This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 54

Xia Qingye always felt that fat silhouette looked somewhat familiar. She walked forward a few steps, and as soon as she saw the man clearly, a wave of disgusting memories was immediately triggered.

Come to think of it, her very first interaction with her “Zhuzi” originated from this Fatty Zhao.

There are plenty of lecherous investors in this circle, and Fatty Zhao is one of them. He specifically targets female artists with good looks, perky rears, and full busts. Back then, Qi Jiani had unfortunately been placed on his “hunting list.”

At that time, Xia Qingye had lured him to a secluded spot, though she hadn’t been entirely confident she could subdue him. After all, the strength disparity between men and women is immense. Fortunately, this fat guy was a massive coward, and Zhuzi had intervened just in time; otherwise, who knows what would have happened!

“You saw it.” Wen Wan’s voice was very unfriendly.

“Saw what?” Xia Qingye’s thoughts snapped back from the memory. She looked up at the woman standing before her. The car that had dropped the woman off had already vanished into the darkness, as if what she had just seen was a mere illusion. However, smelling the heavy scent of alcohol on Wen Wan, she couldn’t help but say, “Don’t worry, it’s too dark. I didn’t see anything.”

With that, Xia Qingye yawned and turned to leave.

Wen Wan immediately chased after her. “What do you mean, you didn’t see anything?”

Xia Qingye shot her a puzzled look. “Do I really need to spell it out that clearly?”

Wen Wan was unusually persistent. “Yes.”

Xia Qingye threw up her hands. “Tonight, I wasn’t here, and I didn’t see you. But Wen Wan, I should remind you—acting so brazenly… getting caught by the paparazzi is a small matter, but if that person finds out, it probably won’t end well for you. Anyway, suit yourself.”

After saying that, Xia Qingye truly walked away quickly. Between all the shocks tonight, her sleepiness had been completely scared away.

Over the next few days, everyone behaved as usual—filming when they needed to, doing what they had to do—as if no one remembered the events of that night.

Xia Qingye thought this state would continue until the production wrapped up. However, one day while talking to Wei Xianghong on the phone, the subject of that night came up, and Wei Xianghong accidentally let a detail slip: “Xie Zhe’s alcohol tolerance is much better than yours. If you want to practice drinking in the future, go find him!”

Xia Qingye froze the moment she heard that. Thinking back to Xie Zhe’s “half-drunk” appearance that night, she let out a flat “Oh.” “Senior’s tolerance couldn’t possibly beat Zhuzi’s. If I want to practice, I’ll just find Zhuzi. Why would I trouble Senior with such a small matter?”

Wei Xianghong: “…”

She thought to herself: Isn’t Nie Zhuying supposed to be much busier than Xie Zhe?

From then on, Xia Qingye couldn’t look at Ye Xuan and Xie Zhe the same way. Whenever the two appeared in the same place, her gaze would instinctively drift toward them. And as she watched, she really did start to notice some clues.

On this day, Ye Xuan approached Xia Qingye sheepishly. “Qingye, let me treat you all to spicy crawfish at that shop tonight.”

Xia Qingye blinked twice before asking, “What brought on the sudden urge to treat us to a late-night snack?”

Ye Xuan leaned in and whispered, “I heard Brother Xie say he missed the taste of Ma Xiao. Last time it was your treat, Qingye, so this time it’s my turn. Anyway, it’s just you and Brother Xie.”

Xia Qingye looked conflicted. She had actually already made plans for a video chat with Zhuzi tonight.

Lately, Nie Zhuying had traded her usual leisure for a busy schedule. Even their video chats were cut down to just two or three short sentences. Xia Qingye had wanted to ask what she was so busy with several times, but before she could probe, the woman would vanish like a whirlwind.

“Ye Xuan, I wanted to go back early tonight to study Shi Ling’s upcoming scenes. How about another day?”

“Ah, I see…”

Ye Xuan’s scenes were actually nearing their end.

