Hi, Wifey! [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 11

Fu Xia’s words were probably too blunt, because Fang Chushi’s face instantly turned green—not as a figure of speech, but literally changed color in an instant.

Completely unaware, Fu Xia continued her “thoughtful” advice: “Your neck wrinkles aren’t too serious yet. Let me recommend some neck creams—they work really well, though they’re a bit expensive at around ten thousand per small jar. But since you’re a sponsored cast member, money shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re interested, I know a reliable purchasing agent…”

Fang Chushi forced a stiff smile through his visibly unpleasant expression: “Teacher Fu, you’re quite the joker.”

Tilting her head, Fu Xia replied: “I’m not joking. It might not be obvious now, but in two years it’ll be noticeable. Even though men don’t usually focus on skincare, our industry relies on appearances. You need to take care of everything from head to toe.”

Watching Fang Chushi’s constipated expression, Cheng Wanyu unscrewed her water bottle, enjoying the show while taking a sip.

Fu Xia added: “Also, you should change your eyebrow style. Korean semi-permanent brows don’t suit your square face—they’re too thick, making you look like you’ve got two caterpillars on your forehead.”

Finally regaining his composure, Fang Chushi forced another smile: “Teacher Fu makes excellent points. I’ll discuss this with my agency.”

Nodding, Fu Xia asked: “Did you note down that neck cream name? It’s really effective.”

Fang Chushi gave a humorless laugh: “Got it. Thanks for your guidance, Teacher Fu. I should get back to work now.”

As he turned to leave, Fu Xia called out: “What role did the screenwriter add for you?”

Glancing back with a smirk, Fang Chushi answered: “I play your puppy boyfriend.”

Fu Xia: “……?”

After Fang Chushi left, only Fu Xia and Cheng Wanyu remained. Setting down her water, Cheng Wanyu observed: “You seem to dislike him.”

Though public rumors painted Fu Xia as difficult, eccentric, and ill-tempered, Cheng Wanyu had found her to be exactly as imagined—a decent person despite occasional bluntness.

Sipping from her water bottle, Fu Xia replied mildly: “Not really. I just think he has ulterior motives.”

Puzzled, Cheng Wanyu asked: “How could you tell?”

“He asked for my autograph.”

Cheng Wanyu: “?”

Meeting Cheng Wanyu’s gaze, Fu Xia explained: “Because normal people don’t ask me for autographs—especially when you’re nearby. Everyone usually asks you instead.” She remembered how crowds had surrounded Cheng Wanyu for signatures during filming, while no one approached her.

It wasn’t that Fu Xia refused signatures—people simply gravitated toward the more popular option when given a choice. Clearly, Cheng Wanyu was that person.

Frowning at this response, Cheng Wanyu said: “You’re quite popular too.”

“Maybe outside the industry,” Fu Xia said quietly. “But within our circle, most people avoid me because of my notorious reputation—they only interact when absolutely necessary.”

These words made Cheng Wanyu feel quite uncomfortable. She looked at Fu Xia’s lowered brows and noticed her frowning, chewing on the straw of her water bottle.

Something stirred in Cheng Wanyu’s heart, and she reached out to gently smooth the crease between Fu Xia’s brows. The sudden touch snapped Fu Xia out of her daze, and she lifted her gaze to meet Cheng Wanyu’s eyes.

Cheng Wanyu was undeniably beautiful. Sitting beside Fu Xia now, her long black hair and dark eyes stood out vividly against her snow-white skin. Today, she was still wearing her signature cool, faintly scented perfume, her makeup soft and elegant, with shimmering eyeshadow that caught the light in a dazzling array of colors.

“You’re amazing,” Cheng Wanyu reassured her softly. “A lot of people like you.”

Fu Xia stared at her, slightly stunned. “People like me?”

Cheng Wanyu nodded. “I like you.”

Fu Xia felt as if her heart had been struck hard. A flush instantly spread across her cheeks as she looked at Cheng Wanyu and said, “Well, I kinda like myself too.”

Cheng Wanyu: “…”

Sometimes, it was hard to tell if Fu Xia was genuinely slow on the uptake.

“Sis, that Fu Xia is seriously such a pain.”

In the restroom, Fang Chushi complained into his phone. “Today was my first day on set, and I wanted to get on her good side, but that woman just wouldn’t play along. She’s all buddy-buddy with Cheng Wanyu instead.”

“Yeah, those two are practically glued together these days. I don’t know what’s wrong with Cheng Wanyu—why would she even bother protecting someone like Fu Xia?”

Fang Chushi adjusted his bangs in the mirror. “I was planning to charm Fu Xia first. She doesn’t seem all that bright—a little effort and she’d be easy to reel in. She’s never had any scandals, so if I’m going to do it, I might as well go big.”

“Get her pregnant, then swindle her assets. She’s been in the industry for so long, with that kind of fame—there’s no way she doesn’t have money. Even if we break up later, the dirt from our relationship alone would be enough to ruin her.”

