Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 9

“We’ve already met, so why the formalities?”

“A-Zhi mentioned you to me earlier.”

When Chu Wenxiu received the script contract invitation, she noticed Sheng Mingluo listed as one of the actresses being considered for the lead role. Chu Wenxiu had a vague impression of her—the girl had a good foundation and her acting skills were above average for her age group, but her resources had always been lacking, leaving her stuck in supporting roles in popular dramas for years.

The fans of the male leads naturally teased her about it.

What did he mention? Surely not the fact that I’m his caged bird.

“Alright, stop teasing her. She’s… a bit timid and doesn’t take jokes well.”

Qin Zhi poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Sheng Mingluo, noticing her nervousness as she kept lightly biting her lip.

“Have some tea.”

“Mm.”

Sheng Mingluo accepted the small purple teacup from Qin Zhi. As she brought it to her lips, the fragrant aroma of the tea filled the air, instantly soothing her nerves.

“Thank you.”

“Haha, we’re all old acquaintances here, so let’s skip the formalities. Xiao Sheng, I brought the revised script for you two to review today. Make sure to study it carefully.”

“We’ll start filming next week.”

“I’ve also brought the salary contracts for you both to review.”

The revised contract spanned two or three pages. Sheng Mingluo and Qin Zhi each received a copy. Having already reviewed the electronic version, Sheng Mingluo had a general idea of the terms.

After carefully reviewing a few pages, she signed her name. She had struck gold, securing a meticulously crafted script that even A-list stars would sometimes pay a fortune to obtain.

Qin Zhi glanced at Sheng Mingluo’s triumphant smile, and a faint smile unconsciously curved her own lips as she picked up the pen and signed her name as well.

“I’ve always trusted Director Zhao’s projects,” she said. “We collaborated before, so this feels like a reunion of old partners.”

She had entered the industry at 16, achieving instant fame with Her Seas and Mountains, which earned her the Golden Palm for Best Actress at the domestic film festival. This early success as a 16-year-old Best Actress set the bar high, leading to increasingly challenging roles in subsequent scripts.

What the public didn’t know was that after filming Her Seas and Mountains, Qin Zhi had nearly severed ties with her family, resulting in a year of restricted personal freedom.

At the time, the public was unaware of Qin Zhi’s family background. They simply assumed that after winning the Best Actress award at 16, she had been taken under the wing of some wealthy patron, becoming a gilded cage bird.

It wasn’t until her comeback at 18, with her role as Lin Xi, the 18-year-old genius racer in Director Zhao Le’s Peak Velocity, that she once again claimed glory, even winning international acclaim.

A double-crowned queen.

What a dazzling achievement.

“Child, I trust your acting skills,” Director Zhao said. “Remember to mentor the younger generation.”

Zhao Le knew that jade must be carved to become a masterpiece. Sheng Mingluo’s acting skills were entirely self-taught, lacking systematic training, which made her performance appear awkward. His words were a subtle reminder to Qin Zhi to mentor Sheng Mingluo more closely.

“I understand,” Qin Zhi replied. “The quality of the film is paramount.”

Only when the lead actors mutually inspire each other can the entire production achieve excellence. If infighting begins before filming even starts, it’s a clear sign of a dysfunctional team.

Before leaving, Qin Zhi wanted to speak with Sheng Mingluo privately. She stood by the entrance of the venue while Zhong He, who couldn’t stand Chu Wenxiu and felt uneasy in her presence, hurried to the car.

“Mingluo? May I call you that?”

“Of course… Senior. After all, we need to find a way to get home together.”

The implication was clear: they would inevitably become close.

“Then stop calling me ‘Senior.’ It sounds so formal.”

“Just call me Qin Zhi.”

“I can’t do that, Senior. You’re my elder… Hmm, let’s compromise. Can I call you Teacher Qin?”

The difference was negligible, but Qin Zhi chuckled at her reasoning and nodded in agreement.

“Whatever you prefer. Just remember to contact me if you need anything.”

“Then I’ll see you next week.”

“Okay, goodbye, Teacher Qin.”

Qin Zhi was much easier to get along with than Sheng Mingluo had imagined. She even started to wonder if the rumors about her being an icy mountain were completely unfounded. Still, she couldn’t dismiss everyone’s opinions; perhaps there was an unbreakable bond between her and Qin Zhi’s character.

After all, if she didn’t cooperate with Qin Zhi, she might never return to the real world.

Even so, Qin Zhi’s attitude had been surprisingly pleasant.

“Wipe that lovesick grin off your face,” Zhong He said, exasperated. “It was just a conversation! Why has your smile been plastered on since we got in the car?”

“Mingluo, I know you… can’t help but be impressed by her aura. Honestly, someone like her is rarer than hen’s teeth. But you don’t need to take it so seriously. In this industry, giving your heart is the most foolish thing you can do.”

Everyone adored Qin Zhi—actresses, celebrities, and industry professionals alike, from investors to directors and producers. They all admired her box office success, impeccable acting skills, and scandal-free reputation as a Best Actress.

Especially someone like Sheng Mingluo, a naive third-tier starlet struggling on the fringes of obscurity.

If Zhong He weren’t her manager, he’d admit that Sheng Mingluo was reaching far above her station by associating with a powerhouse like Qin Zhi.

It was truly bizarre. I’d never heard anything about Big Shot Qin being interested in women before. I wonder what suddenly changed her mind, though she did choose Sheng Mingluo.

Office romances are a disaster waiting to happen.

“Sister Zhong, okay, okay, I’ll stop laughing.”

Sheng Mingluo covered her mouth, knowing Sister Zhong was worried she was getting too deeply involved. Still, she couldn’t help but secretly rejoice. Well, isn’t this a steal?

Give me more of this golden finger halo! Becoming Best Actress will be a piece of cake!

Hearing her dismissive reply, Zhong He knew she hadn’t taken a word to heart. He felt a surge of frustration, but there was nothing he could do; this was ultimately his client’s personal affair.

“I can’t persuade you. Just don’t come crying to me later.”

For people at the top of the pyramid, relationships were disposable, like toys to be discarded when they grew tiresome. Zhong He had seen countless cases of this. Many of these “golden cage birds” lacked the means to protect themselves, and once abandoned by their masters, they were left to starve in the wilderness.

Why does this line sound so familiar?

Sheng Mingluo remembered: Zhong He was following the plot of the fanfiction. Sometimes she thought the author wasn’t too out of character—at least this line was something her real-life manager would actually say.

Now’s the time to indulge my acting instincts and run through the scene.

“No, Sister Zhong… Ah… Zhi is a really good person. I know what I’m doing.”

Ugh, that sounds so love-struck. Calling Qin Zhi by her given name felt a bit embarrassing, but that’s how it was written in the novel!

As a professional actress, she had to follow the script.

Sheng Mingluo adopted a pitiful tone, and as expected, Zhong He was immediately silenced by her outburst.