The Movie Queen’s Secret Stand-In Lover [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 3

Yuan Zhi was half-asleep when she received a call from her assistant, Yuan Xiaoyuan.

“Zhi-jie!” Yuan Xiaoyuan’s voice carried a hint of pride. “The task you asked me to handle is done. At 11 o’clock later, in the private room on the third floor of FUN Restaurant across from our hotel, Miss Zhou has agreed to come.”

“Which Miss Zhou?” Yuan Zhi turned on speakerphone and sat up, casually sweeping her thick, seaweed-like hair behind her.

Yuan Xiaoyuan chuckled. “Oh, it’s that delivery rider you asked me to arrange a meeting with. Her name is Zhou Ning. ‘Ning’ as in lemon.”

“…” Yuan Zhi froze. Last night… she seemed… indeed… to have said something like that.

“Zhi-jie?” Hearing no response for a long time, Yuan Xiaoyuan thought she might have changed her mind and cautiously asked, “It’s fine if you don’t want to meet her. I didn’t mention you when I invited Miss Zhou—I used another excuse.” But since she had already invited someone else, Miss Zhou would show up on time. As for the expenses at FUN Restaurant later, she could just treat it as an occasional splurge.

Logically, Yuan Zhi knew she shouldn’t meet this Miss Zhou. She was a rising star in the entertainment industry and had to be extra cautious—the slightest misstep could lead to unnecessary trouble. Besides, that girl named Zhou Ning merely resembled that person in appearance; she wasn’t that person.

Yet the overwhelming longing for that person drowned out all her rationality. Clearing her throat nervously, she said, “Third-floor private room at 11, right? Got it.”

Zhou Ning arrived at FUN ten minutes early and was led by a waiter to the private room on the third floor that Miss Yuan had reserved.

Someone was already seated inside—a girl wearing a comfortable beige sweatshirt, a black baseball cap, and a black mask covering most of her face.

“Miss Yuan?” Zhou Ning tentatively asked.

Yuan Zhi didn’t answer directly. After Zhou Ning sat down, she said, “Let’s order first. What would you like, Miss Zhou?”

Zhou Ning stole a glance at the girl across from her. This Miss Yuan’s voice in person is so different from how it sounded on the phone. On the phone, she sounded cute and sweet, but in person, she’s got this cool, domineering vibe. And for some reason, those beautiful, lively eyes—the only part of Miss Yuan’s face visible—seemed oddly familiar…

Whatever let’s just order first.

Zhou Ning flipped through the menu page by page. Holy moly, expensive, even more expensive, ridiculously expensive. The relatively cheaper options… She smiled and handed the menu back to the waiter. “One order of buttered potatoes and one vegetable salad, please. Thank you.”

Yuan Zhi lowered her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She found Zhou Ning’s deliberate attempt to save her money rather endearing—clearly, she wasn’t a greedy person. Character was crucial. If Zhou Ning had ill intentions, Yuan Zhi would never bring up that matter.

She placed her own order as well. Once the waiter left, she slowly removed her mask and cap, lifting her gaze to meet Zhou Ning’s all-too-familiar face. Steadying her erratic breathing, she feigned calmness and asked, “Miss Zhou, you must recognize me, right?”

Zhou Ning looked at Yuan Zhi and was so stunned she forgot to blink. Good heavens! What kind of peerless beauty is this?! Normally, someone this gorgeous would be unforgettable—so why does she feel completely unfamiliar? Did Miss Yuan also wear a mask the day the original owner delivered food?

She smiled apologetically and said, “We see too many customers every day in this line of work, so I really don’t remember. Could you tell me what medicine I helped you purchase that time? Maybe it’ll jog my memory.”

Yuan Zhi suddenly felt embarrassed. She had been worried that Zhou Ning might scream uncontrollably upon seeing her, but instead, Zhou Ning didn’t recognize her at all and simply mistook her for Xiao Yuan. Was she really that unpopular? Were all those online comments praising her just bought by her studio?

“Miss Zhou, do you usually like watching movies?” Yuan Zhi asked, still unwilling to give up.

Zhou Ning nodded, then quickly shook her head. In her previous life, she had been homebound due to illness and loved watching movies. But the original owner of this body had no time for films, and this world was different from her past one. If Miss Yuan started discussing movies with her and she knew nothing, wouldn’t that be terribly awkward?

She politely continued the conversation: “Do you enjoy watching movies, Miss Yuan? Are there any you’d particularly recommend?”

