NWWNL – Chapter 6

Chapter 6.

Of course, there was no kiss.

But, thinking of Yi Yang’s constipated expression when he left the Yi estate, Xu Xinyi felt refreshed and relaxed, as if she had released some of the suffocation that had accumulated over the past two years.

The Old Master’s eyes were full of kindness. “Come here, tell Grandpa, how did you two become like this?”

“Like this?” Was he talking about the piece of buttered honey toast that Yi Yang ate? Or the black coffee without sugar and milk she forced down?

Mrs. Yi rescued Xu Xinyi. “Dad, don’t worry about the children. The top priority is to take care of your body.”

Mr. Yi smiled. “OK, I won’t worry about it. Xinyi, haven’t you been working lately? “

“Yes, I have to go to the film crew later.”

“If you’re going out too, why didn’t Yi Yang drop you off just now?”

“Don’t overthink, Grandpa. He and I work in opposite directions, so it’s not on the way for him.” Hah! Yi Yang could drop her off? Xu Xinyi was worried that Yi Yang might just kill her in the car.

What’s more, their marriage was still a secret.

If there was even a 1/10000 possibility that their relationship could be exposed, she had to strangle it in the cradle.

“Grandpa, I’ve finished eating. You take your time, eat slowly. I’ll head out to the film site first. I’ll probably be a little busy these next few days. I’ll talk to you when I’m done.”

“Go ahead. Go ahead. Work is more important.”

As soon as Xu Xinyi left, the chopsticks in the Old Master’s hands were put down, and the smile on his face faded.

The Old Master was nearly 70 years old. When he was young he struggled to start a business from scratch and in his life he has experienced numerous winds and waves. For the younger generation, he was tired of the tricks they play and he can see through them at a glance. And between Yi Yang and Xinyi, these two people, he can see it too.

“Are they still like that?”

Mrs. Yi knew as soon he spoke that the Old Master had seen through everything.

Mrs. Yi did not speak, and the Old Master sighed a deep sigh. “Yi Yang, this child thinks that everything can be hidden from me, and so do you. I wonder, has the divorce agreement been stopped?”

“Dad, you know all about it?”

“How could I not know?” Mr. Yi sighed. “I often wonder if I made a mistake when I asked Yi Yang to marry Xinyi two years ago? Did I just delay Xinyi and hurt Yi Yang?”

Mrs. Yi put down her chopsticks. “I don’t think so.”

“How can you not think so?”

After a long silence.

“Forget it, I won’t get involved with the two of them. I’ll let them make their own decisions in the future. Xinyi, this child, has a bad temper and has been spoiled by her grandfather since childhood but I don’t think she is a bad-hearted one. If they really get divorced, I can understand how upset she may be, so we can’t let her be too sad – even though I can understand that you don’t like her.” At this point, the Old Master smiled again. “You guys, you must really look down on me. Although I’m an old bag of bones that is halfway in the ground, I can still stand this kind of little stimulation.”

Mrs. Yi also smiled. “The doctor told you to have a good rest, so I dared not let you know about it.”

“Alright, for now, let’s say I don’t know. Rest assured, I’m all right. I’ll go up and have a rest first. You can be busy by yourself.”

With the help of Butler Chen, the Old Master went upstairs to have a rest.

Mrs. Yi watched the Old Master’s faltering back and slowly sat back down.

——-

Xu Xinyi’s “Bei Bei’s Promotion” was an urban love workplace drama, filmed in this city, only an hour’s drive from the Shuiwan villa area.

She didn’t let the crew pick her up, instead, she drove herself there to keep a low profile.

Host, you haven’t been vicious enough lately.

“Am I not vicious enough?” Thinking about it, these two days because of Yi Yang, she had been very quiet.

Before Yi Yang returned, the vicious character of ‘Xu Xinyi’ stood tall, arrogant, and domineering. Her specific behaviors were mainly characterized by snatching scenes, seizing endorsements, slapping people in the face without saying a word, and brazenly blocking other entertainers. Basically any so-called taboo in the entertainment industry, Xu Xinyi would do it.

