Acting Spoiled and Arrogant [Rebirth] - Chapter 10

Just as Zuo Xian was pondering how to turn the situation around, she noticed a new notification in her email inbox.

Public work emails like this one aren’t exactly private. Since it’s meant for business inquiries, other management staff can log in as well. In the early days, fans or contributors would often send submissions or fan edits to this address.

For a “nobody” like Zuo Xian, this inbox was rarely visited. Currently, the only people with access—besides herself—was Chen Shuang.

The timing of the incoming mail was suspicious, arriving exactly when she needed it most. As a new signee with no background or funds to smooth things over, she was in a passive position. If handled poorly, her newly secured role might even be canceled.

Unable to think of a better solution for the moment, Zuo Xian opened the email.

Attached was a video. The thumbnail displayed the exact moment she had slapped Sun Jiayi. After a brief moment of internal satisfaction, Zuo Xian frowned and clicked play. She wanted to see just how much Sun Jiayi’s fans or “water army” trolls had edited the footage to flip black and white.

To her surprise, the video wasn’t against her. It was the original, unedited recording of everything that had happened that day. It even included the surveillance footage from the makeup room.

Because there were cameramen filming “behind-the-scenes” content, they would often capture close-ups and interactions between actors and staff to promote a “friendly environment” message. Thus, the video actually contained the full context!

—It clearly showed that it was Zuo Xian’s turn, but Sun Jiayi, who had already been urged to leave by the makeup artist, refused to move. She sat there demanding touch-ups before finally leaving reluctantly. Before exiting, she had glared maliciously at Zuo Xian several times!

Zuo Xian watched the video with delight. Once she confirmed there were no loopholes, she spoke to Chen Shuang on the phone. “Sister Shuang, a… fan friend just sent me a video. I’m sending it to you now.”

On the other end, Chen Shuang had been busy scrambling for evidence—it’s never easy, especially when the opponent strikes late at night. Everyone is home on their phones, and offices are closed, making it a “surprise bomb” that is hard to counter immediately.

Chen Shuang quickly skimmed the video and finally let out a long sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, heaven is truly on your side… Don’t worry about the rest. I’ll take over your Weibo for a while. Tomorrow, go to the set for your costume photos, and in the afternoon, follow the director to the press conference!”

Because the role she landed was a significant driver for the plot, the director wanted her there. During the lead actress’s interview, they would use Zuo Xian to tease the plot and release promotional news. For Zuo Xian, it was her first chance to appear before the public as a professional actor.

Zuo Xian was already a veteran at this. Since Jun Lin was also her first role in her previous life, she remembered the plot points and promotional beats perfectly.

Early the next morning, Chen Shuang came to pick her up. The moment Zuo Xian saw her, she asked, “Sister Shuang, did you stay up all night?”

Chen Shuang didn’t hide it. Since she took over Zuo Xian’s management, she was determined to lead her well. The “frame-up” wasn’t Zuo Xian’s fault. She had watched the video; she was actually glad Zuo Xian had acted that way—someone who only knows how to endure silently won’t survive long in this industry.

Moreover, it was clear Zuo Xian hadn’t just acted on a hot-headed impulse. She had clearly considered the situation. The video even captured the audio where Zuo Xian politely asked if she had offended the other party before retaliating.

It wasn’t “assault”; it was “justifiable counterattack.”

Chen Shuang thought to herself: Besides, Sun Jiayi was the one who tripped our Zuo Xian and splashed water on her first. People really shouldn’t cross the line.

Despite the lack of sleep, Chen Shuang was in high spirits. “There’s breakfast in the car. Eat something if you haven’t; today is going to be a non-stop grind. Take care of your health.”

Zuo Xian had eaten a little, but she tucked the milk and bread into her bag just in case. Rookie actors live in fear of getting sick at the wrong time, so maintaining her health was a priority.

“Regarding yesterday’s matter, don’t say anything for now,” Chen Shuang instructed. “If reporters ask at the press conference, just say you don’t know. No need to respond. Usually, they won’t push too hard if you’re a newcomer…”

“I know,” Zuo Xian replied. She wasn’t stupid. At this critical juncture, even though she held the evidence to ruin Sun Jiayi’s reputation, she couldn’t act suspicious. Otherwise, the opposition might claim she staged the whole thing. Doing nothing and saying nothing was the best strategy for now.

The morning plan involved shooting her costume photos as Lin Xianxian, familiarizing herself with the script, and rehearsing lines with the female lead.

