After Kissing the World-Weary Female Supporting Character [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

“When will the Female Lead ever fix her overly kind, Saintly Mother complex?” Ji Ruyue rubbed her forehead, a headache setting in, and decided not to pursue the matter further. “You go remind them, and make sure this situation doesn’t happen again.”

“Is the audition over now? You can notify me of the results later; I’m taking her with me!”

Qi Nanchun grabbed Zhao Yu’s arm to keep him quiet and said gently, “Everything is arranged. CEO, please take Xingzi with you. It’s fine now.”

“Mhm. Speed up the subsequent auditions, don’t drag it out. I want to join the cast, and the role will be discussed between Zhang Yuan and you. That’s it. I’m taking her now, you all figure out the rest!” Ji Ruyue raised her chin, signaling for Zhang Yuan to stay behind.

With a few quick words, Ji Ruyue settled the situation and escorted the Female Lead, who was suspected of being overly shocked and suffering from a bout of Saintly Mother syndrome, into the car.

Seeing the car drive away, Qi Nanchun finally let go of Zhao Yu’s arm and turned to ask the perpetually confused Zhang Yuan, “Secretary Zhang, regarding the CEO’s decision?”

Zhang Yuan thought: CEO, come back! Even though you argued with the old men for three hours, you never mentioned a specific role! I have reason to suspect you’re abusing your power for private gain and using this as an opportunity to date…

“Ahem, you should continue your work as normal first. The CEO’s role is undecided; let’s prioritize Miss Song’s role for now. Could Editor Qi please send me a copy of the relevant character relationships via email.” Zhang Yuan spoke in an official tone, dealing with the mess the CEO had left behind.

“That works well. Auditions are basically wrapping up, and filming will start in the next few days. Once the list is finalized, I’ll contact Secretary Zhang.”

The two sides settled their arrangements and went about their respective tasks.

Zhao Yu looked sullen the entire time, until Qi Nanchun pulled him aside. “I shouldn’t have agreed to take this project. It hasn’t even started, and already people are lacking drive, pulling strings, or being parachuted in. I don’t know what’s coming next! What’s the point of filming this?”

Qi Nanchun comforted her partner. She knew the upright Zhao Yu was feeling miserable, but she thought Ji Ruyue’s inclusion might not be a bad thing. “Don’t be mad. Song Xingzi is naturally suited for Fang Miao; even if there was an extra initial screening, she would definitely make it to the end.”

“Heh, sure, Song Xingzi can play Fang Miao well. But what about your CEO? Has she taken too many helicopter rides? She’s a forceful parachute, and so arrogant!”

Qi Nanchun sighed. “If CEO Ji is given a good position, it might not be a bad role. You’re just confused with anger right now, so I won’t get mad at you.”

“Now you’re making it sound like it’s my fault! I see how Starlight operates; they’re bound to shove more people in. You handle the roles; I don’t care. Out of sight, out of mind.”

“The roles of Fang Mei and the Imperial Consort haven’t been finalized, have they? Even if one more person is pushed in, it’s fine. I was planning to revise their scripts anyway, so it’s all trouble regardless. Just try to get less angry. You’re too young to be driving yourself crazy with frustration.”

Zhao Yu’s expression softened. He was still holding onto his annoyance, but since his girlfriend had given him an out, he took the hint, saying, “Only you have the good temper and all the excuses.”

“Alright, alright, come and work.” Qi Nanchun pulled her stubborn but soft-hearted boyfriend back to continue their unfinished work.

Meanwhile, the two newly arrived ‘parachuters’ who had returned home were completely oblivious to the commotion they had caused.

If the fire from half a month ago was just my eyes playing tricks on me, then the spiritual power that supported my body today must be real. I’ve clearly turned into a human, so why would I still have spiritual power? If I am still a squirrel spirit, then why did the power vanish instantly? How did it appear?

Song Xingzi sat on the sofa, head bowed in deep thought. After the brief moments of intense joy and profound sorrow, she, who usually avoided thinking about complex problems, couldn’t help but fall into contemplation.

