The Stand-in is Exceptionally Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 31.1

Chapter 31: The CEO and Her Canary

◎”A bit of a bother”◎

The crowd slowly parted. Lin Jing stood up from her chair, her expression eager, wanting to see who this big shot was that even the directors had to bow and scrape to.

But before she could get close, the associate director, who was clearing the way, pushed her aside. “Don’t block Ms. Lou’s path.”

“Ms. Lou, you see, our film set is all built with…”

Lin Jing stumbled, her body lurching. She steadied herself by grabbing a chair, her face full of displeasure.

But her unhappiness vanished when she saw the person at the center of attention, surrounded by everyone like a moon surrounded by stars. It was replaced by a kind of delighted shock.

Lou Bianxia, CEO of Suimu Group, with a net worth of hundreds of billions, was the most powerful and prestigious woman in Lichang. But she was low-key and mysterious, rarely giving interviews or appearing in public.

The only reason Lin Jing recognized her was from a high-society banquet that Sun Yi had taken her to.

The woman in the blue spaghetti-strap dress stood among the powerful elites, her expression aloof and sharp. Facing the enthusiasm and flattery of the people around her, she only nodded occasionally, her eyes full of indifference and detachment.

The crowd seemed used to her proud and condescending attitude and didn’t seem annoyed. They even felt a sense of submission.

With a graceful and beautiful figure, she wore an exquisite and beautiful blue rose brooch on her left chest. The dark blue petals were lifelike and bloomed with a seductive charm, just like the person herself—a natural sense of elegance and nonchalance that came from the depths of her bones.

Lou Bianxia leisurely swirled a glass of red wine in her right hand, her stunningly beautiful profile slightly turned toward the night outside the window, revealing from head to toe a lack of interest in the banquet.

The Sun family also had a cooperation project with Suimu, so Lin Jing took Sun Yi’s arm and walked over with him.

A new investment hotshot, who frequently appeared in financial magazines, was talking animatedly in front of Lou Bianxia, but it was not hard to hear that he was trying to secure a partnership.

Lou Bianxia’s eyelids lifted slightly, and she gave the man a cold glance. “Suimu won’t spend money on gimmicks. No matter how much you talk it up, if the project is not up to par, a partnership is out of the question.”

The investment hotshot fell silent, looking embarrassed. Sun Yi took the opportunity to squeeze in.

“Ms. Lou, you look so beautiful today. That must be Vivian’s haute couture this year.” His eyes lingered on Lou Bianxia’s curvaceous figure, and he inwardly sighed that she was a rare beauty.

But Lou Bianxia didn’t even bother to acknowledge him and took a step to the side.

Sun Yi’s smile was awkward. The Sun family was considered upper-middle class in the social circle, yet Lou Bianxia had completely ignored him.

He blocked Lou Bianxia’s path, his eyebrows raised. “Ms. Lou, is there something about the Sun family that you’re unhappy with?”

Lou Bianxia crossed her arms, her eyes as cold as a sharp blade, piercing him painfully. “The Sun family? Does the Sun family have someone like you?”

“I’ll have to have a good talk with Mr. Sun another day. When a family is poorly brought up, it’s hard for me to believe his ability to manage a company.”

Sun Yi’s face turned ashen. He listened to the whispers of the people around him. Who didn’t know that the eldest son of the Sun family was a useless playboy who couldn’t be helped?

Other than indulging in pleasures, he didn’t manage any business. The women by his side, however, were changed every few days.

Lin Jing’s face was flushed red. She quietly removed her hand from Sun Yi’s arm, but her eyes kept looking at Lou Bianxia, who was walking away.

…

Lin Jing had thought Lou Bianxia was an unattainable person she would never have any connection with in her life. Now that she had suddenly appeared in front of her, Lin Jing suppressed her excitement and carefully straightened her clothes.

Lou Bianxia rested her hand on her chin, her gaze scanning the set’s props and equipment. “I trust the filming process hasn’t encountered any difficulties?”

Director Wang’s cheeks flushed red with joy at her words. “No difficulties, no difficulties. The film will definitely be released on schedule.”

