When Li Chu got off the plane, Tang Congnan was there to pick her up.
“Brother Nan!”
Li Chu hadn’t seen him for several days and greeted him happily.
“I’ve finished handing things over on my end. Brother Hu sent me a message; he’s too busy over there, so I’ll take you. Plus, there’s good news.”
Tang Congnan was also beaming. Although his current position was lower than at his previous company, he was ambitious and wasn’t worried about the short term.
Li Chu raised an eyebrow: “What good news? Did I get picked by the 《Cheese-Flavored Love》 crew?”
Li Chu wasn’t too surprised; she had a feeling. When she performed back then, the director seemed quite impressed with her.
“Yes! That’s my girl! They haven’t sent me the start date and location yet. I’ll discuss it with Brother Hu later and get everything arranged for you.”
Tang Congnan was full of drive now. He gave Li Chu the information about the advertising brand, telling her to look it over carefully and understand it before going to the shooting location to communicate with them.
“By the way, this is a joint shoot. You’ll be partnering with someone else later.”
“Who?”
“Zhong Yue.”
The brand wanted endorsers with a youthful, sweet idol image, so the plan was to have two Omegas. They liked Zhong Yue, and were looking for another. Hu Yi contacted them, and they decided to hire Li Chu.
Hearing this name, Li Chu frowned slightly.
“What’s wrong, Bao’er?”
Tang Congnan saw her expression wasn’t right and quickly asked what was going on.
The original owner hadn’t told Tang Congnan about being humiliated because, although she wasn’t skilled, she had strong self-esteem. So, Tang Congnan didn’t know about this past incident.
Li Chu recounted the past incident and the recent one together. Tang Congnan and Qian Duoduo were both quite angry after hearing it.
Qian Duoduo couldn’t help but complain: “Wow, how can someone be like that? The way she talks is just… Her fans praise her for being pure and innocent every day. She’s insulting the word ‘innocent’.”
Tang Congnan was calmer. He frowned and said: “You two have similar types, so you’ll clash over roles in the future too. The more popular you become, the fewer resources she’ll have to choose from. Be careful during the shoot later. She didn’t get the female lead role; she must be incredibly jealous.”
“Got it.”
Li Chu nodded, indicating she would be careful.
“But she’s already twenty-eight and still acting in campus idol dramas. Isn’t she planning to transition?”
Li Chu wasn’t very surprised that Zhong Yue didn’t get the role. When someone repeatedly plays the same type of character, the audience gets aesthetic fatigue. Besides, people age; they can’t stay young forever.
The entertainment industry’s aesthetics in this world were quite diverse, unlike the industry in Li Chu’s previous life, which favored the ‘white, young, and thin’ look. Actresses reached a certain age, and after playing young girls, they could only play the young girls’ mothers. Female stars scrambled to create a youthful image because the market didn’t accept their natural aging beauty.
“She tried transitioning before, but failed. Even when she acted in wuxia or xianxia dramas, she always played the same pure junior sister type. Plus, her historical costumes don’t look as good as her modern outfits. She also acted in some workplace dramas, but they didn’t make much of a splash. After all, she only knows that one routine. But her resources are still quite good.”
When Tang Congnan found out about Li Chu’s differentiation and was defining her persona with others in the company, he researched actors with similar personas, so he remembered relatively clearly.
However, he hadn’t looked into Zhong Yue’s private personality. After all, they weren’t from the same company and had no contact. If he had known about the old and new grudges between her and Li Chu, he might have advised Hu Yi not to consider this resource. But since they had already agreed, they could only be careful.
“But Bao’er, you’ll definitely be better than her in the future.”
Tang Congnan believed Li Chu wouldn’t just fade into obscurity. Didn’t that variety show prove it? As long as she got some exposure, Li Chu’s popularity would immediately rise. She just needed opportunities.
Li Chu smiled, having no intention of comparing herself to Zhong Yue. Zhong Yue might see her as a rival, but Li Chu didn’t pay her any mind.
Her ambition was to climb higher peaks, striving towards Ning Manqing.
Li Chu soon arrived at the shooting location and greeted the director and producer.
The director briefly explained the shooting plot, which wasn’t complicated. Two high school girls are best friends, playing and splashing in a swimming pool. One gets tickled into submission, and the other tells her to buy drinks. Then, they recite the advertising slogan. The scene changes, and the two are drinking milk together in a room, writing their future wishes on the milk bottle.
The main concept was youth, health, sweetness, and vitality. The director felt that playing in the water best showcased the curvaceous beauty of Omega girls, and he spoke eloquently about it while looking at Li Chu.
