Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]

It turns out that Yan Hui's ability to amass a large fanbase through *Starlight* was no coincidence. Even though he was momentarily taken aback upon seeing Sheng Quan, he quickly suppressed his surprise and focused entirely on the audition.

This was Sheng Quan's first time witnessing an actor's audition process in person.

Yan Hui's demeanor transformed the moment he began his performance. His gentle smile turned sharp and ambitious, and the softness in his eyes instantly chilled. He strode forward with purpose, seemingly moving ahead, yet all the while subtly observing his surroundings. Not a single rustle could escape his notice. He was like a sharp gust of wind—always spirited, unyielding, and cutting through all evil.

Righteous, resolute, and unwavering.

Sheng Quan's eyes lit up as she watched, her body leaning forward in her chair, captivated. Having read the original novel, she felt as though she were seeing the character 'Qin Heng' come to life—youthful, just, and imbued with a tender reliability that made him instantly trustworthy.

Before Sheng Quan could speak, Wan Bao, sitting beside her, couldn't contain his excitement and exclaimed, "Bravo!!!"

He was like an enthusiastic cheerleader, his praises flowing effortlessly: "Amazing performance! That's exactly the vibe I was looking for. This is the feeling I wanted!"

Wan Bao was genuinely thrilled.

Although the role had been "sold" to an outsider, every director secretly dreams of the scenario where the investor's choice turns out to be a talented actor rather than a mere pretty face. Even though they all know the odds of such a dream coming true are practically zero.

People tend to be kind to themselves, and Wan Bao had seen many actors work tirelessly to hone their craft when they had no backing. But once they secured a safety net, things often changed.

Thus, the consensus had become: "An investor's pick usually means a beautiful yet talentless addition, or sometimes not even beautiful." The dream of "getting a skilled actor funded by an investor" remained just that—a dream.

But now, the dream had come true!

Wan Bao was over the moon.

And with Sheng Quan, the big investor, sitting right beside him, praising Yan Hui was essentially a compliment to her impeccable taste. With a million-dollar investment at stake, Wan Bao had no qualms about lavishing praise.

Sheng Quan didn't perceive Wan Bao's enthusiasm as mere flattery because Yan Hui had truly captured the essence of Qin Heng's character and gaze.

Having fallen in love with the original novel *The Path of Life*, Sheng Quan was eager to see Yan Hui perform one of Qin Heng's iconic scenes from the book.

But Sheng Quan quickly regained her composure.

After all, she was no longer the keyboard warrior from her past life, where all she had to do was talk big without any real responsibility.

Now, she was the big investor whose words could turn dreams into reality.

Sheng Quan flipped through the book to a chapter she had revisited multiple times: "Chapter Seven, the scene where Qin Heng rescues Su Zhi. Can you perform that?"

She wasn't familiar with the formalities of auditions or the technical jargon, but that didn't matter because, at this moment, she was the one in charge.

As expected, no one in the room objected to Sheng Quan's request. Wan Bao gestured, and someone immediately handed the book to Yan Hui.

Yan Hui didn't refuse. "Give me a minute," he said.

After quickly skimming through the chapter, he set the book aside and slipped back into character. The moment he delivered his first line, Wan Bao knew Yan Hui had studied the original work extensively and had rehearsed this scene multiple times, either physically or in his mind.

The scene involved a character being abducted by a human trafficker. When the police questioned the trafficker, he answered smoothly, leaving no room for suspicion. Everyone, including passersby, believed him. But as they passed by, Qin Heng suddenly apprehended the trafficker.

What seemed like a straightforward scene in the book was described with such a sense of security that Qin Heng's character was instantly solidified. However, translating the sharpness, meticulousness, and overwhelming sense of safety from the text to a live performance was no easy feat.

Yet Yan Hui pulled it off—giving it his all, holding nothing back.

Even without a co-actor, he convincingly acted out the fight scene. Sheng Quan didn't know how others felt, but she was completely immersed in the moment.

Finally, Yan Hui fell backward onto the ground with a heavy thud—a real fall, no half-measures. He maintained his character's intensity, veins popping on his forehead, hands still gripping the "trafficker," using his entire body to restrain the imaginary foe while his eyes sought out "Su Zhi," ensuring her safety.

The performance was deeply moving.

It radiated an overwhelming sense of security.

Sheng Quan was instantly captivated—not just by Yan Hui's acting, but also by his evident determination to seize this opportunity with everything he had.

