19
The room fell into a dead silence.
Everyone was stunned by Xu Zhaixing’s audacity.
Wu Zhiyun suddenly understood the meaning behind Xu Yan’s worried looks before they left. Young Miss, your scope of mockery might be a bit too wide…
The Zhongtian manager was also dumbfounded.
Seeing that she was brought by Wu Zhiyun, he assumed Xu Zhaixing was another newbie here for the audition. In all his years in the industry, he had never seen such an arrogant newcomer.
It was like she had never been taught a lesson by society!
Regaining his composure, he immediately launched into a lecture without any courtesy. “Small workshops are indeed small workshops, producing people who don’t understand humility or manners! Daring to be this insolent as a newcomer—once she gains even a bit of fame in the future, wouldn’t she be throwing her weight around like a top diva?!”
Wu Zhiyun couldn’t just watch his young boss get attacked like this and was about to get angry when Xu Zhaixing patted his shoulder, calming him down.
Leaning back, she slowly crossed her legs and spoke leisurely, “Old scoundrels are indeed old scoundrels. If the beam above is crooked, the ones below will be too. The manager is no good, and the artists he produces are misshapen freaks. Birds of a feather flock together, and the one who provokes first is the cheapest.”
Wu Zhiyun: “…”
His previous impression of the young miss might have been a bit off.
The Zhongtian manager truly never imagined this little newcomer would dare to trade insults with him, and her manager didn’t even try to stop her, instead looking like he was cheering her on?!?!
Was Star Era’s method of training artists this savage?!?
He was so angry he almost couldn’t form a proper insult. “You… someone like you, with no quality or upbringing, still wants to be a star?! Lowering the standard of our entire industry!”
Xu Zhaixing replied, “I don’t want to be a star. I just want to be your daddy.”
The Zhongtian manager choked, nearly fainting on the spot.
Xie Ling, standing beside him, was both furious and frightened. Supporting her manager, she shrieked at Xu Zhaixing, “You bitch! Shut up!”
She failed to control her volume. The other artists and their teams still waiting nearby looked over in disbelief. Xu Zhaixing uncrossed her legs, looking small, helpless, and pitiful as she turned to Wu Zhiyun. “Wuwuwu, Uncle, she cursed at me.”
Wu Zhiyun: “…………”
Xie Ling: “…………”
The young miss’s performance was over; now it was his turn. Wu Zhiyun immediately patted Xu Zhaixing’s head affectionately, then sternly rebuked, “So young, yet your mouth is so foul! What kind of place do you think this is, for you to act so wild? Is this how Zhongtian teaches their people?!”
Whispers broke out around them. Xie Ling’s “bitch” had truly shocked everyone. Which female celebrity would dare curse like that? If exposed later, it would be a stain she could never wash off.
Xie Ling stared at the pitiful-looking Xu Zhaixing, feeling on the verge of a breakdown from anger. But in the end, reason prevailed over emotion. Can’t lose control. Can’t give others more reason to laugh.
Gritting her teeth, she sat back down and said nothing more.
Xu Zhaixing waited a bit but got no further response. She sighed regretfully to Wu Zhiyun, “I hadn’t even started trying, and she already collapsed.”
Wu Zhiyun: “?”
Xu Zhaixing said earnestly, “But her emotional control is actually quite impressive. Tell Zhao Jinjin to learn from her. If it were Zhao Jinjin, I’m afraid she would’ve charged over to fight by now.”
Wu Zhiyun: “…”
You’re right.
Xu Zhaixing settled back into her seat, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed at the audition room. She thought a bit sadly, Sigh, feels like I live as the villain every day.
Not long after, Zhao Jinjin finished her audition and came out. As she approached, she immediately sensed the odd atmosphere in the room. Puzzled, she asked, “Did I miss something?”
Xu Zhaixing: “You missed my shining moment.”
Wu Zhiyun: “…………”
Silly girl, do you have any idea how lucky you were not to get roasted this morning?
The Xu family—a devil’s den. From now on, I must be diligent, sincere, and work hard.
Xu Zhaixing happily waved Zhao Jinjin over. Once she sat down, Xu Zhaixing asked, “How did it go? Think you can land it?”
Not daring to boast in front of the young miss, Zhao Jinjin replied cautiously, “I’m not sure, but I definitely performed way beyond my usual level just now.”
Xu Zhaixing didn’t mind. “That’s fine. Let’s wait for the result.”
Director Guo was known for deciding on the spot after auditions. After all the other artists had finished, about twenty minutes later, a production assistant came out holding a script.
Everyone knew he was here to announce the results. Tension filled the air, and even Xu Zhaixing couldn’t help feeling nervous. Roasting people feels great in the moment, but getting slapped back was a real pain. Zhao Jinjin, you better deliver!
Zhao Jinjin suddenly grabbed her hand. Her palm was sweaty, and she whispered, trembling, “Young Miss, if I didn’t get it, please don’t blame me! Please don’t blacklist me because of this!”
Xu Zhaixing couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, I…”
The assistant called out, “Zhao Jinjin, please come get your script.”
If Xu Zhaixing hadn’t been holding her back, Zhao Jinjin would have jumped for joy.
The other artists left with some regret, bidding their goodbyes. Only the Zhongtian team moved with stiff, hurried steps, everyone’s face looking grim.
The waiting room was now empty except for the Star Era group. Wu Zhiyun accompanied Zhao Jinjin to collect the script and then went in to meet the director to discuss the upcoming filming schedule.
When they came out, Zhao Jinjin looked at Xu Zhaixing with red-rimmed eyes and choked up, “Young Miss, thank you. If you hadn’t motivated me, I definitely wouldn’t have landed this role today.” She declared firmly, “I promise to work hard to make money for the company in the future!”