Looking at the whole entertainment industry, there were basically no stars who are friends with Xu Xinyi.

In terms of public opinion, Xu Xinyi is even more powerful, she is unprecedented in her ability to unite the bickering fans in a strong front against her.

Therefore, with such a character, continuing to ‘do evil’ was much more in line with Xu Xinyi’s quest in life, rather than finding a way to whitewash and pretend to be nice.

It’s not your business. It’s not my business.*

She only wants to be comfortable and doesn’t care what others say.

Now it has been two years, and she was satisfied with everything in her life except Yi Yang.

Xu Xinyi leisurely wandered onto the set. The crew was in full swing, working and shooting. In the distance, she could hear Director Zheng’s loud cursing.

“Sister Xinyi, are you back?”

“Mhmm.” Xu Xinyi sat in front of the monitor and looked at the girl inside who was ‘NG’ again and again, and smiled, “How many times?”

The people around were very quiet. Eventually one weakly whispered, “Eighteen times.”

“Eighteen times?” Xu Xinyi sneered. “She’s a real talent.”

Director Zheng was also a bit of a veteran director in the film and television industry. He had made several popular dramas but ultimately he could not stand against the strength of capital. At the beginning of filming, “Bei Bei’s Promotion” had several actors crammed in by the investors.

A girl with no acting skills as the female lead, a girl who made her career singing and dancing who suddenly wanted to switch to the film and television industry as the second female lead, a person renowned as affectionate in the circle who was set up as if he could play the perfect male role that was about to explode as the male lead, not to mention the other various supporting roles, all in all, several actors were all crammed into the group by investors and blocked up all the important roles.

A good director was about to watch his career burn. After a week of shooting, Director Zheng was so anxious he was ready to jump off a building and he really couldn’t shoot anymore, so he risked everything. Throwing caution to the wind, he offended an investor by forcibly breaching the contract of the old female lead and instead signed Xu Xinyi.

Xu Xinyi’s reputation was not good in the circle but her acting skills were good. And, more importantly, Xu Xinyi had a background that can resist investors.

This was the reason why Director Zheng risked signing Xu Xinyi onto the crew.

After Zuo Rong, who played the second female lead, ‘NG’d for the 21st time, Director Zheng reluctantly let her pass.

But Xu Xinyi could see from Director Zheng’s face that he was very sad.

The production’s problems were numerous. Many of the crew were not from a professional background, or had no acting experience, or were just people who were constantly lagging behind, who did not work hard, and could not even remember a single line. So the pressure on Director Zheng was immense. It was really hard to direct such a drama.

Originally, Zuo Rong’s acting skills had nothing to do with her. After all, well water and river water would never meet** and Xu Xinyi didn’t want to bother her. However, from the moment she entered the group this Zuo Rong seemed to have an inexplicable grudge against her and refused to cooperate with her.

“Is Xinyi here?” Director Zheng suddenly said.

Xu Xinyi said with a smile, “I’m sorry to have delayed the director for two days, but you can rest assured that you will be able to catch up with the schedule today.”

Director Zheng was always kind to actors who are good at acting, just as teachers always give preferential treatment to students who study well.

“Of course. I believe in your acting. Head over to makeup.”

Before leaving, Xu Xinyi looked at Zuo Rong, whose eyes were still red. During the shooting, who knew how many times she had been scolded by Director Zheng and cried in full view of the public. She looked very embarrassed.

In the dressing room.

“Sister Xinyi, have you stayed up late again recently? The dark circles under your eyes have come out.”

Xu Xinyi sighed, “Yes, I haven’t slept well lately.”

Zuo Rong took a look at Xu Xinyi and gave her a bottle of concealer. “Sister Xinyi, this is the concealer used by my mother. It is very easy to use. I think it suits you.”

Xu Xinyi gave a fake smile and said, “No, you just keep it for yourself.”

Zuo Rong smiled and said, “I don’t need it yet. I’m only 23 years old. The makeup artist says I have a good skin foundation and can shoot without makeup.”

Asking for trouble.

