After Kissing the World-Weary Female Supporting Character [Transmigration] - Chapter 23

“C-CEO Ji?”

Song Xingzi was a little stunned. What is Ji-Ji doing? Didn’t we agree not to be too intimate in front of outsiders?

You clearly wanted to leave, so why are you looking so incredulous now?

Ji Ruyue impatiently kicked an empty chair nearby and picked up Song Xingzi’s small handbag embroidered with white lilies. “Let’s go home and eat. I’m hungry.”

“Ah, ah, Ji-Ji, you’re hungry?” Song Xingzi stood up anxiously. Ji Ruyue had only been eating properly for a few days; she couldn’t bear to see the ‘little one’ go back to being picky and starving herself. “Seniors, I apologize, but may I leave now? Next time, next time I definitely won’t leave early.”

The crowd, who had just stumbled upon a huge piece of gossip, were momentarily choked and remained silent.

CEO Ji is hungry? Why does she need Song Xingzi to go home? Why is Song Xingzi leaving first? There must be an incredible connection between the two!

“N-No, is that not allowed?” Not getting a reply, Song Xingzi looked wronged and sat down again. Although she desperately wanted to bolt out the door, the original owner was a delicate figure who commanded pity, and she didn’t dare to break character too much.

Especially after Lin Shu signed her up for online video courses on social etiquette, she understood the treacherous and dangerous nature of the entertainment industry. She knew how many people were scrutinizing idol celebrities. If her personality and style changed too quickly, it would definitely attract trouble. Therefore, she was more serious than before about playing the original character. She even temporarily shelved her lifelong dream of opening a fried goods store, planning to change her public image after finishing the role of Fang Miao and then make preparations.

Still, no one had reacted, not even He Ya, who looked dumbfounded.

What is going on with them? Isn’t CEO Ji Li’s fiancée? Doesn’t she love Li Yebai dearly? Why does it sound like she’s in an ambiguous relationship with this young newcomer?

Song Xingzi’s limpid eyes shimmered as she secretly glanced at the crowd, her entire demeanor conveying extreme grievance.

With a loud clang, Ji Ruyue kicked the chair. The leg scraped against the floor, making a harsh sound.

“Are you all mute? Lost your tongues? Heh.”

Qi Nanchun chose not to intervene, wanting instead to observe Ji Ruyue’s reaction.

Among the remaining people, Wang Qiang was the fastest to react. He swallowed the vegetarian dish in his mouth, scratched his head honestly, and said with a smile to the frail, delicate Song Xingzi, “This is an urgent necessity, the situation requires it! Xingzi, you should go back quickly. We can discuss the script changes later. Fang Miao’s scenes basically didn’t need to be changed anyway.”

He Ya also caught on and said gently, “Yes, yes, Xingzi, you should go back. I’ll add you on WeChat and send you the compiled changes later.”

No matter the situation, this was a good opportunity to get to know her. Song Xingzi looked innocent, pure, and weak-willed, so she should be easy to coax.

“Right, right, Xingzi, go on back.”

“It’s no problem, these are all minor details.”

“The filming hasn’t even started yet!”

Gu Zhu softly scoffed, not joining the conversation.

No wonder she got the female lead role. She must have latched onto CEO Ji. Using the back door instead of relying on talent is disgusting! I would never do something so unfair! Why would CEO Ji take an interest in her?

Song Xingzi noticed the unhappiness of the large-eyed girl and thought she also wanted to leave, so she gave her an apologetic smile and bid farewell to the crowd in a gentle voice that sounded like water dripping, “Thank you, everyone. I am so sorry. We were supposed to discuss the script revisions together, and yet I’m leaving first. I’m truly sorry.”

The crowd responded in unison, “It’s fine, it’s fine!”

Gu Zhu: Hmph, those who use the back door are indeed incredibly hypocritical!

“Are you coming or not?” Ji Ruyue glanced at her expressionlessly. Idiot. You’re the only one who can’t tell that the real business has been over for ages.

“Please wait for me, CEO Ji.”

Song Xingzi followed the long-striding Ji Ruyue in small steps. Ji Ruyue was wearing a suit, which allowed for easy movement, while Song Xingzi was wearing a form-fitting lace white dress, unable to take wide steps, so she could only increase her speed to keep up.

Ji Ruyue walked out of the not-so-narrow private room and stood in the second-floor corridor, looking down at the spacious lobby. The frustration in her heart dissipated a little.

Song Xingzi, who rushed out after her, didn’t notice Ji Ruyue suddenly stop and ran straight into her back.

“Ouch, that hurts,” Song Xingzi covered her bumped nose, and physiological tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

Ji Ruyue, whose back was bumped and whose lower abdomen hit the railing: You cry; you win.

