There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Obscure Idol X Top Girl Group Member

Half an hour later, Ruan Jiyun, fully disguised, sat in a car silently driving away from the apartment.

The streets in the early hours of the morning were relatively empty, with only a few cars passing by. Jiang Peifeng drove herself, speeding with Ruan Jiyun toward the outskirts of the city.

The orange streetlights on both sides streamed across their faces, giving this sudden journey a surreal quality. Jiang Peifeng held the steering wheel with one hand and chuckled, “The way you’re looking at me makes me feel like I’m genuinely very attractive.”

This remark successfully made Ruan Jiyun’s cheeks flush, but she stubbornly refused to look away, continuing to gaze clearly at the person beside her: “Sister, how can a person become brave?”

Jiang Peifeng thought for a moment and replied: “Focus on yourself.”

“Popularity or awards, these are all supplementary. Don’t forget why you came here initially, what goal you want to achieve. Concentrate on moving in that direction, ignore the noise on the road, and keep your original intention.”

Ruan Jiyun whispered, “…But I’m a little scared now.”

She had just stepped onto this brilliant, star-studded path, but she hadn’t realized that the ground beneath it was a bottomless abyss. She walked on it like treading on thin ice, anxiously awaiting the clarification of the negative news, while feeling guilty and unable to predict whether people would still be looking forward to her tomorrow.

Jiang Peifeng said gently: “It’s okay. Haven’t I come for you?”

Her words reminded Ruan Jiyun. Her mind had been so scrambled earlier that she had just followed Jiang Peifeng out, even forgetting to ask their destination. She suddenly realized: “Right… Where are you taking me? Given my current situation, you shouldn’t be associating with me…”

In the past few days, she had keenly felt the excessively blunt warmth and coldness of the entertainment industry. Those who had once flocked around her, praising her limitless future, fled faster than anyone else after the negative news broke.

As she pondered, the car turned onto a park road and drove directly into an underground parking lot. Jiang Peifeng parked the car and gestured for Ruan Jiyun to follow her.

High heels echoed clearly on the empty concrete floor.

Ruan Jiyun followed behind Jiang Peifeng, a little lost, walking through the parking lot and taking another elevator. The steel cables made a slight sliding sound, carrying them toward an unknown location.

After a long time, the elevator stopped, revealing a pitch-black space outside the door.

Jiang Peifeng stepped out first. After taking two steps, she stopped as if remembering something and reached out her hand to Ruan Jiyun.

“I forgot this is probably your first time here. Hold my hand.”

Her slightly cool palm touched Ruan Jiyun’s hand. The darkness, like a form of protection, quietly covered the wildly pounding heart. Ruan Jiyun was led forward. In the dark, she couldn’t see her surroundings, only knowing they walked through a corridor-like passage and arrived in front of a door.

“I once heard a saying,” Jiang Peifeng said softly while holding her hand, “that stars only shine when the sky is darkest. So, as an idol, you shouldn’t be afraid of the dark, because that is your moment.”

She pushed open the door in front of them.

A vast stage unfolded before their eyes. Giant steel trusses crossed overhead, countless stage lights were scattered everywhere, and smoke machines, bubble machines, and pyrotechnics were neatly arranged, like soldiers awaiting battle. The seating below was empty, extending upward from the pit, stretching out of sight.

“In ten days, I will be holding a concert here. Miss Ruan, please allow me to invite you—to be my mystery guest.”

Sister Rong cheerfully handed her phone to Ruan Jiyun: “It’s announced, it’s announced! Mu Qing’s latest apology video!”

Just the day after Tianxing Media released the practice room footage, Mu Qing, who had been silent, appeared on a Xi Lang live stream. This time, her demeanor was more dejected. With a hoarse voice, she apologized to the public, stating that due to her immaturity, she had deliberately dragged down her former teammate, causing public misunderstanding and wasting public resources.

She also deeply recognized her mistake through this incident and decided to withdraw from the entertainment industry to study abroad and improve herself. In the live stream, Mu Qing hesitated repeatedly before finally apologizing to Ruan Jiyun and Huansheng Media.

“I wonder if she finally realized that even spreading more negative news wouldn’t increase her exposure.” After getting into the car, Sister Rong was still excited. Since the concert, Ruan Jiyun’s popularity had skyrocketed, and those resources that were previously on the fence were throwing out olive branches again, hoping to collaborate with her.

Now that Mu Qing’s issue was completely resolved and the rumors debunked, some good opportunities had returned.

