Falling in Love with a Stand-in [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Movie Queen’s Little Butterfly (03)

Jian Yixin made an immediate decision and walked over proactively.

“Teacher Lin.” Upon reaching her, Jian Yixin offered a small smile. “I was just about to look for you.”

Her back was straight, her movements graceful, and her shoulder-neck line was particularly beautiful. Wrapped in a light, sweet fragrance, she approached Lin Qinglu head-on.

Behind her sunglasses, Lin Qinglu’s gaze wandered freely, eventually landing on Jian Yixin’s face.

“Hmm?” After calling her over, Lin Qinglu put on her cold and aloof act again.

She was exactly like a pet cat begging for food; when the owner approaches with a tin of food, the cat deliberately walks away a bit, waiting for the meal to be delivered to its mouth.

Jian Yixin didn’t know if she had ever owned a cat, but facing this version of Lin Qinglu, she seemed to know exactly what to do by instinct.

“I bought some butterfly crackers and wanted to give them to Teacher Lin to try,” Jian Yixin said, lifting her hand to hand the pastry box to Lin Qinglu’s assistant.

“No need, I still have some in my room,” Lin Qinglu said, even though her eyes were already glued to the box.

Her chin tilted up slightly, looking cold and reserved.

Still have some? Behind her, Liu Lele thought carefully. In the pastry bag back in the living room, there were only a few broken crumbs left—it was quite pathetic. Sister Qinglu doesn’t have it easy either.

Jian Yixin continued her “feeding” attempt: “I almost ran into Teacher Lin the other day. If you don’t accept this, I’ll feel uneasy.”

As she spoke, her red lips pressed together slightly, and her tone turned dejected: “I prepared this specifically for you…”

Lin Qinglu acted reluctant: “I see.”

“Yes.” Jian Yixin nodded, her small face lighting up as if she saw hope for success.

A pool of autumn water rippled in her eyes, delicate and gentle. Lin Qinglu dazed for a moment and didn’t answer immediately.

Jian Yixin turned to smile at Liu Lele and said softly, “Assistant Liu, could you help Teacher Lin take this?”

If even Lin Qinglu couldn’t resist such beauty, a mere “soldier” like Liu Lele stood no chance. While her inner voice screamed that Song Pianqian was a “dishonest” woman, her hands spinelessly took the butterfly crackers.

Sister Qinglu loves to eat them after all, Liu Lele guiltily reasoned to herself.

By the time Lin Qinglu snapped out of it, the transaction was complete.

Smelling the increasingly rich, soft, and sweet aroma, Lin Qinglu was a bit happy, but looking at Jian Yixin, her mood was also somewhat complicated.

Returning to the hotel room, Liu Lele was about to slip away after dropping the box when Lin Qinglu glanced at her:

“You didn’t want her on the interview list before, so why were you so obedient today?”

Liu Lele made a bitter face: “Maybe because Song Pianqian is just too good-looking.”

“Have some dignity,” Lin Qinglu scolded with a smile. She turned to look at the “apology gift” from Song Pianqian. Acting out of some petty spite, she didn’t touch it for a long while.

But the more she tried to ignore it, the more the little figure with Song Pianqian’s face worked its way into her mind, like a butterfly cracker alarm clock, tick-tock reminding her.

Try it, quickly.

Finally, before washing up, Lin Qinglu gave up her resistance and reached her “wicked claws” toward the pastry box.

The moment she touched the cardboard, the phone beside her lit up. Her manager, Luo Chun, sent a WeChat message:

“Lin Qinglu, you have a magazine shoot next week. You cannot eat any more butterfly crackers this week #Smile”

Lin Qinglu: “…”

So annoying!

After parting with Lin Qinglu, Jian Yixin also returned to her room.

Jian Yixin stayed in a standard room. Her roommate was a girl from the makeup team named Su Ting—round-faced, loved to smile, and easy to get along with.

Though she was in the makeup team, Su Ting only got in through family connections. She was desperately trying to learn whatever she could, even following the costume and styling team.

Since the lead actress Ye Zixuan’s scenes were about to start filming and some details needed to be finalized, Su Ting just gave Jian Yixin a quick greeting before rushing off to a meeting. Jian Yixin watched her retreating back and asked 09:

“Does the female lead, Ye Zixuan, know about the thing Shen Yu asked me to do?”

09 replied skillfully: “Based on the descriptions in the text, Ye Zixuan has never expressed an opinion on this matter.”

Jian Yixin agreed: “The delicate ‘Little White Flower’ lead… it’s only right that she doesn’t know.”

The words seemed fine, but after seeing the host’s various clever operations over the past few days, 09 didn’t dare underestimate her anymore. It remembered thinking the host wasn’t even as good as an intern during their first meeting; now, 09 felt like the target of a “slap in the face” mission. Its face hurt a bit.

Jian Yixin, unaware of the system’s thoughts, simply followed her plan. The novel’s female lead was about to appear, and by all logic, she should go meet her.

