This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 4

It took only twenty minutes for Wei Xianghong to reach Xia Qingye’s place. The moment she stepped through the door, she launched into a scathing lecture.

“Are you out of your mind? I told you a thousand times, I am supposed to handle the first Weibo post! But look at you—you turn around and treat my words like wind passing your ears!”

“And didn’t I tell you not to get involved with Chu Rou? You’re going to get roasted for ‘clout-chasing’ and forced marketing…”

There were three people in the room. Aside from Xia Qingye, who was being scolded into silence, there was a young girl huddled in the corner clutching several large bags.

She looked like a pitiful little thing, blocked by Wei Xianghong’s path and not daring to make a sound.

She stayed tucked away in the entryway for as long as Wei Xianghong kept shouting; clearly, she was someone who knew the agent’s temper well.

After Wei Xianghong had ranted for a solid ten minutes, Xia Qingye obediently handed her a cup of cooling chrysanthemum tea.

She coaxed, “Sister Xiang, have some water, catch your breath. Take a break before you keep scolding.”

Wei Xianghong was almost amused by the sheer audacity. She was a straight shooter; her temper came fast and left just as quickly. After years in the industry, her edges had rounded out, but today she had been truly enraged.

The fire in her belly dissipated within those ten minutes. She took a sip of the tea—the temperature was perfect. “Do you know what you did wrong?”

Xia Qingye’s eyes held a trace of confusion, but she nodded straight away. “I know I was wrong.”

With a flick of Wei Xianghong’s eyes, the girl in the corner finally dared to set the bags on the table. Wei asked, “Where did you go wrong?”

Xia Qingye counted on her fingers. “I shouldn’t have posted on Weibo, and I shouldn’t have gotten entangled with her… Sister Xiang, don’t be mad. At worst, I just won’t be her fan anymore. I’ll… I’ll unfollow her.”

Wei Xianghong gave her a “teachable student” look. Setting down her teacup, she said solemnly, “Unfollowing her now won’t change anything. For now, your Weibo will be managed by Yu Lan. From today on, she is your lifestyle assistant. If you need anything, tell her.”

Yu Lan had large eyes that turned perfectly round when she was startled, making her look like a harmless little rabbit. she quickly stepped in front of Xia Qingye. “Sister Xia.”

Wei Xianghong didn’t bother correcting her. Xia Qingye was only twenty, and Yu Lan was twenty-four, so the title didn’t strictly fit by age. However, in the entertainment circle, “Sister” and “Brother” were titles of status. If you were famous enough to be the company’s “First Sister” or “First Brother,” everyone would call you that regardless of age.

“I came today mainly to give you these scripts,” Wei continued. “Read them when you’re bored. If any catch your eye, let me know.”

Lately, Xia Qingye had been attending the company’s intensive training sessions. These classes were designed to showcase an artist’s talents—dance, percussion, acting coaching, and so on.

Star Penguin Entertainment was quite willing to invest in these areas. While there, she had met many talented newcomers, each brimming with potential. Xia Qingye knew her strengths well, so she focused on dance and acting.

She had been forcibly trained in dance by her manager in her previous life, and this new body had great flexibility. With a bit of practice, she could recover her skills. However, to maintain her “persona,” she made sure to show off her “gradual progress” in front of Wei Xianghong every few days.

“Thank you, Sister Xiang.”

“Don’t be so quick to thank me. Whatever resources Xie Zhe gets, if they suit you, I’ll prepare a share for you too. But I only provide the opportunity; whether you can grab it depends on you.” Wei Xianghong stood up and surveyed the apartment. Aside from the standard furniture, the decor was now in warm tones, making it feel very comfortable. “Call Yu Lan if anything comes up. Don’t take matters into your own hands again. I have things to do at the office, so I’m leaving.”

“Sure, take care, Sister Xiang.”

Xia Qingye agreed quickly but forgot just as fast. After seeing them off, she curled up on the sofa and began quietly picking through the scripts.

There were about a dozen: three “Mary Sue” idol dramas like The Overbearing Young Master Falls for Me, two historical dramas, two palace-intrigue stories, one “time-travel to the Qing Dynasty” drama, and three or four anti-Japanese war dramas.

Most were quite detailed, proving Wei Xianghong hadn’t been exaggerating about the quality of resources.

For a newcomer, these were like “meat pies falling from the sky.” If she chose the Mary Sue idol dramas, she would follow the same path Chu Rou had taken. It would gain her “fan-girl” traffic quickly, but transitioning to serious roles later would be difficult.

Xia Qingye filtered them one by one until only one anti-Japanese drama remained. If she hadn’t seen Director Xun Guang’s name on the cover, she wouldn’t have even bothered to open it.

In recent years, many directors had churned out “ridiculous” war dramas just to meet quotas, ruining the industry’s reputation. However, Xun Guang was known for high-quality, “conscientious” productions—low in quantity but high in quality, consistently earning both high ratings and critical acclaim.

Because of the director’s reputation, Xia Qingye began reading—and soon found herself completely absorbed.

