Showbiz · Desire Exchange · Chat

VIP booth on the top floor of Star Glory Entertainment Group, 11:30 at night. This is a private gathering only top figures in the industry can attend — or rather, a carefully staged game of power. The booth is divided into several zones, with a different "play" unfolding in every corner. Under dim, ambiguous lights, the air is thick with alcohol, perfume, and ambition. Main Hall Sofa Area Shen Moyuan is half-reclined on a leather sofa, his suit jacket already removed and draped to the side, the top three buttons of his shirt undone. A young female artist kneels before him, massaging his legs with fawning, servile movements. "Not bad technique." Shen Moyuan's voice is low and lazy, his slender fingers stroking her hair. "But not devout enough... be more attentive." He raises his head, and his gaze, behind those gold-rimmed glasses, sweeps over the others in the booth. A playful smile curls at the corner of his mouth. The person kneeling before him makes a vague, muffled reply, the corners of her eyes already reddening. Bar Area Jiang Liu sits on a bar stool. A young female artist is pressed close against him, and the two are murmuring about some "collaboration" details. His hand rests restlessly on her shoulder, tracing lightly over her collarbone. The girl gives a delicate laugh and unconsciously leans into him. "What's the rush." Jiang Liu bites her earlobe, his voice hoarse and dangerous. "The night's still long. Let's take our time." His other hand holds a wine glass, but his eyes hint at some unspeakable transaction. By the Floor-to-Ceiling Window Su Wanyi stands there gracefully, her red high heels landing with a dull thud on the carpet. Two young male artists kneel before her — one is rearranging her shoelaces, the other pouring her wine. "That's all the sincerity you have?" She looks down at them from above, a cold, gorgeous curve on her red lips. "If you want the male lead role I'm holding, you'd better come with much more." She lifts her high heel and taps the tip lightly against one man's chin, forcing his head up. His eyes are full of humiliation and longing — humiliation at his posture, longing for the resources in her hands. "Perform for me," she orders curtly. "Let me see whether you're worth the price." Private Booth Lu Jingchen is "coaching" a young actor who wants to appear in his new film through a "character experience." The actor is made to strike all sorts of humiliating poses; his clothes are already disheveled, and his face is flushed with shame. "Relax, it's all so you can understand the character better." Lu Jingchen gestures in the air, his voice carrying a hypocritical tenderness. "You have to learn to feel humiliation with your body, to express despair..." In his other hand, though, he holds a video camera, recording every humiliating, agonized expression to keep as "leverage." Corner Booth Lin Ruobing is half-reclined on a chaise longue, surrounded by three young artists — two men and one woman. Her fingertips trace one boy's cheek, her eyes cold and appraising. "You three, whoever performs best tonight gets a variety show appearance from me." Her voice is languid and dangerous. "Now... start competing with one another." The three young people exchange glances, complex emotions flickering in their eyes — shame, resentment, longing... But in the end, they begin tearing each other down, selling their dignity and friendship for that illusory chance. At the Lounge Door Bai Muyan is pinning a trainee even younger than himself against the wall for a "heart-to-heart." His hand rests on the other's shoulder, intimate in appearance but menacing in substance. "Be good and keep your big brother company tonight, and tomorrow I'll bring you to a show." He whispers by the other's ear, his voice as gentle as if coaxing a child, but deep in his eyes is cold calculation. The trainee nods tremblingly, tears in his eyes — whether from fear or despair, no one can tell. At the Conference Table Xu Sheng is "doing business" with several investor representatives. Photos and profiles of several artists are spread on the table, and he is introducing their "specialties" one by one. "This one is very obedient, willing to do anything... This one looks innocent, but she's actually quite worldly... This one is a newcomer, still very naive..." His tone is exactly like introducing merchandise. "Take your pick, bosses. The terms can be negotiated." Several investor representatives' eyes light up, and they have already started discussing which ones to "interview" tonight. The music in the center of the room is loud, but it cannot drown out the muffled sobs, the pleas for mercy, and the sounds of tearing fabric. The air is thick with the stench of power, and "deals" of varying degrees are unfolding in every corner. This is the truest side of the entertainment industry — no fairy tales, only desire and transactions. Everyone is getting what they want in their own way. Those who have no status are still being trampled, while those who were once humiliated and crushed but managed to climb up have now joined the ranks of the abusers, trampling new prey. This is a cycle — an unending, hellish loop. "Looks like we have a new face." Shen Moyuan's voice rings out. He pushes aside the person still kneeling before him, straightens his clothes, and turns his eyes toward the door. "Welcome to our... little gathering." Su Wanyi turns around, her high heels thudding dully on the carpet. She sizes up the newcomer, a dangerous curve forming on her red lips. Jiang Liu exhales a puff of smoke, examining the door the way one appraises a piece of merchandise. Lin Ruobing lets out a soft laugh, languid and alluring. Lu Jingchen sets down the camera in his hand, his gaze drifting over the newcomer. Bai Muyan pushes aside the person in his arms, a naive yet dangerous smile on his face. Xu Sheng adjusts his glasses, his voice calm enough to be terrifying. **All the "transactions" in the room come to a temporary halt, and every pair of eyes fixes on the door.** "A newcomer? Then it gets even more interesting." Su Wanyi's voice carries the excitement of a predator. "Don't be nervous. You'll get used to it soon — this is the path you have to walk." This booth is like a giant spiderweb, and you are about to become the next prey tangled in it. Every pair of eyes is appraising your worth; every smile hides an ulterior motive. Here, dignity is the cheapest currency, and the body is the most expensive chip.