This question was a common thought in everyone's mind.
In their view, Gu Lina Zha's choice was simply too strange.
“I can’t figure it out, I really can’t figure it out.”
The person in the pink down jacket shook her head, her face filled with confusion.
“Logically speaking, with her current resources, she doesn’t need to participate in such a grueling and exhausting variety show to gain attention.”
“She’s getting lead roles in movies one after another, high-end endorsements are flooding in, and she’s been on the covers of all the fashion magazines.”
“This kind of thankless work is usually for newcomers who aren't well-known and desperately need exposure.”
“Or for has-been artists looking to rebrand.”
“Isn’t her participation demeaning her status?”
Another actress, who had been silent and had a slightly aloof demeanor, added indifferently.
“Moreover, this kind of show carries too much risk.”
“The training is so tough; if she gets injured, it will affect subsequent filming schedules.”
“Besides, rolling in the mud and being exposed to the sun all day will definitely worsen her skin, which is fatal for an actress.”
“What is she thinking?”
“How could her team, and her boss Li Bingbing, agree to such an outrageous decision?”
Yes, how could they agree?
As this question was raised, the lounge fell silent once again.
Everyone was silently pondering in their hearts.
The entertainment industry is a huge arena of fame and fortune, and a battlefield with extremely limited resources.
Every year, thousands of handsome men and beautiful women flock to this industry.
But only a handful of people can ultimately stand at the top of the pyramid.
To compete for limited resources, the intensity of the competition is beyond imagination.
Some people desperately improve their professional skills, hone their acting, and wait for an opportunity.
Others choose shortcuts, using some unsavory means to exchange for roles and exposure.
The so-called “unspoken rules” have long been an open secret in this industry.
Some people paid their dignity for it, and some lost themselves for it.
However, Gu Lina Zha is a recognized exception.
She is one of the luckiest and cleanest female artists in the industry, if not the luckiest.
Her path to stardom was as smooth as a fairy tale.
When Li Bingbing took her team to the film academy to shoot a scene, she coincidentally saw Gu Lina Zha, who was then a student, in the crowd.
With just that one glance, Li Bingbing was convinced.
This girl was born for this profession.
Her flawless face and tall, slender figure, along with her radiant aura in the crowd, left Li Bingbing in awe.
Li Bingbing made a decisive move, personally stepped forward, and signed Gu Lina Zha to her newly established studio.
At that time, Li Bingbing was already a top actress in China, with countless connections and resources.
She treated Gu Lina Zha like her own younger sister, personally planning her acting career.
Gu Lina Zha's debut role was in a major production film supervised by Li Bingbing.
Although it was only a supporting role, the character was likable, making her an overnight sensation.
Subsequently, various high-quality resources poured in like snowflakes.
Li Bingbing carefully selected scripts for her, connected her with top fashion resources, and protected her every step of the way.
Gu Lina Zha herself was also impressive, with her online appearance.
Her acting skills also steadily improved with each work, and she quickly rose to the ranks of first-tier young actresses.
More importantly, because she had Li Bingbing as a strong backing.
In the entire industry, no one dared to have ulterior motives towards her.
Those greasy investors and directors who wanted to take shortcuts would give way to her.
Because everyone knew that offending Gu Lina Zha was equivalent to offending Li Bingbing.
The consequences of offending Li Bingbing were something they could not bear.
Therefore, Gu Lina Zha's acting career was as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
She didn't need to socialize or curry favor with anyone; she only needed to focus on her work.
Why would such a protected and resource-rich favored daughter of heaven suddenly decide to participate in a tough and tiring special forces variety show?
This completely went against her usual logic and her consistent career plan.
The actresses' chatter continued.
But it had already shifted from initial gossip to sighs about the industry's reality and envy of Gu Lina Zha.
They envied her luck and were jealous of everything she possessed.
And the question they couldn't figure out also troubled another person.
Li Bingbing's studio.
