Chapter 14: Rebellion

“I asked Bin-ge, and he said Ruan Yu’s filming an outdoor challenge variety show. Scared the hell out of me—I thought she was going to cling to you again.”

In a hotel room, Shao Li was on the phone with Duan Lin’s agent, turning to explain as he spoke.

The bathroom door opened. Duan Lin emerged in a black bathrobe, towel-drying his hair.

“Give me the phone.”

Taking the phone, Duan Lin asked, “She’s filming a show?”

On the other end, Guo Bin replied, “Yeah, Ruan Yu’s participating in a variety show called Undercover Profession. It’s the one Yellow Peach TV hyped up a while ago. They originally invited Huang Zilan, but she backed out last minute over pay. I’m guessing Ruan Yu was a last-minute replacement.”

“Undercover Profession?”

“It’s a two-week disguise challenge show. Just now, the show’s director contacted me—they accidentally filmed you in a scene and wanted to know if they could use the footage. They’re willing to sign a supplemental release. Don’t worry, I turned them down.”

To be honest, the appearance fee was decent. But Guo Bin avoided Ruan Yu like the plague and knew Duan Lin had zero patience for that missy.

“Were there any fans around when you ran into her? No chance of a photo showing you two together, right?”

“No.” Duan Lin tossed aside the towel and leaned into the sofa with indifference. “They didn’t capture anything useful. If they want to use it, let them.”

Guo Bin paused. “…Alright then.”

Even if they did catch her on camera, no one would recognize Ruan Yu.

As Duan Lin flipped through his script, the elevator scene flashed through his mind.

She had chopped her hair into jagged short layers, somehow found a discontinued shade of foundation, and her exposed skin was all a deep bronze. Her heavy Western-style makeup gave her a wild look. Only her almond-shaped eyes remained the same, stark and expressive.

She looked utterly exhausted, and when she saw him, her face bore the unmistakable expression of someone caught in a tragic twist of fate—shocked and just a bit resigned.

Was she… afraid of him?

Duan Lin closed the script, his gaze unreadable.

…

The moment Ruan Yu got back to her room, she immediately logged into her alternate Weibo account: @SouthernBeautyFish.

She had been so busy obsessing over her idol that she’d forgotten to stalk her rival’s updates!

Seeing Duan Lin earlier had nearly sent her soul flying—she almost ascended to heaven on the spot.

Fortunately, her rival remained the same cold-faced Duan Lin she remembered. He gave her a single glance and ignored her completely.

Tch.

Why did that feel so… predictable, yet humiliating at the same time?

Her Weibo homepage was buzzing with excitement—everyone was celebrating the New Year.

Only then did she learn that Duan Lin had just wrapped filming for The Hopeless Pursuit of Fame and immediately jumped into a new production—a big-budget historical palace drama, currently shooting at Xiangshan Film Studio. The production had been two years in the making, with a star-studded cast, and they had even built a full-scale replica of a Tang Dynasty imperial residence.

That familiar pang of envy over her rival’s golden resources came surging back.

Duan Lin’s fans were banging gongs in celebration:

[Director Wang Nai’an!! AHHH!! Just when I thought Duan Lin had surprised me enough, he goes and tops it AGAIN!]
[Don’t get it wrong during promotions! Our gege is a special guest star, okay? Lead roles are veteran actors. Keep the comment section clean—don’t cause trouble for him.]
[Only filming for half a month? This is the longest he’s ever been away from singing. I miss Singer Lin already 😭😭]
[He seamlessly moved into the next production! I’m dying of happiness! How are we, the loyal acting stans, lucky enough to have a god like Duan Lin?]
[Perfect visuals + zero scandals + professionally trained acting = I give up, I’m done 😭😭😭]

Ruan Yu scoffed. As expected, Duan Lin’s fans saw him through an eight-meter-thick filter. The way they defended him with blind loyalty was ridiculous.

She knew his scandal list could fill a best-selling encyclopedia.

Her own idol, Ji Linhao, was the real one without a single blemish. Radiant and brilliant, yet still no match for a capital-backed darling like Duan Lin.

Hugging her phone with Ji Linhao’s photo as the wallpaper, Ruan Yu was filled with love.

One day, she would meet her star.

The next morning, Ruan Yu received a task from the production team:

[Bike around the film studio for one hour without being recognized to earn a 200-yuan eco-friendly bonus.]

Two hundred yuan!!

