Chapter 22: An Actor’s Essential Skill

 

When Jiang Xiaobai saw President Zhao’s call, she sank. Hearing his words now didn’t come as a surprise.

“President Zhao, do you know what essential skill a good actor must have besides acting well?” she asked.

President Zhao had prepared himself for this conversation. He expected Jiang Xiaobai to panic or even beg him to reconsider when he announced the end of their collaboration. No matter what she said, he wouldn’t change his mind.

As a businessman, he couldn’t afford to keep working with someone whose reputation was tatters. It was time to cut his losses.

But her unexpected question caught him off guard.

“What skill?” he asked.

“The skill to protect one’s reputation,” Jiang Xiaobai replied, her voice steady and calm, as if nothing had changed. “President Zhao, how about we make a bet?”

“Oh? What kind of bet?”

“If I can resolve this situation perfectly and restore my reputation, I win. If I fail, you win.”

“And the stakes?”

“If I win, we sign the contract for The King of E-sports immediately. If I lose, the collaboration is canceled.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before President Zhao gave a low chuckle.

“Interesting. I’m not usually one for bets, but I’m curious how you plan to turn this around. Alright, I’ll take the bet. I’ll be watching your next move closely.”

“President Zhao, may I ask you something?”

“You want to know who’s behind the smear campaign online?”

President Zhao’s immediate response made Jiang Xiaobai inwardly marvel at his sharpness.

“Yes. My first thought was your niece, Zhao Shan, since she seems biased against me. But when I saw the article subtly implicating you, I realized I was being too narrow-minded,” Jiang Xiaobai admitted with a self-deprecating tone.

“Jiang Xiaobai, there’s another essential skill an actor must have—seeing the people around you clearly. To portray the complexities of life, you must first understand them. You should know who harbors ill will toward you and whose path you’re blocking.”

With that, President Zhao hung up.

Jiang Xiaobai stared blankly at her phone, his final words echoing in her mind.

Her expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a sigh.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Unsurprisingly, it was Dong Ran.

“Someone’s deliberately targeting you. Who did you offend? The entire internet is slandering you now! At this rate, your position in the drama is in serious jeopardy. Xiaobai, this is a huge mess!”

Dong Ran’s eyes were red, her face filled with anxiety. “There’s no other way out now. Avoiding or denying it will only make people hate you more. Xiaobai, listen to me this time. Go online and issue a sincere apology. Admit that you approached Zhang Yishui naively but gave up after he clearly rejected you. After you apologize, I’ll release news big enough to overshadow the criticism against you! Over time, people will forget about this.”

Before coming to Jiang Xiaobai, Dong Ran had already contacted their company and even called the entertainment magazine that posted the article, pleading for leniency. But no matter what she said, there would be no resolution.

From the company’s perspective, Jiang Xiaobai had dug her own grave. As for the magazine, someone had apparently orchestrated this behind the scenes.

In this situation, Dong Ran quickly devised a seemingly terrible but effective plan—

If denial wasn’t an option, then admit it and apologize sincerely!

Two years ago, Jiang Xiaobai was just in her early twenties, still in college. It was understandable that she had feelings for Zhang Yishui, her fellow student. By bravely admitting her past actions and apologizing, people might even respect her for her honesty.

After the apology, Dong Ran planned to release a bombshell the next day—a story about a second-tier actress secretly married with children, complete with clear photos. That news would undoubtedly overshadow Jiang Xiaobai’s scandal!

The public’s attention span was limited. The easiest way to divert their focus was to release an even bigger story, a tactic commonly used in the industry.

Of course, Jiang Xiaobai would still face some backlash, but her acting career could continue. It wasn’t the worst outcome.

Seeing Dong Ran’s genuine concern for her, Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile.

Dong Ran had no idea about Jiang Xiaobai’s plans, yet she didn’t blame her. Instead, she immediately sought the best solution.

Having such a manager was a blessing.

Of course, suppose it was the original Jiang Xiaobai. In that case, she’d probably explode at the suggestion of admitting her feelings for Zhang Yishui and apologizing.

“Sister Ran, thank you,” Jiang Xiaobai said, walking over to hug Dong Ran and nuzzling her shoulder. “I planned to resolve this tomorrow, but there’s no need to wait. Let’s settle it now and save us the trouble.”

Dong Ran stiffened, unprepared for the usually aloof Jiang Xiaobai to show such affection. She didn’t know where to put her hands until she processed Jiang Xiaobai’s words. “Right, don’t wait until tomorrow. Issue the statement now. Apologizing promptly will show your sincerity.”

She assumed Jiang Xiaobai’s “solution” was to admit her mistake and apologize.

“Quick, sit down. I’ll draft the statement, and you can post it after I’m done,” Dong Ran said, pushing Jiang Xiaobai away and placing her notebook on the table. She began writing furiously, making edits as she went.

“Sister Ran, it’s okay. I’ve already prepared it,” Jiang Xiaobai said, handing her phone to Dong Ran to show the draft in her notes.

