After Being Dumped by the Film Empress, My Acting Skills Soared - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Shh—”

“I assume you don’t mind if I sit here for a moment?” Jiang Yan lowered her voice.

Her eyes curved into crescents, looking as if she and Shao Niannian were old acquaintances. This caused the seated girl to stutter repeatedly; she couldn’t speak clearly, she couldn’t move properly, and eventually, she didn’t even know where to put her hands and feet.

She was like a puppy locked in a pet shop display case, paws pressed against the tempered glass, dark eyes staring intently at the person outside. Her tail wagged furiously, terrified that the person outside wouldn’t notice her.

She desperately wanted to be close, yet she was afraid. Across that glass display, they looked so close, but in reality, they were worlds apart. It was a distance that might never be bridged.

Jiang Yan loved capturing the body language of others to internalize for her roles. The outside world called her a genius—someone who could embody any character from the moment she debuted. Even directors notorious for being harsh on actors praised her, saying she seemed to walk right out of the script.

In truth, she simply integrated different personas into her life. She looked for real people similar to her characters, observed them relentlessly, and extracted their essential traits to fold into her roles. Because of this habit, Shao Niannian’s shifting expressions and movements piqued her curiosity.

Jiang Yan watched her with a smile and sat down casually. She didn’t say much because, frankly, she had no idea who the girl in front of her was. Was she a fan? Or a minor actress she’d worked with before? Jiang Yan didn’t guess blindly; instead, she waited for Shao Niannian to succumb to the silence and reveal the connection herself. That way, Jiang Yan wouldn’t make an embarrassing mistake.

“Teacher Jiang…” Shao Niannian nervously licked her lips. Her hands, resting lightly on the laptop keyboard, felt out of place. Her brain, which had been filled with script segments moments ago, now held only one thought: In this lifetime, I am actually this close to Jiang Yan.

“Teacher Jiang, why are you… in this area?”

Shao Niannian broke the awkward silence first, her voice a low whisper. For the first time, she was grateful for the dim lighting of the corner; no one could see her face, which felt like it was about to catch fire. Her voice was distorted by nerves—when the question left her mouth, it felt as if something was blocking her throat. Her voice cracked and trailed off into nothing.

Only her eyes, reflecting the faint glow of the laptop, remained fixed on Jiang Yan through the darkness.

“Oh, no reason. A friend just happened to ask me to meet here.” Jiang Yan’s lips curled upward, showing no sign of annoyance.

She still couldn’t recall where she had seen this girl, but based on the title “Teacher” and the tone of worship, Jiang Yan ruled out the “random fan” theory and concluded the girl was a colleague in the industry.

“Apologies, my schedule has been a bit hectic lately and my memory is a mess,” Jiang Yan said with polite regret. “Have we met before?”

“Ah…”

Shao Niannian was floored by the counter-question. It hadn’t occurred to her that Jiang Yan wouldn’t remember her at all, especially since they had met at the banquet just over a week ago. Jiang Yan had even told her assistant to give her a coat.

Words failed her. Her fingers curled instinctively against the keys. A dozen ways to introduce herself flashed through her muddled brain, but what came out was the most blunt, emotionless connection possible.

“At the PQ banquet a few days ago… I was the one Miss Wen Jing brought in.”

Shao Niannian’s spirit wilted. She hated introducing herself through someone else, but she knew that someone of Jiang Yan’s caliber wouldn’t watch the “trashy” dramas she’d been in. Whether they were popular hits with rock-bottom ratings or niche indie films with critical acclaim, none of them were worthy of Jiang Yan’s attention for even a second.

Shao Niannian had one film from her youth that had made her famous. In it, she played a young socialite who spent a fortune on a famous courtesan—but the courtesan felt nothing for her and never remembered her.

As much as the socialite loved the courtesan in the movie, Shao Niannian was that obsessed with Jiang Yan in real life. She had loved her enough to give up the traditional Chinese painting she’d studied for years and switch to acting, defying her family’s expectations and retaking the exams for two years out of sheer stubbornness.

And yet, in the end, she could only introduce herself using Wen Jing’s name. She didn’t even dare mention the title of the movie that had made her fall in love with Jiang Yan.

Shao Niannian’s disappointment was written all over her face. Coincidentally, the dim yellow light above them flickered and died. The only light source left was the laptop, which began to dim as well due to inactivity.

The surroundings remained noisy, but in the center of her internal gloom, Shao Niannian heard Jiang Yan’s light, chuckling reply.

“Oh, so you’re Wen Jing’s friend.” Jiang Yan’s eyes crinkled. She suddenly remembered the scene at the banquet. Her manager had even asked if she had found a “new target.”

Jiang Yan pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth. It seemed she wouldn’t be “transferring her affections” anytime soon. In her mind, the Shao Niannian in the green dress hadn’t been nearly as vivid as the Wen Jing in the black gown.

As she compared the two in her head, Jiang Yan had to admit that Wen Jing’s face was indeed something to be proud of. No wonder she was so vengeful.

“I haven’t seen Wen Jing associate with you before?” Jiang Yan probed.

Compared to Wen Jing’s status, Shao Niannian was a world apart. Recalling how Wen Jing had actively brought this girl before her, combined with this “accidental” encounter tonight, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of suspicion. Is this how kids get revenge nowadays? Do they need a tag-team partner?

Shao Niannian listened to Jiang Yan’s probing questions. Her brow furrowed for a moment before smoothing out. she let out a long sigh, exhaling the frustration in her chest.

She realized Gao Hui had been wrong about her. Gao Hui once said: “You’re a good person, but everything you think is written on your face. You’re all smiles for fans, but you want to beat paparazzi with a stick. That’s not right. You’re a star; you’re in a profession that relies on public attention. You have to be gentle. If you’re soft, people might remember you with some kindness rather than sharpness.”

Shao Niannian had forgotten how she’d answered back then—likely some rebellious retort that nearly gave Gao Hui a heart attack. But now, she forced a smile and answered the uncomfortable questions with patience.

“Miss Wen and I aren’t really friends,” she said tactfully. “Just a few brief encounters. Though, if all goes well, we might become more acquainted later.”

If Miss Wen Jing is willing… maybe we’ll get “familiar”?

Shao Niannian thought that if Gao Hui saw her right now—faking a smile and maintaining polite pretenses with Jiang Yan—she’d be shocked. Her most genuine artist had finally learned how to be a hypocrite.

Jiang Yan studied the person in front of her, half-believing and half-doubting. Shao Niannian was a fresh face to her, but considering the things Wen Jing had whispered in her ear at the banquet, she couldn’t tell what was true. Jiang Yan hated trouble. Wen Jing was already trouble enough; if she added Shao Niannian to the mix, she might have to take a sabbatical until next year.

Jiang Yan didn’t reply.

Shao Niannian’s heart sank further. The usually delicious aroma of the BBQ stall turned bitter. Even the icy peach resin milk became cloying and hard to swallow. Her gaze drifted back to the “River of Red” on her laptop, and she suddenly lost all desire to talk. This feeling of being utterly insignificant in front of the person she loved was suffocating.

Shao Niannian just wanted to run away.