Chen Die had to prepare for makeup early in the morning, the alarm went off when it was still dark outside.

She yawned and slowly crawled out of bed. After washing up, she sent a message to Fang Ruan and headed out.

Half-asleep and groggy, she walked out of the hotel and heard laughter from beside her.

Chen Die turned her head.

“Senior, why are you up so early?”

Lan Chuan wore a white shirt and black pants, looking refreshing. He smiled at her and handed over some soy milk and meat buns, “I just need to go prepare the site in advance. Have breakfast first.”

Chen Die’s fingers paused slightly, but she still accepted it and thanked him.

“The soup dumplings from this place are delicious. I stayed here for three months on a previous project and survived on this breakfast shop.”

Chen Die opened the bag and took a bite. The thin skin with soup inside was indeed delicious.

“Senior,” she was scalded by the soup and fanned her hand, calmly asking, “Are you just here to prepare the site in advance?”

Lan Chuan paused, then smiled.

“Junior,” he mimicked her tone, “you’re really bad at pretending not to know.”

Chen Die didn’t answer. Lan Chuan tilted his head to look at her and noticed her gaze falling on the corner of the flower bed where several cigarette butts were scattered. He asked with confusion, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Chen Die withdrew her gaze, “What were you saying just now?”

“I said you’re really bad at pretending not to know.”

Chen Die tugged at the corner of her mouth, “I’m quite good at pretending, but there’s no need with you. We’ve known each other for so long.”

“Fine, I’m not going to prepare the site. I just wanted to go to the set with you.”

Chen Die had guessed this when she saw Lan Chuan at the hotel entrance.

She went to the set two or three hours early for makeup. No matter how much site preparation was needed, someone in Lan Chuan’s position didn’t need to go there personally so early.

“I’m not thinking about dating right now.”

“I know,” Lan Chuan said, “I’m not asking for an immediate answer. We’ve known each other as friends for four years, and changing roles isn’t that quick. But I also hope that regardless of your past emotional experiences, you won’t close yourself off. Try to give me a chance.”

As a director, Lan Chuan was indeed skilled at observing people.

Chen Die hadn’t said anything, yet he had her figured out completely.

She smiled without speaking.

The film city was very quiet before and after sunrise. The air was filled with faint floral scents wafting from every corner, and the outline of a crescent moon still hung in the sky.

Several staff members were already at the set.

Chen Die finished her breakfast and went outside to wash her hands.

A black sedan was parked by the roadside. Vehicles weren’t allowed in the scenic area, making it look out of place.

After washing her hands and turning off the faucet, Chen Die instinctively glanced at the car. The windows were completely tinted black, making it impossible to see inside.

She didn’t think much of it, just shook the water droplets from her hands and turned to leave.

However, as she was turning the corner to enter the set, from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a woman getting out of the black sedan. She had an excellent figure, curvy in all the right places.

Wang Yunxi.

Then the car window rolled down, and a man poked his head out. Wang Yunxi smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the lips, her voice coquettish and pouting.

Chen Die, “…”

? It seemed like she had discovered a secret.

Wang Yunxi was an idol who relied on fan economics, and if she wasn’t mistaken, the man just now was also a small idol who had recently emerged from a talent show. His fame wasn’t as great as Wang Yunxi’s, but his fans were very protective.

If the relationship between the two were to be exposed, it would likely cause a huge scandal.

Chen Die didn’t look longer and quickly returned to the makeup room.

“With your makeup, I don’t even need to conceal those dark circles,” the makeup artist clicked her tongue twice, looking regretful, “It’s such a waste.”

Wang Yunxi walked in at that moment, without a sideways glance, “Xiao Wang, come do my makeup first.”

The makeup artist hesitated, looking at Chen Die in a dilemma.

It was Chen Die who patted her shoulder, “It’s fine, let someone else do my makeup.”

Fang Ruan arrived at the set at that moment and, with her back to Wang Yunxi, rolled her eyes dramatically.

She moved her chair next to Chen Die and whispered, “What’s with the diva attitude? Everyone knows half her Weibo followers are bought. She thinks she’s that famous.”

“Was she always like this?”

“She judges people, a social climber. Look, would she dare act like this in front of Qi Cheng? No wonder she hates you so much. Last time on ‘Wilderness Kitchen God,’ many people compared you two and praised you and Wang Yunxi resents that kind of thing the most.”

