Chapter 67

Chen Nian smugly walked up to Fang Zhi, took her hand, and continued walking forward, completely ignoring the shouting behind them.

They turned the corner, and Fang Zhi let go of her hand. “You’re so mean.”

Chen Nian quickly explained, “My last comment wasn’t sincerely praising her. Isn’t this just to sow discord between the sisters and let the retribution for their wrongdoing fester for a few more days?”

“Who cares what you said at the end?” Fang Zhi pursed her lips. “Is she pretty? Is she prettier than me?”

Chen Nian: “Of course not.”

Fang Zhi: “You should watch fewer palace intrigue dramas from now on.”

Chen Nian: “Do I need to learn from palace dramas? This is innate—I came out of the womb with this mouth…”

Fang Zhi pulled out her phone. “I’ll record this and play it for Auntie.”

Chen Nian: “Hahaha, record my cheerful laughter instead!”

Their moods weren’t affected at all by what had just happened, and they happily continued on their way.

Before long, they were nearing the lake when suddenly someone shouted at them from afar: “Hey, you two, stop right there!”

Chen Nian stopped in her tracks and turned to look. It was a chubby security guard holding a baton, trotting over with his beer belly bouncing up and down, which made Chen Nian tired just watching.

So she didn’t walk any further and led Fang Zhi to the shade of a nearby tree to quietly wait for the security guard.

The security guard reached them and asked, “Where are you from? What are you doing here?”

Chen Nian said, “We’re participating in a program at the station in a couple of days, so we came early to check out the environment.”

The security guard eyed her up and down, then raised his baton. “Check out what environment? You can’t just look around here!”

Chen Nian: “Oh, really?”

“Of course!” The security guard glanced sideways and spotted the phone in Fang Zhi’s hand. “No random photos! Get out now!”

Fang Zhi: “I really am…”

The security guard cut her off. “If it’s true, then come when you’re supposed to. How did kids like you learn to lie?”

Fang Zhi was about to explain further when Chen Nian held her back. “Okay, okay, we’ve seen enough anyway. Let’s go—I’ll take you to eat something delicious.”

Fang Zhi looked up at her, and Chen Nian winked. As they headed out, Chen Nian suddenly turned her head to the security guard and said, “Uncle, there was just a bunch of girls dressed like flower butterflies, wandering around here.”

The security guard waved his hand. “They’re actresses.”

Chen Nian: “What actresses?”

The security guard pointed to a signboard not far away. “See that? Supernova Contest. They’re here for the competition.”

Chen Nian drawled, “Oh~~~ I see.”

The security guard tugged at his belt and started walking back. Chen Nian hurried two steps to catch up and walked alongside him.

She smiled brightly. “So they’re going to become big stars someday!”

The security guard: “There are plenty of stars around here…”

“Uncle, you see stars every day, so you must be on good terms with them.” Chen Nian looked amiable. “You know those little stars from earlier, right? You chat with them all the time?”

The security guard shook his head proudly. “Not really know them—just casual chats. Around here, you chat casually with everyone.”

Chen Nian: “Did they ask you to come chase us away?”

The security guard abruptly stopped and glared at Chen Nian. “You little girl, trying to trick me!”

Chen Nian: “Looks like it.”

The security guard grew anxious. “With you acting like this, what are you really up to? I thought you were just young…”

Chen Nian grabbed Fang Zhi’s hand and ran off.

In the sweltering heat, the security guard couldn’t catch them.

They ran a good distance—as young people who exercised regularly, they weren’t even winded.

The gate was just ahead. Fang Zhi asked Chen Nian, “We’re really just leaving?”

“Otherwise?” Chen Nian smiled. “Miss Fang, do you want to go to battle with me in the Shanghai TV Station security room?”

Fang Zhi said fearlessly, “Up to you.”

“Up to you.” Chen Nian mimicked her tone, chuckling. “Such a bold attitude.”

She shook Fang Zhi’s hand. “No need to argue with them. People who love mocking others always have their own issues—they obsess over whatever they’re missing.”

Fang Zhi: “Why didn’t you tell him I’m a little star too?”

Chen Nian: “Hey! You wouldn’t get it. There’s real star power when others call you one; what’s the point if you say it yourself? And if we told him today, at most we’d just get to wander the gardens a bit longer, but there’s nothing else worth seeing. Wait until you move in later and the show airs—they’ll find out who you are on their own. Then you crush them with your achievements and popularity… hey, that’ll be a real slap in the face…”

Fang Zhi: “You really need to watch fewer TV dramas.”

