The Scumbag Attackers Regretted It Deeply After My Death - Chapter 27

Yao Anna raised an eyebrow, feeling surprised. In her past life, Yao Zhenzhen had secured the lead role through Jiang Nian’an. In this life, she was actually willing to take the fifth female lead just to be in Phoenix Reborn?

At that moment, Agent Lin walked up to them, beaming. “Long time no sees! Director Zou is as handsome as ever—hardly different from the young idols these days.”

“Oh? Really?” Zou Zhaoming replied expressionlessly. “I’m forty-five this year. I’m not young anymore.” He let out a cold snort. “If your eyesight is failing, Agent Lin, why don’t you donate your eyes to someone who can actually use them?”

“…”

Agent Lin froze, choked into silence by the director’s bluntness. Wasn’t this just standard small talk? What’s wrong with Director Zou? Did he eat gunpowder this morning?

Confused, Agent Lin looked at Yao Anna, who was standing beside the director, and began winking at her as if they were the best of friends.

Tsk.

Yao Anna lifted her eyelids and gave Agent Lin a flat look. The agent’s frantic winking made her look like an embarrassing clown. It was laughable—what made Agent Lin think they were close? If it was something Anna had done to give that impression, she’d happily change it.

Meeting Yao Anna’s calm, ripple less gaze, Agent Lin was stunned. This was their first meeting since Anna’s illness. The Omega’s eyes felt mocking. Earlier at the entrance, Yao Zhenzhen had told her that Yao Anna seemed like a different person; she hadn’t believed it then… but now, it was clear that Yao Anna truly had changed!

Yao Zhenzhen’s appearance caused the crowd to gasp. Many presents were well aware of the grudge between the two sisters. Beyond the well-known “role-stealing” incident, the gossip about Yao Zhenzhen and Jiang Nian’an being inseparable was constant. Most industry veterans followed the news—after all, given Jiang Nian’an’s status, it was hard to ignore!

“No way, didn’t Director Zou reject that ‘Sly Yao’? Why is she here? To humiliate herself?”

“Inside word is that President Jiang pulled strings to get her in. Fifth female lead. Didn’t she used to claim she’d never take anything lower than second lead?”

“Pfft, this is hilarious. Even if she’s here, what can she do? Now that she’s in Miss Yao’s hands, do you think she’ll have a good time?”

“Who knows? Maybe she likes being mistreated.”

“Ugh, someone actually has such a disgusting masochistic kink?”

The crowd whispered. Their voices weren’t loud, but they were clear enough for Yao Zhenzhen to hear. Hearing them call her “Sly Yao” over and over, she felt a surge of rage, wanting nothing more than to tear their faces apart.

But she couldn’t. She had to endure. Otherwise, she might lose even this minor role in Phoenix Reborn.

Director Zou glanced coldly at the approaching Yao Zhenzhen. Since Jiang Nian’an had arranged her placement, he couldn’t make things too difficult for her publicly. Fearing a scene between the two sisters, he turned to Yao Anna and said warmly, “Anna, everyone is waiting. Go to the dressing room first. While you’re there, check if the Alpha lead’s makeup is finished.”

“Alright.”

Yao Anna understood his intent. she had no desire to waste words with Yao Zhenzhen anyway. Seeing that “White Lotus” face annoyed her to death. She turned and headed toward the inner dressing room.

The large banquet hall had only two private rooms: one for the leads and another for changing. The supporting actors all had to use the common area in the hall.

Seeing Yao Anna leave, Agent Lin quickly said to the director, “I’ll go accompany Anna, Director Zou. Please, carry on.”

The director gave her a chilling look, thinking it was about time she remembered Anna was her artist. He nodded slightly and ignored her.

Agent Lin’s expression was awkward. Director Zou could disrespect her, but she didn’t dare retaliate. With his status, blacklisting her artists would be effortless. She bowed respectfully and hurried after Yao Anna.

“Anna! Wait for me!”

The New Alpha Lead

Yao Anna didn’t look back. She didn’t want to deal with this two-faced woman. She quickened her pace and pushed open the dressing room door. The Alpha sitting in front of the vanity mirror turned at the sound.

Their eyes met, and both froze.

“Rong Jingxi?”

