In the cramped apartnt, a sofa and a television occupied most of the available space. The walls were covered with various posters and an old-looking target hung on one side. Having cut ties with her family while studying abroad, she had been renting this small apartnt for over a year, gradually adapting from initial discomfort to acceptance. "A lady's body with a servant's fate," Cheng Henian muttered, stretching out her legs curled up on the sofa, then frowning deeply after a yawn.
With her hands behind her head, she leaned back on the sofa, letting her thoughts wander. Though her family background wasn't as wealthy as Ji Yaoguang's, she could have lived a comfortable life. But when did everything start to change? Her mother's death? That woman's arrival? The birth of her half-brother? "I've raised you with great effort, sent you to study abroad, and when you return, you'll marry the Li family's son." Even when she was across the ocean, the tone in that phone call seed so matter-of-fact. A casual sentence, yet pushing her own daughter into a fire pit? Who didn't know about the Li family's son's notorious lifestyle? He had nearly caused deaths with his recklessness. Cheng Henian was never an obedient person, and the other side went even further, cutting off her source of livelihood. But what did that matter? It was just a rich young lady going out to work, experiencing the cold realities of the world. So had offered help, but behind those ambiguous smiles lay calculations. With sothing given, sothing was inevitably sought in return.
She had seen all the online developnts. She knew Li Ou wanted her to sing the the song for "The Treacherous Courtier," but Li Ou wouldn't promote her this way, because in that MV, she would definitely overshadow the main stars. The focus of this drama should be on Ji Yaoguang and Chang Yu. Her brow twitched, the worry on her face completely dissipating, and her lips curled into that cynical smile again. She found Lu Yusheng's na in her WeChat contacts, sent a ssage saying "Why?", then tossed her phone aside.
Apart from Lu Yusheng, she really couldn't think of anyone else. She didn't quite understand Lu Yusheng's intentions. Did she want to push her back into the music industry? To walk step by step down the path she herself had once trodden? She had talked with Lu Yusheng and could see the seriousness and determination in her eyes, but what exactly was she after? Soone like Lu Yusheng, having reached where she was now, what else did she lack? She had been caught badmouthing Lu Yusheng several tis, and according to the usual script, she should now be facing all sorts of difficulties from Lu Yusheng, making her life miserable.
Lu Yusheng sent a ssage: "Because you're very talented, you're suitable."
"I'm not suitable, and I'm not willing," Cheng Henian knew well what kind of waves her personality would stir up in the industry. If Lu Yusheng stood behind her, she'd likely get splashed. Back when she first entered the music scene, she rose to fa with one song and won various awards, proving her talent and strength on nurous occasions. When the ti ca, of course she withdrew. Her current interests lay in voice acting for radio dramas and being an extra, but where would her future direction lie? She didn't know. She just wanted to live according to her own wishes, not to end up like her poor mother. Despite glimpsing the prosperity and excitent of the outside world, her whole being was trapped by the so-called "supporting her husband and educating her children." Studying was ant to be a way out, but based on a few words from others, she jumped back into that small circle. What was the point of that?
"I thought you could think it over carefully. I'll provide you with the best of everything. You don't need to do anything besides singing."
"Are you changing careers to beco a manager?" Seeing the "typing" status persist on the other end, Cheng Henian curved her lips into a smile and sent another ssage, "Sister Lu, I don't think you're a good person."
Climbing to her current position with her own abilities? Being a good person was probably very difficult. Seeing Cheng Henian's ssage, Lu Yusheng deleted the long paragraph she had been typing. The words "Sister Lu" grated on her nerves. Taking a deep breath to control the urge to beat Cheng Henian to death, she replied: "You're not a good person either. We can carve out a new world together."
"You're insulting , clearly we're not a good fit. Bye-bye," Cheng Henian replied. After that, no matter what Lu Yusheng sent, she didn't respond. She couldn't afford to owe favors, let alone repay them. Singing had always been her passion. During her school days, she thought it required the best equipnt, performing at her best in recording studios to win applause from many people. Later, she gradually understood that it was just a way of releasing her nature. She could hum a few lines when alone, or sing softly to the birds outside her window. What form wasn't singing?
The the song for "The Treacherous Courtier" had already been recorded, the collaboration ending there. This thought suddenly crossed Cheng Henian's mind. She picked up her phone again, blocked all of Lu Yusheng's contact thods, then breathed a slight sigh of relief and began casually scrolling through Weibo while leaning on the sofa. Her follower count was steadily increasing, along with the followers of her radio drama group, Chang Ge Xing. She had been busy recording with Lu Yusheng lately, falling asleep as soon as she got ho, rarely communicating with the group mbers. Opening it now, she saw countless 99 notifications, too lazy to scroll back.