Chen Nian furrowed her brows pretentiously. “I’m imparting experience to you—learn from it. From now on, we’re no longer nobodies.”

Listening to Chen Nian chatter all the way out like that, Fang Zhi felt quite pleased.

Chen Nian never came out on the losing end of an argument. Fang Zhi had watched her handle plenty over the years and trusted her completely.

The two headed to the mall outside the TV station to grab some food—main course first, then dessert. The activity funds the family had approved this time were more than generous.

By the time they finished, noon was fast approaching.

Pan Yue called to say the production team she’d reached out to wanted to meet Chen Nian. Chen Nian grabbed Fang Zhi and hurried over.

Pan Yue knew her people. The man was the assistant director for the New Star Competition production team, the one handling personnel.

The moment they met, the assistant director pointed at Chen Nian and burst out laughing. “Your cousin doesn’t look a bit like you, girl. She seems full of life!”

Chen Nian jumped right in. “I’m genuinely lively—no stranger anxiety, tough as nails, easy to care for. No worries no matter where you take me. Other girls are delicate flowers that need a greenhouse and constant tending. Me? I’m foxtail grass. Chuck me on the ground, come back in a bit—hey, not only am I thriving, I’ve taken over the whole patch.”

She delivered the whole spiel with a bright smile and easy poise—truly lively, truly outgoing.

The assistant director couldn’t stop laughing. “Your sister’s a character.”

“You got that right—way more fun than my cousin.” Chen Nian walked over and stuck out her hand to the assistant director. “I heard from Sis you’re Director Li. Gonna need to count on your looking out for me.”

Director Li shook her hand with a grin. “Where’d you pick up lines like that?”

Chen Nian glanced at Fang Zhi. “TV, obviously—the stuff you guys produce.”

With Chen Nian’s gift of gab, the conversation never hit a lull.

Director Li had only come to discuss business with Pan Yue over coffee, but Chen Nian was such good fun that he ended up chatting away with her happily—and even got treated to a dessert.

By the time they wrapped up, the question of bringing Chen Nian on board was a done deal. Director Li had already sorted her housing, right upstairs from him—handy for him to keep an eye on her, and to have someone to banter with every day.

“Brother Li, listen…” Chen Nian furrowed her brow, looking put out. “About the rent—sure, I’d love to cover it for you. But I’m not in Shanghai just to play around. I want to do my part for the city’s broadcasting and TV scene…”

Director Li chuckled. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

Chen Nian said, “Just give me any job, Brother. I’ll pay the rent out of my wages.”

Director Li burst out laughing. “Hahaha, and what can you do?”

“Fetch tea, pour water, order takeout,” Chen Nian replied. “Though that’s wasting talent. Truth is, I can probably run the gear your team’s using.”

Director Li raised an eyebrow. “Big words!”

“Don’t believe me? Put me to the test.” Chen Nian flexed her arm and patted her solid little bicep. “Got plenty of muscle here.”

After all their back-and-forth, her bold claims just sounded like she was joking—or maybe serious. Either way, it came off as pure youthful spunk: cute, harmless.

Chen Nian threw around “Brother” like they were old pals, and Director Li took a shine to the lively girl. With a magnanimous wave, he granted her whimsical request. “Deal. Show up tomorrow, and I’ll see what this ‘bull knife’ of yours can do.”

“Thanks, Brother!” Chen Nian beamed. “Don’t forget my work badge, though—otherwise, they might not let me in.”

Director Li stood up and gave her forehead a playful flick. “Who’d dare keep you out?”

Chen Nian grinned from ear to ear.

He walked them to the door and flagged down a cab, watching until it pulled away.

She plopped down beside Fang Zhi and chugged her drink. “Man, I’m dying of thirst.”

Fang Zhi said, “I figured that little motormouth of yours ran on perpetual motion.”

Pan Yue echoed her. “I figured that little motormouth of yours ran on perpetual motion.”

Chen Nian drained the glass, wiped her mouth, and said, “Hey, I did it all for you two.”

Pan Yue asked, “How’s it for me?”

Chen Nian replied, “You called in a favor. If I didn’t win him over, you’d lose face. But I got him hooked—he thinks I’m fun, thinks I’m useful. Now he wants to do it, and you don’t owe anyone.”

Pan Yue had to hand it to that silver tongue. She gave her a thumbs-up and felt a lot better about getting snowed online.

That night, the three spent it together. Chen Nian insisted on covering dinner—not letting her would be like dissing Anliang’s own little rich girl.