Fang Ruan became increasingly agitated as she spoke. She squeezed Chen Die’s shoulder and said, “Anyway, we’re not afraid of her. We still have Mr. Chen backing us!”

Chen Die rolled her eyes, “I have no relationship with him.”

“I don’t believe that. You’re both named Chen!”

“There are plenty of people surnamed Chen. Are they all Chen Shao’s sisters?”

“…”

Chen Die only truly understood what kind of person Wang Yunxi was when formal shooting for the second act began.

—Slap!

There was a scene in the script where she gets slapped by the second female lead. Chen Die’s face turned to the side.

Though her life had been rough—being mistakenly taken home, adopted, then found, then running away, and now back to living alone—being slapped was a first.

Moreover, Wang Yunxi wasn’t acting at all but venting her anger.

“Sorry, Director,” Wang Yunxi took a hot towel from her assistant and wiped her hands, “I’ll do it again.”

“Act properly and focus,” the director could naturally see what was happening and warned her with a frown.

The slate was clapped again.

With another “slap” louder than before, Chen Die lost her balance and staggered a step.

Wang Yunxi pretended, “Oh my, the script says she can’t move from her spot. Looks like we need to do it again.”

Even the usually good-tempered Lan Chuan darkened his face and asked Chen Die from across the filming equipment, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Chen Die shook her head.

“Wang Yunxi,” Lan Chuan looked at her, “Film properly. I don’t want you to mix personal feelings into your performance.”

With Lan Chuan’s words, the scene finally passed on to the next take.

Fang Ruan immediately came over with a towel to apply to her face, anxiously examining it, “It’s not going to swell, is it? I could feel the pain just watching from below. The sound was so loud. Does it hurt?”

Chen Die sighed, taking the towel to apply to her face herself, “What do you think?”

“She’s sick in the head. If Director Lan hadn’t spoken up, who knows how long she would have kept acting up.”

Fang Ruan was furious and even secretly called Chen Shao to report the situation.

She had expected a touching scene of a brother standing up for his sister, but Chen Shao merely responded with a flat “Oh” and said, “You’ve brought so many people, aren’t you used to this kind of thing by now?”

“…”

Fang Ruan was convinced—these two weren’t siblings!!

At Wen Yuan Group.

“Mr. Wen, Miss Chen left the hotel at 4:30 this morning to go to the film set. She had the standard boxed lunch at noon. Tonight, the crew will be attending a charity gala.”

Zhu Qicong reported everything to Wen Liang, then paused at the end and hesitantly said, “There’s one more thing.”

Wen Liang was writing and didn’t look up, “What?”

“Miss Chen seems to be having difficulties with an actress named Wang Yunxi on the set. During filming today, Miss Chen was slapped several times.”

After reporting, Zhu Qicong thought that this Wang Yunxi woman was asking for trouble. Of all the people to provoke, she chose Miss Chen. Anyone with eyes could see that Miss Chen’s demeanor wasn’t one to be trifled with.

He tentatively asked, “Do we need to…?”

“No need,” Wen Liang regained his calm expression, interlacing his fingers, “It’s a good lesson for her.”

“…What about the charity gala tonight, will you still attend?”

“Yes.”

Tonight’s charity gala was hosted by the editor-in-chief of a famous fashion magazine. Many people from the entertainment and cultural industries would attend, and as usual, invitations had been sent to the upper echelons of Yan City.

That evening, the banquet hall was brilliantly lit.

A long red carpet stretched from the outside steps into the venue, surrounded by numerous reporters with flashing cameras.

“Hairpin Flower” was adapted from a real historical figure, and the antique “hairpin flower” would also be displayed at this charity gala.

The crew’s attendance was considered an early promotional event.

Many entertainment stars attended.

The main cast of the crew arrived in one car on the red carpet.

Originally, Chen Die and Qi Cheng should have entered together as the male and female leads, but as they exited the car, Wang Yunxi got up first, deliberately pushing Chen Die aside, then linked arms with Qi Cheng and smiled elegantly for the cameras.

Chen Die, “?”

What’s her problem???

She wasn’t someone with a good temper either. From the morning in the makeup room until now, she had repeatedly been angered by Wang Yunxi.

Fang Ruan’s eyes widened in shock and dissatisfaction. Taking advantage of no one else being in the car, she spoke freely, “What the fuck? How can this idiot be so shameless?”

Chen Die said flatly, “I’ll go take it back.”

“Go for it!” Fang Ruan said, then suddenly realized something wasn’t right.

