The Movie Queen's Silly CEO - Chapter 3

The wealthy Mu Qing wasn’t in the best mood. That unspeakable night was seared into her memory.

She didn’t mind dreaming about it, but the worst part was finding herself zoning out at the office, replaying that night’s events. She’d even go so far as to sniff her own hand, wondering if the scent was still there.

This was terrifying; she had no idea she was this kind of person!

“Knock, knock.” Assistant Chen rapped on the door, then pushed the ajar door open and placed a neat folder on Mu Qing’s desk. “Miss Mu, here are the materials you asked for.”

“Thanks,” Mu Qing said, flexing the knuckles on her right middle finger before opening the thick folder.

Feng Xi, female, twenty-seven. She’d appeared in a TV show at the age of eight but hadn’t pursued it further. At eighteen, she was accepted into the Central Academy of Drama with excellent grades. In her junior year, she signed with Hongchen Entertainment and starred as the female lead in Director Hong’s Mountain God. The film grossed 500 million yuan, and she won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress, launching her to fame.

A quick scan of Feng Xi’s recent acting history made Mu Qing’s brow furrow.

The once-famous actress’s career wasn’t looking so hot. She was taking on overly sentimental art-house films or overly commercial projects. Her career seemed to be on a downward slide in recent years.

“Did you find out what happened at the hotel that day?” Mu Qing closed the folder and set it aside.

“Yes, according to the surveillance footage, the man who tried to assault Feng Xi was from a three-hundred-million-yuan advertising company in the East City. The legal representative is Wang Jiancheng, and he has a history of shady dealings,” Assistant Chen reported.

Mu Qing nodded. “Why did he run into Feng Xi that day?”

“Wang Jiancheng invested twenty million in Director Liu Zhi’s new film, and Director Liu Zhi invited Feng Xi to be the female lead,” Assistant Chen said, adjusting his glasses. “It seems Director Liu Zhi arranged for the investor and lead actress to meet.”

“What about now?” Mu Qing asked.

“The female lead role is on hold. Director Liu Zhi’s intention seems to be to hold new auditions and replace her,” Assistant Chen replied.

Replace her, huh? Mu Qing stroked her chin, her mind drifting again.

In another part of Lingshi, Feng Xi held a thick script. With a highlighter, she marked her lines, then, in a separate notebook, she used a pen to write down her thoughts on each scene.

What is the character’s state of mind? What are her thoughts and intentions? Given her personality, what kind of expression should she have, and what should her tone of voice be?

Feng Xi meticulously listed all these details and contemplated them in her mind. Just as she was starting to get a feel for the character, her phone, lying on the coffee table, rang.

Seeing that it was her agent, Feng Xi answered immediately. “Hello, Sister Yan, it’s me.”

“Hmm? Changes to the production?” Feng Xi’s brow twitched, and the hand holding the script tightened. “Okay, I understand. I’ll wait for your news. Don’t worry, I have it under control. If they insist on doing this, then let them.”

After a brief conversation, Feng Xi tossed her phone onto the sofa. She looked at the script in her hand with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Sure enough, the entertainment industry is still this dirty. In the eyes of these so-called investors, celebrities and actors are just playthings. A bit of money is all it takes to get someone into bed.

Taking a deep breath, Feng Xi closed the script, picked it and her notes up, and placed them in the bottom drawer of a cabinet in her study.

Looking at the row of scripts and notes that now filled the cabinet, a feeling of disappointment welled up inside her. These were all scripts she had almost gotten but lost because of her “uncooperative” nature. To make it big in this industry, do you really have to go along with the so-called unspoken rules?

Closing the cabinet, Feng Xi slumped onto her desk, feeling dejected. After a moment of zoning out, she opened a drawer and pulled out her diary.

Looking at the note and check tucked inside, the frown on her face slowly disappeared. Reading the note again, a smile spread across her face. If only all the investors in the entertainment industry were like this kind person. He might seem a bit clumsy, but he’s a decent guy.

Losing the female lead role was a significant blow to Feng Xi, as she was genuinely fond of the script and trusted Director Liu Zhi’s ability.

But life goes on. After losing a quality role, Feng Xi had to look at other scripts. She still had the title of “Best Actress,” so even if a few big investors were against her, she wasn’t completely out of work.

