My Nemesis and My Wife - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Snatching My Role Again

When Qin Lan saw Jiang Yan again, she had just finished her audition. The result? This “dead woman” strolled in looking all glamorous and snatched the very role she had just tried out for.

She walked in, bringing the darkness of the night with her, making a grand finale entrance. Radiant and captivating, she was just as alluring as she had been three years ago. Jiang Yan looked at Qin Lan, her eyes gleaming with a fox-like charm, her tone both “white lotus” and annoying: “Teacher Qin surely doesn’t mind waiting a bit longer, right?”

“Cut!” Director Yu called out.

Qin Lan looked up, her hand still resting on the shoulder of her scene partner. Although her body was still buzzing from the residue of the emotional performance, she was in a good mood. Her brows arched triumphantly, her face full of swagger: “Well? How was it?”

Director Yu Jintang looked at the monitor, her baseball cap bobbing up and down, causing the five giant safety pins pinned to it to clatter against each other. “Good. You acted well.”

Qin Lan was quite satisfied. She swayed over gracefully to admire her own “peerless beauty” on the screen. “God, I really am gorgeous…”

“If nothing unexpected happens, this role is yours.” Yu Jintang gave a look of mock disgust. “Narcissist.”

Qin Lan said, “Hey, I actually want to try out for Shangguan Wan’er too.”

“Shangguan Wan’er? That role doesn’t really suit you, does it?”

Yu Jintang was her absolute best friend; their bond had been set since they were infants. After university, Yu Jintang went abroad for further studies and became the last disciple of an internationally renowned director. Since returning, she had directed two movies, both achieving excellent results. Not long ago, Yu Jintang officially announced she would be directing a massive historical drama, The Rosy Era, and held open auditions for the female leads.

The Rosy Era was a script polished by Yu Jintang herself, with themes and content far outweighing artistic technique. Among the main characters, Wu Zetian enters the story in her middle age; a young actress like Qin Lan, who had only been graduated for a few years, was obviously unsuitable. That left only the roles of Shangguan Wan’er and Princess Taiping. Her team came specifically for the role of Princess Taiping, but Qin Lan wanted to play something against her usual type, so she planned to try for Wan’er after finishing Taiping.

On the screen, she wore magnificent princess robes, her expression a mix of shock and sorrow. Qin Lan was satisfied with her performance; besides her, Yu Jintang wouldn’t find a better Taiping.

She pointed nitpickingly at the screen, her nail tapping a frozen frame. “Ah, the acting here is a bit lacking, but alas, I’m too beautiful. Who could look more like Taiping than me?”

The entertainment industry had been obsessed with her type of “striking beauty” lately—sharp features, a strong sense of aggression, and a natural touch of arrogance. She was indeed perfect for the noble Princess Taiping.

“Don’t speak too soon, Teacher Qin.” A charming voice rang out from outside. “You won’t mind letting me try for this role too, right?”

Qin Lan froze. She couldn’t help but grit her teeth. Before she even looked up, she fell back into her habitual sarcasm: “Oh my, after three years apart, Teacher Jiang’s voice hasn’t changed at all. If I didn’t see your face, I’d think you were still some ‘pure and innocent’ college girl.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

High heels clicked three times—neither fast nor slow, poised and elegant.

Qin Lan suppressed her inexplicable heartbeat, her narrow eyes lifting slightly as she tilted her chin to look at the newcomer. Everyone else had looked over long ago; she was the only one who delayed. Jiang Yan was also looking only at her, taking in every bit of her reaction.

Jiang Yan had a faint smile on her face, her long, straight black hair swaying against her back. As she walked, her waist swayed gently; she looked as soft as a willow branch, like someone who could be easily snapped. She was wearing brand-sponsored clothing with styling clips still attached, looking as though she had rushed here straight from another job.

Both were striking beauties, and whenever they appeared together, comparisons were inevitable, making it only natural for them to become rivals. Compared to Qin Lan’s aggressive allure, Jiang Yan possessed a fox-like seductiveness. Coupled with her gentle and elegant personality, her public image was much better than Qin Lan’s. Qin Lan was famous for her bad temper; born into wealth and raised with pride, she was the perfect arrogant foil to Jiang Yan.

