Chapter Sixty-Three: Jealousy

"Why? Why do you always have to go against me?" Scrolling through Weibo, Li Keke, enraged, hurled her phone aside.

"Bai Chenxi, one day you will pay the price." Li Keke spat out Bai Chenxi’s name with such fury, it was as if she wanted to devour her alive.

Just today, the official Weibo account had announced her as the lead in "The Peony Ballad." Given the popularity of the original work, she should have enjoyed no small share of the spotlight. Yet, who could have predicted that Bai Chenxi, merely announced as the second female lead, would effortlessly steal the attention that was meant for her?

The name Bai Chenxi was like a curse—wherever she appeared, Li Keke could only exist in the shadows.

Muttering to herself, Li Keke said, "Bai Chenxi, will things finally get better only when you're gone?"

"Darling, I'm here."

Hearing Director Che’s voice, Li Keke immediately put on a coy, flirtatious smile.

Lying in Director Che’s embrace, she complained, "Director Che, you never keep your word."

Director Che soothed her gently, "Who made you angry? I'll deal with them for you."

"Isn't it Bai Chenxi again? Last time you said you’d teach her a lesson, but it’s been ages and still nothing has happened."

Director Che frowned slightly. "But she’s Jiang Jize’s woman now, I…"

Li Keke sat up. "What? Are you afraid?"

Director Che forced a show of bravado. "Afraid? Of course not. It’s just unnecessary."

If Bai Chenxi had been Chu Muyun’s girlfriend, he might have toyed with her, given their past. But now that she was with Jiang Jize, was it worth offending Jiang Jize just for Li Keke’s sake? He wasn’t that foolish.

He could do it, but there was no need.

Director Che interrupted Li Keke, "Enough, let’s not talk about this anymore. You should focus on keeping me company now."

Li Keke replied sweetly, but her eyes burned with hatred. "Bai Chenxi, just you wait."

There are always some people who harbor unfounded animosity toward others—envying and resenting their success, yet lacking the courage to face their own inadequacies. So, they find themselves an excuse, and then sink into self-indulgent bitterness.

Bai Chenxi brooded, still feeling uneasy. If she didn’t vent to someone, she wouldn’t be able to sleep. She picked up her phone and made a video call to Chu Muyun. Wait—when had it become so natural for her to call him?

That thought flashed through Bai Chenxi’s mind just as Chu Muyun answered the call.

"Hello!" Chu Muyun greeted her while drying his hair, clearly fresh from the shower.

Seeing him like this, Bai Chenxi couldn’t help but recall the last time she visited his home: yes, he did have a great physique.

Her face flushed uncontrollably at the memory.

Bai Chenxi felt so hot she could probably boil an egg on her cheeks. Flustered, she blurted out, "It’s nothing, really! I was just bored and wanted to say goodnight. That’s all—bye!"

Staring at the now-ended video call, a faint smile crept onto Chu Muyun’s lips. "Is she shy?"

He mused to himself: seems like I should use this trick more often.

After hanging up, Bai Chenxi fanned her face desperately. "Bai Chenxi, what nonsense are you thinking?"

Her phone chimed. It was a message from Chu Muyun.

Chu Muyun: Good night!

Just as her blush had begun to subside, her cheeks flared red again.

With her thoughts thus diverted, Bai Chenxi completely forgot about the online drama. After rolling around in bed twice, she fell into a carefree sleep.

The official Weibo of "Beauty’s Calamity" seized the momentum, announcing the lead actors the very next day. The male lead was Mo Li, a powerhouse actor, and the female lead was the popular star Tang Ziyu.

From the cast alone, it was clear that Kaijia Media was pouring its heart into this production.

[Wow! A new Mo Li drama! Can’t wait!]
[Mo Li took this project? Then it’s in good hands.]
[So Tang Ziyu is the female lead! No wonder Bai Chenxi is the second lead.]
[I’m new here, can someone explain?]
[It’s better left unsaid.]

When Bai Chenxi saw who the male lead was, she was so thrilled she nearly bumped her head.

"Mo Li! I get to work with Mo Li! Am I dreaming?"

She pinched herself hard, winced at the pain, then grinned foolishly—this was real.

"Sister Wang, when do I join the crew?"

Seeing Bai Chenxi’s excitement, Wang Ling asked cautiously, "You don’t have a crush on Mo Li, do you?"

Wang Ling was genuinely nervous now. Bai Chenxi was already in the limelight; she couldn’t afford any more scandals.

"Of course I do!" Bai Chenxi’s answer nearly made Wang Ling stumble.

"He’s the most special of all my celebrity crushes."

Only when she heard Bai Chenxi’s explanation did Wang Ling’s heart finally settle.

"Do you have to be so dramatic? Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Bai Chenxi winked playfully at her.

Wang Ling grew stern. "Let me remind you again: you must, absolutely must, keep your distance from Mo Li. You know your situation. If you don’t want to be accused of hyping up rumors, keep a low profile."

Bai Chenxi hugged her arm. "Got it, Sister Wang."

Wang Ling poked her with exasperation. "Are you listening to me?"

Bai Chenxi raised her hand and swore, "Sister Wang, I promise I’ll keep my distance from my crush."

Considering Bai Chenxi’s countless crushes in the entertainment industry, Wang Ling was more than a little relieved that this was a palace drama with few male actors.

Sometimes she wondered if Bai Chenxi had joined showbiz just to make fangirling easier.

Still worried, Wang Ling cautioned, "And once you’re on set, don’t get into conflicts with anyone—especially the female lead, Tang Ziyu."

The mention of online gossip piqued Bai Chenxi’s curiosity. "Sister Wang, do you have any inside scoop for me?"

Wang Ling could tell from her eyes that she was itching for gossip again.

"You really need to rein in that nosy nature of yours. Tang Ziyu hates it when people speculate about her having a powerful backer. Don’t go looking for trouble."

Bai Chenxi gave Wang Ling a reassuring look. "Sister Wang, do I seem that reckless? Who gossips right to someone’s face?"

For some reason, Wang Ling felt as if Bai Chenxi had just jinxed herself. This girl really was a handful!