Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 34

34: The Reborn…

When Gu Xi woke up, it was already the next day. She looked utterly confused because, throughout the entire night, Luo Ningshuang hadn’t come to see her. Rubbing her head, she muttered, “This is just too uncoordinated!”

“What coordination?” Luo Ningshuang, who had just stepped through the door, overheard Gu Xi talking to herself and asked with a puzzled expression.

Seeing Luo Ningshuang standing leisurely at the door, Gu Xi couldn’t help but recall the first time she saw her—standing in a similar way, as if everything had come full circle.

“Nothing. When did you get here?” Gu Xi asked as she got up and headed toward the bathroom.

“Last night. I saw you were asleep, so I didn’t wake you.” Luo Ningshuang replied, following Gu Xi to the bathroom.

As Gu Xi brushed her teeth, Luo Ningshuang asked, “How did you escape?”

Uh, how should she answer this? Gu Xi hadn’t really thought it through. While brushing her teeth, her mind raced. After rinsing her mouth, she said, “Honestly, I don’t know. He just let me go for no reason, even gave me back my phone, and told me I could leave.”

She then handed her phone to Luo Ningshuang, adding, “I found it really strange and wasn’t sure if there was something wrong with the phone, so I called you to say I was at Happy Bar, figuring you’d know I’d head back to the rental.”

Hiss! Why was Luo Ningshuang’s gaze so intimidating? Though her lie was full of holes, as long as she stuck to her story, Luo Ningshuang wouldn’t confront Xiao Feng to verify it.

Luo Ningshuang took the phone, her eyes scrutinizing Gu Xi, making her feel uneasy. After a moment, she said, “Alright, I’ll have someone check it.”

Then she continued, “Originally, I had people tracking Xiao Feng to find where you were being held, but before we could start the rescue, you escaped on your own. I don’t know if what you said is true or not, but as long as you’re safe, that’s what matters.”

So that’s how it was! Gu Xi had thought Luo Ningshuang didn’t care about her. A warmth spread in her heart.

Gu Xi nodded. “Are you going to the company today?”

Luo Ningshuang shook her head. “No. I was just about to tell you—didn’t you ask me to sign Lu Wanrou and Zheng Qianyu last time? Lu Wanrou declined, but Zheng Qianyu signed with AC Entertainment. I’m planning to talk to Lu Wanrou again.”

Zheng Qianyu signed with AC? Doesn’t that mean they’ve gained a future Best Actor?

Ding~ The Jinjiang System reminded Author Ji: Originally, AC gaining a strong competitor should have deducted Author Ji’s luck points. However, AC doesn’t seem to value him, and he wasn’t a mission target, so it hasn’t affected Author Ji.

Phew, that’s a relief. It’s just a pity to lose a future Best Actor. Gu Xi thought, What about Lu Wanrou? There’s no mission prompt or task. Should I still try to sign her?

Ding~ In the future, the system will reduce the number of tasks. Author Ji should make judgments independently and focus on completing the main mission of becoming famous.

Gu Xi was confused. Why?

Ding~ Too many tasks mean too many targets. The system is worried Author Ji’s luck points will be completely depleted. By not issuing tasks, there are no rewards, but also no risk of deductions.

So, it’s because the system doesn’t trust her…

“Gu Xi, why are you zoning out again?”

Luo Ningshuang waved her hand in front of Gu Xi’s face, snapping her back to reality. Gu Xi said, “Oh, nothing. I was just wondering how AC knew we were planning to work with them.”

“There’s a mole in the company, but I don’t know who it is yet. I’m about to go see Lu Wanrou now. Want to come along?”

Gu Xi nodded. “Sure.”

…

Lu Wanrou lived in a standalone house in XX Community, in a particularly secluded area. In her previous life, even after becoming a Best Actress, Lu Wanrou had a quiet, unassuming presence, staying out of the spotlight. Back then, Gu Xi had once wanted to visit her home to dig up some gossip, but before she could act, she heard the news of Lu Wanrou’s suicide… Truly a tragedy of a fallen star!

Ding-dong. Not long after Luo Ningshuang rang the doorbell, Lu Wanrou opened the door. True to her name, she was gentle and graceful, like a serene stream.

But Gu Xi found her a bit odd—Lu Wanrou’s eyes kept studying her!

Luo Ningshuang seemed to notice her gaze and subtly shifted to block her line of sight. She extended a hand with a polite smile. “Hello, I’m Luo Ningshuang. I’m here to discuss a potential collaboration.”

Lu Wanrou looked at her, shook her hand, and said softly, “Hello. Please come in and talk.”

The two followed her inside and changed into slippers. To Gu Xi’s surprise, she saw someone completely opposite to Lu Wanrou—her supposed nemesis, Tong Xiaole, a person notorious for attracting criticism and being publicly slammed.

But now, the two “archenemies” seemed… like a loving couple?

Lu Wanrou pulled Tong Xiaole forward and said, “Let me introduce her. This is my girlfriend, Tong Xiaole.”

“Hello!”

“Nice to meet you!”

So there was something going on! But something felt off. At this point in time, Lu Wanrou was supposed to have a rumored boyfriend—no, a real one. They even got married later, but shortly after the marriage…

Argh! Gu Xi felt her brain short-circuiting. Could the butterfly effect be this drastic?

“Please, have a seat.” Lu Wanrou said.

Luo Ningshuang thanked her and sat down, getting straight to the point. “Here’s the thing: our company reached out to you before, but you declined. I’d like to know if it was because you weren’t satisfied with our terms.”

