Chapter 24- The National Goddess Raised by the Best Actor(3)

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Chapter 24

“Would you like something to eat?” Xu Ruier placed a plate of cranberry cookies on the desk. “You’ve been reading all morning. Take a break.”

The movie Ji Yang was starring in was a suspense film. As the male lead, he had many action scenes and carried the majority of the plot. Over the past few days, he had been studying the script at home with intense focus. Their interactions had become much warmer recently, filling Xu Ruier’s heart with joy.

“Okay.” Ji Yang closed the script and looked up at her. “How’s your script reading going? I picked out two for you. See which one you like best.”

“I’m seriously studying them,” Xu Ruier replied earnestly, nodding vigorously. The thought of acting alongside him felt like a dream—so surreal.

“Good. Take your time to analyze them.” Ji Yang encouraged, “You’re fresh out of school and new to this industry. If you decide to pursue it, auditions will be inevitable. Just do your best. Don’t stress too much; think of it as an experiment.”

In the previous timeline, Xu Ruier had proven herself capable, securing a few significant roles through her own efforts. Unfortunately, Xu Wan’s suppression ensured she never had her moment to shine.

Hearing Ji Yang’s reassurance, Xu Ruier pressed her lips together, gazing at him. A warm current coursed through her, softening her heart.

The man she admired—so brilliant, kind, wise, and steady.

“I will,” she murmured, her voice filled with determination. She would give it her all, hoping to stand closer to him—closer than ever.

Ji Yang nodded. At that moment, his phone buzzed. The caller ID read: Xu Wan.

Xu Ruier naturally saw it too. She froze for a moment, her expression dimming instantly. Hastily, she said, “I… I have soup simmering in the kitchen. I’ll leave now.”

Before Ji Yang could reply, she had already disappeared.

Once the door was closed, Xu Ruier felt her nose sting with suppressed tears. Even though she knew she had no right to feel upset, she couldn’t help it. Her eyes grew misty, and her chest tightened painfully.

Since childhood, Xu Wan had taken everything from her. The lessons drilled into her had always been the same: she mustn’t compete with her sister and should give up willingly.

She could give up anything, no matter how much it hurt. But Ji Yang—he was someone she liked with every fiber of her being. What if Xu Wan hurt him? She didn’t want to yield.

In the room.

Ji Yang sighed as he watched Xu Ruier flee like a startled deer. Staring at the still-vibrating phone, he reluctantly answered it.

“Ji Qianbei,” came a soft and delicate voice from the other end.

If the original host had heard this, he might have been swayed. But now, with Ji Yang in control, the sugary tone made his skin crawl.

Suppressing the residual feelings the original host had for Xu Wan, his heart remained utterly calm.

“What’s the matter?”

The coolness in his voice caught Xu Wan off guard, momentarily disrupting her composure. She quickly toned down the flirtation, adopting a more casual tone. “I heard you’re heading to Haicheng tomorrow as a guest judge for the auditions, right?”

In the past, Ji Yang would have sent her a message or two, offering concern or support. Xu Wan, playing her part, would feign modesty and reserved enthusiasm, occasionally revealing hints of admiration or deliberate attraction.

Her agent had informed her that Ji Yang had arranged for a supporting role audition in the Haicheng project. But after waiting for a notice and hearing nothing, she had decided to confirm with him directly, thinking perhaps he had forgotten.

“Yes,” Ji Yang replied simply.

“What a coincidence. I’ll be auditioning for a role there tomorrow too. It’s a minor part, but being in Director Xu Yuan’s film—even as a guest star—would be amazing. I hope I get selected. I’ve never acted with you before,” she added, a touch of anticipation in her voice.

“Prepare well, then,” Ji Yang said flatly.

Xu Wan paused, waiting for him to mention the supporting role audition. But instead, he said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”

“Ji—”

Beep… beep… beep.

Before she could finish, the line abruptly cut off.

Xu Wan held her phone, stunned.