“Poor skin can always be covered with foundation, but how can you cover it if you don’t have good acting skills? If I sprinkle some rice on the ground, then a chicken is probably a better actor than you.”

Xu Xinyi sent a text message to Yi Yang while playing with his mobile phone: Honey, when will you be home tonight?

Zuo Rong choked. Xu Xinyi usually said a few perfunctory words with her. She didn’t expect her to speak so aggressively today and not give her any face. The grievance from being scolded by Zheng just now flooded up again and Zuo Rong trembled with anger.

Zuo Rong was an arrogant person, how could she just bear Xu Xinyi’s scolding? But just as she wanted to retort, her agent suddenly appeared from outside and said a few words in her ear.

It was because of these few words that Zuo Rong’s anger miraculously disappeared.

She sent Xu Xinyi a glare and temporarily suppressed her anger.

“Well, come on. Xinyi, are you ready? Come out and shoot when you are ready. ” Zheng poked his head into the dressing room to urge Xu Xinyi to hurry.

Xinyi got up and said, “Alright, I’ll be right there.”

“Director,” Zuo Rong also got up and followed the director and whispered, “Director, I have something I have to do tonight. I don’t have any more scenes this afternoon. Can I leave early?”

Director Zheng hated this kind of star who doesn’t have acting skills and doesn’t want to study, and always wants to ask for leave all the time.

His face darkened but, remembering her backing, he eventually agreed. “Yes.”

“Thank you, director!”

———

Yi Yang was not in the habit of reading private messages while at work, not to mention a message from Xu Xinyi. At eight o’clock in the evening, while he stood idling at a reception holding a glass of red wine and watching the people who came and went, he finally saw the message from Xu Xinyi.

Of course, he didn’t reply.

All the men who attended the party had a female companion, but he didn’t, and so he seemed a little out of place.

A waiter came forward, “Excuse me, are you Mr. Yi Yangyi? Mr. Song sent me to invite you over. This way please.”

It looked like he was here attending a cocktail party, but he was actually here to talk about a project.

He followed the waiter around the reception hall and into a private room.

“President Yi, I’m Song Chengzhou, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Face to face with Yi Yang was a man who looks to be in his early thirties, offering his hand for a shake.

Yi Yang calmly reached out and shook his hand, “Hello, President Song.”

Chinese people like to talk about business over a meal. Alcohol is a good thing, which can paralyze people’s reason and reduce their vigilance. Song Chengzhou bargained with Yi Yang on project matters. Yi Yang bargained back and drank a little wine. But he kept strict discipline and didn’t lose his mind. With such a big project at stake, the profits were an unimaginable number, so he couldn’t afford to slip.

Seeing that Yi Yang wasn’t getting drunk, it seemed the wine had lost its function.

Song Chengzhou frowned imperceptibly before he gave a look and the man at the door immediately understood. He beckoned several women to come in.

Naturally, these women were not ordinary women. The entertainment industry was such a place. Beautiful women who wanted to rise to the top and stand above their peers would emerge endlessly.

Yi Yang leaned back lazily, drank a little wine, and was slightly drunk. He half-squinted at the woman who walked in the door and couldn’t help laughing.

If the wine doesn’t work, just use women.

It can be seen that money is a good thing.

A slim, sweet-looking girl sat beside Yi Yang. She had exquisite facial features and clean eyes. If he hadn’t met her in such a place, Yi Yang might have really thought she was as such.

But somehow, under the dim light, he suddenly thought of Xu Xinyi.

Enchanting and charming, especially sexy when sitting on his lap.

Song Chengzhou said: “I noticed that President Yi had no dance partner during the reception. This is Zuo Rong, a popular actress.”

“Hello, President Yi, my name is Zuo Rong.”

The name sounded familiar, but for the moment Yi Yang couldn’t remember where he had heard of it. He didn’t say anything and continued to talk with Song Chengzhou about the details of the project just now.

Zuo Rong was a second-tier star in the entertainment industry. She had good luck and could sing and dance. By virtue of her appearance and singing, she had gained a large number of fans. Recently, she had been entangled with Song Chengzhou, which led to her sudden dip into the film and television industry.