Lu Wanrou smiled. “Not at all. The terms were great. I declined because I wanted to confirm whether your company was just looking to fill spots with decent actors or if you genuinely saw potential in me.”

She smiled again. “But it’s clear now—you’re the latter. I’m a bit surprised that the CEO of LS personally came to see me!”

Gu Xi didn’t see any surprise on her face.

“So, does that mean you’re willing to work with our company?” Luo Ningshuang asked.

Lu Wanrou shook her head and held Tong Xiaole’s hand. “I have one condition: Tong Xiaole must come with me.”

Was this part of her previous life?

Gu Xi noticed Lu Wanrou glance at her, and a strange feeling crept up.

“You don’t have to do this. I can manage on my own.” Tong Xiaole said, shaking her head, not wanting to hold Lu Wanrou back.

“Alright, I’ll have someone bring two identical contracts.” Luo Ningshuang agreed readily.

“President Shuang, you’re decisive. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration. If you don’t mind, why don’t you stay for lunch?” Lu Wanrou said, glancing at Gu Xi, clearly indicating she had something to say to her.

Seeing this, Gu Xi quickly spoke before Luo Ningshuang could respond. “Sure, I’m hungry anyway, so we’ll take you up on that.”

Luo Ningshuang glanced at Gu Xi but didn’t object, nodding. “Thank you for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all. I’ll get things ready.” Tong Xiaole said before heading to the kitchen.

Gu Xi: System, do you think she might be reborn too?

Ding~ Her behavior and personality differ greatly from the previous life, so it’s possible.

Gu Xi’s eyes darted around. “Sister Lu, where’s your bathroom?”

Lu Wanrou stood up. “I’ll show you.”

“Thanks!”

Luo Ningshuang watched Gu Xi leave, her deep eyes calm, betraying no emotion. Her right index finger began tapping the sofa absentmindedly.

At the bathroom door, Lu Wanrou suddenly said, “Do you think Zheng Qianyu, now that he’s signed with AC, still has a chance to become a Best Actor?”

Gu Xi shook her head with a smile. “He definitely would have before, but not necessarily now.”

Lu Wanrou smiled back. “Looks like my hunch was right. You’re just like me—reborn.”

She wasn’t alone! Gu Xi felt a surge of excitement at finding someone who shared her extraordinary secret. “When did you figure it out, Sister Lu?”

“When Luo Ningshuang announced her engagement, I thought it was the butterfly effect. In my previous life, I never heard of her getting married until I died. But then I realized we’re worlds apart—there’s no way I could’ve influenced her. So I suspected she was reborn like me.”

She continued, “Then LS sent someone to approach me, and after asking around, I learned you were the one pushing for my signing. That’s why I tested you just now.”

So that’s it. Her own odd behavior might have already caught Luo Ningshuang’s attention! Oh well, as long as she didn’t admit anything, it’d be fine.

Thinking of her previous life, Gu Xi’s gossip instincts kicked in. “I remember after Tong Xiaole’s car accident, you…”

Lu Wanrou nodded, a hint of relief in her expression. “Yes. Back then, I didn’t cherish her properly. It wasn’t until she was gone that I understood. I thought we’d missed our chance in this lifetime, but thankfully, we’re both still here.”

Gu Xi felt a pang of envy. At least Lu Wanrou had someone by her side…

“Why’s it taking so long to use the bathroom? Are you done?” Luo Ningshuang suddenly appeared, startling both of them, worried she might’ve overheard something she shouldn’t.

Gu Xi nodded frantically. “Done, done!”

Luo Ningshuang’s expression seemed tinged with annoyance. She extended a hand and said coldly, “Then come here.”

“Oh!”

The loneliness Gu Xi felt moments ago vanished. She quickly ran to Luo Ningshuang’s side, grabbed her hand, and teased, “Are you mad, my love?”

Seeing her stay silent, Gu Xi continued, “My dear consort, don’t be upset. It’s all my fault for neglecting you.”

“Shut up!”

Hmph, no sense of fun at all. Gu Xi let go of her hand with a huff. “I’m going to help in the kitchen.”

After Gu Xi left, Luo Ningshuang turned to Lu Wanrou. “What were you two talking about?”

Lu Wanrou smiled faintly. “A secret.”

“I’m curious—what secret could two people who just met have?”

Lu Wanrou felt a chill under her gaze. I’m technically your employee now—do you have to be this intimidating? Sighing inwardly, she deflected, “It’s not my place to say. You should ask her yourself.”

Luo Ningshuang dropped the matter and returned to the sofa to scroll through her phone. Lu Wanrou stood awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or leave—how rude!

Lunch was a gloomy affair, thanks to the cold aura radiating from Luo Ningshuang, making everyone too nervous to even breathe loudly. Gu Xi suffered the most, stuck in the car with Luo Ningshuang’s icy demeanor still lingering.

Glancing at Luo Ningshuang’s stiff expression, Gu Xi found her genuinely terrifying. She tested the waters. “Are you still going to the company?”

“Don’t you have something to tell me?”

Gu Xi tilted her head, thinking. “Like what?”

“Like your secret with Lu Wanrou.”

That secret couldn’t be shared. Gu Xi shook her head firmly. “What secret? There’s nothing between me and Sister Lu.”

Luo Ningshuang suddenly slammed on the brakes, nearly causing Gu Xi to hit her forehead. Before she could ask, she heard a cold snort. “Get out.”

Gu Xi looked at her, bewildered.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. Get out.”

Hmph, fine, she’d get out. What’s the big deal? Fuming, Gu Xi stepped out of the car, slamming the door with a loud bang before watching Luo Ningshuang drive off.