Exchange of Movie Queens - Chapter 19

The seafood restaurant Feng Tangtang had chosen was indeed not upscale.

 

 

In fact, Xi Mo, who had always lived a pampered life, thought it didn’t even qualify as having any “class” at all.

 

 

Their table was by the window on the second floor. Xi Mo ascended the stairs, which had grown slightly greasy from being trampled by countless customers, with Feng Tangtang on her left and Yan Tinghuan on her right. Sandwiched between them like the cheese in a grilled sandwich, she felt like she was about to explode inside, yet she had to maintain the facade of being longtime friends, occasionally chiming in on their conversations.

 

 

Because when Ruan Yesheng was with acquaintances, she tended to smile often. Regardless of what she was really thinking, she always gave off a good-natured vibe—especially when she smiled, which made her look like a seductive enchantress. Thus, Xi Mo was forced to force out a few smiles as well.

 

 

…Ruan Yesheng, are you a professional smiler or something?

 

 

Gradually, as Xi Mo glanced at the two women flanking her, she felt her facial muscles beginning to twitch.

 

 

I’m not even close with either of you!

 

 

Feng Tangtang chattered excitedly about some amusing incidents at the company and even shared a joke told by another new assistant.

 

 

Xi Mo pulled out a chair and sat down, forcing a smile. “Oh? That does sound funny.”

 

 

What’s so funny about it?!

 

 

Is this even worth mentioning? Do you think I’ve never heard a joke before?!

 

 

“Right, Ruan Ruan? I thought it was hilarious too.” Feng Tangtang sat down and continued rambling. “I just think he’s really witty sometimes. Plus, he’s super handsome.”

 

 

“Handsome? I wouldn’t go that far,” Xi Mo remarked casually. “He seems a bit too old. What’s going on with your company? Shouldn’t Lu Qingming be in charge of hiring assistants for Xi Mo? Why did they bring in a guy in his thirties this time?”

 

 

Most assistants at her company, whether male or female, were young—energetic, hardworking, and, most importantly, obedient and easy to manage. They didn’t require high salaries either. Once they got older, they’d transition to other roles. For personal assistants, male artists were paired with male assistants, and female artists with female assistants, as it was more convenient in all aspects. Feng Tangtang, for instance, was Xi Mo’s personal assistant. Of course, many artists had more than one assistant—especially big-name stars, who often had entire teams. For other types of assistants, gender and age weren’t strict requirements.

 

 

Feng Tangtang quickly waved her hands. “No way, he’s seriously good-looking! Men in their thirties are at their most charismatic—full of testosterone. Apparently, they weren’t originally planning to hire him and wanted someone younger, but he’s in great shape—runs really fast, super strong. He used to be a special forces soldier. After what happened at the hotel last time, the company probably wanted him to double as security, so he could handle emergencies quickly for Sister Xi. Anyway, being in his thirties isn’t a big deal. Besides, Ruan Ruan, you’re already in your late twenties—aren’t you almost thirty yourself?”

 

 

Yan Tinghuan took the menu from the waiter and handed it to Xi Mo first, smiling. “Tangtang, if I remember correctly, your Sister Xi is the same age as Ruan Ruan, right? Doesn’t that mean she’s also getting up there in years?”

 

 

Xi Mo: “…”

 

 

 

Feng Tangtang listened and burst into silly giggles: “Tinghuan, don’t talk nonsense just because Sister Xi can’t hear you. But luckily she can’t, otherwise she’d definitely get angry. When she gets angry, I’m afraid she’ll scold me.”

 

 

Xi Mo: “…”

 

 

When have I ever scolded you?!

 

 

You’d better explain yourself clearly!

 

 

Do you want to get fired or what?!

 

 

Yan Tinghuan blinked: “Don’t worry, we’re just talking behind her back. Your Sister Xi won’t hear, and she won’t fire you. Right, Ruanruan?”

