Chapter 4: Another Script

Jiang Xiaobai’s long hair was half-pinned up, with slightly curled strands falling on both sides to brush against her cheeks, which made her neck appear slender and elegant.

The beauty’s face was like fine jade; even before she spoke, just the way she looked over made one’s heart skip a beat.

“Good evening, President Zhao. I had long heard from Sister Ran that you possess an extraordinary temperament, and seeing you in person today, I know it to be true.”

Jiang Xiaobai said softly.

Upon hearing this, Dong Ran let out a long sigh of relief, and the smile on her face became a bit more sincere. “That’s right. It’s just that President Zhao doesn’t want to be in the industry; otherwise, if he had entered the entertainment circle, he would surely have countless fans!”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in agreement.

President Zhao felt his back straighten even more. He was used to being flattered, but being praised by such a beauty felt different.

Most importantly, Jiang Xiaobai’s expression was calm when she praised him, with only a faint smile at the corners of her lips, yet her gaze was very earnest, giving him the feeling that she truly meant it from the bottom of her heart.

“Haha, Miss Jiang also surprises me. I had thought the rumors in the industry were exaggerated, but now it seems they were actually too understated.”

President Zhao smiled and clinked glasses with Dong Ran. Jiang Xiaobai followed with a toast, and he drank it all.

Things seemed to be going well, and Dong Ran felt a bit more confident. “President Zhao, you’ve seen Xiaobai now. Her image is a perfect fit for that role. I wonder if you…”

“Second Uncle!”

Before Dong Ran could finish her sentence, a delicate voice came from the side. Dong Ran turned her head and her expression changed.

The woman was wearing a wine-red evening gown, her skin exceptionally fair, like a dazzling flame.

Her appearance was naturally gorgeous and charming. At this moment, with tasteful makeup and walking gracefully in high heels, her sexy demeanor drew the gazes of many men nearby.

Zhao Shan! How could she be here!

Wait, what did she just call President Zhao??

Dong Ran’s heart skipped a beat. The next moment, she saw Zhao Shan walk up to President Zhao and cling to his arm coquettishly. “Second Uncle, I’ve been looking for you for ages!”

“Shanshan is here? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

President Zhao smiled and patted Zhao Shan’s hand, revealing a natural intimacy. “Did your mother arrive? I’ll go over with you in a moment.”

“Alright, but these two…”

Zhao Shan looked at the complex-looking Dong Ran and Jiang Xiaobai standing beside her. She raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with deep meaning. “Isn’t this Jiang Xiaobai and Sister Dong? Why are you here? Oh, look at my memory, I almost forgot. They are the ones trying to snatch this role from me. Second Uncle, you wouldn’t have promised them, would you?”

As she spoke, she glared at President Zhao.

President Zhao chuckled. “You child, we are family. Why would I favor outsiders?”

“That’s more like it.”

Zhao Shan gave a light huff, lifted her chin, and looked at Jiang Xiaobai with disdain. “If you want to snatch a role, you should weigh your own worth first! A vase like you has the courage to compete with me? You don’t know your place!”

Most of the people present today were executives; there were very few people from the industry, so Zhao Shan didn’t need to maintain her perfect mask and clearly expressed her disgust.

Dong Ran’s face was very ugly. She never expected to face such a scene tonight.

President Zhao, Zhao Shan—they both shared the surname Zhao, but she had never thought they were related! If she had known, why would she have come tonight!

Jiang Xiaobai was also somewhat surprised. Zhao Shan had risen to fame quickly over the past two years, and she had never heard of any connection to the Zhao family. So, she had been riding on this influence all along.

What a pity; it seemed this role was a lost cause.

“Shanshan, how can you speak like that? You are all in the same industry; you should be friends in the future.”

President Zhao looked at Zhao Shan with disapproval.

Business people valued tact; even if they disliked someone, they maintained a facade of peace. How could she be so blunt to someone’s face?

Besides, in his memory, Shanshan wasn’t such an impulsive person. Could it be that she and Jiang Xiaobai had a grudge?

“Second Uncle, I don’t make friends with just anyone. Jiang Xiaobai isn’t even fit to carry my shoes!”

Zhao Shan rolled her eyes at Jiang Xiaobai, though her eyes couldn’t help but betray a hint of jealousy.

This woman was a hollow shell—no acting skills, no popularity. Who was she putting on that aloof act for? And she still wanted to work in the entertainment industry?

It was a waste of that face. If she had it, wouldn’t she be even more famous?

Not to mention that other matter!

“Miss Zhao, I have no desire to carry your shoes. You might be overthinking it.”

Jiang Xiaobai reminded her very earnestly.

“Miss Zhao, please watch your words!” Dong Ran also said in a deep voice.

“Shanshan, go tell your mother I’ll be over in a moment.”

Zhao Shan was about to retort in anger, but President Zhao stopped her.

“Got it.”

Zhao Shan snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Jiang Xiaobai, and turned to walk toward the second floor.

“President Zhao, since Zhao Shan is your family, why did you call us here tonight? Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

Dong Ran was angry. Despite suppressing her temper, she couldn’t help but say this.

President Zhao didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Jiang Xiaobai, observing her expression.

He was the one who had called them over, and his niece had insulted them in public. Anyone would be angry, but he wanted to see how Jiang Xiaobai—who had a poor reputation and was known in the industry for her bad temper—would react.

Strangely, Jiang Xiaobai’s reaction was minimal. She stood there calmly, as if she hadn’t been affected at all.

This was interesting. Such a temperament seemed different from the rumors.

“Since the role is already decided, we’ve disturbed you enough tonight. President Zhao, goodbye.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded at him, turned, and prepared to leave.

“Please stay, Miss Jiang.” President Zhao spoke up. “I asked you to come tonight because I wanted to see you in person. I have another script here that is very suitable for you. I wonder if you’re interested?”

Another script?

Jiang Xiaobai and Dong Ran exchanged a glance, both surprised.

“This… may I ask what kind of script it is?”

A glimmer of light appeared in Dong Ran’s eyes.

“It’s a game-based drama. I’ll have someone send it to your company’s email. If you’re interested, we can be in touch,” President Zhao smiled.

In reality, he had asked Dong Ran to bring Jiang Xiaobai not only because he was moved by Dong Ran’s persistence, but also because he was curious to see what this ill-tempered beauty was really like.

If she disappointed him, he would act as if she had never come. If she was interesting, other things could be discussed.

This game-themed drama was also an adaptation of a major IP. The female lead in the game was a cold, fairy-like mage who looked down on everyone due to her immense power. Only the male lead, who was stronger than her, managed to capture her heart through their repeated cooperation.

Cold, arrogant, beautiful… he had been struggling to find the best candidate for this role, and just then, Dong Ran had come looking for the role of Liu Ruyan.

So, he wanted to give them a chance.