My Ex’s White Moonlight Omega Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 26

Early the next morning, Chao Wan received a message from Y.

[After today’s schedule ends, the driver will pick you up and take you back to the villa.]

She stared at the line of text for a long time, the drowsiness of waking up completely vanishing.

Chao Wan changed out of her pajamas, her expression wooden, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Her freedom was temporary; she would always have to return to the cage.

Xiao Sui was already waiting in the living room. Seeing Chao Wan come out dressed, she walked over with a smile, “Wanwan, let’s go.”

“Chao Wan, will you be coming back tonight?” Jing Shuran stood behind Xiao Sui, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her tone tinged with a hint of ingratiation. “Also, that actress Ji… what’s your relationship with her?”

“She’s just a senior from the same company,” Chao Wan replied, lowering her gaze.

She sidestepped Jing Shuran and left with Xiao Sui, leaving the middle-aged woman awkwardly staring after them.

On the way, Xiao Sui couldn’t help but complain, “Wanwan, that relative of yours is just too. She asked more than ten times in an hour how you managed to sign with Sijin, muttering that it must’ve been a stroke of luck.”

“What’s so lucky about it? Our Wanwan’s acting skills aren’t bad to begin with. It’s only natural she got noticed,” she said indignantly.

Chao Wan clenched her fingers slightly, forcing a calm reply, “My aunt is just concerned.”

But she knew Jing Shuran wasn’t truly concerned, and she herself hadn’t been signed by Sijin because of her acting skills or potential.

A message from Ji Tanyue still sat in her phone. Tonight, she would have to return to that luxurious, cold villa.

And this time, it seemed there would be no more opportunities to leave the cage.

Having just signed the contract, Chao Wan’s schedule for the day wasn’t too packed.

In the morning, she did an interview, answering some bland questions according to the script. After that, there was nothing else for her to do.

The agent assigned by the company was quite easygoing and told Chao Wan she could rest after the interview.

But she also gave her a task, to film a VLOG video to post on her new Weibo account and help her gain some public exposure.

As for the video’s theme, it was left for Chao Wan to decide.

After thinking hard for a long time, Chao Wan quietly discussed it with Xiao Sui in the car, “What should we film?”

“Store visits, travel vlogs… As long as you show your face, even playing with mud would get viewers,” Xiao Sui said with a wink. “After all, you’re so pretty, hehe.”

Chao Wan froze for a moment, then embarrassedly lowered her eyes, “I don’t know which stores or scenic spots are good, and I don’t know how to… play with mud either.”

In her previous life, she had always followed Qin Siyu’s arrangements, spending most of her time on set with no chance to go out and have fun.

Besides, her hands were clumsy; she couldn’t shape mud into anything interesting and would only embarrass herself.

Thinking about it now, it seemed the only thing she knew how to do was act.

And even that was just playing pretty, shallow roles that didn’t require much skill.

“Not literally playing with mud,” Xiao Sui sighed. “How about we go to the film and television city? Hmm, I guess a lot of people would be interested in that?”

Chao Wan thought for a moment and softly agreed, “Okay.”

That seemed to be the only option.

After her rebirth, the only thing she had any experience with was being an extra.

They arrived at the film and television city during lunchtime.

The place was still bustling with people. Extras dressed in costumes from various eras mingled with the crew, hurrying about.

Standing at the entrance, Chao Wan listened as Xiao Sui gave her some tips for filming a VLOG, but when she faced the front camera, she still felt a bit at a loss.

She waved at the camera, her voice soft and gentle from nervousness: “Hello, everyone, I’m here. Um… I… I’m now…”

Fumbling, she switched to the rear camera and panned it around the film studio. “I’m in Hengdian today, and I want to show you the interior of the film studio.”

Gradually, a crowd gathered around, stopping to watch.

After finishing the opening shot of the vlog, Chao Wan let out a sigh and rubbed her stiff face, intending to continue further inside with Xiao Sui.

But she was blocked by the surrounding extras.

Only then did she realize that the area had filled with people without her noticing.

“Sis,” a girl with bright eyes, squeezed to the front of the crowd, clutching her phone, “Can we take a photo together?”

Chao Wan hesitated, about to nod in agreement, when the girl had already snapped several selfies with the front camera.

“Hehe,” the girl giggled foolishly, “Sis, you’re so pretty!”

