As the most prosperous commercial hub, the majority of domestic entertainment agencies were located in this area. It wasn't strange that Zhong Ruanxing and Duan Tanyun, being under the same agency, would run into each other here.
Faced with Duan Tanyun's enthusiasm, Song Jingxing responded coldly, "No need."
Ever since the phone call that morning, Duan Tanyun had been on edge. Probably because of the guilt from her wrongdoing, the moment his cold gaze swept over her, even though he hadn't said anything, she confessed without being pressed, pitifully asking, "Ruanxing, are you suspecting me? I really had nothing to do with what happened last night."
Song Jingxing had never encountered such a foolish opponent before. He was momentarily at a loss for words.
Duan Tanyun blinked, and her eyes quickly turned red, making her look all the more pitiful. "Ruanxing, has our five years of friendship really meant so little?"
Song Jingxing: "..."
How had Zhong Ruanxing managed to be friends with someone this stupid for five years?
Facing Duan Tanyun's pitiful gaze, Song Jingxing finally spoke, his tone flat and indifferent, "Last night, when you personally undressed me, I don't think you were considering our friendship."
The eyes beneath the brim of his cap remained beautiful and deep, but now carried a sharp, cold edge. Under that piercing gaze, Duan Tanyun's pitiful facade shattered like a cracked mask, impossible to maintain.
Song Jingxing had no interest in watching her change expressions. He turned and walked away.
Duan Tanyun's pale lips trembled, and she looked more like a victim now. Gritting her teeth, she shouted his name angrily, "Zhong Ruanxing!"
Song Jingxing didn't stop walking.
She spat venomously, "Don't get too smug just yet!"
That graceful figure, whose curves were evident even in casual clothes, gave her no response. From that retreating back, Duan Tanyun could only sense cold indifference, leaving her furious and powerless.
Her phone rang. Seeing it was her agent, Miao Gaojun, she had no choice but to take a deep breath and answer the call.
Miao Gaojun's voice on the other end of the line was tinged with impatience. "Why aren't you here yet?"
Duan Tanyun quickly replied, "I'm almost there, five more minutes."
She hesitated for a moment but couldn't hold it in. "I ran into Zhong Ruanxing."
Miao Gaojun immediately became alert. "You didn't say anything to her, did you?"
He knew all too well how hopelessly foolish this artist under his management was. Noting her hesitant tone, he grew furious. Duan Tanyun, flustered, confessed everything about their conversation word for word.
After hearing it, Miao Gaojun was nearly driven mad with anger. "Get your ass back to the company right now!"
Despite being touted as a "good friend" of Zhong Ruanxing and having a comparable level of fame, Duan Tanyun was practically invisible in the entertainment industry—perhaps even more so. After all, Zhong Ruanxing at least had the "sexy goddess" label attached to her. Duan Tanyun, on the other hand, couldn't even make a ripple.
That's just human nature—when everyone's career is going nowhere, it's easy to be genuine friends without envy or resentment.
But when Duan Tanyun found out that Director Zeng Mingsong had taken a liking to Zhong Ruanxing and intended to cast her as the second female lead in his new film, a seed named resentment began to sprout in her heart. The roots of jealousy grew thick and wild, crushing the foundation of their friendship.
They had agreed to be nobodies together—so what gave Zhong Ruanxing the right to suddenly speed ahead on a curve?
Zhong Ruanxing's agent, Weng Hanzhi, was in charge of two second-tier artists. For someone like Zhong Ruanxing, who had shown no signs of gaining popularity, he essentially let her fend for herself. No one even knew how Director Zeng came across her—it was sheer dumb luck.
Miao Gaojun, on the other hand, was ambitious. While Duan Tanyun wasn't the brightest, her image fit the current beauty standards of the industry. What she lacked was an opportunity—and Miao Gaojun had his sights set on that very role in Zeng Mingsong's film.
To win that role for Duan Tanyun, he first had to crush Zhong Ruanxing, who had caught the director's eye.
It was well known that Zeng Mingsong was a man of strong principles—sharp-tempered, morally upright, and utterly intolerant of any shady deals or scandals in his crew.
