“What young lady? Everyone online says I’m an illegitimate daughter!” Ning Yumei said hatefully, her tears falling rapidly, “Everyone is cursing me. Do I have to just endure it?”
“Do you think smashing things will change anything? If people find out, it’ll just become a joke. The more critical the moment, the more you should keep calm and wait for the right opportunity to strike back.”
“Didn’t we try that before? It didn’t seem to have any effect. Your approach is outdated now,” Ning Yumei said impatiently, “Leave! I don’t want to hear anything!”
“You child…” Ning Furen wanted to say more, but Ning Yumei had already burrowed under the covers, showing no intention of listening. She sighed and closed the door as she left.
★ Chapter Forty-Six: Audition
The online rumors about Ning Yumei being an illegitimate daughter quickly subsided. Lin Xiaoman guessed she would take action soon.
The original owner had been bullied by Ning Yumei and her mother since childhood. Their hatred for the original owner was deeply rooted. Naturally, they would not want the original owner to have it easy. Now that the original owner had some minor achievements, they would definitely try to eliminate her as an obstacle.
However, she now had more important things to do and no time to spend on them.
Only by truly establishing herself in the entertainment industry would she have the right to speak, and she was very clear about this.
Now that “Create an Idol” had terminated her contract, and her company was also discussing contract termination, her next move was her most pressing concern.
“Xiaoman, Tianxing and Fenglin talent agencies have both called me, hoping to sign you. A few small companies are not worth considering. What do you think?”
Xiaobai had long prepared to lower his face and pull connections, but unexpectedly, everything was resolved easily. What surprised him most was that Xiaoman would agree to continue being with Ji Zhixiang.
So when she emphasized that she would not be with Ji Zhixiang again, he had given up hope.
But he never expected her to change her mind after meeting Ji Zhixiang.
With his relationship experience, he felt there was something unusual between them. Who would keep someone, give gifts, and buy houses without asking for anything in return? And Lin Xiaoman would actually refuse this good opportunity, but then change her mind after meeting him.
But Lin Xiaoman had too many secrets. Who would have thought that a girl fallen on hard streets was actually a wealthy heiress?
However, this was not his concern. As long as Lin Xiaoman was not hurt, that was fine.
“By the way, Flashlight Girls also contacted us, hoping you would come back.”
Looking at the situation, being with Ji Zhixiang seemed to bring resources like a cheat code. Xiaobai was satisfied.
As long as she returned to Flashlight Girls, Lin Xiaoman could participate in many events to increase her exposure.
Afterwards, Ji Zhixiang would definitely continue to support her. As long as she took on a few major IP TV dramas, her future would be bright.
Xiaobai’s calculations were quite good.
“No, I won’t go back to Flashlight Girls,” the girl walking quickly on the treadmill refused decisively.
“Not returning to Flashlight Girls…” Xiaobai was stunned for a moment, then immediately laughed, “Do you mean you want to start with variety shows? That’s good too. Many celebrities gain popularity through variety shows. You have heat right now. A director contacted me yesterday hoping you’d join a challenge-type variety show. I think it suits you.”
“I won’t do variety shows,” Lin Xiaoman slowed her pace, “These are not what I want to do.”
“Are you planning to quit the industry?” Xiaobai panicked. “Does being an artist only mean participating in events and variety shows?”
“You’re not a professional singer or actor. What can you do? Isn’t appearing on variety shows the best way to stay relevant?”
“How do you know I can’t act?” Lin Xiaoman glanced at him lightly, her clear eyes filled with the confidence he was so familiar with.
“It’s not that you can’t,” Xiaobai knew she wasn’t one to boast, “I’ll try to ask around.”
“No need,” Lin Xiaoman stepped down from the treadmill, wiping sweat from her forehead, her skin looking more translucent and fair, “I’ve already been invited to an audition.”
“Arranged by Ji Zong?” Xiaobai didn’t expect Ji Zhixiang to care so much about her affairs.
Hearing him mention Ji Zhixiang, Lin Xiaoman was momentarily distracted. She hadn’t seen him these past two days.
After leaving the words “Don’t do anything these two days, I’ll handle everything,” he had disappeared.
The online incident had subsided, and Lin Xiaoman was unclear about what he wanted to handle. But she had always avoided interfering in Ji Zhixiang’s matters, so she had no reason to call him.
But now it was different. Xiaobai had reminded her.
Ji Zhixiang didn’t know about her receiving the script. She needed to tell him about her matters.
This is their contract.
“Wait, let me make a call.” Lin Xiaoman picked up her phone.
“Hello.” The phone was quickly answered, with her familiar voice.
“It’s me.” As soon as she spoke, Lin Xiaoman regretted it, wondering what nonsense she was saying.
“Mm.” The person on the other end of the phone responded softly, with an incredibly gentle voice.
Lin Xiaoman’s heart suddenly began to beat violently.
She gripped the phone, steadying her breath: “I got a script audition.”
“I know.”
Lin Xiaoman realized that for Ji Zhixian, knowing her affairs was effortless. Why did she need to make this unnecessary call?
She felt somewhat embarrassed: “Then I’ll hang up.”
“I have something to tell you.
Lin Xiaoman listened to the casual few sentences on the other end of the phone, blankly looking out the floor-to-ceiling window. She saw two butterflies flying outside, lingering on the newly bloomed roses, and the breeze blowing sunlight onto layers of flower clusters.
She suddenly realized that it was already autumn.
It seemed like forever since she had carefully looked at the scenery around her or the people around her. She had only been thinking about getting revenge on that couple, overlooking many things.
“Xiaoman! Great!” Xiaobo hung up the phone, excitedly rushing to Xiaoman’s front and hugging her. “It’s great! The company has been acquired by Xinhe, and those previous people have all been fired. They want me to come back as your agent!”
“They also said the company will do its best to support you in the future and absolutely won’t let what happened before occur again!”
“It’s so great, Xiaoman…” Xiaobo’s voice choked up, “This is truly wonderful.”
Although other companies had contacted him, he had been uneasy because Starry Sky Agency had certain resources in the industry. Now that Starry Sky has been acquired by Xinhe and their boss is Ji Zhixian, he no longer has anything to worry about.
“Yes, it’s great.” Lin Xiaoman patted his back, her voice soft, “Things will be better from now on.”
“Xiaobo didn’t tell her about his worries, but Lin Xiaoman knew he had been putting on a brave face, not wanting her to worry.
“Go back and rest well today. We’ll go to City C for the audition together tomorrow.”
Xiaobo let her go, responding with a slightly embarrassed “Okay.”
Just as he was about to leave, he saw the pile of gifts at the door. Since her address at Jinsha Tiandi was made public, many fans had been directly mailing gifts, with security bringing several batches every day.
Lin Xiaoman was also temporarily staying in the house Ji Zhixian provided, which made it more convenient for Xiaobo to come over.
“Shall we send return gifts to the people who mailed them, as usual?”
“Mm.”
