Pregnant with the Alpha Best Actress's Child - Chapter 17.1

Acting classes were something Sang Zhijiu had always been consistent with. This time, Lin Jiahe had booked Yu Ping, a coach Sang Zhijiu knew well.

Yu Ping looked over the script and the dense, meticulous annotations Sang Zhijiu had made in the margins. Her expression immediately relaxed. “It seems you’ve truly put your heart into this over the last few days. I think the script is excellent, and more importantly, the role suits you. ‘Chen Yue’ is somewhat similar to the very first role you played when you debuted.”

Sang Zhijiu blinked, a polite smile curling her lips. “You think so too…”

Before Yu Ping arrived, Sang Zhijiu had run into Fan Wu in the corridor. Fan Wu had teased her to her face, deliberately trying to force her to admit to the “accident” of them rolling into bed together that night. At the time, Sang Zhijiu was so flustered she had simply blurted out, “You know the truth yourself!” before turning and bolting.

Thinking back now, she was filled with regret. Why couldn’t she think of a single good insult in the heat of the moment? She should have grabbed Fan Wu by the collar and given her a piece of her mind from head to toe, letting that scoundrel know she wasn’t worthy of her at all!

Yu Ping observed her changing expression and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Sang Zhijiu snapped back to reality, waving her hand dismissively. “Ah, nothing, nothing. Teacher Yu, let’s begin.”

Yu Ping nodded. “Mm. I’ll help you refine some of the smaller details of the character setting, then we’ll run some lines to find any weak spots.”

Sang Zhijiu nodded obediently. For next week’s audition, there were two segments to prepare:

1. 1. The Underground Bar Scene: This is when Chen Yue first starts following Mu Yining. She follows the band to a bar, where they encounter a wealthy nouveau riche. He throws down a wad of cash and demands Chen Yue drink three glasses of alcohol to “entertain” him. Chen Yue can’t drink and has never dealt with such arrogant people, but for the sake of the band, she swallows the drinks—and her tears.

1. 1. The Rainfall Confrontation: Mu Yining realizes Chen Yue is starting to adapt to this lifestyle, her “good girl” aura being replaced by the shadow of a street delinquent. Mu Yining starts a massive argument, using incredibly belittling language to try and drive her away. Chen Yue, confused by the sudden change in attitude, argues back before running out into a heavy downpour.

Yu Ping lectured for twenty minutes before inviting her to run the scene. However, despite Sang Zhijiu’s earnestness, the practice session left Yu Ping caught between laughter and tears.

“Oh, Zhijiu, your expression is far too fierce. At this point, Chen Yue has only just started skipping class; she’s still mostly a student. But the way you’re looking at me… it’s like you want to tear this ‘nouveau riche’ to pieces. No, no, no.”

Sang Zhijiu scratched her head.

Yu Ping continued, “And in this moment, Mu Yining is standing right behind Chen Yue. Chen Yue still has hope in her heart—hope that Mu Yining will step forward to help her.”

Sang Zhijiu wrinkled her nose. “Mu Yining wants Chen Yue to see the darkness of reality; she’s just standing there watching the show. Just thinking about that scene makes me angry.”

“Exactly,” Yu Ping explained patiently. “But Chen Yue doesn’t know that. Right now, she’s in the stage of being deeply infatuated with her. And Mu Yining isn’t truly ‘watching a show’ with amusement. She has feelings for Chen Yue. She doesn’t just want her to ‘retreat due to difficulty’; she wants her to ‘get out while she’s still whole.’ Mu Yining is in a state of wanting to intervene but suppressing the urge.”

Sang Zhijiu propped her chin on her hand, looking puzzled. She had spent all her time studying Chen Yue and hadn’t focused much on Mu Yining. “Teacher Yu, do you think Mu Yining has feelings for her at this point?”