Zuo Xian knew the lead actress well. Yao Lan was an incredibly hardworking and professional actress. In this era, actors weren’t as pampered; they did everything themselves. Even in the future, Yao Lan was known for filming night scenes in freezing water and taking great care of her juniors. Zuo Xian had always respected her and maintained a good relationship with her.

Currently, Yao Lan was still relatively unknown. She wasn’t the “stunning beauty” type, and while she had been in hits, the shows usually became famous while she remained “lukewarm.” As she got older, her roles became limited, so this opportunity was vital for her. She had even consulted veteran “palace drama” actors on how to make her performance stand out.

Despite being the lead, Yao Lan had no ego. Not now, and not even later when she became a superstar. There was another reason for their connection… Yao Lan was on good terms with Lu Xingxian.

Zuo Xian smiled to herself, thinking that like-minded people truly do flock together. She liked Yao Lan, but she liked Lu Xingxian even more. And she would work hard to turn that “like” into “love.”

Zuo Xian found Yao Lan during a break. Surprisingly, Yao Lan acted quite cool and indifferent, which puzzled Zuo Xian for a moment. However, she realized she couldn’t compare this to their future friendship; this was their first meeting in this timeline. Distant behavior was expected.

Zuo Xian didn’t mind. Holding her script, she approached with a polite, sweet smile. “Sister Lan, I’d like to ask you a few questions about the script.”

Yao Lan had her assistant bring a chair for Zuo Xian and went through the rehearsal with her. After Zuo Xian left, the assistant muttered while tidying up, “Sister Lan, I feel like this Zuo Xian… is different from what they’re saying online?”

They often browsed the web during boring filming breaks. While Weibo “Hot Searches” usually didn’t involve them, they still enjoyed the “melon” (gossip). Naturally, they had seen the drama from the night before, though it had already been replaced by new topics this morning.

Yao Lan was also a bit puzzled. Her coldness toward Zuo Xian was entirely due to that news; she was a cautious person and didn’t want to be associated with starlets plagued by negative scandals. But character can only be understood through personal contact.

Zuo Xian was beautiful, but in this industry, beauty without proven strength is a danger. Yao Lan sighed, feeling her attitude might have been too cold, especially since Zuo Xian’s path was already difficult.

However, to Yao Lan, Zuo Xian was just a passing colleague. She didn’t dwell on it and instead opened her messages to contact a friend.

Yao Lan: So, are you coming to the press conference this afternoon?

Lu Xingxian: Yes. Also, I need a favor.

This surprised Yao Lan. The assistant also saw the message and asked curiously, “Sister Lan, what could Miss Lu possibly need your help with?”

Yao Lan didn’t know why, but she was happy to help a friend.

Yao Lan: No need to call it a ‘favor,’ consider it a return for your guest appearance. What is it?

Lu Xingxian: Help me take care of a newcomer.

Yao Lan froze, instinctively thinking of the girl who just left. Then, her phone vibrated again.

Lu Xingxian: Zuo Xian. She mentioned she just went to rehearse the script with you. She praised you, saying you’re a nice person.

Yao Lan thought for a moment and told her assistant, “Go ask if Zuo Xian has a car. If not, tell her to come ride with us.”

Once the assistant left, Yao Lan showed her phone to her manager, Huang Li, with a look of disbelief. “What’s gotten into Lu Xingxian? Asking me to look after a newcomer?”

While Lu Xingxian was also an actor, she was on an entirely different level. Her roles were aimed at awards, not just traffic. Money didn’t matter to her; besides, she wasn’t short of it.

Huang Li, looking at it from a managerial perspective, said, “I thought her looks were ‘dangerous’ at first, but she’s destined for stardom if she has the luck and opportunity. Now it seems, besides her beauty… she isn’t lacking the other two things either.”

“Then do as Lu Xingxian says,” Huang Li mused. “Observe her for now. She’s just a newcomer; as long as you maintain some distance, helping her out is fine.”

Understanding her manager, Yao Lan replied: Got it. I remember her, a very pretty girl, very polite.

Lu Xingxian put down her phone and looked out the window.

“Sister Xian, what happened to make you so happy?” the assistant driving the car asked, stunned to see such a visible expression on Lu Xingxian’s face.

“Just drive,” Lu Xingxian said. She picked up her phone again and opened her chat with Zuo Xian. Before she could type, a message popped up!

Xianxian: Axian, Axian! Today is my first day on set, I can’t have dinner with you tonight.

Xianxian: I’m so happy today.

Below was a selfie in her costume, pouting and acting cute. Lu Xingxian slowly saved the image and let out a soft smile.

Author’s Note:

Axian: Hearing someone praise Xianxian makes me happy.