I Am Rich

Upon arriving home, Guan Zhiyi removed her coat and went to sit on the sofa.

Qi Chengyan's return was a pleasant surprise for her, and it brought back all her childhood memories.

Qi Chengyan used to live near her house and the two families were very close. He and her brother, Guan Yuanbai, were classmates since primary school and grew up together. 

Because of this, Guan Zhiyi was really close to Qi Chengyan.

When she was young, she would often follow them around, and whenever Guan Yuanbai scolded her, she would hide herself behind Qi Chengyan.

Because of the six year difference, she always attended a different school than them. When she went to primary school, they went to middle school, and when she went to middle school, they went to college. But even though they didn't go to the same school, Qi Chengyan would often come to pick her up from school whenever Guan Yuanbai was busy. 

She liked it best when he came to pick her up. Guan Yuanbai never let her eat out, but if she pestered Qi Chengyan enough, he would soften his heart and buy her anything she wanted......

Guan Zhiyi was a little amused when she remembered her rogue behavior when she was a child.

Dingdong--

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang. Guan Zhiyi came back to her senses and got up to open the door.

The only person who could ring her doorbell at this time would be none other than the person who lives opposite her house, and sure enough, when she opened the door, her best friend Song Qiao Fei appeared.

"Ta da--" Song Qiao Fei raised the tray in her hand. "Here! Try one!"

Guan Zhiyi glanced at it. "Did you make these?"

Guan Zhiyi took a look at it, "You made it?"

"Yeah, I've been making cookies these days. Here's one for you."

The freshly baked cookies have a strong aroma. Guan Zhiyi sniffed, forced herself to look away from the tray, and then said resolutely, "I seem to have gained a lot of weight recently, I need to lose it all."

Song Qiaofei rolled her eyes, "Why do you have to lose weight? Everyone has their own life, no matter how thin and beautiful you are, these roles will not be yours."

Song Qiao Fei and Guan Zhiyi both started their careers in the same girl group and later became actresses together. Since then, Song Qiao Fei, like Guan Zhiyi, has had a troubled acting career.

Guan Zhiyi: "What do you mean?"

"It means that even if I had the body of a supermodel, what's the point? I still wouldn't get a role in <Wind Investment>."

Guan Zhiyi was shocked, "This role, didn't you say last time that it's pretty much secured...."

"Yeah, I slapped myself in the face. In the blink of an eye, the daughter of our company boss's friend snatched it away. In this industry, having connections is still the only way." Song Qiao Fei grabbed a cookie and popped it into her mouth. "Tell me, even after all this time, we're still struggling as 18th line celebrities who can't even get a good script. Isn't it time to consider a career change?"

Guan Zhiyi choked, holding the remaining half of her biscuit. "Don't say that."

"It's the reality."

"If you like it, you have to keep going," Guan Zhiyi said vaguely.

"But we also need to make money." Song Qiaofei said melancholically, "Tsk... do you want to climb into the CEO's bed, hooked up with the boss or something?"

Guan Zhiyi snorted. "Comrade Xiao Song, let's not have any evil thoughts. But even if we did…they wouldn't necessarily want you."

Song Qiaofei laughed angrily, "Guan Zhiyi!"

"Just kidding, just kidding. Give me some more cookies, it's delicious."

To be honest, what Song Qiaofei said made sense. Acting was a dream for her, but she also needed to make a living. Initially, Guan Zhiyi had vowed not to rely on her family for support. But in order to do that, she had to earn money.

It had been almost six months since she left her last production team, and she still hadn't received a single script. After paying her rent and travel expenses, she didn't have much money left.

After closing the door, Guan Zhiyi sat back on the sofa, eating cookies while worrying. However, she only managed to eat one piece before her agent, Liu Yun, called her. Guan Zhiyi was startled when she saw the caller ID and immediately pushed away the remaining cookies.

"Hello?" She answered the phone hurriedly.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just finished eating."

"Eating?" Liu Yun was very strict about controlling the weight of the artists she managed, so she immediately asked, "What did you eat for dinner?"

Guan Zhiyi glanced at the cookies, "Boiled vegetables."

"It better be."

"Of course it is. Sister Yun, did you call me for something? Did I get any role?"

"Oh yes, there's an offer for a reality show recently. The other artists have already been confirmed, and now they're looking for a female artist who isn't too expensive to fill the spot. Originally, they preferred a newcomer, but I recommended you instead. You have a bit of fame and you're affordable, so the position is yours now."

Affordable...

What a heartwarming assessment!

Guan Zhiyi wasn't really interested in participating in reality shows, "So, what program is it?"

"<Get Out, Fat!>, a month of filming, will record the diet and exercise status of each artist's life. Simply put, it's a weight loss and fitness program."

"Ah.... I'm not fat enough to be on a weight loss show, am I?"

"It's not just about losing weight. The main thing is that the audience wants to see the celebrity's daily life." Liu Yun said, "I know you don't like participating in these variety shows, but Zhiyi, let me tell you, you have no exposure and no popularity. No one is offering you acting roles. I'm asking you to do this for your own good. If you don't want to, there are plenty of people waiting in line behind you."

 

Guan Zhiyi knew she was speaking the truth. These days, relying solely on acting wasn't enough to stay in the public eye. And... she hadn't filmed anything in a long time. Besides, variety shows were also a source of income..

