Chapter 5 An Exceptionally Self-Aware “Connected” Actress

The next day.

Jiang Shuwan followed closely behind assistant director Wang Youde, holding a cup of milk tea.

The short and chubby Wang Youde kept sneaking glances at her, silently guessing what kind of background this extra had. After all, the producer himself had personally called to ask him to bring her into the crew and repeatedly urged him to take special care of her.

It was obvious—this was someone with connections.

But the odd thing was, if she were really someone with powerful backing, why was she only assigned the role of a palace maid—and the kind without even a single line?

Wang Youde cleared his throat and said with a smile, “Miss Jiang, if you’re interested in taking on a more challenging role, we can definitely arrange something. Director Luo is strict, yes, but that’s mostly with the main cast. As for background or minor roles—well, let’s just say he’s not so rigid.”

He thought of a young actor named Liang Hao—his acting was truly terrible. Wang Youde had heard people from other crews complain, saying everyone behind his back called him the “NG Emperor.” If not for his good looks, no one would hire him.

Someone like that wouldn’t normally get into this crew. Heaven knows how the producer convinced Director Luo. In the end, even though Luo wasn’t thrilled, he still gave a nod.

Probably because the payoff was big enough.

Jiang Shuwan looked at Wang Youde oddly and replied, “I’ve never studied acting. I’ve only read a few related books and only skimmed them at that. Acting requires practical experience—pure theory won’t do. All things considered, I’m currently not capable of handling a more demanding role. Playing a palace maid suits me better.”

She hesitated slightly before adding with subtle emphasis, “In a good production, every role is important.”

Wang Youde: “……”

After working in this industry for so long, this was the first time Wang Youde had encountered such a self-aware connected actress.

“Miss Jiang is absolutely right.” He quickly changed the subject. “There are no palace maid scenes scheduled today. Did you come to observe others’ performances?”

Jiang Shuwan: “I’m here to see Liang Hao.”

Wang Youde: “……”

He couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Jiang, what do you think of Liang Hao’s acting? Do you think he’s a good fit for our crew?”

Jiang Shuwan replied matter-of-factly, “Liang Hao is a great actor, and he’s very hardworking. I’ve done my research—Director Luo Qingyao has outstanding professional credentials and box office appeal. Liang Hao joining your production will be a win-win.”

Wang Youde: “………………”

His silence at that moment was deafening.

After bringing her to her destination, Wang Youde gave Jiang Shuwan a complicated look, hesitating as though he wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowing the words and turning to walk away.

When she spoke of herself, she was calm and logical. But when she mentioned Liang Hao, she sounded like a hopeless fangirl.

Wang Youde was now seriously beginning to suspect that she wasn’t here to act—she was probably here to chase a celebrity.

He shook his head and sighed. After so many years in the industry, he’d seen plenty of fans. All he could say was: through the lens of admiration, even a pig could look like it radiated divine light.

As he passed by the tent where the lead actors were waiting, Wang Youde was stopped by Xia Xiangyang.

Now that the fight incident had been exposed, Xia Xiangyang wasn’t even bothering with sunglasses anymore. With a fading black eye, he looked curiously at him and asked, “Director Wang, who’s that girl?”

That line she had said—“Good deeds should be known”—was still echoing in his mind. Especially given what happened afterward, it felt less like a casual remark and more like a prophetic warning. Xia Xiangyang couldn’t forget it.

He wasn’t thinking in a paranormal direction—he was more inclined to suspect that this strange woman knew some inside information.

Wang Youde glanced back at Jiang Shuwan, who was walking toward a corner, and replied, “Miss Jiang? Just an extra. She’s playing a palace maid.” He didn’t actually know her background, but since she was staying so low-key as a background actress, she clearly didn’t want to draw attention, so he naturally wouldn’t say more.

Xia Xiangyang was stunned. “An extra?”

He had assumed she was crew—after all, she ate at the hotel restaurant too.

Regular staff and assistants stayed in another building and dined there too. So by that logic, she wasn’t just staff—she had to be a core member.

But now Wang Youde was saying she was an extra?

That was hard to believe. What kind of extra received treatment like that?

And then, Xia Xiangyang’s expression turned a bit strange. “Her surname is Jiang—as in river, right?”

Wang Youde nodded. “That’s right. Like in Yangtze River or Yellow River.”

Well, wasn’t that just a coincidence? The helpful citizen, Miss Jiang, also had that surname.

Wang Youde looked at him oddly. “Why are you asking about her surname? Don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to her? I’m warning you, Director Luo hates it when actors start messing around on set. You just got off the trending list—keep it quiet for a while.”

Xia Xiangyang was speechless. “Do I look like that kind of person? I’m just curious—she’s a mere extra, but you went out of your way to personally bring her in. That’s some impressive service, Director Wang.”

The two had worked together before and were fairly familiar with each other, so some joking banter was nothing unusual.

Wang Youde was left speechless for quite a while by Xia Xiangyang’s words. After a moment, he shook his head and said, “Sigh, I just happened to run into her, that’s all. Besides, aren’t assistant directors supposed to serve everyone?”

He awkwardly changed the subject: “Hold on, I don’t recall you having any scenes scheduled this morning. Why are you here so early?”

Even if he had happened to run into her, it would’ve been enough to just point the way. At most, he could’ve found a staff member to lead her in. That would already count as extremely attentive. The shoot was about to start—why on earth would an assistant director waste time personally guiding someone around?

But Xia Xiangyang wasn’t so lacking in emotional intelligence as to pry when someone clearly didn’t want to talk about it.

