Acting as the Movie Queen Love Rival’s Golden Finger GL - Chapter 4

Pei Zishu sent Li Man off to make a cup of coffee, then began discussing business with Ming Xu. “The Jin Yi Awards ceremony is the night after tomorrow. I won’t arrange any schedules for you these next few days. Rest well and prepare properly.”

Xiwang had very high expectations for Ming Xu. This year’s Jin Yi Award for Best Actress in a Television Series was practically already in the bag. Even the gown she would wear on the red carpet had been specially custom-made in advance and had only recently been brought back from overseas.

Ming Xu set down her cup. “Mm, I know.”

“What else?” Pei Zishu had left a message asking her to come over this morning. Surely it wasn’t just to specifically remind her to rest well.

“I just got the news today. Director Bei is about to start filming and has invited you to audition.”

“A film?” Ming Xu’s expression turned thoughtful. “That’s an opportunity.”

“Yes. You don’t have many film works yet, and you haven’t won any particularly weighty awards. It would be best if you could join Director Bei’s crew.”

Ming Xu nodded. “Has the script been given?”

“Not yet.” Pei Zishu also found that strange. Logically speaking, although audition scripts were not something every actor could receive, first- and second-tier actors personally invited to audition by the director would definitely be given the script.

Ming Xu thought for a moment, then lifted her eyes and said, “I’m a newcomer to the big screen. If Director Bei invited me, it must be because I match the role in some way.”

“Set it up,” Ming Xu said.

What Pei Zishu admired most about Ming Xu was precisely how straightforward and decisive she was. She said readily, “All right. The audition is one week after the Jin Yi Awards. Prepare well and polish your acting a bit more.”

“Mm.” Ming Xu stood. “Nothing else? I’ll go back then.”

“In such a hurry? I was going to say we could have lunch together.”

“No. Catching up on sleep.” Ming Xu’s words were concise. She tilted her head slightly, her lashes fluttering. “I didn’t sleep much last night.”

Song Jianzhi had only just gotten her new phone and returned to society when she saw a WeChat friend request from Xinghan’s general manager, Xie Xun.

Xie Xun warmly welcomed the daughter of his company’s big boss into the entertainment industry. In one breath, he even mentioned that she could first attend the Jin Yi Awards ceremony to experience the current state of the domestic entertainment circle.

Song Jianzhi typed: Hasn’t the attendance list for the awards ceremony already been finalized? Wouldn’t adding me cause trouble?

Surely they weren’t going to squeeze someone out and make her sit in the front row, right?

Xie Xun held his phone and said to the executive assistant beside him, “Third Miss Song… is quite polite?”

A statement had somehow been forcefully spoken with complicated layers of doubt and surprise.

The executive assistant smiled politely and watched as his superior tapped rapidly on the keyboard with both hands.

Xie Xun: Song Group is one of the sponsors of the Jin Yi Awards. In previous years, even when you weren’t here, members of the Song family were always invited. Eldest Miss has never participated in entertainment industry events, and when Second Young Master wasn’t in the country, the seat was left empty. It’s no problem at all for you to attend on behalf of Song Group!

Song Jianzhi agreed without thinking too much. This ceremony was where Ming Xu would win Best Actress in a Television Series for the first time. It was only right that she go and watch.

Song Jianzhi put down her phone and rubbed her little hands together. “Let me see what’s in my own dressing room!”

For a top wealthy-family heiress like this in a novel, haute couture should be filling the entire closet!

Song Jianzhi pushed the door open with a click, only to see that the dressing room… was completely empty.

Song Jianzhi: What’s going on? Aren’t I the wealthy-family supporting female character the author loves most, the one who delivers resources to the male lead?

When Uncle Li heard that his young miss was looking for clothes, he hurried over, glanced at the dressing room, and said, “Third Miss, after you went out to the banquet that night, Eldest Miss came over to take a look. She said the clothes prepared for you in the country were from two years ago and were all out of date, so she had us clear this place out and purchase this season’s clothing.”

Song Jianzhi shouted internally that her sister was amazing, but on the surface, she said worriedly, “I’m going to the Jin Yi Awards ceremony tomorrow night.”

