and even surpass her forr fa. She wanted to prove to her family and her skeptics that Zhang Jingwen was not a shooting star but an increasingly dazzling fixed star.
She would stay famous, very famous.
Fueled by this persistence and vision, she was desperate to seize this opportunity, hoping Chen Feng, whom she initially disliked, could help her.
Unfortunately, Chen Feng was completely uncooperative, refusing to acknowledge her compensation demands.
He even made flippant, insulting remarks to provoke her.
Thinking of her family's opposition to her acting career and those who openly or covertly criticized her acting, belittling her, she ultimately held back her urge to lose her temper, keeping her anger in check.
"If I had money, would I need to ask you for help?" Though Zhang Jingwen contained her anger, she didn't bother putting on a pleasant face for Chen Feng. She had never intentionally pleased anyone or asked for favors in her life, so she had little experience in this area.
"If you just want to be my mistress and expect to support you, that will be difficult. At the very least, you'd need to wait a year or so until I'm satisfied," Chen Feng said, utterly serious.
Zhang Jingwen resisted the urge to scratch his face and with a stone-cold expression, said, "If I were willing to be soone's mistress, would it be your turn? There are plenty of people lining up, crying to offer roles, and bringing money."
Chen Feng wasn't offended. Instead, he acknowledged her point with a nod and said, "What you said isn't wrong. So, our deal cannot be made."
With his hands raised, Chen Feng gave a helpless shrug.
Zhang Jingwen stared icily at Chen Feng for quite a while before she spoke again, slowly, "I can sign with your company. I can offer you the biggest profit margin in revenue sharing, but you must ensure I get cast as the female lead in a drama with at least a fifty million investnt each year."
Hearing this, Chen Feng couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head, "Do you know how many second and third-tier stars out there are crying and begging to switch to our company, especially those whose contracts with their current companies are expiring soon? Even so still under contract are considering paying for a breach just to join us. But our company has rejected them all."
Zhang Jingwen wanted to say she wasn't a second or third-tier star, but she knew that claiming to be top-tier was a bit of a stretch given her current popularity.
"I can forego the signing bonus and I'm willing to take only 30% of the revenue sharing. Additionally, I'll sign a five-year contract with your company." Zhang Jingwen said, slightly gritting her teeth.
Chen Feng was a bit surprised to hear she was willing to take only 30%. Even if she wasn't exactly top-tier before, she was at least second-tier. Normally, artists at her level negotiate at least a 50-50 revenue split, sotis even 60% for themselves.
Now she stated she'd take only 30%, for five years too, making it quite a generous offer.
For a mont, the originally playful and teasing Chen Feng beca serious. After all, if she was sincere, the offer was indeed compelling.
Her physical appeal was strong as well, and she had beco popular last year. Chen Feng wasn't sure about her current fa, but as long as there weren't any major controversies, investing in her as a potential cash cow could be worthwhile if nurtured by the company.
"Are you serious? Only 30%? For five years in a row?" Chen Feng asked solemnly for confirmation.
Zhang Jingwen secretly gritted her teeth, nodding, "Yes. I'm willing to take just 30% of the profits for five straight years, but under the condition I ntioned earlier: your company must guarantee I take the female lead in at least one project with over fifty million in investnt each year."
Chen Feng frowned, thinking for a mont, and said, "Your condition is still a bit high. Projects with investnts of over fifty million aren't that easy to secure. Fifty million each year, that's more than two hundred million overall…"
Zhang Jingwen interrupted him, "I'm only asking to be the female lead in a project of that investnt scale, not that your company has to invest the money. It could be a joint investnt with another company, or entirely funded by other investors, as long as your company can make the lead."
Hearing her response, Chen Feng found it hard to make an imdiate decision. After all, he wasn't a professional in this film company business.
Therefore, Chen Feng said, "Personally, I'm quite interested in your condition. But I need to discuss it with our company team. I can't give you an answer until later."
Seeing that Chen Feng did not outright refuse her, Zhang Jingwen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her deanor slightly improved, and she nodded slightly, "I hope you can give a definite answer within the next couple of days."
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