The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 46

It wasn’t until a month later that Ning Xiao heard about Zhao Mengting again.

The weather was turning colder. When Ning Xiao woke up and opened her eyes, she found Yun Can’er nestled contentedly in her arms, her small face flushed from sleep. Lately, Can’er had been rehearsing late every night for her final stage play as the female lead.

Reluctant to wake her, Ning Xiao kissed her forehead and reached for her phone to browse Weibo. Passing over the entertainment gossip, she clicked on the local news and saw the headline: #Young Woman Dies in Tragic Car Accident#.

The name in the report was familiar: Zhao Mengting.

According to the news, Zhao Mengting had been in a taxi heading to work at a club. The driver, Wang Zhuo, had lost control due to fatigue, crashing into the greenery. The passenger side slammed directly into a lamppost, killing Zhao Mengting instantly. Wang Zhuo, however, escaped with only minor injuries.

“Ning-ning, what are you looking at? You look so heavy-hearted,” Yun Can’er murmured, blinking her eyes open.

Ning Xiao showed her the news. Yun Can’er’s eyes widened in shock. “This… Uncle Wang? He was driving the taxi Zhao Mengting took, and she died in the accident?!”

Ning Xiao placed a finger over her lips. “Just read it and let it go. Don’t bring it up again.”

Yun Can’er frowned. “Will Uncle Wang go to prison?”

“If it’s ruled a simple traffic accident, three years at most. If it wasn’t an accident…” Ning Xiao didn’t finish the sentence.

Zhao Mengting’s relatives were either in prison, bankrupt, or had fled abroad. The police couldn’t find a single family member to claim her ashes; eventually, the Zhao family’s former nanny took them. Since Wang Zhuo had no prior record regarding his daughter’s suicide and there was no evidence of foul play, he was eventually sentenced to one and a half years for the traffic fatality.

In the second semester of her sophomore year, Yun Can’er was recommended by her professor for a role in a literary film directed by Yuan Wenxiao.

Yuan Wenxiao was aiming for awards and had auditioned countless actresses without finding his leading lady. With filming imminent, he turned to his old classmate, Rong Shengbang, Yun Can’er’s acting teacher.

Rong Shengbang didn’t hesitate. “Old Yuan, you’ve come to the right person. I’m introducing my star pupil, Yun Can’er. Her age, looks, and temperament are exactly what you need, and her acting is solid—not like those flighty kids who get a bit of fame and lose their heads.”

Two days later, Ning Xiao accompanied Yun Can’er to the audition at a downtown office building.

Inside the meeting room, they met Director Yuan and the screenwriter, Liu Qiyuan. When they saw the two girls enter, their eyes lit up especially when they looked at Can’er.

“Are you here for the audition?” Liu Qiyuan asked, stroking his groomed beard.

“Hello, Screenwriter Liu, Director Yuan. I’m Yun Can’er, here to audition for the lead.”

“Come in, sit down,” Yuan Wenxiao said, rubbing his temples. “We’re waiting for one more person to audition with you.”

Liu Qiyuan looked at Ning Xiao curiously. “Are you two classmates?” He assumed Ning Xiao was also an actress.

“We were high school classmates,” Can’er explained.

“Is she from the Film Academy too? Or the Communication University?”

Can’er’s lips curled into a proud smile. “Neither. Ning-ning is at Hua University.”

Liu Qiyuan was stunned. “Hua University! That’s impressive.”

Ning Xiao smoothed Can’er’s hair and added with a smile, “I might be at Hua University, but I’m not as excellent as Can’er. She was our province’s top scorer in the Science stream. She only chose the Film Academy because she loves acting.”

Yuan Wenxiao was genuinely impressed. “A top scorer choosing the Film Academy?! You’ve got guts, little girl!”

Yun Can’er smiled modestly. “I saw The Poppy years ago and decided then that if I became an actress, I had to work with Director Yuan. I didn’t expect the opportunity to come so soon.”

Flattered, Yuan Wenxiao laughed heartily. “Well, I’m already biased toward you. Ning Xiao is a bit too tall for this specific character anyway.”

“Oh, you misunderstand,” Ning Xiao interjected. “I’m not here to audition. I’m Can’er’s temporary manager.”

Yun Can’er turned to her with a grin. “And my boss.”

The atmosphere was harmonious until Xu Chun knocked and entered.

Xu Chun had obtained the script early through an assistant director and had practiced meticulously at home, even designing specific “character quirks.” She was determined to win this role.

She walked in with a graceful, confident smile. “Hello, Screenwriter Liu, Director Yuan. I am Xu Chun.”

Yuan Wenxiao nodded. “Good. The two of you will compete for the role. I’ll give you each a scene to perform.”

When Yun Can’er and Ning Xiao stood up and turned around, Xu Chun’s breath hitched. While she had to “act” the part, Yun Can’er naturally embodied the character’s temperament, she looked exactly like the person described in the script.

Xu Chun felt a prickle of annoyance. Her family had already made arrangements; as long as the director approved, the role should have been hers. She hadn’t expected this “Yun Can’er” to appear out of nowhere.

Watching the scene, Ning Xiao felt the name “Xu Chun” was strangely familiar. Then it clicked.

Xu Chun was the child swapped with Yun Can’er at birth.

Xu Chun was the real daughter of Yao Xiangying and Yun Yi, while Yun Can’er was actually the heiress of the wealthy Xu family in Shangcheng. In the original novel, the details of the swap were vague, but Xu Chun had grown up in the lap of luxury while Can’er grew up neglected. Ning Xiao suspected Yao Xiangying had known the truth for a long time, which explained her coldness toward Can’er.

The audition began with a draw. Xu Chun drew a heavy crying scene, while Can’er drew a segment with almost no dialogue, relying entirely on her eyes.

“I’ll go first, Director Yuan,” Xu Chun said quickly. “I memorize lines fast and immerse myself easily.”

Yuan Wenxiao looked at Can’er. “What do you think? First or second?”

“Either is fine,” Can’er replied confidently.

While Xu Chun performed, Ning Xiao and Can’er waited outside. After five minutes, Xu Chun walked out with reddened eyes and a triumphant look. “You can go in now.”

Can’er gave Ning Xiao a small look. Ning Xiao ruffled her hair. “Good luck.”

Revitalized, Can’er marched into the room.

Outside, Xu Chun approached Ning Xiao. “You’re accompanying her to auditions? With your looks, you could definitely get a role in the crew.”

“Mhm,” Ning Xiao replied coldly, not interested in chatting.

Xu Chun, sensing the coldness, tried a different tactic. “Yun Can’er looks like she has quite the scheme. She auditions for the lead but doesn’t let you try out? That doesn’t seem very fair for a friend.”

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