Hearing this, Uncle Li bowed slightly and said, “Your gown and accessories will be prepared within today.”

For the first time, Song Jianzhi personally experienced the power of a top wealthy family in this world.

That evening, she took a walk around the garden to digest her food. When she returned and pulled open the dressing room door again, the dressing room was already packed full, especially with more than ten haute couture gowns that were particularly dazzling.

She casually pulled open a drawer in the jewelry display cabinet and saw all kinds of jewels shining brilliantly against black velvet cloth.

Song Jianzhi said, “Tell me, isn’t being rich wonderful?”

The system encouraged her. “Being rich feels good for a while. Being rich forever feels good forever. Do your missions well, and you’ll be a beautiful, rich, fair-skinned lady yourself, standing at the peak of life without ever needing to come down.”

Song Jianzhi was inspired by money and became full of motivation.

The awards ceremony entrance was in the evening. During the day, a top styling team came to the Song residence to give her skincare treatments and then style her.

Song Jianzhi’s looks and figure belonged to the seductive beauty type. The stylist had no intention of forcing her back into a pure and innocent style, and chose a backless gown somewhat similar in design to the one Ming Xu had worn at the banquet.

Song Jianzhi thought that this was fate. She had long legs and arms, with slender bones, and she looked very beautiful in the dress too. Although she did not have Ming Xu’s cool, aloof air, she was vivid and alluring in her own way.

After she changed into it, the stylist had originally been nodding in satisfaction. But after circling around her and taking another look, the stylist pushed her back into the dressing room and picked out another, more conservative dress.

“What’s wrong?” Song Jianzhi was completely at a loss.

The stylist’s expression was hard to describe. She pushed Song Jianzhi in front of the full-length mirror, had her stand sideways, and pointed at her back.

Song Jianzhi: …her little face flushed bright red.

Ming Xu, were you gnawing on ribs?!

The second gown was a sleeveless black dress with a deep V. The back was wrapped up securely, while the front was full of charm. The V-shaped neckline was edged with semi-transparent black gauze, faintly revealing and concealing.

The lower part of the skirt was decorated with many golden hand-sewn beads, fine and scattered. When she walked, it looked like a nebula.

The stylist also tidied up her large chestnut waves. Since she was attending on behalf of the company, she had to look a little more dignified. Her hair was loosely pinned up, with a few wisps left as decoration, revealing her beautiful shoulders and neck. Against the black dress, her skin looked dazzlingly white.

After adding a few expensive diamond accessories, pairing it with slim stilettos and a luxury evening clutch, the look was more or less complete.

As the highest honor in the field of television dramas, the Jin Yi Awards, held once every three years, had always been grand in scale.

Celebrities arrived by car at the end of the red carpet and entered in the order coordinated by the organizers.

Xie Xun was sending Song Jianzhi a WeChat message asking whether she had arrived yet. After all, Song Jianzhi was still a new face in the country, and Xie Xun was preparing to walk the red carpet with her.

The executive assistant called out to him, “President Xie, Manager Ji asked me to pass on a message. Tonight, President Wei has invited her artist He Xilan to walk the red carpet with him.”

Xie Xun frowned. “Why are they only saying this now?”

“President Wei has been busy and only just remembered he was missing a female companion.”

His phone vibrated, indicating a new WeChat message. Xie Xun hurriedly lowered his head and casually waved a hand. “Let her go then.”

Xie Xun opened his phone and looked.

Song Jianzhi: Thank you for the kind offer, President Xie, but I found someone to walk the red carpet with.

Xie Xun made a sound of surprise: Who is it?

Song Jianzhi: It’s the Nation’s Little Brother, Chen Yuanning.

He Xilan sat in the car. Tonight, her original plan had been to walk the red carpet with the Nation’s Little Brother, Chen Yuanning, and the two of them were in the same car.

Chen Yuanning was chewing gum, smacking away. “It’s not a big deal, Sister He. Hurry up and go.”

Her manager opened the door, indicating that everything had already been handled. He Xilan put on an apologetic expression and said goodbye to Chen Yuanning. Lifting her skirt, she got out of the car. Before closing the door, she smiled gently and said, “Yuanning, perform well tonight. See you inside.”