“I’m not the Miss Yuan you’re referring to. My name is Yuan Zhi.” Yuan Zhi took a sip of water, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Miss Zhou, let me clarify my name. Yuan as in ‘Yuanxiao’ (sweet rice dumpling), Zhi as in ‘lingzhi’ (glossy ganoderma). The Miss Yuan who contacted you earlier was my assistant. I asked her to find a way to invite you here.”

Zhou Ning froze. Yuan Zhi? The award-winning actress Yuan Zhi that Cai Sitian had mentioned on their way home last night? She leaned back slightly, skeptical, and pulled out her phone to open a browser, typing “Yuan Zhi.” A flood of images appeared instantly. She looked at the pictures, then at the stunning beauty before her, then back at the pictures, then at the woman again.

Yuan Zhi couldn’t tear her gaze away from Zhou Ning’s face, staring intently as she said, “Miss Zhou must be wondering why I invited you here, right?”

“Yes,” Zhou Ning nodded.

“Would you mind turning off your phone first? I’d prefer our following conversation to remain private.” Seeing Zhou Ning hesitate, Yuan Zhi smiled reassuringly. “We’re in a public place, Miss Zhou. You can rest assured, there’s no danger.”

Zhou Ning obediently turned off her phone, still somewhat dazed.

Yuan Zhi picked up her bag from beside her and took out a photograph, handing it to Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning accepted the photo and gasped upon seeing it, looking up in disbelief. “Is this me?” Had the original owner been classmates with a celebrity? Why didn’t she have any memory of this?

“Miss Zhou also thinks you look very much like her, doesn’t you? I think so too.” Yuan Zhi’s smile turned tender. “To be honest, she was an old friend of mine. When I saw you at the hotel entrance last night, my first thought was how strikingly similar you looked to her.”

Zhou Ning finally understood why the woman’s eyes had seemed familiar—this star before her was the same stunning beauty she’d seen stepping out of the luxury car last night. Carefully, she pushed the photo back and asked, “So you tricked me into coming here to…”

“Ask if you’d be interested in changing jobs.” Yuan Zhi hesitated briefly before gathering her courage. “To come work by my side. You wouldn’t need to handle specific tasks—just keep me company occasionally.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.” Zhou Ning refused without hesitation. Isn’t this just sugar dating? Isn’t she just a Substitute for this big star’s white moonlight? She doesn’t mind selling her face, but she absolutely won’t sell her body. Besides, in her past life, she read in entertainment gossip news that some people in the entertainment industry have some twisted preferences in that regard.

Yuan Zhi’s voice remained as cool and gentle as ever: “We can discuss the compensation.”

“No amount of money will do! I have my principles. Even if I were reduced to a brothel in ancient times, I’d be the type to sell my talents, not my body.” Zhou Ning frowned firmly and declared resolutely: “I won’t earn money that way! And there’s no need for Miss Yuan to pay for this meal today—I’ll cover my own bill.”

Sell talents, not body? That kind of money? Yuan Zhi realized Zhou Ning had misunderstood.

But Zhou Ning’s adamant attitude made Yuan Zhi feel more at ease. If Zhou Ning were truly someone who would do anything for money without principles, no matter how much she resembled that person, Yuan Zhi wouldn’t dare keep her around. Who knows when she might be blackmailed with recordings and photos?

Determined to test Zhou Ning further, Yuan Zhi continued, “I believe there’s no deal that can’t be made with enough money. Miss Zhou’s current display of anger is just a common bargaining tactic. Rather than haggling bit by bit, why don’t you name an annual salary? I won’t bargain.”

Now Zhou Ning was genuinely angry: “I told you it’s not about the money—it’s about my principles and bottom line!”

“A million won’t do? How about ten million? A hundred million?” Yuan Zhi took a leisurely sip of water after speaking.

Zhou Ning stood up furiously and sneered, “I’m not playing any bargaining games, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped insulting me with numbers! There are far more precious things in this world than money, but someone like you, blinded by greed, would never see them! That kind of thing—I’d only do it for love, never for money. I’ll take my food to go! Goodbye, superstar!” She’d have to persuade Cai Sitian to stan someone else. What kind of person is this?!

Yuan Zhi rested her chin on her hand, blinking her beautiful eyes with feigned confusion. “What kind of thing would Miss Zhou only do for love, not money?”

Zhou Ning’s face flushed red, and she let out a soft, indignant huff: “You know exactly what!” Her original body’s voice was too sweet and soft—it had no imposing tone at all. In front of Yuan Zhi, her presence was completely overshadowed.