“What happened? Did he forget?” her agent asked nearby. “The auditions are tomorrow morning. There’s still time to notify him now.”

Xu Wan clenched her phone tightly. “He didn’t say anything.”

“Then why didn’t you ask him?” The agent frowned. “If he didn’t bring it up, you should’ve asked.”

“How could I possibly ask about something like that?” Xu Wan’s expression darkened, her tone becoming sharp. Her face twisted momentarily.

Realizing she was losing her composure, Xu Wan quickly softened her expression, forcing a slight smile. “Didn’t the company already secure a role for me? I’ll just audition for that one.”

“A small role? That doesn’t match your status,” the agent objected. “Xu Yuan is a big-name director. If you land a role in his film, it’ll help immensely with your transition.”

Xu Wan’s agent was convinced that Ji Yang had feelings for her. That made him an invaluable resource.

Getting tied to Ji Yang would be like boarding a rocket—she could shoot to superstardom in no time, dominating the industry.

“Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. A small role is still a role,” Xu Wan said, though irritation lingered beneath her composed exterior. She didn’t want to settle for less, but if Ji Yang had forgotten, she’d remind him during the audition. The role would still end up hers anyway.

“Misunderstanding? No way. I’ll ask his agent,” the agent suggested.

“Chen Jie,” Xu Wan interrupted sharply, furrowing her brows. “It’s his role to allocate. Who he gives it to is entirely his decision. If we ask, it’ll make us look ridiculous.”

She didn’t want to embarrass herself or let Ji Yang see how desperate she was.

Her agent, chastened, realized she had overstepped. Xu Wan and Ji Yang had no real connection. If Ji Yang wanted to give her resources, he would; if not, there was nothing they could do.

“You should be careful about this sort of thing,” Xu Wan advised, her tone exasperated. “If he denies it, it’ll create unnecessary trouble for us.”

Xu Wan’s agent nodded reluctantly. She had been too eager, lured by the resources Ji Yang had been granting recently.

The next morning.

When Ji Yang woke, the space beside him was empty. On the edge of the bed was a sticky note with neat, delicate handwriting:

“Good morning! I made breakfast. I’m heading to the audition early.”

It ended with a small smiley face.

Ji Yang chuckled. That little woman—she could’ve just gone with him, but instead, she had woken early to make the long commute herself. With rush hour traffic, it would take her three hours to get there.

He quickly got up, showered, and dressed. When his agent arrived, they spotted the breakfast on the table and shook their head.

“Wow, you’ve got yourself a little flower at home—such a sweet one too,” the agent teased.

The agent was the only person who knew about Xu Ruier’s presence in Ji Yang’s life. Watching the girl pour her heart out while Ji Yang’s name was entangled with Xu Wan’s made the agent pity her even more.

“Drive safely, and wait for me to come back with you,” Ji Yang texted Xu Ruier before glancing at the agent. “Watch your mouth. No ‘flower’ or ‘grass’ nonsense. Show some respect.”

He knew he couldn’t rush things. Acting too quickly would seem out of character for the original host, and it wouldn’t align with his established relationship with Xu Ruier. Everything needed to progress slowly and naturally.

“Then what do I call it?” The agent slumped into a chair, pouting. “What else am I supposed to say? You’ve never explained anything about this unclear situation.”

“She’s my girlfriend,” Ji Yang said matter-of-factly, taking a bite of toast.

The agent was taken aback. “Seriously? A girlfriend? Xu Ruier or Xu Wan?”

Xu Ruier was too naive, the quintessential fan who idolized her star and gave her all. Xu Wan, on the other hand, might intrigue Ji Yang, but she seemed too cunning to manage.

Ji Yang frowned slightly.

“Wait, was Xu Wan here last night?” The agent’s gasp was audible. “So last night, was it…”

Were both women there? Was it some kind of twisted arrangement? Was Ji Yang into something like that?

“What are you even thinking?” Ji Yang shot him a look of exasperation. “It’s Ruier.”