The two of them walked forward, searching for Wei Xiao’s car among the line of vehicles.

Her manager said, “Is this really okay? I heard Chen Yuanning’s family background is pretty good too.”

He Xilan smoothed the strands of hair blown messy by the wind and smiled in greeting at the reporters who had noticed her getting out of the car, answering Ji Yun, “He’s only nineteen. I can’t bring myself to do it.”

“Wei Xiao is stupid and has lots of money. He’s just right.”

Her manager choked and had no way to refute it.

As they spoke, He Xilan saw Wei Xiao’s Maserati. She immediately raised the gentlest, most agreeable smile. “Young Master Wei.”

Wei Xiao coolly glanced at the little celebrity and was fairly satisfied. As long as they were obedient, he did not mind giving these women a few benefits.

Seeing He Xilan blush slightly under his gaze, Wei Xiao felt even more comfortable inside and said coldly, “Get in.”

Chen Yuanning’s manager was still complaining. “The news that you and He Xilan would walk the red carpet together has already been released. Now she’s abandoned you and left you to walk alone. Later, your antis will have something to say again.”

Chen Yuanning clicked his tongue. “I still have so many mom fans and sister fans. What are you panicking for?”

The manager touched his chin. “True. And once they see He Xilan abandoning their son to throw herself into President Wei’s arms, He Xilan will probably get dissed instead.”

Chen Yuanning was about to say something when his phone lit up. He dug it out from some corner and opened it. His eyes widened, and he almost swallowed his gum.

His manager hurriedly asked, “What is it?”

Chen Yuanning’s face twisted up. A thousand words condensed into a single sentence. “My family member is coming to walk the red carpet with me.”

“Huh?”

In honor of art, the Jin Yi Awards had always arranged the entrance order so that the nominated television drama crews entered first.

As the hottest contender for awards, the crew of Like a Dream, which Ming Xu was part of, walked the red carpet last.

The crew stepped onto the red carpet, and the most eye-catching among them was Ming Xu in a deep gray gown.

The sky had gradually darkened, but Ming Xu’s dress had no unnecessary embellishments. It relied entirely on tailoring to win. The deep gray looked noble and distant on her, carrying an icy texture. The high slit design also let a trace of sensual charm spill out as she walked.

The crowds and reporters on both sides stirred restlessly. Then the flashbulbs lit up even more densely.

Ming Xu walked all the way to the top, where the host onstage conducted a brief interview with the crew.

The red carpet show below continued.

The host was interviewing Ming Xu. “I remember this is Ming Xu’s first time attending the Jin Yi Awards ceremony. What do you think of the scene tonight? Is everyone very enthusiastic?”

Ming Xu was just about to answer when the corner of her eye swept below the stairs.

Song Jianzhi was there, holding the arm of a male celebrity. Her hair was loosely pinned, her beauty radiant as peach and plum blossoms. She wore a black dress, her skin white as snow, the hem of her skirt covered in starlight.

Ming Xu answered softly, “Yes. I’m honored to come here with an excellent work. Before even entering the venue, I’ve already felt the rich atmosphere. As for my thoughts on the ceremony…”

She paused, looking at that figure. Then she gave a light laugh and said, “I think it’s very beautiful.”

As if sensing something, Song Jianzhi turned back to look.

The carpet was crimson. Fine gold flakes glittered. The crowds on both sides suddenly fell quiet, and the flashbulbs blinked in and out of the dark night like stars.

Song Jianzhi stood on the red carpet, her face lifted. Her amber cat-like eyes were filled with rich honey. On her dress were scattered stars, and beneath her feet was spilled starlight.

Her face was gorgeous and delicate like a fairy’s, yet her expression carried a unique innocence and purity. Her eyes were round, and her lips looked as though they held a pearl.

From above, Ming Xu lowered her gaze and took in the entire scene.

Author’s Note:

There’s a bug in the text. The measure word for “nebula” should be “patch/sheet.”

When my writer friend helped me read the chapter, they said: “A blossom of nebula sounds so cute hahahahahaha.”

Me: ??? What kind of nonsense did I even write?

But after thinking about it carefully, it really is cute, so I’m not changing it.