The Paranoid Film Queen Hooked Me, and I Fell in Love. (GL) - Chapter 2

“What? Director Cheng Xu invited me to act in his film?” Xu Zhiyan exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Ya, who had just seen Cheng Xu off, sat on the sofa and took a sip of water. Facing her daughter’s shock, she nodded calmly.

Seeing this, Xu Zhiyan felt both dazed and flustered. “But I don’t have any experience…”

Aside from the experience gained from the art school entrance exams, she had never been deeply involved in acting.

Technically speaking, the Xu family could barely be considered an acting family. She had heard that her grandmother was once a renowned actress in her youth but had gradually retired from the industry for the sake of family. Though her grandfather wasn’t an actor, he was still involved in the entertainment industry. Not to mention her parents—both had acted in a few minor roles when they were younger before deciding that teaching suited them better, so they eventually left acting behind.

But regardless, for two generations, the family had at least some connection to the entertainment industry.

However, Xu Zhiyan herself had never formally acted, let alone in a film directed by Cheng Xu.

Speaking of Cheng Xu, who in the domestic film industry hadn’t heard of his name? At a young age, he had already made a name for himself with his bold storytelling and artistic finesse. Nearly every one of his films was an intricate blend of artistry and humanity, carrying profound meaning. Now, in his middle age, he had reached the pinnacle of his career.

Xu Zhiyan nervously fiddled with the corner of the table. “Why would Director Cheng Xu choose me?”

She was genuinely baffled.

Seeing her daughter’s cautious expression, Lin Ya couldn’t help but chuckle. “Why are you so nervous? He’s not going to eat you.”

Xu Zhiyan hesitated and said, “Mom, could it be that he only asked me because of you and Dad?”

She couldn’t be blamed for being suspicious—no matter how she thought about it, the whole situation seemed a little too coincidental.

“What nonsense,” Lin Ya tapped her forehead lightly.

She knew her junior well enough. He was meticulous about his work and would never cast someone in his films just because of personal connections. If he had extended an invitation, there had to be a role that was perfect for Xu Zhiyan.

Lin Ya shared this thought with her.

Xu Zhiyan fell into deep contemplation, unable to deny that it made sense.

After a moment, Lin Ya, gauging that she had processed the idea, asked, “So, what do you think? If you’re interested, I’ll give you his contact information. If not, I’ll let him know you’re declining.”

Xu Zhiyan hesitated for a second before admitting, “I am a little interested.”

After all, she would be studying acting once school started. And Director Cheng Xu’s films were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Now that a golden chance had landed right in front of her, how could she bear to refuse?

Lin Ya smiled knowingly. “I figured as much.”

Xu Zhiyan rarely blushed, but this time, her ears turned red. “I don’t have much to do during summer vacation anyway. Besides, this is a great opportunity to gain experience.”

“Who said the filming starts during summer?” Lin Ya teased.

“Huh?” Xu Zhiyan blinked in confusion.

If it wasn’t during summer, then what about her studies if filming took place after the semester began?

She furrowed her brows, lost in thought.

“I was just joking.” Lin Ya couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Mom!” Xu Zhiyan’s face flushed even redder—this time out of embarrassment.

“What’s going on?” Xu Qingyi, who had just returned from shopping, asked as he changed his shoes.

Xu Zhiyan ran over to help him with the bags without saying a word.

Lin Ya, however, was lying back on the sofa, laughing uncontrollably. Gone was the strict and composed lecturer—she was now just a mother having fun teasing her daughter. “I was just messing with her. She’s gotten so much easier to tease as she’s grown up.”

When she was little, she had been a soft, giggling bundle of joy, always happy and never throwing tantrums. Such a delight.

But now was good too. Lin Ya looked at Xu Zhiyan, whose expression was lively and animated, and thought to herself—this personality suited her just fine.

In the end, Xu Zhiyan decided to accept the offer for Director Cheng Xu’s film. Though she hadn’t seen the script yet, she trusted him enough to believe it would be a worthwhile project.

That night, she added Cheng Xu on WeChat, though he hadn’t accepted the request yet. She wasn’t in a hurry. Taking advantage of her free time, she downloaded several of his previous films, planning to rewatch them from start to finish to learn from them.

When she reached the last film on her list, Blooming Flowers, she was immediately greeted by Shen Buhui’s bright and pure smile—youthful and radiant, like a flower in full bloom.

Almost instinctively, Xu Zhiyan recalled Shen Buhui’s bold red lips from the morning’s interview program. Though her outfit had been sensual and striking, she had carried an air of distant, untouchable elegance.

From her debut in Blooming Flowers at eighteen to becoming Film Queen Shen at twenty-three, her ethereal beauty had not faded in the slightest. If anything, with age, she had grown even more stunning.

The moment of distraction lasted only an instant before Xu Zhiyan was drawn into the film’s captivating storyline, her full attention fixed on the iPad screen.

By the time the 120-minute movie ended, the trash bin beside her was filled with crumpled tissues.

With reddened eyes, Xu Zhiyan sniffled and wiped her tear-streaked face again.

“Ugh… that was so tragic…”

The flowers had bloomed so vibrantly in the beginning, only to wither and decay in the end.

As the thought crossed her mind, the tears she had just suppressed threatened to rise again.

The damp mist in her eyes blurred her vision, but the soft ding from WeChat snapped Xu Zhiyan back to reality.

