Chapter 7: “By Third Brother’s Command”

The next day, when Ruan Li arrived on set, her face was indeed more puffy than usual. She had downed a large cup of black coffee right after waking up, but it didn’t completely reduce the swelling.

Fortunately, the scene being shot that day wasn’t an important one. With a slight adjustment in angle, the swelling wasn’t too noticeable.

“Ruan Li, you can rest for a while. We’ll call you when it’s time for your scene,” the director called out. The lead actor, a popular celebrity, insisted on filming his part first due to a scheduled interview.

Ruan Li waved her hand, indicating she understood.

“Zhou Ji really loves pulling rank. You’d think he was the top star,” said Chen Jing, handing an iced Americano to Ruan Li.

Leaning back in a chair shaded from the sun, Ruan Li, still feeling a bit dizzy from yesterday’s drinking, took a deep breath of fresh air. “Well, this will test my acting skills, right?”

Though she didn’t like Zhou Ji, she still had to act as if she adored him during the scene. He might not dare pull any tricks in front of her, but he could still make life difficult for the director.

“You’re spoiled, but at least you don’t make life hard for others,” Chen Jing remarked.

“It helps with the swelling. I don’t feel like dealing with him today,” Ruan Li replied, closing her eyes to rest. Although she was a relatively new rising star, her lavish lifestyle and arrogant demeanor led to rumors about her having powerful connections. So most people in the industry didn’t dare challenge her openly.

As she rested, a commotion stirred on set. Ruan Li, who had finished memorizing her lines and had dozed off briefly, was now woken up by the noise. Struggling to open her eyes, she saw a red sports car pulling up.

“Which celebrity is this?”

“Is someone visiting the set?”

Crew members whispered among themselves, curious about the car’s owner. Even Chen Jing’s attention was piqued.

“Isn’t that…” Chen Jing started, looking at Ruan Li in surprise.

“Ruan Shu,” Ruan Li said nonchalantly. Even though the car owner was taking their time getting out, she recognized the driver as the one who had been with Ruan Shu for years.

“What is she doing here?” Chen Jing had a bad feeling, knowing that conflicts in wealthy families weren’t uncommon.

Ruan Li just glanced over, then leaned back to rest again. Whatever came, she’d deal with it when it happened.

The crew’s attention was drawn to the girl stepping out of the car, dressed head-to-toe in haute couture, clearly someone of significant status.

“Ruan Shu, did you come just to see me?” Jing Yi, the second female lead, who had once “accidentally” spilled ink on Ruan Li’s dress, eagerly approached Ruan Shu.

Ruan Shu smiled gracefully, displaying the elegance of a well-bred young lady. “I happened to be passing by and remembered you were filming here, so I thought I’d bring you a gift.”

She signaled for her driver and assistant to distribute milk tea from the car to the crew.

“Who is she? I’ve never seen her before.”

“She’s probably from one of the prominent families in the city.”

Jing Yi strutted around, looking down at the other actors, as if warning them not to pry too much. “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t.”

Ruan Shu, maintaining her warm smile, replied softly, “It’s fine. I’m just a friend of Jing Yi.”

Ruan Li heard the approaching footsteps, which finally stopped beside her. Then came Ruan Shu’s gentle voice.

“Sister, I didn’t know you were on this set too.”

Ruan Li took off her sunglasses and looked at the girl standing before her, dressed in an outfit from the same brand as the one she had worn recently—similar in both color and style.

Ruan Shu held out a cup of milk tea. “Luckily, I bought a few extra cups.”

“I don’t drink sweet things,” Ruan Li replied with mild exasperation. Drinking something so sugary would make her gain weight faster than a meal, and most actresses were cautious about their diets, especially during filming. A sudden weight gain could affect the entire production.

Only the crew drank the milk tea; the main cast and supporting actors, accustomed to strict diets, didn’t touch it.

Ruan Shu looked flustered, as if she might cry. “Is it because you don’t like what I bought? I can send someone to get something else.”

Jing Yi immediately comforted her, placing an arm around her shoulders. “It’s not your fault.”

Some crew members were now casting glances in Ruan Li’s direction, whispering, “She’s the most spoiled one here. What’s her background, anyway?”

“With a face like that, who needs a background?” someone replied.

It was true—Ruan Li had debuted in a supporting role in a film, but her beauty alone had swept through the industry. She was hailed as a “goddess of beauty.” Her stunning looks suited both modern and historical costumes, making her a standout.

As the awkward standoff continued, the director finally intervened. “Ruan Li, it’s time for your scene.”

“Okay.” Ruan Li stood up, adjusting her clothes. She was dressed in red today, and as she stepped into the sunlight, her entire figure seemed to glow. Before walking off, she glanced at Ruan Shu and Jing Yi. “I can’t drink it because of my diet. How about you finish it for me? I’m sure my sister won’t mind.”

Ruan Shu watched Ruan Li walk toward the cameras, her graceful figure and unique aura catching everyone’s attention. This was the life she should have had from the day she was born.

Not missing her envious gaze, Jing Yi fanned the flames. “Ruan Shu, if you joined the entertainment industry, you’d definitely be more famous than her—beauty and connections combined. Ruan Li is only where she is because of your family’s name.”

“I wasn’t aware that Ruan Li used anyone’s name to debut,” said a voice from behind them, full of natural arrogance. “She was a nobody who found her own opportunities.”

Caught bad-mouthing someone, Ruan Shu quickly turned around.

Ye Mian raised an eyebrow at Ruan Shu. “Your accessory is over-the-top. When Ruan Li wore a similar outfit, she didn’t need such gaudy jewelry.”

“Who are you? No one said we were copying Ruan Li,” Jing Yi shot back, but Ruan Shu quickly pulled her back, shaking her head.

The Ye family was one of the city’s top four families, far above the Ruan family.

Ruan Li had finished her take and was reviewing it with the director when she noticed Ye Mian. Waving her over, she asked, “What brings you here?”

Ye Mian was about to answer that she had promised to bring her iced coffee when a laid-back man with sharp features stepped out of a black SUV.

“She’s just a tagalong,” Ruan Shu said, removing his mask while his assistant brought out two lavishly packaged boxes. With a teasing tone, he added, “By Third Brother’s command, here to deliver dresses to Miss Ruan.”