Chapter 130

When Kong Xiyan arrived at the studio the following day, she learned that the director had already been replaced. Tong Yue, walking alongside her, explained, "Director Yu—he's been in long-term cooperation with HG."

Director Yu was over forty, bald, with a smile on his face: "Mrs. Chi."

Kong Xiyan shook his hand.

After the greeting, Director Yu was pulled aside by his assistant.

Tong Yue stood next to Kong Xiyan and said, "Don't overthink what happened yesterday."

"President Chi's methods might have been extreme, but he was only protecting you."

Kong Xiyan nodded. "I know."

"Did Wei Haoran just leave without a word?"

Tong Yue curled her lips. "Not a chance. I heard Wei Haoran threw a huge fit at the Wei residence, insisting he wouldn't back out of this shoot."

"HG directly terminated his contract."

Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes. "HG terminated the contract?"

Tong Yue looked at her. "Of course. In this circle, everyone's sharp. Yesterday's display by President Chi, ostensibly to vent on your behalf, actually—everyone saw through it. HG brought Director Yu back from abroad overnight."

"So, Xiyan, that's why everyone wants to climb the high branch. What you achieve through painstaking effort often isn't worth a single word from someone in power."

Kong Xiyan fell into deep thought after hearing Tong Yue's words.

After a long pause, she said, "Everyone wants to climb the high branch."

"Sister Tong, I'd rather be the high branch."

Tong Yue gave her a long look and nodded. "I know."

Kong Xiyan turned to Tong Yue, and they exchanged a smile.

After a moment, Tong Yue said to Fu Qiu, "Xiao Qiu, take Xiyan to the dressing room first."

Fu Qiu quickly nodded. "Okay."

Kong Xiyan snapped back to reality and followed Fu Qiu to the dressing room.

Tong Yue watched her retreating figure, recalling what Zhou Sheng had told her that morning.

She'd said that from now on, all matters concerning Mrs. Chi were to be handled entirely by Mrs. Chi and herself—no need to report further.

Since taking on Kong Xiyan, Tong Yue had gone from underestimating her to valuing her to feeling awestruck. She reported everything, deliberated over every detail, and sought Zhou Sheng's opinion on all matters. She had nearly forgotten her own role.

She was an agent.

She should be managing everything for her artist.

Presumably, Xiyan thought so too.

First be the actress Kong Xiyan, then be Jingyan's President, Mrs. Chi.

Tong Yue's eyes reignited with fighting spirit, a smile curling at her lips as she walked into the dressing room.

Kong Xiyan had already changed clothes and was getting her makeup done. She was playing an ordinary-looking girl, dressed in worn-out clothes: a blue cotton shirt washed somewhat white, gray casual pants, and canvas shoes that could be found at any street stall.

The makeup was designed to make her as plain as possible. It had to be said that makeup was a technical skill; now as Kong Xiyan looked at herself in the mirror, she could barely stand it.

It really was ugly.

Fu Qiu couldn't help but burst out laughing at her appearance, and even the makeup artist's eyes crinkled with amusement.

"Sister Kong, with this look, you could easily film a before-and-after transformation ad."

Kong Xiyan looked at the mirror and smiled, showing her teeth, which made her face look even more comical.

When Tong Yue walked into the lounge, she saw Kong Xiyan's expression. She smiled, and after the stylist left, she walked over and sat down beside Kong Xiyan.

Fu Qiu greeted her obediently, "Sister Tong."

Kong Xiyan turned her head. "Sister Tong, is something the matter?"

Fu Qiu hurriedly said, "Then I'll step out for a moment."

Kong Xiyan grabbed her. "No need."

She looked at Tong Yue. "If you have something to say, just say it; Xiao Qiu is one of us."

Tong Yue nodded, letting Fu Qiu close the door. When the room was quiet, she spoke: "Xiyan, about yesterday's incident with Wei Haoran, I'm worried it won't end here."

People like Wei Haoran were always the ones everyone fawned over; when had they ever suffered such humiliation? Not to mention Wei Tiancheng, even he couldn't swallow this anger.

Now HG had announced it would no longer cooperate with him.

Surely he wouldn't just stay silent.

They needed to nip this in the bud.

Kong Xiyan nodded, putting on a serious expression despite her comical makeup. "I had the same thought. Sister Tong, what's your plan?"

Tong Yue pulled out two photos.

Kong Xiyan looked at them—it was indeed Wei Haoran cross-dressing in women's clothes.

She frowned. "Sister Tong, do you want to strike first?"

Tong Yue nodded.

"Your ad will soon air on TV. I'm worried Wei Haoran will stir up trouble then. It's better we give him a gift in advance."

"What do you think?"

Kong Xiyan considered for a moment, then turned to Fu Qiu and asked, "Xiao Qiu, what do you think?"

"Huh?" Fu Qiu was clearly surprised that Kong Xiyan would ask her. Then Tong Yue's gaze also shifted over, and Fu Qiu blushed, stammering, "I, I, I think Sister Tong's idea is good, I..."

Kong Xiyan gave her a glance, interrupting, "Alright."

"Sister Tong, let's do as you say."

