Chapter 7: Changing Agents

It wasn't that she was unaccustomed to the bed; as a child from a poor family, she had never been picky about her living conditions. On the contrary, it was because the environment was too nice and the mattress too soft that she hadn't been able to sleep all night. She felt as if she were lying on a cloud—it was impossibly soft.

So, early in the morning, she climbed out of bed and began busying herself with breakfast.

"This is such a feast. Thank you for your hard work," Jiang Xiaobai said with a smile, patting Mingzhu on the head.

Mingzhu froze, her face turning bright red in an instant.

"But Zhuzhu, you're two years older than me. From now on, don't call me 'Sister Xiaobai,' just call me Xiaobai," Jiang Xiaobai corrected.

Mingzhu nodded frantically, her face still flushed. "Okay, Sister Xiaobai!"

Jiang Xiaobai:...

During the meal, Jiang Xiaobai showered her cooking with praise. Mingzhu was both shy and delighted; she didn't dare look up the entire time, but the corners of her mouth curled upward involuntarily.

After eating, Jiang Xiaobai gave the car keys to Mingzhu so she could go move her things.

She had wanted to find someone to help Mingzhu move, but Mingzhu insisted that she didn't have much luggage and could handle it herself. Jiang Xiaobai didn't press the issue, but she did lend her the car.

"Xiaobai! Good news, the role of Liu Ruyan is yours. We're signing the contract this afternoon, and then we'll be shooting the promotional photos and heading to the set soon. Check your email; the official script has been sent to you. You need to familiarize yourself with your scenes as soon as possible so you don't delay the filming schedule!"

Dong Ran’s call came through.

"Alright, I understand."

President Zhao had been very efficient. Once he knew his niece couldn't take the role, he let it go and gave it to Jiang Xiaobai. The production team had coordinated everything, and with everything in place, they were just waiting to start filming!

The contract was scheduled to be signed at the company.

The entertainment agency Jiang Xiaobai was signed to was quite famous, a giant in the industry. It had countless artists under its banner, including many popular stars and several award-winning actors and actresses.

The office building was grand. Jiang Xiaobai and Dong Ran pressed the button for the elevator, but just as the doors were about to close, someone suddenly pressed them open.

Jiang Xiaobai looked up and saw a man and a woman walk in. They looked surprised to see her, and the woman even frowned.

These two were also artists at Tangming. They were about the same age as Jiang Xiaobai and had been recruited while they were still in college. Come to think of it, there was some history between them.

"Jiang Xiaobai? Why are you at the company?" Dou Fang asked.

"I have business to attend to," Jiang Xiaobai replied aloofly.

"Oh... could it be that you're changing agents?"

Not knowing what she was thinking, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of Dou Fang's mouth, looking very much like she was waiting to see a joke.

Changing agents?

"What did you say?"

Jiang Xiaobai was confused; she didn't know why she would say something so strange.

Dong Ran, standing to the side, had a strange expression on her face.

"So you don't know yet? The company..."

"Fangfang!"

The man beside her spoke up. Zhang Yishui tugged at Dou Fang’s arm and gave her a look, but his eyes lingered on Jiang Xiaobai for a moment.

It would have been better if he hadn't spoken; after that gesture, Dou Fang’s mockery grew even sharper. "What? Can't I say it? It's not a secret in the company! How could an artist like Jiang Xiaobai be worthy of an agent like Sister Ran? Isn't that a waste of company resources? It’s only logical that Sister Ran doesn't want to manage her anymore!"

Jiang Xiaobai seemed to realize something. She glanced at Dong Ran, who frowned. "Stop it. This has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, protecting her now? Am I the villain for nothing? Well, birds of a feather flock together. You’re both unwanted, so it’s only fitting you’re stuck together!" Dou Fang sneered meanly.

Both unwanted? What did that mean?

Jiang Xiaobai felt displeased. Before she could think it through, she saw Sister Ran looking angry and about to speak, so she stepped in first. "We might be unwanted, but you're not much better. You just happen to like the unwanted ones."

As she said this, she looked toward Zhang Yishui, the corners of her mouth curling in a slight sneer.

Zhang Yishui had been stealing glances at Jiang Xiaobai, and when he suddenly met her gaze, he flinched. But when he realized what she had said, his face turned pale. "You!"

"Jiang Xiaobai, what are you saying! Don't go too far!"

Dou Fang was stunned at first, then realized what she meant. Her face turned bright red with anger, and she glared at Jiang Xiaobai, gritting her teeth.

The grudge between the three of them dated back two years. Back then, as newcomers who had just joined the company, they had all stuck together. Jiang Xiaobai’s appearance was too striking, and many male artists were interested in her, including Zhang Yishui.

But Dou Fang was a classmate of Zhang Yishui’s, and the two had already been flirting before they signed their contracts—they were in that "more than friends, less than lovers" stage. Dou Fang liked Zhang Yishui very much, so how could she stand being "robbed" of her man?

Because of this, she had caused some unpleasantness with the original owner.

But heaven is my witness, the original owner never looked down on Zhang Yishui. She had long seen that there was something ambiguous between Zhang Yishui and Dou Fang, so how could she have any interest in a man who was so fickle? That was why her rejection back then had been so clean, decisive, and merciless.

But sometimes people are just gluttons for punishment. Zhang Yishui had Dou Fang right there within reach, yet he ignored her. He just wanted to conquer Jiang Xiaobai, the cold goddess. He probably felt it would be more of a conquest and a sense of achievement, so he didn't stop; instead, his pursuit became even more intense.

Of course, this pursuit didn't last long. When he realized the goddess wasn't playing hard to get, but truly viewed him as nothing, he withered and backed off. He accepted Dou Fang, made up with her, and established a romantic relationship.

The "unwanted one" Jiang Xiaobai was referring to was none other than Zhang Yishui.

"Weren't you the one who went too far first?" Jiang Xiaobai raised her eyes lazily.

"Don't get cocky! You don't have many good days left. Once you change agents, let's see how you survive in the entertainment industry!"

"Whether I have good days or not is none of your concern. And who said I wouldn't survive in the industry? Maybe you'll be the one to leave the industry first, not me."

Jiang Xiaobai looked away nonchalantly, speaking to the air, not even bothering to look at Dou Fang.

Knowing the man had changed his heart, yet refusing to leave him, and instead blaming another woman for his change of heart!

Is she crazy?

After she finished speaking, Jiang Xiaobai felt a tremor in her heart when no one was looking, because as soon as her words fell, that familiar feeling returned!

Dou Fang was burning with rage and wanted to retort, but her floor had arrived. Zhang Yishui, feeling he had lost face, didn't want her to argue any further; he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the elevator.

The world returned to peace.

"Sister Ran, are you hiding something from me?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Dong Ran.

Dong Ran’s expression was unnatural. "Don't listen to her nonsense. There's no such thing. You're the only artist I manage, why would I change?"

Jiang Xiaobai stared at her for a while, and just as Dong Ran felt her heart racing and couldn't take it anymore, she looked away.

"Mm, I only recognize you as my agent."

Dong Ran felt a sense of relief and warmth in her heart. She couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry. As long as you behave and don't cause any trouble, I won't leave."

(End of chapter)