“How is it you!”

Looking at the surprised Yao Anna, a dark glint flashed in Rong Jingxi’s eyes, quickly replaced by a bright smile. “Sister Anna.”

The Alpha’s makeup was already done, and the stylist was finishing her hair. With sharp brows and starry eyes, she looked incredibly heroic. Yao Anna was struck by a sense of wonder—Rong Jingxi in traditional costume truly captured the essence of the female lead!

The dressing room was temporary, featuring two mirrors. One was clearly for her. Anna sat down, propping her chin on her hand as she studied Rong Jingxi. Dressed in black, the Alpha looked dashing and powerful.

“Miss Yao, I’ll finish Miss Rong’s styling before starting yours,” the stylist said.

Anna nodded. “No problem. You work; I’ll just chat with her.”

She was genuinely curious. Why had Director Zou replaced the original Alpha lead with Rong Jingxi? Was this the “Butterfly Effect” of her rebirth?

“Wasn’t Lu Fanqing supposed to be the Alpha lead? Why the change?”

The Omega asked directly. Rong Jingxi tilted her head, showing no offense, and explained patiently. “Sister Anna, you didn’t know?”

Anna blinked. “Know what?”

She knew the director wanted to replace the lead—he had called her for her opinion yesterday afternoon—but she hadn’t chosen anyone. Rong Jingxi’s tone made her feel like she had missed something.

Rong Jingxi curled her lips into a meaningful smile. “Lu Fanqing was exposed for having depression. To ensure the production could start normally, Director Zou signed me as the other female lead.”

What? Depression?

Anna frowned. She remembered Lu Fanqing being perfectly fine in her past life. There had been no such scandals. Was this also a result of the timeline shifting?

“So Director Zou terminated Lu Fanqing’s contract?”

“No.” Rong Jingxi looked deeply at her, then shifted her gaze back to the mirror. She said softly, “Lu Fanqing is playing the third Alpha lead. She’s the CP (couple) for Yao Zhenzhen’s fifth lead character.”

“One with depression, one blacklisted by the whole internet…” Rong Jingxi mused. “Tsk. A match made in heaven.”

Anna burst out laughing. She hadn’t realized Rong Jingxi was so humorous. “What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?”

Anna didn’t argue. “Right, right. You’re absolutely right.”

In the previous life, they were the first Alpha lead and the first Female lead. Now, they were a third-tier Alpha and a fifth-tier female. It really did fit Rong Jingxi’s description.

“Anna!”

Agent Lin ran in out of breath, only to see Anna and Rong Jingxi chatting and laughing. She froze, immediately becoming defensive. She approached Anna, sizing up the Alpha. She knew Rong Jingxi—the rising “Little Fresh Alpha.”

Two years ago, Rong Jingxi had debuted through a girl group survival show, eventually becoming the leader. Since the group disbanded six months ago, she had become the most popular member with a massive fanbase, active in fashion and variety shows.

As a professional agent, Lin knew exactly who she was dealing with.

The agent’s gaze was unfriendly. Just as Rong Jingxi was about to speak to ease the tension, the stylist finished. “Miss Rong is ready. Miss Yao, shall we begin?”

Anna nodded, but Agent Lin spoke up, unhappy that Rong Jingxi was still sitting there. “Wasn’t Lu Fanqing the Alpha lead? When did the lead change? Director Zou didn’t tell us.”

The air went still. The stylist didn’t dare speak and silently began prepping Anna’s makeup.

Anna sat lazily, watching Agent Lin through the mirror. She wanted to see what the agent was trying to achieve by picking a fight with Rong Jingxi.

Rong Jingxi frowned imperceptibly. She stood up, looking down at Agent Lin from her height. Truly bringing up the one thing that shouldn’t be mentioned!

She had just managed to gloss over the details with Anna, and now this agent was digging for reasons. Her gaze turned icy, though she quickly smoothed her expression back into a polite mask.

“Senior Lu took a secondary script for personal reasons,” Rong Jingxi said calmly. “I am the lead now.”

Agent Lin stared at her, not missing that momentary flash of coldness. She stammered, “Really? Then why didn’t Director Zou notify me?”

“That,” Rong Jingxi replied, “is something you should ask Director Zou.”