Chapter 15: Launch Banquet (3)

“Resentment has been collected to one hundred percent. Unlocking the Resentment Value strategy in the character mission interface.”

Green light suddenly flickered in her eyes, and everything around her froze in place.

The character mission main interface appeared in Lu Zhiyu’s vision. A Resentment Trading Shop popped up on the interface. Tapping into it revealed a simple introduction: Resentment not only granted the host the Undying Buff but could also be converted into a certain amount of Fortune Source Value by doing good deeds, charity, or saving female supporting characters. She could use this Fortune Source Value to redeem the target female supporting character’s Resentment Value directly and purchase Evil Soul Bait without needing to catalyze their deterioration.

A single good deed only increased the Fortune Source Value by one point, while the Evil Soul Bait required a hundred points.

Lu Zhiyu lifted her gaze, tilting her head slightly toward Bai Xirou, who stood frozen beside her. Bai Xirou’s jade-like face was soft as water, her pure black eyes always glancing obliquely at her with a hint of concern that felt utterly genuine.

She recalled the moment she stumbled into the car. In her haze, the surprise, panic, and care in Bai Xirou’s eyes had been unmistakable. She truly cared about her and treated her like a friend.

The lingering warmth from the massage on the soles of her feet warmed Lu Zhiyu’s heart as well.

Her eyes softened for a moment. She placed her hand on Bai Xirou’s arm, which was looped around hers, and pulled it up playfully for an air high-five.

Hahaha, anyway, just like that—no matter what, their partnership was sealed.

Lu Zhiyu’s lips curved up slightly in delight. With this exchange system, once she gathered enough Fortune Source Value to redeem the Evil Soul Bait, she might even prevent Bai Xirou from following her vicious female supporting character route.

Having such a smart friend and ally made the path ahead far easier than going it alone.

Lu Zhiyu regarded Bai Xirou as a true friend now. Her gaze gradually warmed, and the more she looked, the more she found Bai Xirou cute and kind. This pure little white flower inexplicably grew on her.

Time gradually thawed. Bai Xirou regained her mobility. As soon as she came back to herself, she found herself stared down by a straightforward, earnest gaze.

She turned her head slightly and caught sight of Lu Zhiyu’s pure, beautiful smile bathed in moonlight. Her first reaction was that she’d seen a ghost.

Bai Xirou raised her brows, somewhat surprised. Lu Zhiyu had always been guarded around her, tinged with displeasure. Now, this inexplicable smile felt suspiciously scheming and cunning.

She recalled how Lu Zhiyu had casually asked about her birthday, and her assistant Lu Yuan always paid special attention to her, being extra courteous every time they met.

Had she misunderstood? Lu Yuan’s overt overtures and bold hints weren’t about her liking Bai Xirou but following orders from her artist to butter her up and probe her orientation. The one truly interested in her was Lu Zhiyu.

The more Bai Xirou thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. A scheming woman like Lu Zhiyu wouldn’t be foolish enough to pursue a colleague who knew all about her scandalous past outright. She’d use other tactics instead.

Like… playing hard to get.

The more Bai Xirou mulled it over, the more convinced she became. Her gaze toward Lu Zhiyu shifted, and a faint smile unconsciously touched her face.

Lu Zhiyu watched Bai Xirou’s fleeting, meaningful smile, utterly baffled. She smiled back vaguely before turning her head away.

Bai Xirou had her assistant fetch the gown the company had arranged for her to wear. She considerately accompanied the still-shaken Lu Zhiyu to the changing room.

The launch ceremony had already concluded before Lu Zhiyu and Bai Xirou even arrived on set. Unlike top-tier stars like Ruan Suhuai and Yang Siyi, they were minor actors with just a few scenes—no qualifications for the incense offering or press conference invites. But this launch banquet was Director Chen Wen’s way of thanking investors, guest stars, and crew staff. The guest list was extensive, and they were naturally included.

For newcomers in the entertainment industry, connections were crucial, and getting face time in the circle was equally important.

Bai Xirou took it seriously. She smiled into the mirror dozens of times until she nailed the most flattering, poised angle. Then she removed her makeup, did some skincare, and waited for the makeup artist.

In contrast, once Lu Zhiyu reached the changing room, she chugged water like mad. She ran in place holding up her gown skirt like a lunatic, did sit-ups on the floor—zero regard for maintaining a celebrity’s poised image.

She figured this would speed up her metabolism and flush the drugs out faster. But others saw it differently: she must be addicted to dieting, suddenly seized by an impulse for warm-ups.

Moreover, the crew in the makeup room noticed Lu Zhiyu had caught a sudden case of helpfulness fever. Short-handed on lighting setup? She threw on a protective raincoat over her expensive gown, kicked off her heels without a care, climbed a half-meter ladder to adjust the lights—scaring support staff into tremblingly holding her pricey skirt mid-air, terrified the ancestor atop the ladder would meet disaster.