“It’s Jiang Yan! It’s really her!” Everyone from the crew to the leads began whispering behind their hands. Suddenly, the room felt like it was filled with three hundred quacking ducks, making Qin Lan’s head ache. “It’s Jiang Yan! Ahhh! Jiang Yan and Qin Lan are meeting!”

“What?! Jiang Yan showed up where Qin Lan is?”

“What?! Are the industry’s ‘Nemesis of the Century’ meeting?”

“Am I witnessing a historic moment?”

“Heavens, Teacher Qin’s face looks terrible.”

“Epic meeting! I’ve already thought of the trending hashtags. It’ll blow up in thirty minutes: #JiangYanQinLanInOneFrame #JiangYanBreaksThreeYearColdWar #JiangYanQinLanFightForRole #JiangYanQinLanSassOff.”

Jiang Yan stood at the door, a great distance between them. But everyone could hear the metaphorical crackling between them, like a string of firecrackers waiting to be lit.

Jiang Yan’s manager, Wang Zihan, squeezed through from behind, glaring at Qin Lan as if wanting to call her out for her sarcasm. But Jiang Yan raised a slender hand, stopping the aggressive manager. She looked at Qin Lan as if nothing were wrong, her smile faint.

Qin Lan was the first to lose the staring contest—even though she was usually the one who would stare someone down like a bull out of sheer stubbornness. Perhaps due to a certain awkward guilt, she chickened out this time.

“Hello, Director Yu.” Jiang Yan smiled. “I had work, so I’m late. I’d like to try for the role of Taiping.”

Her tone was very flat and casual. Movie actors generally held higher status than TV actors. Jiang Yan had recently won several awards; in terms of seniority, she outranked almost everyone present.

“God, Teacher Qin’s face looks even worse now.”

“You weren’t here three years ago. Back then, the trending searches were all about them sniping at each other. Teacher Jiang stealing a scene from Teacher Qin, Teacher Qin taking back an endorsement from Teacher Jiang… there were even rumors they got into a physical fight backstage at a variety show—pulling hair and scratching was just basic protocol…”

The gossip was loud enough to be heard outside. But Jiang Yan remained as “calm as a chrysanthemum,” nodding and smiling at the director, assistant directors, and investors. Her heavy, fox-like eyeshadow made her look even more like a temptress. Qin Lan listened in silence, pretending not to see Yu Jintang’s various coughs, winks, and strange throat-clearing noises.

She was different from Jiang Yan. While both were known as “striking beauties,” Jiang Yan was a “fake-ass green tea,” whereas Qin Lan was straightforward.

Even though she was currently too guilty to look that “fake-ass” woman in the eye.

Yu Jintang was about to cough up blood and still hadn’t received a signal from Qin Lan. Suppressing the urge to interrogate her friend, she clapped her hands. “A pleasure, a pleasure! Ah, thank you all for coming…”

Everyone respected her mentor, and they were also interested in the good script. Jiang Yan went to change her makeup and costume, and the set was reorganized. Yu Jintang dragged Qin Lan away, grabbing her by the neck at the restroom entrance: “I’m waiting for your excuse. Didn’t you say you two were done for life?”

Qin Lan looked around uncomfortably. “Don’t say it here. People have eaten so much gossip they’ll all want to use the bathroom.”

“Hah! Wouldn’t it be fine if Jiang Yan didn’t show up here?” Yu Jintang glared at her. “I pushed every single stall door; they’re all empty. Explain yourself. What’s the new trick? Did you seduce her again?”

“I seduced her? Again?” Qin Lan’s voice jumped an octave, her temper flaring. “Don’t pin that on me! I’m annoyed enough by her as it is. Would I use such a low-handed tactic? For what? To lose both the wife and the soldiers?”.

“So, the ‘losing the wife’ part is true?” Yu Jintang was full of gossip. “Three years ago, one day, you suddenly made me have my family’s company sign her. My staff told me that when they saw Jiang Yan, she looked soul-crushed and disheveled, like a fallen girl… Did something happen between you two that day?”

Qin Lan: “…………”

“What do you need that pride for? Just confess.”

Qin Lan leaned back, saying nonchalantly, “It’s exactly what you think. We did it. Thanks.”