“Wipe that. Let’s go back,” pulling out the neatly folded handkerchief from her jacket pocket, Ji Ruyue looked blankly at the red-eyed and red-nosed Song Xingzi, then suddenly coughed twice.

That look is familiar. How many times has the Female Lead cried now?

“Thank you, Ji-Ji,” Song Xingzi took the handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes, carefully folded it, and clutched it in her hand, following Ji Ruyue, who had slowed her pace, to leave.

Back in the private room, the crowd exchanged bewildered glances, as if only just waking up from a dream.

The actress playing the Empress: “I didn’t see wrongly, did I? The CEO, she…”

The young actor playing the Emperor: “Song Xingzi, she?”

The young actor playing the Prince, who had just debuted and whose gossip cells were booming: “Oh my god, the CEO and Song Xingzi are living together! So, all those rumors before were true?”

He Ya felt a chill down her spine. Unsure whether to be happy or nervous, she asked softly, “What rumors?”

“You all don’t know?” The young actor was shocked. “Didn’t we sign another top-tier contract before, and even Lin Shu returned to manage her affairs? That person is a top priority for the CEO.”

Gu Zhu frowned, “Isn’t that person Fu Na? Lin Shu was her assistant originally, and also…”

“What? Fu Na? How could it be? The film queen must have told you that, probably so you wouldn’t feel resentful,” the young actor knew Gu Zhu’s identity and raised an eyebrow, continuing, “Song Xingzi came to Starlight around that time, even though she hasn’t been to the company in half a month.”

Curiosity surfaced on Wang Qiang’s honest face. Although he was well-liked, it was precisely because he was too well-liked that others didn’t dare to gossip in front of him, fearing that people who weren’t familiar with them would overhear. Thus, things Qi Nanchun knew long ago were still news to him.

Wang Qiang put down his chopsticks, blinked his round eyes, and asked expectantly, “Tao Le, how do you know all this?”

“Everyone in the company has been spreading it! The CEO couldn’t even be bothered to fight a lawsuit, she just paid double the penalty—fifty million—to poach the eighteenth-tier actress, and she goes in and out with her every day! Even the half-suite lounge on the ninth floor is reserved for her! This is real! And you all didn’t know!”

Wang Qiang: Once again feeling the rejection from my fake friends.

“We didn’t know, but we do now,” satisfied with the Nth-hand gossip, he smacked his lips. His professional integrity, which had been thrown to the wind, suddenly reappeared. He pulled a serious face and said sternly, “It’s fine if you pass this rumor around among yourselves, but don’t say anything to outsiders that has no basis in fact! Eat, eat. Let’s go to a KTV or a bar later to have some fun. Just be yourselves. Screenwriter Qi can find inspiration that way, and you might even get extra scenes.”

The crowd responded insincerely, “Hahaha, then we thank Director Wang and Screenwriter Qi in advance.”

Only Gu Zhu and He Ya had slightly altered expressions.

The two of them, however, were completely unaware of the “Massive Gossip But The Truth Is False” scene unfolding in the private room.

After Song Xingzi finished cooking for the ‘little one,’ she even specially added a cold celery salad to prove she was telling the truth.

The two sat next to each other to eat. Although Song Xingzi also ate a little during the meal, her listless appearance, compared to her usual enthusiasm for food, was definitely odd.

Ji Ruyue ate a little and then put down her chopsticks, gazing calmly at the preoccupied Female Lead.

“What are you worried about?”

She knew Lin Shu had warned the Female Lead not to get too close to her, often urging Song Xingzi to strive for success.

Is she worried about people talking behind her back? She does seem very sensitive, but what is there to worry about?

Ji Ruyue was puzzled. After thinking for a moment, she decided to reassure her “only hope,” “No one dares to talk about it.” At least for now, they don’t have the guts.

“Ah, Ji-Ji, why aren’t you eating anymore?” Song Xingzi, whose mind was only focused on the ‘little one’s’ food intake, asked in confusion, and then finally answered Ji Ruyue’s question, “I left early. Will the screenwriter be unable to revise the script properly because of me, Ji-Ji…?”

So, it wasn’t fear of gossip? Ji Ruyue narrowed her eyes and interrupted, “The script has already been revised.”

Song Xingzi’s eyes widened, and she looked at her with adoration, “How did you know that, Ji-Ji? You’re so amazing!”

“Only you didn’t know,” Ji Ruyue felt a slight lift in her mood after striking down Song Xingzi. She narrowed her eyes, basking in the Female Lead’s admiration, and only explained after a moment, “When they entered the room, they weren’t flustered at all. Qi Nanchun was carefully guarding her bulging bag. It was obvious she had been observing your reactions from a hidden spot and only came out after the script was finished.”