“This is…”

Dong Ran took the phone, her eyes widening as she read, her face lighting up with relief. “Xiaobai, is this real?”

“Of course, it’s real. The phone number and timestamp are right there. How could I fake it?”

“This is perfect! Once you release this, it’ll be crystal clear who’s telling the truth and who’s lying!”

Dong Ran tossed her pen aside, leaning back in her chair with a long sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry, Sister Ran. I should’ve told you earlier so you wouldn’t have to worry,” Jiang Xiaobai said apologetically.

“It’s fine. As long as it’s resolved, that’s what matters. You did tell me you had a plan—I just let that magazine’s article get to me,” Dong Ran replied with a wave of her hand.

Chapter 23: Proving Her Innocence

 

 

Jiao Yingying was an ordinary office worker who had been promoted to team leader after five years of work. Despite living in a first-tier city, she still struggled financially, but fortunately, her job wasn’t too demanding.

Her daily routine consisted of browsing Weibo, looking for the latest gossip and funny stories, and indulging in entertainment news.

She didn’t follow any celebrities, as she believed they were just actors whose on-screen performances were fictional. She didn’t idolize them or feel a strong connection with them.

If she had to name someone she liked, it would be based on one criterion:

Their looks.

Yes, Jiao Yingying was a self-proclaimed “face enthusiast.” Besides sweets, nothing like the colorful and beautiful people in the entertainment industry caught her attention.

“Hey, Yingying, have you seen that topic about Jiang Xiaobai?” her coworker asked, scooting over to her.

Jiao Yingying knew that her colleague was aware of her fondness for Jiang Xiaobai, who had impressed her with her stunning looks. She had even downloaded a bunch of Jiang Xiaobai’s wallpapers. With Jiang Xiaobai’s scandal trending, her coworker wanted to fill her in.

“Of course, I’ve seen it. The whole internet is talking about it,” Jiao Yingying replied, frowning. “I never thought she’d do something like this. With her looks, she could have any boyfriend she wanted, but instead, she goes after someone who’s already taken. Zhang Yishui’s looks are average in the entertainment industry; he’s not even that striking. Her taste is really questionable!”

The conversation was filled with Jiao Yingying’s frustration and disappointment.

Her coworker rolled her eyes. “Who says you have to choose a partner based on looks? If we all did that, people with average looks wouldn’t have a chance. Maybe Zhang Yishui has other good qualities we’re unaware of.”

“That’s not the point. The issue is that she interfered with someone else’s relationship. That’s a moral problem, you know?” Jiao Yingying said, fuming.

“It’s a shame. I had no bad feelings toward her before and looked forward to her performance as Liu Ruyan. Her promotional poster was stunning, with a lot of depth!” her coworker said, shaking her head.

Her coworker’s words made Jiao Yingying feel even more disappointed.

Yes, the production team released the promotional poster for Jiang Xiaobai’s role as Liu Ruyan. The image was so beautiful that it didn’t seem human, especially her eyes and movements, which created a strange and captivating contrast with her ethereal face. One glance was enough to make anyone unable to look away.

Oh, right, that poster had been used as Jiao Yingying’s wallpaper. Now, with Jiang Xiaobai’s scandal, she wanted to change it, but the beautiful face on the poster made it hard to decide.

“She really messed up a good opportunity! She wouldn’t have to worry about becoming famous if she had just focused on Legend of the Nine Heavens. The character suited her so well! Now, look at her—everyone on the internet is bashing her, asking her to leave the drama. It seems like her acting career is almost over.”

Jiao Yingying looked at her phone screen, feeling sorry that she might never see this beautiful actress again.

“You know, it’s pretty strange. She was about to become famous, and then this scandal broke out. Isn’t it a bit too coincidental?” her coworker suddenly said.

Jiao Yingying paused. “It is pretty coincidental. Maybe someone is jealous and trying to ruin her?”

It didn’t seem impossible…

Just as they were talking, Jiao Yingying’s Weibo account alerted her to a new post.

“Plot Twist—Jiang Xiaobai Proves Her Innocence!”

Jiao Yingying and her coworker were sitting together. When her phone showed the notification, they froze momentarily before looking at each other.

“Plot twist?!”

Almost simultaneously, they exclaimed, and the next moment, Jiao Yingying hurriedly clicked on the post.

【Jiang Xiaobai Not So White v: I warned you to stop, but you continued to provoke me. I was too kind to respond, but now I’ve reached my limit. I won’t say more; here are the records. Clear-eyed people will understand. I will take legal action against your defamation.】

Images and all chat records from a messaging app accompanied the post.

The screenshots showed the name of the other party: Zhang Yishui.

Zhang Yishui: Xiaobai, the cake from the sweet shop downstairs is really good. I queued up to buy it for you. It’s at the front desk; remember to pick it up when you arrive.

Jiang Xiaobai: I don’t eat sweets.

Zhang Yishui: I’ve already bought it. Just try it, even a tiny bite. You can give it to a colleague if you don’t like it.