Yu Jintang did a standing backflip. Jazz, rumba, cha-cha, 360-degree roll. Powerful and vigorous.

Qin Lan: “You’re sick.”

Yu Jintang returned to her spot: “She’s the ‘0’ (bottom), right? She looks like it.”

Qin Lan: “Sick.”

Yu Jintang: “Why would you sleep with your nemesis? Is it love or torment? Revenge? Rage? Lesbian hate?”

Qin Lan: “Sick.”

Yu Jintang held her face deeply. “Qin Lan, you really have changed. Three years ago, your tone when mentioning Jiang Yan sounded like you wanted to eat her alive.”

“I still have that tone now.” Qin Lan acted indifferent.

“No.” Yu Jintang shook her head. “Your tone now is: ‘I ate her, and I feel bad about it, so I’m guilty.'”

“Who feels bad for her?” Qin Lan raised her head and shouted back. “…………”

Yu Jintang was all ears. “Details.”

“…”

“Is it that hard to say?”

“…”

“Fine, I’ll just ask one question. You two might have to work together. As a director, I want to know if there was any ‘one-night-stand lingering affection’ or any other love-hate drama caused by it?”

Qin Lan said uneasily, “How should I know what she thinks?”

“I’m not asking her. I want to know what you think.”

“What else can I think?” Qin Lan subconsciously swallowed, her narrow eyes flickering toward the weeds on the side. “The whole thing was bizarre from start to finish. Without a beginning, how could there be an end? Who would develop feelings over something like that? Hilarious. Who cares? It was just a lay. We’re all adults. The way adults handle a 419 (one-night stand) is—never meet again, a silent agreement to stay on opposite sides of the world.”

Yu Jintang: “…”

She knew Qin Lan well and realized things were wrong. “Tell me the truth. Did you fall for her or not? You know I’m tight-lipped. Yang Xingji and the others will never find out from me.”

Qin Lan’s eyes quirked up as she leaned back, smiling flippantly. “Me? Fall for her? Don’t be ridiculous. What’s there to fall for? It was just once. Besides, that fake-ass Jiang Yan…”

Yu Jintang seemed about to speak, but her lips had just opened when her eyes flickered unnaturally toward the back.

Qin Lan’s heart went cold. She slowly turned her head and saw the “fake-ass” herself, holding her handbag, standing at the restroom entrance looking at her. For once, there was no smile on that fake-ass face.

Yu Jintang bit her lip. Qin Lan became expressionless and started stroking her hair.

Damn. The fake-ass lady doesn’t look like she wants to pretend anymore.

Six eyes met. Yu Jintang was the first to look down. Qin Lan, lacking her friend’s support and feeling extremely guilty, also shifted her gaze. Only Jiang Yan continued to stare at her with a faint, cold look—a vibe of “I’ve already hit rock bottom in these ruins anyway.”

Jiang Yan said flatly, “Teacher Qin must have been a fishmonger in a past life—you’ve mastered the art of being heartless the moment you pull your finger out.”

Qin Lan, acting tough despite her fear: “Thanks, but my family mainly does real estate.”

Outside the restroom, the sound of Actress Qin’s breakdown came in waves.

“I thought you said you pushed every single door?!”

“What kind of normal person glues themselves into the crack behind a door?!”

“The world is ending! That fake-ass actually did something like that!”

“Your bias is too strong. Jiang Yan’s reputation in the industry is ‘passionate and polite.'”

“What do we do now? She heard everything.”

“So she heard it. Why do you care so much?”

“Who cares?! Who cares?! Literally nobody cares, okay?!”

Jiang Yan was in bad shape.

Qin Lan noticed this when she returned to the set. By then, Jiang Yan had finished her makeup and was standing to the side with her arms crossed. Her manager kept whispering to her, but she didn’t respond, only nodding occasionally. Her gaze passed through the objects in front of her, landing aimlessly on a single point.

Despite her magnificent costume, her aura was not good.

The crew with the clapperboards and lights were ready. Yu Jintang was arranging someone to play opposite her. Jiang Yan’s eyes sharpened and slowly landed on Qin Lan.

A few girls who were obsessed with the “Qin-Jiang” rivalry noticed Jiang Yan’s gaze first and began whispering again:

“Teacher Jiang is looking at Teacher Qin.”

