Chapter 8: Opportunity
As usual, after the cocktail party, Chen Xi drove the drunk Huang Jinglin home. Only after settling her in did she drive back to her own place. Huang Jinglin was her best friend from university. They both graduated from the broadcasting department, but later, Chen Xi changed careers and became an editor, while Huang Jinglin remained a radio host.
Once, Huang Jinglin asked her why she didn’t join her at the radio station. Chen Xi didn’t answer at the time. But she knew the answer herself.
Back at her apartment, Chen Xi stretched tiredly, locked the door, took off her glasses, tossed her briefcase aside, and went into the bathroom to start the hot water for a bath. Although she hadn’t worked much today, it was tiring enough. Watching so many contestants compete at the venue was quite boring. Except for a few contestants who demonstrated professional-level skills, most were cannon fodder, utterly terrible.
But it wasn’t a complete waste of time. At least Chen Xi had seen a promising girl at the competition venue. That girl named Yu Linna, whose singing was awful. Despite that, Yu Linna’s appearance was truly outstanding, very suitable for the highly visible entertainment industry.
Although she was just an editor, she learned about some things in the entertainment industry from Huang Jinglin. In this circle, as long as one was good-looking and had decent physical attributes, they had more opportunities than others. This was a fact. Although Yu Linna lacked talent, her beautiful appearance would eventually attract attention.
Chen Xi just felt that this girl was special, suited for the entertainment industry. Although she might not be able to act, and her singing was terrible, it didn’t matter. In this circle, as long as one was beautiful, even being a vase could be profitable. Chen Xi felt that such promising talent should be put to good use.
“Hello, Murong? I saw a girl today with decent looks. Didn’t you say you were looking for an extra recently? Want to consider her?”
“Sister Chen, which relative are you trying to promote this time? I’ll take care of them.”
“She’s not a relative. We’re not related at all. She just participated in the program hosted by Jinglin. Her information should still be on the application form. I’ll ask Jinglin to give it to you later.”
“You’re really strange. I’ve never seen you recommend a complete stranger to me. If you weren’t a woman, I’d suspect you had a crush on her.”
The man on the other end of the phone couldn’t help but tease. As far as he could remember, his Sister Chen had never recommended a complete stranger to him. Just how special was this girl Sister Chen spoke of?
“Just consider it an occupational hazard from being an editor. You shouldn’t let good talent go to waste. Cherish it.”
“Alright, alright, it’s just an insignificant role anyway. I’ll take a look. By the way, Miss Ye contacted me recently, saying she wants to discuss a project with me. Since it involves the copyright authorization of an author under your company, Sister Chen, could you make some time for it?”
“That Miss Ye again? That girl is a tough nut to crack. I’ll handle it.”
“Thanks, Sister Chen, you’re a lifesaver.”
After hanging up the phone, Chen Xi figured the hot water was ready and went to her room to grab some clothes. Undressing, her fair shoulders were exposed. Amidst the steam, she relaxed her tired body.
After today’s competition, Nangong Ying successfully advanced to the next round. She also became the most dazzling star of this competition. If this momentum continued, representing the city in the provincial and even national competitions wasn’t just a fantasy.
Naturally, several judges at the venue had privately asked to meet with her, wanting to exchange ideas. After all, if she could represent the city in the national competition, it would be a great honor.
“Miss Nangong, you said you learned music at a very young age. Does that mean you’re also proficient in musical instruments?”
“So-so. I know a little, but I wouldn’t say I’m proficient. I basically stopped my music career around nine years old and joined the martial arts team. This year is the first time I’ve picked up a microphone in many years.”
“Your basic skills are quite solid. To maintain this level after such a long break… Are you confident about competing in the national competition?”
“To be honest, I’m aiming for the national competition.”
Nangong Ying didn’t intend to be modest. She would go all the way. She wanted to prove to the world that she, Nangong Ying, would be perfect.
In the past, she won championships in the martial arts team and the tennis team. Now, she could win a championship in the singing competition as well. Because her goal was always to be the champion.
“Miss Nangong, do you mind if I interrupt?”
Suddenly, a young woman emerged from the crowd. She wore a white chiffon dress and sunglasses, which she removed upon seeing Nangong Ying, revealing a beautiful face and an excellent figure. A rare beauty.
Her sudden appearance surprised the surrounding staff.
Nangong Ying recognized the woman’s face almost instantly. Such outstanding appearance and extraordinary temperament, she couldn’t possibly be an unknown figure.
“Of course, Senior Li Yuexin.”
Li Yuexin was a popular actress who had participated in the singing competition many years ago and won the national championship. Later, she signed with an entertainment company and debuted as an actress. She starred in popular TV dramas, accumulating a certain level of fame. Although still in university, she had already surpassed countless others at the starting line, having stepped into the threshold of A-list stardom.
