Rise and Slay: From Scandal Queen to Academic Genius - Chapter 388 - 365: Don’t Start a Signature Competition in the Entertainment Industry!
Chapter 388: Chapter 365: Don’t Start a Signature Competition in the Entertainment Industry!
Upon hearing the sobbing, Ji Xizhi immediately decided to leave.
Shanli said this was her and Shen Yeyi’s dressing room. Since Shen Yeyi wasn’t there, the room should be empty.
But someone was crying inside.
No matter who it was, this person probably didn’t want to be found out.
Ji Xizhi had no intention of eavesdropping, but before she could turn to leave, a louder outburst came from inside.
“I’m not going. I said I absolutely won’t go!”
“Has the company considered me with this decision? They don’t even care if I’m willing or not!”
“Freeze me out if they want, I don’t care. I’d rather quit the industry like Ji Xizhi!”
Immediately after, the door of the dressing room was yanked open from the inside.
Ji Xizhi, who had retreated to the doorway, bumped right into the angry person inside.
It was Ji Xizhi’s first time visiting the “Rival in Love” crew. Before coming, Shanli had sent her the casting photos of the crew members.
Ji Xizhi could instantly recognize the person with reddened eyes before her as Shen Yeyi, the lead actress of “Rival in Love.”
The two of them met awkwardly, and even though Ji Xizhi hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, she was the first to apologize:
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be here. I came to the dressing room to wait for Shanli. If it’s inconvenient, you can have her find me downstairs when she arrives!”
Ji Xizhi spoke simply, showing no interest in the matters Shen Yeyi had just yelled about, nor did she seem curious about Shen Yeyi’s tearful eyes.
Shen Yeyi was also surprised; she had just mentioned Ji Xizhi on the phone, and now she opened the door to see Ji Xizhi herself.
She was even more embarrassed than Ji Xizhi, but after hearing Ji Xizhi’s words, her expression improved a bit.
“No need, I was going out. You go ahead and rest.”
Shen Yeyi wiped her tear-stained eyes, her voice thick with nasal congestion, yet her attitude was still distant and cold.
In the “Rival in Love” crew, none of the main actors were particularly famous. Although Ji Xizhi was just there as a legal advisor, she had the most fans and was the highest-profile figure, drawing more attention than the film’s promotional male and female leads combined.
In the crew, apart from the male lead Qiu Hu, who was secretly a fan, everyone else, even if they weren’t Ji Xizhi’s fans, was quite enthusiastic upon seeing her.
After all, who would dislike a celebrity who doesn’t compete with you for roles and promotes your show for free?
Someone like Shen Yeyi, who seemed indifferent and somewhat antagonistic, was rare.
Ji Xizhi didn’t care much about Shen Yeyi’s attitude. After listening to her, she didn’t say anything more, just nodded and stepped into the dressing room.
Shen Yeyi stood by the doorway, a pang of blocked frustration rising in her chest as she watched Ji Xizhi quietly enter the dressing room.
She had thought Ji Xizhi might at least exchange pleasantries, but Ji Xizhi just walked right past her without a word, leaving Shen Yeyi speechless.
Standing at the doorway, Shen Yeyi watched Ji Xizhi enter the dressing room and sit down on a chair, a complex expression on her face.
It was her first time meeting Ji Xizhi, but she had already searched for Ji Xizhi extensively online before.
To her, Ji Xizhi was like a shadow lurking invisibly.
Ever since “Rival in Love” announced the female lead, everyone online said Ji Xizhi was the most suitable choice. Director Jin had also originally favored Ji Xizhi for the role, not her. It was only after Ji Xizhi declined the role that she got the chance, which initially put immense pressure on her.
Since the release of the “Rival in Love” casting photos, Shen Yeyi had been ridiculed extensively by black fans. As a newcomer who hadn’t played a lead before, she wasn’t prepared to handle this kind of pressure.
She worked tirelessly in the crew, trying to rebut the online claims, wanting to prove she wouldn’t let Director Jin down, and even hoping to outshine Ji Xizhi.
Yet today, because of a call from her agent, all her efforts seemed meaningless.
She was different from Ji Xizhi. She didn’t have Ji Xizhi’s capability or courage.
The gaze Shen Yeyi cast upon Ji Xizhi shifted from complexity to envy.
Soon after, she slowly looked away, lifted her heavy feet, and left the dressing room.
In the dressing room, Shanli and Xiao Yuan returned shortly after Shen Yeyi left, bringing food with them.
Tagging along with them was the crew’s male lead, Qiu Hu.
Shanli called out as soon as they entered the dressing room:
“Quick, Zhi Zhi, pour me a glass of water!”
“You have no idea how many fans are waiting for you downstairs. It seems someone discovered your presence on a forum, and now the outside of this shooting building is packed with people.”
“When I went to the canteen for food, I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat, but luckily your fans were there, and they picked out dishes for you. If they don’t taste good, don’t blame me!”
Shanli spoke casually with Ji Xizhi, as they were quite familiar with one another.
Ji Xi stood up and poured a glass of water for each of the three.
Shanli and Xiao Yuan were exhausted from running around. They gulped down the water hastily, while Qiu Hu hugged the glass with a silly grin and didn’t take a sip for a long time.
Shanli poked Qiu Hu and teased, “Can you stop being silly? You’re supposed to be my cool male god!”
Qiu Hu continued grinning, his gaze fixed on Ji Xizhi: “Zhi Zhi, can I get your autograph too?!”
“Of course you can.”
Getting an autograph wasn’t troublesome. Ji Xizhi took a pen and paper from Shanli and prepared to sign for Qiu Hu.
“What would you like me to sign?”
It was the first time Ji Xizhi met Qiu Hu, so she didn’t know him well and took the initiative to ask.
To her surprise, Qiu Hu looked excited: “Just like the students just now, the same way is fine!”
Ji Xizhi: “?” She didn’t expect Qiu Hu to be so eager to learn! Truly deserving of the honor student title!
Shanli/Xiao Yuan: “???”
Hey! Don’t turn signing autographs into a competitive knowledge output! Autograph requests used to be just “to” someone, but now it’s become key information output because of you guys!!!
Shanli and Xiao Yuan shouted in their hearts.
Nevertheless, Ji Xizhi fulfilled Qiu Hu’s wish in the end. She redid the key points she had just signed for the fans and signed a complete version for Qiu Hu.
Qiu Hu, ecstatic with his exclusive Ji Xizhi autograph, cheered loudly, losing interest in eating.
Shanli, standing nearby, quietly pulled out Qiu Hu’s chicken leg, dividing it up without mercy!
–
The afternoon’s filming resumed as usual, but with Ji Xizhi added to the set.
Ji Xizhi donned a baseball cap, carrying a small stool and sitting earnestly beside Director Jin’s monitor.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan was arranged to work on problems in the adjacent classroom.
During the afternoon, as the staff were setting up the equipment for shooting, initially, no one noticed the person by Director Jin’s side, assuming it was just a new assistant he had brought on board.
On closer inspection, they realized it was Ji Xizhi.
Ji Xizhi, a top-tier celebrity, sitting on a folding stool without even an assistant to hand her things or fan her.
Actually, Ji Xizhi was the one acting as Director Jin’s assistant, handing him things!!!