Zhong Ruanxing already had rumors floating around about her sleeping her way to roles. So Miao Gaojun and Duan Tanyun devised a plan: they stripped Zhong Ruanxing and placed her in Director Zeng's bed. Once the director returned and saw a naked woman lying there, it would take only the slightest push to confirm the rumor that Zhong Ruanxing always "slept her way in" before an audition.
By that point, Zeng Mingsong would absolutely never use her again.
But what they hadn't counted on—no matter how carefully they planned—was that Zhong Ruanxing would wake up halfway through and run away! The paparazzi they'd arranged in advance didn't even catch a glimpse of her, and on her way out, she even bumped into Zeng Mingsong, who was returning to his room.
Zeng Mingsong was no fool. With over forty years in the industry and nearly a hundred productions under his belt, he could see through the tricks and schemes of showbiz in a heartbeat. He had a few of the paparazzi dragged to the hotel's security office for questioning.
And just like that, the whole plan backfired.
While he couldn't yet confirm who was behind the scheme, Zeng Mingsong was now certain that someone had tried to set Zhong Ruanxing up.
Which meant if anyone ever tried to pull this trick again, Zeng Mingsong would never fall for it. Worse for them, he might even start feeling sympathetic toward Zhong Ruanxing. With the audition just three days away, her chances of landing the role had actually increased.
What a complete disaster—trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice instead!
Now that things had come to this, the only option left was to audition honestly. Even if they couldn't snag the second female lead, landing any supporting role in Director Zeng's film would still be worthwhile. Zhong Ruanxing was someone who valued relationships deeply. If she succeeded in landing the role, given her long-standing friendship with Duan Tanyun, she would very likely try to help her secure a part as well.
Miao Gaojun had calculated everything perfectly.
Only he, Duan Tanyun, and the assistant knew what had happened the night before. Even if Zhong Ruanxing woke up halfway through, she wouldn't know who was behind it. Duan Tanyun could continue pretending to be her friend and bide her time for another opportunity.
What he didn't expect was that this idiot Duan Tanyun had confessed without even being pressed!!!
If not for the fact that she still had a somewhat marketable face, Miao Gaojun would have thrown her out on the spot.
"Forget it. So what if she knows? It's not like she has any evidence—she can't do anything to us anyway," Miao Gaojun said darkly, glaring at the timid Duan Tanyun. "Just perform well at the audition in three days. If you get the role, great. If not, it's fine—I've already lined up a variety show for you."
***
When Song Jinxing arrived at the restaurant, Zhong Ruanxing had already been there for a while.
He had a private room here, and the moment the attendant saw Zhong Ruanxing, they had led her straight in. At the moment, she was inside examining the tea set for brewing tea. When she saw him come in, she waved at him happily.
Song Jinxing still wasn't used to seeing his own face make such lively expressions. He paused for a moment before walking over to sit down, removing his hat and mask, and smoothing out his tousled hair. Long hair was such a hassle—he had to constantly resist the urge to cut it short.
Zhong Ruanxing said, "You don't actually need to cover up so tightly. No one's going to take pictures of me. But you…"
She smiled playfully and teased, "When I came over, a bunch of people were snapping pictures of me! Someone even asked for my WeChat."
Song Jinxing: …?
Why had he never encountered this kind of attention when he went out?
Of course, he had no idea just how unapproachable his usual aura was—people only dared to admire him from afar, never having the courage to come closer. But now, with Zhong Ruanxing inhabiting this body, her gentle temperament made him appear much more approachable and friendly.
Zhong Ruanxing handed over the neatly organized documents and the voice recorder to him, then resumed studying the tea set while he worked.
Not long after, a waiter pushed the door open and respectfully asked, "President Song, shall we serve the usual?"
Zhong Ruanxing, quite casually, nodded and replied, "Mm."
But just then, Song Jinxing, who had been focused on work, suddenly spoke up, "Bring the menu."
The waiter paused for a moment, instinctively glancing at the person across the table.
Zhong Ruanxing was still fiddling with the tea set. Upon hearing this, she nodded again. "Bring the menu."
Even though the waiter had been professionally trained, they couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
The famously cold and aloof President Song… had such a pampering side? What a revelation!