When Yu Lan arrived with breakfast the next morning, she found Xia Qingye asleep on the sofa with a book over her face. She tiptoed over, covered her with a blanket, and quietly organized the room.

When Xia Qingye woke up, she saw her laundry swaying in the wind on the balcony.

The sun was bright, the room was tidier, and a sticky note was on the table: Sister Xia, just heat the breakfast in the microwave. I’ll bring you lunch!

“What a thoughtful girl,” Qingye murmured.

After a quick wash, she heated her food and called Wei Xianghong. The voice on the other end sounded exhausted, as if she hadn’t slept yet. “Qingye, what is it?”

“Sister Xiang, I’ve read the scripts. I want to know when the auditions start for Director Xun Guang’s project.”

“The anti-Japanese drama?”

“Yes.”

There was a brief silence. Xia Qingye chewed her bun gracefully. Just as she wondered if the agent had fallen back asleep, Wei’s clear voice returned.

“What about the other scripts?”

“The others… I don’t think they suit me,” Xia Qingye said against her conscience. As a newcomer, she had many choices that would likely make her famous faster, but they wouldn’t be good for her long-term career. Having run her own studio, she knew exactly how to pick a project.

“We’ll talk in person later.”

“Okay.”

They didn’t meet until evening. Wei Xianghong looked drained. “The auditions are set for early next month. All roles will be cast from available artists.

However, I’ve heard that Director Xun has invited Best Actress Nie and Best Actor Lu to anchor the show. You know what kind of people they are.

Every artist in the city is going to scramble for this. Even Chu Rou is auditioning, likely for the same supporting role you’re eyeing. Qingye, do you want to pick something else?”

A good director and a good script were magnets for talent. Wei didn’t want her rookie to crash and burn before she even learned to fly.

Xia Qingye poured her a cup of tea. “Sister Xiang, it doesn’t hurt to try. I can gain experience and sharpen my acting.

Plus, if I’m lucky, maybe Director Xun will actually pick me.”

Wei Xianghong didn’t know where this confidence came from, but she couldn’t find a fault in the logic. “Fine. Look at the other scripts too. Working with big directors is good, but you’re just starting out. No need to rush.”

Xia Qingye nodded, but as soon as the agent left, she began studying the role of the female lead.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and audition day arrived.

Wei Xianghong made time to take Xia Qingye to the venue. Even early in the morning, the parking lot was packed with nanny vans. Yu Lan covered her mouth in shock. “So many people!”

Xia Qingye looked around curiously, playing the part of a newcomer seeing such a scene for the first time.

“Looks like even if it gets to your turn, it’ll be afternoon,” Wei noted.

“Mhm.”

Auditions like this could last days. Seeing Wei Xianghong checking her watch repeatedly, Xia Qingye said, “Sister Xiang, if you have things to do, go ahead. Yu Lan can stay with me.”

Wei Xianghong looked slightly guilty. “There’s some trouble with Xie Zhe. I’ll head over and try to make it back in time.”

Xia Qingye knew Xie Zhe was being targetted by another forced “scandal” marketing plot.

If it were a popular starlet, it might be a win-win, but this time it was a notorious influencer who had just been caught in a hotel scandal with another actor. Clearly, someone was trying to smear him.

Once Wei was gone, Yu Lan grumbled, “Sister Xiang is way too biased toward Xie Zhe.”

Xia Qingye glanced at her and bit her lip, lost in thought.

After wandering around, they realized the crowd was only growing.

Fortunately, her name was already on the list.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Xia Qingye told Yu Lan. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

“Sister Xia, let me go with you!”

“If you come with me, we might not be able to squeeze back into this spot later.”

Xia Qingye searched several restrooms. They were either packed or too filthy to enter.

She wandered from the inner circle to the outer edge of the venue, further from the crowd, and finally asked someone for directions.

“Over there. See that large van parked there? There’s an automatic washroom right next to it.”

“I see it. Thanks!”

Xia Qingye found the restroom and couldn’t help but glance at the car blocking the way—a long, high-end business van.

As she exited the restroom and walked past it, she heard voices. She paused after a few steps, unable to resist listening.

“Director Xun, don’t be so sour-faced. Look at those forehead wrinkles—people will think I’m bullying you.”

“Get your hands off me! I don’t want to end up on the front page because of you. If people say I’m ‘sponsoring’ you (casting couch), how am I supposed to live?”

“Pah! Those people are blind. Why would I need you to sponsor me? Besides, I’m as beautiful as a flower, while you are so… uh… distinctive. Haha!”

If it weren’t the wrong setting, Xia Qingye would have burst out laughing. That cheeky, irreverent voice reminded her of a certain someone.

Author’s Note:

Xia Qingye: Pop quiz. Where did we first meet? If you get it wrong, you’re sleeping on the sofa.

Nie Zhuying: The automatic washroom.

Xia Qingye: I almost forgot—you were flirting with Director Xun at the time.

Nie Zhuying: No, no! He’s too ugly. I only wanted to flirt with you, Qingqing! (づ￣3￣)づ~

Director Xun: Getting shot even while lying down… (:з)∠)

That night, Nie Zhuying was kicked out to sleep on the sofa.