A few more people crowded around.

Xiao Sui, dutiful as ever, managed to fend off the wave of onlookers, wrapped an arm around Chao Wan, and hurried into the film studio as if protecting a little chick.

“Chao Chao, you don’t have to agree to every photo request…” she sighed.

Chao Wan nodded obediently.

She really wasn’t the type to refuse others easily, because in her past life, such matters had always been handled by others.

Xiao Sui lamented, “A young girl in the prime of her life, exhausted and stressed after becoming an assistant to a clueless artist, going bald from the strain.”

Dragged along by Xiao Sui, Chao Wan felt a pang of grievance.

Was she really that clueless?

…

Inside the film studio.

Thanks to the official announcement of her contract release by Si Jin the day before, many people recognized Chao Wan.

Feeling a bit flustered, Chao Wan twisted the hem of her clothes and chose a less crowded spot to discuss the next part of the video with Xiao Sui.

“How about you take on a special extra role? I’ll film the whole process from behind,” Xiao Sui suggested. “Participating personally will make the vlog feel more authentic!”

Chao Wan nodded obediently and opened the group chat for extra recruitment on her phone.

Luckily, she found a period drama and headed to the designated location for the audition.

“Chao Wan?” When it was her turn at the front of the line, the casting guy glanced at her application form and widened his eyes in surprise.

Not daring to delay, he immediately brought her to the director.

The director was sipping tea in front of the monitor. When he saw the guy bringing someone over, he didn’t look closely and said flatly, “Recite the lines.”

Chao Wan hummed in acknowledgment, her palms sweating.

She poured her emotions into the performance, carefully delivering the three lines for the special extra role.

However, shortly after she began, the director’s body stiffened.

He turned around in surprise, his expression tinged with guilt and fear.

Chao Wan tilted her head in confusion, worried she had made a mistake somewhere, and felt a bit disheartened.

In the standoff, the director forgot to call “cut,” and the scene being filmed had already ended.

The female lead in the center of the set cleared her throat softly and glanced toward the monitor.

Noticing Chao Wan, her beautiful eyes widened in shock.

Chao Wan grew even more puzzled.

Amid the silence, she took a look around.

Only then did she realize that the set she was on felt strangely familiar, and the female lead’s face seemed vaguely recognizable in her memory.

A script lay open on the table, with words like “Qi Yue” and “Jin Xiuyuan” on it, set against the backdrop of a classical-style courtyard.

It seemed to be… that web drama about inner-household conflicts.

Memories flooded back, being kicked off the set by the director and enduring the malicious taunts of the female lead.

Chao Wan pursed her lips, thinking for a long time. Just as she was about to apologize to the director and try her luck with another crew, she suddenly heard a hesitant reply beside her.

“Alright, Chao Wan, is it? You’ve passed the audition. Change into your costume and come on set.”

Though it was early autumn, the midday sun was still warm. Director Zhang had already drunk over half a bowl of tea, yet he couldn’t seem to cool down, his forehead beaded with sweat.

He recalled that absurd drinking party from the other night.

Chao Wan had been invited by the female agent he’d sent.

When the girl was maliciously humiliated, he had stood in the corner, watching as if amused, without intervening.

It wasn’t until Cheng Lou and Ji Tanyue arrived.

The woman had wrapped an arm around Chao Wan, and when her icy gaze swept over him, his blood ran cold. He didn’t dare make a sound.

Director Zhang was certain that if anyone were to be held accountable, he would be the first to face consequences.

Glancing back at the silent Chao Wan, his face turned pale.

So, even if Chao Wan were here today to cause trouble, he couldn’t refuse her.

The vlog filming hadn’t stopped yet. Xiao Sui waved at her from a distance.

Chao Wan couldn’t interrupt, any wasted time would be irrecoverable.

“Alright,” she replied softly.

She had no choice but to change into her costume and step in front of the camera.

The female lead, a young starlet, seemed too nervous to meet Chao Wan’s eyes, her expression dazed as she stiffly stared at the script. The arrogance she’d once shown when mocking Chao Wan had completely vanished.

The role Chao Wan landed was that of a wealthy young lady from the capital, aligned with the villainess, tasked with tripping up the female lead. She only had three lines, but they were particularly irritating and required emotional delivery.

The first take began.

Soon, the director called cut.