Even if Nangong Ying hadn’t met her in person, she would have seen her on TV. She couldn’t not know such a big star.
“Thank you. I won’t say too much. Miss Nangong Ying, you’re a very talented person. After you win the championship, you can come find me. I think you’d be a good fit for our company.”
Li Yuexin put on her sunglasses and left the venue. She was a public figure and couldn’t say too much. She only needed to achieve her purpose.
This girl, Nangong Ying, her experience was somewhat similar to her own. She might follow the same path as herself. Li Yuexin thought, if this girl could become her junior, it would be a good thing.
Li Yuexin believed that with Nangong Ying’s ability, she would eventually rise to the top, but having someone guide her would undoubtedly be faster. Moreover, Li Yuexin wanted to witness the growth of this girl named Nangong Ying.
As for Nangong Ying, being praised by the big star Li Yuexin significantly increased public attention towards her. She received even more spotlight. This was something she didn’t experience in sports competitions. In this circle, gaining the attention of a star also boosted one’s fame.
In any case, Nangong Ying had already laid a solid foundation. With her current strength and fame, she would eventually become the brightest star. Thinking of this, Nangong Ying smiled among the crowd. This feeling was wonderful.
She, Nangong Ying, would create history in the entertainment industry. She would make herself famous. She would prove that she was the best.
“Miss Nangong, your outstanding performance has impressed everyone. A hero emerges from youth, and we are all optimistic about your future.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, Miss Nangong, are you participating in this competition alone? Don’t you have any friends with you?”
Nangong Ying paused, considering how to answer this question.
Indeed, she was the one who brought Yu Linna to this competition, but Yu Linna was mercilessly eliminated. She personally taught her music, so she couldn’t have been unaware that short-term crash courses couldn’t lead to rapid improvement. Moreover, Yu Linna wasn’t in good shape before the competition. She should have known that it was impossible for Yu Linna to place.
But she still insisted on having her participate in the competition with her. What was her intention?
In this competition, Yu Linna was just cannon fodder, serving no purpose other than making Nangong Ying stand out even more.
But after all, she was the one who brought her here. This was an undeniable fact.
“Well, I had a friend with me, but she didn’t make it. I would have been happier if she had advanced with me. She’s a very capable person.”
What was she thinking when she said these words? Only she knew.
That evening, after parting ways with Fang Jiayi, Yu Linna returned alone to her apartment complex. Although she was eliminated from the competition, she didn’t want to dwell on it anymore. She would just obediently work and live. A week without work, and her wallet would be empty.
As she turned the corner to go upstairs, suddenly, a middle-aged woman stood at the stairwell with her arms akimbo, looking imposing.
Yu Linna froze, her feet stopping in their tracks.
“Land-Landlady… I…”
“Yu girl, you actually came back! I thought you had already run away!”
Yu Linna stood there at a loss, trembling. She tried hard to steady her hands, but it was too difficult; she could barely stand. At this moment, she just wanted to turn around and run, but if she really ran, she would definitely face the consequences later.
“I, I… I really don’t have the money. Could you please give me a few more days? I’ll gather the money as soon as possible…”
“I said I’d give you one week at most, Yu girl. You’ve been delaying rent for so long. Do you think I have infinite patience? If you don’t pay the rent, don’t even think about sleeping here tonight!”
Yu Linna was helpless. If she had the money, she would have paid it long ago. She was dragging it out precisely because she didn’t have the money.
Her income from part-time jobs hadn’t been good lately, and she had even been fired from a few jobs. Just finding new work took a lot of time. By the time she stabilized, the rent issue was looming over her again.
“Landlady, I have this much money left, enough for one month’s rent. I’ll pay the rest…”
“Less nonsense! Hand over what you have!”
The landlady didn’t show any mercy, snatching the four hundred yuan bills from her hand, her fierce appearance frightening Yu Linna even more.
“You have half a month to pay the rest of the rent. This is my final deadline.”
With that, the landlady pocketed the money and went upstairs in her slippers, the loud clattering a stark contrast to Yu Linna’s desolate heart.
Tears fell from Yu Linna’s eyes, one by one. She felt so miserable. Even this last bit of money was gone. Why was she so unlucky?
“Sob…”
She stood alone in the stairwell, crying, unable to control her emotions. Why was she always the unlucky one? Just because she was poor, did she deserve to be bullied?
If only she were rich. If she were rich, she wouldn’t have to suffer this humiliation. She could do whatever she wanted. If she were rich, she would gain respect from others. If she were rich, she wouldn’t be treated like this.
If only she were rich…
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