This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 32

The person was hidden in the shadows; their face was completely obscured.

But she knew it was Nie Zhuying!

The woman had actually followed through on her word.

In an instant, Xia Qingye felt so nervous that she didn’t know where to put her hands or feet. This unexpected surprise filled her hollow chest with warmth, a gentle current flowing through her.

She patted Qi Jiani in her arms as if comforting a child, her voice raspy and carrying a tone that brooked no refusal. “That’s enough.”

Qi Jiani was pushed away, but she didn’t feel awkward. Instead, she looked at Xia Qingye tentatively. Seeing that the other’s expression was as calm as usual, she said, “Thanks, Qingye. Can we exchange contact info?” Seeing Xia Qingye’s confusion, she explained nervously, “Maybe, in the future, uh, we could go out for tea or something…”

By the end, she felt the excuse was incredibly forced. She raised her head, gathered her courage, and looked Xia Qingye in the eye. “Actually, I think we can be considered friends now.”

Xia Qingye smiled, recited a string of digits, and walked away.

Qi Jiani immediately pulled out her phone to record the number. When she looked up again, she saw Xia Qingye’s silhouette turn a corner and get into a different car. She wondered aloud, “That… doesn’t look like Qingye’s nanny van.”

Yuan Fang walked over and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Her van is following behind. It must be an acquaintance.”

Qi Jiani: “Mhm.”

Yuan Fang comforted her further, “I know you’ve been in a bad mood these past few days. If you don’t want to take on any roles this month, it’s fine. I can give you a half-month vacation.”

Qi Jiani thought for a moment and shook her head. “No need. I only need three days off.”

Yuan Fang nodded. “Let’s go, then.”

Xia Qingye ignored Yu Lan’s horrified expression, gave her a quick instruction, and got into Nie Zhuying’s car. It was a very spacious nine-seater.

As she entered, she saw Nie Zhuying half-reclining in a chair, staring at her with a half-smile. Her slanted phoenix eyes were full of a wicked charm that made one’s heart itch.

As for Zhou Ling, she had a grim expression and sat in the passenger seat, silently contemplating her life choices.

After that wrap party, she had repeatedly warned her Film Queen to stay as far away as possible from this woman named Xia Qingye. Who would have thought that in just the few days of the New Year, Nie Zhuying would not only throw those words out the window but also willfully insist on coming to this damn school to “show support.”

The moment Zhou Ling saw Xia Qingye, only one sentence roared in her mind: Show support my a–.

Supporting a newcomer who came out of nowhere was a surefire way to drive the company executives to an early grave.

Yao Wei was calmer than Zhou Ling. She had seen Xia Qingye at the Xia house and witnessed Nie Zhuying’s hidden “shameless” side, so she was exceptionally composed. She gave a friendly smile, smartly sat in the back row, and pretended to play with her phone, though her ears were already standing at attention.

Xia Qingye’s throat felt like it was on fire, and she was shivering with cold. Seeing Nie Zhuying’s indifferent attitude, she knew the woman was about to cause trouble. She didn’t know what she had done to offend this “little ancestor” again.

She wrapped herself up, huddled in her seat, and closed her eyes, intending to rest for a bit before dealing with her.

However, the moment she closed her eyes, her leg was nudged by a not-so-gentle kick. A sarcastic voice rang in her ear, “You sure are popular. No wonder you didn’t need me to personally back you up. Getting hugs from fans even as you leave—I’ve never encountered such a passionate fan myself.”

Xia Qingye opened her eyes and saw Nie Zhuying staring at her fiercely, eyes wide, trying to look “super aggressive.”

Xia Qingye suddenly sat up and leaned slightly forward.

Nie Zhuying thought she was going to kick her back in a fit of rage; she instinctively shrank back, her voice sounding tough but hollow, “Hey, let me tell you—ah—”

Zhou Ling and Yao Wei watched simultaneously as their “little ancestor” was pulled into a hug by the woman named Xia Qingye.

