Chapter 002: Reaching an Agreement with the Male Supporting Character

He looked to be about 1.85 meters tall, with the most ideal proportions among male celebrities in the entertainment industry—the so-called golden ratio. With Lu Jingshan’s cold and refined appearance, if he ever stepped into showbiz, he’d surely take it by storm.

Speaking of which…

Fang Yimeng stared at his handsome, aloof face and couldn’t help but ask, “We’ve been stuck in this loop for so long, but I never had the chance to ask—why did you awaken in the loop too?”

Lu Jingshan had his suit jacket slung over one arm, the other hand casually tucked into his pocket. His slightly wrinkled shirt didn’t make him look disheveled at all. Instead, his laid-back posture exuded a unique kind of nonchalant charm—cool, but effortlessly handsome.

He raised his head at her question, his well-defined features sharp and striking. Yet his eyes carried a distinct detachment.

As if none of this had anything to do with him.

“I don’t remember. From the moment I became aware, I was already in a place filled with neon lights, loud music… and you.”

He recalled the intimate scenes from earlier, and the tips of his pale ears began to flush red.

Fang Yimeng didn’t notice. She continued, “How old are you?”

“Twenty-three,” he replied calmly.

Fang Yimeng blinked in surprise—he was actually three years younger than her!

“What do you do? Do you have family?”

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she realized how nosy she sounded—like a gossiping aunt probing into someone’s private life.

Afraid Lu Jingshan might be too aloof to answer, she was about to change the subject to cover her awkwardness when—

He unexpectedly answered, “I run a company. My parents passed away.”

“Oh… that’s better than I expected. I thought the author would be so lazy they wouldn’t even bother giving you a background. But I guess since I’m a somewhat important supporting character, it makes sense that the side characters tied to me would have a bit more fleshed-out backstory too.”

Fang Yimeng was quick-witted and even quicker to speak.

If anyone else had heard her say that, they’d probably think she was insane.

But Lu Jingshan simply responded, “There’s some truth to what you’re saying.”

“You know you’re in a novel?” Fang Yimeng asked again.

Lu Jingshan seemed to enjoy this type of exchange. She asked a question, and he answered.

“Yes.”

Fang Yimeng continued, “So when it’s not your scene, what do you do?”

“Study. Or watch you guys follow the plot,” he said simply.

There was a subtle look in his eyes as he stared at her. Lu Jingshan couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of role was Fang Yimeng really playing in this story?

She looked stunning on the red velvet sofa—pale skin, delicate features, and a graceful figure wrapped in an elegant cocktail dress. She seemed both petite and radiant.

He considered his words, then returned the question, “And you? What do you do when it’s not your scene?”

That question hit her like a bolt of insight.

She rubbed the tip of her nose.

Before awakening, she’d stand in the shadows watching Liao Ran and Li Jinchen fall in love and fight like a storm on a rainbow-colored stage—while she fumed quietly on the sidelines.

After awakening, she could recite the leads’ lines in her sleep. So, she’d hop into her sports car and drive as far as she could, just to see the scenery and contemplate the meaning of life, reflecting on how boring her existence as a side character had become.

But no matter where she drove, whenever her plotline was due, she’d get dragged right back into the scene.

“Not much. Same as you. Studying,” she said with a bitter smile. Studying how to be a smarter woman—one who didn’t live like a crazy villainess yelling and throwing tantrums in some cheap melodrama.

With the conversation briefly drying up, the large room fell into silence, and the awkwardness slowly crept in.

Fang Yimeng coughed lightly, trying to hide her growing discomfort, and turned her face away.

“Well then, should we talk about our collaboration?”

Her expression grew more serious as she asked, “You’re tired of the loop too?”

Lu Jingshan sat down in the red velvet armchair opposite her, his elbows resting on his knees, long, graceful fingers interlaced in front of him.

His expression was calm and detached, but the ambition in his voice was unmistakable. “I’m not tired of it. I just don’t want to live like a nobody in this world anymore.”

Excellent. Very good!

This was exactly the kind of ambitious and driven person she wanted to work with.

“How do you want to cooperate? Let’s be transparent. My goal is simple: to undo the damage caused by my ‘vicious supporting actress’ reputation. I’m Liao Ran’s rival, but I want to fight back with emotional intelligence and strategy—not be manipulated like a clown by the male and female leads.”

After laying out her needs, her gaze fell on Lu Jingshan’s sharp nose and those mesmerizing peach blossom eyes.

He gave a small nod. “I’ll work with you. We’ll fight back against the leads together. I’ll help you clear your name, and you help me build my presence in this world.”

“Deal!”

Fang Yimeng was quite satisfied with the arrangement. Helping Lu Jingshan gain exposure? Easy. With her family’s influence, connecting him with the right people to grow his company would be effortless.

She reached out to shake his hand.

Looking at her slender, fair fingers, he pressed his lips together, then placed his hand in hers. Her cool fingertips met the warmth of his palm.

He looked up at her smiling, charming face.

Agreement reached.

The two of them headed down to the Anlan Hotel’s first-floor lobby, bustling with people.

Fang Yimeng walked up to the front desk with the room key to check out. Upon seeing it was Mr. Lu and Miss Fang, the front desk staff immediately perked up and greeted them warmly.

Lu Jingshan leaned against the counter, the tip of his long left foot lightly tapping the floor behind him, his peach blossom eyes fixed steadily on Fang Yimeng the entire time.

“Isn’t that Fang Yimeng? Wow, she’s so fair in person.”

“Didn’t you see the trending posts on Weibo? She bullied someone at a theater. So what if she’s fair? She’s as vicious as poison inside.”

Several wealthy young ladies enjoying afternoon tea at the five-star hotel walked by. Upon seeing the strikingly attractive pair at the front desk, they couldn’t help but sneak glances and whisper among themselves.

Fang Yimeng had long grown numb to the criticism around her. She calmly lowered her head to check her messages.

The air-conditioning on the ground floor was strong. After standing for a while, her arms began to feel a bit cold. She lifted her hands to rub them slightly.

The next second, a man’s jacket was gently draped over her shoulders. A mixed scent of her fruity perfume and his crisp cologne surrounded her.

Fang Yimeng turned to look at Lu Jingshan. Though she didn’t speak, the question was clear in her bright eyes.

Lu Jingshan stood straight and said simply, “It’s a bit cold.”

She was cold, and didn’t turn down the gesture. Gratefully, she pulled the jacket tighter around her, then opened her small Chanel purse and took out a card to settle the bill.

The front desk staff respectfully took the black card she handed over and swiped it through the machine. Then, looking up at the two of them, said:

“This card…”