Among the three sisters, the second-eldest, Wang Xiaojuan, is the first to be eliminated from the workplace. She is crushed by the pressure of reality before she can even find a stable job. The terrifying rent in the capital, her impoverished family, and medical bills they can no longer afford—these are the burdens Xiaojuan carries. Witnessing the filth of the corporate world is the final straw that breaks her spirit.

Thus, Wang Xiaojuan chooses to leave.

Shi Ling, however, continues to grind away at the company with a terrifying director while dealing with Li Xian’s harassment and Zhao Qing’s constant probing. The first major rift between the two remaining sisters is approaching.

Ye Xuan pulled piteously on Xia Qingye’s sleeve. “Qingye, my part in this drama is almost over. Do you really have the heart to watch me leave the crew just like this?”

To be honest, Xia Qingye really didn’t want to get involved in the mess between Ye Xuan and Xie Zhe. Being a “third wheel” isn’t an easy job. She rubbed her temples in a bind, thinking that if she told Nie Zhuying they couldn’t video chat tonight, the woman would probably explode.

“Qingye, please, please go!”

“Alright, alright.” Xia Qingye was nearly shaken apart by the girl. “But let’s agree on one thing: no drinking today. I don’t want to carry two drunks by myself. Also, I have to come back early.”

“Great! Thank you, Qingye!”

This time, Ye Xuan didn’t invite Wen Wan. Since joining the crew, Wen Wan had acted entirely on her own. Coupled with the incident where she knocked over Xia Qingye’s lunchbox, the crew’s impression of her was abysmal. Even though Xie Zhe and Xia Qingye had covered for her by calling it a “rehearsal,” the people on set were all sharp—they knew the difference between a real rehearsal and a fake one. Everyone remained silent, but privately, they disliked her.

Wen Wan didn’t seem to care, or perhaps she was used to being looked at through a different lens. Aside from filming, she had almost no interaction with anyone.

At the dinner table, there were three large bowls of Ma Xiao—one in front of each person. Xia Qingye ate while distractedly checking her phone, waiting for that call from Nie Zhuying. She had never looked forward to Zhuzi’s video quite as much as she did today.

Before the scheduled time, the phone suddenly rang. Both of the people buried in their food were startled by the ringtone.

Xia Qingye quickly wiped her hands with a tissue. “Sorry about that, keep eating. I’m going out to take a call.”

She took her phone, answered via her Bluetooth headset, and hurried through the lobby to the outside of the hotel. There was a very quiet path outside where many people usually jogged or walked in the morning.

“Hello, Zhuzi.”

“It took you so long to answer. Wait, why are you panting like that?”

Nie Zhuying’s ears were like radar; she immediately heard something was off. She hung up instantly and requested a video call, her urgency suggesting she was rolling up her sleeves to catch a cheater.

Xia Qingye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She accepted the video call. “I was just at a dinner. I ran out as soon as you called. It’s so dark, can you even see me?”

Xia Qingye, however, could see the other woman clearly. From the background, it didn’t look like home. Nie Zhuying was dressed quite formally in a beige professional suit, with her collar casually open, clearly revealing a patch of fair skin. “It’s so late, Zhuzi, you haven’t gone home yet?”

Nie Zhuying was a bit unhappy. Even with her eyes wide, she couldn’t see Xia Qingye clearly against the pitch-black background. “I don’t care, I want to see you. We agreed to video chat today.”

Xia Qingye could only walk toward a lit area step by step. But even with light, she couldn’t speak as freely as she could in a room. She hesitated for a moment. “Wait a bit. I’ll go tell them and leave first.”

Nie Zhuying let out a soft hum, the corners of her mouth finally lifting slightly. “Go ahead. I’ll watch, I won’t make a sound. But you have to compensate me for the lost time—not a single minute less.”

Xia Qingye laughed softly and walked back, her gaze unable to leave the screen.