Song Chengzhou had helped her a lot. And although they had briefly been in a relationship like lovers, Zuo Rong knew that Song Chengzhou has already begun to lose interest in her, so she must take this opportunity to catch another big fish.

Before she came, she had asked around so she knew somewhat the weight of the man called Yi Yang. What she learned made her sure of one thing: he was a person that she must grab onto by any means.

She picked up a glass of wine and looked at him with a sultry and lingering look. “Boss Yi, I’ll accompany you for a drink.”

The smile on her face deliberately oozed feminine charm.

Yi Yang gave her a frosty glance and did not say a word, but the meaning was very clear.

Zuo Rong was so frightened by his eyes that she did not dare to move immediately, but when she thought of the advice her agent gave her, she became lively again.

Her face and figure, even in the entertainment circle, could be considered peerless. Otherwise, she would not have been directly raised to a second-tier star within just two years. Zuo Rong knew that men were all animals who only think with their lower bodies. They may be reserved for a while, but they will never be reserved for a lifetime. No man can resist the temptation of a woman.

Zuo Rong boldly drew close to Yi Yang and her strapless dress revealed a tantalizing scenery.

“Many times I have heard of President Yi’s name. It is really an honor for Zuo Rong to have the pleasure of meeting him today.”

Tonight the venue had been full of men who could barely keep their eyes off of her, but unfortunately, Yi Yang was not one of them. His desire for women had never been strong and when he smelled the pungent smell of perfume from Zuo Rong, a strong sense of disgust rose in his heart.

He looked at Song Chengzhou and said coldly. “I’m here to talk business, not to play with women.”

Zuo Rong instantly paled. Her hand trembled, and the wine glass in her hand tilted, soaking Yi Yang’s shirt on his chest.

“I’m sorry, President Yi. I didn’t mean to!”

Yi Yang caught the hand that she wanted to use to touch him and his disgust deepened.

Song Chengzhou realized that he had touched on Yi Yang’s inverse scale and if he continued to let Zuo Rong stay here, it would be bad. His face sank and he waved his hand, forcing Zuo Rong to leave.

About an hour later, the door of the room opened.

Yi Yang walked out with his suit coat over his arm and was picked up by his assistant as soon as he stepped outside.

“President Yi.”

Zuo Rong was waiting around the corner. The corridor was poorly insulated and a cold wind drifted through, seemingly from nowhere.

It was cold in November and Zuo Rong was wearing very little. The thin woman stood in the cold, with her hands clasped around her chest and shivering. The night wind blew through her messy hair and her pale face seemed to be blue and white with cold.

Under the soft light, Zuo Rong’s face didn’t look as charming, instead, it was more pitiful and lovable.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it just now. ” Her eyes drooped, her lips trembled, and there was grievance and despair in her eyes, like a desperate rabbit, shivering and distressed.

“I know your shirt must be expensive. I-I’ll make it up to you! “

Yi Yang looked on coldly, completely unmoved.

This is what he learned from Xu Xinyi.

The human heart is sinister. Especially the hearts of women.

And this woman in front of him is not enough, she is far worse than Xu Xinyi.

“No.”

Yi Yang lost interest, turned around, and left.

“President Yi,” she stood in front of Yi Yang, her eyes filled with despair and expectation, “I-I know it’s too much for me to ask, but now you’re the only one who can help me. I didn’t mean to come here. Could you take me away? I don’t want to be here and… by them…”

Before the words finished she had burst into tears.

——–

At the same time, Xu Xinyi had finished filming her last scene for the day and the crew had finished their work and were preparing to go back home to have a rest.

Her agent, Anya, came to pick her up. Anya walked in with a twist of her waist and stepped with high heels, she was wearing sunglasses and a wide hat, looking more like a star than Xu Xinyi did.

As soon as she got onto the van, Xu Xinyi flipped through the entertainment news and asked boredly, “Have I got any new news recently?”

Anya had been around Xu Xinyi for two years. As the agent who she would have to get along day and night in the future, Xu Xinyi certainly had worked to win over her. Maybe she and Anya fell in love with each other at first sight and only knew to hate each other too late. They were such similar people.