“Okay, Xiao Chu will go get her styling done right away.”
Tang Congnan interrupted at the right moment, stopping the director’s concept-instilling lecture.
The director nodded and continued directing the lighting and set.
Li Chu received her clothes: a top and pants, somewhat like loose sportswear, only revealing her long legs.
Li Chu breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, it wasn’t backless, otherwise the still-fading kiss marks on her back would be exposed. Fortunately, Teacher Ning had been restrained enough even when she lost consciousness. Li Chu dismissed the thoughts from her mind and sat in the chair, waiting for the makeup artist to work.
“Dear, your skin is really nice! We just need to touch up your eyebrows and lips.”
The makeup artist, Amy, removed the light makeup Li Chu was wearing and praised her face.
Li Chu had done this sort of thing often before. Anyway, flattering someone was never wrong. She didn’t refuse the conversation and praised Amy’s technique.
Amy realized Li Chu knew her stuff and was overjoyed by the praise, styling her even more meticulously.
A disdainful click of the tongue interrupted the cheerful laughter. Li Chu, having finished her styling, looked up with raised eyebrows at Zhong Yue standing before her.
“I don’t want you. You, come do mine.”
Zhong Yue waved away the makeup artist standing behind her and pointed a finger at Amy.
Amy naturally couldn’t refuse and walked over with a professional smile.
Li Chu had to wait until Zhong Yue was done before they could shoot together, so she waited nearby, playing on her phone.
Not even two minutes later, Zhong Yue’s scolding voice echoed in the room.
“Do you even know what you’re doing? Someone actually praised you? Seriously, only some clueless eighteenth-tier nobody would think you did a good job. Get lost. You, come back.”
Zhong Yue, face full of mockery, pointed at the makeup artist she had just dismissed to come forward again.
Amy hadn’t even finished applying concealer when she was scolded. Her expression stiffened, she muttered apologies, and rolled her eyes almost to the heavens as she lowered her head.
She secretly glanced at Li Chu. Everyone knew Zhong Yue was making pointed remarks.
Li Chu heard the pointed words but didn’t look up. Staring at her phone, she slowly said, “An old cucumber painted green, blaming the painter for doing a bad job. Doesn’t even look if its own skin can compare to others.”
Qian Duoduo couldn’t help but burst out laughing, then immediately held her own phone in front of Li Chu.
“Sister, I saw a pretty funny joke.”
Li Chu saw a note app displaying a string of “Hahahaha.”
“It is quite interesting.”
Li Chu smiled sweetly, not giving Zhong Yue a single glance the entire time.
Isn’t it just being sarcastic and passive-aggressive? Li Chu was a master of it. If others were polite, she was polite. If others weren’t polite, she could stir things up too.
Zhong Yue was fuming but couldn’t jump out and admit the insult was aimed at her. She remembered they were shooting a commercial, so she could only vent her anger by scolding the makeup artist and assistant.
Li Chu couldn’t be bothered to listen to her grating voice and left the dressing room with Qian Duoduo.
“Sister Li, your reaction speed is so fast!”
Qian Duoduo had been afraid her artist was too soft and wouldn’t be able to fight back against that nasty woman.
After her initial happiness, Qian Duoduo started worrying again. “But will she try to trip you up later?”
“Don’t worry.”
Li Chu was practically half an insider; she had seen enough of the entertainment industry’s tricks. She was talented, focused on whatever she did, and had been noticed by a top makeup artist at the time, becoming his apprentice. She quickly rose from being a low-level makeup artist, serving top movie stars. She had watched their intricate schemes with great interest, so how could she be afraid of Zhong Yue?
The shoot began quickly. Off-camera, the two looked at each other with mutual dislike. Once filming started, Li Chu immediately put on a smile.
Zhong Yue reacted half a beat slower, also putting on her mask and starting to play in the water with a smile. She deliberately soaked herself and then stood up, letting her clothes cling to her body in front of the camera, revealing her curves completely.
Li Chu had no interest in that; she just wanted to finish the shoot properly.
When the camera wasn’t focused on a close-up of their faces, Li Chu saw the malice in Zhong Yue’s eyes.
Li Chu was supposed to play the one being tickled. When Zhong Yue reached towards her, Li Chu understood what she intended to do.
The moment the other woman pinched her the first time, Li Chu grabbed her wrist underwater and squeezed hard.
Before Zhong Yue could cry out in pain, Li Chu took a few steps back, unable to resist pinching her nose.
