Exchange of Movie Queens - Chapter 14

The other end of the line was met with Ruan Yesheng’s prolonged silence.

Xi Mo’s tone wasn’t one of negotiation but a straightforward directive—her intent was clear, and she had anticipated Ruan Yesheng’s reaction long before speaking.

Ruan Yesheng didn’t respond.

Xi Mo adopted a righteous tone. “Let me remind you of something. A person’s every action and word is governed by their mind, thoughts—essentially, their soul. Whatever the soul desires, the body naturally follows. If the brain signals thirst, the hand immediately reaches for a glass. In other words, since I now wish for Ruan Yesheng to audition for the new role, shouldn’t my body comply with this will? Of course, my situation is somewhat unique—my body isn’t under my control at the moment. Therefore, I believe that since you currently hold temporary authority over my body, you have both the responsibility and obligation to act on my behalf.”

Her argument sounded logical, even backed by “scientific reasoning,” but in reality, it was a series of shameless sophistries. Then again, Xi Mo had been pampered since childhood, and as an adult, her stardom had only made her more accustomed to getting her way—often without needing to justify herself at all.

After listening to this spiel, Ruan Yesheng finally spoke. “So that’s how it is. You’re the queen of your body, wielding absolute command, while I’m merely the regent, temporarily managing affairs in your stead? If you want Ruan Yesheng to audition, I must obediently seek out Lu Qingming?”

The analogy was bizarre, yet Xi Mo found it oddly fitting. Then again, compared to swapping bodies, nothing could truly be strange anymore.

Ruan Yesheng chuckled. “But I’ve heard that throughout history, regents always end up staging coups.”

Xi Mo sneered. “Planning a rebellion? I’m holding your body hostage.”

Even as she traded barbs with Ruan Yesheng, she felt a mix of shame and indignation at how juvenile their argument had become. Ever since falling into this absurd predicament, her dignity had plummeted to depths she hadn’t thought possible—much like her preconceived notions of Ruan Yesheng.

“Oh, Your Majesty, I’m trembling with fear,” Ruan Yesheng drawled. “Fine, I’ll concede to your theory of the soul’s absolute command over the body and pledge my unwavering support. But here’s the question: if you hold absolute authority over your body, and I’m merely executing that authority on your behalf, then what about my body, which is currently under your control? Shouldn’t you, in turn, dutifully carry out my will?”

Xi Mo immediately sensed danger.

Experience had taught her that Ruan Yesheng had no bottom line.

Sure enough, Ruan Yesheng’s voice turned icy. “Take off your clothes.”

Xi Mo: “…”

This woman truly had no shame! Had her conscience—and dignity—been devoured by dogs?!

Ruan Yesheng repeated over the phone, “I, Ruan Yesheng, now wish for my body to undress. Xi Mo, by your own logic, since you’re inhabiting my shell, shouldn’t you comply? Let’s not be hypocrites here.”

Xi Mo: “…”

Oh? Oh?! Disgusting!

Xi Mo gritted out, “Fine. I’ll undress.”

Ruan Yesheng countered, “You could just say you did. It’s not like I can see you.”

Xi Mo: “…”

“Look! Still staring? Pervert!”

Xi Mo’s inner turmoil was so intense she could practically slap Ruan Yesheng in the face, yet her expression remained unreadable as she replied coolly, “Fine, switch the video.”

Ruan Yesheng complied, seeing Xi Mo sitting upright on the sofa, the backdrop of her newly redecorated home behind her.

Xi Mo held the phone in one hand while the other reached for her collar. She was wearing a fitted blouse today—Ruan Yesheng’s body was undeniably bewitching, making anything look stunning, but under Xi Mo’s meticulous care, it had become even more striking.

“As you command.”

Xi Mo spoke indifferently, undoing the first button. Her fingers trailed downward, parting the fabric at the second button like the slow unfurling of a forbidden flower.

Her collarbone was eventually revealed in layers of deliberate concealment, as if hesitating to speak.