Xu Zhaixing thought this girl’s temperament was quite genuine—her emotions, whether joy, laughter, or anger, were all real and unfiltered. Xu Yan really had a sharp eye for people.
After making her promise, Zhao Jinjin looked at her eagerly and asked, “So, about that fashion resource you said you’d give me… when will that happen?”
Xu Zhaixing: “…”
On the way back, Xu Zhaixing explained in the car about advancing to the semi-finals of the Paris Fashion Design Competition. “Once the dress is made, a model needs to wear it for the runway presentation. This competition is international; fashion media and magazines from all over the world gather there. While the focus is on the design, the model’s exposure is also very high.”
Zhao Jinjin’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ in shock.
Wu Zhiyun was also astonished. “Zhaixing, your work made it to the semi-finals? You designed it yourself?” Realizing his question might sound dismissive, he quickly added, “That’s truly amazing for someone so young.”
After her initial excitement, Zhao Jinjin remembered something and asked nervously, “But… I don’t know how to walk on a runway.”
Xu Zhaixing reassured her, “There are still three months. Just practice more. It’s not like walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. By the way, you really have to stop drinking Coke. Later, I’ll take your body measurements to design based on your proportions. You need to maintain your figure.”
Zhao Jinjin nodded repeatedly.
By the time Xu Yan returned to the company after his meeting with the producer, Xu Zhaixing was already sitting obediently in his office doing her homework.
Unaware that Wu Zhiyun had already given Xu Yan a vivid, dramatic retelling of the day’s events at the theater, she put on her most innocent face. “Brother, you’re back! How did the meeting with the producer go?”
Xu Yan took off his suit jacket, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. After a moment, he walked over and tapped her forehead. “You can’t go a single day without stirring up trouble.”
Xu Zhaixing knew what he was referring to and smiled sweetly. “I play the ‘bad cop’ so you can be the ‘good cop.’ We’ll definitely have future dealings with them. I gave them a little warning so they know Star Era has some tough people too. It’ll stop them from trying to push you around.”
Xu Yan: “? So, I should thank you?”
Xu Zhaixing: “Oh, come on, it’s all for the company. No need for thanks. We’re family!”
Xu Yan: “…”
After this incident, Xu Zhaixing became something of a legend within the company. Her “heroic deeds” were circulating in internal groups. On one hand, people felt a sense of vindication, having endured Zhongtian’s sarcastic jabs during collaborations. On the other hand, they couldn’t help but worry: if the young miss was this fierce at such a young age, would she end up tyrannizing them when she inherited the company?
At times like these, Zhao Jinjin, as the young miss’s staunch supporter, would step up to defend her idol. “Our young miss is super kind and tolerant towards her own people! She directs her toughness outward and keeps all her softness for us!”
Star Era employees: “…”
Trying to curry favor with the future boss is one thing, but there’s really no need to go that far.
Zhao Jinjin: “You guys just don’t get it!!! Wuwuwu, the young miss is really, really nice. She’s such a good person, wuwuwu…”
Over the next few days, Xu Zhaixing immersed herself in the various fabric markets, searching for suitable materials to make her dress. She was finally getting down to business.
When the snow in B City finally stopped, Xu Zhaixing’s parents called, asking when she was coming home.
She had bought most of the materials she needed, and school was about to start. After packing her luggage, Xu Yan booked a flight for her for the next day and prepared to see her off.
Although the snow had stopped, the weather remained cold and gloomy. Taking advantage of Xu Yan’s trip to the office to sign some documents, she snuck out, clutching a glass candy jar she had bought a few days earlier.
It was dusk. Even though the weather was poor, people still needed to eat dinner, giving the night market a bit more life.
When Xu Zhaixing arrived at the spot where Cen Feng usually busked, he wasn’t there.
Standing still, she stared at the empty triangular space for a while, sighed with a hint of melancholy, then pushed open the glass door of the small sundry shop next to it.
The shop mainly sold trinkets girls liked—hair clips, bracelets, chocolates, candies, you name it. Decorated in a cute, modern style, the shopkeeper was a young woman who smiled upon hearing the bell. “Welcome.”
Xu Zhaixing walked straight up to her and said politely, “Hello, I’d like to ask for a favor.”
Ten minutes later, she left the shop empty-handed. Taking one last deep look at the leaf-covered triangle area, she blew warm air onto her cupped hands before tucking them back into her down jacket and turning to leave.
She didn’t notice the boy with a guitar on his back standing partially hidden behind the greenery on the opposite sidewalk, concealed in the winter night’s shadows, motionlessly watching her retreating figure.
Until she disappeared into the crowd.
A moment later, Cen Feng crossed the street, walked to the front of the sundry shop, and pushed the door open.
The shopkeeper looked up. “Welcome.” Recognizing him, she paused, then smiled. “It’s you.”
Cen Feng played his guitar outside her shop all the time; he was a familiar face. Although she didn’t know his name and found him cold and difficult to approach, that didn’t stop her from appreciating his good looks.
Cen Feng walked directly up to the counter and asked flatly, “What did the girl in the red down jacket who was just here say to you?”
The shopkeeper was taken aback. Initially hesitant, but the pressure from Cen Feng’s presence was too strong. In the end, she gave in. Sighing, she pulled out a glass candy jar and five hundred yuan from under the counter.
“That young girl gave me this candy jar. She asked me to give you one piece of candy every night. This five hundred is my service fee. Here, you can have it all back. Saves me the trouble.”
Cen Feng looked at the glass candy jar.
It was beautifully made, filled with a colorful assortment of candies in various flavors.
**