Sheng Tang’s first movie to compete for an award was subject to mockery by insiders.
While they mocked, they were also jealous of Sheng Tang.
Everyone in the company knew that this movie was insisted upon by Sheng Tang, and President Gu agreed to shoot it to make his girlfriend happy, not expecting it to make money.
Later, when it became a box office dark horse, the company executives did not add it to their achievements, and they complained for a long time, probably saying that President Gu shouldn’t have circumvented the company’s investment department.
They also acknowledged Sheng Tang’s vision.
Now, President Gu took out half of the money earned to make his girlfriend happy again. While being jealous, someone also said fairly, "Whether they get a nomination or not, President Gu spending money on PR is well deserved by Sheng Tang."
The matter was lively for a few days, and the PR department started preparing.
Sheng Tang also received an ad campaign.
The advertisement was short-term, only requiring Sheng Tang to shoot a commercial, with the location in Japan.
Sheng Tang went on a business trip for a week.
Ke Fei helped her get this advertisement.
After finishing the ad, Sheng Tang returned to China and accepted interviews from two print media.
She hadn’t yet taken a break, asked Gu Jiahui about the award progress, and received arrangements from the "Invincible Life" crew for participating in the movie’s post-promotion.
Gu Jiahui also went on a business trip for a week and returned to the city.
"...Let’s go, I’ll take you to buy a few outfits," Gu Jiahui said, "At least three haute couture dresses, and some ready-to-wear clothes."
Sheng Tang: "President Gu, you’re overestimating my financial capability. I can’t afford even one haute couture dress. Besides, there’s no time."
A haute couture dress costs at least a million, enough to make a mark.
Sheng Tang’s total savings amounted to just over two million.
She could afford one haute couture dress, but she never thought of wasting money on it.
When Lan Fei debuted, she wore haute couture to all events, big and small, which led the media to speculate about her identity, causing quite a stir.
Sheng Tang didn’t have Lan Fei’s leverage to suppress media and public speculations about her identity.
In the movie "Invincible Life," Sheng Tang wasn’t the leading actress. Wearing a ready-to-wear dress priced around ten thousand would also be fine.
Even if she wanted to be extravagant, she could order a custom dress at the fashion week in July, spend four to five hundred thousand, and wear it at the premiere of "Who’s Afraid of the Workplace."
Gu Jiahui couldn’t help but laugh.
"I know the director of G&R in Paris, her daughter was my college classmate, and I dated her for a year. We parted on good terms, and she’s always been nice to me," Gu Jiahui said.
Sheng Tang was a bit surprised.
G&R is a luxury brand in this world, fully named Giorgio&Russo, its status similar to Valentino in Sheng Tang’s former world, the top of haute couture fashion, the epitome of luxury.
Of course, the Italian luxury brand Valentino, not the Chinese Valentino.
A ready-to-wear dress from G&R costs at least half a million. Compared to other ready-to-wear dresses, it’s at least five to six times more expensive.
"I’ll call her and ask her to lend you two ready-to-wear dresses. If you don’t damage them, you can return them directly," Gu Jiahui said.
Sheng Tang: "..."
This kind of favor was too much, wasn’t it?
Even a second-tier Hollywood actress would find it hard to borrow a dress from G&R, let alone Sheng Tang, who was virtually unknown.
"No, no, don’t use this favor here," Sheng Tang grabbed Gu Jiahui’s arm, "I still have two million, anyway you provide food and accommodation, I’ll go buy something."
Sheng Tang knew borrowing a dress wasn’t easy, unless she was a top international star.
Gu Jiahui’s gesture required a huge favor, which would need to be repaid later.
The environment abroad was different from that in China. When you owed a favor, it had to be repaid, no way to muddle through.