That afternoon, heavy snow began falling over the studio. Outdoor shoots were canceled, and after wrapping two indoor scenes, the crew called it a day. Shen Fangfei went to soak in a hot spring with some makeup artists, but Ruan Yu claimed she needed a nap and stayed at the hotel.

Half an hour later, bundled in a scarf, she rented a bike from within the studio and began her snowy ride, teeth clenched against the cold wind.

The cameraman barely caught up. “Do you want to take a break?”

Ruan Yu’s eyelashes were already dusted with snow. She waved him off with flair: “Nope. I can go against the wind—for money, I’m unstoppable.”

Cameraman: “…”

Director, I think I’m about to collapse.

The snow got heavier, and the number of visitors thinned out. Even the active film crews were fewer in number. As Ruan Yu biked past a scenic area, she noticed one production still filming outdoors, and surprisingly, a large crowd had gathered.

Beyond the barricades, fans and tourists formed multiple layers, all holding up phones and telephoto lenses as if they were watching a red carpet event.

The set was tightly secured, and the viewing area was several hundred meters away from the shoot. What were they even supposed to see from that far?

Ruan Yu pedaled closer out of curiosity. “What are you guys looking at?”

“Shhh—quiet! They’re filming in there.”

Ruan Yu said, “From this far away? You can’t even make out a person’s shape.”

“You don’t get it—just breathing the same city air as him, even without seeing his silhouette, is already enough for me to cry!”

“And it snowed today! So technically, me and Duan Lin have grown old together in white hair already!” one girl said, barely suppressing her excitement.

Ruan Yu felt her hair practically stand on end. She turned immediately to leave.

Damn. So they were all Ling Jiaos!

Her mask—where was her mask??

One of the girls noticed the staff badge hanging from Ruan Yu’s neck and grabbed her arm excitedly. “Are you part of the crew?”

“…Not this crew. I’m with the makeup team on the East Set,” Ruan Yu muttered, half of her face buried in her scarf, barely showing her eyes.

The surrounding fans instantly perked up, buzzing in low, excited whispers.

“Jie, so that means you can go in, right? Could you bring a gift to Duan Lin for me?”

Her friend tugged her back. “He never accepts gifts from fans. Don’t be reckless. If the gossip sites find out, they’ll twist it all up.”

“Jie, if you get to see him, could you get me an autograph?”

“Me too! Please, look at me, Jie!”

Ruan Yu, muffled by her scarf, tried to explain, “Each crew has different access passes. Even with a staff badge, I can’t just walk into another set.”

Ask her to get Duan Lin’s autograph for his fans? Not happening.

She had already blocked him on every platform! There was no way she’d act all friendly and throw herself in front of him again. What kind of spineless person did they think she was?

“Money’s not a problem. I’d pay thousands just to get a signed photo!” someone cried.

Th-Thousands?!

“I’ll try,” Ruan Yu replied solemnly.

—Wait, this is still being filmed. It’s Liu Daxiong doing the show, not Ruan Yu who blocked Duan Lin. Totally different person.

The fans swarmed closer in excitement, flipping through their bags for photo cards, postcards, and photobooks, each trying to pass something to her and thanking her in hushed tones.

Ruan Yu could barely take them all in. She was already starting to regret this.

In the fandom world, fans who stalked filming sets had always been controversial. Since filming wasn’t considered a public schedule, showing up without official visit passes was considered disruptive—often labeled as obsessive behavior.

But as Ruan Yu looked at their smiling, hopeful faces, she paused.

These girls were just like her—harboring a star in their hearts.

When they spoke of their idol, their eyes lit up. Their fondness was cautious and gentle. They waited quietly in a public tourist zone, making no noise, asking nothing in return—only hoping for a glimpse through the falling snow. It was all incredibly soft, tender, restrained.

…Or not.

Weren’t these the same fans who fought her online for three days straight without repeating a single insult?

Ruan Yu sighed. “I’ll only take cards or postcards. Just five. No more.”

She collected five postcards and finally escaped the crowd of enemy fans.

She biked a full circle around the cordoned-off zone before finally spotting the crew’s entrance.

Just as she got close, she saw a familiar face.

Not far away, Shao Li, holding coffee in hand, was suddenly called out to: “Hello!”

Shao Li turned, visibly startled. This film city was huge—how was he running into Ruan Yu, this dramatic heiress, again?!

Ruan Yu, now performing with full sincerity for the camera, made small talk with Shao Li for a while before getting to the point: “There are some Duan Lin fans waiting outside. They’ve been here forever and just want a few autographs. Would that be okay?”

