This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 49

Xia Qingye picked and sorted through the scripts, finally choosing an office-life drama.

The script tells the story of three best friends who grew up together and attended the same schools. After graduation, they enter the workplace and face various life choices, ultimately going their separate ways due to conflicting stances and emotional entanglements.

Different choices, different lives.

Xia Qingye specifically looked up the original novel. The author tells the story through the perspective of the third-youngest of the group, Shi Ling, starting from their university days with a lighthearted, comedic campus tale.

However, something must have happened to the author in the real world after that. The second part—the true beginning of the workplace arc—is as heartbreaking as the first part was sweet.

Among the three friends, the eldest, Zhao Qing, and the youngest, Shi Ling, are fortunate enough to enter the same tech company. Meanwhile, the second-eldest, Wang Xiaojuan, struggles through a grueling job hunt after failing her initial interviews.

The personalities of the three are distinct: Zhao Qing is careful and prudent, called the “Big Sister” because she’s the one with the ideas and plans. Wang Xiaojuan is a straight-shooter who hates injustice but is impulsive—the type to act without thinking. As for Shi Ling, she is an optimist: simple, carefree, and a little “sunshine” who brings light to everyone around her.

Xia Qingye focused her attention on the roles of Zhao Qing and Shi Ling. If she played to her natural temperament, she felt she could do a great job as Zhao Qing. However, that character was, quite frankly, very unlikable.

In the first “campus” volume, the environment hides much of her true nature. In the second “workplace” volume, Zhao Qing’s hidden selfishness is magnified when contrasted with Shi Ling’s selflessness. Furthermore, because they both fall for the same male lead, their conflicting professional styles and romantic tensions drive them apart until the sisters eventually become strangers.

Xia Qingye read through both volumes in one night, deeply analyzing the character psychology. She found herself increasingly unable to let go of the role of Zhao Qing.

The next day, when Wei Xianghong arrived, she shared her thoughts. “Actually, I feel that in those situations, every decision Zhao Qing makes represents a mature perspective. In contrast, Shi Ling is essentially a ‘Silly White Sweet’ (Mary Sue). If she didn’t have the ‘female lead’ halo, she would have been kicked out of the company long ago.”

Wei Xianghong understood. At her age, she knew someone with Shi Ling’s simple personality would find it nearly impossible to make it in the corporate world—just like making it in the entertainment industry. “But you have to consider what the audience likes, not what you like.”

That one sentence shut Xia Qingye up. It was true; the only reason she had thought about giving up Zhao Qing was that the public prefers the “Silly White Sweets.”

However, after speaking with Wei Xianghong, Xia Qingye still wasn’t ready to give up. She called Nie Zhuying and briefly explained the two characters. “Zhuzi, if it were you, which would you choose?”

Nie Zhuying didn’t follow common logic at all. “At my age, playing a fresh university graduate seems a bit off, doesn’t it?”

Xia Qingye: “…”

Who the hell asked you about that?

Nie Zhuying continued, “But, if you can openly play ‘kissing games’ with me in the drama and act a bit spoiled, maybe my heart will soften and I’ll agree to play whichever character you want.”

Xia Qingye hung up the phone decisively. She realized there was no way to have a proper discussion about scripts with Nie Zhuying. Every conversation would veer off to some unknown country.

Nie Zhuying stared blankly at her black phone screen, finally realizing something. Wait, did my wife just hang up on me?

In the end, Xia Qingye chose the role of Shi Ling, the “Silly White Sweet.” Fortunately, by the time the auditions rolled around, Double Flowers had already premiered. With a famous director like Xun Guang behind it, the ratings stayed within the top five.

For a war drama, that was already considered excellent—and it was only the beginning.

Xia Qingye’s previous PSA had also gained attention from parents and students. For a time, she was a fresh face in the public eye. Combined with the timely success of Double Flowers and the previous scandal with Zhong Ruanqin, Xia Qingye was finally being recognized by the masses.

However, many people saw her and forgot her just as quickly. When her name was mentioned, they’d say, “Oh, it’s that girl who accidentally fell down the cemetery steps.”