Fang Chushi spoke cheerfully into the phone. “Don’t worry, sis. A woman like Fu Xia deserves to be completely blacklisted—it’s only fair to you.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be careful on set. Thanks, sis. If it weren’t for you pulling strings, I wouldn’t have gotten into this production.”

“I’ll give you a nice kiss when I get back tonight. You’re my little treasure~”

After hanging up, Fang Chushi rummaged through his bag for his compact and touched up his makeup. As he did, he tilted his head, examining his neck in the mirror with a frown. “Are my neck wrinkles really that bad?”

He clicked his tongue, pulled out his phone, and searched for the neck cream Fu Xia had mentioned. “Damn, ¥18,000 for 30ml? Might as well rob a bank.”

Grumbling, he added the cream to his cart. “I’ll just ask sis to buy it for me tonight. No way I’m spending my own money.”

Once he finished freshening up, he grabbed his small bag and left the restroom. Today was his first day on set—he had to make a good impression. Otherwise, the millions invested in him would be wasted. Fang Chushi schemed silently. Even if he didn’t manage to take Fu Xia down, at least he’d made an appearance. That alone would help him climb the ladder in this industry.

Fang Chushi was undoubtedly a smooth operator. On his very first day on set, he had most of the lead actors and the director eating out of his palm, affectionately calling him “little brother” or “Chushi.” He even managed to wheedle the screenwriter into adding two more scenes for him.

Only then did Fu Xia realize he was genuinely here to act opposite her.

In the storyline, Fu Xia played a fiery woman with numerous ex-boyfriends, while Fang Chushi portrayed one of her “puppy dog” exes. Logically, it made sense, but the script required the female lead to show “affection” for him—something Fu Xia just couldn’t bring herself to do.

Returning to the hotel that evening, Fu Xia flopped onto her bed. Zhou Wen wasn’t joining her for dinner tonight, having ordered her a salad before heading home.

When the delivery arrived, Fu Xia stared at the bowl of green leaves with no appetite. After a ten-minute standoff with the salad, she finally pulled out her phone to order something else.

Torn between spicy hot pot and fried chicken, she ultimately splurged on 300 yuan worth of barbecue. Only after placing the order did it dawn on her that she probably couldn’t finish it all. Grabbing her keycard, she knocked on Cheng Wanyu’s door.

The person who answered wasn’t Cheng Wanyu, but a woman Fu Xia vaguely recognized.

Guan Yunwen blinked at Fu Xia in surprise before turning to Cheng Wanyu. “Fu Xia’s here for you.”

Cheng Wanyu glanced at Fu Xia and said, “She’s here to rehearse. We’re going over the script tonight.”

Guan Yunwen looked at Fu Xia incredulously. “Really?”

Fu Xia wasn’t stupid—she suddenly remembered who this was. Cheng Wanyu’s agent, the legendary “golden manager” Guan Yunwen!

“Y-yes,” Fu Xia stammered, intimidated by the woman’s reputation. “I’m here to rehearse with Wanyu.” Then she added, “We do this every night.”

The room fell silent. Guan Yunwen studied Fu Xia, sensing something off about that statement.

As the industry’s celebrated golden manager, Guan Yunwen had groomed numerous A-list celebrities, including two superstar actresses. Her influence carried weight, and Cheng Wanyu was clearly her next project for superstardom.

This was why Guan Yunwen disapproved of Cheng Wanyu associating with low-tier artists like Fu Xia—it could jeopardize her carefully cultivated image. After all, no matter how skilled the manager, an uncooperative talent meant failure.

“Yunwen-jie,” Cheng Wanyu said, picking up a script with exaggerated nonchalance, “didn’t you say you needed to return to the office? You should head out now to finish up early.”

Guan Yunwen frowned slightly at Cheng Wanyu but, with Fu Xia present, could only nod. Gathering her things, she bid them farewell and left.

Watching Guan Yunwen disappear into the elevator, Fu Xia whispered to Cheng Wanyu, “Your agent seems really strict. And I think she dislikes me.”

Cheng Wanyu pulled Fu Xia inside and shut the door. “You’re overthinking it. She’s just reserved, not targeting you.”

Fu Xia stood frozen, staring at the closed door until Cheng Wanyu asked, “It’s still early—what brings you here suddenly?”

“Oh,” Fu Xia picked up her phone and waved it with a smile, “I ordered takeout but can’t finish it all. I was hoping to share it with you.”

After saying this, Fu Xia recalled how Cheng Wanyu had been eating late-night snacks with her quite often recently, so she added cautiously, “Is it okay to eat together?”

Cheng Wanyu pressed her lips together in amusement and said, “No need to be so careful. You can come find me anytime you want to eat something.”

Fu Xia was delighted, her sparkling eyes meeting Cheng Wanyu’s, but then she suddenly remembered something, and her expression dimmed.

“Maybe not,” Fu Xia said. “Your manager doesn’t like me. I’m sure she’ll warn you to stay away from me.”

“She won’t.” Cheng Wanyu reached out and ruffled Fu Xia’s hair. Being slightly taller, she gently stroked the other girl’s head and murmured, “I won’t stay away from you.”

What Cheng Wanyu truly wished was to get even closer to Fu Xia.