-
徐导 (Xu Dao): “Dao” (导) is short for “导演” (daoyan), which means “director.”
-
徐姐 (Xu Jie): “Jiě” (姐) means “older sister.
Chapter 72
The next morning, Li Mo woke up to a message from Director Xu. Xu Jie had already boarded her flight and was expected to arrive at the hotel around 10:00 AM. Li Mo glanced at the clock. It was already 9:30. She quickly got out of bed and went to shower and change.
A short while later, her phone rang. She turned off the shower, dried herself, wrapped a towel around her body, and went to answer the call.
“Hello, Mo Mo? I’m at the hotel. What’s your room number? Can I come up now?”
“Oh, give me a few minutes. I just got out of the shower. I’m in room 502. Come up in five minutes. I need to get dressed.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
Li Mo quickly threw on a black shirt and jeans. She sat down at her vanity table and started blow-drying her hair. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. She put down the hairdryer and opened the door, finding Director Xu standing there with an excited smile.
“Mo Mo, I missed you so much!”
Xu Jie threw her arms around Li Mo, who hugged her briefly and then gently pushed her away, creating some distance between them.
“Xu Jie, have a seat. I’ll be ready soon.”
Li Mo returned to her vanity table and picked up the hairdryer. Xu Jie followed her and took the hairdryer from her hand, offering to dry her hair.
“Xu Jie, it’s okay. I can do it myself.”
“Let me help you. It’s more comfortable this way.”
“Really, it’s fine. I’ve already dried it. I’m just styling it now. It’s easier if I do it myself. You’ll just be in the way. Give it back to me.”
“Don’t worry, I learned some hairstyling techniques from a stylist before. I can help you. Trust me.”
As they were arguing, Li Mo’s phone rang. She turned away from the vanity table and went to the bedside table to answer the call. Seeing Fan Weiqi’s name on the screen, she answered cheerfully.
“Hello, Qiqi, what’s up?”
“Hey, Mo Mo, is Xu Dao with you?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Okay, try to sound happy and sweet while we talk.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, your voice is so sweet! You’re making me melt.”
“Hee hee, you’re so bad.”
“Yes, yes, just like that. Keep it up. By the way, I’ll be waiting for you at the tea room in the club. Act excited when you see me, okay?”
“Okay, got it.”
“Alright, I’ll hang up now.”
“Okay, bye Qiqi.”
Li Mo ended the call and turned to see Xu Jie glaring at her, her face etched with jealousy. Li Mo pretended to be in a good mood, humming a tune as she gathered her makeup bag and went into the bathroom. Xu Jie, feeling a pang of jealousy, followed her.
“Mo Mo, who was that Qiqi on the phone?”
“Oh, that was Fan Weiqi.”
“Huh? How did you two become friends?”
“We met at the audition. She’s so nice! She’s down-to-earth, a great actress, and she’s really beautiful!”
“Is she really that perfect? I’ve met her before. I thought she was just okay, not as amazing as you’re making her sound.”
“Really? But I think she’s great.”
“But Mo Mo, she’s your competition! Don’t get too close to her. And she’s a very good actress. She’s a strong contender, you know. People in this industry will do anything to get a role.”
“Don’t worry, Qiqi is very chill. She doesn’t care about playing the lead role. She’s aiming for the supporting role.”
“Fan Weiqi is auditioning for the supporting role? I must be hearing things! With her status, her agency would never let her play a supporting role! Mo Mo, I think she’s lying to you.”
“I don’t think so. And even if she is auditioning for the lead role, it’s fine. It’s just healthy competition.”
“Mo Mo, you’re too naive! You’re new to this industry. You don’t know how dark it can be. Listen to me, I won’t steer you wrong.”
“We’ll see.”
Xu Jie wanted to continue her warnings, but Li Mo was already dressed and ready to leave. She decided to drop it for now.
Li Mo had Ah Zhong drive them to the club. During the drive, Xu Jie continued to lecture Li Mo about the dark side of the entertainment industry, warning her not to trust anyone, especially Fan Weiqi. Li Mo ignored her warnings, praising Fan Weiqi’s kindness and talent, fueling Xu Jie’s jealousy.
At the club entrance, Li Mo presented her membership card to the guard, who allowed them to enter. Xu Jie, seeing the card, was puzzled. How did Li Mo become a member of this exclusive club?
“Mo Mo, when did you become a member here? I heard the membership requirements are very strict. A few of my friends tried to join but were rejected.”
