To Meng Nianchu's surprise, Mu Junze still remembered every detail about the two of them so clearly. He could even describe the clothes she wore on their first meeting.
While feeling overjoyed, Meng Nianchu was also deeply touched.
She had finished the bowl of congee when someone pushed the door open.
The smile on Meng Nianchu's face immediately faded, replaced by coldness. Even without turning around, she knew exactly who it was.
In her past life, she had suffered a great deal thanks to this person.
"Eating alone?" Ying You'an strolled over to Meng Nianchu with his hands in his pockets. Seeing her delicate side profile, he reached out his hand, trying to touch her face.
Meng Nianchu turned her head to avoid him and glanced at him askance. "You're here to ask me to play the female lead in *The Kite* again."
Caught off guard, Ying You'an was stunned for a moment. Then he hooked his lips and let out a snort, pulling over a chair and sitting down. Crossing his legs, he placed his large hands on his thighs. "Sure enough, you're the one I like. You're so in tune with me."
Meng Nianchu put down her phone, turned her head to look at him directly, with a smile in her eyes, but it somehow made people feel cold.
Even Ying You'an couldn't help but shiver. He wondered in his heart why Meng Nianchu seemed to have changed into a different person.
"I can agree to act in this drama."
She spoke slowly. Before Ying You'an could even be happy for two seconds, she added another sentence, "But the role I want to play is the hero's younger sister."
Ying You'an almost blurted out, "Why?"
"Because I like it."
"The only reason you want me to act in your drama is to use my popularity to promote the new show. In that case, it doesn't matter which role I play as long as I can achieve your goal."
The logic was sound.
But...
Ying You'an squinted his eyes and sized her up and down, as if trying to figure out what trick she was playing.
With a smile on her face, Meng Nianchu straightened her back and let him look at her boldly.
"It's a pity that my popularity alone is limited. No matter how much I try, I can only create a small stir. If you want the drama to become a big hit, you need to add more fuel to the fire. How about I recommend someone to you?"
"Who?"
"My elder sister, Meng Rong. If we both appear in the same drama, there will be a comparison, and of course, there will be topics. Are you still afraid it won't be popular?"
After hearing this, Ying You'an was even more confused about Meng Nianchu's intentions.
"Alright." Meng Nianchu stood up. "Give me a straight answer. If you agree, I'll act. If not, find someone else."
After hesitating for a while.
Ying You'an finally agreed. "I'll keep my word."
Watching Ying You'an leave Shangting, Meng Nianchu crossed her arms in front of her chest, slightly raising her chin, her face as cold as ice.
Let you taste some sweetness for now. You'll suffer later.
On the other side.
In the second - floor room of the Meng family villa, there were constant scolding sounds.
"I won't forgive you, Meng Nianchu!"
"You stole my limelight and bewitched Junze. Why do all the good things happen to you! You're just relying on your face. If I ruin it, I'll see how you can seduce others!"
Sitting in front of the dressing table, Meng Rong stared at herself in the mirror, spitting out each word with hatred. She didn't believe that if Meng Nianchu lost her face, anyone would still like her!
Suddenly.
The phone rang.
She angrily grabbed it and shouted impatiently, "Who is it!"
"Hello, Miss Meng. I'm Gao Qian, Assistant to General Manager Ying. Our General Manager Ying would like to invite you to play the female lead in his drama. I wonder if Miss Meng is interested?"
General Manager Ying?
The only person with the surname Ying in the film and television industry...
It was Ying You'an, Mu Junze's cousin!
Her heart pounding, Meng Rong was unable to hide her excitement. "Did General Manager Ying ask you to call?"
"Yes, Miss Meng. General Manager Ying is very busy with work, so he asked me to call you first to inquire about your opinion. If Miss Meng disagrees..."
"Agree! Of course I'm willing!" Without hesitation, Meng Rong wished she could rush in front of them right away and sign the contract on the spot.
After confirming the shooting schedule with Gao Qian, she suddenly remembered something. "General Manager Ying and Jun... Mu Junze are cousins. Why didn't he ask Meng Nianchu for such a good role?"
"Miss Meng Nianchu will also play a role in this drama. She'll be the younger sister of the male and female leads."
Hearing what the other person said, Meng Rong slightly raised her chin and gave a strange smile.
After finishing the business and hanging up the phone, Meng Rong couldn't help but sneer.
So what if Meng Nianchu was popular online? In the eyes of the director, she was still just a half - novice who couldn't even get the female lead role. Compared with her, Meng Nianchu was like an ant, without any aura.
Thinking like this, all her anger vanished. Her previous thoughts were gone, and her mind was filled only with the news that she had gotten the female lead role. Unable to contain her excitement, she rushed out of the room and quickly went to tell her father and mother.
At this moment, she didn't know that because of her momentary pride, she had silently reversed Meng Nianchu's future miserable situation.
She had also unknowingly fallen into the well - prepared trap set by Meng Nianchu.
...
"Nianchu, today is your father's fiftieth birthday. It's been a long time since you last went home. You must come back tonight. Your father misses you."
"Okay, I know."
After resting at home for a few days, Meng Nianchu replied to the message from her mother while having breakfast.
She was thinking about what gifts to buy for her parents when she went back tonight. Unaware, Mu Junze, who was tying his tie and about to go to the company, heard every word she said.
Mu Junze asked indifferently, "You're going back tonight?"
"Yes. You've been busy with company affairs recently. I'll go back alone tonight. You don't need to worry about this. I'll explain it to my parents, and they'll understand."
After finishing her plan in one breath, suddenly she felt a strong and intense gaze behind her. Turning around, she saw Mu Junze with a gloomy expression and his thin lips tightly pursed.
Meng Nianchu was confused. She didn't know why he was angry again.
"What's wrong?"
There was no response. Mu Junze walked out of Shangting with a cold face without saying another word.
In the quiet living room, the carefree Meng Nianchu didn't realize what she had said wrong.
Pouting her lips, she muttered discontentedly, "He's getting more and more moody recently."
She didn't have much time to wonder why Mu Junze's mood had suddenly changed. Instead, she focused on selecting gifts for her father and mother.
Just thinking about seeing her parents again tonight, Meng Nianchu was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
After packing everything up, as the sky gradually turned gray, Meng Nianchu changed her clothes and was about to go out.
Unexpectedly, Mu Junze, whom she thought would be dealing with business in the company, appeared at the door.