Zhuo Yin was indeed very interested in this aspect, but she also accepted other excellent cultural and creative works. The former, with its many works as a foundation, could best showcase the longevity of the country's culture, hence becoming her top choice.
At the same time, as they searched for excellent cultural and creative works, any that were more aligned with Zhuo Yin's ideals were also pushed to her.
Zhuo Yin would look at them when she had free time.
This indeed allowed her to find a suitable one.
With a multi-temporal background, the author incorporated some science and a lot of personal speculation, creating an incredibly imaginative work. Perhaps precisely because it was too fantastical, this book did not garner much attention.
It hadn't even been officially signed yet.
Zhuo Yin messaged the editorial department, asking them to contact the author and, if possible, sign them to the company directly.
Then, she handled some minor matters for the company.
She had them install various fitness equipment and some musical instruments at home, all of which Chong Yan had a basic grasp of.
Perhaps because it was novel, Chong Yan practiced something new every day, never repeating. He claimed it was for rest, but he was more exhausted than when he was filming.
When Zhuo Yin entered the gym, he was on the treadmill, wearing a white tank top. His once soft, fair skin was gradually becoming firm, his muscle contours faintly visible with his movements.
But he was still very fair.
Which was very attractive.
When dressed, he looked like a fresh and sunny college student; when undressed, his physique was fully revealed, causing Zhuo Yin's gaze to deepen.
The gym…
Was also a good place.
Chong Yan had known she was there for a while. He stopped running and, while wiping sweat with a towel, asked, "Why are you here?"
"I see you're practicing like you're possessed. Aren't you tired?"
"It's okay." He shook his hair, which was noticeably longer.
"Your hair needs a cut."
"Mm."
"Come here."
The gym was set up to their standards, with a yoga mat for Zhuo Yin to practice on. However, as her soul integration grew stronger, her body would also be nourished by spiritual energy, gradually reaching its optimal state, requiring no exercise. Soudan Novel Network
So, she hadn't used it much.
It was convenient now.
At her subtle hint, Chong Yan gently placed her on the yoga mat. This mat was about 2x2 meters, as large as their bedroom bed. Rolling on a yoga mat was much more stimulating than rolling on bedsheets.
The two of them rolled from the gym back to the bedroom. After several hours of intense activity, Chong Yan emerged carrying her, who had just showered.
It was almost dark.
He put her back on the bed and asked, "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll make it."
Zhuo Yin looked content, her beautiful face beaming with joy. She said with a smile, "After we finish, you're always so well-behaved."
Chong Yan could now handle her occasional suggestive remarks with ease. He retorted with a smile, "In front of you, when am I ever not well-behaved?"
"When we first met, I had no idea what I did wrong. You glared at me the moment we met."
Chong Yan, recalling his thoughts back then, felt a little shy. "It wasn't that I had a problem with you."
"Then who was it with?"
He whispered, "The company arranged for me to participate in the talent show, actually to set someone else off. I was feeling unhappy at the time, and when I heard you also got in through connections, I..."
So, he also disliked her a bit.
And then there were other people he disliked who smiled at him, as if challenging him.
"I truly suffered a disaster for no reason," she said. "Have you ever seen anyone who got in through connections be terminated so easily?"
Chong Yan lowered his head and whispered, "Sorry, I misunderstood you."
"Uh-huh, I got in based on my own strength."
But it wasn't a loss to quit. Her main objective had already been achieved.
Chong Yan suddenly asked, as if reminded of something, "What about those... students you took in back then? They can't debut. What will happen to them later?"
Those people knew they couldn't debut, which was why they chose her acting group.
They hadn't expected her to quit halfway.
"You sure do worry about others," Zhuo Yin said dismissively. "It was the show's arrangement anyway. If it weren't me, it would be someone else. Don't mind them."
Despite her words, Chong Yan couldn't help but imagine.
Until they were having dinner, Zhuo Yin saw through his thoughts at a glance and said helplessly, "Tomorrow, I'll have the company people call and ask. If they want to continue acting, the company will make arrangements. Alright?"
Chong Yan finally showed a relaxed expression.
"What's with you? Why are you so worried about people you don't know?"
The filming of "Chosen One" was nearing its end, and the final seven contestants were about to be selected. So many people had been eliminated. Did he still expect to care about everyone?
"No," Chong Yan said with a hint of sadness. "When I was there, I met some people. Some considered this talent show their dream. If they weren't chosen, they would be very upset."
"There are only seven debut spots. Someone will inevitably be eliminated. No one can change that."
Chong Yan understood this, but the thought of those who practiced hard with him, determined to debut, failing to do so, missing their dreams, and perhaps never returning to the stage again, made him feel uneasy.
Perhaps it was a kind of empathy for their suffering.
"Alright, let's eat quickly."
Zhuo Yin decided to change the subject to divert his attention.
"When you participated in the talent show before, did you want to be a singing and dancing idol? Or did you simply want fame?"
Chong Yan answered honestly, "I went because the company required it."
He had tried various routes and styles during those few years when he was consistently unlucky, but unfortunately, he never became popular.
"Then what direction do you want to develop in?"
Zhuo Yin had a complete plan in mind to elevate him to godhood, but she hadn't yet asked for his thoughts.
Chong Yan thought for a moment and said, "I want to act."
This aligned with her plan.
"Good."
"What's good?"
Zhuo Yin didn't tell him her plan. Instead, she said, "I was thinking the same thing."
"You're already a film empress. Your main profession is acting."
Zhuo Yin inexplicably felt that his words had a slightly off tone.
"Why do I feel like you're mocking me?"
He smiled, "No, absolutely not."
After a period of playful banter, they went to bed early.
Zhuo Yin had previously stated that her first project next year would be the work the author was currently creating. But this was clearly a long process. The book needed to be written, then adapted by screenwriters, evaluated, and various other preparations required time.
So, the company staff were not relaxed.
In comparison, Zhuo Yin felt that post-production would be the easiest part after filming.
Because she had a cheat code.
Unexpectedly, the author she had asked them to contact gave her a surprise.
"The book is finished, it just hasn't been published. The author had looked for buyers before, but no one was interested, so he kept it. As soon as we inquired, he agreed."
"Is the story complete?"
"Overall, there are no major issues. The editorial department is still reviewing the minor details. His novel is divided into segments, six in total, each about 200,000 words, which is very suitable for filming."