If this had been her past life, she would have nurtured such a dedicated subordinate. But now...

Sheng Quan stood up, walked over, and crouched down beside Yan Hui, who was still lying on the ground, catching his breath after the intense physical exertion. She extended her hand to him:

"Congratulations, the role is yours."

Though he had sensed it from the reactions around him, hearing the words aloud still felt surreal to Yan Hui.

Despite all the effort and preparation he had poured into this moment, his first thought was: *Did I really just land this role?*

No questions about his popularity, no consideration of his background—just pure talent. Had he really been chosen like this?

Yan Hui was momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed on the hand extended toward him. Its owner smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with undisguised admiration.

Hesitating, he slowly reached out. Just as he was about to grasp her hand, he remembered the dust on his palms from the "fight" and instinctively tried to pull back. But Sheng Quan leaned forward, firmly clasping his hand in a confident grip.

Yan Hui, still somewhat disheveled from rolling on the ground, looked up and met the radiant smile of the girl before him:

"Mr. Yan, your qualities are exceptional. I formally invite you to join Starlight Entertainment."

***

"Signing with Starlight Entertainment? I've never heard of this company. It's not another shady outfit like Huafan, is it? Yan Hui, you need to stay calm! Last time we signed a contract, we were young and naive, but this time, if you're serious about signing, you absolutely must review the contract thoroughly to make sure there are no traps. You haven't signed yet, have you? Send me the contract, and I'll take a close look at it for you!"

"Don't fall for that 'opportunity knocks but once' nonsense they might throw at you. Big decisions like this require careful thought and time. The more they rush you, the more it benefits them, not you! If your uncle needs money, I can scrape something together. Don't let desperation lead you to make a hasty decision!"

Yan Hui listened to his lawyer friend's impassioned rant over the phone, amused by the urgency in his voice, as though he were ready to fly over and physically restrain him.

"You know me—I'm not impulsive. I haven't signed anything yet. They've given me three days to think it over. I called you so you could help me review the contract."

His friend, who had been pacing, finally relaxed and sat back down. "True, you're not one to rush into things. Alright, send it over, and I'll take a look. I've gotten pretty good at reviewing contracts these days. I'll go through it during this endless meeting. Seriously, how do they find so many meetings to schedule every day?"

Yan Hui sent the contract over. About twenty minutes later, as he was deep in thought, his phone buzzed repeatedly with notifications. He opened it to find a flurry of messages from his lawyer friend:

**[Holy cow!]**

**[I just finished reading it. The terms are incredibly fair and straightforward.]**

**[Is the owner of this Starlight Entertainment a rookie who hasn't learned how to exploit people yet?]**

**[I can't find a single issue with it.]**

**[Am I missing something?]**

**[Wait, I'll ask my supervisor to take a look. He's a seasoned pro—no one can pull a fast one on him. He'll spot anything fishy.]**

**[Hang tight, I'll call you after the meeting to discuss in detail.]**

Yan Hui wasn't surprised by this outcome at all.

It might have been because of the admiring look Sheng Quan gave him, or perhaps it was her straightforward statement: "I think you're very talented, so I want to help you become famous and make money for me. It's a win-win for both of us."

Yan Hui had been rejected too many times, but Sheng Quan, from the very first meeting until now, had always looked at him with pure admiration in her eyes.

She even recommended him to a film crew, and only after he secured the role did she mention wanting to sign him. She even gave him three days to think it over. Yan Hui could tell that Sheng Quan was confident he would sign.

This confidence stemmed from the transparency in their communication and the contract.

After a while, the phone call came as expected.

His friend was still excited, but this time it was a happy kind of excitement: "Our director also said this contract is quite fair. There's no ambiguity, the termination conditions aren't harsh, the salary is on the higher side, and there are no hidden traps. It's rare to see such a fair contract in your industry."

"Is the boss new to the industry? If the company's resources aren't too bad, I suggest you sign it. Having a company is always better than struggling on your own, and you'll even get a salary. How great is that?"

There was another layer his friend didn't mention, but Yan Hui understood.

As soon as he signed this contract, his current predicament would be instantly alleviated. Whether it was the salary, the promised benefits, it all seemed tailor-made for Yan Hui at this moment.

This contract had clearly been prepared long ago, and Yan Hui couldn't help but think that Sheng Quan had intended to sign him from their very first meeting.

