Chapter 55: Getting a Hotel Room?
After a period of intensive training, the day of the rehearsal finally arrived. However, Shen Xi couldn’t shake the feeling that the TV station staff were looking at her strangely.
Even when she greeted them, most people just ignored her.
Maybe this is just how an ‘evil supporting character’ is supposed to be treated…
Surprisingly, Director Chen, who had been so cold toward her in his office before, was now giving her an encouraging smile when they met in the studio.
Huh? That’s weird…
Her mind started wandering. Wait… could it be that Director Chen has some inappropriate thoughts about her?
After all, she was very…
Hold up, when did she become so full of herself?
Shen Xi quickly shook her head, pushing away those ridiculous thoughts.
She had made sure to arrive early because she didn’t want to be late for her first rehearsal. But since she hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, she found a seat in a quiet corner of the audience area and started nibbling on some bread and milk.
It was just something she bought from a random bakery on the way, but when you’re hungry, everything tastes good. Still, she couldn’t help but miss the breakfast made by the housekeeper back at the Gu family villa.
At least back there, someone would talk to her. Like that guy, who barely said a word but was always watching over her.
The studio was still mostly empty, with only a few staff members adjusting the equipment.
Just as she was taking another bite of her dry bread, her phone buzzed.
Speak of the devil.
It was a WeChat message from Gu Hanling.
[Are you free tonight?]
Shen Xi thought about it.
The rehearsal would be over by then, and she had the next day off. Technically, she was free. But what kind of question was this?
After hesitating for a moment, she replied:
[I guess so.]
Almost immediately, another message popped up. It was a location pin. She zoomed in to check. The place was about an hour’s drive from here.
A… hotel?
What the—?
Wait… is he asking me to get a room with him?!
[No, thanks.]
She refused without hesitation. Then came his reply.
[There’s a banquet tonight. I need the presence of Mrs. Gu.]
[If you don’t come, ten.]
Shen Xi’s mouth twitched.
Classic Gu Hanling. Still as domineering as ever. Even his invitations sound like ultimatums.
The location pin wasn’t for a random hotel stay. It was just where she was supposed to change outfits, just like last time. They would then go to the banquet together.
And that “ten”? Obviously, he meant ten million. Not a reward, a fine! She rolled her eyes and muttered to herself.
Would it have killed him to explain properly from the start? Just dropping a hotel pin like that, who wouldn’t misunderstand?!
In her mind, she punched him a hundred times before aggressively typing her response:
[Oops, sorry, President Gu. My finger slipped. What I meant to say was, thank you for the invitation.]
[I promise to play the role of a loving, perfect Mrs. Gu. You can count on me.]
He replied quickly.
[How much love?]
Shen Xi clenched her teeth and typed furiously:
[Like a streamer loves their top-ranking supporter, heart eyes and all.]
Yep. And those heart eyes? They’re filled with money.
Her so-called ‘family’, her father, mother, and younger sister, Shen Wanru, were nothing but leeches. They didn’t care whether she lived or died as long as they could keep squeezing money out of her.
Gu Hanling, on the other hand, gave her food, shelter, and in the future, close to two hundred million.
Shen Xi had been poor for too long. In her world, money could solve 99% of problems.
As for the remaining 1%? That just meant there wasn’t enough money yet.
So how could she not love her top supporter? She loves him so much. Though it's the support, not the man himself, and she's not exactly lying, is she?
Just as Shen Xi finished her breakfast, she received a piece of news that left her speechless.
One of the contestants had mysteriously dropped out of the competition, which meant that a "mystery guest" suddenly had no opponent. To solve this, Director Chen added a special guest slot, and that guest just happened to be her semifinal opponent.
That’s right. The guest was none other than Lin Yueyue.
So now, even the female lead was joining the talent show…
That day, Lin Yueyue had run out of the office in tears and cried the entire day. Her tears had always been the ultimate weapon against the male lead.
Shi Jingyan had already promised to secure her a guest spot. But after embarrassing himself in front of his woman, he completely lost his patience.
He found a contestant who had made it to the semifinals but desperately needed money and paid him tens of thousands to withdraw from the competition.
After all, in this reality show, only the judges and the panelists were paid a proper appearance fee. The contestants, who were all hoping to gain fame and revive their careers, were only given a symbolic amount.
Shi Jingyan then went a step further. He threatened Director Chen, demanding that Lin Yueyue be given a spot. If not, he would spread rumors about how Director Chen was ungrateful and heartless despite owing someone his life.
This so-called "wife-pampering" move nearly made Director Chen explode with anger. He had spent years building a reputation in the industry as a professional with integrity and professionalism.
Now, if his benefactor’s son started bad-mouthing him, no matter how much he tried to explain, it would be impossible to clear his name.
Left with no choice, Director Chen reluctantly agreed.
And when he thought about how Lin Yueyue had slandered Shen Xi in the past, he no longer believed a single word from her.
At this point, he was hoping Shen Xi would eliminate Lin Yueyue in the competition so that the show could proceed as planned without further disruption.
When Lin Yueyue arrived at the studio, she brought a bottle of premium fresh milk for every staff member, even the contestants. Now that her wallet was full again, she could go back to spending freely.
The crew had always liked her soft, innocent demeanor, and now that she was giving them free gifts, they naturally flocked around her, showering her with compliments.
Surrounded by admiration, Lin Yueyue kept her sweet smile, but her gaze subtly drifted toward the quiet figure sitting in the corner, Shen Xi.
Her smile deepened.
She grabbed a bottle and walked over to Shen Xi.
“Sorry, Xixi, I ended up joining the competition too! And we’re even paired as opponents... You’re such a kind person, you won’t be mad at me, right?”
Shen Xi let out a cold laugh, not even bothering to look at her.
Unbelievable. Will this ever end?
All she wanted was to make a name for herself so she could secure a future after her inevitable divorce. She had come this far to stay out of their way.
Yet, the male and female leads clung to her like stubborn leeches.
What, was the story completely stuck unless she played the stepping stone? Couldn’t they just get married and stay out of her life?
Seeing that Shen Xi wasn’t responding, Lin Yueyue bit her lip lightly, her eyes brimming with grievance, looking pitiful.
“I’m sorry, Xixi… If you’re really uncomfortable with me here, I can quit the competition…”
As she spoke, her hands trembled slightly as she offered the bottle of milk.
“Sister Xixi, would you like some?”
Shen Xi found it funny and casually shook the carton of milk already in her hand.
“Are you blind? Milk and fresh milk aren’t the same thing. Can’t you see I’m already drinking one?”
Just then, crash!
The glass bottle in Lin Yueyue’s hand fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. The white liquid splattered everywhere.
She acted as if she had been startled, taking a step back. Her eyes instantly turned red, and her voice trembled as she said,
“I… I’m sorry, Sister Xixi… I just wanted to get along with you… I didn’t think you’d hate me this much…”
Her voice wasn’t particularly loud, but in the quiet studio, it rang out crystal clear.
The nearby staff, hearing the commotion, all turned to look.
Shen Xi felt a wave of irritation.
No wonder the original Shen Xi had eventually turned into a villainess. Anyone would go insane dealing with this woman.