Chapter 52: The Show Begins

Qin Miao’s expression shifted abruptly; at first she felt embarrassed, then a surge of delight. So A-Yan actually knew about her situation? That meant... he had been paying attention to her all along, even in private?

With this realization, the smile at the corners of Qin Miao’s lips grew ever more radiant. If she could get Shen Yan to step in, what did Gu Yancheng amount to in comparison?

She sent a few crying emojis his way.

“Yes, there’s nothing I can do. I still haven’t found a firm footing in the entertainment industry, and even choosing a script depends on the whims of others. I guess Sis Yao is still holding a grudge over what happened before, that’s probably why Gu Yancheng refuses to act opposite me.”

After sending the message, Qin Miao added another, laced with careful suggestion.

“I really envy the relationship Sis Yao has with Gu Yancheng. They’re so close, it’s as if nothing else matters between them.”

Her meaning was obvious, and of course Shen Yan understood.

His fingers tightened, and he was seized by the urge to give the order to have Gu Yancheng blacklisted from the entertainment world—anything to stop the man from seizing every opportunity to ingratiate himself with Ye Yao.

Tormented, Shen Yan finally hurled his phone to the ground.

Every message seemed designed to bring him nothing but frustration.

Qin Miao waited in vain for a response from Shen Yan, and at last she ventured a tentative message.

“A-Yan, could you help me with this? Maybe put in a good word for me with Sis Yao?”

Shen Yan had already switched to a new phone.

...

As the date for filming drew closer and Gu Yancheng showed no sign of relenting, the director had no choice but to recast the role.

Receiving the call, Qin Miao was furious, but could only beg in a humbled tone, “Director, you know how much I want this role and how hard I’ve worked for it.”

No one in the entertainment industry can escape the unspoken rules.

Though Qin Miao had some connections, without the backing of the Shen family, she had only superficial tricks at her disposal—nothing that could fool an old fox.

Just like the one in front of her now.

Once, this director had sworn to her, patting her back, that no matter what, the role would be hers.

And now he was going back on his word?

Qin Miao was full of resentment, but she couldn’t afford to make a scene. If this escalated, she’d be the only one to suffer.

“Miao Miao, I know you’re a hardworking kid, and apart from your acting skills, you’re talented in other ways too, but there’s nothing I can do.”

The director let out a heavy sigh, though his tone betrayed little real helplessness. “These days, traffic is king. Gu Yancheng brings his own fanbase. This project is my labor of love—you wouldn’t want all my efforts to go to waste, would you?”

Trying to use that incident as leverage?

This girl was still too green!

The director had heard all about Qin Miao’s past—someone even a vagrant had used. The fact that he’d even been willing to associate with her was already a favor.

“Three days.”

Qin Miao forced down her indignation and spoke. “Give me three more days. If I still can’t persuade Gu Yancheng, I’ll accept it.”

“Three days...” the director repeated, clearly uncomfortable.

“Director, after everything I’ve done for you, asking for three more days isn’t too much, is it?” Qin Miao’s tone turned cold.

“Fine, fine.” The director knew when to stop pushing. “Three days, but if nothing changes, I really will recast!”

When the call ended, Qin Miao’s eyes were filled with hatred.

All of this was thanks to Ye Yao.

If not for Ye Yao, she would still be Shen Yan’s cherished little princess.

With the Shen family as her backing, she would have had smooth sailing in this industry.

But because of Ye Yao, everything had fallen to pieces.

“Aaah!”

Qin Miao screamed, sweeping everything off the tables in her room onto the floor in a fit of rage.

She vented for a long time before finally regaining her composure.

...

Gu Yancheng’s schedule was always packed, but no matter how busy, he always made time to work out.

Physical health was the foundation of everything.

As for the production, he wasn’t worried—he trusted the director’s team to make the right choice.

Two days before the final decision, Gu Yancheng received a message from Qin Miao.

“I have a confidential file on Ye Yao—are you interested?”

Yao Yao...

Seeing those two characters, Gu Yancheng immediately lost his composure.

But he also realized it could well be a trap.

“What is it?”

“The internet is too pervasive these days. I’m afraid if I send it online, others might see it, and that wouldn’t be good for Ye Yao.”

“If you want it, come get it.”

After sending the message, Qin Miao went silent.

What kind of confidential file could she possibly have on Ye Yao?

If Qin Miao was using it as a bargaining chip, it couldn’t possibly be anything good.

Gu Yancheng hesitated, but after a fierce battle between reason and emotion, he decided to go.

“I’ll come.”

The address arrived quickly on his phone.

...

Meanwhile, Qin Miao and Ruan Ruoshui waited at the hotel.

Ruan Ruoshui, dressed provocatively, paced the room in nervous agitation.

“Miao Miao, do you really think Yancheng will come? I... I’m so nervous.”

“You read the message yourself, didn’t you? He said he would.”

Qin Miao sat her down and helped fix her hair. “Just do as I told you. As long as you sleep with Gu Yancheng, whether or not he takes responsibility, you’ll have made enough to set yourself up.”

“Right now you only make three thousand a month—do you really want to earn that all your life?”

Ruan Ruoshui hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head. “Miao Miao, you know I’m not doing this for money. I just want to be close to Yancheng.”

“I really like him...”

Her heartfelt confession was nothing but a joke in Qin Miao’s eyes.

Like him?

What use is liking him? In this world, you need cunning to get what you want.

Qin Miao couldn’t be bothered to teach her. As long as she got what she wanted, nothing else mattered.

“Gu Yancheng will be here soon. Wait here. I’m going to meet him.”

“Okay.”

Qin Miao left the room and headed down to the restaurant.

Gu Yancheng was already waiting in the lobby, disguised head to toe.

When it came to anything involving Ye Yao, he simply couldn’t stay calm.

Qin Miao sat down. “You care so much about Sis Yao, Young Master Gu? What exactly is your relationship?”

“Hand it over.” Gu Yancheng cut straight to the point, his expression cold.

“In such a hurry?”

Qin Miao pulled a USB drive from her bag, feigning to hand it over—only to snatch it back just as he reached for it. “Why so anxious? I haven’t said what I want yet.”

“You just want the lead role in this drama, right?”

Gu Yancheng gave a mocking laugh. “If what’s on that drive is really worthwhile, it’s yours.”

“But if you’re trying to trick me, don’t even think about getting involved in anything that concerns me again.”

Whether or not the contents of the drive were real, Qin Miao had no chance of gaining anything from him.

“Fine, then come upstairs and view it on my laptop.”

Qin Miao coaxed him. “See for yourself, and if you think it’s worth it, then decide.”

Hearing this, Gu Yancheng eyed Qin Miao warily. There was no computer nearby, and even if there was, he’d be foolish to use it without caution.

But the contents of the drive did need a computer to verify.

“All right. Let’s go up and take a look.” Gu Yancheng agreed.

Qin Miao nodded, smiling triumphantly.

Still so young—what’s luck worth, anyway? Anyone involved with Ye Yao was doomed.

Now, the real show was about to begin.