Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 45

Zhao Wenlu looked at the stubborn Shen Nanqing, his eyes filled with thick disdain before he spat viciously on the ground.

 

“After all these years, you still haven’t learned how to behave. No wonder you’re such a failure!”

 

The set was bustling with people, extras in various costumes squatting in corners waiting for their scenes. Seeing Shen Nanqing’s unfamiliar face, they couldn’t help but glance curiously at her.

 

After parking his car, Zhao Wenlu caught up, his face still wearing a cheerful smile despite his anger, greeting acquaintances as he walked.

 

“Brother Zhao, is this your new recruit?” A long-haired man passing by asked curiously upon seeing Shen Nanqing.

 

Zhao Wenlu brushed it off vaguely, steering the conversation toward Yu Yao instead. “Haha, she’s under me. I’m planning to have Yao Yao mentor her. Director Wang, how was Yao Yao’s performance today?”

 

The long-haired man nodded. “Yu Yao was in great form today. Director Su even praised her twice.”

 

Hearing this, Zhao Wenlu beamed, his already small eyes narrowing into slits. “Ah, our Yao Yao is both hardworking and dedicated. Director Wang, if you get the chance, do give her more opportunities.”

 

The man nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course.”

 

Shen Nanqing watched coldly from behind. She had to admit, Zhao Wenlu’s public persona was indeed amiable, and his social skills were impressive.

 

Too bad his heart was rotten.

 

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the man hurried off.

 

Zhao Wenlu continued leading Shen Nanqing forward, turning several corners before they finally arrived at their destination inside a shooting set.

 

The scene being filmed was set in an antique-style room, the atmosphere quiet and tense, with only the female lead performing under the spotlight surrounded by cameras and lighting equipment.

 

Shen Nanqing stood quietly by the door, taking in the familiar yet foreign surroundings.

 

After so many days, she had finally stepped onto a film set again.

 

Yu Yao was dressed in elaborate ancient robes, the beaded hair ornaments swaying gently with her movements, her lips painted a bold red. She looked stunning.

 

But Shen Nanqing knew that beneath this beautiful facade lurked an ugly, vicious woman.

 

Everything she had endured was thanks to this woman.

 

Back when they were both newcomers, signed under Zhao Wenlu, just because a director had praised her talent and acting skills, this seemingly gentle woman had turned around and slept with the director to have her scenes cut.

 

What followed were five grueling years.

 

No good roles ever came her way—either snatched by Yu Yao or deliberately handed to her by Zhao Wenlu as terrible scripts, with threats of contract violations if she refused.

 

At first, she had been furious, striving to prove herself. But after repeated setbacks, she gradually learned to bide her time and conceal her true self.

 

She understood all too clearly that the entertainment industry was a filthy, chaotic swamp.

 

It wasn’t that good people didn’t exist—they were just too few.

 

Everyone had to bow to capital. If you didn’t want to be dragged down with the rest, you had to learn to stay above it all.

 

Memories flashed before her eyes, and she was lost in thought until Yu Yao stood right in front of her.

 

“Qingqing, long time no see.”

 

Shen Nanqing looked up, staring at her gentle, harmless face, and gave a faint smile. “Long time no see.”

 

Zhao Wenlu put on a completely different face when speaking to Yu Yao, his expression greasy and his eyes filled with ambiguity: “Yaoyao, I’ve already brought the person over. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”

 

Yu Yao gave him a coquettish glance and then said considerately, “Brother Zhao, go ahead and take care of your business. Don’t overwork yourself.”

 

Watching the two of them perform this “lovey-dovey” act in front of her, Shen Nanqing took two steps back in disgust, as if afraid of catching something dirty.

 

Only after Zhao Wenlu reluctantly left did Yu Yao seem to suddenly remember Shen Nanqing was still there. She let out a small gasp, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Qingqing, I almost forgot you were still here.”

 

Her lips curled into an apologetic smile, but her eyes were full of malice. “Sorry, your presence is just too weak—it’s so easy to overlook you accidentally.”

 

Shen Nanqing’s expression remained unchanged. She had no intention of wasting words on this hypocritical woman. She looked directly at Yu Yao’s face and asked bluntly, “Is there a script? Where do I change costumes?”

 

Yu Yao frowned, dissatisfied with Shen Nanqing’s indifferent reaction, as if her earlier taunts had fallen on deaf ears.

 

But she maintained her usual gentle and magnanimous demeanor. “You’re really impatient. It must be because you haven’t acted in so long—even a minor role makes you this eager.”

 

Without waiting for Shen Nanqing to respond, she continued, talking to herself, “Don’t worry, Qingqing. We’ve known each other for so many years, and fate even brought us under the same manager. I won’t forget about you when there are roles to share.”

 

Shen Nanqing sneered inwardly. More like a cursed fate…

 

She was eager to finish filming and leave as soon as possible, but this woman in front of her seemed to have an endless stream of words, buzzing in her ears like a hundred mosquitoes.

 

“Are we filming or not? If not, I’m leaving.”

 

She swung her single-strap bag over her shoulder and made as if to walk away.

 

Yu Yao was momentarily stunned by her attitude, her half-spoken words freezing on her lips. The gentle expression on her face showed faint cracks.

 

Shen Nanqing couldn’t care less. She had nothing to fear now—her contract with the company would expire in just half a month, and she could leave once the time was up.

 

The only thing Zhao Wenlu could hold over her was her mother’s keepsake, but if she were truly willing to fight to the bitter end, the ones who should be afraid were the other side.

