The little girl looked up at him with two teardrops still hanging on her long lashes. With a blink, they plopped onto Lu Chi’s hand.
It was exactly as Fu Yingyu had pictured it before approaching them–a little crybaby with big, watery eyes, now as red as a rabbit’s, looked really pitiful and lovely.
“Pretty… pretty sister…” Gu Suisui’s voice was still a little choked up. She didn’t actually want to keep crying, but she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Until—
She saw a piece of candy.
Her tears stopped instantly. Seeing the effectiveness of his method, Lu Chi’s face brightened, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Xiao Suisui, you’ve finally stopped crying.”
If this little one continued crying, even he, a grown man, would have started crying too.
Really, with such a soft, adorable little dumpling crying her heart out right before your eyes, who could possibly bear it?!
Lu Chi: "Thank you for the candy just now."
“Oh, no need for thanks. It's just a matter of convenience." Fu Yingyu also wondered why she had to meddle in other people's business but she’d done it, and she didn’t need to explain herself to anyone.
Fu Yingyu’s demeanor was aloof. After giving the candy, she turned and left. She had no intention of talking to anyone.
Seeing her leave just like that, Lu Chi frowned and asked, “Xiao Suisui, do you know that older sister?”
Gu Suisui nodded. “I know her. Pretty Older Sister is a good person.” As a spirit who could sense the emotions of those around her, she could feel that this human had good intentions towards her.
Lu Chi gently stroked the little girl’s soft hair. He recalled what his manager had told him before he started filming, and his dark eyes grew a shade deeper.
A good person? He wasn’t so sure about that.
As the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. Even his own manager had specifically warned him to be careful. This woman was probably not as simple as she seemed.
==
Fu Yingyu’s manager, Hao Peng, had been working with her for three years.
After they returned to the dressing room, he thought about what had happened on the set and tentatively asked, “Yingyu, do you know that little girl?”
Fu Yingyu looked down at her phone, not even glancing up. “No, I don’t.”
She didn’t even know the little girl’s name, so how could she know her?
If you don’t know her, why give her candy to coax her… You’ve never been the warmhearted type before.
Hao Peng had a little doubt in his heart, but seeing her indifferent expression, he chose to believe her words. He only muttered: “I think that little girl seems quite close to Lu Chi.”
Lu Chi’s grandfather, Lu Jianhui, was a famous director, and his family had relatives who owned film and television companies. This Lu Chi had a powerful backstage.
“Maybe.” Fu Yingyu said, seemingly unconcerned. She changed the subject. “By the way, I heard that Director He Zhiliang is in talks with our company about a new film project. Go and find out the details for me. I want the female lead for that film.”
Hao Peng happened to know some inside information about this new film. His expression turned troubled. “But I heard that the company already intends to give the female lead role to Ji Min. I’m afraid it won’t be easy…”
Hearing that name, Fu Yingyu’s expression turned colder. “It’s precisely because Ji Min wants this film that I have to snatch the female lead role. You also said they only ‘intend’ to cast her. As long as it hasn’t been officially announced, I still have plenty of opportunities.” No matter the cost, she would seize the role from her.
Hao Peng opened his mouth, wanting to persuade her not to be impulsive, but thinking that every time he persuaded her in the past, it didn't work, he had to give up in the end.
He didn’t understand why Fu Yingyu always had to go against Ji Min. The female lead they wanted to cast in their current big-budget IP film, “Dormant”, was also Ji Min.
Snatching a role once or twice was one thing; such things were common in the industry. There were only so many good scripts and roles, so how else could one get ahead without a little competition? But things were different now. Everyone in the company knew that Ji Min had hooked up with the boss' youngest son. Going against her now wasn't just going against Ji Min, but against her own career!
Besides, weren't they both in the same group before? Why resort to this tactic of harming one thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred to oneself?!
Of course, Hao Peng wouldn’t dare to voice these thoughts in front of his own artist. However, he couldn't help but worry about her.
He didn’t want to see her suffer at the hands of others.
In fact, Fu Yingyu’s career had been flourishing in recent years, and the company had long considered assigning her a new manager. Hao Peng was self-aware; his abilities were average, and he didn't have many connections in the industry. Yet, she never expressed any intention of replacing him. Hao Peng was well aware of this.
It was precisely because he knew she treated him well and didn't give up on him as her manager that he couldn't bear to watch her sink deeper into this quagmire.
If this continued, she would be the one to ruin herself.
…
Since she came to her senses that day, Feng Yaoqin realized she couldn’t let her daughter be the sole breadwinner. She found herself a temporary job.
The pay at the convenience store wasn’t much, but the work was easy, and the hours were flexible. This way, she could earn extra money to supplement the family expenses and still have time to pick Suisui up from the set after filming every day.
Feng Yaoqin didn't plan to let her daughter be a children's clothing model in the future. She also told the agency that they wouldn’t be accepting any more jobs in that area. But as for acting…
Feng Yaoqin herself was only a high school graduate. Even if she found a stable job, her meager salary wouldn’t be enough to support both her and her daughter. Moreover, Suisui would need to attend school in the future: elementary school, middle school, high school, university… There would be countless expenses down the line.
Acting was a quick way to earn money. Only by letting her daughter continue acting could she ensure a better and more stable life for both of them.
Suisui’s looks were inherited from her father. If not for her own plain appearance, Feng Yaoqin would have wanted to go into acting herself. She was reluctant to let her daughter shoulder the burden of supporting their family at such a young age.
This time, Feng Yaoqin decided to respect her daughter’s wishes.
“Suisui, tell Mommy honestly, do you like acting?”
Gu Suisui said without hesitation: "I like it."
Today, she had sneaked a peek at the costume and makeup photos Director Uncle had mentioned, and finally understood why Peach Blossom Spirit Sister wanted to be an actress.
She looked so pretty in the photos! She liked it so much! (/≧▽≦/)～
She also wanted to be an actress like Peach Blossom Spirit Sister.
Feng Yaoqin: “Filming for Director Chen’s movie will be finished next week. Mommy wants you to audition for another movie. Are you willing?” She had heard this news from brother Li. It was said to be another big production with a good salary.
Gu Suisui knew that their family’s financial situation was average. She had to work hard to earn money to buy many, many beautiful dresses. So upon hearing this question, she didn’t hesitate for a second. “I’m willing!”
Once she makes enough money, she wouldn’t just buy pretty dresses for herself, but would also buy many, many more for her mother.