When someone on crew fractured their leg during logistics, Lu Zhiyu called an ambulance and even fronted two hundred yuan for treatment. The poor employee, lips quivering on the hospital bed, frantically called Director Chen Wen. How could he dare let Du Yueze’s woman pay his medical bills?

Chen Wen heard about it and panicked hard, assuming Du Yueze thought they’d mistreated Lu Zhiyu and sent this as a warning. He promptly added the two hundred to her filming pay and refunded the standard ten percent newbie deduction—a hidden industry rule.

After bustling around, Lu Zhiyu’s Fortune Source Value only rose by one. Her account gained a few thousand extra bucks, but most good deeds flopped—either dismissed as crazy or met with terrified inquiries if she’d been offended, leaving her baffled.

Standing in the changing room fiddling with her phone, she’d been testing good deed gains. Her Fortune Source Value hit one hundred, then plummeted back due to “personal reasons.” Her mood soured.

“Hey, what are you doing standing there frozen? The banquet’s about to start.”

Bai Xirou parted the changing room curtain and poked her head in.

Lu Zhiyu, scrolling her compressed character interface on her phone, reflexively replied “Oh,” then went still again.

Seeing Lu Zhiyu’s flawless makeup but dazed expression, Bai Xirou assumed she hadn’t shaken off that ugly ordeal. Pity stirred in her. Lu Zhiyu’s gown zipper was only half-done, exposing much of her snowy back. Bai Xirou stepped in, stood behind her, and zipped it up.

Lu Zhiyu snapped to, swiftly tossing her phone into her bag on the hook. A bit embarrassed, she said, “Ah, Xirou, how’d you get in here? I was just checking news and didn’t notice.”

“…”

Bai Xirou stared silently for a while, her face a mix of sympathy and other inscrutable emotions. Finally, she spoke: “I can tell you have no fondness for Du Yueze, and he harms you without restraint. Did you sign a sellout contract with him?”

She paused a few seconds, then added: “Do you have some unavoidable hardship forcing you to stay with him?”

Lu Zhiyu’s eyes sharpened. She tugged at her long hair draped over her shoulder. She’d been wanting to bond with Bai Xirou, and from her tone, she clearly disliked Du Yueze too. Ambiguously, she replied: “Yes. Following Du Yueze—besides him forcing me—I’m seeking a truth, waiting for an unknown outcome of justice. Be it mutual destruction or me falling first, I have no choice.”

The woman beside her had resolute eyes, her face faintly resolute, lips pressed tight. The hatred for Du Yueze didn’t seem feigned.

Bai Xirou’s gaze softened in surprise. She smiled faintly, arms crossed, leaning against the wall. “Do you know about S Agency?”

“S Agency?”

Lu Zhiyu’s tone held hesitation. The name rang a bell…

She remembered: Upon arrival, before Gu Yinsu dragged her back to Du Mansion from the Yin-Yang Station subway entrance, she’d mentioned S Agency during a call, vowing to wipe them out…

Seeing Lu Zhiyu’s puzzled look, Bai Xirou smiled and explained: “S Agency is a secret official organization. Maybe they can resolve your troubles. Of course, I can’t say more—you’ll find out when you go.”

Bai Xirou slipped a note into Lu Zhiyu’s hand. She glanced at it: an unfamiliar address—Haitang Street Photo Studio 222—with a slogan, “The most beautiful ID photos, you deserve them,” next to a sexy half-body shot of an influencer in lace stockings.

This tacky card reminded her of the quick hotel stays, where such cards slid under doors at night—all advertising special services.

She twitched her lips. Figuring it was S Agency’s smokescreen, she pocketed it—only for Bai Xirou to snatch and shred it lightning-fast.

“Sorry, wrong one.”

Bai Xirou looked awkward, tossed the scraps in the trash, and handed over another card.

This one was proper: black with gold embossed text, quality paper, upscale design.

“Zhenming Building Room 405?”

Lu Zhiyu held the card, inwardly surprised. In the game, Zhenming Building was the prop shop for buying level-unlock items. Did this address hide a bonus quest?

“If you join S Agency, I’ll tell you my secret.”

Bai Xirou’s hand brushed Lu Zhiyu’s shoulder, taking back the black card. Her honeyed lips neared her ear, whispering softly: “You’ve always been interested in me, haven’t you? I know.”

Lu Zhiyu’s heart pounded wildly. Her facial muscles tensed, hand in her sleeve clutching her hem. She knew? Knew what? That her approach had ulterior motives? Her perceptiveness was terrifying.

Watching Lu Zhiyu’s flustered face, Bai Xirou thought her guess spot-on. For some reason, a sudden thrill invaded her heart, quickening her pulse.