Chapter 12: Heavens, what should we name this chapter?

"Is this your home? Why can't I come?" Shen Xingman gave her no respect, saying whatever she thought, unafraid to offend anyone.

This can't be blamed on her meddling.

Firstly, Lin Wan and Shen Xingman have already clashed, so when they meet they are enemies, both basically following the principle "If you ignore me, I'll still go against you." Secondly, Shen Ran, such a kind girl, is practically the epitome of the entertainment industry's purity; if she doesn't get justice, Shen Xingman feels she has let down her ancestors.

Moreover, it's because of her that Lin Wan bears a grudge against Shen Ran!

Lin Wan assumed a lofty pose: "Shen Xingman, you seem to love eavesdropping on others."

Shen Xingman didn't deny, stating a fact: "Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't even know when I became the second female lead."

Lin Wan awkwardly pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

——There must be a reason Shen Xingman isn't starring in "Star and Frost," but it's certainly not because the director doesn't want her.

She wants to move to the big screen, so she turned down the director's invitation, and the financiers are still eager to recruit her.

But Lin Wan is different; she has a signature film, doesn't need to think much—now it's a film and TV winter, she shoots if the script is good, discards it if not, as long as she gets the resources she succeeds.

"So the last diva incident, you were the one pulling the strings behind me."

Actually Shen Xingman knew it was her, but because she is a public figure, every word and deed is magnified infinitely, so without evidence, even a clarification would seem weak; now it's different—since it's obvious, there's no need to beat around the bush.

"Shen Ran stepped up to defend me, and you want to punish her in return?" Shen Xingman laughed, "You get sick yourself but make others take medicine… Senior Lin, what's the logic?"

"Logic?" Lin Wan heard a joke, replied slowly, "Shen Xingman, you're too naive; there are countless illogical things in this world. Have you ever seen a lion reason with a lamb?"

People, you have to live realistically.

"You're right, logic has no conditions or limits; some things are reasonable simply by existing," Shen Xingman knew she was giving herself an excuse, "So if I take the female lead in 'Star and Frost,' would that be reasonable?"

"!" Lin Wan's arms, which had been crossed, suddenly relaxed.

The fissure on her face was clearly visible. In short, she could no longer stand.

"Shen Xingman, you stooped low right in front of me?" Lin Wan looked at her with revulsion, anger in her eyes about to spill over.

"Isn't it what you said, that there are countless illogical things in this world?"

Shen Xingman now feels that parroting others' words isn't a pejorative.

"So the big star Shen not only loves eavesdropping, but also meddling!"

So cheap, so disgusting, Shen Xingman once again raised Lin Wan's annoyance ceiling.

"You don't let others control you, but you can control others," Shen Xingman's dress was really heavy, standing a while made her tired, but she endured, "So the international double standards were set by you after all?"

Lin Wan doesn't think the one who stoops is herself at all; on the contrary, she feels bullying Shen Ran is a very satisfying and natural thing.

"Qiao Qiao, let's take 'Star and Frost'." Shen Xingman turned her head toward Qiao Yun, speaking softly, "And while we're at it, recommend Shen Ran as well."

If her guess is correct, the director probably thought Shen Xingman wouldn't come, so was forced to pick Lin Wan; she was the second choice online. Even if after the official announcement the audience isn't very satisfied, at least she has a fan base, and the keyboard warriors' voices won't be too loud.

When the first choice is impossible, all hopes fall onto the second choice, so at that moment Lin Wan has absolute say.

And one of her demands is—Shen Ran cannot be used as the second female lead.

Her goal was achieved, but only just before Shen Xingman's appearance.

Qiao Yun didn't hesitate any longer, nodded: "Okay."

In that instant, Shen Ran felt a firework explode in her heart.

The moment that should have been overjoyed, she quietly blurred her eyes.

From childhood to now, besides her mother, it seems no one has ever supported her through hardships; even her manager often scolds her for being obtuse, unwilling to grovel to please the financiers, pretends to be aloof, and often points at her nose in criticism.

"Shen Xingman, you're deliberately making things difficult for me, aren't you? How am I hindering you? She's from the mountains, and you protect her so much? Are you opening a church in front of me or pretending to be a living bodhisattva?"

She doesn't believe this ruthless person would give up a film role to take a heavily homogenized period drama.

"What's wrong with being from the mountains? Shen Ran neither steals nor grabs, acts openly in filming, lives honestly, and her current status is entirely the result of her own hard work."

"You call such a kind, pure girl hypocritical and aloof, but what about those petty villains who wield knives and guns behind the scenes? Aren't they deserving of a thousand deaths?"

Everyone present knows who the "petty villains" refer to.

Shen Xingman and Qiao Yun continuously protected Shen Ran, preventing the emotionally out‑of‑control Lin Wan from bullying her again.

"Perhaps you think morality is a pretext that restricts personal freedom, but remember—don't mistake lack of upbringing for having an aura; humor and a sharp tongue are purely different things."

"Don't ruin the reputation of all wealthy youths just because of you alone."

Shen Xingman's eyes held little anger; on the contrary, she seemed to be lecturing an immature youngster.

Lin Wan had long been fed up, yet when she said a sentence, Shen Xingman could almost counter her ten times!

In the end, she cast a fierce gaze at Shen Ran, both dissatisfied and yet left the scene in a disheveled state.

"…"

Seeing her walk away, the stone hanging in Shen Ran's heart finally settled firmly.

"Hey, be careful." Qiao Yun supported her from start to finish.

"Baby, impressive." She also gave Shen Xingman a thumbs‑up.

Shen Xingman frowned, "God, I'm speechless."

"What's up?"

"My foot is numb."

"…"

Then Qiao Yun had to go over again to support her.

"Thank you all." Shen Ran, eyes reddened, bowed to them.

"It's fine, it's fine." Shen Xingman, bearing a sore back, tried to reach out to hold her hand, but the dress limited her, "You helped me before, didn't you?"

Shen Ran didn't step too close, considering Shen Xingman's princess dress took up space; without keeping distance she might step on it.

"Shen Ran, you need to be more assertive," Shen Xingman rarely lectures others, but she quite likes this girl, so she couldn't help adding a few words, "You have no reason to become cowardly for others."

Eat when you should, drink when you should, nothing should linger in your heart.

"Turning your own shortcomings into miracles is the deadliest retaliation against those who mock you," Shen Xingman said softly, "Shen Ran, your flaw isn't a lack of excellence, but being too cowardly."

I will definitely fight for the second female lead of Star Frost for you; when the time comes, we'll keep in touch via WeChat.

Shen Ran was so moved she almost choked, "Thank you, really thank you."

"Don't be polite, we're all girls—helping each other is what we should do."