Xia Qingye stood at this awkward threshold, auditioned, and successfully secured the role of Shi Ling with a slight edge. During this period, another embarrassing thing happened.

When she went for the audition, Wei Xianghong was busy, so she brought Yu Lan. Wei Xianghong had always been Xie Zhe’s manager; she only took Xia Qingye on as a favor to her brother. Xia Qingye understood this perfectly and turned a blind eye to the fact that Wei Xianghong favored Xie Zhe.

Then… she ran into Wei Xianghong bringing Xie Zhe to audition for the same drama, Trio. Xie Zhe was auditioning for the male lead. If he succeeded, they would be playing opposite each other. Having the same manager and playing love interests—Xia Qingye felt incredibly awkward.

Later, she learned from Wei Xianghong that both she and Xie Zhe had secured the contracts. Xia Qingye realized the world is small, especially the entertainment world.

Once the cast was settled and funding was in place, the filming location was set for Hengdian.

Xia Qingye was revisiting an old haunt. She packed her things, brought Yu Lan, and boarded the plane after leaving Xia-Xia, Lazy-Egg, and a hamster named Miki at a pet shop. She even brought her pot of daffodils.

As for the three “Feng Shui” fish at home… according to Yu Lan’s explanation, while she was changing the water, one fish accidentally slipped down the drain. Of the remaining two, one supposedly died of a broken heart from a hunger strike, and the other ate the deceased fish’s portion, grew too full, and… passed away as well.

So when Xia Qingye returned, the aquarium was empty. Hearing Yu Lan’s nonsensical explanation, her only thought was: Well, that certainly simplifies things.

At the same time, Nie Zhuying accepted a commercial for a European jewelry brand. To film it, she rushed to City S. The two flew in different directions, their only means of communication being their phones.

Arriving at the film set, Xia Qingye saw several familiar faces.

Wei Xianghong arrived with Xie Zhe. Finding an opportunity, she pulled Xia Qingye over to him. “This is your Senior. In the future, if I’m not around, you can ask him for advice on anything you don’t understand.”

This was the first time Wei Xianghong had officially introduced Xie Zhe to her. Usually, when she went to the company, this “Senior” was nowhere to be found. Xie Zhe’s status was higher than Chu Rou’s, and back then, even Chu Rou was rarely seen. A “small shrimp” like her just needed to focus on her own work; rushing to introduce herself would only look like she was trying to leach off someone else’s fame.

Xia Qingye shot a questioning look at Wei Xianghong, who gave her a wink. She obediently greeted him: “Senior.”

Xie Zhe’s public persona was “Sunshine Boy,” so he spoke very gently. “Junior, you look like you have much better color than before. Let’s work hard together.”

Xia Qingye nodded. She actually rarely followed news about Xie Zhe, aside from being forced by her manager to watch him sing on New Year’s Eve. He seemed more passionate about singing than acting, but that wasn’t her business. With the sudden “Senior-Junior” relationship, Xia Qingye felt Sister Xiang was trying to boost her standing.

After a simple opening ceremony, Xia Qingye was pulled into the nanny van by Wei Xianghong for a lecture on various precautions. Finally, she took Yu Lan to the room arranged by the crew to rest. As they exited the elevator, they ran into Wen Wan, who was about to go downstairs.

The two came face-to-face; it was truly a case of “enemies meeting on a narrow path.”

“Yo, look who it is. I didn’t expect to see you again, Xia Qingye.”

“What a coincidence.”

Xia Qingye wanted to brush past her. She didn’t want any more entanglements with this woman. Ever since the PSA incident, the two had a grudge.

Wen Wan deliberately used her height to block Xia Qingye, refusing to let her leave. Behind her, Yu Lan was stuck in the elevator, staring fiercely as if she could eliminate the woman with her eyes alone.

Xia Qingye looked up helplessly. “Miss Wen, you’re blocking my path. Could you please move aside?”

Wen Wan stared at her with a fierce gaze and sneered. “You’re really something, Xia Qingye. You have a grudge against that woman named Zhong, yet you manipulated me? Impressive. I never realized a little girl like you could be so calculating.”