Nie Zhuying stayed true to her word about not being a distraction. She leaned her phone against the table and moved out of Xia Qingye’s sight. Opposite the table was a glass window reflecting the night view of the capital; from afar, the city lights were stunning. Soon, Nie Zhuying reappeared in the video holding a teacup. She sat primly in her chair and took a sip from the rim, leaving a bright red lip mark on the edge.

Xia Qingye happened to see a corner of the teacup—stuck on it was the sticker photo the two had taken that day. As Nie Zhuying took occasional sips, Xia Qingye felt as if those lips were grazing her own skin inch by inch, just like that night. Her whole body felt a wave of numbing heat.

“Qingye, come eat quickly, the Ma Xiao is getting cold!”

“I’m really sorry. An emergency call just came in, and I might have to head back to handle it. Senior, you and Ye Xuan take your time. To make it up to you, this meal is on me. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Ye Xuan’s face was flushed, her whole expression practically screaming “Yes, please!” but she still said, “Oh, Qingye, don’t be so polite. No need for you to pay; we agreed it was my treat.”

Xie Zhe’s mouth was covered in oil. He licked his lips, looking unsatisfied. “Junior, go ahead and get busy. We’ll pack a portion for you to take back when we’re done.”

Xia Qingye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She quickly declined the offer—peeling crawfish in a room at night meant the smell would never dissipate. “You two take your time.”

After finishing her sentence, she grabbed her things, paid at the counter, and unhurriedly strolled back.

Seeing that there was no one left beside her, Nie Zhuying said sourly while looking at her book, “‘Senior, Senior’—calling him so affectionately. Qingqing, how come I never hear you call me ‘Sister’?”

Through the phone screen, Xia Qingye could practically smell the vintage vinegar. She really couldn’t bring herself to call her “Sister.” Adding her past life to this one, she had lived for over thirty years; strictly speaking, she was likely several years older than her Zhuzi.

“Zhuzi, if you want to hear it… next time, I’ll call you that in bed.”

Nie Zhuying’s eyes lit up, and she instantly became energized. Her mind was already filled with “interrogation-style” bedroom scenes, imagining using all sorts of unscrupulous methods to force that person to cry out “Sister,” “Sister,” and “Please, spare me” over and over. The more she thought about it, the more thrilling it felt; she wished she could fly there right now and pin the person to the bed to do *this and that*. Regardless, she was definitely going to be on top next time!

Xia Qingye saw her silence and cleared her throat. “Is this your company office?”

Nie Zhuying tossed her book onto the desk and leaned her large face into the video frame, asking a question instead of answering: “Qingqing, how many years is your contract with Star Penguin Entertainment?”

“Three years.”

“Oh, so which year is it now?”

“The second year.”

According to Xia Qingye’s original plan, she would use Star Penguin as a springboard for these three years. Once she reclaimed her throne as Film Queen, if the company’s benefits were good, she’d renew; otherwise, she would do what Jin Manxi did—sign with another company for three years until her network was established, then open her own studio.

Nie Zhuying’s expressive phoenix eyes flickered slightly. “This isn’t my company office; it’s my studio. But you can treat it as one of my offices.”

Xia Qingye’s jaw nearly hit the floor in shock. “You opened a studio?”

Nie Zhuying lifted her chin proudly. “I had the intention all along, I just moved it up a bit. My contract with the company has reached its expiration; we’re parting on good terms. They should know my plans.”

When she returned from abroad in March, Nie Zhuying hadn’t planned on taking more work. While she was home accompanying Xia Qingye during her recovery, the company sent her manager, Zhou Ling, to discuss renewal, but she rejected it directly, stating she wasn’t considering it at the moment.

Xia Qingye finally understood what the woman had been busy with lately. She was speechless with shock, but then she smiled. “Congratulations, congratulations. I can’t call you Zhuzi anymore; I have to call you CEO Nie.”

Nie Zhuying said sneakily, “I want to hear you call me that in bed.”

