After My Contract Marriage with the CEO - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Transmigration

“Ning Citian, I’ll give you one million. Stop pestering me.”

Ning Citian, who never touched alcohol, opened her eyes to the overwhelming stench of liquor clinging to her clothes. Before her was a magnificent, palatial interior with an incredibly spacious layout—it looked like a private luxury villa.

Strewn across the tables and floors were piles of empty wine bottles.

Wait, what is going on? I don’t drink. Where did all these bottles come from? I was just walking up the stairs to my dorm and tripped… where is my dorm? Why am I here? And who is this person trying to give me a million dollars?

As Ning Citian grappled with these questions, the memories of the original host began to flood her mind.

It turned out she had transmigrated into a melodramatic entertainment industry novel as a “cannon fodder” female supporting character. In this book, the original Ning Citian had a “God-tier” start: she was a rich, second-generation socialite with a perfect setup. Born with everything people envy—a beautiful face, a wealthy family, a plethora of talents, and a kind heart—she was unfortunately too simple-minded, making her an easy target for those with ill intentions.

The man standing before her, Yan Hai, was exactly that kind of person. He had approached, pursued, and moved Ning Citian only to exploit her resources in the entertainment industry. He manipulated her into sharing her connections while convincing her to hand over lead roles she had already secured. With her help, his career soared as if he were using cheat codes. However, once he no longer needed her—specifically after he won Best Actor—he revealed his true colors and threw himself into the arms of another woman.

Unluckily, in Yan Hai’s world, Ning Citian was cannon fodder. In the world of Yan Hai’s new woman, Zhou Jun, Ning Citian was also cannon fodder.

According to the original host’s memory, the first half of the book was smooth sailing for Ning Citian, basked in the affection of her boyfriend and family. She was even willing to hand over her female lead roles to Zhou Jun; she didn’t want the spotlight of the masses—she only wanted Yan Hai’s eyes on her.

The second half of the book, however, had nothing to do with Ning Citian. After Yan Hai became Best Actor and Zhou Jun became the newest Best Actress, the two put on a massive display of affection at her award ceremony. They became a legendary “model couple” of the industry.

In the original ending, Yan Hai and Zhou Jun even had a bright, beautiful daughter. Meanwhile, the cannon fodder Ning Citian never showed her face again. She was such a total bit player that the author didn’t even bother to waste ink describing her in the latter half of the story.

Recalling the tragic details of the text, the current Ning Citian felt a pang of pity for the original girl. Before the original host turned to drink, she had made countless efforts to win back Yan Hai’s heart. Each time she sought him out, she was only asking for humiliation, forced to watch Yan Hai and Zhou Jun being sweet together.

“Why are you looking for me again?” Yan Hai had said with a look of disgust.

“Did you really just stop loving me? Did you forget your promises to me?” Ning Citian had asked over and over, unwilling to let go.

“I’ve told you ten thousand times—I was lying to you. I did it for your family’s money and to coax you into giving those roles to Zhou Jun.” While Yan Hai spoke, he exchanged tender glances with Zhou Jun. To an outsider who couldn’t hear the dialogue, they looked like an enviable, deeply-in-love couple.

“That’s right. That one role in that drama was originally yours, but Yan Hai lowered himself to coax you just so I could be the lead. You really are naive, giving up your whole career just because he sweet-talked you,” Zhou Jun added, confirming his words.

By sheer coincidence, the director of Zhou Jun’s latest lead role happened to walk toward them at that moment.

“What a coincidence! You three have such a great relationship, shopping together after filming,” the director, a man in his fifties who focused only on his work and knew nothing of their drama, said with a smile. Without waiting for them to explain, he continued, “Zhou Jun, the response to my drama has been excellent. Both the audience and industry professionals are saying you might win the next Best Actress award for your performance.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Director!” Zhou Jun was naturally ecstatic.

“Would I lie to you? If you win, remember to treat me to dinner!” The director completely ignored Ning Citian standing to the side, forgetting that she was the originally intended lead and that her performance as the second lead had also been well-received.

“That’s wonderful! It’s all thanks to you, baby. If it weren’t for you, how could I have taken this role from Ning Citian?” Once the director was out of earshot, Zhou Jun gave Yan Hai a sweet kiss.

There were many more such scenes. Receiving these memories made Ning Citian’s chest ache with phantom pain. In the original host’s mind, the most frequent sound was Yan Hai calling her “Tiantian” (Sweetie); now, it was the first time he had coldly addressed her as “Ning Citian.”

