Truly Dedicated to Art (Lily ABO) - Chapter 1

“How did it go? What did Director Lu say?” Meng Zhao leaned in and asked with concern.

“She said……” Yu Shuinao lowered her head slightly, but no words followed.

Meng Zhao immediately understood the result from her expression. She gently patted her shoulder and said angrily, “That bastard still refuses to let you go even after all this time.”

Yu Shuinao silently picked up a glass of wine and took a sip. “I’ll think of another way. If it really doesn’t work… worst case, I’ll just quit.” She raised her head and looked toward the man laughing and chatting with others upstairs. He seemed to sense her gaze, his smile deepening as he provocatively raised an eyebrow.

Yu Shuinao coldly looked away, then downed the entire glass in one go. A faint flush from the alcohol rose on her face, her lips glistening with moisture, seductive and captivating.

Even Meng Zhao, who was used to the impact of her beauty, couldn’t help but sigh. Sometimes, being this beautiful was also a sin.

Yu Shuinao’s face had been praised since she was a child. Scouts had even approached her before, but she turned them down saying she wasn’t interested. Unexpectedly, in high school she suddenly fell in love with acting. Her mothers supported her in pursuing her passion, and she got into the Capital Drama Academy. Only after entering the top drama school did she realize that her so-called passion and talent were nothing special. The academy was filled with countless people who had real talent, true dedication, or both.

But one thing never changed—her appearance remained transcendent even in the entertainment industry full of beauties. She was also hardworking enough to win the favor of many directors and producers. During her graduation play, she met Wu Shikun, the young master of Star Pick Group, who had come to inspect the crew.

He smiled teasingly and said that as long as she was with him, he would make her the hottest female star, build a team tailored for her, and let her choose any good script she wanted.

This wasn’t the first shortcut someone in the industry had offered her. As usual, she politely but firmly refused. This young master seemed very interested in her and kept pestering her repeatedly. Unable to endure it any longer, Yu Shuinao said a few harsh words. He sneered and told her that she would definitely come begging him one day.

After that, none of her auditions went through. Even the dramas she had already finished filming had their scenes reshot with someone else replacing her. She couldn’t even get variety show invitations she didn’t want before. After discussing it with her mothers, she decided to go abroad to Country A to study for a three-year drama graduate program. If she couldn’t get roles domestically, she could consider becoming a theater actress. Who would have thought…

Yu Shuinao frowned, picked up another glass of wine, and drank it all in one gulp. The cold liquid slid down her throat, leaving an indescribable taste.

Meng Zhao comforted her, “There will always be a way. There are so many famous directors and producers at this banquet tonight. I heard that person is here too, but I didn’t see her after looking around.”

Yu Shuinao was puzzled. “That person? Who?”

“Oh, you don’t know? The hottest celebrity in the capital right now,” Meng Zhao whispered, “Xie Yixuan, the current head of the Xie family. In the past two years, the Xie Group has invested a lot of money into the entertainment industry. Many high-quality productions are from Xie, and they’ve poached quite a few Best Actors and Best Actresses. If you can get help from President Xie, Wu Shikun is nothing.”

Yu Shuinao gave a soft “Mm.”

What could she possibly use to move someone like that?

“You should drink less. I still have some things to discuss over there and might not be able to look after you. It’s not safe if you drink too much.”

“Okay, go ahead. I’ll think by myself.”

Yu Shuinao unconsciously looked toward the dance floor, where men and women were gracefully dancing. The music and lighting were just right, flickering softly.

“Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of a dance?”

A well-dressed man curved his lips and extended one hand in invitation.

Wu Shikun.

Yu Shuinao didn’t even look at him. She picked up another glass of wine and walked away on her own.

Wu Shikun withdrew his hand, stared at her back, and let out a cold chuckle.

He unhurriedly followed behind Yu Shuinao, speaking as if to himself, his voice neither too loud nor too soft—just loud enough for her to hear without attracting attention.

“You came to tonight’s banquet, don’t tell me it’s for President Xie? If you knew even a little more about her, you’d know how cold and unapproachable she is. So many people in the capital are begging her for help. Seduction? Ha, she’s seen too many of those. You should give up on that delusion. Don’t you think?”

Yu Shuinao stopped, turned around, and looked straight at him. “Whether I beg her or whatever I do, it has nothing to do with you.”

Wu Shikun’s smile didn’t change. He raised his glass to her and drained it. “It’s fine. As long as you change your mind, I’ll always welcome you.”

She would never beg him in this lifetime.

Yu Shuinao had already lost count of how many glasses she had drunk. She swallowed the wine, as if only this way could she temporarily escape her current predicament. While drinking, she wandered aimlessly around the estate and eventually leaned tiredly against a pillar in the pavilion.

With hazy eyes, she looked up at the moon. The moonlight was dim, and she couldn’t find any stars around.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps accompanied by a woman’s voice.

“President Xie… about tomorrow’s meeting…”

“Let President Ming host it,” came a cold yet clear and penetrating voice.

Yu Shuinao suddenly remembered what Meng Zhao had said, and her heart began pounding violently.

She also recalled Wu Shikun’s mockery, and her fingertips turned cold.

The footsteps grew closer. The rhythm of high heels hitting the ground was like her own heartbeat.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The footsteps stopped.

The woman was wearing a one-shoulder black velvet evening gown, with white feathers adorning her chest. Her seaweed-like black hair was loosely curled and draped over her shoulders, making her exposed skin look even fairer than snow. Her eyes were long and narrow, with slightly upturned tails. Under her cold aura, they appeared domineering and imposing. Her nose was straight, and her red lips were lightly pursed.

Since heaven was willing to give her this chance, why not try to seize it? Since she would end up begging someone anyway, why not simply try begging the person standing at the very top?

Yu Shuinao looked at her. Her misty eyes still carried a trace of glistening moisture, as if tears were about to fall but hadn’t yet.

Xie Yixuan looked back at her. Her dark, deep eyes flickered slightly, long lashes blinking as if in thought.

Neither of them spoke.

Taking advantage of the alcohol rushing to her head, Yu Shuinao stepped toward the woman one step at a time. She gathered her courage, gently wrapped her arms around Xie Yixuan, and rested her head on her shoulder.

“I really have no other way… Help me, okay?” she heard her own trembling voice say.