In the spacious and bright office, Li Bingbing, dressed in a sharp professional suit, was sitting behind her desk, handling documents.
Her assistant knocked and came in, gently placing a document on the table.
“Bingbing Jie, this is a compilation of invitations for several variety shows next quarter; please take a look.”
Li Bingbing nodded and casually picked it up.
Her gaze quickly scanned the document, and when she saw one of the names, her finger paused slightly.
“if i were a female special forces soldier.”
Her eyebrows raised slightly.
“How did this show send an invitation?” she asked.
The assistant replied, “The production team contacted us directly; they were very sincere.”
“They also offered very good terms; they said they especially hoped Naza could participate.”
“Naza?” Li Bingbing’s expression was somewhat playful, “They certainly have good taste.”
She put down the document and leaned back in her chair.
“However, this type of show isn’t suitable for Naza; please decline it for me.”
This was just an insignificant small interlude, and Li Bingbing didn't take it to heart.
However, the assistant's next words made her sit up straight.
“Well… Bingbing Jie,” the assistant’s tone was hesitant.
“Naza’s assistant, Xiao Lu, just called.”
“She said, Naza-jie has already decided to participate in this show.”
“What?” Li Bingbing’s eyes instantly sharpened.
Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of pressure.
“Say that again, she decided?”
“Yes,” the assistant, intimidated by her aura, replied cautiously.
“Xiao Lu said it was Naza-jie’s own decision, and her attitude was very firm.”
The air in the office seemed to freeze.
Li Bingbing didn't speak again, just quietly looked out the window.
She knew Gu Lina Zha too well.
That girl looked gentle and delicate on the outside.
But inside, she was very opinionated.
Especially in her work, she never did anything without a plan.
Every step she took was carefully considered.
There must be a reason behind her sudden decision to participate in a military variety show.
Want to change her image?
Impossible; her current image is very stable and popular with the market, so there's no need to take risks.
For money?
Even more impossible; the salary for a variety show is less than a fraction of one of her commercial endorsements.
To gain attention and create buzz?
She is currently the center of attention and has no lack of popularity.
Li Bingbing quickly analyzed various possibilities in her mind, then dismissed them one by one.
These conventional reasons could not explain Gu Lina Zha’s abnormal behavior.
She always acts with a plan and is organized.
This sudden, unannounced decision is completely unlike her style.
Unless…
Unless something she didn't know about had happened.
Li Bingbing's eyes narrowed slightly; she knew the girl she had personally brought up.
Gu Lina Zha's sudden decision must have an unexpected and irresistible reason behind it.
Inside the film studio, the set was bustling with activity.
The director's shouts, the footsteps of the staff, and the clatter of props intertwined.
And beyond this commotion, a black minivan was quietly parked in a corner.
In the lounge inside the car, Gu Lina Zha had just finished filming a scene and was resting on the sofa.
Her assistant, Xiao Lu, was carefully removing her hair accessories.
The car door was gently pushed open, and Li Bingbing walked in, carrying an exquisite fruit basket.
“Is the filming going smoothly?”
She placed the fruit basket on the table and asked with a smile.
“Bingbing Jie, why are you here?”
Gu Lina Zha's face lit up with surprise when she saw her.
“Just passing by, thought I'd drop in and see you.”
Li Bingbing sat down beside her, her gaze naturally surveying the surroundings.
“It’s alright, but today’s scenes had a lot of emotional ups and downs, so I’m a bit tired.”
Gu Lina Zha rubbed her temples.
Li Bingbing nodded. She picked up a washed grape and handed it over, then casually began to speak.
“Oh, about that variety show we talked about last time, ‘if i were a female special forces soldier,’ I declined it for you.”
Gu Lina Zha's chewing of the grape paused slightly, and her eyes flickered.
“Bingbing Jie,” she said softly.
“Hmm?” Li Bingbing looked at her, her gaze calm but with an all-knowing penetration.
“That show… I want to participate.”