Substitute Lover [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 43

For the past few days, the two of them had been getting along quite well, almost like respectful guests.

Jiang Cha anticipated that Ji Fan’s novelty had probably worn off, so she cared a little less about her.

At first, hearing her say she wanted a divorce, Ji Fan probably felt a little dissatisfied and awkward. She simply lacked someone who had always liked her, but could a momentary sense of control maintain this relationship for long? Jiang Cha wasn’t sure, she just felt that it was probably coming to an end.

It’s a good thing it’s ending.

It would be easier to get a divorce then.

Later that evening, her assistant reported her schedule for the day:

“You still have to go to the set in the afternoon, there’s a scene that Director Song isn’t satisfied with and needs to be reshot.”

“Okay.”

“The ‘Film Awards’ has invited you to the evening banquet, starting at 7 pm sharp.”

The “Film Awards” sounded grand, but in reality, it was just an awards ceremony for films that wasn’t widely recognized in the industry. The winners were all traffic stars, musicians, and actors. From web drama actors to domestic drama actors, they were all popular young actresses, not big stars.

Last year, Jiang Cha had starred in two dramas, one a Republic of China drama and the other a costume drama. Both dramas had decent ratings but not very high reviews, and were said to be heavily watered down. Therefore, this time she went to the awards ceremony, she didn’t expect to win any awards.

“7 pm?”

Jiang Cha lowered her eyes and looked at her silver watch.

The thin pointer pointed to 11 o’clock in the morning.

“Okay.”

Jiang Cha attended the Film Awards as a guest every year. Along with many other traffic stars like herself, she would stand up, turn around, smile, bow, and show her face when the host called her name.

Occasionally, she would win an award.

In the past, she would eagerly ask Ji Fan every time, asking if she was going.

The idea was simple, she just wanted Ji Fan to see her when she was at her most glamorous and beautiful. Maybe she would feel touched.

But every time she invited her, there was only one answer: no time.

Ji Fan never had time.

There was so much time, how could she not have time? It’s just that she had a choice, and things that weren’t worth her time, naturally, she “didn’t have time” for.

It’s not about having time or not.

It’s just about whether she’s willing or not.

But Jiang Cha hadn’t thought of that level before.

She just kept telling herself that Ji Fan was busy and didn’t have time, which was normal.

She wrapped herself up in the beautiful dream she had woven for herself, unwilling to break free. Until this cocoon was pierced, she realized that she had been misunderstanding all along.

Actually, what was there to understand? She hadn’t even understood the most crucial point: Ji Fan didn’t like her, she wasn’t interested in her.

And she couldn’t blame Ji Fan.

Being willing to go to bed with someone as soon as they met, Ji Fan treated her as the kind of person who could be casually kept, which didn’t seem strange. Moreover, Ji Fan had told her very clearly:

This is not called love, it’s called keeping.

It was her who didn’t understand.

At this banquet, in the past, Ji Fan wouldn’t attend, and now that Jiang Cha didn’t even let her touch her body, she had long lost her only attraction, so naturally, she didn’t expect Ji Fan to attend.

The first row was for special guests, with several small round tables covered with pure white square tablecloths. There were red wine and goblets on the tables, and silver metal nameplates were quietly placed on the tables.

Jiang Cha’s seat was in the second row.

She subconsciously looked at the guest list.

The nameplate with the words “Ji Fan” on it was still on the table, but the seat was empty, and no one was there.

It’s normal that she’s not here.

She didn’t care.

“Sister Jiang.”

The light was blocked for a moment, and someone sat down in the seat next to her.

Jiang Cha was startled and found a girl next to her, wearing a simple white T-shirt, black seven-point sports pants, and her long, soft hair tied in a ponytail, with a pointed chin and big eyes.

She had a beautiful and cute temperament.

She looked very young, like a student.

But why did she call her “Sister Jiang”?

“Hello,” Jiang Cha blinked and asked politely, “Excuse me, do we know each other?”

The girl couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“I’m your fan.”

She pulled at her T-shirt and turned to show her, with a row of small black words on her waist: “Look, you even signed it for me.”

Jiang Cha’s cheeks reddened slightly, and she smiled softly, “I remember now.”

The girl pursed her lips and smiled:

“I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself last time.”

She propped her chin up and stared at her intently, “My name is Song Yuan, Director Song’s niece.”

Director Song’s niece?

