"There's no need for introductions, is there? Everyone here should already know Xinyan! As for Best Actor Lu, he hardly needs an introduction either. Director, just have the non-celebrity guests introduce themselves. Xinyan still has her skincare routine to do, so we won't be joining you."
The director had barely finished speaking before someone shot him down.
Lu Xiaoxiao looked toward the voice and saw a young woman with her hair in a bun.
She was Bai Xinyan's assistant. It hardly took a genius to realize that she only dared to be so arrogant because Bai Xinyan had given her permission.
Behind the young woman stood a woman in a long dress, languidly holding out a hand to admire her manicure.
This woman was Bai Xinyan. Her sleek, lustrous hair spilled like black silk over her slender, perfectly proportioned shoulders, swaying gently with her movements.
Her features were exquisite, and her lips were rosy, moist, and full, like delicate rose petals.
But the corners of her mouth, which always curved slightly upward in a sweet smile on camera, were now pressed flat, even dipping a little, making her impatience obvious at a glance.
She was tall and slender, and her pale pink dress showed off her figure to perfection. Her waist looked small enough to encircle with one hand, and her long, shapely legs appeared intermittently beneath the hem. Standing there, she was as beautiful as a painting.
Several of the male guests were left staring, entranced, after merely glancing her way.
But that picture-perfect atmosphere shattered the moment Bai Xinyan opened her mouth.
"You all heard her, didn't you? My assistant speaks for me. My time is precious, and I don't have any to waste on introductions. Once filming starts tomorrow, we'll naturally get to know each other."
The director frowned, displeased.
But remembering the powerful investors backing Bai Xinyan, he refrained from criticizing her further and simply said gently, "In that case, Miss Bai, go and get some rest."
Bai Xinyan made no attempt to stand on ceremony with the director. She turned and headed toward the nearby minivan.
Only when she passed Lu Shiyan did she pause, then give him a sweet smile. "We meet again, Best Actor Lu. I'm so happy to have another chance to work with you."
Lu Shiyan put on his customary smile and nodded to Bai Xinyan. "I'm equally happy to see you, Miss Bai."
Though Bai Xinyan knew he was merely being polite, her smile still broadened at his words before she continued on her way.
Behind her, the non-celebrity guests she had snubbed exchanged awkward looks. Someone even muttered under their breath:
"Why is her personality nothing like what people say online? She's already acting like a diva before we've even started..."
Before they could finish, someone else immediately stopped them. "Shh, keep your voice down. We signed confidentiality agreements. Not just now-even after filming ends, we can't go around talking about this!"
Watching their exchange, Lu Xiaoxiao couldn't help curling her lip in disdain.
[You're far too polite to people, Shiyan. No wonder she thinks she can seduce you. You make yourself seem so attainable!]
[Hmph, but now that I'm here, she can forget about it! Not just anyone can snatch the Lu family's prized darling!]
Lu Xiaoxiao remembered Bai Xinyan quite clearly.
She was a popular second-tier young actress who had risen to fame through her sweet image and excellent acting. But she was still a long way from the top-tier stars, so she had always yearned to climb higher.
Bai Xinyan was vain and adept at using every means available to boost her fame and popularity. According to the original novel's plot, she had set her sights on Lu Shiyan's immense popularity and influence during filming, constantly trying to stir up romantic rumors about the two of them to attract more attention.
To that end, she deliberately engineered intimate interactions with Lu Shiyan during various tasks, even putting other guests down to make herself look better. Her personality was thoroughly unpleasant, yet her fairy-like beauty had earned her a huge crowd of fans who defended her.
Everyone called her innocent and guileless. Even when she said something tactless, her fans would insist that she was simply being candid and true to herself.
As someone who genuinely spoke her mind, Lu Xiaoxiao had nothing but contempt for Bai Xinyan's carefully manufactured persona.
She hated hypocrites more than anything. Even if they were as beautiful as celestial maidens, she couldn't muster the slightest affection for them.
Hearing his sister compare him to a prized cabbage in her thoughts, Lu Shiyan couldn't help feeling amused.
After so many years in the entertainment industry, he had long since learned to keep his emotions off his face and tailor his words to whoever he was dealing with.
His claim that he was happy to see Bai Xinyan had been nothing more than a social pleasantry. After all, he was acquainted with the person backing her and had to show her some courtesy. There had been no sincerity behind it.
Compared with Bai Xinyan's blatant desire to latch onto him, he found his own sister's thoughts much harder to fathom.
Without a cheating ability like mind reading, Lu Shiyan probably would never have discovered that beneath Lu Xiaoxiao's quiet, delicate exterior lay such a lively, feisty personality.
After hearing Lu Xiaoxiao's thoughts, Lu Jiaoyue looked thoughtful.
So that woman was interested in Shiyan? I didn't notice at all.
But Xiaoxiao must be right. She's so amazing-nothing gets past her!
Lu Jiaoyue really wanted to ask Lu Xiaoxiao how she had seen through Bai Xinyan's intentions. Unfortunately, since her brother didn't want to reveal his identity, she still had to pretend that she and Lu Xiaoxiao were strangers. She didn't even dare stand too close for fear of arousing suspicion.
At that thought, Lu Jiaoyue sighed, her spirits sinking.
This is no fun. No fun at all! I have to find a way to talk to my sister openly!
As she racked her brains, someone beside her suddenly tapped her shoulder.
She looked up and saw a young man with a radiant smile and a light dusting of freckles across his face.
Far from detracting from his good looks, those freckles made him seem even more approachable and endearing, as though he possessed an innate charm.
Beneath his thick eyebrows, his bright eyes were as clear as a lake. When he smiled, they narrowed into curved crescents.
Seeing that Lu Jiaoyue had noticed him, he withdrew the hand he had used to tap her shoulder and greeted her casually. "Hi! I know you. You're the Lu family's heiress, right?"
Before you continue