…

Zhang Yishui: Xiaobai, I heard you’re really good at drawing, right?

Jiang Xiaobai: I’m okay.

Zhang Yishui: Can you draw a portrait of me? A simple one is fine. I’ve never had anyone draw a picture of me before.

Jiang Xiaobai: If no one has drawn your portrait, why does it matter to me?

Zhang Yishui: Xiaobai, we’re alumni, and now work at the same company. We’re friends, right? Can’t you grant me this small request? Consider it a return gift for all the things I’ve given you. I just want a keepsake.

Jiang Xiaobai: I never accepted any of your gifts, so what return gift?

Zhang Yishui: … Really can’t? Okay, I guess I was asking too much. It seems we’re not even friends.

Jiang Xiaobai: Will any kind of portrait do?

Zhang Yishui: Yes, anything!

Jiang Xiaobai: Fine, I’ll draw one for you, but after this, we’re even, and you should stop bothering me.

…

After this message, Zhang Yishui continued showing concern for Jiang Xiaobai and often prepared gifts for her. However, Jiang Xiaobai’s responses were ruthless, and after refusing him several times without any change, she simply stopped responding.

Zhang Yishui didn’t give up and often said flirtatious things, but Jiang Xiaobai ignored them.

Finally, when he subtly expressed his feelings to Jiang Xiaobai again, she couldn’t help but respond.

“I saw you hugging Dou Fang in the break room yesterday. You have a girlfriend and still try to flirt with others. You’re really scum. Stay away from me, okay?”

Zhang Yishui: I have no relationship with Dou Fang. You misunderstood! She’s been chasing after me, but I don’t like her. My heart is only for you! Xiaobai, will you be my girlfriend? If you agree, I promise to stay away from any other women and never do anything to make you misunderstand me again!

Jiang Xiaobai: g-u-n

…

The chat record ended there, and the last image was fascinating. It showed Zhang Yishui’s app information with a clear label at the bottom—blacklist!

Six clear images showed the exact time of each message, which was two years ago.

Only Zhang Yishui’s ID number was partially blurred to protect his personal information.

Finally, the status was updated to “signed,” and flowers were thrown in celebration.

Chapter 24: Compensation

 

Jiao Yingying stared blankly at the images before bursting into a curse.

“What the hell! No shame, absolutely no shame! Dou Fang completely twisted the facts. Zhang Yishui was making advances, and that portrait—this is outright slander!”

She was furious. Jiang Xiaobai had thrown out the solid evidence, and the story was straightforward. The truth was right there in front of them!

The idea that Jiang Xiaobai had interfered in someone’s relationship and drawn a portrait to express her affection was nonsense!

Jiao Yingying’s colleague was equally stunned. “This is a real plot twist. If I hadn’t seen these chat records, I wouldn’t have believed the truth could be like this!”

Indeed, who would have thought? Dou Fang had brought in a bunch of “fake witnesses” who had made their statements sound so convincing, especially since some of them were celebrities. Who would have suspected they were lying?

“It’s unbelievable that she kept the chat records from two years ago! I doubt Dou Fang and her crew ever expected this to happen.” Jiao Yingying whistled.

Sometimes, app updates or changing phones could cause chat records to be lost. The chat records between Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Yishui were from two years ago. Yet, she had produced them as evidence to clear her name. It was shocking.

“Hahaha, this plot twist is so satisfying! I wonder how Dou Fang will respond now?” her colleague teased.

Jiang Xiaobai had also asked Dong Ran the same question.

“What do you think Dou Fang’s reaction will be?”

Dong Ran smiled. “What else can she do? If she’s brave, she’ll apologize. If she’s cowardly, she’ll hide like a turtle. Now, she’s lost all face and become a laughingstock. This humiliation will likely follow her for a long time.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded. “Sister Ran, are we really going to sue her?”

Jiang Xiaobai’s post includes the last sentence about taking legal action, which was added at Dong Ran’s suggestion.

“Just for show,” Dong Ran said casually.

“Huh?”

“Something’s off about this whole situation. The PR department’s reaction was very unusual.” Dong Ran frowned. “You’re one of the company’s artists. When you and Dou Fang first had a conflict, the company should have intervened to smooth things. But they didn’t. Instead, they seemed to favor Dou Fang. I think there’s more to this than meets the eye.”

“You noticed that too? What could be the problem?” Jiang Xiaobai perked up.

She had been thinking about this issue but couldn’t figure it out. The original owner of her body was proud and aloof, rarely socializing with others, even within the company. She wasn’t familiar with many people, let alone those from other departments.

Dong Ran’s eyes flickered, and she seemed hesitant to say more, but finally, she shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. At this point, the company’s higher-ups will definitely intervene. Whatever the reason, you’ll likely benefit from this.”

“That’s a relief…” Jiang Xiaobai’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

Fortunately, the chat records hadn’t been deleted, and her phone hadn’t been replaced. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Her phone buzzed, and Jiang Xiaobai looked down to see a message.

“You won. I’ll prepare the contract and come to you to sign it.”