His friend continued to ramble: "A contract that's too shady is definitely not good, but this one is too good. It makes me a bit uneasy. Do you think the company boss has some ulterior motive? Is the boss male or female? Could they be interested in you? Maybe they want to sign you to take advantage of you? I remember someone tried to do that before, and when you refused, they made things difficult for you. I hope it's not that kind of situation again."

Yan Hui didn't even have time to think before he blurted out: "She's not that kind of person."

His friend pressed: "How do you know? What if she is?"

"I've already decided to sign. Don't worry." Yan Hui couldn't provide any concrete evidence, but that didn't stop him from being firm in his judgment. His voice was always gentle, and when he spoke about Sheng Quan, it softened even more: "Ms. Sheng is a good person, and she's still young... It's clear she wants to focus on her career. She's not the type to judge people by their looks."

***

The boss who didn't judge people by their looks, Sheng Quan, was very busy.

To show her respect for Zhou Zhi, the male lead who was filming a rain scene in a white shirt that revealed his well-defined muscles, she silently took off her sunglasses as she passed by.

After standing there and watching intently for a full two minutes, the esteemed investor gave her evaluation: "This physique is quite accurate. Not bad."

Yu Xiangwan, who was standing beside her and jotting something down, closed his notebook. He glanced at Zhou Zhi, who was currently being drenched with water by the director, looking like a wet golden retriever: "If you like..."

"Stop right there!" Sheng Quan didn't even need to hear the rest to know what he was about to say. "This is purely appreciation, the green kind. Don't always think in such strange directions."

"Understood," Yu Xiangwan replied promptly, then went back to scribbling in his notebook.

The next day, Sheng Quan saw a set of newly installed fitness equipment in the film set, along with several lead actors who had already changed into workout clothes and were diligently exercising.

Sheng Quan: "?"

She immediately turned to look at Yu Xiangwan, who was following her.

The producer, Yu Xiangwan, explained: "Since more than six actors need to show off their physiques in the series, and to meet the filming requirements, after discussing with Director Wan, I purchased some fitness equipment and hired a coach. We expect them to achieve the desired results within a month and a half at the latest."

Sheng Quan reluctantly accepted his explanation, even though Yu Xiangwan had placed the fitness equipment right across from her temporary room.

Yes, Sheng Quan was also staying at the film set. On the night she mentioned wanting to stay for a few days, Yu Xiangwan, who had just arrived at the set, quickly arranged a room for her—clean, tidy, and even with a bouquet of flowers that had her favorite scent.

It had to be said, although the reason Yu Xiangwan placed the fitness equipment across from her room was quite intriguing, Sheng Quan's mood was still quite pleasant every time she opened the curtains and saw several very attractive lead actors working out diligently.

And then she appreciated Yan Hui even more.

Lin Aike and Zhou Zhi sometimes couldn't resist indulging in snacks, and occasionally tried to slack off during workouts, but Yan Hui never missed a session. He even took the initiative to exercise on his own.

When he wasn't filming, Yan Hui always gave off a soft, gentle vibe, but when he was focused on something, he really resembled 'Qin Heng,' with a kind of resilient clarity, like a young poplar tree.

As Sheng Quan watched, she unabashedly snapped several photos.

Hearing the sound, Yan Hui turned around and saw Sheng Quan taking pictures of him. Sheng Quan was completely unashamed, smiling at him and complimenting him without hesitation: "I feel like you're getting more and more handsome."

Yan Hui's cheeks turned slightly red, and he lowered his head with an embarrassed smile.

He was always gentle, his gaze soft and tender. Even knowing Sheng Quan was taking pictures, he still allowed her to keep snapping away.

Seeing her host so captivated by beauty, the system grew anxious: 【Host, there are only twenty-six days left. Yan Hui still has zero public recognition. You've already spent a lot of time.】

Sheng Quan opened a group chat on her phone, still calm and unhurried: 【By the way, 006, do you know what my first job was in my past life?】

006 really didn't know.

Sheng Quan: 【Promotion planning.】

【Promoting people, that's my expertise.】

—Her fingers flew across the screen as she uploaded the photos she had just taken to the group she had just opened: "Girls! Does he look enough like Qin Heng?"

This group was a reader group for the original novel *The Path of Life*. Although the novel wasn't a massive hit, it had a loyal fanbase, and the group had several hundred members.