Xia Qingye was turned bright red by the other’s blatant gaze and shameful words, so much so that it wasn’t until she opened the door and saw Yu Lan that she remembered there were other people in the room.

**Yu Lan:** “Sister Xia, you’re back so soon?”

Xia Qingye nodded, holding her slightly hot phone, and walked into the inner room with a flushed face.

Nie Zhuying let out two dissatisfied huffs. “Qingqing, video chatting with you is so inconvenient—there’s always either people or assistants. When can you come back? Or maybe I should just sneak over to visit the set again.”

At the mention of visiting the set, Nie Zhuying’s eyes sparkled. She wanted to go to the underground market one more time!

Xia Qingye sat on the bed with a throw pillow, looking at her. “This drama isn’t long; it’ll be a month at most. You’ve been so busy this month you haven’t had time to chat on the phone—how do you have time to visit the set?”

Nie Zhuying truly didn’t have the time; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had to squeeze her video time together. Being ruthlessly exposed by Xia Qingye, she became listless and dejected.

Seeing her looking like a defeated chick, Xia Qingye smartly shifted the topic. “I see your studio looks very beautiful. Zhuzi, give me a tour.”

Nie Zhuying instantly regained her spirit. Holding her phone, she took Xia Qingye on a tour of the studio she designed. The area was very large and divided into several zones. One of the most important zones was likely the Public Relations department. “This is the PR office Manxi designed for me. What do you think?”

Xia Qingye didn’t think much of the design itself, but she took a serious look at the PR office. “Actually, Zhuzi, you designed it very well. But… has the staff for the PR department been fully recruited?”

“They’ve been ready for a long time.”

“Long time…?”

Nie Zhuying gave a mysterious smile. “I’ve been with this company for nearly ten years. I thought about opening an independent studio two or three years ago.”

Back when Jin Manxi opened her studio, she asked Nie Zhuying if she wanted to collaborate, but Nie Zhuying refused. Although she and Jin Manxi had been best friends for ten years, they weren’t suited to be business partners. She was used to being lazy; if she relied on her friend for this as well, she’d likely become a hands-off manager.

At the time, she didn’t understand why she refused. Logically, opening a studio with Jin Manxi would have been a guaranteed win-win. It wasn’t until Jin Manxi said those words to her that she suddenly realized exactly why she wanted to open this studio.

Then, Xia Qingye heard Nie Zhuying say softly, “Qingqing, wait for me to produce a movie we can collaborate on, and I’ll invite you to join.”

Xia Qingye smiled. “Okay.”

—

Xia Qingye was woken up early by a call from Wei Xianghong. When she heard clearly what the other was saying, she jolted upright in bed and ruffled her hair forcefully. “Yes, I went out to eat with them yesterday, but I had something come up and left early.”

Wei Xianghong said a few more words before hanging up.

Xia Qingye was still quite dazed. She immediately checked Weibo, and the top headline about Xie Zhe popped up instantly.

**【Xie Zhe’s New Romance Exposed】**

The first photo of this blog post showed Ye Xuan and Xie Zhe standing under dim lighting, kissing. Xie Zhe’s face seemed hidden in the shadows, but from the clarity of the photo, one could still identify him. This photo was definitely much clearer than the ones of Xia Qingye and Xie Zhe together on the hot search—a solid piece of evidence.

However, anyone who films knows that the effect of this photo could also be achieved through camera angles (forced perspective).

Xia Qingye pulled at her long hair, feeling she shouldn’t have agreed to Ye Xuan’s request yesterday. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead. She suddenly called out, “Yu Lan.”

Yu Lan had also received a call from Wei Xianghong early this morning, so she entered the inner room immediately upon hearing Xia Qingye’s call. “Sister Xia, is it about Brother Xie?”