 

 

Xi Mo: “…”

 

 

Xi Mo smiled: “Yeah, since she can’t hear anyway. Xi Mo usually just puts on that cold, aloof act to show off.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang said earnestly: “But come to think of it, Ruanruan, you look so young, nothing like someone almost thirty. Sister Xi is the same—maybe you both have that youthful look. Brother Gu doesn’t look like he’s in his thirties either, so handsome and young. When he said he was pushing forty, I didn’t believe it until he showed his ID. Too bad I forgot to take a photo—next time I’ll show you. Though he’s even more handsome in person. Oh, Ruanruan, you’ll definitely meet him when you’re in the same crew with Sister Xi.”

 

 

At this point, she got especially excited, her eyebrows practically flying off her face: “You’re acting again, and even sharing scenes with Sister Xi! I… I’m so happy. We’ll get to work together then.”

 

 

Xi Mo said: “…Tangtang, you’ve already said this to me a hundred times on the way here.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang immediately grew embarrassed and nudged the menu: “You order first. Get whatever you like.”

 

 

Xi Mo looked down at the seafood photos on the menu: “…”

 

 

Just looking at them made her stomach—no, Ruan Yuesheng’s stomach—feel like it was about to cramp.

 

 

Of course, this “cramping” was just her brain’s emotional reaction. Ruan Yuesheng’s stomach was perfectly fine. It was just that Xi Mo herself was severely allergic to seafood—she couldn’t touch even a trace of it. The psychological trauma ran deep; seeing seafood was like seeing poison. Even in a different body now, she instinctively recoiled.

 

 

“You guys order,” Xi Mo pushed the menu back. “I’m fine with anything.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang and Yan Tinghuan ordered dishes and several pitchers of beer. As plates of shrimp, crab, shellfish, and fish arrived one after another, Xi Mo’s heart trembled. Yan Tinghuan poured her a large glass of beer and raised it enthusiastically for a toast: “Cheers!”

 

 

Xi Mo: “…”

 

 

She hated beer—too rough—and she got drunk easily. At most, she could handle a little wine.

 

 

Yet Ruan Yuesheng loved seafood and beer. Everything Xi Mo disliked, she adored. It was like some karmic debt from a past life.

 

 

Xi Mo’s head throbbed at the thought. She had no choice but to play along, forcing a smile as she raised her glass: “Cheers.”

 

 

“Wait, me too!” Feng Tangtang put down her crab leg and joined in. “To Ruanruan’s skyrocketing success!”

 

 

With a clink, the three toasted. Xi Mo took a sip, suppressing her nausea as she swallowed.

 

 

Yan Tinghuan peeled a shrimp and handed it to Xi Mo with exaggerated care: “Here, Ruanruan, have this.”

 

 

Xi Mo stared at the shrimp: “…”

 

 

“You won’t even eat it after I peeled it for you.” Yan Tinghuan looked genuinely hurt.

 

 

“…” Xi Mo took it.

 

 

She wanted to call the police. Or maybe dial 120 in advance.

 

 

 

Feng Tangtang munched away while saying, “Ruan Ruan, you used to be the most diligent at peeling shrimp for us to share. What’s wrong today? No appetite? Hey, Ruan Ruan? Why are your hands shaking so badly?”

 

 

Xi Mo took a bite of shrimp before setting down her slightly trembling hands, smiling brightly. “Probably a lingering effect from my last hospital stay. My hands shake sometimes, making it hard to peel shrimp.”

 

 

“Should we take you back to the hospital for another check?” Yan Tinghuan looked genuinely concerned.

 

 

Xi Mo waved it off. “It’s fine, this takes time. But the doctor did warn me before discharge—certain foods should be avoided. Seafood is a trigger, so I should eat less of it. Also no alcohol, smoking, or spicy foods.”

 

 

Feng Tangtang gasped. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I wouldn’t have… wouldn’t have ordered seafood! What do we do now? I just made you drink too!”

 

 

Xi Mo remained unfazed, replying breezily, “You’d already ordered—I didn’t want to ruin the mood. A little won’t hurt. Besides, I love seafood.”

 

 

…She was about to throw up!