The only difference was that while Anya was very beautiful and attractive, she was best at casting wide nets and raising fish in fish ponds, but she hasn’t even cast the net for the time being. (tl note: in a later chapter it became clear to me that this means that Anya often changes boyfriends but she currently doesn’t have one)

“Miss, if you just settle down and film, there will be no news at all.”

No news?

Xu Xinyi was worried.

Before that, she tried to spread the news of playing with big names and snatching roles to Yi Yang, but Yi Yang still did not agree to divorce.

How can I make him hate me more?

Xu Xinyi pondered the problem seriously and couldn’t think of anything.

“Xinyi, isn’t this… Isn’t it President Yi? “

“Yi Yang?” At the mention of Yi Yang, Xu Xinyi got excited.

“The editor-in-chief of an entertainment magazine sent it to me, saying that Zuo Rong had sent these photos to several media outlets and spent a lot of money on preparing to release them together with several media outlets.”

Xu Xinyi looked at several pictures on Anya’s mobile phone carefully and meticulously.

One was a picture of Zuo Rong sitting next to Yi Yang in a dark room, the light was dim and unclear, and the expression of Yi Yang was not taken clearly, but the way the two people were sitting was very ambiguous.

One was a picture of Zuo Rong standing in a hallway, talking to Yi Yang. Unclear if it was the angle but in this photo, it looked like Yi Yang was looking into Zuo Rong’s eyes very gently.

The last one was that after Yi Yang left, Zuo Rong was wearing Yi Yang’s suit coat.

There were too many things that can be imagined from these three photos.

Anya was cautious, in front of Xu Xinyi, she can’t say too much.

“Xinyi, don’t be angry. I’ll ask you clearly. Maybe it’s not Yi Yang in this picture?”

“No, this is Yi Yang.” Xu Xinyi said with incomparable certainty, “Anya, take me back to the Yi estate, quickly!”

Although the relationship between Xinyi and Yi Yang was not announced, the people closest to Xinyi knew it and kept the secret for her.

Anya knows exactly who Xinyi is married to and her position in the marriage.

Xinyi has been domineering all her life but in front of Yi Yang she is forced to lose all her dignity. Anya was not optimistic about their marriage, but Xinyi, who is blinded by love, never listens to her advice.

“Go back? What do you want to do?”

“Anya, don’t worry, I know what I need to do.”

Of course, she knew what to do. She was even vaguely excited.

The original “Xu Xinyi” suffered many emotional setbacks with Yi Yang, which led her to feel extremely inferior in front of Yi Yang. Over time, she developed a strong desire for control and possession. Without any sense of security “Xu Xinyi” would freak out when she saw Yi Yang saying a word to a woman, not to mention these photos.

Cheating, having an affair.

Finally, there was an opportunity to exploit this touchy subject.

Great.

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*an idiom. all the MTL sites just give me this literal meaning so… sorry

**this is an idiom meaning that they will never cross paths… probably

Well. That was a long one. Since this is MTL I’m running into various difficulties, unfortunately – the accuracy of the translation is definitely suffering for it so… sorry for that. I can for sure say I’m not writing fanfiction here but there’s not much I can do except “creative editing” when I run the text through a dozen different translation softwares and they all give me unclear gibberish.

Specifically in this chapter MCs new agent “Anya”… I have very little confidence in most of the text around her. In the first place, I’m pretty sure “Anya” isn’t a Chinese name so it’s probably wrong. Plus those lines about Anya being good at “casting wide nets and raising fish in fish ponds” I assume are some sort of metaphor or idiom I don’t recognize and then all those lines about MC “falling in love” with Anya at first sight… I’m 99% sure there is no yuri route here so I just dunno, probably just a “deep friendship” thing? That’s how I translated it anyway!

Maybe I’ll stick a disclaimer about accuracy up somewhere if more chapters make me feel this lost in the future.

I will say tomorrow’s chapter didn’t give me nearly as much of a headache to translate as this one did even though it was only a couple hundred words shorter. So… look forward to that 🙂