Early the next morning, Su Ting was moving around frantically. Jian Yixin, a light sleeper, was startled awake. She checked the time and said, “Isn’t it still early?”

Yesterday, filming also started in the morning for Lin Qinglu’s first scene, but Su Ting had left much later.

“I’m responsible for Ye Zixuan today. Her styling takes longer,” Su Ting said tactfully.

Jian Yixin, just awake, took a moment to realize what this meant: Ye Zixuan had more “flaws” for the camera, so it required slow, meticulous work to produce a good result.

Since she was already awake, Jian Yixin couldn’t get back to sleep and decided to go to the set as well.

As a dance double, she didn’t actually have much to do. Since she was willing to follow the crew, the director let her stay on set to watch the acting and develop a feel for the role.

Shen Yu likely thought she was still infatuated with him, but only Jian Yixin knew she was now there for Lin Qinglu.

Unfortunately, there weren’t many good opportunities to get close to Lin Qinglu, and the set had been peaceful for the last two days. The only thing she could do was help out here and there, building up a good reputation.

“Pianqian, can you help me bring this hairpin into the dressing room? Thanks!” A member of the props team hurried by, carrying a large stack of items, and struggled to signal Jian Yixin to take a brocade box.

“No problem, hurry along to your work,” Jian Yixin smiled.

Jian Yixin took the box inside. Just as she stood before the door, the sounds of an argument drifted out.

“What? You look down on our Zixuan? You’re just muddling through her makeup?” The voice was sharp and mean because it was pitched so high.

“Sister Gao, it’s okay. We can just change it. Don’t be angry,” a soft female voice followed immediately.

“Ai, Zixuan, it’s precisely because you have such a good temper that I have to say a few words. They only won’t dare bully you when I’m not with the crew if I speak up now.”

Jian Yixin paused, then knocked and entered.

The sound of the door opening drew everyone’s attention, including Ye Zixuan and her fuming manager, Gao Min.

As Ye Zixuan was trying to persuade her manager, she subconsciously looked over as a tall, beautiful woman walked in—extremely elegant, walking at a steady pace. The woman walked near her and, separated by a dressing table, reached out to place the brocade box on the counter.

Ye Zixuan only noticed those clean, slender fingers resting on the dark box.

“Sent from the props team,” Jian Yixin said. She glanced at Su Ting, who sighed silently.

Jian Yixin added casually, “Director Zhao was just asking when we can start filming. Everyone, keep it up.”

With that, she gave a polite nod and turned to leave.

When a tantrum is interrupted, picking it back up just isn’t the same. Gao Min stopped shouting and, after a while, asked, “Who was that just now? A new character in the crew?”

Su Ting suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and spoke up with a hint of pride: “She’s our crew’s dance double.”

A double who doesn’t show her face? Gao Min’s expression softened. It was bad enough having Lin Qinglu suppressing her artist; if another one of this caliber showed up, there would be no room for Ye Zixuan on screen.

Remembering the parting words about the director, Gao Min finally stopped making a scene and urged, “Hurry up, the director is pushing.”

Su Ting walked to Ye Zixuan’s side to assist the makeup artist. Unexpectedly, her gaze met Ye Zixuan’s in the mirror. A smile bloomed on Ye Zixuan’s delicate face:

“Are you friends with the dance double?”

“What’s her name?”

Jian Yixin had just left Ye Zixuan’s dressing room when she ran straight into Shen Yu.

Needless to say, the “Affectionate Male Supporting Lead” was surely there for the female lead. Jian Yixin pretended not to see him and cooperatively stepped aside.

Shen Yu, holding a script, had intended to knock on Ye Zixuan’s door. Seeing Song Pianqian nearby, he changed his mind and quickly caught up with her.

“Pianqian, how have you considered it?” Shen Yu asked. He didn’t specify what “it” was, as they both knew.

Jian Yixin shook her head gently: “I can’t do such a thing.”

“What… what do you take me for?”

The original body was willing to lose IQ for love, but Jian Yixin was not.

Shen Yu paused, then said tenderly, “Pianqian, I’m doing this for your sake too.”

Jian Yixin: “?” Men’s mouths are lying ghosts?

Shen Yu was indeed worthy of being Lin Qinglu’s leading man; he could weave lies without blinking: “As long as you leak the information to the media, you’ll get exposure.”

“The matter involves…” Shen Yu didn’t say the name, but glanced toward the studio where Lin Qinglu was currently running lines with the assistant director.

“You don’t need to worry about the heat. Everyone cares about looks; with your appearance, you’ll become famous instantly,” Shen Yu said, getting more comfortable with his pitch. “You have no fame, no way out—how long do you plan to be a double? Just use this to pave the way, and you can debut immediately.”

Jian Yixin: “…”

Admittedly, it is a path. After all, “black-red” (negative fame) is very common these days.

