Chapter 29: The Queen’s Plaything

The performance of 《The Female Imperial Son-in-Law》 was quite a success, and it took first place among the judges. Of course, there were also plenty of voices of dissent. They publicized the judging team’s credentials. Among them, Elder Qiao was Cheng Jinzhi’s grandmother, and several other judges were Elder Qiao’s students.

“Parkinson fans can self-congratulate all they want. Parkinson’s not buying awards for the first time. Look at her Weibo bio, absolutely hilarious.”

“I don’t like Parkinson either, but Baby Rong is beautiful—don’t hit the wrong target.”

“Both are fine. Don’t prop one up by stepping on the other.”

“The difference in their faces is huge. Sure enough, the surgeon’s knife makes a difference. Hope Cheng Jinzhi can fix her nose—it’s too high, looks uncomfortable.”

Cheng Jinzhi scrolled the comments, rolling her eyes. Seeing someone attack her appearance, she wanted to “tap-tap” a response: “Can you show me a comfortable nose? Like yours?”

The moment she opened Weibo, DC sidled over sneakily, afraid she’d do something.

Then DC received a call, and his expression immediately changed to shock. “Okay, no problem. Free? Of course I’m free. Good, good, you go ahead. What are you saying… you’re too kind…”

DC hung up, took a deep breath, lowered his elbow in a “yes” gesture, then crouched before Cheng Jinzhi. “Boss, we’ve hit the jackpot.”

“What jackpot?” Cheng Jinzhi said. “Countryside ribbon-cuttings, I’m not going.”

“Boss, I never dreamed you could become A-list.” DC said.

“You can stop there.”

“The rest is the important part. Do you know who was just on the phone with me?”

“Am I your straight man? Get to the point.”

“You know Director Wang, right?”

“He wants me to star in his film?” Cheng Jinzhi’s eyes widened.

“Not exactly.” DC paused. “His daughter, you know her—Wang Zhang. She won the Best Director Award at the Jing University Film Festival last time.”

Wang Zhang, she knew. She’d later go to Hollywood and be nominated for Oscars for Best Director multiple times. But Cheng Jinzhi wasn’t close with her. Wang Zhang hadn’t developed much in China; the actors she worked with were mostly foreign. Among domestic actresses, it seemed only Rong Si had worked with her on two films.

“Just now Director Wang called specially. He said he wants to invite you to star in his daughter’s production.”

Cheng Jinzhi’s eyes went wider. “Invite me? You’re sure it’s Wang Zhang?”

“Boss, Wang Zhang’s a newcomer now, but her dad’s formidable. Win her over, get her dad happy, and your New Year film exposure is secured.” DC thought Cheng Jinzhi felt Wang Zhang was too low-tier.

“Wang Zhang is filming domestically?”

“Yeah, but it’s not a film. It’s a web series.”

“A web series?” Cheng Jinzhi’s mouth fell open. Had she heard wrong? Wang Zhang was shooting a web series?

“Look, the email just came. Let me show you.” DC said, scrolling through the tablet. “《The Queen’s Plaything》, a 123 Romance novel. Man, this title will need revisions—way too explicit.”

Cheng Jinzhi felt she hadn’t woken up. Not only was Wang Zhang shooting a web series, but the script was adapted from a web novel. Wang Zhang usually liked to show off her sophistication by writing her own scripts, didn’t she?

“Half-ancient setting, Han dynasty.” DC flipped a few pages. “They even sent you a demo—probably asking you to sing the theme song.”

“Hold on, I haven’t said I’m taking it.” Cheng Jinzhi said. “Who’s my co-star?”

“I didn’t ask. Probably some popular young actor.” DC said, smacking his lips a few times. “Why does ‘popular’ sound so nice now? When the press release goes out—’the sparkling first romance of a hot flower and a hot young actor.'”

“Director Wang Zhang’s style is always bold. There won’t be any really explicit sex scenes, will there?”

“Shouldn’t be. It’s a web platform, but still a platform.” DC said. “Director Yi’s film is different—that one’s not airing domestically.”

“Good.” Cheng Jinzhi felt her rebirth golden finger was about to open wide, scoring a role with Wang Zhang. Working with a good director, especially as a lead, taught you a lot.

Elated, Cheng Jinzhi stopped caring about the online abuse. She tossed her phone aside and took the tablet from DC. “How did Director Wang Zhang pick me?”

“Who knows? Maybe your grandmother recommended you.”

That was possible. These days, Grandma kept saying Cheng Jinzhi had improved greatly and wanted to find her a better platform. Propping her chin, Cheng Jinzhi began reading the script.

After finishing, Cheng Jinzhi was satisfied. The “Queen” character was so cool; she wanted to start shooting right away. The next day, Wang Zhang called, inviting the leads over to sign contracts.

“Wait up.” Cheng Jinzhi walked in and saw the elevator doors half-closing.