“Director, sorry, can we pause for a moment?” Li Chu apologized apologetically towards the director, then pinched her nose again, looking at Zhong Yue and couldn’t help saying, “Sister Zhong Yue, did you eat something bad?”
Li Chu had acting skills; portraying someone disgusted and about to vomit was very simple for her.
Play dirty tricks on her? Why did this person think she would willingly suffer a loss? Li Chu had no interest in getting into a public catfight with her, so she distanced herself.
Everyone was stunned for a moment, immediately looking at Zhong Yue, then down at the pool water. The staff standing closest outside the pool hadn’t smelled anything initially, but seeing Li Chu’s expression, they empathetically started feeling a bit nauseous too.
Zhong Yue finally realized what Li Chu was trying to do. Her expression twisted, and she said angrily, “I didn’t!”
Li Chu nodded with a subtle expression, saying as if understanding, “Sister Zhong Yue, it’s only natural. No need to be embarrassed.”
Zhong Yue was so angry she wanted to go up and tear Li Chu’s face off. That bitch dared to ruin my reputation!
“I really didn’t.”
Zhong Yue wasn’t brainless enough to throw a tantrum in public. She could only endure it and explain, pretending to be innocent.
The nearby staff pretended to look elsewhere, not believing her inwardly. Who would admit to farting in a crowd? Besides, Li Chu had looked so disgusted just now; it must have smelled terrible.
While Zhong Yue was explaining, Li Chu had already climbed out of the pool and walked over to the director.
“Director, I have a suggestion.”
Li Chu didn’t want to play in the water with Zhong Yue. Zhong Yue might try to pinch her again later, or maybe switch roles, then deliberately go underwater and claim Li Chu pushed her… Li Chu could imagine five or six ways Zhong Yue might cause trouble. She planned to solve it at the root.
She didn’t want to touch Zhong Yue’s body to tickle her, nor did she want Zhong Yue to touch her.
The story framework was still the director’s, but Li Chu suggested changing the sequence.
First, the two good friends write their wishes together on the milk bottle. In the original story, the bottle said “Be best friends forever,” and that part didn’t need to change.
Then, the two friends have a falling out. One is swimming gloomily in the pool. The milk bottle with the wish written on it floats towards her. The two reconcile, splash each other laughingly in the pool, and then add the advertising slogan.
Li Chu explained the general idea, but she knew the director would definitely understand her meaning.
“That’s not bad either, more layered! Let’s try your way first, see how it feels.”
The director clapped. It saved the trouble of rearranging the set. He decided to go with Li Chu’s idea. If it didn’t feel right, they could always switch back to the original.
The director announced the new concept through a megaphone and asked for minor changes to the set.
Zhong Yue also got out of the water, looking resentfully at Li Chu. As she passed by Li Chu, she gritted her teeth and said, “You just wait!”
Li Chu: “I won’t wait.”
Li Chu thought she was being very childish.
Zhong Yue choked, feeling even more furious inside.
Zhong Yue wanted more screen time, so she took the role of the angry one in the pool. She acted angry very well, but when it came to the reconciling smile later, the director always felt it was stiff and had to ask her to redo it.
“Can your smile have a bit more depth? You need to be a bit tsundere, understand? After she says her line, then you smile. Can you make it brighter?”
The director had tried his best to phrase it tactfully, but he was getting annoyed after three retakes.
Zhong Yue was also annoyed by constantly getting NG (No Good/retake). Seeing Li Chu standing aside made her even more annoyed.
After two more retakes, the director, not getting the feeling he wanted, also put on a cold face.
“You two switch roles.”
Zhong Yue was unwilling and asked for one more chance, saying she could definitely do it.
The director gave her another chance, discussed it with the producer, and then mentioned switching roles again.
“If Miss Zhong is going to be this uncooperative, our company can also just hire one spokesperson.”
The producer beside them spoke up. She represented the company’s interests and naturally hoped for a good commercial effect. In terms of age and image, although Li Chu wasn’t as famous as Zhong Yue, if she was captivating enough, she could still attract attention. Plus, Li Chu was cheaper.
Zhong Yue had no choice but to get up reluctantly. Li Chu got into the water and made the appropriate expressions for the camera.
“Yes, yes, yes, just like that, just like that!”
Whether the young woman frowned or smiled, she exuded a sense of youthful exuberance, especially that final tsundere yet hearty laugh, which brightened one’s mood.
“One more time. The lighting just now wasn’t good enough. Adjust it. Maintain this state.”