Just like the various reader and fan groups Sheng Quan had joined in her past life, everyone chatted about everything under the sun. She blended in effortlessly, feeling as if she had returned to her happy place.

The girls in the group were in the middle of a lively discussion when suddenly a photo of a handsome guy popped up. They immediately expressed their thoughts politely and eloquently.

【Damn! He's absolutely stunning!】

【Those pecs... I'd love to bury my face in them!】

【He really gives off Qin Heng vibes, especially when he looks over like that.】

【Oh my god, is this a figurine come to life? Look at those long legs!】

【@VictoryIsAssured, why are you sneaking photos of my husband? I'm reporting you for assaulting an officer!】

Sheng Quan had expected this kind of reaction and continued typing: 【You all think he's a good fit, right? Then I can confidently let him take the role.】

The girls laughed and joked along, thinking Sheng Quan was just having fun: 【Let him act! Make him do eighty scenes without stopping!】

【By the way, who is this guy? I've never seen him before.】

VictoryIsAssured: 【His name is Yan Hui. He's the guy I mentioned meeting at the pancake stall last time. I just signed him, and now I'm bringing him to the set to play Qin Heng. I'm so excited~】

Everyone in the group knew that the original actor set to play Qin Heng had left the production. They didn't know the specifics, as neither the original novel nor the production team were well-known. They only knew about the departure because the official production team had announced it.

This statement was also taken as a joke, especially since Sheng Quan followed it up with: 【I invested ten million in the production. I refuse to believe they can't bring Qin Heng to life with that kind of money.】

Ten million?

Hahahahaha, anyone could tell this was just a playful exaggeration.

Someone immediately posted a photo of a newly debuted idol: 【What a coincidence! I just signed one too. His monthly salary is twenty million. Check out that face!】

VictoryIsAssured: 【Isn't that a bit expensive? My guy only gets five thousand a month. Aren't actors supposed to earn through roles, with salaries just being a formality?】

The girl who posted the idol photo was laughing in real life as she typed, spinning all sorts of nonsense: 【Not expensive at all! Good looks are worth every penny!】

VictoryIsAssured: 【I see. I'm new to this industry, so I'm still learning.】

Others followed suit, posting photos of various handsome guys, and someone even posted a 2D character:

【I signed this one last month. He's alright, just a bit young.】

【Check out mine. He's a thousand years old this year, very mature.】

【A thousand years old is still too young, look at me, I'm ten thousand years old】

【What are you guys talking about? Check out my newly signed paramecium, too bad it died just 24 hours after signing】

The conversation gradually veered off track, quickly shifting from "paramecium" to "why haven't mosquitoes gone extinct yet" and then to "what are we eating tonight."

By evening, a group member noticed that the official blog had posted an announcement and immediately took a screenshot to share in the group.

【The best Qin Heng, the best you @Yan Hui】

Under the official blog post, some original book fans left comments, all quite normal, asking who this person was, why they had never seen them before, and hoping that the acting would be good since the person looked quite attractive.

But the group members were completely baffled.

【?】

【？？？】

【Isn't this the same person from this morning??】

Immediately, a group member turned detective and searched through 'Sheng Quan's' past messages. Upon seeing them, she was even more shocked and quickly took screenshots to share in the group.

Key sentences from Sheng Quan's past messages were picked out and arranged like this—

Five days ago, Sheng Quan: 【OMG! I just went to buy a pancake and saw a guy who looks just like Qin Heng! I want him to play the role!!】

Group members: What guy? Post a picture, no picture no truth, let's all see the handsome guy~

Three days ago, Sheng Quan: 【I'm going to invest in the 'Life's Journey' crew and sign the handsome pancake guy to play Qin Heng. Let's see who dares to ruin the original story.】

Group members: Let's go together, crowdfund the investment and become the bosses! Everyone chips in 50 cents, and we'll rent out the pancake stall!

Today, Sheng Quan: 【I invested 10 million in the crew and signed the pancake guy to play Qin Heng】

Then that evening, the legendary pancake guy was officially announced to play Qin Heng.

The group started frantically @ing Sheng Quan. At that moment, Sheng Quan was enjoying a relaxing bath with a face mask on (Yu Xiangwan had even gotten her a big bathtub). Hearing her phone buzzing incessantly, she picked it up and smiled.

Sheng Quan: 【Yeah, didn't I tell you guys earlier today?】

After a few seconds of silence, the group exploded.

Everyone was just joking around, but you actually went and did it?!