Chapter Twelve: Slap in the Face and Innocent Victim (Part Two)

Early that morning, Bai Chenxi was summoned to the company by Sister Wang.

“Sister Wang, what’s the matter? Is there a new role for me?” Bai Chenxi grinned, her face full of eagerness, looking almost foolish.

“Can you please wipe off that idiotic smile? You look absolutely silly. I really don’t know how you managed to play Miss Lan, who’s both highly intelligent and emotionally astute.”

“Sister Wang, doesn’t that just prove how good my acting is?” Bai Chenxi replied, still brimming with self-satisfaction.

Sister Wang shook her head, helpless. “I called you here today because there’s a script I want you to look at.”

Bai Chenxi’s eyes sparkled instantly. “Sister Wang, it’s a new role! Let me see! I adore you!”

Wang Ling watched Bai Chenxi, whose gaze was fixed on the script, shining with yearning. Perhaps, she thought, it was that passion for acting that moved her in the first place.

“It’s a campus idol drama, easy to attract fans and fits your current stage. Your last work was a period piece, and if this show becomes popular, you won’t have to worry about being typecast into only period dramas.”

Bai Chenxi closed the script. “Sister Wang, it’s an idol drama. If I do too many, will no one want me for serious roles?”

“No, this show is to help you build your popularity. Next, we need to prepare for Director Shen’s project.”

“Director Shen!” Bai Chenxi exclaimed.

“What’s with you? You nearly scared me to death!” Wang Ling was startled by her outburst.

Ignoring her, Bai Chenxi grabbed Wang Ling’s arm, excitement spilling over. “Sister Wang, is it true? I get to act in Director Shen’s drama?”

Wang Ling calmly withdrew her arm. “Don’t get too excited. Who am I to land you a role with Director Shen?”

Bai Chenxi’s eyes dimmed, but Wang Ling smirked. “However…”

As expected, Bai Chenxi immediately lifted her head, hope blossoming in her eyes.

“However, you’ll have the chance to audition. Whether you get it or not depends on you.”

“I’ll work hard!” Bai Chenxi declared, full of enthusiasm.

Wang Ling continued, “Don’t get ahead of yourself. The opportunity is still far off. Finish this drama first, build up some popularity. I’ll sign you up for a class and help you polish your skills.”

“I will! I’ll do my best. I didn’t graduate from an acting academy, so there’s a lot I don’t understand. I’ll work hard and not waste the chance you’ve given me, Sister Wang.”

Wang Ling couldn’t help but recall the first time she met Bai Chenxi. Wang Yehong himself brought Bai Chenxi to meet her, saying he had a rare talent for her to manage.

She’d expected someone dazzling, but when they met, Bai Chenxi was just an ordinary girl who’d never studied acting, never even touched it before. In fact, the drama Wang Yehong was filming was her first—she was a blank slate. Wang Ling watched her through an entire meal and found no particular spark. Sure, she had a certain aura, but so did many newcomers.

Later, when Wang Ling asked Wang Yehong about it, he said, “Bai Chenxi has an actor’s conviction.”

At first, Wang Ling agreed to manage her only out of courtesy, thinking Bai Chenxi seemed decent enough. But as time passed, she watched Bai Chenxi work hard to learn acting, compensating for her lack of foundation by doubling her efforts, never once complaining. She began to understand why Wang Yehong valued her so much.

Pulled from her thoughts, Wang Ling saw Bai Chenxi lost in contemplation, that silly smile creeping onto her face again. Wang Ling almost wanted to slap herself—why was she getting so sentimental?

She tapped the table, snapping Bai Chenxi back to reality. “Alright, stop daydreaming. Your job now is to go home and study the script.”

“Understood!” Bai Chenxi waved the script and was about to leave.

Suddenly, something occurred to her and she turned back. “Sister Wang, can I ask you something?”

“What now?”

Bai Chenxi sat down, her face lit up with gossip. “Sister Wang, when I got to the company this morning, I saw a crowd gathered, talking about something. A lot of people didn’t look happy. Did something happen?”

“Are you planning to become a reporter now?”

Bai Chenxi clung to Wang Ling’s arm. “Sister Wang, it’s just the two of us. Tell me, please!”

Wang Ling looked at Bai Chenxi. “You have the heart for gossip but lack the sense for it. Didn’t you check today’s news?”

“No! I was so focused on meeting you, I came early and didn’t check my phone.”

Wang Ling bluntly exposed her. “I bet you just slept in.”

Bai Chenxi lowered her head. “Let me see what gossip has everyone so worked up—it must be a big scandal.”

Just as she finished, Bai Chenxi saw the top trending topic: #Chu Muyun’s relationship exposed#.

What? Even someone like Chu Muyun has a girlfriend? A true warrior!

With a gossipy heart, Bai Chenxi clicked the news and nearly bit her tongue in shock—the person in the video was herself.

She put down her phone, cautiously glanced at Wang Ling, and tried to act casual. “Oh, so that’s why everyone in the company is buzzing today.”

“That’s it?” Wang Ling questioned, incredulity in her voice.

“Wh-what’s wrong?” Bai Chenxi stammered nervously.

“With your level of curiosity, shouldn’t you be dying to gossip about who the girl is?”

Wang Ling eyed Bai Chenxi thoughtfully. “What’s the matter? A sudden change of heart? Or are you one of Chu Muyun’s fans, so upset the gossip isn’t even appealing?”

“Impossible!” Bai Chenxi blurted without thinking.

Seeing Wang Ling’s suspicious gaze, she quickly added, “How could I not gossip? I was wondering if you might have some insider info—maybe she’s someone from the circle!”

“You really are hopeless. I thought you’d changed. Mind your own business and focus on your script,” Sister Wang said with a helpless shake of her head.

Seeing no extra reaction from Wang Ling, Bai Chenxi relaxed, relieved her secret was safe.

She congratulated herself for her quick thinking, proud of her foresight, while inwardly grumbling about Chu Muyun—didn’t he say no one would film him? What was he so smug about all day?

While Bai Chenxi was still grumbling, Wang Ling spoke again, “Be more careful when you go out from now on. Don’t get caught on camera by accident. This time, the reporters weren’t even after Chu Muyun—he wasn’t wearing anything to hide and just walked right into it.”

“Got it. Next time I’ll go out with a mask, sunglasses, and a hat, not missing a thing.”

Bai Chenxi replied while scrolling through social media. Knowing no one recognized her, she resumed her gossiping, even if the gossip was about herself.

Wang Ling smirked. “Are you headed to the airport? Mask, sunglasses, hat—are you afraid people won’t know you’re a celebrity?”

Bai Chenxi looked at Wang Ling, puzzled. “But you told me to be careful.”

“I meant you should tidy yourself up before leaving, not go out in pajamas with just a coat thrown over.”

“Sister Wang, that’s just in the neighborhood. No one notices.”

“You say no one notices, but do you know everyone in your neighborhood?”

Bai Chenxi quickly surrendered. “Alright, Sister Wang, I know I was wrong. From now on, I’ll pay attention to my appearance whenever I go out. Even if I’m just taking out the trash, I’ll look presentable.”

Seeing Sister Wang fall silent, Bai Chenxi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes, you just have to compromise. If she didn’t say that, Sister Wang would have lectured her all day.