Chapter 127: Earning Money, Feeling Hungry, Wanting Food

Jiang Sui sent a "Wishing You Success" meme, the kind often used by the older generation.

Li Lan replied: [Smirk.jpg] "I’ve got a shoot today, sis, otherwise I’d be there to join in the fun."

Jiang Sui suddenly recalled that Xu Manman always seemed to play villainous roles. Although her acting skills were decent, her public reputation had never been particularly good, largely because the characters she portrayed were rarely likable.

It wasn't until she heard it from Li Lan later that she learned the conflict between Xu Manman and Bai Xixue had also stemmed from their acting careers.

The trouble began when Xu Manman had successfully auditioned for a role she truly coveted, hoping it would be her comeback. However, the part was snatched away by Bai Xixue. Bai Xixue had merely had a meal with the director, shared a few of her "insights" on the character, and recited a few lines, which was enough for the director to immediately swap the leads.

Those in the industry who were slightly better informed knew that it was because the capital behind Bai Xixue had stepped in, effectively becoming the project’s investor and the true power behind the scenes. Thus, the director had no choice but to replace Xu Manman with Bai Xixue.

Bai Xixue went on to become a massive hit with that role, launching her rise to fame. The official press releases claimed she had no intention of taking the role—that she had no real interest in acting—but after she gave it a try, the director insisted that she was the only one who could play the part.

From then on, she adopted the persona of a "slacker queen" who would say things like, "I didn't want to do it, I just wanted to lie flat, but they insisted on me," "I don't even know how I became so famous," and "I didn't want to go, but the director came knocking on my door." This "I just want to slack off" persona attracted a massive following.

Because Xu Manman couldn't stand that Bai Xixue had stolen her role, she made some snide, passive-aggressive remarks on social media. She even acted "green tea" (manipulative) on a few occasions, which led to Xu Manman being relentlessly bullied and torn apart by Bai Xixue’s fans and orchestrated hit pieces.

She was branded a "green tea bitch," "phony," "lacking emotional intelligence," and a "perpetual supporting actress." Following this, Xu Manman’s career prospects plummeted.

That was the origin of the feud between them. However, that was only the reality known to those in the industry. To the fans and the general public, Bai Xixue was simply too talented, handpicked by directors, and a woman who just wanted to live an easy life but was dragged into stardom against her will. On top of that, her mysterious CEO husband and her "second-generation CEO" son became tools for her to gain even more followers.

It was no wonder Xu Manman hated her so much, yet was too afraid to offend her, leading her to only speak in ambiguous, guarded terms. Xu Manman’s decision to audition for the lead in this current production was likely because the investors had no ties to the Ji family, and the director had a solid reputation. She was clearly trying to use this role to make a comeback.

...

Jiang Sui put down her phone and looked at Miao Xiaomiao, who was sitting across from her, fidgeting nervously.

"Explain yourself," she asked. "What’s going on with you?"

Miao Xiaomiao was currently at another one of Jiang Sui’s residences in Beihai City. As a public figure, Jiang Sui kept a place outside of her main villa. It used to be a rental, but she had since bought it outright.

Miao Xiaomiao kept her head down, poking her index fingers together. "I wanted to earn some money..." she whispered. "Otherwise, I was going to starve to death."

Jiang Sui was speechless.

"Then what exactly are you?" Jiang Sui stared at her and asked directly.

On the way back, she had already asked Er Gouzi about it. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any demons in this world. If there were, didn't that mean she could cultivate to become an immortal? She couldn't be biased, could she? Why would she allow other cats and dogs to cultivate into spirits, but not allow herself to attain immortality?