“Oh, Qiqi got it for me. She’s a senior member. She recommended me.”
“Have you been spending all your time with her?”
“Yes. Let’s get out of the car and talk later.”
“…”
Li Mo led Xu Jie into the elevator. They went to the Chinese restaurant for lunch, during which Xu Jie continued her attempts to sow discord between Li Mo and Fan Weiqi, much to Li Mo’s annoyance.
Finally, after they finished their meal, Li Mo suggested visiting the tea room, praising its beautiful ambiance. Xu Jie, suspecting nothing, agreed.
The tea room was decorated in a traditional Chinese style, with rattan and bamboo furniture, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. It was the perfect place for a quiet conversation.
As they entered the tea room, Li Mo spotted Fan Weiqi chatting with a man. She feigned surprise and approached them, introducing Xu Jie to Fan Weiqi.
“Qiqi, what are you doing here? Is this your friend?”
“Hey, Mo Mo! Let me introduce you to Xiong Ge, a very experienced martial arts choreographer. We just bumped into each other and decided to have some tea. Are you here with a friend?”
“Yes, my friend came to visit me, and I had nowhere else to take her. This is Director Xu. She directed my last film.”
“We’ve already met. Director Xu is so famous. Who doesn’t know her? Would you like to join us?”
Xu Jie wanted to decline, but Li Mo had already accepted the invitation and sat down next to Fan Weiqi. Xu Jie had no choice but to sit next to Xiong Ge. Fan Weiqi monopolized Li Mo’s attention, while Xiong Ge chatted with Xu Jie about filmmaking.
After a while, Xiong Ge excused himself, claiming he had something to attend to. Xu Jie was secretly relieved, hoping to finally be rid of this annoying woman, but Fan Weiqi refused to leave, saying she wanted to spend more time with them.
Li Mo, of course, was delighted. Fan Weiqi then suggested going to the bar. Xu Jie wanted to refuse, but Li Mo beat her to it, agreeing enthusiastically. Xu Jie was fuming. She felt like a third wheel, a mere spectator to their budding romance. Her jealousy reached its peak.
Fan Weiqi, as if determined to torment Xu Jie, continued to flirt with Li Mo, showering her with attention. Li Mo played along, acting like a smitten fan, while Fan Weiqi played the role of the charming and unattainable goddess.
They were both drinking the same wine, but for Li Mo and Fan Weiqi, it was a sweet nectar, while for Xu Jie, it was a bitter poison, fueling her despair. A popular dance song came on, and Fan Weiqi pulled Li Mo onto the dance floor.
Fan Weiqi, with her graceful and seductive moves, danced sensually, her body brushing against Li Mo’s. Li Mo, like a pole, became the center of her attention, their bodies moving in sync with the music. The two beautiful women, their bodies moving with such grace and passion, captivated the entire dance floor.
Fan Weiqi, as if to ensure Xu Jie’s misery, pulled Li Mo closer at the end of the song, gazed into her eyes, and kissed her softly on the lips. Li Mo, like a child receiving a treat, beamed at her.
Xu Jie was enraged. She wanted to rip Fan Weiqi apart, but she had to maintain a smile, watching as the two women returned to their table, their faces flushed, their eyes sparkling with happiness.
“Qiqi, you’re such a good dancer! You were amazing!”
“Thank you. I think you danced well too. We have good chemistry.”
“Yes, I felt it too.”
“Director Xu, you look pale. Are you feeling alright?”
“… I’m fine. I just had a bit too much to drink.”
“Xu Jie, are you okay? Should I take you home?”
“Yes, I’m a bit tired. Could you please take me home?”
Xu Jie, assuming Li Mo would personally escort her back, used her tiredness as an excuse to leave. She couldn’t bear to watch Li Mo and Fan Weiqi together any longer.
However, to her dismay, Li Mo called Ah Zhong and asked him to take Xu Jie back to the hotel, while she stayed behind. Xu Jie wanted to change her mind but couldn’t think of a way to do so without seeming desperate. She was forced to leave with Ah Zhong.
After Xu Jie left, Li Mo and Fan Weiqi burst out laughing, their expressions transforming. They started plotting how to make Xu Jie give up for good. Fan Weiqi snapped her fingers and whispered her plan to Li Mo, who looked at her, surprised.
“Isn’t that a bit too much?”
“It’s perfect! Don’t you want her to give up as soon as possible?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then let’s do it! A clean break. A swift and decisive blow.”
“Okay, I’m in.”