After some careful picking and choosing, she chose to take a smaller role as a medical examiner in a crime film. It wasn’t a major part, but the character was likable. The character spends most of her time wearing a mask, dissecting bodies, and providing crucial evidence when the male lead’s investigation stalls. She is cold, doesn’t say much, and is a bit sharp-tongued. Towards the end, she is taken hostage during a gunfight and dies tragically in a heroic sacrifice with a bomber.

When Feng Xi expressed her interest, the production team quickly agreed. For them, Feng Xi was a star. Just announcing her participation would elevate the film’s status.

“Let me introduce everyone to Feng Xi. She won Best Actress at twenty and is a veteran actress to many of you,” the director said warmly, personally introducing her when she arrived on set.

“Wow, it’s senior Feng! Can I take a picture with you?” The lead actress’s eyes lit up when she saw Feng Xi. If she were braver, she would have pounced.

Feng Xi smiled. “Of course.”

The lead actress was a recent graduate. After finishing her scenes, she kept gravitating toward Feng Xi, bringing her cold drinks and snacks.

“Sister Feng Xi, are you here alone this time? Why didn’t you bring an assistant?” the young woman asked.

“Oh, she has some things to take care of,” Feng Xi said, her smile not reaching her eyes.

Her former assistant had been with her for a year, only to betray her for a measly ten thousand yuan. That was something Feng Xi couldn’t accept.

After that experience, Feng Xi became more cautious. Rather than letting the company arbitrarily assign an assistant, she preferred to take the time to choose a suitable person herself. She had just decided on a new assistant before coming here, who would be joining the crew in a few days.

“Then you can count on me, Sister Feng Xi! I’ll take good care of you on set!” the young woman promised, patting her chest.

Just as Feng Xi was about to thank her, a scornful laugh came from behind her. A woman in a black dress walked over, her heels clacking loudly on the ground.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Feng Xi, the Best Actress?” He Yanhui looked down her nose at Feng Xi with a hint of disdain. “I didn’t expect to run into you here, Best Actress Feng. Are you the lead actress here?”

Feng Xi gave He Yanhui a cold look and then turned away, not intending to respond.

“What’s wrong, Best Actress Feng? You don’t even think I’m worth talking to?” When Feng Xi remained silent, He Yanhui became more agitated.

He Yanhui and Feng Xi were in the same graduating class. Unlike Feng Xi, who won Best Actress right out of school, He Yanhui wasn’t so lucky. After starring in an art-house film as a newcomer, she didn’t even get a single award.

However, He Yanhui was more adaptable. Unlike Feng Xi, she didn’t stick to her principles. In her second year in the industry, she went with the flow, started attending various events, and used her looks and body to exchange for good roles.

Finally, at twenty-five, she won Best Actress. She was now at the peak of her career, and her carefully cultivated public image had earned her more followers on social media than Feng Xi.

“Not at all. I just wonder why Best Actress He is here,” Feng Xi said plainly.

He Yanhui chuckled. “I just happened to be passing by after my audition; I didn’t come here specifically for you.”

“Then please do as you wish. I have other things to do.” Feng Xi stood up. Rather than arguing with He Yanhui, she’d rather go back to her room and read her script.

“Wait, there’s something I wanted to tell you,” He Yanhui said, reaching out to stop Feng Xi. She took a step closer, standing face-to-face with her.

“What?” Feng Xi didn’t even flinch, staring at He Yanhui with indifference.

He Yanhui’s pupils constricted, and she clenched her fists to steady herself. “I just passed the audition for Director Liu Zhi’s film. I should be signing the contract in a few days.”

The implication was clear: The role you wanted, I got it now.

Feng Xi’s expression didn’t change. “Is that so? Congratulations.” She turned to leave, not giving He Yanhui another glance.

“Feng Xi, if you just beg me, I can let you play the female second lead. How does that sound?” He Yanhui, believing she had gotten to Feng Xi, said with her head held high.

When Feng Xi paused and slowly turned back around, He Yanhui’s smile grew wider.

I knew it. All that talk about integrity is a lie. We’re all in the same business. Why should you be the only one who gets to be so “clean”? You’re just putting on an act!

“He Yanhui,” Feng Xi said.

“What is it?” He Yanhui raised an eyebrow, a look of triumph on her face.

“You disgust me,” Feng Xi said coldly, looking at He Yanhui as if she were trash.

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