Actresses

Chapter 67 Traits

Thinking of this, He Yuran suddenly decided to tease Song Lin, this innocent child.

Especially after hearing that she had a biological younger sister, He Yuran felt even stronger about being the older sister. Even if you're the older sister at home, you're still a little sister to me.

He Yuran's gaze swept over Li Luoan beside her, thinking, "You too. Today I'm going to make every one of you admit you're the younger sister, and then willingly call me 'older sister.'"

"Actually, I did have some feelings that I didn't express back then, so I thought others definitely wouldn't be able to tell," He Yuran said, switching to a more serious tone.

Li Luoan didn't speak, but turned his head and looked at him with an ambiguous expression, as if asking: What mischief are you up to?

But Song Lin took it seriously and asked, "Is it with Sister Luo'an?"

To sound more confident, He Yuran downed another glass. She wondered, "Why hasn't the alcohol kicked in yet? I haven't been drinking much lately, so why do I feel like my alcohol tolerance has increased?" She decided to just improvise, imagining herself in front of a few cameras during a film shoot.

"You know, everyone needs rivals, especially actresses like us who are a bit aloof. When our boss, Cheng Xiaotang, signed Luo'an, I had high expectations, but I was also very wary because I was afraid she would steal my resources in the future." He Yuran spread her hands, her expression appearing extremely natural. She felt this was simply a new peak in her acting career. "Newcomers in the entertainment industry rise very quickly. I was around thirty years old at the time, and although I was still climbing the ladder, actresses in their twenties were my real rivals because most of my peers weren't as accomplished as I was. In my eyes, they were no longer my rivals. You know, what people should always fear are the young."

Li Luoan almost squinted as she sized up He Yuran. "Why do I feel like you haven't paid any special attention to me? Let alone sensed any hostility from you, or that you see me as a competitor."

"Because I'm good at hiding it! People don't easily reveal who they care about. Wouldn't that be like showing their weakness? Besides, for a newcomer like you, it's too much of a favor for the company's top female employee to take you so seriously."

Li Luoan turned his head towards Song Lin.

"Listen to this, this person has such a foul mouth. That's why I've never really interacted with her, because I don't like rude people like that, even if they're my seniors."

Song Lin didn't care about any of that, just grinning foolishly. "But, when you hug her and bury your head in her back, it's still so sweet!"

He Yuran seized the opportunity to continue. "Actually, I don't understand those things you talk about, like feminism and women's dilemmas, because I haven't read many books, and as someone you consider illiterate, my knowledge is indeed limited. But I do know one thing: I do what I want, and I never care about the restrictions or rules others impose on me. What others tell me—how I should or shouldn't do—is useless to me. I only have eyes for what I need to do and for my rivals. At the time, Luo'an was one of the potential rivals I identified because she had very outstanding qualities; she had things I didn't."

"I completely agree with what you said, sister. In fact, action is very important. Of course, we also need to read books to understand the theories and their evolution, because theory guides practice," said the bookworm Xiao Song to himself.

Li Luoan still squinted. "Then tell me, what do I have that you don't? Besides being young."

He Yuran thought to herself, "You say I speak harshly, but you're not much better."

"You know, a very important quality for an actor is freshness. That sense of newcomer. In fact, whether on the big screen or in a drama, a fresh face, especially a striking one, has an absolute attraction for the audience. It can even attract attention more than solid acting skills or the aura of a so-called big star. In my nearly 20 years in the industry, I've witnessed many such stars emerge out of nowhere, and Luo'an, you have that potential. Because you're particularly eye-catching in a crowd, but you need to prove that again on camera. Xiao Songlin, do you know what another very important quality for an actor is? It's being photogenic. A sense of newcomer on camera doesn't necessarily require an actor to stand out in a crowd, but it does require you to stand out on camera, ideally both. But Luo'an lacks a bit of desire to perform on camera; she's never been willing to fully open herself up. After getting to know her, I felt both regret and relief. Regret because it's a pity we lost a big star, and relief because my threat was gone. But I also felt a bit lonely because I felt she was more than that. I also hope to see her become my rival."

Li Luoan didn't speak, just listened. Then he closed his eyes, as if recalling something.

"When Xiao Songlin mentioned relationships with women earlier, I was thinking about what kind of woman would attract me. Actually, at work, I'm more likely to entrust my tasks to people I trust, not family or relatives, but only assistants and collaborators I choose. This is based on a professional trust. But it's business rivals who attract my attention more, or perhaps, someone with a close relationship with me? Oh, I'm not talking about lesbians. Huh? What am I talking about?" He Yuran, who was initially serious, gradually became more surprised as she talked to herself.