Having processed the memories, Ning Citian realized exactly where she was in the timeline. Whether it was luck or misfortune, she had transmigrated right at the moment Yan Hai, having achieved fame and fortune, was breaking up with her.

The original host was a “love-brain” who kept spiraling into thoughts like, “He loved me so much, how could he fall for someone else so quickly?” She refused to believe Yan Hai when he told her to her face that he never loved her and only used her. She had spent her days in her luxury villa crying and drinking, pestering him with calls. Eventually, her socially prominent parents even visited Yan Hai personally for the sake of their precious daughter. To save face for the parents and to finally get rid of the “nuisance,” Yan Hai had come to the villa to pay her a “breakup fee.”

Snapping back to reality, Ning Citian finally focused on what Yan Hai was saying. When she heard the words “one million,” she instantly sobered up.

Yan Hai was droning on: “Really, stop pestering me. I’ll give you one million. Consider it compensation for wasting your youth.”

“Fine. This million is after-tax, right? How are you sending it? Alipay or WeChat?” Ning Citian said suddenly.

Ning Citian was naturally stunning—sweet-faced, tall, and elegant. It was a pity the original host was a “love-brain” who spent all her time studying bags and clothes just to please Yan Hai. No matter how she dressed, that submissive, fawning aura she held was something Yan Hai despised. As an ambitious man, Yan Hai liked women with innate confidence, like his new flame, Qu Ting.

But at this moment, Ning Citian’s aura had changed. Her decisive tone, paired with her exquisite face, gave her a sense of aloofness. She now perfectly blended the sweetness of a young girl with the commanding presence of a powerful female lead. Yan Hai was momentarily stunned.

“WeChat or Alipay?” Ning Citian urged when she saw him hesitate. She thought he might be assuming she wouldn’t actually take the money.

Yan Hai did feel a bit of a sting losing a million, but then he thought about it—he was now a Best Actor and was making a fortune in the industry. He would earn much more in the future. Paying a million to get rid of a major headache was a good deal.

“Check your Alipay. The money has been sent.” Yan Hai opened the app and transferred the funds to Ning Citian’s account.

“Sister, why are you here?” Just as Ning Citian’s phone chimed with the notification “You have received 1,000,000,” a third person appeared in the vast room.

From her memories, Ning Citian knew the newcomer was Yan Hai’s older sister, Yan Xiaoxi, a “Grand Slam” Best Actress. Ning Citian wasn’t close to her; their only meetings were a few family dinners Yan Hai had dragged her to.

This was the first time Ning Citian saw Yan Xiaoxi in person since transmigrating. The real person was even more aloof and beautiful than the memories suggested.

“Come home with me,” Yan Xiaoxi said to Yan Hai.

Ning Citian looked at Yan Xiaoxi. Her gaze was sharp, radiating an aura that warned others not to get close, making her seem icy. Yet her beauty was undeniable; the coldness only added to her glamour.

Ning Citian was a bit afraid of her, immediately labeling Yan Xiaoxi as “difficult to get along with.” She figured the original host only met her out of respect for her boyfriend.

As Ning Citian stared at Yan Xiaoxi, Yan Xiaoxi noticed the gaze.

Their eyes met. For a brief second, Ning Citian thought she saw a hallucination: within that sharp gaze, there seemed to be a trace of tenderness.

But a few seconds later, Ning Citian shook it off. How could someone who dominates the entertainment industry have a tender look for someone like me? I must be overthinking it.

Facing his sister, Yan Hai was always respectful and obedient. He followed Yan Xiaoxi out of the villa without a word.

Ning Citian cared most about that million. The original host was foolish not to take it, but she wasn’t. Thankfully, Yan Hai had transferred it before Yan Xiaoxi took him away.

Ning Citian followed them to the villa entrance and watched them get into a Rolls-Royce. Inside the car, Yan Xiaoxi spoke in an almost commanding tone: “Block her.”

Yan Hai didn’t dare ask questions and did as he was told. Yan Xiaoxi usually never interfered in his affairs; perhaps this time Ning Citian had caused such a scene that it threatened the family reputation. Since she was his sister, she must be looking out for him.

“She’s blacklisted,” Yan Hai said, showing his phone to Yan Xiaoxi. He was quite pleased. It was great having such a sister—even though she claimed not to care about his business and didn’t let him mention her in the industry, at crucial moments, the woman who could solve his problems was still his own sister.

Yan Xiaoxi didn’t even glance at Yan Hai’s phone. As the driver started the car, she looked back at the woman standing at the villa entrance. Her gaze was no longer sharp; it was as soft as water.

Ning Citian looked at her Alipay balance of one million, lost in thought. It was time to use this million to do something significant.

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