Frowning at the female lead, he said, “The female lead needs to project more authority here. You don’t want to be overshadowed by a supporting character, do you?”

Unable to capture the desired shot, the director didn’t dare provoke the rising Chao Wan, so he targeted the easier option.

The tables had completely turned from that day.

After more than ten takes, the young actress gritted her teeth and forced herself to endure the mocking gaze Chao Wan delivered in character, finishing the scene as if sitting on pins and needles.

It felt like she’d shed a layer of skin.

Too embarrassed to stay, she fled the set as soon as the scene wrapped.

Chao Wan was puzzled.

But judging by the crew’s reaction, it seemed her performance had been adequate, and she couldn’t help but feel a little happier.

Backstage, Xiao Sui approached with her phone, signaling for her to say a few words to conclude the Hengdian extra vlog.

“That’s all for today’s vlog,” Chao Wan said, dressed in her period costume, offering a shy smile to the camera. “Through this special role, I’ve not only challenged myself but also learned a lot from the seniors on set.”

She raised her hand and gave a small wave, her voice soft and gentle. “Goodbye for now.”

“Wanwan, you were amazing!” Xiao Sui turned off the camera and rushed over to hug her. “I practically raised you myself, from an extra to a special role, Wuwu…”

Chao Wan, caught off guard, gently patted Xiao Sui’s back.

Praise made her heart flutter, and a smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of her lips.

“But that female lead was so strange, she didn’t even dare look at you,” Xiao Sui murmured. “How did someone of that caliber even get into the crew…”

Chao Wan thought for a moment but decided not to reveal the truth.

She answered softly, “She probably just wasn’t in the right state.”

…

By the time the scene wrapped, the sky had already darkened.

Ji Tanyue’s message still lay quietly in the chat box.

Chao Wan softly told Xiao Sui that she still had some matters to attend to and asked her to go back first. She then sent her location to Secretary Yu and waited at the entrance of the film and television city.

She needed to behave obediently; otherwise, the events of the evening would be unpredictable.

Unexpectedly, the car that soon pulled up in front of her was not the usual one her driver used to pick her up.

It was Ji Tanyue’s car.

The door opened.

A slender, delicate woman she had never seen before stepped out, a faint smile gracing her face.

Holding her handbag, she turned back to bid farewell to the person inside the car, her voice melodious: “Thank you, Senior Ji, for the ride. See you later.”

The woman didn’t notice Chao Wan standing nearby and got into another car with her assistant, quickly driving away.

Chao Wan lowered her head, brushing past the woman as they crossed paths.

Under Ji Tanyue’s gaze, she got into the car and closed the door.

The Land Rover slowly started moving.

In the back seat, Ji Tanyue remained composed as ever, glancing at her and parting her crimson lips:

“Chao Wan, your agent told me you went to film a VLOG?”

Chao Wan gave a soft hum in response.

Her gaze drifted out the window.

For some reason, she suddenly felt no enthusiasm to answer Ji Tanyue’s question.

It seemed she had never seen anyone else in the back seat of Ji Tanyue’s car before.

The woman earlier was very beautiful, with sweet dimples and an ethereal aura, so much so that Chao Wan hadn’t dared to look directly at her.

She was probably an Omega too, but far more outstanding than herself.

Chao Wan hung her head, a sudden sense of loss washing over her.

Who could she be?

“I was in Hengdian today as well,” Ji Tanyue gently pressed her temples, her voice soothing, “discussing the script for ‘Moon Over West River’ with Cheng Lou and the other main creators.”

Chao Wan pursed her lips.

Main creators.

So, was the woman earlier Ruan Rou?

Ruan Rou was a talented female Omega actor, skilled in her craft with a gentle personality, exactly the type Ji Tanyue would like.

Moreover, she remembered in her past life, during the promotion of “Moon Over West River,” the fanbase for their pairing had exploded, with fans fervently shipping them.

They… really did seem like a perfect match.

While she herself was just a vase relying on her looks to make a living, a canary kept by Ji Tanyue.

“Would you be interested in playing a role in the film?”

Ji Tanyue tucked a stray strand of hair behind Chao Wan’s ear, her voice gentle: “As mentioned before, it’s a minor guard role.”

Chao Wan turned her face away, lowering her eyelids.

After a long pause, she spoke softly, “No need, Teacher Ji.”