“Of course.” Yu Ping shook the script. “The script you have is incomplete, so we can’t see Mu Yining’s full internal journey. But the fact that she keeps Chen Yue around to help her escape the mire eventually… isn’t that a clue? Of course, these feelings don’t have to be romantic; they could be familial, friendly, or even just pity.”

Sang Zhijiu shook her head. “If she really wanted to help, she shouldn’t have opened the door for her in the first place. She should have rejected her outright. I don’t believe a ‘good girl’ like Chen Yue could have become like that without her leading the way.”

Yu Ping mused for a moment. “Perhaps the hidden truth is in Mu Yining’s half of the script. I’m not entirely sure—”

Before she could finish, there was a knock at the door. Sang Zhijiu went to answer it and came face-to-face with Fan Wu’s stunningly “wicked” face.

She instinctively tried to slam the door, but Fan Wu had already bypassed her to greet the coach. “Teacher Yu.” She then looked back at Sang Zhijiu. “Busy?”

“Obviously!” Sang Zhijiu hissed under her breath.

Yu Ping, not seeing the tension, welcomed Fan Wu warmly. “Fan Wu? What brings you here?”

Fan Wu walked into the room with a smile. “Starting next week, you probably won’t see me much.”

“Ah, right, your project starts next week,” Yu Ping noted. She then gestured excitedly. “I’m helping Zhijiu run lines. We were just discussing Mu Yining. It’s great you’re here—take a look at this segment with her; she’s having trouble finding the right state.”

Sang Zhijiu stood there helplessly as her coach dragged her “enemy” into the discussion.

After hearing Yu Ping’s confusion, Fan Wu smiled. “Mu Yining definitely has feelings for Chen Yue. Showing her the darkness of society is only part of the reason—or rather, an excuse. She chooses to keep the girl by her side simply because she wants to keep her there. Even if,” she looked directly at Sang Zhijiu, “the process is very brief.”

Sang Zhijiu rolled her eyes. “Selfish!”

Fan Wu spread her hands. “Everyone has selfish moments; it just depends on whether it’s worth it.” She even added a tip: “The drinking scene isn’t just about the drinking. Later, Mu Yining and the band flip the bar upside down for Chen Yue’s sake. Chen Yue’s performance here is vital—she is the fuse for the conflict. Her performance needs to make people’s hearts ache and…” She paused, looking at Sang Zhijiu slowly. “…make Mu Yining’s heart stir.”

Yu Ping was enlightened. “That makes it so much clearer. Fan Wu, thank you so much! Since you’re here, Zhijiu, why don’t you run the scene with Fan Wu? She is Mu Yining, after all.”

Sang Zhijiu hesitated. But thinking that a “great person knows when to yield,” she looked at Fan Wu. “Is… is Sister Fan Wu free?”

“Of course,” Fan Wu agreed.

But fate had other plans. Fan Wu’s phone rang. She offered an apologetic look and stepped aside to answer. “Xiaoyu? What is it? Now? …Alright, I’ll be right there.”

She hung up and looked at Sang Zhijiu with genuine regret. “Sorry, something came up.”

Sang Zhijiu felt a massive wave of relief. “No worries! Sister Fan Wu’s business is more important. Go ahead!”

Fan Wu waved as she headed for the door. “Next time. When you’re back at the company, contact me. If I’m free, I’ll come over.”

Sang Zhijiu nodded vaguely and watched her leave. Once the door closed, Yu Ping sighed. “What a shame. Well, let’s continue.”

Three or four days passed in a flash. Despite Fan Wu’s offer, they never found a time to practice together. Lin Jiahe finally returned to Sang Zhijiu’s side after days of running errands.

“How’s the preparation?” Lin Jiahe asked, seeing Sang Zhijiu in her black-rimmed glasses, still writing character biographies.

“I can honestly say I haven’t worked this hard since my college entrance exams,” Sang Zhijiu sighed, putting down her pen.

Lin Jiahe massaged her shoulders. “Our Zhijiu is the best! You got into a top-10 university back then; you’ll definitely take the crown this time too!”

