The Possessive Villain Is Too Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 23

Ye Zhixia genuinely cared about Xu Miaomiao. After all, she was just a newcomer actress with no background, making her an easy target for bullying.

Moreover, after her clumsy attempt at framing someone had been exposed a few days ago, it was unlikely she’d try the same trick again anytime soon.

Tears welled up in Xu Miaomiao’s eyes, her lips trembling as if she had suffered some grave injustice.

“Director… Director Kong…” Before she could finish, her tears burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam.

Bai Xin frowned beside her and muttered under her breath, “Here we go again with the drama.”

Seeing the situation escalating, Ye Zhixia quickly pulled Xu Miaomiao aside to a quiet corner. Once they stopped, she asked softly, “What’s wrong? Did Director Kong criticize you? He’s very strict, don’t take it too personally.”

But Xu Miaomiao shook her head repeatedly, the hair ornaments on her head clinking against her fair cheeks.

Ye Zhixia’s heart sank. Could Xu Miaomiao actually be up to no good again?

“Then, what’s bothering you?” Ye Zhixia probed cautiously.

Perhaps because Ye Zhixia had previously helped her by calling Director Kong Sen on her behalf, Xu Miaomiao seemed to think they were on the same side. Sobbing, she said,

“Director Kong Sen… he said if I kept him company for a chat, he’d give me more scenes…”

Ye Zhixia mentally scolded herself, she had underestimated human nature. Xu Miaomiao couldn’t go a single day without lying!

Suppressing her anger, she took a deep breath and said, “Just a chat? Director Kong is very professional when guiding actors.”

Xu Miaomiao was baffled. Was Ye Zhixia truly this dense, or was she pretending? She was crying, hinting that the director wanted to “chat” with her wasn’t the implication obvious?

“Xiaxia-jie, Director Kong didn’t mean chatting about acting.” She tried to drop another hint.

“Enough!” Ye Zhixia hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing attention. “Xu Miaomiao, I’ve been lenient because you’re a newcomer from the same company, and I’ve tried to help you when I could.”

“But let me give you one last piece of advice, focus on acting with sincerity and earn respect through skill. Stop scheming all the time. People in this industry have seen it all, your tricks won’t work!”

Her words were quiet but razor-sharp, each syllable cutting deep. Xu Miaomiao’s face instantly fell.

“Xiaxia-jie, I didn’t—”

“Shut up!”

Xu Miaomiao tried to defend herself, but Ye Zhixia cut her off again.

“I’ve worked with Director Kong for years. I know his character better than anyone. I suggest you drop your shady ideas!”

Ye Zhixia clenched her fists, utterly baffled by Xu Miaomiao’s behavior.

In this world, Ye Zhixia had entered the entertainment industry at a young age, starting as an extra before landing minor supporting roles. Only after years of building her reputation did she finally receive offers for lead roles.

She had struggled in the industry for a decade, and her real breakthrough had only come in the last two or three years.

Xu Miaomiao, on the other hand, had been given the chance to compete for a major supporting role right from the start. Though she lost the role, she still landed a substantial part as the third female lead.

With such a head start, what more did she want?

Across from her, Xu Miaomiao wore an aggrieved expression, but inwardly, she seethed with resentment.

She regretted her earlier oversight. That day, Chu Ning had only exchanged a few words with Chen Chen before dropping the matter with Bai Xin clearly, Chu Ning’s words had worked against her. Since Ye Zhixia was close to Chu Ning, she must also be an enemy.

She had been so focused on currying favor with Director Kong that she had forgotten this crucial detail. What a miscalculation.

“If Sister Xiaxia doesn’t believe me, fine. After all, I’m just an unknown newcomer.” Her voice was mournful, deliberately casting herself as the underdog, with a heavy undertone of emotional manipulation.

That said, purely in terms of acting skills, her future award would be well-deserved.

By now, Ye Zhixia had lost patience. With a light humph, she turned and walked away.

Apart from Ye Zhixia, no one else on set was familiar with Xu Miaomiao.

Left without support, Xu Miaomiao could only regroup with her assistant and wait at the edge of the set.

Xiao Mi hovered in the air and asked, [Xiaxia, how did you see through her act? I almost fell for it.]

If not for the crowd around them, where eye-rolling would be unbecoming Ye Zhixia would have rolled her eyes sky-high!

She replied sternly in her mind, [Director Kong Sen has seen every kind of beauty there is. If he were into that type, he wouldn’t have earned the nickname “Old Cadre of the Film Industry.”]

Xiao Mi’s eyes narrowed into slits, irritation laced with disdain. [This female lead is probably going to target you next, Minister Ye, isn’t she?]

Without hesitation, Ye Zhixia scoffed, [Come what may, I’ll handle it. No one’s ever gotten the better of Ye Zhixia.]

The sky was clear, the sun climbing steadily above the treetops, casting a light sheen of sweat on everyone.

A black sedan veered off the road, driving straight across the lawn and into the set.

Many frowned at the sight.

Typically, actors’ vans had to wait outside the set. If everyone drove in like this, not only would the grass be ruined, but the place might as well be turned into a parking lot instead of a filming location.

But the moment the car’s occupant stepped out, everyone averted their eyes, pretending not to notice the breach of etiquette.

It was Chu Xiao.

As the investor of this film, Chu Xiao’s status on set was unquestionable.

Though his behavior was flamboyant, no one dared to challenge the man who signed their paychecks.