Chen Die’s tone was too calm. Fang Ruan blinked, “Huh?”

Chen Die didn’t say anything more and followed them out of the car.

It was her first time attending such an event, and she couldn’t fully adapt to the blinding flashes of the cameras. By the time she finished walking the red carpet, she felt like her eyes had been blinded.

They entered the venue.

Qi Cheng and Wang Yunxi knew many people in the entertainment industry and were in their element on such occasions, but Chen Die hardly knew anyone.

Fortunately, she wasn’t afraid of being alone and stood quietly to the side.

Soon, Feng Zhi and Lan Chuan entered through another entrance.

“How are you adapting?” Lan Chuan walked over and asked.

“With some difficulty,” Chen Die replied honestly.

She wasn’t very accustomed to the atmosphere of such social gatherings.

Lan Chuan smiled, “It’s okay. There are no reporters inside now, so you can be yourself. Don’t worry about outside criticism.”

Chen Die looked up, “There won’t be any reporters inside?”

“No, this charity gala is relatively closed. Reporters can only photograph outside; they can’t enter.”

Chen Die looked in Wang Yunxi’s direction. The latter was standing beside several glamorously dressed female stars, twirling her wine glass and covering her mouth as she laughed.

Chen Die inexplicably let out a laugh, “That’s perfect.”

“Hmm?”

Chen Die shrugged, “Nothing.”

At the same time, the side door opened, and a man in a suit entered slowly, looking noble and proud.

The editor-in-chief hosting the charity gala immediately went to greet him, beckoning an attendant to bring a glass of champagne, “I’m truly honored; the wind must be blowing in my favor to have even Mr. Wen attend this time.”

Wen Liang accepted the glass, clinked it with the editor’s, and took a shallow sip.

Then, he looked up, his gaze falling on Chen Die in the distance.

Chen Die was also looking at him.

Wen Liang calmly withdrew his gaze, showing no surprise or other emotion, as if he didn’t know her at all. After exchanging a few words with the editor, he turned and walked in another direction.

“It’s about to start, shall we take our seats?” Lan Chuan said.

“Mm,” Chen Die followed him to their designated seats.

Wen Liang had also taken his seat in the front row, with a name card placed in front of him.

He lit a cigarette, looking elegant yet casual, chatting idly with the person next to him.

Chen Die glanced at his back.

Needless to say, after last night, given Wen Liang’s temperament, he would probably treat her as a stranger from now on.

But that was just fine.

Soon, the host took the stage.

Chen Die couldn’t hear the host’s voice clearly, mainly because Wang Yunxi beside her was chattering incessantly with another woman.

She had none of the cold, alluring image portrayed to the public; it was all flattery and ingratiation.

“See that man?” The woman beside Wang Yunxi nodded toward Wen Liang, “The real power holder of Wen Yuan now.”

Wang Yunxi craned her neck, “The Wen family’s eldest son looks so outstanding?”

“Indeed he does, and his methods are formidable too. If he were to take a fancy to you, you’d be set for life.”

Wang Yunxi asked, “Is he not married yet?”

“No, I see him as someone who doesn’t believe in marriage. The Wen family’s power doesn’t require marriage alliances. Though I heard he was keeping a woman at home before, I don’t know the current situation.”

Wang Yunxi rested her chin on her hand, her newly done matte dark red nails lightly tapping her cheek, saying leisurely, “Such men are not loyal.”

“That’s true,” the woman beside her echoed, then bumped her shoulder and gave her a flirtatious look, “But if our heavenly beauty Yunxi were to go for him, it would be a sure thing.”

Wang Yunxi laughed exuberantly, “Sister, don’t tease me like that.”

Chen Die was getting a headache from the disturbance and raised her hand to press her brow.

Lan Chuan noticed her movement, leaned closer, and asked in her ear, “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No.”

Lan Chuan looked at her cheek. Despite being covered with powder, one could still faintly see the swelling on her right cheek. He couldn’t help but frown, “Does your face still hurt?”

“It’s fine. It looks worse than it is; it doesn’t hurt that much.”

There was a sound of a chair scraping against the floor beside them. Wang Yunxi stood up, said “going to the restroom” to the woman next to her, and walked out from behind.

“I had heard rumors about Wang Yunxi’s temperament before, but I didn’t expect her to be so excessive,” Lan Chuan said. “Don’t worry, I’ll negotiate with her before the next shoot. She’ll give me that courtesy.”