She blinked a few times, clearing her sight, then hesitated for a moment before sending a polite and well-mannered greeting along with a brief self-introduction.

After hitting send, she sniffled again, still under the influence of her involuntary tears.

Her ears felt strangely warm.

Thank goodness she was in her own bedroom—if anyone else saw her like this, it would be way too embarrassing.

Cheng Xu: Xiaoyan, have you decided to take on the role?

Considering Cheng Xu’s age and his mentor-disciple relationship with Lin Ya, calling her Xiaoyan was perfectly natural.

Xu Zhiyan: Yes! Thank you so much for the opportunity, Director Cheng!

Cheng Xu: You’re this excited even before reading the script? What if it’s not a good role?

Xu Zhiyan felt a little sheepish when she saw his response. She could tell that he was teasing her as a junior, but after some thought, she decided to be honest.

Xu Zhiyan: I’m happy because it’s your film, Director Cheng! Even if it’s not a great role—even if I have to play a lifeless corpse—I’d still be thrilled!

She wasn’t exaggerating. Having the opportunity to work with a great director could have a profound impact on an actor’s career. A professional and experienced production team could teach her so much, and she knew she would benefit immensely from the experience.

So if Cheng Xu really cast her as a corpse, she would still take the role happily.

Cheng Xu: Don’t worry, I’m not making you play a corpse. If I did, your mom would probably come after me.

Xu Zhiyan burst into laughter.

The two exchanged a few more messages before Cheng Xu finally said:

Cheng Xu: This time, the film has two female leads. I invited you because I want you to play one of them.

Xu Zhiyan’s heart pounded violently. For a moment, she couldn’t even process what she was reading.

Cheng Xu: Why so quiet all of a sudden?

Xu Zhiyan bit her lip and admitted honestly:

Xu Zhiyan: I’m afraid I’m not good enough.

Her first reaction upon seeing the message had been doubt—Can I really do this?

Cheng Xu: You can. Trust my judgment. If I say you can do it, you can.

Xu Zhiyan was still a little overwhelmed, but before she could dwell on it for too long, Cheng Xu got busy with something else, and they wrapped up their conversation.

The next morning, Xu Zhiyan got up early and went for a morning run. After exercising, she took a shower and lazed around until lunchtime.

Right after she finished eating, a same-city delivery arrived.

When she opened the package, she found a script inside.

The cover was solid black, with two bold white characters written in an elegant, flowing script—Symbiosis.

Gripping the script, Xu Zhiyan suddenly felt a sense of reality settle in. Ever since yesterday, everything had felt surreal, as if she were floating. But now, it was as if she had finally found her anchor.

Her phone rang. Xu Zhiyan answered.

Cheng Xu’s familiar voice came through the line: “Did you receive the script?”

Xu Zhiyan instinctively nodded, then quickly remembered he couldn’t see her. “Yes, I got it.”

She heard him chuckle slightly before he said in a warm tone, “Read through it carefully. You might be joining the production soon.”

Xu Zhiyan pressed her lips together nervously. “I don’t need to audition?”

Cheng Xu laughed heartily. “No need! It’s set—I trust my judgment!”

Somehow, his certainty only made her more nervous.

Sensing her unease, Cheng Xu reassured her, “Study the script well. Believe in yourself—you’ll be fine.”

It was normal for young actors to feel nervous about their first acting role. Cheng Xu had seen it countless times.

Besides, Xu Zhiyan was someone he had felt was just right for the role the moment he met her. He believed he wouldn’t be mistaken.

As he thought about this, another memory surfaced—of Shen Buhui’s first time in front of a camera during Blooming Flowers.

So natural. So effortless. As if she had been born for the screen.

That reminded him—he hadn’t yet told Xu Zhiyan who the other female lead was.

So, Cheng Xu casually added, “The other lead actress has been confirmed as well. Since you two will have a lot of scenes together, I’ll arrange for you to meet soon. It’d be good for you to get familiar with each other.”

Hearing this new information, Xu Zhiyan’s nervousness momentarily faded, replaced by curiosity. “Can I ask who she is?”

“What’s there to keep secret?” Cheng Xu replied without hesitation.

“The other female lead is Shen Buhui.”

Meanwhile, Shen Buhui was leaning against the balcony, lost in thought.

Her phone rang.

She frowned slightly and answered in a calm voice, “What is it?”

Her manager, Zhao Yue, knew today was her rest day and that she didn’t like being disturbed. However, the news he had just received was too surprising to keep to himself.

“The second female lead for Director Cheng’s new film has been confirmed.”

Shen Buhui’s expression remained indifferent.

“Mm.”

Zhao Yue wasn’t the least bit discouraged by Shen Buhui’s indifferent attitude and continued, “It seems to be a complete newcomer—a fresh talent that Director Cheng personally discovered.”

At this, she couldn’t help but feel a little concerned.

Shen Buhui exhaled lightly, scoffing, “Wasn’t I once a newcomer too?”

She knew exactly what her manager was worried about. In this industry, where CP culture thrived, Zhao Yue was concerned that someone would try to “leech off her popularity.”

Zhao Yue was momentarily speechless. She also knew that disturbing Shen Buhui on her day off had already made her a bit impatient.

Before she could say anything else, the call was cut off with a sharp beep-beep-beep.

Staring at the screen of the phone that had been unceremoniously hung up, Zhao Yue muttered, “I didn’t even get to tell her the person’s name…”