What they were going to attend today was the audition for the renowned director Yan Sheng’s New Year film, The Legend of the Princess.

Director Yan Sheng is one of the domestic directors with the strongest box office appeal. She started as a cinematographer, specializing in filming grand and gorgeous story worlds, and is long dedicated to promoting traditional culture and creating a Chinese classical cinematic universe.

The Legend of the Princess is adapted from the popular big IP novel Stepping on the Grass, which tells the growth story of a princess in a fictional dynasty. The style is beautiful and enchanting, and the characters are brilliant, boasting countless book fans online.

The lead actors have long been finalized. The roles open for audition this time are several important supporting roles, mostly lovable characters like princesses of different countries and generals. Director Yan Sheng is famously known for discovering talented actors, and many traffic stars hope to collaborate with her.

The movie will be released during the New Year. Under Director Yan’s influence, the total investment is up to $300 million, and the props and set production are handled by top-tier teams. Even a small role in such a film is like hitting a career lottery.

Ruan Jiyun’s recommendation came through Tianxing’s connections. In the car, Sister Rong endlessly instructed her, mainly telling her to seize the opportunity and not waste such a top-tier resource.

The audition was directly arranged in a film and television city base. The Legend of the Princess had built an entire royal city set here, a very magnificent sight. Their car passed through layers of security before being allowed inside.

This was actually the second round of auditions. A month ago, Ruan Jiyun had already recorded her audition video and submitted it to the production team through Tianxing. After the initial screening, she was given the chance for a formal audition.

They waited in the lounge for a full half hour. After signing a pile of documents, including commitment letters and non-disclosure agreements, an assistant-like person came over to take Ruan Jiyun for costume fitting.

“Director Yan’s requirement is to perform directly in full makeup, as this better shows whether the actor is suitable for the role,” she said concisely. “The manager please wait here.”

Major directors usually have big rules. Sister Rong didn’t dare to delay and could only tell Ruan Jiyun to do well on her own.

The makeup area was several times larger than those Ruan Jiyun had been in before. The assistant arranged for her to prepare her look in one of the rooms.

The stylist was a young woman with a lively personality. While applying foundation to Ruan Jiyun, she praised her: “Xiao Ruan, your skin is so good, so smooth and tender, it makes me want to take a bite…”

She had worked on the makeup and styling for many celebrities, but she was still captivated by the girl in front of her. Her skin was like solidified milk curds, her lashes fine and dense, and below her eyelashes were a pair of clear, bright eyes with thin lids and upturned corners. Her pupils held a misty glow, naturally suited for the camera.

A beautiful person is always the best canvas. After carefully completing the facial makeup, the stylist brought her the costume. It was an exotic, light blue long dress, its skirt covered with sparkling embroidered patterns, looking very exquisite.

“I remember this dress should be paired with a jeweled belt… maybe someone misplaced it,” she rummaged through the clothes rack, feeling nothing was perfect. “You try on the dress here, and I’ll go look for it.”

Ruan Jiyun nodded obediently: “Thank you for the trouble.”

After the stylist left the room, she began to change. Although it was a supporting role costume, this dress was still meticulously crafted. The satin, resembling water ripples, shimmered. She carefully held the hem of the skirt, afraid of accidentally snagging it.

However, although the dress was beautiful, it was a bit difficult to put on. There was a hidden zipper at the back, and Ruan Jiyun tried several times but couldn’t reach it accurately.

Just then, the door of the dressing room was knocked twice. She guessed it must be the stylist returning. She covered her chest with one hand and moved to open the door.

“This zipper, I seem to be…” Before she finished her sentence, she froze on the spot.

The person standing at the door was not the stylist at all, but a smiling Jiang Peifeng.

Even though the air conditioning in the room was turned up high, the heat in her face was almost impossible to hide.

Jiang Peifeng noticed her embarrassment and smiled, explaining: “I ran into Sister Rong outside and heard you were here for the audition, so I came over to say hello…”

She gazed at the “little white flower” who was looking down and said nothing, feeling a little intrigued by her look.

Her long hair was pulled up into a bun, revealing a long, fair neck. The dress wasn’t completely fastened, and she was covering her chest with her hand. Jiang Peifeng regretfully withdrew her gaze and asked, “Do you need help?”

To refuse now would seem too deliberate. Besides, they were both girls. It was just Jiang Peifeng helping her with a zipper. Ruan Jiyun convinced herself and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz: “The zipper is too small. I can’t reach it…”

Saying this, she turned her back to Jiang Peifeng, signaling her to help zip it up.