"How about it, are you going?"

"Yes! I'm going!" Guan Zhiyi replied eagerly. Then she asked, "Is there any suitable script for me?"

"Script… recently <Dawn and the Wild> is still casting for a female role."

"<Dawn and Wild>? Is it the one written by Jiang Xiaochen?"

"You know about it?"

"Of course! It was a popular book when I was in college, I particularly liked it."Guan Zhiyi suddenly got excited, "Sister Yun, will there be auditions? When can I go and audition? I'm open to any role!"

Guan Zhiyi's conditions are actually quite good, but because her previous work didn't gain much attention, the company, which had many newcomers, didn't have any plans to promote her. As a result, she was stuck in a stagnant position. 

"Our company acquired the IP rights for this project a few years ago, and it has only recently started attracting investments. By the way, Zheng Yitong is also interested in this project." 

Guan Zhiyi: "So..."

Zheng Yitong was a relatively popular actor in their company. Although she was not a first-line celebrity, she was definitely in the second-line. However, she had a difficult personality and was extremely arrogant, always ignoring those who she considered unworthy.

Liu Yun thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, there are few roles available for our company. Tomorrow night, Mr. Zhao and some investors are having dinner. Come with me."

"Dinner? Not auditions? "

"You attend dinner to make an impression and increase your chances at the auditions, do you understand?"

Guan Zhiyi was never really fond of dinner parties, that's just how she is.

"Zhiyi? Zhiyi?"

"Ah.....I'm here."

"I'll pick you up tomorrow night, make yourself presentable."

"Sister Yun, about that..."

"If you want a role, come with me. Don't make so many excuses this time. It's just a meal. You won't be harmed there, why are you hesitating?"

Guan Zhiyi, who had been figured out, responded a bit embarrassedly, "....I understand."

"Alright then, I'm hanging up. Be ready on time tomorrow."

"Okay."

After ending the call with Liu Yun, Guan Zhiyi felt a little down for a moment. She was really not good at socializing and wasn't comfortable with these kinds of appointments. However, after the momentary sadness, she felt a burst of happiness. It's <Dawn and Wild>! Not only is it a novel she really loves, but it's also a big IP. Liu Yun didn't even need to explain how rare this opportunity was.

Anyway, it's just a meal. She would show up to improve her chances of success, there'd be no harm in doing it.

The following evening, Guan Zhiyi applied her makeup an hour earlier than usual. At the designated time, she headed straight to the underground garage and entered her agent Liu Yun's car.

The car drove for about forty minutes and stopped in front of a hotel.

Guan Zhiyi looked out and was taken aback.

Nanjue five-star hotel.

She was very familiar with this hotel, not only because it was a famous hotel, but also because it was owned by the Guan family, specifically managed by Guan Yuanbai, her brother.

Guan Zhiyi: "..."

What a coincidence.

"Why are you in a daze? Get out of the car." Liu Yun said.

"Okay."

Guan Zhiyi pursed her lips, comforting herself, surely there wouldn't be such a coincidence. Her brother is so busy, so there was no way she could casually meet him here.

After getting out of the car, the porter came to park the car, Guan Zhiyi followed Liu Yun and walked inside.

"Those who come today are potential investors, so don't say anything unnecessary and behave appropriately."

"Okay." Guan Zhiyi thought it would be best if she could just eat without having to engage in conversation.

"I know you've been unemployed for some time. Zhiyi, we are ordinary people with no family background. When an opportunity arises, you have to be more proactive in seizing it."

Guan Zhiyi nodded. "You're right!"

The meal took place in a private room at the hotel restaurant, and when Guan Zhiyi arrived, the table was already full. She recognized four people in the room, including Zhao Zhihui, the president of her company, and three other actors from their company, one male and two females, Zheng Yitong was among them.

"We're sorry for being late," Liu Yun quickly changed her expression as soon as she entered the room.

Guan Zhiyi obediently followed her and nodded to the people present.

"Liu Yun is here. You are indeed late, you should be punished with a drink."

"Of course, Mr. Huang! I'll definitely have an extra drink later," Liu Yun said, bringing Guan Zhiyi forward. "Let me introduce her to you first. This is Guan Zhiyi, an artist under my management."

Guan Zhiyi greeted, "Hello, everyone."

"Have a seat." The person called Mr. Huang was very enthusiastic, he got up and pulled out the seat next to him, joking, "Don't be polite. It's Mr. Zhao's treat today, after all."

Zhao Zhihui responded, "Mr. Huang, are you saying you want to devour me today?"

"Just kidding, Mr. Zhao."

Everyone laughed.

There were only three seats left, she would definitely not be able to sit on the opposite side, and Liu Yun was already sitting on one of it, so Guan Zhiyi had no choice but to take the chair that President Huang had pulled out for her.

As she settled into her seat, she couldn't help but notice the vacant main seat next to Mr. Zhao's.

Why is the main seat empty?

She was still wondering in her heart, when Liu Yun asked, "Mr. Zhao, is anyone not here yet?"

Zhao Zhihui: "Just wait a moment, he should be arriving soon."

Liu Yun nodded and then took her seat, leaning in to whisper to Guan Zhiyi, "It seems like an important figure will be joining us tonight."