Sang Zhijiu dodged her manager’s overenthusiastic “massage” and asked, “How were your last few days? Any news?”

Lin Jiahe pouted. “I have some bad news… and some even worse news. Which do you want first?”

Sang Zhijiu slumped into her chair, rolling her eyes like she was dying. Lin Jiahe checked her pulse with a mock-serious face. “Still breathing. Good.”

“I don’t want to hear it, I don’t want to hear it!” Sang Zhijiu covered her ears.

Lin Jiahe sighed. “Currently, no other projects meet your requirements besides Sister Fan Wu’s film. So, for this one, you must win. There is no alternative.”

“I guessed as much…” Sang Zhijiu sniffled. “What else?”

“I went to see Fan Zhengzhi—you know, the director at our company. The situation is that the company can’t interfere much with this project. Getting us an interview was already the biggest concession. We’re on our own.”

Sang Zhijiu rolled her eyes. “That’s it? Were you planning to use the back door from the start?”

“It’s not ‘the back door,’ it’s ‘strategic resource integration’!” Lin Jiahe sighed. “It just didn’t work, that’s all.”

Sang Zhijiu patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. Just watch! I’ll get the role of Chen Yue on my own merit!”

Lin Jiahe’s eyes lit up. “Such confidence! You’re the best, Zhijiu!”

Sang Zhijiu felt her confidence waver slightly under the praise. “Well, it should be fine.”

“Don’t worry,” Lin Jiahe added. “You only need to meet 70% of the requirements. For the other 30%… well, given your ‘special bond’ with Sister Fan Wu here at Nanlu, I’m sure she’ll give you some face!”

“Fu Xinyan is also a candidate, and she’s also from Nanlu…” Sang Zhijiu reminded her softly.

Lin Jiahe paused, then raised her chin. “A mere newcomer. How could she possibly compare to your place in Sister Fan Wu’s heart?”

Sang Zhijiu shuddered. Based on Lin Jiahe’s tone… did she know something? Was the news of Fan Wu’s secret crush on her about to spread through the whole company?

Flustered, she started pushing her manager out. “Alright, go get some rest. I need to keep studying the script.”

“You continue, call me if anything comes up. I’m going back to my room first.”

Sang Zhijiu nodded and watched her leave. She only turned back after hearing the “click” of the room door closing. Under the lamp, her gaze involuntarily fixed on the script, specifically on the name “Mu Yining.”

That night, Sang Zhijiu had a strange dream. In the dream, she forgot her real identity and completely transformed into Chen Yue, the “good girl” who wore a midi skirt and had just won third place in the national college violin competition. Amidst a backdrop of sensory indulgence, she clung to someone’s back, pleading tearfully for them to let her stay. The person didn’t even turn their head, only sending back a faint, questioning tone, “What do you have that’s worth keeping?”

While Sang Zhijiu was surprised, the person turned around, and it was Fan Wu’s face. However, in the dream, she couldn’t recall the name “Fan Wu”; she only knew the other person was her Mu Yining. Mu Yining leaned close to her, teasing her earlobe with her hand, her breath as fragrant as an orchid as she whispered, “Let me see your sincerity.” The subsequent scenes were far too absurd, belonging to restricted-level imagery that couldn’t be broadcast. Even Sang Zhijiu, the owner of the dream, was separated from it by a thick layer of fog, only vaguely knowing what had happened.

When she woke up, dawn was spilling through the half-open curtains. Sang Zhijiu had fine beads of cold sweat on her forehead. She sat up abruptly in bed, her body feeling somewhat sore and weak. This sensation was uncannily similar to the morning she woke up next to Fan Wu that one night. After realizing this, Sang Zhijiu pushed all the blame onto Fan Wu. “This is definitely something only a beast would do! I hope there aren’t actually such melodramatic plots in the parts of the script I haven’t seen yet!”

She felt a bit of a breakdown. “Or is the dream actually hinting to me that if I really can’t pass the interview, I’ll have to…”

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