The Cold and Distant Actress is Too Obsessive - Chapter 46

With the final episode of the show recorded and the movie about to enter its promotional phase, Xu Youyan finally had a bit of free time.

She had originally planned to take a proper break, but she still needed to inform her agent about it.

However, as soon as she stepped into Peng Ding’s office, she noticed his troubled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

Xu Youyan was slightly puzzled. Seeing Peng Ding’s worried look, she knew something unpleasant was coming, and her heart began to race. She wondered if her request for leave would be approved this time.

“There’s a gathering, and the higher-ups want you to attend.”

Xu Youyan’s face darkened at those words. What did the company take her for? Some kind of entertainment?

“I’m not going.”

Xu Youyan shook her head. Peng Ding just looked at her, feeling somewhat helpless.

“It’s to discuss a movie.”

“I’m not going for a movie either.”

Xu Youyan didn’t care much about such opportunities. While many actresses would jump at the chance, to her, it wasn’t important.

“Don’t schedule any work for me these next few days. I want to rest.”

Xu Youyan began stating her conditions.

Peng Ding shook his head.

“Youyan, this isn’t up to you.”

Xu Youyan had signed a contract with the company, and breaching it would mean facing an astronomical compensation fee. Although accompanying others to meals wasn’t explicitly stated in the contract, if she refused to comply, the company had ways to make her violate it.

Peng Ding looked up at Xu Youyan, his tone coaxing and placating.

“Just go this once. You don’t have to do anything, just have a drink or two.”

Xu Youyan was utterly unwilling, but she had impulsively signed a long-term contract with the company back then. If she breached it now, she truly couldn’t afford the consequences.

She could only grit her teeth.

“Fine, I’ll go.”

After she left, Peng Ding stared blankly at the office door.

Although Xu Youyan was popular, she wasn’t the company’s top artist. Still, she could easily rank as the second or third most prominent. Pushing the company’s cash cow into such situations, he really didn’t understand what the higher-ups were thinking.

But he was just an agent, with little influence. Whatever he said wouldn’t make a difference.

Xu Youyan remained silent the entire car ride, the air so tense it felt frozen. Cheng Zhun didn’t dare make a sound.

Just then, a phone ringtone broke the silence in the car.

Xu Youyan reached out to answer it. Bo Zhoucheng’s gentle voice came through the receiver.

“Yanyan, how many days off do you have this time?”

Bo Zhoucheng sounded quite happy, already packing her luggage for their trip.

“It’s canceled.”

Xu Youyan’s voice was tinged with disappointment.

“They also want me to discuss a new movie.”

Bo Zhoucheng hadn’t expected things to turn out this way and was surprised, but she didn’t want to let her disappointment show to Xu Youyan. That would only make her feel worse.

“Then let’s plan for next time. Do your best for the new movie.”

Bo Zhoucheng chatted a bit more, changing the subject, and the two hung up.

Su Cha was sweating profusely, finishing packing the last piece of luggage, when she saw Bo Zhoucheng turn around.

“No need.”

“No need for what?”

Su Cha was taken aback. Bo Zhoucheng lowered her gaze to the luggage.

“No need to pack. Yanyan can’t make it.”

Her tone carried far more disappointment than it had during the phone call, but the main feeling was…

Bo Zhouqing frowned slightly, still feeling somewhat uneasy. Logically speaking, a legitimate film crew would typically go through a casting process. Skipping the audition and directly confirming the female lead seemed rather suspicious.

While it was true that some directors already had their preferred candidates in mind, Xu Youyan had only transitioned into acting in the past two years. It was unlikely that any major director would take such a risk with her.

“Help me find out who exactly wants to collaborate with Huanxin.”

Huanxin was the entertainment company Xu Youyan belonged to, a well-established player in the entertainment industry.

Su Cha had no choice but to resign herself to the task and retreat to investigate the matter.

As dusk settled, Xu Youyan arrived wearing a heavy coat, her makeup so light it was almost nonexistent. She hadn’t dressed up particularly well, but her striking features made her stand out effortlessly in the crowd, drawing countless gazes.

The producers had reserved a private room. When Xu Youyan arrived, she realized she wasn’t the only actor present. Others vying for the male lead and supporting female roles were also there. Without greeting them, she headed straight into the room.

As she pushed the door open, the strong smell of alcohol hit her first.

Then, a man rose from his chair, squinting as he stared intently at Xu Youyan.

“Long time no see, Miss Xu.”

The man’s hair had thinned significantly, leaving him with an unflattering receding hairline.

A chill ran down Xu Youyan’s spine, not for any trivial reason, but because she recognized him.

Back when she had just transitioned from being an idol to taking on acting roles, her popularity wasn’t particularly high, and opportunities didn’t come easily. She had to fight for them one by one.

This man had once deceived her, claiming she had been selected for a role. But when Xu Youyan arrived on set, he merely stared at her with a smirk, offering no script or any arrangements. Instead, he reached out and grabbed her hand, disregarding the presence of others around them.

“Miss Xu, so many people are competing for the supporting female role. You’ll have to show some sincerity.”

Before he could finish speaking, his plump fingers had already begun stroking the back of Xu Youyan’s delicate hand.

She recoiled as if electrocuted, quickly pulling her hand back. But the door to the lounge had already been locked and wouldn’t open.

The man lunged at her, and Xu Youyan could only flee in panic. If Cheng Zhun hadn’t sensed something wrong and rushed in to open the door, her fate would have been far worse.

The terrible memories flooded back like a relentless tide. Just hearing his voice now made her tremble slightly.

Yet, upon reflection, she realized she had nothing to fear anymore.

Xu Youyan merely glanced at the man, found a seat, and decided she would just go through the motions before leaving.

But the entire table’s attention was fixed on her, especially the director’s.

Unable to bear it any longer, Xu Youyan stood up, ready to leave.

“Miss Xu, we haven’t finished discussing the film. How can you leave so early?”

The man was displeased and reached out to grab her wrist. But the moment his fingertips brushed against her skin, she reacted as if touching a caterpillar, desperately trying to shake him off.

“Don’t touch me!”

Her body trembled as she recalled the panic of being trapped in that small room, dodging and fleeing.

For a time, this man had been her recurring nightmare.

Everyone was stunned, especially the management from Huanxin Entertainment, who frowned deeply, never expecting their own artist to be so undisciplined.

The director merely adjusted the black frames on his nose and walked step by step toward Xu Youyan.

Cheng Zhun was so frightened his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his throat, and he was just about to step in front of Xu Youyan.

But then he saw the managers frantically signaling him with their eyes, and Cheng Zhun hesitated.

In that brief moment of hesitation, the door behind them suddenly swung open, and a cool, elegant fragrance drifted in.

It was as if an angel had descended.