Chapter 38: New Drama Press Conference

Chapter 38: New Drama Press Conference

She considered herself a fan of Song Yun'er.

While she wasn't a professional fan who spent every day managing comments or boosting rankings online, she had watched every drama Song Yun'er starred in, and she hoped to become an actress like her one day.

Surrounded by staff and security, Song Yun'er walked with extremely rapid strides, wearing sunglasses. Shen Li caught only a fleeting glimpse of her from the periphery before the woman entered her private dressing room.

However, thinking about the fact that she would be appearing on the same stage as her at the press conference in a moment, Shen Li could not hide her excitement.

"Shen Li!"

Suddenly, someone reached out and patted her on the shoulder.

Shen Li turned around in surprise. When she saw the person behind her, she froze for a moment before brightening up: "Eh? Teacher Wen Xuan!"

Carrying her makeup kit, Wen Xuan asked with a smile, "Looking at Song Yun'er?"

Shen Li nodded sheepishly.

It seemed Wen Xuan's professional instincts had kicked in; she suddenly began to scrutinize Shen Li's makeup today with such seriousness that Shen Li felt a bit embarrassed.

She awkwardly touched her face and said, "I did it myself. Is there a problem, Teacher?"

Wen Xuan raised an eyebrow. "No major issues. You have a good base to begin with, it's just that a few details are a bit... perhaps I'm being too harsh as a makeup artist, but it's actually quite good."

But after saying that, she felt it wasn't good enough. "How about you come with me? I'll redo it for you in a bit."

Shen Li was naturally willing and nodded happily.

Following Teacher Wen Xuan further inside, Wen Xuan instructed as they walked, "When we go in later, sit to the side first. I need to do Ren Jia's makeup first, and I'll do yours after I'm finished with her."

"Ren Jia?" Shen Li was slightly startled. "Is she also a lead?"

Wen Xuan nodded. Realizing the press conference was imminent, she told Shen Li directly, "She is the second female lead."

Shen Li showed an understanding expression. The second female lead was the antagonist—the female lead's primary rival. Ren Jia had debuted in villainous roles and hadn't seemed to play a good person in all these years.

However, her acting was excellent and she had won awards, so she basically had no competitors in that niche and was currently very popular.

Shen Li couldn't help but recall what her sister had said: if one played a "bad maid" too well, it was very likely to pigeonhole their career path. Ren Jia was a living example of that.

Entering the dressing room, Shen Li immediately saw Ren Jia surrounded by a group of people. It looked like a crowd was helping her go over the script; she needed to memorize answers to certain questions that might be asked later.

"Jiajia, sorry, I'm late," Wen Xuan greeted her naturally.

Seeing this, Ren Jia put down her script, cast an unintentional glance at Shen Li sitting by the door, and then looked at Wen Xuan with a smile. "It's okay, no rush."

In front of the vanity, the bright makeup lights hit her face, exposing Ren Jia's less-than-ideal skin condition. She didn't want to look at it herself and sighed irritably, "This is ridiculous. I've been getting breakouts on my forehead lately, and around my nose too. It's so annoying."

This wasn't the first time Wen Xuan had done Ren Jia's makeup, so she naturally knew her skin condition had always been somewhat poor. Although she had never asked directly, she had heard rumors to some extent—people whispered that Ren Jia indulged in smoking and drinking privately, and also loved sweets and dairy, all of which were prone to causing acne.

"It's a minor issue, leave it to me. I guarantee you won't look like this at all on camera," Wen Xuan said confidently.

Hearing this, Ren Jia immediately broke into a smile. "I knew I could count on you. You must make me look beautiful, please."

Shen Li was sitting right behind her; through the mirror, she was positioned perfectly to see everything. Ren Jia couldn't ignore her even if she wanted to.

Superior features, perfect skin, and thick, dark hair—she was beautiful in a way that was impossible to deny even if one didn't want to admit it.

Ren Jia watched her silently for a long while before asking tentatively, "Sister Xuan, who is that girl? Your assistant?"

Wen Xuan was startled. She instinctively looked back at Shen Li and then smiled, "No, she's an actress in this drama. She plays 'Hua Xixi'!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Jia's expression changed instantly.

Hua Xixi?

Wasn't that the fourth female lead? Wasn't the fourth female lead Tian Xiaolu?

How had it been replaced by an unfamiliar newcomer?

Her mind raced, and she let out a soft, mocking chuckle. "The competition in this industry is truly fierce. I heard Tian Xiaolu got into a dispute with the investors over her salary, and as a result, she was replaced directly. What a pity."

Wen Xuan smiled and simply said, "This girl is quite good. She's a freshman at the Film Academy; I heard the cinematography team praising her."

"Oh?" Ren Jia raised an eyebrow. "Specifically singling out a newcomer for praise? That's quite a novelty."

As she spoke, she stared at Shen Li through the mirror with dark eyes, a half-smile playing on her lips.

After about half an hour, Wen Xuan finished Ren Jia's makeup, leaving the rest to the hairstylist.

She picked up her makeup kit and sat in the chair next to Shen Li. "Bear with it, I'll just touch you up like this."

Shen Li nodded. "Thank you, Teacher."

In just a few minutes, Wen Xuan refined Shen Li's makeup into a style that was more suitable for her and better highlighted her lovely features.

Finally, she nodded with satisfaction. "This is much better. Those bright, watery eyes of yours are your most beautiful feature; they're very captivating."

Shen Li's face flushed slightly as she smiled. She saw Wen Xuan stand up and say, "The press conference should be starting soon, so I'll head out first."

Shen Li politely went out to see Wen Xuan off. Once Shen Li was gone, Ren Jia said to her assistant on the side, "Xiaoya, go call Brother Tong over."

"Now?" Xiaoya checked the time. "It's about to start. Brother Tong must be busy right now, right?"

"I told you to go call him, so just go. Hurry up," Ren Jia urged impatiently.

Xiaoya had no choice but to nod and walk out quickly.

A short while later, a man in a suit, wearing headphones and holding a walkie-talkie, walked in quickly following Xiaoya.

"What's up, Jiajia? I'm sweating bullets here from being busy. What's so important that you had to call me?" Qi Tong asked with a frown.

Ren Jia flashed a smile and turned to beckon him over.

Qi Tong was somewhat impatient, but he still leaned in, only to hear Ren Jia whisper a few words in his ear.

Qi Tong's expression turned to one of surprise, and then he said, "You... isn't that a bit much? She's a newcomer; even if she goes on stage, how much screen time can she get? There isn't even a single question about her in the script. She'll just be standing there like a background prop."

"I don't care. I'm asking you, so just tell me if you can handle it or not," Ren Jia pouted, putting on a pitiful look.

Since her hair and makeup were complete, Ren Jia looked quite beautiful at this moment.

Qi Tong nodded with an expression of being unable to deal with her. "Fine, fine, I'll handle it. Just this once!"

"Look at you being all tough. Anyway, if I need something next time, I'll still come to you," Ren Jia said triumphantly.

Qi Tong laughed helplessly. The walkie-talkie emitted another urgent voice, so he picked it up and said, "The stage entry area might not be large enough; a few actors might not be able to get on stage. Send me the cast list so I can take a look."

(End of Chapter)