High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 10

Zhao Ke had only glimpsed the entertainment industry’s evolution through the female lead’s perspective in the novel. Now that she had transmigrated, she mechanically tracked the plot’s progress via Hot Search trends.

Based on her deductions, they were now in the final ten-odd chapters. Once Qiao Shuxue secured both Best Actress (TV) and Best Actress (Film) awards, she would marry the Male Lead, ushering in the grand finale.

AAA High-Altitude Installer Master Zhao: Where did you see my news?

How did everyone know she was live-streaming when she herself had no clue?

Yuexia Shangxue: Super Topic.

Yuexia Shangxue: Seriously, your Super Topic is buzzing.

AAA High-Altitude Installer Master Zhao: You’re following my Super Topic?

Yuexia Shangxue: ???

Yuexia Shangxue: Don’t jump to conclusions! I just happened to pass by occasionally.

Zhao Ke stopped chatting with Sun Yue and clicked into her own Super Topic.

It wasn’t just buzzing—it was a chaotic frenzy.

At first glance, the entire page was flooded with screenshots from Zhao Ke’s live stream, showcasing her prominent nostrils and double chin.

Most of the active users were likely anti-fans. Not only were the memes and images of her like this, but they had even changed their profile pictures to match.

Because these accounts didn’t tag Zhao Ke when posting, news of her livestream only circulated within her Super Topic. Ordinary users wouldn’t see it unless they happened to come across reposts from marketing accounts.

Moreover, the flood of identical content had triggered Weibo’s system to flag Zhao Ke’s Super Topic as spam, causing it to sink to the very bottom, beyond any hope of recovery.

Zhao Ke hadn’t thought much about it, simply feeling embarrassed and awkward at being suddenly confronted with so many unflattering photos of herself.

She exited Weibo, her finger hovering over the delete button.

Since the plot hadn’t changed significantly, she might as well delete her account, completely shed her role as a cannon fodder female supporting character, and live a normal life.

But suddenly, a phone call popped up, breaking her contact with the screen.

The caller ID read “Liu Tiande.”

Who’s that?

Zhao Ke didn’t recognize the name.

But that didn’t stop her from answering.

“Hello?” she greeted.

The other party was even more direct, immediately asking, “Zhao Ke, do you want to participate in a variety show?”

A variety show? With her Super Topic in such a state, who would invite her to a variety show? Were they crazy?

“No,” Zhao Ke replied without hesitation.

“Alright,” the other party responded, and hung up.

Zhao Ke assumed it was just a casual inquiry and that the variety show matter was settled.

But to her surprise, the very next day, as she was suspended in mid-air, that damned phone rang again.

Unable to answer, she had no choice but to let it ring.

Yet after the call automatically disconnected, a second and then a third call came immediately after.

“Sister Ke, let me hold the drill for you,” Xiao Liang offered, unable to bear watching her struggle.

What kind of clingy boyfriend does Sister Ke have? he wondered.

Zhao Ke’s head was pounding from the incessant ringing. Reluctantly, she handed the drill to Xiao Liang and freed her hand to answer the phone.

“What is it?” Zhao Ke asked, her voice cold and her brow furrowed.

But Liu Tiande, abandoning his Buddha-like composure from the previous day, spoke with an unusually stern and forceful tone: “Zhao Ke, come to the company immediately and sign the variety show contract.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to participate,” Zhao Ke replied coldly.

Liu Tiande ignored her. “If you’re late, Qiao Qinglu will die here.”

Zhao Ke: ???

Qiao Qinglu? Why is that unlucky woman always involved?

Left with no other choice, Zhao Ke rushed to the company after work.

The company Zhao Ke’s original self had signed with was far more impressive and professional than she had imagined. The gleaming, reflective porcelain tiles at the entrance made it clear that Star Yue Media was no fly-by-night agency.

Zhao Ke stopped at the reception desk, about to ask for directions, when the receptionist sighed, stood up, and walked around the counter to lead her inside.

Zhao Ke pondered the receptionist’s earlier glare, realizing her predecessor must have offended many people at the company. Her current situation seemed far from ideal.

“Manager’s office. Go ahead,” the receptionist said, guiding Zhao Ke to a glass-walled room.

“Okay, thank you,” Zhao Ke replied casually, pushing the door open without further thought.

The receptionist paused mid-turn, glancing back at Zhao Ke’s retreating figure with suspicion.

Could she really have changed her ways?

The scene inside the room was utterly chaotic.

White documents lay scattered across the floor. Two men in suits stood in a corner, unable to bear the sight of the person slumped atop a pile of papers.

Qiao Qinglu looked as if she had just thrown a tantrum. Her hair was disheveled, her makeup smeared, her composure completely shattered. She sat on the floor, looking every bit the rogue.

When she saw Zhao Ke enter, she glared at her with bloodshot eyes and barked, “Sign the documents already!”

Zhao Ke surveyed the wreckage on the floor, her lips moving silently as she struggled to find the right words.

A stout man in a black suit sighed heavily and offered an explanation: “Zhao Ke, a new variety show has approached you. Take a look.”

Zhao Ke took the project proposal he handed over.

The variety show was titled Four Frames of Life, aiming to invite celebrities to experience four drastically different life paths: scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant.

“This is an A-tier production with an excellent directorial team. I’ve reviewed the proposed guest list, and they’re… they’re decent enough,” the man said, his tone dismissive compared to Zhao Ke’s.

“Manager, here’s what I’m thinking, Zhao Ke. The company has always indulged you and Qinglu, giving you first pick of all the best resources. And what did you do? My point is, don’t be picky this time. Work hard, and we’ll still have opportunities.”

