The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 209

Chapter 209: There’s a Fox Here (Entertainment Circle) Part 22

Time seemed to fly by, the lush green leaves of summer gradually turning yellow, a sign of autumn’s arrival. After a few heavy rains, the weather turned cooler.

But the changing seasons didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for the upcoming film, preparations continuing at a rapid pace.

Casting was complete, and the actors gathered for a table read, which would last for several days, the main creative team also present.

Qingying Entertainment, lacking any successful projects this year, was rushing to release this film before the end of the year, hoping to offset their losses.

The table read was held at a quiet teahouse, the actors arriving, exchanging pleasantries before settling down to discuss the script.

The official opening ceremony would be held later.

Next to the teahouse was a large film studio, where many productions were being filmed, including the highly anticipated The Legend of Wen Ying.

Its opening ceremony, held at the end of summer, had trended online.

Even the kitten that appeared in the drama’s early scenes had trended, a popular internet-famous cat, praised for its cuteness.

The production team, seemingly with unlimited funds, had declared that everyone, even the cat, would be a star.

The drama, a palace intrigue story with a beautiful cast, had generated a lot of hype, even reaching those outside the fandom.

It became the most anticipated drama of the year, and many online reviewers, after seeing the promotional photos, predicted it would be a hit.

Ji Ruoyi’s fans seemed to have forgotten about Yu Shuangjiang, no longer mentioning her, no longer comparing the two.

The reason was simple, mentioning Yu Shuangjiang only invited comparisons, as Ji Ruoyi had been nominated for Best Actress, only losing to Yu Shuangjiang.

Everyone knew The Legend of Wen Ying was aimed at awards, its success boosting the lead actress’s career, perhaps even winning her the coveted award.

But Yu Shuangjiang’s recent casting as the lead in Tao Ning’s new film made their earlier attacks seem childish and petty.

They had finally learned their lesson, no longer making premature claims.

Another day of work ended, and the actors left the teahouse, heading home.

As the lead actress, Yu Shuangjiang had spoken a lot today, her serious and professional attitude changing many people’s perceptions of her.

She was dedicated and always willing to discuss her role.

No wonder she had starred in Homecoming at such a young age, and despite some setbacks, winning the Best Actress award at twenty-six was a significant achievement.

It was time to leave, but many people still surrounded her, chatting.

Tao Ning, the screenwriter, with her usual aloof demeanor, only interacted with a few members of the creative team.

“It’s getting late, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Tao Laoshi, see you tomorrow, my car’s here, I’ll be going.”

“Okay, be careful.” Tao Ning lingered behind the others, hidden in the shadows.

Yu Shuangjiang, initially walking ahead, had also fallen behind, and they suddenly realized she was gone.

“Shuang Jie, I was saying…” The young woman turned around, the familiar figure no longer beside her. “Strange, where did she go?”

“I just saw her here.”

Unable to find her, they spotted a familiar figure and turned to Qi Xiaojia: “Where’s Shuang Jie?”

Qi Xiaojia, her eyes darting around, as if just remembering something, pointed in a certain direction: “Xiao Shuang Jie went to the restroom.”

They looked in that direction, puzzled: “Isn’t the restroom the other way?”

Qi Xiaojia just smiled, not admitting she was lying.

But their car had arrived, and they had to leave.

Unbeknownst to them, Yu Shuangjiang was hiding in a corner, having slipped away unnoticed.

Tao Ning, walking past, was suddenly pulled into the shadows.

Zhang Ke, walking ahead, realizing Tao Ning was no longer behind her, turned around, but there was no one there.

Zhang Ke: “…” Gone again.

This time, she didn’t bother searching, remembering the last time, when she had found Tao Ning with smudged lipstick, casually wiping it away, her usually composed demeanor gone.

The image had been so shocking that from then on, Zhang Ke had learned to just leave.

The faint sound of footsteps faded, heading towards the parking garage.

Yu Shuangjiang, leaning against Tao Ning in the shadows: “Your assistant left, why didn’t you follow her?”

Tao Ning, her arms around Yu Shuangjiang’s waist, her back against the wall, replied softly, “I’m trapped, I can’t leave.”

Yu Shuangjiang, her head resting on Tao Ning’s shoulder: “We haven’t talked all day.”

Tao Ning: “We talked quite a bit, even finished several pots of tea.”

Yu Shuangjiang nudged Tao Ning’s cheek with her forehead, her voice slightly complaining: “No, we only talked about work, not what we wanted to talk about.”

They had both been busy recently, Tao Ning with casting, Yu Shuangjiang with costume fittings, little time for each other, collapsing into bed as soon as they got home.

Sometimes, exhausted, Yu Shuangjiang would forget about her ears and tail, falling asleep anywhere, and Tao Ning would have to send a paper figure with a calming orb.

Tao Ning understood, she was feeling neglected, seeking comfort.