Could it be because of Ji-Ji? How is that possible? She’s just a character in a story! Could it be that I fell into this story just for Ji-Ji? Impossible, what kind of connection is that? But the spiritual power, what in the world is going on with the spiritual power!!! It’s so annoying, so frustrating, I can’t figure it out, there are no clues at all.

The more Song Xingzi thought, the more frustrated she became. She clenched her small fists, puffed out her cheeks, and buried her head in her knees. Then she suddenly lifted her head, staring intently at Ji Ruyue, who was leaning back with her eyes closed. However, as soon as Ji Ruyue opened her eyes and looked over, Song Xingzi quickly averted her gaze and resumed her slumped, dejected posture.

After this happened several times, Ji Ruyue, who had been resting with her eyes closed, finally couldn’t stand the Female Lead’s strange behavior and couldn’t help but ask her, “You—”

“Ji-Ji, you—” Coincidentally, Song Xingzi also couldn’t help but want to ask how she felt when she caught her, and they both spoke at the same time, neither finishing their sentence.

“You first,” Ji Ruyue waited patiently for the struggling Female Lead to speak, giving her the floor.

“I wanted to ask if you felt I was very light when you caught me just now. I, gurgle, gurgle—”

The aftermath of the plain vegetable soup lunch had arrived. The gurgle, gurgle sound was like a sudden speaker cutting off a singer mid-note.

Ji Ruyue then saw Song Xingzi’s face turn bright red. She lowered her head, looking like a child ashamed of a mistake, twisting her sleeves, and whispered, “Ji-Ji, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be hungry.”

Was she starving herself for a diet? Why is she asking me if she’s light? I don’t even know what she weighed before.

Ji Ruyue came up with several questions, then answered truthfully, “Quite light. You weren’t hurt. Are you hungry?”

“Gurgle…”

“Ji-Ji, that wasn’t me. I’m not that hungry.” Hearing the familiar stomach rumble again, Song Xingzi looked up to explain.

Ji Ruyue, the source of the sound, had a calm expression. “That was me. I’m hungry.”

I was fine before without eating, so what’s going on now?

“Ji-Ji is hungry? Ji-Ji, did you not eat lunch? Does your stomach hurt? You just got out of the hospital; you can’t skip meals!” Song Xingzi’s attention immediately shifted from the spiritual power to the picky Female Lead’s health. Her ‘Mom-Fan’ instincts prompted her to rapidly ask three questions in one breath.

Song Xingzi’s gaze was too sincere and earnest. Ji Ruyue recalled the history of her unwavering meal deliveries. Although she didn’t understand why the Female Lead was so concerned about her diet, if she said she hadn’t eaten, it would undoubtedly cause trouble.

She nodded, looking serious. “I ate. Didn’t you?”

“I ate too, but I’m hungry again! Then I’ll go cook. I’ll make good food for Ji-Ji!”

With her attention now on the Female Lead, Song Xingzi instantly remembered that Ji Ruyue had actually eaten food made by someone else this afternoon! As the ‘Little Master Chef of the Demon Realm,’ she was very unhappy. Thus, her daily goals, which already included opening a shop, earning money, and curing the Female Lead’s picky eating habit, successfully gained one more item—Making the Female Lead fall in love with her cooking!

As for why she had such a strange goal, she didn’t know either.

“Oh,” Ji Ruyue responded indifferently to Song Xingzi. Although her stomach was rumbling, she didn’t feel overwhelmingly hungry. Also, why are my daily conversations with the Female Lead always about food? Is this kind of interaction really okay?

Ji Ruyue stood up with her doubts and leaned against the kitchen doorway, observing Song Xingzi’s movements.

The person standing at the counter seemed like a different person: her brows carried a sense of purpose, her eyes held a smile, yet conveyed absolute confidence. Her practiced movements subtly implied an underlying pride.

Song Xingzi took pork ribs out of the refrigerator, trimmed off the tenderloin, sliced it into small strips, and placed them in a nearby porcelain bowl. She then took out various seasonings and added them one by one.