“No need.”

Chen Die suddenly smiled, her fox-like eyes curved with a hint of mischievous cunning. She said word by word, “I need to go negotiate with her myself.”

With that, she also stood up and followed Wang Yunxi out.

The corridor outside was pitch black. With each tap of high heels on the floor, the motion sensor lights lit up one by one.

Wang Yunxi finished using the bathroom and came out of the stall to see Chen Die leaning against the wall, arms crossed, standing in front of her.

Wang Yunxi was irritated at the sight of her and snapped, “Don’t stand there blocking my way.”

Chen Die tilted her head, “Let’s settle a score?”

Only then did Wang Yunxi pause, turned to look at her, “What score do I have to settle with you? Don’t try to get familiar with me.”

Chen Die’s smile didn’t fade. She was indeed beautiful when she smiled, even though her smile was now infuriating to Wang Yunxi. The more Wang Yunxi looked, the more annoyed she became, recalling the online comments and comparisons after that program aired.

There were even numerous marketing accounts that deliberately took sides, praising one and disparaging the other.

She was convinced this was Chen Die’s doing.

But before she could voice her sarcasm, Chen Die had already leisurely walked up to her, raised her hand, and unexpectedly delivered a heavy slap.

There was a “buzzing” sound.

The slap was powerful. Wang Yunxi experienced a moment of ringing in her ears, but more than that, she was in disbelief.

She had been slapped by a small-time newcomer?

She held her face and looked up, glaring fiercely at Chen Die, “You dare to slap me?!”

Chen Die shook her wrist, looking relaxed, “You slapped me so many times this morning. Is it too much for me to slap you once?”

Wang Yunxi let out a shrill scream and lunged at Chen Die with her claws out.

But she wasn’t someone who knew how to fight. She only knew the typical woman’s fighting moves of hair-pulling and scratching. Chen Die, having spent a lot of time with Wen Liang, had unconsciously picked up some things.

Before Wang Yunxi could even touch Chen Die, she was slapped again, slipped in her high heels on the floor, and staggered, nearly falling.

She was in a complete mess.

“Chen Die!” Wang Yunxi was furious, her eyes completely red, “You dare to slap me!”

Chen Die sincerely asked, “Do you have any other phrases?”

“Don’t you believe I can make it impossible for you to survive in the entertainment industry!”

Chen Die wasn’t stupid and had already considered this.

Wang Yunxi didn’t have much influence behind her. Her company was willing to promote her only because of her considerable fan base. No matter how much she stirred things up, she didn’t have the power to blacklist Chen Die, especially with Chen Shao behind her, who loved nothing more than to watch the chaos unfold.

“What, planning to cry to your fans about being hit by me?” Chen Die asked amusedly, “There’s not even a surveillance camera here. What evidence do you have that I hit you?”

“This morning during filming, so many people saw you targeting me,” Chen Die tossed her long hair, lying blatantly without the slightest blush, “My manager has the complete video, which can be shared with everyone later for their enjoyment.”

Wang Yunxi was so angry she couldn’t speak, her chest heaving violently.

But Chen Die’s two slaps just now were so swift and resolute, almost like a madwoman’s, that she was too scared to move again.

At the same time, footsteps gradually approached the corridor outside the restroom.

Wang Yunxi, as if grabbing onto a lifeline, shouted for someone to come.

Chen Die felt a moment of dread. In such a status-conscious gathering, if this matter were to be made public, she would likely not come out on top.

The footsteps continued to approach.

Getting closer.

Then there was a “bang” as the restroom door was closed from the outside.

Chen Die, “…?”

Was someone providing her with an excellent “crime scene”?

Wang Yunxi was equally incredulous. There was no wind in the corridor, so the door couldn’t have been slammed shut by the wind. It had been deliberately closed by someone.

Could it be they didn’t recognize her voice?

“I’m Wang Yunxi! Someone’s hitting me!”

Chen Die, “…”

This idiotic behavior—even her fans probably wouldn’t believe Wang Yunxi would do something like this.

Chen Die didn’t hit her again.

After all, the action of slapping someone wasn’t particularly elegant.

She straightened her clothes and finally warned Wang Yunxi, “Mind your own business. If you dare to provoke me again, I do have ways to make sure you can’t survive in the entertainment industry.”

After saying this, Chen Die turned and walked out of the restroom.

But at the door, she suddenly smelled a familiar scent of cigarettes.