 

After all, those with nothing to lose fear no one. And Yu Yao’s past deeds weren’t exactly clean.

 

They wouldn’t dare go too far.

 

Just as she expected, Yu Yao was seething with anger at her words but couldn’t openly show it, trapped by her carefully crafted persona. All she could do was let out a quiet huff, careful not to let others hear.

 

“Xiao Liu, take her to the dressing room.”

 

With a casual wave, a young assistant hurried over and immediately nodded, leading Shen Nanqing in another direction.

 

Shen Nanqing followed without looking back.

 

…

 

“Ugh…”

 

Xia Niao finally couldn’t take it anymore and poked Qiao Huihui. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been sighing all morning.”

 

Qiao Huihui deflated like a balloon at her touch, slowly slumping onto the table.

 

Her eyes were melancholy. “I kinda miss Teacher Shen.”

 

“???” Xia Niao was startled. “Shen Nanqing only left this morning!”

 

Qiao Huihui sighed again, murmuring gloomily, “You wouldn’t understand.”

 

Her fingers lightly brushed over her lips as an unconscious, silly smile spread across her face.

 

Even though she couldn’t remember whether they’d actually kissed or not, rounding it off in her mind meant they had!

 

The first kiss of her life, and she—one of the main participants—hadn’t even been present for it!

 

And Teacher Shen had kissed her and then just run off!

 

Both facts filled her with immense sorrow.

 

Xia Niao had no idea what was going through her mind and spoke with a hint of sourness in her tone: “I was the first one who got to know you… How come you turned around and became so close with someone else?”

 

Her face showed a mix of disappointment and jealousy, genuinely upset that her friend had found another close companion and was now neglecting her.

 

It was so foolish it was almost painful to watch.

 

Qiao Huihui sat up to comfort her little friend, patting the silly bird’s head affectionately. “Don’t worry, your place in my heart is absolutely irreplaceable! Not even Teacher Shen can threaten your position!”

 

Hearing this, Xia Niao immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling brightly. “Really? Then what image do I hold in your heart?”

 

“A bosom friend? A confidant? A bestie? Or…” The more she thought about it, the more excited she became, even itching to perform a sworn sisterhood ceremony with Qiao Huihui on the spot.

 

Qiao Huihui held her back and smiled benevolently. “Our relationship defies definition, but it is undoubtedly deep and refreshing.”

 

Xia Niao teared up instantly. “Oh my, Huihui, I’m so touched. I never realized you valued our friendship this much.”

 

Qiao Huihui nodded with a smile. Indeed, among her friends, there weren’t many fools, and none as uniquely silly as Xia Niao. Of course, she would remember her fondly.

 

Feeling the warmth of her friend’s regard, Xia Niao’s bitterness vanished instantly. She even began to feel a twinge of sympathy for Shen Nanqing.

 

Ah, well, first come, first served. No matter how hard you try, you still can’t surpass me…

 

With that thought, she instantly felt better and stopped dwelling on Qiao Huihui missing Shen Nanqing.

 

She even enthusiastically offered advice: “Didn’t Shen Nanqing go off to film? You could visit her on set! She’d definitely be surprised!”

 

“Visit her on set?”

 

Qiao Huihui’s eyes lit up. She patted Xia Niao’s shoulder, deeply moved. “I never expected you…”

 

To have such a brilliant idea for once!

 

Visiting the set was a fantastic plan. She’d go to the filming location tomorrow!

 

With her next move decided, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. Her back no longer ached, her legs no longer felt sore, and she sprang back to life, full of energy, dragging Xia Niao out to play.

 

“Come on, let’s go check out the supermarket.”

 

Come to think of it, she’d been here for so long but had only heard about the supermarket downstairs without ever seeing it. Today, she’d go explore it with Xia Niao, the seasoned shopper.

 

Xia Niao, tugged along, blinked in confusion. “Huh? But what about lunch?”

 

Qiao Huihui pretended to ponder for a moment before answering decisively, “Skip it. We’ll eat snacks!”

 

With Teacher Shen away, it was time to indulge—she’d make up for all the snacks she’d missed out on.

 

She loved junk food!!!

 

Qiao Huihui pulled Xia Niao along at breakneck speed, and within minutes, they stood inside the show’s supermarket.

 

The supermarket wasn’t huge, but the shelves were packed full. There were no staff around—just a few fellow contestants like them browsing the goods.

 

Qiao Huihui walked while looking around.

 

Xia Niao carried a bag, collecting snacks along the way while enthusiastically recommending them: “Their jelly is super delicious… especially this milk-flavored one, and this spicy strip has a sweet-spicy taste, absolutely amazing~”

 

When it came to food, Qiao Huihui was always open-minded, happily accepting every recommendation.

 

“Alright, I’ll give them a try later!”

 

However, happy moments were always fleeting, as an unwelcome guest suddenly appeared before them.

 

Xiao Ninglu looked like a princess on an outing, dressed in exquisite and luxurious clothes, her head held high, with two fawning girls trailing behind her.

 

Qiao Huihui glanced at her own flip-flops and the casually thrown-on T-shirt and shorts, momentarily speechless.

 

As the saying goes, dressing up doesn’t guarantee meeting someone you want to see, but if you go out looking sloppy, you’ll definitely run into someone you’d rather avoid.

 

It was so accurate that Qiao Huihui felt like awarding the person who came up with this saying.

 

Truly a modern-day great philosopher!