The elevator arrived, and Zhang Chengxu came out of it. Seeing Ji Zhixian, he breathed a sigh of relief: “Ji Zong, why did you walk so fast? I almost couldn’t find you.”
Lin Xiaoman held back her laughter and entered the elevator first.
Ji Zhixian followed her in and expressionlessly closed the elevator door: “Sit down.”
Zhang Chengxu looked bewildered at the closed elevator door, unable to react.
He thought Ji Zhixian was going to entertain clients, but the other party said he was alone. Ji Zhixian rarely ate alone outside. Although Zhang Chengxu found it strange, he still booked a private room at the hotel as instructed.
But as soon as they arrived at the hotel, Ji Zhixian got out of the car before it even stopped. At the time, he thought the other party was just hungry. After finally catching up, Ji Zhixian said he was leaving and left him behind. He felt that being Ji Zhixian’s assistant was really difficult.
Lin Xiaoman fell asleep in the car after drinking too much. When she woke up, it was already the next day, and she was lying in her own bed. When she went downstairs, Ji Zhixian was no longer at home. On the table, there was a prepared sobering soup, bread, and salad.
After breakfast, she went to the company again. Ji Zhixian had already replaced the senior leadership, and she needed to go sign a new contract. After signing the contract and returning home, she received several anonymous packages, including a rather valuable necklace. As usual, she handed the express delivery to Xie Chi to handle. Because she was about to join the film crew tomorrow, she packed her luggage for the set. Then she had Xiao Bai prepare over a dozen makeup sample sets.
Huang Yinyin had passed her audition and would also be going to the film set with her. The next day, she arrived at the film set early. Seeing that most people had arrived, she had Xiao Bai distribute the gifts to several actors present.
“Is this the set you gave me to use last time?” Huang Yinyin was very happy. “Xiao Man, you’re so thoughtful.”
“Just some low-end brand. Look at how provincial you are.” Jian Ni saw the gift box being brought over and didn’t even open it, speaking disdainfully.
Lin Xiaoman knew she was upset and didn’t argue with her.
Jian Ni, having not been cast as the female lead, was bottling up her anger. Suddenly, she laughed: “Do you know who the third female role is?”
No one paid attention to her, and she glared at Huang Yinyin.
Huang Yinyin was about to speak but then closed her mouth, thinking she shouldn’t be afraid of her.
Jian Ni, seeing her stay silent, turned to Lin Xiaoman with a malicious smile: “I’m sure Xiao Man knows. This person is close to you, and you’ll definitely be very happy to see her.”
Lin Xiaoman said nothing.
She continued: “Two sisters filming in the same crew, how enviable. I’m looking forward to seeing you two perform together, it must be exciting.”
“Sister Jian is too kind.”
This is my first time acting, and I still need your guidance,” a soft, gentle voice suddenly spoke. Everyone turned to see Ning Yumei had arrived. “I’d also like to know how to win the Best Actress Award with a TV series rated 3.5.”
Ning Yumei deliberately brought this up to hit her weak spot. Although Ning Yumei didn’t like Lin Xiaoman and didn’t want to be a supporting role, their family matters weren’t something just anyone could discuss.
Jian Ni’s expression changed. She glared fiercely at Ning Yumei, who didn’t back down. She was originally supposed to play the second female lead, already agreed upon, but then Jian Ni suddenly appeared.
Ning Yumei glanced at Lin Xiaoman, who was using setting spray and didn’t even turn her head.
The atmosphere in the makeup room suddenly became tense and oppressive.
Huang Yinyin, not knowing the full story, became uneasy and sat properly to let the makeup artist work.
Lin Xiaoman was already prepared and calmly left the makeup room. Just as she turned the corner, she bumped into someone. She was jolted back two steps, but the other person quickly grabbed her.
After steadying herself, she looked up and met Huo Qizhi’s drooping peach blossom eyes, bright and elegant, with three parts deep emotion and seven parts gentle warmth.
Huo Qizhi, seeing it was her, immediately let go.
Lin Xiaoman lost her balance and fell to the ground.
“Sorry,” Huo Qizhi quickly bent down to help her. Just as Lin Xiaoman was trying to stand, she bumped into his chest again.
There was a pin on his chest, and her hair got caught on it.
“Be careful, don’t move,” he said softly, gently helping Lin Xiaoman untangle her hair. “There.”
Lin Xiaoman looked up and smiled at him, her bright eyes full of joy, as brilliant as blooming flowers.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked.
“I just feel that every time I meet you, I always end up in an awkward situation,” Lin Xiaoman blinked, innocent and pure. “But I find it interesting.”
Huo Qizhi felt like something had exploded in his mind. Everything went quiet, and for a moment, he forgot to speak, staring blankly at the girl before him who was five parts similar to Tang Feifei.
★, Chapter 54: Clarification
During the height of “Creating Idols”, Huo Qizhi had seen Lin Xiaoman. He couldn’t believe that someone could look so much like Tang Feifei, so he went to meet her. But when he saw Lin Xiaoman’s performance on stage, he felt she was nothing like Tang Feifei.
Yet upon meeting again, he kept having a strange illusion. The person before him seemed to be Tang Feifei. Her feeling was exactly the same as Tang Feifei’s. Originally having no interest in Lin Xiaoman, he couldn’t help but pay her more attention on the set.
“Are you trying to have me act with you?” Lin Xiaoman noticed his gaze and couldn’t help but smile slightly, “I see you’ve been staring at me.”
“That’s right, it’s for acting.” Huo Qizhi suddenly panicked, casually flipping through the script, “Scene five, take a look.”
While reciting lines, he couldn’t help but glance at Lin Xiaoman. Her tone and demeanor were exactly the same as Tang Feifei’s. It was unbelievable that two people could be so similar, yet he had to believe it.
“Cut——”
Qian Yuan’s voice came from afar, with a hint of urgency and annoyance. “Can you shoot or not? I’ve already said not to bring your emotions into the shooting! Do we need everyone to accompany you all afternoon?! If you don’t want to shoot, get out!”
…
Lin Xiaoman looked at the shooting scene. She remembered this scene was between Huang Yinyin and Jiang Ni, where they had a conflict in the corridor and Jiang Ni slapped Huang Yinyin.
It didn’t require much acting and was quite simple. How could it be NG so many times?
She felt something was wrong and saw Xiaobai passing through the crowd. She waved.
Xiaobai cleverly approached: “Xiaoman, it seems Jiang Ni is targeting Huang Yinyin.”
“What’s going on?”
“Every time after slapping, she says she didn’t act well and wants to redo.”
Lin Xiaoman slightly furrowed her brow and stood up, walking towards the set: “Looks like I need to teach her a lesson.”
Huo Qizhi was about to stop her, but Xiaobai beat him to it and stood in front of Lin Xiaoman: “Wait, Xiaoman, be mindful of your image when being a hero.”
Lin Xiaoman gave him a sweet smile: “Thank you.”
“Go ahead.” Xiaobai fixed her hair.
Huo Qizhi watched Lin Xiaoman walk confidently towards the set and asked: “You know she’s going to cause trouble?”
“Of course.” Xiaobai looked proud.
“You’re not stopping her?”
“Don’t worry, she knows her limits.”
This point was just like Tang Feifei.
Huo Qizhi’s expression was complex as he also stood up and walked towards the set.
Lin Xiaoman was talking to Qian Yuan, who then shouted to Jiang Ni: “Shoot the next scene.”
The next scene was between Jiang Ni and Lin Xiaoman, with Jiang Ni drinking tea in Lin Xiaoman’s café.