“Passionate fan treatment,” Xia Qingye’s raspy voice echoed in the narrow car, carrying a trace of an undetectable smile. After speaking, she sat back in her original spot as if she had truly only done it to satisfy what Nie Zhuying said—the treatment she’d never encountered.

A false alarm.

Zhou Ling rubbed her face, deciding to ignore these two troublesome people for a while.

It took Nie Zhuying a long time to react. She kicked the other’s legs repeatedly, snapping, “Who told you that you could hug me? Did I give permission? How outrageous!”

Xia Qingye grabbed her foot and scratched the sole of it.

Nie Zhuying was dumbfounded. she immediately retracted her leg, but she couldn’t break free at once. She pointed at Xia Qingye, saying in disbelief, “You—you actually dared to tickle me!”

Xia Qingye smiled and, using some skill, tickled her several more times.

Nie Zhuying wasn’t ticklish anywhere else, but her feet were her one weakness. Being tickled like that made her collapse back into her seat, her other foot kicking at Xia Qingye, “Aha ha ha! Let go! Quickly let go!”

Xia Qingye didn’t go too far. She only let go once the other woman was too weak from laughing to resist.

Yao Wei looked down silently. Is it just me, or do these two look like children bickering? It’s almost unbearable to watch.

Zhou Ling’s mood… was even more indescribable.

Nie Zhuying nearly slid off her chair. Fearing another sneak attack, she sat cross-legged, straightened her back, and pointed an angry finger. “Considering I was kind enough to take in Nuonuo and the others, I specifically rushed here to back you up, yet you aren’t even grateful.”

Xia Qingye massaged her throat and squeezed out an explanation, “You know that person from just now.”

Nie Zhuying’s anger vanished, replaced by a look of confusion as she processed the words.

“Qi Jiani.”

“…”

“She’s a fan of yours too.”

Seeing she still looked confused, Xia Qingye pulled out her phone.

Xia Qingye: Qi Jiani has been in a very low mood these past few days. She needed a little comfort, and then what you saw happened.

Nie Zhuying stared at the explanation on the screen, specifically at the name Qi Jiani, for a long time.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: Oh.

A sudden silence spread throughout the car.

The two who had been bickering just a second ago tacitly put away their phones and closed their eyes to nap.

Zhou Ling and Yao Wei were the least comfortable. They had both prepared for Nie Zhuying’s public persona to collapse completely, but everything just came to a screeching halt. That feeling of being stuck halfway was truly uncomfortable.

Xia Qingye had been sleepy before, but after seeing Nie Zhuying’s indifferent response, she felt unsettled. She replayed her explanation in her mind over and over, unable to understand why the other’s reaction wasn’t what she expected.

Was it the name ‘Qi Jiani’?

This question remained unsolved until the car stopped at her apartment.

“Sister Nie, Miss Xia, we’ve arrived.”

“Why don’t you come up—” for a bit? Xia Qingye endured her throat pain and only managed four words.

“No need. I’m here to pick up Nuonuo and Xia-Xia. Have your little assistant bring them over.”

When Nie Zhuying spoke, her voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

The warmth that had filled Xia Qingye’s chest drained away instantly. She only felt a piercing cold. She nodded and called Yu Lan. “Bring Nuonuo and Xia-Xia over.”

Every word felt like a blade scraping against her throat.

Yu Lan, unaware of the situation, asked foolishly, “Should I bring Lazy-Egg over too?”

Xia Qingye: “No need.”

Even if I brought it over, she wouldn’t want it.

Yu Lan walked over carrying the two cages. Yao Wei had already stepped out of the car and took over the task.

“Miss Xia, we’ll be going then.”

“Mhm.”

Xia Qingye pinched her palm, watching the car drive away. She stood there for a while until the cold became unbearable, then she turned and went upstairs.

The shock Yu Lan experienced today was the cumulative total of the past twenty-four years. Her excitement didn’t explode until they entered the apartment. “Aah! Sister Xia! Nuonuo and Xia-Xia’s owner is actually Film Queen Nie! You have no idea, I was dazed when I saw her manager. I thought her manager handled several artists!”