The next day, Chen Nian and Fang Zhi hauled their luggage back to the TV station. Unfortunately, they didn’t run into that security guard from yesterday.

Chen Nian took Fang Zhi to check in first and picked up her dorm room assignment.

Shanghai truly valued the New Star Competition. The contestants’ dormitories were in the Villa District, with each villa boasting seven or eight rooms, and two people per room.

The environment was excellent. The houses were fully equipped inside, and each had a terrace garden outside.

Today was when most of the contestants arrived to check in. As Chen Nian made her way in, she spotted plenty of parents dropping off their kids.

She grinned cheekily at Fang Zhi. “Looks like I’m in the parent category now too.”

Fang Zhi glanced up at her. “Fine by me. So should I call you ‘big sis’ or ‘auntie’?”

Chen Nian shot back, “How about ‘little mama’?”

Fang Zhi promptly pinned her down on the bed and gave her a good thrashing.

Once she’d settled Fang Zhi in, Chen Nian got a call from Director Li, asking her to head over to the photography studio.

Chen Nian agreed excitedly and was about to dash off after hanging up when Fang Zhi voiced her concern. “Aren’t you scared to go alone?”

“It’s broad daylight. Not scared at all.” Chen Nian tapped her phone. “If anything happens, I’ll call you.”

Fang Zhi replied, “Call 110 first.”

Chen Nian burst out laughing and pulled up a text message to show her the address. “Director Li and the team are shooting your contestant photos today. I’ll head over first. The team leaders should be coming around for you all soon.”

Fang Zhi memorized the address and nodded. “Got it.”

Chen Nian gave her a hug and headed out.

On the way, she ran into Fang Zhixiao, who was dragging her suitcase inside alone.

Chen Nian glanced behind her, but Fang Zhixiao read her mind. “Don’t bother looking. It’s just me.”

“Right.” Chen Nian felt a bit awkward and pointed her in the right direction. “Head to the makeup building first to check in. Once you get your room number, you can go to the villas.”

Fang Zhixiao said, “Thanks.”

Chen Nian rubbed her nose. “No problem. See you later.”

Fang Zhixiao raised an eyebrow. “Later? We meeting again?”

Chen Nian laughed. “Probably more than just later.”

Fang Zhixiao looked mildly surprised, but the two didn’t chat further and parted ways hurriedly.

When Chen Nian arrived at the studio, it was buzzing with activity. Director Li was too busy to sit and just waved at her when he saw her, pointing to the water dispenser before telling her to look around.

Chen Nian naturally wandered into the photography studio, where the camera was already set up and they were testing the lights.

It was all guys in there, with a young assistant standing stiffly to help mark positions.

Chen Nian sidled up and nudged his arm. “You go watch. I’ll stand in. The contestants are all girls, and most are about my height.”

Her tone was so casual and familiar that the guy blinked in surprise before doing as she said.

Soon after, Chen Nian had finished modeling poses and was fiddling with the camera, adjusting the lighting. She was so adept at this that once she got into the zone, she forgot she was just some no-name rookie.

By the time Director Li returned to the studio, Chen Nian had essentially become the on-site director for group shots, issuing clear instructions and making meticulous arrangements.

Director Li was utterly impressed. Chen Nian wasn’t shy about it and grabbed him to snap a photo. The perfect lighting highlighted his facial contours and gave his skin a luminous glow—it turned out great.

“Talent,” Director Li praised sincerely.

The assistant nearby finally couldn’t hold back. “Director Li, who’s this…?”

Director Li laughed heartily, pulled a work badge from his bag, and clipped it to Chen Nian’s clothes. “This is Comrade Chen Nian, our intern assistant director. She’s got tons of portrait photography experience. She’s in charge of this today.”

“Uh, Chen…” The guy swallowed hard, staring at Chen Nian’s face and choking back the “jie” at the end.

“Just call me Chen Nian.” She smiled and shook his hand.

Director Li went off to handle other things, leaving Chen Nian fully in control of the studio.

According to the schedule, the first batch of contestants arrived at the studio. After makeup and styling, they lined up to wait for their shots.

Chen Nian kept her eyes on the monitor and beckoned. “First contestant, please come in.”

The girl hurried forward and took her position against the backdrop, visibly nervous. “Hello, teachers, everyone…”

The word died in her throat.

Because Chen Nian had looked up.

Their eyes met, and the girl’s face filled with shock, quickly turning to one of near-tears terror.

Chen Nian, on the other hand, was delighted. “Little Blue! We meet again so soon.”