17 – A Show of Strength
“Director Xu! Over here!”
A car stopped at the hotel entrance, interrupting Xu Ni’s train of thought. She looked up to see the assistant arranged by the company had already driven over.
Xu Ni gritted her teeth and put away her phone.
She wouldn’t keep looking.
Let it be, it can’t be changed now.
Preparations before filming moved quickly. Since the investors were generous and their funding was ample, every aspect could be handled without any concerns. The location had been booked in advance, and today was the official opening ceremony.
Getting into the car, Xu Ni felt drowsy, her eyelids heavy and aching.
The assistant drove while saying, “Director Xu, several company executives invested this time, but the biggest contributor was that real estate developer. Logically speaking, unlike other products that offer immediate advertising returns, they still invested fifty million in us. According to Mr. Zhao, it was because of Xu You Yi—they’re backed by her biological father, just throwing money to pave her way to success.”
Xu Ni didn’t even lift her eyelids.
The assistant continued, “I hadn’t heard much about Xu You Yi before… It’s strange.”
Only then did Xu Ni open her eyes.
“Indeed, that’s just how fate works.”
She had spent so many years with the Xu family. They had brought her back based on a Taoist saying about accumulating virtue, yet they had tormented her day after day, treating her harshly. Now that their biological daughter had finally been found, it was a cause for celebration. But what about her twenty-two years as an outsider?
Was she just meant to live in the shadow of the radiant Xu You Yi?
It was too absurd.
Xu Ni subtly curled her lips.
She had even wondered what her life would have been like if the Xu family hadn’t taken her in.
Would it have been just as miserable?
Or perhaps…
Were her biological parents still alive?
During this time, traffic was congested.
The crosswalk was filled with pedestrians.
The assistant turned on some music.
The song was called “Towards Life.”
As soon as the intro played, Xu Ni looked over.
It was a song for those struggling on the brink of death, breaking free from worldly constraints. Every beat, lyric, and melody was unexpectedly captivating.
Even half a year after its release, it remained timeless.
It was a song by Chu Song, the pinnacle of the entertainment industry.
Xu Ni looked out the car window at the most dazzling billboard. The man on it wore a casual yet luxurious high-end custom outfit. His downcast eyes were mesmerizingly enchanting, his jawline sharp and defined, his features flawlessly perfect. He was a legend who had dominated the entertainment industry for over a decade.
Now only twenty-eight years old, he had remained at the peak for ten years without ever stepping down from his pedestal.
With his unparalleled acting skills, he had become the highest-grossing male actor in the country, bar none. He had won three international awards and swept six major domestic awards. Every album released by his rock band was a bestseller. In the entertainment industry, whether in front of or behind the scenes, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t hope to collaborate with him at least once.
Of course.
She wanted to, too.
She was Chu Song’s fan, a ten-year veteran.
Her alternate WeChat profile picture was Chu Song. Now that she had entered this industry, she had no idea when she would ever get to meet him. As for collaborating…
She was self-aware. Right now, she was just a small-time director. Where would she find the extraordinary ability to connect with Chu Song?
Arriving at the set.
All the actors should have been present.
Xu Ni glanced around but didn’t see Xu You Yi anywhere.
Seeing her frown, the assistant director immediately stepped forward, looking somewhat uneasy. “Director Xu, Xu Youyi has asked for leave, saying she’s not feeling well. Her mother is taking her to the hospital for a checkup today, so she’ll be arriving later. As for us…”
Xu Ni gave a faint, mocking smile.
So the intimidation tactics had already begun?
The female lead not showing up for the opening ceremony—what kind of attitude was that?
Moreover.
Xu Youyi was warning her just how much Xu Mu doted on her, that she, the biological daughter, was their precious treasure, while Xu Ni was just an adopted child who shouldn’t even think about trying to replace her or beg for pity.
Xu Ni walked forward with her walkie-talkie, feeling numb inside and finding it all rather ironic. “Proceed as planned. No need to wait.”