Jiang Xiaobai recognized the name Zhao Xiulun and couldn’t help but smile.

“Sister Ran, it’s settled.”

“What?”

After Jiang Xiaobai explained the bet, Dong Ran was overjoyed. “That’s fantastic! I was worried that President Zhao would return and find someone else after you finished the drama. Who knows what could have happened in the meantime? Now I can rest easy!”

Zhao Xiulun was wealthy and had a keen eye for talent. He was known as a major investor in the industry. The funding was generous whenever he invested, allowing the production team to shoot the drama carefully. It wouldn’t flop disastrously if it didn’t become a huge hit.

Jiang Xiaobai had always struggled to find suitable roles due to her acting limitations. Major productions generally didn’t consider her; when they did, she was only given minor roles. Dong Ran refused to let her take on small or poor-quality dramas, limiting her opportunities.

With Legend of the Nine Heavens and the new drama King of E-sports promised by President Zhao, Jiang Xiaobai could leap to a third-tier celebrity. She might even become a second or first-tier star if the shows perform well!

A single hit drama could instantly elevate an unknown actor to stardom in the entertainment industry. This was no exaggeration!

After managing her for so long, Dong Ran finally saw hope.

An hour later, Dong Ran finally received the call she had been waiting for.

“Of course, why wouldn’t we take legal action? She defamed and slandered us, greatly damaging Xiaobai’s reputation… Apologize? What good would a mere apology do? We won’t let this go… Oh? What kind of compensation are you talking about?”

Jiang Xiaobai watched Dong Ran on the call, her tone alternating between forceful and calm, her expression changing continuously. She was incredibly impressed by her manager’s skill.

“Tsk, tsk. If Sister Ran were to act, she’d be perfect for a strong female role. She’d be bound to become famous!”

Just look at that presence!

“Sister Ran, how did it go?”

When Dong Ran hung up, Jiang Xiaobai leaned in, her eyes sparkling excitedly.

“You’re so worked up. You’ll get your due! The company is giving you the DS endorsement. We’ll sign the contract in a few days and start shooting. You can take a few days off from the production team then.”

“DS? Really?!”

Jiang Xiaobai was surprised.

DS was a jewelry brand that had become extremely popular in recent years due to a close-up of the female lead in a movie. Its designs were fashionable and elegant, appealing to young white-collar women. It was positioned as a luxury brand, a bit expensive, but most people could afford it if they saved up a bit.

Jiang Xiaobai knew Li Xin was the previous DS endorser, but her contract had expired. There had been rumors that DS was looking for a new endorser.

 

Chapter 25: Testing the Waters

 

Given DS’s fame, top-tier actresses would all want to work with it. Jiang Xiaobai, who didn’t qualify as a third-tier star, felt like she had just caught a windfall.

“Can the company really follow through? Will DS really sign with me?” Jiang Xiaobai was skeptical.

“Li Xin is from our company, and DS signed with her. Of course, they can sign with you, too.” Dong Ran smiled.

“Hmm? Are you saying DS has a connection with Tangming?” Jiang Xiaobai seemed to understand something.

“That’s an upper-level connection. You don’t need to know about it. Since the company has spoken, they’ll definitely honor their word. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded. She picked up her phone and couldn’t stop smiling as she read the comments.

Previously, her Weibo posts had been largely ignored, receiving fewer comments and shares than even a minor internet celebrity. But the post she had just made had garnered nearly ten thousand comments and shares quickly, which was astonishing.

She scrolled through the comments.

“Sister Xiaobai is truly v587! She should have given that scumbag a taste of her iron fist! Sue her, sue her hard! I support you! Those shameless lovers joining forces to slander you are just too much!”

“Thank goodness for those chat records. Otherwise, there would have been no way to explain yourself, even if you jumped into the Yellow River! By the way, what’s the deal with Dou Fang and Zhang Yishui? Were they together in college, or did they get together recently?”

“If they were together in college, then Zhang Yishui’s pursuit of Jiang Xiaobai would be cheating! If they got together recently, then Dou Fang must have been his backup plan!”

“I’m a fan now. Jiang Xiaobai, I’ll be a fan of your looks and personality from now on. That one ‘roll’ word was so concise and powerful, I couldn’t help but applaud!”

“Roll away! That’s exactly how you should treat scumbags. They don’t deserve you!”

Dong Ran also glanced at the comments. “You’ve certainly turned a crisis into an opportunity. They tried to ruin you, but you’ve become the talk of the town. The buzz around you in the past two years has never been this high, and you’ve even attracted a wave of new fans.”

Jiang Xiaobai sighed. “Yeah, who would have thought?”

After she had cleared her name with solid evidence, some people began to speak up.

The first to react was the official Weibo account of Legend of the Nine Heavens. They mentioned Jiang Xiaobai, followed by a single sentence. “How could just anyone bully a fairy like the Moonlit Immortal?”

Below the text was a photo taken during filming, perfectly capturing the essence of Liu Ruyan. Her cold and proud demeanor made people immediately think of one word, “Goddess!”