The man, who identified himself as the manager, continued rambling, adding, “Zhao Ke, look at Brother Tiande. He just got out of the hospital after all the trouble you two caused. Show some consideration for him.”

Before Zhao Ke could respond, Qiao Qinglu’s fragile composure shattered again. “I don’t care! I don’t care about any of that! We had an agreement: one drama and one variety show per year, no exceptions!”

Liu Tiande, though dressed in a suit, looked gaunt and frail, his sleeves hanging empty. Hearing Qiao Qinglu’s outburst, his face flushed crimson as he slammed his fist on the table. “Shut up! We’re discussing this with you! Director Qu didn’t want you—didn’t want you, understand?! The only way we can get you on the show is if Zhao Ke agrees!”

The manager hurriedly grabbed Liu Tiande, urging him, “Alright, alright, calm down, calm down.”

Qiao Qinglu abruptly threw the scattered documents on the floor at Zhao Ke, cursing, “Sign the damn thing now, or give me the chance instead!”

Understanding the situation, Zhao Ke raised an eyebrow and looked down at Qiao Qinglu. “Is this how you ask for favors?”

“Zhao Ke!” Qiao Qinglu shrieked, sending chills down everyone’s spines. “I told you, I don’t want to see you!”

With that, she lunged to her feet, her diamond-encrusted nails clawing straight for Zhao Ke’s face.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” The manager quickly released Liu Tiande, dashed around the conference table, and tried to stop Qiao Qinglu’s crazed attack.

Zhao Ke dodged even faster, sidestepping behind two or three chairs to put distance between them. “With her mental state, can she even participate in a variety show?”

Liu Tiande, having regained his composure, retorted, “That’s none of your concern.”

“Just tell me: are you in or out?”

“How much?” Zhao Ke cut to the chase. She had no interest in messing with the Fake Heiress.

Liu Tiande paused, his gaze darkening as he stared at Zhao Ke. Suddenly, he scoffed, “So you’re starting to look at the price now too?”

Zhao Ke shifted her gaze from the hysterical Qiao Qinglu to Liu Tiande. “Of course. I love looking at prices.”

“Twenty thousand per episode, twelve episodes total. If the show does well, we can add more later.”

Liu Tiande thought he understood Zhao Ke’s character, but frankly, he wasn’t optimistic about this price.

While each episode was supposed to take three days to film, the travel time, preparation, and back-and-forth trips meant artists would effectively spend an entire week on it.

But Zhao Ke immediately nodded. “Okay, I’ll participate.”

She couldn’t refuse such a generous offer.

Deals as big as Sky Garden didn’t come around every day. Zhao Ke had been working for a month since transmigrating, but her daily wage was nowhere near what she’d earn from this variety show.

Afraid she might change her mind, Liu Tiande shouted, “Sign it! Sign it now!”

“Qiao Qinglu, you better behave yourself and not cause any trouble. Even if I’ve already submitted your name, I can still get you removed!”

Qiao Qinglu snorted, wiped her face, and plopped back into her chair, crossing her legs and tilting her chin haughtily. “Bring me my contract.”

With the variety show filming set to begin in three days, Zhao Ke sighed and pulled out her phone to apologize to her loyal coworkers one by one, explaining that she had other commitments and couldn’t work with them anymore.

To Brother Kang: “Alright, contact me when you’re free.”

To Hui Xin, the Hegemon of Zhenshan: “Sister Ke, go with peace of mind! I’ll take over everything you’ve built and wait for your triumphant return!”

Liu Tiande, having calmed down, sat watching Zhao Ke carefully read the contract terms. As if remembering something, his brow furrowed again.

“Zhao Ke, is the company still managing your Weibo account?”

“Yes, Brother Tiande,” Zhao Ke replied, solemnly signing her name.

Her calling him “Brother Tiande” stunned Liu Tiande. A lump formed in his throat, and he nearly teared up.

Heaven knew how much grief Zhao Ke had given him in the past. Now, he felt like a long-suffering father witnessing his rebellious child finally outgrow their phase.

“Alright, then the company will continue managing it. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them,” Liu Tiande said earnestly.

Throughout Star Yue Media, from managers to cleaning ladies, no one had escaped the wrath of Zhao Ke and Qiao Qinglu.

With so many people in their company’s publicity department, they knew the moment Zhao Ke started live-streaming on the short video app. But because Zhao Ke had offended everyone in the past, not a single person had lifted a finger to help her with public relations. They simply let her haters run wild in the Super Topic.

They hadn’t even informed her manager, Liu Tiande.

Zhao Ke didn’t care much about any of this and had no intention of investigating further.

After signing the contract, she made to leave.

“Wait, where are you staying now?” Liu Tiande hurriedly called out.

Zhao Ke glanced back at him and said calmly, “Don’t worry, Brother Tiande. I have a place to stay.”

AAA High-Altitude Installer Master Zhao: “Just letting you know, I’m going to be on a variety show.”

Yuexia Shangxue: “??? Really? You’re not messing with me, are you?”

AAA High-Altitude Installer Master Zhao: “It’s true. The show’s called Four Frames of Life.”

Yuexia Shangxue: “A new show? Who else is on it? I can’t find any official announcements.”

AAA High-Altitude Installer Master Zhao: “Me and Qiao Qinglu.”

Yuexia Shangxue: “????? Qiao Qinglu?!”

Yuexia Shangxue: “Aaaaaah?!”

Yuexia Shangxue: “Have you gone mad, or has your company lost its mind?!”