“I really don’t know. I just thought Miss Zhou looks very much like someone I admire and wanted to invite you to chat with me occasionally. It seems Miss Zhou has misunderstood?” Yuan Zhi wore an innocent expression.

“Just… chatting?” Zhou Ning, recalling Yuan Zhi’s earlier mention of “a hundred million,” awkwardly sank back into her chair, her anger quickly dissipating. “How much per year did you say earlier?”

Seeing Zhou Ning sit back down, Yuan Zhi knew there was hope. With a guilty and sorrowful tone, she said, “I’m sorry for being so abrupt earlier. Since Miss Zhou truly isn’t willing, of course I can’t force you. I just hope our conversation today remains between us.”

“No, no, no. I misunderstood earlier, thinking you wanted me to… sleep with you. Just chatting is totally fine!” Zhou Ning wasn’t the type to be easily embarrassed. Right now, she was strapped for cash, and the chance to earn a fortune just by chatting with a superstar was too good to pass up.

Not to mention, this Miss Yuan Zhi was a stunning beauty from every angle. Getting paid to admire such a gorgeous woman? That kind of luck didn’t come around every day. The heavens hadn’t blessed her with beauty or talent, but at least they’d given her a face strikingly like the celebrity’s beloved “white moonlight.”

Yuan Zhi looked conflicted. “Maybe we should forget it. After all, Miss Zhou has unyielding integrity. Even if she’d fallen into a brothel in ancient times, she’d be the type to sell her art, not her body. How could money possibly demean her?”

Zhou Ning wanted to scream—she absolutely could be demeaned! Please, insult her with money! The more, the better—she could take it!

She quickly found a way to save face. “Well, chatting someone into a good mood does require skill. That counts as selling art, right?”

Yuan Zhi chuckled, deciding not to tease her further. “Then name your price, Miss Zhou.” She had an event that evening and needed to return to the hotel after lunch to prepare. She added honestly, “As for the earlier talk of ten million or a hundred million… I was just testing your character. I hope you understand. In this industry, we can’t afford to leave weaknesses in the hands of unscrupulous people.”

“Mm-hmm, I get it.” Zhou Ning pondered what amount would be appropriate. For just chatting, she’d feel guilty asking for too much. “Can I ask… does this include room and board?”

Yuan Zhi paused at the simplicity of the request. “Accommodation is provided, and as for meals… I’ll give you a separate allowance. Oh, would you mind moving to City A? It’d be more convenient for me. But don’t worry, I won’t visit often—just two or three times a month at most, and I won’t stay overnight. You’re free to do your own thing otherwise. I’ll let you know in advance if I need you.”

“Not at all, not at all!” Zhou Ning nodded eagerly. She’d love to leave City C. But with room and board covered, and only chatting a few times a month… she tentatively held up five fingers. “How about this much for a year?” Five grand for pure chatting was already generous. She could even get another job and easily earn over ten thousand a month. With no living expenses, she could save everything.

Yuan Zhi said flatly, “500,000?” This kid really wasn’t greedy.

“No, no!” Zhou Ning shook her head in panic.

Yuan Zhi frowned slightly. “Five million?” After a brief hesitation, she nodded. “Fine.” It was pricey for just chatting, but for a kept woman, it was market rate.

“That’s not—” Zhou Ning waved her hands frantically. “I meant fifty thousand…”

“Fifty thousand?” Yuan Zhi’s frown deepened. She was genuinely charmed by Zhou Ning’s naivety and smiled. “Let’s make it five million. After all, you’ll be known as Yuan Zhi’s woman—your worth can’t be too low.”

Ah—Zhou Ning’s eyes sparkled with little stars. Money truly was the root of all evil, and now she felt that Sugar Daddy was the most beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous person in the world. With a fawning smile, she asked, “Then how should I address you from now on?”

“Just call me Sister Zhi,” Yuan Zhi replied, taking out a notepad and fountain pen from her bag. She wrote down a phone number and handed it to Zhou Ning, saying, “This is my private number—don’t share it with anyone. If you need to contact me, try to message rather than call. I’m returning to City A tomorrow. Bring all your documents to the hotel before nine, especially your ID card and bank card.”

“Got it,” Zhou Ning murmured, feeling dazed as if floating on clouds. Was it really this simple? Was five million yuan just handed to her like that? Was she about to step into a life of sinful extravagance?