Jiang Xiaobai also shared this Weibo post, adding a proud emoticon.

Others in the industry also chimed in. For example, Gu Xue from the same production team and the second male lead, Qiao Yan, shared Jiang Xiaobai’s post, the latter adding a thumbs-up emoticon.

Most of the actors who supported her were below the third tier, and Qiao Yan was the most popular among them. However, Jiang Xiaobai deeply suspected that most of these supporters were more interested in riding her newfound popularity than genuinely supporting her. After all, the original owner of her body had a personality that made her few friends in the industry.

Moreover, when Dou Fang was slandering her, no one had come to her defense. Now that the dust had settled, they only spoke up to ride the wave.

But this was human nature, and Jiang Xiaobai understood it well. She didn’t feel particularly disappointed or sad about it.

By the following day, Jiang Xiaobai’s Weibo post had skyrocketed to the second spot in terms of popularity, just behind a birthday selfie from a popular female star.

Not only Jiang Xiaobai’s post, but Dou Fang’s post was also in the top ten, at sixth position. It was the same post she had made earlier, which everyone had initially believed to be solid evidence. Now, it was just a laughingstock, with many comments demanding an apology and countless insults.

But Dou Fang did not react. She was playing dead.

Oh, she did react, but when Jiang Xiaobai checked her Weibo during lunch, the post and all others related to her were gone. Not only that, but she also disabled the comment function.

“Dou Fang is a real joke. She saw you getting popular and felt jealous, so she tried to stir up trouble to gain some attention. She didn’t expect it to backfire so badly!”

Today’s shooting schedule was tight, and lunch was only a 20-minute break. Everyone grabbed their boxed meals and ate together, with few tables available. Some minor actors even had to stand and eat.

All the actors were eating close to each other. After Gu Xue spoke, others chimed in.

“Jiang Xiaobai really is lucky. Who knows who would have come out on top without those records?”

A slightly mocking voice broke the silence. Everyone turned to see a standout figure sitting alone, with a soft cushion on her chair and a folding table in front of her. On the table were three dishes, a soup, and a box of fresh fruit.

Needless to say, this person was Li Biying.

On the first day of the production, when everyone else was grabbing boxed meals, Li Biying refused. People were puzzled until her manager brought a series of meticulously packaged boxes, a memorable sight.

“Yes, I am lucky.” Jiang Xiaobai smiled, seemingly oblivious to Li Biying’s disappointment. “If she had waited a month to cause trouble, I might have already changed my phone. The records would have been lost, and the outcome would have been much worse.”

“Hmph.”

Li Biying glanced at her and took a bite of her food.

“But this isn’t all bad. I’ve seen many cases of people being lifted up by others being brought down, but experiencing it is quite indescribable. Besides Dou Fang, many others have tried to smear me, like in that entertainment magazine. They made it sound convincing; I wonder who was behind it.”

Jiang Xiaobai sighed dramatically, her eyes fixed on Li Biying. She noticed Li Biying’s hand tremble as she held her chopsticks, causing a piece of pork to fall.

“Why are you guessing? Who would be behind a magazine? They probably just didn’t like you.”

Li Biying’s eyes dropped, and her voice tightened.

“Hmm? I meant that the editor must have followed the editor-in-chief’s orders to publish such a story. Sister Li, why are you reacting so strongly?” Jiang Xiaobai feigned surprise.

The other actors looked back and forth between Li Biying and Jiang Xiaobai, sensing the tension. They wisely kept quiet.

“I’m not reacting strongly! Just eat your lunch!”

Li Biying’s voice was almost a growl.

 

Chapter 26: The Benefits of a Delivered Offer

 

Li Biying threw a tantrum, barely eating a few bites before getting up and leaving with a scowl.

“Xiaobai.”

Gu Xue shook her head at Jiang Xiaobai, signaling she shouldn’t escalate the tension with Li Biying, as it might backfire.

Jiang Xiaobai just smiled.

Could she maintain a friendly relationship by not causing a scene?

That was a dream. Even when she hadn’t confronted Li Biying, the latter had still orchestrated the magazine’s smear campaign against her. Clearly, Li Biying had already seen her as a rival, and the conflict was irreconcilable. Why should she tolerate her?

Standing up to her at least made her feel better. Whether Li Biying would escalate things further was beyond her control, so she let it be.

After finishing her scenes for the day at 4 PM, Jiang Xiaobai changed her clothes. Dong Ran gave her a meaningful look, and Jiang Xiaobai quickly approached her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked as they returned to the hotel.

“Dou Fang has reacted.”

Dong Ran lowered her voice, even though she was sure no one could hear them. “Her agent contacted me. They said they can offer you this much if you agree to drop the matter, never mention it again, and delete the Weibo post with the screenshots.”

She held up one finger.

One?

It couldn’t be ten thousand or one hundred thousand; that would be a joke. It had to be one million.

Dou Fang, like the original owner of Jiang Xiaobai’s body, was just a minor star with a modest income. Earning one million would be a significant hit for her.

