CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: TALENTED AND HARDWORKING PEOPLE

As soon as these words were spoken, the room grew even quieter.

The male extra holding a wine glass glanced at everyone present, shaking his head as he continued, "This showbiz, it’s all about looks. Even if you’re not good at acting, as long as you’re good-looking, someone will praise you. For people like us who aren’t that attractive, who would even look at us? Even if we wanted to knock on doors at night, they wouldn’t open them. They might even mistake you for a thief and call the cops, so people should just accept their fate..."

"Lao Zhang, have you drunk too much? Drink some juice to sober up." Finally, someone could no longer listen and quickly raised a drink to interrupt him.

Lao Zhang looked at him, smiling enigmatically as he accepted the drink, chuckling lightly, "Why can’t you handle the truth? Isn’t this how you all think in your hearts? I’m just saying what you’re thinking."

"Lao Zhang, who thinks like that? You’ve had a bit too much of cat’s urine and are making a scene. If you have the guts, go and act up in front of Brother Tao." Sister Meng was the first to object, putting down her glass and giving him a cold stare.

Lao Zhang wasn’t angry, pointing at Sister Meng and laughing, "Sister Meng, do you know why even though both are women, some have lots of resources, rise to the top, and sign big contracts, while you can only keep playing small roles with just three or four lines in a movie?"

Without waiting for Sister Meng to respond, he slapped the table and answered, "Because you’re neither as young nor as pretty as them..."

"Heh, isn’t Ji Ning pretty?" Sister Meng rolled her eyes and pointed at Ji Ning, who was gnawing on a large bone.

It was only then that Lao Zhang realized there was also Ye Tong’s sister in the room. He glanced at Ye Tong and chuckled, "Women need more than just to be pretty, they need to have that feminine charm, especially in bed..."

Sister Meng’s face changed immediately and she splashed a glass of wine on Lao Zhang’s face, "What are you talking about? Sober up."

Lao Zhang wiped his face, not getting angry, continuing to smile as if he was really drunk. The atmosphere in the room was tense to the extreme, and everyone looked unhappy, with some even considering leaving.

At this moment, Ji Ning, who had been silently eating, suddenly spoke up, "It’s always the incompetent men who blame their failures on women."

Lao Zhang’s smiling face froze as he looked up at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning calmly used a napkin to wipe her greasy hands and said coldly, "Even if given the same opportunity, you couldn’t play a male third lead. Besides, your looks aren’t good enough, neither is this."

Ji Ning’s gesture thoroughly angered Lao Zhang, who stood up abruptly, slammed the table with both hands, and glared at her, "What did you say?"

"Hmm, and hard of hearing."

"You... you think that just because Ye Tong got the female third lead role, she can make it in the showbiz? There are plenty more beautiful than her with connections, networks, and acting skills. What does Ye Tong have? Besides knocking on doors at night, what else can she do?"

Ji Ning set down the napkin, her expression more serious: "She can rehearse lines until three AM, wake up at five AM for Body Refinement, and spend 20 out of 24 hours studying, exercising, working, and doing chores."

Lao Zhang was stunned by Ji Ning’s words but remained defiant, "Speaking as if no one else has stayed up all night rehearsing lines. I once stayed up all night for a role, and you didn’t hear me complain!"

Ji Ning nodded slightly and continued: "Her physical constitution is at level B5, what about yours?"

Lao Zhang’s face turned red at once; his was only level C3. "Physical strength doesn’t mean anything. Ye Tong’s talent is better than mine, naturally making her constitution better."

"Her talent is indeed better than yours, but she still carries 50 kilograms for Body Refinement every day. She didn’t even take it off during the afternoon audition."

"What? 50 kilograms? Are you sure?" Sister Meng looked at Ji Ning, incredulous.

Ji Ning glanced at her, smiling faintly, "Wait till she comes back, you can see for yourself." Then turning to Lao Zhang, "Having talent and working hard, landing a female third lead isn’t too much, is it?"

Lao Zhang opened his mouth, words stuck in his throat as his face grew crimson.

Ji Ning glanced around at the people nearby, continuing, "Ye Tong is indeed quite attractive, but she hasn’t sought out any man at night. If there’s anyone, there’s a 12-year-old boy living downstairs."

"Pfft... hahaha..." Sister Meng couldn’t hold back her laughter, and Lao Zhang, annoyed and embarrassed, glared at her. "Who knows if what you’re saying is true?"

"You can check the surveillance; we live at Ming Fu Garden."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room widened their eyes, staring at Ji Ning in disbelief.

Ming Fu Garden?

Sister Meng was the first to voice everyone’s thoughts: "Ming Fu Garden? As in ’ming’ like in ’name’, ’fu’ like in ’mansion’?"

Ji Ning nodded slightly.

The room erupted in murmurs.

"Oh my god, isn’t that a famous affluent neighborhood?"

"Brother Tao, is he that rich now?"

"Brother Tao can’t possibly afford a house there; people living there are more than just wealthy."

"Oh my, Ye Tong lives at Ming Fu Garden? Why is she working as an extra?"

With these words, everyone’s gaze returned to Ji Ning, their eyes now filled with curiosity and respect, even Lao Zhang was looking at her with a blend of intrigue and awe.

Ji Ning thought for a moment and replied, "To earn money, to become a film queen."

The crowd collectively scoffed, retracting their attention, "Living in Ming Fu Garden yet afraid of not making it as a film queen? You could have said you’re experiencing life, and we wouldn’t have said anything. Why come up with such a far-fetched excuse?"

Ji Ning: ...

This delightful misunderstanding completely extinguished the gossip about Ye Tong and Li Tao circulating in the circle of extras.

Meanwhile, Ye Tong, who had never knocked on a man’s door at night, was brought to a door by Li Tao.

The door was only a short distance away.

"Director Lin, who’s filming War God, is having his meal here. It’s a chance I worked hard to get for you. Once inside, follow my lead, even if you don’t get the female lead, at least make yourself known for a role," Li Tao said, his eyes still slightly red but earnest.

Ye Tong was deeply moved, biting her lip and summoning the courage to ask what she’d always wanted to ask, "Brother Tao, why are you so good to me?"

Li Tao was momentarily stunned, then seeing Ye Tong’s slightly nervous expression, he chuckled, "Because you’re pretty."

Ye Tong, startled, instinctively took half a step back. Li Tao smiled helplessly, "Look how scared you are. Being pretty is part of it, but mainly because you resemble my sister."

When Li Tao said this, his eyes dimmed slightly, his expression largely unchanged, but Ye Tong still sensed his underlying sadness.

"I’m sorry, Brother Tao... I..."

"What are you sorry for, my sister’s fine. Don’t overthink it, now let’s go in." Li Tao forced a habitual smile, raising his hand to knock on the door.

Until a voice from inside said, "Come in."

"Don’t be nervous, do your best," Li Tao turned back to encourage Ye Tong.

Ye Tong nodded heavily, clasping her hands tightly, composing her expression into a standard smile.