The directors: “…”

If this worked, pigs could fly.

But Shao Li, who was usually fierce toward outsiders, said, “…Okay, come with me.”

Directors: ???

The cameraman following Ruan Yu was stopped at the barrier. Ruan Yu followed Shao Li past the city gates and into the set.

The crew had set up just outside the main hall. Filming hadn’t resumed yet, so the area was buzzing with actors and staff. Shao Li led her to a commercial van parked nearby.

“Wait here.”

Ruan Yu stood outside, then, on second thought, secretly turned off the mic clipped inside her collar.

The crew couldn’t see her now, but they could still hear. If Duan Lin recognized her and pulled that usual smirking, sarcastic tone of his, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop herself from clapping back.

“All right, um… go in now. Just don’t stay too long,” Shao Li said, stepping out of the van.

Inside, the space was roomy and set up like a mobile dressing room. As Ruan Yu stepped in, Duan Lin sat up from the small bed inside, still holding the eye mask he had just removed.

Holy crap, who was this man?

He was still in his crimson official robes from the Tang dynasty drama.

He must’ve just woken up from a nap—his wig and hairpiece weren’t tied up, so his long black hair spilled over his red robes. With his sharply defined features and pale skin, the entire look was soaked in a heavy, vivid ancient charm.

Even his voice sounded lazy: “You want me to sign for fans?”

Ruan Yu nodded, showing him the postcards. “These were all handed to me by your fans. They’ve been waiting outside forever. They’d really love to get a few of your autographs.”

Surprisingly, Duan Lin glanced at her—and didn’t reject it.

He took the cards, signed them, then pulled open a drawer on the dressing table, pulled out several of his photo prints, signed those too, and handed them over.

Wait, what? Was this man a different person today?

Ruan Yu clutched the thick stack of autographed photos, completely in disbelief.

Duan Lin suddenly asked, “Your stomach—better now?”

Stomach what now.

Yep, same old nemesis.

Ruan Yu bowed to the power of money. “All better. I’ll be off, then.” Holding the signed pictures like stacks of cash, her eyes sparkled. After a beat, she added begrudgingly, “…Thanks.”

Making money felt good—but making money off her nemesis? Now that was the peak of joy. Some truths had always stood the test of time.

Duan Lin’s gaze lingered on her face. Even with that odd heavy makeup, her apricot-shaped eyes shimmered with excitement, like a handful of stars crushed and scattered across them.

Just getting his autograph—was it really that thrilling?

Duan Lin asked casually, “I meant, after the wrap party that day, is your stomach feeling better?”

Only then did Ruan Yu understand. “…Oh. Yeah, it’s better now.”

“Then why did you block me?”

Ruan Yu played dumb. “What?”

“On the day we wrapped, I sent you a message on WeChat, but it said it couldn’t be delivered. You blocked me, didn’t you?” Duan Lin set down the pen he’d been using to sign and prompted her memory.

“…”

She had just asked him for autographs—if she turned around and said she didn’t want to see him, it would be too shameless. Ruan Yu tried to keep it tactful: “Maybe it’s because filming was over… I figured we wouldn’t be seeing each other much after that. Blocking you helps with mental well-being?”

Duan Lin paused. “If you really didn’t want to see me, there are more direct ways than blocking me on WeChat.”

“What ways?” Ruan Yu was confused.

Duan Lin asked calmly, “What do you think?”

Oh great, she got it now. Duan Lin thought she was playing hard to get—blocking him just to get his attention.

Ruan Yu clenched her teeth. “You’re saying that if I truly didn’t want to see you, I should leave the entertainment industry altogether?”

Though Duan Lin didn’t answer, the subtle expression on his otherwise indifferent face said everything—it was the classic “I knew it” look.

Clearly, the way Young Lady Ruan used to cling to him had left a deep impression. Duan Lin’s narcissism was terminal. Ruan Yu internally rolled her eyes a hundred times, then just went for it: “Yes, I blocked you because I wanted to see you.”

“That’s right—I’m not quitting this industry.” She said it just to spite him. “Not only am I staying, but I’m going to annoy you every single day. And I’ll never, ever divorce you.”

“…”

Ruan Yu sneered, “From now on, I’ll be there in the background of every single one of your public appearances. Any female celeb who dares to fake a scandal with you—I’ll shut her down. You can forget about getting rid of me in this lifetime. Satisfied now?”

