Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 30

The celebrity van sped down the highway. Inside, Cheng Yixin was focused on her audition script.

“Word is that Director Chen Sheng has been prepping this script for years. Now that the project is finally launching, there’s a lot of competition. Don’t be nervous during the audition,” Li Wenjing advised.

“I know,” Cheng Yixin replied. “It’s a sci-fi film with quite a few action sequences. If I get picked, I’ll have to ask the coach to schedule more physical training sessions.”

Li Wenjing looked at her with newfound appreciation. “It’s rare to see you so proactive.”

Cheng Yixin closed the script. “I saw the news online. Director Chen is aiming for international awards with this one. Wenjing-jie, I’ve been in this industry for years now; it’s about time I won a prestigious award to shut up the people who call me a ‘pretty face’ without talent.”

“Then I wish you the best of luck,” Li Wenjing said with a smile.

The van soon arrived at the Century Hotel. The production crew had generously booked an entire floor for the auditions. In the lobby, a large sign pointed the way: Auditions for Space Odyssey.

The audition was held in a ballroom. Four judges, including the director and producers, sat inside, while actors waited in the lounge area. Since they were casting for both leads and supporting roles, the hallway was packed with recognizable faces, all sitting separately and studying their scripts.

Cheng Yixin looked around. Every table was occupied, so she had to share.

“Yixin-jie!” a young male actor waved to her. “There’s a seat here. Want to join us?”

She recognized him—a “little fresh meat” idol she had worked with before. They had been bundled for publicity during a show’s promotion, and he had dropped several hints of interest back then.

She smiled politely, placing her hand on a nearby chair. “I’ll stay here, it’s closer to the door.”

The young actor’s disappointment was obvious, but he nodded and smiled back.

Cheng Yixin turned to the woman already at the table. “Do you mind if I sit here?”

“Not at all. Please,” the woman replied.

The actress looked familiar, but Cheng Yixin couldn’t quite place the name. After racking her brain, she asked, “Weren’t you in [Drama Title]?”

The actress looked up, surprised. “Yes, I was.”

“I knew you looked familiar! I watched that show back in university,” Cheng Yixin said, extending a hand. “I’m Cheng Yixin.”

“I’m Chen Xuan,” the woman replied with a smile. “I know who you are. Your current drama is a hit; your acting is excellent.”

As they chatted, the sharp, hurried clack-clack-clack of high heels echoed through the hall. Cheng Yixin turned to see Han Lian approaching, flanked by two assistants. Wearing sunglasses and high-top boots, she walked as if the hallway were a red carpet.

Suddenly, the chair next to them was pulled back. Han Lian sat down, took off her sunglasses with an air of superiority, and gave Cheng Yixin a fake smile. “Long time no see, Yixin. I didn’t expect to see you here. Auditioning too?”

“Yes, long time no see,” Cheng Yixin replied with an equally hollow smile. Where else would I be? On a picnic? she thought, recalling how Han Lian used to roll her eyes at her behind the scenes, only to play the “polite senior” in public.

“Director Chen has very high standards. This audition won’t be easy,” Han Lian said, her gaze drifting toward Chen Xuan. “Chen Xuan, you’re here too.”

Chen Xuan gave a stiff nod.

“I haven’t seen you on screen in so long, I thought you had retired,” Han Lian sneered. “I guess you’re still around. But a word of advice: don’t lust after things you can never have.”

Chen Xuan smiled awkwardly but didn’t respond.

Cheng Yixin was speechless. She had thought Han Lian only had a grudge against her, but it seemed the woman was naturally rude to everyone.

“Lian-jie, a seat opened up over there. Shall we?” Han Lian’s assistant interrupted. Han Lian huffed, grabbed her glasses, and marched off.

The suffocating tension vanished. Feeling bad for Chen Xuan, Cheng Yixin whispered, “She always likes to put people down. Don’t let her get in your head.”

“I won’t. Thank you,” Chen Xuan said, returning to her script.

Cheng Yixin pulled out her phone to vent to Li Wenjing.

[Li Wenjing]: Chen Xuan? If it’s her, I’m not surprised.

[Cheng Yixin]: What do you mean?

[Li Wenjing]: They’re love rivals. Do you think Han Lian would be nice to her husband’s ex? Since Han Lian married him, she’s used her influence to kill Chen Xuan’s career—even telling producers that if Chen Xuan is in a project, she won’t be. In this industry, traffic is king, so Chen Xuan was blackballed during her peak. It’s a tragedy.

The Audition: A Slap to the Face

Chen Xuan went in first. Cheng Yixin gave her a “fighting” gesture. “Good luck, Xuan-jie.”

When Cheng Yixin’s number was called, she was surprised to find that she was being called in with Han Lian. Usually, auditions were solo.

