When the Villainess Transmigrates as the Heroine of a Sadistic Novel [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Entertainment Industry Arc

At every major film festival, the red carpet photos of female stars become a hot topic of discussion second only to the awards themselves. Even halfway across the globe, this topic topped the trending searches that very night. As fresh faces at the festival, the comparison between Ning Yunqing and Ding Xiaoyao broke into the top five of the search rankings.

This was the first time Ding Xiaoyao had ever trended. Theoretically, she should have been happy, but reading the comments, she couldn’t suppress her inner rage. “Who is Ding Xiaoyao?” “Just another carpet star leeching off the event, right?” “Look at that dress; her chest is practically falling out.” “Clinging to Young Master Yin wow, the Yin/Ning/Ding drama is the play of the year!” “Compared to Director Yin’s lead actress, Ning Yunqing, this carpet star is a total failure.”

How was she a total failure?! She was a student at a legitimate film academy; how could she not compare to a “fraud” who dropped out of high school?! Ding Xiaoyao huffed in anger. Seeing this, Yin Ziming came over to embrace her. “What’s wrong? Didn’t I say I only went over there to say hello?”

Mentioning that only made her angrier. Ding Xiaoyao balled her fists tightly, but a second later, she coiled around Yin Ziming like a snake, acting coy. “Ziming, I only came to accompany you, but look—everyone says I’m just here to leech off the red carpet.” She shoved the “carpet star” comments on her phone in front of his face. Seeing him frown, she put on a pitiful act. “Maybe I should just go back. I’ll accompany you again when I actually have a film of my own.”

Yin Ziming had a brainless, show-off persona; the moment Ding Xiaoyao said this, he fell right into the trap. “No need! Is Shihua Shadows so small that it doesn’t have a movie for you to act in?” Looking at the comments belittling Ding Xiaoyao to praise Ning Yunqing, and thinking of Ning Yunqing’s coldness today, he snorted.

“When I get back, I’ll arrange a big production for you! We’ll release it before the domestic film festivals at the end of the year! Ignore those boring people. What does a fraud like Ning Yunqing count for? Hmph! I’ll make her play a supporting role for you!”

“Ziming, you’re the best,” Ding Xiaoyao whispered, leaning into his arms with a hypocritical smile.

The day the film festival closed happened to be the day the Gaokao scores were released. As a high-profile rising star, Ning Yunqing’s results became a massive topic. Reporters waited at the venue early, surrounding Ning Yunqing and the others like a whirlwind the moment they appeared. “Ning Yunqing, scores are out today. Have you checked yours?” “Are you nervous?” “How did you do?”

Yin Fengxuan gave a look to the nearby security guards, who used their bodies to wall off the enthusiastic reporters, giving Ning Yunqing some space. Ning Yunqing said with a gentle smile, “You all know I’m very poor; I don’t own any electronic devices.”

The reporters froze for a moment. Seeing her calm expression, they peeked at Yin Fengxuan. “Director Yin, we heard Ning Yunqing signed with your studio. You didn’t even provide her with a phone or computer?”

Yin Fengxuan cast a glance at Ning Yunqing but said nothing. This bad girl is actually complaining to outsiders that I’m being harsh on her?

Pretending not to notice, Ning Yunqing told the reporters, “How about this: I see you all have phones. Is anyone willing to help me check?”

Yin Fengxuan glanced at her again, wanting to stop her for fear of embarrassment, but the enthusiastic reporters were already waving their phones. “We’re all willing!”

Ning Yunqing took a phone from the nearest person and entered her information. Just as she was about to hit search, she stopped and looked at the reporters with a troubled expression. “Suddenly, I’m a bit nervous.”

“Don’t worry! We all wish you a great score. If you’re nervous, I’ll look for you,” the reporters said, reaching out, eager to snatch the phone back.

Ning Yunqing hesitated, her finger hovering. Yin Fengxuan, standing beside her, thought the girl had finally regretted her bravado. She snorted and snatched the phone away. She originally intended to check it herself first; if the score was high, she’d show the reporters, and if it was low, she’d close the page and hand it back.

To her shock, the moment she clicked open the page, she was stunned. That score? Is it really Ning Yunqing’s? She looked at the girl beside her in astonishment. The girl was smiling innocently with a hint of feigned nervousness. “Director Yin?”

The reporters followed suit: “Director Yin, how much did she get?”