Bring it on. Mutual torment.

The Domineering Heiress and the Little Superstar, The Billionaire’s Forced Love: Caged Idol Edition—surely one of those tropes would disgust Duan Lin enough.

After delivering her monologue, Ruan Yu felt so cringed out she got goosebumps herself. She turned and stormed off.

Shao Li, standing outside, saw her come out looking like a small hurricane. Hearing no sound from inside the van for a while, he rushed in to check.

Inside, Duan Lin was leaning back in his seat flipping through a script, unreadable as ever.

“Lin-ge, did Ruan Yu cause a scene again?” Shao Li asked cautiously.

“No.”

Duan Lin was recalling the fiery declaration Ruan Yu had just made. Lately, everything about her—the way she talked, behaved—it all felt a bit different from the old Ruan Yu.

She didn’t seem as annoying anymore.

But…

She was definitely clingier.

—

On the other side, when Ruan Yu handed over the signed photos to the Lingjiaos, she actually felt a twinge of sympathy for them.

To be a fan of someone like Duan Lin, who could win gold in the Olympic event of arrogance and narcissism—it was a truly… unique choice.

The Lingjiaos, blissfully unaware of her thoughts, were overjoyed and grateful.

“Ahhh! He even signed extra ones! How is he so nice?!”

“This big sister only charged us ten yuan per photo—she’s so kind.”

“She looks really familiar… I just can’t remember where I’ve seen her.”

“Maybe all beautiful and kind big sisters just look alike!”

—

The next two days, Ruan Yu continued her grueling, whirlwind pace on set. Things remained peaceful within the crew.

On the ninth day, a message from the show’s production team popped up on her phone:

[Qiu Xi’s disguise has failed. The show will now revoke her original profession identity and assign her a manual labor task card. Remaining contestants: He Changyuan, Jiang Xingchun, Ruan Yu.]

Qiu Xi had run into a hardcore fan—an elderly man in his seventies—who recognized her instantly despite her mask and sunglasses. He was so thrilled, he held her hand like she was his own granddaughter and insisted on introducing her to his grandson. A passerby recorded the scene, and that night, the hashtag “Qiu Xi — National Granddaughter-in-Law” shot to the top of the trending list.

With that, Undercover Profession was thrust into the spotlight. The promo team jumped into action, teaming up with marketing accounts to build hype. Even before airing, anticipation was through the roof.

In this era of entertainment-for-all, news spread like wildfire. Everyone began speculating who the remaining contestants were. People on the street were staring at anyone wearing a mask and sunglasses.

The production team was thrilled. The contestants, on the other hand, were on the verge of tears.

The three remaining undiscovered contestants were constantly on edge.

Back on set, Ruan Yu scrolled through the online discussions. After reviewing them all, she concluded that staying in the film city was still the safest option.

Just five more days—victory was within reach. She had to hang in there!

Just as she was thinking this, Shen Fangfei approached with her phone. “Daxiong, we need to head back to Beijing right away. Something urgent came up.”

Ruan Yu: “???”

“Today?”

“Yes. Mr. Chen’s daughter had an emergency abroad, so he has to leave immediately. One of the artists he regularly works with is walking the red carpet tomorrow night, so I’ll be in charge of their styling. We’re flying out as soon as possible.”

That evening, right after filming the male lead’s palace revolt scene, Ruan Yu and Shen Fangfei rushed off without pause, catching the earliest flight to Beijing.

On the plane, Shen Fangfei showed her a sample of the red carpet makeup look.

Ruan Yu knew that most celebrities with even a bit of status had dedicated makeup artists. Their looks for events were often finalized well in advance. For A-listers, it was even more strict—they never changed stylists easily. That Mr. Chen would suddenly hand this job to Shen Fangfei must mean it was a genuine emergency.

Looking at the male model in the photo, Ruan Yu asked, “Is this the celebrity attending the event?”

“Of course not. That’s just the test model. The look was decided a month ago. As for the celebrity… you’ll find out when we meet them.” Shen Fangfei replied mysteriously.

Fair enough. Anyone who worked with Chen Dexuan had to be a major A-list star. Ruan Yu figured she’d probably just be standing off to the side, handing brushes.

She asked again, “What kind of event is it?”

“The StarMotion Gala.”

---

Author’s Note:
Duan Lin’s inner monologue: She’s even clingier than before. Strangely, I don’t mind it.
Xiao Yu: Clingy my ass!! I was being sarcastic, damn it!!!!!!