He went along with Wang Youde’s shift in topic. “I couldn’t sleep, so I got up early. Isn’t there a scene with Best Actor Ji this morning? I figured I’d come observe and learn something.”

The truth was, yesterday had been such a rollercoaster that his mood had been riding up and down like a theme park ride—plunging to the bottom one moment and soaring into the clouds the next. It was so intense, he barely slept at all last night.

Since he couldn’t sleep, he might as well come to the set early.

And good thing he did—otherwise, he wouldn’t have run into this Miss Jiang.

Xia Xiangyang looked thoughtfully into the distance at Jiang Shuwan and saw her approaching a male actor in costume, speaking to him. The actor looked a little impatient.

Wang Youde followed his gaze and sighed. “Seriously, what are these young girls thinking? Of all people to be a fan of, she picks a decorative vase like that.”

Xia Xiangyang twitched at the corners of his mouth and reminded him, “Director Wang, this is a public setting. Maybe not the best place to say things like that?”

Wang Youde responded righteously, “I’m whispering just to you, aren’t I?”

Xia Xiangyang: “…”

Alright, whatever makes you happy.

He glanced at Jiang Shuwan again. So this girl was here to chase a celebrity?

Not some enthusiastic do-gooder like “Ms. Jiang, the Good Samaritan”?

——

When Jiang Shuwan walked over, Liang Hao was busy messaging his manager, Brother Long. They’d agreed to assign him an assistant, but early that morning, Brother Long had informed him the assistant couldn’t come and had been sent to accompany another artist instead.

Liang Hao was annoyed, but he had no choice but to swallow his irritation and say it was fine.

Seeing Jiang Shuwan offer him a cup of milk tea, his expression turned impatient. “What celebrity dares to drink milk tea? I’ve got a war scene coming up next—supposedly, the character’s been starving on the battlefield for over half a month. The director said I need to lose at least another five pounds.”

Jiang Shuwan frowned slightly. “I saw on Weibo yesterday that several celebrities said milk tea isn’t that high in calories. It’s tasty and helps relieve stress. They all said they really like drinking it.”

“There were also comments saying celebrities have naturally slim physiques. Of course, that’s unverified and should be treated with caution.”

Liang Hao scoffed. “You actually believe the crap people post online?”

【Those celebrities were all lying. One of them is endorsing a milk tea brand—she always holds a cup at public appearances but never actually drinks any. Another one is faking a foodie persona; after every sip, she secretly spits it out. As for the rest, they say that stuff just to feel more relatable to fans.】

【And funny enough, that so-called foodie will have a PR disaster in two days. Someone will snap a photo of her secretly pouring out her milk tea and post it online.】

The robotic voice chimed in at the same time.

Jiang Shuwan: “…”

Is the entertainment industry really this full of dishonesty?

Compared to them, Liang Hao’s blunt honesty seemed almost… precious.

The system, sensing her thoughts, went silent: 【…】

It chose not to respond.

Jiang Shuwan, who never gave up easily, considered for a few seconds… and then decided to give up on the Winter Moon Milk Tea Plan.

It’s fine. Failed experiments are normal.

She could always try another plan. The internet was full of well-meaning people generously sharing their dating experiences.

She put the milk tea away. “Sorry, I didn’t think it through. Is there something else you’d like to drink?”

Liang Hao glanced at her and thought to himself, This woman’s really head over heels for me. Look at her meek, obedient, and accommodating attitude.

He was already in a bad mood, full of pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent, so mischief took over. He said, “I want a hazelnut latte from Merry Café.”

The supporting actors crouched nearby, who’d been sneakily watching after Jiang Shuwan appeared, all internally gasped in unison.

The nearest Merry Café was five kilometers away. And they didn’t even offer delivery.

Liang Hao was clearly just trying to give her a hard time.

Sympathetic looks quickly formed on their faces as they turned to Jiang Shuwan.

She didn’t notice a thing. In fact, she’d wanted to mention that coffee was also high in calories, but then she remembered a dating tip she saw online: “In love, don’t argue about right or wrong. Learn to accept your partner’s little moods and quirks.”

Liang Hao refusing milk tea but wanting coffee was clearly one of those “little quirks.”

She searched for the address of Merry Café and then, calm and decisive, turned and headed off to buy the coffee.

Watching her retreating figure, Fang Chang—who played the regent prince’s lackey—couldn’t help asking, “Liang Hao, is that your assistant?”

Based on their conversation, she sounded like an assistant, but her appearance didn’t quite fit.

She had too much scholarly air. From start to finish, she’d been calm and composed, even more commanding than some managers. Most importantly: “Director Wang personally escorted her here. If she really is your assistant, you must have some serious clout.”

Fang Chang’s tone was suggestive, and several others exchanged looks—they all caught his implication.

Many of them were familiar with Liang Hao.

He was a fixture in Hengdian studios, infamously known as the “NG Emperor.”

The fact that he’d managed to land a role in The Regent Prince was shocking enough. And now it looked like even his assistant was receiving VIP treatment from the assistant director? It could only mean one thing: the backer behind him must be formidable.

Liang Hao didn’t deny the assistant claim. Since the company hadn’t sent someone, he figured he’d use Jiang Shuwan as a stand-in assistant for now.

But—

“Director Wang personally brought her in?” he asked, confused.

Fang Chang glanced at him, saw the genuine confusion on his face, and recalled, “Oh, you were probably glued to your phone earlier and didn’t notice. Assistant Director Wang walked her in himself.” And the whole way, he was all smiles and small talk, acting extremely affable.

Liang Hao froze, and for some reason, he suddenly remembered Brother Long asking if he’d met a benefactor.

His face immediately turned pale.