Cloud Init: Haha, look at this up's video, I told you Nian Nian would beco famous!
Soft Soft: It's so damn hilarious, this is the right way to be an extra!
Thousand Mountains at Dusk: You guys are laughing so openly in the group, aren't you afraid Nian Nian will see?
Soft Soft: [Trembling.JPG]
Cloud Init: She should be bonding with the goddess now, right? It's fine, what's there to be afraid of!
The Chang Ge Xing radio drama group had been established for four years. The group had changed from the initial ten people to the current five, with so leaving midway, while more people persisted together for their shared interest and hobby. One true friend was enough, and Cheng Henian was actually very grateful for these good friends she had t online. As they continued to chat shalessly about various gossip, even shipping CPs, Cheng Henian sent a ssage.
Cheng Henian's Crane: Hi!
Thousand Mountains at Dusk: The show begins [Funny.jpg]
Cheng Henian's Crane: What nonsense are you all talking about? Have you started working on the new drama? Have you pulled in other CVs?
Cloud Init: Speaking of which, Nian Nian, you're a big star now. You're not deleting those dramas in your Weibo, and you're still thinking about taking on new dramas, continuing those indescribable ones?
Cheng Henian's Crane: Is there anything inappropriate? I'm still .
Soft Soft: I'm afraid many people will criticize you. You need to be mindful of your image now that you're famous.
Cheng Henian's Crane: Bah, are you all planning to abandon ? Walk your own path, let others talk. I'll argue with heaven, earth, and air. Bring it on, I'll fight them all.
Thousand Mountains at Dusk: Nian Nian, I think you shouldn't make yourself so tired. You should change your personality a bit. No one knows what kind of weirdos you might encounter. If you want to continue making dramas with us, of course we're happy. Isn't there a saying, "Don't forget old friends when you beco successful"?
Gu Chen: Boss, please help get Lu Yusheng's autographed photo, thanks.
Cheng Henian's Crane: Wait until I bring her into our group, then you can ask for her signature yourself.
Gu Chen: Really?
Cheng Henian's Crane: Of course... it's fake.
Lu Yusheng was already in her blacklist, how could there be any further developnts? As the group continued to chat about other topics, Cheng Henian casually responded a few tis, silently smiling with a tugged corner of her mouth. Filled with an inexplicable emotion, she sprang up from the sofa. She picked up a small dart from the coffee table and threw it, accurately hitting the bullseye. "Should I change to a bigger house?" This thought flashed through her mind but was quickly erased completely. A bigger place would feel empty; it was better to curl up alone in a small room, not feeling so cold and lonely.
After a night-long talk with Chang Yu, laying everything out in the open, Ji Yaoguang's heart felt like a bird with wings, eager to soar high into the sky. She wanted to stick with Chang Yu day and night, but reality was cruel. Unless she brought her script, Chang Yu would definitely keep her out.
For Ji Yaoguang, the most annoying person in the entire production had beco Jiang Huai. Other male actors were well-behaved and knew to keep their distance, but Jiang Huai? As if unable to read people's expressions, he insisted on getting close, intentionally or unintentionally leaking so "inside information" about how the company planned to treat Chang Yu, this soon-to-depart money tree.
"Jiang Huai is getting more and more eager to please, I really can't stand it," Ji Yaoguang patted her clothes and moved closer to Qiao Xi, deliberately keeping her distance from those hangers-on. Chang Yu was still filming on set, while Jiang Huai was watching from not far away. His manager and assistant had disappeared sowhere, not knowing to keep their artist in check.
"Seeking beauty and wealth," Qiao Xi rolled her eyes and said, "You should call Su Ci over."
"The filming is almost over, no need to call her," Ji Yaoguang replied with a faint smile.
Su Ci might be relieved, but Qiao Xi had to do the work of two people alone. She'd definitely make Su Ci treat her to a al when she got back! This thought filled her with indignation. Qiao Xi's words reminded Ji Yaoguang that she had sothing to discuss with Su Ci, which she had forgotten due to various matters.
"...I'm coming back soon, help buy a kitten."
"You can't even handle your own affairs well, and you want to raise a cat? Are you trying to follow the trend of showing off cats?"
"I have a use for it, you don't understand. Just get one for . Oh, and the uglier the cat, the better. Best if it's hideously ugly."
Every word of their conversation reached Qiao Xi's ears. She glanced at Ji Yaoguang; this person clearly didn't look like soone who would clean up after a cat. And wanting an ugly cat? What kind of grudge was this?
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