Kissing Yu Shuangjiang’s lips, Tao Ning said, “I’ll take you home tonight, then.”

The air between them changed, a simple offer filled with unspoken promises.

Yu Shuangjiang, her resolve weakened, countless scenarios flashing through her mind, then she straightened up: “Maybe next time, we have the table read tomorrow, and I don’t want to be tired.”

Entering a fox’s den is one thing, leaving is another.

“…” Tao Ning tried to clarify, “I just meant, I’ll take you home, then I’ll go home.”

Yu Shuangjiang, her voice firm: “You might trust yourself, but I don’t trust my self-control.”

Honestly, she was simply attracted to Tao Ning, even after witnessing her nine tails.

She whispered in Tao Ning’s ear, her voice husky and suggestive, “If you come to my place, I won’t let you leave, I’ll drag you upstairs, and from the moment we enter the elevator, I won’t be able to resist kissing you, unbuttoning your jacket…”

“Like this…”

Tao Ning caught her hand, her gaze intense.

Yu Shuangjiang, practically in her arms, looked up, her amber eyes reflecting Tao Ning’s figure, her gaze unwavering.

She was getting into character, her true nature emerging in the darkness, cold and seductive, drawing Tao Ning in.

Waiting in the parking garage, Zhang Ke and Qi Xiaojia were kicking a pebble around, bored.

Zhang Ke: “Where’s your Tu Jie today?”

Qi Xiaojia: “She had something to do, I’ll be driving Xiao Shuang Jie home later.”

“I see.” Zhang Ke, having found a conversation starter, had something she had been wanting to ask, but hadn’t dared ask Tao Ning directly.

Finally having a chance to ask Qi Xiaojia, Yu Shuangjiang’s long-time assistant,

She asked curiously, “Honestly, I never thought my Tao Zong would ever date anyone.”

After this roundabout introduction, she got to the point: “She’s a bit cold and aloof, easily misunderstood, how did Yu Laoshi change her mind?”

So she was curious how the former rivals had gotten together, now that they were alone, time for some gossip.

Qi Xiaojia, her eyes on the pebble she was kicking: “Tao Laoshi is very professional, and Xiao Shuang Jie has always respected her, she always has unique insights about scripts, and after talking to her, she found it very helpful.”

Although these were just a few polite words, Qi Xiaojia’s mind was filled with images of Yu Shuangjiang.

Life was strange, back then, listening to Yu Shuangjiang’s complaints about Tao Ning, she wouldn’t have imagined them getting together.

Two people who should be at each other’s throats, now kissing.

It would be a perfect plot for a novel, #rivals #enemiestolovers #entertainment.

Zhang Ke, after waiting for a long time, only hearing generic PR talk, asked, surprised, “That’s it?”

Qi Xiaojia, her face innocent: “Is there anything else?”

Zhang Ke: “…”

She finally understood, Yu Shuangjiang’s assistant was like a vault, her lips sealed.

No one learned their lesson after being repeatedly rejected, but Zhang Ke did.

Dejected, she remained silent, finally seeing the figures approaching.

Qi Xiaojia, perking up, looked over.

Zhang Ke’s eyes narrowed, she suspected Tao Ning was wiping off smudged lipstick.

As they approached, Tao Ning tossed her car keys to Zhang Ke: “Here, take my car, you can have the day off tomorrow, have Yiman cover for you.”

Unable to satisfy her curiosity, Zhang Ke, her face beaming, said, “Sure, Xiao Jia, let’s go, I’ll take you home.”

Being Tao Ning’s assistant for so many years required not only diligence, but also quick thinking, and she immediately understood Tao Ning’s intentions.

She turned to Qi Xiaojia, who was still confused, and made the offer, and Qi Xiaojia instinctively looked towards the car.

Yu Shuangjiang, following behind Tao Ning, gave Qi Xiaojia a quick greeting and got into the car, saying softly, “You go ahead, Tao Laoshi will take me home.”

A moment later, the two cars drove off in opposite directions.

Arriving at Yu Shuangjiang’s building, Tao Ning stopped the car: “We’re here, going home?”

Yu Shuangjiang took her hand, pulling her closer, and said, “I was just thinking, a little intimacy would help relieve stress.”

Tao Ning’s reply was the click of her seatbelt being unbuckled.

The next day, Qi Xiaojia arrived at the teahouse for the script reading. It was still early, and not many people were there yet.

Walking towards the familiar room, she saw Yu Shuangjiang, holding a cup of black coffee, her eyes on the script, her energy unexpectedly high.

For some reason, the phrase “like a demoness who absorbs human essence for cultivation” popped into her mind.

Hearing the door open, Yu Shuangjiang looked up: “You’re early, Xiao Jia, have you had breakfast? Want some?”

Qi Xiaojia shook her head: “I ate downstairs.”

Tao Ning sat nearby, also with a cup of coffee, focused on her laptop.