No wonder she had seen her on set before. Although she had only seen her once, Jiang Cha had a deep impression of her, perhaps because the other party had very directly said that she liked her, or perhaps it was her outgoing and cheerful personality that was unforgettable.

It made sense if she was Director Song’s niece. No wonder she had only seen her once on set. It was probably because the little girl was naturally curious and went to the set to watch them act that day, just for fun.

Jiang Cha’s long eyelashes fluttered, and a hint of a smile flashed in her clear eyes, “But, why are you here?”

Song Yuan was not in a hurry, casually picked up the mineral water bottle next to her seat, unscrewed it, took a sip, her red lips moist, and then introduced slowly:

“I’m studying music, composing for TV dramas, so I’m also half a colleague.”

“Studying music?”

Jiang Cha looked at her with interest and said softly, “Do you learn instruments?”

Song Yuan shook her head, “No, I study composition.”

“That’s amazing.”

Jiang Cha smiled lightly.

Song Yuan’s eyes curved, and her expression was very joyful.

Song Yuan’s healing ability seemed to be innate. Sitting beside her, Jiang Cha just talked to her for a few words, and was instantly infected by her cheerful mood, and many of her troubles didn’t seem like troubles anymore.

Compared to being with Ji Fan…

Tsk.

She turned around, asked her assistant for her jacket, and handed it to the girl, “You can wear my jacket, this T-shirt has a signature on it, it’s not suitable to wear here.”

“Thank you, Sister Jiang.”

Song Yuan put on her jacket, and suddenly paused.

“Sister,” she pointed to the small round table in front, her eyes shining, “Isn’t that Ji Fan, your partner?”

There was a nameplate on the table.

It said Ji Fan.

“En.”

She responded lightly, and it couldn’t be seen what emotion she was in.

“Is she coming too?” Song Yuan blinked.

“I don’t know.”

••••

Night fell, and the city lights twinkled.

A cobalt blue Porsche parked steadily in front of the hotel.

Behind it was another black car.

The door of the black car opened, and several tall men in suits got out and walked to the cobalt blue car.

A bodyguard bent down and respectfully opened the rear door.

A pair of slender, golden high heels landed lightly on the ground.

The slender instep, the arch of the foot curved into an elegant arc, and a thin golden band was wrapped around the ankle.

A woman bent slightly and got out of the car.

Squinting slightly, she then tilted her head, and her slender fingers tucked her long, curly hair behind her ear.

Under the moonlight, her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow, her nose was high, her features were deep, and she was stunningly beautiful.

The red carpet extended all the way to the end, with people standing densely on both sides.

Ji Fan walked forward with a detached expression, followed by a secretary and several tall, suit-clad bodyguards.

Countless eyes looked over, and someone said loudly, “Is that Ji Fan?”

She’s such a young woman.

A sexy black deep V-neck long dress, with a waist, hip-hugging, and the skirt hem falling to the ankles, but it was slit diagonally, revealing her slender white legs. Under the lights, the silver embroidery on her shoulders shimmered slightly, matching the golden high heels, dazzling and eye-catching.

She casually slung a platinum bag over her shoulder, her red lips slightly pursed.

Her eyes were firm and deep.

“Hello, this way please.”

The staff member pointed the way and led her to the front row.

Ji Fan nodded slightly and sat in the first row of the audience.

There was a small round table covered with a white tablecloth, with three people at each table, all CEOs of film giants. Ji Fan greeted them one by one before taking her seat.

As she sat down, she turned slightly and glanced at Jiang Cha behind her.

Their eyes met briefly in mid-air, then they looked away.

“Isn’t this Ms. Ji?” A woman on the other side said curiously, “It’s rare for you to come.”

Usually, the two of them were often arranged at the same table, and every time Ji Fan’s seat was empty. Everyone was used to it: this Ms. Ji, as everyone knows, doesn’t like gatherings, doesn’t like banquets, and doesn’t like these endless ceremonies.

For her, no matter how fancy the gathering or ceremony, it was just four words:

A waste of time.

Ji Fan’s long eyelashes drooped, and there was a shadow in her eye sockets. She smiled without speaking.

“Oh?” The person on the other side was also surprised, “I remember you were going to a bidding meeting tonight? Did you cancel it?”

“Yes, I canceled it.” Ji Fan admitted indifferently.