“Does Teacher Jiang want Teacher Qin to do the scene with her?”

“Are you kidding? She’s definitely glaring at her. If Teacher Jiang gets this role, they’ll have to act out romantic scenes together.”

“True. It feels like Teacher Jiang has already started hating her. Her face is so pale, but her eyes are firing sparks.”

“Teacher Qin should be the one grinding her teeth, right? After all, Teacher Jiang is snatching her role…”

Yu Jintang coughed loudly. “Teacher Jiang? Teacher Jiang? Are you listening?”

Jiang Yan turned and gave her a polite smile, looking as if nothing had happened. “I am, Director Yu. I heard Teacher Qin plans to try out for the role of Shangguan Wan’er. Why don’t we do a scene together?”

Yu Jintang looked at Qin Lan as if she had a toothache. “Teacher Qin, is that convenient for you?”

Qin Lan glared at Yu Jintang with a look that could eat someone alive. Yu Jintang smiled helplessly. Endure it, kid. After all, she already called you heartless…

“Convenient,” Qin Lan squeezed out the words. As she stepped forward, she stomped hard on Jiang Yan’s shadow, cursed Yu Jintang’s entire family in her head. Her father and Yu’s father were so close they were like “two legs in one pair of pants.” She and Yu Jintang were even closer—they could go without pants. But this girl was a snake, always keen on throwing her into a pit of fire.

And that damn Jiang Yan—messing with her again.

The discord between Jiang Yan and Qin Lan was known to everyone inside and outside the industry. Their management companies had gone from secret competition to open brawling. Their fans were even more insane. If one made the trending list, the other could save on marketing fees because they’d be dragged up too. They compared everything from looks to acting, works to character. After their one-night stand, their open and secret struggles ended with Jiang Yan leaving for the movie industry. Everyone soon realized the two had reached a tacit understanding—they never appeared under the same patch of sky.

Furthermore, Qin Lan began to focus on TV dramas and rarely accepted movie roles. Qin Lan’s fans were furious, believing “someone” had hindered their idol’s path to the top. Jiang Yan was dragged out for insults: #QinLanDoesntEnterMovies #QinLanBeautifulAndKind #QinLanGenerousAndForgiving.

Jiang Yan’s fans retaliated by “slaughtering” Qin Lan’s social media feed, filling it with Jiang Yan’s latest movie posters. This angered Qin Lan’s fans into boycotting Jiang Yan’s movies, starting another war.

Once, an awards ceremony organizer, clearly not fearing death, arranged their seats in consecutive rows. Qin Lan arrived late, and there was only one seat left in that row; the moment she stopped, everyone knew where she was supposed to sit. Just as everyone was gossiping about Qin Lan’s refusal to sit down, Jiang Yan simply stood up and walked away from the other side. The camera shakily panned to the side, catching Qin Lan’s eye-roll. Jiang Yan’s fans immediately began cursing; Qin Lan’s fans fired back that Jiang Yan was uneducated and left without even pretending to be polite.

Jiang Yan’s fans were initially a bit unsure, but the next second, Qin Lan also turned and left, giving Jiang’s fans renewed fighting spirit. That battle lasted for a week, and their simultaneous departure became a hot topic among the general public.

Later, when Jiang Yan’s new movie was nominated for the three major domestic awards, Qin Lan’s fans mocked her for working so hard only to be a “runner-up”. Jiang Yan’s fans “slaughtered” Qin Lan’s feed again, such that when Qin Lan clicked in to find a few beautiful photos of herself to save, she was met with that “fake-ass” woman’s face.

The “fake-ass” woman had a hypocritical smile, giving a generous and decent answer to a reporter’s question about being a runner-up: “The nominees and winners today are all my seniors. I’m happy to add my presence as a foil to their glory. I think that’s part of the meaning of me being here, and it’s also a constant tempering of myself.”

“D*mn Jiang Yan, acting fake again!” Qin Lan poked the screen in a rage before tossing her iPad away.

The “fake-ass” woman in front of her gradually merged with the one in her memory giving that speech. “Then I’ll have to trouble Teacher Qin. Teacher Qin doesn’t mind, right?”

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