Chapter 16

Yu Shan knew that Jiang Sisi was a mild-mannered person, but that mildness was only skin-deep.

Whenever she stood in front of Jiang Sisi, she always felt utterly exposed. Jiang Sisi seemed to see through everything but simply couldn’t be bothered to speak up or intervene.

Jiang Sisi’s arm was around Leng Xiang’s waist, subtly pulling her closer. Her fingers pressed right against the sore spot on Leng Xiang’s lower back, kneading it with just the right pressure.

In front of everyone, Leng Xiang could only hold still and endure it.

Director Yu’s gaze swept between Jiang Sisi and Leng Xiang. Jiang Sisi ignored him completely, murmuring privately to Leng Xiang as if no one else was there.

Jiang Sisi said, “Why did you leave so early this morning?”

Leng Xiang pretended she hadn’t heard a thing and stayed silent.

When Yu Shan heard that, her head snapped up.

Yu Shan had heard about Leng Xiang from Qin Wen. He had called her cold, arrogant, and said that after three years together, she hadn’t let him touch so much as a finger.

So when had Leng Xiang gotten together with Jiang Sisi?

Yu Shan gradually calmed down from her disbelief, and the rage from moments ago vanished without a trace.

Something was off.

Jiang Sisi’s preferences were well-known in the industry among those with any seniority— she leaned toward women.

It was said that back then, Jiang Sisi had come out to her father. Mr. Jiang Rong, the station director who doted on his daughter, had been so worried he hadn’t slept a wink all night.

In the end, the father and daughter reached some kind of understanding: Mr. Jiang could turn a blind eye, but she couldn’t fool around recklessly in public.

The only person present with that kind of seniority was Director Yu. He said, “Director Jiang, what brings you here?”

Jiang Sisi replied, “I was in Studio C discussing something with someone when I heard the commotion over here. Got curious, so I came to take a look.”

Director Yu wiped away his cold sweat; his bald forehead was drenched. You couldn’t afford to offend Jiang Sisi.

Director Yu said, “We’re in the middle of auditions here. It got a bit noisy—sorry to disturb you, Director Jiang.”

Director Yu was probably a full generation older than Jiang Sisi, and seeing him fawn and grovel like that was frankly unflattering.

Hearing this, Jiang Sisi grew curious. She asked, “Auditioning for what role?”

Director Yu said, “The second female lead.”

Then he suddenly remembered Leng Xiang, whose waist was still in Jiang Sisi’s grasp, and added, “And the third female lead too.”

In truth, this entire audition had been arranged for Yu Shan.

The second female lead in a hot IP drama was a coveted role that film companies fought over. Casting was always negotiated among the production companies.

Even if the investors wanted to lock it in for their own, they couldn’t make it too obvious. Director Yu knew full well how poor Yu Shan’s acting was, but he had no choice but to select her—and stage this sham of an audition for her.

Jiang Sisi cut straight to the point. “Hasn’t the second female lead already been decided?”

The room fell silent.

Cold sweat soaked Director Yu’s back. He wasn’t sure what Jiang Sisi was getting at.

Jiang Sisi was an enigma, but she never meddled in the industry’s dirty laundry. Why was she stepping in today?

Director Yu could only tell the truth. “The second female lead is set as Yu Shan. We mainly came today to audition for the third female lead. One spot went to Leng Xiang, and the other is still open.”

Jiang Sisi said, “Leng Xiang’s been cast?”

She looked genuinely surprised and glanced back at Leng Xiang.

Leng Xiang avoided her gaze. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she didn’t dare pull away. Her body was rigid as she stood by Jiang Sisi’s side, forcing herself to stay calm.

They were pressed so close that Jiang Sisi could make out every fine lash on Leng Xiang’s eyes.

The way Leng Xiang looked at her was like a knife scraping across her skin, leaving an itchy sensation in its wake.

Jiang Sisi mused, “But Leng Xiang is the female lead in my new film. If you take her, what happens to my movie?”

That single sentence set the entire studio abuzz. All eyes turned to Leng Xiang.

Yu Shan’s expression went beyond mere shock.

Who was Jiang Sisi?

Back when she was still in high school, her own father had pushed her onto the stage to host what was then a failing variety show, Welcome to Star. After just a few episodes, it exploded in popularity.

Later, Jiang Sisi studied directing abroad and took back the reins of Welcome to STAR, turning around a program that was on the brink of cancellation.

She made movies too—her debut year snagged her a promising director award. She didn’t produce much, but whenever she did, it was a masterpiece.

Plus, Jiang Sisi had her own investment and production teams, so she called all the shots on her projects.

Now, she was publicly declaring that Leng Xiang was the lead in her new film.

What genre was Jiang Sisi’s new movie? Was the script even finalized? Hadn’t she just returned from filming in some remote mountains a few days ago?

Her last film had only just wrapped, with the post-production team still burning the midnight oil. And she already had a lead cast for the next one?

When had any of this happened?

Why Leng Xiang? What had she done to catch Jiang Sisi’s eye?

Even Leng Xiang herself was stunned.

What did it mean to be the lead in Jiang Sisi’s new film? They’d both been in the industry for years, but in completely different circles. Why would Jiang Sisi suddenly claim she was the star of her next project?

Was it because of last night, or was she just saying it in jest, not meaning a word?

But with so many people in the studio right now, all with ears to hear, it was crystal clear.

In ten minutes, “Jiang Sisi’s new film lead” paired with her name would probably trend on Weibo.

Why would Jiang Sisi do this?

Director Yu was dumbfounded. He managed, “We had no idea. If Leng Xiang’s already signed with you, we definitely wouldn’t poach her.”

Jiang Sisi said, “Not yet, actually.”

Director Yu: “…”

Leng Xiang: “…”

Yu Shan: “…”

Jiang Sisi added, “It’s only a matter of time. No worries.”

Jiang Sisi suddenly turned to glance at Yu Shan.

Yu Shan felt a chill run down her spine. “Sisi-jie…”

Jiang Sisi ignored her and turned back to Director Yu. “Are all your roles finalized and signed?”

Director Yu: “No.”

They were still auditioning, after all.

Jiang Sisi said, “Then let me make a suggestion. I watched the auditions just now. Yu Shan can’t handle the role. Lu Rui did pretty well—you could use her for second female lead.”

“As for the third female lead spot Leng Xiang’s freeing up, you could have Yu Shan give that a try.”

Lu Rui was caught off guard by the shout-out. She’d only come to walk through the motions as a favor, and now this was an unexpected windfall.

The third female lead was basically a minor supporting role—nowhere near the second lead in screen time. At least Yu Shan could pass as eye candy there without tanking the whole drama.

Jiang Sisi smiled. “Of course, it’s just a suggestion. The final call is yours, Director Yu.”

But once Jiang Sisi spoke, it was basically set in stone.

Director Yu didn’t know who had shoved Yu Shan into this production, but with Jiang Sisi weighing in, all their prior efforts were for naught.

Yu Shan collapsed to the floor. Her hair and makeup were a mess; she sat there dazed, unable to recover.

The fifteen-centimeter stilettos on her feet looked utterly ridiculous.

Jiang Sisi exchanged a few more polite words with Director Yu before taking her leave, leading Leng Xiang out.

She’d been holding Leng Xiang’s wrist, but once they were outside the studio, Jiang Sisi tactfully let go.

The studio area bustled with people coming and going. The two of them stopped dead in the middle of the path, facing off, which drew sidelong glances from passersby.

This wasn’t a good spot for talking. Jiang Sisi said, “Come with me.”