Aside from that one unfriendly encounter on the set, this was their first close-up interaction, and the other’s attitude had been quite good. Yu Lan kept babbling, completely failing to see how poor Xia Qingye’s complexion was.

“Go and draw a bath for me. I need to soak.”

“Oh, okay!”

Xia Qingye walked into the room, her mind full of Nie Zhuying’s cold profile. She took her clothes from the wardrobe, but then her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

Shocks often come in pairs; Yu Lan learned this the hard way.

“Are you a pig? I told you to take care of her, and you let her get a 40°C fever!”

“What were you doing?”

Yu Lan felt incredibly aggrieved. she wanted to take care of her, but Sister Xia wouldn’t let her! As soon as the director said ‘action,’ Xia Qingye would go out in a thin dress regardless of the temperature. How could she not catch a cold? How could she not get a fever?

A normal person freezing outside like that for several days would surely fall ill. The scariest part was that she had seemed perfectly normal one moment and fainted the next. Yu Lan had been nearly scared to death!

In her haze, Xia Qingye heard Sister Xiang’s scolding. She felt as if she were being soaked alternately in hot and ice water—boiling one moment and bone-chillingly cold the next. It was miserable.

When she finally opened her eyes again, she saw two people in her room. One was slumped over the computer desk snoring, and the other was leaning back in a chair, wrapped in a simple blanket, asleep.

She moved, trying to climb up, but she had no strength and fell back heavily.

The bed shook, waking Wei Xianghong, who had her legs propped up on the mattress. She looked around dazed, and upon meeting Xia Qingye’s open eyes, she immediately stood up and touched her forehead. “It still feels a bit hot. If this doesn’t work, we’re going to the hospital.”

As soon as Yu Lan had called her, she had frantically found a doctor friend and rushed over. That doctor had taken one look at the thermometer and given them both a fierce scolding. Consequently, Wei Xianghong had turned around and chewed out Yu Lan.

“No need.”

Xia Qingye didn’t think she was that fragile, but her throat felt like it was smoking. “Water.”

Wei Xianghong immediately handed her a glass. “Don’t push yourself. Recovering your health is the most important thing.”

Xia Qingye rested for a moment before asking with difficulty, “My brother—”

“Don’t worry. Fearing it would scare him, I haven’t told him yet.”

“Don’t tell him.”

“Mhm.”

On this point, the two were in total agreement.

This cold hit Xia Qingye hard. Even with medicine, she had a fever for two days. It wasn’t until the third day that it broke completely, leaving her weak and listless. She spent her time huddled in bed or on the sofa.

Wei Xianghong visited occasionally, staying for half an hour. Yu Lan, however, spent the whole day cooking porridge and light meals, while also taking care of the “abandoned” hamster, Lazy-Egg. She was kept busy constantly. Seeing Xia Qingye staring blankly at the pot of narcissus on the balcony, she couldn’t help but ask out of concern, “Sister Xia, are you too tired? Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

Xia Qingye shook her head and remained silent, maintaining her posture.

Yu Lan felt that this illness had caused her to lose something—perhaps her spirit was just too low. “By the way, Sister Xia, Sister Xiang said the audition for Director Zhuang’s movie is set for tomorrow or the day after. Do you want to prepare?”

“Tomorrow or the day after?”

“Mhm. Is it too sudden?”

At the mention of work, Xia Qingye finally snapped out of it. She stood up and went to her room to pick up the script. Yu Lan let out a quiet sigh of relief. This seemed more like the old Sister Xia.

As expected, the script is her true love.

Two days passed quickly. Xia Qingye applied a thick layer of makeup to look less haggard. Looking at herself in the mirror, she patted her face. Xia Qingye, let the past be the past. Reclaiming what belongs to you is what you should be doing right now.

Wei Xianghong drove to pick them up that day, intending to stay with them the whole time. “Feeling better?”

Xia Qingye knew the manager had been worried about her, running back and forth between her and Xie Zhe. “Thanks, Sister Xiang. I’m mostly recovered.”