Chu Xiao strode imperiously toward the table holding the ceremonial Bodhisattva statue and incense burner.

After two and a half years at Tianxing Entertainment, he was all too familiar with such opening rituals.

But his haste today had another reason.

After enthusiastically greeting everyone, Chu Ning finally strolled in from the sidewalk.

Standing beside Bai Xin, Ye Zhixia spotted Chu Ning ambling over with her hands tucked leisurely behind her back. The two exchanged a glance.

Both knew Chu Xiao had driven across the lawn just to make his grand entrance before the crew.

Chu Ning took it all in and, with no one nearby to overhear, let out a derisive snort.

At the premiere banquet, Chu Xiao had repeatedly sidelined her, denying her a chance to speak. Now he was rushing to preside over the opening ceremony.

Wasn’t it all just for attention?

Her mocking gaze lingered on Chu Xiao until she noticed Xu Miaomiao weaving through the crowd to sidle up to him, flashing him a sweet smile.

Chu Ning’s brow twitched. Xu Miaomiao again? Wasn’t their little rendezvous in the dark enough? Did they have to flaunt it on set too?

Xu Miaomiao wasn’t just skilled at scheming, she was also adept at reading the room. Aside from Ye Zhixia, she had everyone else’s allegiances and stances figured out.

She knew full well about the strained relationship between Chu Xiao and Chu Ning, and how Chu Xiao relished overshadowing his younger sister at every turn.

“Women are inferior to men” was the phrase she detested most in this lifetime, yet when applied to her enemies, she found it utterly reasonable.

How could a fresh graduate, a mere green girl, possibly compare to a man with outstanding academic achievements, years of professional experience, and considerable accomplishments?

Since Chu Xiao had taken a dislike to her, the young Chu Ning had no choice but to endure the adversity, failure was inevitable.

Xu Miaomiao retreated to Chu Xiao’s side and, seizing the moment, handed him the incense sticks.

Chu Xiao took three incense sticks from Xu Miaomiao’s hand, flashed a bewitching smile, and pulled her close to stand beside him as they paid homage to the Bodhisattva together.

After offering incense to the statue, Chu Xiao and Xu Miaomiao even shared a lingering two-second gaze.

Watching the investor’s CEO take the lead in the ritual with her, everyone immediately understood that the two shared an unusual relationship.

Xiao Mi couldn’t help but marvel: Impressive. Borrowing power from the mighty, a trick learned from the ancestors.

If Ye Zhixia hadn’t known Xu Miaomiao, she would have assumed the girl was either ignorant of etiquette or a newcomer seeking protection. But now, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Xu Miaomiao’s closeness to Chu Xiao had ulterior motives.

Chu Ning, who had by then approached Ye Zhixia, also glanced at the overly affectionate pair by the altar. Both women involuntarily recalled the scene they had witnessed on the balcony that night.

A scheming adopted heir of a wealthy family and a pretentious actress with honeyed words and a venomous heart, who knew what secrets those two seconds of eye contact concealed?

“Hello, Miss Chu,” Bai Xin proactively extended her hand in greeting.

Chu Ning first glanced at Ye Zhixia, who gave a slight nod to confirm Bai Xin’s trustworthiness. Only then did Chu Ning smile and exchange pleasantries with her.

Though young, Bai Xin was exceptionally gifted and had graduated early abroad. Surrounded by older peers, she had honed her ability to read people, no less adept than Xu Miaomiao, and was well-versed in many matters.

Chu Ning’s subtle gesture didn’t escape Bai Xin’s notice. Her eyes sparkled, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as a naughty idea took root in her mind.

–

Everyone was well aware of Chu Xiao’s little scheme to make the crowd overlook Chu Ning, the true bloodline of the Chu family. Over time, it would become increasingly difficult for Chu Ning to establish herself in Tianxing Entertainment.

But Chu Ning hadn’t joined Tianxing Entertainment to confront Chu Xiao.

Her deliberate modesty wasn’t because she couldn’t compete with him, she simply didn’t see Tianxing Entertainment as worth her attention.

After the opening ceremony, filming commenced in full swing.

Whether for TV dramas or movies, shooting wasn’t conducted in chronological order. Instead, all related scenes at a single location were filmed as quickly as possible.

Considering the two newcomers in the cast, the director arranged a relatively simple first scene, and the day’s shoot proceeded smoothly.

Once filming wrapped up, Chu Ning took the initiative to approach Ye Zhixia, walking side by side with her as they left the set and headed to the restaurant.

Ye Zhixia knew Chu Ning must have something important to discuss, so she packed their meals and brought her back to her room.

They laid out the takeout boxes on a small table and ate quickly.

Chu Ning pulled portable mouthwash from her bag and handed one to Ye Zhixia.

Looking at the mouthwash in her hand, Ye Zhixia mused about the refined habits of the wealthy. She had brought mouthwash too to avoid inconveniencing her co-stars during scenes. But for Chu Ning, it was likely just her innate high standards for herself…

After freshening up, they settled side by side on the room’s sofa. Only then did Chu Ning speak softly:

“The Chu family has some recent developments. I’d like to discuss them with you.”

Ye Zhixia was now fully aware of Chu Ning’s trust in her, so she nodded solemnly and said, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

A hint of displeasure flashed in Chu Ning’s eyes. “Chen Yufen has returned to the Chu family.”

“What? How?” Ye Zhixia sat up straight in shock, her voice filled with disbelief.

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