Shen Yu, feeling victory was certain, looked down at Song Pianqian. Most girls have a dream of becoming a star; those who come to be dance doubles usually want to be famous in their hearts. But in today’s entertainment industry, without marketing and exposure, one can only sit on a cold bench. Moreover, Song Pianqian wasn’t even a proper actress; even if she got famous from the heat, she could probably only be an internet celebrity by selling her face.

Shen Yu didn’t consider himself a heartless person. He mused that if Song Pianqian performed well later, he could even give her a hand…

“I heard that a studio is going to interview Lin Qinglu’s team, and you’re not on the list.”

“Pianqian, do you still feel like refusing me now?” Shen Yu was confident and pitying.

Lin Qinglu’s mind wandered. Her acting was so seasoned that Director Zhao didn’t notice her multitasking. But she had finished her rehearsal—why were those two over there still chatting?

Liu Lele brought her a thermos to soothe her throat. Lin Qinglu took it and said casually:

“Since you’re free, go inform everyone on the list to prepare for the interview.” She added, covering her tracks, “Tell them to prepare well and not embarrass me.”

“Oh, okay.” Liu Lele didn’t suspect anything and pulled out her phone to send a group message.

Lin Qinglu tilted her chin toward the dressing room area: “There’s one right over there, go quickly.”

Is it that serious that you have to tell them in person? Liu Lele thought, looking over—

Why is Song Pianqian messing around with Shen Yu again?

How can she do this? Is she worthy of Sister Qinglu specifically adding her to the interview list? Is she worthy of that moment I was dazed by her beauty?

That box of butterfly crackers… suddenly doesn’t smell so good!

Liu Lele felt her camp had been betrayed. Like she was catching an affair, she rushed over aggressively.

Facing the self-important Shen Yu, Jian Yixin decided to start her counter-kill.

Song Pianqian looked utterly disappointed in Shen Yu. Her eyes were filled with hurt, and for the first time, she turned a cold face toward him:

“Shen Yu, the ‘you’ I liked was warm and kind. Do you remember saying in an interview that you hate people who use underhanded tricks and cling to others’ fame to get heat? You said such people should disappear for the industry to be clean.”

Song Pianqian gave a sarcastic smile: “It turns out you were talking about yourself all along.”

Shen Yu’s brow furrowed: “…”

Jian Yixin looked at him as if he were trash.

“Does a person like you even deserve my affection?”

“Song Pianqian, you—”

“Just consider that I followed the wrong person all these years,” Jian Yixin interrupted him, then paused and said with annoyance, “No, how could the person I followed be you?”

“I only followed the ‘persona’ the company created for you. You are just a small man hiding behind a persona.”

“Don’t be ungrateful! You’re just a double. Talking to me like this, have you thought about your future?!”

No matter how much Shen Yu liked to pretend to be gentle and elegant, he couldn’t hold back his anger after hearing this. But because he couldn’t refute her, his threats sounded pathetic.

Jian Yixin smiled. She wondered with interest if telling Shen Yu about her family background right now would scare him to death. But to deal with Shen Yu, she didn’t even need “money power.”

Jian Yixin said slowly, “Shen Yu, have you never thought… that when I was with you, I might have secretly taken photos or recordings as mementos?”

Shen Yu’s face darkened instantly. Jian Yixin smiled, looking as soft and beautiful as a gardenia dipped in morning dew.

“Pianqian, you’re here! Let me talk to you about what to watch out for in the interview.” A friendly voice rang out. Jian Yixin turned to see Liu Lele.

Liu Lele?

With someone appearing, Shen Yu quickly put on his mask, but because of the successive shocks, he couldn’t control the ugliness of his expression.

Why would Lin Qinglu’s assistant proactively look for Song Pianqian? Didn’t Song Pianqian say she wasn’t familiar with them?

And she’s here to talk about an interview— Song Pianqian wasn’t on the list; why was she added back?

“Sister Qinglu also said you should perform well.”

Shen Yu’s brow furrowed, and his face became even gloomier.

“Teacher Shen, why are you here?” Liu Lele asked with a tilted head, looking between the two. Ye Zixuan was right inside the dressing room.

Shen Yu suppressed his thoughts, pulled out a smile, and tried to sound natural: “I came to find Zixuan to look at the script. I have a bit of interest in the dance, so I spoke a few more words with Miss Song.”

“You two carry on.” Shen Yu gripped his script and left in a hurry. As they passed each other, Jian Yixin glimpsed his face full of exasperation.

His expression management is really lacking.

Jian Yixin glanced toward the studio. She felt like Lin Qinglu was looking her way, but when she looked back, Lin Qinglu happened to turn around. It seemed like a delusion.

Jian Yixin withdrew her gaze. In front of her, Liu Lele was looking at her crossly, like a little pufferfish.

Jian Yixin: “?” She put on a questioning look. “What’s wrong?”

Liu Lele felt she was being very fierce, but facing Song Pianqian’s face, her tone unconsciously softened:

“Do you have no awareness that you are one of Sister Qinglu’s people?”