The director excitedly directed, while the producer watched the effect behind the camera, nodding with satisfaction.
Even though Zhong Yue’s gaze felt like daggers stabbing into her, Li Chu maintained her state and performed, her eyes shining brightly.
She wouldn’t let insignificant people affect her state. Teacher Ning never wasted any opportunity in front of the camera, and neither would she.
During the subsequent scenes with both of them, Zhong Yue didn’t cause any trouble, and they basically passed after one or two takes. By the time they finished shooting, it was already dark outside.
When they parted, Zhong Yue’s expression was very ugly. She looked mockingly at Li Chu, who completely ignored her and got into her own car.
After Zhong Yue was out of sight, Qian Duoduo muttered, “Who is she trying to scare?”
“Don’t mind her. Drink something hot. You soaked in the water for so long, don’t catch a cold.”
Tang Congnan had bought ginger brown sugar water and put it in Li Chu’s hand.
“Thanks, Brother Nan.”
Li Chu’s eyes curved as she sipped the ginger water.
“Speaking of which, did she really fart in the pool?”
Tang Congnan leaned closer, his eyes twinkling with the light of gossip.
“She pinched me.”
Li Chu sipped the sweet water, her body warming up. She had overloaded her body today. Completely relaxed now, she felt a little drowsy.
“Damn, where did she pinch you? Does it hurt?”
Tang Congnan’s eyes widened, like a loving mother ready to draw a knife.
“It’s okay. Just one pinch, she didn’t get to do it hard. I grabbed her hand.”
Li Chu didn’t explicitly answer Tang Congnan’s previous question. She didn’t want to show off her little trick either. If possible, she really just wanted to work properly.
Tang Congnan figured out the truth from her words, chuckled, and gave Li Chu a thumbs-up.
“You really got her.”
Qian Duoduo realized belatedly and started laughing along.
Li Chu didn’t laugh. She was very tired and fell asleep leaning against the seat.
Tang Congnan raised his hand and took a picture of her sleeping face. Li Chu was wearing a black T-shirt, which made her small face look even fairer. Even in the dim light, with a tired expression, she was still a complete beauty.
Tang Congnan lowered his head, edited the photo slightly, praised his Bao’er’s stunning beauty in his heart, then sent the picture to Qian Duoduo, asking her to post it on the dedicated Weibo account.
@GuardianLiChuAlliance: Sister is so tired from work, she fell asleep [Rose]
This account was overseen by Tang Congnan and posted by Qian Duoduo, recording snippets of Li Chu’s life from a third-person perspective to attract fans for her. The account wasn’t deliberately promoted, but fans shared it among themselves.
@QingLiRIO: Licking the screen immediately! Little assistant, can you do better! Take a couple more photos, okay! Sister herself doesn’t like posting on Weibo at all, hurry her up!
@LiChuIsTreasure: Baby worked hard! By the way, little assistant, besides the recent variety show, is there anything else we can wait for from Sister?
@EatingQingLiYeah: Sweetheart worked hard, take good care of yourself!
@ProtectOurLiChu: New profile pic get! Sister is the prettiest!
@RedWhiteRoses: pat pat cub’s face, rest well!
Qian Duoduo didn’t reply to any of them. Seeing that several active accounts were CP fans, her hand trembled slightly, afraid she might accidentally slip and like something if she clicked on their profiles.
At this moment, Ning Manqing, who had already arrived on the other side of the ocean, saw the special notification from the side account. Looking at Li Chu’s sleeping face, she liked the post.
Li Chu slept very soundly this time. When she woke up, it was already ten o’clock.
Qian Duoduo had sent her a message, telling her she had no schedule this morning and there was congee in the thermal container that she could eat when she woke up.
After washing up, Li Chu went to the dining room. A thermal container was placed on the table, and the house had also been tidied up.
The thermal container had several layers. The bottom held plain congee, while the top had some shrimp dumplings (har gow) and small soup dumplings (xiao long bao), along with a small dish of pickles.
Li Chu scrolled through her phone while eating. Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t shared the good news with Ning Manqing yet and opened WeChat.
【Xiao Chu】: Teacher Ning! I got selected! I might be joining the crew soon!
【Teacher Ning】: Excellent
【Teacher Ning】: Cat Affirmation.jpg
Li Chu was about to reply with an emoji too, but her phone lagged for a moment, and an incoming call screen popped up.
She put the call on speakerphone, placed the phone on the table, and took a sip of congee.
“Brother Nan, what’s up?”