While the meat was marinating, she turned on the gas stove next to her and put in unknown ingredients, seemingly to simmer a sauce. The flame was very low. Song Xingzi stirred the sauce clockwise with long wooden chopsticks and, turning her head, asked her with a smile, “Ji-Ji, do you eat rice?”

“Whatever,” Ji Ruyue replied, remaining by the door, silently observing: She had never seen this side of Song Xingzi—like the picture of her laughing on the wall today, she was authentic, vibrant, full of life, confident, and dazzling.

“Then let’s skip the rice. Eating rice at night is hard to digest, and since Ji-Ji probably didn’t eat much at lunch, eating a lot for dinner all at once isn’t good. We’ll have rolled noodle wraps. They’ll be savory with a hint of sweetness; you’ll definitely like them.”

“It’s fine, I’m not hungry, gurgle, gurgle…”

The stubborn second female lead was getting slapped in the face online. This feeling was terrible. Ji Ruyue pursed her lips and retreated to the sofa.

Song Xingzi was clearly happy. She pointed to the counter nearby and said crisply, “Ji-Ji is hungry! There are pine nut candies from yesterday on the third shelf. Ji-Ji, have two to tide you over; dinner will be ready soon!”

Why is she talking to me in a tone like she’s coaxing a child? And I don’t even like pine nut candy that much! Ji Ruyue frowned slightly, unsure what the Female Lead was thinking.

But two pieces are fine. Recalling the taste of the pine nut candy, she got up and, following Song Xingzi’s hint, took out the candy jar. The translucent pine nut candies, coated in white sugar powder, lay inside the festive red jar.

She picked one up and put it in her mouth. The sweet and mellow taste spread, and Ji Ruyue closed her eyes contentedly. She suddenly wondered: Why would my apartment have such a festive porcelain jar?

The owner of the jar poked her head out and reminded, “Ji-Ji, don’t eat too much! If you eat too much candy, you won’t want dinner later.”

So nagging! Ji Ruyue nodded and took another piece.

In the Imperial Capital, Third Ring Road, a certain apartment.

Li Yebai felt his luck had been terrible lately: not only did he miss the opportunity to keep the ‘heart source’ by his side, but Ji Ruyue, whom he thought he had under his thumb, repeatedly gave him the cold shoulder. The plan he had prepared to enter the entertainment industry also hadn’t been launched yet.

“Fuck! This is infuriating!” The thought made the anger in his handsome eyes almost materialize. He pushed away the woman clinging to him.

“Why is CEO Li in such a bad temper? Did He Ya not please you well?” The woman named He Ya wrapped herself around him, her soft, delicate body pressing against Li Yebai, breathing out like an orchid in his ear.

“Get lost—” Li Yebai was vexed. He felt like he had missed some major opportunity. He pushed her away again, speaking in a harsh, angry tone.

Some men in this world are like this: they claim to deeply love someone, yet they can still indulge with other women. Even worse are the cowards who, when faced with setbacks, don’t seek the cause or confront the problem, but instead vent their frustration on women.

But sometimes, it’s not entirely one person’s fault. Some people are willing to endure it for money, resources, or other reasons.

He Ya was pushed away forcefully, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face, which she quickly concealed. She stood up, put on her nightgown, walked gracefully, and sat next to Li Yebai. She took a teacup from the bedside, poured him a glass of water, and handed it to him. “CEO Li, why bother getting angry? You can tell He Ya about anything that’s bothering you. If He Ya did something wrong, please tell me directly.”

“Hmph,” Li Yebai took the cup, drank it in one gulp, and only then felt slightly better.

He Ya was one of his longest-running bed partners and an artist with Huasheng. She was considered Song Xingzi’s former senior colleague—she was considerate and gentle, but extremely ambitious.

He didn’t care for He Ya’s scheming nature, but then he thought that it was fine. She would be perfectly suited to sabotage the relationship between the ‘heart source’ and Ji Ruyue. That little starlet was simple-minded and timid; she would be easily handled when she encountered He Ya.

“I will mention Starlight’s new drama to Ji Ruyue tomorrow. Remember to complete your task well.”

He Ya smiled upon hearing this, took the cup, wrapped herself around him again, and sweetly agreed.