Chapter 5: The Second Female Lead is Toxic

However, President Zhao had his own plans. His niece would be attending today’s reception, and she was currently competing with Jiang Xiaobai for a role. If Jiang Xiaobai saw Zhao Shan and lost her temper, making a scene in public...

Then, there would likely be no place for her in the entertainment industry in the future.

But to his surprise, she seemed somewhat different from the rumors.

"Thank you so much. We’ll check our email when we get back and will be in touch with you, President Zhao."

Dong Ran’s smile returned to her face.

At least they hadn't been brought here just to be toyed with; it wasn't a wasted trip after all.

Without lingering, Dong Ran and Jiang Xiaobai left the venue together.

"What was up with that Zhao Shan? The things she said were too much. You two haven't worked together before, have you? How did you offend her?"

Back in the car, Dong Ran’s anger had yet to subside.

They were all in the same circle, bound to run into each other eventually. There was no deep-seated hatred between them, so why was Zhao Shan being so nasty?

Dong Ran thought it over, but aside from the role of Liu Ruyan, they didn't seem to have any conflicts. Moreover, even Liu Ruyan had been snatched away by her; was there really a need to hold a grudge against Xiaobai over that?

"I don't know either. I've never met her before."

Jiang Xiaobai thought for a moment and shook her head.

"Such a good role, and she snatched it away! President Zhao really isn't afraid she'll ruin the performance!"

Dong Ran snorted, her expression looking terrible.

"It’s fine, Ran-jie. If she wants Liu Ruyan, let her have it. Her appearance is too far off from the original work; playing it will only result in bad reviews. It’s not worth the gain."

Letting a sexy bombshell play a cold, aloof female cultivator? The mental image was too beautiful to imagine.

"You’re certainly optimistic! Even if the reputation is bad, acting in this drama can still boost one's popularity!"

She glared at Jiang Xiaobai, frustrated by her lack of ambition.

"Think of it optimistically. Even if she’s cast, it doesn't mean she’ll succeed. Didn't the previous actress for the second female lead sign a contract but fail to perform? Maybe she’ll twist her ankle and miss out on the role too."

Jiang Xiaobai said this casually. It was just meant to comfort Dong Ran, but as she finished speaking, she felt an inexplicable, faint chill emerge from within her body, which then quickly vanished.

A strange look crossed her face, which Dong Ran noticed. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I just felt... maybe I caught a chill."

Jiang Xiaobai rubbed her arms.

Mingzhu, who was driving, quickly turned up the car's air conditioning.

At the very moment Jiang Xiaobai said those words, at President Zhao’s banquet

Zhao Shan had been drinking with a few friends and was feeling a bit tipsy. With unsteady steps, she intended to head upstairs to rest.

"Shanshan, are you okay? Do you want me to help you?"

"No need. The room is just on the second floor. I can manage."

Zhao Shan waved her hand, refused her friend, and stepped onto the stairs in her high heels. But halfway up, she felt her foot step into thin air. Her sole slipped, and she couldn't stop herself from falling backward, letting out a scream—

"Ah—"

"Shanshan!"

The reception was suddenly thrown into chaos.

"You go on up. If President Zhao sends over the script, I’ll contact you," Dong Ran said.

"Okay."

Just as Jiang Xiaobai was about to get out of the car, she heard Dong Ran’s phone ring. This was normal, but the change in Dong Ran’s expression after answering the call made Jiang Xiaobai secretly marvel, so she didn't get out immediately.

"Right, right, I understand. Thank you."

After hanging up, Dong Ran remained in a daze.

"Ran-jie?"

Jiang Xiaobai called out, "Did something happen?"

"Xiaobai." Dong Ran looked over with a blank stare. "Zhao Shan just fell down the stairs. She broke her leg."

Jiang Xiaobai:...

What?

"This is hellish. How did you manage to call that? This retribution came way too fast! It seems this role was meant to be ours... No, this is too eerie. Is this second female lead role cursed? Why does nothing good happen to anyone who touches it!"

Dong Ran had been feeling a bit gleeful, but her expression changed immediately after.

No, this was too wrong. First, an actress signed a contract and twisted her ankle, and now Zhao Shan broke her leg. Why was this role so obsessed with legs? What would happen to the next second female lead?

Could it be... that she’ll break her leg so badly she’ll need an amputation?!

Dong Ran’s face was grave, covered in frost, as she fell into an internal struggle.

Now that Zhao Shan had lost her chance, given President Zhao’s impression of them earlier, there was a high chance the role would fall to Jiang Xiaobai. Under normal circumstances, this would be a good thing, but now, with this "Zhao Shan incident"...

The "broken leg" curse was terrifying, and Dong Ran didn't dare let Jiang Xiaobai take the risk.

Mingzhu, who had learned about the banquet from the car, didn't have time to be happy about Zhao Shan’s retribution before she started worrying for Jiang Xiaobai.

Was it better to take the role, or not?

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned.

Her expression was somewhat strange. When she made that joke earlier, her body had felt a bit off. She hadn't thought much of it at the time, thinking it was just a hallucination from the cold air in the car, but now...

Could Zhao Shan’s fall be related to her words?

This... that couldn't be, right?

"Your life is more important. Let’s not take it. Whoever wants to act can have it."

Dong Ran finally made her decision.

Her heart ached terribly, but she couldn't afford to take this risk. What if the curse intensified for Jiang Xiaobai? What if she broke her leg?

Then her acting career would be over!

"No, Ran-jie, I want to take it."

Jiang Xiaobai spoke up.

"Xiaobai-jie, don't!"

Mingzhu cried out in panic, and Dong Ran also looked disapproving.

"It’s fine. There’s no such thing as a curse; it’s just a coincidence." Jiang Xiaobai smiled to reassure them. "Besides, didn't you say it yourself, Ran-jie? It was retribution for her foul mouth. I believe I’ll be fine."

"This..." Dong Ran hesitated, but seeing Jiang Xiaobai’s firm expression, she wavered. "You’ve thought it through? You’d rather take the risk?"

"Yes, this is a rare opportunity for me."

"Alright then. I’ll contact President Zhao tomorrow."

Dong Ran sighed.

It wasn't appropriate to call President Zhao right now. His niece had just been injured, and if she rushed to pick up the scraps, anyone would feel uncomfortable. Waiting until tomorrow would be fine.

"Thank you, Ran-jie. I’m going up now."

Jiang Xiaobai pushed the door open and got out of the car again.

"Wait!"

Two voices spoke in unison—Dong Ran and Mingzhu.

Jiang Xiaobai turned back, puzzled.

"You can't walk by yourself. I’ll see you up!" Dong Ran said.

"Yeah, yeah." Mingzhu nodded repeatedly.

Jiang Xiaobai froze for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

They were afraid she would follow in Zhao Shan’s footsteps!

Dong Ran and Mingzhu were stunned.

Jiang Xiaobai rarely laughed like that. She was usually a very detached person, unconsciously putting on the airs of a young lady, looking at others as if they were her servants.

Even when she smiled, it was usually just a slight smile or a mere curling of her lips.