Yin Fengxuan didn’t answer them; she simply turned the phone screen around to face them.

“666!” My god. Not a point more, not a point less. It was exactly 666! That is truly “lit” (666)! The reporters felt blinded by the number. The owner of the phone snatched it back to double-check the name it really was Ning Yunqing. The legend who dropped out of high school and only studied at home for three or four months scored a 666? They had studied hard for years and hadn’t gotten a score that high!

“Ah,” Ning Yunqing said, appearing somewhat surprised. She had intentionally held back to get a lucky number, and it actually worked out. How interesting. She glanced at the person beside her, looking as if she were seeking a reward.

Yin Fengxuan’s lips curved into a smile. “Alright, you have the score. We need to enter the venue now. I hope you all support our new film, Morning Dew.”

“Definitely, definitely!” The reporters remained dazed, watching their retreating backs for a long time. 666 points… they wondered what the admission cutoffs would be this year. Could Ning Yunqing achieve her “small goal”?

That night, Ning Yunqing’s score topped the trending searches again. Countless students offered their “worship” in the comments. Some who had previously called her stupid apologized, others shut up, and a few bitter ones continued to troll: “She only studied for a few months and got that high? She must have used a ghost-taker.” Regardless of what they said, the derogatory title of “Intellectually Disabled Goddess” was officially stripped from her.

A few days after the “score fever,” she trended again. This time the topic was: “Has Ning Yunqing achieved her small goal?”

This was the most-asked question while she was promoting the film with Yin Fengxuan. To this, Ning Yunqing simply expressed her gratitude for the concern, saying that the admission letter hadn’t arrived yet and it was too early to say, blah blah blah.

Watching her, Yin Fengxuan felt she truly couldn’t see through this girl. Great acting, great grades, great looks… if the girl weren’t standing right in front of her, she would suspect she was a “Mary Sue” protagonist from a novel.

Will such an outstanding girl drift further and further away from me in the future? Yin Fengxuan felt a twinge of panic.

“Fengxuan.” After a busy day, Ning Yunqing knocked on Yin Fengxuan’s hotel room door.

Yin Fengxuan felt a surge of emotion but gave a lukewarm response. “Something the matter?”

Ning Yunqing nodded. “Fengxuan, I just read a horror story. Could… could you let me in? I’m a bit scared.”

She sounded sincere. Seeing her in her nightgown and not wanting her to be seen by passersby, Yin Fengxuan opened the door. Ning Yunqing walked in obediently and sat right on the bed. “Fengxuan, I… I can’t sleep.”

You can’t sleep, so you come here to make sure I can’t sleep either? Truly a bad girl. Yin Fengxuan looked at her crossly. “You’re a grown woman; what kind of story could scare you like this?”

Before she could finish, Ning Yunqing began recounting the tale a ghost story set in a hotel that mirrored their current environment. Yin Fengxuan’s face turned pale. She had intended to comfort the girl, but why did the girl have to tell the story!

“Oh,” Yin Fengxuan responded, trying to act nonchalant, but her slightly trembling hands betrayed her.

Ning Yunqing laughed secretly. Her Fengxuan was the same as ever—even after so much, she still held a deep reverence for the supernatural. Looking hesitant, she said pointedly, “Fengxuan, if I’m bothering your rest, I should probably leave.”

Yin Fengxuan was terrified now; there was no way she’d let her leave. She glanced at her, beckoned her to sit closer, and narrowed her eyes. “Are you going back to be scared on your own, or are you planning to find someone else, hmm?”

“I… I…” Ning Yunqing acted like a bashful young wife, sitting close to Yin Fengxuan and stammering, “I’m just afraid of bothering you.”

You already bothered me! Yin Fengxuan huffed. Looking at the girl’s slender frame, she pouted slightly. “Why don’t you ever put on any weight?” She herself had gained a few pounds.

“I…” Ning Yunqing didn’t know how to answer. Yin Fengxuan didn’t expect one. The AC was blowing cold air, and combined with the ghost story, the atmosphere felt even chillier. Yin Fengxuan turned up the temperature slightly, climbed into the covers, and seeing Ning Yunqing sitting there looking “dazed and cute,” she urged softly:

“Get in. Do you plan on sitting by the bed all night?”

The corners of Ning Yunqing’s lips curled up. She gave an affirmative reply and climbed into bed with light steps, thinking: Looks like “becoming official” is happening today.

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