She Gives Too Much (GL) - Chapter 15

Chen Xi settled into the ride-hailing car and glanced back after sending a message.

Li Zhi was leaning against the car door, watching her until the car rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

Letting out her frustration seemed to have eased her mood slightly.

But as she watched the Young Miss standing by the car door, Chen Xi felt a faint tug in her chest, a subtle ache that left a lingering sourness. A dull, muffled pain.

Chen Xi gently picked at the soft leather of her bag.

On reflection, she realized she wasn’t as angry about Li Zhi asking her to move out as she thought.

What truly stung was having her friendly overture rejected.

That moment of wordless awkwardness and humiliation had washed over her like a tidal wave, making Chen Xi feel inferior to Li Zhi.

She felt like a pathetic lapdog, even her breathing felt wrong.

We were just using each other anyway.

Why did I have to act so pathetic?

The driver, ever the chatty type, glanced in the rearview mirror as he drove. He couldn’t resist asking Chen Xi, “Was that car parked in front of your school picking you up?”

Chen Xi was in a low mood, staring at the unanswered message she’d sent. “No way,” she muttered, her words betraying her true feelings.

She kept tapping the screen to prevent her phone from going dark.

If the Young Miss apologizes first, I’ll forgive her.

“I don’t think so either,” the driver clicked his tongue. “Goodness, that car must be worth a fortune.”

Chen Xi’s fingers paused slightly at his words.

It is expensive. The Young Miss radiated wealth from head to toe.

Forget the million-dollar luxury cars; even the Patek Philippe rose gold watch she casually wore was worth hundreds of thousands.

So, paying twenty thousand yuan a month to “keep” her was mere pocket change to the Young Miss.

But no amount of money could buy a person’s freedom.

Besides, Chen Xi wasn’t after her money in the first place.

Chen Xi’s fingertip traced the spot on her bag where she’d been picking at it earlier, her lashes drooping.

This is really all I have.

With a sigh, Chen Xi finally turned off her phone.

What else could she do?

There were countless women out there. If one didn’t work out, she’d just find another.

Since the young lady had decided to ignore her, then fine, she wasn’t about to keep humiliating herself by chasing after her every time.

Traffic wasn’t too bad today, and by the time Chen Xi arrived at the film set, the extras’ coordinator was already waiting for her.

“Go give it a try. If you get the role, I can even earn a 300 yuan referral bonus. I’ll give you a hundred when it comes through,” the coordinator said.

Looking at the short line of people ahead, Chen Xi felt a twinge of nervousness.

She wasn’t professionally trained, though she’d taken a year or two of acting classes.

Her teacher had once said, “You’ve got spirit, but you lack foundation. Luckily, your face makes up for it.”

The coordinator—a cheerful, slightly plump woman in her thirties—patted Chen Xi’s shoulder encouragingly.

“What are you afraid of? You’re so pretty, you’ll be fine!”

Now that was the kind of truth Chen Xi liked hearing.

Her posture straightened at once, confidence shooting up to a hundred.

All facts, no exaggeration.

If someone praised her for something else, she might still act modest but when it came to her looks, she couldn’t deny it.

One shouldn’t be too fake, after all.

Feeling quite satisfied, Chen Xi elegantly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and stepped into the audition room with a composed smile.

As someone who planned to walk red carpets in the future, stage fright simply wasn’t an option.

The main cast for the production had already been decided; today’s auditions were for minor roles. The coordinator had recommended her for the “pretty but dumb vase” type.

From the moment Chen Xi walked into the room, the director thought she looked perfect for the part.

Even without considering acting skills, that face alone was pure leading-lady material—she was so photogenic that even an unedited picture of her could serve as a desktop wallpaper.

Her delicate features were beautiful from every angle, but her almond-shaped eyes stood out most.

They carried a quiet, classical charm—especially when her gaze lifted slightly at the corners, a trace of warmth shimmering beneath them, like invisible silk threads drawing you in until you drowned there.

The director thought it was almost a waste for someone this striking to play a “dumb beauty.” He decided to have her read for a small villainess role instead.

That kind of face, paired with a touch of malice. It would be irresistible.

The only thing he wasn’t sure of was whether this was the person President Li had mentioned giving an opportunity to.

“Chen Xi, right?”

He glanced at the résumé she handed over, then at his phone.

“Sit over there and wait a bit.”

Chen Xi sat down, puzzled. Something about this process felt… different from the others.

Her eyes wandered around the room for a moment before she picked up the script beside her and started reading it again, trying to pass the time.

The director gave her another quick glance, then lowered his head and typed a message to someone in his contacts labeled “President Li.”

[You mentioned wanting to give some extras and small actors a chance—I think you were absolutely right.]

[There’s one here today who seems pretty good. With more training, she could easily handle a lead role.]

[I’ll send you a photo.]

Li Zhi had just parked her car near the filming site when the photo came in.

It was obviously taken in secret, the quality a bit grainy but even that couldn’t hide how beautiful the girl was.

In the photo, Chen Xi was reading the script, dressed in a flowing period costume. Her long hair hadn’t been styled yet, simply tied back in a loose ponytail.

A few soft curls framed her cheeks, adding an effortless tenderness to her lowered gaze.

Li Zhi stared at the photo, her fingers unconsciously lingering on the girl’s long, dark lashes and pink lips.

She looked like she’d stepped right out of a classical ink painting.

