The Best Actor Insists On Living With Me!-Chapter 1760 - 1750: A New - (Part 5)

"I have things to do, let’s chat next time."

The past Xia Siyu would never say something like this to Qin Baizhou. It sounds like normal social talk, but Xia Siyu is used to being straightforward and would never use such an indirect tone.

When she says "next time," who knows when that will be. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next year, maybe even longer.

Anyway, it’s a way of saying no; it means, I don’t have time for you now, and maybe I won’t in the future either.

Qin Baizhou knows her too well, and yet he doesn’t quite know her now. No matter how nicely Xia Siyu puts it, her face still shows the same impatience as before, leaving nothing to hide. Looking at her now, it’s really hard to tell if she’s progressed or regressed over these years.

However, this person really is doing better in the industry. Although in the entertainment circle, connections matter, like the Beijing circle, the Northwest circle, or the Hong Kong circle. Bo Yan rose thanks to his connections with Yu Fenfei. Although Xia Siyu has rumors of being a "Drama Tyrant," and doesn’t always have the best relationship with production teams, she actually cooperates well at work, doesn’t demand high pay, and despite appearing rebellious, she’s actually very obedient to directors.

Many directors who’ve worked with her, including Wang Ju and Director Ji, always become accustomed to using her after one collaboration. Yu Fenfei just finished a movie with her last year, and now there are new scripts looking for her.

She’s talented, attractive, and also draws public attention and traffic. Moreover, the film circle is somewhat superstitious. Xia Siyu became a blockbuster hit thanks to "Divine Catcher," and her overall box office has crossed the hundred-billion mark, making her the brightest star in the entire film circle. After years of trying, her acting range has broadened, and she excels in all kinds of movies. Whether it’s period pieces, modern dramas, romance, action, or art films, she can handle them all.

The only genres she hasn’t acted in are probably comedies and thrillers. Thrillers aside, comedies are actually the most popular type of movie in the country. After all, whether it’s the Lunar New Year season or summer vacation, watching a family-friendly movie appeals to both young and old. Unlike other genres, which are less likely to attract entire families to the cinema.

This year’s Lunar New Year face-off between "Divine Catcher" and comedies showed that people still prefer light comedies. But the comedic effect and the script of comedies are different from general dramas. Actors who can play serious roles may not perform well in comedies. Similarly, comedy actors, even with good acting skills, can feel out of place in serious dramas.

Audiences seek immersion. When they see a face that makes them want to laugh, it takes more time and effort to shift their focus away from the comedy. This is also a difference between TV actors and film actors. The so-called higher status of film actors actually comes from a sense of distance. The immersive feel of watching someone’s movie comes from the "unknown" about them.

Take Xia Siyu, although she flaunts her confidence, disregards reporters, and argues with haters, she seems outgoing yet protects her privacy very well. There were rumors she used her body to climb up, attaching herself to rich men. Only later did people realize, she herself is wealthy. Her father owns a family business, her mother is a film actress, and coupled with her fall and rise again, people think there’s a story behind her, drawing them to watch her.

But TV actors have a completely different path. The so-called popularity requires exposure, needs to be in the public eye for a long time. They need to participate in various variety shows, film various dramas, engage in different activities as much as possible when they are popular, making a fortune, even wanting to be on trending searches every day. Xia Siyu does buy trending searches, but she’s relatively restrained, buying only when there’s an event or work to promote. Even when audiences see her trending, because she’s not consistently dominating the rankings, they don’t find her too annoying.

Of course, this path doesn’t match Huixing’s positioning. Huixing wants to make money, so naturally, they want to cash in while the traffic is high, appear on more programs, and quickly develop her value. But Xia Siyu aims for long-term development, sometimes having to give up lucrative opportunities to improve her acting skills.

So, there’s no right or wrong, just different paths.

"Siyu!" As Xia Siyu was turning away, Qin Baizhou suddenly called out to her. His voice not only made Xia Siyu pause, but also made the young girl next to him turn her head, seemingly a bit incredulous.

"Oh, it’s nothing, I heard you’ve also received an invitation to audition for a superhero movie in Hollywood, right?"

Actually, this invitation wasn’t anything new. Shang Feifei got the news, and Xia Siyu probably did too.

A superhero movie is, after all, a very famous global IP, and filming it means instantly elevating one’s international presence. There’s finally a spot for an Asian, and to show confidence in the Asian market, Hollywood companies are more inclined to give this spot to the East Asia region, rather than directly casting an Asian from within the States.

The global pandemic hit hard, although China recovered quickly, the film market also suffered significantly. Given this opportunity, everyone would surely rush to seize it. Since it’s directed toward the East Asia region, it’s not just China; other parts of East Asia also have the opportunity.

In China, Xia Siyu is top-tier, but looking globally, she might not necessarily be much stronger than those from nearby Korea or Japan. Not to mention there are ethnic Chinese from Nanyang; with so many actors contending for one role, the competition is fierce.

She once said that if it were just a few-minute cameo vase role, there’s no point in contending for it; she’d rather make a great film at home. But what if it’s not a vase, what if the character is good? 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Competition has never been an issue for her. She loves competition, is willing to compete, and if she can’t win against others, she’ll concede. If she can win, she’ll go all out.

Xia Siyu nodded: "Yes."

"I know a producer there, he’s an ethnic Chinese in the project team. Although selecting actors is up to the main director, producer, and casting director, it’s possible to prepare in advance."

In such a big IP superhero project, all actors have to go through a rigorous multi-round selection; it’s not a decision made in one go. But as soon as people are selected, preferences form, and preparation can start early. Xia Siyu blinked, knowing this was Qin Baizhou extending an olive branch to her.

Although returning to Huixing seems unlikely, everyone is in the same circle, seeing each other often, and in future, there are bound to be opportunities for collaboration.