CH 30

She could ensure that she would remain true to her original aspirations in the intoxicating entertainment industry, but she couldn’t trust that the soft and gentle Youyou wouldn’t be swept away by the currents of the industry. In truth, deep down, she was afraid that Youyou would slip out of her control.

The bitterness at the corner of her mouth deepened, and Ling Ya asked Fu Shu, “What do you think?”

Fu Shu had a broad vision and extensive knowledge. If it were her, she would surely come up with a more perfect and mutually beneficial solution, right?

“Me?” Fu Shu’s eyes flickered with a strange and elusive glimmer. She tapped the table with her index finger and spoke with a cold and convincing tone.

“I think you should actually trust Bai Youyou, shouldn’t you? Director Ji has a good character, and the audience appreciates the films he directs. So, if she truly wants to enter the entertainment industry, this is a great opportunity.”

“If she can seize this chance and gain Director Ji’s favor, her path in acting will be much smoother in the future.”

She analyzed the situation earnestly.

However, in a place that Ling Ya couldn’t see, Fu Shu’s lips curved with sarcasm.

The entertainment industry had always been a place of hidden dirt and impurities. Fu Shu was looking forward to seeing that not-so-pure lotus flower reveal its true face in the industry.

Originally, she had planned to deal with her personally, but now…

Perhaps she would end up ruining herself.

“Do I have to trust Youyou?” Ling Ya murmured unconsciously, feeling conflicted.

In her subconscious, Ling Ya didn’t want Youyou to engage in complicated and high-profile work. Perhaps it was because Youyou gave her the impression of being soft, fragile, and harmless. Ling Ya always felt that if she placed Youyou in this cutthroat society, she would be quickly devoured or obliterated, leaving nothing but scraps.

She liked it when Youyou engaged in simple work that didn’t require caring about others’ opinions or facing significant restrictions, like painting.

Her hand, painted with crimson nail polish, slid back and forth on the phone screen. Ling Ya furrowed her brows, still hesitant.

“I must say, if you keep dawdling like this, I’m afraid your girlfriend won’t be pleased,” Fu Shu said with a smile, her good mood apparent. Her eyes contained a hint of mockery, and even her eyebrows carried an air of elegance.

As the pride of the heavens, Fu Shu had always had a smooth sailing life, except for that one person who caused her to stumble.

She had money, looks, power, and influence. She could manipulate people’s hearts with a wave of her hand, cold and domineering. However, she had lost the fervor and innocence of her past.

The night was hazy, but the lights in the coffee shop were unusually bright.

Gazing at Fu Shu, who exuded an aura of nobility and distinction, Ling Ya’s eyes flickered.

In fact, at the beginning, she also doubted whether Fu Shu had any ulterior motives or whether she had feelings for her. After all, the difference between them was too great. She couldn’t understand why Fu Shu had chosen her and decided to help her.

But in their daily interactions, Fu Shu had always been a gentlewoman. She never acted inappropriately towards her, nor did she show any displeasure or strangeness when Youyou was mentioned. So, Ling Ya gradually let go of her concerns.

Fu Shu said she saw potential in her and wanted to invest in her. Ling Ya believed her because she believed in herself. She believed that she was not inferior to anyone, and as long as she had a good platform, she could establish herself firmly in the industry and fulfill her childhood dreams.

Gripping her phone, Ling Ya chose to trust Fu Shu.

“Got it, I’ll call Youyou right away and soothe her emotions. Thank you for your help,” Ling Ya said before leaving her seat with her phone in hand.

“Tsk, I’m really looking forward to it,” Fu Shu muttered, glancing at Ling Ya’s departing figure. Then she turned her head to look out the window.

Through the semi-transparent glass, she could faintly see her own reflection. Fu Shu smirked, her meticulously groomed self in the mirror, with an unmistakable air of coldness and darkness lingering in her eyes.

…

“Huh? You agree with me going?” Youyou, who was silently grumbling on the couch, was taken aback when she heard Ling Ya’s words. She blinked her big eyes and cautiously asked again, “Ling Ya, you’re not lying to me, right?”

From the receiver, the girl’s sweet and timid voice was particularly evident. Ling Ya leaned against the wall, her features softening, and even her voice became slightly gentler.

“No I’m not, it’s a good opportunity. If you want to go, Youyou, then go.”

Without saying anything about pleasing the director, Ling Ya simply instructed.

“Take care of yourself and call me every day, okay?”

“Mhmm!”

Eagerly nodding, Youyou’s eyes lit up. She suddenly jumped up from the couch and happily said to Ling Ya, “Thank you, Ling Ya. When I earn money, I’ll definitely treat you to a good meal. Wait, no, I’ll buy delicious ingredients and you can cook.”

Always mindful of her current status as a poor person who needed to save money, Youyou spoke decisively. Her words amused Ling Ya, and the enchanting and gentle sound of her laughter came through the phone.

[Task objective: Favorability +3, current score: 78, host, please continue.]

Youyou:…

So confusing.

After hanging up the phone, Youyou, who had regained her vitality, immediately called Ji Mo. They agreed on a time and place to meet, and then the talkative Ji Mo kept on chatting with Youyou, unwilling to end the call.

With her eyes sparkling, listening to Ji Mo talk about the gossip and inside stories of the entertainment industry, Youyou was initially reluctant to listen because she didn’t know any of those celebrities, not even their gender. But gradually, she became completely engrossed under Ji Mo’s captivating storytelling.

Because Ji Mo made it so interesting. Those astonishing and bizarre stories in the entertainment industry became even more thrilling after being embellished by Ji Mo’s words.

In just two short hours, Youyou had formed a deep friendship with Ji Mo. If it weren’t for Youyou’s phone running out of battery, Ji Mo would have surely continued talking.

…

“Youyou, the film I’ll be directing is called ‘Youth.’ The male lead, Zhou Xiaoliu, will be played by the award-winning actor Wan Liang. And the character you’ll be portraying, the male lead’s first love, is called Qi Hong.”

Qi Hong had very few scenes, but because Youyou didn’t know how to act and those few scenes were interconnected, even though Ji Mo assured her that she only needed to act naturally, he still signed a seven-day contract with Youyou.

One day to memorize lines, one day to polish acting skills, one day to familiarize herself with the set and find her angles during filming. The rest…

She could settle the bill and go home once filming was finished.

So on the first day, Youyou held a thin piece of paper, which was the so-called script, and stared at Ji Mo.

“Um, Youyou, having fewer lines means we’ll earn more. Isn’t that great?” Ji Mo awkwardly coughed, his gaze wandering, feeling somewhat guilty. But to his surprise, that adorable little girl nodded, looking very approving.

For some reason, Ji Mo felt a bit dumbfounded.

The script for Qi Hong was very simple, with only a few lines. Therefore, Youyou quickly memorized it. The task for the day was completed like that, and Youyou silently calculated her earnings for the day, her eyes almost disappearing from smiling too much.

“Hehe, acting really makes good money. No wonder Ling Ya wants to be a top actress.”

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