Chapter 47: Task 14 Part 1

In the dubbing room at Pear Juice Studio.

As Jiang Xiaoyi recited her lines, a notification suddenly popped into her mind, causing her to stumble hard. This was way too distracting—maybe she shouldn’t be so quick on the uptake with girls anymore.

Before the director could even call her out, Jiang Xiaoyi hurriedly apologized. “Sorry, Director. Let me try again.”

Given her solid performance earlier, the director magnanimously replied, “Take it from the top.”

Jiang Xiaoyi was grateful. “Thank you, Director.”

Tang Wanchen comforted her. “Relax, Xiaoyi. It’s fine.”

“Sorry to hold you up, Teacher Tang,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, her cheeks flushing red. She focused her energy on memorizing the lines, shoving the task to the back of her mind.

Finally, she nailed the last take in one go. Sweating profusely, Jiang Xiaoyi stepped out of the dubbing room. Su Jiuyue was right there, handing her water and a towel to wipe her sweat. “Xiaoyi, what’s up with you today? You’re totally off your game.”

Jiang Xiaoyi took a sip of water and shook her head. “Didn’t sleep well last night.”

“I could tell from your dark circles when you got here this morning. You’re a female star—you have to watch your skin at all times.” Su Jiuyue peered at her face, nagging good-naturedly. “Xiaoyi, you make your living off your looks.”

Su Jiuyue wasn’t wrong, but Jiang Xiaoyi still wanted to ask, “Do I have any other good qualities besides my face?”

Su Jiuyue nodded. “Of course you do.”

Jiang Xiaoyi leaned in closer. “Like what?”

“Hmm…” Su Jiuyue thought carefully. “Long legs.”

Jiang Xiaoyi gazed at her expectantly. “And?”

“And?” Su Jiuyue stroked her chin with a grin. “Why don’t you go ask your President Meng at home?”

“My President Meng?” Jiang Xiaoyi bit her lip lightly and fell silent.

“What’s wrong?” Su Jiuyue nudged her. “What’s with that look?”

Propping her face up with one hand, Jiang Xiaoyi said, “Sister said I’m hers, but she never said she’s mine.”

Su Jiuyue let out a faint “Ah?” “Does that even need saying?”

Jiang Xiaoyi frowned, looking genuinely puzzled. Su Jiuyue sensed something was off. “Xiaoyi, how exactly did you and Meng Chuning end up together?”

“Jiuyue, do you believe there are systems in this world?” Jiang Xiaoyi asked seriously. Su Jiuyue burst out laughing. “Xiaoyi, you’ve been reading too many novels.”

Jiang Xiaoyi trailed off. “…”

Even Su Jiuyue didn’t believe it.

“It’s complicated, anyway.” Jiang Xiaoyi asked wistfully, “Do you think Meng Chuning likes me?”

Su Jiuyue looked baffled. “What kind of question is that? Meng Chuning is the president of YN Group. If she wanted someone, she could have any type she likes. Why would she put up with misery and be with you if she didn’t?”

Jiang Xiaoyi was at a loss for words. “Being with me is putting up with misery?”

“What are you focusing on?!” Su Jiuyue softened her tone. “Back in school, you were always clueless about relationships. Do you know how many girls came crying to me?”

Su Jiuyue chuckled at the memory. “They all asked if you had prosopagnosia or something—how could you say you didn’t recognize them after they threw themselves at you every day?”

Jiang Xiaoyi had no recollection whatsoever.

Su Jiuyue tried to pep her up. “What I’m saying is, if you like Meng Chuning, cherish her properly. Otherwise, there are plenty of people lining up to chase her.”

Jiang Xiaoyi rubbed her face. Su Jiuyue made sense, but even if Meng Chuning did like her, what could she possibly like? Even Su Jiuyue couldn’t name her good qualities.

“Oh, right—I heard Tang Wanchen and Qin Yang are going to the LP High Jewelry Banquet tonight. LP’s announcing their new spokesperson too.” Su Jiuyue had been itching to write an Entertainment Circle story lately, so she’d been scouring gossip and industry news. An elite event like the LP Banquet was something she desperately wanted to witness firsthand.

Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly remembered. “I’m going to the LP Banquet too.”

Su Jiuyue perked up. “Xiaoyi, did you drop over ten million at LP behind my back?!”

She knew Jiang Xiaoyi’s family wasn’t poor and that she earned decent money from acting, but she hadn’t realized just how loaded she was.

“Where would I get that kind of money?” Jiang Xiaoyi said. “A friend of the boss sent me an invite. I was pretty confused myself.”

“Wow!” Su Jiuyue was stunned. “You have to describe every lavish detail of the LP Banquet for me. It’ll be perfect material.”

Then Su Jiuyue eyed her dark circles. “Xiaoyi, come get a facial with me. Tonight, you need to dazzle everyone.”

When they emerged from the beauty salon, Jiang Xiaoyi’s skin was positively radiant. Su Jiuyue whistled. “Too beautiful, Xiaoyi.”

“Jiuyue…” Jiang Xiaoyi hesitated at the thought of the banquet. “I’m a little…”

Her phone chimed a few times. It was Ruan Feng, telling her to head back to the company for banquet makeup and styling.

Fine, no time to chicken out now.

Jiang Xiaoyi said, “I have to get back to the company.”

Su Jiuyue cheered her on. “Go get ’em, Xiaoyi.”

…

Spring Wind Entertainment was in total chaos. No sooner had Jiang Xiaoyi stepped through the door than a discarded evening gown came flying her way.

Lu Xi scratched her head. “Boss, not a single one of these is presentable.”

Zhu Di had already dug through the very bottom of their stock. “Wearing any of this trash would just get us laughed at.”

Ruan Feng sat in her chair, deep in thought. “Quiet. I’m thinking.”

A few seconds later, Ruan Feng asked, “How much is left in the company account? Enough for a custom high-end gown?”

“Boss, calm down.” Jiang Xiaoyi set the gown on the table and walked over. “Even if we had one, it wouldn’t matter. Guests at the banquet have to wear LP jewelry to get in.”

Ruan Feng had nearly forgotten. “…”

Lu Xi, who had never seen such extravagance, blinked. “???”

Zhu Di wailed, “What do we do?!”

Before the words had even settled, Gu Nanzhi walked in carrying a box. “Xiaoyi.”

Jiang Xiaoyi whipped around, stunned. “Sister Nan Zhi, what brings you here?”

“Bringing you something.” Gu Nanzhi opened the box. “Were you all stressing over this?”

Inside lay a black evening gown.

Lu Xi took it carefully and unfolded it. The gown had a cut-out waist design that would accentuate a perfect waistline, and the skirt was adorned with countless tiny sparkling diamonds—luxurious enough for sure.

Jiang Xiaoyi might not know fashion, but even she could tell this dress was exorbitantly expensive.

“Sister Nan Zhi, I don’t really qualify to attend the LP Banquet right now. It’d be a waste on me.” Jiang Xiaoyi was honest. “Plus, my status is miles below the stars who go to these things. Showing up would embarrass you.”

After all, the invite had come from Gu Nanzhi. An eighteenth-tier starlet like her at the LP Banquet? Totally out of place.

Gu Nanzhi smiled. “Every entertainer goes through this stage. But you know me, so count yourself lucky. Tonight, I’ll introduce you to some people in the circle. You won’t lack for roles after that.”

“But…” Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly felt like she was taking a shortcut.

“If Sister Nan Zhi says so, just try it once,” Lu Xi pleaded, practically on her knees. Who got to rub elbows with Gu Nanzhi on the regular?

Since even Lu Xi put it that way, Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Alright.”

She might be the first eighteenth-tier star to crash a high-end jewelry gala.

Gu Nanzhi unpacked an LP Jewelry Necklace from her pocket. “Xiaoyi, wear this tonight.”

Eight o’clock that evening.