Wei Xianghong comforted her, “Director Xun and Nie Zhuying recommended you strongly. Have more confidence in yourself.”

Hearing Nie Zhuying’s name again, Xia Qingye’s expression remained calm. She gave a faint nod and closed her eyes to rest.

When they arrived, they found quite a crowd. This fantasy film only had five female roles—a fair amount for a commercial film—but the number of people auditioning was even higher.

Yu Lan had seen the massive scale of Xun Guang’s open casting before, so she wasn’t fazed. “Sister Xia, there don’t seem to be any seats. Want me to stand in line for you? You and Sister Xiang wait in the car, and I’ll call you when it’s almost my turn.”

Xia Qingye shook her head. “No need. I’ll wait here.”

She didn’t get called for her audition, but she did see the arrival of Zhong Ruanqin.

Zhong Ruanqin arrived with great fanfare—one manager, one assistant, and two large bodyguards clearing the path. With her sunglasses and designer bag, she appeared before everyone with a powerful aura.

The noisy area fell silent instantly; all eyes were drawn to her.

Someone soon recognized her and let out a low wail, “What now? I wanted to try for the female lead, but now that Film Queen Zhong is here, there’s no point in even trying.”

“Could she be the pre-selected lead? I hadn’t heard anything…”

Wei Xianghong’s head throbbed at the sight. The confidence she had built was shattered by this one appearance. She muttered in annoyance, “Why is she here to join the fun?”

Xia Qingye didn’t respond, watching silently as Zhong Ruanqin made her high-profile entrance. Everyone around made way for her.

Wei Xianghong nudged Xia Qingye. Seeing the latter standing there motionless, she suggested, “Qingye, how about you switch roles? We won’t compete with her; let’s avoid her to ensure a win.”

For the first time, Xia Qingye didn’t follow her manager’s advice. A cold glint reflected in her gentle “peach blossom” eyes. “Why should I step aside?”

As Zhong Ruanqin drew closer, Xia Qingye said clearly and calmly, “I won’t!”

Wei Xianghong was stunned. Everyone present was taken aback by her decisive words. Then, the crowd began to buzz—this was an open challenge to a Film Queen.

Only Yu Lan was thinking: Wow, Sister Xia is so dominant! That powerful aura from Film Queen Nie is appearing on her too.

As soon as Zhong Ruanqin entered, she noticed Xia Qingye. The girl was unique; her purity was laced with a hint of allure—two traits that shouldn’t coexist in one person, yet she saw them in Xia Qingye.

As a lesbian, she naturally looked for the beauty in women. Xia Qingye’s appearance could be very pure or very seductive, but those peach blossom eyes were special—they had a magical power to attract her.

Zhong Ruanqin loved those eyes.

“Sister Xia, it’s been a while.”

“Senior Zhong, it’s been a while indeed.”

The two, who seemed on the verge of conflict a moment ago, were now greeting each other like old friends. This dramatic turn of events left the onlookers—including Wei Xianghong and Yu Lan—with their eyes popping out. Their moods were like a roller coaster, rising and falling.

Only Xia Qingye looked at Zhong Ruanqin with a gaze devoid of emotion. “I didn’t expect our next meeting would be at Director Zhuang’s audition. Is Senior Zhong also interested in the role of Yuan Fei?”

Zhong Ruanqin smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Xia Qingye put on a troubled look. “How awkward. I’m also interested in Yuan Fei. What should we do?”

Zhong Ruanqin looked dotingly at the clever glint in her eyes and shook her head with a smile. “Though you are a junior, I cannot yield in this matter. After all, the greatest respect for a famous director is to interpret his character as best as possible for the audience. Don’t you think?”

Xia Qingye nodded in agreement. “Senior Zhong has a point. So, we’ll just have to rely on our own abilities.”

Wei Xianghong didn’t dare breathe during the whole exchange. She was terrified Xia Qingye would say something to offend someone, but looking at the conversation, she had clearly underestimated Xia Yanbo’s sister.

She could actually hold her own in such a scene—it was truly incredible.