“There’s bad news. The crew just called me… the female lead has been changed. It’s Zhong Yue now.”
Tang Congnan was furious too, cursing Zhong Yue countless times in his heart.
He knew yesterday that Zhong Yue probably wouldn’t let it go easily, but he didn’t expect her to act so quickly. Director Lin had called him personally. Although he didn’t say it outright, he hinted at it vaguely and said that if he had suitable roles for Li Chu in his future projects, he would definitely prioritize her.
There wasn’t much Tang Congnan could do. He wasn’t the type to take shortcuts or shady paths, and he hoped his artist wouldn’t get involved in dirty dealings either. So, this was how it had to be.
Hearing this, Li Chu paused her eating for a moment, then continued.
Getting a role snatched was normal in the entertainment industry. Zhong Yue must have done something to make them change the casting. The most likely reason was pressure from investors.
“Bao’er, I told Brother Hu about this. Brother Hu went to inquire. Zhong Yue probably pulled some strings. Forget it, the quality of this script was just so-so anyway. We don’t even care about acting in it. There are plenty of good scripts out there. Don’t be too angry.”
Tang Congnan was worried Li Chu would be very upset. After all, this was the first proper role Li Chu auditioned for after her differentiation. He didn’t expect this to happen. It would have been better if she hadn’t passed from the start; the worst part was passing and then having it snatched away.
“I know, it’s okay.”
Li Chu was indeed a little angry, but mainly not because the role was snatched. Fairness couldn’t be expected for most things in this circle. The main reason was that she had just shared the good news with Teacher Ning, and then this happened. She didn’t want Teacher Ning to know about this.
It would look like she was playing the victim, which Li Chu disliked. It seemed she would have to wait until she actually joined the crew before sharing good news in the future.
Li Chu hung up the phone, finished the remaining congee in a few bites, wiped her mouth and hands with a tissue, and continued messaging Ning Manqing.
【Xiao Chu】: Cat Sighing.jpg
【Xiao Chu】: Teacher Ning, I spoke too soon
【Ning Manqing】: Role got snatched?
Ning Manqing frowned slightly. The secretary reporting work on the other end stopped talking.
Role snatching wasn’t uncommon in the circle. Ning Manqing had encountered it herself. She always maintained a Buddhist-like attitude and continued looking for new roles. But when it happened to Xiao Chu, Ning Manqing was very displeased.
【Xiao Chu】: Yes
【Xiao Chu】: It’s fine not going. At least I won’t have to smell roast chicken-flavored pheromones. Otherwise, I’d definitely gain ten jin after one drama.
【Ning Manqing】: Something better will come along
【Xiao Chu】: Mhmm!
“Boss, is it some good news?”
“Hm?”
“You smiled, I thought…”
“Did I smile?”
Ning Manqing was skeptical. Seeing her own reflection on the dark phone screen, she suppressed her smile.
Her eyes held a chill. She tapped the desk and said, “Leave the documents. Go help me investigate something.”
After the secretary left, Ning Manqing thought for a moment and dialed a domestic number.
Li Chu would have something better. This sentence wasn’t encouragement; it was a statement of fact.
After finishing her messages with Ning Manqing, Li Chu went to the kitchen, washed the thermal container and spoon, then lay on the sofa reading a book, waiting for work notifications.
She felt the techniques she had learned so far were far from enough. Her performances relied entirely on emotional immersion, so her acting was passable, but without Ning Manqing’s guidance, it might still be lacking. Therefore, she needed to work even harder.
Li Chu opened the recorded lessons from the acting coach she had hired before and continued studying.
After studying for three hours, Li Chu started practicing her lines. After an hour, her mouth was dry, so she sat back on the sofa, drank two glasses of water, and turned on the TV to take a break.
The TV’s playback history was still on the latest episode of 《This Is The Actor》, the one Li Chu had recorded previously.
She remembered Ning Manqing playing the female bandit, and then she thought of yesterday’s Ning Manqing.
The out-of-control Teacher Ning was indeed somewhat different from the usual Teacher Ning. Usually, Teacher Ning was a classical beauty, like a high-born lady with sharp methods, gorgeous and cold like glazed porcelain. Towards familiar people, she was gentle and considerate. But yesterday’s her…
Li Chu thought of the hand pinching her waist, even the action of biting her petal-like lips—it was an undeniable dominance.
Li Chu bit the knuckle of her index finger, warning her brain to stop reminiscing.
This isn’t appropriate!
Li Chu picked up her book, deciding to cleanse her mind with knowledge.
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