He didn’t know why Snow Buried Gold had caught Lou Bianxia’s eye, but the film’s release date, which was their biggest concern, was now set for the Lunar New Year.

This was no different from a windfall.

“I heard that the lead actors for the film have all been decided?” Lou Bianxia asked casually, her expression flat.

Director Wang: “Yes, their acting skills are definitely good. Why? Do you want to meet them?”

Lou Bianxia was about to speak when she heard an unusually loud and high-pitched voice.

“Ms. Lou!”

Lin Jing pushed through the crowd and walked up to Ms. Lou, her voice full of surprise. “Ms. Lou, it’s been a long time.”

Lou Bianxia found the voice particularly grating and frowned. Who is this person?

Lin Jing said with a big smile, “I’m Lin Jing. We met at a banquet before.”

Jian Ke held her skirt up and watched as Lin Jing, like a showy peacock, flocked to Lou Bianxia’s side.

Lou Bianxia looked unruffled on the surface, but Jian Ke could accurately sense that she was feeling a stomach ache at that moment and couldn’t help but want to burst out laughing.

She heard the staff members nearby whispering. “Ms. Lou? Which Ms. Lou? Could it be the one from Suimu Group?”

“Who else could it be? I can’t believe I’m seeing her in person today.”

“Lin Jing actually knows her. Could her backer be Ms. Lou? Oh my… Ms. Lou has such terrible taste…”

Jian Ke’s eyes were tearing up from trying to hold back her laughter. …Hahaha… Ms. Lou, her reputation has been inexplicably damaged.

Lou Bianxia heard Lin Jing introduce herself and her eyes froze. She lifted her chin slightly, her clear voice devoid of any emotion. “You’re Lin Jing?”

Director Wang, who was at her side, hadn’t expected Lin Jing to know Lou Bianxia. He quickly introduced her. “Lin Jing is a lead actor in our film. She trains hard and acts well. I’m confident that after the film is released…”

Lou Bianxia interrupted impatiently, her voice serious and low. “Isn’t the female lead of Snow Buried Gold Jian Ke? Are you playing a joke on me?!”

The atmosphere, which had been relatively harmonious, immediately dropped to freezing point because of Lou Bianxia’s question.

Lou Bianxia: “Trains hard? Acts well? Director Wang, you have a surprising ability to talk nonsense with your eyes wide open.”

Director Wang stammered, not daring to speak. “This…”

Lou Bianxia: “Director Wang, can an actor who can’t act still be called an actor? The script for Snow Buried Gold is indeed good, but you can’t let a single rat turd ruin a whole pot of porridge, can you?”

Lin Jing’s face was stiff. She clearly saw the disdain and disgust in Lou Bianxia’s eyes, as if she were a foul-smelling fly.

A chill ran through her body.

“Ms. Lou, I…”

Lou Bianxia looked at Director Wang. “I don’t want my investment to go down the drain. You should understand what I mean.”

With that, she waved her hand for the crowd to part and walked straight toward Jian Ke, who was trying to stifle her laughter.

She felt both amused and annoyed.

Does she enjoy seeing me in a difficult position so much?

—So, Lou Bianxia’s lips curved into a soft, gentle arc.

“Xiao Jian, you’ve been working hard these past few days, haven’t you? Do you want me to give you a massage?”

The overly gentle tone scared Jian Ke so much that she almost choked. She coughed a few times and quickly patted her chest.

Lou Bianxia’s words were truly shocking. The noisy training base fell silent, and shocked stares were directed at Jian Ke.

In an instant, Jian Ke became the center of attention.

Jian Ke screamed inwardly: Where’s your aloofness? Where’s your cold arrogance?

Don’t break your character in front of everyone!

Lou Bianxia walked closer and affectionately patted Jian Ke’s back. “Why are you coughing? It seems the air in this base is too stuffy. I’ll have someone install a few more air purifiers.”

Jian Ke gave her a polite smile. “No need, Ms. Lou.” I was just scared by you for a moment.

“I was driving by the base and remembered that you were filming Snow Buried Gold recently, so I came over. Have you been happy here?”

Jian Ke: “…I’ve been happy.”