 

 

Feng Tangtang immediately protested and quickly ordered several non-seafood dishes along with fresh juice. Yan Tinghuan chuckled nearby while Xi Mo watched her peel shrimp, wishing she could peel her skin instead instead.

 

 

Thankfully, she was in Ruan Yesheng’s body now. Though mentally repulsed, her physical health remained unaffected. Had this been her original body, she’d already be hospitalized.

 

 

By the end of the dinner, Feng Tangtang was thoroughly drunk. Xi Mo had always assumed the girl-next-door type didn’t drink much, but she turned out to be a heavyweight. Staggering on the stairs, Feng Tangtang struck a Titanic pose, yelling about flying down and demanding “Jack” hold her. Xi Mo barely caught her before this human candy could tumble into shattered pieces.

 

 

Yan Tinghuan supported the drunken Feng Tangtang downstairs as the latter belted out, “The great river flows eastward, the stars in the sky join the Big Dipper!” Patrons on the first floor stared at the trio. Xi Mo’s face initially darkened, but then she remembered—this wasn’t her face. Calm restored, she strode out with icy elegance.

 

 

Yan Tinghuan had also drunk heavily but held her liquor well, showing little sign of intoxication. Xi Mo, too wary to drink, had mostly pretended earlier. With her medical excuse later, even her feigned sips were stopped by Feng Tangtang, who insisted she follow doctor’s orders.

 

 

Fearing drunk-driving accidents, Xi Mo drove both home—her first time playing chauffeur for anyone, let alone two drunks. By the time she reached her own place, every bone ached.

 

 

Half-drawn curtains let moonlight pool silently across the living room floor, where Xi Mo’s solitary shadow lay in stark contrast.

 

 

Pouring water, she sat on the sofa, sipping slowly while gazing outside.

 

 

She’d never had real friends before, buried under endless work. Rare off-hours meant returning to an empty home. Tonight’s gathering with Feng Tangtang and Yan Tinghuan, despite the noise and irritation, had offered a flicker of warmth worth recalling. Yet now, seated alone, that fleeting liveliness only deepened her loneliness, stirring an unexpected longing for the clamor.

 

 

But that warmth belonged to Ruan Yesheng.

 

 

However accidentally she’d stepped into it, this was never her life.

 

 

 

But sometimes she felt Ruan Yesheng was quite lonely. She wasn’t sure if she was overthinking it, but there was always this sense that Ruan Yesheng existed within the bustle yet remained apart from it.

 

 

Otherwise, why would hardly anyone visit her in the hospital or even reach out to her?

 

 

Xi Mo took out her phone and saw Ruan Yesheng’s number at the top of her message list. Ruan Yesheng had been the last person to text her that day, asking how the audition went. Assuming Lin Qitang would have already informed her, Xi Mo hadn’t bothered to reply.

 

 

Setting down the water glass, Xi Mo sat in the moonlight and sent Ruan Yesheng a message: “Passed.”

 

 

Some time passed, the water was finished, but Ruan Yesheng still hadn’t replied.

 

 

Xi Mo stood up, suddenly irritated. Her face turned cold as she glared at her phone, realizing that she was, in fact, waiting for Ruan Yesheng’s response—which only annoyed her further. With a sharp click, she turned off her phone and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng hadn’t brought her phone with her. Earlier, Lu Qingming had knocked on her door, and she had stepped outside to talk to him.

 

 

Lu Qingming studied the usually composed woman before him, choosing his words carefully before asking, “You haven’t gone home recently, staying at the company the whole time. What’s going on?”

 

 

Ruan Yesheng maintained the aloof demeanor Xi Mo was known for in the company, embodying it perfectly.

 

 

With no change in tone, she replied, “Just don’t feel like going back.”

 

 

“Did something happen?” Lu Qingming couldn’t hide his concern. Clearly, he had been holding back for days, and it was rare for him to finally ask.

 

 

Ruan Yesheng lazily lifted her gaze. “I just don’t want to. I’ll stay wherever I please.”