A fair hand blocked the doors, and they slid open again. Cheng Jinzhi hurried inside. She’d been up late reading the script and overslept despite setting an alarm. “Than—Rong Si!?”

“Mm.” Compared to Cheng Jinzhi, Rong Si was far more composed. Rong Si hadn’t known Cheng Jinzhi was coming; she’d just vaguely heard her voice from inside the elevator. At the sound, her body moved faster than her mind, and she reached out to block the door.

Seeing Rong Si, Cheng Jinzhi had a bad feeling. Rong Si wasn’t here to audition for Wang Zhang’s project too, was she?

Cheng Jinzhi muttered inwardly: please don’t be on the tenth floor. Second floor—Rong Si didn’t get off. Third floor—Rong Si didn’t get off. Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth—Rong Si got off at none. Near the ninth floor, Cheng Jinzhi despaired. Damn it, it couldn’t be that coincidental, could it? Rong Si everywhere? But at the ninth floor, the elevator doors opened with a ding. Rong Si turned her head, revealing her refined jawline. She glanced at Cheng Jinzhi—a nod of acknowledgment—then stepped out.

Life’s ups and downs came too violently. By the tenth floor, Cheng Jinzhi was still dazed. Wang Zhang’s assistant had been waiting at the elevator and, seeing Cheng Jinzhi, quickly took her hand. “Miss Cheng, right? This way, please.”

Wang Zhang dressed very sexily, her looks inherited from her celebrity mother. Apparently plenty of people invited her to act, and she’d starred in one or two films—both had won awards. No wonder she’d invite Rong Si to star in her film. Winners in life appreciate each other.

“Hello, I’m Wang Zhang.”

“Hello, Director Wang. I’m Cheng Jinzhi.”

Wang Zhang laughed, tossing her long hair. “I know you. I’ve seen your work.”

…She’d seen her 《New Tang Dynasty》?

“Right, the contract’s here…” Wang Zhang had someone bring the contract. “I’ve been so busy preparing these days, I had to trouble you to come in person.”

“No trouble. I also have a few details to ask about.” Cheng Jinzhi sat down with Wang Zhang and opened the first page of the contract. “By the way, who’s the male actor I’ll be working with?”

Let me see, my plaything.

“It’s not a male actor. You know the co-star…” Wang Zhang hadn’t finished before she waved. “Miss Rong, over here.”

At the name “Rong,” Cheng Jinzhi’s spine stiffened. There are many people surnamed Rong in the world. It didn’t have to be the Rong she knew…

“Director Wang.”

At the familiar voice, Cheng Jinzhi was “doomed.” A bad feeling crept in. Was Rong Si going to be her rival in love?

“Miss Rong plays—”

“Liu Changxi.” After saying this, Wang Zhang looked approvingly at Cheng Jinzhi. “Miss Cheng, I’ve seen your trouping performance. I found your acting absolutely brilliant.”

“Then what do I play?” Cheng Jinzhi’s heart went “thump.”

“The trouser role, Bai Qian.” Wang Zhang said.

Worse than being rivals in love—she was playing her “lover”…

“…” So she’d spent all day yesterday reading Rong Si’s role. Holy freaking crap, she was Rong Si’s plaything?

They left together. She couldn’t very well let Rong Si ride the subway. Seeing Rong Si was heading back to school, Cheng Jinzhi offered her a ride. Rong Si paused a moment, then sat in the back seat. Cheng Jinzhi drove while glancing at Rong Si in the rearview mirror. Rong Si’s expression seemed fine.

“Just now…” Just now, when Director Wang Zhang had asked Cheng Jinzhi, she’d said she wanted to take the contract home to look it over. She needed to “digest” it, check the script again…

“When did Director Wang approach you?” Cheng Jinzhi asked again.

“The day we finished 《The Female Imperial Son-in-Law》.” Rong Si said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cheng Jinzhi reacted instantly. “Was it you who recommended me to Director Wang?”

“No.”

Indeed, history had a similar trajectory. Rong Si and Wang Zhang still appreciated each other. Thinking about it, Cheng Jinzhi looked at Rong Si in the rearview mirror. Rong Si had answered her second question, not her first.

Rong Si hadn’t signed with her company and was taking on film and TV projects on her own now. It was like her past life—before Cheng Jinzhi could react, Rong Si had already started gaining small popularity. The frustration from that disappointment made Cheng Jinzhi’s foot press harder on the gas. Seeing this, Rong Si looked over.

“What other roles have you taken?” Cheng Jinzhi said.

“Just this one.” Rong Si paused. “Director Wang said she’d make sure my schoolwork isn’t affected and won’t take too much of my class time.”

Others scrambled for roles, and you graciously made time for it?

“If you don’t like it, I can refuse her.” Rong Si said.

“You don’t need to cater to me.” Money is great—everyone caters to you. All false affection, all posturing.

Rong Si opened her mouth, then said nothing.

“What do you want to say?”

Rong Si sighed softly and lowered her head. “Drive slower.”