Also full of energy, indeed, people who did great things.

Qi Xiaojia, unable to tell who was the real demoness, entered, tidying up the scattered scripts on Yu Shuangjiang’s table, and soon, the others arrived.

No one noticed they were both drinking the same type of coffee, there were only a few cafes nearby, it was a common brand.

Honestly, on the first day of the table read, the actors had been worried about a clash between the two, considering their past feud.

But it had been surprisingly peaceful, and today, they were even more optimistic.

Work continued, and as expected, something unexpected happened.

That afternoon, in the teahouse’s private room, they were discussing the script, some even acting out their scenes,

When someone said, “Did you hear something?”

The room quieted down, a faint sound coming from outside.

Tao Ning, her chin resting on her hand, her gaze, no longer on her laptop, had shifted to the window.

Someone said, “It sounds like… police sirens?”

The person sitting by the window immediately opened it, their seat facing the entrance of the film studio, where most vehicles entered and exited.

Indeed, a police car was driving in.

“Why would there be a police car here?”

“Who called the police?”

“Did something happen?”

Faced with such potential drama, their curiosity piqued, they immediately started contacting their sources, trying to find out what was happening.

Luckily, they were here at the teahouse today, they wouldn’t have missed this.

The police car drove towards a specific filming location.

The set of The Legend of Wen Ying.

The already highly anticipated drama was now the center of even more attention, almost all the paparazzi in the studio rushing over.

A police car at the studio? This had to be a major scandal, much more interesting than just celebrity photos.

“Yi Jie, the crew said two police officers are looking for you…”

Ji Ruoyi, dressed in her costume, stood up abruptly, her face pale.

Her initial denial was quickly replaced by resignation, a calm so it has begun.

The director and the crew rushed over: “Ruoyi, what’s happening? Why are the police here?”

Her manager also arrived: “What’s going on? Why are there so many people?”

Ji Ruoyi’s mind went blank, the answer on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t speak: “I…”

Two police officers, pushing through the crowd, their arrival attracting curious gazes, reached Ji Ruoyi.

“Ji Ruoyi, you’re a suspect in a murder case, please come with us.”

Ji Ruoyi, arrested on set, in front of everyone, the photos instantly spreading online, shocked the internet.

It was revealed that she was a suspect in a murder case.

No one believed a popular celebrity with a bright future would commit such a crime.

[Ji Ruoyi looks so frail, barely ninety pounds, she could barely lift a knife on a variety show, how could she kill someone?] —This was her fans’ defense.

But outsiders quickly dismissed this: [But murder doesn’t require physical strength, she could be the mastermind.]

Although this would later prove to be true, it was hard to believe now, even for her fans.

They accused the accuser of spreading rumors, threatening legal action.

The person, harassed relentlessly, deactivated their account and ran away.

But things took a turn for the worse, Ji Ruoyi’s studio remained silent, not answering any questions.

Even Jiang Li Entertainment didn’t respond to any inquiries.

Silence was taken as confirmation, and it seemed the rumors about Ji Ruoyi were true.

The online discussions continued for days, the official statement, “We can’t reveal any details about the ongoing investigation,” not enough to quell the public’s anger, but a final announcement, like a bucket of cold water on a fire, finally came.

Ji Ruoyi had indeed hired someone to commit murder, bribing a mechanic to tamper with the brakes of Liu’s car, causing the accident that left him missing for months.

Liu, however, had noticed the tampered brakes and survived the crash, hiding nearby, only reporting it recently, after the initial panic subsided.

Shaken but alive, he confessed everything, saying he had only wanted a small sum of money, not expecting her to try and kill him.

This explained the photos of her being taken away by the police.

Faced with undeniable evidence, even her most loyal fans were speechless, unable to understand her actions.

With the charges confirmed, Ji Ruoyi not only faced criminal charges, but also a ban from the entertainment industry, her works removed or edited.

But some internet sleuths discovered that Liu was a notorious paparazzi, responsible for many scandals, even the downfall of Jiang Li’s former top star, Su Zhen, who had retired because of him.

Having spent his life exposing others’ secrets, his own were now revealed, even his massive debt.

His creditors were searching for him, and with the news spreading, they might even be waiting for him outside the police station.

Some wondered if Ji Ruoyi had been threatened by Liu, driven to desperation, which was why she had done it.

But these voices were few, ignored by most, and even those who considered the possibility had to admit that a life had been lost, it couldn’t be excused.

And the drama she was currently filming had to be halted, either recasting the lead role or abandoning the project altogether.

The matter seemed settled, and Jiang Li Entertainment, having given up on Ji Ruoyi, was preparing to find a new star.

But such things took time, and Jiang Li would be struggling for a while.

This, however, had nothing to do with Yu Shuangjiang, and as the leaves began to fall, Burning Heart held its opening ceremony in another city.