Chapter 1


The scorching sun blazed overhead as the TV drama crew continued filming relentlessly in the sweltering heat. When the director finally called “Cut,” it was at last time for the midday boxed meal break. All crew members tidied up their equipment before heading to collect their lunches to satisfy their growling stomachs.

Su Jinfan lay resting on the chair, holding a boxed lunch handed to her by her assistant. She ate unhurriedly, though the dry, bland meal was hard to swallow. Su Jinfan pursed her lips, forcing down a few mouthfuls of rice before picking up the script to familiarize herself with her lines.

“Su Jin Fan, you dare to steal Liu Xin’s role? Do you really think you’re so popular now that you don’t even care about your life?”

Before she could take more than a few bites of her meal or memorize much of her lines, a heavily made-up woman stormed over in a rage and knocked the script out of Su Jin Fan’s hands.

Of course, Su Jin Fan knew exactly who this sharp-tongued, fox-faced woman was—none other than her agent, Li Qin.

Although Su Jin Fan was one of Li Qin’s artists, it was no secret that the stars under Li Qin’s management were ranked in a strict hierarchy. Despite Su Jin Fan’s status as a rising starlet—having starred in several hit TV dramas and films in recent years—Liu Xin was Li Qin’s golden child. As one of the first artists Li Qin ever managed, Liu Xin was the pillar of her roster.

Not just within the industry—even a glance at Li Qin’s social media showed how much she doted on Liu Xin. So, even among her own artists, stealing Liu Xin’s spotlight was absolutely out of the question!

“Are you talking about that ‘Peerless Beauty’?” Su Jinfan picked up the script from the ground, looking at Li Qin with an innocent expression. “Sister Li, Director Fang Hua personally invited me to act in it.”

The word “invited” implied that while other actresses were competing for the same role, Su Jinfan was different—she was personally chosen by Director Fang Hua.

Li Qin had struggled in the entertainment industry for so many years, yet Su Jinfan had genuinely earned the female lead role in this drama through her own abilities. If word got out, people would accuse Li Qin of favoritism.

She could only suppress her anger, wishing she could slap Su Jinfan right then and there. But with so many people around, she had no choice but to hold back her fury.

Over the past three years since Su Jinfan debuted, she has consistently grabbed headlines and won fans’ fervent support with her excellent acting skills and well-managed public relations. That Liu Xin, on the other hand, has always tried every means to undermine her resources. Yet, Su has swept major domestic awards with her low-output, high-quality works, stealing much of Liu Xin’s limelight over these years.

And before anyone realized, she had become the top promotional figure of Dingsheng Entertainment. Naturally, Liu Xin, as the company’s leading lady, couldn’t sit still any longer.

“This role was something Liu Xin and I negotiated with the director for a long time. Go tell the director to cancel it now, just say my schedule is full. Isn’t this only the first day of shooting?”

Li Qin still wore an unpleasant expression as she said irritably, “Fine, I’ll give you the Vigor magazine feature. Consider it even.”

“Huh?” Su Jinfan listened inexplicably to Li Qin’s words, her eyes flashing with disbelief. Director Fang Hua was a renowned filmmaker both domestically and internationally. Most actresses would find it difficult to climb the ladder by associating with him, and this film was a blockbuster slated for the summer season—countless people were scrambling to get a role in it.

And she wants to brush me off with just a Vigor magazine shoot?

Is this Sister Li going through menopause and not thinking straight? Does she still see me as an easy pushover?

“What more do you want? Shooting for Vigor magazine isn’t something you can just casually land either!” Li Qin seemed to be using the prestige of the magazine to entice Su Jinfan again.

Su Jinfan has two outstanding strengths in the entertainment industry: first, she insists on excellent scripts, and second, she possesses an exceptionally sharp mind.

Before its premiere, *Peerless Beauty* had already caused a huge sensation. When she read the script, she was completely captivated by its content. Moreover, if Su Jinfan delivered an outstanding performance in this drama, not only would fame and reputation be within easy reach, but wouldn’t it also force Liu Xin, the current top actress, to gracefully step aside?

But unfortunately, this “esteemed lady” Liu Xin has a loyal maid who obeys her every word!

Furthermore, Su Jinfan’s role in *Peerless Beauty* had already been widely publicized by the media. Even the director confirmed during interviews before filming began that she was the lead actress. If news suddenly broke that “Su Jinfan was replaced by her own company’s Liu Xin as the female lead in *Peerless Beauty* due to certain reasons,” imagine the media frenzy Su Jinfan would face.