Tong Yue nodded. Fu Qiu's face flushed crimson; she still couldn't figure out why Sister Kong had asked her opinion just now.

Because of that, Fu Qiu kept her head down the whole time, not daring to look directly at Kong Xiyan even when speaking, eagerly fetching her tea and water. Seeing this, Tong Yue called out, "Fu Qiu."

Fu Qiu glanced at Kong Xiyan, who was combing her hair at the dressing table, then trotted over to Tong Yue and said, "Sister Tong."

Tong Yue nodded. "Sit."

Fu Qiu said, "Okay."

Tong Yue side-glanced at her. "Do you know why Xiyan asked your opinion just now?"

Fu Qiu's eyes were full of confusion. "I don't know."

Tong Yue gave her a look that said 'you're so dense.' "Can't you see Xiyan is trying to build you up?"

Fu Qiu's eyes widened. "Sister Kong, she..."

Tong Yue nodded with a grave expression.

Xiyan clearly wanted to stand on her own without relying on President Chi's connections. At a time like this, she needed not just an agent like herself but also a sharp assistant. Xiao Qiu was a bit slow, but she was genuinely good to Xiyan from the bottom of her heart—something even Tong Yue felt she fell short of.

So Xiyan hoped to properly train Xiao Qiu.

Of course, she would be more than happy to see that happen.

Smart people were indeed easier to work with, but what Xiyan lacked wasn't smart people; it was someone like Xiao Qiu who treated her with sincere devotion.

Sharing honor and disgrace, never leaving or abandoning.

After hearing Tong Yue's explanation, Fu Qiu suddenly understood. She bit her lip and ran quickly to Kong Xiyan, saying, "Sister Kong, thank you."

Kong Xiyan blinked. Fu Qiu, with an excited expression, continued, "I'll listen to Sister Tong, and I'll listen to you, and I'll always remember not to make mistakes, to know my place. Sister Kong, if you want to be the empress, I'll be your most capable palace maid!"

Kong Xiyan laughed at her words, lifting her lips. "Alright."

Fu Qiu beamed at her.

Tong Yue sat not far away, watching them. She thought for a moment, looked down at her phone, and sent the two photos out.

Just after nine o'clock, there was a knock on the lounge door. Tong Yue opened it and found the director's assistant, who had come to fetch Kong Xiyan.

Kong Xiyan nodded to Tong Yue, stood up, and left the room.

At the set, she met Chai Yin.

Unlike yesterday's styling, today's Chai Yin was still ethereal, but the feeling was completely different. Yesterday's ethereal quality was otherworldly, like a little fairy from a mural.

Today was different.

Today's Chai Yin was like a campus goddess, carrying the breath of the mundane, making one want to draw near.

Director Yu truly was an old hand at cooperating with HG; even the styling was a notch above Wei Haoran's.

Kong Xiyan walked onto the set.

Seeing her approach, Chai Yin smiled and extended her hand. "Mrs. Chi."

Kong Xiyan lifted her eyes. "Just call me Xiyan."

Chai Yin nodded. "Alright, Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips into a smile, saying nothing more.

The two stood in place listening to the director explain the scenes to be shot. In fact, all the scenes had already played out in Kong Xiyan's mind countless times; she had even rehearsed various expressions until they were perfect.

Chai Yin's acting was also solid, recognized by everyone.

After all, so many awards weren't for nothing.

After the explanation, the director asked if they understood. Both nodded, and then the clapperboard countdown began.

The camera panned.

A slender girl appeared on screen, standing by the wall of a teaching building, looking around. Until a girl gradually approached from not far away, she watched, then laughed shyly, a blush coloring her plain face. Her eyes wanted to look but held a hint of coyness, her lips lightly bitten, full of anticipation.

Then the camera shifted to the girl who had just passed, returning to class, opening her locker, and first seeing a cup of milk tea. On the back of the milk tea was a cute doodle. She touched the doodle with her fingertip, smiling, looking left and right.

The girl who had been following her quickly hid in the stairwell, her face slightly pale with fright, but a hint of joy in her eyes.

"OK!"

The director stood up and shouted, then walked over to them. "Perfect!"

"Absolutely perfect!"

"You two were tailor-made for this ad! Whether it's expression or spirit, there's nothing to fault. I've always heard that Mrs. Chi's acting was exquisite, but seeing it today, it's a real feast for the eyes."

"And Miss Chai, fantastic."

"You two are the most trouble-free artists I've ever worked with."

Kong Xiyan and Chai Yin exchanged a smile, then traded pleasantries with the director.

After the praise, the director explained the next scene in even greater detail. Kong Xiyan and Chai Yin listened attentively, nodding frequently. When the talk ended, a fallen leaf landed on Kong Xiyan's hair, and Chai Yin instinctively reached out to remove it.

Kong Xiyan raised her eyes and blinked. Chai Yin smiled softly, her gaze warm, and said, "Xiyan, actually, I really envy you."

Kong Xiyan didn't reply, simply staring steadily at her as they looked at each other. The director, who had just returned to the camera, pressed the shutter.

The imagery was too beautiful.

He decided to add this scene in!