Not all actors were high-earners. The entertainment industry, like any other, had a pyramid structure. Only a tiny number at the top earned huge sums. Top-tier stars made a fortune, but mid-level and below earned far less than people imagined.

Even if they did earn a lot, there was little left after splitting with the company, paying their agents and assistants, and spending on high-end cosmetics, clothing, and accessories. Paparazzi were everywhere, and a simple grocery store trip could become a scandal if you looked too plain.

At events, high-end gowns were often worn only once. You could rent them to save money, but not always.

“One million, and I must delete the post and never mention it again? She’s dreaming,” Jiang Xiaobai chuckled. “Tell her two million is negotiable.”

Dong Ran stared at her as if she had seen a ghost.

“Why are you… agreeing to it?” Dong Ran was incredulous.

She had only mentioned it to inform Jiang Xiaobai, never expecting her to consider it. Given Jiang Xiaobai’s straightforward nature, if someone had wronged her, she would want to get even, not accept a settlement.

“Why not take the two million? It’s a substantial amount.” Jiang Xiaobai smiled.

Deleting the post? Even if she did, netizens already saved the screenshots and could resurface if needed.

As for not mentioning it, that was no big deal. When reporters asked about it, Jiang Xiaobai could simply give a meaningful look, and the entertainment journalists would spin a dramatic story about her being forced to compromise due to being in the same company as her enemy.

Thinking about it, she had nothing to lose. If Dou Fang could come up with two million, why not agree?

“Alright, I understand. I’ll negotiate with them.”

Dong Ran nodded, knowing the other side would likely agree. After all, Dou Fang was young, and if she could clean up her image, the cost was worth it.

“Xiaobai, are you short on money?” Dong Ran hesitated. “If you need it, I can lend you some. You can pay me back when you get your endorsement fees and the final payment for the drama.”

Dong Ran found Jiang Xiaobai’s reaction too strange. How could someone who hated injustice so much suddenly accept a settlement? She must be short on money!

Jiang Xiaobai, seeing the sympathetic and pitying look in Dong Ran’s eyes, felt uncomfortable.

“I’m not short on money, really.”

“Come on, don’t be formal with me. We’re family! Here, I’ll transfer you some money to help with emergencies. Dou Fang’s payment might take a few days, so take this for now.”

Dong Ran waved her hand generously.

“Sister Ran, I really have money. I’m not lying. The house I’m living in, I bought it myself…”

“I know you’re proud. This is between you and me. I won’t tell anyone. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not lying…”

Ding. A transfer message appeared on her phone: 200,000.

Jiang Xiaobai’s lips twitched, and she sighed, feeling helpless. “Alright, thank you, Sister Ran.”

She appreciated the gesture and felt touched.

Of course, she could show Dong Ran her bank balance to prove she wasn’t lying, but that might make things awkward. She would pay her back once Dou Fang’s payment arrived.

Two days later, Dou Fang’s agent responded. They first sent one million as a down payment, saying they would release the remaining amount within a day once they saw Jiang Xiaobai’s good faith.

The “good faith” meant deleting the Weibo post and agreeing not to mention the incident again.

Jiang Xiaobai agreed and deleted the post that day, causing a stir among netizens.

In the end, the netizens concluded, “The company must have forced her to delete it!

Jiang Xiaobai is pitiful, enduring injustice and having to keep quiet. The company doesn’t protect her; instead, it makes her suffer silently.

I’m a fan now!”

Thus, Jiang Xiaobai gained a new batch of fans for no apparent reason.

When she saw her Weibo follower count increase, she was initially surprised but couldn’t help but laugh.

 

 

Chapter 27: The Perfect Match

 

Dou Fang felt she was being torn apart by netizens, desperate to escape the negative attention. She was willing to pay a hefty sum to escape the situation. However, she didn’t realize that netizens could be quite just and had excellent memory, especially regarding scandals.

So even after deleting the post, they wouldn’t let her off the hook anytime soon.

Jiang Xiaobai immediately returned the money to Dong Ran and, the next day, received the remaining payment from Dou Fang as promised.

Dou Fang had no choice but to pay. Although she wanted to avoid the payment, the thought of Jiang Xiaobai rereleasing the chat records made her realize the consequences. If that happened, she would be finished.

Five days passed, during which Dou Fang was interviewed, and the incident made it to the hot search list. It seemed reporters ambushed her on her way to a program, who asked her a series of heart-wrenching questions:

“Why did you defame Jiang Xiaobai? Was it because you were jealous of her landing a big role or because you’ve been harboring resentment over your boyfriend’s infidelity?”

“When did you and Zhang Yishui officially start dating? Was it in college, as you claimed, or did you pursue him after he failed to win Jiang Xiaobai’s heart?”

“Why are alumni and industry insiders helping you lie? Did you pay them off?”

“You used to have your boyfriend accompany you to events. Why isn’t Zhang Yishui here today? Did you break up?”