A long red carpet stretched at the entrance to Hengwan Pavilion, with reporters clutching cameras held back outside the banquet.

Before the main event kicked off, there was some time for indoor mingling.

It was Jiang Xiaoyi’s first banquet, and she was curious about everything. Her dark eyes blinked wide, taking it all in, afraid to miss a single spectacular moment.

Su Jiuyue asked through her earpiece, “Xiaoyi, what do you see?”

Jiang Xiaoyi leaned down to sniff a flower. “The floral arrangements are calatheas in pots—so fresh-looking. When the lights hit them just now, the leaves even glowed.”

Su Jiuyue replied, “That’s probably from some glow enhancer. Anything else?”

Jiang Xiaoyi looked up. “They’re starting the fireworks now.”

The distant sky erupted in brilliant splendor, lights blazing everywhere. Celebrities and socialites clustered by the windows, clinking glasses and chatting amiably. A-list actresses and heiresses held tall flutes as they made small talk.

Jiang Xiaoyi had never seen such dazzling fireworks. She craned her neck to watch, the reflections dancing in her eyes like stars.

From nearby, Meng Qinglan noticed Jiang Xiaoyi and walked over.

Sensing someone beside her, Jiang Xiaoyi turned in surprise. “Chairman Meng.”

Su Jiuyue was still asking what was up, but Jiang Xiaoyi hung up first. “Did you need me, Chairman Meng?”

Meng Qinglan glanced at her. “Are the fireworks pretty?”

“Beautiful,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, her eyes sparkling. “It’s my first time seeing fireworks this gorgeous.”

Everyone else here took the glittering scene in stride—it was just another day in their world. Only Jiang Xiaoyi lit up with wonder, fixating on the potted plants and fireworks, while the other invitees pulled out all the stops to network with famous directors and producers.

Meng Qinglan chuckled softly. “Did you come to the banquet just to watch fireworks?”

Not catching the implication, Jiang Xiaoyi nodded at her. The banquet hadn’t started yet—what else was there to do but watch the fireworks?

“Look over there.” Meng Qinglan pointed in a direction. Jiang Xiaoyi followed her gaze.

A few A-list actresses surrounded a woman in a red evening gown, laughing and chatting as they exchanged contacts.

Jiang Xiaoyi blinked. The woman in red stood sideways, her chestnut wavy hair elegantly upswept. The gown was a bold backless design, showcasing perfect waist-to-hip proportions.

Meng Chuning shone like a star suddenly appearing in the tranquil night sky—dazzling and captivating.

Meng Qinglan, standing beside her, said, “Meng Chuning grew up surrounded by this kind of opulence. Her life is beyond anything you can imagine.”

Only by experiencing it firsthand could Jiang Xiaoyi feel the full shock.

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded in agreement. “Chairman Meng, so you’re the one who sent the invite?”

Meng Qinglan paused, surprised that Jiang Xiaoyi had pieced it together so quickly.

“You didn’t seem shocked to see me,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, starting to understand Meng Qinglan’s intentions. “Chairman Meng, are you trying to tell me that Chuning and I aren’t from the same world?”

Meng Qinglan laughed. “You’re not as dim as I thought.”

Jiang Xiaoyi was speechless. “…”

She hadn’t read all those novels for nothing.

And whenever she came across plots in novels where the poor protagonist got intimidated by the wealthy family into feeling unworthy and backing off—dragging out the angst for dozens of chapters—it always left her frustrated.

Looking at Meng Qinglan, Jiang Xiaoyi said, “Actually, I grew up surrounded by flowers too. My life might be beyond what you imagine.”

“What?” Meng Qinglan asked.

Jiang Xiaoyi explained, “My family has hundreds of acres of fruit trees—they bloom before they bear fruit. So yeah, I grew up among flowers.”

Meng Qinglan gave her a flat look, realizing Jiang Xiaoyi’s train of thought was nothing like most people’s. She’d meant to make her feel inferior and back off, but here she was talking about fruit trees blooming.