Lou Bianxia: “I’m glad you’re happy. I was a little worried when I heard someone was bullying you.”

Jian Ke was stunned. She subconsciously looked at Lin Jing, who was in the corner with a pale, shaky face.

How did Lou Bianxia know?

So… she came specifically to back me up?

“Oh, right.” Lou Bianxia suddenly raised her hand. An assistant ran over and handed the bouquet of blue roses that had been prepared to Jian Ke.

The flowers were in full bloom, magnificent and unrestrained. Dark veins on the delicate petals held a drop of water. Jian Ke carefully held them, couldn’t help but lower her head to sniff the elegant, alluring, and mysterious fragrance.

Jian Ke looked up.

Lou Bianxia gave her a wink. “Don’t you love blue roses the most? This is a gift from me, your fan. Do you like it?”

Under the gaze of so many people, Jian Ke felt a little shy. Her ears turned red, and she nodded.

She really did love them.

“Ms. Lou, it’s been a while. How about we go to the lounge to chat?” Jian Ke said, enduring the “attention” of the crowd. Afraid that Lou Bianxia would do something even more shocking, she quickly reached out and tugged at her sleeve, her eyes full of pleading.

Lou Bianxia’s gaze swept over the others who were secretly looking over. “Alright.”

When they met her cold, warning eyes, everyone quickly lowered their heads in fear, no longer daring to look around.

After the two of them had walked away, a lively discussion broke out.

“She is really so beautiful in person. It’s a waste of her gorgeous face that she’s not in the entertainment industry.”

“Ms. Lou is Jian Ke’s fan! I’ve never heard that before.”

“I’m kind of shipping her and Jian Ke, what should I do? But I’m a firm JianZhi shipper. I’m sorry, Zhi Zhi, I’m just cheating for a few seconds.”

“I’m dying of laughter. Ms. Lou came specifically to see Jian Ke, and someone still shamelessly went up to her. How scheming. She didn’t even bother to check who she was, just blindly tried to connect with her.”

“Who told her to be so dramatic and jump around? She hit a landmine this time. Ms. Lou personally spoke, and even the associate director couldn’t protect her.”

“Lin Jing’s career is probably over in the entertainment industry. Thank you, Ms. Lou, for getting rid of a big scourge.”

Lin Jing’s head was spinning as she listened to everyone’s words. How was I supposed to know that a newcomer would know Lou Bianxia? If I had known she had such a powerful backer, I wouldn’t have dared to provoke Jian Ke.

Director Wang walked up to Lin Jing. “This is the situation. Ms. Lou has spoken, and we’ll have to find another actor for your role.”

Lin Jing’s voice trembled as she pleaded. If she was replaced this time, no crew would ever dare to hire her again.

“Replacing an actor on short notice will definitely affect the film’s production. And we’ve signed a contract. You can’t replace me.”

Director Wang’s eyes widened. “You’re talking about the contract now? The contract clearly states that you can’t juggle multiple projects at once. You were the one who breached the contract first. I should be asking you for a penalty.”

“I told you about the other project before. Didn’t you all turn a blind eye to it?” Lin Jing anxiously turned to the associate director. “Associate Director, it was Young Master Sun who…”

The associate director quickly interrupted. “No one’s words matter now. You should leave quickly.”

How could a useless and unambitious playboy be compared to the decisive and awe-inspiring Lou Bianxia?

…

Jian Ke’s lounge was not far. After Lou Bianxia told her assistant to go back, she went inside.

Jian Ke was one step behind her, glaring at Xiao Yang, who was sensibly standing outside the door. “Traitor!”

Xiao Yang lowered her head and stammered, “I just couldn’t stand… Lin Jing bullying you like that, so I casually told… Ms. Lou.”

“Casually? Are you my assistant or Lou Bianxia’s assistant? Why do you tell her everything? I’m the one who pays you.”

Xiao Yang muttered, “Ms. Lou wanted to pay me, but I righteously refused.”

Jian Ke: …

The lounge door closed. Jian Ke placed the flowers on the table. Although her movements were careful, a few petals of the delicate blue roses still fell off.

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