Inside, the producer explained, “Yixin, Han Lian—the two of you are the top tier of your generation. The judges have high expectations for you both, so we want you to perform a scene together.”

The prompt: A single mother discovers her daughter is in an illicit relationship, is pregnant, and is trying to drop out of school to elope. The daughter has just been caught and dragged home.

They were given ten minutes to prep.

In the small prep room, Han Lian dropped her arrogance. “Since we’re partners, let’s do this right. I’ll play the daughter, you play the mother.”

“Are you sure?” Cheng Yixin asked.

“It’s not because I’m older and don’t want to play the mom,” Han Lian said. “But in this scene, the daughter gets hit. You have delicate skin; I’m afraid you won’t handle it well.”

“Fair enough,” Cheng Yixin said, surprised by Han Lian’s sudden professional courtesy. “I’ll start by slapping you. Just turn your head when my hand comes down, and it won’t actually land.”

“No,” Han Lian insisted. “Hit me for real. Director Chen is strict; he’ll see right through a fake.”

When the ten minutes were up, they stepped onto the stage.

“Action!”

Cheng Yixin’s eyes turned red instantly. Without warning, she swung her hand.

SLAP!

Her eyes filled with a mix of heartbreak and regret—the look of a mother who had sacrificed everything for ten years only to watch her world collapse. She became hysterical, eventually collapsing to her knees, clutching her “daughter” and sobbing.

“Cut!”

Cheng Yixin snapped out of the emotion immediately, wiping away her tears.

“Excellent work from both of you,” Director Chen said, looking impressed. “We will notify you of the results.”

Outside, Cheng Yixin saw a red mark on Han Lian’s cheek. “Han-laoshi, I am so sorry. I think I hit harder than I intended. It wasn’t on purpose.”

Han Lian touched her face. “It’s just an audition. It was for the scene. Don’t worry about it.”

For the first time, Cheng Yixin felt a sense of respect for Han Lian. A professional is a professional.

Little Deer’s Secret Project

Back in the office, Chi Yi was staring at a Weibo message. It was from Cheng Yixin’s Fan Club. They wanted to rent the giant outdoor screen at Future City for a 5-year anniversary tribute to Yixin.

The mall management had rejected them (as they didn’t usually take fan ads), so the fans had messaged Chi Yi directly, offering to pay whatever it cost.

“President Chi, are you going to approve the ad?” Si Wen asked.

Chi Yi leaned back in her chair. “Go to the mall management. Tell them to draft a plan.”

“An ad placement plan?”

“No,” Chi Yi said, her finger tapping the desk. “Many fans have been visiting our supermarkets because of Yixin’s post. I want a ‘Customer Appreciation’ plan for that day to give back to them.”

Total love-brain, Si Wen thought.

Ginger Tea and “Family”

That evening, Cheng Yixin was home early, but she didn’t answer the door. Worried, Chi Yi used the passcode Cheng Yixin had sent her: 0000.

She found Cheng Yixin curled up on the sofa, looking pale.

“Are you sick?” Chi Yi rushed over, checking her forehead.

“Just my period,” Cheng Yixin whispered. “I’m not feeling great.”

Chi Yi sprang into action. She adjusted the pillows, turned up the heat, and disappeared back to her own house. She returned a while later with a plush hot water bottle and a thermos.

“I made some brown sugar and ginger tea. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Cheng Yixin sipped the spicy, sweet tea, feeling the warmth spread from her throat to her stomach. “It’s perfect. Do you want some?”

“I made it for you.”

“There’s like 1.5 liters in here, I can’t drink it all!”

Chi Yi smiled and finished the small cup Cheng Yixin handed her. They sat together on the sofa, watching an old family drama Chi Yi had recommended.

“Why do you like this show so much?” Cheng Yixin asked. “It’s just everyday chores and family bickering.”

Chi Yi thought for a moment. “I guess… I just think it’s warm. A big family living together under one roof.”

Cheng Yixin felt a pang of sadness. She knew Chi Yi had lost her parents young and had grown up in a quiet, lonely house. She reached out and interlocked her fingers with Chi Yi’s, trying to share her own warmth.

Chi Yi looked at her, her gaze lingering on Cheng Yixin’s lips as if she wanted to kiss her, but she simply squeezed her hand tighter.

“I saw Han Lian today,” Cheng Yixin murmured, leaning her head on Chi Yi’s shoulder. “I actually had to slap her for the scene. I felt so bad, but she was a total pro about it.”

She told Chi Yi about the “love rival” drama involving Chen Xuan.

“Aren’t you afraid of making an enemy out of Han Lian?” Chi Yi asked, stroking Cheng Yixin’s hair.

“I’ve got nothing to hide,” Cheng Yixin yawned. “I treat people based on who they are, not their follower count. What’s there to be afraid of?”