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

Her long, slightly curled hair cascaded over her shoulders. The face was still hers, the waist still hers—Ruan Yesheng had seen her own body countless times, so familiar it couldn’t be more so. Yet now, for a fleeting moment, it didn’t feel like her own.

Xi Mo had taken control of her body. Xi Mo’s soul resided within her.

And so, her body had subtly begun to take on Xi Mo’s traits. Even though Ruan Yesheng often mocked her for being pretentious, Xi Mo’s outward demeanor was undeniably aloof and detached, always standing above it all. Even her own eyes, under Xi Mo’s influence, had gradually taken on an unfamiliar quality that left her unsettled.

They seemed to hold an endless depth of stillness, like ink shimmering faintly in the darkest abyss. The visual illusion nearly disoriented Ruan Yesheng, making her momentarily forget this was her own body as the image of Xi Mo’s usual appearance flashed through her mind.

Time rewound, a glance over the shoulder, light and shadow frozen in silence.

The sudden fantasy sent heat rushing to Ruan Yesheng’s cheeks, her hands burning as if the phone were radiating warmth.

Xi Mo’s fingers paused at the third button. “However you want me to undress for you, I’ll do it. I firmly uphold your rights as the owner of this body.”

After all, it’s not me undressing. It’s not me who’ll be embarrassed.

With that self-reassurance, the shame and awkwardness of stripping in front of Ruan Yesheng eased slightly, even giving way to a strange sense of mischievous satisfaction.

Ruan Yesheng turned her face slightly away, her voice unsteady. “That’s enough.”

Xi Mo leisurely fastened the buttons again. “Did you blush watching yourself undress when you showered before?”

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

“Someone as narcissistic as you is quite rare.”

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

Ending the call, Ruan Yesheng sat on the edge of the bed and murmured, “Since you went through the trouble of undressing to prove your point, it’d be unfair if I didn’t exercise my rights over this body. From now on, whatever you want to do with yourself, I’ll help you do it. This time, just consider it as you arranging things with Lu Qingming yourself. But let me make this clear—you arranging things privately is one thing, but whether I accept it or not is my right. You arranged for me to take on a role, but how do you know I’d agree?”

Xi Mo recalled what Feng Tangtang had told her in the car and countered, “Don’t you want to act? Don’t you want to return to the industry? You haven’t taken on anything in all these years.”

Ruan Yesheng stayed silent.

Xi Mo said, “Many years ago, a famous actress from our academy returned to our alma mater to cast for her new film. The audition venue was packed, and you looked at her back then, saying you’d become an actress too someday.”

Ruan Yesheng froze.

After a long pause, she replied somewhat sheepishly, “I didn’t expect you to remember that. Right, you were indeed standing beside me back then.”

So many years had passed.

Youth is the hardest thing to hold onto—everything changes.

Yet that tiny sliver of hope remained, carefully tucked away in the deepest recesses, guarded and protected from prying eyes.

“Such shameless words are hard to forget,” Xi Mo sneered. “What’s even more shameless is how you dragged me to stand next to you.”

Ruan Yesheng laughed. “If I hadn’t pulled you over then, I would’ve been swept away by the crowd. You always had that ‘the world owes me millions’ look on your face, plus your family’s bodyguards around you—yours was the only spot with breathing room. Who else was I supposed to grab onto?”

She paused, her voice tinged with something unattainable and hidden: “And now, you’re already an acclaimed actress. Look at me—I’m nothing.”

Seeing her take the bait, Xi Mo replied with perfect calm, “That’s why I can help you now. If you agree, I can temporarily return to this industry in your place. When we switch back, you can continue your path. As long as you meet my conditions, Director Lin’s audition won’t be an issue—this role is as good as yours.”

Her confidence stemmed not just from faith in her acting skills but also from her position as one of the film’s investors. She had initially joined the production as the female lead with financial backing—in this industry, money and connections spoke volumes, and arranging a role or two was child’s play.

Ruan Yesheng feigned coyness. “This script sounds familiar—plenty of people have said the same. So are you trying to proposition me?”

After holding back for so long, Xi Mo finally exploded internally: “…”