She couldn’t let someone like Xu Youyi delay the schedule.
As for Xu Mu…
Indeed.
She had always treated Xu Mu as her own mother, but Xu Mu had never shown her such care.
She had thought it didn’t bother her, but when faced with such a stark comparison, the supposed indifference was nothing but a lie. People are always weighed down by the smallest of details.
Xu Ni hadn’t expected it.
It wasn’t until the afternoon.
That Xu Youyi still hadn’t arrived.
And the first scene scheduled for the afternoon was Xu Youyi’s.
Immediately, the crew noticed the problem and couldn’t help but gossip.
“The female lead hasn’t shown up, and we’re stuck waiting here. Who does she think she is?”
“Exactly. Why is the director even putting up with someone like this?”
“Probably got paid off. Besides, a female director is just a pushover. Tsk.”
What started as complaints about Xu Youyi’s tardiness soon escalated into quiet criticism of Xu Ni for lacking authority, being unable to control her actors, and being so blatantly disrespected.
Xu Ni acted as if she hadn’t heard any of it, focusing on her own tasks and shooting other scenes ahead of schedule, planning to fill in Xu Youyi’s parts once she arrived.
Her assistant grew anxious, feeling that Xu Ni was being far too calm about it.
“Director Xu, isn’t this Xu Youyi going too far? Even if she’s a new actress with family backing, she shouldn’t be this arrogant, right?”
Xu Ni put down her walkie-talkie and checked the time. It was already past six in the evening.
Aside from Xu Youyi’s scenes, everything else for the day had been wrapped up.
Xu Ni removed her headphones and stood up. “Tell everyone to wrap up early and rest.”
Her assistant was stunned. “Huh? We’re not waiting?”
Xu Ni glanced at her. “No.”
Her assistant: “…”
Impressive!
Most directors would grit their teeth and wait according to schedule for the sake of progress and planning. But who would’ve thought Director Xu was such a rebel, giving the whole crew time off without compromising herself. If Xu Youyi dared not show up even after everyone else’s scenes were done, they could just replace her.
“Should we notify Xu Youyi?”
“No.”
Xu Ni remembered she had plans to attend a fashion show with Fu Guidu that evening.
Xu Youyi’s behavior was expected. Such petty tricks didn’t even register on her radar—let her make a fool of herself.
As she walked out of the studio.
Xu Ni passed by a mirror and caught a glimpse of her outfit.
Too formal.
Not pure, not cute, not delicate and charming.
Not at all suitable for a date.
She rubbed her chin. This was a film and television base, and going back to the hotel to change would take about an hour. If there was traffic, it would be even later. Shopping for new clothes would also be inefficient, and being late wouldn’t be good.
After some thought.
Xu Ni called Tang Ru.
Tang Ru was shooting an advertisement not far from there, and her assistant quickly brought over a light purple lantern-sleeved short dress and a pair of white flats.
The dress was so short it barely covered her bottom.
Xu Ni: “…?”
What does this have to do with being pure and cute?
After questioning Tang Ru.
Tang Ru replied, “When you see a group of models in lingerie, you have to wear something even more revealing to be more captivating. It’s called strategy—otherwise, how would men have time to notice you?”
Xu Ni nodded.
Damn, girl.
Xu Ni hailed a taxi. After telling the driver her destination, she touched up her makeup.
Her phone dinged.
She opened it and saw it was from her alternate WeChat account.
Kean: Hello.
A whole day later, he finally replied!
Holding onto her intention to hide her identity and gather information.
She raised an eyebrow and replied, “Dr. Fu must be busy, huh? Just now getting some rest?”
After a while.
Kean: “Yeah.”
Look at that!
Such a cold attitude!
Xu Ni: “Then your girlfriend must have a hard time, right? You probably don’t get to go on many dates.”
Kean: “Yeah.”
Xu Ni’s eyeliner immediately went flying toward her temple as her hand shook.
Huh?
Huh??
He didn’t deny having a girlfriend??
When did he get a girlfriend??