[What do you think of her?]

The phone buzzed softly in Li Zhi’s hand, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She typed back:

[If you think she’s suitable, go ahead.]

For years since taking over the Li Group, Li Zhi had been known for her fairness and strictness.

Even veteran employees weren’t spared if they made mistakes. She never let personal ties interfere with her judgment.

But now, looking at this photo of Chen Xi studying her script so earnestly, something inside her seemed to melt like a wall quietly giving way.

[Everyone deserves a first chance.]

The director instantly caught the implication. Pocketing his phone, he looked up and smiled.

“Chen Xi?” he called. “You’ve been selected.”

Chen Xi blinked, momentarily stunned. “Me?”

Wasn’t there supposed to be a waiting period before they notified people?

So it was settled right here on the spot?

It was the first time she’d truly experienced what “a pleasant surprise” meant.

The director nodded. “Yes. Most of your scenes will be shot in late October. The assistant director will contact you beforehand.”

“Alright, thank you so much, Director!” Chen Xi practically floated out of the audition room.

After being buried for so long, was she finally about to shine in the entertainment world?

Maybe this role would be her big break, catapulting her to stardom, dazzling red carpets, and landing luxury brand deals.

Oh god, had she actually met her benefactor today?

The director was definitely a man of vision.

Chen Xi felt so light on her feet she was practically walking on air.

When she got her 100 yuan referral bonus from the coordinator, she couldn’t resist lifting it up and kissing it in delight.

Then, raising her head, she spotted a sleek luxury car parked by the road.

Familiar color. Familiar plate number. Familiar person inside.

Chen Xi carefully folded the money and tucked it into her purse.

With both hands behind her back, holding the small bag, she stood there—her gaze meeting the one behind the windshield.

Li Zhi gripped the steering wheel unconsciously, her pale fingers tightening.

She wanted to get out and wait for her, but feared Chen Xi would just walk away again, like before.

Even during her first board meeting after taking control of the company, Li Zhi hadn’t felt this nervous.

It was as if she was both hoping for something and terrified of being disappointed.

Watching Chen Xi slowly walk closer, step by step, Li Zhi felt her heart rise higher and higher until it pressed right against her throat, blocking her breath.

Li Zhi watched Chen Xi, but Chen Xi refused to meet her gaze, her eyes darting between the sky and the ground, anywhere but at her.

Behind her back, Chen Xi’s fingers twisted around the bandage as she slowly approached Li Zhi’s car.

Just as Li Zhi thought she was about to open the car door and get in—

Chen Xi suddenly averted her gaze and walked right past the car.

Just like that, she walked past again.

Li Zhi’s mind went blank for a moment. She stared dumbly as Chen Xi passed by, as if she’d forgotten how to breathe.

Ding-ding-ding~

Chen Xi, who had been crouching, suddenly straightened up and opened the passenger door, her eyes curving into a smile as she looked at Li Zhi’s surprised face.

She climbed in and couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss Li Zhi’s cheek. “Now we’re even.”

Li Zhi’s clenched fingers relaxed as she let out a long, soft exhale. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest.

Her lashes lowered, concealing the emotions in her eyes as she asked, “You’re not angry anymore?”

So she hadn’t left after all.

“Not anymore, since you came to pick me up.”

Chen Xi had never been one to stubbornly refuse to take the offered olive branch.

The moment she saw the Young Miss’s car, her anger had vanished.

The earlier thought of saying goodbye if things didn’t work out now seemed like a distant memory, as if it had never crossed her mind at all.

Chen Xi’s beautiful eyes fixed on Li Zhi with deliberate intensity, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“Young Miss, you looked so adorable when you were startled earlier.”

Li Zhi’s ears flushed, and she awkwardly averted her gaze, forcing a change of subject. “Let’s go eat.”

She instinctively glanced at Chen Xi to check if she had fastened her seatbelt, her eyes landing on the bag resting on Chen Xi’s lap.

The Chanel logo was unmistakable.

The moment Li Zhi’s gaze lingered on the bag, alarms blared in Chen Xi’s mind, red lights flashing frantically.

“This bag—”

Chen Xi cut her off without hesitation. “It’s fake.”

Now it was her turn to feel nervous, a thin layer of sweat forming on her palms as her heart threatened to leap from her chest.

They had barely managed to gloss over the events of the previous night; she couldn’t afford to be exposed now.

Chen Xi’s mind raced, searching for an excuse.

“I’m here for an audition, right? Carrying a designer bag makes me look more like a big star.”

She patted the bag on her lap, her expression earnest. “Actually, it’s a high-quality replica. It looks exactly like the real thing.”

Li Zhi glanced at the bag but said nothing more.

“Let’s go to that French restaurant.”

The reservation had been made yesterday.

Chen Xi secretly exhaled, still shaken from the near-disaster.

Chen Xi absentmindedly agreed, “Sure, sure.”

Qian Qian sighed, “She’s already being tested on her improvisational acting skills before even debuting. If she doesn’t become famous, it’ll be a travesty of justice.”

Li Zhi glanced at her sideways.

Thinking she had hurt Chen Xi’s pride by exposing her facade, Li Zhi rubbed her thumb against the steering wheel beneath her palm.

“Let’s go to that hotel again tonight.”

Chen Xi, having recovered from her earlier shock, brightened instantly. “Sure, sure!”

“……”

Hmph.

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