As the reporters asked their sharp and relentless questions, Dou Fang, already suffering from the scandal, looked pale and almost green. She nearly screamed in frustration but held back when she saw the cameras trained on her.

She bit her lower lip, her eyes brimming with tears, and quickly fled the scene with her assistant’s help.

Even though she didn’t say anything, the reporters were not deterred. That day’s news headlines read: “Dou Fang Refuses Interview, Fleeing in Shame and Anger” and “Dou Fang Suspected of Breaking Up with Zhang Yishui, No Sight of Boyfriend at Event.”

“Dou Fang is just a minor star and was never destined to become famous. With this stain on her reputation, it will be even harder for her to rise. She’s not a threat anymore.”

Dong Ran said this after glancing at the news.

Could someone with a tarnished reputation still rise to fame?

Of course, it happened. Some stars had overcome scandals involving infidelity, domestic violence, solicitation, and gambling. Some faded into obscurity, while others weathered the storm and became famous again through a breakout role.

But Dong Ran didn’t think Dou Fang would be one of those who made a comeback.

“Lack of intelligence and emotional quotient, she has neither. It will be tough for her to turn things around.”

Jiang Xiaobai said casually.

Both of them thought Dou Fang would likely remain a minor star, occasionally appearing to earn a little money. Still, they were utterly unprepared for what happened next.

That night, a news story quickly trended, “Shock! Dou Fang Meets Middle-Aged Man in Hotel, Intimate Photos Exposed!”

Jiang Xiaobai was about to go to bed and was shocked by the news notification. She instinctively clicked on it and saw a series of paparazzi photos.

It was late at night, and everything was dark. Dou Fang wore a beige dress, a fisherman’s hat, and a large mask. She was walking intimately with a man from a luxury car.

The first few photos showed them walking together, Dou Fang leaning into the man. The man had thinning hair, was overweight, and was only about five centimeters taller than Dou Fang. He was carrying a black leather bag.

These photos didn’t reveal much; the man’s face was blurry, and Dou Fang was fully covered, making her unrecognizable.

But the following six photos were more revealing.

When they reached the hotel entrance, the lights were bright, clearly illuminating their figures.

This was a five-star hotel known for its privacy and security. All staff members were highly professional and would never disclose any customer information.

They walked arm in arm toward the lobby. Dou Fang, feeling safe, removed her mask and turned to speak to the man.

Her face was clearly visible, and the man looked at her, then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Their faces were clear, and there was no doubt that the woman was Dou Fang. As for the man…

Jiang Xiaobai furrowed her brow, staring at the man’s face. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t find the place where she had seen him.

But one thing was clear, Dou Fang was finished.

Lying and defaming someone might be a minor issue, but being caught with a middle-aged man in a hotel while already having a boyfriend was a different story. How could she wash this away?

One scandal could ruin a person, but two in quick succession? What would happen then?

Jiang Xiaobai shook her head, feeling drowsy. She didn’t want to think about it anymore and fell into a deep sleep.

The following day, she woke up to find that the news had already gained significant traction. The discussion volume was so high that it surpassed the topics of top-tier stars.

Without exception, the comments either criticized Dou Fang or ridiculed Zhang Yishui.

“This couple’s story is truly captivating. The drama never ends, and I’m already full of all the juicy details.”

“First, Zhang Yishui was dating two women, and now Dou Fang is cheating with a middle-aged bald man. Haha, they must be from the same family. What a perfect match!”

“I wish you both stay together forever and never break up. That way, you won’t ruin anyone else’s life!”

“Is anyone curious about who the bald man is?”

“His identity has been revealed. Check the hot search list!”

Huh?

Jiang Xiaobai was also curious and searched for the topic. She found it, “Dou Fang’s Lover’s Identity Revealed.”

She was initially stunned when she saw the man’s identity, but everything became clear.

“Now I understand why the company didn’t help me with PR and let Dou Fang smear me.”

Jiang Xiaobai said to Dong Ran, feeling speechless.

It turns out that the head of Tangming’s PR department was Dou Fang’s benefactor! What else was there to say?

Dong Ran, on the other hand, didn’t seem too surprised. She must have suspected something earlier.

“Gu Yuan is a relative of the vice president. He has connections and money, but his wife, whom he’s been married to for a long time, refuses to divorce him, threatening to kill herself. So, he’s been having affairs outside.”

 

Chapter 28: Suppressing the Scene

 

Dong Ran had been at Tangming for many years and understood the internal dynamics well.

Gu Yuan was a second-generation rich kid with no significant talents but was skilled at flattering superiors and belittling subordinates. He knew who to flatter and ignore, which helped him build a network of connections. It was simple if he wanted to get some resources for a female actor.

In a way, it made sense for him to be in charge of the PR department.

Gu Yuan had a penchant for women, and he entered the entertainment industry partly to have easy access to female stars. Over the years, he had been involved with many female artists.

So when Dong Ran noticed the PR department’s unusual attitude toward Jiang Xiaobai, she immediately suspected a connection between Gu Yuan and Dou Fang. However, it was just a guess, and she wasn’t sure.