That’s strange –

Ji Fan had been eyeing that bidding meeting, and it was obvious that she was going to compete with him. He thought he couldn’t win, so he withdrew halfway, and now he came to the banquet, but now Ji Fan was here too?

“Oh, Ms. Ji is here to see her wife.”

He slapped his forehead and realized it belatedly.

“Ms. Jiang, where is she? Shall I switch seats with her? That way you two can chat more conveniently.”

Ji Fan lifted her thin eyelids and said indifferently, “She’s behind you.”

“……”

He was just being polite, don’t take it seriously.

Now it was a bit embarrassing, since he had already said it, he had no choice but to turn around, “Ms. Jiang, do you want to switch seats?”

Ji Fan stared intently.

Then she heard a cold and indifferent voice behind her: “No, thank you.”

••••

The award ceremony ended, and the banquet began.

People of different levels sat at the same table. Jiang Cha and a few other traffic stars sat together, while Ji Fan was at another table, surrounded by a circle of middle-aged men. She was the only young one, standing out like a sore thumb, as if she had accidentally wandered into the wrong circle. Fortunately, another girl came over after a while.

At Ji Fan’s table, there were originally all investors; but I don’t know who brought a young actress over, and she sat next to them. This kind of thing was common, probably some old boss had taken a fancy to a woman and brought her along to have a drink and get to know each other.

But strangely, the girl seemed to be walking towards her, and was arranged to sit next to her. Ji Fan raised her eyes and couldn’t help but look at her curiously.

White skin, soft long hair, her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Jiang Cha’s, but she was more subdued, but always lacked something.

Her eyes were different.

Temperament is so subtle, a little difference, and it’s a world of difference.

What exactly was different?

Ji Fan couldn’t help but compare them as she chewed slowly.

Upon closer inspection, they were nothing alike.

She couldn’t help but feel bored.

During this time, the young girl kept toasting her, one glass after another. Ji Fan had been feeling down after being snubbed, so she accepted without refusal, pressing her red lips against the goblet, drinking one glass after another. After drinking too much, she inevitably felt a little uncomfortable, so she had to stand up and lean against the cold wall and walk towards the restroom.

“Sister Jiang.”

Song Yuan, who was sitting next to her, leaned over and said softly, “Look over there…”

A woman in a black dress was walking quickly forward, followed timidly by a young girl.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a bit suspicious.

The corridor was dimly lit, with orange wall lights, making people feel drowsy. She didn’t know how strong the alcohol was, but after drinking it, she felt dizzy and her head was heavy, but her steps were a bit unsteady.

A person ran up to her and stopped her: “Ms. Ji.”

Ji Fan narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking that this person looked a bit like Jiang Cha.

Then she suddenly remembered, wasn’t this the one who was sitting next to her and kept toasting her?

“What is it?” Ji Fan asked casually, bypassing her and continuing to walk forward without looking back, “I’m not feeling well now, contact my assistant if you have anything.”

“No… no,” she caught up with Ji Fan quickly and said, “I…”

She hesitated, then the goblet in her hand tilted, and all the red wine spilled onto Ji Fan’s clothes.

Ji Fan pursed her red lips, a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes.

She almost lost her temper.

But she was not used to losing her temper in front of strangers, so she just endured it and said nothing.

“Sorry!”

The girl bent down to apologize in panic, wiping at her with a tissue.

Ji Fan instinctively dodged away.

Her gaze fell on the girl’s hand and she paused slightly, feeling that this small, delicate hand was also like Jiang Cha’s. Her fingers were white and slender, with a slight pink tinge at the tips.

How could they be so similar?

In the haze of drunkenness, the person in front of her overlapped with Jiang Cha.

The corridor was empty, and the soft music had an ambiguous rhythm.

From the other end, the sound of high heels lightly tapping on the floor came, cold and clear, unhurried.

Ji Fan looked up and found Jiang Cha standing not far away, looking at her coldly.

Her gaze lingered on her and the girl for a moment, then she turned away.

From a distance, this scene was probably a bit ambiguous.

Ji Fan panicked, fearing that she would misunderstand something, so she pushed the girl away and quickly walked over:

“I’m not,” Ji Fan’s long eyelashes trembled nervously, and she explained helplessly, “I have nothing with her…”

“Did I say anything?”

Jiang Cha asked in confusion, “Did I ask you to explain anything?”

Ji Fan was anxious, reached out and pulled Jiang Cha over.

Lowering her head, her red lips pressed against hers.