The inexperienced ‘Little Squirrel’ was unconvinced and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, that can’t be true.”

She’s so stupid; she actually doubts me?

Ji Ruyue gave Song Xingzi a cool look, turned to go upstairs to wash up, and ignored her.

“Hey, hey, Ji-Ji, why are you brushing your teeth and washing your face so early today?”

Ji Ruyue was too lazy to humor her and slowly walked upstairs.

It’s only because my mood has been slightly better these past two days that I’ve been somewhat gentle with the Female Lead. Now she’s taking advantage of me. It’s better to be happy alone.

“Ji-Ji, Ji-Ji, aren’t you going to read the script with me downstairs tonight?” Song Xingzi collected the dishes and chopsticks and placed them in the kitchen for the maid to clean up tomorrow.

“No,” Ji Ruyue replied coldly. The plot of this TV show was already ingrained in her mind; reciting it backward wouldn’t be a problem. Why would she need to read the script?

Although she retreated into her desolate inner self and adopted a world-weary, indifferent attitude at the slightest dissatisfaction, Ji Ruyue hadn’t realized that she possessed an extraordinary patience for Song Xingzi, who could make her relax. Even when she disliked something or was uncomfortable, she always answered Song Xingzi’s questions.

Song Xingzi was persistent, “Why not? Ji-Ji, aren’t you worried you won’t act well?”

“I am not worried. Heh,” Ji Ruyue let out a cold laugh, looking down from the second floor at the chattering, question-filled Female Lead. “What if I don’t act well?”

Who would dare to criticize me? I provided the money, I provided the person, and the entertainment industry is mine. I haven’t gone bankrupt yet. Who dares to laugh at me? Heh.

“Oh,” Song Xingzi pulled down the corners of her eyes, looking glum.

Why is Ji-Ji angry? Why so fierce all of a sudden? So abrupt. My Little Squirrel doesn’t understand.

After playing the ‘Little Lily’ for so long, even Song Xingzi’s inner monologue had a hint of the fragile female lead from a CEO novel, though the rustic flavor from the mountains was still deeply rooted and wouldn’t disappear easily, as evidenced by the sudden appearance of ‘I’ and the cheerful red porcelain jar.

Oh, oh! I know! It’s because of the script. I must have doubted Ji-Ji, and Ji-Ji felt her self-esteem was hurt! Uncle Lin’s online course taught me that some people have strong self-esteem and you have to cater to them. If you confront them stubbornly, it will only lead to mutual destruction!

And the “Parenting Guide” says not to undermine a child’s self-esteem! No, I must protect the little one in every way and ensure her healthy growth!

“Ji-Ji, Ji-Ji, you are so amazing! I didn’t notice any of those details!” Song Xingzi, who read all sorts of strange books every day despite being busy, quickly figured it out. She immediately switched on the ‘Rainbow Fart Mode,’ striving to praise little Ji Ruyue from all 360 degrees.

“You observed so carefully! You must be the only person in the entire room who knew! Ji-Ji is the best! I want to be like Ji-Ji too!”

Ji Ruyue was unmoved by the belated torrent of compliments. After all, she had already sunk back into the quicksand of bad moods, and simple flattery couldn’t easily pull her out.

She looked down at Song Xingzi, who cheered up easily. After listening to a moment of her genuine praise, she calmly ended the topic, “The new script will be out in a couple of days. Don’t look at it these two days.”

“Is Ji-Ji worried about me overworking my eyes? Ji-Ji, you are so considerate. I’m going to get up early tomorrow and make something delicious for Ji-Ji too.”

“Oh.” Ji Ruyue was completely unmoved, turning to walk into the bathroom.

Qi Nanchun’s efficiency was extremely high. As soon as the gathering ended, she pulled the screenwriting team together for an all-night, overtime session to revise the script and perfect the dialogue.

In just two or three days, the revised script was distributed to the various actors, along with the notice to join the crew.

When Ji Ruyue received the heavily modified script, she was stunned for a moment, as Mu Yu’s framework was so similar to her own. After the initial shock, she surprisingly took an interest in reading Mu Yu’s scenes over and over again.

As for Song Xingzi, she obediently listened and didn’t read the script for two days. As soon as she received the new script, she read her scenes seriously and couldn’t help feeling wronged: Ji-Ji lied. My scenes haven’t changed at all. Now I have to cram the lines again.

Song Xingzi worked hard to memorize the script, striving to maintain her history of “perfect scores.” But time waited for no one. Soon, the crew prepared for the opening ceremony and invited the main cast to attend.