After all, Dou Fang and Zhang Yishui seemed to have a good relationship and often appeared together on variety shows. Who would have thought Dou Fang was seeing someone else behind his back?

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t comment further. She had heard and seen so many dirty secrets in the industry that she was no longer surprised but still felt disgusted.

When she arrived at the set, she could hear the crew discussing the recent scandal. Jiang Xiaobai glanced at them but didn’t pay much attention, focusing instead on her script.

Today, she had a scene with the lead actress, a confrontation between two sworn sisters. The emotions needed to be intense, which was a significant challenge for the “cold-faced” immortal character.

She had to maintain her character while expressing intense emotions, a test of her acting skills.

This scene was from the later part of the TV drama, but filming often didn’t follow a chronological order. It could be based on the actors’ location or availability, which sometimes leads to inconsistent emotions for the actors.

Jiang Xiaobai had been building up her emotions for two days to prepare for this scene.

When it was time, the clapperboard sounded, and Jiang Xiaobai and Li Biying stood on the cliff at the back of the mountain. Of course, this was a green screen, and the actual scene would be added in post-production.

The wind machine blew, making their clothes and hair flutter, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

“Senior Sister Liu, why are you doing this! That spirit fruit was found through great hardship by me. Why are you taking it? It was obtained at the cost of Su Su’s life!”

Mu Wanran clenched her fists, her eyes red with tears, which the director found very satisfactory.

Li Biying’s temperamental and demanding personality was well-known, but she had real talent. Her acting was top-notch, especially her crying scenes, which she could do effortlessly. Most of her scenes were done in one take, with only a few needing two or three.

“Su Su’s death is on you, not me.”

Liu Ruyan lifted her chin and looked straight ahead, not at Mu Wanran. Her voice was cold. Usually, her coldness had a warmth when she interacted with Mu Wanran, but that warmth was gone now.

Director Niu nodded. Li Biying’s performance was as expected, but Jiang Xiaobai’s recent performances had been a pleasant surprise. She was just as good as Li Biying!

A few days earlier, Director Niu had decided to watch a previous drama in which Jiang Xiaobai had acted. He was speechless after watching it.

He had thought the rumors about her awkward acting were exaggerated and that her stunning looks had overshadowed her talent. But after watching the drama, he realized the rumors were accurate—her acting was truly awkward!

However, he then became even more excited.

What would it mean if she had been a lousy actor before but now should be good? It meant she had put in much effort to improve her skills. “Legend of the Nine Heavens” was her first drama after this improvement, and he had found a gem!

“Su Su helped me save the spirit fruit from the demon beast…” Li Biying’s eyes were brimming with tears. “I can’t betray her intentions, so Senior Sister Liu, please return it to me.”

Liu Ruyan’s lips twitched, and she pulled an object from her sleeve. It looked like a large pearl, glowing faintly, and emitted a fragrant aroma. This was the spirit fruit.

Of course, what Jiang Xiaobai was holding was just a tiny plum; the spirit fruit would be added in post-production.

“Junior Sister Mu, you said Su Su died to save the spirit fruit. Now that the fruit is safe, whether you or I use it, its purpose is served. How can Su Su’s intentions be betrayed?”

…

The two of them continued their dialogue. Mu Wanran alternated between pleading and anger, while Liu Ruyan maintained a cold, detached demeanor. However, the mocking smile on her lips suggested she wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

Then, they reached the key emotional climax of the scene.

“Senior Sister Liu, were all these years of sisterhood just a lie?”

Mu Wanran’s eyes widened as she shouted this, and tears streamed down her face. She screamed with her voice breaking, her eyes filled with pain.

She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Liu Ruyan as if trying to pierce through her soul.

Director Niu couldn’t help but clench the corner of his shirt, feeling excited.

Excellent, a fantastic performance!

Although Li Biying’s emotional intensity was even more potent than expected, Mu Wanran’s sudden shift from innocence to darkness was slightly off-character. However, Director Niu didn’t mind.

When someone is furious, such a reaction is understandable!

Wait, why wasn’t Jiang Xiaobai responding?

Director Niu, who had been excited, suddenly paused, his brows furrowing. He waited a bit longer, but when Jiang Xiaobai didn’t react, he shouted, “Cut! Jiang Xiaobai, what are you doing?”

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Biying, seeing the smug and challenging look in her eyes. She felt somewhat… amused.

What was Li Biying trying to do? Suppress the scene?

What is “suppressing the scene”?

“Suppressing the scene” is when two actors are in a confrontation, and one deliberately uses their strong presence to overwhelm the other, causing the other to forget their lines or be unable to speak.

Only experienced actors, often veterans, could do this. Their intensity could intimidate the other actor, leading to a loss of confidence, fumbled lines, and a poor performance.

Jiang Xiaobai’s reaction now looked like Li Biying was suppressing her, as it was Liu Ruyan’s turn to speak, but she remained silent.

No wonder Li Biying was so smug.