Li Luoan said helplessly, "This is called a non-sexual relationship. Read more books, Teacher He."

"Anyway, we're talking about the same thing." He Yuran waved her hand with a smile, not blushing at all. "Besides family and my agent, there are a few women I can think of who I feel closer to right now. Luo'an is someone I think about occasionally. Actually, there are many actors in this industry who aren't famous, but I'm even glad for them. If you're not suited for this industry, leave early; it's better for everyone. Because ultimately, people should do what they're suited for. Like me, I was born to be a big star; it's just a matter of being moderately famous or more famous. Although Luo'an isn't as dazzling as me, she can still achieve great success. That's why I came here today, wanting to ask her in person why she allowed herself to gradually fade out of the public eye back then."

Song Lin said excitedly, "From this perspective, it makes things even more interesting between the two of you! The older sister may not say it, but she cares about her younger sister, and the younger sister may not say it either, but she will invite her older sister to meet her."

"Then you can say it for us," He Yuran said casually. "Sometimes, the person involved just needs a word of advice. Tell her that someone is very important to her, otherwise she won't realize it on her own."

Li Luoan smiled: "I still don't feel that we're that important to each other. It's fine for us to live our own lives. I don't really want to be a big star. I've seen too many people get alienated from fame and fortune, unable to even have a normal life. I don't think that's a good life. Anyway, I don't have strong material desires. What I do now is enough to make a living."

"But you're burying yourself, Luo'an. Do you know how much of a shock I felt when I first walked in today and saw you?" He Yuran said.

"What? How could I possibly offend you?"

"It's your appearance." He Yuran took another big gulp of wine, feeling his head spinning and his mood in high spirits, so he said with great enthusiasm, "Your skin is better than many actors who are always at beauty salons. More importantly, your energy and spirit are very positive, and your eyes are particularly bright. You are probably in one of the best states of your life right now, much better than when you were an actor, stubbornly taking on films you didn't like. I may not necessarily like you as a person, but I admire you."

"A brilliant quote! A brilliant quote indeed!" someone nearby started to jeer.

Song Lin, on the other hand, seriously took out his phone and started taking notes in the notepad.

He Yuran was still a little smug. Although you guys always make fun of me, I just know how to talk to attract your attention.

Li Luoan frowned. "I'm of no use to you or a threat right now, so you don't need to say nice things. Song Lin and I are friends, but I called you here today not to prove our relationship or to make you say these polite things, but just to tell her that we're not close at all."

"Precisely because we're not close, what I'm saying is the truth," He Yuran said even more confidently. "Even others can see there's something between us, but you just won't admit it. As the older sister, I've accepted it openly, so why are you, the younger sister, being so coy?"

A question mark crossed Li Luo'an's face. "Sis, are you drunk?"

"This level of alcohol isn't enough to make me go crazy so quickly. I know what I'm saying, and I can stand by every word I say. Although I'm very dissatisfied with many of the current rules in this industry, and I don't think star power is that important, I'm also proud of what I've achieved today because I've never given up trying. Luo'an, don't give up on your great qualities, come back to acting. With your looks, you'll be one of the most eye-catching people on any film set. You're capable of playing the leading lady."

"I don't think so," Li Luoan said coldly.

"Then tell me, if you weren't an actress, what would you want to do? What are your current ideals? Are you achieving them? Are you truly happy? If you have no expectations or aspirations for this industry, why did you send a private message to Xiao Song, wanting to get to know her? She hosts a podcast that discusses the film and television industry; your following her is itself a sign that your attention is still on this industry, isn't it?"

"Can't I enjoy listening to comments and criticisms? These are the truths you can't hear in this industry. The reason Song Lin's show is so interesting and has so many followers is because she speaks the truth on the show, every word is precious. I like interesting people, cultured people, so I'm even less likely to like the film and television industry."

He Yuran raised her voice, "Okay, then answer my question, what is your ideal right now?"

"I..." Li Luoan hesitated for a moment.

"Actually, I think the reason why Sister Luo'an has such a unique temperament is..." Song Lin suddenly said mysteriously.

"What is it?" He Yuran turned around.

Song Lin smiled a little shyly. "...She's very attractive to girls."