Yu Lan was completely lost, having no idea what she was talking about.

Xia Qingye let out a soft laugh. “What are you talking about, Miss Wen? I don’t understand.”

Wen Wan was infuriated by her attitude. Just as she was about to step closer, the other elevator chimed. Xie Zhe stepped out with his assistant. He froze for a moment upon seeing the two, then looked at the floor display. “Sorry, I’m on the wrong floor.”

Usually, male and female artists were on different floors. Xia Qingye thought he had indeed made a mistake and was about to talk to Wen Wan about making the best of their time on set by getting along—for everyone’s sake.

But Xie Zhe suddenly stepped back out of the elevator, holding the door open. “Junior, Sister Xiang brought a lot of food. My room is overflowing. If you isn’t busy, could I trouble you to come to my room and take some?”

He was clearly helping her out of a jam. Xia Qingye nodded. “I’m not busy at all. I’ll go down with Senior.”

Yu Lan immediately followed. Once they were out of the elevator, Xia Qingye said, “Thank you for the help, Senior. I won’t go to your room; it wouldn’t look good if we were seen.”

Xie Zhe turned around, looking confused. “Didn’t you say you were getting things?”

Xia Qingye: “…”

The two went to check, and Xie Zhe’s room really was piled with snacks. Yu Lan already had her hands full with luggage, so Xie Zhe kept picking things for her. In the end, his assistant had to help carry the items up.

Yu Lan: “Wow, so much food. Sister Xiang is so biased.”

Xia Qingye had heard this many times from Yu Lan. She laughed. “You think Sister Xiang bought those for Xie Zhe to eat? Those are for him to distribute to the crew. Xie Zhe is also controlling his weight.”

Wei Xianghong was always strict about body management.

Yu Lan was stunned, suddenly feeling sympathetic. “Poor Xie Zhe. But wow, he’s so gentlemanly and gentle. This is the first time I’ve seen him this close. Aaah, how can he be so handsome?”

Seeing the worship on her face, Xia Qingye suggested, “How about I talk to Senior and have you switch to being his assistant? What do you think, Yu Lan?”

Yu Lan’s starstruck face instantly turned into a shiver, and she shook her head. “Sister Xia, don’t! I’ll stay by your side and take care of you.”

Xia Qingye teased, “Why? Wouldn’t it be better to follow your idol?”

Yu Lan blinked and gave a flattering smile. “Sister Xia, you’re my idol too!”

That night, Xia Qingye was lying in bed reading her script when she received a video call from Nie Zhuying. She clicked it immediately.

In the video, Nie Zhuying was wearing a particularly provocative, sexy purple nightgown that reached her thighs. Her pale, tender legs were swinging back and forth in front of the camera, and some parts were peeking out in a way that stirred the imagination. Xia Qingye took one look and found it impossible to focus on her script.

“Qingqing.”

“How was the commercial shoot today? Did it go smoothly?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am? The brand even gave me two bottles of the same perfume. When I get back, I’ll give you one.”

Xia Qingye actually loved the perfume Nie Zhuying wore. After smelling it so much, she felt addicted to it; she missed it when it wasn’t around. She saw the woman propping up her head, lying on the bed with damp hair—looking like she’d just come out of the bath. Her entire body radiated an enticing aura.

“Qingqing, what are you doing?”

“Reading the script.”

Xia Qingye was lying through her teeth; she hadn’t taken in a single word. Her mind was full of Nie Zhuying’s soul-stirring posture, thinking about how to pin her down and kiss her, hold her, and… communicate further.

Yet a certain someone was oblivious, constantly adjusting her clothes and revealing glimpses of her chest. Xia Qingye felt like she was about to have a nosebleed.

Nie Zhuying soon disappeared from the frame. Xia Qingye wondered where she went until she heard the sound of packaging being torn open.

Soon, Nie Zhuying reappeared, kneeling on the bed and leaning forward. She held up a round object like she was showing off a prize. “Qingqing, look at this! What is it?”

Xia Qingye looked up, identified it, and nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

She realized the woman was holding a vibrating egg!!!