Chapter Sixty-Four: The Tale of the Dressing Room

At last, under Bai Chenxi’s eager anticipation, the day to join the crew finally arrived. Once she was there, Bai Chenxi could only think to herself: What are all these strange creatures?

Bai Chenxi put on what she thought was her most polite smile and greeted, “Hello, Director!”

Director Li Tianqi glanced up at her. “Mm.”

Then he lowered his head again, going back to his work, leaving Bai Chenxi stranded in awkward silence.

She shot a helpless look at Xiaoyu: Am I really so unlucky with directors? Why do they all seem to dislike me?

Thankfully, the assistant nearby noticed the situation and came over swiftly to greet her, dissolving the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Miss Bai, welcome! The makeup room is over there, let me show you the way!”

As Bai Chenxi and her entourage walked away, the director of Team B sidled over. “Director Li, isn’t that a bit much?”

Li Tianqi remained stubborn as ever. “What’s so bad about it? They didn’t even tell me before sticking her in here. I think I’ve been more than civil.”

Just the day before, Director Li had still been debating the choice for the second female lead. Then, bright and early this morning, he’d been told the role was already decided—and that it had been handed to someone with inside connections.

“Since you know all that, aren’t you worried she’ll file a complaint about you?”

The assistant director’s words were carefully measured, but Li Tianqi got the message.

He frowned, replying with clear irritation, “I have no patience for those who only know how to pull strings instead of relying on real talent. If they have the nerve, let them replace me.”

Seeing Li Tianqi’s stubborn streak, the assistant director could only shake his head in silence.

Bai Chenxi was led to the makeup room by the assistant. As soon as she entered, the chatter and laughter inside fell abruptly silent.

She gave an awkward laugh, “Hello, everyone!”

After exchanging glances, the others quickly greeted her with sudden enthusiasm, as if the previous silence had been a mere illusion.

Unaccustomed to the atmosphere, Bai Chenxi sat down and glanced at the makeup artists busy with their work. Saying nothing, she settled in and busied herself with her phone.

“I’ll go find a makeup artist for you,” Xiaoyu said.

Bai Chenxi stopped her. “It’s fine, I can wait.”

“Bai Chenxi, right? I’ll do your makeup after I finish this one,” a makeup artist nearby said without looking up.

Bai Chenxi nodded calmly. “Alright.”

The girl who was currently getting her makeup done seemed uncomfortable at this.

“Sister Qing, why don’t you do Bai’s makeup first? I’m not in a hurry.”

Sister Qing pressed the girl back into her seat. “Don’t move, I’m not done yet!”

The girl could only smile apologetically at Bai Chenxi in the mirror, and Bai Chenxi returned the smile, showing she didn’t mind.

Glancing at her reflection, Bai Chenxi whispered, “Xiaoyu, do I look that scary? Why do they all have such strange expressions?”

Xiaoyu whispered back, “Did you forget the news about you and Jiang Jize the other day? He’s the main investor in this drama. Wouldn’t they be nervous around you?”

“Oh!” Bai Chenxi’s eyes lit with understanding. “So they’re just ignoring me because they look down on me for getting in through connections.”

Xiaoyu looked at Bai Chenxi speechlessly: Is that something to be happy about? Wang Jie was right—her thinking really is out of the ordinary. I should keep an eye on her.

The two were still whispering when, suddenly, the door to the makeup room swung open.

Everyone looked up to see a stunning woman in sunglasses standing at the entrance, radiating an imposing aura.

Wow, what an entrance. Bai Chenxi tilted her head slightly; had this woman brought an entire makeup team with her?

“Tang Ziyu?” someone exclaimed in surprise.

Tang Ziyu swept her gaze across the room, her eyes landing on Bai Chenxi.

Even through the sunglasses, Bai Chenxi could feel Tang Ziyu’s scrutinizing stare. Refusing to back down, she met her gaze head-on.

Amused, Tang Ziyu let out a laugh.

“Sorry, wrong room,” she said, but her tone held not a hint of apology. With that, she swept out of the room with her team.

“Xiaoyu, what now?” Bai Chenxi looked so crestfallen that Xiaoyu didn’t even want to respond.

“I feel like I was just looked down on.”

Xiaoyu sighed, “Dear, she didn’t even say a word to you.”

Bai Chenxi shook her head, unconvinced. “You don’t get it. That was… well, you wouldn’t understand.”

She couldn’t find the words, and Xiaoyu thought privately: It’s true—I really don’t understand your bizarre logic.

At last, after much dawdling, Sister Qing finished the other girl’s makeup. The girl visibly relaxed as she watched Sister Qing head toward Bai Chenxi.

Halfway there, the door opened again.

This time, the newcomer glanced around and strode straight toward Bai Chenxi.

“You’re Bai Chenxi?”

The arrogant tone made Bai Chenxi bristle.

Without even looking up, she replied indifferently, “And who are you? Do we know each other?”

The atmosphere in the makeup room instantly dropped to freezing point at her words. There was a collective gasp, but most people just looked on, eager to see the drama unfold.