“Ms. Li, I’ve already accepted this role. You can discuss the rest with the director.” A trace of disdain still flickered in Su Jin Fan’s eyes as she spoke to her assistant. “Tian Xin, do me a favor and invite the director over. Tell him Ms. Li wants me to drop this role so Liu Xin can take it.”

“You…” Li Qin narrowed her fox-like eyes, phone in hand, and pointed a finger at Su Jin Fan’s delicate, pretty face. She could only say viciously, “Su Jin Fan, mark my words. I’m doing this for your own good. Liu Xin isn’t someone you can mess with casually. You’d better watch yourself.”

Her words couldn’t have been harsher. As Li Qin turned away, she heard Su Jin Fan say coolly, “Ms. Li, do you know why you’re still just an ordinary agent?”

Li Qin turned back to look at Su Jin Fan, who sneered and said, “Because you’re Liu Xin’s lapdog!” Then she placed her finished meal in Li Qin’s hands. “Ms. Li, could you throw this away for me? It makes me sick just looking at it.”

After speaking, she ignored whatever Li Qin was cursing about and walked straight toward the set.

The affairs of the entertainment industry are truly chaotic beyond measure—how different are they from the imperial harem?

    ……

By the time the entire scene was finished, it was already night, and the cold remained the same. At the entrance of the film studio, a large crowd of reporters was gathered at that moment, with cameramen carrying bulky recording equipment close behind.

A crowd pushed and shoved, jostling for position like boiling thick porridge in a pot, none wanting to miss this explosive scandal.

“She’s here!” A woman’s shrill cry pierced the night sky, instantly igniting the crowd into a frenzy.

The throng surged forward, completely blocking Su Jin and her assistant, hurling sharp questions one after another.

“Miss Su, did Liu Xin imply on Weibo today that you stole her role? Is there any truth to this? Did you make some deal with Director Fang Hua to gain his favor?”

“What exactly is your relationship with Miss Liu Xin within the company? There are rumors that the two of you have always been at odds. Is that why you took her role?”

“Miss Su, please answer… Are you indirectly admitting to this fact…”

“Did you do this just for publicity?”

These media questions, as fierce as wolves and tigers, kept flashing through Su Jin Fan’s mind. She hadn’t even figured out what was going on—how could it be that she stole Liu Xin’s role? And what’s this about secretly collaborating with Director Fang Hua? What on earth is happening?

Assistant Yun Xin kept blocking the media while security maintained order. Amid the chaotic scene, no one noticed a woman in red staring at Su Jin Fan, her eyes filled with intense hostility.

The two hurriedly boarded the RV.

“Xiao Fan, look at this trending topic on Weibo just now,” Yun Xin said, pulling out her phone and pointing it at Su Jin Fan. “Liu Xin deleted her post.”

The content accused a fellow actress from the same company of stealing her leading role, with comments below filled with terms like “white lotus” and “scheming bitch.”

I knew she was a scheming bitch—how could she rise so fast in just three years?

Fan turned anti-fan

    ……

“Xiao Fan, should we tell Sister Li about this?”

Su Jinfan smiled faintly, seeing her Weibo flooded with insults and derogatory remarks. “No need, they were definitely the ones behind this.”

“Finished filming, Miss Su. Any schedule for today?” The driver, a kind-hearted man in his fifties, had been with Su Jinfan since she first joined the company. Su Jinfan paused for a moment, glanced at her watch—it was already midnight.

“You young people really have it tough, working nonstop all day. But Sister Li truly cares for you—she specifically asked me to switch cars for you today.”

A mix of surprise and shock flickered in Su Jinfan’s eyes as she realized the car had indeed been changed. But how could Sister Li, who had just argued with her, suddenly arrange for a new car? An inexplicable tension surged within her—Su Jinfan knew many so-called “accidents” were anything but accidental.

“Uncle Wang… stop the car quickly!” Before Su Jinfan could finish her words and before the driver could fully halt the vehicle, all speech was completely drowned out by the sound of an explosion.

As the flames completely engulfed her, the searing pain froze her heartbeat. Amid the raging fire, fragmented scenes flashed before Su Jinfan’s eyes—the jealousy of her peers, the hypocritical smiles. In that moment, she could still faintly hear voices.

“Sister Li, this matter must never be discovered…”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged everything with the notary office. Besides, this was handled very cleanly—it absolutely won’t be traced back to you, Madam.”

Popular actress Su Jinfan was involved in an accident on October 20, 2030, in the outskirts of Hangzhou. The cause of the crash was a sudden explosion of her car, and she is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital.

Su Jinfan abruptly woke up!