A patch of soft, snow-like light suddenly entered Jiang Peifeng’s sight. Ruan Jiyun was slender, and her back appeared particularly thin and delicate. Her two graceful shoulder blades stood out clearly, and in the center was a charming, smooth curve that slightly dipped downward.

Jiang Peifeng recalled a photograph she had seen at an art exhibition: a pure white moon slowly emerging from a deep blue, profound night sky. The soft, wispy glow was mixed with a sense of pristine fragility. The sight before her was too captivating; the moon jumped into her vision again.

Her heart fluttered slightly. Following Ruan Jiyun’s indication, she sought out the zipper. However, it was indeed a difficult task. The zipper pull was hidden beneath the satin, and the smooth surface was hard to grip. She accidentally brushed the side of the person’s waist, and almost simultaneously, she felt a slight shiver transmit to her fingertips.

Jiang Peifeng almost couldn’t bear to move her fingers. After a few seconds, as if making up her mind, she held her breath, carefully gripped the zipper, and slowly pulled it up with the steadiest motion possible.

The bright moonlight was covered. Ruan Jiyun seemed to let out a sigh of relief. She turned back as if fleeing, laughing with an exaggerated tone: “That was close…”

She hadn’t expected Jiang Peifeng not to move. With this turn, the distance between the two instantly became too close, especially since Jiang Peifeng was still looking down, and Ruan Jiyun looked slightly up. Their eyes were unexpectedly locked together.

This isn’t right.

The thought surfaced in both their minds simultaneously. Logic told them to move apart immediately, but neither dared to be the first to move.

She’s shy again. Jiang Peifeng thought, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile. Her gaze noticed a few strands of loose hair falling below Ruan Jiyun’s bun, and she instinctively reached out to help tidy it.

Ruan Jiyun clearly misunderstood her intention. Her beautiful black eyes widened instantly, shining brightly with a kind of innocent air that made one want to tease her. She pursed her lips, the pink color full and soft, like a ripe berry, its skin trembling, as if a touch would reveal its sweetness…

Just when Jiang Peifeng felt the string named “willpower” in her mind was about to snap, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Wow, Jiang… Mentor Jiang…” The stylist, holding several belts, was slightly stunned seeing the two people in the room. “Oh, this… Do you have scenes today?”

The inexplicable intimate atmosphere in the room abruptly vanished. Ruan Jiyun turned her face away to cover her embarrassment, while Jiang Peifeng had already adjusted her expression in the first moment, smiling and nodding at the stylist.

“I won’t disturb you. Good luck with the audition,” her last sentence was directed at Ruan Jiyun. Seeing Ruan Jiyun’s face turn red again, she retrieved her gaze with a slight, contained laugh.

After she left, the stylist remembered her task and quickly found a belt: “This one almost got taken by someone else. This is the one that matches this dress best. Let me try it on you…”

Ruan Jiyun’s heart hadn’t settled down yet. While letting the stylist fix her clothes, she asked, “Is Mentor Jiang… also in this team?”

“Didn’t you know?” the stylist girl said. “She’s the lead actress for the film.”

Although Jiang Peifeng was a singing and dancing idol, she had several big-screen experiences. The musical film featuring her as the lead last year was a box office hit. Her performance in front of the camera was very strong, possessing a natural appeal. To invite her to star, Director Yan even specifically postponed the filming period by three months until her concert was over.

Ruan Jiyun hadn’t heard any of this inside information, but upon learning that she might have the opportunity to film with Jiang Peifeng in the same production, her inner joy couldn’t be contained, and her fighting spirit was ignited.

She must try her best to pass the audition!

Holding this determination to succeed, she walked into the studio.

The room for the audition performance was not too big, with only three scattered chairs. In the center sat a middle-aged woman in a linen shirt, short hair, and a somewhat severe gaze behind silver-rimmed glasses—Director Yan Sheng.

Sitting to her right, however, was a familiar face.

Jiang Peifeng’s gaze slightly paused when she saw Ruan Jiyun walk into the room.

In the dressing room, she hadn’t noticed the “little white flower’s” complete look. The light blue long dress was cinched into a narrow waist by a jeweled belt, but the skirt spread outwards, draping like water ripples to her feet, looking… uncannily familiar.

“Xiao Ruan… the styling suits you very well,” Director Yan looked up at the person in front of her. “Try out for the role of the Jing Dynasty Princess.”

Jiang Peifeng felt as if something gently plucked a string in her mind.

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