Xia Qingye thought for a moment. “Find a way to get the surveillance footage from outside the hotel. See if you can find the scene from this photo. It’s best if you find it; otherwise, Xie Zhe won’t be able to clear his name this time even if he jumps into the Yellow River.”

Yu Lan went a bit late. When she arrived, Xie Zhe’s assistant was also there. The two of them stared at the surveillance videos from last night for ages until their eyes grew blurry, but they simply couldn’t find the scene from the photo.

By the time Xia Qingye found out, her first scene with Wen Wan was about to start. “Don’t worry about it for now. Wait for Sister Xiang’s call.”

Xia Qingye was somewhat distracted, causing Wen Wan to go through several NGs with her. In the end, Wen Wan likely gave up on the effort as well; neither of their states was right, and they were both scolded severely by the director.

After the scolding, the director had no choice. When actors aren’t in the right state, it doesn’t help even if he scolds them all day. “Forget it, that’s all for today. You two go back and rest well. Find your state; I hope we can get it in one take tomorrow.”

Xia Qingye rubbed the space between her eyebrows, feeling that things were terrible.

Wen Wan let out a sneer. “I really didn’t expect you’d actually NG this many times.”

Xia Qingye ignored her sarcastic mockery and turned to leave; she had to ask Xie Zhe what he was thinking.

Wen Wan, for once, didn’t get angry, but unhurriedly followed behind her. “Hey, do you always help others this enthusiastically? When you and Xie Zhe were on the hot search, I didn’t see you this anxious. Now that he’s on the headlines with someone else, why are you getting anxious for him?”

This was the first time Wen Wan had met such a strange person—not worried about her own affairs, but specifically worrying about others.

Xia Qingye stopped and turned around. “Wen Wan, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Wen Wan stepped closer, only a step away from Xia Qingye. “Since you were kind enough to remind me last time, I’ll remind you, too.”

Xia Qingye looked puzzled. “What?”

Wen Wan gave a cold smile and leaned down toward Xia Qingye’s face. “The boss knows exactly which man I’m with; the power of choice was never in my hands from the start. As for you, Xia Qingye, you’re too clean—so clean that many people want to drag you deep into this mire and watch you get blackened bit by bit.”

Xia Qingye froze, her first thought being the words Zhong Ruanqin said to her during their confrontation in the private room. Clearly, she had underestimated that scumbag Zong Cong.

When she turned back, Wen Wan had long gone. After a thought, she went to see Xie Zhe first.

As soon as Xie Zhe saw her, he mocked himself: “Junior, two pots of Ma Xiao, and your Senior’s innocence is ruined.”

See? The Ma Xiao was more important than innocence.

Xia Qingye let him finish before making a gesture with her hands. “Senior, I remember you didn’t drink yesterday. Did you really… kiss?”

Xie Zhe covered his face and unexpectedly leaned toward Xia Qingye, pouting. “See? Is my mouth still there?”

Xia Qingye didn’t know what joke he was making and just stepped back to keep her distance. “Yu Lan told me the surveillance footage from those few days is broken. So regarding you and Ye Xuan yesterday, there’s no video evidence to show. Tell me honestly, you two were that close—oh, was your mouth numbed from eating Ma Xiao, and you let Ye Xuan check it for you?”

Xie Zhe snapped his fingers, wearing an “I knew you’d guess it” expression. “Junior, your IQ is through the roof.”

Xia Qingye really wanted to bow down to him. It was one thing to be greedy for Ma Xiao, but to let a girl who likes you check your mouth—you deserve to be on the headlines. She really wanted to just leave him to his fate. “Every coincidence in this world is calculated.”

The thought that Xie Zhe’s mess was never-ending and Sister Xiang would be annoyed with her—and that when she’s annoyed, the time she spends with her girlfriend vanishes—gave Xia Qingye a massive headache.

Xie Zhe lay on the sofa, lost in thought.

Xia Qingye saw him dazing off and thought for a moment. “Even though the surveillance is broken, I actually have a way. It just depends on whether your luck is good.”